All I want is you - U2

'All I want is you' is a track on U2's 1988 album 'Rattle and hum'. Although I really didn't like that album, this was the one standout track from that album and I was glad to see the single release - although the 7" single contains a rather ugly edit of the track.

The single reached number 83 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 upon its original release in June 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 893
Found: June 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'All I want is you (edit)' / 'Unchained melody'

Seven years in Tibet - David Bowie

'Seven years in Tibet' is one of the tracks on David Bowie's stunning 1997 album 'Earthling'. It was released as the fourth single from the album. The single included a Mandarin version of the song. The title of this translation translates back into English as 'A fleeting moment'.

The single reached number 61 in the UK singles chart during its one week chart run. The limited edition 7" single release was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2928
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 3, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven years in Tibet (edit)' / 'Seven years in Tibet (Mandarin version)'

Congratulations - Cliff Richard

'Congratulations' was written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Cliff Richard. The song was immediately popular in the UK and became a number 1 hit both in the UK and the Netherlands. On the day of the Contest, the British press were posing the question: 'What will come 2nd to 'Congratulations'?'.

Of course, Cliff Richard did not win, but came second to Spain's entry, the infamous 'La la la' performed by Massiel. In 2008, documentary film-maker Montse Fernandez Vila claimed that the loss was the result of rigging of the Spanish vote by state television on behalf of General Franco's fascist regime.

My collection: 7" single no. 4152
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Congratulations' / 'High 'n' dry'

Never tear us apart - INXS

'Never tear us apart' was the third single taken from INXS's sixth studio album 'Kick'. It was composed by Andrew Farriss, with lyrics by Michael Hutchence. The song was originally composed on piano as a blues number in the style of Fats Domino. Kirk Pengilly played a striking saxophone solo near the end of the song.

When the single was released, it reached number 24 in the UK, number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 745
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never tear us apart' / 'Guns in the sky (Kick ass remix)'

Into temptation - Crowded House

'Into temptation' was released as the third single from Crowded House's second album 'Temple of low men'. The track was edited for the single, which I felt was a shame because it had such a beautiful outro.

The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 792
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Into temptation' / 'Mansion in the slums'

The answer - Garland Jeffreys

Garland Jeffreys released 'The answer' as the second single from his 1992 album 'Don't call me Buckwheat' in December 1991. It sounded more electronic than any of his previous efforts, and almost sounded like a pop song.

Unfortunately the single didn't match the success that 'Hail hail Rock 'n' Roll' enjoyed, as it didn't chart in Europe. The accompanying music video was shown regularly on television, which is how I got to know this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2214
Found: Record fair, November 14, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The answer' / 'Murder jubilee'

Soul kiss - Olivia Newton-John

Although Olivia Newton-John's 1985 album 'Soul kiss' was only a moderate success in Europe, it did achieve gold status in America and Australia. When the album was released, Olivia was pregnant and thus unable to promote the album as much as would have been expected.

Some critics argued that the sexual overtones of the album were the real problem. The title track was released as a single and featured some uncharacteristic heavy breathing. The single did not chart in the UK and only reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2208
Found: Record fair, October 22, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Soul kiss' / 'Electric'