I'm coming out - Diana Ross

'I'm coming out' is a track on Diana Ross's 1980 album 'Diana', which was produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The lyric of the song focuses on coming into one's own self, that is, asserting oneself to reach self-actualization. These days, however, it has become some sort of gay anthem, as 'coming out' has taken on a different meaning in recent decades.

Released as a single, 'I'm coming out' peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4372
Found: Independent Outlet, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'I'm coming out' / 'Never say I don't love you'

Illegal alien - Genesis

The lyric of 'Illegal alien' are a humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: 'It's no fun/Being an illegal alien'. Even though the lyrics are intended as a satire and to be taken in jest, it can easily be misinterpreted as making light of the problem of illegal immigrants.

The single did not chart in many countries, but did reach number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4371
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Illegal alien' / 'Turn it on again (new live version)'

Matters of the heart - Freur

'Matters of the heart' was the second single taken from Freur's debut album 'Doot doot'. As with all of their other singles, it didn't reach the chart. The single version is 15 seconds shorter than the album version.

Why Freur never had a breakthrough remains a mystery: their music was not so different from other bands around at the time, but they certainly packed more power and had great melodies. I for one am a collector.

My collection: 7" single no. 4370
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'Matters of the heart' / 'You're a hoover'

Till I loved you - Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson

'Till I loved you' was a duet recorded by Barbra Streisand and Don Johnson, which appeared on Streisand's 1988 album of the same name. The track was produced by Phil Ramone. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart, number 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought the 3" cd-single when this single came out, and now, two decades later, I finally own the 7" single as well.

The tenor Placido Domingo and Jennifer Rush recorded a cover version of the song in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 4369
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Till I loved you' / 'Two people'

Baby I'm a fool for you - Sylvia and the Sapphires

Just like their debut single 'Shopping around', Sylvia and the Sapphires' 1982 single 'Baby I'm a fool for you' gives you the impression that you are listening to a Sixties Tamla Motown single. By that time, however, most people were listening to synthpop and new wave tracks, and so this single didn't really stand a chance in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4368
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Baby I'm a fool for you' / 'I only wish tonight could last forever'

Reach out - Time Bandits

Released in 1984, 'Reach out' was a single by the Time Bandits. While the B-side 'Ushi girl' was taken from their album 'Tracks', the A-side was a new track. It was also the only single by the band to reach the Dutch Top 40 in 1984, although a few more singles were released. 'Reach out' reached number 35 in the Top 40.

At the time of the release of this single in the Netherlands, an earlier single, 'I'm only shooting love', reached number 1 in New Zealand.

My collection: 7" single no. 4367
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,75 euro
Tracks: 'Reach out' / 'Ushi girl'

Morning train - Sheena Easton

After Sheena Easton's debut single 'Modern girl' failed to chart, both that song and 'Morning train' featured in the BBC documentary 'The big time'. Both songs suddenly reached the chart as a result. 'Morning train' became a number 3 hit in the UK, also reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song is about a woman who waits at home all day for her man to come home from work. The music video was filmed on the Bluebell Railway, a heritage line running between East and West Sussex in England.

My collection: 7" single no. 4366
Found: Record mania, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Morning train' / 'Moody (My love)'