Ballade pour Adeline - Richard Clayderman

I first heard 'Ballade pour Adeline' on one of those cheap compilation LP's that is half filled with great hits and half with a sort of throwaway track. Except this instrumental piece on piano was not really a throwaway track, albeit slightly cheesy.

Richard Clayderman was born as Philippe Pagés on December 28, 1953 in Paris, France. He started playing the piano from a very young age. At 23 years old, he was auditioned by Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint to record the gentle piano ballad. Toussaint commented on him winning the auditions: 'He was an interesting musician with a soft touch and good technique. And he looked good, too'. The single was the start of a successful career that lasts until today. It reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40 and charted all over Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 3058
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Ballade pour Adeline' / 'Ballade pour Adeline', 'Promenade dans les bois'

Fastlove - George Michael

'Fastlove' was the second single from George Michael's 1996 album 'Older'. The track contained a re-sung but otherwise identical chorus of the Patrice Rushen hit 'Forget me nots'. The track was an energetic tune about the need for gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment.

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 on the UK singles chart. This 7" single was made in the USA, the only country where a 7" single was even released. 'Fastlove' reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3994
Found: eBay.com, received August 6, 2009
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'Fastlove' / 'I'm your man '96'

I'm with stupid - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys released 'I'm with stupid' in May 2006 as the first single from their Trevor Horn-produced album 'Fundamental'. Though it could be considered a lovesong about a man perceived by the public as a 'moron', the song has been acknowledged as being, on another level, about Tony Blair's relationship with George W. Bush.

The single was released on cd, dvd, various download formats and this 7" single. Although it was released in a 'normal' picture sleeve, it actually contains a picture disc. The single peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3446
Found: Record fair, 2006
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'I'm with stupid' / 'Girls don't cry'

L'amour ça fait chanter la vie - Jean Vallée

Jean Vallée was born as Paul Goeders in Verviers, Belgium in 1941. He represented Belgium twice for the Eurovision Song Contest. He first appeared in the 1970 edition with the song 'Viens l'oublier', finishing eighth.

He was more successful when he returned in 1978 with the song 'L'amour ça fait chanter la vie', a bombastic typically Eurovision-sounding ballad, which finished second behind the winning song 'A-ba-ni-bi' by Izhar Cohen for Israel.

My collection: 7" single no. 4342
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'L'amour ça fait chanter la vie' / 'Nonobstant'

When the wind blows - David Bowie

'When the wind blows' is an animated movie from the UK, released in 1986 and based on Raymond Briggs' graphic novel of the same name. It depicts a nuclear attack on the UK by the Soviet Union from the viewpoint of a retired couple, Jim and Hilda Bloggs. They live in rural Sussex and are confused regarding the nature and seriousness of their situation, which is sometimes used to generate gentle comedy as well as darker elements. As the film progresses their situation becomes steadily more hopeless as they suffer from the effects of radiation sickness. The film ends on an extremely bleak note, with both of them dying as they pray.

David Bowie sang the theme song of the movie, which was released as a single in the autumn of 1986. The single peaked at number 44 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1519
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'When the wind blows' / 'When the wind blows (instrumental)'

(Forever) live and die - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'(Forever) Live and die' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1986 album 'The pacific age'. Lead vocals were performed by Paul Humphreys, unlike most OMD singles.

The single peaked at number 11 in the UK and became OMD's second hit in the USA, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its biggest success was achieved in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 2799
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 14, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '(Forever) live and die' / 'This town'

Could it be magic - Donna Summer

'Could it be magic' was written by Adrienne Anderson and Barry Manilow and recorded by Barry Manilow on his 1973 debut album, 'Barry Manilow I'. The song was released as a single two years later. The song is based on Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20, and Manilow's singing in the last verse fades into a straight performance of the last few bars of the Prelude.

Just one year after Manilow's original version was released as a single Donna Summer recorded a disco version of the track and included it on her second international album 'Love trilogy'. She added her own trademark moans and groans in the mix, which caused it to number 40 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2114
Found: June 11, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Could it be magic' / 'Whispering waves'

Everybody's got to learn sometime - The Korgis

Despite decreasing success, charity projects in pop music were still going on towards the end of the Eighties. In 1990, a compilation album called 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' to benefit International Hostage Release was released. It included tracks by Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Simple Minds, Steve Winwood, Mike Oldfield and many other artists who were wellknown for their commitment towards the freeing of hostages (?) .

The title track was performed by the Korgis. However, it was not the wellknown original version from 1980, but a new recording of the track. As far as re-recordings go, this was a rather good version, although it added nothing to the original version. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1395
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' / 'Everybody's got to learn sometime (instrumental)'

Too much, too little, too late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

Johnny Mathis' 1978 album 'You light up my life' featured two duets with Deniece Williams. Both duets are included on this single, with 'Too much, too little, too late' as the lead track. It became Johnny Mathis' comeback hit, peaking at number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, his first number one since 1957's 'Chances are'. The single also reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

The success of the duet with Williams prompted Mathis to record duets with a variety of partners including Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, and Nana Mouskouri. Mathis and Williams also recorded a follow-up duet album entitled 'That's what friends are for', however 'Too much, too little, too late' was not included on that album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2406
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much, too little, too late' / 'Emotion'

Je veux de l'amour - Raymond van het Groenewoud

'Je veux de l'amour' ('I want love') is the desperate cry of an artist who has everything in his career, except love. Belgian singer Raymond van 't Groenewoud played a very believable role in this song, with his emotive vocals.

He was rewarded with his first hit outside of Belgium: 'Je veux de l'amour' reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 674
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Je veux de l'amour' / 'Troonsafstand'

The biggest fool of all - Cock Robin

'The biggest fool of all' was released as the second single from Cock Robin's second album 'After here through midland'. A limited edition was packaged with a poster sleeve, featuring the photograph from the album's sleeve.

The single, released in 1987, was only successful in France and Germany, where it peaked at number 47 and 50 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 570
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: The biggest fool of all' / 'Blood of a saint'

It's all gone - Chris Rea

'It's all gone' was the first single from Chris Rea's 1986 album 'On the beach'. The track was written by Chris Rea and produced by Rea with Dave Richards.

The single reached number 69 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in Ireland. In Europe, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3070
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's all gone' / 'Bless them all'

Torture - King

'Torture' was the third single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet'. The single was released in January 1986 and reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.

After the number 2 hit single 'Love & pride' from January 1985, every next single performed worse than the one that went before. 'Torture' was the last single by the band King, after which lead singer Paul King went solo. His first solo single only reached number 59 in the UK singles chart, progressing the decline that had already set in.

My collection: 7" single no. 1018
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Torture' / 'Groovin' with the kings'

All out of love - Air Supply

'All out of love' is one of those immortal lovesongs that pops up on compilation albums and radio programmes regularly. It was originally recorded by British/Australian pop group Air Supply and released as a single in 1980. It reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Several artists have covered the song after this, including Cliff Richard, Andru Donalds, Westlife and Delta Goodrem.

My collection: 7" single no. 1639
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'All out of love' / 'Old habits die hard'

Food for thought - 10CC

The 1983 10CC album was mostly a product of Eric Stewart, as Graham Gouldman only performed partial lead vocals on one song. The album featured a lot of session musicians and Stewart later reflected that the original idea of a concept album was not realised. 'I longed to be like Pink Floyd and just go for large musical statements like 'One night in Paris' and 'Feel the benefit', but we were locked onto the singles roundabout, the 'quick buck', and it was impossible to break free at the time.'

Two singles were taken from the album, '24 hours' and 'Feel the love', but in Holland, a third single was released: 'Food for thought'. It was reasonably successful too, reaching number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 428
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Food for thought' / 'The secret life of Henry'

Mary Ann - Black Lace

'Mary Ann' is a rather straightforward love song, performed by the English band Black Lace. They represented the United Kingdom during the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest with this song. It finished eleventh in a field of 19 contestants. The single reached number 42 in the UK charts, the lowest placing for a Eurovision entrant in many years.

The song was under threat of legal action when the band Smokey's publishers insisted that 'Mary Ann' was a rip-off of Smokey’s song 'Oh Carol'. The song's publishing company, ATV Music, insisted that any similarity was purely coincidental, and since they showed that the notation of the two songs were different the case was dropped. However, it was no secret in the Black Lace camp that every possible thing was done to sound like Smokey, from the lead vocal to the harmonies, the guitars and even the bass line. 'It was an intentional rip-off,' said Colin Routh from the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 4343
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Mary Ann' / 'Drivin''

Dis lui toi que je t'aime - Vanessa Paradis

'Dis lui toi que je t'aime' was the second single taken from Vanessa Paradis' 1990 album 'Variations sur le même t'aime'. As with more tracks on the album, the song was written by Serge Gainsbourg.

The single reached number 41 in the French singles chart. While this is a relatively low chart placing, the album has consistently been in print in France since its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4320
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Dis lui toi que je t'aime' / 'Ardoise'

I can't help it - Bananarama

'I can't help it' was written and recorded by Bananarama together with their producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman. The track was included on their fourth studio album 'Wow!' (1987) and released as the third single off the album. The song does not sound very different from other Stock, Aitken and Waterman productions from around that time.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. The photos on the record sleeve were taken by famous American photographer Herb Ritts. It is the final Bananarama single to feature Siobhan Fahey, who announced her departure shortly after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4326
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can't help it' / 'Ecstacy'

The power of love - Jennifer Rush

Jennifer Rush was born as Heidi Stern on September 28, 1960 in Queens, New York. She spent most of her childhood in Bavaria, Germany. This is also where she discovered her passion for music. Her debut album 'Heidi Stern' was released in 1979, but it didn't get much attention. She was more successful in the Eighties, when she released her second album 'Jennifer Rush' in 1984. This album contained the track 'The power of love'.

Having spent much of the summer of 1985 outside of the UK top 40, the single suddenly climbed to number 1 in its 17th week in the chart. It became the first single by a female solo artist to sell a million copies in the UK and it remains among the UK's best-selling singles of all time. The song was also a major hit in the rest of Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 7. In 1993, the song fell victim to Celine Dion, who butchered it with her awful voice.

My collection: 7" single no. 1119
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 1, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The power of love' / 'I see a shadow (Not a fantasy)'

Sugar mice - Marillion

The fourth studio album by Marillion, 'Clutching at straws', released in 1987, was a concept album written around the character of Torch, a 29 year old unemployed man who seeks comfort in alcohol to numb himself. Still, he can't forget his failed marriage, a deadbeat father and a lack of commercial success as a singer in a band.

The single 'Sugar mice' wraps up this theme rather nicely, creating a heartfelt and quite dramatic song. The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 699
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 6, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Sugar mice' / 'Tux on'