Hymn to her - The Pretenders

The fourth album by the Pretenders was released in 1986 and was titled 'Get close'. The first single taken from that album was 'Don't get me wrong', an up-tempo pop/rock track with a music video that looked like a tribute to the TV series 'The Avengers'.

The second single was 'Hymn to her', a ballad that was popularly interpreted as a hymn to the Goddess. The single peaked at number 8 in the UK and only managed a number 35 placing in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1251

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 24, 1990

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Hymn to her' / 'Room full of mirrors'

On the air tonight - Willy Finlayson

Willy Finlayson is a singer from Scotland who first came to London in the late 60's with Scottish Soul band The Writing On The Wall. He went on to become a core member of the band Meal Ticket and Bees make Honey. Willy then formed his own band The Hurters with Micky Moody, Matt Cheadle, Nigel Portman Smith and Alan Coulter.

This band ran parallel with a solo career that spawned the top 20 hit and video with Pete Barden's 'On the air tonight'. Released in 1985, I picked up the track from a local radio station that played the song regularly, despite it not becoming a hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 280

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'On the air tonight' / 'After the fall'

Street life - Crusaders

The Crusaders formed in 1961 as the Jazz Crusaders. Since then, they have released over fourty albums, including some live and compilation albums. Their biggest hit was the 1979 single 'Street life', with vocals performed by Randy Crawford, who would go on to have a very successful solo career. 'Street life' peaked at number 5 in the UK and number 13 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2478

Found: October 14, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Street life' / 'The hustler'

Through the years - Tim Finn

'Through the years' was released as the last single from Tim Finn's solo debut album 'Escapade'. It was a nice upbeat song, which saw him conquer the charts in Canada (where the single peaked at number 34) and the Netherlands (number 34).

Tim's next release was 'Home for my heart', released from the soundtrack of the movie 'The Coca-cola kid', in which he also made an appearance for about five minutes.

My collection: 7" single no. 2463

Found: April 9, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Through the years' / 'Grand adventure'

Glam slam - Prince

'Glam slam' was the second single taken from Prince's 1988 album 'Lovesexy'. The title originates from the sexual quote 'Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am,' which is an allusion to the popularized line from glam-rock star David Bowie's 'Suffragette City'.

In late 1989, Prince opened a nightclub in Minneapolis named after the song. After eight years of frustration he sold it to new owners, who renamed it The Quest. The club had since become one of the premier nightspots, rivaling First Avenue as a live music venue, before closing in 2006.

My collection: 7" single no. 652

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 10, 1988

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Glam slam (edit)' / 'Escape (edit)'

Doin' la bamba - Pussycat

Released in July 1980, 'Doin' la bamba' was to be the last top 10 hit for Pussycat in the Netherlands. The single peaked at number 6 in August. In subsequent years, the group slowly lost its members until only a quartet was left in 1983. The group fell apart in 1985.

I don't have much Pussycat singles, because most of their early material doesn't really interest me. This is a strong enough track, although it always amazes me that a Dutch group would sing about Latin American fiestas.

My collection: 7" single no. 1451

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 15, 1991

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Doin' la bamba' / 'On the corner of my life'

Answers to nothing - Midge Ure

Having already written about the 12" single of 'Answers to nothing', there's not so much to add here. Except this: the 7" single contains the original version of the track, which is the same as the album version. And a limited edition was available on clear vinyl. I'd already bought the normal version when I found the clear vinyl pressing. Obviously, I bought that one as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 2375

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

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Answers to nothing' / 'Honorare'