(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear - Blondie

'(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear' was written by Gary Valentine, for his then girlfriend, before he left Blondie. The song was included on their album 'Plastic letters', and subsequently released as the second single off the album.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, but it was not released as a single in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4191
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '(I'm always touched by your) Presence dear' / 'Poets problem', 'Detroit 442'

I wish you love - Princess

Those who are familiar with Princess's biggest hits will be very surprised upon hearing this single. I know I was. I bought this single because I quite like her dance songs, but this nostalgic track is very different - but I do like it a lot. It turns out that Princess does actually have a better voice than I always assumed...

'I wish you love' was taken from her 1987 album 'All for love'. It didn't chart, however. It was probably too different for the general public.

My collection: 7" single no. 4190
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I wish you love' / 'Risky business'

Happy station (Scratch version) - Fun Fun

Fun Fun are the Italian singers Francesca Merola and Roberta Servelli. They made themselves famous with their early Eighties blend of dance music and simple pop songs.

Their first hit single was 1983's 'Happy station', which was remixed in a so-called 'scratch version' to appeal to the youth market at the time. The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 4187
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Happy station (Scratch version)' / 'Happy station (instrumental version)'

Starlight dancer - Kayak

Kayak singles have become hard to get, and even if they do pop up, it's usually the same titles. That's why I was quite excited to find this mint copy of 'Starlight dancer' - in Belgium, of all places.

'Starlight dancer' was the title track of Kayak's fifth studio album, released in 1977. The single was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 and even brushing the lower regions of the American singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4180
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Starlight dancer' / 'Irene'

Rich - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

'Rich' is a single taken from Lloyd Cole & the Commotions' second album 'Easy pieces', released in 1985. The B-side of this single is taken from their debut album 'Rattlesnakes'. For me, the reason for buying this single was the B-side, but I'm glad to say that the A-side is actually very good too.

The information I have suggests that this single was actually only released in Europe. A DJ 12" from the UK exists, but I have not heard about any commercial copies. Which makes this single a bit of a rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 4176
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rich' / 'Down on Mission street'

Breaking away - Jaki Graham

'Breaking away' is the title track from Jaki Graham's second album, released in 1986. The album reached number 25 in the UK albums chart.

When the song was released as the second single from the album, it performed rather well in the charts. In the UK, 'Breaking away' peaked at number 16, and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 4175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Breaking away' / 'Love me tonight'

Living in sin - Rupert Hine

Attentive listeners will recognise the voice of Robert Palmer on backing vocals on this single. 'Living in sin' was released as a single from Rupert Hine's 1983 album 'The wildest wish to fly'. Although very successful as a producer, none of his single releases have actually charted.

The B-side, 'An eagle's teaching', is an exclusive track that as far as I know hasn't even made it to cd yet, despite several cd reissues.

My collection: 7" single no. 4174
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Living in sin' / 'An eagle's teaching'