Theme from 'The Deer Hunter' - The Shadows

The Shadows were formed in the Fifties as a backing band for Cliff Richard, named the Drifters. A very successful career followed, with the personnel of the band frequently changing. One of the Shadows' best known tracks is the 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter''. It was composed as 'Cavatina' by Stanley Myers. The piece had been recorded by classical guitarist John Williams, long before the film that made it famous.

Following the release of the movie 'The Deer Hunter' in 1979, John Williams' instrumental version of 'Cavatina' became a UK Top 20 hit. Two other versions also made the Top 20 the same year - a vocal version by Iris Williams and another instrumental recording by The Shadows, with an electric guitar played by Hank Marvin. It peaked at number nine in the UK Singles chart.

This 12" single is one of those rare double groove discs. Depending on which groove you choose, the A-side plays either 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter'', or the Shadows' previous single, 'Don't cry for me Argentina'. A wonderful item, which I'd seen a dozen times before - but never this cheap.

My collection: 12" single no. 489
Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter'', 'Don't cry for me Argentina' / 'Bermuda Triangle'

Listen to the radio - Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson was born on June 1, 1950 in Cambridge. He was the founding member of the Tom Robinson Band, a band with several hits in the Seventies, such as '2-4-6-8 Motorway', '(Sing if you're) Glad to be gay', 'Power in the darkness' and 'Don't take no for an answer".

In 1983, Robinson went solo. He had his first hit in the Netherlands in 1984 with the song 'Listen to the radio', which he wrote together with Peter Gabriel.

My collection: 7" single no. 953

Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Listen to the radio (Atmospherics)' / '(Don't do me) Any favours', 'Out to lunch'

Ai no corrida - Chas Jankel

Until recently I didn't even know that this single was missing from my collection. When I wrote about the twelve inch single recently, I came to realise this omission. It's one of those occasions where you think: 'Oh, I'll find that one for cheap someday'. And of course, I did. I think I have all the relevant Chas Jankel singles now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3585
Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ai no corrida' / 'Lenta latina'

Hangin' on a string - Loose Ends

Loose Ends formed in 1980 in London, with members Carl McIntosh, Jane Eugene and Steve Nichol. They achieved their first success with 'Hangin' on a string (Contemplating)' in 1985, which reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. It was also a minor hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

I've had the single for years, but it was only today that I saw the 12" single for a reasonable price. It was worth buying: the extended version of the track makes it even more enjoyable than the original.

My collection: 12" single no. 490

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Hangin' on a string (Contemplating) (extended dance mix)' / 'A little spice'

Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

Culture Club were at the height of their popularity when they released 'Karma Chameleon'. It was a number one hit all over Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. According to the band's frontman Boy George, 'The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing. It's about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren't true, if you don't act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice, that's nature's way of paying you back.'

I didn't buy the single at the time of its release, in 1983, because it was continually played on radio and television. It made me hate the song. Now, more than a quarter of a century later, I can hear it again. And the price was right, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 3586

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Karma Chameleon' / 'That's the way'

Een beetje van dit - Vulcano

The national finals for the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands were pretty exciting. There were five acts competing for the honour to represent the country during the year's Contest in Germany. While Vulcano was the audience favourite, the honour went to Bernadette in the end. She sang 'Sing me a song' and ended up being seventh.

Vulcano, who came second by only one point in the national final, subsequently had a hit in the Netherlands with their song, 'Een beetje van dit'. The single included the Dutch and English version of the song. The single peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. Bernadette, meanwhile, only made it to number 28.

My collection: 7" single no. 3584

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Een beetje van dit' / 'Rhythm in a heartbeat'

Baby talks dirty - The Knack

Doug Fieger, Berton Averre, Prescott Niles and Bruce Gary formed the Knack in 1978. They hit it big almost immediately with their single 'My Sharona' (1979), which became a chart hit in various countries.

'Baby talks dirty', taken from their second album '...But the little girls understand', sounded a lot like that big hit. No wonder, then, that it didn't become a hit: the audiences had heard the trick before and critics slammed the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3589

Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Baby talks dirty' / 'End of the game'