Stage fright - Chic

By 1981, disco was out of style and most bands who were popular during the disco age were struggling. Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers were successful as producers - most notably with Diana Ross's 1980 album - but their own band Chic was suffering.

The album 'Take it off' and the only single from that album, 'Stage fright', went by unnoticed by the public. Truth be told, 'Stage fright' is a rather weak track in comparison to Chic's biggest hits. Maybe the bands from the disco age were just not inspired anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 4562
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Stage fright' / 'So fine'

It's raining men - Weather girls

Martha Wash and Izora Armstead got together in the late Seventies as 'Two tons o' fun', who had three minor hits in America in 1980 and 1981. In 1982 they changed their group name to the Weather Girls, scoring an instant worldwide hit with the song 'It's raining men', selling over 6 million copies worldwide.

The song was originally offered to Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Cher and Barbra Streisand, but they all turned it down. After the success in 1983, the song has been covered numerous times by artists such as RuPaul and ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.

My collection: 7" single no. 4561
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It's raining men' / 'It's raining men (longer)'

We'll be dancing - Time Bandits

In the beginning of 1987, Alides Hidding has finished writing songs for the new Time Bandits album, but the other members of the band are not enthusiastic about the material. Hidding decides to fire them all and look for a new band. He recruits Hugo de Bruin, Jean Monsou, Michel de Groot and Loek Coenraad to have it his own way.

After another writing session in America with Dan Hartman, the new album 'Can't wait for another world' and the single 'We'll be dancing' are released. Both are commercial disappointments. Hidding decides to end the Time Bandits and moves to America.

My collection: 7" single no. 4560
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'We'll be dancing' / 'Pasadena dream world'

Macho city - Steve Miller Band

'Circle of love' was the eleventh studio album by the Steve Miller Band, released in 1981. Side 2 of the original LP was a 16 minute track called 'Macho city'. An edit of this track was made for the single that was released in December 1981.

The single didn't chart in the UK, but reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side was an old classic of the band: the iconic 'Fly like an eagle'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4559
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Macho city' / 'Fly like an eagle'

My baby just cares for me - Nina Simone

Nina Simone recorded 'My baby just cares for me' in 1958 for her debut album, 'Little girl blue'. The track remained relatively obscure until 1987, when it was used in a UK television commercial for Chanel No. 5 perfume.

To follow up this exposure, the track was released as a single, entering the UK singles chart in October 1987, becoming Simone's first hit after 19 years absence from the chart. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. A claymation music video was produced by Aardman Animations, directed by Peter Lord.

My collection: 7" single no. 4558
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My baby just cares for me' / 'Love me or leave me'

Colour my love - Fun Fun

Fun Fun is an acquired taste for me: in the Eighties I hated their simple dance tunes, now there's a bit of nostalgia and the realization that much of today's music is much worse than that.

The hit 'Colour my love' was an international smash hit. It reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 and also charted in most of Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 4557
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Colour my love' / 'Bonus beats'

Round and around - Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham had her first chart hit when she recorded the duet 'Could it be I'm falling in love' with David Grant in 1985. She followed up that single with 'Round and around', a track from her debut album 'Heaven knows'.

It became her first solo top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 9. While it was also released in Europe, the single failed to chart there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4556
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Round and around' / 'Victim of emotion'