Onschuld - Frank Boeijen

The fourth single from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album 'Wilde bloemen' ('Wild flowers') was the track 'Onschuld' ('Innocence'). It was re-recorded in June 1992, which didn't help its chart performance incidentally: like the other three singles from the album, it didn't chart in the Netherlands.

The B-side was recorded for the album together with Henny Vrienten, frontman of the popular Dutch Eighties band Doe Maar.

My collection: 7" single no. 1704
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Onschuld' / 'Het ijs'

May this be your last sorrow - Banderas

To this day, I am still mystified as to why the Banderas only ever recorded one album. Their music was accessible, the voice of Caroline Buckley sounded a lot like Madonna's - except better - and their album 'Ripe' was one of the best records of 1991 - in my opinion of course.

'May this be your last sorrow' was the third and last single drawn from that album, and this promotional 12" single features one remix that wasn't included on the commercially available cd-single. The 'Jimmy Phensic mix' isn't that wonderful, but still, it's an exclusive track.

My collection: 12" single no. 220
Found: Big Company Records, London, October 1992
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'May this be your last sorrow (7")', 'May this be your last sorrow (Less Stress 12") / 'May this be your last sorrow (Smith & Mighty - The Original Plan mix)', 'May this be your last sorrow (Smith & Mighty - The Jimmy Phensic mix)'

European queen - Billy Ocean

Not only did Billy Ocean record different versions of his song 'Caribbean queen', entitled 'African queen' and 'European queen', but there were also different edits of those songs. This single of 'European queen' features an edit which is shorter by 30 seconds when compared to the album version, but also an instrumental version which is actually longer than the album version! It's only 10 seconds longer, but still...

Having heard this song too often back in 1984, I never bought it, but now, more than a quarter of a century later, it's actually fun to hear this again.

My collection: 7" single no. 4848
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'European queen' / 'European queen (instrumental)'

Carribean queen - Billy Ocean

'Caribbean queen' was recorded by Billy Ocean in 1984 with Robert John 'Mutt' Lange co-writing and producing the track. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was recorded with different titles for different parts of the world - resulting in versions such as 'European queen' and 'African queen'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4847
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Caribbean queen' / 'European queen'

King for a day - Thompson Twins

Following on from their hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap', the Thompson Twins experienced some troubles with their follow-up, 'Here's to future days' (1985). Frontman Tom Bailey was diagnosed with nervous exhaustion just before the release of the album and holding off on its release eventually led to reconsideration of the whole project. After Bailey's recovery, they re-recorded the album with producer Nile Rodgers taking over from Alex Sadkin.

Still, the album turned out to be less successful than its predecessor. The singles, too, disappointed commercially. 'King for a day' flopped in many territories and only reached number 22 in the UK - although it still made number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4846
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'King for a day' / 'Rollunder'

They don't know - Tracey Ullman

Kirsty MacColl wrote and recorded 'They don't know' in 1979. It was a popular song on the radio in the UK, but a strike at her distributors prevented the single from being shipped and promoted properly, preventing release of the single. The song was not included on any album, but later appeared on a compilation album 'Galore' (amongst others).

In 1983, Tracey Ullman recorded a cover version of the song on her debut album, 'You broke my heart in 17 places'. It became the album's most successful single, charting in the top ten of various national charts including a number 2 placing in the UK and number 8 in the USA and the Netherlands. MacColl performed backing vocals on Ullman's version and keeping her original "bay-ay-be-ee" in the middle of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 4845
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'They don't know' / 'The B side'

Sister paradise - Time Bandits

The second single release by the Dutch band Time Bandits was not as succesful as their debut. Whereas 'Live it up' soared to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40, this single did not chart.

It didn't bode well for their debut album, but that was a pretty good success nonetheless. The band of Alides Hidding and company would be successful throughout the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4844
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 8, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sister paradise' / 'Cues part II'