Sexual healing - Marvin Gaye

'Sexual healing' was composed by Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown and David Ritz. The song discusses a man's aching for finding sexual salvation with his woman - hence the title 'Sexual healing'. Some saw the song as Gaye's harmonious plea to sex in the form of him preaching the word of gospel, marrying his divided soul.

Released in 1982, it was Marvin Gaye's first single since his exit from his long-term record label Motown earlier in the year, following the release of the album 'In our lifetime' the previous year. The single reached number 1 in Canada and New Zealand, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4699
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sexual healing' / 'Sexual healing (instrumental)'

Tonight - Tina Turner with David Bowie

While Tina Turner live sounds a lot like a cat being strangled, this single is still of interest because of the appearance of David Bowie on the title track. The song 'Tonight' was written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop for Iggy's 1977 album 'Lust for life'. It subsequently appeared as the title track of Bowie's 1984 album.

Bowie recorded the track on his own album as a duet with Tina Turner. When Turner was on tour, he performed the song together with her on March 23, 1985 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. This version was included on the album 'Tina Live in Europe' in 1988, and released as a single. It was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 53 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4693
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tonight (live)' / 'River deep mountain high (live)'

Samba d'amour - Middle of the Road

After having had eight hit singles in several countries between 1971 and 1973, 'Samba d'amour' was the first of four singles that was only successful in Germany.

'Samba d'amour' was released in the summer of 1973 as the only single from Middle of the Road's 1973 album 'Music music'. It was the group's first album on the Ariola label. Ariola did not have the rights to release material in the UK and so an arrangement was made with a local Scottish record company to distribute 'Music music'. It failed to attract national attention in the UK and was relegated to obscurity there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4691
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Samba d'amour' / 'Winter's sun'

Have you ever had it blue - The Style Council

The Style Council recorded 'Have you ever had it blue' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Absolute beginners'. After David Bowie's song of the same name was released as a single, the Style Council's track was the next single to be taken from the soundtrack album.

Although this single couldn't match the success of Bowie's track, it still managed to climb to number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4713
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Have you ever had it blue' / 'Mr. Cool's dream'

Surrender - Swing out sister

'Surrender' is a 1987 single released by British pop act Swing Out Sister from their debut album, 'It's better to travel'. The song features a trumpet solo performed by John Thirkell. It was released as the follow-up to the successful single, 'Breakout'.

The song peaked at number 7 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1987 and reached the same position in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4717
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Surrender' / 'Who's to blame?'

Stray cat strut - Stray Cats

'Stray cat strut' is a track on the Stray Cats' debut album, released in 1981 in the UK. Released as the third single from that album, it reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in the UK singles chart.

In 1982, the song became a hit in the US, peaking at number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100. Brian Setzer later played this song with his new band, The Brian Setzer Orchestra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4696
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Stray cat strut' / 'Drink that bottle down'

My broken souvenirs - Pussycat

'My broken souvenirs' was released in March 1977 as the fourth single from Pussycat's debut album 'First of all'. Like their debut single and number 1 hit 'Mississippi', the song was written by Werner Theunissen.

The single becomes the second (and last) number 1 hit in the Netherlands for the group - it also reaches number 1 in New Zealand, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 4679
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My broken souvenirs' / 'Nothing to hide'

I don't wanna get hurt - Donna Summer

The album 'Another place and time' by Donna Summer, released in 1987, was entirely written and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman. As a result, the songs sounded a lot like many other hits at the time.

'I don't wanna get hurt' especially sounded like a Kylie Minogue or Mel & Kim track. I wonder if many Donna Summer fans were thrilled with this. The song was remixed for its release as a single. It reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4668
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I don't wanna get hurt' / 'I don't wanna get hurt (instrumental)'

Victim of love - Erasure

'Victim of love' was written by Erasure band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and incorporates the signature Erasure sound of uptempo rhythm, analog synthesizer and a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics pertain to one's apprehension when entering into a new love relationship. The song's protagonist doesn't 'want to look like some kind of fool' or become a 'victim of love'.

The song was released as the third single from their second album 'The circus' and remixed for single release. The single peaked at number 7 in the UK singles chart in June 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4690
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Victim of love' / 'The soldier's return'

Flashback - Imagination

'Flashback' was released in 1981 as a single by Imagination. It was their third single overall, but also the third single taken from their debut album 'Body talk', named after their debut single which peaked at number 4 in the UK single. Like the second single 'In and out of love', this single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

Although I spotted two versions of this single when I bought it, the other one had a photograph on the sleeve, but the B-side was 'In and out of love', which I already owned as a single in its own right. The B-side of this Belgian pressing is 'Burnin' up', which could be considered an early house track for its repetitiveness.

My collection: 7" single no. 4657
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Flashback' / 'Burnin' up'

Tired of getting pushed around - 2 men, a drum machine and a trumpet

During a time out from the Fine Young Cannibals between their debut album and its follow-up, David Steele and Andy Cox recorded - without frontman Roland Gift - an instrumental house single as 2 men, a drum machine & a trumpet.

Entitled 'Tired of getting pushed around', the single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Meanwhile, Roland Gift took up acting, appearing in the movie 'Sammy and Rosie get laid'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4727
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tired of getting pushed around' / 'Make it funky'

Dreamer - Supertramp

'Dreamer' was originally recorded in 1974 by Supertramp on their album 'Crime of the century'. Released as a single, it peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart.

A live version, taken from the album 'Paris', was released in 1980. That live version reached number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart ad number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4694
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dreamer' / 'Bloody well right'

I missed again - Phil Collins

Everybody remembers Phil Collins' debut single 'In the air tonight' of course, but can you also name the single that followed it up? Released just two months after that classic single, 'I missed again' was the second single taken from Collins' debut album 'Face value'. The song, like many on that album, is about Collins' anger and frustration about his first wife leaving him.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart. In the USA, where 'I missed again' was actually released as Phil Collins' debut single, it peaked at number 19 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4701
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I missed again' / 'I'm not moving'

Chances - Hot Chocolate

Released in September 1982,'Chances' was a single taken from Hot Chocolate's album 'Mystery'. As usual, the tracks on this single were produced by Mickie Most and written by frontman Errol Brown.

The single reached number 32 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4652
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Chances' / 'A night to remember'

The height of the fighting - Heaven 17

In 1982, 'The height of the fighting' was released as the fourth and final single from Heaven 17's debut album 'Penthouse and pavement', and their only single of that year. The song that featured a repetitive chorus and not much in the way of a verse, turned out to be a commercial disaster: it failed to reach the UK singles chart.

I first found out about this track in 1985 as part of a Heaven 17 megamix that was released that year. I never actively searched for this single, but since I was on the take, I figured I might as well buy this one too.

My collection: 7" single no. 4650
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The height of the fighting' / 'Honeymoon in New York'

My girl - Madness

'My girl' first made its way into the Madness's set when they were performing as The Invaders. The first performance of the song came in July 1978, when it was still titled 'New song'. Mike Barson, who wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time, originally performed lead vocals and even sang on the demo for the song. However, Suggs took over the vocal duties before long, and sang the album version of the song.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in 1980. Last year, the Pet Shop Boys released a cover version of the song on their latest EP 'Christmas'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4724
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My girl' / 'Stepping into line'

Old friends - Everything but the girl

In October 1991, Everything but the girl released their sixth album 'Worldwide'. 'Old friends' was released as a single from that album, featuring a live recording of the 1988 track 'Apron strings', recorded live in Minneapolis/St. Paul in June 1990.

'Old friends' was one of many Everything but the girl singles that didn't reach the charts - not even in their native UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4723
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Old friends' / 'Apron strings (live)'

To cut a long story short - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet debuted in 1980 with the single 'To cut a long story short'. According to the blurb on the back of the sleeve of the Spanish pressing: ''To cut a long story short' es un tema de fuerte ritmo en el que destaca especialmente la voz de su solista y el trabajo de la guitarra y la percusión. Pero es realmente toto el equipo de Spandau Ballet el que consigue que su nombre se haya catapultado hacia el estrellato en solamente unas cuantas semanas.' Which probably means the song is quite good.

I bought both the UK and Spanish pressings in one go, mainly because the Spanish version had such an interesting sleeve. Since I bought quite a few singles, I got a discount, which basically means I got it for free.

'To cut a long story short' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in Australia. The song reportedly inspired Vince Clarke while writing Depeche Mode's 'Just can't get enough'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4720 / no. 4721
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'To cut a long story short' / 'To cut a long story short (version)'

Ik lig op m'n kussen stil te dromen '89 - Hepie en Hepie

The 1960 Harry Locklin song 'Send me the pillow that you dream on' has been covered by many artists, Such as Johnny Tillotson and Marty Wilde. A Dutch version was recorded by the sisters Hepie & Hepie in the Netherlands. In 1980, their 'Ik lig op m'n kussen stil te dromen' reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

In 1989, some people decided to have a bit of fun and remix this song according to contemporary rules. A James Brown sample here, a rhythm track that was popular at the time, and voila: the '89 version of 'Ik lig op m'n kussen stil te dromen' was there. It reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 986
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 30, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Ik lig op m'n kussen stil te dromen ('89 versie)' / 'Turn up the pillow'

Ever since you said goodbye - Marty Wilde

Released in October 1962, 'Ever since you said goodbye' would turn out to be Marty Wilde's last chart hit in the UK. It reached number 31 during a 7 week chart run.

The B-side of this single features a cover version of the 1960 Harry Locklin song 'Send me the pillow that you dream on'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4718
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ever since you said goodbye' / 'Send me the pillow you dream on'