Stars - Simply Red

'Stars' was recorded as the title track from Simply Red's 1991 album. It was released as the second single from the album. The B-side of the single was a remix of the track by PM Dawn.

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, but did not chart in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1561
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 21, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Stars' / 'Stars (PM-ized mix)'

Wasteland - The Mission

'Wasteland' was the second single taken from the Mission's 1986 album 'God's own medicine'. There was a limited edition box set release of this single at the time of its release. As far as single box sets go, this one was quite lavish: not only did it include five colour photographs, it also had a second single with two bonus live tracks.

Perhaps as a consequence of this, 'Wasteland' became the Mission's biggest hit up until then, reaching number 11 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3153
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2000
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Wasteland' / 'Shelter from the storm (live)' // 'Serpent's kiss (live)' / '1969 (live)'

Save your love (for #1) - René and Angela

René Moore and Angela Winbush got together in 1980, both professionally and romantically. They formed the duo René & Angela and released three albums between 1980 and 1985. 'Save your love (for #1)' was released as the first single from their third and last album, 'Street called desire'.

The single gave them their first international success: 'Save your love (for #1)' reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. A year later, their marriage fell apart, with the duo falling apart not long after.

My collection: 7" single no. 4427
Found: Den Haag, January 16, 2010
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Save your love (for #1)' / 'Save your love (for #1) (instrumental)'

Maneater - Daryl Hall and John Oates

John Oates originally wrote 'Maneater' as a reggae-oriented song. On the insistance of Daryl Hall, the track was changed into a 'Motown kind of groove'. According to John Oates the inspiration for this song was English model and actress Kelly LeBrock. The track was included on their 1982 album 'H2O' and released as a single.

'Maneater' reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

I actually have two different copies of this single: I bought the German pressing (pictured above) in 1995. Two years later, I saw the UK pressing and didn't recognise the sleeve. It's another example of how my photographic memory sometimes gets in the way...

My collection: 7" single no. 2469 / no. 2874
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995 / House of Rhythm, London, October 28
Cost: 1 guilder / 20p
Tracks: 'Maneater' / 'Delayed reaction'

I've been thinking about you - London Beat

London Beat released their second album 'In the blood' in early 1991. The single 'I've been thinking about you' preceded the album by half a year, as it was released in August 1990.

The upbeat, breezy sound of the song made it an instant summer hit in many countries. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where it was released in April 1991, the single reached number 1 as well. The song also topped the singles charts in Spain, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1341
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'I've been thinking about you' / '9AM (live)'

I've never been to me - Charlene

Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo was born on June 1, 1950 in Hollywood, California. In 1973, she signed to the Motown label. 'I've never been to me' was originally a single taken from her self-titled debut album 'Charlene' in 1977. It only managed to reach number 97 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 1982, a DJ in Tampa, Florida started to play the song on the radio. Audience reaction was so impressive, that Motown was moved to re-release the single. This time around, 'I've never been ot me' reached number 3 in the USA and number 1 in the UK singles chart. It also reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. By that time, Charlene had moved to England and was working in an Ilford, Essex sweet shop.

My collection: 7" single no. 126
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I've never been to me' / 'Somewhere in my life'

1 touch 2 much - Mai Tai

After having had two consecutive top 10 hits in the Netherlands, Mai Tai recorded a new album in the summer of 1986. Entitled '1 touch 2 much', it was released in the autumn of 1986, with the title track released as the first single from the album.

Expectations were obviously high, but they were not met: the single didn't chart and the album didn't sell as much as its predecessor. Two subsequent singles reached the lower regions of the Dutch Top 40 only.

My collection: 7" single no. 629
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '1 touch 2 much' / 'Inch by inch'