(Forever) live and die - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'(Forever) Live and die' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1986 album 'The pacific age'. Lead vocals were performed by Paul Humphreys, unlike most OMD singles.

The single peaked at number 11 in the UK and became OMD's second hit in the USA, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its biggest success was achieved in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 2799
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 14, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '(Forever) live and die' / 'This town'

Could it be magic - Donna Summer

'Could it be magic' was written by Adrienne Anderson and Barry Manilow and recorded by Barry Manilow on his 1973 debut album, 'Barry Manilow I'. The song was released as a single two years later. The song is based on Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20, and Manilow's singing in the last verse fades into a straight performance of the last few bars of the Prelude.

Just one year after Manilow's original version was released as a single Donna Summer recorded a disco version of the track and included it on her second international album 'Love trilogy'. She added her own trademark moans and groans in the mix, which caused it to number 40 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2114
Found: June 11, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Could it be magic' / 'Whispering waves'

Everybody's got to learn sometime - The Korgis

Despite decreasing success, charity projects in pop music were still going on towards the end of the Eighties. In 1990, a compilation album called 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' to benefit International Hostage Release was released. It included tracks by Dire Straits, Tina Turner, Simple Minds, Steve Winwood, Mike Oldfield and many other artists who were wellknown for their commitment towards the freeing of hostages (?) .

The title track was performed by the Korgis. However, it was not the wellknown original version from 1980, but a new recording of the track. As far as re-recordings go, this was a rather good version, although it added nothing to the original version. The single did not chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1395
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody's got to learn sometime' / 'Everybody's got to learn sometime (instrumental)'

Too much, too little, too late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams

Johnny Mathis' 1978 album 'You light up my life' featured two duets with Deniece Williams. Both duets are included on this single, with 'Too much, too little, too late' as the lead track. It became Johnny Mathis' comeback hit, peaking at number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, his first number one since 1957's 'Chances are'. The single also reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

The success of the duet with Williams prompted Mathis to record duets with a variety of partners including Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, and Nana Mouskouri. Mathis and Williams also recorded a follow-up duet album entitled 'That's what friends are for', however 'Too much, too little, too late' was not included on that album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2406
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much, too little, too late' / 'Emotion'

Je veux de l'amour - Raymond van het Groenewoud

'Je veux de l'amour' ('I want love') is the desperate cry of an artist who has everything in his career, except love. Belgian singer Raymond van 't Groenewoud played a very believable role in this song, with his emotive vocals.

He was rewarded with his first hit outside of Belgium: 'Je veux de l'amour' reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 674
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Je veux de l'amour' / 'Troonsafstand'

The biggest fool of all - Cock Robin

'The biggest fool of all' was released as the second single from Cock Robin's second album 'After here through midland'. A limited edition was packaged with a poster sleeve, featuring the photograph from the album's sleeve.

The single, released in 1987, was only successful in France and Germany, where it peaked at number 47 and 50 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 570
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: The biggest fool of all' / 'Blood of a saint'

It's all gone - Chris Rea

'It's all gone' was the first single from Chris Rea's 1986 album 'On the beach'. The track was written by Chris Rea and produced by Rea with Dave Richards.

The single reached number 69 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in Ireland. In Europe, the single failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3070
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's all gone' / 'Bless them all'