London town - Bucks Fizz

Written by Andy Hill, the lyric of 'London town' tells of someone who is finding it difficult to adjust to life in a big city but is determined to stay. Lead vocals on the track were performed by member Bobby G, although he was unhappy with the way his vocals were mixed, giving them a distorted quality, claiming that he 'sounded like a munchkin'.

Released in September 1983, this was the Bucks Fizz's tenth single. It was the first of their singles not to reach the top 20 in the UK. It peaked at number 34 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1667
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'London town' / 'Identity'

Stripped - Depeche Mode

'Stripped' was the first single from Depeche Mode's 1986 album 'Black celebration'. It was the first time that the band presented their gloomier side, a side they would explore more on later albums. The track was laden with samples: the underlying beat is a distorted and slowed-down sound of a motorcycle engine running, while the main melody begins with a car's ignition starting, and the end uses sounds of fireworks. The single peaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart.

In the USA, the B-side 'But not tonight' was preferred. The single was flipped, which did not please the band, because they saw the track as a useless poppy track they recorded in less than a day. To make matters worse, 'But not tonight' did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1328
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Stripped' / 'But not tonight'

Time to say goodbye - Arabesque

Although Arabesque broke up in 1984 when Sandra wanted to pursue a solo career, Jasmin and Michaela continued as Rouge, soldiering on for the remainder of the Eighties.

Meanwhile, the song 'Time to say goodbye' was released as a single and a 12" single by Arabeque in 1985. It was not a commercial success, but fans of the group may have been very happy to get this 'posthumous' release.

My collection: 12" single no. 331
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Time to say goodbye (extended)' / 'Time to say goodbye', 'Stop crying for the moon'

Cradle of love - Billy Idol

'Cradle of love' is a good example of how a rather unremarkable song is brought to attention by an imaginative music video. The video was played often on MTV at the time, and since the video makes you want to watch things go wrong again and again, the song sticks in your mind. Not a surprise, then, that I ended up buying the single.

Billy Idol released 'Cradle of love' in April 1990. The single reached number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1340
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cradle of love' / '311 man'

Bailar pegados - Sergio Dalma

Sergio Dalma was born as Josep Sergi Capdevila Querol on September 28, 1964 in Sabadell, Spain. He started his career singing in bands and as backing vocalist, until he won the talent show 'Gent d'aqui'. His debut album 'Esa chica es mia' in 1989. Although the album was not very successful, Dalma was chosen to represent Spain during the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest.

'Bailar pegados' was a dramatic ballad that was tipped to win before the Contest took place. In the end, his song finished fourth out of 22 competitors. Dalma continues to be a successful artist in Spain, having had a number 1 album in 2008.

My collection: 7" single no. 4566
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Bailar pegados' / 'Amor descafeinado'

Y solo tu - Bacchelli

Bacchelli was born as José María Bacchelli Ortega in 1952 in Barcelona, Spain. He had a brief career in music in the late Seventies and early Eighties. In 1980 he released the album 'Prohibido'. A year later, he was selected to represent Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest.

He performed the song 'Y solo tu' ('And only you') in Dublin, which reached 14th place at the end of the Contest, out of 20 competitors. The single was released in most of Europe, but commercial success did not follow. A second album, also called 'Y solo tu', failed to sell as well. Shortly thereafter he retired from the music industry.

My collection: 7" single no. 4565
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Y solo tu' / 'Cuando te tengo en mis brazos'

Un grand, grand amour - José Cid

José Cid was born as José Albano Cid de Ferreira Tavares on February 4, 1942 in Chamusca, Portugal. He started a career in music in 1956 when he founded the Babies, a musical group which performed mostly covers. Besides being in various bands in the Sixties and Seventies, he also started a solo career.

In 1980 he was selected to represent Portugal during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Um grande, grande amor'. He finished seventh in a field of 19 competitors, which was Portugal's best result up until then. 'Un grand, grand amour' is the French version of the song, which was released internationally. The single was not a commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4564
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Un grand, grand amour' / 'Barbara'

Les jardins de Monaco - Caline et Olivier Toussaint

While Monaco was absent from the Eurovision Song Contest between 1980 and 2004, they did participate every year between 1959 and 1979. And so, 'Les jardins de Monaco', performed by Caline and Olivier Toussaint has the unique distinction of being the penultimate entry for Monaco before they gave up in the 20th century.

'Les jardins de Monaco' is a mid-tempo disco duet, which makes it sound a bit dated now. At the close of voting during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest, it finished fourth in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4563
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Les jardins de Monaco' / 'Tous les amoureux'

Waiting for a girl like you - Foreigner

Foreigner used the then-unknown Thomas Dolby to perform synthesizer on their track 'Waiting for a girl like you'. It was one of the factors in making this a big hit. Written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, it was the second single from Foreigner's album '4' (1981).

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It also achieved an odd chart distinction by spending a record-setting 10 weeks at number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, without ever reaching the top. It was held off the top spot by Olivia Newton-John's single 'Physical' for the first nine of those weeks, and by Hall & Oates' 'I can't go for that (No can do)' for the remaining week.

My collection: 7" single no. 1468
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waiting for a girl like you' / 'I'm gonna win'

Doe iets - Frank Boeijen Groep

The Frank Boeijen Groep released the second single from their third album '1001 hotel' in October 1983. It was 'Doe iets' ('Do something'). The lyric of the song, written as usual by band leader Frank Boeijen, was a cry for action between lovers.

After their first hit single 'Linda', this single again reached the Dutch Top 40, this time peaking at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 670
Found: Record fair, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Doe iets' / 'Macho'

Another one bites the dust - Queen

The bass line of 'Another one bites the dust' was inspired by the song 'Good times' by Chic. Recording sesions in Munich involved John Deacon playing almost all the instruments: bass, piano, rhythm and lead guitars and handclap percussion. Roger Taylor added a drum loop and Brian May contributed some noises with his guitar and an Eventide Harmonizer. There are no synthesizers used in the song: all effects are created with pianos, guitars, and drums, with subsequent tape playback performed in reverse at various speeds. Brian May later recalled: 'Freddie sung until his throat bled on 'Another one bites the dust'. He was so into it. He wanted to make that song something special.'

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in Argentina, Canada, Guatemala, Spain and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2107
Found: Record fair, June 4, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Another one bites the dust' / 'Dragon attack'

101 - Sheena Easton

Prince used his pseudonym Joey Coco to write '101' for Sheena Easton. The track was recorded on her 1989 album 'The lover in me', with Prince producing. When it was released as the second single from the album, the sleeve included a beautiful photograph by Sheila Rock.

It was not a big success for Easton, as '101' only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 875
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 3, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: '101' / 'Cool love'

Private eyes - Daryl Hall and John Oates

According to Daryl Hall, 'Private eyes' is 'a real Janna Allen(co-writer and sister of Sara Allen) song. Janna, and I, and Warren Pash wrote that. Warren and Janna wrote most of the song, and I took it and changed it around-changed the chords. Sandy [Sara Allen] and I wrote the lyrics. It’s a real family song, the Allen sisters and me.'

The single carries a similar rhythm to the duo's number one hit from earlier that year, 'Kiss on my list', with the difference being a handclap chorus that has made the song an audience-participation favorite at live Hall and Oates shows. The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2499
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Private eyes' / 'Tell me what you want'

Twilight zone - Golden Earring

My earlier post about 'Long blond animal' by the Golden Earring caused some readers to write a comment. I wrote that if the group had quit like they planned, it would have saved us a lot of unnecessary music. 'What about 'Twilight zone'?', was the general complaint.

Well, indeed. I did like the song when it came out in 1982, and I even bought the single. At the same time, the song has been played so often on radio and television that I'm still very bored by it. So would the world have been a darker place without this single? I don't really think so. But it was a number 1 hit for the band, which should have been, again, reason enough for them to call it quits. Unfortunately, they didn't...

My collection: 7" single no. 149
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Twilight zone' / 'King dark'

Church of your heart - Roxette

'Church of your heart' was the last single release from Roxette's 1991 album 'Joyride' in February 1992. It was the last top 40 hit for Roxette in the USA, peaking at number 36. In the UK, the single reached number 21.

More important to me than the 7" single at the time was the double cd-single release from the UK. I spent ages trying to find it, until I finally did during a record fair in the summer of 1992. This single was much easier to get: I bought it as soon as it came out.

My collection: 7" single no. 1648
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Church of your heart' / 'I call your name'

Wanted dead or alive - Bon Jovi

'Wanted dead or alive' is the phrase Jon Bon Jovi used for this song to show how he identifies with wild west heroes as being hated (wanted dead or alive). The band Bon Jovi had originally planned to do a wild west-themed album in the Eighties, but scrapped the idea.

Released as the third single from Bon Jovi's 1986 album 'Slippery when wet'. It peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 532
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Wanted dead or alive' / 'Shot through the heart'

Trödler und Co - Peter, Sue and Marc

One of four appearances at the Eurovision Song Contest by Peter, Sue & Marc, 'Trödler & Co' is certainly the most memorable one. Together with the unknown trio Pfuri, Gorps & Kniri, they performed a track that sounded a lot like slightly deranged gypsy music. 'Trödler' translates like 'dawdler', so presumably this is music by people who procrastinate a lot. (No, I don't know what that means either).

Representing Switzerland for the third time in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 with this song, they finished tenth in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4457
Found: Fun Records, Berlin, received January 28, 2010
Cost: 3,5 euro
Tracks: 'Trödler & Co' / 'Groovy Musik'

Mai Tai - Body and soul

'Body and soul' was Mai Tai's second hit single in the UK, but there was a difference with the European version of 'Body and soul': it was released on the Virgin label, had a different sleeve and a different B-side. The B-side was 'What goes on', a hit single in the Netherlands in the previous summer.

Released in July 1985, Mai Tai scored their second top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 2385
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Body & soul' / 'What goes on'

Isn't it midnight - Fleetwood Mac

'Isn't it midnight' was released as the sixth and final single from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. The song was co-written and sung by Christine McVie.

In the UK singles chart, 'Isn't it midnight' reached number 60 in June 1988. In Ireland, the single reached number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 3197
Found: Record fair, Amterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Isn't it midnight' / 'Mystified'

Mercy mery me/I want you - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer recorded two of Marvin Gaye's songs, 'Mercy mercy me' and 'I want you' in a medley to form one hit single. I'm still not sure about this choice, as both songs come off a bit weird as lyrically they have very little in common. Still, it was a hit for Palmer, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My reason for buying this single is actually the B-side, which was co-written by Colin Vearncombe, a.k.a. Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 2822
Found: February 1, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mercy mercy me/I want you' / 'Oh yeah'