Don't worry - Kim Appleby

After her sister Melanie died in January 1990, the duo Mel & Kim was no more. With the aid of her boyfriend Craig Logan, Kim Appleby pressed on and launched a solo career before the year was over. 'Don't worry' was released in November 1990 and reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

In December 1990, Kim Appleby released her self-titled debut album, which contained a few songs that were intended for use by Mel & Kim and also co-written with Mel Appleby.

My collection: 7" single no. 1355
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 10, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't worry' / 'Don't worry (instrumental)'

Cloud 8 - Frazier Chorus

Paul Oakenfold was born on August 30, 1963 in Greenhithe, Kent (UK). His music career started in the late Seventies, when he started playing soul music in a Covent Garden wine bar. In 1985 he celebrated his birthday by going to Ibiza for a week. It was during this time that Oakenfold demonstrated the trance sound that he would later become known for. By the end of the Eighties, Oakenfold had started Perfecto Records and had gotten into remixing tracks for Massive Attack and the Happy Mondays.

Frazier Chorus were also remixed by Oakenfold. This 12" single features two remixes of 'Cloud 8', a hit for the band in the summer of 1990. Personally, I prefer the 'Future mix' to the 'Raid mix'.

My collection: 12" single no. 289
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1996
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Cloud 8 (Raid mix)' / 'Cloud 8 (Future mix)'

Jeopardy - Greg Kihn Band

Greg Kihn and Steve Wright formed the Greg Kihn Band in 1979. Together with Robbie Dunbar, Larry Lynch and Gary Phillips they enjoyed their biggest success in 1983 with the single 'Jeopardy'.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 63 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Netherlands. They never had a hit outside of America before or after this one single. 'Weird Al' Yankovic made a parody of this song, entitled 'I lost on Jeopardy'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2583
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Jeopardy' / 'Fascination'

Irresistible - Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel

In the history of the English band 'Cockney Rebel', the single 'Irresistible' is merely a footnote. Released in 1985, it was basically a solo effort by band leader and by then sole member Steve Harley. The single was produced by music legend Mickie Most.

The single failed to have any impact in the charts anywhere. Harley was touring clubs around England with his old Cockney Rebel songs, still earning money - but his old songs could count on more interest than his new ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 834
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Irresistible' / 'Such is life'

Echo beach - Toyah

Toyah's cover version of 'Echo beach' reached number 54 in the UK singles chart. Before I found the 12" single of this track, I found this limited edition picture disc 7" single, released in April 1987.

One further single, 'Moonlight dancing', was released in 1987 without any chart success, before Toyah turned her attention to television and theatre.

My collection: 7" single no. 2676
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 2, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Echo beach' / 'Plenty'

The great song of indifference - Bob Geldof

The first single from Bob Geldof's second solo album 'Vegetarians of love' was the track 'The great song of indifference', in which the lyric 'I don't mind at all' was the recurring theme. It became his biggest hit, not only reaching number 15 in the UK singles chart, but also number 20 in Germany and number 14 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1303
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The great song of indifference' / 'Hotel 75'

Send my heart - Adventures

When the Adventures released their second single 'Send my heart', it was promoted with a limited edition double single, featuring the first single 'Another silent day' as disc two. For the longest time I searched for this double single; my sister bought it when it came out, but I couldn't find it and had to wait until 1990 to find my copy.

'Another silent day' had reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, and 'Send my heart' reached number 62. But for the first time, the band also scored a (minor) hit in other territories as well: the single reached number 24 in Germany and number 44 in Italy.

My collection: 7" single no. 1318
Found: London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Send my heart' / 'These children (live)' // 'Another silent day' / 'Happy depression'