Can I get a witness - Sam Brown

Released as the fourth and last single from Sam Brown's debut album 'Stop', 'Can I get a witness' was a cover version of Marvin Gaye's 1963 hit song written by Holland, Dozier, Holland. Other cover versions were recorded previously by Dusty Springfield, the Rolling Stones and Steampacket (with Rod Stewart).

Sam Brown's version was a hit in the UK only, peaking at number 15. The single was available in a limited edition poster sleeve, which of course I own.

My collection: 7" single no. 839
Found: unknown, 1989
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Can I get a witness' / 'Walking after midnight'

Take me to your heart - Rick Astley

'Take me to your heart' was released as the second single from Rick Astley's second album 'Hold me in your heart'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. It was also a top ten hit in Germany and Ireland.

When the American band Inner City released 'Big fun', it met with some controversy, as the music was very similar to 'Take me to your heart'. Stock Aitken & Waterman alleged that the band stole their music, but it is not known whether this led to any lawsuits.

My collection: 7" single no. 749
Found: V&D, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Take me to your heart' / 'I'll be fine'

Happy Birthday - Stevie Wonder

Today I'm celebrating my birthday. So I thought I'd better pick one song that would be sort of appropriate. The title certainly is. 'Happy Birthday' was released by Stevie Wonder in 1981 as part of his campaign to have the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. become a national holiday in the USA. The single bizzarrely didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100, but reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

Wonder used the song to popularize the campaign, and continued his fight for the holiday. President Ronald Reagan approved the creation of the holiday, signing it into existence on November 2, 1983. The first official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was held on January 20, 1986, and was commemorated with a large-scale concert, where Stevie Wonder was the headlining performer.

My collection: 7" single no. 2818
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Happy Birthday' / 'Happy Birthday (instrumental)'

New moon on Monday - Duran Duran

'New moon on Monday' is the tenth single by Duran Duran, released in January 1984. It was released as the second single from the band's 1983 album 'Seven and the ragged tiger'. In February 1984, the single reached number 9 on the UK singles chart; a month later the single peaked at numebr 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Netherlands, the single stalled at number 26.

I have the European pressing of the single, which has a different sleeve compared to the original UK version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2151
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, September 1, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'New moon on Monday' / 'Tiger Tiger'

Closest thing to heaven - The Kane Gang

In 1984, the Kane Gang released 'Closest thing to heaven', arguably the most beautiful song of their career. It was certainly their most successful: it reached number 12 in the UK singles chart during an 11 week chart run.

In the Netherlands, the single didn't reach the Dutch Top 40. I waited two years and then bought the single for almost nothing.

My collection: 7" single no. 493
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Closest thing to heaven' / 'Mighty day'

Am I right? - Erasure

'Am I right?' was the third single released from Erasure's 1991 album 'Chorus'. It is a ballad in which the protagonist is wandering through the city streets after a romantic separation, while his lover contemplates whether or not (s)he is really in love and wants to return to the relationship.

The single was released as a four track EP, featuring three bonus tracks. It reached number 15 in the UK singles chart. Another EP, featuring new songs and alternate versions, also called 'Am I right', was released a month later and reached number 22. However, that EP was not released on 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2192
Found: Big Company Records, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Am I right?', 'Carry on clangers (edited)' / 'Let it flow', 'Waiting for sex (edited)'

A little peace - Nicole

So I've got 'Ein Bisschen Frieden', 'La paix sur terre', 'Een beetje vrede' and 'En smule fred'. No wonder that I've also got the English version: 'A little peace'. This is the only single released on the CBS label and with a different sleeve (although I do believe another version does exist with the same sort of sleeve as the other four).

It's rather unusual for any Eurovision winner to reach the UK singles chart, let alone reaching the top position. But that's exactly what Nicole did in May 1982. It may well have been the first time in a long time that any German captured the hearts of UK citizens.

My collection: 7" single no. 3572
Found: eBay.com, received February 2, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'A little peace' / 'Thank you, merci, danke'