Female intuition - Mai Tai

Mai Tai's 'Female intuition' was released in January 1986. It became the group's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9. This was quite in contrast with the developments in the UK, where they had just had two top 10 hits during 1985: this single only managed to reach number 54 in the UK singles chart.

This copy of the single was made in the UK and has a different sleeve when compared to the European version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3194
Found: September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Female intuition' / 'Female intuition (Compressed dance mix)'

Right here waiting - Richard Marx

The soppy ballad 'Right here waiting' was the second single from Richard Marx's 1989 album 'Repeat offender'. It was an understated ballad while many bands were releasing so-called 'power ballads'. It featured none of the heavy drums and synths popular at the time, with Marx's vocal accompanied only by guitar and keyboards.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a number 1 hit in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1423
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Right here waiting' / 'Wait for the sunrise'

Wishing / I ran - A flock of seagulls

So this is a weird one: the front cover only states 'A flock of seagulls', whereas on the back of the sleeve you can find a photograph of that band plus a track listing. This single contains two hits by the band: 'Wishing' and 'I ran'. So where does this come from?

The single was made by Tonpress, which is a wellknown Polish record label from the Eighties. It belonged to Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza (The National Publishing Agency), one of many government-controlled publishing units in Poland during that time. Tonpress was disactivated in 1990, when the new democratic Polish government decided to discontinue running many of the state-controlled publishing houses and agencies. Tonpress' Polish catalogue was split between various private-owned music labels.

My collection: 7" single no. 2578
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wishing (If I had a photograph of you)' / 'I ran'

On the beach - Chris Rea

This limited edition double single includes two live tracks recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London on May 2, 1986. Rea had just completed his 'On the beach tour' when this single was released, the title track from his 1986 album 'On the beach'. The track was remixed for the single release.

While the single only reached number 57 in the UK singles chart, it was a bigger hit for Rea in the Netherlands, where it got to number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2347
Found: June 26, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'On the beach (special remix)' / 'If anybody asks you' // 'One golden rule (live)' / 'Midnight blue (live)'

In fortune's hand - Clannad

Clannad started the Nineties with a slightly livelier sound. The single 'In fortune's hand', taken from their 1990 album 'Anam', was a full band effort, using more instrumentation than on previous singles.

This did not mean that commercial success awaited them: the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1479
Found: Breda, July 3, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In fortune's hand' / 'Dobhar'

Microkid - Level 42

'Microkid' is a track on Level 42's fourth album 'Standing in the light'.

When it was released as a single in October 1983, it reached number 37 in the UK singles chart. The single was unsuccessful in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 3064
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Microkid' / 'Turn it on (live version)'

Nescio - The Nits

The Dutch band The Nits released the track 'Nescio' in February 1983 as a single from their album 'Omsk'. The track features Dutch singer Mathilde Santing on backing vocals. It became the band's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My copy of the single comes in a standard record company sleeve, although it was released in a picture sleeve. I have seen picture sleeve editions recently, but they're usually quite expensive. So for now, this'll do.

My collection: 7" single no. 431
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Nescio' / 'Man of straw'