A teenager in love - Donny Osmond

Released in 1972, 'A teenager in love' by Donny Osmond was a cover version of a track originally written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, and made famous in 1959 by Dion and the Belmonts, Craig Douglas and, last but not least, Marty Wilde. I am most familiar with Marty's version, and it's funny to find a cover by Donny Osmond, since Marty tried to launch his son Ricky as a sort of 'new Donny Osmond' that very same year, 1972.

In the UK, the sides of this single were apparently flipped, because 'Why' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart in November 1972.

My collection: 7" single no. 5240
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'A teenager in love' / 'Why'

Wings of a dove - Madness

'Wings of a dove' was released by Madness in 1983 as a stand-alone single. In 1984 it was included on the American version of their album 'Keep moving'. The single spent 10 weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2.

"Wings of a Dove" was written by Suggs and Chas Smash and they also share lead vocals here. The song is quite unusual for Madness, featuring steel drums by Creighton Steel Sounds and a gospel choir from the First Born Inspirational Church of the Living God. The song enjoyed a brief resurgence in popularity in 1999 when it was featured in the movie '10 things I hate about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5239
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wings of a dove' / 'Behind the ball'

If we were lovers - Gloria Estefan

On the inside of this poster sleeve, Gloria Estefan explains: ''Con los años que me quedan' and 'If we were lovers' share the same melody but were written as two separate songs. They are not meant to be translations of each other, rather songs celebrating two different aspects of love. One being the renewal of vows for "eternal" love and the other being the inevitable sensual and passionate love affair.'

The single peaked at no. 40 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5238
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'If we were lovers' / 'Con los años que me quedan'

Live your life - Stephanie

This 7" single of 'Live your life' is different from an earlier release, which features the album version of the track. This one features a dance remix, created by one Dimitri and clocking in at 5'17. The B-side is different too: it features the album track 'Besoin', which appears on Stephanie's debut - and only - album.

The sleeve of this single features images of a music video filmed at Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, according to the information at the back.

My collection: 7" single no. 5231
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Live your life (remix)' / 'Besoin'

Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac - Hot Chocolate

I should probably not enjoy a title like this one as much as I do, but I do. 'Heaven is in the back seat of my Cadillac' has got to be the best pickup line from the Seventies. Considering it's now 35 years old, it should probably get back in fashion, and fast. Shame I don't have a car, and I never will.

It was a hit for the band Hot Chocolate, peaking at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the German singles chart, but in other territories the single didn't do as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5247
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac' / 'Sex appeal'

Cours apres le temps - Svetlana

'Cours après le temps' ('Run after time') was the Luxembourgish entry in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in French by Svetlana. The song deals with the focus of the modern world - with Svetlana suggesting that it is all about running after 'time', 'money' and 'glory', when that is ultimately going to cause problems. As she explains, 'If I have to run all the time/What would I do with the money?' As the song concludes, she explains that she will simply love - and if this is madness, she wants to meet other mad people.

The song did pretty good during the night, ending up in 6th place in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5236
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Cours apres le temps' / 'Heureuse aupres de toi'

Ribbon in the sky - Stevie Wonder

Shortly after Stevie Wonder had a big hit with the slightly dodgy 'Ebony and ivory' together with Paul McCartney, he released 'Ribbon in the sky' as a new single from his greatest hits compilation 'Original Musiquarium'. It is a beautiful ballad that shows off his craftsmanship better than most of his singles at the time.

Astonishingly, the single wasn't a big hit although it did reach number 9 in the American R&B charts. The song was later covered by Intro, Ivete Sangelo and Boys II Men.

My collection: 7" single no. 5234
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ribbon in the sky' / 'The secret life of plants'