Feels like the first time - Foreigner

'Feels like the first time' was, appropriately enough, Foreigner's debut single, released in 1977. The song was written by Mick Jones. The single reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 39 in the UK singles chart.

This single was made in 1978, incorporating Foreigner's next hit single 'Cold as ice' as one of two tracks on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2664
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Feels like the first time' / 'Cold as ice', 'Long long way from home'

Deliverance - The Mission

Released as the second single from the Mission's 1990 album 'Carved in sand', 'Deliverance' is a perfect piece of trademark Mission rock: an intense track with deep, dark vocals and a storming guitar and drum backing.

The single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart, but unlike the first single from the album, 'Butterfly on a wheel', it didn't manage a chart placing elsewhere in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 3010
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Deliverance' / 'Mr. Pleasant'

(Everything I do) I do it for you - Bryan Adams

The idea of a song to promote the movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' came late in the making of the film. Michael Kamen, had originally wanted the song to be as if it were Maid Marian singing it to Robin Hood. He offered it to Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Lisa Stansfield but they all turned it down. David Kerschenbaum of Morgan Creek Records invited Bryan Adams – whom he had worked with in the early Eighties at A&M Records – to write the song based on the score from Kamen. Initially, Adams was to write the lyrics for another artist to perform, but it was decided that he should perform the song after writing it with his producer Mutt Lange. The pair recorded the song in Mayfair Studios in London.

The song is credited to Adams, Lange, and Kamen, and is played over the film's credits. A&M Records were at first reluctant to have the song appear on the film soundtrack, which was released through Morgan Creek, but the success of the record benefited both companies. The single was a number 1 hit around the world and instantly launched Adams to superstardom. The success of the single led to pre-order sales of a million for Adams' album 'Waking up the neighbours' throughout Europe. The album went on to sell 15 million copies around the world, whereas this single is still one of the best-selling singles of all time.

My collection: 7" single no. 1609
Found: Record fair, March 28, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: '(Everyting I do) I do it for you' / 'She's only happy when she's dancing (live)'

EDIT (April 5, 2010): I received a notice from Blogger that two posts about Bryan Adams got a complaint. I trust it's from the same people who posted a reaction on this post. They are obviously terrified that anyone should hear any Bryan Adams music, even if it's any good. The message these people are sending is: don't listen to music, you might get inspired to buy it yourself. And they wonder why the music industry is in such terrible shape...
Anyway, I'm taking down all of Bryan Adams' music. I don't need this. The divshare box is gone, all I can do now is write the following:

DON'T BUY BRYAN ADAMS MUSIC.

I hope they're satisfied now.

Skies the limit - Fleetwood Mac

Without Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac soldiered on. Billy Burnette and Rick Vito replaced him and in the new line-up they recorded the 1990 album 'Behind the mask'.

Four singles were drawn from the album, of which 'Skies the limit' was the third. The song was written by Christine McVie and her then-husband Eddy Quintela. The single did not chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1273
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 16, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Skies the limit' / 'Lizard people'

Too much heaven - Bee Gees

'Too much heaven' was the Bee Gees' contribution to the 'Music for UNICEF' fund. They performed it at the 'Music for UNICEF' concert on January 9, 1979. The song later found its way to the group's thirteenth original album, 'Spirits having flown'. Released as a single, it was a number 1 hit in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

The recording process was the longest of all the tracks on 'Spirits having flown' as there are nine layers of three-part harmony creating 27 voices, though the high falsetto voices are the most pronounced in the final mix.

My collection: 7" single no. 49
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Too much heaven' / 'Rest your love on me'

Magical - Bucks Fizz

Following the success of the rock-orientated track 'Talking in your sleep', Bucks Fizz were keen to replicate it with the release of this similar-themed song. 'Magical' was written by Meat Loaf and John Parr and originally recorded by Parr in 1985. While the track was not a hit for him in the UK, it did reach number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

With the public still familiar with Bucks Fizz's clean-cut pop image, their cover of the song was not successful and 'Magical' became the group's lowest charting single. Released in September 1985, the song reached number 57 and spent only three weeks on the chart.

The single was significant in that it was the first release with new member Shelley Preston, who had joined a few months earlier, although she didn't perform on the recording. It was also the group's last release with label RCA before their move to Polydor early the following year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2759
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Magical' / 'Oh Suzanne'

Everything I wanted - The Bangles

The Bangles basically split up in 1989. When the record company CBS released 'Greatest hits' in 1990, they did so to fulfil the band's contractual requirements.

The album was promoted with a new single, the song 'Everything I wanted' that was described as previously unreleased, however it had a limited release previously as the B-side to their single 'I'll set you free' in Australia. The single was not a success, just like the album that only made the top 10 in the UK and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 1239
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Everything I wanted' / 'In your room'