Love games - Level 42

Level 42 had their first significant hart success with 'Love games', the first single from their 1981 album 'Level 42'. Peaking at number 38 in the UK singles chart, they managed a top 10 placing in the Netherlands, peaking at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although the band was not yet a household name, this early single already had all the hallmarks that would make them one of the hottest bands around in the second half of the Eighties: a bouncing bassline, lively vocals and a funky rhythm.

My collection: 7" single no. 1627
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love games' / 'Forty two'

I'm still standing - Elton John

'I'm still standing' was taken from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero'. The lyric of the song is about making a comeback despite problems in daily life. It could well be autobiographical, although Elton John was consistently successful thoughout the Seventies and early Eighties.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 940
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm still standing' / 'Tortured'

Muscle bound - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet formed in 1976 as 'The Cut' and subsequently named themselves 'The Makers'. When they changed their name again to Spandau Ballet and performed in clubs in London, they created quite a buzz. The band was involved in a major bidding war, but eventually signed to Chrysalis Records and released their debut album 'Journeys to glory' in 1981.

'Muscle bound' was the third single lifted from the album, reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart in April 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 93
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Muscle bound' / 'Glow'

Why should I cry for you - Sting

'Why should I cry for you?' was the fourth and last single released from Sting's third solo album 'The Soul Cages'. It was also the least successful, as it didn't chart in the UK, where all his previous solo singles had charted.

That's not to say it's a bad song: personally I think it's the best track from the album, with the extended version adding much to the song's appeal. This single has a bizarrely dark photo sleeve; I think something went wrong at the printer's. 'Why should I cry for you?' only charted in France, peaking at number 38.

My collection: 7" single no. 2309
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Why should I cry for you?' / 'Ne me quitte pas (live)'

Seventeen - Renée

The influential Dutch DJ Frits Spits was already a fan of the song 'Seventeen' when the previous single 'You're a liar' had just been released. Both tracks were taken from Renée's successful 1982 album 'The future none can see'. Despite this strong radio support, 'Seventeen' still failed to reach the charts when it was eventually released.

The lyric of the song is a tale of a young woman who goes out with a boy next door and then gets raped. Not your average song material, but told in a few lines with strong musical backing, it really grabs the listener. Not bad for a Dutch production.

My collection: 7" single no. 786
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 30, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seventeen' / 'By the by'

One more dance - Esther Ofarim and Abraham

Esther Ofarim was born as Esther Zaied on June 13, 1941 in Safed, Israel. She met guitarist and dancer Abraham in 1959 and subsequently married him. Together with him, but also without him, she began to sing Hebrew and international folk songs.

'One more dance', a slightly morbid tale of a wife (or daughter, this is not entirely clear) who wants to keep dancing while her 'old man' is dying at home. Released in 1964, this single reached number 7 in the Dutch charts. Four years later, the single also charted in the UK, peaking at number 13.

My wife came home with this single today, and I was really glad to get it - not only for the charming A-side, but also for the B-side, a version of the early 20th century song 'Freight train', which has been recorded by numerous artists.

My collection: 7" single no. 4346
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, December 12, 2009
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'One more dance' / 'Freight train'

Deeply dippy - Right said Fred

'Deeply dippy' was released as the third single by Right said Fred. While their debut single 'I'm too sexy' has become some sort of cult classic, this single ended up peaking one place higher than that one, at the top of the UK singles chart in April 1992. In the Dutch Top 40 the single reached number 10.

The song was later covered by The Rockingbirds on the Terence Higgins Trust supporting charity EP, 'The Fred EP'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1666
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 13, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Deeply dippy' / 'Deeply dubby'

New song - Howard Jones

Last year, Howard Jones celebrated his 25 years in the pop business. It all started in September 1983 with this single: 'New song'. The track was taken from Howard's debut album 'Human's lib', and was, like most of his singles, written and composed by Howard Jones himself.

the single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and also reached number 27 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart when it was released in America six months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 365
Found: Brussels, 1985
Cost: 100 Belgian Francs
Tracks: 'New song' / 'Change the man'

Love song / Alive and kicking - Simple Minds

'Love song' is a track from the Simple Minds' 1981 album 'Sons and fascination'. It was originally released as a single in the same year, peaking at number 47 in the UK singles chart. Not only was it their biggest success in the UK up to that point, it was also their first single to chart outside the UK: in Australia and Canada, peaking at number 17 and 38 respectively.

The track was re-released as a double A-side single, coupled with their 1985 hit 'Alive and kicking', in 1992 to promote the compilation album 'Glittering Prize 81/92'. This single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 1800
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 11, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Love song' / 'Alive and kicking'

Love is the groove - Betsy Cook

'Love is the groove' is the first single taken from Betsy Cook's first and only album, 'The girl who ate herself' (1992). The album was released a few years after she had some success as a songwriter with Paul Young's 1986 hit 'Wonderland'.

Although Betsy Cook's version of 'Love is the groove' did not chart, the song was covered by Cher in 1998 on her Grammy-winning album 'Believe'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1614
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 4, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is the groove' / 'Diving'

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'