Don't give up - Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

'Don't give up' was not Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush's first collaboration, but it is arguably their best. The song was recorded for Gabriel's 1986 album 'So'. The lyric describes the despair of a man who feels that the economic system has no place for him, seeking council and support from the words sung by Kate Bush. Godley & Creme directed two videos for the song: the first consisted of a single take of the singers in an embrace, as the sun enters total eclipse and re-emerges. The second featured Gabriel and Bush's faces superimposed over film of a town and its people in disrepair.

The single peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 500
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't give up' / 'In your eyes (special mix)'

Clocks - Coldplay

The theme of the lyric of 'Clocks' is contrast, contradictions and urgency. The song emerged during the late stages of the production of Coldplay's second album, 'A rush of blood to the head'. The song was recorded very quickly, because the band were running after the postponed scheduled release date of the album.

When released as the second single from the album, the response was immediate and positive. The chart success was pretty good, with top 10 placings in the Netherlands (number 2), Canada (number 7) and the UK (number 9). The song was also remixed numerous times, amongst others by Röyksopp.

My collection: 7" single no. 3374
Found: HMV mailorder, London, 2003
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Clocks' / 'Crests of waves'

Poison - Alice Cooper

'Poison' is one of Alice Cooper's most well-known songs, and provided his last major mainstream hit, in 1989. It was taken from his album 'Trash', which was produced by Desmond Child. The whole album sounded more commercial and radio-friendly than previous Cooper albums, which may account for its success.

The single reached number 2 in the UK, number 7 in the USA and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40. The music video for 'Poison' was available in two versions. Model Rana Kennedy wore nothing but a black thong in the original video, so a more modest version was filmed in which Kennedy wears a corset to cover her upper body.

My collection: 7" single no. 1056
Found: London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Poison' / 'Trash'

(Life may be) A big insanity - Sandra

So here's a song for the Misheard Lyrics website. Ever since I've heard Sandra singing 'Life may be a big insanity', I've heard 'Life may be a big obscenity'. Try it for yourself, you may hear it too.

'(Life may be) A big insanity' was released as the second single from Sandra's fourth album 'Paintings in yellow'. The song was written by husband Michael Cretu with Klaus Hirschburger. The single only became a minor hit for Sandra, reaching number 27 in Germany, number 18 in Israel and number 41.

The single was released in the UK as well - though without any chart success - and I've got the different sleeve to prove it. I found this UK edition (pictured below) two years after I bought the original German version. I don't think it's Sandra's best single, but when you've got a collection, you have to buy everything that's pretty. And I do think the UK sleeve is more beautiful than the German one!

My collection: 7" single no. 2096 / no. 2659
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 16, 1994 / House of Rhythm, London, June 29, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders / 50p
Tracks: '(Life may be) A big insanity' / 'The skin I'm in'

Sit and wait - Sydney Youngblood

'Sit and wait' was Sydney Youngblood's second single, taken from his debut album 'Feeling free'. Written by Ralf Hamm, Mike Staab, Sydney Youngblood and Claus Zundel, it was another dance song with a catchy hook.

The single became a success in Europe, peaking at number 2 in Austria, Germany and Sweden, number 6 in Switzerland and the Netherlands. It was only less successful in the UK (where it peaked at number 16), Ireland (15) and France (number 21).

My collection: 7" single no. 1141
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sit and wait' / 'Feeling free' (duet with Elaine Hudson)

Dear sir - Mice

With the album 'Because I can' making the Indie Top Ten, things were looking up for Mice. A third single was released from the album: 'Dear sir', released as a cd-single and a 7" vinyl single pressed on orange vinyl.

Then, disaster struck: Permanent Records went out of business in 1997, shortly after the release of 'Dear sir', prompting one fan to remark: 'it turned out to be Temporary Records'. The single was not promoted, nor could it be replaced after it sold out. It marked the end of Mice, and frontwoman Julianne Regan pursued other musical interests.

My collection: 7" single no. 2739
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Dear sir' / 'Pyjamadrama'

Promises promises - Naked Eyes

There's no mistaking the sound of producer Tony Mansfield on this single. It might well have been a New Musik track. Instead, it's Naked Eyes, with their second hit single 'Promises promises' (1983). At least, it was a hit single in the USA, where it peaked at number 11. Oddly enough, the British duo didn't manage to have a hit with this in their own country.

The B-side features an early version of '(What) In the name of love', a track they would release as a single in 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2131
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Promises promises' / 'In the name of love'