In love with love - Debbie Harry

According to Debbie Harry, 'In love with love' is lyrically the sequel to Blondie's 'Heart of glass'. The track was released in May 1987 as the second single from her album 'Rockbird'. It was remixed for the single by Pete Hammond and produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

The single reached number 45 in the UK singles chart and number 70 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4300
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'In love with love' / 'French kissin' in the USA (French version)'

Hold me in your arms - Imagination

By the time Imagination released the 1988 single 'Hold me in your arms', not much was left of their popularity in the early Eighties, when they stormed the charts with the Tony Swain and Steve Jolley-produced hits 'Body talk', 'Just an illusion' and 'Changes'.

Although I like 'Hold me in your arms', I have to agree that there really isn't that much to distinguish this track from any other dance track at the time. Imagination had lost their identity, and as such, it was impossible for them to have another hit. The B-side of this single features a remix of 'Instinctual', their last single to reach (the lower regions of) the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4299
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hold me in your arms' / 'Instinctual (The Def Vocal Mix - edit)'

Ain't that peculiar - Mari Wilson

'Ain't that peculiar' was the last single by Mari Wilson to reach the UK singles chart, although it only managed to scrape in at number 78. She'd let go of her Fifties look on the single's sleeve, and the track itself sounded a bit more modern as well.

I didn't know the track when I bought this single, but I've bought quite a few Mari Wilson singles this year and they have not disappointed. Including this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 4297
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ain't that peculiar' / 'The maximum damage'

I won't bleed for you - Climie Fisher

'I won't bleed for you' was a 1988 single by Climie Fisher. The single reached number 35 in the UK singles chart.

The single was released in a limited edition box set, featuring a set of postcards, each containing information on the music videos the duo had recorded until then. The dealer which I bought this box from, had an expensive collection starting at 3 euros, but this one was in the bargain bin, strangely enough.

My collection: 7" single no. 4296
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'I won't bleed for you' / 'Climbing up the ladder'

Every 1's a winner - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate frontman Errol Brown wrote 'Every 1's a winner', recorded and released as a single in 1978. It gave the band a number 6 hit in the USA and the Netherlands, while it peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart.

I've known this song ever since it came out and I've owned it on a compilation double LP since 1979. It's taken me 30 years to find the 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4295
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Every 1's a winner' / 'Power of love'

Down, down - Status Quo

I've often said that one of the most appropriate songs for my funeral would be 'Down down' by Status Quo. And then I discovered I didn't actually have the song. Now that I've heard it, I still think it would be a great soundtrack to those final moments.

'Down down' was first released in November 1974. The track was taken from the album 'On the level'. The album version is more than 5 minutes long whereas the single version was edited to almost 4 minutes. The single was a number 1 hit in the UK, while peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4294
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Down down' / 'Night ride'

Love's unkind - Donna Summer

'Love's unkind' was produced by Giorgio Moroder, just like the album whence it came from, 'I remember yesterday'. The lyric of the song is a tribute to high school crushes and love triangles. It was a big hit in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 3, whereas it only reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

Donna Summer looks decidedly pregnant on the sleeve of this single, but I think she's just wearing a very strange dress.

My collection: 7" single no. 4293
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love's unkind' / 'Black lady'