Grey day - Madness

Mike Barson wrote 'Grey day', which was performed for the first time by Madness in 1978 at Acklam Hall, while the band were still known as 'The North London Invaders'. The song was finally recorded in 1981, when it was released as a single in April, the first single from Madness's third album '7'.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. The track was always my favourite Madness track, but back in 1981 I didn't buy the single due to lack of money.

My collection: 7" single no. 4745
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Grey day' / 'Memories'

Periscope life - Kayak

'Periscope life' was the title track from Kayak's 1980 album. The album yielded one hit single, 'Anne', but other singles taken from the album failed to reach the Dutch Top 40. This single is one of them.

The song was written by Ton Scherpenzeel, one of the main composers of the band. The single, like the album, sounded a lot poppier than Kayak's earlier work, which was more rock-oriented.

My collection: 7" single no. 4740
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Periscope life' / 'Astral aliens'

Only you - Yazoo

I always regretted the fact that I discovered Yazoo too late to buy their debut single, 'Only you'. After their second single 'Don't go' became a hit, that debut was re-released, but with flipped sides: the B-side 'Situation' reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 in November 1982.

It took me 28 years to find the original single. 'Only you' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart but flopped in the Netherlands. Despite that fact, the single was impossible to find for all this time.

My collection: 7" single no. 4763
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Only you' / 'Situation'

Thunder in my heart - Leo Sayer

'Thunder in my heart' was the title track of Leo Sayer's 1977 album. It was released as a single in the autumn of 1977 and reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song found fame once more when it was remixed by Meck in 2006. Entitled 'Thunder in my heart again', the track reached number 1 in the UK and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. According to Leo Sayer: 'It wasn't just because it was a hot tune, it was all because [people thought] 'Oh my God, it's Leo Sayer!''. Still, nothing beats the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4761
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Thunder in my heart' / 'Get the girl'

Steamhammer Sam - Intaferon

Intaferon was a short-lived Eighties band, consisting of Simon Fellowes and Simon Gillham. Their only claim to fame was this 1983 single, 'Steamhammer Sam', which failed to reach the UK singles chart but did reach number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 that year.

Their song 'Get out of London' was featured in the 2001 Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie 'Winning London'. Their singles were often featured on the Channel Four television show 'Max Headroom'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4760
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Steamhammer Sam' / 'The continuing story of Steamhammer Sam'

Fashion - David Bowie

According to co-producer Tony Visconti, 'Fashion' was the last song completed in the sessions for David Bowie's 1979 album 'Scary monsters'. The song borrowed some elements from the past: the bassline and some of the melody were inspired by Bowie's 1975 hit 'Golden years'. A phrase in the lyric that Bowie borrowed from his past was 'People from bad homes', the title track of a 1973 album he recorded with his proteges The Astronettes, which went unreleased until 1995.

The song was released as the second single from 'Scary monsters'. The single version was an edit of the album version. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 70 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4750
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fashion' / 'Scream like a baby'

In the middle of the night - I've got the bullets

The Dutch band I've got the bullets formed in 1985. The name of the band was taken from the movie 'Rebel without a cause' in which James Dean exclaims these words in the final scene. The band changes personnel regularly, which isn't strange with nine members . Lead vocalist Fréderique Spigt is the face of the group with her raw voice and dynamic stage persona.

Their single 'In the middle of the night' is released in 1986 and is a modest hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4758
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the middle of the night' / 'Sheet of rain'

The crying game - Boy George

'The crying game' was written by Geoff Stephens and first recorded by Dave Berry in July 1964. Then-unknown session guitarist Jimmy Page played rhythm guitar in this song while Big Jim Sullivan played the solo.

In 1965, Brenda Lee recorded a cover version of the song. Boy George followed suit in 1992. His version was produced by the Pet Shop Boys. Both the Brenda Lee and Boy George versions were used in the Neil Jordan movie, 'The crying game' (1992). The single turned out to be Boy George's last major hit single, peaking at number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It topped the singles chart in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 4756
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'The crying game'

The sound of the crowd - Human League

'The sound of the crowd' was the fifth single by the Human League and represents the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart in May 1981.

Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and keyboard player Ian Burden, the song was recorded at Genetic Sound Studios, Reading, in March 1981. It was the first Human League song to feature female vocals from new band members Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, interacting with Philip Oakey's baritone lead vocals. Originally released as a stand-alone single in April 1981, it was subsequently re-recorded and incorporated into the studio album 'Dare', later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4751
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The sound of the crowd' / 'The sound of the crowd (Add your voice)'

Kiss the bride - Elton John

The third single from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero' was 'Kiss the bride'. Released in this limited edition double pack, a second disc included the old classic 'Song for Guy' from 1978 and another single from the same year, 'Ego'. Curiously, this package was not housed in a gatefold sleeve; the two discs were crammed into one sleeve instead.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart, with lower chart placings in Australia, Canada and the USA (number 25, 37 and 25 respectively).

My collection: 7" single no. 4747
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss the bride' / 'Dreamboat' // 'Ego' / 'Song for Guy'

Paint me down - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet released the second single from their second album 'Diamond' in November 1981. 'Paint me down' managed to reach number 30 in the UK singles chart, which was their lowest chart placing up to that point.

It has to be said that 'Paint me down' sounds a bit rough and sketchy, and is certainly not up to the standards of previous hits 'Muscle bound' and 'Chant no. 1'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4749
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Paint me down' / 'Man with guitar'

It's all in the game - Carmel

Carmel was born as Carmel McCourt on November 24, 1958 in Wrawby, England. Together with Jim Parris and Gerry Darby she formed the band Carmel in Manchester. Their debut single 'Storm' reached number 1 in the UK independent chart and they were signed to London Records as a result.

'It's all in the game' was taken from Carmel's fourth album 'Everybody's got a little... soul'. The B-side was recorded live at Ronnie Scott's in London on June 28, 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 4757
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It's all in the game' / 'More more more (live)'

De beloning - Frank Boeijen Groep

In 1986, the Frank Boeijen Groep switched record labels before they released their sixth album, 'In natura'. The first single from the album was 'De beloning' ('The reward'), a track that sounded a bit like their second biggest hit, 'Kronenburg park'. Like that single, this track featured a group of black women on backing vocals, while the instrumentation relied less on synthesizers and more on acoustic instruments.

The new sound paid off: 'De beloning' reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The album version was considerably longer than the single version, which faded out at 5 minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 406
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De beloning' / 'Volle maan'

Still a thrill - Jody Watley

When I bought this single I wasn't sure whether I already had it or not. But I thought what the hell, it's a limited poster sleeve edition, and that alone warranted this acquisition. So I was really happy to find that I didn't actually have this single, which means that this is a genuine addition to my collection.

Jody Watley was hot in 1987. Her self-titled debut solo album was a smash hit and this, the second single from the album saw her singing in a deep lower register. The single only reached number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and did not chart in the UK, where this limited edition was made.

My collection: 7" single no. 4762
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Still a thrill' / 'Looking for a new love (acappella)'

Ben jij ook zo bang - Toontje Lager

The fact that Dutch pop was at its highest artistic level in the first half of the Eighties is proved once more with this single, released by Toontje Lager in September 1982. 'Ben jij ook zo bang' ('Are you so afraid too') is a fast-paced, almost manic track in which a sombre image of the future is painted.

The B-side is even better: a tale of sexual escapades set to great music. The guitar solo at the end is a treat. It's weird that this single didn't even manage to get into the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4765
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ben jij ook zo bang' / 'In gedachten'

Live at the Marquee - Howard Jones

I was pretty surprised when I found this single. I thought it was a very obscure item, released possibly before Howard Jones' debut single 'New song'. Two live tracks recorded at the Marquee, of which one - the A-side, 'What can I say', written by Howard Jones and William Bryant - I didn't know at all.

As it turns out, this was the 7" single that was included in a limited edition package of the 12" single of Howard Jones' second single, 'What is love'. Since I'm not likely to find that 12" single, I'm glad to have bought this single on its own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4755
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'What can I say (live)' / 'Bounce right back (live)'

Goodnight tonight - Wings

'Goodnight tonight' began as an instrumental track which Paul McCartney had recorded in 1978. Needing a single for Wings to accompany the album 'Back to the egg', he took out the track and brought it into the studio, where the full Wings lineup completed it. Since the track was over seven minutes long, an edited version was used as the single, with the full version available as a 12" single.

The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. McCartney's former songwriting partner John Lennon later commented that he didn't care for the song, but enjoyed McCartney's bass guitar on the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4746
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Goodnight tonight' / 'Daytime nighttime suffering'

(Feels like) Heaven - Fiction Factory

'(Feels like) Heaven' is one of the big pop standards of the eighties. It was released by Fiction Factory in early 1984. It was the band's only big hit, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

I also have the 12" single in my collection, but whenever I came across the 7" single I always thought I already had it. There was some doubt when I bought it this time, but I finally managed to pull it off and buy the damn thing.

My collection: 7" single no. 4748
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '(Feels like) Heaven' / 'Everyone but you'

Love's theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra

'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. It is one of the few instrumental and purely orchestral singles to reach number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the United States, in early 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 6 in March 1974. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would become popular the following year.

In May 1993, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released their single, 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' on which they sang their own lyrics over a sample of this Barry White's composition.

My collection: 7" single no. 4741
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love's theme' / 'Sweet moments'

We are not amused - Kayak

The Dutch band Kayak was famous in the Seventies and early Eighties, but still their singles are very hard to find. So whenever I see one these days, I pick it up. In this case, I didn't even know the song - but I wasn't disappointed. Kayak makes very beautiful rock songs, sometimes with a hard edge, and sometimes it's just all peachy.

'We are not amused' was released in May 1975 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4739
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We are not amused' / 'Serenades'