Dit is de zender van illegale Joop - Dingetje

If all the visitors of this blog would start sending me free singles, I would be a very happy man indeed. But in fact, one visitor did today: I received this single from Puck. Many thanks for that. (And to everyone else: follow his great example!)

'Dit is de zender van illegale Joop' ('This is illegal Joop broadcasting') was released in 1980, when the practice of setting up small radio stations with the aid of a so-called 27MC was very popular in the Netherlands. Most people used the 27MC to exchange inane rantings, something which is demonstrated quite skillfully on this track. The single became quite popular too: it reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40 in the spring of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 4422
Found: Sassenheim / Den Haag, January 12, 2009
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Dit is de zender van illegale Joop' / 'Dit is de zender van illegale Joop (part 2)'

Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me - U2

'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me' was originally recorded during the sessions for U2's 1993 album 'Zooropa'. It didn't make it onto the album, but in 1995, it was contributed by the band to the soundtrack of the movie 'Batman forever'. The track was also released as a single. In the UK, a 7" single was released as a limited edition, pressed on red vinyl.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it got to number 16.

My collection: 7" single no. 2334
Found: HMV, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me' / 'Themes from Batman Forever'

Lullaby - The Cure

The Cure released 'Lullaby' as the first single from their 1989 album 'Disintegration'. The lyric of the song explores the territory of nightmares.

The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, becoming their only top 5 hit in the UK to this day. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Lullaby' reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 790
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 13, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lullaby' / 'Babble'

Sympathy - Marillion

'Sympathy' was written by Mark Ashton, Steve Gould, Dave Kaffinetti and Graham Stansfield, members of the progressive rock band Rare Bird. It became one of the band's best known tracks for its haunting organ-based melody.

Marillion recorded a cover version of 'Sympathy' for their compilation album 'A singles collection'. It was also released as a single, which peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart in May 1992. The single even charted in the Netherlands, where it reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1673
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sympathy' / 'Kayleigh (live)'

Listen to your heart / Dangerous - Roxette

After the success of 'It must have been love', which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, EMI UK decided to re-release 'Listen to you heart' as a double A-side with 'Dangerous'. Both tracks were hit singles in Europe, but they hadn't been as successful in the UK.

The strategy proved successful: this double A-side single rose to number 6 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 2177
Found: London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Listen to your heart (Swedish single version)' / 'Dangerous (album version)'

Careless whisper - George Michael

I bought 'Careless whisper' when it came out, then went through two decades without ever playing this single. It became a number one hit in the summer of 1984, and appeared on television and radio so often, that I got very sick of this song. Nowadays, I can listen to it again, and that's quite nice, because it is actually a very good song.

'Careless whisper' reached number 1 all over Europe, including the UK and the Netherlands, and also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although the band Wham! still existed when this single was released, this is the single that effectively launched George Michael's solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 240
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Careless whisper' / 'Careless whisper (instrumental)'

Ben Adam - Yardena Arazi

Yardena Arazi was born in 1951 and started a career in music during her teens. She became part of the female vocal trio Chocolat, Menta, Mastik in the Seventies. They represented Israel during the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. Arazi returned to Eurovision when she co-hosted the show when it was organised in Jerusalem in 1979. And in 1988 she was selected to represent Israel, this time as a solo artist.

Her song was 'Ben Adam', a song about being righteous. Arazi sings that 'no man is perfect in all virtues' and tells her listeners 'don't always judge him for the worse'. Beginning at a slow tempo, the song builds to a fast-paced conclusion. Arazi finished seventh in a field of 21 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4396
Found: SecondLife Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ben Adam' / 'Son of man'

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

I haven't heard 'Mr. Blue Sky' in a long time, but when I played it today, I got that same feeling I've had so many times when I hear this song: goosebumps all over. Can you imagine a track like this in the charts today? Can you even imagine a track like this being recorded, with full orchestra, a choir and everything else?

Back in 1978 it was possible. 'Mr. Blue Sky' comes from Electric Light Orchestra's classic album 'Out of the blue' and was released as a single in January 1978. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 618
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mr. Blue Sky' / 'One summer dream'

True colours - Cyndi Lauper

I was a bit shocked when I saw Cyndi Lauper on television this week, performing 'True colours' live in an episode of the soap series 'As the world turns'. There was a time when soap series were considered decidedly uncool, but I guess these days, anything is possible.

'True colours' was written by Billy Steinberg about his own mother. Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo submitted the song to Cyndi Lauper. According to Steinberg, 'Cyndi completely dismantled [the original] arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark.' The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 12 in the UK Singles Chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 459
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'True colours' / 'Heading for the moon'

Like to get to know you well - Howard Jones

After the success of his debut album, Howard Jones quickly followed it up with a remix album, 'The 12" album'. The album featured several remixes from his hit singles, plus one new track, 'Like to get to know you well', which was released as a single.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 16 in the Australian singles chart and number 56 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 505
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Like to get to know you well' / 'Bounce right back'

I will follow him - José

After the Dutch girl group Luv' split up, all three members tried their hand at a solo career. José Hoebee was by far the most successful, as she racked up several Dutch Top 40 hits. This single, her second solo release, even managed to reach number 1, which is something the other two never managed to do.

'I will follow him' was originally written by Frank Pourcel and Paul Mauriat and recorded by Pourcel as an instrumental piece in 1961. The music was adapted by Arthur Altman and English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. This English version was recorded by Little Peggy March in 1963, who reachde number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 166
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I will follow him' / 'If I could be near you'

Je t'aime mélancolie - Mylene Farmer

As with more songs by Mylene Farmer, 'Je t'aime mélancolie' deals with the subject of melancholy and suicide. It's the singer's ironic response to journalists who criticize her because of her image of sad singer and the great success she has with it. Originally, a different track from her album 'L'autre...' was chosen as the second single from the album: 'Pas de doute'. But in the end, this single was released instead.

'Je t'aime mélancolie' reached number 3 in the French singles chart and number 8 in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 1956
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Je t'aime mélancolie (radio mix)' / 'Je t'aime mélancolie (Smooth mix)'

Kiss on my list - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates recorded 'Kiss on my list' in 1980 on their album 'Voices'. While two other songs from the album had returned the duo to chart activity, it was the success of 'Kiss on my list' that confirmed the start of the duo's sustained run as one of American pop's top-selling acts, a run that lasted until the end of the Eighties. In the USA, the single peaked at number 1, while in the UK, it reached number 33.

According to Daryl Hall, Eddie Van Halen copied the synth part of this song and used it for the song 'Jump' by Van Halen.

My collection: 7" single no. 977
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Kiss on my list' / 'Africa'

Hit me with your rhythm stick - Ian Dury and the Blockheads

According to its author Ian Dury, 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' has an anti-violence message. It was reportedly written during a jam session and inspired by a piano part near the end of the track 'Wake up and make love with me'. At least 11 takes of the song were recorded before one was chosen to be released as a single. Much of the band as well as producer Laurie Latham remain unhappy with the chosen take's mix, claiming it to be too dominated by piano and vocals.

When the single reached the UK singles chart, it was initially kept from the top spot by The Village People's smash hit 'YMCA'. However, after that single had spent five weeks at the top, 'Rhythm stick' still reached number 1. In the Dutch Top 40, this single peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1595
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' / 'There ain't half been some clever bastards'

Tonight, tonight, tonight - Genesis

'Tonight, tonight, tonight' is a track on the 1986 album 'Invisible touch' by Genesis. It is the second longest song on the album at 8 minutes and 53 seconds. When it was released as the fourth single from the album, the track was edited down to 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 23 in Germany. In the Netherlands, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3193
Found: September 16, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Tonight, tonight, tonight' / 'In the glow of the night'

Together again - Jools Holland and Sam Brown

'Together again' was written by the American country singer Buck Owens. It was released on his 1964 album of the same name and also appeared on the B-side of his hit single 'My heart skips a beat'.

Jools Holland and Sam Brown recorded their version of the song in 1991 for a single release to benefit the Hysteria trust. Hysteria raises and distributes money for UK AIDS charities. They didn't raise a lot of money: the single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2223
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Together again' / 'Honey dripper (live at Hysteria 3)'

Cold as ice - Foreigner

'Cold as ice' was taken from Foreigner's self-titled debut album. When it was released as a single, it quickly became one of the band's best known songs after it peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

I actually own two copies of the single. I bought the first one in 1992, which was made in Holland and widely available in Europe at the time of its release. The other single popped up in 1995, pressed on clear vinyl and housed in a see-through sleeve. This is a limited edition version from the UK, also released in 1977. A real rarity!

My collection: 7" single no. 1793 / no. 2521
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992 / London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 3,5 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cold as ice' / 'I need you'

Alright - Janet Jackson

Personally, I was never impressed with the track 'Alright' by Janet Jackson, taken from her album 'Rhythm Nation 1814'. When it was released as a single, I simply didn't buy it. That is, until I spotted this UK edition featuring the Spanish version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side. 'Come back to me' is a beautiful ballad, and sounds even better in Spanish, I have to say.

'Alright' reached number 20 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1990. In the Netherlands, where it was released in April with the 'normal' version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side, it didn't chart. A good B-side makes all the difference in the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Alright (House mix)' / 'Vuelve a mi (Come back to me)'

King in a Catholic style - China Crisis

'King in a Catholic style' was released in early 1985 as the follow-up to 'Black man Ray' and the second single from China Crisis' third album 'Flaunt the imperfection'. It reached number 19 in the UK singles chart.

This special edition of the single features a gatefold sleeve with a 12" sized sheet glued into the center, featuring stills from the music video of 'King in a Catholic style'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2337
Found: Sister Ray, London, May 26, 1995
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'King in a Catholic style' / 'Blue sea'

Private investigations - Dire Straits

Dire Straits surprised, I think, everyone with 'Private investigations'. Up until the release of this single, they delivered rather straight guitar-based rock songs, while this track added a layer of sophistication to their work. Mark Knopfler commented about the lyric of the song: 'It's just about the private investigations... What have you got at the end of the day... Nothing more than you started out with'.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought my copy from my sister, who bought a second copy of this single because she played this one so often. When I listen to it now, the single hasn't deteriorated much.

My collection: 7" single no. 306
Found: Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Private investigations' / 'Badges posters stickers t-shirts'