MacArthur park - Donna Summer

Written by Jimmy Webb, 'MacArthur park' was originally recorded by Richard Harris in 1968. Donna Summer recorded her version as part of the 'MacArthur Park Suite' on her 1978 album 'Live and more', clocking in at 8 minutes and 40 seconds.

A shorter single edit was made for a release on 7" vinyl. It became Donna Summer's first number 1 hit in the USA, also peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1661
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 6, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'MacArthur park' / 'Once upon a time'

How do you do! - Roxette

With a hit album ('Joyride') under their belt, Roxette toured extensively in 1991 and 1992. During that tour, they decided to record songs on the road, in hotel rooms, studios and throwing in some live recordings as well. The album 'Tourism' (1992) was born, and the first single from that album was 'How do you do!', a typically upbeat Roxette track.

The single reached number 58 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands and number 13 in the UK singles chart. The B-side is a live version of 'Fading like a flower' which was not included on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1686
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 11, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'How do you do!' / 'Fading like a flower (live)'

Lithium - Nirvana

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain described 'Lithium' as 'one of those songs I actually did finish while trying to write it instead of taking pieces of my poetry and other things'. He added that the sog is about a man who, after the death of his girlfriend, turns to religion 'as a last resort to keep himself alive. To keep him from suicide. I did infuse some of my personal experiences, like breaking up with girlfriends and having bad relationships'.

The song was originally recorded in April 1990 with Butch Vig producing. It appeared as a track on their debut album 'Nevermind' and released as a single from the album. It reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1695
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 15, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lithium' / 'Been a son (live)'

Be free with your love - Spandau Ballet

After a hiatus from recording during which Spandau Ballet band members Gary and Martin Kemp established themselves as credible actors in the gangster film 'The Krays', the band released 'Heart like a sky' in September 1989. Although the album was not the commercial success they'd hoped for, several singles were released, with varying degrees of success.

'Be free with your love' was one of the standout tracks from the album, and released as the second single from it. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1183
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Be free with your love' / 'Be free with your love (Dance mix edit)'

Don't get me wrong - The Pretenders

'Don't get me wrong' was the first single taken from the Pretenders' 1986 album, 'Get close'. This song was more commercial than the band's usual sound, with a jangly guitar sound and a pop melody. However, the lyrics were still as edgy as their earlier material.

The single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, while peaking at number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2556
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't get me wrong' / 'Dance!'

Seven tears - Goombay Dance Band

Although decidedly uncool, the Goombay Dance Band were able to have a major hit across Europe in the spring of 1982 with 'Seven tears'. The song was written by Wolff-Ekkehardt Stein and Wolfgang Jass and produced by Jochen Peterson.

The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in Austria. It also spent three weeks at number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, being only the second time a German act had topped that chart, only six weeks after Kraftwerk had achieved that feat with 'The model'. Incidentally, my copy of the single was made in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 137
Found: 1982
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Seven tears' / 'Mama Coco'

Better be good to me - Tina Turner

'Better be good to me' was written by Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman and Holly Knight and originally recorded by Spider, a band from New York City of which Holly Knight was a member.

Tina Turner recorded her version on her comeback album 'Private dancer' in 1984. When it was released as a single, it reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100, chart, number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 45 in the UK singles chart. It is still one of Tina Turner's most popular and recognizable songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 270
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Better be good to me' / 'When I was young'