Honey honey - Abba

This French version of the single 'Honey honey' by Abba features a photograph of their performance of 'Waterloo', the song that gave them a Eurovision victory earlier on in 1974. 'Honey honey' was released as the followup to that hit around the world, with the exception of the UK.

The single reached number 2 in Germany and number 4 in Austria and Switzerland. Elsewhere in Europe, it was less successful, peaking at number 16 in the Netherlands and number 12 in Belgium. However, it was a hit for Abba in the USA, peaking at number 27.

My collection: 7" single no. 4135
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Honey honey' / 'King Kong song'

That's the way the money goes - M

Robin Scott, a.k.a. M, released his debut album 'New York, London, Paris, Munich' in 1979. The best known single (as well as the first one) from the album is 'Popmuzik', but 'That's the way the money goes' was another single taken from that album - the third one.

Not that it was as successful: it did not chart in most of Europe, and only reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4134
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's the way the money goes' / 'Satisfy your lust (before you go bust)'

Souvenir - Orchestral manoeuvres in the Dark

A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes was the initial inspiration for 'Souvenir'. Although very displeased with the original version, the band decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it. The song features a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. He was satisfied with his attempt at singing and would continue to sing lead vocals for some other OMD songs later on.

'Souvenir' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. This single is the European version of the single, which features a different sleeve when compared to the UK original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4133
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Souvenir' / 'Motion & heart (Amazon version)'

Lovin' you - Shanice

'Lovin' you' was originally released in 1975 by Minnie Riperton. The sugary sweet song reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a worldwide hit.

Shanice Wilson recorded a cover version of the song on her 1991 album 'Inner child'. It was released as the second single from the album after the successful single 'I love your smile'. It could not match the success; it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, while it didn't chart in the Dutch Top 40. Shanice recorded the song for a second time on her 2006 album 'Every woman dreams'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4132
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lovin' you' / 'I love your smile (Driza Bone single remix)'

The last time - Agnetha Fältskog

In 1987, Fältskog travelled to Malibu, California, to record the album 'I stand alone', produced by Peter Cetera and Bruce Gaitsch. Released in November of that year, it spent weeks at number 1 in Sweden, but was only a minor success in the rest of Europe.

When the first single 'The last time' appeared in the shops, I didn't buy it on account of Agnetha's strange hair on the sleeve photograph and the fact that the single was produced by Peter Cetera (whom I only knew from his boring middle of the road ballads at the time). 'The last time' was not a hit: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4131
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The last time' / 'Are you gonna throw it all away'

Power to all our friends - Cliff Richard

Being a collector of Eurovision Song Contest singles, I was always quite surprised that it was so hard to find the two contributions of Cliff Richard to the Contest - for a reasonable price. But I've finally tracked down a copy of 'Power to all our friends', Cliff's 1973 song for Eurovision.

He represented the United Kingdom at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. He finished third, but did end up at fourth place in the UK singles chart and at number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4130
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Power to all our friends' / 'Come back Billie Joe'

Promised you a miracle - Simple Minds

Released in 1982, 'New gold dream' was the fifth album of the Simple Minds. The single 'Promised you a miracle' was the first one taken from the album, released in April 1982. It was their first single to generate success on the European continent, as it reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the UK, it was their fifth chart single, although it was the first one to actually break the top 40, peaking at number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 4129
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Promised you a miracle' / 'Theme for great cities'