A girl like you - Edwyn Collins

Edwyn Collins was born on August 23, 1959. He formed the Nu-sonics in 1976, which became Orange Juice in 1979. This band broke up in 1985, after which he pursued a solo career.

His biggest solo success is the single 'A girl like you', released in 1994. It became his only single to reach the top 10 in the UK (peaking at number 4) and the only single to have chart success in Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 16.

My collection: 7" single no. 2398
Found: HMV, London, July 6, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'A girl like you' / 'You're on your own'

Net zo lief gefortuneerd - Het Goede Doel

Roughly translated the chorus of this song starts with the words 'I'd rather be well off / preferably a millionaire'. The song is taken from the band' 1984 album 'Tempo doeloe', and as mentioned before on this blog, the singles taken from that album didn't do exactly well as most people were turning away from Dutch language music in the Netherlands after the most popular band 'Doe maar' disbanded.

My collection: 7" single no. 2858
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 21, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Net zo lief gefortuneerd' / 'De plaat sloeg af en het gesprek viel stil'

I'm specialized in you - Time bandits

'I'm specialized in you' was the second chart hit in the Netherlands for the Dutch band Time Bandits, and also their biggest hit. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1983. The track was taken from their self-titled debut album, produced by well-known Dutch producer Pim Koopman.

The band, fronted by Alides Hidding, had several more top 10 hits in the Netherlands, but they never matched this success again.

My collection: 7" single no. 2823
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'm specialized in you' / 'Ginny (puts her hands on her shoulders)'

Eldorado - Drum Theatre

Simon Moore, Paul Snook, Patrick Gallagher, Gari Tarn, Myles Benedict and Kent B. Bass formed Drum Theatre in 1985. They released one album, entitled 'Everyman', after which they disbanded.

Four singles were taken from the album. The most successful was 'Eldorado', released in January 1987. It reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. It was their third of four singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1028
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Eldorado' / 'Jungle of people'

Candy love - Lili and Sussie

I don't know why I like this song so much, but I do. It's pretty standard eighties dance stuff, but it has that certain Scandinavian coolness about it. I described the 12" single of 'Candy love' last year on this blog, but obviously I've got the 7" single too.

This single hit number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1987. Nothing was ever heard from them again - at least, in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1644
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 3, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Candy love' / 'Candy love (instrumental)'

MacArthur park - Richard Harris

This is the original version of 'MacArthur park', also made famous by Donna Summer. Richard Harris recorded it for his 1968 album 'A tramp shining' and also released it as a single. It was an unusual single, running for more than seven minutes, with a long, climactic orchestral break. Throughout his recording, Harris can be heard using the incorrect possessive form, "MacArthur's Park". Producer Jimmy Webb has said he tried correcting Harris during re-takes, but gave up when he simply could not (or would not) sing the correct words.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1313
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'MacArthur park' / 'The yard went on forever'

I'll find my way home - Jon and Vangelis

Jon Anderson and Vangelis had their biggest hit together in 1982, when they released 'I'll find my way home'. It reached number 1 in Switzerland and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40, although it didn't chart in the UK.

The track was originally not included on their 1981 album 'The friends of Mr. Cairo', but after the single was such a success, it was still added to the tracklisting. And so there are two versions of the LP - although the cd edition was only released with 'I'll find my way home' included.

My collection: 7" single no. 2056
Found: November 27, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'll find my way home' / 'Back to school'