Message of love - The Pretenders

The second single from the Pretenders' second album 'Pretenders II' was the dynamic 'Message of love'. It was another UK success for the band, as it peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart. They also managed to reach number 16 in the Australian singles chart.

This is one of those songs that I've always liked but I never could remember to buy it. It's only more recently that I've come to discover that I actually like quite a lot of Pretenders tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 857
Found: May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Message of love' / 'Porcelain'

Amsterdam - Maggie MacNeal

The Netherlands organised the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, stepping in for Israel, which had won the Contest twice in a row but were unable to do this in 1980 because of the fact that it was held at a national holiday. The Dutch used the same setup they had used in 1976, after Teach-In had won the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest.

Because of all of this, the Netherlands didn't hold a national final, but instead they elected Maggie MacNeal internally to sing the Dutch entry. During the voting, 'Amsterdam' was in first place for some time, but in the end ranked fifth in a field of 19 participants. The single reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40, MacNeal's last hit single in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3136
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Amsterdam' / 'Amsterdam (English version)'

Chain reaction - Diana Ross

It was Puck who introduced me to the 12" single of 'Chain reaction' by Diana Ross. I wasn't particularly fond of the track, despite the involvement of the Bee Gees in the writing of the track and the backing vocals. When I heard the special dance mix of 'Chain reaction', however, I had to admit this was a pretty good remix.

The confusing thing is that remixes of 'Chain reaction' were also released later on, when the track was re-released as a single. These remixes are available on several cd's. But this original dance remix is quite rare. Finding the 12" single for myself was therefore a relief.

My collection: 12" single no. 312
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Chain reaction (special dance remix)' / 'More and more', 'Chain reaction'

Get the balance right! - Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode's seventh single 'Get the balance right!' was released between albums in January 1983. Alan Wilder had officially joined the line-up of the band, and he wrote the B-side of this single together with Martin Gore.

The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in Ireland, but it was not included on the album 'Construction time again', which was released later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2672
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Get the balance right!' / 'The great outdoors!'

Don't stop the dance - Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry released his sixth solo album 'Boys and girls' in 1985. The album was a big success, and to this day it's still his only number 1 album in the UK.

'Don't stop the dance' was the second single taken from the album, after the very successful 'Slave to love'. By comparison, this single did less well, but still reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1769
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Don't stop the dance' / 'Nocturne'

Like a mountain - Soulsister

Jan Leyers and Paul Michiels formed the Belgian duo Soulsister in 1986. They debuted that year with the single 'You get to me'. The next single was 'Talk about it', and in 1988 they released 'Like a mountain'.

All three singles were minor successes in Belgium, but they didn't reach the international chart until they released their fourth single 'The way to your heart'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2591
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Like a mountain' / 'Car'

Tonight I'm yours - Rod Stewart

'Tonight I'm yours' was the title track of Rod Stewart's 1981 album. The single was released in the autumn of 1981, a few weeks ahead of the album. It became an international hit, reaching number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

After the disco-influenced tracks of the late Seventies, Stewart added synthpop and new wave elements to his songs on his 1981 album. He managed to win new fans while not alienating his existing fan group.

My collection: 7" single no. 1476
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Tonight I'm yours' / 'Sonny'