Morning train - Sheena Easton

After Sheena Easton's debut single 'Modern girl' failed to chart, both that song and 'Morning train' featured in the BBC documentary 'The big time'. Both songs suddenly reached the chart as a result. 'Morning train' became a number 3 hit in the UK, also reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song is about a woman who waits at home all day for her man to come home from work. The music video was filmed on the Bluebell Railway, a heritage line running between East and West Sussex in England.

My collection: 7" single no. 4366
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Morning train' / 'Moody (My love)'

Let me be the one - The Shadows

The Shadows, who are best known for their work with Cliff Richard in the Sixties, represented the United Kingdom during the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Let me be the one'. The song finished second in the Contest, behind Teach-In from the Netherlands with 'Ding-a-dong'.

The single subsequently reached number 12 in the UK singles chart. It was also released in Europe, but without much chart success. This particular pressing comes from France.

My collection: 7" single no. 4365
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Let me be the one' / 'Stand up like a man'

Home on Monday - Little River Band

'Home on Monday' is one of those songs I heard on the radio quite regularly in the Eighties, without actually knowing the name of the band that performed the song. It turned out to be the Little River Band, an Australian rock band, that had a hit with this song in 1977.

The single reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40, as well as scoring top 10 in Australia and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4363
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Home on Monday' / 'The inner light'

Girl crazy - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate have had several big hits during their 15 year career, and 'Girl crazy' is one of them. It reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. At the time, I was not impressed with the song, but these days it's at least a lot better than most current chart hits.

'Girl crazy' was produced by the late great Mickie Most and released on his RAK record label, as with all of Hot Chocolate's output between 1970 and 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 4362
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Girl crazy' / 'Bed games'

Obsession - Animotion

Animotion was formed in 1983 by Astrid Plane, Paul Antonelli, Charles Ottavio, Frenchy O'Brien, Bill Wadhams and Don Kirkpatrick. They released their self-titled debut album in 1984. A few months later, in early 1985, 'Obsesison' gave the band international success.

The song was originally written and recorded as a duet by songwriter Holly Knight and musician Michael Des Barres in 1983, but this version did not meet with commercial success. Animotion's version reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in Canada and the USA. In the Netherlands, the single was not a hit, but it was prominently featured in a TV programme. I forget which one...

My collection: 7" single no. 4361
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Obsession' / 'Turn around'

What's another year - Johnny Logan

After almost thirty years, I think it's time to concede that 'What's another year' is actually a briliant, if someone melodramatic, pop song. I listened to it today and couldn't help but feel impressed by the melody and even the lyric. It was of course the song that launched Johnny Logan's career as Eurovision celebrity - even if in 1980 it wasn't yet obvious that he would win the Contest twice again: in 1987 with 'Hold me now' and in 1992 as a songwriter with 'Why me', performed by Linda Martin.

'What's another year' was written by Shay Healy about watching his father coming to terms with the death of his wife and companion, Mairin. After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980, the single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart.

I bought the Irish pressing of 'What's another year', which amazingly is a few seconds longer than the Dutch pressing which I've had for a couple of years. You can hear that the song fades out slightly earlier on the Dutch pressing.

My collection: 7" single no. 3487 / no. 4364
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003 / Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro / 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'What's another year' / 'One night stand'

Mea culpa (part 2) - Enigma

'Mea culpa' was released as the second single from Enigma's debut album 'MCMXD a.D.'. The title of the song comes from the Latin phrase for 'My fault'. The origin of the expression is from a traditional prayer in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church known as Confiteor (Latin for 'I confess'), in which the individual recognizes his or her flaws before God.

The single reached number 4 in France, number 7 in Germany and Italy, and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4360
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mea culpa (Orthodox version)' / 'Mea culpa (Catholic version)'

Shouldn't do that - Kaja

I always am a bit miffed when I find out that there's a special edition of a record or cd I already have. And so, just a few weeks after buying Kaja's 'Shouldn't do that', I found out there was a limited edition double single edition - and I was rather irritated by that. Fortunately, I didn't spend a fortune on the single I bought in April, and this double single version wasn't particularly expensive either, so I've got three discs for the price of one, so to speak.

'Shouldn't do that' was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 63. No further singles by Kaja, as the band named themselves in 1985 when they tried to shed the image of the teen idol band Kajagoogoo, charted.

My collection: 7" single no. 4359
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Shouldn't do that' / 'Charm of a gun' // 'Huricane' / 'What ever you want'

Runaway - Thompson Twins

The single 'Runaway' by the Thompson Twins was the second single from their second album 'Set', and the follow-up to the American hit single 'In the name of love'. At the time of release, Thompson Twins was a seven piece band, consisting of later core members Alannah Currie, Tom Baily and Joe Leeway, along with Chris Bell, Peter Dodd, John Roog and Matthew Seligman.

The single was released as a limited edition double single in the UK, featuring two live tracks on the second disc. It didn't help: the single flopped.

My collection: 7" single no. 4358
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway' / 'Open your eyes' // 'Living in Europe' / 'Make believe'

The belle of St. Mark - Sheila E

Taken from her debut album 'The glamorous life', 'The belle of St. Mark' was a 1984 hit single for Sheila E., written and produced by herself. The single reached number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

The single came out during a time when Sheila E. was still part of Prince's entourage. Around the same time, the duo had a brief romantic relationship, although Prince was also still involved with Susannah Melvoin, twin sister of Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa fame.

My collection: 7" single no. 4357
Found: Record mania, Amterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The belle of St. Mark' / 'Too sexy'

Nasty little green men - Classix Nouveaux

The question about life on other planets has been asked on several hit singles, most famously in 'Life on Mars?' by David Bowie. 'Nasty little green men' by Classix Nouveaux is less wellknown, but it's a very funny little track. The band had their first hit in the UK with 'Guilty' in 1981, but this single was released in 1980. It was their second single, after the equally unsuccessful 'Robots dance'.

At the time of release, Classix Nouveaux consisted of Sal Solo, Mik Sweeney, Gary Steadman and B.P. Hurding. The line-up of the band would change almost constantly in the six years Classix Nouveaux existed.

My collection: 7" single no. 4356
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Nasty little green men' / 'Test tube babies'

Don't stop the music - Yarbrough and Peoples

The duo Cavin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples were discovered by Charlie Wilson from the Gap Band, and signed their first record deal in 1980. Their debut album 'The two of us' was released the same year, with the hit single 'Don't stop the music' becoming their biggest hit.

The single reached number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. Because I was interested in pop music from a very early age, I still consider this track as one of the main sounds of 1981. It brings back memories of schooldays.

My collection: 7" single no. 4355
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop the music' / 'You're my song'

You took the words right out of my mouth - Meatloaf

According to his autobiography, Meat Loaf asked Jim Steinman to write a song that wasn't 15 or 20 minutes long, and, in Meat Loaf's words, a 'pop song'. The song was reportedly written in 1975, and a key factor in Meat Loaf and Steinman deciding to do an album together.

The single was released as the follow-up to 'Paradise by the dashboard light', one of the biggest hits of the Seventies. This single did comparatively worse, reaching number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

I bought this copy with a picture sleeve because I only had an American copy from 1978 without a picture sleeve. The B-side of that single features a heavily edited version of 'Paradise by the dashboard light'. Or is it the other way around? I can't tell from the single itself.

My collection: 7" single no. 4354
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You took the words right out of my mouth' / 'Two out of three ain't bad'

My collection: 7" single no. 317
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You took the words right out of my mouth' / 'Paradise by the dashboard light'

Invitation - Earth and Fire

When you hear the later hits by Earth & Fire and compare it with this 1971 single, you cannot believe it's actually the same band. The line-up has changed over the years, but the music has done so even more.

'Invitation' was released in February 1971 and peaked at number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4353
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Invitation' / 'Song of the marching children'

Ordinary day - Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat released their third single 'Ordinary day' in 1987, after their second single had become a number 3 hit in the UK. Though not quite as catchy, this single peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart.

Two months after the release of this single, Curiosity released their debut album 'Keep your distance', which entered the UK albums chart at number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 4352
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ordinary day' / 'Bullet'

Strut your funky stuff - Frantique

Frantique was an American disco group, formed in the late Seventies by Tricia Cheyenne, Florence Raynor and Denise Russelle. They released one album called 'Strut your funky stuff' in 1979. The title track of the album was successful as a single, reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

This copy of the single has had quite a tour around the three biggest cities of the Netherlands: the stamps on the sleeve and label of the record come from a bar disco in Rotterdam, and I bought it in Amsterdam. Now it's found a good home in the third biggest city of the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4351
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Strut your funky stuff' / 'Getting serious'

I'm specialized in you - Time bandits

I've had the 7" single of 'I'm specialized in you' for more than 12 years now, but I never knew there was a 12" single as well. When I saw it, I decided to buy it right away. 12" singles from the early Eighties can be quite rare, especially when they are from Dutch bands. And then there's the added attraction of a real 'extended version', instead of a remix which is a total slaughtering of the original song (like they are nowadays).

Sure enough, this extended version of 'I'm specialized in you' is very enjoyable when you like the original track. The odd thing is that this 12" single plays on 33rpm instead of the usual 45rpm!

My collection: 12" single no. 523
Found: Discostars Recordstore, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm specialized in you (extended)' / 'Ginny (puts her hands on her shoulders)'

One voice - John Watts

John Watts was founder member of the band Fischer Z. The band was active from 1978 to 1981. When they split up, John Watts started a solo career. This single, 'One voice', was his debut single. According to the sleeve of this single, he also went on tour: the dates in Belgium and Luxembourg in April 1982 are printed on the back.

'One voice' was not a hit and John Watts would have no further solo success either. In 1987, he founded another band, also called Fischer Z.

My collection: 7" single no. 4350
Found: Discostars Recordstore, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One voice' / 'Holiday in France'

Right between the eyes - Wax

After the 1983 split of 10CC, Graham Gouldman and Andrew Gold started working together in England. During a period of seven months they wrote enough songs for an album. They chose World In Action as the band name and released a single called 'Don't break my heart'. Soon afterwards they changed their name to Common Knowledge. A second single 'Victoria' was released, but both singles failed to get any attention and the album was shelved.

When they had written a new batch of songs and changed labels, they took on the name Wax. Their first album, released in 1986 was called 'Magnetic heaven' and contained their first hit single: 'Right between the eyes', whcih reached number 60 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4349
Found: Discostars Recordstore, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Right between the eyes' / 'Only a visitor'

Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

The chorus of 'Come on Eileen' by Dexys Midnight Runners was loosely inspired by the song 'A man like me' by the Sixties British soul group Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. When the song was released as a single in the summer of 1982, it reached number 1 in the UK singles charts, staying there for four weeks. The single also reached number 1 in Australia and the USA, while peaking at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

Two decades later, frontman Kevin Rowland would create some controversy releasing a solo album wearing a 'men's dress' on the cover.

My collection: 7" single no. 4348
Found: Discostars Recordstore, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Come on Eileen' / 'Dubious'