Lean on me - Red Box

Red Box had their first hit single in 1985 with 'Lean on me'. It took me some time to realise that this was actually a good song, but when I did, I decided I wanted to have the 12" single as well. By that time, it was pretty hard to get, and so I had to resort to mail order in order to get it.

This 12" single actually contains two different versions of 'Lean on me' plus a remix of the B-side track 'Stinging bee'. Packages like this are always value for money.

My collection: 12" single no. 548
Found: Fun records, received 2002
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Lean on me (Dogmatix)' / 'Stinging bee (Catmatix)', 'Lean on me'

Love letters - Alison Moyet

I bought the 7" single of Alison Moyet's 'Love letters' in 1989 because I liked the song. Then I discovered the B-side 'This house', which made me buy the cd-single as I had to have it in pristine quality. And then I discovered that the 12" single actually had an extended version of 'Love letters' which didn't appear on the cd-single...

I was quite happy to buy this 12" single as it was very cheap. And fortunately, the extended version of 'Love letters' was worth every penny.

My collection: 12" single no. 379
Found: unknown
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Love letters (extended version)' / 'This house', 'Ne me quitte pas (live)'

Rocket man - Kate Bush

In 1991, Polydor Records released 'Two Rooms: Celebrating the songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin'. The title refers to the song on Elton John's album '21 at 33', 'Two rooms at the end of the world', to the duo's unusual collaborative style, and is also the title of a 1991 movie documenting their collaboration.

Kate Bush's version of 'Rocket man' was released as the album's first single. The 7" single appeared in a poster sleeve, of which the UK version was slightly bigger than the one made in Germany. The single peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40. In 2007 the track won The Observer readers' award for Greatest Cover of all time.

My collection: 7" single no. 1560
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 16, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rocket man' / 'Candle in the wind'

When we were young - Bucks Fizz

'When we were young' was a change in direction for Bucks Fizz. The production was heavy and the song had an ominous tone, far removed from the group's usual pop sound. It was the first and only single to feature lead vocals by Jay Aston. Aston's vocals were notably different from her solo appearances on previous Bucks Fizz songs Aston herself has said that she was adopting an effected voice, similar to Hazel O'Connor. She has since stated, despite the song's success, her vocal affectation wasn't a good idea, although has rated it her favourite Bucks Fizz song, while member Cheryl Baker has commented that she never liked the song due to its downbeat tone.

This 12" single features and extended club version of the track and an extra B-side track.

My collection: 12" single no. 381
Found: unknown
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'When we were young (extended club version)' / 'When the love has gone', 'Where the ending starts'

Strut - Sheena Easton

I bought the 7" single of 'Strut' for almost nothing in 1993, so it's only fair that I would find the 12" single for a tiny amount as well. I'm glad to say I did.

This 12" single features a dance mix Eighties-style: instrumental passages and echoes - and that's pretty much it. That's the way I like it best...

My collection: 12" single no. 548
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Strut (Dance mix)' / 'Letters from the road'

Questionnaire - Chas Jankel

Although this is a 12" single, it doesn't really contain a track especially made for it: both 'Questionnaire' and 'Boy' appear in their respective album versions. But because 'Questionnaire' was edited for the 7" single, this still is an attractive disc.

Chas Jankel worked with Ian Dury on a lot of tracks recorded by the latter. On this occasion, Jankel ended up recording the track he'd written with Ian Dury himself.

My collection: 12" single no. 547
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Questionnaire' / 'Boy'

Love's gotta hold on me - Dollar

When I listen to this single, I can't help but notice the dodgy sound effects and the very thin voice of Thereza Bazar. Dollar were just starting out in 1979, when 'Love's gotta hold on me' was released. The duo had had two minor hits in the UK, but hit the big time - amazingly - with this one: it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart.

The song does not convince me: personally, I prefer the B-side, 'Tokyo'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4887
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, May 22, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love's gotta hold on me' / 'Tokyo'