The red shoes - Kate Bush

Kate Bush's most beautiful single 'Moments of pleasure' was not released on 7" vinyl. It's a damn shame, but at least EMI was sensible enough to pick up where it left off, with the next single 'The red shoes'. It was the title track of Kate's 1993 album and released in part to promote the movie 'The line, the cross & the curve' which was launched at a film festival in London in the spring of 1994.

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart in April 1994, spending three weeks in the chart. Besides the 7" vinyl, there was also a double cd-single edition featuring a dance mix of 'The red shoes'. The B-side 'You want alchemy' was a great treat for fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 2100
Found: Record fair, April 16, 1994
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'The red shoes' / 'You want alchemy'

Only for you - Louise Tucker

The classically trained Louise Tucker became involved in the world of pop when producers Charlie Skarbek and Tim Smit recorded the album 'Midnight blue' with her. Her soprano voice and synthpop music were an interesting combination and gave her a hit in America and the Netherlands with the title track of that debut album.

In some countries a second single was released, 'Only for you'. This single was considerably less successful, as it didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4920
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Only for you' / 'Jerusalem'

Knocked out - Paula Abdul

As I'd written before, 'Knocked out' was Paula Abdul's debut single in 1988. I bought the re-released version from 1990 in January this year, and now I found the original release as well. I didn't know there was a limited edition poster sleeve of this debut single, but now I have it.

This version only managed to reach number 98 in the UK singles chart, despite the very pretty poster.

My collection: 7" single no. 4919
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Knocked out' / 'Knocked out (instrumental)'

I'm on automatic - Sharpe and Numan

Bill Sharpe and Gary Numan recorded the album 'Automatic' in 1989 and this single was taken from the album. Like the album, the single wasn't a commercial success despite the lightweight pop that was contained in the album.

I've always been very fond of their first collaboration, 'Change your mind' and thought their other collaborations were pretty good too. It's hard to understand that many people didn't see it this way.

My collection: 7" single no. 4918
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm on automatic' / 'Love like a ghost'

Blame it on the boogie - Big Fun

Big Fun were an English boyband featuring Phil Creswick, Mark Gillespie and Jason John (a.k.a Jason Herbert). Their only album, 'A pocketful of dreams' (1990), reached the Top 10 in the UK Albums Chart and contained this hit single, 'Blame it on the boogie', a cover of the famous Jacksons track.

It was their first and biggest it in the UK, where it reached number 4 in the singles chart. In the Netherlands, it was their only hit, peaking at number 28.

My collection: 7" single no. 4917
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blame it on the boogie' / 'Blame it on the boogie (instrumental)'

I wanna hold your hand - Dollar

The duo Dollar had just released their debut album 'Shooting star' in 1979 when they released this single, a cover of the wellknown Beatles track 'I wanna hold your hand'. Whereas the original sounds straightforward and confident, this version, produced by Christopher Neil, sounds a bit shaky and lacks a bit in the vocal department.

Still, it went to number 9 in the UK singles chart, and gave the duo their fourth top 10 hit in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4916
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I wanna hold your hand' / 'Love one another'

All day in love - Alan Sorrenti

Italian singer Alan Sorrenti had a European hit with his song 'Tu sei l'unica donna per me' ('You are the only woman for me'), although in some countries the English version 'All day in love' was promoted to the A-side.

In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 26 in the autumn of 1979. It was one year before his appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Non so che darei'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4915
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, June 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'All day in love' / 'Tu sei l'unica donna per me'