She's got claws - Gary Numan

In 1981, Gary Numan did a series of farewell concerts in London, after growing weary of the pressures of fame. This decision proved short-lived, as later on in 1981 Numan released a new album called 'Dance'. The album featured several distinguished guest players; Mick Karn (bass, saxophone) and Rob Dean (guitar) of Japan, Roger Mason (keyboards) of Models and Roger Taylor (drums) of Queen.

'She's got claws' was the only hit single released from this album, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart in September 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 3934
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'She's got claws' / 'I sing rain'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran.

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 3933
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Arthur's theme (Best that you can do) - Christopher Cross

'Arthur's theme' was written in collaboration between Christopher Cross, pop music composer Burt Bacharach and his frequent writing partner Carole Bayer Sager. A fourth writing credit goes to Minnelli's ex-husband and Australian songwriter Peter Allen, also a frequent collaborator with Bayer Sager.

The single was taken from the soundtrack of the movie 'Arthur' starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli. It reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 on the UK singles chart. It was one of the first songs I recorded from the radio with my new tape recorder which I got for my eleventh birthday. Almost 28 years later, I've got the single!

My collection: 7" single no. 3932
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Arthur's theme (Best that you can do)' / 'Minstrel Gigolo (edit)'

Some guys have all the luck - Robert Palmer

'Some guys have all the luck' was written by Jeff Fortang. It was a hit three times in the UK. The earliest version by the Persuaders, released in 1973, did not reach the UK singles chart, but the cover versions by Rod Stewart (1984), Maxi Priest (1987) and Robert Palmer (1979) did.

This version is the rockiest one, with passionate vocals by Robert Palmer. It was taken from his 1982 album 'Pride' and reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3931
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Some guys have all the luck' / 'Too good to be true'

Beethoven - Eurythmics

One of the strangest singles in their career, the Eurythmics released 'Beethoven' in October 1987. It is a bizarre track with plenty of samples and drum loops and a lot of spoken word text by Annie Lennox. The lyric portrays a battle between voices in the head of a housewife suffering from mental disorders.

I didn't like the song when it was released and I'm still not sure whether I like it now. But in a record collection that's growing ever more 'complete', I decided I wanted to have every Eurythmics single, even the 'lesser' ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 3930
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Beethoven' / 'Heaven'

Olé olé - Izhar Cohen

After buying six singles in the Soul & Dance department, I went a few numbers down the road and reached the 'Music & Video Exchange' on Notting Hill Gate. I went down to the basement, suspecting that if they were still selling cheap singles, they'd be there. And I was right: a whole alphabetized collection was waiting there for me. When I started browsing, this single was the first one (of the 37 I would eventually find here!) that I wanted to have. Quite a strange find.

Izhar Cohen won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel with 'A-ba-ni-bi'. Israel must have been looking for another victory when they sent him again in 1985. This time, he tried it with that famous Hebrew chant, 'Olé Olé'. The original version of the song (in Hebrew) is not included on this single, for it contains the English version only. I didn't even know the song had been released in the UK, but this is really an English pressing.

My collection: 7" single no. 3929
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Olé olé' / 'Blue'

Harvest for the world - Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers consisted of the brothers Ronald, O'Kelly Jr, Rudolph, Ernie, Marvin and Chris Isley. In 1976 they released the album 'Harvest for the world'. The title track was released as a single in July 1976 and peaked at number 10 in the UK singles chart.

A decade later, the track would be covered by Jason Donovan with Kim Wilde for a TV programme celebrating the 30th anniversary of Amnesty International.

My collection: 7" single no. 3928
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Harvest for the world' / 'Let me down easy'