Tourist - Athlete

'Tourist' was released as the third single from Athlete's album of the same name. Released in August 2005, it managed to reach number 43 in the UK singles chart.

This picture disc 7" single featured an exclusive track: 'Half light', the previous single, as performed during a radio programme on BBC6.

My collection: 7" single no. 3414
Found: HMV, London, 2005
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tourist' / 'Half light (BBC6 music session)'

Father figure - George Michael

'Father figure' was the third single from George Michael's debut album 'Faith'. Originally recorded as an uptempo dance track, whilst checking his mix of the song, Michael inadvertently turned off the snare track and realized he liked the song better without it.

The single reached number 2 on the Dutch Top 40, number 11 on the UK singles chart number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This limited edition double single was made in Australia and released as a tour souvenir.

My collection: 7" single no. 1069
Found: London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Father figure' / 'Love's in need of love today (live)' // 'Father figure (instrumental)' / 'A last request (I want your sex part 3)'

Stop! - Sam Brown

Sam Brown wrote 'Stop!' together with Gregg Sutton and Bruce Brody during a trip to Los Angeles. Sam commented: 'I was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway heading south and the idea for 'Stop!' came into my head. I kept it there until I got back to my hotel room where I probably jotted down some thoughts. I didn't really realise that it was a blues song - I'd had no blues experience then.' She met Sutton and Brody in Brody's hotel room as he was preparing for a live concert with his group Lone Justice. They put the song together in half an hour.

In 1988 when 'Stop!' was becoming a hit country by country across Europe, Gregg went to Amsterdam with Sam and her crew to celebrate it going to the top of the chart in Holland. 'It was considered to be like Cleveland, a test market for Europe.' explains Gregg. 'The music biz insiders said if a record did well there it would do well everywhere in Europe.' They were right: the single became a top 10 hit all over Europe and reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single is a limited edition poster sleeve from the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2290
Found: Record fair, May 6, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop!' / 'Blue soldier'

Silent running - Mike and the Mechnics

Mike Rutherford was a member of Genesis when he started a side project, Mike & the Mechanics, in 1985. Their self-titled debut album came out in that year and featured this single, 'Silent running'. The track was featured in the movie 'On dangerous ground' (titled 'Choke Canyon' in the USA).

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 389
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Silent running' / 'I get the feeling'

Teardrops - Womack and Womack

Cecil and Linda Womack released 'Teardrops' in 1988, a very radiofriendly track featuring one of the most impressive synthesizer solos in the history of pop music (not). The single was a big success in the Netherlands, where it reached number 1, but it also reached number 2 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and number 3 in the UK.

Although a picture sleeve exists for this single, I bought this sleeveless version because it was discounted at the time. I felt no need to pay more for a song I wasn't going to play for a decade, because it had been played to death on the radio.

My collection: 7" single no. 716
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Teardrops (remix)' / 'Conscious of my conscience'

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'