Tragedy and mystery - China Crisis

When China Crisis started work on their second album 'Working with fire and steel', they added Gazza Johnson and Kevin Wilkinson to their line-up. Together with original members Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon they recorded a collection of tracks that included the hit singles 'Hanna Hanna', the title track and 'Tragedy and mystery'.

'Tragedy and mystery' was released as the first single from the album, six months prior to its release. A limited edition was pressed as a picture disc 7" single. While not a hit in Europe, the single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2014
Found: London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tragedy & mystery' / 'A golden handshake for every daughter'

Let's go all the way - Sly Fox

Sly Fox was formed in 1985 by Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper and Michael Camacho. They were brought together by British producer Ted Currier. Their only album, 'Let's go all the way' was released in 1985, and spawned one hit single of the same name. The song's title was often interpreted as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, though nothing else in the lyrics hinted at this.

When the single was released, it reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 472
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Let's go all the way' / 'Como tu te llama?'

Violence of summer - Duran Duran

After the compilation album 'Decade', Duran Duran found themselves in a period of less commercial success, with a new album and a new line-up. The first single from the new album 'Liberty' was 'Violence of summer', a simple rock song.

The single was released in July 1990 and managed to reach number 20 in the UK singles chart, while it was unsuccessful in most other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2274
Found: Record fair, April 23, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over)' / 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over) (The story mix)'

She's a river - Simple Minds

By 1995, the Simple Minds had become 'the former super group'. The line-up had diminished to Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, using session musicians for their tenth album 'Good news from the next world'. The album was reviewed positively in the USA, but in the UK, critics panned the album.

The single 'She's a river' preceded the release of the album, and was released in a limited edition of 7000 copies on 7". (I have number 1544.) The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2233
Found: Record fair, January 21, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'She's a river' / 'E55'

Out of my system - Feargal Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey's solo career took off with a bang in 1985, with his self-titled debut album and the associated hit singles 'A good heart' and 'You little thief'. When his second album 'Wish' was released in 1988, much of his fans had moved on and new audiences were not attracted. The album was considered a flop, just like the singles that were released from it.

'Out of my system' was one of these singles. It didn't reach the chart in any territory. I bought it after a long time of seeing it in the shop were I came regularly.

My collection: 7" single no. 2078
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 26, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Out of my system' / 'A touch of blue'

Rhythm nation - Janet Jackson

'Rhythm nation' was the second single from Janet Jackson's 1989 album 'Rhythm nation 1814'. The song preached racial unity and harmony among nations, 'looking for a better way of life' and a way to stop 'social injustice'. The song contains a sample from Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 song 'Thank you (Falettinme be mice elf agin)'. The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

I actually own two different copies of this single: the German pressing, which contains an instrumental version of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side, and a limited edition UK pressing with a gatefold sleeve and a remix of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 1164 / no. 2505
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 27, 1990 / House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rhythm nation' / 'Rhythm nation (instrumental' or 'Rhythm nation (CHR remix)'

Enter Sandman - Metallica

Hindsight is bliss. If I'd known that Metallica would be so vehemently against a service like Napster later on in their career, I would never have bought any of their records. But I did, and so now I'm stuck with them.

'Enter Sandman' was the first single from Metallica's black album, released in 1991. It was their most commercial album up until them, bringing the hardrock band into the mainstream for the first time. The single reached number 1 in Canada and Norway, but also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1514
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Enter Sandman' / 'Stone cold crazy'