The power of love - Frankie goes to Hollywood

Frankie goes to Hollywood built the beginning of their career and their first three single releases on the three pillars of controversy: sex ('Relax'), war ('Two tribes') and religion ('The power of love'). This third single was a stark contrast to the busy, almost aggressive songs that went before: it was the epitome of tranquility.

The music video accompanying the single was directed by Godley & Creme and told the nativity story. The sleeve of the single featured the Assunta by Titian, a XVI century painting in the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari of Venice. In the UK an extra outer sleeve (pictured above) was added, wrapping up the single like a Christmas present. The single became the UK's Christmas number 1 in 1984 and reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1467
Found: London, June 30, 1991
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The power of love' / 'The world is my oyster'

Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest - Henk Temming

Henk Temming was a former member of the Dutch group Het Goede Doel when he released this 1991 seasonal solo single. 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest' ('I ask St. Nicholas for a very happy Christmas') refers to the Dutch holiday on December 5, when the anniversary of St. Nicholas is celebrated with presents. In this case, Temming has described his wish for a merry Christmas by asking for it on December 5.

The sentiment was obviously shared with a lot of Dutch people that year, since the single reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1554
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest' / 'Ik vraag aan Sinterklaas een heel gelukkig kerstfeest (meezing versie)'

Thank God it's Christmas - Queen

'Thank God it's Christmas' was written by Brian May and Roger Taylor and released as a single in November 1984. The track does not appear on any Queen studio album, but was included in their 'Greatest Hits III' compilation, released in 1999.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in Ireland. In most European countries the single went by unnoticed, although it did chart in Austria and Germany in 1985, reaching number 21 and 57 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 4315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Thank God it's Christmas' / 'Man on the prowl', 'Keep passing the open windows'

Carol of the birds - Art Garfunkel and Amy Grant

In 1986, Art Garfunkel released 'The animal's Christmas', an album composed by Jimmy Webb as a cantata that tells the nativity story from the perspective of animals that were there. On the track 'Carol of the birds', lead vocal duties are shared by Art Garfunkel and Amy Grant; they recorded the track in Nashville, Tennessee.

This American promotional 7" single features that track. I don't know if it was released commercially as there is no information about that anywhere on the web. Could be this is quite the collector's item, but I don't know. I do like this track, it's one of those records you have to hear once a year on a day like today.

My collection: 7" single no. 3243
Found: London, 2001
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Carol of the birds' / 'Carol of the birds'

I would die 4 U - Prince

Prince released 'I would die 4 U' as the fourth single from his very successful 1984 album 'Purple rain'. Some fans think that the lyric of the song is sung from the viewpoint of Jesus Christ. The B-side of the single, 'Another lonely Christmas', is a sad account of a man mourning his lover's death on Christmas Day.

The single reached number 58 in the UK singles chart, but peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4289
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I would die 4 U' / 'Another lonely Christmas'

Eeuwige kerst - Annie Schilder, Koor Kinderen voor Kinderen, Het Goede Doel

'Eeuwige kerst' ('Eternal Christmas') could be considered the Dutch version of Band Aid, released in December 1984. Dutch singer Annie Schilder, Het Goede Doel and the children's choir Kinderen voor Kinderen collaborated on this Christmas track. It reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

On May 1, 1984, Dutch broadcaster VARA organised a radio programme entitled Losprijs to raise money for Doctors without borders, on the occasion of them starting a branch in the Netherlands. Highlights of that programme were included on the lengthy B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 3767
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Eeuwige kerst' / 'Hoogtepunten uit Losprijs'

Little drummer boy - Boney M

By the end of 1981, Boney M was in a little trouble. They'd recorded the album 'Boonoonoonoos', originally scheduled for release in November 1980, but released almost a year later because of the recording sessions dragging on. Boney M's 'Christmas album' was released almost at the same time in November 1981. By that time, male member Bobby Farrell was fired from the group due to his unreliable working discipline.

It did not hinder the Christmas album so much, as it became a holiday favourite for all the band's fans. The single 'Little drummer boy' was a bit of a secret though. I never saw it back in 1981, and last January I saw it for the first time in my life. Boney M's version of this traditional is pretty decent, but the medley of hits on the B-side is the real treat here.

My collection: 7" single no. 3568
Found: La La Land, January 31, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Little drummer boy' / '6 years of Boney M hits - Boney M on 45'