Ben jij ook zo bang - Toontje Lager

The fact that Dutch pop was at its highest artistic level in the first half of the Eighties is proved once more with this single, released by Toontje Lager in September 1982. 'Ben jij ook zo bang' ('Are you so afraid too') is a fast-paced, almost manic track in which a sombre image of the future is painted.

The B-side is even better: a tale of sexual escapades set to great music. The guitar solo at the end is a treat. It's weird that this single didn't even manage to get into the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4765
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ben jij ook zo bang' / 'In gedachten'

Live at the Marquee - Howard Jones

I was pretty surprised when I found this single. I thought it was a very obscure item, released possibly before Howard Jones' debut single 'New song'. Two live tracks recorded at the Marquee, of which one - the A-side, 'What can I say', written by Howard Jones and William Bryant - I didn't know at all.

As it turns out, this was the 7" single that was included in a limited edition package of the 12" single of Howard Jones' second single, 'What is love'. Since I'm not likely to find that 12" single, I'm glad to have bought this single on its own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4755
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'What can I say (live)' / 'Bounce right back (live)'

Goodnight tonight - Wings

'Goodnight tonight' began as an instrumental track which Paul McCartney had recorded in 1978. Needing a single for Wings to accompany the album 'Back to the egg', he took out the track and brought it into the studio, where the full Wings lineup completed it. Since the track was over seven minutes long, an edited version was used as the single, with the full version available as a 12" single.

The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. McCartney's former songwriting partner John Lennon later commented that he didn't care for the song, but enjoyed McCartney's bass guitar on the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 4746
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Goodnight tonight' / 'Daytime nighttime suffering'

(Feels like) Heaven - Fiction Factory

'(Feels like) Heaven' is one of the big pop standards of the eighties. It was released by Fiction Factory in early 1984. It was the band's only big hit, reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart, and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

I also have the 12" single in my collection, but whenever I came across the 7" single I always thought I already had it. There was some doubt when I bought it this time, but I finally managed to pull it off and buy the damn thing.

My collection: 7" single no. 4748
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '(Feels like) Heaven' / 'Everyone but you'

Love's theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra

'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. It is one of the few instrumental and purely orchestral singles to reach number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the United States, in early 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 6 in March 1974. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would become popular the following year.

In May 1993, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark released their single, 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' on which they sang their own lyrics over a sample of this Barry White's composition.

My collection: 7" single no. 4741
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love's theme' / 'Sweet moments'

We are not amused - Kayak

The Dutch band Kayak was famous in the Seventies and early Eighties, but still their singles are very hard to find. So whenever I see one these days, I pick it up. In this case, I didn't even know the song - but I wasn't disappointed. Kayak makes very beautiful rock songs, sometimes with a hard edge, and sometimes it's just all peachy.

'We are not amused' was released in May 1975 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4739
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We are not amused' / 'Serenades'

Love is an ocean - Earth and Fire

'Love is an ocean' was another single taken from Earth & Fire's 1981 album 'Andromeda girl'. The song was written by Bert Ruiter and lead singer Jerney Kaagman.

The single, released in February 1982, failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4738
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love is an ocean' / 'You'