The Jean Genie - David Bowie

David Bowie spent some time in New York City when he composed and recorded 'The Jean Genie'. The subject matter was inspired in part by Bowie's friend Iggy Pop or, in Bowie's own words, 'an Iggy-type character... it wasn't actually Iggy'. The title has long been taken as a pun on the name of the author Jean Genet. Bowie was once quoted as saying that this was 'subconscious... but it's probably there, yes'.

The track was released as the first single from Bowie's 1973 album 'Aladdin Sane'. There was some controversy in the UK upon its release, because the riff in the song sounded a lot like the Sweet's 'Block buster'. The song, written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, was recorded and released slightly later than Bowie's single, but both were in the top 10 at the same time. All parties maintained that the similarity was, in Nicky Chinn's words, 'absolute coincidence'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4426
Found: Any Record, Den Haag, January 13, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The Jean Genie' / 'Ziggy Stardust'

Guitar man - Bread

I've had an 'Original Oldies' single of Bread's 'Guitar man' for over 20 years now, but when I came across an original 1972 pressing of the single today, I couldn't resist buying it. 'Guitar man' is a classic track by Bread and as this sleeve testifies, it was chosen to be Veronica's Alarmschijf (a tip for the top from the famous Dutch radio station) upon its release. It went on to become a number 13 hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4425
Found: Any Record, Den Haag, January 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The guitar man' / 'Just like yesterday'

Land of confusion - Genesis

'Land of confusion' was composed by Genesis, while the lyric was written by band member Mike Rutherford. It discusses the greed and uncertainty of the Cold War-era Eighties, but also evoke a sense of hope for the future. The song is remembered by most people for its music video, in which puppets from the Eighties show Spitting Image were used to portray the band and several contemporary politicians.

The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4424
Found: Any Record, Den Haag, January 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Land of confusion' / 'Feeding the fire'

Happy together - The Turtles

'Happy together' was written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon and recorded by the Turtles on their 1967 album of the same name. It was released as a single in the spring of 1967, reaching number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

Since then, this song has been used in several movies and tv shows, and is also a favourite during wedding parties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4423
Found: Any Record, Den Haag, January 13, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Happy together' / 'It ain't me babe'

Hypnotised - Simple Minds

'Hypnotised' was the second single taken from the Simple Minds' 1995 album 'Good news from the next world'. The 7" single was a numbered limited edition. This is number 1839.

The single was not as big a success as earlier releases from the band. It reached number 18 in the UK singles chart, but it stalled outside the top 20 in Germany, Ireland and Canada. In other countries, the single didn't even chart. And things would get even worse: subsequent singles were a hit in the UK and sometimes Germany only. Gone were the stadium-filling days of the late Eighties - although the band still manages to fill the bigger concert halls.

My collection: 7" single no. 2399
Found: HMV, London, July 6, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hypnotised' / '#4'

Loving the alien - David Bowie

The lyric of 'Loving the alien' reflects David Bowie's dislike of organised religion, and is a plea for greater unity between the faiths of the world. It was recorded as a track on David Bowie's 1984 album 'Tonight', and released as the third single from the album, but only nine months after the release of the album. Some reports say it was chosen as a single because Bowie read a review saying it would make a good single.

The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart, number 27 in the German singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was released in a limited edition gatefold sleeve featuring stills from the accompanying music video.

My collection: 7" single no. 314
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Loving the alien' / 'Don't look down (remixed version)'

Stayin' alive - Bee Gees

Robin Gibb commented about 'Stayin' alive': '[It] is about survival in the big city—any big city—but especially New York.' It was written for the soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever' when it wasn't even ready yet. All the producer of the soundtrack had to go on was that it was a New York story about disco-mania.

The song was not originally supposed to be released as a single, but fans called radio stations and RSO Records immediately after seeing trailers for the movie, in which part of the song was played. The single reached number 1 all over the world, including the USA and the Netherlands. In the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1977
Found: October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Stayin' alive' / 'If I can't have you'