Blue Peter - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield recorded a rendition of the theme tune of the BBC Television programme 'Blue Peter' in 1979. It was used by the show between 1979 and 1989. A single was also released, the royalties of which went to the Cambodia appeal launched by the show. The single peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart.

Traditionally, the debut of a new version of the famous theme tune 'Barnacle Bill' is accompanied with an introduction by the presenters at the time explaining the reasons behind the new rendition. Mike Oldfield's version had its genesis in his appearance on the programme in 1979 to demonstrate how modern pop music was created using multi-track recording techniques. Oldfield also recorded a new version of the programme's closing music, which runs for just 20 seconds and has never been commercially released.

My collection: 7" single no. 4804
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blue Peter' / 'Woodhenge'

One night affair - Spargo

The current amount of singles in my collection has been counted on arrival since the early Eighties. The last revision of these numbers took place sometime in 1984, when I decided I needed to ditch number 114. It was a terrible single from a Dutch singer who shall not be named here. The problem was, I needed to find a single to replace that one. All I had was a disc by Spargo that I had always kept despite the fact that it was half broken and the sleeve had gone missing. The name: 'One night affair'. Yesterday, I decided to fix the situation forever by buying a new (and complete) copy of that very single.

'One night affair' was a hit for the Dutch band Spargo in April 1981. It reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 114
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'One night affair' / 'Running from your lovin''

Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime) - Morris Minor and the Majors

British comedian Tony Hawks formed Morris Minor and the Majors together with Paul Boross and Phil Judge. Taking on the names Morris Minor, Rusty Wing and Phil Errup, they recorded 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)', a style parody of the Beastie Boys. The subtitle plays on their single 'No sleep till Brooklyn'.

The single also features the song 'Another boring 'B' side', which became something of a cult classic, particularly for its memorable chorus, which simply repeated the line: 'Very very very very very very boring'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 14 in Canada and number 2 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4815
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)' / 'Another boring 'B' side'

Verslaafd aan jou - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Verslaafd aan jou' ('Addicted to you') was the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1986 album 'In natura'. Released in September 1986, it reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

The single version was slightly shorter than the album version of the track. There were no signs yet that the next single would become the big hit it would be.

My collection: 7" single no. 449
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 3, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Verslaafd aan jou' / 'Op zoek naar de verloren tijd'

Leipzig - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Leipzig' was originally recorded by Thomas Dolby. Originally appearing as a B-side to an early Dolby single produced by Andy Partridge, 'Leipzig' - according to Stewart and Gaskin - sounded like a great song in embryo. The backing was minimal, the overall mood dark and introspective.

Dave & Barbara's version of the song is, by contrast, expansive and technicoloured, with a big, rolling beat, embellished with electronic percussion, keyboards, and cartoony sound effects.

My collection: 7" single no. 4786
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Leipzig' / 'Rich for a day'

I feel you - Depeche Mode

Was this Depeche Mode, or a heavy metal band? This was the question that bothered many listeners when the first single from their Depeche Mode's album 'Songs of faith and devotion' was released in early 1993. 'I feel you' sounded rough and tough, with a tormented Dave Gahan screaming his lungs out. He still had some drug-fuelled nightmares to go, but on this single, it sounded like he was already going through them.

On the cover of this single, there are four symbols, each representing a member. To tell which member it is, there's a number on the right-corner of each symbol, which is that band member's birthdate, or you can match the symbols up with the symbols on the cover of the album, which overlap a picture of that band member.

My collection: 7" single no. 1936
Found: Musik Box, Vienna, July 12, 1993
Cost: 30 Schilling
Tracks: 'I feel you' / 'One carress'

Heart of glass - Blondie

Almost immediately after its release, 'Heart of glass' became the subject of controversy because of its disco sound. At the time, Blondie was one of the bands at the forefront of New York's growing New Wave musical scene and were accused of 'selling out' for releasing a disco song. There was also the issue of the use of the expression 'pain in the ass' within the lyrics which, at the time, did not sit easily with the BBC. The radio version changed it to 'Heart of glass'.

This Dutch pressing of the single uses an edited version of the 'disco version' that was released on the 12" single. It reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. In several other European countries and the UK, 'Heart of glass' reached number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 4795
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / 'Heart of glass (instrumental)'

Heart of glass - Blondie

'Heart of glass' was originally recorded by Blondie in 1975 under the name 'Once I had a love', and was much slower with a blues/reggae vibe to it. The song was frequently performed on tours, then was re-recorded with the same title in 1978, when the song was made a bit more rock-oriented. When Blondie recorded the album 'Parallel lines', disco was big on the music scene, and producer Mike Chapman decided to give the song the disco twist. It became one of the best-known Blondie recordings.

For the single release the track was remixed by Chapman with the double-tracked bass drum even more accentuated. The versions appearing on the 7" single issued in early 1979 varied from country to country. On this American copy, an edited album version appears, backed by the track '11:59', also from the album 'Parallel lines'.

My collection: 7" single no. 118
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / '11:59'

Centipede - Rebbie Jackson

The single 'Centipede' by Rebbie Jackson was always quite an elusive disc for me. I saw the music video in 1984 and have been searching for this 7" single ever since. Two months ago, I managed to find the 12" single, which was also quite stunning.

And yesterday, my fortunes took an amazing turn when I found this copy of the 7" single. Granted, the sleeve has been written on, but what to expect for a disc that only cost me 50 cents. I'm satisfied: it only took me a quarter of a century, and I saved some money in the process...

My collection: 7" single no. 4775
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Centipede' / 'Centipede (instrumental)'

I'll be there - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey had only released two album when she was invited to perform an acoustic concert in the MTV programme 'Unplugged'. She hadn't even played live before, making this in a way her live debut. She added the song 'I'll be there' to her set list at the last minute, after she had been informed that most acts on the show commonly perform at least one cover. She sang the song together with backing singer Trey Lorenz.

The MTV Unplugged special aired on May 20, 1992, and was a notable success. Carey's label received many requests to release 'I'll be there' as a single, which had not been planned. A radio edit of the song was created which removed dialogue portions of the performance. The single reached number 1 in Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA. During Michael Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009, Carey and Lorenz sang their rendition of the song in tribute to him.

My collection: 7" single no. 1675
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 27, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I'll be there' / 'So blessed'

White fool - Clannad

'White fool' was released as the third single from Clannad's 1987 album 'Sirius'. I've never actually seen this single, but during the record fair I bought this copy, I suddenly saw several copies in different stands. Sometimes it's as if a record company decides to give out copies from decades ago.

The single was not a commercial success, which may be attributed to the rather sketchy nature of this particular track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4780
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'White fool' / 'Many roads'

Vulnerable - Roxette

The last single from Roxette's album 'Crash! Boom! Bang' was also the last of their singles to be released on the 7" vinyl format. Unfortunately, it wasn't their best single. 'Vulnerable' is a syrupy ballad with lyrics that are not very imaginative. The inspired lead vocals by Marie Fredriksson are also missing, as she is relegated to backing vocals, making way for Per Gessle's less interesting lead vocals.

As a result, 'Vulnerable' was the first Roxette single to miss the UK top 40 since 1989's 'Listen to your heart', peaking at number 44 in April 1995.

My collection: 7" single no. 2259
Found: April 8, 1995
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Vulnerable (edit)' / 'The sweet hello, the sad goodbye'

Don't stop it now - Hot Chocolate

Ever since I decided to complete my Hot Chocolate singles collection, I keep finding titles I never knew existed. Granted, I only have a basic knowledge of this band's output, but there also seems no end to their singles discography.

'Don't stop it now' was released in March 1976 as the follow-up to one of their biggest hits, 'You sexy thing'. In the UK, the single reached number 11, but in the Netherlands this single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4772
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stop it now' / 'Beautiful lady'

Hilda - Clouseau

Released as the follow-up to 'Geef het op', 'Hilda' was one of the other songs Clouseau performed during the national final in Belgium for the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. The band actually performed three songs, from which one was picked to represent Belgium in 1991. The other two songs landed on this single.

Released in July 1991, 'Hilda' was a hit in Belgium but failed to chart in the Netherlands. At the time, I thought this was the best song of the three, but in hindsight I think 'Geef het op' was the right choice for the international final.

My collection: 7" single no. 1485
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 3, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Hilda' / 'Ik kan zonder jou'

Spring affair - Donna Summer

'Spring affair' is a song by Donna Summer from her 1976 album 'Four seasons of love'. The song (which represents the 'spring' phase of the concept album) tells of the beginning of a new relationship. At the time of its release, Summer had already started to make her name as the leading female disco singer by releasing frankly sexual songs that were considerable in length. The album version of 'Spring affair' lasted over eight minutes.

For the single release, the track was edited down to less than four minutes. It earned her a minor hit in the USA and Canada, peaking at number 58 and number 62 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 4774
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Spring affair' / 'Winter melody'

Typical male - Tina Turner

Tina Turner was quickly becoming a bit of a caricature in 1986, sporting a red miniskirt in the music video for 'Typical male'. One could discuss whether it's appropriate for someone in their fourties to wear miniskirts, but the fact is, by dressing up like that almost continually, it started to look a bit laughable to me.

Anyway, back to the song: 'Typical male' was recorded with Phil Collins on drums and released as the first single from Tina's 1986 album 'Break every rule'. The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side, 'Don't turn around', was covered by Aswad and Ace of Base some years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 482
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Typical male' / 'Don't turn around'

Le chant de Mallory - Rachel

'Le chant de Mallory' ('Mallory's song') was performed by French singer Rachel at the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest, representing France. The lyric of the song deals with the story of Michael Mallory, a soldier. The singer asks him to sing the song he used to sing once more, as it was a song of love.

The song finished fourth in a field of 16 competitors. This EP brings together the Eurovision song along with three more chansons by Rachel.

My collection: 7" single no. 4767
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Le chant de Mallory', 'Feu de bois' / 'Mon coeur', 'L'eau sous les ponts'

Bring out the rain - Maarten Peters

'Bring out the rain' was the third and last single taken from Maarten Peters' third and most successful album 'White horses in the snow'. The single included a special version of the album track 'Who's dreaming (on your pillow)'; the album version of that track had been the B-side of the first single from the album, 'White horses in the snow' (yes, the title track).

This single was the least successful of the three, as it failed to chart even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1170
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Bring out the rain' / 'Who's dreaming (on your pillow) (special version)'

Wilde and exciting - Earth and Fire

In August 1970, Earth & Fire had their third top 5 hit in the Netherlands with 'Wild and exciting'. It earned them a performance in the first ever screening of the Dutch television show Toppop, the chart show that started in September 1970 and remained a prime time hit until well into the Eighties.

'Wild and exciting' delivered exactly what the title promised - at least in those days, when rock was still something relatively new. The track sounded a lot like Earth & Fire did in those days, a far cry from the much tamer pop hits they would produce a decade later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4766
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wild and exciting' / 'Vivid shady land'

Find the time - Five Star

'Find the time' was written by Nick Trevisick and Paul Gurvitz who had previously written the single 'R.S.V.P.' for Five Star the previous year. Released in June 1986, it was the second single from their second album 'Silk and steel'.

The single reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1386
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Find the time' / 'Sky'