Terry - Tracey Ullman

After having had success with 'They don't know', composed and recorded by Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman recorded another Kirsty MacColl track, 'Terry' in 1984, shortly after the original version by MacColl had been a hit. This cover version is a bit unnecessary as it adds nothing to the original. The music sounds like a replica, and if anything, Ullman's vocals are less powerful than MacColl's.

That said, I've always been fond of the song 'Terry' and so having different versions of it is quite interesting. Quite rightfully, however, this version was not a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5023
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Terry' / 'I don't want our loving to die'

Back in love again - Donna Summer

'Back in love again' was released in 1977 as a single from Donna Summer's album 'I remember yesterday'. The track combined a disco beat with an interesting Sixties sound. The song is actually a re-working of a track called 'Something's in the wind', originally a B-side to 'Denver dream', a single released by Donna Summer in 1974.

This single peaked at number 29 on the UK singles chart. Although announced as 'Der neue Superhit von Donna Summer' on this German sleeve, the single never made it into the German charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 5022
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Back in love again' / 'A man like you'

My kind of lady - Supertramp

In 1982, Supertramp released their final album of the 'classic line-up' including Roger Hodgson, '...Famous Last Words...'. While the first single 'It's raining again' was a hit in several countries, its followup 'My kind of lady' disappeared without a trace in most territories.

A worldwide tour followed in 1983. After the tour, Hodgson left the band. There was much speculation behind the reasons why Roger Hodgson left Supertramp. In an interview, Hodgson stated that the reason he left the band was to spend time with his two small children. He has stated that there were never any real personal or professional problems between him and Rick Davies as some people thought.

My collection: 7" single no. 5021
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My kind of lady' / 'Know who you are'

Why does a man have to be strong - Paul Young

Because the shopping has to be done. Because the garbage has to be taken out. Because there's always a fight around the corner. Because life is so hurtful. Because they get kicked around so much on the football field. Because he can't kill a cow otherwise. Because women are so weak.

Paul Young asks, 'Why does a man have to be strong'. Well there you have the answers.

My collection: 7" single no. 5020
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Why does a man have to be strong' / 'Trying to guess the rest'

Crunchy Granola Suite - Percy Faith Orchestra

According to the blurb on the sleeve of this promotional single, Percy Faith's version of 'Crunchy Granola Suite' was a hit in the Netherlands. At the time of writing, the track was at number 9 and still climbing. The information was not entirely correct: the track was still in the Tipparade, the 'bubbling under' chart in the Netherlands - and never actually reached number Dutch Top 40.

The fact that this track was wellknown in the Netherlands was because it was regularly used by the Dutch radio station Veronica. As such, it was a daily background noise in their programmes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5019
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Crunchy Granola Suite' / 'Enter the dragon'

I'm a tiger - Olivia Pascal

You'd be forgiven for not knowing who Olivia Pascal is, but she was Germany's most popular singer in 1980, judging from the fact that she won Bravo's golden Otto that year. Olivia's singing style is quite reminiscent of Wendy James from Transvision Vamp or an even breathier version of Samantha Fox.

The two songs on this single are quite familiar: 'I'm a tiger' was originally a hit for Lulu and written by Marty Wilde (Kim's dad) in the Seventies. The other side is 'Glad all over', originally recorded by the Dave Clark Five. That song was recently covered by the Pet Shop Boys as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5018
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm a tiger' / 'Glad all over'

Solsbury hill - Peter Gabriel

'Solsbury Hill' was written by Peter Gabriel after he left the and Genesis. Released as his debut single, it allegedly explains the reasons behind his departure, while also talking about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset.

The song has been used in a number of movies like 'Vanilla sky' (2001) and 'In good company' (2004). The song has been covered by various artists, such as Dave Matthews, Erasure, Sarah McLachlan, Saga, and Justin Hines.

My collection: 7" single no. 5017
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Solsbury hill' / 'Moribund the burgermeister'