One more dance - Esther Ofarim and Abraham

Esther Ofarim was born as Esther Zaied on June 13, 1941 in Safed, Israel. She met guitarist and dancer Abraham in 1959 and subsequently married him. Together with him, but also without him, she began to sing Hebrew and international folk songs.

'One more dance', a slightly morbid tale of a wife (or daughter, this is not entirely clear) who wants to keep dancing while her 'old man' is dying at home. Released in 1964, this single reached number 7 in the Dutch charts. Four years later, the single also charted in the UK, peaking at number 13.

My wife came home with this single today, and I was really glad to get it - not only for the charming A-side, but also for the B-side, a version of the early 20th century song 'Freight train', which has been recorded by numerous artists.

My collection: 7" single no. 4346
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, December 12, 2009
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'One more dance' / 'Freight train'

Deeply dippy - Right said Fred

'Deeply dippy' was released as the third single by Right said Fred. While their debut single 'I'm too sexy' has become some sort of cult classic, this single ended up peaking one place higher than that one, at the top of the UK singles chart in April 1992. In the Dutch Top 40 the single reached number 10.

The song was later covered by The Rockingbirds on the Terence Higgins Trust supporting charity EP, 'The Fred EP'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1666
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 13, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Deeply dippy' / 'Deeply dubby'

New song - Howard Jones

Last year, Howard Jones celebrated his 25 years in the pop business. It all started in September 1983 with this single: 'New song'. The track was taken from Howard's debut album 'Human's lib', and was, like most of his singles, written and composed by Howard Jones himself.

the single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and also reached number 27 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart when it was released in America six months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 365
Found: Brussels, 1985
Cost: 100 Belgian Francs
Tracks: 'New song' / 'Change the man'

Love song / Alive and kicking - Simple Minds

'Love song' is a track from the Simple Minds' 1981 album 'Sons and fascination'. It was originally released as a single in the same year, peaking at number 47 in the UK singles chart. Not only was it their biggest success in the UK up to that point, it was also their first single to chart outside the UK: in Australia and Canada, peaking at number 17 and 38 respectively.

The track was re-released as a double A-side single, coupled with their 1985 hit 'Alive and kicking', in 1992 to promote the compilation album 'Glittering Prize 81/92'. This single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 1800
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 11, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Love song' / 'Alive and kicking'

Love is the groove - Betsy Cook

'Love is the groove' is the first single taken from Betsy Cook's first and only album, 'The girl who ate herself' (1992). The album was released a few years after she had some success as a songwriter with Paul Young's 1986 hit 'Wonderland'.

Although Betsy Cook's version of 'Love is the groove' did not chart, the song was covered by Cher in 1998 on her Grammy-winning album 'Believe'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1614
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 4, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love is the groove' / 'Diving'

Ballade pour Adeline - Richard Clayderman

I first heard 'Ballade pour Adeline' on one of those cheap compilation LP's that is half filled with great hits and half with a sort of throwaway track. Except this instrumental piece on piano was not really a throwaway track, albeit slightly cheesy.

Richard Clayderman was born as Philippe Pagés on December 28, 1953 in Paris, France. He started playing the piano from a very young age. At 23 years old, he was auditioned by Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint to record the gentle piano ballad. Toussaint commented on him winning the auditions: 'He was an interesting musician with a soft touch and good technique. And he looked good, too'. The single was the start of a successful career that lasts until today. It reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40 and charted all over Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 3058
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Ballade pour Adeline' / 'Ballade pour Adeline', 'Promenade dans les bois'

Fastlove - George Michael

'Fastlove' was the second single from George Michael's 1996 album 'Older'. The track contained a re-sung but otherwise identical chorus of the Patrice Rushen hit 'Forget me nots'. The track was an energetic tune about the need for gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment.

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 on the UK singles chart. This 7" single was made in the USA, the only country where a 7" single was even released. 'Fastlove' reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3994
Found: eBay.com, received August 6, 2009
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'Fastlove' / 'I'm your man '96'