Chant no. 1 - Spandau Ballet

'Chant no. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)' was the first single taken from Spandau Ballet's second album 'Diamond'. Released in the summer of 1981, it became the band's biggest hit up to that point, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in Australia.

Spandau Ballet was still profiting from the New Romantics scene in 1981, but their fortunes were quickly changing. Subsequent singles fared less well, and for their third album 'True', a change of style was much needed.

My collection: 7" single no. 85
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Chant no. 1' / 'Feel the chant'

In the Dutch mountains - The Nits

The Dutch band The Nits released the album 'In the Dutch mountains' in October 1987. The title track was released as the first single, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. The band decided to go back to basics and record this album live to two-track in their own rehearsal space to, in their own words, 'reproduce the special atmosphere of a Nits concert'.

The album was the first to be released in the UK and the USA. While the single 'In the Dutch mountains' was a success in several European countries, the album failed to receive similar commercial acclaim. This copy of the single was made in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'In the Dutch mountains' / 'Strangers of the night'

Hourglass - Clannad

'Hourglass' and 'Theme from Harry's Game' were released as a double A-side single by Clanad in 1989 to promote the greatest hits album 'Pastpresent'. 'Hourglass' was a new track, whereas 'Theme from Harry's Game' was (and still is) Clannad's biggest hit to date.

While 'Pastpresent' became Clannad's best selling album, reaching number 5 in the UK albums chart, this single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1055
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Hourglass' / 'Theme from Harry's Game'

Bad romance - Lady Gaga

'Bad romance' was released in October 2009 as the first single from Lady Gaga's second album 'The fame monster'. The lyric of the song talks about exploring the joys of a bad romance while referencing Alfred Hitchcock films in some of the verses.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart as well as in Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. The song is in the Dutch Top 40 right now, climbing to number 14 this week. As usual for a Lady Gaga single, 'Bad Romance' was released on a 7" picture disc as well as several other formats.

My collection: 7" single no. 4347
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, December 19, 2009
Cost: 5,9 euro
Tracks: 'Bad romance (radio edit)' / 'Paparazzi (DJ Dan club remix)'

Boys keep swinging - David Bowie

'Boys keep swinging' was the single from, and preceded the release of, David Bowie's 1979 album 'Lodger'. During the sessions for the album Bowie wanted to capture a garage band style for the track. He asked guitarist Carlos Alomar to play the drums and drummer Dennis Davis to play bass. The intention, according to Bowie, was to suggest 'young kids in the basement just discovering their instruments'.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in April 1979. 'Boys keep swinging' was not released in the USA because of, let's face it, homophobia. They couldn't handle the line 'When you're a boy / Other boys check you out' and the fact that the music video starred three drag queens on backing vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 91
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' / 'Fantastic voyage'

A winter's tale - David Essex

Today most of the country was covered in snow. It immediately made me think of David Essex's 1982 single 'A winter's tale'. The song is not necessarily a winter song, but rather a lovesong about a relationship gone sour.

In the UK singles chart, 'A winter's tale' reached number 2. In the Netherlands, where David Essex hadn't been in the charts in 1978, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2810
Found: Present @ Den Haag
Cost: -
Tracks: 'A winter's tale' / 'Verity'

Like a mountain (remix) - Soulsister

After the success of Soulsister's single 'The way to your heart', the previous single 'Like a mountain' was re-released in a remixed version. It was a small success in Belgium, but in other countries, this single did not follow in the footsteps of 'The way to your heart'.

My collection: 7" single no. 946
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Like a mountain (remix)' / 'Car'