Don't bring me down - Electric Light Orchestra

A common mondegreen in this song is the perception that, following the title line, Jeff Lynne shouts 'Bruce!' However, he is actually saying a made-up word 'Grroosss'. After the song's release, so many people had misinterpreted the word as Bruce that Jeff Lynne actually began to sing the word as Bruce for fun at live shows.

Released as the third single from their 1979 album 'Discovery', 'Don't bring me down' was actually the first ELO single not to feature a string section. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. During its chart run I thought I saw this single in the discount bin, but I had a big blackout, as I came home with 'Shine a little love'. I bought this single 16 years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2441
Found: August 26, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Don't bring me down' / 'Dreaming of 4000'

Love is a stranger - Eurythmics

'Love is a stranger' was originally released in November 1982, but it failed to chart. When 'Sweet dreams (are made of this)' became a hit single, this single was re-released in March 1983. On that occasion, it peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart, number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

On the track, the rare Movement Systems Drum Computer and various synthesizers are used, combined with Lennox's strident multi-tracked vocal harmonies. The song is also punctuated with vocal grunts of "uh!" from Stewart.

I bought two different copies of this single: at the time of its re-release, I bought the Dutch pressing. Sixteen years later, I found a UK pressing with a totally different sleeve: the original 1982 version.

My collection: 7" single no. 197 / no. 3168
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983 / House of Rhythm, London, January 18, 2000
Cost: 3,5 guilders / 60p
Tracks: 'Love is a stranger' / 'Monkey monkey'

Lonesome loser - Little River Band

The Australian Little River Band crossed over to America after they became very successful in their homeland in 1976. When they combined the release of the single 'It's a long way there' with promotional visits, they managed a breakthrough in the USA, which in turn meant that their career took on a global scale.

From 1978 until 1981, Little River Band achieved six consecutive US Top 10 singles with 'Reminiscing', 'Lady', 'Lonesome loser', 'Cool change', 'The night owls' and 'Take it easy on me'. Two of these hits are featured on this American 'super oldies' single, released in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 3242
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Lonesome loser' / 'Lady'

Discotheque - U2

The single 'Discotheque' was the start of one of a controversial period for the band U2. Critics and fans were put off by the dance-inspired album 'Pop' and the band themselves later expressed dismay at the fact that they had to finish the album too quickly because the accompanying Popmart tour was already booked.

The single was released in February 1997 after the track had been leaked on the internet. There was a fear that this leak would harm sales, but of course it didn't: the single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart as well as in Ireland and New Zealand. In the Netherlands, 'Discotheque' reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 2848
Found: Record fair, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Discotheque' / 'Holy Joe'

Leningrad - Billy Joel

This single was released when the Russian town St. Petersburg was still called Leningrad. The song was written by Billy Joel about a Russian clown named Viktor, whom he met while touring the Soviet Union in 1987. Throughout the song, major items of Viktor's and Joel's lives are compared to show the cultural difference of the United States of America and the Soviet Union.

'Leningrad' was taken from Joel's eleventh studio album 'Storm front' (1989) and managed to chart in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, peaking at number 53, 15 and 14 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 1140
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Leningrad' / 'The times they are a changin' (live)'

Best kept secret - China Crisis

Released in 1987, 'Best kept secret' was the second and last single release from the China Crisis album 'What price paradise', which was released the year before. It was their first single to also be released as a cd-single, which was a new format at the time.

The single reached number 36 in the UK singles chart and as such was the last single by China Crisis to reach the top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1025
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Best kept secret' / 'The instigator (Italian fuzzbox version)'

Long blond animal - Golden Earring

I have to be honest and say that these days I don't like Golden Earring at all. They have turned into a band that is mercilessly repeating itself with performances in theatres with unplugged concerts. The band members are these old men who should think about having an annual prostrate checkup instead of planning new tourdates.

Back in 1980, it was a different story: the album 'Prisoner of the night' was released and the single 'Long blond animal' was a rock track that was totally out of sync with the new wave sounds that were taking over the charts. Still it managed to get to number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. The band was considering to throw in the title as the album and two later singles didn't sell as well. Maybe they should have done it - it might have saved us from the misery they are going through now.

My collection: 7" single no. 849
Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Long blond animal' / 'Triple treat'