Pink cashmere - Prince

'Pink cashmere' was written by Prince for his then-girlfriend, Anna Fantastic (Anna Garcia), for her 18th birthday. The song references the actual gift he presented to her, a coat made of pink cashmere with a black mink collar and cuff, the name Anna Fantastic embroidered on the sleeve, and '89' on the back. The coat was valued at $15,000, being custom made by his personal staff designer.

The single reached number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but failed to chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 2438
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Pink cashmere' / 'The future (Mark Moore remix)'

Have a little faith in me - John Hiatt

Sailing safely between beautiful and downright irritating, John Hiatt's 'Have a little faith in me' would never have become part of my collection if it wasn't played on the radio so often after it came out. The first few dozen times I heard it, I couldn't listen to the song, but in time I gradually warmed to it. When I listen to it now, I still don't know whether to keep listening or to throw the single out the window.

The song appears on John Hiatt's 1987 album 'Bring the family' and was released as a single over a year later. It reached the Dutch Top 40 in April 1989, peaking at number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 773
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 18, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Have a little faith in me' / 'Lipstick sunset'

32 jaar - Doe Maar

Nobody in 1981 could foresee the enormous popularity the Dutch band Doe Maar would have later on in their career, when they had their first hit single with this, '32 jaar' ('32 years'). The unassuming song about a man who is in love at the age of 32 reached number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was first released in May 1981.

The band would later have six hit singles, four of which reached the top 10, sold out concerts and girls screaming from the first moment they took to the stage until the very last one.

My collection: 7" single no. 89
Found: Disco Market, Den haag, 1983
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '32 jaar' / 'Mis'

Träume sind für alle da - Wind

'Träume sind für alle da' ('Dreams are there for everyone') was the German entry in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Wind. This was Wind's third Eurovision entry, they had previously represented Germany at the 1985 and 1987 contests with 'Für alle' and 'Lass die Sonne in dein Herz', both times finishing in 2nd position.

This sog was less successful, as it finished 16th in a field of 23 competitors. The song is in the schlager style made famous by composer-lyricist team Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinunger and consists of a series of sketches of characters who are dreaming of a change in their lives. The first of these, for example, is a young girl waiting on a platform for a train which she believes will take her to success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1680
Found: Deutschlandsberg, Austria, July 2, 1992
Cost: 54 Schilling
Tracks: 'Träume sind für alle da' / 'Freitagabend'

Never let me down - David Bowie

David Bowie's 'Never let me down' is seen as a homage to Bowie's late friend John Lennon, and is one of the more respected songs on a much-maligned album. The track is often complimented for its simple, straightforward arrangement. Despite comparisons to Lennon, Bowie at the time dedicated the track to his long-serving personal assistant Corinne 'Coco' Schwab.

Released as the third single from the album of the same name in August 1987, it reached number 34 in the UK singles chart. It would be Bowie's last solo single until 1992's 'Real cool world', barring a remix of 'Fame' in 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1372
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, January 3, 1991
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never let me down' / ''87 & cry'

Too much love will kill you - Brian May

'Too much love will kill you' was written by Queen guitarist Brian May, Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers. The lyric is about May's feelings during his divorce, and the choice one must make between two women that one loves equally.

The song was recorded around 1988 or before, and was intended to be on Queen's album 'The Miracle' in 1989. In 1992, Brian May performed it at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert after the death of Mercury in late 1991. It also was on his solo album 'Back to the light' that same year and released as a single, charting in the top 10 in the UK at number 5 and reaching number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. Unheard by most Queen fans with Freddie Mercury on vocals, 'Too much love will kill you' appeared on the 1995 Queen album 'Made in heaven', released four years after Mercury's death.

My collection: 7" single no. 1700
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 29, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Too much love will kill you' / 'I'm scared'

Lift me up - Howard Jones

The fifth studio album by Howard Jones, 'In the running', was his least successful one in commercial terms. The album failed to chart in all territories, and the singles didn't do much to raise its profile either.

'Lift me up', released as the first single from the album, was the only single to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 52. This was also his last chart single in the UK: all subsequent single releases between 1992 and now have been ignored by the general public. I wonder why, because his music has only got better and better.

My collection: 7" single no. 1733
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Lift me up' / 'I.G.Y. (live)'

Sleeping in my car - Roxette

'Sleeping in my car' was written by Per Gessle and recording by Roxette on their 1994 album 'Crash! Boom! Bang!'. It was also released as the first single from that album. It reached number 1 in Sweden, number 14 on the UK singles chart and number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 15.

When Roxette did a concert in Beijing, China in 1995, they were asked to change the suggestive lyrics of the song. 'We agreed, but didn't change them in the end', says Per Gessle.

My collection: 7" single no. 2098
Found: Record fair, April 6, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Sleeping in my car' / 'The look (MTV Unplugged live version)'

Cannonball - Supertramp

The lyric of the song 'Cannonball' by Supertramp may have been seen as a veiled message to former member Roger Hodgson - who left Supertramp a year before - but writer Rick Davies revealed in a French radio interview that the lyric to 'Cannonball' was inspired by a less than perfect concert promoter whom he refused to name but added that the guy knew who he was.

The track was written and sung by keyboardist Rick Davies all in the chord of G. Davies stated in an interview 'I did it simply to see if it could be done'. The single reached number 28 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1985. In the Dutch Top 40, the single only got as far as number 35.

My collection: 7" single no. 468
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 20, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Track: 'Cannonball' / 'Ever open door'

Here comes the rain again - Eurythmics

'Here comes the rain again' was performed by the Eurythmics on their 1983 album 'Touch' and written by its members, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Dave Stewart commented: 'The whole song was about that undecided thing, like here comes depression, or here comes that downward spiral. But then it goes, 'so talk to me like lovers do.' It's the wandering in and out of melancholy, a dark beauty that sort of is like the rose that's when it's darkest unfolding and bloodred just before the garden, dies. And capturing that in kind of oblique statements and sentiments.' He also revealed that the lyric to the song came into being after an argument between himself and Lennox while they were doing some songwriting in New York City's Columbus Hotel. The basic melody had already been written and Lennox looked out the window after their fight and noticed it was starting to rain. She announced, 'Here comes the rain again'.

The string arrangements by Michael Kamen were performed by members of the British Philharmonic Orchestra. The track actually lasted for five minutes, but was edited when it was released on the 'Touch' album to four and a half minutes. The track was edited even further for the single release. The full length version only appeared in 1991 on the US edition of 'Greatest hits'.

My collection: 7" single no. 981
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 2 guilder
Tracks: 'Here comes the rain again' / 'Paint a rumour'

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode released 'Personal Jesus' in the autumn of 1989 as the first single from their album 'Violator'. According to Martin Gore, the song was inspired by the book 'Elvis and me' by Priscilla Presley: 'It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?'

My collection: 7" single no. 1067
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Personal Jesus' / 'Dangerous'

With every heartbeat - Five Star

Five Star's single 'With every heartbeat' was released in 1989. It was their last single for RCA, the label they signed with in 1983. It proved a failure for the group, stalling at number 49 in the UK singles chart. The song never appeared on a studio album, but was included on the group's 'Greatest hits' album, released later in 1989.

The single was released in a limited edition with a gatefold sleeve including a booklet with pictures of the group members and the lyric of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2753
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'With every heartbeat' / 'Sound sweet'

This time I know it's for real - Donna Summer

With 'This time I know it's for real', Donna Summer presented herself as a Stock Aitken & Waterman protege for the first time. It was the first single to be taken from her 1989 album 'Another place and time', which was entirely written and produced by the infamous trio.

The single became Donna Summer's biggest hit since the Seventies, peaking at number 3 and number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single managed to get to number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 788
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'This time I know it's for real' / 'Whatever your heart desires'

Noi - Matia Bazar

Although it is not the band's biggest hit, my favourite song of Matia Bazar is 'Noi', released in 1987 from the band's album 'Melo'. Unfortunately, the track was edited for the single release, leaving out an interesting guitar solo. Even more unfortunate is the fact that I could only find this single without a picture sleeve at the time.

'Noi' did not chart, but it is still a very great piece of music.

My collection: 7" single no. 768
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 16, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Noi' / 'Da qui a'

Factory man - Maarten Peters and the Dream

It wasn't easy for Maarten Peters to get some commercial success. All of his single releases between 1985 and 1987 failed to reach the Dutch Top 40, with one exception. It must have been a relief that his eighth single 'Factory man' managed to get to number 35 in May 1987.

'Factory man' was the first single from his second album 'Burn your boats', released around the same time as this single. The B-side, 'May 29th', was taken from his debut album and was written after an incident at the Heizel stadium in Belgium on May 29, 1985. Hooligans from Liverpool and Turin started fighting, which eventually caused a wall to collapse. 39 people were killed and 400 were injured.

My collection: 7" single no. 518
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Factory man' / 'May 29th'

I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that) - Meat Loaf

When Meat Loaf sang that he would do anything for love but he won't do 'that', a lot of people were left with the question: what, exactly, is 'that'? At the song's conclusion, the female vocalist predicts two things that the protagonist will do: 'You'll see that it's time to move on and you'll be screwing around'. To both of these, he replies, 'I won't do that!'. Although Meat Loaf believed that the lyrics were unambiguous, the singer recalls that Steinman predicted that they would cause confusion. Meat Loaf says that the question, 'What is 'that'?' is one of the most popular questions he is asked.

Clocking in at over 7 minutes, it's another one of those epic Jim Steinman tracks that Meat Loaf became so popular with at the end of the Seventies. The single was taken from Meat Loaf's 1993 album 'Bat out of hell II: Back into hell' and reached number 1 in 28 countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1987
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that)' / 'Back into hell'

New beginning (Mamba Seyra) - Bucks Fizz

'New beginning' was released in May 1986 and was considered to be a comeback single, since the band hadn't released anything in eight months. The single featured new member Shelley Preston who had replaced Jay Aston a year earlier. It was also their first release on new record label, Polydor after their five-year contract with RCA had finished.

The song was written by Mike Myers and Tony Gibber and was produced by Myers along with the group's regular producer Andy Hill. According to the group's members, the recording of the song took an unusually long time to record. As well as the group recording their vocals repeatedly, there was also a children's choir and gospel choir used on the track. The musicians in the studio also were used on distant back-up vocals. Cheryl Baker remembers one version where Hill instructed them to deliberately sing out of tune, which she found difficult.

My collection: 7" single no. 478
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'New beginning (Mamba seyra)' / 'In your eyes'

Kronenburg park (Ga die wereld uit) - Frank Boeijen Groep

The song 'Kronenburg park' is named after the park in Nijmegen, the city where Frank Boeijen grew up. The park is known for its prostitutes hunting for work. Boeijen apparently wrote the song after recognising one of the women in the park from his childhood. The subtitle 'Ga die wereld uit' ('Get out of that world') can be interpreted as a plea to women to leave this profession.

The single was the second one taken from the band's fifth album. Released in April 1985, 'Kronenburg park' managed to reach number 12 in the Dutch Top 40, becoming one of their biggest hits.

My collection: 7" single no. 288
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Kronenburg park (Ga die wereld uit)' / 'De waarheid'

Are you getting enough of what makes you happy? - Hot Chocolate

Released in July 1980, 'Are you getting enough of what makes you happy?' was the second single from Hot Chocolate's 1980 album 'Class'. During a seven week chart run in the UK singles chart, it reached number 17.

As usual, the single was written by lead singer Errol Brown and produced by Mickie Most.

My collection: 7" single no. 4655
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Are you getting enough of what makes you happy?' / 'I've got you on my mind'

Landslide of love - Transvision Vamp

It doesn't sound very romantic, a 'Landslide of love', but there you have it: it's the title of Transvision Vamp's eighth single.

Released as the third single from the band's second album 'Velveteen', it spent five weeks in the UK singles chart and peaked at number 14.

My collection: 7" single no. 4660
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Landslide of love' / 'Hardtime', 'He's the only one for me'