Rocket man - Elton John

This single has the unique distinction to be the inspiration for two very recognisable women in music: Kate Bush and Tori Amos. Kate Bush recorded a cover of 'Rocket man' in 1994, whereas Tori Amos performed 'Tiny dancer' during her concert tour in the same year.

The song 'Rocket man' was conceived when Bernie Taupin saw a shooting star or a distant airplane. The lyric describes a Mars-bound astronaut's mixed feelings at leaving his family in order to do his job. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 2552
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rocket man' / 'Tiny dancer'

Thin line between love and hate - The Pretenders

'Thin line between love and hate' was written by the brothers Robert and Richard Poindexter with Jackie Members and first performed in 1971 by the New York City-based vocal group The Persuaders. It became the group's biggest hit in the autumn of 1971, reaching number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Pretenders recorded a cover version of the track in 1984 on their album 'Learning to crawl'. Featuring Paul Carrack on keyboards and backing vocals, their version reached number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 912
Found: June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Thin line between love and hate' / 'Time the avenger (live)'

Never trust a stranger - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde recorded 'Never trust a stranger' as a track on her sixth album 'Close'. It was released as the third single from the album in the autumn of 1988 in a remixed version, made by Ricky Wilde, Kim's brother.

The single became another big hit for Kim, reaching number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, a limited edition gatefold sleeve of this single was available.

My collection: 7" single no. 662
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, October 7, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Never trust a stranger' / 'Wotcha gonna do'

Horoscopes - Sheeba

The Irish girlgroup Sheeba was formed in 1977 by Maxi, Marion Fossett and Frances Campbell. In 1981 they represented Ireland during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Horoscopes'. It finished fifth in a field of 20 contestants.

Following their exposure in the 1981 contest, they signed a recording contract in the UK and released the singles 'The next night' and 'Mystery', neither of which found success. In 1982 they were involved in a road accident in the West of Ireland that brought their career to an eventual halt due to their reluctance to continue touring. Today, Maxi is a successful broadcaster with RTE in Dublin; Marion Fossett is ring-mistress of the well-known family circus, Fossetts; and Frances Campbell is a broadcaster in Northern Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 4406
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Horoscopes' / 'You came through love with me'

Emma my dear - The Bolland Project feat. Colin Blunstone

Having released singles and albums as Bolland & Bolland and as Bolland throughout the Seventies and Eighties, Rob and Ferdi Bolland renamed themselves The Bolland Project for their 1991 album 'Darwin - the evolution'.

One of the tracks on the album was released as a single. It was the beautiful ballad 'Emma my dear', recorded with the aid of Colin Blunstone, who did vocal duties. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1665
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 13, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Emma my dear' / 'For a moment in time'

Bumped - Right said Fred

'Bumped!' was the first single from Right said Fred's second album 'Sex and travel'. It combined Nineties rhythms with a rather forgettable melody and lyric. I mainly bought this single out of curiosity - but I have to say I haven't played it much since I bought it.

The single was a succes in the UK and the Netherlands, peaking at number 32 and number 30 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 2035
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Bumped!' / 'Turn me on (Re-wrap version)'

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

'Everywhere' was the fifth single taken from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. Released in February 1988, it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, where the single was released in November 1987, it reached number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

This single was also the first cd-single release by the band in most territories. I bought the cd-single at the time of its release, and only bought the 7" single 12 years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 3196
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Everywhere' / 'When I see you again'