Food for thought - UB40

'Food for thought' was the first single release by British reggae band UB40. The song was an attempt to publicize and condemn the Ethiopian famine in Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, a full five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention.

It was released as a double A side along with 'King', which was a song written about the late Martin Luther King, questioning the lost direction of his followers and the state of mourning of a nation after his death. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart early in 1980 and number 1 in New Zealand a few months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4813
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Food for thought' / 'King'

Playing the blues - Maarten Peters

In early 1991, Maarten Peters came up with the follow-up to his successful 1989 album 'White horses in the snow'. Entitled 'A scary tale', it was a collection of songs mainly inspired by fairytales.

The first single 'Playing the blues', however, was not one of them. This one sounded like a poppy version of a blues track. It probably didn't sound that believable coming from a white Dutch man, because the single failed to chart even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1397
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Playing the blues' / 'Merlin'

Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum) - Severine

In 1971, Severine won the Eurovision Song Contest for Monaco with the song 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue'. She recorded three alternative versions of the song: 'Chance in time' (English version), 'Il posto' (Italian) and 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)'.

This German version was released in German-speaking countries. It reached number 23 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4771
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)' / 'Ich denke oft noch an dich'

Angel - Eurythmics

'Angel' was written by Eurythmics band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. It was the fourth single taken from their album 'We too are one'.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1233
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 8, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Angel' / 'Angel (Choir version)'

Whatever happened to Benny Santini? - Chris Rea

When Chris Rea signed his first record deal with Magnet Records in 1978, they suggested he use the stage name Benny Santini. He refused, but it did inspire him to write the song 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?'. What's more, his debut album was named after this song.

And the song in turn was released as the second single from the album. Although this single flopped all over Europe, it did manage to reach number 71 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Even more remarkable: only 'Fool (if you think it's over)' (1978) and 'Diamonds' (1979) were bigger single hits for Rea in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4794
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?' / 'Three angels'

De verzoening - Frank Boeijen Groep

There was always something quite embarrassing about 'De verzoening' ('The reconsiliation') by the Frank Boeijen Groep. Frontman Frank Boeijen wrote the song with a very personal lyric, leading to a chorus that proclaimed 'Heb me lief' ('Love me'). During live concerts and television performances this led to hysterical audiences singing along to those lines, something that always struck me as something otherworldly.

Anyway, the song struck a chord with many people, which led to it becoming a modest hit: it reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. The response endures to this day: whenever Boeijen sings this song, audiences sing along as if their lives depend on it. I just chuckle whenever I notice that.

My collection: 7" single no. 487
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De verzoening' / 'Niemand heeft gelijk'

Only for love - Limahl

'Only for love' is the debut single by former Kajagoogoo singer Limahl, who was fired from the group by his bandmates in 1983. The song was later included on Limahl's 1984 debut solo album, 'Don't suppose'. The song became his first solo hit, peaking at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

It also played a part in the singer meeting producer Giorgio Moroder, while he was performing the song at a rock festival in Tokyo the following year. Moroder would help Limahl reach greater international success later in his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 4790
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Only for love' / 'OTT (Over the top)'