Can you forgive her? - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys followed up the two singles from their compilation album 'Discography' with the dramatic and impressive single 'Can you forgive her?'. It was a remarkable comeback for the duo, complete with a rather ridiculous space age image and a computer animated music video.

The lyrics describe a young man's humiliation when his girlfriend accuses him of having gay tendencies – even though he does in fact have them. The title of the song is taken from the Anthony Trollope novel of the same name. 'Can you forgive her?' reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1919
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Can you forgive her?' / 'Hey headmaster'

Bopper en larmes - Laurent Voulzy

'Bopper en larmes' is a rather straightforward pop song, not one of the things Laurent Voulzy specialized in during the Eighties, when he was predominantly releasing ballads and well thought out album tracks.

Still, it was a hit for Voulzy in France, where he has always had a big fan following. Outside of France, he remained virtually unknown.

My collection: 7" single no. 4199
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bopper en larmes' / 'L'Océane'

My number one - Luv'

After Patty Brard left Luv', it seemed like the girl group had reached the end of their tether. But this wasn't necessarily true: with a new girl, Ria Tielsch, they record their fourth studio album 'Forever yours'. The first single, released in advance of the album, is 'My number one'.

This single is their last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4184
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My number one' / 'The show must go on'

One more time - Fay Lovsky

Another single from Fay Lovsky's 1983 album 'Origami', 'One more time' is a ballad with a very intimate instrumentation. It's another single by Lovsky that didn't make the Dutch charts, although it was heavily promoted at the time as the follow-up to 'Ramon'.

I found this single together with three other Fay Lovsky releases in Belgium, which is quite extraordinary since they are so hard to find in Lovsky's native Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4178
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One more time' / 'Sugar me Sam'

Hero takes a fall (remix) - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is a single from the Bangles' debut album 'All over the place'. The song was written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from the band.

The single did not chart, but it did give the band some exposure. So much so, that they performed as an opening act for Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis and the News in 1984. It also won the attention of Prince, who would write their first hit: 'Manic Monday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4197
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'Tell me'

When will I be famous? - Bros

'When will I be famous?' was the second single by Bros, released in November 1987. The single became a huge success, launching Bros as the new boyband hype of the Eighties. The song reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

I remember the most ridiculous claims surrounded this single: some parts would have been sung by Michael Jackson, whereas frontman Matt Goss was made out to be a female by some. It all helped to give them exposure, I guess...

My collection: 7" single no. 4195
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When will I be famous?' / 'Love to hate you'

War child - Blondie

'War child' was a song on Blondie's sixth studio album 'The hunter'. It was written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison. It was released as a single in various countries, but not in the band's native USA. It was the second and final single from the album, and the last Blondie single (except re-releases and remixes) for some 17 years, when the band reformed and released 'Maria' in 1999.

The single was the lowest charting Blondie single to date in the UK, peaking at number 39.

My collection: 7" single no. 4192
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'War child' / 'Little Caesar'