When will I see you again - Three Degrees

'When will I see you again' was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The Three Degrees recorded and released the track in 1974. Sheila Ferguson from the group recalled that 'the song was played to me by Kenny Gamble at the piano in 1973 and I threw a tantrum. I screamed and yelled and said I would never sing it. I thought it was ridiculously insulting to be given such a simple song and that it took no talent to sing it. We did do it and several million copies later, I realized that he knew more than me.'

The single became one of the most successful recordings using the 'Philly Soul' sound, selling over 25 million copies worldwide. In the UK the single topped the chart, whereas in the Netherlands it reached number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 2958
Found: February 9, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When will I see you again' / 'I didn't know'

Feel the raindrops - The Adventures

Almost a decade before I bought the 12" single of 'Feel the raindrops', I bought the 7" single. It was one of the best tracks of 1985 in my opinion, and after the beautiful 'Send my heart', this was another track I instantly fell in love with.

The song still sounds as fresh as ever now in 2009. Music like this has become pretty rare in the mean time.

My collection: 7" single no. 440
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 26, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Feel the raindrops' / 'Nowhere near me'

I'm not a loser - Judie Tzuke

I didn't know this song when I bought it. I bought this single for one reason only: it was a picture disc. And a beautiful one, at that. Fortunately I did know Judie Tzuke and the type of music she made.

In 1982 Tzuke joined a new label, Chrysalis Records after having served with Rocket Records for three years. Her first album for Chrysalis was 'Shoot the moon', from which this single was taken. The single did not chart, but the album reached number 19 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2781
Found: London, November 1, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I'm not a loser' / 'Run on luck'

Lover of mine - Alannah Myles

'Lover of mine' was released in 1990 as the fourth and last single from Alannah Myles' self-titled debut album. While in Canada, the single equalled the number 2 position her biggest hit 'Black velvet' had reached a year earlier, elsewhere in the world, it did not impress the record-buying audiences.

The song is a power ballad, very different from the rock stylings of her earlier singles. Later on in her career, Myles would try her luck more often with this kind of power ballad.

My collection: 7" single no. 1829
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Lover of mine' / 'Just one kiss'

A face in the crowd - Tom Petty

Tom Petty's 'A face in the crowd' was written and produced by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, like most of the material on his album 'Full moon fever'. The track has a beautiful warm, relaxed sound that seemed to please especially the Dutch audience.


The single peaked at nnumber 23 in the Netherlands, whereas it stalled at number 93 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 1249
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 21, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'A face in the crowd' / 'A mind with a heart of its own'

Lean on me - Red Box

After Red Box signed to Sire Records and released their single 'Saskatchewan', there must have been some doubt whether this band would actually make it. The single did not chart and some record company executives must have felt panic. These days, the band would probably have been dropped immediately.

But they followed through with 'Lean on me', which proved the be a more successful track. It would prove to be the biggest hit of their career, peaking at number 3 in the UK Singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2140
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Lean on me' / 'Stinging bee'

Pride (In the name of love) - U2

Contrary to what you might think, when I bought this single two decades after its release, I didn't have to pay a fortune for it. I was as surprised as anyone when I spotted this limited edition double single during a record fair for a rather low price. Considering the ever growing fanbase of this Irish band, I would have expected the dealer to make a nice profit. Fortunately he didn't, otherwise I would never have bought this of course.

I consider 'Pride' to be U2's breakthrough single. It was the first one to reach the top 3 of the UK singles chart, peaking at number 3, and it was the first top 10 hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 8. The accompanying album 'The unforgettable fire' is an unmistakable classic which demands a luxury extended collectable ultimate edition of some sort. Now that's something I would buy...

My collection: 7" single no. 3365
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 2002
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Pride (In the name of love)' / '4th of July' // 'Boomerang I (Instrumental)' / 'Boomerang II (Vocal)'