Get out of your lazy bed - Matt Bianco

'Get out of your lazy bed' was the debut single from UK band Matt Bianco, released in 1984. The song became the band's first Top 20 hit, peaking at number 15 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was used as the theme tune by long running New Zealand children's breakfast show 'What now', and is now firmly linked to Saturday morning cartoons, in the minds of many New Zealanders that grew up during the Eighties and Nineties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4950
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Get out of your lazy bed' / 'Big Rosie'

Took the last train - David Gates

I didn't know this single when I bought it. I almost didn't buy it, because of the fact it didn't have a picture sleeve - and I always prefer to have those. But then I figured this might never have been released with a picture sleeve and I was curious enough to hear this song upon the strength of David Gates' name alone. The former Bread frontman has been responsible for several great songs.

Boy, was I glad that I bought this single! It's a great upbeat track, very melodic. By contrast, the B-side is a wonderful ballad. It was David Gates' only single to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 50 in the summer of 1978.

My collection: 7" single no. 4949
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Den Haag, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Took the last train' / 'Ann'

Somebody to love - Queen

Although it lacks the innovation and intricacy of 'Bohemian rhapsody', I've always loved 'Somebody to love' more. It's a beautiful melody and the lyric is very simple: the search for someone to love can be quite desperate.

The single became the band's second number 1 hit in the Netherlands and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4948
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Somebody to love' / 'White man'

Discipline of love - Robert Palmer

'Discipline of love' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1985 album 'Riptide'. It was Palmer's first solo single after the Power Station project which he'd done with members of Duran Duran. This version of the single comes in a gatefold sleeve with lots of pictures of Robert Palmer, it's quite an interesting sleeve design!

The single was not a big success: it only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. After later singles did have some chart success, it was re-released in 1986, improving on its previous chart run, reaching number 68.

My collection: 7" single no. 4947
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Discipline of love' / 'Dance for me'

Tall story teller - Arabesque

Sometimes I buy a single because the sleeve is different. It's always interesting to compare. In the case of Arabesque's 'Tall story teller', I already had the German version, but this here is the Dutch version. The record company took a chance, because Arabesque never had a hit in the Netherlands, and this single didn't change much of that.

My collection: 7" single no. 4946
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tall story teller' / 'Caballero'

Is she really going out with him? (acapella live version) - Joe Jackson

In 1988, the double album 'Live 1980-1986' by Joe Jackson was released. It was an impressive compilation of live performances by the man who gave us so many great pop songs during the Eighties.

The acapella live version of 'Is she really going out with him' was released as a single. It is one of those inexplicable omissions in my 7" single collection: I bought the cd-single at the time but 'forgot' about the vinyl version. It was Joe Jackson's biggest hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 3 in the Dutch top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4945
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Is she really going out with him? (acapella live version)' / 'A slow song (live)'

Is dit alles - Doe Maar

The Dutch band Doe Maar had their first top 10 hit 'Doris Day' in early 1982. The follow-up was the laid back 'Is dit alles' ('Is this all'), released in June 1982. It shot to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40, just months before the band would have their first number 1 hit, cementing their position as the country's favourite pop act.

The song is about a relationship that seems to drag out in routine, and the singer wonders if this is all there is.

My collection: 7" single no. 4944
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, October 8, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Is dit alles' / 'Tijd genoeg'