No mercy - The Stranglers

The relationship with my brother has always been a bit strange. He was very much into music, and didn't have any scruples about how to get hold of records. So when I started buying records as a child, sometimes I had singles disappear on me. There was also the odd swap, but he always came out on top, because I had a lousy judgement when I was eight years old.

This single is a historic one, because it was the first single I got from him, no strings attached. It happened one sunny summers day in 1985, when I'd done some radio work for him. I didn't really like the song, but I was too baffled to say anything about it. Lucky I kept it, because I really like the song now. The single reached number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 259
Found: Den Haag
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'No mercy' / 'In one door'

When a heart beats - Nik Kershaw

'When a heart beats' was the eighth hit single for Nik Kershaw. It was the third single taken from his 1984 album 'The riddle', and at the time of its release I really thought it was a bit of a tuneless affair. It was only later, when I realised I had nearly every single by Kershaw, that I bought this one. Now, twentyfour years later, I think it's a nice pop song, albeit a little unfocused.

The single reached number 27 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2449
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When a heart beats' / 'Wild horses'

This side of love - Terence Trent d'Arby

When you see the picture here, you would almost think there's been a mistake. But it's true: I bought this single in a completely white sleeve. And that's because this copy of 'This side of love' is a promotional single, with a white CBS sleeve and the warning 'For promotion only - Not for sale' on the label. This is slightly surprising, because I always thought CBS dropped Terence Trent d'Arby like a stone the minute they heard his second album 'Neither fish nor flesh'.

The album was precisely what the title described. A collection of songs with pretentious titles that weren't particularly radio-friendly. 'This side of love' did not chart in any territory. On the upside: the B-side of this single (a non-album track) sounds a bit like an Eric Satie piano improvisation.

My collection: 7" single no. 3290
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'This side of love' / 'Sad song for Sister Sarah Serenade'

Doctor doctor - Thompson Twins

'Doctor doctor' was the second single taken from Thompson Twins' hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap'. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, which was an improvement on the number 4 reached by the previous single, 'Hold me now'. In the Netherlands, 'Doctor doctor' reached a more modest number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 3264
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 21, 2000
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Doctor doctor' / 'Nurse shark'

More than this - Roxy Music

'More than this' was released in 1982 as the first single from Roxy Music's album 'Avalon'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Although it didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is still one of their best known singles there.

In 1999, Emmie released a very good dance cover of this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1290
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'More than this' / 'India'

When the spirit slips away - Ten Sharp

'When the spirit slips away' is the third single from Ten Sharp's 1991 album 'Under the waterline'. Originally released as a 7 track mini-album, it was expanded to 10 tracks when international success loomed.

With its environmental message, this single was probably deemed uninteresting by the Dutch public, as the single did not chart. In other countries it was equally unsuccessful, although it was released in only a few countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1966
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'When the spirit slips away' / 'When the spirit slips away (instrumental)'

Peeping Tom - Rockwell

Peeping Tom is a person who, in the legend of Lady Godiva, watched her during her ride and was struck blind or dead. The song 'Peeping Tom' was Rockwell's third single, taken from his album 'Captured'. It also featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture 'The last dragon', a Motown Productions picture. This martial arts film was a critical disappointment but a commercial success.

Although personally I think this is an accomplished song, it was not successful in any territory. I had the 12" single before I found this 7" single - and I do admit the remix is better than the single version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2581
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Peeping Tom' / 'Tokyo (instrumental)'