Too low for zero - Elton John

'Too low for zero' was the title track of Elton John's 17th studio album, released in 1983. All the lyrics on the album were written by Bernie Taupin. At the insistence of Taupin, Elton decided to go back to basics and returned to working with Taupin full time.

Released as the third single from the album, it couldn't match the success of the previous two singles, 'I guess that's why they call it the blues' and 'I'm still standing'. Contrary to those two, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3810
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Too low for zero' / 'Dreamboat'

Ben - Michael Jackson

'Ben' was written by Don Black and Walter Scharf. The song was originally written for Donny Osmond, but he was on tour and unavailable when it was time to record the single, so the song was offered to Michael Jackson. He recorded it, while he was just 14 years old, for the Motown label in 1972.

The song, the theme song of a 1972 film of the same name, reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and Australia. It peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3805
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ben' (Michael Jackson) / 'Lookin' through the windows', 'Little bitty pretty one'

Beg, steal or borrow - The New Seekers

'Beg, steal or borrow' was performed by the New Seekers during the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was composed and written by Tony Cole, Steve Wolfe and Graeme Hall.

I bought the German version, 'Oh, ich will betteln, ich will stehlen' six months ago, but I didn't have the original version yet. I found a copy today and was able to get it for half price too. Well, enough reason to add this to my collection, I'd say...

My collection: 7" single no. 3813
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Beg, steal or borrow' / 'Sing out'

La mémoire en exil - Jo Lemaire

The album 'Concorde' by Jo Lemaire, released in 1983, contained one side in English and one side in French. This single was taken from the album and contains two French-language tracks. Just like earlier single 'Parfum de rêve', I bought this single because of the beautiful sleeve, and again I was not disappointed: the single is a perfect example of Belgian melodious synthpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3809
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'La memoire en exil' / 'Les ombres de la rue'

If there was a man - The Pretenders

'The living daylights' was the final James Bond film to date to be scored by composer John Barry. The soundtrack is notable for its introduction of sequenced electronic rhythm tracks overdubbed with the orchestra, which at the time was a relatively new thing.

Contrary to previous Bond films, the film uses different songs over the opening and end credits. The song heard over the end credits, 'If there was a man', was one of two songs performed for the film by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. The Pretenders were originally considered to perform the title song. However, the producers were pleased with the commercial success of Duran Duran's 'A view to a kill', and felt that A-ha would be more likely to make an impact in the charts. 'If there was a man' was released as a single nonetheless, and peaked at number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3808
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'If there was a man' / 'Into Vienna'

The glamorous life - Sheila E.

Sheila Escovedo was born on December 12, 1957 in Oakland, California (USA). She is the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo. She became a drummer and percussionist herself and made her debut in 1976 with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on 'Yesterday's dream'. Sheila met Prince in the early Eighties, when she was performing with her father. He enlisted her for his band and she played during the recording sessions for 'Purple rain' (1984).

Though taken under Prince's wing, she proved to be a successful artist in her own right. In 1984 she scored her first solo hit with 'The glamorous life', which peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1896
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The glamorous life' / 'The glamorous life part 2'

Road to your soul - All about Eve

When All about Eve released the single 'Road to your soul', some record company executives must have thought that the song was too long for the radio. At more than 5 minutes, there may well have been some reluctance by DJ's to play the song. And so they got to work: a DJ promo with the song was made, including an exclusive 'radio edit'.

If it were me, I would have made a different edit of the song. The radio edit featured on the A-side of this promotional single still clocks in at over four minutes, making it still a lengthy track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2912
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Road to your soul (radio edit)' / 'Road to your soul'