Seven wonders - Fleetwood Mac

'Seven wonders' was the second single release from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. Lead vocals were performed by Stevie Nicks, who wrote the song together with Sandy Stewart.

The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, but stalled at number 56 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1087
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven wonders' / 'Book of miracles'

Perfect way - Scritti Politti

Back in 1985, the lucky buyer of 'Perfect way' in the UK could get this limited edition version of the single, featuring not only a gatefold sleeve, but also a poster with a monochrome photograph of founding member Green Gartside.

'Perfect way' was the fifth single taken from Scritti Politti's 1985 album 'Cupid & Psyche', and their only big hit stateside, reaching number 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single only got to number 48.

My collection: 7" single no. 1864
Found: January 30, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Perfect way' / 'Perfect way (version)'

Crying - Don McLean

'Crying' was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and recorded by Roy Orbison in 1961. It was released as a single that summer, becoming a worldwide hit.

Don McLean recorded his version of the song in 1978 on his album 'Prime time'. It also became a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 620
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Crying' / 'Genesis'

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'