Heart of glass - Associates

Billy MacKenzie and Alan Rankine formed the Associates in early 1980, after having worked together on various other projects. They found commercial success with their 1982 release, 'Party fears two'. Shortly after the release of their debut album 'Sulk', Rankine left the band, leaving Billy MacKenzie to continue with the band. This proved to be a difficult task, as commercial success eluded the Associates ever since.

'Heart of glass' was released in 1988. It was a cover of Blondie's 1979 single. Remixed by Auchterhouse, this 12" single adds some power to an otherwise slightly dull version.

My collection: 12" single no. 235

Found: unknown, 1990

Cost: unknown

Tracks: 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse mix)' / 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse Instrumental)', 'Her only wish'

Download: here

Diamante - Zucchero with Randy Crawford

The original version of 'Diamante' appeared on Zucchero 'Sugar' Fornaciari's 1989 album 'Oro incenso e birra', released first in Italy and then in the rest of Europe. The album also contained the hits 'Overdose (d'Amore)', 'Il mare' and 'Wonderful world'. A year later, Zucchero started conquering the English-speaking world with his first album in that language. The duet with Paul Young, 'Senza una donna', is still one of his biggest hits. This version of Diamante, recorded with Randy Crawford, was a less successful single and didn't appear on any album until 'Zu & Co' was released in 2004. It was included in a special edition of that album.

I bought this single because I knew the original song in Italian. The English version is equally beautiful, but contrary to the Italian version, I can understand the words...

My collection: 7" single no. 1572

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 18, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Diamante (with Randy Crawford)' / 'Diamante'

Download: here

Jealous guy - Roxy Music

Following the tragic death of John Lennon in December 1980, Roxy Music recorded a cover version of his song 'Jealous guy'. This was met with some criticism as it was suggested that they were cashing in on his death. Still, the song became a number one chart hit for Roxy Music.

John Lennon wrote the song in ten years earlier, after his relationship with Yoko Ono had become strained because of his drinking problems and jealousy problems with his first wife, Cynthia Powell. Yoko commented, '(The song) said it all! ... After we got together he made me write out a list of all the men I'd slept with before we met. I started to do it quite casually – then I realised how serious it was to John. He didn't even like me speaking Japanese because that was a part of my mind that shut him out.'

My collection: 7" single no. 3508

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Jealous guy' / 'To turn you on'

Download: here

Are you my baby? - Wendy and Lisa

I'll be honest: I didn't like 'Are you my baby?' when it came out and climbed to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 in the spring of 1989. Yesterday, while I was buying some old singles, I saw this one and started wondering just why I didn't. After all, I do have all their other hit singles. Listening to the song now makes it sound really wonderful. These days there are much worse songs around, so that helps...

My collection: 7" single no. 3536

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Are you my baby?' / 'Happy Birthday'

Download: here

Move in my direction - Bananarama

While most recognised for their eighties work, Bananarama are still around today. Of course, they are not a trio anymore, as only Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward are still at it. 'Move in my direction' was released in 2005, a track from their latest album 'Drama!'. It reached number 14 in the UK singles chart. It was their 24th UK Top 40 hit, and their first since their 1991 single 'Preacher man'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3416

Found: HMV, London, 2005

Cost: 2,5 pounds

Tracks: 'Move in my direction (radio edit)' / 'Move in my direction (Angel City remix edit)'

Download: 11 versions of 'Move in my direction', including both tracks

Ne partez pas sans moi - Celine Dion

A record collection which includes all the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest (well, I do try) should also contain the 1988 winner, Celine Dion. What a great injustice. Dion has to be the singer with the ugliest voice in the business. Her screaming and wailing cuts through the bone and shatters your eardrums. What's more, during the 1988 contest she appearde in a dress which made her look like an ostrich.

It didn't matter. The hearing-impaired judges award her the prize, just one point ahead of that year's real winner, Scott Fitzgerald with 'Go'. I bought that single in 1988. This one, I could only buy now - and only because I have to have all the winners. One bonus: on this single there is an instrumental version, in which a piano takes the place of Dion's horrible vocals. A version which I prefer, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 3543

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Ne partez pas sans moi' / 'Ne partez pas sans moi (instrumental)'

Download: here

State of shock - The Jacksons

'State of shock' was recorded by The Jacksons with Mick Jagger in 1984 for the album 'Victory'. Originally the song was going to be a duet with Freddie Mercury, with whom Michael Jackson wrote it. Unreleased demos have surfaced on bootleg discs to testify to this fact. The Jacksons finally recorded the song with Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger performed the song live with Tina Turner during Live Aid in 1985.

I bought this single after my recent surge of interest in Michael Jackson's back catalogue. This is a great example of a powerful pop song with not a lot of substance. Still very enjoyable though.

My collection: 7" single no. 3531

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'State of shock' / 'Your ways'

Download: Album 'Victory', including 'State of shock' / Album 'Triumph', including 'Your ways'