Distant sun - Crowded House

'Distant sun' was the first single release from Crowded House's fourth album 'Together alone' (1993). The single was a hit in the UK in the autumn of 1993, peaking at number 19, and in Australia, where it reached number 21. In March 1994, a remixed version of 'Distant sun' was released in the USA, but it did not chart.

Buying this single was a gamble: it was a new release during a week when I was in London, and I decided to buy it on account of the fact that I liked the band's previous singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1989
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Distant sun' / 'Walking on the spot'

If she knew what she wants - The Bangles

I wrote about 'If she knew what she wants' once before, but that was a UK pressing, and a limited edition double single to boot. This single, which I'd bought some time earlier, is the Dutch pressing, with a completely different sleeve.

A different sleeve, but no different tracks: both were taken from the Bangles' 1986 album 'Different light'. The single did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1610
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If she knew what she wants' / 'Angels don't fall in love'

Love in itself - Depeche Mode

'Love in itself' was released in September 1983 as the final single from Depeche Mode's third album 'Construction time again'. The single version was called 'Love in itself 2', as it was an edit of the album version. Number 3 is an extended version, and number 4 is an acapella version with piano. The B-side was the track 'Fools', written by Alan Wilder instead of the band's main songwriter, Martin Gore.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 867
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in itself 2' / 'Fools'

Church of the poisoned mind - Culture Club

'Church of the poisoned mind' was Culture Club's third big hit single, released in spring 1983. The uptempo track has some similarities to Motown tracks, especially 'Uptight (Everything's alright)' by Stevie Wonder.

The single was a number 2 hit in the UK singles chart and reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. The band also had their first hit in the USA with this track, peaking at number 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2064
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 29, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Church of the poisoned mind' / 'Man shake'

Don't stand so close to me - The Police

Sting, lead singer of the Police, was an English teacher before he found fame with his band. 'Don't stand so close to me', with its lyric dealing with the mixed feelings of a teacher (lust/guilt/fear), and inappropriateness leading to confrontation, caused some speculation on whether the song was actually autobiographical. Sting denied this in 2001 when he promoted the concert dvd 'All this time'.

The single was released in 1980. It gave the band their first hit in the USA, as it reached number 11 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, it was a number 1 hit, while in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 3. The single I have is part of a limited edition with a poster sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1219
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't stand so close to me' / 'Friends'

War party - Eddy Grant

'War party' was originally a track on Eddy Grant's 1981 album 'Killer on the rampage'. The track was remixed and released as a single in 1982. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart during a four week chart run.

This single was released as a limited edition pressed on red vinyl in Germany. This copy is one of that limited edition.

My collection: 7" single no. 3206
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'War party (Bajan remix)' / 'Say I love you'

A quoi je sers... - Mylene Farmer

Mylene Farmer released 'A quoi je sers...' ('To whom I serve...') in the summer of 1989, coinciding with her first live tour in France. It was a new song, not available on her debut album which the tour promoted. Both this song and its B-side, 'La veuve noire' were recorded fairly quickly.

As often with Mylene, the lyric of the song is very pessimistic. It's about madness, the desire of suicide and the impression of the futility of the life. According to some observers, the song sums up most of Mylene's work, as it displays the singer's doubts about her usefulness on Earth. The single reached number 16 in the French singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1971
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'A quoi je sers...' / 'La veuve noire'