Not that funny - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac released the album 'Tusk' in 1979, with the first two singles, 'Tusk' and 'Sara' being the album's best known singles. Four more singles were released from the album, and this German release features two of them: 'Not that funny' and 'Think about me'.

'Think about me' reached number 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 24 in the Canadian singles chart, whereas 'Not that funny', which is the A-side of this single, wasn't a hit in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 5242
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Not that funny' / 'Think about me'

Ja - Gigliola Cinquetti

After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 singing 'No ho l'età', Gigliola Cinqutti returned to the Contest ten years later, again representing Italy. She performed the song 'Si' ('Yes') and finished second, behind Abba, who won the contest with the legendary 'Waterloo'.

Just like the winners, Gigliola recorded several versions of her song, one in English (entitled 'Go (before you break my heart)') and one in German (simply titled 'Ja'). I was pleasantly surprised to find this German single cheaply.

My collection: 7" single no. 5241
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'Ja' / 'Es singt die Nachtigall'

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'