Fortress around your heart - Sting

Sting wrote 'Fortress around your heart' in the studio in Barbados in 1985. He commented about the song: '[it] is about appeasement, about trying to bridge the gaps between individuals. The central image is a minefield that you've laid around this other person to try and protect them. Then you realise that you have to walk back through it. I think it's one of the best choruses I've ever written.'

The track features a sax solo performed by Branford Marsalis. It was released as the fourth single from Sting's 1985 album 'The dream of the blue turtles'. It reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 386
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Fortress around your heart' / 'Shadows in the rain'

Minimal - Pet Shop Boys

'Minimal' was originally planned to be the first single from the Pet Shop Boys' 2006 album 'Fundamental', but was held back in favour of 'I'm with stupid'. The single finally was released in July 2006. The lyrics are an abstract description of expressions of minimalism, such as 'more is less' and 'an empty box, an open space'. The upbeat, busy instrumentation and production is quite in contrast with minimalism.

The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in Denmark, but was not successful in other European countries. The B-side 'In private' is a new version of a song originally written for Dusty Springfield. This time the track is recorded as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John.

My collection: 7" single no. 3447
Found: HMV, London, 2006
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Minimal (radio edit)' / 'In private (7 inch mix)'

Red skies - The Fixx

The Fixx released 'Red skies' as a single in 1982. The lyric of the song is quite explicit on the theme of impending doom. This was made even more obvious by a music video, released in 1987, in which a nuclear holocaust is depicted.

The single reached number 57 in the UK singles chart upon its first release in 1982. When it was re-released in 1987 the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 146
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Red skies' / 'Is it by instinct'

Soul inspiration - Simon Climie

After Climie Fisher broke up, Simon Climie embarked on a solo career, signing to Columbia Records to release his debut solo album 'Soul inspiration'. The title track was released as a single, which reached number 60 in the UK singles chart in the autumn of 1992.

After the commercial disappointment of both the single and the album, Climie switched to production and songwriting. In the late Nineties, he became involved with Eric Clapton, acting as producer and sometime co-writer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1729
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Soul inspiration' / 'Life goes on'

Knockin' on heaven's door - Randy Crawford

'Knockin' on heaven's door' was written by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 movie 'Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid'. The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy.

Eric Clapton recorded a version of the song in June 1975 and released it as a single later that year. The song was not included on a full-length album until the release of the 1982 compilation 'Time pieces: The best of Eric Clapton'. In 1989, Clapton and David Sanborn backed singer Randy Crawford in a new version, which was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie 'Lethal Weapon 2'. This version reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1110
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Knockin' on heaven's door' / 'Medley: The Shipyard / Knockin' on heaven's door'

Set your loving free - Lisa Stansfield

'Set your loving free' was the fourth single from Lisa Stansfield's second album 'Real love'. The track is full of Seventies disco sounds, but still sounds very modern. The real treat on this single is the non-album track, 'Whenever you're gone', a touching ballad about a woman who can't face the light of day when her lover is out of sight.

My copy of the single is interesting for its extra labels: each side of this single carries not one, but two paper labels. 'Set your loving free' reached number 28 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1743
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Set your loving free' / 'Whenever you're gone'

I can hear your heart beat - Chris Rea

'Water sign' was released in 1983 as Chris Rea's fifth album. By that time, the record company showed so little interest in anything by him, that they wouldn't even give him the money to record the album professionally. What was actually released is a collection of demo versions, with a few overdubs. Hence the extensive use of electronic drum machines.

'I can hear your heart beat' was released as a single from the album. The single and the album were well received. Most people thought the 'new electronic sound' of Chris Rea was rather good. The single reached number 60 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 974
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I can hear your heart beat' / 'From love to love'