Kiss and tell - Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry wrote the song 'Kiss and tell' as a response to his former girlfriend Jerry Hall's autobiography, which included some less than complimentary remarks about Ferry. The track became famous not so much for itself, but for the video which included several models, including the then-controversial Mandy Smith, who was in a relationship with Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who was 44 years older than she was.

The song ended up peaking at number 41 in the UK singles chart. This limited edition box set edition included a fold-out lyric sheet, two postcards and, of course, the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2280

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, May 6, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Kiss and tell' / 'Zamba'

Don't rush me - Taylor Dayne

The fourth and last single from her debut album 'Tell it to my heart' was, amazingly, the most successful one in America, peaking at number 2. In the UK it stalled at number 76 and in the Netherlands the single didn't chart at all.

While I was collecting Taylor Dayne singles at the time, I waited a long time before I bought this one. I felt the song wasn't that interesting and the B-side was an album track as well, making it a less desirable item. In the end I found it very cheap, and added it to my collection to be complete. I never played this single much, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 794

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

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't rush me' / 'In the darkness'

Download: Album 'Tell it to my heart', including both tracks

I just want to be your everything - Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb was born on March 5, 1958 as the youngest brother of Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, also known as the Bee Gees. Gibb began playing at tourist clubs around Ibiza, and later back in his homeland of the Isle of Man, as a young teenager. The idea of his joining the Bee Gees was often suggested, but he never did this because of the fact that he was eight years younger than Robin and Maurice, who in turn were three years younger than Barry.

After returning to Australia in 1975, Andy began recording a series of his own compositions. One of them, 'Words and music' would eventually reach Top 5 on the Sydney music charts in 1976. This led to Andy being invited by Robert Stigwood to launch his international career. Gibb released 'Flowing rivers', including this single, 'I just want to be your everything'. It was released in the summer of 1977, and peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart. It initially flopped in the Netherlands, but then got a re-release in September and still reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 864

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'I just want to be your everything' / 'In the end'

We could be together - Debbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson was born on August 31, 1970. Aged just sixteen, she debuted with the single 'Only in my dreams' and the album 'Out of the blue'. In America, she was presented as the 'good girl' as opposed to 'bad girl' Tiffany, who was of the same age.

I was not attracted to Debbie Gibson's bubblegum pop music at all. I didn't buy any of her singles. But in 1989, I heard 'We could be together' and thought it was a nice track. I was a bit surprised when it wasn't released in the Netherlands, but I bought a copy of the single that October, since I was in London anyway. Twenty years later it sounds like a bland song after all...

My collection: 7" single no. 998

Found: Tower Records, London, October 16, 1989

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'We could be together' / 'Over the wall (dub version)'

At Seventeen - Janis Ian

Janis Ian was born on April 7, 1951. She released 'At Seventeen' on her seventh album 'Between the lines', released in 1975. The lyric of the song is a commentary on adolescent cruelty and teenage angst, as reflected upon from the maturity of adulthood. The song was inspired by a newspaper article about a former teenage debutante who learned the hard way that being popular did not solve all her problems. The track won a Grammy award for 'best female pop vocal performance' in 1976.

I bought the single when it was re-released in 1991 in promotion for the compilation album 'Up 'til now'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1551
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'At Seventeen' / 'Applause'

Somebody (Hey girl) - Video

In an earlier entry on this blog, I already wrote about the 12" version of 'Somebody (Hey girl)' by Video. Though I bought the 12" single this year, I bought the 7" single in 1993. It features, of course, the single version of the track, and a different instrumental version than the one on the 12" single. And so, here it is...

My collection: 7" single no. 2065
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 29, 1993
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Somebody (Hey girl)' / 'Somebody (Hey girl) (instrumental)'

Victims - Culture club

After many uptempo and midtempo singles, 'Victims' was Culture Club's first proper ballad, released as a single in late 1983. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and only number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

I first bought the single during the 1985 edition of Parkpop, which was the regular German pressing. 15 years later I found myself confronted with a posterbag edition, sightly worn but still in good condition. It was a steal! So I bought this one too.

My collection: 7" single no. 309 / no. 3266
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 1985 / Record Exchange, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders / 50p
Tracks: 'Victims' / 'Colour by numbers'