The pleasure principle - Janet Jackson

'The pleasure principle' was written by Monte Moir and recorded by Janet Jackson for her successful 1986 album 'Control'. The track was remixed by Shep Pettibone and released as the sixth single from the album in the summer of 1987.

Although the single reached number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was much less successful in other territories: in the UK it only got as far as number 24. The best result outside the USA was made in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 2061
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Track: 'The pleasure principle (Shep Pettibone remix)' / 'The pleasure principle (Shep Pettibone dub edit)'

L'amour en soi - Vanessa Paradis

Since I'm not based in France the whole Vanessa Paradis phenomenon pretty much passed me by, but she must have been quite the phenomenon back in 1990. Her second album 'Variations sur le meme t'aime' featured songs written by legendary French songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and she sounded a lot more adult than on her debut album, released just two years earlier.

'L'amour en soi' was one of the tracks on the album and released as its third and last single. Contrary to the two previous singles, this one didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4319
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'L'amour en soi' / 'Flagrant délire'

Sinterklaas wie kent hem niet - Henk en Henk

On a blog with an international readership, it's hard to explain Dutch music sometimes. And today is even more difficult, as we celebrate St. Nicolas day in the Netherlands today. Sinterklaas, as he is called in the Netherlands, brings presents to good little children and punishment for those children who have not behaved themselves.

Henk Westbroek and Henk Temming from the Dutch band Het Goede Doel recorded 'Sinterklaas wie kent hem niet' ('Sinterklaas, who doesn't know him?') in 1982. It was released under the name of Henk & Henk to avoid confusion with the regular releases by the band. It became a seasonal hit in December 1982, peaking at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side is a Christmas song, to add to the seasonal joy.

My collection: 7" single no. 3763
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sinterklaas, wie kent hem niet?' / 'Het hoort met Kerstmis ook te sneeuwen'

Leave in silence - Depeche Mode

'Leave in silence' was the sixth single by Depeche Mode, and the first one with the 'Bong' label, which is still used to this day. It was also the first song that was remixed several times. When it was released, it reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side of this 7" single was quite unique, as it can be played on 45rpm as well as 33rpm. Both versions have been included below.

My collection: 7" single no. 538
Found: 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Leave in silence' / 'Excerpt from My Secret Garden'

Tragedy - Bee Gees

'Tragedy' was recorded by the Bee Gees for their 1979 album 'Spirits having flown'. It was released as a single in January 1979 and reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart. In the Dutch Top 40, it got to number 4.

Though not originally in the movie 'Saturday night fever', 'Tragedy' has subsequently been added to the musical score of the West End version of the musical version of that movie. In 1979, NBC aired 'The Bee Gees Special' in whcich Barry Gibb showed how the sound effect for the explosion in this song was created: he cupped his hands over a microphone and made an exploding sound. Several of these sounds were then mixed together creating one large boom heard on the record.

My collection: 7" single no. 379
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Tragedy' / 'Until'

Play the game - Queen

The Eighties started for real when Queen accepted synthesizers on their recordings. Until 1980, they had a strict 'no synths' policy, but the track 'Play the game' on their 1980 album 'The game' features some unmistakable synthesizer noises. The track begins with overlapping noises from an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer.

When the track was released as a single, it reached number 42 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2109
Found: June 4, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Play the game' / 'A human body'

Take that look off your face - Marti Webb

'Take that look off your face' was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black for the musical 'Tell me on a Sunday' (1978). It was recorded and released by Marti Webb in 1980. It became a number 3 hit in the UK singles chart and peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. Marti Webb re-recorded the song on her 2003 album 'Limelight'.

There are several cover versions of this song, performed by singers like Bernadette Peters, Denise van Outen and Sarah Brightman. Nothing beats the original, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 4339
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Take that look off your face' / 'Sheldon bloom'