The train - The Nits

'The train' was the second single taken from the 1988 album 'Hat' by the Nits. The song was written and produced by the band. The sleeve of the single featured stills from the rather strange music video. And like the music video, the song was rather strange as well.

'Strange and beautiful' was increasingly becoming the trademark of the Nits, which earned them a big fan following in the Netherlands, but also a lack of commercial success: this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 753
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The train' / 'Blue'

Beyond my control - Mylene Farmer

Mylene Farmer's song 'Beyond my control' was inspired by two characters in the 1782 French novel 'Les liaisons dangereuses'. In the song, the voice heard on the chorus of the song which repeats 'It's beyond my control' is in fact a sample of John Malkovich's voice from the film 'Les liaisons dangereuses' by Stephen Frears. The song deals with self-control, love and death. Farmer tells her own story from the sampled sentence: that of a woman who kills her unfaithful lover after a night of love.

The single reached number 8 in France and number 10 in the French-speaking part of Belgium. The single was also released in the Netherlands, but without any chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 2220
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Beyond my control' / 'Beyond my control (Ya ya version)'

Everybody hurts - R.E.M.

The statement is quite belittling: to say to the thousands of victims of an earthquake, in this case in Haiti: 'Everybody hurts sometimes'. Yet, that's what happening right now: an array of pop stars have recorded a cover version of this sog by R.E.M. I haven't heard it yet, but when Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey are involved, it's bound to be an atrocious track.

So let's go back to the original. Much of the song was written by R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry. He said about the song: 'If you're consciously writing for someone who hasn't been to college, or is pretty young, it might be nice to be very direct. In that regard, it's tended to work for people of a lot of ages.'

My collection: 7" single no. 1916
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 22, 1993
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everybody hurts' / 'Pop song 89'

Midnight man - Flash and the Pan

'Midnight man' is a track from Flash and the Pan's fifth studio album 'Early morning wake up call'. The album was produced by Harry Vanda and George Young themselves, like all their albums.

The track was edited for the single release. The single reached number 66 in Australia and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 289
Found: Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Midnight man' / 'Fat night'

Save me - Queen

'Save me' was released as a single in January 1980, six months before the album 'The game' was released, on which the track appeared. Brian May wrote the song about a friend whose relationship had ended.

The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 11 in the UK singles chart, while it was also a top 10 hit in Ireland, Italy and Norway.

My collection: 7" single no. 1575
Found: Record fair, January 25, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Save me' / 'Let me entertain you'

God - Tori Amos

Released as the last single from Tori Amos' second album 'Under the pink' in Europe (as opposed to the USA, where it was released as the first single), 'God' was issued in several different formats. The 7" picture disc featured the album version and a remix, whereas the cd-single and the 12" single featured a few more remixes.

One has to question the point of those remixes though. The 'acapella vocal and rain mix' is basically the prettiest version of three remixes that are basically the same: the 'Thinking mix 2' and the 'Rainforest Resort mix' are just lengthier versions with some alterations in them. The only reason why this 12" single is worth owning, is the CJ Bolland mix: this one actually adds something to the track that makes it sound danceable, and even gives it a poppy, Kraftwerk-ish appeal.

My collection: 12" single no. 222
Found: HMV, London, 1994
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'God (Thinking mix 2)', 'God (acapella vocal and rain mix)' / 'God (Rainforest resort mix)', 'God (CJ Bolland mix)'

Julia - Eurythmics

'Julia' was a track on the soundtrack of the movie '1984', which was composed and recorded entirely by the Eurythmics. It was subsequently released as the second and final single from the album. The song is a ballad with very sparse electronic instrumentation and an almost a cappella performance by Lennox. Her vocals are accentuated by vocoder effects in the background. The title and lyrics of the song are based upon the novel's heroine and love interest, Julia.

The single was released as a limited edition in the UK, featuring a pop-up sleeve and a picture disc with a still image from the film, featuring English actress Suzanna Hamilton as Julia. The single reached number 44 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1346
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 18, 1990
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Julia' / 'Ministry of love'