Her town too - James Taylor

James Taylor was born on March 12, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). At the age of eighteen he became involved in the music business. Six years later, in 1972, he married Carly Simon. By that time, both were successful singer/songwriters. In 1981, James Taylor released his eleventh album, 'Dad loves his work'.

The album's title was, in part, drawn from the reasons for Taylor's divorce from Carly Simon. She gave him an ultimatum: cut back on his music and touring, and spend more time with her and their children, or the marriage was through. The album's title was his answer, and the divorce took place soon after. The emotional repercussions of the divorce likely served as at least part of the inspiration for 'Her Town Too'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Her town too' / 'Believe it or not'

Download: Album 'Dad loves his work', including both tracks

That certain smile - Midge Ure

'That certain smile' was the second single to be taken from Midge Ure's debut solo album 'The gift'. It was preceded by the number one hit 'If I was'. By comparison, the second single did worse, only peaking at number 28 in November of 1985.

I didn't know this song when I bought the single. Of course I was familiar with Midge Ure, so I had some confidence when I saw this release. Housed in a gatefold sleeve and pressed on clear vinyl, it was also a very attractive package. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to have this single. And I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the track: it's an uplifting, uptempo track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1762

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'That certain smile' / 'The gift (instrumental)'

Download: Album 'The gift', including both tracks

Don't push it don't force it - Leon Haywood

Leon Haywood was born on February 11, 1942 in Houston, Texas (USA). He launched his career in America as a conventional entertainer, scoring over 20 hit singles on the US R&B chart since 1965.

In the UK and the Netherlands, he is considered to be a one hit wonder, however, with only his 1980 single 'Don't push it don't force it' making the chart. In both countries, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 1821

Found: Record Palace, January 13, 1993

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't push it don't force it' / 'Who you been giving it up to'

Download: here

Sanctuary - New Musik

'Sanctuary' is, in my opinion, one of the best synthpop songs ever. Created by New Musik, it fitted perfectly in the sound they had created for themselves. It was the second single to be taken from their album 'From A to B', and the last single to reach the UK singles chart. Just like 'This world of water' a few months earlier, it reached number 31.

Notable also is the B-side of this single: it features a new track 'She's a magazine', as well as two short instrumentals. 'Chik Musik' is a wonderful pastiche of the signature sound of that famous disco/soul group Chic.

My collection: 7" single no. 1535

Found: Brussels, October 11, 1991

Cost: 30 Belgian Francs

Tracks: 'Sanctuary' / 'She's a magazine', 'Chik Musik', 'Magazine Musik'

Download: here

Immaculate fools - Immaculate fools

The Immaculate fools formed in 1984 in Kent, England by two sets of brothers: Kevin and Paul Weatherill and Andy and Peter Ross. Their self-titled debut single was released in January 1985 and reached number 51 in the UK singles chart. It would end up being their only chart success, as further singles failed to make any commercial impact in the UK.

I got to know this single while briefly working for a radio station in 1985. I only got to buy the single many years later, in the same gatefold sleeve that I saw the first time around.

My collection: 7" single no. 2144

Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, August 21, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Immaculate fools' / 'As the crow flies'

Download: here

Ooh aah... Just a little bit - Gina G

Gina G was born as Gina Mary Gardiner on August 3, 1970 in Brisbane, Australia. In 1996 she was chosen by producer Jonathan King to represent the UK in the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest. It was the UK's most successful Eurovision entry - at least in the UK singles chart: it went to number one in the week of the Contest. Unfortunately, the song only came eighth in the Contest itself, which was mainly down to her singing off-key during her performance.

A handful of remixes were released on two commercially available cd-singles. Four remixes by Soul Solution, however, were only available on this promotional 12" single. A rarity!

My collection: 12" single no. 346

Found: Esprit Mailorder, UK, 2000

Cost: 10 pounds

Tracks: 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Main Vocal)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Radio Version)' / 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Dub)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Instrumental)'

Download: here

Roof garden - Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau was born on March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA). In the late Sixties he made a name for himself in the jazz circuit. In 1975, Jarreau was working with pianist Tom Canning when he was spotted by a representative of Warner Bros. Records. His debut album was soon released. 'We got by' gave him international fame.

His commercially most successful album was 'Breakin' away' (1981), featuring this single, 'Roof garden'. It was released in the Netherlands i nFebruary 1982 and reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought this single while it was in the chart. The poster sleeve of this record is actually a promotional tool, with small adverts in Dutch and French about Christopher Cross, George Harrison, Randy Crawford and seven other artists, who at the time of the release recently had new albums out.

My collection: 7" single no. 112

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Roof garden' / 'Alonzo'

Download: here