Together again - Jools Holland and Sam Brown

'Together again' was written by the American country singer Buck Owens. It was released on his 1964 album of the same name and also appeared on the B-side of his hit single 'My heart skips a beat'.

Jools Holland and Sam Brown recorded their version of the song in 1991 for a single release to benefit the Hysteria trust. Hysteria raises and distributes money for UK AIDS charities. They didn't raise a lot of money: the single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2223
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Together again' / 'Honey dripper (live at Hysteria 3)'

Cold as ice - Foreigner

'Cold as ice' was taken from Foreigner's self-titled debut album. When it was released as a single, it quickly became one of the band's best known songs after it peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

I actually own two copies of the single. I bought the first one in 1992, which was made in Holland and widely available in Europe at the time of its release. The other single popped up in 1995, pressed on clear vinyl and housed in a see-through sleeve. This is a limited edition version from the UK, also released in 1977. A real rarity!

My collection: 7" single no. 1793 / no. 2521
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992 / London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 3,5 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cold as ice' / 'I need you'

Alright - Janet Jackson

Personally, I was never impressed with the track 'Alright' by Janet Jackson, taken from her album 'Rhythm Nation 1814'. When it was released as a single, I simply didn't buy it. That is, until I spotted this UK edition featuring the Spanish version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side. 'Come back to me' is a beautiful ballad, and sounds even better in Spanish, I have to say.

'Alright' reached number 20 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1990. In the Netherlands, where it was released in April with the 'normal' version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side, it didn't chart. A good B-side makes all the difference in the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Alright (House mix)' / 'Vuelve a mi (Come back to me)'

King in a Catholic style - China Crisis

'King in a Catholic style' was released in early 1985 as the follow-up to 'Black man Ray' and the second single from China Crisis' third album 'Flaunt the imperfection'. It reached number 19 in the UK singles chart.

This special edition of the single features a gatefold sleeve with a 12" sized sheet glued into the center, featuring stills from the music video of 'King in a Catholic style'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2337
Found: Sister Ray, London, May 26, 1995
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'King in a Catholic style' / 'Blue sea'

Private investigations - Dire Straits

Dire Straits surprised, I think, everyone with 'Private investigations'. Up until the release of this single, they delivered rather straight guitar-based rock songs, while this track added a layer of sophistication to their work. Mark Knopfler commented about the lyric of the song: 'It's just about the private investigations... What have you got at the end of the day... Nothing more than you started out with'.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought my copy from my sister, who bought a second copy of this single because she played this one so often. When I listen to it now, the single hasn't deteriorated much.

My collection: 7" single no. 306
Found: Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Private investigations' / 'Badges posters stickers t-shirts'

Following - The Bangles

'Following' was the fifth and last single to be taken from the Bangles' very successful album 'Different light'. In the UK, it was released in a limited edition poster sleeve. I bought this single without knowing the song just because of this poster sleeve - I love limited edition versions as I've stated before on this blog.

The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1217
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Following' / 'Dover beach'

Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy) - Scritti Politti

'Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)' is a track on Scritti Politti's 1988 album 'Provision'. It features Miles Davis, who plays a trumpet solo. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

This very attractive limited edition box set features the single plus three postcards and a sect of stamps. The colour poster that should be in it as well is missing, so I hope I can find a complete box set one day.

My collection: 7" single no. 761
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 2, 1989
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)' / 'Oh Patti (instrumental)'