I know there's something going on - Frida

The Swedish group Abba never officially announced their breakup, but in 1982 both Agnetha and Frida were releasing solo albums. At the time, I thought I could never really forgive the band for throwing away their career, but I had to admit pretty fast that Frida's solo single 'I know there's something going on' was a damn fine song. Like the accompanying album 'Something's going on', the single was produced by Phil Collins, who also provided the great drum track on the song.

The B-side 'Threnody' was co-written by Per Gessle, the Swedish popstar from Gyllene Tider who would make a name for himself internationally when he started Roxette with Marie Fredriksson. Meanwhile, this single reached number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 152
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I know there's something going on' / 'Threnody'

Sail on - Commodores

The Commodores reached the peak of their career in 1978 when 'Three times a lady' was a worldwide hit. Their next big hit was 'Sail on', a ballad with a funky brass band in the background. The single peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

After this, the Commodores released 'Still', their last hit single with Lionel Richie in the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 2605
Found: Record fair, January 27, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sail on' / 'Thumpin' music'

In your care - Tasmin Archer

After peaking early with her debut single 'Sleeping satellite', Tasmin Archer never managed to hit the UK top 10 again. That's not to say that the rest of her singles weren't much cop: 'In your care' is an intense ballad that should really have been a massive hit as well. The lyric of 'In your care' is about child abuse, a topic Archer feels very strongly about.

The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories. The money made from this release was donated to the UK charity Child Line.

My collection: 7" single no. 2344
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'In your care' / 'Sleeping satellite (Fitz mix)'

Waterfront - Simple Minds

The early Simple Minds material has a certain quality their later songs did not have. It featured a sparser sound, it rocked like hell and the production by Steve Lillywhite was always spot-on. Their 1983 single 'Waterfront' sounded a bit like U2, that other band that was just coming up around that time.

The single was a massive hit in New Zealand, where it topped the chart. It also reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. I found my copy of the single during a festival market. The dealer which I bought this single from, had obviously been in London; the sticker from the Record Exchange was still on the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1469
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waterfront' / 'Hunter and the hunted (live)'

Wishing I was lucky - Wet Wet Wet

'Wishing I was lucky' was the debut single by the Scottish pop band Wet Wet Wet. It was taken from their 1987 album 'Popped in souled out'. It was released on 6 April 1987 and was their first hit, peaking at number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 26 on the Dutch Top 40.

Lead singer Marti Pellow recorded a solo version of the song for inclusion on his 2002 album 'Marti Pellow sings the hits of Wet Wet Wet & Smile'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2413
Found: Leiden, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Wishing I was lucky' / 'Words of wisdom'

Hang on to your love - Sade

Although 'Hang on to your love' was the fourth and last single from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life' in Europe, it was released almost at the same time in the USA as Sade's first single. While the USA single featured a 4'19 edit of the song, the European version was even shorter, clocking in at 3'58. The single was not released in the UK at all.

'Hang on to your love' reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 and narrowly missed the US Billboard Hot 100. It didn't harm her career: later on Sade would achieve an enormous popular across the Atlantic.

My collection: 7" single no. 479
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (edit)' / 'Should I love you'

Joseph mega-remix - Jason Donovan

Once before I had a guest entry on this blog: 'Juliana' was a single from the collection of my friend Puck. Well, here's another one: a single I actually bought for him, because I know he's addicted to soundtracks and musicals. And it's on the blog today, because I am giving it to him today!

This single is a release from the soundtrack of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. The mega-remix is a medley of different songs from the musical, in true Eighties style (but released in 1991, oddly enough). It actually was a hit in the UK, reaching number 13 in December 1991.

Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Tracks: 'Joseph mega-remix' / 'Close every door (Orchestral version)', 'One more angel in heaven'