Come back to me - Janet Jackson

'Come back to me' is the fifth single taken from Janet Jackson's highly successful album 'Rhythm nation 1814'. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart in January 1990.

Part of the success can be attributed to this limited edition 7" box set, which came with a free fold-out poster and an '1814' metal badge. I had a hard time finding a copy of this, but finally managed to do this during a holiday in London in October 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1169

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Come back to me (7" I'm beggin' you mix)' / 'Alright (7"R&B mix)'

The piano song - Freur

Freur's second album 'Get us out of here!' (1985) was only released in Germany and the Netherlands. The single 'The piano song' was taken from this album, but it was another unsuccessful release by the band.

In 1986, Freur went into recess when John Warwicker left the band. A year later, remaining members Karl Hyde, Rick Smith, Alfie Thomas and Bryn Burrows, along with bassist Baz Allen started a new band called Underworld, and had a minor success with the single 'Underneath the Radar' (1988).

My collection: 7" single no. 2955

Found: Record fair, February 7, 1998

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The piano song' / 'Emeralds and pearls'

Mama used to say - Junior

Junior Giscombe debuted in 1982 with 'Mama used to say'. It was a number 7 hit in the UK, but also made it into the top 10 in the USA, which earned him a 'best newcomer' award from Billboard magazine. This flying start didn't help his further career, though: the only other top 10 hit Junior had in the UK was a duet with Kim Wilde in 1987 ('Another step (closer to you)').

I got to know the song because of an acapella rendition during a television programme. It was interesting enough for me to try and find out the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2383

Found: House of rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Mama used to say' / 'Mama used to say (instrumental mix)'

World outside your window - Tanita Tikaram

The fourth and last single from Tanita Tikaram's debut album 'Ancient heart' was 'World outside your window'. The single did not chart in the Netherlands and only managed a number 58 placing in the UK during its two week run in the singles chart. It was probably a tad optimistic for the record company to want to milk the album.

The song is upbeat, quite catchy and accessible nonetheless. I bought my - slightly tattered - copy in a warehouse after it was thrown in the discount bin.

My collection: 7" single no. 948

Found: V&D, Den Haag, July 21, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'World outside your window' / 'For all these years (instrumental)'

While you wait - New Musik

At some point, every New Musik single I found was a nice surprise. I had the albums 'From A to B', 'Anywhere' and 'Warp', and I knew that all the tracks were great. So all I had to look for next were the B-sides. And there were B-side aplenty: 'While you wait', this single, even had two.

I never understood the lack of commercial success New Musik had though. Out of a dozen singles, only four made the UK singles chart - and even less abroad. It's a shame: when you listen to these tracks now they still sound fresh.

My collection: 7" single no. 2915

Found: November 1, 1997

Cost: unknown

Tracks: 'While you wait' / 'From the village', 'Guitars'

Blijf zoals je bent - Justine

In 1989, Justine Palmelay was the Netherlands' biggest hope. For the first time in 14 years we might have a shot at winning again. 'Blijf zoals je bent' was a formulaic song, carefully evading the hard 'g' that makes Dutch such a nasty language to listen to, an uplifting melody and a high note at the end of the song. In the previous year, the Dutch audience had suffered a trauma when Gerard Joling didn't end his song 'Shangri-la' with his famous high note, but ended with a low one instead. This time around, Justine wouldn't get away with that and she was experienced enough to do as she was briefed to do... or was she?

At the night of the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest, her voice broke exactly when she sang the last three words of the song. It sounded like a shriek of a seagull being strangled. As a result, Justine ended 15th in a field of 22 participants.

My collection: 7" single no. 877
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 10, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Blijf zoals je bent' / 'Stay the way you are'

Open your heart - Human League

'Open your heart' was the third single to be released before the album 'Dare' saw the light of day in 1982. The song was full of drum machines, synths and power vocals, plus uplifting words like 'But if you can't stand the test you know your worst is better than their best'. Words to live by.

The cover artwork and promotional video was deliberately coordinated with its parent album. Video director Brian Grant borrowed heavily from the album’s imagery. The opening scene is a video montage of the portraits of the six band members exactly as they appear on the cover of the album. The band are all dressed and made up in the same style as 'Dare''s photography.

The single was a big success in the UK, peaking at number 6.

My collection: 7" single no. 2830

Found: House of Rhythm, London, February 1, 1997

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'Open your heart' / 'Non-stop'