It's raining again - Supertramp

'It's raining again' was released as the first single from Supertramp's 1982 album 'Famous last words', an album that marked the end of an era. As relations between Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the main songwriters of the band, became more strained, they fought over just about everything. Not long after this album's release, Roger Hodgson decided to leave the band.

The single, meanwhile, was a good success for Supertramp, reaching number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 334
Found: Oldies Unlimited, UK, received September 1985
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'It's raining again' / 'Bonnie'

Hanging on the telephone - Blondie

'Hanging on the telephone' was written by Jack Lee. It was first performed by Lee's short-lived US West Coast power pop trio The Nerves, who released it as the title track of their 1976 ep, the band's only release.

Blondie recorded a cover version of the track on their 1979 album 'Parallel lines'. When released as a single, it reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 110
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hanging on the telephone' / 'Picture this'

Stand above me - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Stand above me' was released as the first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1993 album 'Liberator', the second album recorded by Andy McCluskey without Paul Humphreys. It was the last single that also appeared on a 12" single.

'Stand above me' reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the German singles chart. In America, it did not reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it was a top 10 hit in the 'Dance play' and 'Modern Rock' charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 2000
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Stand above me' / 'Can I believe you'

Pull up to the bumper - Grace Jones

Making a meat sandwich, taking the 5 train, holding out the flag, putting it in there, going up and down... I'm always in awe of people who can creatively describe the act of making love and associated sexual acts. Back in 1981, my English wasn't good enough to appreciate the full meaning of 'Pull up to the bumper': I simply thought it was about cars.

Upon its original release, the single reached number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, 'Pull up to the bumper' was re-released in 1985, reaching number 12 on that occasion.

My collection: 7" single no. 2860
Found: August 9, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Pull up to the bumper' / 'Feel up'

Calling out to Carol - Stan Ridgway

In 1989, Stan Ridgway released his second solo album 'Mosquitos'. The album is notable for the three tracks featuring Tori Amos pre-'Little earthquakes' and so has become sought after by Tori Amos fans.

But perhaps the album is even better known for the hit single 'Calling out to Carol', a rather radio-friendly track which reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 945
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Calling out to Carol' / 'Can't stop the show (live)'

Be thankful - Massive Attack

Massive Attack had two hit singles in 1991, 'Unfinished sympathy' and 'Safe from harm'. They followed this up in early 1992 with 'Be thankful', the fourth and last single from their debut album 'Blue lines'. This proved to be a very unsuccessful release, as it only reached number 49 in the Australian singles chart, while failing to chart everywhere else.

I bought this single out of curiosity and because of the fact that the shop didn't have much else to buy. Sometimes I had this mood where I just had to buy cheap singles, and when there's nothing much on offer, I tend to buy whatever I think might be good. And this was, well, reasonably good.

My collection: 7" single no. 2251
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Be thankful (Paul Oakenfold mix)' / 'Hymn of the big wheel (Nellee Hooper mix)'

Sweet talkin' woman - Electric Light Orchestra

'Sweet talkin' woman' was originally named 'Dead end street', but the name changed to avoid confusion with a 1966 hit of the same title by the Kinks. Some words that survived from that version can be heard in the opening of the third verse, 'I've been livin' on a dead end street'. It was recorded on ELO's 1978 album 'Out of the blue' and released as the fourth single from the album.

Initial copies of the 7" single were pressed on transparent purple vinyl in the UK. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1163
Found: January 27, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sweet talkin' woman' / 'Bluebird is dead'