Haven't we said goodbye before - Dollar

In 1986, after Dollar reformed for the first time, they released the single 'Haven't we said goodbye before' on Arista records. The lack of success of this single and its predecessor 'We walked in love' had them looking for another record contract the next year.

The song, however, is nice enough. The B-side of this single, however, is a contender for the title 'worst B-side ever'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5083
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Haven't we said goodbye before' / 'Platinum rap'

Passengers - Elton John

'Passengers' was released in 1984 as the second single from Elton John's album 'Breaking hearts'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Australia.

The song was written not only by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, who write most of John's material, but in collaboration with Davey Johnstone and Phineas McHize.

My collection: 7" single no. 5082
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Passengers' / 'Lonely boy'

I can hear your heartbeat - Chris Rea

On his album 'New light through old windows' (1988) Chris Rea re-recorded the tracks that made him famous in the Eighties. They were not always better versions, but I guess the man felt the need to do these songs once again.

The album spawned three singles, of which 'I can hear your heartbeat' was the last one. It was the least successful one, too: it only reached number 74 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5081
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I can hear your heartbeat' / 'Loving you again (live version)'

Never turn away - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

When I visited the record fair in Utrecht a year ago, I saw the single 'Never turn away' and thought I already owned it. I was very dismayed upon my arrival home to find that I didn't. So a year later, back at the record fair, I found that same single with a different dealer... and snapped it up.

'Never turn away' was released as the fourth and final single from the band's 1984 album 'Junk culture', the one that spawned better known hits 'Locomotion', 'Talking loud and clear' and 'Tesla girls'. This single only reached number 70 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 5080
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never turn away' / 'Wrappup'

Shine - Mike Oldfield with Jon Anderson

'Shine' was released in 1986 as a single by Mike Oldfield, featuring Jon Anderson on vocals. It barely scraped the UK singles chart, reaching number 100, but peaked at number 31 in the German singles chart.

The music video for 'Shine' features use of computer graphics, such as a computer generated game of chess. Oldfield plays a Gibson SG guitar in the video.

My collection: 7" single no. 5079
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Shine' / 'The path'

California blue - Roy Orbison

'California blue' was written by Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty. The latter two worked with Orbison on what was to become his last album, 'Mystery girl'. The album was released briefly after he died in December 1988, since the lead single 'You got it' had already become a hit while he was still alive.

The song was released as the third single from the album in the spring of 1989. It wasn't a hit, stalling at number 77 in the UK singles chart and sinking without a trace in most European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 5078
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'California blue' / 'Blue Bayou (live)'

In the air tonight ('88 remix) - Phil Collins

Phil Collins' debut solo single 'In the air tonight' was re-released in 1988 as a remix. The remix was made by Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham, although a more accomplished remix by Ben Liebrand existed (and was included on 12" and cd-single versions of this single).

The re-release could not give the song a higher chart placing than the original release from 1981, but still it did well: peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and at number 3 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5077
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the air tonight ('88 remix)' / 'I missed again'