Hit me with your rhythm stick - Ian Dury and the Blockheads

According to its author Ian Dury, 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' has an anti-violence message. It was reportedly written during a jam session and inspired by a piano part near the end of the track 'Wake up and make love with me'. At least 11 takes of the song were recorded before one was chosen to be released as a single. Much of the band as well as producer Laurie Latham remain unhappy with the chosen take's mix, claiming it to be too dominated by piano and vocals.

When the single reached the UK singles chart, it was initially kept from the top spot by The Village People's smash hit 'YMCA'. However, after that single had spent five weeks at the top, 'Rhythm stick' still reached number 1. In the Dutch Top 40, this single peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1595
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hit me with your rhythm stick' / 'There ain't half been some clever bastards'

Tonight, tonight, tonight - Genesis

'Tonight, tonight, tonight' is a track on the 1986 album 'Invisible touch' by Genesis. It is the second longest song on the album at 8 minutes and 53 seconds. When it was released as the fourth single from the album, the track was edited down to 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 23 in Germany. In the Netherlands, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3193
Found: September 16, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Tonight, tonight, tonight' / 'In the glow of the night'

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'