Manchild - Neneh Cherry

Neneh Cherry was born as Neneh Marianne Karlsson on March 10, 1964. She dropped out of school at 14 and moved to London, where she joined the punk rock band The Cherries. She then moved through several bands, including The Slits, New Age Steppers, Rip Rig & Panic, and Float Up CP.

She began a solo career with 'Stop the war', a protest song about the Falkland Islands. She also worked with The The and musician Cameron McVey, who co-wrote most of her debut album 'Raw like sushi', and whom she would eventually marry. After having had a big seller with 'Buffalo stance', the first single from 'Raw like sushi', she released the slower 'Manchild'. The song actually had a melody, although some irritating raps were still in the song. Despite this, I decided to buy the single. I wasn't the only one: the single peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 925
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Manchild' / 'Manchild (Original mix)'

A love bizarre - Sheila E

Taken from Sheila E.'s second solo album 'Romance 1600' (1985), 'A love bizarre' was written and produced by Sheila E. and Prince. Prince also sings on the track. On the album, the track is over 12 minutes long, while the single version is one third of that length.

The single became Sheila E.'s last major hit, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 422
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'A love bizarre' / 'A love bizarre (part 2)'

Can't take my eyes off you - Boys Town Gang

The Boys Town Gang were formed in 1980 by DJ Bill Motley, who saw an opportunity to form a group that catered to San Francisco's large gay clientele. Over the years the formation of the group changed a lot.

Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, 'Can't take my eyes off you' was originally a hit single for Frankie Valli in 1967. The Boys Town Gang made a disco cover of the song in 1982, which gave them a number one hit in the Netherlands. I rediscovered the tune in 1992, when I literally couldn't take my eyes off a girl I saw daily in school. This is the theme song of that temporary obsession.

My collection: 7" single no. 1783
Found: November 7, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't take my eyes off you' / 'Can't take my eyes off you (reprise)'

Let's talk about me - Alan Parsons Project

'Let's talk about me' is a single taken from the Alan Parsons Project album 'Vulture culture'. The song was composed by Eric Woolfson and Alan Parsons from the band. The song features voice-over commentary from Lee Abrams, credited on the album as 'Mr. Laser Beam' (an anagram of his name).

The B-side 'Hawkeye' is mostly an instrumental but contains a line from Monica, a woman working at the canteen in Abbey Road Studios. The line she says is: "Only what's on the menu". The single reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1268
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Let's talk about me' / 'Hawkeye'

They don't care about us - Michael Jackson

'They don't care about us' was released as the fourth single from Michael Jackson's album 'History'. The song attracted a lot of critiism for its lyric, which includes the line 'Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me'. The word 'kike' is an offensive term referring to a jew. Jackson responded to the allegations of antisemitism several times in the American media, commenting: 'The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted.'

In the end, the song was censored. In this single version, the words 'Jew me sue me' are replaced with 'Sue me sue me' and the words 'Kick me, kike me' are replaced with 'Kick me, kick me'. There's also a different censored version in which the offensive words are replaced by loud sounds.

This vinyl single was an utter surprise to me. As far as I knew, 'You are not alone' was the last Jackson single from 'History' released on vinyl. This copy has no picture sleeve, but it does have a 'normal' label (something which is omitted from later 'jukebox' releases). The single, meanwhile, reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, and number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3851
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'They don't care about us (LP edit)' / 'They don'tcare about us (Love to Infinity's Walk in the Park radio mix)'

Live to tell - Madonna

'Live to tell' was originally written by Patrick Leonard for the soundtrack of Paramount's romantic drama film 'Fire with fire', but after the company declined it, Leonard showed the song to Madonna. She decided to use it for 'At close range', the new film of her then-husband, actor Sean Penn. Madonna made a demo of the song, which the film's director, James Foley, after hearing, asked Leonard to write the score for the film, as suggested by Madonna.

The song was produced by Leonard and Madonna for her third studio album 'True blue' (1986). Released as its first single, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single managed to reach number 3. I liked the song a lot, despite the limited vocal skills of the performer. Someone with a stronger voice would have made this an absolutely overpowering ballad.

My collection: 7" single no. 2599
Found: Grammafoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Live to tell' / 'Live to tell (instrumental)'

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'