Hands to heaven - Breathe

'Hands to heaven' was the breakthrough hit single by Breathe, released in 1988. The song was written by group members David Glasper and Marcus Lillington. Ian Spice and Michael Delahunty completed the line-up.

The single reached number 4 on the UK singles chart, while in the USA the single even made number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same month This song was one of a number of singles, many by British and Australian bands, that helped to shape the smooth jazz radio format in the US in the mid to late 1980s. Other associated artists include Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz, Icehouse and Sade.

My collection: 7"single no. 1049
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Hands to heaven' / 'Life & times'

Say I'm your no. 1 - Princess

The debut single by Princess was 'Say I'm your no. 1'. Like most of her work, the single was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the producers trio that was at the height of their popularity during that year, 1985. In the UK and the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 7.

I didn't like the song when it came out; Princess looked ridiculous in that hat and it dominated my view of the artist and the song at first. In hindsight, I liked it better, and in the end I caved and bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1760
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say I'm your no. 1' / 'Say I'm your no. 1 (Senza voce)'

Crockett's Theme - Jan Hammer

'Crockett's Theme' was another track from the soundtrack of the TV series 'Miami Vice', with which Jan Hammer made his name in the mid-Eighties. The initial version of the theme first appeared in the episode 'Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List' which aired on October 19, 1984 in the USA.

Released as a single, the track hit number 2 in the UK singles chart and topped the charts in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1038
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Crockett's theme' / 'Miami Vice: New York theme'

Strange way - All about Eve

'Strange way' was the song that started it all for All about Eve mark 2, featuring Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars instead of Tim Bricheno. Like Julianne Regan commented in 1998: 'On the very first day in the unglamorous King's Cross rehearsal room, within the first hour of playing, Andy, Mark and Marty had written the music to 'Strange way'. I was in a state of absolute delight. To see this instant musical chemisty develop right in front of me and to feel and be involved in this great natural rapport that was happening was, after the recent miseries we'd been through, nothing short of wonderful.'

Unfortunately, this great single release (with a marvellous B-side!) was not rewarded by the UK audience: the single stalled at number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1529
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, September 28, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Strange way' / 'Drawn to earth'

Voyage voyage - Desireless

Desireless was born as Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop on December 25, 1952 in Paris, France. In 1983, she met Jean-Michel Rivat, a composer and record producer who had already made his name working with Michel Delpech, France Gall and Patrick Juvet, amongst others.

In 1986, Rivat composed 'Voyage Voyage', a synthpop song that topped the charts in many European countries, and even reached number five in the UK Singles Chart — a rare feat for a French-language song, although this was a remix of the original entry, which made number 53 in the UK.

I have both releases: the original one (pictured above) and the UK remix version (pictured below). Having heard the two singles, I still can't quite figure out the difference between the two. Maybe if you play it loud...?

Original version
My collection: 7" single no. 3144
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 18, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Remix version
My collection: 7" single no. 2487
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage (remix)' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Only time will tell - Earth and Fire

'Only time will tell' was the second single taken from Earth & Fire's 1974 album 'To the world of the future' and the first of their hit singles not to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. The single peaked at number 12, which may be explained by the slightly more complicated 'stop/start' structure of the song.

The track still sounds epic, like most of the band's work in the Seventies. I discovered the single a decade after its release and was immediately hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 862
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Only time will tell' / 'Fun'

What a fool believes - The Doobie Brothers

Although originally released in 1979, 'What a fool believes' only made the Dutch chart upon its reissue in 1986. It reached number 12, which is a better placing than the two in the UK in 1979 and 1986, when it reached number 31 and 57 respectively. In the USA, 'What a fool believes' was one of the few non-disco hits to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

The song was written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald and recorded on the 1978 Doobie Brothers album 'Minute by minute', with McDonald performing lead vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1336
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'What a fool believes' / 'Don't stop to watch the wheels'