Forever dancing - Beloved

Janet Jackson fans may want to have this 12" single, as it samples her track 'Nasty'. Besides, the lyric of 'When I think of you' is quoted by singer Jon Marsh. 'Forever dancing' was released in 1987 during a stage in the Beloved's career when all their records failed to reach the charts in the UK.

The band originally had a guitar-oriented sounds (as is evident from the two other tracks on this 12" single) but soon began using drum machines and dance elements. Real success would come when Guy Gausden and Tim Havard left the group and Jon Marsh and Steve Waddington recorded the album 'Happiness'.

My collection: 12" single no. 158
Found: Den Haag, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever dancing (remix)' / 'If only '87', 'Surprise me'

Almost seems (too late to turn) - Clannad

'Almost seems (too late to turn)' is a track on Clannad's 1985 album 'Macalla' and, to me, a standout track on their compilation album 'Pastpresent' released a few years later. The song was used as the official Children in Need charity single for 1985 in the UK.

However, the single only reached the number 80 position in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single was used for promotion and still has a sticker 'Not for resale' on the label.

My collection: 7" single no. 2705
Found: July 3, 1996
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Almost seems (too late to turn)' / 'Journey's end'

Can't stop running - Space Monkey

Not only do I have the 7" single of 'Can't stop running', I've also got the 12" single. This contains an extended remix of the song, entitled the 'Powerblast mix'. It's not the most stunning remix ever, but it's a longer version of this very energetic Eighties track, and that's good enough for me.

I have no further records of Space Monkey, but the career of this one man band (Paul Goodchild being the only member) was rather short anyway.

My collection: 12" single no. 326
Found: London, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Can't stop running (Powerblast mix)' / 'Problem world (instrumental)'

Kiss and say goodbye - The Manhattans

This six track EP of the Manhattans was released in 1983 by Pickwick International, a UK label specialising in re-releasing old material. 'Kiss and say goodbye', track one on this EP, is their best known hit, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1976.

According to the blurb on the back sleeve of this EP, The Manhattans hail from the state of New Jersey and consist of Gerald Aiston, Ed Sonny, Bivins Jr., Kenny Kelly and Winfred Blue Lovett.

My collection: 7" single no. 646
Found: Free Record Shop, Leiden, August 12, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Kiss and say goodbye', 'La la la wish upon a star', 'Wonderful world of love' / 'There's no me without you', 'Don't take your love', 'We never danced to a love song'

I feel for you - Chaka Khan

'I feel for you' was originally written and recorded by Prince in 1979 on his self-titled album. In 1984, Chaka Khan recorded a cover of this song for her album which was also called 'I feel for you'. The repetition of Khan's name by rapper Melle Mel at the beginning of the song was originally a mistake made by producer Arif Mardin, who then decided to keep it. Khan's version featured an all-star supporting cast, with rapping from Melle Mel, keyboard and guitar by The System, and harmonica playing and sampled vocals by Stevie Wonder.

The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart, it reached number 1 and in the Dutch Top 40 the single peaked at number 7.

My collection: 7" single no. 1047
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I feel for you' / 'Chinatown'

Red guitar - David Sylvian

'Red guitar' was David Sylvian's biggest solo hit, peaking at number 17 in the UK singles chart. It was a track on Sylvian's debut solo album 'Brilliant trees', which featured guest musicians Danny Thompson, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Holger Czukay.

The B-side is a new recording of the Sylvian & Sakamoto track 'Forbidden colours', which was originally featured on the soundtrack of the movie 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'.

My collection: 7" single no. 278
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Red guitar' / 'Forbidden colours'

Rooms on fire - Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks had a brief relationship with Rupert Hine, who produced her fourth solo album 'The other side of the mirror', released in 1989. According to Nicks, ''Rooms on fire' is about a girl who goes through a life like I have gone through, where she finally accepts the idea that there never will be those other things in her life. She will never be married, she will never have children, she will never do that part of life'.

The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 16 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 929
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rooms on fire' / 'Alice'