The biggest fool of all - Cock Robin

You could wonder if it's a good idea to re-release a song that was not successful the first time around, years later on the occasion of a compilation album, but without any promotion or even any new tracks or remixes to go with it. But that's exactly what happened with this single. 'The biggest fool of all' was originally released in 1987 as the second single from Cock Robin's second album 'After here through midland', but it flopped in most territories.

When the record company released 'The best of Cock Robin' in 1992, the track was re-released - and failed to chart yet again.

My collection: 7" single no. 1652
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 9, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The biggest fool of all' / 'Coward's courage'

When we were young - Bucks Fizz

'When we were young' was a change in direction for Bucks Fizz. The production was heavy and the song had an ominous tone, far removed from the group's usual pop sound. It was the first and only single to feature lead vocals by Jay Aston. Aston's vocals were notably different from her solo appearances on previous Bucks Fizz songs Aston herself has said that she was adopting an effected voice, similar to Hazel O'Connor. She has since stated, despite the song's success, her vocal affectation wasn't a good idea, although has rated it her favourite Bucks Fizz song, while member Cheryl Baker has commented that she never liked the song due to its downbeat tone.

Reaching number 10 in the UK singles chart, this was to be Bucks Fizz's last top 10 hit for three years. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 14 and they wouldn't have any chart hits until three years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1088
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When we were young' / 'Where the ending starts'

She bop - Cyndi Lauper

'She bop' was, for some, a controversial song as the lyric was full of allusions to masturbation, such as 'They say I better stop / or I'll go blind'. Lauper said she wanted little kids to think the song was about dancing, and to understand the real meaning as they got older. This is probably why the lyric is quite oblique.

The single was a top 10 hit in most countries where it was released, although there were exceptions: in the UK it only reached number 46 and in the Dutch Top 40 it only got to number 34.

My collection: 7" single no. 469
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 20, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'She bop' / 'Witness'

That was yesterday - Foreigner

'That was yesterday' was the second single from Foreigner's album 'Agent provocateur'. The song was written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones and was remixed for the single release.

The single reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 28 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 277
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'That was yesterday' / 'Two different worlds'

A better love - London Beat

'A better love' was the second single taken from London Beat's second album 'In the blood'.

The previous single 'I've been thinking about you' was a number 1 hit in the US and the Netherlands, but this single was not as successful: it peaked at number 18 in the US and number 14 in the Netherlands. In the UK, this single stalled at number 52.

My collection: 7" single no. 1359
Found: Den Haag, December 5, 1990
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'A better love' / 'K.I.S.S.'

L.A. Woman - Billy Idol

It was quite a brave move for Billy Idol to record a cover version of the Doors' famous track 'L.A. Woman', the title track of the band's last album before Jim Morrison died. But his version turns out surprisingly well, adding a lot of power to the track that was already fast paced to begin with.

It was released as the second single from Billy Idol's fifth album 'Charmed life'. It reached number 70 in the UK singles chart and number 52 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. I bought the album not so long after I bought the single, because an edit is always too short.

My collection: 7" single no. 1281
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 23, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'L.A. Woman (edit)' / 'License to thrill'

Who is wrong and who's right - Kirsten and Søren

Kirsten Siggard (born September 7, 1954) and Søren Bundgaard (born March 4, 1956) were no strangers to the Eurovision Song Contest when they represented Denmark in 1988: they first entered in 1984 as Hot Eyes with the song 'Det' lige det'. They returned in 1985 with the song 'Sku' du spørg' fra no'en?'. They reached 4th and 11th place respectively.

In 1988 they got another shot at Eurovision fame with the song 'Ka' du se, hva' jeg sa'?'. No longer named Hot Eyes but simply Kirsten & Søren, they had their best result, reaching third place in the Contest. This single, featuring the English and French versions of the song, was released in various European countries, but did not chart outside Denmark.

My collection: 7" single no. 4395
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Who is wrong and who's right' / 'Ecoute moi mon amie'