Nobody knows - Nik Kershaw

'Nobody knows' is another single from Nik Kershaw's 1985 album 'Radio Musicola'. The lyric of the song deals with tabloid journalists, paparazzi and the public's right to know intimate details of celebrities' lives.

The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 73 in Australia and number 2 in Japan.

My collection: 7" single no. 3077
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Nobody knows' / 'One of our fruit machines is missing'

Papillon - Editors

The first single from the Editors' third album 'In this light and on this evening' (which came out just recently) is 'Papillon'. Contrary what one might expect, this song is very synth-driven and almost sounds like an old Depeche Mode track. It has already reached number 1 in Belgium.

The music video is something I can't watch, full of running people. For some reason, it makes me physically ill to see these people running around. If you like this track, you can also download a free MP3 of an exclusive remix of this track from this page on the NME website.

My collection: 7" single no. 4103
Found: eBay.co.uk, received October 14, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Papillon' / 'Eat raw meat = Blood drool (demo)'

Paris is burning - Ladyhawke

When I wrote about 'Paris is burning' by Ladyhawke in August, I noted that that single contained only a remix and the French version of the song. What I didn't know was that in the mean time the single had been re-released in March. This limited release (only 600 copies were made, apparently) was pressed on white vinyl and featured the original version of 'Paris is burning' plus a remix. Of course, a download bundle was also available.

While the original release reached number 61 in the UK singles chart, this re-release reached number 47.

My collection: 7" single no. 4102
Found: eBay.co.uk, received October 14, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Paris is burning' / 'Paris is burning (Chicken Lips Zeefungk beatdown)'

We are golden - Mika

I'm really sorry now that I didn't buy the 7" singles from Mika's debut album 'Life in cartoon motion', because when you find them now on eBay, each one of them costs a fortune. So I decided to be quicker this time around, with the release of 'We are golden', the first single from Mika's second album. It was pressed on - you guessed it - gold coloured vinyl.

According to Mika, the song is 'big sounding and aggressive, but in a good way. It's got a gospel choir on it and a kids' choir, but unlike the first record they're not singing sweetly, they're screaming at the top of their lungs'. The single has already reached number 4 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4101
Found: eBay.co.uk, received October 14, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'We are golden' / 'We are golden (Jokers of the scene are not who you think they are remix)'

Net als in de film - Toontje Lager

Even if you're not able to understand the Dutch language, when you listen to this single it will be obvious from the music alone that the Dutch music scene was is pretty fine shape back in 1982. The instrumental break in 'Net als in de film' ('Just like in the movies') is up there with the pop classics of its time. And for the Dutch readers of this blog: the lyric of the B-side is a wonderfully cynical response to that old Dutch classic 'De glimlach van een kind' ('The smile of a child').

While Dutch music is much more popular these days, the quality is surprisingly low. Still, it reaches the higher regions of the Dutch Top 40 without much effort. By contrast, this excellent single only reached number 31 in July 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 2813
Found: Record fair, Leiden, February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Net als in de film' / 'De glimlach van een kind, deel 2'

Nothing can come between us - Sade

'Nothing can come between us' was released as the third single from Sade's 1988 album 'Stronger than pride'. The single was the second to feature backing vocalist Leroy Osbourne prominently, after 'Never as good as the first time'.

It was one of Sade's less successful singles, as it only reached number 92 in the UK singles chart. In other territories the single didn't chart at all, except in some of the segregated American charts (R&B and AC, reaching number 3 and 21 respectively).

My collection: 7" single no. 672
Found: Free Record Shop, Den haag, October 28, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Nothing can come between us' / 'Make some room'

Heading west - Cyndi Lauper

'Heading west' was the third single from Cyndi Lauper's album 'A night to remember'. It was written by Lauper with Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The lyric of the song is about moving on from a past relationship, which was the overall theme of the album.

The single became a minor hit in the UK, reaching number 68 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1275
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 16, 990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heading west' / 'Calm inside the storm'