Amoureux solitaires - Lio

Lio was born as Wanda Ribeiro de Vasconcelos in 1962 in Mangualde, Portugal. In 1968, she and her family moved to Belgium. She debuted in 1980 with the single 'Le banana split', a hit in Belgium and France. Her second single, 'Amoureux solitaires' also made it to the singles chart in the Netherlands, reaching number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. While her career continued in Belgium and France, she never made the Dutch chart again.

I didn't like 'Amoureux solitaires' when it came out, it was only a decade later, when I started discovering music by other French artists like Laurent Voulzy and Mylene Farmer, that I started to rediscover it. The first time I bought the single the sleeve contained a wrong disc. I should have paid more attention! About six months later, I was more successful.

My collection: 7" single no. 1928

Found: Parkpop, June 27, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Amoureux solitaires' / 'Petite Amazone'

Download: here

In love with you - Maribelle

If it wasn't obvious already, I have a built-in loathing of Dutch music. Most Dutch productions are cheesy and substandard, while most Dutch artists think the world of themselves. So I approach Dutch contributions to the Eurovision Song Contest with caution - and more often than not, I find them downright appalling.

More than a decade after Maribelle represented the Netherlands at the Contest in 1984 and finished 13th, my friend played me his copy of the single. It was quite a shock to find that 'Ik hou van jou' was actually a true classic. Not because of the cheesy lyrics or the slightly overemotional rendition by the singer, but for the sheer beauty of the melody the orchestra plays. After I got the Dutch single I went looking for the English version. This single is actually quite rare, since it wasn't a hit anywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 2982
Found: Bea Records, April 4, 1998
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'In love with you' / 'I want you back again'
Download: here

Tomorrow's just another day - Madness

'Tomorrow's just another day' is was taken from Madness's fourth album 'The rise and fall'. It peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart in February 1983. It was released as a double A-side with the track 'Madness (Is All in the Mind)'.

The single version is a slight remix of the album track. A slower, blues-style version of the song, with Elvis Costello on vocals, was included as a bonus track on the 12" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 886

Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Tomorrow's just another day' / 'Madness (is all in the mind)'

Download: Album 'Madness presents the rise & fall', including both tracks

See you tonight - Tower

Tower consisted of Marian Pijnaker, Ton Hoogeboom, Cor van der Hoogt, Henk van Loon and Ben Peterzen. They released their debut album 'Titan' in 1981. The single 'See you tonight' reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. Their next single, 'Goin' home' peaked at number 15. Shortly afterwards, the group disbanded. Pijnaker and Van Hoogt formed a new band, Split Decision, and released one single. They then decided to go on as Tower again, but without any commercial success.

'See you tonight' is their one and only monumental piece of work. Impressive synths and powerful singing make this song a rare feat: a Dutch quality production!

My collection: 7" single no. 610

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 7, 1988

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'See you tonight' / 'Higher faster'

Download: here

Europe after the rain - John Foxx

John Foxx is the stage name of Dennis Leigh, born in Chorley, Lancashire (England) around 1947. After recording three albums with the band Ultravox (in their pre-Midge Ure periode) in the Seventies and touring America, John announced he would pursue a solo career upon returning to England. His debut solo single 'Underpass' was a modest hit in the UK.

'Europe after the rain', taken from his second solo album 'The garden' was the last single to reach the UK top 40, peaking exactly at number 40. The song was played a lot on local radio in the Netherlands, which is how I found out about it. I'd all but forgotten the song when I bought it in 1998. And it was a big pleasure to rediscover it.

My collection: 7" single no. 2954

Found: Record fair, Leiden, February 7, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Europe after the rain' / 'This jungle'

Download: Album 'The garden', including both tracks

Hang on to your love - Sade

'US remix', proclaims the sleeve of this 12" single proudly. But what you get is actually the album track of 'Hang on to your love'. Was it a mistake by Epic Records? Who knows, all I know is that I was pretty miffed when I heard the A-side of this record. Fortunately it also included 'Should I love you', an excellent non-album track by Sade.

'Hang on to your love' was released as the fourth and last single from Sade's classic 1984 album 'Diamond life'. It reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 295

Found: Record fair, 1995

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (US remix)' / 'Should I love you', 'Why can't we live together'

Download: here

Let me take you there - Betty Boo

Betty Boo was born as Alison Moira Clarkson on March 6, 1970. Originally nicknamed 'Betty Boop' for her similarity with the well-known cartoon character, she dropped the 'p' to avoid trademark disputes. In 1989 she rose to the scene with the Beatmasters, singing on their single 'Hey DJ - I Can't Dance (To That Music You're Playing)'. She followed this up with a solo single, 'Doin' the do', which reached number 7 in the UK singles chart. Her debut album sold pretty well too, reaching number 4 in the UK Albums chart.

In 1992 she released her second album 'Grrr! It's Betty Boo', with 'Let me take you there' as the first single. It reached number 12 in the UK, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands. Personally I thought this single was her first decent one, an upbeat summery tune whereas earlier work was annoying house-related trash. I bought the poster sleeved single while on holiday in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 1757

Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Let me take you there' / 'Jet sex'

Download: here

Baby, do you wanna bump - Boney M

Frank Farian (Franz Reuther), a German schlager singer, wasn't happy with the choice of material his record company wanted him to sing. He went into the studio in December 1974 and recorded the single 'Baby, do you wanna bump', singing the title in a deep voice (entirely studio created) as well as performing the high female chorus vocals in his falsetto voice. The music was based on Prince Buster's 'Al Capone' (1967).

When the single was released, it was credited to 'Boney M'. Farian had been watching an Australian detective show, in which the lead character was called Boney, and Farian decided that this would make a good name for a group, and added the M. After a slow start it became a hit in the Netherlands, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1976. Because of this success, Farian decided to hire a team to 'front' the group for TV performances. Thus the group was born!

My collection: 7" single no. 3178

Found: Record fair, February 19, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 1)' / 'Baby, do you wanna bump (part 2)'

Download: here

Inside - Stiltskin

This commercial made the band Stiltskin an overnight sensation. Peter Lawlor recruiter original members Ray Wilson, James Finnigan and Ross McFarlane to form the band, after writing music he had written for this commercial. The single 'Inside' was released to coincide with the ad campaign and became a number one hit for the band almost immediately.

Unfortunately, the band wasn't able to build on the success; a follow-up single 'Footsteps' only made number 34, and further singles didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2913

Found: London, November 1, 1997

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Inside' / 'America'

Download: here

Twilight cafe - Susan Fassbender

Susan Fassbender was born as Susan Wincup in Wibsey, Bradford, England in 1959. At age 13 she started studying classical piano. A few years later she met guitarist Kay Russell, who would become her songwriting partner throughout her caree. Soon signed to independent record label Criminal Records after impressing her future manager at an instrument shop, Fassbender and Russell wrote 'Twilight Café' which was released in early 1981. The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart in 1981.

Two other singles followed soon after - 'Stay' and 'Merry-Go-Round', but these didn't chart. Fassbender then retired from the music industry to get married. She raised three daughters. In 1991 she died, aged just 32.

My collection: 7" single no. 131
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Twilight café' / 'Get around it'
Download: here

Street cafe - John Lodge

John Lodge was born on July 20, 1943 and started playing bass guitar with the Moody Blues in 1965. Since then, he has also written and co-written songs in the band, including 'Ride my see-saw' and 'I'm just a singer in a Rock 'n' Roll band'.

In 1977, he released a solo album called 'Natural Avenue'. The track 'Street cafe' from this album ended up being a single in 1980. I recently mentioned this single in this entry. So who inspired whom? You do the math...

My collection: 7" single no. 318

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Street cafe' / 'Threw it all away'

Download: Album 'Natural Avenue', including both tracks

Radioactivity - Kraftwerk

'Radioactivity is in the air for you and me'. The seemingly soulless, mechanic music by Kraftwerk has always had intriguing lyrics. I don't mean 'Mensch / Natur / Technik' of their infamous track 'Expo 2000', of course, but their earlier work. It's hard to believe when you hear 'Radioactivity' that it was released in 1976.

'Radioactivity' was released as a single, and became a hit in France after it was used as the theme to a popular music show. Coincidentally, my copy of this single is a French one.

My collection: 7" single no. 3037

Found: Record fair, Leiden, November 1, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Radioactivity' / 'Antenna'

Download: Album 'Radioactivity', including both tracks

You make the whole world cry - Tanita Tikaram

Everybody knows Tanita Tikaram's 'Twist in my sobriety', but her later work has been sadly overlooked. And it's such a shame, because she became better as years went by. 'You make the whole world cry' is a great example of this: a monumentally produced 'wall of sound' type track, with an intelligent lyric, although the title seems a tad hyperbolic.

In the UK, neither this single nor the album 'Eleven kinds of loneliness' (1992) charted. Sometimes there is no justice.

My collection: 7" single no. 2539

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'You make the whole world cry' / 'Rock me 'til I stop', 'Me you & Lucifer'

Download: here

Keep us together - Sad Cafe

More than a decade after its release, I heard Sad Cafe's 'Keep us together' by chance. I knew about this band because of 'Every day hurts' and 'Follow you anywhere', and this was another ballad in that style: powerful, slightly sentimental and most of all, melodic. It took me some time to find this single, but when I did, I grabbed it immediately. For me, this is one of the great lost classics of the Eighties: it didn't chart anywhere as far as I know.

My collection: 7" single no. 3087

Found: London, May 12, 1999

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Keep us together' / 'Hold out'

Download: here

Ding-a-dong - Teach-in

Every year when the Eurovision Song Contest draws near, the Dutch audience is reminded of the last victory by the Netherlands. It gets more depressing every year: the last victory took place in 1975, more than 30 years ago. After 'La La La' (Spain, 1969) and 'Boom bang-a-bang' (UK, 1969) this wan another example of a Eurovision winner with a nonsensical title.

The song, performed entirely in English, was an up-tempo ode to positive thought. Almost immediately, the song's lyrics became a source of ridicule, particularly in the UK, because the word "dong" is slang for penis. And the fact that the lyric includes a line that goes 'When you walk along with your ding dang dong' didn't help, either. This did not stop the song from hitting number 13 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 3388

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Ding-a-dong' / 'The circus show'

Download: here

McArthur Park - The Burtons / Wuthering heights - Jah Wurzel

As a big fan of Kate Bush, at some point I started collecting cover versions of Kate Bush songs. I acquired some of those tracks by swapping them with other Kate Bush fans, but every once in a while, I bought something. Like for instance this very vague e.p., released in 1979.

It features a version of 'McArthur park' by the Burtons on the A-side, but the B-side featured a version of 'Wuthering heights' as performed by Jah Wurzel. And who, pray, is Jah Wurzel? No idea - there are no references to him anywhere on the web.

My collection: 7" single no. 3052
Found: 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'McArthur park' (The Burtons) / 'Wuthering heights' (Jah Wurzel)
Download: here

Miss Sarajevo - Passengers

U2 and Brian Eno used the pseudonym Passengers to record an album called 'Original Soundtracks 1', a collection of songs for movies that do not exist. The track 'Miss Sarajevo' protests the war in Bosnia, criticizing the international community for its inability to stop the war or help those affected by it. It was the only single released from the album.

Lead vocals are performed by Bono, with a guest appearance by Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The 7" single was released with a large poster, folded to LP size. The B-side is a live performance of the U2 track 'One' during a War Child concert in Modena, Italy on September 12, 1995.

My collection: 7" single no. 2570

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Miss Sarajevo' / 'One (live)'

Download: cd-single 'Miss Sarajevo', including both tracks

Luxury - New Musik

Why New Musik never achieved commercial success is a mystery to me. 'Luxury' is one of many singles that never reached a chart anywhere. And 'Anywhere' is the title of the album this single was taken from. 'Luxury' was the first of three singles taken from the album. It was backed with a non-album track, 'The office'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2674

Found: London, July 2, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Luxury' / 'The office'

Download: here

Real love - Beatles

A year after releasing 'Free as a bird', Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr completed a second unfinished recording by John Lennon. They added new vocal and instrumental tracks to strengthen the original sound from John's cassette. The single was released to promote part two in the three part 'Beatles Anthology' cd set.

The B-side was a live recording of 'Baby's in black'. You can hear the screaming audience, proof that Beatlemania was really as loud and strange as it was often made out to be.

My collection: 7" single no. 2635

Found: April 13, 1996

Cost: 8 guilders

Tracks: 'Real love' / 'Baby's in black (live)'

Download: here

The part of me that needs you most - Exile

The tracks on Exile's 1979 album 'All there is' were recorded with a distinct disco beat. 'The part of me that needs you most' was taken from this album, and according to Wikipedia, the single did particularly well in Europe. Well, parts of Europe then, because it flopped in the UK and the Netherlands.

I'd never even heard this track when I bought the single. And I only bought the single because I enjoyed their previous releases so much. This track, by comparison, is a disappointment. What's interesting about 'Let's do it again', the B-side track, is that it sounds very similar to John Lodge's 'Street cafe', released a year later.

My collection: 7" single no. 3278

Found: Record fair, November 11, 2000

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'The part of me that needs you most' / 'Let's do it again'

Download: here

Reunited - Peaches and Herb

The original Peaches & Herb consisted of Herb Fame and Francine 'Peaches' Hurd Barker. Herb has been part of the duo ever since its original creation in 1967, but after Francine, several different women have taken on the 'role' of Peaches. Initially the duo wasn't successful, to the point where they both retired from the music scene in 1970. In 1976, Herb decided to return to music and enlisted the help of Van McCoy to find a new 'Peaches'. Linda Greene was found, and thus started the most successful incarnation of the duo.

Their first album together, produced by McCoy, generated no hits, but after switching labels and recording the album '2 hot', they had a massive number 1 hit in America with 'Reunited'. It also reached number 1 in the Netherlands, and it peaked at number 4 in the UK. Unable to repeat the success of 2 Hot with their subsequent albums, Greene and Fame decided to retire their partnership in 1983. Two more incarnations followed, but without big commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 12

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Reunited' / 'Easy as pie'

Download: Album '2 hot', including both tracks

Everyday is like Sunday - Morrissey

'Everyday is like Sunday' was the second single taken from Morrissey's debut solo album 'Viva hate'. The previous single, 'Suedehead', reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, and this one did almost just as well, peaking at number 9. In the Netherlands, both singles didn't make the Top 40.

Morrissey has been quoted as saying that there is 'something strangely depressing about a seaside town out-of-season'. Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders has showered praise on this song, saying 'the lyric to 'Everyday is like Sunday' is, to me, a masterful piece of prose'.

My collection: 7" single no. 801

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 21, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Everyday is like Sunday' / 'Disappointed'

Download: cd-single 'Everyday is like Sunday', including both tracks

Innocence - Deborah Blando

In 1992, Deborah Blando suddenly appeared on the pop scene with the song 'Innocence'. Born in Italy but raised in Brazil, Blando released her debut album at the age of eleven, entitled 'Giovanna – Alegria da Gente', containing Italian songs. In her teens, Deborah joined the Brazilian theater company Os Menestréis, which has revealed many promising singers in Brazil, and started touring the country acting and singing in their musicals.

In 1989 she met producer David Wolff who, impressed by her musical talent, invited her to record an album in English. In 1991, 'A different story' was released. The first single, 'Boy (Why do you wanna make me blue?)' hit American dance charts and was featured in a worldwide TV ad for Diet Coke. The English version of the ballad 'Innocence', written by Deborah herself when she was 18, was a hit around the world, although in the Netherlands it sunk without a trace. I saw the video on television once. On this occasion Blando was presented as 'the new Madonna'. I was sceptical, but liked the song - and so I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1622

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Innocence (edit)' / 'Innocence (instrumental)'

Download: here

Turn the beat around - Vicki Sue Robinson

'Turn the beat around' is a disco song written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson and made popular by Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976. It appeared on her debut album 'Never gonna let you go', and was released as a single. In the USA, the song went number 10 on the Billboard pop charts. In the Netherlands, it reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was covered by Gloria Estefan in 1994.

Vicki Sue Robinson continued to make records until 1984. After that, she worked as a session singer for artists like Cher, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper and others. She was also the voice behind the Jem animation series in the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 3483

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Turn the beat around' / 'Lack of respect'

Download: here

In a minor key - Tim Finn

This is the first double single that I can remember, and it is quite possibly the first double single released on the European continent. After his big success in Europe with 'Fraction too much friction', Tim Finn released the beautiful ballad 'In a minor key' as the second single from his debut solo album 'Escapade'. This double single was widely available in the Netherlands, but it flopped all the same. The interest for Tim Finn has disappeared as quickly as it had come.

My collection: 7" single no. 1213

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'In a minor key' / 'Not for nothing' // 'Fraction too much friction (live)' / 'Below the belt (live)'

Download: here

I'll fly for you - Spandau Ballet

Yes, I know, I wrote about the 12" single of 'I'll fly for you' in December, but it was exactly that piece which made me realise that I didn't actually have the 7" single. And so I bought it, quite recently. And not just any old 7" single: it's the limited edition, apparently, released in a poster bag. And quite a creepy one: it shows the Spandaus without a shirt on. I wish I hadn't now...

The single version is just as powerful as the extended version, only shorter. It reached number 27 in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1984. In the UK, it went to number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 3573
Found: eBay, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'I'll fly for you' / 'To cut a long story short (live)'

Download: here

Ainsi soit je... - Mylene Farmer

'Ainsi soit je...' was the second single taken from Mylene Farmer's 1988 album of the same name. As for all her songs since the 1987 single 'Tristana', Farmer wrote the lyric. Nevertheless, the first words of the couplets 'bulle de chagrin, boule d'incertitude' were written by Marie, a singer unknown to the general public who died not long before. It was a way for Mylene to pay a tribute to her.

I'd started collecting Mylene Farmer singles only months before I went on a holiday to Vienna, Austria. I was greatly surprised to find an old single in a record shop there - but of course I bought it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 1934

Found: Marik, Vienna, Austria, 1993

Cost: 59 Austrian Schilling

Tracks: 'Ainsi soit je...' / 'Ainsi soit je... (Lamentations)'

Download: here

Without your love - Roger Daltrey

'McVicar' is a British film, released in 1980, starring Roger Daltrey from The Who in the title role of John McVicar, an armed robber turned writer who Scotland Yard publicly announced to be Public Enemy Number One and wanted dead or alive. The soundtrack of the film was performed entirely by Daltrey, and the single 'Without your love' was drawn from the soundtrack album.

Though it was only a minor hit in the UK (peaking at number 55 in the singles chart), it reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and it remains Daltrey's only top three hit in this country.

My collection: 7" single no. 824

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 18, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Without your love' / 'My time is gonna come'

Download: Album 'McVicar', including both tracks

White and black blues - Joelle Ursull

'White and black blues' was composed by Georges Ougier de Moussac, with lyrics by legendary French songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. The song was originally titled 'Black Lolita Blues', however Joelle Ursull, who was chosen to represent France at the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest, declined to perform it with this title. Rewritten as 'White and black blues', the song deals with the need to overcome the prejudices of skin colour.

Eurovision songs were always difficult to get a hold of in record shops. 1990 was actually the first year that several songs were readily available: in a short amount of time I collected the entries of Belgium, France, Spain and even Portugal. Due to a lack of budget, I didn't buy the cd-single of this track - something I do regret, because I'm unable to find it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 1231

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 11, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'White and black blues' / 'White and black blues (instrumental)'

Download: here

Crazy - Icehouse

The Australian band Icehouse found fame with 'Hey little girl' and 'Can't help myself' in the early Eighties. I was very impressed with these early singles, and the later hits 'No promises' and 'Crazy' took some more getting used to after that. 'Crazy' was drawn from their 1987 album 'Man of colours', Icehouse's best selling album worldwide.

It took me many years to finally buy this single. 15 years to be exact. It's one of those singles you come across regularly and you always think, 'nah, later'. So 'later' finally happened in 2003.

My collection: 7" single no. 3393

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Crazy', 'Completely gone'

Download: 'Crazy', 12" single 'Crazy', including 'Completely gone'

Bring me closer - Altered Images

During the Here and Now Tour 2002 I saw Altered Images, or rather Clare Grogan, live in concert and immediately liked the songs she was performing. So I went to the nearest record shop in London and found 'I could be happy' and this single. I didn't know this song - she hadn't performed it - but the sleeve looked interesting enough and so I decided to buy it anyway.

It's one of those instances where you are a little too impulsive. 'Bring me closer' is a rather directionless song, and really doesn't end up anywhere. The same goes for the B-side. Clare Grogan's typical voice sounds a bit weird in these tracks. So not one of my most prized possessions this single. But it is a nice sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 3369

Found: Record Exchange, London, December 2002

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Bring me closer' / 'Surprise me'

Download: here

Uncertain smile - The The

After 'Uncertain smile' single version 1 and version 2, I quickly realised that I should also buy the 12" single. It would probably feature an extended version of this wonderful track. There was always the chance, of course, that it would simply contain the album track which is lengthy enough as it is, but it was a risk I was willing to take.

As it turned out, I was lucky: the 12" single features an extended version which goes on for more than nine minutes. It is based on the original version (single version 1) and then goes on for several minutes where the single fades out. Needless to say, I was very glad when I found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 122

Found: Record fair, 1991

Cost: 15 guilders

Tracks: 'Uncertain smile [extended version]' / 'Soul mining (Definitive Version)'

Download: here

4 films - Het Goede Doel

Het Goede Doel (The Good Cause) released their single '4 films' in 1987. It was a new track on the live album that was released after their tour across the Netherlands after the release of their third studio album 'Mooi en onverslijtbaar' (1986). It didn't become a hit and has since become a very rare track. A version sung by Ramses Shaffy was released on the album 'Iedereen is anders' (1988), but this original version wasn't released on cd for a long time.

The B-side is a live version of the track 'Atoombom' ('Atom bomb'), also taken from the live album mentioned above.

My collection: 7" single no. 3538

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: '4 films' / 'Atoombom (live)'

Download: here

Don't go breaking my heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John and Kiki Dee recorded and released the duet 'Don't go breaking my heart' in 1976. Like many of Elton John's singles from the Seventies, it was never included on any of his original albums (though it was recorded during the same sessions that produced 'Blue Moves'). The single was Elton John's first number 1 single in the UK. It was his sixth number one in the USA. In the Netherlands, it was just kept off the top spot by 'Kiss and say goodbye' (Manhattans) and 'Dancing queen' (Abba).

The song’s video is apparently one of the cheapest music videos ever produced. The director was found while filming a Rod Stewart television special. He was pulled aside, located an unused soundstage, hastily dressed it to give the appearance of a recording studio, set up three cameras and had the two singers pretend to record their vocals. Shot in a single take while being told to ‘improvise’, Elton John and Kiki Dee often missed their cues. Elton John’s attempt to lead Dee in a very haphazard dance sequence caught his companion off guard.

My collection: 7" single no. 3534

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Don't go breaking my heart' / 'The snow queen'

Download: Album 'Stay with me - The Rocket Years' (Kiki Dee), including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Hallelujah - Milk and Honey

'Hallelujah' was the winning song of the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in Hebrew by Milk & Honey, representing Israel. The group was created especially for the contest after the song's original performers, the band Hakol Over Habibi, declined the opportunity to sing the song. The song is a slow-building ballad, with the group praising God for the world and all the good things in it. This is, to date, the most religiously-themed song to win the Contest.

In the Netherlands, the single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40, and in many European countries, the song became a standard. It is even recognized by many North Americans who might never even have heard of Eurovision.

My collection: 7" single no. 3391
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hallelujah' / 'Lady sun'
Download: here

Self control - Laura Branigan

'Self control' is one of those songs I heard a lot in 1984, so much that I got entirely sick of it. Radio stations kept playing it and whenever I watched television the video would appear at some point. It got so boring! But ultimately it is a great song, and two decades later I can finally hear it again.

Laura Branigan recorded the song in 1984 for her album of the same name. The song was originally recorded and sung that same year with the same English lyrics by Italian singer Raf, who wrote the song together with Giancarlo Bigazzi and Steve Piccolo.

Branigan died at her home on Long Island, New York, on August 26, 2004. Her death was attributed to a previously undiagnosed brain aneurysm. She had been experiencing headaches for a few weeks before her death but did not seek medical attention. Not so much self control, then.

My collection: 7" single no. 3480

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Self control' / 'Silent partners'

Download: Album 'Self control', including both tracks

Black on black - Dalbello

In 1994 I bought a promotional cd-single of Heart's 'Black on black'. It turned out to be a cover version of a song originally performed by Dalbello. Heart's version rocked a lot, so naturally I became rather curious about the original song.

Lisa Dalbello released her fifth studio album 'She' in 1987. It included her biggest hits, 'Tango' and 'Black on black'. Even though it is described as a rock album, I have to say that her version of 'Black on black' sounds rather mechanic.

My collection: 7" single no. 3118

Found: June 27, 1999

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Black on black' / 'Baby doll'

Download: here

Videotheque - Dollar

'Videotheque' was released in 1982 and, like many of their singles, it was produced by Trevor Horn. Lots of echo effects and synthesizers once again disguise the limited vocal abilities of the two.

I have special memories attached to this track. During the 2002 Here And Now Tour, Dollar was one of the performing acts, and during their set 'Videotheque' was one of the dodgy highlights. Together with my friend, with whom I saw many of these concerts, we laughed a lot about the lyric of this song. I bought the single some time later, even if I was questioning if I would ever play it again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3434

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'Videotheque' / 'Living a life of dreams'

Download: here

With you I'm born again - Billy Preston and Syreeta

The beautiful balled 'With you I'm born again' was performed by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright in 1980. The song appeared on Billy Preston's 1980 album 'Late at night'. The B-side of this single features a beautiful instrumental version, played on the piano by the gifted Billy Preston.

Syreeta Wright died on July 6, 2004 of congestive heart failure, a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments she was receiving to combat breast and bone cancers. She was 57 years old. Billy Preston died on June 6, 2006 as a result of kidney failure and other complications, after having been in a coma for almost eight months. He was 59 years old.

My collection: 7" single no. 1368

Found: January 3, 1991

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'With you I'm born again' / 'With you I'm born again (instrumental)'
Download: here

Help is on its way - Little river band

Little River Band was an Australian rock band consisting of Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles, Ric Formosa, Roger McLachlan and Derek Pellicci. 'Help is on its way' was one of only three of their singles that made the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 20 (the other two peaked at number 13). It was taken from their third album 'Diamantina Cocktail', released in 1977. The band has released over twenty albums between 1975 and now, and still perform live in the USA - around 100 shows every year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2606

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, January 27, 1996

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Help is on its way' / 'Changed and different', 'L.A. in the sunshine'

Download: Album 'Diamantina Cocktail', including these tracks

I'm not the man I used to be - Fine Young Cannibals

The fourth single from the Fine Young Cannibals' second album 'The raw and the cooked' was 'I'm not the man I used to be'. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart before the end of 1989.

Just like 'Don't look back', 'Good thing' and 'She drives me crazy', a limited edition of the single was released housed in a tin can. This time, the single was pressed on white vinyl. There's also a limited edition of 'I'm not satisfied', but I'm still manically searching for that one.

My collection: 7" single no. 2785

Found: London, November 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I'm not the man I used to be' / 'Motherless child'
Download: here

Live at the Astoria - All About Eve

Some things are forever lost in time. Like for instance the shop where I bought this bootleg e.p. of All About Eve. All I remember was they had expensive Kate Bush singles on the wall, and that I bought this e.p. there. And I think it was near a busy motorway, somewhere in London. Well, not much to go on, and so I never saw that shop again.

This bootleg e.p. is something extraordinary: it's an audience recording of All About Eve's performance at the Astoria. The sleeve gives no further information, so it could have been their concert there on February 28, 1987, November 14, 1987. March 4, 1988, March 5, 1988 or March 27, 1988. Well, that narrows it down...

My collection: 7" single no. 1069

Found: London, October 19, 1989

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Every angel', 'Candy tree' / 'In the clouds', 'Flowers in our hair' (all tracks live at the Astoria, London)

Download: here

Quiet life - Japan

'Quiet life' was Japan's first big chart hit, peaking at number 19 in the autumn of 1981. The album of the same name saw the band change from glam rockers to futuristic synthpop performers. They were rewarded with an ever greater following.

I didn't get to know Japan until they had disbanded. First I heard 'Nightporter', then 'Adolescent sex', and then this synthpop track. And all this after I'd heard David Sylvian's early solo work. Even when you follow pop music from an early age, you get to miss something every once in a while.

My collection: 7" single no. 2883

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Quiet life' / 'A foreign place'

Download: Album 'Quiet life', including both tracks

Feel like change - Black

I wonder how much this single is worth. It's obviously not a commercially sold item, and not quite a white label. However it does list the release date of this single (April 22, 1991) and it is a custom A&M label.

Well anyway, 'Feel like change' was the first single from Black's self-titled album from 1991. It would be the last album for A&M, as after this main member Colin Vearncombe went independent and never dealt with big corporate record companies again. Oh, I wish I had Colin Vearncombe's voice, I would love hearing myself all day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3461

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'

Download: Album 'Black (+ bonus tracks)', including both tracks

Thought you were on my side - Cock Robin

'Thought you were on my side' was the second chart hit for Cock Robin in the Netherlands. After the number one hit 'The promise you made', this single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was also successful in Germany and France, but flopped in the UK and America.

Having bought the 12" single of 'The promise you made' I was already convinced that the extended versions of Cock Robin tracks were very interesting, so I had no doubts that I should have this record as well. I did wait it out, though, because 12" singles became cheaper once they left the chart. It was well worth the wait.

My collection: 12" single no. 32

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 7,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Thought you were on my side (extended remix)' / 'Thought you were on my side', 'Peace on earth'

Download: here

Equinoxe - Jean Michel Jarre

'Equinoxe' was the second album released by Jean Michel Jarre, released in 1978. The album reflects a day in the life of a human being, from morning to night. The release of the album was followed by a concert on the Place de la Concorde, Paris on July 14, 1979. The concert attracted one million people, becoming Jarre's first entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest crowd for an outdoor concert.

The single 'Equinoxe (part 5)' peaked at number 45 in the UK singles chart, and reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side of this single features an autograph of Jean Michel Jarre in the runout groove, as made by him on the master plate.

My collection: 7" single no. 2917

Found: London, November 1, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Equinoxe (part 5)' / 'Equinoxe (part 1)'

Download: here

Ghosts - Ghosts

I already wrote about the Ghosts' single 'Stay the night'. 'The world is outside', their next single, peaked at number 35 in the UK singles chart. 'Ghosts' was released a few months after that, but achieved no chart placing in the UK. Still, this is an interesting single, if only for the remix of 'The world is outside'. While this remix misses the sparkle of the original track, it does keep certain elements of the song intact and makes it interesting to listen to. 'The world is outside' was one of my favourite tracks of 2008 (although it was released a year earlier, but how was I to know...) and so I was glad to get this single. And it's pressed on white vinyl, too!

My collection: 7" single no. 3574

Found: eBay, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Ghosts' / 'The world is outside (Stellasound remix)'

Download: here

The Fear - Lily Allen

When you read the long, long entry on Lily Allen in Wikipedia, you would think this girl has spent decades in the entertainment business. But in fact she's only released one album, with her second one underway right now. 'The fear' is the first single drawn from this second album, and it was released last month on cd-single and this picture disc 7" single.

Lily Allen was born on May 2, 1985 as the daughter of British actor/musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. While the songs on her debut album were mostly about former boyfriends and short-lived love affairs, the new album supposedly contains some more adult oriented lyrics. 'The fear' is a good example: it reflects on fame and what it can do to a young woman like Lily.

My collection: 7" single no. 3578

Found: digitalstores.co.uk website, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'The fear' / 'Kabul shit'

Download: here

Let's all chant - Michael Zager Band

A fabulous disco track from 1978. 'Let's all chant' by the Michael Zager Band reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 8 in the UK singles chart. Michael Zager was born on January 3, 1943 in Passaic, New Jersey. He was a member of Ten Wheel Drive from 1968 to 1973, and then went on to record a couple of album as the Michael Zager Band. 'Let's all chant' remains his best known song, and was even re-released in 2000 in a remixed version.

Michael Zager went on to produce and compose music for many artists, such as Gladys Knight, Deniece Williams, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston.

My collection: 7" single no. 2291

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 13, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Let's all chant' / 'Love express'

Download: here

Are 'friends' electric? - Tubeway Army

One of the most famous hits from the Eighties is actually a song from the Seventies: 'Are 'friends' electric?' was released in 1979. Tubeway Army consisted of many different musicians, but the main members were Gary Webb (a.k.a. Gary Numan) and Paul Gardiner. 'Are 'friends' electric?' became their first hit after appearances in 'Whistle Test' and 'Top of the pops'. The single climbed steadily to stay at number one in the UK charts for 4 weeks. After this hit, Tubeway Army disbanded and Gary Numan went on solo.

These days, the track is a regular on Eighties compilation cd's. They were obviously ahead of their time...

My collection: 7" single no. 1216

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Are 'friends' electric?' / 'We are so fragile'

Download: Album 'Replicas', including both tracks