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'

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'