Ne t'enfuis pas - Kate Bush

The fact that collecting records is not always fun, is proved with this particular item. I ordered 'Ne t'enfuis pas' by Kate Bush from France, as it was possible to get a copy from there some 20 years ago. I sent my money, waited for a few weeks, and then received the package. The problem was: it was delivered by a particularly stupid and lazy postman, who decided to shove it through the letterbox. As a result, the single snapped and I found two halves in the sleeve.

I brought the single to the postoffice for a complaint, and had to leave the item with them, so they could decide what to do. One week later, I got my money back, and the record as well: they broke it up into twenty pieces, presumably to try out what it would take to break a record. Needless to say, I was fuming. And I never found another copy - at least, not for a reasonable price. Until today, that is... (to be continued!)

My collection: sleeve
Found: France, ca. 1990
Cost: 20 guilders
Tracks: 'Ne t'enfuis pas' / 'Un baiser d'enfant'

By my side - INXS

'By my side' was written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence as part of the 1990 sessions for the X album. Record Producer Chris Thomas, who produced the album is also awarded songwriting credits, specifically contributing to the chorus and arrangement. Along with 'Never tear us apart', it was one of two INXS songs played at the funeral of frontman Michael Hutchence following his suicide on the 22nd of November 1997.

The song was released as the third single from INXS's 1990 album 'X'. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1398
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'By my side' / 'The other side'

Another kind of loving - Lasse Holm and Monica Törnell

Lasse Holm was born as Lars-Eric Gustav Holm on December 9, 1943. After becoming interested in music at an early age, he was a member of several bands during the Sixties, such as Doug and the Millsmen, The Spacemen and The Moonlighters. He subsequently developed his craft as a songwriter, writing six Eurovision entries for Sweden: 'Dag efter dag' (1982), 'Främling' (1983), 'Bra vibrationer' (1985), 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' (1986) and 'Eloise' (1993).

From these songs, only 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek' was performed by himself on the Eurovision stage, together with Monica Törnell (born June 3, 1954). The song finished fifth in a field of 20 competitors during the 1986 Eurovision Song Contest. The single includes the English and Swedish versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 4399
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Another kind of loving' / 'E' de' det här du kallar kärlek'

Just a little bit of peace in my heart / Please go - Golden Earring

Back in 1988, I spent a week in hospital for minor surgery. One of the joys of this was the fact that I had to do absolutely nothing except spend my time reading magazines and listening to the radio. One of the tracks I heard there was Golden Earring's 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart', an old track from 1968, when it reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

I found this re-release single from 1988 a few months later. The B-side was another hit from the band: 'Please go', which reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1965.

My collection: 7" single no. 859
Found: June 2, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Just a little bit of peace in my heart' / 'Please go'

Absolute beginners - David Bowie

David Bowie was a good friend of Julien Temple, who directed the movie 'Absolute beginners' in 1986. Not only did he land a supporting role in the movie, he also agreed to record the theme tune for the movie.

The sessions, at Abbey Road Studios, were set up in a novel way, with a group of session musicians all receiving a card to work at the studio with 'Mr X', who turned out to be Bowie. The sessions were completed rapidly, but the release of the single was delayed, because the record company wanted the release to tie in with the film's opening. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 411
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Absolute beginners' / 'Absolute beginners (dub mix)'

The miracle of love - Eurythmics

'The miracle of love' was recorded by the Eurythmics in 1986 on their sixth album 'Revenge'. It was subsequently released as the third single from the album, although the single was not released in the United States.

It reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 488
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The miracle of love' / 'When tomorrow comes (live)'

Children say - Level 42

The 1987 album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 had been a great success, spawning four hit singles through the year, but still it was decided to release one further single from the album. It was 'Children say', which was remixed by Julian Mendelsohn for the single release.

The song was more successful than expected in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, the single peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 2305
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Children say (remix)' / 'Starchild (remix)'