Peter Gunn (live) - Emerson Lake and Palmer

Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on American television networks between 1958 and 1961. The innovative jazz theme was composed by Henry Mancini and his orchestra. A hip, bluesy, brassy number with an insistent piano-and-bass line, the song became an instant hit for Mancini, earning him an Emmy Award and two Grammys

The Peter Gunn theme has been covered by numerous jazz, blues, and rock artists since, including Emerson Lake & Palmer. Their live performance of the theme was included on their 1979 album 'In concert' and released as a single. While not a hit, it became one of my favourite tracks of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 2052
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, November 20, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Peter Gunn (live)' / 'Knife-edge (live)'

Dusk till dawn - Ladyhawke

'Dusk till dawn' is another single by New Zealand pop artist Ladyhawke. Pressed on heavy white vinyl, it is a beautiful collectors item. The track itself is not as catchy as 'My delirium', but it's still a slice of modern synthpop.

Released in the autumn of 2008, the single peaked at number 78 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 3904
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24 ,2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Dusk till dawn' / 'Danny and Jenny'

Lifesaver - Emiliana Torrini

Emiliana Torrini's 2005 album 'Fisherman's woman' was woven through with the memory of her boyfriend, who was killed in a car accident in the early Noughties. It is evident in the two tracks on this single, the first one to be lifted from the album: 'Lifesaver' and 'Serenade': two slightly melancholy tracks which are, like most of the album, acoustically-based.

This single release is a special item as well: not only does it come in a numbered limited edition (this is number 96 of 1250 copies), but it has a signed inner sleeve and the resealable plastic sleeve contains a small leaf that is part of the artwork. Here's hoping the leaf won't disintegrate before I die.

My collection: 7" single no. 3900
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24, 2009
Cost: 9 euro
Tracks: 'Lifesaver' / 'Serenade'

What! - Soft Cell

While Soft Cell only had one hit in the USA with 'Tainted love', several other singles were also released across the Atlantic. This single is living proof: it's the American pressing of 'What!', featuring a different B-side than its UK counterpart.

'What!' peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in Ireland, but did not chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1752
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What!' / 'Memorabilia'

Room in your heart - Living in a box

Living in a box released their second album 'Gatecrashing' in 1989. From this album, they released 'Room in your heart'. It was the first time the group released a ballad as a single.

The single was a big success: it was the first time they equalled the success of their debut single, 'Living in a box', which also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the same happened, as both singles peaked at number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1111
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Room in your heart' / 'When push comes to shove'

Eagle / Thank you for the music - Abba

Released as a double A-side, 'Eagle' and 'Thank you for the music' got equal attention at its release, but in later years, it's 'Thank you for the music' that has become an Abba classic, and not 'Eagle'. I don't really understand. While 'Thank you for the music' certainly has a universal appeal, 'Eagle' comes with a much better production and sound overall.

The single became a number 1 hit in Belgium, but peaked lower in all other countries. In the Netherlands it made number 4, while in the UK it was not released. I got my copy from my sister as a result of a swap. I do not recall which single I swapped but I do know it was an improvement.

My collection: 7" single no. 18
Found: Den Haag
Cost: -
Tracks: 'Eagle' / 'Thank you for the music'

House of Salome - Kim Wilde

I knew nothing about this single when I bought it. I had the album 'Catch as catch can', which it was taken from, but I didn't know it was released, and for some time I wondered why. As it turns out, 'House of Salome' was released as a single by RAK Records shortly before Kim's contract with them expired. Hence, she did not do any promotion for it, there was no music video, and the single sunk without a trace.

I found my copy in early 1985, a year after its release. It's one of the standout tracks from Kim's 1983 album, and the sleeve is a gem too; a stunning photograph that has never been used before or since.

My collection: 7" single no. 284
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'House of Salome' / 'Sing it out for love'