You better you bet - The Who

In 1981, the Who released their album 'Face dances'. It was their first album since the death of drummer Keith Moon, who was replaced on this album by Kenney Jones. The song 'You better you bet', written by Pete Townshend, was taken from the album as the first single.

It became the last single by the Who that reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 18, and the last top 10 hit the UK, where it peaked at number 9. In the Netherlands, it was the band's last hit, also peaking at number 9. I hated the song 28 years ago, but now I really like it! Times have changed.

My collection: 7" single no. 3794
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 23, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'You better you bet' / 'The quiet one'

Du bist da - Anne Marie David

Anne Marie David won the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Tu te reconnaitras'. I didn't know at first that she'd released different versions of the song. 'Du bist da' was recorded for German-speaking countries. Even the B-side 'Au bout du monde' was translated into German for this single.

After the Contest, Anne Marie David started touring the world. She lived in Turkey for a while and recorded two singles and one album in Turkey and got several awards there.

My collection: 7" single no. 3973
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 23, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Du bist da' / 'Komm' mit mir ins Land der Träume'

Fight for ourselves - Spandau Ballet

In 1986, Spandau Ballet signed to CBS Records and released their fifth studio album 'Through the Barricades'. On the album, the band tried to move away from the pop and soul influences of their two previous albums 'True' and 'Parade' and moved towards rock.

The lead single 'Fight for ourselves', was released in July 1986 in a limited edition including a posterbag. The single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3792
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 23, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Fight for ourselves' / 'Fight... the heartache'

Wires - Athlete

When I heard 'Wires', I thought it was the debut single of the band Athlete. But I was wrong: the band was formed in 1999 by Joel Pott, Carey Willets, Steve Roberts and Tim Wanstall and they had already released several singles and one album, 'Vehicles and animals' (2003).

However, their second album 'Tourist' was their definite breakthrough album, reaching number 1 in the UK albums chart. The single 'Wires' was released in January 2005 and reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. The impressive song was written by band leader Joel Pott about his daughter, who was born prematurely. The single was released as a limited edition, including a poster of the strange cover image.

My collection: 7" single no. 3791
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 23, 2009
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Wires (radio edit)' / 'Transformer man'

Nearly there - One 2 Many

It's interesting how maintaining this blog has influenced me to buy more singles lately. The 7" single format has always had a special attraction to me, but I thought I'd reached the point where I have everything I wanted to have. But there are some strange omissions in my collection, and this particular one came to my attention recently just by working on this blog!

'Nearly there' was the third single from One 2 Many's only album 'Mirror'. I described the 12" single a few months ago, and that's when I found out that I don't have the single. Well, that error has been corrected now: a friendly dealer on eBay sold me the record and I received it today. I think I have all the One 2 Many singles now!

My collection: 7" single no. 3790
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 23, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Nearly there' / 'In my heart'

How to be dead - Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol gained mainstream success with their song 'Run' in 2003. The album 'Final straw' was equally successful. It peaked at number 3 in the UK albums chart. The band followed up the success of 'Run' with three more singles from the album, with 'How to be dead' being the last one. That single reached number 39 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3494
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 23, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'How to be dead (CLA mix)' / 'You are my joy (Live at Somerset house)'

I believe (A soulful re-recording) - Tears for Fears

'I believe (A soulful re-recording)' was the fifth single taken from Tears for Fears' 1984 album 'Songs from the big chair'. It became their ninth UK Top 40 hit, peaking at number 23. The song also reached the Top 10 in Ireland. The song was written by Roland Orzabal who had originally planned to offer it to British musician Robert Wyatt to record, though it was later decided that Tears for Fears would record the song themselves. A cover of Robert Wyatt's 'Sea song' served as the single's B-side. Although the single was not released in America, this re-recording of the song was done in the midst of the band's 1985 American tour.

This limited edition double single also featured the album version of 'I believe' along with a rather rare remix of 'Shout'.

My collection: 7" single no. 375
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 12 guilders
Tracks: 'I believe (A soulful re-recording)' / 'Sea song' // 'I believe (album version)' / 'Shout (dub mix)'