Wish you a merry Christmas - The Korgis

'Wish you a merry Christmas' is a non-album track by the Korgis. In the UK, it appeared as the B-side to 'Rovers return' in 1980. In France, the track was released as the A-side of the single, with 'Rovers return' on the flipside.

It is a lovely Christmas track, written by James Warren and Phil Harrison from the Korgis. I don't know whether this single actually charted in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 4172
Found: Chelsea Records, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wish you a merry Christmas' / 'Rovers return'

Please come home for Christmas - The Eagles

'Please come home for Christmas' was originally written and recorded in 1960 by the American blues singer and pianist Charles Brown. When it was released in December 1961, it reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Eagles covered the track in 1978 and released it as a single. Their version peaked at number 18 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 30 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4181
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Please come home for Christmas' / 'Funky new year'

2000 miles - The Pretenders

The Pretenders released '2000 miles' in November 1983. The single preceded the album 'Learning to crawl', which was released in early 1984. The song is considered a Christmas song for its music and the lyric 'It must be Christmas time' in the chorus.

'2000 miles' peaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was released in a limited edition gatefold sleeve, which I bought some years after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 1214
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: '2000 miles' / 'Fast or slow, the law's the law'

The power of love - Frankie goes to Hollywood

Frankie goes to Hollywood built the beginning of their career and their first three single releases on the three pillars of controversy: sex ('Relax'), war ('Two tribes') and religion ('The power of love'). This third single was a stark contrast to the busy, almost aggressive songs that went before: it was the epitome of tranquility.

The music video accompanying the single was directed by Godley & Creme and told the nativity story. The sleeve of the single featured the Assunta by Titian, a XVI century painting in the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari of Venice. In the UK an extra outer sleeve (pictured above) was added, wrapping up the single like a Christmas present. The single became the UK's Christmas number 1 in 1984 and reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1467
Found: London, June 30, 1991
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The power of love' / 'The world is my oyster'

Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest - Henk Temming

Henk Temming was a former member of the Dutch group Het Goede Doel when he released this 1991 seasonal solo single. 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest' ('I ask St. Nicholas for a very happy Christmas') refers to the Dutch holiday on December 5, when the anniversary of St. Nicholas is celebrated with presents. In this case, Temming has described his wish for a merry Christmas by asking for it on December 5.

The sentiment was obviously shared with a lot of Dutch people that year, since the single reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1554
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest' / 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest (meezing versie)'

Thank God it's Christmas - Queen

'Thank God it's Christmas' was written by Brian May and Roger Taylor and released as a single in November 1984. The track does not appear on any Queen studio album, but was included in their 'Greatest Hits III' compilation, released in 1999.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in Ireland. In most European countries the single went by unnoticed, although it did chart in Austria and Germany in 1985, reaching number 21 and 57 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 4315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Thank God it's Christmas' / 'Man on the prowl', 'Keep passing the open windows'

Carol of the birds - Art Garfunkel and Amy Grant

In 1986, Art Garfunkel released 'The animal's Christmas', an album composed by Jimmy Webb as a cantata that tells the nativity story from the perspective of animals that were there. On the track 'Carol of the birds', lead vocal duties are shared by Art Garfunkel and Amy Grant; they recorded the track in Nashville, Tennessee.

This American promotional 7" single features that track. I don't know if it was released commercially as there is no information about that anywhere on the web. Could be this is quite the collector's item, but I don't know. I do like this track, it's one of those records you have to hear once a year on a day like today.

My collection: 7" single no. 3243
Found: London, 2001
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Carol of the birds' / 'Carol of the birds'

I would die 4 U - Prince

Prince released 'I would die 4 U' as the fourth single from his very successful 1984 album 'Purple rain'. Some fans think that the lyric of the song is sung from the viewpoint of Jesus Christ. The B-side of the single, 'Another lonely Christmas', is a sad account of a man mourning his lover's death on Christmas Day.

The single reached number 58 in the UK singles chart, but peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4289
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I would die 4 U' / 'Another lonely Christmas'

Eeuwige kerst - Annie Schilder, Koor Kinderen voor Kinderen, Het Goede Doel

'Eeuwige kerst' ('Eternal Christmas') could be considered the Dutch version of Band Aid, released in December 1984. Dutch singer Annie Schilder, Het Goede Doel and the children's choir Kinderen voor Kinderen collaborated on this Christmas track. It reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

On May 1, 1984, Dutch broadcaster VARA organised a radio programme entitled Losprijs to raise money for Doctors without borders, on the occasion of them starting a branch in the Netherlands. Highlights of that programme were included on the lengthy B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3767
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eeuwige kerst' / 'Hoogtepunten uit Losprijs'

Little drummer boy - Boney M

By the end of 1981, Boney M was in a little trouble. They'd recorded the album 'Boonoonoonoos', originally scheduled for release in November 1980, but released almost a year later because of the recording sessions dragging on. Boney M's 'Christmas album' was released almost at the same time in November 1981. By that time, male member Bobby Farrell was fired from the group due to his unreliable working discipline.

It did not hinder the Christmas album so much, as it became a holiday favourite for all the band's fans. The single 'Little drummer boy' was a bit of a secret though. I never saw it back in 1981, and last January I saw it for the first time in my life. Boney M's version of this traditional is pretty decent, but the medley of hits on the B-side is the real treat here.

My collection: 7" single no. 3568
Found: La La Land, January 31, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Little drummer boy' / '6 years of Boney M hits - Boney M on 45'

December will be magic again - Kate Bush

'December will be magic again' was written and recorded in 1979 by Kate Bush. It was not released as a single until November 1980. The song first appeared on television during a Kate Bush television special in the UK, in December 1979. The single release in 1980 was not accompanied by a music video.

Upon its release, the single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart, number 13 in Ireland and number 55 in Germany. Since then, the song has been played on the radio in December every year. It also appears regularly on Christmas compilation albums. It is one of my all time favourite Christmas tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 75
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, December 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'December will be magic again' / 'Warm and soothing'

In dulci jubilo - Mike Oldfield

'In dulci jubilo' ('In sweetest rejoicing') is a traditional Christmas Carol. The original lyrics, a macaronic alternation of Medieval German and Latin, is thought to have been written by the German mystic Heinrich Seuse circa 1328.

Mike Oldfield released an instrumental arrangement of this in December 1975. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2797
Found: December 14, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In dulci jubilo' / 'On horseback'

Flappie - Youp van 't Hek

'Flappie' is the name of the rabbit in this Dutch Christmas classic which appears on the radio year after year. Comedian Youp van 't Hek describes the scene of a boy coming down on Christmas down, looking for his rabbit which disappeared from its pen. Mother doesn't know where the animal is, but says the boy should go looking for it, but don't disturb dad, who is busy in the shed. That evening, Flappie is presented as the main course at dinner. The next morning, mother wakes up with father gone. The boy says that she can go look for him as long as she doesn't look in the shed...

Although the song has become a Christmas classic, the single did not chart when it was released in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 2801
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 29, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Flappie' / 'Kontzak'

So you win again - Hot Chocolate

'So you win again' was written by Russ Ballard, the English singer-songwriter who also wrote tracks like 'You can do magic' and 'I know there's something going on'.

Hot Chocolate recorded the song in 1977, with Mickie Most producing. It became the band's only UK number one single that summer. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 31, wheras in the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 509
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'So you win again' / 'A part of being with you'

Love will conquer all - Lionel Richie

The man who gave us lyrics like 'What a feeling / when we're dancing on the ceiling' also gave us this sloppy love song. 'Love will conquer all' was a single taken from Lionel Richie's 1986 album 'Dancing on the ceiling'.

The single reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 45 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1150
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love will conquer all' / 'The only one'

Those simple things / (What a day for a) Daydream - Right said Fred

Right said Fred found fame with songs like 'I'm too sexy' and 'Deeply dippy', that were considered humorous but no serious attempts at making music. In a way, the double A-sided single 'Those simple things/Daydream' changed matters a bit. These were two beautiful and serious pop songs.

'Daydream' is a cover version of a song by the Lovin' Spoonful, whereas the beautifully orchestrated 'Those simple things' was an original track. Both were taken from Right said Fred's debut album 'Up'. The single reached number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1698
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag,
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Those simple things' / '(What a day for a) daydream'

Everything counts - Depeche Mode

Martin Gore attended a concert by the industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten in January 1983 and got inspired to experiment with industrial sounds in his own music. Depeche Mode had just started to use the Synclavier, a synthesizer that allowed to record an re-use sounds. They started recording hammering anvils, clanging pipes, running water, pingpong balls, etcetera.

Their third album 'Construction time again' not only contained these new sounds, but also a more political stance in their lyrics. 'Everything counts' specifically addresses corporate greed and corruption in the music industry, as the chorus sings of 'grabbing hands' that 'grab all they can'. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and remains one of the band's best known songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 1075
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Everything counts' / 'Work hard'

I feel love - Donna Summer

After Donna Summer left Casablance Records and signed with Geffen Records, her old record company released a series of singles from her 1979 double album 'Bad girls' as well as the compilation album 'Walk away - The best of 1977-1980'. After this, disco and high energy producer Patrick Cowley was asked to remix one of Summer's best known tracks, 'I feel love'. This remix was released as a single in 1982, around the same time when Donna Summer scored a big hit with her new record company, 'State of independence'.

The full length 12" version clocked in at over 15 minutes and became a club favourite. The edit version on 7" single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3093
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I feel love (part 1)' / 'I feel love (part 2)'

More than the sun - Black

After Black signed to WEA Records in 1984, they released only two singles for the label until they were dropped. The second single was a re-recording of their 1982 single, 'More than the sun'. Although the previous single 'Hey presto' gave the band some exposure, this single didn't fare as well.

'More than the sun' is a beautifully orchestrated ballad in this re-recorded version. The B-side is the peculiar and very interesting 'Butterfly man'. Both tracks would be included in a mini-album released by WEA after they had their Europe-wide success with that one classic song, 'Wonderful life'. Cashing in!

My collection: 7" single no. 2271
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'More than the sun' / 'Butterfly man'

Cheek to cheek (Heaven) - Taco

The second single taken from Taco's 1983 album 'After eight' was another old song set to synthpop music. Irving Berlin wrote 'Cheek to cheek', performed by Fred Astaire in the 1935 movie 'Top hat'.

Unlike the previous single, this one didn't become a hit. Taco continued to record and release albums throughout the Eighties, focusing mainly on the German market.

My collection: 7" single no. 198
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Cheek to cheek (heaven)' / 'Encore (Sweet gypsy rose)'