Woman to woman - Beverley Craven

'Woman to woman' was released as the third single from Beverley Craven's self-titled debut album. Just like 'Promise me' and 'Joey' before it, this single did not chart in the UK. But the single also didn't chart in the Netherlands.

All this despite a rather attractive B-side, a new track that didn't appear on the album. It seemed Craven's career was off to a rough start.

My collection: 7" single no. 1438
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 11, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Woman to woman' / 'Everything but the blues'

Take me (Heart and soul) - Sad Café

The English soft rock band Sad Cafe was very successful in the late Seventies, but during the Eighties they faded more and more into obscurity. What made matters worse was that band member Paul Young joined the side project of Genesis member Mike Rutherford, Mike & the Mechanics.

Paul Young re-joined Sad Cafe in the late Eighties, splitting his time between the two bands. Sad Cafe released the album 'Whatever it takes' in 1989, from which this unsuccessful single was taken.

My collection: 7" single no. 971
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Take me (Heart and soul)' / 'Universe'

Don't cry for me Argentina - Julie Covington

The musical 'Evita', written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, began life as an album before ever taking form on the British stage. Julie Covington first sang 'Don’t cry for me Argentina' for the original 1976 studio release. The single with the Julie Covington recording reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

Initially there had been concerns that the song sounded a little too boring for commercial chart success - despite being considered to be the best song to promote the album. There was so much concern that Julie Covington even recorded a version with alternative lines, however in the end the original version was released for the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 661
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't cry for me Argentina' / 'Rainbow high'

Love comes quickly - Pet Shop Boys

'Love comes quickly' was released as the third single from the Pet Shop Boys' debut album 'Please'. Although it was a top 20 hit in the UK, its chart performance was disappointing, given that it followed the worldwide number one, 'West end girls'. The song is about the inevitability of falling in love, even for those who deliberately shun the idea.

The B-side, 'That's my impression' was written in a basement in Camden Town (London) where the duo wrote all their early songs. Neil Tennant commented: 'When we'd written the music, I took the words of a song I'd written in the Seventies and just changed them to fit the tune. Rather enigmatic words.'

My collection: 7" single no. 420
Found: V&D, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Love comes quickly' / 'That's my impression'

Rockin' back inside my heart - Julee Cruise

'Rockin' back inside my heart' was released as the second single from Julee Cruise's 1989 debut album 'Floating into the night'. David Lynch wrote the lyrics for the song and Angelo Badalamenti composed the music.

The song was featured prominently in the long-anticipated Twin Peaks episode in which the killer of Laura Palmer was finally revealed after a year of anxious, media-driven anticipation. The single, meanwhile, was a modest hit in the UK singles chart, stalling at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 1935
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, July 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rockin' back inside my heart (edit)' / 'Falling'

Tell me tomorrow - Princess

Released in May 1986, 'Tell me tomorrow' was the last UK top 40 hit for Princess, peaking at number 34. The track was again produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the hottest pop producers at the time. Princess would have two more chart hits, but in the lower regions of the UK singles chart.

The B-side single contains the original demo version of her biggest hit, the debut single 'Say I'm your number one'.

My collection: 7" single no. 461
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Tell me tomorrow' / 'Say I'm your number one (original demo)'

Under the gun - Sisters of Mercy

Lord of darkness Andrew Eldritch invited Terri Nunn for vocals on this single, the ominous 'Under the gun'. Nunn is best known for her work in the band Berlin.

'Under the gun' was a new track on the compilation album 'A slight case of overbombing: greatest hits vol. 1' (1993). The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart, and was the last hit single for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 2007
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Under the gun' / 'Alice (1993)'