You thrill me - Exile

'You thrill me' was released as the follow-up single to Exile's worldwide hit 'Kiss you all over' in 1978. In America, the single reached the top 40 for one week only, making the 'Top-hit in USA' banner on this sleeve a tad overenthusiastic.

In Europe the single sunk without a trace. I bought this single because I saw it for the first time and I've always had a soft spot for Exile.

My collection: 7" single no. 3665

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'You thrill me' / 'Don't do it'

We all stand together - Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus

'We all stand together' was viewed by some as definite proof that Paul McCartney had lost his marbles. Beatles-haters pointed to this song as track to try to demonstrate the infantility of the entire Beatles catalogue. It is, of course, a novelty song, taken from the animated movie 'Rupert and the Frong Song'.

The 'Frog Chorus' backing on the song was provided by the King's Singers choral group and the choir of St Paul's Cathedral. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and number 12 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3623

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'We all stand together' / 'We all stand together (Humming version)'

Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) - Chagrin d'amour

Chagrin d’amour is a French pop duo, often hailed as the artists to record the first French hip hop album. In 1982, they released 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)', a single taken from their debut album of the same name. It was probably the first ever French rap single.

The single barely missed the Dutch Top 40 in 1982. I had vague memories of this song when I bought the single and was slightly disappointed: beside the catchy chorus, there isn't much else.

My collection: 7" single no. 3641

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)' / 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) (dub instrumental)'

The way you make me feel - Michael Jackson

With all the controversy always surrounding Michael Jackson, you'd almost forget the man is responsible for many catchy tunes throughout the years. And this is one of them. 'The way you make me feel' was the third single release from his 1987 album 'Bad'. It reached number 1 in the USA and Canada, number 3 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.

Jackson has released so many singles that I missed out on buying some of them. Lately I'm trying to fill the holes in my collection, and I'm hopeful I will have all of his singles from 'Off the wall' onwards soon.

My collection: 7" single no. 3651
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The way you make me feel' / 'The way you make me feel (instrumental)'

Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zuhaus) - Maggie MacNeal

Maggie MacNeal represented the Netherlands during the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Amsterdam'. It was the first Eurovision Song Contest I was allowed to see live. I had seen the 1978 and 1979 editions, but only on video since I was not allowed to stay up that late. But the 1980 edition, held in the Netherlands, was reason enough for my parents to relax the rules a little. The counting of the votes was very exciting: for a while, it seemed that the Netherlands would actually win the contest! In the end, 'Amsterdam' finished fifth and Ireland's Johnny Logan won.

Such was the international appeal of 'Amsterdam', that the record company decided to release alternative versions of the track. In Germany, the record-buying public was treated to 'Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zuhaus)' .

My collection: 7" single no. 3672

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 4 euro

Tracks: 'Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Nur hier bin ich zu Haus)' / 'Amsterdam (Englische Originalversion)'

This is not a love song - PIL

Ex-Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten presented his new song 'This is not a love song' in the Netherlands' best music TV show Countdown in 1983. After the performance, the presented walked up to him and tried to start an interview with the remark: 'That's a nice lovesong'. Johnny simply replied with: 'Yeah', and walked away.

The single peaked at number 17 in the Netherlands and number 5 in the UK. I bought a three inch cd-single of the track at the end of the Eighties, but only now I have the 7" vinyl equivalent.

My collection: 7" single no. 3624

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'This is not a love song' / 'Public Image'

My male curiosity - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

This track was released as a single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Against all odds'. The title track, performed by Phil Collins, had already been a big hit, and it was hoped that this single would do similarly well. It didn't.

However, it was played regularly on the local radiostation I always listened to in 1984, and so it became engraved in my memory.

My collection: 7" single no. 3661

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'My male curiosity' (Kid Creole & the Coconuts) / 'Making a big mistake' (Mike Rutherford)