Hey, st. Peter - Flash and the Pan

The Australian band Flash & the Pan made their international chart debut with the 1977 single 'Hey st. Peter', written by band members Harry Vanda and George Young. The single reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart nd number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

Remarkably, the 1977 single only appeared on an album in 1979, when the band released their self-titled debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 619
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey, st. Peter' / 'Walking in the rain'

Hello - Lionel Richie

One of Lionel Richie's biggest hits is arguably more famous for its music video than for the music itself. The video, in which a blind girl sculpts an image of Lionel Richie's face (which looks as much like him as my behind looks like a lily), became the subject of lots of airplay and some parodies too.

But 'Hello' is a beautiful ballad as well. Written by Richie himself, it was the third single from his multi-millionselling album 'Can't slow down'. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, as well as the Swiss singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 228
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello' / 'You mean more to me'

La vie en rose - Grace Jones

I bought this 7" single of Grace Jones' 'La vie en rose' long before I bought the 12" single. At the time, I felt it was just a nice song, but since then, I have grown to appreciate this track as one of Grace's best.

Of course, 'La vie en rose' was a hit for French singer Edith Piaf first. Written by Piaf and Louis Gugliemi, her songwriting team did not think the song would be successful, but it turned out to be a favourite with audiences. The same goes for Grace Jones' version: it was released as a single in 1977 and 1982, and on both occasions it became a big hit in several countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1626
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'La vie en rose' / 'I need a man'

Leaving me now - Level 42

'Leaving me now' was the second single release from Level 42's 1985 album 'World machine'. The song was written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. Though heavily edited for the single, the track was still a good success for the band.

In the Netherlands, 'Leaving me now' reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1015
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Leaving me now' / 'I sleep on my heart'

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'