There's got to be a way / I don't wanna cry - Mariah Carey

Although 'There's got to be a way' and 'I don't wanna cry' were released as two separate singles in the USA, in Europe it was a double A-side single. 'I don't wanna cry', the best track of the two in my opinion, was written by Narada Michael Walden and Mariah Carey. Because of bad experiences during its production and because she feels it 'doesn't have a message', Carey later commented that she dislikes the song and tries to sing it as rarely as possible.

'There's got to be a way' was written by Carey and Ric Wake, and pleads for ways to help fix the state of the world. It is one of Carey's few socially conscious songs, and deals with racism and poverty.

My collection: 7" single no. 1504
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 6, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'There's got to be a way' / 'I don't wanna cry'

Another day in paradise - Phil Collins

Released as the first single from his 1989 album 'But seriously', 'Another day in paradise' was written to bring attention to the problem of homelessness. It all sounded slightly pompous coming from a man who was so rich that he could easily buy a building and shelter all the homeless people in the UK. But I guess Collins didn't think about that when he wrote the song.

The single became a number 1 hit in various countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. In the UK, the single peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1091
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 4, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Another day in paradise' / 'Heat on the street'

Private dancer - Tina Turner

The song 'Private dancer' was written by Mark Knopfler and was originally going to be included on the Dire Straits album 'Love over gold'. After the song was recorded, however, the vocals were not added. Mark Knopfler considered that they were not suitable for a male to sing, so the track was cut from the final mix.

Legal restrictions prevented the original recording from being used when Tina Turner wanted to record the song, so two years later, the track was remade by Dire Straits for Tina Turner. The guitar parts originally played by Knopfler were re-done by Jeff Beck. The song was one of Tina Turner's most successful singles, reaching number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 248
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Private dancer' / 'Keep your hands off my baby'

Everything your heart desires - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates had been away from the pop scene for three years when they released 'Everything your heart desires' in April 1988. It was the first single from their imaginatively titled 1988 album 'Ooh Yeah'.

The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 81 in he UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 717
Found: January 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Everything your heart desires' / 'Realove'

I could never take the place of your man - Prince

'I could never take the place of your man' was the fourth and final single from Prince's 1987 double album, 'Sign 'o' the times'. The track was originally recorded in Prince's home studio in 1982. It was brought out of the vault and updated for Prince's 1987 album.

Released in the autumn of 1987, the single reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 29 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 577
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I could never take the place of your man' / 'Hot thing'

Why do I - Golden Earring

Released as the second single from their 1986 album 'The hole', 'Why do I' was a slightly formulaic rock ballad by the Golden Earring. The band were not known for their ballads, but through the years they'd recorded quite a few.

Releasing one as a single was not a good idea, though: 'Why do I' failed to chart when it was released in August 1986. The third single from the album, 'They dance', also failed to chart, and the band disappeared from view for two years after that.

My collection: 7" single no. 433
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Why do I' / 'Gimme a break (Rock version)'

Stay out of my life - Five Star

'Stay out of my life' was released as the fifth single from Five Star's second album 'Silk & steel' in February 1987. The song was coupled with an alternative version of the track, '(How dare you) Stay out of my life', which was used as the theme tune to the Eighties children's television series entiled 'How dare you', presented by Carrie Grant.

The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories. The group performed 'Stay out of my life" at the 1987 BPI awards ceremony, where they had won the award for 'Best British Group'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3105
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Stay out of my life' / '(How dare you) Stay out of my life'