Y solo tu - Bacchelli

Bacchelli was born as José María Bacchelli Ortega in 1952 in Barcelona, Spain. He had a brief career in music in the late Seventies and early Eighties. In 1980 he released the album 'Prohibido'. A year later, he was selected to represent Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest.

He performed the song 'Y solo tu' ('And only you') in Dublin, which reached 14th place at the end of the Contest, out of 20 competitors. The single was released in most of Europe, but commercial success did not follow. A second album, also called 'Y solo tu', failed to sell as well. Shortly thereafter he retired from the music industry.

My collection: 7" single no. 4565
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Y solo tu' / 'Cuando te tengo en mis brazos'

Un grand, grand amour - José Cid

José Cid was born as José Albano Cid de Ferreira Tavares on February 4, 1942 in Chamusca, Portugal. He started a career in music in 1956 when he founded the Babies, a musical group which performed mostly covers. Besides being in various bands in the Sixties and Seventies, he also started a solo career.

In 1980 he was selected to represent Portugal during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Um grande, grande amor'. He finished seventh in a field of 19 competitors, which was Portugal's best result up until then. 'Un grand, grand amour' is the French version of the song, which was released internationally. The single was not a commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4564
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Un grand, grand amour' / 'Barbara'

Les jardins de Monaco - Caline et Olivier Toussaint

While Monaco was absent from the Eurovision Song Contest between 1980 and 2004, they did participate every year between 1959 and 1979. And so, 'Les jardins de Monaco', performed by Caline and Olivier Toussaint has the unique distinction of being the penultimate entry for Monaco before they gave up in the 20th century.

'Les jardins de Monaco' is a mid-tempo disco duet, which makes it sound a bit dated now. At the close of voting during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest, it finished fourth in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4563
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 16, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Les jardins de Monaco' / 'Tous les amoureux'

Waiting for a girl like you - Foreigner

Foreigner used the then-unknown Thomas Dolby to perform synthesizer on their track 'Waiting for a girl like you'. It was one of the factors in making this a big hit. Written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, it was the second single from Foreigner's album '4' (1981).

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It also achieved an odd chart distinction by spending a record-setting 10 weeks at number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, without ever reaching the top. It was held off the top spot by Olivia Newton-John's single 'Physical' for the first nine of those weeks, and by Hall & Oates' 'I can't go for that (No can do)' for the remaining week.

My collection: 7" single no. 1468
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waiting for a girl like you' / 'I'm gonna win'

Doe iets - Frank Boeijen Groep

The Frank Boeijen Groep released the second single from their third album '1001 hotel' in October 1983. It was 'Doe iets' ('Do something'). The lyric of the song, written as usual by band leader Frank Boeijen, was a cry for action between lovers.

After their first hit single 'Linda', this single again reached the Dutch Top 40, this time peaking at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 670
Found: Record fair, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Doe iets' / 'Macho'

Another one bites the dust - Queen

The bass line of 'Another one bites the dust' was inspired by the song 'Good times' by Chic. Recording sesions in Munich involved John Deacon playing almost all the instruments: bass, piano, rhythm and lead guitars and handclap percussion. Roger Taylor added a drum loop and Brian May contributed some noises with his guitar and an Eventide Harmonizer. There are no synthesizers used in the song: all effects are created with pianos, guitars, and drums, with subsequent tape playback performed in reverse at various speeds. Brian May later recalled: 'Freddie sung until his throat bled on 'Another one bites the dust'. He was so into it. He wanted to make that song something special.'

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in Argentina, Canada, Guatemala, Spain and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2107
Found: Record fair, June 4, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Another one bites the dust' / 'Dragon attack'

101 - Sheena Easton

Prince used his pseudonym Joey Coco to write '101' for Sheena Easton. The track was recorded on her 1989 album 'The lover in me', with Prince producing. When it was released as the second single from the album, the sleeve included a beautiful photograph by Sheila Rock.

It was not a big success for Easton, as '101' only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 875
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 3, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: '101' / 'Cool love'