Stay out of my life - Five Star

'Stay out of my life' was released as the fifth single from Five Star's second album 'Silk & steel' in February 1987. The song was coupled with an alternative version of the track, '(How dare you) Stay out of my life', which was used as the theme tune to the Eighties children's television series entiled 'How dare you', presented by Carrie Grant.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories. The group performed 'Stay out of my life" at the 1987 BPI awards ceremony, where they had won the award for 'Best British Group'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3105
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Stay out of my life' / '(How dare you) Stay out of my life'

Rock 'n' Roll cowboy - Maggie Mae

In 1981, Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Making your mind up'. German singer Maggie Mae recorded this German cover version with alternative lyrics written by Werner Schüler and Bernd Meinunger. Entitled 'Rock 'n' Roll cowboy', it's a tale of a woman who is seduced by a Marlboro-man type of figure, but on a motorbike instead of a horse.

Maggie Mae was born as Cosima Andrea Carle on May 13, 1960 and made a name for herself as singer and actress. Soon after the release of this single she met Robert Trammel, with whom she married and moved to the USA. She ended her singing career and started working as a nurse.

My collection: 7" single no. 3355
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rock 'n' Roll cowboy' / 'Jet set'

Free as a bird - Supertramp

Sometimes the reactions I get on this blog really amuse me. A recent entry on 'Cannonball' by Supertramp was reason enough for someone to start promoting Roger Hodgson, writing, 'If you want to see a REAL Supertramp concert, see Roger's show. (...) See the original voice of Supertramp and not an imitation.' True enough, Roger Hodgson co-founded Supertramp, but he also left the group prematurely. Rick Davies was there when the group was founded as well. So when he sings 'Free as a bird' in 1988, after Hodgson's leaving the group, is that an imitation? I would think not.

This is one of my favourite Supertramp tracks because of its widescreen sound and optimistic lyric. The single was not a commercial success, unfortunately.

My collection: 7" single no. 853
Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Free as a bird' / 'Thing for you'

Working on it - Chris Rea

'Working on it' is another one of those catchy rock tunes by Chris Rea that sticks in your head once you've heard it. It was released in 1989 when his compilation album 'New light through old windows' had just seen the light of day. This compilation featured new versions of Chris Rea hits.

This single was only a minor hit, reaching number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2486
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Working on it' / 'One golden rule'

You bring on the sun - London Beat

London Beat were less successful in their home country, the UK, than they were in the Netherlands. 'You bring on the sun' reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in May 1992, but only managed to reach number 32 in the UK singles chart.

At the same time, 'You bring on the sun' was also the last top 10 hit for London Beat in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1657
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 30, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'You bring on the sun' / 'Dreaming of you (Deep sleep mix)'

Les nuits sans Kim Wilde - Laurent Voulzy

Laurent Voulzy wrote 'Les nuits sans Kim Wilde' together with his writing partner Alain Souchon after seeing music videos of Kim Wilde on television. He felt rather infatuated by this beautiful lady on the screen. Kim was approached to sing guest vocals on the track, and after some hesitation, she agreed. She eventually even appeared in the music video to promote this single. Released in the summer of 1985, it was a hit in France, but was not released in other territories.

However, in early 1986 the single was re-released. The sides were switched, and 'Belle-ile-en-mer Marie-Galante' was now the A-side. This single was an even bigger hit in France, and was also released outside of France. During a TV programme in France a few years later, Voulzy and Kim Wilde performed a version of this song together.

I found a German pressing of 'Belle-ile-en-mer Marie-Galante' while searching for 'Les nuits sans Kim Wilde' during a holiday in Paris in 1986. I would find the original release only seven years later...

My collection: 7" single no. 434 / no. 1907
Found: Paris, July 11, 1986 / Groningen, May 15, 1993
Cost: - (present) / 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Les nuits sans Kim Wilde' / 'Belle-ile-en-mer Marie-Galante'

Every beat of my heart - Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart released his fourteenth studio album 'Every beat of my heart' in June 1986. The title track was released as a single a month later. A sentimental piece about longing for one's country of birth - in this case, Scotland - Stewart wrote this track together with Kevin Savigar.

The single became a hit in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, peaking at number 8 and number 2 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 471
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Every beat of my heart' / 'Trouble'

Words get in the way - Miami Sound Machine

'Words get in the way' was the third single by Miami Sound Machine, taken from their second English language album, and ninth overall, 'Primitive love'. As a ballad, the song marked a change in sound from the band's earlier singles and was the first sign that Gloria Estefan, who wrote the song, would be successful as an artist in her own right.

The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart - their biggest hit so far in the USA - and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1784
Found: Record fair, Almere, November 7, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Words get in the way' / 'Movies'

Schaduw - Frank Boeijen Groep

The third and last single from the album 'Foto van een mooie dag' by the Frank Boeijen Groep was the ballad 'Schaduw' ('Shadow') . The record company probably thought they would build on the success of the previous single 'Kronenburg park' - also a ballad - with this single, but unfortunately, 'Schaduw' failed to chart.

The B-side was announced as a 'special version' of 'Kronenburg park', but it is in fact just an instrumental version.

My collection: 7" single no. 326
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Schaduw' / 'Kronenburg park (special version)'

Heaven in my hands - Level 42

The intro of 'Heaven in my hands' was used a lot on Dutch radio during programmes. I was more familiar with the intro than I was with the song: only years later I found out it was this Level 42 track.

The track was taken from the album 'Staring at the sun'. It was the first single not to feature the Gould brothers, Boon and Phil, following their departure the previous year. The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3101
Found: Record fair, May 13, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven in my hands' / 'Gresham blues'

Crash! Boom! Bang! - Roxette

The ballad 'Crash! Boom! Bang!' was the title track of Roxette's 1994 album. It was released as the second single from that album in the summer of 1994.

The single peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2120
Found: Record fair, July 2, 1994
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Crash! Boom! Bang!' / 'Joyride (Unplugged)'

Two souls - Howard Jones

'Two souls' was released in 1992 as the second single from Howard Jones' fifth album 'In the running'. By this time, it was becoming increasingly hard to find his singles in the Netherlands. I guess the record company gave up on distributing his singles, because they flopped anyway. And this one, unfortunately, was no exception.

In fact, 'Two souls' only charted in Germany, peaking at number 53. It's strange, because Howard Jones is one of very few artists who has consistently put out great music ever since his career started in 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 1663
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 13, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Two souls' / 'Takin' the time'

Song for Guy - Elton John

Elton John wrote 'Song for Guy' himself, without his usual writing partner Bernie Taupin. The track is mainly instrumental but contains one line near the end of the track, which is repeated several times: 'Life isn't everything'. Elton later commented: 'As I was writing this song one Sunday, I imagined myself floating into space and looking down at my own body. I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy (Burchett), our 17 year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song.'

The single version of 'Song for Guy' is one and a half minutes shorter than the album version. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1768
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Song for Guy' / 'Lovesick'

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Besides the regular version of the single of 'Personal Jesus' by Depeche Mode, this limited edition was also released in the autumn of 1989. It features a gatefold sleeve with a booklet featuring four photographs (each of the band members with a naked woman) and two tracks on the B-side. The acoustic version of 'Personal Jesus' is of particular interest.

Whilst not the first Depeche Mode song to feature guitar parts ('Behind the wheel' and their cover of 'Route 66' featured a guitar; 'Love in itself' featured an acoustic guitar), it was the first time a guitar was used as a dominant instrument in a Depeche Mode song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1197
Found: Ter Meulen, Rotterdam, March 23, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Personal Jesus' / 'Dangerous (Hazchemix edit)', 'Personal Jesus (Acoustic)'

Strong as steel - Five Star

'Strong as steel' was released in 1987 as the second single of Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. The song was written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren, who has also written hit songs for Cher, Tina Arena and Michael Bolton amongst others.

The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart. In 1990, the track was covered by Tina Arena.

My collection: 7" single no. 2365
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Strong as steel' / 'The man'

Silver springs (live) - Fleetwood Mac

Written by Stevie Nicks, 'Silver springs' was originally intended for the Fleetwood Mac album 'Rumours'. Years after the fact, Nicks commented that in a way, its lack of inclusion on the effort marked a growing tension in the band. The group has three great writers, and only so many slots. The track's inherent longing reportedly came from the ending of the romantic relationship between Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

Years later, the band went on a world tour to promote the Fleetwood Mac album 'Behind the mask'. After the tour concluded, Nicks left the group over a dispute with Mick Fleetwood, who would not allow her to release the track 'Silver springs' on her album 'Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks', because of his plans to release it on a forthcoming Fleetwood Mac box set. The song eventually appeared on the 1992 box set '25 Years: The Chain'.

In 1997, the song got a second life on the reunion album 'The Dance'. During the filming of the reunion concert that brought Nicks and Buckingham back to the fold, 'Silver springs' was on the set list. This track was released as a single from the album, but was not commercially successful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2949
Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Silver springs (live)' / 'Go your own way (live)'

Let it swing - Bobbysocks

Norway won the Eurovision Song Contest for the very first time in 1985 with a very tired old song, 'La det swinge' was performed by the Bobbysocks. This duo, consisting of Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreasson, sang a tribute to dancing to old rock 'n' roll heard on the radio. The melody arrangement is in retro style, containing elements of contemporary Eighties music and throwbacks to the Fifties.

The single reached number 1 in Norway and Belgium and peaked at number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. I have always disliked this song for its repetitiveness and its unimaginative lyrics. Still, it's a Eurovision winner and since I have almost all of them, I had to have this one as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 3562
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 31, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Let it swing' / 'La det swinge'

Turn to stone - Electric Light Orchestra

Jeff Lynne spent two weeks writing songs in Switzerland in 1977 for Electric Light Orchestra's double album 'Out of the blue'. One of the results was this song, 'Turn to stone', which became the opening track for the album. It was also released as the first single from the album.

The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. In 2008, Jeff Lynne was awarded a BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) Million-Air certificate for having one million airplays of this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2869
Found: Record fair
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn to stone' / 'Mister Kingdom'

You have placed a chill in my heart - Eurythmics

'You have placed a chill in my heart' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, and appears on the duo's album 'Savage'. It was released as the fourth single from the album.

The track is driven by a drum machine and is a mostly synth-based pop song. Lyrically, Lennox sings of mustering the power to leave a destructive relationship with a lover who does not return the affection she deserves. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 687
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'You have placed a chill in my heart' / 'You have placed a chill in my heart (acoustic version)'

Whisky in the jar - Thin Lizzy

'Whiskey in the jar' is a famous Irish traditional song, set in the southern mountains of Ireland, with specific mention of Cork and Kerry counties, as well as Fenit, a village in Kerry county. It is about a highwayman, or perhaps a footpad, who is betrayed by his wife or lover, and is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs. It has been recorded by numerous professional artists since the Fifties.

The song was given a rock veneer by Thin Lizzy. Their version was released as a single in 1972 and stayed at the top of the Irish charts for 17 weeks. In 1973, the single reached the UK singles chart and Dutch Top 40, peaking at num,ber 6 and number 20 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 855
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Whisky in the jar' / 'Black boys on the corner'