Someday - Mariah Carey

'Someday' was one of the five songs on the demo tape, handed by Brenda K. Starr to record executive Tommy Mottola, that led to Carey being given a recording contract. Sony made alterations to the version on the demo tape because they thought it was too rough—the horn melodies were taken out and replaced with electric guitar melodies, and the ending was shortened by about eight seconds. Reportedly, Carey was unhappy with the final version of 'Someday', because she thought it had been too 'polished'.

It was released as the third single from Carey's debut album in December 1990 and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 38 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2028
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Someday' / 'Alone in love'

Circle of one (remix) - Oleta Adams

Although Oleta Adams' debut album 'Circle of one' was a big seller in 1991, the singles seemed to be less popular. Although the title track was released as a single earlier on, the record company tried re-releasing the track in remixed form in a bid to get it higher up in the charts. The remix was made by one Yvonne Turner and sounded very different from the original version.

Still, the single was equally unsuccessful and did not chart in any territory. Meanwhile, the album kept selling...

My collection: 7" single no. 1805
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 19, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle of one (remix)' / 'Circle of one'

Rain or shine - Five Star

Five Star's biggest single hit was the mid-tempo ballad 'Rain or shine', released in the autumn of 1986.

It sold over 250,000 copies and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart, held off the top spot for three weeks by British pop band The Communards with the year's biggest selling song, 'Don't leave me this way'. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 16 during a six week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 2576
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rain or shine' / 'Summer groove'

Phantom of the night - Kayak

By the end of the Seventies, the Dutch band Kayak were wellknown for their brand of symphonic rock, but that didn't mean they were consistently successful. Having had their first top 10 hit in February 1979 with 'Ruthless queen', two subsequent singles failed to chart.

The first of those two was 'Phantom of the night', the title track of their 1979 album. Personally, I'm more fond of the instrumental B-side, but having found this single is a miracle in itself: Kayak singles are very hard to come by these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 4629
Found: Deurmekaarspul, Den Haag, March 12, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Phantom of the night' / 'Ivory dance'

Feels like the first time - Foreigner

'Feels like the first time' was, appropriately enough, Foreigner's debut single, released in 1977. The song was written by Mick Jones. The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 39 in the UK singles chart.

This single was made in 1978, incorporating Foreigner's next hit single 'Cold as ice' as one of two tracks on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2664
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Feels like the first time' / 'Cold as ice', 'Long long way from home'

Deliverance - The Mission

Released as the second single from the Mission's 1990 album 'Carved in sand', 'Deliverance' is a perfect piece of trademark Mission rock: an intense track with deep, dark vocals and a storming guitar and drum backing.

The single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart, but unlike the first single from the album, 'Butterfly on a wheel', it didn't manage a chart placing elsewhere in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 3010
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Deliverance' / 'Mr. Pleasant'

(Everything I do) I do it for you - Bryan Adams

The idea of a song to promote the movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' came late in the making of the film. Michael Kamen, had originally wanted the song to be as if it were Maid Marian singing it to Robin Hood. He offered it to Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Lisa Stansfield but they all turned it down. David Kerschenbaum of Morgan Creek Records invited Bryan Adams – whom he had worked with in the early Eighties at A&M Records – to write the song based on the score from Kamen. Initially, Adams was to write the lyrics for another artist to perform, but it was decided that he should perform the song after writing it with his producer Mutt Lange. The pair recorded the song in Mayfair Studios in London.

The song is credited to Adams, Lange, and Kamen, and is played over the film's credits. A&M Records were at first reluctant to have the song appear on the film soundtrack, which was released through Morgan Creek, but the success of the record benefited both companies. The single was a number 1 hit around the world and instantly launched Adams to superstardom. The success of the single led to pre-order sales of a million for Adams' album 'Waking up the neighbours' throughout Europe. The album went on to sell 15 million copies around the world, whereas this single is still one of the best-selling singles of all time.

My collection: 7" single no. 1609
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: '(Everyting I do) I do it for you' / 'She's only happy when she's dancing (live)'

EDIT (April 5, 2010): I received a notice from Blogger that two posts about Bryan Adams got a complaint. I trust it's from the same people who posted a reaction on this post. They are obviously terrified that anyone should hear any Bryan Adams music, even if it's any good. The message these people are sending is: don't listen to music, you might get inspired to buy it yourself. And they wonder why the music industry is in such terrible shape...
Anyway, I'm taking down all of Bryan Adams' music. I don't need this. The divshare box is gone, all I can do now is write the following:

DON'T BUY BRYAN ADAMS MUSIC.

I hope they're satisfied now.

Skies the limit - Fleetwood Mac

Without Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac soldiered on. Billy Burnette and Rick Vito replaced him and in the new line-up they recorded the 1990 album 'Behind the mask'.

Four singles were drawn from the album, of which 'Skies the limit' was the third. The song was written by Christine McVie and her then-husband Eddy Quintela. The single did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1273
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 16, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Skies the limit' / 'Lizard people'

Too much heaven - Bee Gees

'Too much heaven' was the Bee Gees' contribution to the 'Music for UNICEF' fund. They performed it at the 'Music for UNICEF' concert on January 9, 1979. The song later found its way to the group's thirteenth original album, 'Spirits having flown'. Released as a single, it was a number 1 hit in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

The recording process was the longest of all the tracks on 'Spirits having flown' as there are nine layers of three-part harmony creating 27 voices, though the high falsetto voices are the most pronounced in the final mix.

My collection: 7" single no. 49
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much heaven' / 'Rest your love on me'

Magical - Bucks Fizz

Following the success of the rock-orientated track 'Talking in your sleep', Bucks Fizz were keen to replicate it with the release of this similar-themed song. 'Magical' was written by Meat Loaf and John Parr and originally recorded by Parr in 1985. While the track was not a hit for him in the UK, it did reach number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With the public still familiar with Bucks Fizz's clean-cut pop image, their cover of the song was not successful and 'Magical' became the group's lowest charting single. Released in September 1985, the song reached number 57 and spent only three weeks on the chart.

The single was significant in that it was the first release with new member Shelley Preston, who had joined a few months earlier, although she didn't perform on the recording. It was also the group's last release with label RCA before their move to Polydor early the following year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2759
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Magical' / 'Oh Suzanne'

Everything I wanted - The Bangles

The Bangles basically split up in 1989. When the record company CBS released 'Greatest hits' in 1990, they did so to fulfil the band's contractual requirements.

The album was promoted with a new single, the song 'Everything I wanted' that was described as previously unreleased, however it had a limited release previously as the B-side to their single 'I'll set you free' in Australia. The single was not a success, just like the album that only made the top 10 in the UK and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1239
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everything I wanted' / 'In your room'

Quiet eyes - Golden Earring

In 1986, Golden Earring released the dark and overproduced album 'The hole'. The first single from that album was 'Quiet eyes', the only single from the album to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9.

The accompanying music video and the sleeve artwork was created by Anton Corbijn. The single was actually released in four different sleeves, featuring one of the four band members and blue, green, yellow or red lettering on the front, and the remaining three band members on the back.

My collection: 7" single no. 421
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Quiet eyes' / 'Gimme a break'

In bloom - Nirvana

Bassist Krist Novoselic from Nirvana recalled that 'In bloom' 'originally sounded like a Bad Brains song. Then Kurt turned it into a pop song'. The band recorded a demo of 'In bloom' with producer Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin in April 1990. The song originally had a bridge section that Vig removed. Novoselic said that after the band recorded the song, Vig cut out the bridge from the 16-track master tape with a razor blade and threw it in the garbage.

After signing to DGC Records, Nirvana began recording its second album 'Nevermind' in May 1991. 'In bloom' was one of the first songs the band recorded during these album sessions. The arrangements for 'In bloom' and the other songs previously recorded with Vig in 1990 were largely unchanged; the recently hired drummer Dave Grohl stayed mostly with what his predecessor Chad Channing had recorded, but added more power and precision to the recording.

My collection: 7" single no. 1849
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 23, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'In bloom' / 'Silver (live)'

Space oddity - David Bowie

Following David Bowie's split from record label Deram, his manager Kenneth Pitt managed to negotiate a one-album deal with Mercury Records in 1969. Next he tried to find a producer. Tony Visconti liked the album demo-tracks, but considered the planned lead-off single, 'Space oddity', a gimmick track and delegated its production to Gus Dudgeon.

Following recording of the track, the single was rush-released on July 11, 1969 to coincide with the Apollo 11 moon landings. In the UK, it was used in conjunction with the BBC's coverage of the landing. This exposure finally gave Bowie a hit, reaching number 5 in the chart. The single also reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The song became so well-known that Bowie's second album, originally released as David Bowie in the UK (like his first album), was renamed after the track for its 1972 reissue by RCA, and has since become known by this name.

This particular single is a re-release from the mid-seventies, also containing the later hit single 'Changes'. While I am never too fond of re-releases (and especially those without a picture sleeve) I felt I had to buy it since getting an original copy from 1969 would - and will probably still - cost a fortune.

My collection: 7" single no. 550
Found: London, October 1987
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Space oddity' / 'Changes', 'Velvet goldmine'

Alleen in Dallas - John Lion

When John Lion sings 'Alleen in Dallas' ('Only in Dallas'), he isn't referring to the city in Texas, but rather the television series that was immensely popular in the Eighties. His encounter with a woman in a bar who turns out to have a big and rather aggressive boyfriend is apparently something that could only happen in a fictional television series.

The single was originally released in 1983, but failed to chart. I bought the single in 1988, when it was re-released. And again, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 633
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Alleen in Dallas' / 'Tussen wind en water'

King of pain - The Police

'King of pain' was released as the second single from the Police's 1983 album 'Synchronicity' in the USA and the fourth single in the UK. It was the only single from that album that didn't have an accompanying music video.

Despite this, the single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 17 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1415
Found: Record fair, April 7, 1991
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'King of pain' / 'Once upon a daydream'

Other people are us - Howard Jones

There's a preacher in every popstar, and to prove this, Howard Jones recorded 'Don't be part of it' in 1991. 'As long as there are the slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields' he sings, proposing us to stop eating meat just because of this. Well, I don't know...

Fortunately, the A-side of this rare Italian promotional disc is less moralistic. 'Other people are us' is a song in the best Howard Jones tradition, with a great melody and pure, simple vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1913
Found: Record fair, May 22, 1993
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Other people are us' / 'Don't be part of it'

Almost unreal - Roxette

Per Gessle wrote 'Almost unreal' for the soundtrack of the Bette Midler movie 'Hocus pocus' (1993), but it was not used. Instead, the song appeared in another movie soundtrack, from 'Super Mario Brothers'.

The track was also released as a single, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1998
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Almost unreal' / 'The heart shaped sea'

Crashed into love - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet's career seemingly came to an end in 1990 with the release of 'Crashed into love', the fourth and final single from their 1989 album 'Heart like a sky'. The previous single 'Empty spaces' had stalled at number 94 in the UK singles chart and this one did no better, as it only reached number 96.

After this, Spandau Ballet, from whom Gary Kemp was already feeling estranged, split up. Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble launched a failed court case against Gary Kemp for a share of his song-writing royalties. Although initially vowing to appeal the verdict, they later decided against this. They subsequently toured as a trio, but as they had to sell their shares in Spandau Ballet's company to Gary Kemp to pay off legal debts, and that company owned the rights to the name of Spandau Ballet, they had to tour under the moniker of 'Hadley, Norman and Keeble, ex-Spandau Ballet'. In 2009, the band surprisingly reformed completely.

My collection: 7" single no. 1202
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 6, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Crashed into love' / 'How many lies (live)'

Invisible sun - The Police

'Invisible sun' was written by Sting about the tensions in Northern Ireland. The song is a departure from Police songs before it; it contains a dark, looping synthesizer beat, and powerful, haunting lyrics. Among other things, the lyrics refer to the ArmaLite rifle used by paramilitary organizations, but mainly by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

It was the first single taken from the 1982 Police album 'Ghost in the machine' and it reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 458
Found: Oldies Unlimited, received 1986
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Invisible sun' / 'Shambelle'