Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix) - Fox the fox

So I have the 7" single and the 12" single of Fox the fox's 'Precious little diamond' - what else could there be? As it turns out, this 1984 single was re-released in 1986 in a remix made by Shep Pettibone.

A lot has changed in two years: the band, originally consisting of six members on the 1984 sleeve, seems to have been brought down to only two members, and the remix diminishes the beautiful song to a rather substandard collection of beats. Well, maybe I'm a bit harsh, but although I like this remix, I do prefer the original track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4574
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix)' / 'Man on the run'

Some people - E.G. Daily

When the internet was still a new phenomenon in my life (i.e. some 14 years ago) I knew a young man in Canada, with whom I regularly swapped cassettes (yes, we still had those back then) with music. I sent him some Dutch stuff, and he came up with things like Amy Grant and E.G. Daily. These tapes really interested me, and most of the stuff he sent me ended up in my record collection.

E.G. Daily's 1989 album 'Lace around the wound' is actually a great album. Although it didn't have any commercial success in Europe, the record company still released a single from the album: 'Some people' was an unexpected find for me.

My collection: 7" single no. 4581
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Some people (remix)' / 'Are you there'

After a fashion - Midge Ure and Mick Karn

The one-off collaboration between Midge Ure and Mick Karn, 'After a fashion', was released in 1983. I had a hard time finding the 7" single, but when I did, I thought I had it all. That is, of course, until I found this 12" single today. I didn't know a 12" single existed, but I'm glad I was able to buy it right away.

This 12" single features an extended remix that is just that: an extended version of the 7" single version. It seems to be a simple cut and paste job, with longer instrumental passages, an effect that is achieved by putting them in a loop. A charming little remix.

My collection: 12" single no. 529
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'After a fashion (extended version)' / 'Textures'

Don't leave me behind - Everything but the girl

Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn created many albums together as Everything but the girl. Although these days, Tracey Thorn is active as a solo artist (her third solo album is due out soon), they are still together as a couple with their three children.

'Don't leave me behind' was released as a single from their 1986 album 'Baby the stars shine bright'. During a two week chart run, it stalled at number 72 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4587
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me behind' / 'Alfie'

The silence in my heart - Esther Tuely

Now that I'm hunting for singles again, I sometimes find 7" singles that I never thought were even released. And this one is a good example. 'The silence in my heart' was released as a 1-track cd-single in 1992. Around that time, most Dutch record shops weren't stocking 7" singles anymore, and the one address I still visited regularly never had this single.

Now, 18 years later, I found not one, but five copies of this single tucked away in a closet in a second hand shop. 'The silence in my heart' is Esther Tuely's most accomplished song, and it is still a mystery to me why this didn't turn out to be a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4591
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The silence in my heart' / 'Eye of heaven (remix)'

Unconditional love - Donna Summer

Although they were not credited, 'Unconditional love' by Donna Summer also features vocals by the British reggae act Musical Youth, who had a hit a few months before the release of this single with 'Pass the Dutchie'.

'Unconditional love' was released as the second single from the Donna Summer album 'She works hard for the money'. It reached number 43 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4571
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Unconditional love' / 'Woman'

My favourite sins - Larry Hagman

I wonder how many viewers of the American series 'Dallas' knew that Larry Hagman, who played J.R. in it, actually recorded a single. 'My favourite sins' stays true to the evil character he plays, while not taking it all too seriously. The result is a rather strange recording that is still a footnote in Hagman's career.

Released in 1980, at the height of the 'Dallas' hype, I don't know whether Hagman had serious singing aspirations or if he was pushed by the merciless need for merchandise. I'm hoping it was the latter...

My collection: 7" single no. 4595
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My favourite sins' / 'Ballad of the good luck charm'

One night stand - Lois Lane

Released as the follow-up to their debut single 'Break it up', 'One night stand' was Lois Lane's second single, and the second and last one of their five singles released by WEA records to not reach the Dutch Top 40.

This particular copy appears to be a mispressing: although the B-side is announced as 'Goodbye girl' on the label, it simply plays 'One night stand' once again.

My collection: 7" single no. 4576
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks (label): 'One night stand' / 'Goodbye girl'
Tracks (disc): 'One night stand' / 'One night stand'

The road to hell (part 2) - Chris Rea

Chris Rea's 'The road to hell' was written about the frustrations of driving on the M25 during rush hour. It's strange how such a boring subject can lead to such a great song. It was the title track of his 1989 album, which featured two parts of the track.

Part 2 was released as a single. The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart. In 2009, the song inspired the title of a crime novel by northeast author Sheila Quigley, 'The road to hell', the fifth book in the Seahills series of novels.

My collection: 7" single no. 4580
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The road to hell (part 2)' / 'He should know better'

Een nacht in Mokum - Dingetje

At his best, Dingetje can be called the Weird Al Yankovic of the Netherlands. And this single represents one of his best parodies, which I have to admit didn't know existed. 'Een nacht in Mokum' translates as 'One night in Amsterdam', and is a parody of the Murray Head single 'One night in Bangkok', written by Tim Rice with Benny and Bjorn of Abba.

Dingetje describes a night out in the capital of the Netherlands in his version, using some elements from the original lyric, such as 'the massage parlours'. The single did not chart - and I have to say I've never seen it before.

My collection: 7" single no. 4585
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Een nacht in Mokum' / 'Sukke heb ze'

Every time I see you - Fra Lippo Lippi

Fra Lippo Lippi released three singles from their 1985 album 'Songs', of which 'Every time I see you' was the last. The track was remixed before it was released as a single, but the single version and the version on this 12" single are the same.

The bonus is included on the B-side. Besides the single B-side 'The heather on the hills', it adds another beautiful instrumental track, 'The true story'. This track was definitely worth the money for buying this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 142
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Every time I see you' / 'The true story', 'The heather on the hills'

Looking for the summer - Chris Rea

'Looking for the summer' was a track on Chris Rea's 1990 album 'Auberge'. The album reached number 1 in the UK albums chart, however the three singles taken from the album wouldn't meet a similar fate in the singles chart.

The single version of 'Looking for the summer' was a remix, shorter and faster than the album version. It reached number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1511
Found: August 17, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Looking for the summer' / 'Six up'

Sex and drugs and rock and roll - Ian Dury

'Sex & drugs & rock & roll' was written by Ian Dury and Chas Jankel in Dury's flat in Oval Mansions, London. According to Chas, he would be repeatedly given the lyric for the song by Dury but Jankel kept rejecting the song only for it to be at the top of the pile again the next time - only to be rejected again. This went on until Dury sung the song's guitar riff to Chas and sang the song's title in time with it.

Released as it was at the height of the popularity of punk rock, the song was misinterpreted as a song about excess as its title would suggest. Dury himself maintained that the song was not a punk anthem and said he was trying to suggest that there was more to life than a 9-to-5 existence.

My collection: 7" single no. 1738
Found: Out on the floor, London, October 18, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sex & drugs & rock & roll' / 'Razzle in my pocket'

That's all - Genesis

The nicest feature of this single is the sleeve: the label which carries a photograph of flowers is visible through a larger hole at the front, whereas the back cover is entirely brown and doesn't have a hole in it.

'That's all' is a group composition by Genesis with lyrics written by Phil Collins. Released as the second single from their self-titled 1983 album, it reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1101
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'That's all' / 'Taking it all too hard'

Lovely one - The Jacksons

Released as the first single from the Jacksons' album 'Triumph', 'Lovely one' was the followup to their 1979 hit, 'Shak your body (down to the ground)'. Lead vocals in this song were performed by Michael Jackson, while his brothers Jackie, Tito, Randy and Marlon performed backing vocals.

The single reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 102
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Lovely one' / 'Bless his soul'

Say it isn't so - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Say it isn't so' was released as one of two new tracks on their greatest hits album 'Rock 'n' Soul part 1'. The song is about a love gone wrong and a fellow who asks his girl to "Say it isn't so".

When it was released as a single, it reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at the turn of the year 1983/1984. In the UK, it did considerably less well, peaking at number 69. In the Netherlands, where the single was played on the radio regularly, it didn't chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2498
Found: London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say it isn't so' / 'Did it in a minute'

What's going on - Cyndi Lauper

'What's going on' was written by Renaldo 'Obie' Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. It was the title track of Gaye's groundbreaking 1971 album. A meditation on the troubles and problems of the world, the song was released as a single to worldwide success.

The song has been covered by multiple artists, notably Cyndi Lauper, whose version was released as the third single from her 1986 album 'True colours'. On the album version, the song starts off with a series of gunshots in reference to the Vietnam war, while the single release is a remix with an alternate vocal used in the intro. The single reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 531
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'What's going on' / 'One track mind'

Boom! There she was - Scritti Politti

Roger Troutman was well known for his use of the talkbox, a device that is connected to an instrument (frequently a keyboard) to create different vocal effects.After scoring a hit with 'I want to be your man' in 1987, he collaborated with Green Gartside from Scritti Politti on the single 'Boom! There she was'.

Released in November 1988, 'Boom! There she was' reached number 55 in the UK singles chart. Scritti Politti then disappeared from the scene for three years.

My collection: 7" single no. 809
Found: May 6, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Boom! There she was' / 'World come back to life'

This is not America - David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group

Taken from the soundtrack for the movie 'The falcon and the snowman', 'This is not America' was a collaboration between David Bowie and the jazz fusion band the Pat Metheny Group.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart, number 32 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 366
Found: Bruxelles, January 11, 1986
Cost: 105 Belgian Francs
Track: 'This is not America' / 'This is not America (instrumental)'

Paradise by the dashboard light - Meat Loaf

Although the label on this single claims that 'Paradise by the dashboard light' has a running time of 7 minutes and 55 seconds, it is actually only 5 minutes and 25 seconds - which means it is a single edit of the epic album version, excluding the lengthy baseball commentary and some minor musical bits. I would regret this if I was actually planning on listening to this song ever again - which I won't for another decade or two.

Still, I have to concede that 'Paradise by the dashboard light' is a classic track, one that is forever synonymous to Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman's brilliant collaboration. I wish it wasn't played so damn often though.

My collection: 7" single no. 378
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Paradise by the dashboard light' / ''Bat' Overture'