Old and wise - Alan Parsons Project

Here's another song that pops up on numerous compilation albums. Oddly enough, most albums use a shorter version than the one that appears on this version. It's a shame, because the saxophone solo at the end is a beautiful thing that deserves to be heard until the very last notes of the fade out.

'Old and wise' was taken from the Alan Parsons Project's 1982 album 'Eye in the sky'. It reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40, but only managed number 74 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 180
Found: Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Old and wise' / 'Children of the moon'

Greenpeace - Teach-In

During a week when half the world is flying(!) to Copenhagen, Denmark to talk about the environment and how we humans are destroying our planet, I thought I might post a song that is slightly related to the subject. It's Teach-In's 1979 song 'Greenpeace', about the action group of the same name. It was a hit in the Netherlands for this Dutch group, peaking at number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was recorded both in Dutch and English, and both versions appear on the single. It's amusing that the English version contains a phrase like 'Rainbow Worrier'. The title of the song is sung as 'Green peas'.

My collection: 7" single no. 96
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Greenpeace (English version)' / 'Greenpeace (Nederlandse versie)'

Love games - Level 42

Level 42 had their first significant hart success with 'Love games', the first single from their 1981 album 'Level 42'. Peaking at number 38 in the UK singles chart, they managed a top 10 placing in the Netherlands, peaking at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

Although the band was not yet a household name, this early single already had all the hallmarks that would make them one of the hottest bands around in the second half of the Eighties: a bouncing bassline, lively vocals and a funky rhythm.

My collection: 7" single no. 1627
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love games' / 'Forty two'

I'm still standing - Elton John

'I'm still standing' was taken from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero'. The lyric of the song is about making a comeback despite problems in daily life. It could well be autobiographical, although Elton John was consistently successful thoughout the Seventies and early Eighties.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 940
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm still standing' / 'Tortured'

Muscle bound - Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet formed in 1976 as 'The Cut' and subsequently named themselves 'The Makers'. When they changed their name again to Spandau Ballet and performed in clubs in London, they created quite a buzz. The band was involved in a major bidding war, but eventually signed to Chrysalis Records and released their debut album 'Journeys to glory' in 1981.

'Muscle bound' was the third single lifted from the album, reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart in April 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 93
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Muscle bound' / 'Glow'

Why should I cry for you - Sting

'Why should I cry for you?' was the fourth and last single released from Sting's third solo album 'The Soul Cages'. It was also the least successful, as it didn't chart in the UK, where all his previous solo singles had charted.

That's not to say it's a bad song: personally I think it's the best track from the album, with the extended version adding much to the song's appeal. This single has a bizarrely dark photo sleeve; I think something went wrong at the printer's. 'Why should I cry for you?' only charted in France, peaking at number 38.

My collection: 7" single no. 2309
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Why should I cry for you?' / 'Ne me quitte pas (live)'

Seventeen - Renée

The influential Dutch DJ Frits Spits was already a fan of the song 'Seventeen' when the previous single 'You're a liar' had just been released. Both tracks were taken from Renée's successful 1982 album 'The future none can see'. Despite this strong radio support, 'Seventeen' still failed to reach the charts when it was eventually released.

The lyric of the song is a tale of a young woman who goes out with a boy next door and then gets raped. Not your average song material, but told in a few lines with strong musical backing, it really grabs the listener. Not bad for a Dutch production.

My collection: 7" single no. 786
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 30, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seventeen' / 'By the by'