In your room - The Bangles

The Bangles had to come up with some new hit to follow up charttoppers like 'Walk like an Egyptian' and 'Hazy shade of winter'. Expectations were high when they released their new album 'Everything' in 1988. The chart performance of the first single from that album was slightly disappointing: it only made number 35 in the UK, while it didn't even chart in the Netherlands. The girls probably didn't mind, because the single made number 5 in America.

And it wouldn't take long until follow-up single 'Eternal flame' would take over the number one spot in various countries...

My collection: 7" single no. 3596

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 0,66 euro

Tracks: 'In your room', 'Bell jar'

Download: Album 'Everything', including both tracks

Insieme: 1992 - Toto Cutugno

Toto Cutugno was born on July 7, 1943 in Fosdinovo, Tuscany, Italy as Salvatore Cutugno. In 1976 Cutugno participated for the first time in the San Remo Music Festival. He reached 3rd place with his band Albatros. He won the festival in 1980, 1984, 1987, 1988 and 1989. In total he participated 13 times.

He won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990 with his own composition 'Insieme: 1992' ("Together: 1992"), a ballad which celebrated European political integration. Along with Gigliola Cinquetti, Italy's only other Eurovision winner from 1964, he presented the 1991 contest, which was staged in Rome as a result of his victory.

My collection: 7" single no. 3594

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 0,66 euro

Tracks: 'Insieme: 1992' / 'Insieme: 1992 (instrumental)'

Download: here

Life of surprises - Prefab Sprout

Prefab Sprout recorded 'Life of surprises' in 1985, just when 'When love breaks down' finally became a hit after its fourth re-release. The record company shelved the album with 'Life of surprises' on it. The track only resurfaced in 1993, when Prefab Sprout's greatest hits compilation was released.

The single was a success, peaking at number 24 in the UK singles chart. The B-side featured the band's only top 10 hit: 'The king of rock 'n' roll', originally released in 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 1899
Found: Record fair, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Life of surprises' / 'The king of rock 'n' roll'

The sound of the crowd - Human League

After the loss of original members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig-Marsh, Phil Oakey recruited 'dancing girls' Susan Ann Sulley (17) and Joanne Catherall (18) in order to be able to fulfill tour obligations. In January 1981, the band was still in debt to their record company. Oakey recorded and rushed out a new single, 'Boys and girls', without the involvement of Sulley and Catherall, to reasonable success. In March, Oakey was introduced to veteran producer Martin Rushent.

The first result of their sessions was the single 'The sound of the crowd'. The single was an instant success, peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart. It was the first song to feature female vocals from Sulley and Catherall. The twelve inch mix is an interesting affair, with a lot of extra instrumental bits.

My collection: 12" single no. 491

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'The sound of the crowd (Complete)' / 'The sound of the crowd (Instrumental)'

Liian pian ilta päättyy - Eini

Eini is a Finnish singer who has recorded several covers of Eurovision songs. When I bought this one, a sticker on the sleeve suggested that it was a cover of Israel's 1979 winning song, 'Hallelujah'. This is why I bought the single. Unfortunately, the information was wrong. Instead, this is a cover of Israel's 1981 contribution to the Contest, 'Halayla' ('Tonight'), performed by Hakol over Habibi.

The original track is a dramatic ballad, with the singer describing what will happen between herself and a lover "tonight". The Finnish version is more upbeat. Now, how do you think 'Liian pian ilta päättyy' is pronounced?...

My collection: 7" single no. 3601
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: Liian pian ilta päättyy' / 'Rajana Taivas'

Strut - Sheena Easton

In 1984, sweet Scottish singing sensation Sheena Easton made a transition towards a sexy dance-pop siren. She collaborated with Prince on her new album 'A private heaven', which was a big success.

While the single 'Strut' was ignored in Europe, it became her fifth top 10 single in America. It was a sassy and suggestive song, with a great hook and interesting vocals. Compare, if you like, the A-side with the B-side track. Where Sheena sounds great on the former, her voice sounds shrill and uninspired on the latter. Well, at least, that's what I think. Great sleeve, by the way...

My collection: 12" single no. 494

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Strut (Dance mix)' / 'Letters from the road'

Vandaag - Het Goede Doel

After the chart success of 'Met open ogen', Het Goede Doel released a second single from their album 'Souvenir' entitled 'Vandaag' ('Today'). Clocking in at six minutes, it was another lengthy single from the group. (Previous hits 'België', 'Hou van mij' and 'Alles geprobeerd' were also over six minutes long).

The single went by unnoticed by the general public: it stalled outside the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3595

Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, March 14, 2009

Cost: 0,66 euro

Tracks: 'Vandaag' / 'Vandaag (instrumental)'