No one can - Marillion

'No one can' was released as the second single from Marillion's 1991 album 'Holidays in Eden'. In the UK, the single was released in a limited edition box set, including a badge and four art prints.

Upon its original release, 'No one can' reached number 33 in the UK singles chart. The track was re-released in 1993, when Marillion released a greatest hits album. On that occasion, the single peaked at number 26.

My collection: 7" single no. 1505
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 7, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'No one can' / 'A collection'

True - Spandau Ballet

The song 'True' was a definite change of style for the band Spandau Ballet. It was a slow pop-ballad, paying tribute to Marvin Gaye and the sound he helped to establish. It was released a year before Gaye was murdered in 1984.

The single became Spandau Ballet's biggest and most remembered song, reaching number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart. In the UK, the single was released in a special gatefold sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 3250
Found: London, November 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'True' / 'Lifeline (Edited remix for U.S.A.)'

Do they know it's Christmas? - Band Aid

After the phenomenal success of the charity single 'Do they know it's Christmas?' by Band Aid in December 1984, a lot happened. Millions were raised by spinoff projects, the Live Aid concert took place, and this in turn led to several live concerts all over the world for this or other charities. And so, in December 1985, 'Do they know it's Christmas?' was re-released, to commemorate a quite extraordinary year.

When you listen to the new B-side 'One year on', it's amazing what has happened with all the proceeds from Band Aid and Live Aid projects. Also, when you hear Midge Ure reading the list of stuff that went to Africa 25 years later, it makes you realise that no matter how many goods you send to that continent, they are still starving over there. It's a bit like a bottomless pit, isn't it? Quite a sobering Christmas thought...

My collection: 7" single no. 4375
Found: Independent Outlet, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'Do they know it's Christmas?' / 'One year on (Feed the world)'

It should be Christmas everyday - Suzanne Michaels

The Dutch girl Suzanne Krijnen, who was 15 years old in 1979, had sent in a demo to a record company. Within a few months, she had a record deal and released 'It should be Christmas everyday', taking on the stage name Suzanne Michaels. Although the single did not chart, it has become a seasonal favourite.

Two forther singles, 'Mandelay' (1981) and 'With love' (1984) also failed to reach the chart. After leaving highschool she stopped her own career in music, although she was available as a session singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 4376
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'It should be Christmas everyday' / '(Christmas) Have a merry Christmas'

Easier said than done - Jon Anderson

In December 1985, Jon Anderson released 'Three ships', an album featuring versions of old Christmas carols and some original material. The single 'Easier said than done', composed by Vangelis, was released as a single almost at the same time.

The B-side featured a version of the well-known Christmas carol 'Three ships' (the title track of the album), written before the 17th century. The single did not chart, by the way...

My collection: 7" single no. 4374
Found: Independent Outlet, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'Easier said than done' / 'Three ships'

Last Christmas - Wham!

Whenever it's Christmas, you will hear Wham!'s hit 'Last Christmas'. It may be one of the most popular Christmas anthems ever. On its first release in 1984, it sold well over a million copies, reaching number 2 in the UK singles chart. (It was held off the top spot by Band Aid's 'Do they know it's Christmas'.)

Since then, the single has been re-released almost every year. This single is the re-release from 1989, featuring a different sleeve. The rest is the same: the Christmas song and its B-side, the great track 'Everything she wants', which kept the single in the charts in January 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 4206
Found: Flea market, Den Haag, November 15, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Last Christmas' / 'Everything she wants'

Land of make believe - Bucks Fizz

'The land of make believe' was released in November 1981 as the fourth single by Bucks Fizz, who started their career in March that year, when they won the Eurovision Song Contest. It was released in time for Christmas and a limited edition featured an extra outer sleeve (pictured above) with a Christmas wish from the band.

In the Christmas chart, the single was placed at number 5, but it went number 1 in January 1982. It was included on the group's second album 'Are you ready'.

The close of the song features a nursery rhyme narrated by Abby Kimber, who was the 11-year old daughter of an executive of RCA Records. This was an original piece, penned by Sinfield, and read: 'I've got a friend who came to tea / And no-one seems to know but me / He came today, but had to go / To visit you? You never know!'. The track is not a Christmas song, but the B-side 'Now you're gone' actually does contain a reference to Christmas.

My collection: 7" single no. 2911
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Land of make believe' / 'Now you're gone'