"Heroes" - David Bowie

The title of the song "Heroes" is a reference to the 1975 track "Hero" by the German band Neu!, whom Bowie and Eno admired. It was one of the first tracks to be recorded for Bowie's album of the same name, but it was instrumental until the last sessions for the album. Producer Tony Visconti inspired the image in the lyric of the lovers kissing 'by the wall', when he and backing vocalist Antonia Maaß embraced in front of Bowie as he looked out of the Hansa Studio window. Bowie's habit in the period following the song's release was to say that the song was based on an anonymous young couple but Visconti, who was married to Mary Hopkin at the time, contends that Bowie was protecting him and his affair with Maaß. Bowie confirmed this in 2003.

The music, co-written by Bowie and Eno, has been likened to a Wall of Sound production. Eno has said that musically the piece always 'sounded grand and heroic' and that he had 'that very word - heroes - in my mind' even before Bowie composed the lyric.

My collection: 7" single no. 4011
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '"Heroes"' / 'V-2 Schneider'

The night sky - Keane

'The night sky' was written and performed by Keane and released as a non-album single in aid of War Child in October 2007. The song is written from a child's point of view on war. Originally the song was meant to be included on Kean's 2006 album 'Under the iron sea', but it was dropped from the track listing on the last minute.

The single did not chart in the UK due to controversial chart rules. The 7" single was not eligible for chart placing because of the free poster included with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The night sky' / 'Put it behind you (Ffrisco mix)'

You've got me thinking - The Beloved

'You've got me thinking' was the second single from the Beloved's second album 'Conscience'. The single was not as big a success as its predecessor 'Sweet harmony' which peaked at number 8, whereas this single peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart.

Personally, I think this single is the strongest of the four singles that were taken from the album. Of course, due to the apparent nudity in the music video for 'Sweet hoarmony', that single attracted more attention. Sometimes scandal is overrated.

My collection: 7" single no. 1950
Found: HMV, London, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'You've got me thinking' / 'Celebrate your life (Fit for life mix)'

Arienne - Tasmin Archer

'Arienne' was the fourth and last single taken from Tasmin Archer's debut album 'Great expectations'. The name Arienne came up when Tasmin had a melody in her head and the name just seemed to fit. The name is not that common, but it is an old French family name. Tasmin says the lyrics of 'Arienne' are about 'finding your way in the world and having to cope with growing up in a world that's not so friendly.'

The single peaked at number 30 in the UK singles chart, but only spent four weeks in the chart before dropping off.

My collection: 7" single no. 2376
Found: London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Arienne' / 'In your care (live)'

Love pains - Liza Minelli

The American 12" single of Liza Minelli's cover version of the song 'Love pains' is not the only 12" single of it that I own. The life of a collector can be complicated sometimes: when a 12" single contains different tracks in different territories for instance.

This German 12" single contains the two single tracks, 'Love pains' and the B-side 'Rent'. But then, suddenly, an unknown remix of 'Losing my mind' appears in the track listing as well. According to Wikipedia, the 'Dubulta mix' is actually a dub mix from the DJ remix service Ultimix.

My collection: 12" single no. 514
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love pains' / 'Rent', 'Losing my mind (Dubulta mix)'

Captured by a lovestorm - Carola

Carola represented Sweden for the second time during the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. The song she performed was 'Fångad av en stormvind', a dynamic song with a rather stupid choreography. While she finished third in 1981 with 'Främling', expectations were very high indeed.

Carola came through: while she ended up with exactly the same amount of points from the international juries as Amina's 'Le dernier qui a parlé...', the rules dictated that the song that got the 'douze points' the most won. And so Carola went away with the victory. Unfortunately, I have to add, because the other song was the artistic triumph of the two.

My collection: 7" single no. 1441
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, May 24, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Captured by a lovestorm' / 'Fångad av en stormvind'

That's what love is for - Amy Grant

'That's what love is for' was released in 1991 as the fourth single from Amy Grant's album 'Heart in motion'. In America, it was one of the few from the album to be released both to secular and Christian radio stations. The single peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single reached number 60.

The song was remixed for the single, but remarkably enough the single mix appears on the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2608
Found: January 27, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'That's what love is for (album edit)' / 'That's what love is for (single mix)'