Soldiers of love - Liliane Saint-Pierre

Liliane Saint-Pierre was born as Liliane Keuninckx in Diest, Belgium on December 18, 1948. She started her career in music in the Sixties when she was just 13 years old. After this, she became acquainted with French singer and producer Claude François, who decided to promote her in France. He added the surname Saint Pierre because this sounded French.

In 1987, she represented Belgium with 'Soldiers of love', featuring a rather pacifist lyric. The song finished 11th in a field of 22 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4612
Found: vinylroy.nl, received March 3, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Soldiers of love' / 'Soldiers of love (instrumental)'

De oude muzikant - Ben Cramer

This year's Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was written and composed by Pierre Kartner, a.k.a. Father Abraham. The resulting 'Ik ben verliefd Sha-la-lie' ('I'm in love Sha-la-lee') has already been criticised for being out of time and 'not good enough' for the Contest. Some have also questioned whether Kartner was the right person to compose a Eurovision song for the Netherlands.

Still, it's not the first time he did this. Ben Cramer's 1973 entry for Eurovision was also written and composed by Kartner. 'De oude muzikant' ('The old musician') used some of the same cultural references. Back then, the song finished 14th in a field of 17 competitors. If this year's entry also reaches this position, the Netherlands will be happy: after all, the country hasn't competed in the finals since 2004.

My collection: 7" single no. 4611
Found: Vinylroy.nl, received March 3, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'De oude muzikant' / 'Kom Sylvia dans met mij'

Lovesong - The Cure

This is a song title for nitpickers. It varies between 'Lovesong' and 'Love song' on many official Cure releases. The artwork for the album Disintegration uses both: 'Love song' on the tracklisting and 'Lovesong' on the lyrics sheet. When released as a single in 1989, the cover artwork displayed the title as 'Lovesong', while the printing on the disc itself read 'Love song' all three times. Subsequent releases of the albums 'Paris' and 'Galore' both use 'Lovesong' exclusively, whilst 2001's 'Greatest hits' compilation uses 'Lovesong' on the tracklisting and 'Love song' within the liner notes. 2004's 'Join the dots' also uses 'Lovesong' within the booklet presentation.

Whatever the title, this melancholy single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1003
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Lovesong' / '2 late'

Fingertips '93 - Roxette

Roxette recorded the song 'Fingertips' on their 1992 album 'Tourism'. When the track was chosen to be the third single from the album, it was re-recorded with a new arrangement.

The single was not released in all territories, but it did reach the top 50 singles chart in Sweden and Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1868
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 13, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fingertips '93' / 'Dressed for success (live)'

Be with you - The Bangles

After the huge success of the single 'Eternal flame', the Bangles had to come up with another single to reach the higher regions of the singles charts. The predictable choice would have been another ballad, but fortunately they chose to be original and release the uptempo 'Be with you'.

Released in the summer of 1989, the single couldn't match the success of its predecessor: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and got to number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 970
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Be with you' / 'Let it go'

Voyage voyage - Desireless

Whenever you feel depressed, leave it to the French to push you over the brink of suicide. Desireless' 'Voyage voyage' sounds like an uptempo pop song, but the underlying message is less upbeat. The fact that I can't understand a word of French also helps, of course.

This 12" single features two remixes of the track. The 'Britmix' was created by Pete Hammond and Peter Waterman, whereas the Euro remix was created by Steve Prestage. Both remixes are quite good, actually.

My collection: 12" single no. 427
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage (Britmix)' / 'Voyage voyage (Euro remix)', 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

In too deep - Genesis

'In too deep' was recorded for Genesis' 1986 album 'Invisible touch'. It was released as the second single from the album in the UK and the fifth single in the USA. It was to be the band's final single in the USA until 'No son of mine' (1991).

The single peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3241
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'In too deep' / 'I'd rather be you'

Ne t'enfuis pas - Kate Bush

The fact that collecting records is not always fun, is proved with this particular item. I ordered 'Ne t'enfuis pas' by Kate Bush from France, as it was possible to get a copy from there some 20 years ago. I sent my money, waited for a few weeks, and then received the package. The problem was: it was delivered by a particularly stupid and lazy postman, who decided to shove it through the letterbox. As a result, the single snapped and I found two halves in the sleeve.

I brought the single to the postoffice for a complaint, and had to leave the item with them, so they could decide what to do. One week later, I got my money back, and the record as well: they broke it up into twenty pieces, presumably to try out what it would take to break a record. Needless to say, I was fuming. And I never found another copy - at least, not for a reasonable price. Until today, that is... (to be continued!)

My collection: sleeve
Found: France, ca. 1990
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Ne t'enfuis pas' / 'Un baiser d'enfant'

By my side - INXS

'By my side' was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as part of the 1990 sessions for the X album. Record Producer Chris Thomas, who produced the album is also awarded songwriting credits, specifically contributing to the chorus and arrangement. Along with 'Never tear us apart', it was one of two INXS songs played at the funeral of frontman Michael Hutchence following his suicide on the 22nd of November 1997.

The song was released as the third single from INXS's 1990 album 'X'. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1398
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'By my side' / 'The other side'

Another kind of loving - Lasse Holm and Monica Törnell

Lasse Holm was born as Lars-Eric Gustav Holm on December 9, 1943. After becoming interested in music at an early age, he was a member of several bands during the Sixties, such as Doug and the Millsmen, The Spacemen and The Moonlighters. He subsequently developed his craft as a songwriter, writing six Eurovision entries for Sweden: 'Dag efter dag' (1982), 'Främling' (1983), 'Bra vibrationer' (1985), 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' (1986) and 'Eloise' (1993).

From these songs, only 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' was performed by himself on the Eurovision stage, together with Monica Törnell (born June 3, 1954). The song finished fifth in a field of 20 competitors during the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest. The single includes the English and Swedish versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 4399
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Another kind of loving' / 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek'

Just a little bit of peace in my heart / Please go - Golden Earring

Back in 1988, I spent a week in hospital for minor surgery. One of the joys of this was the fact that I had to do absolutely nothing except spend my time reading magazines and listening to the radio. One of the tracks I heard there was Golden Earring's 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart', an old track from 1968, when it reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

I found this re-release single from 1988 a few months later. The B-side was another hit from the band: 'Please go', which reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1965.

My collection: 7" single no. 859
Found: June 2, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart' / 'Please go'

Absolute beginners - David Bowie

David Bowie was a good friend of Julien Temple, who directed the movie 'Absolute beginners' in 1986. Not only did he land a supporting role in the movie, he also agreed to record the theme tune for the movie.

The sessions, at Abbey Road Studios, were set up in a novel way, with a group of session musicians all receiving a card to work at the studio with 'Mr X', who turned out to be Bowie. The sessions were completed rapidly, but the release of the single was delayed, because the record company wanted the release to tie in with the film's opening. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 411
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Absolute beginners' / 'Absolute beginners (dub mix)'

The miracle of love - Eurythmics

'The miracle of love' was recorded by the Eurythmics in 1986 on their sixth album 'Revenge'. It was subsequently released as the third single from the album, although the single was not released in the United States.

It reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 488
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The miracle of love' / 'When tomorrow comes (live)'

Children say - Level 42

The 1987 album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 had been a great success, spawning four hit singles through the year, but still it was decided to release one further single from the album. It was 'Children say', which was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn for the single release.

The song was more successful than expected in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, the single peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 2305
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Children say (remix)' / 'Starchild (remix)'

Kontakt - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Kontakt' was the third and final single from Frank Boeijen Groep's fourth album of the same name. You don't have to understand Dutch to hear how powerful the music in this track is: with great drums and an uplifting guitar solo at the end, it's hard to deny the attraction of this single, which was released in the summer of 1984.

Although I have to add that this single did not chart in the Netherlands. Possibly because most people already had the album and this single did not add anything new (except for the fact that the single version was a remix), but more probably because the demise of the Netherlands' most popular group Doe Maar caused a disinterest for any music that was recorded in the Dutch language. These days you'd wish that disinterest would have endured...

My collection: 7" single no. 239
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Kontakt' / 'Macho (live)'

Something about the way you look tonight / Candle in the wind 1997 - Elton John

Yesterday it was twelve and a half years ago that Diana, Princess of Wales, affectionately known as Lady Di, was killed during a mysterious road accident in a tunnel in Paris. The outpouring of grief in the UK was unprecedented, but also set a trend that equalled mass hysteria whenever somebody famous died.

Part of the funeral service was Elton John's performance of 'Candle in the wind', the lyric of which was rewritten to suit the circumstances of Diana's life and death. When the song was released as a single, the official A-side was the song 'Something about the way you look tonight', a track from his then-current album 'The big picture'. The single reached number 1 around the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2924
Found: Record fair, November 30, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Something about the way you look tonight' / 'Candle in the wind 1997'

The prisoner - Howard Jones

The music video for Howard Jones' 'The prisoner' was notably innovative at the time, mixing multiple photo and video editing tricks at a time when computer-based graphics effects were not widely in use.

Although this, the second single from Howard's 1989 album 'Cross that line', didn't reach the UK singles chart, it did peak at number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1000
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The prisoner' / 'Rubber morals'

Never let me down again - Depeche Mode

'Never let me down again' was released as the second single from Depeche Mode's 1987 album 'Music for the masses'. The single's cover art features a fragment of a Soviet map showing the northern part of Russia adjacent to the Arctic Ocean.

The single reached number 22 in the UK singles chart, but in Germany it peaked at number 2, while it was also a top 10 hit in most other European countries. In the Netherlands, like many other Depeche Mode singles, 'Never let me down again' was ignored.

My collection: 7" single no. 906
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down again' / 'Pleasure little treasure'

My lucky love - Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde's career took off after he released his fourth single, 'Endless sleep', which reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. But if you think it was smooth sailing from then on, you're badly mistaken: his next two singles failed to hit the charts just like his first three did.

The first of those two was 'My lucky love', released in September 1958. It was followed by the equally unsuccessful 'No one knows'. 1959's 'Donna' was to revive Marty's career, after which he had three more consecutive top 10 hits in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4610
Found: eBay.co.uk, received March 1, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'My lucky love' / 'Misery's child'

Sea of love - Marty Wilde

'Sea of love' was written by John Philip Baptiste and George Khoury. Baptiste, who was working as a bellboy in Lake Charles, Louisiana (USA), wrote the song for a love interest. He was introduced to local record producer George Khoury, who brought Baptiste into his studio to record the song. At Khoury's request, Baptiste took the stage name of Phil Phillips. It was his only chart hit in the USA; subsequent singles failed to chart.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the song was recorded by Marty Wilde and released simultaneously with Phillips' version. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, only one place lower than its predecessor, 'A teenager in love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4609
Found: eBay.co.uk, received March 1, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sea of love' / 'Teenage tears'