Qualified - Lois Lane

Although the Dutch band Loïs Lane were never officially part of Prince's entourage, they did get to work with him on a few occasions. This single is a good example of their collaboration: 'Qualified' was written and produced by Prince and Kirk Johnson. The track was even recorded at his Paisley Park studios in Minneapolis.

'Qualified' was a track on Lois Lane's 1992 album 'Precious' and released as the first single from that album. It reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1653
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 9, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Qualified' / 'Need a little space'

Eye in the sky - Alan Parsons Project

'Eye in the sky' is a 1982 song by the Alan Parsons Project from their album of the same name. The song is in part a reference to George Orwell's classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, regarding a possible future in which individual privacy is virtually non-existent due to the ever-watching eye of Big Brother. Songwriter and vocalist Eric Woolfson has also commented that he spent a lot of time in casinos and in commercial districts, fascinated by the hidden security cameras that monitor gamblers and shoppers.

The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but failed to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3277
Found: November 11, 2000
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Eye in the sky' / 'Mammagamma'

All woman - Lisa Stansfield

'All woman' was released as the second single from Lisa Stansfield's second album 'Real love'. The single reachde number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

The title was also used for a series of compilation albums featuring songs performed by female singers.

My collection: 7" single no. 1587
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 22, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'All woman' / 'Everything will get better'

Just around the corner - Cock Robin

'Just around the corner' was released as the first single from Cock Robin's second album 'After here through midland'. The band, originally a quartet, slimmed down to its core members Peter Kingsbery and Anna LaCazio, but the sound of the group remained intact: melodious pop songs with a strong drum hook.

The single was released in a limited edition posterbag and reached the charts all over Europe. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 19, while it didn't chart in the UK. The highest position was reached in Switzerland, where it got to number 6.

My collection: 7" single no. 534
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Just around the corner' / 'Open book'

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'