Mirror man - Talk Talk

'Mirror man' is Talk Talk's debut single, released in early 1982. On the many compilation albums that have been released since the band left their record label EMI, this track is always missing. This is easily explained, since it is the only single from their EMI period that didn't make the UK singles chart at all. Some of the later singles made the lower regions of the chart, but this one faded into obscurity soon after its release. Which makes it a great item for a Talk Talk collection, of course!

'Mirror man' appears on Talk Talk's debut album 'The party's over', but the B-side 'Strike up the band' was a non-album track. It appeared on cd only 16 years later, on the double cd compilation 'Asides besides'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3085

Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Mirror man' / 'Strike up the band'

The heat is on - Agnetha Fältskog

In May 1983, Agnetha Fältskog released her first post-Abba solo album, 'Wrap your arms around me'. 'The heat is on' was the first single taken from that album. On the B-side the track 'Man' appeared, written by Agnetha herself.

The single proved very successful throughout Europe. It sold more copies than any of Abba's singles in the year 1982. It was a number one hit in Belgium, Norway and Sweden, while it peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands. In the UK, the single reached number 35. For a long time it was Fältskog's highest charting solo single in Britain until the release of her 2004 comeback single, 'If I thought you'd ever change your mind', which reached No.11.

My collection: 7" single no. 194

Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'The heat is on' / 'Man'

Download: Album 'Wrap your arms around me', including both tracks

The heat is on - Agnetha Fältskog

Kiss me - Tintin

Stephen Anthony James Duffy was born on May 30, 1960. In 1982, he created the band Tintin with John Mulligan, Dik Davis, Andy Growcott and Bob Lamb. The band was signed with WEA Records in the UK and released the song, 'Kiss Me', which did not reach the UK singles chart. Two years later, Stephen 'Tintin' Duffy would re-record 'Kiss me' and have a hit with it in several countries.

But this is the original version. I didn't know it existed when I bought it, so I was suitably surprised. I never bought the later version, but if I come across it, I will. Back in 1985, the song was played too many times on the radio so I really didn't need to have it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3006

Found: June 20, 1998

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Kiss me' / 'Love's duet'

African blood - Supermax

'We are the jungle people', proclaims the song 'African blood' by Supermax. And it continues to do so for several minutes. The music of this song is obviously more important than the lyric. It's no surprise that this single did less well than its predecessor 'Love machine', that gave Supermax a big hit all over Europe.

In the Netherlands, the song failed to chart. In Germany, Supermax is still going strong, judging from his official website. But in the Netherlands, nothing was ever heard from him again.

My collection: 7" single no. 2310

Found: Rotterdam, May 27, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'African blood (part 1)' / 'African blood (part 2)'

Take my breath away - Berlin

Some time ago I wrote about the double single 'Like flames' by Berlin, which included 'Take my breath away'. I'd almost forgotten that I have the original single as well. Taken from the soundtrack of the movie 'Top Gun', the B-side is a song by Giorgio Moroder with vocals by Joe Pizzulo. It was this single that reached number one in several countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 883

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Take my breath away' (Berlin) / 'Radar radio' (Giorgio Moroder feat. Joe Pizzulo)

Cheese - Mo

Although the Dutch band Mo released a dozen singles during their career, only two of them made the Dutch Top 40. This was the second one: 'Cheese', a short upbeat synthpop song. It was the first single of Mo with new personnel. Drummer Harm Bieger was the only original member. He recruited Linda Bloemhard, Ton van der Meer and Hans Nieuwint after the original band split up after the release of just one album (and three singles).

'Cheese' peaked at number 30 in the Dutch Top 40. It was succeeded by a handful of singles that didn't make the chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 3328
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Cheese' / 'Human race put on display'