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'

All kinds of everything - Dana

The first time Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest, it was actually with a nice song (It's a shame they broke with that tradition from the second time they won). Dana Rosemary Scallon sang 'All kinds of everything' in 1970 and won the Contest.

The sleeve of this Dutch pressing of the song pictures previous winner Lenny Kuhr (who was one of four winners of the 1969 Contest) handing a bunch of flowers and the Eurovision award to Dana.

My collection: 7" single no. 1638

Found: All that music, Leiden, May 3, 1992

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'All kinds of everything' / 'Channel breeze'

Our lips are sealed - Fun Boy Three

'Our lips are sealed' was written by Gogo's guitarist Jane Wiedlin and Fun Boy Three's Terry Hall. It was released as the Gogo's debut single in 1981, and reached number 47 in the UK. A year later, Fun Boy Three recorded their own versiono the single, which was released in1983. This version was more successful, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart.

This limited edition features a second single with two live tracks, recorded at the Regal Theatre in Hitchin (UK).

My collection: 7" single no. 3248

Found: London, 2000

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Our lips are sealed' / 'Our lips are sealed (Urdu version)' // 'We're having all the fun (live)' / 'Going home (live)'