The gap - Thompson Twins

While in the UK the Thompson Twins released a special single version of 'Sister of Mercy', the German record company decided that the album track 'The gap' was the better single choice. It was also released in the USA, where it reached number 69.

'Sister of mercy' does appear on the B-side of this single, incidentally, but that is the album version of the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2315
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The gap' / 'Sister of mercy'

Cry like a rainy day - Feargal Sharkey

I actually have no idea whether Feargal Sharkey's 'Cry like a rainy day' was released as a single commercially. My copy of the single is made for promotion, with a peculiar catalogue number 'HEY MR DJ 1'. The single features two tracks from his 1991 album 'After the mardi gras'.

The title track is featured on the B-side and the real reason for me buying this single. I heard the track on a cd-single I bought a few months before (for a measly 1 guilder) and didn't pass up on the opportunity to have it on vinyl as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 2535
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cry like a rainy day' / 'After the mardi gras'

If you cared - Kim Appleby

The fourth single from Kim Appleby's self-titled debut album was also released on 12" single. This 12" single contains three remixes of the track. The remix on the A-side was made by Pete Schwier and George DeAngelis, while the two on the B-side were made by Ben Chapman.

I bought the disc in London, after I saw that one of these tracks (the 12" swing mix) does not appear on the cd-single of 'If you cared'. One has to be complete, of course.

My collection: 12" single no. 140
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'If you cared (12" remix)' / 'If you cared (12" Ben Chapman mix)', 'If you cared (12" swing mix)'

Diamonds and pearls - Prince

'Diamonds and pearls' is the title track from Prince's 1991 album, recorded with the New Power Generation and featuring the powerful vocals of band member Rosie Gaines. The repeated lyric 'If I gave U diamonds and pearls, would U be a happy boy or a girl?' echoes the lyrics 'I'll buy U diamonds and pearls only if U're a good girl' from Prince's 1982 song, 'International lover'.

The track was released as the album's third single in November 1991. It reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3098
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Diamonds and pearls' / 'Q in doubt'

Stay - Shakespears sister

Shakespear's sister released 'Stay' as the second single from their second album 'Hormonally yours' in early 1992. It became the duo's biggest hit, reaching number 1 in the UK singles chart for eight weeks, making it one of the longest running UK number ones in chart history.

This single was the only Shakespears Sister song that featured Marcella Detroit more prominently on vocals than Siobhan Fahey, with Detroit singing the verses and lead chorus and Fahey singing the song's bridge.

My collection: 7" single no. 1591
Found: Melody Maker, March 14, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Stay' / 'The trouble with Andre'

Call me (The Ben Liebrand remix) - Blondie

'Call me' was originally recorded as the main theme of the movie 'American Gigolo'. Producer Giorgio Moroder originally asked Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac to make a song for the soundtrack, but they declined. Moroder then turned to Debbie Harry and Blondie. The song was recorded by the band, with Moroder producing.

In 1988, a remixed version by Ben Liebrand taken from the Blondie remix album 'Once more into the bleach' was issued as a single. This single reached number 61 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2401
Found: July 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Call me (The Ben Liebrand remix)' / 'Call me'

Way of the world - Max Q

Max Q was formed by Michael Hutchence and Ollie Olsen who were accompanied by key members of the Melbourne post-punk scene, most of whom had previously collaborated with Olsen. The project followed on from Hutchence and Olsen's work on the film 'Dogs in space', where they met.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1989. The single 'Way of the world' was a powerful political statement which only reached number 8 in Australia. In the UK, the single stalled at number 87.

My collection: 7" single no. 1106
Found: Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Way of the world' / 'Zero 2 0 (Todd Terry mix)'