Burn your boats - Maarten Peters

The single 'Burn your boats' was the second single taken from Maarten Peters' second album of the same name. The single featured a live version of the song 'Get out of here' (a track on his debut album 'Hunting the queenbee') on the B-side.

The single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40. Some would argue that the sleeve photography by one Jan van Teeffelen had something to do with this.

My collection: 7" single no. 564
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Burn your boats' / 'Get out of here (live)'

Please forgive me - Bryan Adams

When I bought this single, I hadn't actually heard it. I might have thought twice before buying it if I had, I think. 'Please forgive me' was written by Bryan Adams and Robert John 'Mutt' Lange and treads a much too often trodden path. According to an article in Wikipedia: 'the passion Adams sings the song with is breathtaking'. I would say instead that the lack of originality in this song is breathtaking, but there you go.

The single reached number 2 in the UK, number 7 in the USA and number 1 in Australia. The single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

EDIT:: As you can read in the reactions below, I've had a request to remove the divshare box with this post. I guess even Bryan Adams himself thinks these two tracks shouldn't be listened to. In this case, he's certainly right, so I'm happy to oblige.

My collection: 7" single no. 2038
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Please forgive me' / 'Can't stop this thing we started (live)'

Two hearts - Phil Collins

'Two hearts' was written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier (of Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland) for the 1988 crime comedy film 'Buster'. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song alongside the Carly Simon song 'Let the river run' from 'Working girl'.

Released as the second single from the 'Buster' soundtrack album, the single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in 1988. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2435
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Two hearts' / 'The robbery (excerpt)'

Binnen zonder kloppen - De Dijk

The Amsterdam-based Dutch band De Dijk released one of their better known songs 'Binnen zonder kloppen' ('Enter without knocking') in early 1985. The single failed to chart but is remembers within the Netherlands until this day.

During the first Gulf War, the song ended up on a list of boycotted songs for radiostations, probably because of the title...

My collection: 7" sigle no. 1364
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 28, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Binnen zonder kloppen' / 'Wat nog meer'

Just the way you are - Billy Joel

'Just the way you are' is a love song from Billy Joel's 1977 album, 'The Stranger'. It was written as a birthday gift to Joel's first wife Elizabeth Weber. After they divorced, Joel said that when performing the song, he would imagine what he would eat for dinner or what he would do after the show, or even accidentally sing alternate lyrics written by Liberty DeVitto ('She took the dog, the house, the car').

The track features an alto sax solo by jazz artist Phil Woods, who replaced Richie Cannata (who played sax for most of the songs on The Stranger) when the latter's style of playing was deemed unfit for the song. The bossa nova style of the song was strongly encouraged by producer Phil Ramone. Joel has gone on record stating that he personally dislikes the song and was originally going to leave it off the album. However, at the request of both Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow (both were recording in other studios in the same building at the time), Joel and Ramone agreed to leave it on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2030
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1998
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Just the way you are' / 'Get it right the first time'

Still got the blues (for you) - Gary Moore

'Still got the blues' is a 1990 album by guitarist Gary Moore. Prior to this album Moore's work had consisted of predominantly rock and hard rock styles including his work with Skid Row, Thin Lizzy, G-Force as well as a large repertoire of solo work. This album, as evidenced by its title, is a departure from hard rock to an electric blues style.

'Still got the blues' has been arguably the most successful of Moore's solo albums as it was well received by old fans and also converted many who had never heard of the Irish guitarist before. Part of the success was caused by the title track, which was released as a single in early 1990. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1241
Found: June 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Still got the blues' / 'Left me with the blues'

Tower of strength (remix) - The Mission

In 1994, the Mission released the compilation album 'Sum and substance'. The album was preceded by this single release, a remix of their biggest hit up until then: 'Tower of strength'. The 'East India Trans Cairo Mix' was created by Youth.

The single charted in the following January, reaching number 33 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3009
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tower of strength (East India Trans Cairo Mix)' / 'Wasteland (Musketeer mix)'

Disappear - INXS

'Disappear' was released as the second single from INXS's album 'X'. The song was written by Jon Farriss and Michael Hutchence while they were living together in Hong Kong in 1989.

The single peaked at number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the band's seventh and last top 10 single there. It was a lesser hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 21. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 1808
Found: Record fair, January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Disappear' / 'Middle beast'

Rapture - Blondie

'Rapture' is a combination of New Wave pop, funk, jazz and rap music, with the rap section forming an extended coda. While it was not the first single involving rap to be successful, it was the first to top the charts in the USA. The lyrics of 'Rapture' included references to hip-hop pioneers Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.

It was the second and final song to be released from Blondie's 1980 album 'Autoamerican', following 'The tide is hight', which had topped the charts in theUSA and the UK. This single only reached number 5 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 829
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Rapture' / 'Walk like me'

Out of touch - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Out of touch' was the lead single from Daryl Hall & John Oates' 1984 album 'Big Bam Boom'. It was their last Billboard Hot 100 number one, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in December 1984. The single also reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 48 in the UK singles chart.

John Oates wrote the refrain, 'You're out of touch, I'm out of time but I'm out of my head when you're not around.' He and Hall collaborated on the music and the rest of the lyrics.

My collection: 7" single no. 2890
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Out of touch' / 'Dance on your knees'

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'