Maybe someday... - Simply Red

Simply Red was pretty successful with their first two albums 'Picture book' and 'Men and women', but occasionally their singles didn't do so well in the charts. 'Maybe someday' is a prime example of this: the video was shown regularly on television in 1987, but I was not able to locate a copy. In the end, I just assumed that it was only released as a single in the USA - especially when I found this copy in 1991: an American promo 7" featuring the same track on both sides.

More recently I found out that the single only charted in the UK, peaking at number 88. Why was this song not more successful? I will never know. It's up there as my favourite Simply Red track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1541
Found: Record fair, October 27, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Maybe someday...' / 'Maybe someday...'

Puttin' on the ritz - Taco

Dutch singer Taco Ockerse made his debut in 1982 with a cover version of 'Puttin' on the ritz', which was written by Irving Berlin in 1929. The song was used in several movies, including 'Idiot's delight' (1939), performed by Clark Gable, and 'Blue skies' (1946), performed by Fred Astaire.

Taco's version included a tap dance solo as a tribute to Astaire. Also included in the recording are parts of 'White Christmas', 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' and 'There's No Business Like Show Business' (all written by Irving Berlin), and 'Gotta Dance' from the movie 'Singin' in the Rain'. Taco's single reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 187
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Puttin' on the ritz' / 'Livin' in my dream world'

El Norte - Cock Robin

'El Norte' was the third and final single from Cock Robin's second album, 'After here through midland' (1987). It showed the first signs of the Spanish influences that would become more apparent on their next album, 'First love last rites' (1989).

The single was very unsuccessful, as it didn't chart in any territory. In fact, I only found out about its existance a few years after it was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 1480
Found: July 3, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'El Norte' / 'For dear life'

Luka - Suzanne Vega

'Luka' was a track on Suzanne Vega's second album 'Solitude standing'. It was released as a single in May 1987. The song was one of the earliest about the subject of child abuse and domestic violence.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, number 26 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it her biggest hit in the USA. This 10" single features two live track on the B-side, recorded at Piccadilly Theatre in London.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Luka' / 'Straight lines (live)', 'Neighborhood girls (live)'

Hanna Hanna - China Crisis

China Crisis released 'Hanna Hanna' in March 1984, after their first top 10 hit, 'Wishful thinking'. The single did not match that success, as it only reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and failed to chart in much of Europe - contrary to its predecessor.

The B-side is a live version of their debut single 'African and white', recorded at Reading University in January 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2113
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, June 11, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hanna Hanna' / 'African and white (live)'

Dreamlover - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is one of those vocalists that people love or loathe. And of course, I'm in the latter category - and rightfully so. People who think that the woman can sing clearly have their ears clogged up. But the strange thing is, she did occasionally record a decent song. 'Dreamlover', taken from her fourth album 'Music box' was the one track that stood out amidst a pile of drivel.

The single reached number 1 in Canada and the USA, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1995
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Dreamlover' / 'Do you think of me'

Never gonna cry again - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics were one of the most successful bands of the Eighties, but their debut single went by almost unnoticed - except by me. My sister bought 'Never gonna cry again' when it was released and for a long time it was a favourite of ours. The spooky sleeve and the sad, melancholic song appealed enormously to us.

The song was produced by Conny Plank and featured Holger Czukay from the band Can on French horn. Annie Lennox performed a flute solo, one of the few times that she actually used the instrument during her pop career, despite having studied it at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. The single reached number 63 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 215
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Never gonna cry again' / 'Le sinistre'