In my arms - Kylie Minogue

I was really surprised when I saw this single in the racks of the Music & Video Exchange in London. I wasn't aware this single was even released on 7" vinyl, and it was an even more pleasant surprise when I saw that it was pressed on pink vinyl. Obviously, this one was a keeper.

'In my arms' was a single from Kylie's latest album 'X', released in February 2008. It reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3969
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'In my arms' / 'Can't get you out of my head (Greg Kurstin remix)'

Invisible touch - Genesis

'Invisible touch' was the title track of Genesis' 1986 album and released as its first single. The song came about during a jam for the second parts of another album tracks 'Domino/The last domino', Mike Rutherford apparently playing a riff while Phil Collins improvised the line 'She seems to have an invisible touch'. It was recorded at the band's studio Fisher Lane Farm during 1985 and 1986.

This limited edition version of the single came in a foldout sleeve with a clear vinyl record. While not a hit in the Netherlands, the single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3968
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Invisible touch' / 'The last domino'

Seven seas - Echo and the Bunnymen

Here's another obscure favourite from that magical year 1984; the year in which I forgot all about doing homework and spent hours on end watching music videos on television. 'Seven seas' reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and thus was shown on TV countless times, but the band remained virtually unknown in the Netherlands.

The B-side recording of the Beatles' 'All you need is love' was performed by the band at Liverpool Cathedral for the programme 'Play at home' for Channel Four (UK).

My collection: 7" single no. 3967
Found: Record exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Seven seas' / 'All you need is love'

White boy - Culture Club

After scouring the basement of the Music & Video Exchange in Notting Hill Gate and finding over 40 singles, I went up to the first floor, hoping to find some more. This is the 'expensive' part of the shop, stocking mainly collectors items, but sometimes you come across some interesting bargains. Such as this one: the debut single by Culture Club!

Most people assume that their first hit 'Do you really want to hurt me' was also their debut single, but that's not true: they released two singles prior to that one. 'White boy' did not chart in any territory, although it already showcases their signature sound. You don't see this single a lot, so I was glad to find it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3966
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'White boy' / 'Love twist'

Pretty in pink - Psychedelic Furs

'Pretty in pink' was originally recorded as a track on Psychedelic Furs' 1981 album 'Talk Talk Talk'. When John Hughes made his movie 'Pretty in pink' in 1986, it was named after the Psychedelic Furs track.

The song was re-recorded by the band for the movie and released as a single. In this version, it became their biggest hit in the UK, peaking at number 18.

My collection: 7" single no. 3965
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Pretty in pink' / 'Love my way (US Remix)'

Bad boys - Wham!

'Bad boys' was a 1983 hit single for Wham!, taken from their debut album 'Fantastic'. The lyric of the song was written by George Michael from a teenager's perspective, but also including the concerns of parents, ultimately asking 'Why do you have to be so cruel?'.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. George Michael later denounced 'Bad boys' as a song he hated, stating it was 'like an albatross round my neck'. The song was omitted from the 1997 compilation album 'If you were there (The best of Wham)', despite the album including tracks that weren't even released as singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 3964
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Bad boys' / 'Bad boys (instrumental)'

The story of the blues - Wah!

Released in December 1982, Wah! scored the biggest hit of their career with 'The story of the blues', which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart. The track was produced by Mike Hedges and written and arranged by Pete Wylie, who was the core member of Wah! and its subsequent incarnations (Say Wah!, the Mighty Wah! etcetera).

During a live performance of this track in 1983 for BBC Radio, Colin Vearncombe from Black guested on backing vocals. Unfortunately, his fine voice is not included on this single version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3963
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'The story of the blues (part 1)' / 'The story of the blues (part 2)'