The English equivalent for the title 'Thuis ben', a song in Dutch by Hans de Booy, is 'Am home'. Not a very pretty title, but according to the singer at the time, it was the only good choice for the song, as these two words kept recurring in the lyric.
The single gave De Booy his second and last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 7 in January 1984. He kept writing and recording material, but subsequent records failed to chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 223 Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983 Cost: 3,5 guilders Tracks: 'Thuis ben' / 'St. Mère Église'
'Could it be I'm falling in love' was originally recorded in 1972 by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners (known as 'Detroit Spinners' in the UK).
David Grant & Jaki Graham recorded the song in 1985 and reached number 5 on the UK singles chart. This was such a big success for the two, that they decided to record another duet later that year, entitled 'Mated'.
My collection: 7" single no. 2875 Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997 Cost: 40p Tracks: 'Could it be I'm falling in love' / 'Turn around'
My photographic memory does not really help when a song is released in two different sleeves. But in this case, I ended up buying two different singles from two different countries with two different B-sides. The European edition (pictured above) features 'All eyes', whereas the UK edition (pictured below) features 'Shell shock'. Both tracks are taken, like the A-side, from Heart's 1985 self-titled album.
'These dreams' was dedicated (on the album) to Nancy Wilson's good friend Sharon Hess, who died of leukemia shortly before the song was made. The lyrics of the song describe the fantasy world a person enters when faced with a difficult situation in real life. The final verse seemingly suggests that, moments before awakening, what one desires the most is exactly that which is out of reach in a dream: 'In a wood full of princes, freedom is a kiss / But the prince hides his face from dreams in the mist'.
The song was written by Martin Page and Bernie Taupin. It was first offered to Stevie Nicks, but she had no interest in recording the track. Heart were more impressed, and decided to record it. When it came time for Nancy Wilson to record her vocal, she was suffering from a cold and her voice sounded somewhat raspy and gravelly. After the song reached its peak of success, producers reportedly wanted Nancy to recreate the gravelly sound on future recordings, asking her, 'Can't you just get sick again?'.
My collection: 7" single no. 2302 Found: May 27, 1995 Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'These dreams' / 'All eyes'
My collection: 7" single no. 2696 Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996 Cost: 1,6 pounds Tracks: 'These dreams' / 'Shell shock'
'For you only' was re-recorded for a single release that only took place in some European countries. It was the fourth single from Alison Moyet's debut album 'Alf', released after the non-album single 'That ole devil called love'.
It's hard to find any more information about this single, all I know is that it didn't chart in the UK and the Netherlands. Perhaps it did in some other countries, but it wasn't the biggest hit in Moyet's career at any rate.
My collection: 7" single no. 3482 Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003 Cost: 1 euro Tracks: 'For you only (new version)' / 'Twisting the knife'
'Kissing a fool' was written by George Michael about his insecurities as a soulmate and partner because of the baggage and reputation with which he came. The song was released as the sixth and final single from his debut album 'Faith'.
It was also the least successful, reaching number 18 in the UK singles chart and becoming the first single in five not to make number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but number 5. In the Netherlands, the single went to number 13.
My collection: 7" single no. 728 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 28, 1989 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Kissing a fool' / 'Kissing a fool (instrumental)'
Although I was not impressed with Suzanne Vega's initial material ('Marlene on the wall' bored me to tears) her later work was quite great. Her third album 'Days of open hand' (1990) contained the first single by her I ever bought: 'Tired of sleeping'. With slow, slightly seductive vocals and a beautiful melody, this song landed right in my list of favourites of the year.
My opinion went in against the general opinion at the time: the single did not chart in most territories.
My collection: 7" single no. 1351 Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 28, 1990 Cost: 7 guilders Tracks: 'Tired of sleeping' / 'These whole girls (Run in grace)'
The lyric of 'Rent' concerns a financialy one-sided relationship, i.e. that of a kept man. It was the third single from the Pet Shop Boys' album 'Actually'. The B-side 'I want a dog' was inspired by their friend Peter Andreas who said one day 'I want a dog, a chihuahua. I've only got a small flat'. This inspired Neil Tennant, who wrote the lyric for the song.
The single peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" snigle no. 1042 Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989 Cost: 1 pound Tracks: 'Rent' / 'I want a dog'
The English equivalent for the title 'Thuis ben', a song in Dutch by Hans de Booy, is 'Am home'. Not a very pretty title, but according to the singer at the time, it was the only good choice for the song, as these two words kept recurring in the lyric.
