Hang on to your love - Sade

'US remix', proclaims the sleeve of this 12" single proudly. But what you get is actually the album track of 'Hang on to your love'. Was it a mistake by Epic Records? Who knows, all I know is that I was pretty miffed when I heard the A-side of this record. Fortunately it also included 'Should I love you', an excellent non-album track by Sade.

'Hang on to your love' was released as the fourth and last single from Sade's classic 1984 album 'Diamond life'. It reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 295

Found: Record fair, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (US remix)' / 'Should I love you', 'Why can't we live together'

Download: here

Let me take you there - Betty Boo

Betty Boo was born as Alison Moira Clarkson on March 6, 1970. Originally nicknamed 'Betty Boop' for her similarity with the well-known cartoon character, she dropped the 'p' to avoid trademark disputes. In 1989 she rose to the scene with the Beatmasters, singing on their single 'Hey DJ - I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)'. She followed this up with a solo single, 'Doin' the do', which reached number 7 in the UK singles chart. Her debut album sold pretty well too, reaching number 4 in the UK Albums chart.

In 1992 she released her second album 'Grrr! It's Betty Boo', with 'Let me take you there' as the first single. It reached number 12 in the UK, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands. Personally I thought this single was her first decent one, an upbeat summery tune whereas earlier work was annoying house-related trash. I bought the poster sleeved single while on holiday in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 1757

Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Let me take you there' / 'Jet sex'

Download: here

Baby, do you wanna bump - Boney M

Frank Farian (Franz Reuther), a German schlager singer, wasn't happy with the choice of material his record company wanted him to sing. He went into the studio in December 1974 and recorded the single 'Baby, do you wanna bump', singing the title in a deep voice (entirely studio created) as well as performing the high female chorus vocals in his falsetto voice. The music was based on Prince Buster's 'Al Capone' (1967).

When the single was released, it was credited to 'Boney M'. Farian had been watching an Australian detective show, in which the lead character was called Boney, and Farian decided that this would make a good name for a group, and added the M. After a slow start it became a hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1976. Because of this success, Farian decided to hire a team to 'front' the group for TV performances. Thus the group was born!

My collection: 7" single no. 3178

Found: Record fair, February 19, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 1)' / 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 2)'

Download: here

Inside - Stiltskin

This commercial made the band Stiltskin an overnight sensation. Peter Lawlor recruiter original members Ray Wilson, James Finnigan and Ross McFarlane to form the band, after writing music he had written for this commercial. The single 'Inside' was released to coincide with the ad campaign and became a number one hit for the band almost immediately.

Unfortunately, the band wasn't able to build on the success; a follow-up single 'Footsteps' only made number 34, and further singles didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2913

Found: London, November 1, 1997

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Inside' / 'America'

Download: here

Twilight cafe - Susan Fassbender

Susan Fassbender was born as Susan Wincup in Wibsey, Bradford, England in 1959. At age 13 she started studying classical piano. A few years later she met guitarist Kay Russell, who would become her songwriting partner throughout her caree. Soon signed to independent record label Criminal Records after impressing her future manager at an instrument shop, Fassbender and Russell wrote 'Twilight Café' which was released in early 1981. The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart in 1981.

Two other singles followed soon after - 'Stay' and 'Merry-Go-Round', but these didn't chart. Fassbender then retired from the music industry to get married. She raised three daughters. In 1991 she died, aged just 32.

My collection: 7" single no. 131
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Twilight café' / 'Get around it'
Download: here

Street cafe - John Lodge

John Lodge was born on July 20, 1943 and started playing bass guitar with the Moody Blues in 1965. Since then, he has also written and co-written songs in the band, including 'Ride my see-saw' and 'I'm just a singer in a Rock 'n' Roll band'.

In 1977, he released a solo album called 'Natural Avenue'. The track 'Street cafe' from this album ended up being a single in 1980. I recently mentioned this single in this entry. So who inspired whom? You do the math...

My collection: 7" single no. 318

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Street cafe' / 'Threw it all away'

Download: Album 'Natural Avenue', including both tracks

Radioactivity - Kraftwerk

'Radioactivity is in the air for you and me'. The seemingly soulless, mechanic music by Kraftwerk has always had intriguing lyrics. I don't mean 'Mensch / Natur / Technik' of their infamous track 'Expo 2000', of course, but their earlier work. It's hard to believe when you hear 'Radioactivity' that it was released in 1976.

'Radioactivity' was released as a single, and became a hit in France after it was used as the theme to a popular music show. Coincidentally, my copy of this single is a French one.

My collection: 7" single no. 3037

Found: Record fair, Leiden, November 1, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Radioactivity' / 'Antenna'

Download: Album 'Radioactivity', including both tracks