Save your love (for #1) - René and Angela

René Moore and Angela Winbush got together in 1980, both professionally and romantically. They formed the duo René & Angela and released three albums between 1980 and 1985. 'Save your love (for #1)' was released as the first single from their third and last album, 'Street called desire'.

The single gave them their first international success: 'Save your love (for #1)' reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. A year later, their marriage fell apart, with the duo falling apart not long after.

My collection: 7" single no. 4427
Found: Den Haag, January 16, 2010
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Save your love (for #1)' / 'Save your love (for #1) (instrumental)'

Maneater - Daryl Hall and John Oates

John Oates originally wrote 'Maneater' as a reggae-oriented song. On the insistance of Daryl Hall, the track was changed into a 'Motown kind of groove'. According to John Oates the inspiration for this song was English model and actress Kelly LeBrock. The track was included on their 1982 album 'H2O' and released as a single.

'Maneater' reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

I actually have two different copies of this single: I bought the German pressing (pictured above) in 1995. Two years later, I saw the UK pressing and didn't recognise the sleeve. It's another example of how my photographic memory sometimes gets in the way...

My collection: 7" single no. 2469 / no. 2874
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995 / House of Rhythm, London, October 28
Cost: 1 guilder / 20p
Tracks: 'Maneater' / 'Delayed reaction'

I've been thinking about you - London Beat

London Beat released their second album 'In the blood' in early 1991. The single 'I've been thinking about you' preceded the album by half a year, as it was released in August 1990.

The upbeat, breezy sound of the song made it an instant summer hit in many countries. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where it was released in April 1991, the single reached number 1 as well. The song also topped the singles charts in Spain, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1341
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I've been thinking about you' / '9AM (live)'

I've never been to me - Charlene

Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo was born on June 1, 1950 in Hollywood, California. In 1973, she signed to the Motown label. 'I've never been to me' was originally a single taken from her self-titled debut album 'Charlene' in 1977. It only managed to reach number 97 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1982, a DJ in Tampa, Florida started to play the song on the radio. Audience reaction was so impressive, that Motown was moved to re-release the single. This time around, 'I've never been ot me' reached number 3 in the USA and number 1 in the UK singles chart. It also reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. By that time, Charlene had moved to England and was working in an Ilford, Essex sweet shop.

My collection: 7" single no. 126
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I've never been to me' / 'Somewhere in my life'

1 touch 2 much - Mai Tai

After having had two consecutive top 10 hits in the Netherlands, Mai Tai recorded a new album in the summer of 1986. Entitled '1 touch 2 much', it was released in the autumn of 1986, with the title track released as the first single from the album.

Expectations were obviously high, but they were not met: the single didn't chart and the album didn't sell as much as its predecessor. Two subsequent singles reached the lower regions of the Dutch Top 40 only.

My collection: 7" single no. 629
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '1 touch 2 much' / 'Inch by inch'

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'