Slow hand - Pointer Sisters

'Slow hand' is a pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981. It was also released on their album 'Black & White', released a few months later in 1981.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart - their first top 10 hit in the UK - and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3073
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Slow hand' / 'Holdin' out for love'

Fading like a flower (Every time you leave) - Roxette

'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' was written in 1989 in Canada by Per Gessle and recorded by Roxette on their 1991 album 'Joyride'. It was released as the second single from the album, and promoted with a music video that was filmed in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 12 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single was made in Italy and used for promotion, hence the punched holes in the lower left corner.

My collection: 7" single no. 1879
Found: Record fair, March 27, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' / 'I remember you'

Early in the morning - Robert Palmer

A track from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova', 'Early in the morning' was only released as a single in America, Canada and Australia as far as I know. I knew the album and so when I spotted this single as an import, I bought it immediately.

The single reached number 26 in Canada, number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 81 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 733
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 7, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Early in the morning' / 'Disturbing behaviour'

Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme) - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would explode in popularity the following year.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark used the tune to create the track 'Dream of me', released as the second single from their 1993 album 'Liberator'. Promoted with a colourful and digitally enhanced music video, it reached number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2006
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' / 'Strange sensations'

Babooshka - Kate Bush

Kate Bush released 'Babooshka' in June 1980 as a single from her third album 'Never for ever'. The lyric of the song describes a wife's desire to test her husband's loyalty. She takes on the nom de plume of Babooshka and sends notes to her husband in the guise of a younger woman. The trap is set when, in her bitterness and paranoia, she arranges to meet her husband, who is attracted to the character that reminds him of his wife in earlier times.

When Bush wrote the song, she didn't know that 'Babooshka' actually means 'grandmother' in Russian. The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 63
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Babooshka' / 'Ran tan waltz'

Life in one day - Howard Jones

'Life in one day' was released as the third single from Howard Jones' 1985 album 'Dream into action'. The lyric warned against wishing one's life away. The single reached number 14 in the UK Singles chart, and number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 27.

I have two different versions of this single: one with a poster sleeve, and one special double single, which features a second disc with two live tracks, recorded at the Manchester Apollo on March 15, 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 354
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Life in one day' / 'Boom bap respite' // 'Always asking questions (live)' / 'New song (live)'

Last dance - Donna Summer

Paul Jabara wrote 'Last dance' in the mid-Seventies. It was recorded by Donna Summer for the soundtrack of the movie 'Thank God it's Friday', in which she also had a small part, singing the song. It was one of the first disco songs to also feature slow tempo parts. It starts off slow and the full-length version found on the film soundtrack also has a slow part in the middle.

The song has sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, peaking at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Last dance' reached number 8, while it stalled at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3116
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Last dance' / 'With your love'