Crying in the rain - A-ha

'Crying in the rain' was written by Howard Greenfield and Carole King and originally recorded by The Everly Brothers. Their version peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Netherlands.

Almost three decades later, in 1990, A-ha recorded their version of the song, making this the only cover version in their career so far. The single reached number 13 in the UK but rose to number 11 in the Netherlands, outperforming the Everly Brothers. The single was their first release from the album 'East of the sun west of the moon', released in November 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1314
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Crying in the rain' / '(Seemingly) Non-stop July'

Promise me - Beverley Craven

'Promise me' was the debut single from Beverley Craven. It was released in the summer of 1990. While her debut album reached number 3 in the UK albums chart, this single did not reach the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, it was a big hit in Europe, reaching number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 for instance.

The song was recorded in a Chinese version performed by Sandy Lam a year later. The song was also covered by Bulgaria-born French singer, songwriter and harpist Rossitza Milevska on her debut cd 'Pop harp' in 2006.

My collection: 7" single no. 1332
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Promise me' / 'I listen to the rain'

Don't take away the music - Tavares

Five Cape Verdean-American brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts formed Tavares in 1973. They were Ralph, Arthur, Antone, Feliciano and Perry Lee Tavares. In 1976/1977 they had three memorable disco hits, 'Heaven must be missing an angel', 'Don't take away the music' and 'Whodunit'.

'Don't take away the music' peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In 1984, Ralph Tavares stepped down from the group, and Tiny left in the mid 1990s, but the other three brothers continue to tour.

My collection: 7" single no. 2859

Found: August 9, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't take away the music (part 1)' / 'Don't take away the music (part 2)'

7 teen - Regents

The Regents were a new wave band formed in London in the late 70's by Martin Sheller, Rupy Johnson, Fast Eddie, Damian Pew and Bic Brak. They had a brief UK chart career with just two singles.

Their debut single '7 teen' peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart. Their second single 'See you later' only made it to number 55. They also released on album, the self-titled 'Regents'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3304

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: '7 teen' / 'Hole in the heart'

Song instead of a kiss - Alannah Myles

'Song instead of a kiss' was released as the first single from Alannah Myles' second album 'Rockinghorse'. While the album did not make a lot of impact in Europe (although the fact that she posed nude with a horse on the cover of that album was a well-publicised fact), it did earn her a Grammy nomination in America.

This single reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40 and was the last of Alannah Myles' singles to chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 1803

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 19, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Song instead of a kiss' / 'Rockinghorse'

Can't stop these things - China Drum

It doesn't happen very often that I buy a single for the B-side, but in this instance, I did. China Drum recorded a cover of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering heights' and it was included on the B-side of the single 'Can't stop these things'. In 1996, which is when this single was released, 7" vinyl singles were becoming increasingly rare, but British indie bands still released singles on that format quite a lot.

The single had a one week run in the UK singles charts, at number 65.

My collection: 7" single no. 2655
Found: London, June 29, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Can't stop these things' / 'Wuthering heights'

Exile - Enya

'Exile' is a track on Enya's 1988 album 'Watermark'. Somehow the track managed to find its way onto the soundtrack of the movie 'L.A. Story' three years later. The record company didn't waste a minute in trying to cash in on this and released 'Exile' as a single.

It's a beautiful track, but anything but commercially viable. The single vanished without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 2222
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Exile' / 'On your shore'