Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me - U2

'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me' was originally recorded during the sessions for U2's 1993 album 'Zooropa'. It didn't make it onto the album, but in 1995, it was contributed by the band to the soundtrack of the movie 'Batman forever'. The track was also released as a single. In the UK, a 7" single was released as a limited edition, pressed on red vinyl.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it got to number 16.

My collection: 7" single no. 2334
Found: HMV, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me' / 'Themes from Batman Forever'

Lullaby - The Cure

The Cure released 'Lullaby' as the first single from their 1989 album 'Disintegration'. The lyric of the song explores the territory of nightmares.

The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, becoming their only top 5 hit in the UK to this day. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Lullaby' reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 790
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 13, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lullaby' / 'Babble'

Sympathy - Marillion

'Sympathy' was written by Mark Ashton, Steve Gould, Dave Kaffinetti and Graham Stansfield, members of the progressive rock band Rare Bird. It became one of the band's best known tracks for its haunting organ-based melody.

Marillion recorded a cover version of 'Sympathy' for their compilation album 'A singles collection'. It was also released as a single, which peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart in May 1992. The single even charted in the Netherlands, where it reached number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1673
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 20, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sympathy' / 'Kayleigh (live)'

Listen to your heart / Dangerous - Roxette

After the success of 'It must have been love', which reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, EMI UK decided to re-release 'Listen to you heart' as a double A-side with 'Dangerous'. Both tracks were hit singles in Europe, but they hadn't been as successful in the UK.

The strategy proved successful: this double A-side single rose to number 6 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 2177
Found: London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Listen to your heart (Swedish single version)' / 'Dangerous (album version)'

Careless whisper - George Michael

I bought 'Careless whisper' when it came out, then went through two decades without ever playing this single. It became a number one hit in the summer of 1984, and appeared on television and radio so often, that I got very sick of this song. Nowadays, I can listen to it again, and that's quite nice, because it is actually a very good song.

'Careless whisper' reached number 1 all over Europe, including the UK and the Netherlands, and also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although the band Wham! still existed when this single was released, this is the single that effectively launched George Michael's solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 240
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Careless whisper' / 'Careless whisper (instrumental)'

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'