One more little kissy - Luv'

In 1980, just like previous years, Luv's career is going well. They are successful in various countries around the world, such as Mexico where a Spanish version of 'Ooh, yes I di' ('Si que si') reaches the top of the charts. In the Netherlands, meanwhile, the single 'One more little kissy' is released, reaching number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

It is to be their last single release with band member Patty Brard, who announces in the autumn of 1980 that she is leaving Luv'. She also demands half a million guilders from the Luv' company, a sum which she is awarded after a court case. It is not the end of Luv', however: in September 1980 Ria Thielsch takes Brard's place.

My collection: 7" single no. 54
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'One more little kissy' / 'I win it'

Bridge over troubled water - Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon wrote 'Bridge over troubled water' in the summer of 1969 while Art Garfunkel was filming 'Catch-22' in Europe. When the duo got together to record what was to be their last album together, Garfunkel liked Simon's falsetto voice on the demo and suggested that Simon sing. He and producer Roy Halee also thought the song needed three verses and a 'bigger' sound towards the end. Simon agreed and penned the final verse, though he felt it was less than fully cohesive with the earlier verses.

Paul Simon then insisted that Garfunkel should sing the song. He later expressed regret that he did this, as it focused attention on Garfunkel and relegated Simon to a backing position. When the song was released as a single, it became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy of the single was made in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 622
Found: Parkpop, June 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Bridge over troubled water' / 'Keep the customer satisfied'

It don't matter to me - Phil Collins

While in the UK 'Why can't it wait til morning' was released as a single, mainland Europe preferred the more uptempo 'It don't matter to me'. With this rather simplistic sleeve, it still didn't manage high chart placings.

As a result, this was the last single release from Phil Collins' 1982 album 'Hello, I must be going!'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2316
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'It don't matter to me' / 'Why can't it wait til morning'

Teriazoume - Evridiki

Evridiki Theokleous was born on February 25, 1968 in Limassol, Cyprus. After studying music, theatre and dance at Le Studio des Variétés in Paris, France, she moved to Athens, Greece in 1989 to launch a career in music. Her debut album 'Gia proti fora' was released in 1991.

In 1992, she represented Cyprus during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Teriazoume'. This song ended in eleventh place. This 12" single features the original Greek version as well as English and French translations. Evridiki would return to the Contest in 1994 with 'Ime anthropos ki ego' (which finished in 11th place as well) and in 2007 with 'Comme ci, comme ça', which didn't end up in the final.

My collection: 12" single no. 329
Found: Trehantiri, London, 2000
Cost: 10 pounds
Tracks: 'Teriazoume' / 'In love I trust', 'Le feu c'est nous'

Let there be love - Simple Minds

The first single from the Simple Minds' 1991 album 'Real life' was 'Let there be love'. Although the song still had a very full sound, gone were the days of stadium rock and misplaced missionarism. Jim Kerr was becoming less of a Bono clone and started focusing on music again. What a nice change.

The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The single version was an edit of the album version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1404
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 30, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Let there be love' / 'Good night'

The taste of your tears - King

'The taste of your tears' was the second single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet', both released in 1985. The beautiful sleeve of this single and the equally beautiful music video helped it become a big hit in the UK, peaking at number 11 in the singles chart in the autumn of 1985.

In the Netherlands, the single did not chart. Since I was an avid follower of UK-based music video television stations, I picked up this track soon enough, but then had to wait for years to finally find this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1029
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The taste of your tears' / 'Crazy party'

Lovin' Whiskey - Rory Block

Rory Block was born as Aurora Block on November 6, 1949. She grew up in Manhattan, New York City, and studied classical guitar during her teens. She came in contact with the folk and blues scene and soon enough started writing her own songs.

The album 'Best blues and originals', released in 1987, was Rory Block's tenth album. It featured the song 'Lovin' whiskey', which became a surprise hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1427
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Lovin' whiskey' / 'Ain't no way to do'