Two hearts - Phil Collins

'Two hearts' was written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier (of Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland) for the 1988 crime comedy film 'Buster'. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song alongside the Carly Simon song 'Let the river run' from 'Working girl'.

Released as the second single from the 'Buster' soundtrack album, the single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in 1988. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2435
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Two hearts' / 'The robbery (excerpt)'

Binnen zonder kloppen - De Dijk

The Amsterdam-based Dutch band De Dijk released one of their better known songs 'Binnen zonder kloppen' ('Enter without knocking') in early 1985. The single failed to chart but is remembers within the Netherlands until this day.

During the first Gulf War, the song ended up on a list of boycotted songs for radiostations, probably because of the title...

My collection: 7" sigle no. 1364
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 28, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Binnen zonder kloppen' / 'Wat nog meer'

Just the way you are - Billy Joel

'Just the way you are' is a love song from Billy Joel's 1977 album, 'The Stranger'. It was written as a birthday gift to Joel's first wife Elizabeth Weber. After they divorced, Joel said that when performing the song, he would imagine what he would eat for dinner or what he would do after the show, or even accidentally sing alternate lyrics written by Liberty DeVitto ('She took the dog, the house, the car').

The track features an alto sax solo by jazz artist Phil Woods, who replaced Richie Cannata (who played sax for most of the songs on The Stranger) when the latter's style of playing was deemed unfit for the song. The bossa nova style of the song was strongly encouraged by producer Phil Ramone. Joel has gone on record stating that he personally dislikes the song and was originally going to leave it off the album. However, at the request of both Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow (both were recording in other studios in the same building at the time), Joel and Ramone agreed to leave it on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2030
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1998
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Just the way you are' / 'Get it right the first time'

Still got the blues (for you) - Gary Moore

'Still got the blues' is a 1990 album by guitarist Gary Moore. Prior to this album Moore's work had consisted of predominantly rock and hard rock styles including his work with Skid Row, Thin Lizzy, G-Force as well as a large repertoire of solo work. This album, as evidenced by its title, is a departure from hard rock to an electric blues style.

'Still got the blues' has been arguably the most successful of Moore's solo albums as it was well received by old fans and also converted many who had never heard of the Irish guitarist before. Part of the success was caused by the title track, which was released as a single in early 1990. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1241
Found: June 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Still got the blues' / 'Left me with the blues'

Tower of strength (remix) - The Mission

In 1994, the Mission released the compilation album 'Sum and substance'. The album was preceded by this single release, a remix of their biggest hit up until then: 'Tower of strength'. The 'East India Trans Cairo Mix' was created by Youth.

The single charted in the following January, reaching number 33 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3009
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tower of strength (East India Trans Cairo Mix)' / 'Wasteland (Musketeer mix)'

Disappear - INXS

'Disappear' was released as the second single from INXS's album 'X'. The song was written by Jon Farriss and Michael Hutchence while they were living together in Hong Kong in 1989.

The single peaked at number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the band's seventh and last top 10 single there. It was a lesser hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 21. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 1808
Found: Record fair, January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Disappear' / 'Middle beast'

Rapture - Blondie

'Rapture' is a combination of New Wave pop, funk, jazz and rap music, with the rap section forming an extended coda. While it was not the first single involving rap to be successful, it was the first to top the charts in the USA. The lyrics of 'Rapture' included references to hip-hop pioneers Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.

It was the second and final song to be released from Blondie's 1980 album 'Autoamerican', following 'The tide is hight', which had topped the charts in theUSA and the UK. This single only reached number 5 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 829
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Rapture' / 'Walk like me'