Scream down at me - China Crisis

China Crisis released 'Scream down at me' before their debut album 'Difficult shapes & Passive rhythms' in 1982. Both the A and the B-side wouldn't appear on that album, probably as a result of its lack of chart success. Also, the tracks were very different from the sophisticated sounds that were included on the debut album: the drums were more prominent and the singing was less subtle as well.

I didn't know this track when I bought the single; I simply bought it because I was curious. I do admit that this single is not as beautiful as their later work would be.

My collection: 7" single no. 3173

Found: Record Exchange, London, January 18, 2000

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Scream down at me' / 'Cucumber garden'

Download: here

Don't say you leave this summer - Albert West

Albert Westelaken was born on September 2, 1949 in Den Bosch, Netherlands. In the early Seventies he was lead singer of the Shuffles, until he left the band in 1973 to pursue a solo career. His third solo single, 'Ginny come lately', a cover of a song by Brian Hyland, became a big hit not only in the Netherlands but in all of Europe. It gave his career the boost it needed to become as successful as it would stay throughout the Seventies.

'Don't say you leave this summer' was recorded and released in 1981. It was taken from his album 'A piece of me', which was produced by Martin Duiser. The female vocals were provided by another wellknown Dutch singer: Anita Meyer. The single reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 835

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't say you leave this summer' / 'Hey Paula'
Download: here

Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello wrote 'Oliver's Army' at a time when unemployment in the UK reached the three million mark. Former workers were made dependent on state support and charity to survive. It reminded Elvis of the main character in Charles Dickens' story 'Oliver Twist'. The cheery summertime sound of the song contrasts with a bitter, melancholy lyric on comtemporary life - the chorus line saying 'And I would rather be anywhere else than here today.' During the recording of the album 'Armed forces', 'Oliver's Army' was nearly dropped, but was eventually kept after keyboardist Steve Nieve created a piano part for the song that was reminiscent of 'Dancing Queen' by Abba.

It became Elvis Costello's biggest hit ever, reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1979.

My collection: 7" single no. 2296

Found: Music Machine Mailorder, Hoorn, May 18, 1995

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Oliver's Army' / 'My funny Valentine'

Download: Album 'Armed forces', including both tracks

Heaven sent - INXS

INXS's 1992 album 'Welcome to wherever you are' was a conscious change in direction for the band. Creating a rawer sound and including sitars and an orchestra they wanted to set themselves apart from the straight rock sounds of grunge bands that became popular at the time. The first single was 'Heaven sent', which became only a minor hit for the band.

At the time I'd fallen in love with a girl who was really into this band and I also spent a lot of time in libraries with her. Although we never really spoke, I found out that she was actually into INXS. So much coincidence... It was meant to be that I would buy this single and then the album. The music became some sort of consolation for the fact that nothing ever really happened.

My collection: 7" single no. 1697
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven sent' / 'It ain't easy'
Download: here

Hold me now - Johnny Logan

In 1987, Johnny Logan participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time. He'd won the 1980 edition with 'What's another year' and wrote 'Terminal 3' for Linda Martin in 1984, which came third in the competition. He tried it again himself with 'Hold me now', a melodramatic ballad that, to the surprise of many, won the contest that year.

Personally, I felt, just like the first time, Logan was an unjust winner. There were many better songs in the competition, like the sunny summer song 'Laß die Sonne in dein Herz' by Wind (Germany) or the commercially successful 'Gente di mare' by Umberto Tozzi & Raf (Italy). In the end, I had to admit that if I wanted to have a complete collection of Eurovision winners, I would have to buy this single as well.

And if you really want to see something humiliating, you can watch these McDonald's advertisements starring Johnny Logan: here, here and here.

My collection: 7" single no. 3375
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hold me now' / 'Living a lie'
Download: Album 'Hold me now', including both tracks

Tell that girl to shut up - Transvision Vamp

'Tell that girl to shut up' was originally released in 1980 by Holly and the Italians, a short-lived American pop punk band. It was covered by Transvision Vamp in 1988, and released as their second single. Transvision Vamp was founded in 1988 by Nick Christian Sayer, Wendy James, Dave Parsons and Anthony Doughty. James, lead singer and frontwoman of the group, attracted media attention with her sexually-charged and rebellious image.

My collection: 7" single no. 798

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 15, 1989

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Tell that girl to shut up' / 'God save the royalties'

Download: here

Alice, I want you just for me - Full Force

As a certified hater of hiphop, it is a mystery how some singles do end up in my collection. This is one of those mysteries. Full Force is an American group of hiphop performers and producers from Brooklyn, New York. Members are the brothers Brian, Paul Anthony and Lucien George, plus their cousins Junior Clark, Curt Bedeau and Gerry Charles.

'Alice, I want you just for me' was taken from their 1985 debut album 'Full Force', and reached number 9 in the UK and number 7 in the Netherlands. There's just a hint of melody in the vocals and the rhythm is strong and quite interesting, which may be why I still bought it. Now, two decades later, the track sounds hopelessly dated though.

My collection: 7" single no. 2364

Found: London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Alice, I want you just for me' / 'Alice, I want you just for me (Ecrof's Favourite mix)'

Download: here