That's just the way it is - Phil Collins

'That's just the way it is' was written by Phil Collins as an anti-war ballad, about the conflict in Northern Ireland, The Troubles. Collins commented: 'It's about Northern Ireland as far as I am concerned. (...) If you are living in England and you just sort of constantly people getting blown to smithereens because this thing that's been going on for the last twenty years. You see newsreels of kids throwing petrol bombs because their brothers throw them and then their dads throw them and their dads dads and it's just bred, inbred now this violence. I just thought someone somewhere, and it's got to be from both sides, has got to say 'Hang on, life means more than this. This has got to stop.''

The B-side of the single is 'Broadway chorus', a demo version of the previous hit single from the album, 'Something happened on the way to heaven'. The single reached number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 4598
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's just the way it is' / 'Broadway chorus'

Giving you the benefit - Pebbles

Pebbles released her second album 'Always' in 1990. Ahead of the album, the first single 'Giving you the benefit' was released in late 1990. The track was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, giving it a very contemporary dance feel (i.e. it sounds quite dated now).

The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, while it stalled at number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4589
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Giving you the benefit' / 'Giving you the benefit (Benefitstrumental)'

Heaven - Chris Rea

'Heaven' was the second single from Chris Rea's 1990 album 'Auberge', released in early 1991. After the UK top 20 hit 'Auberge', 'Heaven' was a relative disappointment, peaking at number 57 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side is a beautiful instrumental track, not included on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4573
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven' / 'Theme from the Pantile Journals'

Alright - Janet Jackson

A slight correction on the earlier post about Janet Jackson's 1990 single 'Alright': I thought the B-side of the Dutch edition was 'Come back to me', but this copy of the single proves that it is actually a remix of 'Alright'. Two versions of the track on one single: if you like remixes, this is a good deal.

As written in the earlier post, 'Alright' didn't manage to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4582
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Alright (7" R&B mix)' / 'Alright (7" remix)'

The soul cages - Sting

'The soul cages' was released in 1991 as Sting's third solo album. The album was written as a concept album, focused on the death of Sting's father. Most of the songs have motifs related to sailing or the seas (Sting's father, according to Sting's autobiography, 'Broken music', had always regretted not becoming a sailor). There are also references to Newcastle, the part of England where Sting grew up.

The title track was released as the fourth and last single from the album. It was only a minor hit, reaching number 57 in the UK singles chart during a one week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 4578
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The soul cages' / 'Walking in your footsteps (live)'

Just another broken heart - Sheena Easton

'Just another broken heart' was released in 1981 as the first single from Sheena Easton's second album 'You could have been with me'. The album was produced by Christopher Neil.

Although the single did not chart in the Netherlands, where Easton had some success before, it still charted in the UK, peaking at number 33.

My collection: 7" single no. 4599
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Just another broken heart' / 'Savoir faire (he's got)'

Centipede - Rebbie Jackson

At the height of his fame, in 1984, Michael Jackson still had time to help his siblings with their career. Rebbie Jackson was his eldest sister, and also the eldest child of the Jackson family. At 34, she released her debut album 'Centipede'.

The title track was written and produced by Michael Jackson and featured backing vocals by Michael and LaToya Jackson. This 12" single features an extended mix of the track, which is not found on any other release. In 1997, it was included on the cd-single for a later Rebbie Jackson single, 'Yours faithfully'.

My collection: 12" single no. 534
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Centipede (extended)' / 'Centipede (instrumental)'