If you leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'If you leave' was recorded in 1986 by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark for the soundtrack of the movie 'Pretty in pink'. The song was featured prominently during the final scene of the movie.

Subsequently, the single became the group's biggest hit in the USA, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the song was virtually ignored in the UK, where it only reached number 48 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4253
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you leave' / '88 seconds in Greensboro'

Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye - Bananarama

'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' was written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, using the band name Steam. It was released in late 1969. It became a number one hit in the USA and peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart.

In February 1983, Bananarama released the song as a single off their album 'Deep sea skiving'. This version became a number 5 hit in the United Kingdom, but stalled just outside the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (at number 101) later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4249
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye' / 'Tell tale signs'

Innocent - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield and Anita Hegerland, who became his partner in the mid-Eighties, said during an interview that 'Innocent' was inspired by their daughter Great, who also appeared in the music video for the song. Anita Hegerland provides vocals on 'Innocent', while Mike Oldfield composed and performed the music.

The single was taken from Mike Oldfield's 1989 album 'Earth moving'. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4247
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Innocent' / 'Earth moving (Disco version)'

Twee mobiele ogen die keken de kraker aan - Rubberen Robbie

In 1980, squatters were dominating the news in the Netherlands. During the crowning of Queen Beatrix they used the occasion to protest against poor housing conditions in the country, using the memorable slogan 'Geen woning, geen kroning' ('No housing, no crowning' - it rhymes better in Dutch). Squatters riots were becoming a familiar sight, especially in the bigger cities in the Netherlands.

Rubberen Robbie used these developments to release a single. 'Twee mobiele ogen die keken de kraker aan' (which roughly translates as 'Police eyes looked at the squatter') did not become a hit for the group. The B-side is amusing for those who enjoy rude sounds set to music.

My collection: 7" single no. 4275
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Twee mobiele ogn die keken de kraker aan' / 'De kater komt later'

It's OK - Harmony

When Harmony were selected to represent the Netherlands during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest with ''t Is OK', they recorded two versions of the song: in Dutch and in English. This English version, entitled 'It's OK', was released as a single in various countries.

This single was made in West Germany. The single did not chart there, as in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4271
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'It's OK' / 'Bim Bam Bom'

Endless love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded 'Endless love' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Endless love' starring Brooke Shields. It was also released as a single in 1981. While the movie was a failure, the song became the second biggest-selling single of the year in the USA (second only to 'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John). The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song became the biggest-selling single of Ross' career, while it was one of several hits for Richie as the Eighties progressed. Ross recorded a solo version of the song for her first RCA Records album, 'Why do fools fall in love?'. The song was covered by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey in 1994. That version must have been meant for deaf people.

My collection: 7" single no. 4268
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Endless love' / 'Endless love (instrumental)'

99 red balloons - Nena

Having achieved widespread success in Europe and Japan with '99 Luftballons', Nena wanted to try their luck in the rest of the world with an English version of the song. Kevin McAlea wrote this version, titled '99 red balloons', which has a more satirical tone than the original. The English version is not a direct translation of the German but contains a somewhat different set of lyrics.

Nena recorded '99 red balloons' despite their dissatisfaction with the lyrics, which they expressed in numerous magazine interviews in 1984. They felt the English version was not a faithful rendition of the German original. Still, with this song they achieved something few other German bands had achieved at the time: a number one hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4266
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '99 red balloons' / 'Ich bleib' im Bett'