Me (Without you) - Andy Gibb

In 1980, Andy Gibb released 'Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits' to finalize his contract with RSO Records. The album contained two new songs: 'Time is time' and 'Me (Without you)'. Both were released as a single. 'Me (Without you)' was Andy Gibb's last Top 40 entry in the USA, although it only made number 40.

At the time, Andy Gibb had a relationship with Victoria Principal, with whom he recorded his last chart single in 1981, 'All I have to do is dream'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3655
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 0, 5 euro

Tracks: 'Me (Without you)' / 'Melody'

Churches - New Musik

This single by New Musik was released in France only. 'Churches' is a track from New Musik's second album 'Anywhere'. The photograph on this sleeve also appeared on an American album called 'Sanctuary', which collected tracks from New Musik's debut album 'From A to B' and 'Anywhere'.

'Churches' is one of the standout tracks from 'Anywhere'. I don't know if the single charted in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 3639

Found: 7" single no. 3639

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Churches' / 'They all run after the carving knife'

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)'