Fine time - Yazz

Yazz was born as Yasmina Evans on 19 May 1960 in Shepherd's Bush, London. Her first commercial success came in early 1988, when she supplied the vocals on Coldcut's 'Doctorin' the house'. This led to a solo career on Big Life records, a label set up by her future husband Jazz Summers. Her debut single 'The only way is up' was one of the big summer hits in 1988. I thought the song was atrocious, and lost all interest in Yazz.

Only a few years later I picked up on the song 'Fine time', a laid back reggae track that reached number 9 in the UK, but did not chart in the Netherlands. I bought the single seven years after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2710

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996

Cost: 80p

Tracks: 'Fine time' / 'Dream'

Lay your hands on me (US remix) - Thompson Twins

After the release of the original version of 'Lay your hands on me', a US remix version followed pretty quickly. Remixed by one John Potoker, the track had become different, but not necessarily better or worse.

While the original version was released in a limited edition posterbag, this US remix appeared in a gatefold sleeve. I got very confused: did I have this already or not? In the end, I took the gamble. I'm glad I did, now I've got both versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 3465

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Lay your hands on me (US remix)' / 'The Lewis Carol'

Pale shelter - Tears for fears

There are two different versions of Tears for Fears' track 'Pale shelter': the original version, produced by Mike Howlett, released as 'Pale shelter (You don't give me love)', and this version, produced by Chris Hughes and Ross Collum, released just after Tears for Fears' debut album 'The hurting' in 1983. To provide a chart push this second time around, Mercury took full advantage of the picture disc and coloured vinyl gimmicks that were popular at the time. In all, eleven different variations of the reissued single were available for purchase. It helped get the single to peak at number 5 in the UK singles chart in April 1983.

I got the green vinyl version of 'Pale shelter' during one of the first record fairs I ever visited. My sister bought the single in three other colours. I've never seen those singles since, so I'm still looking for them to this day.

My collection: 7" single no. 274
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Pale shelter' / 'We are broken'

Paris latino - Bandolero

'Paris Latino' was released by Bandolero in 1983. The single, featuring raps in French, was written by brothers Carlos and José Perez. It reached number 2 in Switzerland and number 12 in the Netherlands.

In 2002, the track was covered by contestants of the French TV programme 'Star Academy'. Their version topped the charts in Belgium (Wallonia) and France.

My collection: 7" single no. 2853

Found: June 21, 1997

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Paris Latino' / 'El bandido caballero'

Now those days are gone - Bucks Fizz

Released as the second single from Bucks Fizz's second album 'Are you ready' (1982), 'Now those days are gone' was the first ballad released as a single by the group. The B-Side was a first, in that it was written and produced by the group themselves. The style of the song was slightly more hard-hitting than the group's usual output, with a lengthy intro, overlapping vocals and a full, but somewhat cluttered production.

Although unreleased in many other countries, it was a success in the UK, peaking at number 8, and Ireland, peaking at number 5. This limited edition picture disc caught my eye and I decided to buy it, without actually remembering the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3229

Found: October 17, 2000

Cost: 4 guilders

Tracks: 'Now those days are gone' / 'Takin' me higher'

Radio gaga - Queen

Queen released 'Radio gaga' as the first single from their new album 'The works' in February 1984. After having been absent from the music scene for almost two years, it was perceived as a 'comeback' single. It performed better than any single they'd released in the Eighties up until that point and went number 1 in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. In the UK the single peaked at number 2.

The song was a commentary of the invention of television overtaking radio's popularity, and how one would listen to radio for their favorite comedy, drama, sci-fi programs and so on as well as the advent of the music video and MTV. The 12" single featured an extended version of the track, as well as an instrumental version. (The instrumental version actually contains some vocals.) Both were longer than the original album version.

My collection: 12" single no. 497

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Radio gaga (extended version)' / 'Radio gaga (instrumental)', 'I go crazy'

Whenever you need me - T'pau

After an absence from the pop scene for three years, T'pau returned in 1991 with a new album, 'The Promise' and a new single, 'Whenever you need me'. The single was a bigger success than any of the three singles drawn from the previous album 'Rage', peaking at number 16 in the UK. However, the band had lost its European appeal, because the single did not chart on the continent.

Personally I felt that T'pau had regained the power of their debut album, and I bought 'The Promise' very soon after it came out. It was one of my favourite albums of the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 1440

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 18, 1991

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Whenever you need me' / 'All the love'