Crazy on you - Heart

Heart released their debut single in 1976. 'Crazy on you' would be featured on their debut album 'Dreamboat Annie'. It was a hardrock track, true to the sound of the early years of the band. The single peaked at number 35 in their native America, but reached number 2 in the Netherlands.

I vividly remember hearing this song as a child, thanks to my sister who'd bought the single while they were too expensive for me to buy. I've always held a soft spot for the band since then.

My collection: 7" single no. 535

Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1987

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Crazy on you' / 'Soul of the sea'

Game on - Catatonia

'International velvet' was the third album of the Welsh band Catatonia, which consisted of lead singer Cerys Matthews with Mark Roberts, Paul Jones, Owen Powell and Aled Richards. The album became their breakthrough as it topped the UK albums chart in 1998.

The single 'Game on' was the fifth taken from the album and included a live acoustic version of the previous single 'Strange glue' on the B-side. This limited edition 7" single was pressed on bright green vinyl and also included a large poster.

My collection: 7" single no. 3040

Found: Record fair, 1998

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Game on' / 'Strange glue (live acoustic version)'

The sun always shines on TV - A-ha

Released as the second single from their debut album 'Hunting high and low', 'The sun always shines on TV' was a powerful pop/rock track, starting out as a ballad. While the previous single 'Take on me' was a number one hit in America and many other countries, this single failed to match that success. Only in the UK and Ireland, where 'Take on me' had peaked at number 2, this single managed to top the chart in early 1986.

The single version of 'The sun always shines on TV' is 30 seconds shorter than the album version and has never been released on cd. The B-side has only ever been released on cd in Japan.

My collection: 7" single no. 393

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'The sun always shines on TV' / 'Driftwood'

Heart of the sun - Red Box

'Heart of the sun' was another single released from Red Box's debut album 'The circle and the square' (1986). After the chart success of the single 'For America', the record company was hoping for another audience favourite. Unfortunately, even with this limited edition double single which literally included that single 'For America', this release stalled at number 71 in the UK singles chart.

Due to increasingly strained relations between the band and their record company, Julian Close left to work in A&R and Simon Toulson-Clarke took time out from writing and recording in order to travel.

My collection: 7" single no. 2013

Found: October 18, 1993

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Heart of the sun' / 'Enjoy (Solid Gold Easy Amex)' // 'For America' / 'R n' A'

Heartland - The The

I really like the politically engaged songs of the Eighties - or at least some of them. The The released Heartland in 1986 at the height of Thatcher's regime - or should I say dictatorship? - in the UK, demolishing all that was social and likeable about the country. The statement 'This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.' is still relevant today, with both the UK and the whole of Europe walking alongside the guiding hand of America.

The The reached number 29 in the UK singles chart with this provocative single. They established themselves as a firmly political band with the accompanying album 'Infected'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1342

Found: Record fair, October 18, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Heartland' / 'Born in the new S.A.'

Iceblink luck - Cocteau Twins

Robin Guthrie, Will Heggie formed the Cocteau Twins in 1979. They met Elizabeth Fraser, who would eventually provide vocals for them. Highly influenced by bands like Joy Division and Siouxie and the Banshees, their music was ethereal and sometimes quite 'new age'.

Their 1990 album 'Heaven or Las Vegas' was their most commercially successful, and when you listen to this single taken from that album, it's easy to hear why: the tracks are quite accessible. Despite 4AD label president Ivo Watts-Russell proclaiming that this LP was one of the best releases ever on his label, he released the Cocteau Twins from their contract at the end of 1990, as his relationship with the band had soured.

My collection: 7" single no. 1296

Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Iceblink luck' / 'Mizake the mizan'

Our summer - All about Eve

All about Eve formed in 1985. After their first release 'D for Desire', the core of the band became Julianne Regan, Tim Bricheno and Andy Cousin. Aided by a drum machine, they recorded their second single 'Our summer', which became some sort of underground classic. Both tracks were produced by Simon Hinkler and wayne Hussey from the Mission (UK).

When I became a fan of All about Eve I quickly found out about these early singles. I never thought I'd actually own them, knowing that they were so extremely rare. But in April 1996, I finally found a copy. A great victory.

My collection: 7" single no. 2638

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 1996

Cost: 15 guilders

Tracks: 'Our summer' / 'Lady moonlight'