I want your love - Chic

'I want your love' was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The track appeared on Chic's 1978 album 'C'est Chic'. It was originally intended for then-protégés, Sister Sledge. The single was slightly less successful than their previous single 'Le freak'.

It peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single peaked at number 4, making it the biggest hit from the band in that country. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 14. I hated the song in 1978, but a decade later I changed my mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 937
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I want your love' / '(Funny) bone'

Straight on - Heart

After the sales of their third album 'Magazine' were disappointing, Heart bounced back with their fourth one, 'Dog & Butterfly'. The album reached number 17 on the US albums chart.

'Straight on' was released as the first single from the album. However unsuccessful in Europe, the single peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 2243
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Straight on' / 'Lighter touch'

Amiga Quartett - Sandra

Here's another one of those Amiga Quartett EP's. Following her success in the Western part of Germany, the state-run record company of Eastern Germany decided to release this EP with four of her biggest hits. Judging from the cover, the single was released around the same time as Sandra's compilation album 'Ten on one'. As usual, the disc and the sleeve of this release do not state any year of manufacture.

The single has become quite a treasure in my collection, since East Germany (or the GDR as it is usually called) does not exist anymore. Which was also true when I bought this, actually.

My collection: 7" single no. 2400
Found: Record fair, July 8, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Everlasting love', 'Little girl' / 'Maria Magdalena', 'Midnight man'

Super trouper - Abba

'Super trouper' is a name for gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts and such. While Abba were never fond of performing live, the lyric seems to suggest that they 'feel like a number one' when they perform live. But in typical Abba style, the happy and upbeat song hides a darker and sadder subtext.

The music video for 'Super trouper' featured the largest number of artists the group ever used in a video. Other than Abba and their friends, the rest were from a circus troupe based in the UK. Group photos were made for the sleeve of this single and also for the album cover of 'Super trouper', where this single was drawn from. The single topped the charts in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 173
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Super trouper' / 'The piper'

The sun rising - The Beloved

On my birthday in 1990 I bought the album 'Happiness' by the Beloved. It's one of the most uplifting, positive and beautiful albums in my collection. Despite the fact that it's a dance-oriented work, the lyrics are intelligent, the music is beautiful and the rhythms are never overwhelming.

There is one exception, of course, and that's 'The sun rising'. The song is a bit repetitive and will no doubt have filled the dancefloors in the XTC-infested house scene that was dominating the clubs in 1989. The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart, meaning that after years of struggling, the Beloved had finally made their mark in the music business. They would finally have some success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1264
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The sun rising' / 'The sun rising (Eurovisionary)'

Zoom - Fat Larry's Band

Fat Larry's Band was formed by 'Fat' Larry James (August 2, 1949 - December 5, 1987). He recruited Art Capehart, Doug Jones, Jimmy Lee, Ted Cohen, Darryl Grant, Larry La Bes and Erskine Williams to form his band. They performed R&B and funk tracks between 1977 and 1987. The band folded when its founder died.

Their biggest (and only) hit in the Netherlands was the ballad 'Zoom', released in the autumn of 1982. It reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2424
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Zoom' / 'House party'

It doesn't have to be - Erasure

'It doesn't have to be' was released as the second single from Erasure's second album 'The circus' (1987). Written by the band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the track features Clarke's signature synthesizer programming along with a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics touch upon patching up an argument between two people in a relationship.

The single peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the German singles chart. In the Netherlands, it was only a minor success, peaking at number 38 in the Dutch Top 40.
The single's B-side, 'In the hall of the mountain king', is an excerpt from Grieg's Peer Gynt suite as performed by Vince Clarke.

My collection: 7" single no. 2547
Found: London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'It doesn't have to be' / 'In the hall of the mountain king'