There must be an angel (playing with my heart) - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics released 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' as the second single from their 1985 album 'Be yourself tonight'. The song features a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder. It reached number 1 in the UK singles chart (the band's only number one hit in the UK to date) and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song's music video was one in a long line of innovative clips from the Eurythmics. In the clip, Stewart portrays Louis XIV of France in the Court of the Sun King, while Lennox appears as a singer brought forth to perform and entertain the King. Bored at first, Stewart eventually becomes enthralled with Lennox's performance as the song reaches its conclusion. The video clip was rotated endlessly on television at the time, causing me getting totally bored with the song. Fortunately that effect has worn off now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3941
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'There must be an angel (playing with my heart)' / 'Grown up girls'

Jeannie no - Judie Tzuke

Judie Tzuke's fifth album 'Ritmo' was released in 1983. From that album, this single 'Jeannie no' was released. Like other singles by Tzuke, it did not chart. That's not to say that the song is bad: it's a lively track that showcases Judie's clear voice.

I didn't know this song but I bought it on the strength of the artist's name. Turns out I was right... again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3940
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Jeannie no' / 'Information (live)'

Love's strange ways - Chris Rea

Back in 1999, I used a listing of Chris Rea's hit singles and my own 7" singles to compile a 'greatest hits' double cd of my own. With the aid of cd's from the public library, I had a chance to make something really complete, unlike commercial compilations. Listening to the 2 discs after I made them, I concluded that Rea has made some great music since his debut in 1978. But because this wasn't a hit, I missed 'Love's strange ways'.

The single was taken from Chris Rea's 1983 album 'Water sign', from which 'I can hear your heart beat' was taken. This single is a great track - and I only discovered it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3939
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love's strange ways' / 'Smile'

Warning sign - Nick Heyward

'Warning sign' was Nick Heyward's attempt at making a soulful track. It seemed strange that a 'white boy' would want to sound so 'black'. It was a stand-alone single (i.e. not released on any of his albums) and reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

Back in 1984, when this single was released, I was a bit irritated by the video - I don't really know why. As a result, I grew to dislike the song. But now I have to admit that it really is one of Heyward's better tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3938
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Warning sign' / 'Warning sign (version)'

Wonderful dream - Anne Marie David

This year, I've been able to buy 'Tu te reconnaitras' and the German version of that song, 'Du bist da'. Somehow it was just a question of time that I would bump into the English version, 'Wonderful dream'. Interesting fact: the A-side of this single is in stereo, the B-side is only in mono.

Anne Marie David was one of the few Eurovision winners that charted in the UK singles chart with a translated version of their song. The single peaked at number 19, which is pretty good in England for a non-UK entry. I'm still looking for a disc with a picture sleeve if it exists, but for now this will do.

My collection: 7" single no. 3837
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Wonderful dream' / 'Tu te reconnaitras'

Love or something - Bob Geldof

After Bob Geldof has made a career of charity, he was still not a very rich man. He still had a solo music career and recorded the album 'The vegetarians of love' in 1990. 'Love or something' was the second single from that album. Whereas the first single, 'The great song of indifference' reached number 15 in the UK singles chart, this one did not chart at all.

Geldof still did well for himself: in 2001, his fortune was estimated to be £30 million. It is not known how much of his earnings he donates to charity himself...

My collection: 7" single no. 3936
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Love or something' / 'Out of order'

I will - The Fixx

The British new wave band had a few hits during their career, but this single, 'I will' was not one of them. Released in 1984 as a single from their album 'Phantoms', it went by unnoticed. In their native UK, they would have no further hits after the 1982 singles 'Stand or fall' and 'Red skies', whereas in Canada and the USA other singles became hits right until 1991.

I bought this single mainly because I knew the band and because it was produced by one of the best producers around, Rupert Hine.

My collection: 7" single no. 3935
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'I will' / 'Questions'