Look mama - Howard Jones

Howard Jones wrote the song 'Look mama' from the standpoint of a child pleading with its over-protective mother to be allowed greater independence and room to develop its own personality. The introduction to the song features some spoken dialogue sampled from the 1974 movie 'Alice doesn't live here anymore'.

The track was released as the second single from his second album 'Dream into action' in April 1985. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart, and it remains Howard Jones' last top 10 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1824
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Look mama' / 'Learning how to love'

No promises - Icehouse

'No promises' was released as the first single from Icehouse's 1986 album 'Measure for measure' in November 1985. I remembered Icehouse from their 1982 single 'Hey little girl', and this single wasn't that much different from that sound.

The single peaked at number 30 on the Australian singles charts and reached number 72 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single stalled at number 79.

My collection: 7" single no. 437
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'No promises' / 'The perfect crime'

Secret love - José

'Secret love' was written in 1953 by the American songwriting duo of Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. Its first performance was in the film 'Calamity Jane' by Doris Day. It received an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song was released on record as well, reaching number 1 in the USA and the UK singles chart.

The song was covered in 1982 by ex-Luv' member José, who released it as her third solo single in September 1982. This upbeat, modern-sounding version reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 155
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Secret love' / 'Mr. Jones'

It's raining again - Supertramp

'It's raining again' was released as the first single from Supertramp's 1982 album 'Famous last words', an album that marked the end of an era. As relations between Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the main songwriters of the band, became more strained, they fought over just about everything. Not long after this album's release, Roger Hodgson decided to leave the band.

The single, meanwhile, was a good success for Supertramp, reaching number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 334
Found: Oldies Unlimited, UK, received September 1985
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'It's raining again' / 'Bonnie'

Hanging on the telephone - Blondie

'Hanging on the telephone' was written by Jack Lee. It was first performed by Lee's short-lived US West Coast power pop trio The Nerves, who released it as the title track of their 1976 ep, the band's only release.

Blondie recorded a cover version of the track on their 1979 album 'Parallel lines'. When released as a single, it reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 110
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hanging on the telephone' / 'Picture this'

Stand above me - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Stand above me' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1993 album 'Liberator', the second album recorded by Andy McCluskey without Paul Humphreys. It was the last single that also appeared on a 12" single.

'Stand above me' reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the German singles chart. In America, it did not reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it was a top 10 hit in the 'Dance play' and 'Modern Rock' charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 2000
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Stand above me' / 'Can I believe you'

Pull up to the bumper - Grace Jones

Making a meat sandwich, taking the 5 train, holding out the flag, putting it in there, going up and down... I'm always in awe of people who can creatively describe the act of making love and associated sexual acts. Back in 1981, my English wasn't good enough to appreciate the full meaning of 'Pull up to the bumper': I simply thought it was about cars.

Upon its original release, the single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, 'Pull up to the bumper' was re-released in 1985, reaching number 12 on that occasion.

My collection: 7" single no. 2860
Found: August 9, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Pull up to the bumper' / 'Feel up'

Calling out to Carol - Stan Ridgway

In 1989, Stan Ridgway released his second solo album 'Mosquitos'. The album is notable for the three tracks featuring Tori Amos pre-'Little earthquakes' and so has become sought after by Tori Amos fans.

But perhaps the album is even better known for the hit single 'Calling out to Carol', a rather radio-friendly track which reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 945
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Calling out to Carol' / 'Can't stop the show (live)'

Be thankful - Massive Attack

Massive Attack had two hit singles in 1991, 'Unfinished sympathy' and 'Safe from harm'. They followed this up in early 1992 with 'Be thankful', the fourth and last single from their debut album 'Blue lines'. This proved to be a very unsuccessful release, as it only reached number 49 in the Australian singles chart, while failing to chart everywhere else.

I bought this single out of curiosity and because of the fact that the shop didn't have much else to buy. Sometimes I had this mood where I just had to buy cheap singles, and when there's nothing much on offer, I tend to buy whatever I think might be good. And this was, well, reasonably good.

My collection: 7" single no. 2251
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Be thankful (Paul Oakenfold mix)' / 'Hymn of the big wheel (Nellee Hooper mix)'

Sweet talkin' woman - Electric Light Orchestra

'Sweet talkin' woman' was originally named 'Dead end street', but the name changed to avoid confusion with a 1966 hit of the same title by the Kinks. Some words that survived from that version can be heard in the opening of the third verse, 'I've been livin' on a dead end street'. It was recorded on ELO's 1978 album 'Out of the blue' and released as the fourth single from the album.

Initial copies of the 7" single were pressed on transparent purple vinyl in the UK. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1163
Found: January 27, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sweet talkin' woman' / 'Bluebird is dead'

Do what you do - Jermaine Jackson

After Michael Jackson's phenomenal success with 'Thriller', it seemed like all of his siblings wanted a piece of the pie as well. Janet Jackson started a very successful career together with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Jermaine Jackson signed with Arista records to release 'Dynamite', an album featuring a couple of hit singles. One of them was 'Do what you do', which some say featured Michael Jackson on backing vocals.

The main revelation for me was the music video at the time. I was already familiar with the fact that belly buttons can be 'innies' or 'outies', but I'd never seen a spine so deeply hidden in someone's back (scroll to 3'21 to see this anatomical phenomenon). Meanwhile, 'Do what you do' reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 257
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Do what you do' / 'Tell me I'm not dreamin' (Too good to be true)' (duet with Michael Jackson)

She makes my day - Robert Palmer

'She makes my day' was released as the third single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova'. While the first single 'Simply irresistible' became a rock classic, the second one 'Early in the morning' went by almost unnoticed. 'She makes my day' was a top 10 hit in the UK and Australia, peaking at number 6 and 9 respectively, but was ignored in the rest of the world.

I loved the song when it was released in 1988, but twenty years later it sounds a little too syrupy for my taste.

My collection: 7" single no. 720
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 21, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilder
Tracks: 'She makes my day' / 'Disturbing behaviour'

Fire - Pointer Sisters

'Fire' was written by Bruce Springsteen and was originally intended to be used by Elvis Presley. Robert Gordon ended up being the first artist to record the song in 1978. Later that year, the Pointer Sisters recorded their version. It gave them major worldwide success, reaching number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although he performed the song live from his 1978 tour onwards, Springsteen himself did not release his own recording of the song until his 1986 'Live/1975-85' album, which contains his (heavily edited) December 16, 1978 performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 1624
Found: Disco Market, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Fire' / 'Love is like a rolling stone'

Beautiful girl - INXS

'Beautiful girl' was recorded as a track on INXS's 1992 album 'Welcome to wherever you are'. The song was written by Andrew Farriss, inspired by the birth of his newly born baby daughter. In an interview he explained: 'I was writing lyrics like 'Baby don't cry' and 'Beautiful girl' and lyrics just about how wonderful it is to have something else in your life besides yourself to worry about and think about.'

'Beautiful girl' was released as the fourth single from the album. In the UK, the single was released in a limited edition gatefold sleeve. It reached number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1920
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Beautiful girl' / 'Strange desire (original recording)'

Thank you my love - Imagination

When Imagination left their production duo of Steve Jolley and Tony Swain behind, commercial success soon eluded them. However, 'Thank you my love', which was produced by Nigel Wright and Imagination, was an exception. This single was released in 1984 and reached number 22 in the UK singles chart.

The single was a new track on the compilation album 'Gold', which included all their previous hit singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 3125
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Thank you my love' / 'Point of no return'

White horses in the snow - Maarten Peters

My collection of 7" singles is an important one for me, but I'm also an avid collector of 3" cd-singles. In the late Eighties a lot of singles were released on this format, but my budget wasn't big enough to buy everything: choices had to be made. In the case of 'White horses in the snow', I chose to buy the 7" single and not the 3" cd-single. Mostly because of the fact that both the A-side and the B-side featured on the accompanying album of the same name - and f course by that time I had abandoned the lp format in favour of the cd.

Today I received the 3" cd-single of 'White horses in the snow', which I've finally bought over 20 years after its release. Maarten Peters had a hit with this in the autumn of 1989, peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 984
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'White horses in the snow' / 'Guardian angel'

We care a lot - Faith no more

Somewhere in 1987, 'We care a lot' by Faith no more was played very often on the radio. So much so that after a while I actually started to like this loud and noisy song. The song was originally recorded for the band's 1985 debut album of the same name. In 1987, when they recorded their second album 'Introduce yourself', the track was re-recorded and included on that album as well. It was even released as the first single from that album.

Although 'We care a lot' did not chart in the Netherlands, it reached number 53 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 626
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'We care a lot' / 'Spirit'

Dreadlock holiday - 10CC

10CC were huge in the autumn of 1978, because of this single. 'Dreadlock holiday' became a classic almost at the time of its release as a single. It was played a lot on radio and television and eventually became a number 1 hit in several European countries, including the UK and the Netherlands.

I bought this USA pressing of 'Dreadlock holiday' during a pop festival, but it wasn't a happy purchase: the single turned out to be a horrible mispressing. You can hear it here: the single warbles like a maniac. I hear mispressings can be worth a lot, so maybe a 10CC fan is interested in this one...

My collection: 7" single no. 432
Found: Parkpop, Den haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Dreadlock holiday' / 'Nothing can move me'

For your eyes only - Sheena Easton

Sometimes when you have a big singles collection, you erroneously buy a single twice. I recently discovered I have two copies of 'For your eyes only' by Sheena Easton: this one and this one. The other single was a European pressing, whereas this one was made in the UK. And lo and behold: they have different B-sides! What a nice surprise.

The B-side of this single is nothing much to write home about: it's an instrumental piece from the soundtrack of the James Bond movie 'For your eyes only'. As I always say: 'It's just a soundtrack, isn't it?'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3299
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'For your eyes only' / 'Runaway'

Ordinary world - Duran Duran

'Ordinary world' was written by Simon Le Bon as the second of a trilogy of songs for his late friend David Miles; the others being 'Do you believe in shame?' (1988) and 'Out of my mind' (1997). The song can be credited for bringing back Duran Duran into the public eye after the commercial failure of their 1991 album 'Liberty' and associated singles.

When Capitol leaked 'Ordinary world' to a radio station in Florida, the track proved so popular that the release date had to be brought forward in the USA. The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single was almost equally popular, peaking at number 6. In the Netherlands, it would prove to be the band's last hit single, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

In 1993, the 7" vinyl format had become so rare that it was impossible for me to find this single on vinyl. In 1995, I suddenly found a jukebox promo copy, which I bought immediately. Two years after that, I finally saw a commercial copy (with picture sleeve) of the 7" single. It had been sold in the UK all along, I just didn't know about it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2241 / no. 2882
Found: Record fair, February 18, 1995 / House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders / 60p
Tracks: 'Ordinary world' / 'My Antarctica'