Knocked out - Paula Abdul

'Knocked out' was originally Paula Abdul's debut single, released in February 1988. The song was written by Babyface, Daryl Simmons and LA Reid. In the UK, 'Knocked out' was released three times. It originally charted on September 24, 1988, peaking at a lowly number 98. Following the success of 'Straight up' and its follow-up 'Forever your girl', 'Knocked out' was re-issued and peaked at number 45 on 19 August 1989, just missing out on the top 40.

This single is a copy of the third and last re-release. This limited edition is housed in gatefold sleeve with a competition to win a week in California for two. All the owner had to do is send in the answer to three questions about Paula Abdul (this is before the Wikipedia age, remember!) and send in a postcard. The disc features a remix of 'Knocked out' by Shep Pettibone. The track finally cracked the UK top 40, peaking at number 21 in July 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 4498
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Knocked out (Pettibone edit)' / 'Knocked out'

The Amsterdam EP - Simple Minds

The Simple Minds released five singles from their 1989 album 'Street fighting years', of which the first and the last one were EP's. The first EP was the 'Ballad of the streets EP', the second one was the Amsterdam EP.

Three tracks were included on this EP, of which only 'Let it all come down' was taken from the album. 'Jerusalem' is an instrumental track written by Hubert Parry and arranged by the Simple Minds, and 'Sign o' the times' is a cover of the Prince track. The EP reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4497
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sign o' the times (edit)' / 'Let it all come down (edit)', 'Jerusalem'

Baa-baa black sheep - The singing sheep

Novelty singles: you either love them or loathe them. I was only a child when this single was released in 1982, and I was definitely in the 'love' camp. For years I didn't think much of this track, and now that I have a child of my own I can't wait to play it for her when she's a little older.

'Baa baa black sheep' is an existing English nursery rhyme. The words are not sung in this version - after all, sheep cannot talk. The single actually reached number 42 in the UK singles chart in December 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 4496
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Baa-baa black sheep' / 'Flock around the clock'

Grace Kelly - Mika

'Grace Kelly' was released in January 2007 as the debut single from Mika. It subsequently appeared on his debut album 'Life in cartoon motion'. The song was written as a satire of musicians who try to reinvent themselves to be popular. The lyric 'So I try a little Freddie' is a reference to Queen's Freddie Mercury, to whose singing voice Mika's has been compared.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. Initally, the song was available as a download only, but a cd-single was subsequently sold in shops. This 7" single was released in the UK only, featuring an inner sleeve which colours in the words 'Grace Kelly', which are cut out from the outer sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 4495
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Grace Kelly' / 'Satellite'

Duel - Propaganda

25 years after I bought the single 'Duel' I find out that there's a limited edition double single of this track! Fortunately, I spotted this double single at a bargain price, because nothing is worse than seeing items like this for a staggering amount and you realise you either have to wait forever to find another copy or it will never be available at a reasonable price at all.

Not that the two bonus tracks on disc 2 are very rare anymore: both have been released on the excellent cd/dvd set 'Outside world', released in 2002.

My collection: 7" single no. 4494
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Duel' / 'Jewel' // 'Lied' / 'The lesson'

Look away - Big Country

I bought a lot of 7" singles last year, but quite frankly I'd forgotten that 'Look away' by Big Country was one of them. And it's not even that long ago!

This limited edition double single adds a second disc with two instrumental tracks, displaying the Celtic influences that Big Country have always flaunted. The tracks come from the soundtrack of the movie 'Restless natives', which was released one year before this single, in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 4493
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Look away' / 'Restless natives' // 'Margos theme' / 'Highland scenery'

Girls and boys - Prince and the Revolution

'Girls & boys' was recorded by Prince on his 1986 album 'Parade'. This limited edition double single was released in the UK in the summer of that year. I remember seeing the double single in the shops for ridiculous prices at the time, so I'm glad I waited for almost 25 years to get it this cheap.

The single was not released in America, but in the UK, 'Girls & boys' peaked at number 11. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 4492
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Girls & boys' / 'Under the cherry moon' // 'She's always in my hair' / '17 days (the sun will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose)'