Theme from 'Tubular bells' - Mike Oldfield

Recently a luxury box set of Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular bells' was released. The so-called 'Ultimate edition' features a new stereo mix of the original album, demos, a surround sound mix, a book and a vinyl LP. When I was listening to all this, I also heard 'Mike Oldfield's single', a single released in 1974 to promote the album. It was a beautiful outtake from part 2 of 'Tubular bells'. (Part 1 is universally acclaimed for its 'Exorcist' theme, but part 2 is actually lesser known by most people).

I decided to try and get my hands on a copy - which is a lot harder than it sounds. I found a copy but unfortunately it does not have a picture sleeve. Well, anyway, it contains the music and that's the most important thing. The single reached number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4008
Found: 45rpm.co.uk, received August 22, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Theme from 'Tubular bells'' / 'Froggy went a-courting'

Terminal 3 - Linda Martin

Before Linda Martin won the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Ireland with 'Why me', she participated once before in 1984. Her song, 'Terminal 3' was written by Johnny Logan, who won the 1980 edition of the Contest for Ireland. She almost won the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, but received 8 points less than the winning song ('Diggi loo diggy ley'), and thus came second.

While I was not impressed with the winning song, I was glad that Ireland didn't win. The song sounded quite boring at the time. It's not so bad now, when you hear it.

My collection: 7" single no. 4007
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Terminal 3' / 'Feels like I'm walking in my sleep'

Honey honey - Sweet dreams

'Honey honey' was originally written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson and released as a single by Abba in April 1974. The single was not released in the UK.

British disco singer Polly Brown, formerly fronting the band Pickettywitch, recorded a cover of the song together with singer Tony Jackson. They called themselves Sweet Dreams. This cover version reached number 10 on the UK singles chart. In the USA, Abba's original song had to compete with Sweet Dreams' cover version. Although the Sweet Dreams single only reached number 68 in the US Billboard Hot 100, while Abba's version reached number 27, it may have somewhat hindered its success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4006
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Honey honey' / 'I surrender'

Waterloo - Dr. and the Medics

The song 'Waterloo' really needs no introduction. It was a massive hit for Abba after they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with it. Since then, numerous cover versions have been recorded and released. Some of them were very imaginative and original, other were carbon copies of the original. This one is more like the latter, but in a rock arrangement.

Dr. and the Medics previously had a big hit in the UK with their cover version of 'Spirit in the sky'. This song was less successful: released in November 1986, it reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4005
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Waterloo' / 'Damaged brains'

Starlight - Risqué

I've only recently started to collect singles by Risqué. It's not necessarily because I'm so impressed by their music, because it's all very lightweight pop. But lightweight pop can be entertaining as well - and that's why I collect it.

'Starlight' was the second hit single for the four Dutch ladies. It wasn't a big hit though: it only reached number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4004
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starlight' / 'Starlight (instrumental)'

I'm not afraid of the future - Future World Orchestra

If my collection would be all about chart hits, I would be very satisfied with the fact that I completed the list of chart hits by Future World Orchestra today. They were in the Dutch Top 40 four times, and since I already had two hit singles by them, the two hit singles I bought today complete the set.

'I'm not afraid of the future' was released in April 1982 and reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. As good as the A-side is, the B-side sounds very much like a Dutchman trying to sing in English.

My collection: 7" single no. 4003
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid of the future' / 'Just for you'

Desire - Future World Orchestra

Time has been kind to the debut single of the Future World Orchestra. The duo called themselves this in 1981 because of their use of synthesizers, which were a relatively new phenomenon back then.

'Desire' was relased in November 1981 and reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a promising start for the Dutch duo, although they would never reach a higher position in the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4002
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Desire' / 'Casablanca nights'