Ben Adam - Yardena Arazi

Yardena Arazi was born in 1951 and started a career in music during her teens. She became part of the female vocal trio Chocolat, Menta, Mastik in the Seventies. They represented Israel during the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. Arazi returned to Eurovision when she co-hosted the show when it was organised in Jerusalem in 1979. And in 1988 she was selected to represent Israel, this time as a solo artist.

Her song was 'Ben Adam', a song about being righteous. Arazi sings that 'no man is perfect in all virtues' and tells her listeners 'don't always judge him for the worse'. Beginning at a slow tempo, the song builds to a fast-paced conclusion. Arazi finished seventh in a field of 21 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4396
Found: SecondLife Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ben Adam' / 'Son of man'

Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

I haven't heard 'Mr. Blue Sky' in a long time, but when I played it today, I got that same feeling I've had so many times when I hear this song: goosebumps all over. Can you imagine a track like this in the charts today? Can you even imagine a track like this being recorded, with full orchestra, a choir and everything else?

Back in 1978 it was possible. 'Mr. Blue Sky' comes from Electric Light Orchestra's classic album 'Out of the blue' and was released as a single in January 1978. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 618
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mr. Blue Sky' / 'One summer dream'

True colours - Cyndi Lauper

I was a bit shocked when I saw Cyndi Lauper on television this week, performing 'True colours' live in an episode of the soap series 'As the world turns'. There was a time when soap series were considered decidedly uncool, but I guess these days, anything is possible.

'True colours' was written by Billy Steinberg about his own mother. Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo submitted the song to Cyndi Lauper. According to Steinberg, 'Cyndi completely dismantled [the original] arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark.' The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 12 in the UK Singles Chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 459
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'True colours' / 'Heading for the moon'

Like to get to know you well - Howard Jones

After the success of his debut album, Howard Jones quickly followed it up with a remix album, 'The 12" album'. The album featured several remixes from his hit singles, plus one new track, 'Like to get to know you well', which was released as a single.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 16 in the Australian singles chart and number 56 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 505
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Like to get to know you well' / 'Bounce right back'

I will follow him - José

After the Dutch girl group Luv' split up, all three members tried their hand at a solo career. José Hoebee was by far the most successful, as she racked up several Dutch Top 40 hits. This single, her second solo release, even managed to reach number 1, which is something the other two never managed to do.

'I will follow him' was originally written by Frank Pourcel and Paul Mauriat and recorded by Pourcel as an instrumental piece in 1961. The music was adapted by Arthur Altman and English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel. This English version was recorded by Little Peggy March in 1963, who reachde number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 166
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I will follow him' / 'If I could be near you'

Je t'aime mélancolie - Mylene Farmer

As with more songs by Mylene Farmer, 'Je t'aime mélancolie' deals with the subject of melancholy and suicide. It's the singer's ironic response to journalists who criticize her because of her image of sad singer and the great success she has with it. Originally, a different track from her album 'L'autre...' was chosen as the second single from the album: 'Pas de doute'. But in the end, this single was released instead.

'Je t'aime mélancolie' reached number 3 in the French singles chart and number 8 in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 1956
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Je t'aime mélancolie (radio mix)' / 'Je t'aime mélancolie (Smooth mix)'

Kiss on my list - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates recorded 'Kiss on my list' in 1980 on their album 'Voices'. While two other songs from the album had returned the duo to chart activity, it was the success of 'Kiss on my list' that confirmed the start of the duo's sustained run as one of American pop's top-selling acts, a run that lasted until the end of the Eighties. In the USA, the single peaked at number 1, while in the UK, it reached number 33.

According to Daryl Hall, Eddie Van Halen copied the synth part of this song and used it for the song 'Jump' by Van Halen.

My collection: 7" single no. 977
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Kiss on my list' / 'Africa'