Life on your own - Human League

'Life on your own' was the second single from the Human League's 1984 album 'Hysteria'. The track was made using a Linn M-1 drum machine, which took two months to be programmed for this track. The overall sound of this track is intentionally slow, downbeat and deliberately melancholy.

With the line 'Winter is approaching, there's snow upon the ground' at the start of this song, it was a bizarre choice for a single to be released in June. It still peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3626

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Life on your own' / 'The world tonight'

Another part of me - Michael Jackson

'Another part of me' was the sixth single taken from Michael Jackson's 1987 album 'Bad'. The track originally featured in Jackson's 1986 3-D movie 'Captain Eo' and was written, arranged and composed by Michael Jackson himself.

Released in the summer of 1988, 'Another part of me' peaked at number 10 in Germany and the Netherlands, and number 18 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3636

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Another part of me' / 'Another part of me (instrumental)'

Crazy of life - Sandra Kim

Sandra Calderone was born on October 15, 1972 in Montegnée near Liège in Belgium. She took on her stage name Sandra Kim, naming herself after her big idol, Kim Wilde. In 1986, at the tender age of 13, she represented Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'J'aime la vie'. In the lyric of the song she claims to be 15 years old, the minimum age for Eurovision contestants. She won the Contest that year. When her real age was revealed, Switzerland (who'd reached second place with 'Pas pour moi' by Daniela Simons) petitioned to have the song disqualified, but this did not happen.

The original single of 'J'aime la vie' contains a different (French) song on the B-side. This edition features the English version 'Crazy of life' on the A-side. I never bought 'J'aime la vie' because I really hate the song - but I am a sucker for alternative versions of Eurovision songs. And so I gave in...

My collection: 7" single no. 3645

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'Crazy of life' / 'J'aime la vie'

Bamboo houses - David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto

In 1989, I bought a 3" cd-single featuring Sylvian and Sakamoto's wonderful collaboration 'Forbidden colours', recorded for the movie 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'. This cd-single also featured two further tracks: 'Bamboo houses' and 'Bamboo music'. I didn't know this, but these tracks were actually the first collaboration of the two. It was Sylvian's first 'solo' project, released while still in the band Japan, which he left two years later.

This single, featuring the same two tracks, was released in 1982 in a gatefold sleeve. The single peaked at number 30 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3630

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Bamboo houses' / 'Bamboo music'

When Smokey sings - ABC

'When Smokey sings' was released in 1987 as the comeback single of ABC. Their last album release, 'How to be a zillionaire', had been less successful and the new album 'Alphabet City' was seen as a return to form. The single was a tribute to Smokey Robinson and other soul singers from the Sixties.

Personally, I didn't like the song because the lyrics were way too specific to be able to identify with. Melodically I also thought the song was boring. The only reason for buying it now is to complete my collection of ABC singles. One thing makes this single worthwhile: the single version of 'When Smokey sings' is different from the album version!

My collection: 7" single no. 3643

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part one)'

True colours - Go west

Peter Cox (born November 17, 1955) and Richard Drummie (born March 20, 1959) formed Go west in 1982. Without a recording contract, they recorded 'We close our eyes' and 'Call me' themselves, with which they managed to persuade Chrysalis Records to sign them. These two songs were subsequently released as their first two singles. Both were very successful, starting a very promising career. Their debut album 'Go west' (1985) featured these and three more singles.

Their next album, 'Dancing on the couch' (1987) was introduced by this first single, 'True colours'. The limited edition double single featured previous single 'Call me' as a bonus. The single still only managed to peak at number 48 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3631

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'True colours' / 'XL 5' // 'Call me' / 'The man in my mirror'

Arabesque - Friday night

'Friday night' is the second single taken from Arabesque's debut album of the same name. This line-up did not feature Sandra Cretu yet; she joined the group a year later, in 1979. 'Friday night' is a pretty standard Seventies disco tune, charming in all its pretention-free simplicity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3662

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Friday night' / 'Someone is waiting for you'

Good tradition - Tanita Tikaram

'Good tradition' was Tanita Tikaram's debut single back in 1988. Written by Tikaram herself, the single originally didn't get much airplay. But in time, the single slowly climbed up the UK singles chart, until it finally reached number 10 after many weeks.

A few weeks before I went to the record fair in Utrecht this last weekend, I found a special edition of the single on eBay. It featured a black inner sleeve to fill up a hole in the outer front sleeve. I was interested in this item, but the postage costs made it an expensive buy. So I was obviously happy to find that same release for one euro only. Sometimes a record buyer is lucky.

My collection: 7" single no. 3633

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Good tradition' / 'Valentine heart'

Red rain - Peter Gabriel

'Red rain' was the third single released from Peter Gabriel's multimillionselling album 'So' (1987) . The song is a combination of several inspirations. The lyric directly reference a recurring dream Gabriel was having where he swam in his pool drinking cold red wine. According to the sleeve notes from the remastered version of 'So', it is also a reference to acid rain.

The single peaked at number 46 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it did considerably less well than the previous two singles 'Sledgehammer' and 'Don't give up' (the duet with Kate Bush).

My collection: 7" single no. 3629

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Red rain' / 'GA-GA I go swimming instrumental'

Cut me down (remix) - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1982. The band consisted of Lloyd Cole, Blair Cowan, Lawrence Donegan, Neil Clark and Stephen Irvine. Their debut album 'Rattlesnakes', released in 1984, was a commercial and critical success. When they released 'Easy pieces' a year later, they continued this success.

'Cut me down' was the third single from this second album. Released as a limited edition double pack, it included two live tracks from September 1985 ('Are you ready to be heartbroken?') and December 1984 ('Forest fire'). 'Cut me down' peaked at number 38 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 3650

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Cut me down (remix)' / 'Are you ready to be heartbroken? (live)' // 'Perfect blue (Instrumental)' / 'Forest fire (live)'

Our house - Madness

Released in November 1982, 'Our house' reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. The single was also a big success in America, where it peaked at number 7. The song subsequently won an Ivor Novello award for 'best song'.

I remembered the song most for its video, which depicted the band acting out the song's lyrics in an old mews. The song's lyrics mostly describe the daily activities in the house, with some of the band portraying the 'family'. The video cuts between scenes of the 'family', the band playing in a living room, and exterior shots of various other houses including Buckingham Palace.

My collection: 7" single no. 3635

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Our house' / 'Walking with mr. Wheeze'

Littlest things - Lily Allen

Lily Allen was born May 2, 1985 as the daughter of actor/musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. She debuted in 2006 with the single 'Smile' and the album 'Alright, still'. 'Littlest things' was the third single from that album, peaking at number 21 in the UK, which was the only country where this single was actually released.

The B-side, 'Everybody's changing' is a cover of the song by Keane, recorded live at BBC Radio 2 in Dermot O'Leary's show.

My collection: 7" single no. 3668

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 7 euro

Tracks: 'Littlest things' / 'Everybody's changing'

Un tout petit pantin - Sandie Shaw

Sandie Shaw represented the United Kingdom during the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967. With the song 'Puppet on a string' she managed to win the Contest, despite the fact that Shaw herself hated the song from beginning to end.

She recorded several versions of the song that year, amongst others in German, Spanish and this one, in French. The French EP features four songs in French, all of which were originally recorded in English. 'J'ai rêvé de lui' was originally 'Had a dream last night', 'Prends la vie du bon coté' was 'Tell the boys' and 'Tout est changé' was 'I don't think you want me anymore'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3640

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Un tout petit pantin', 'J'ai rêvé de lui' / 'Prends la vie du bon coté', 'Tout est changé'

We let the stars go - Prefab Sprout

'We let the stars go' was the second single taken from Prefab Sprout's 1990 album 'Jordan: the comeback'. The album was, like the single, produced by Thomas Dolby, and nominated for a Brit Award.

This single comes with a press release from Germany, which states: ''We let the stars go', mit der Prefab Sprout einmal mehr unter Beweis stellen, dass es nicht unbedingt immer der lauten Töne bedarf, um eine Erfahrung mitzuteilen'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3656

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,8 euro

Tracks: 'We let the stars go' / 'Cruel'

Me (Without you) - Andy Gibb

In 1980, Andy Gibb released 'Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits' to finalize his contract with RSO Records. The album contained two new songs: 'Time is time' and 'Me (Without you)'. Both were released as a single. 'Me (Without you)' was Andy Gibb's last Top 40 entry in the USA, although it only made number 40.

At the time, Andy Gibb had a relationship with Victoria Principal, with whom he recorded his last chart single in 1981, 'All I have to do is dream'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3655
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 0, 5 euro

Tracks: 'Me (Without you)' / 'Melody'

Churches - New Musik

This single by New Musik was released in France only. 'Churches' is a track from New Musik's second album 'Anywhere'. The photograph on this sleeve also appeared on an American album called 'Sanctuary', which collected tracks from New Musik's debut album 'From A to B' and 'Anywhere'.

'Churches' is one of the standout tracks from 'Anywhere'. I don't know if the single charted in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 3639

Found: 7" single no. 3639

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Churches' / 'They all run after the carving knife'

You thrill me - Exile

'You thrill me' was released as the follow-up single to Exile's worldwide hit 'Kiss you all over' in 1978. In America, the single reached the top 40 for one week only, making the 'Top-hit in USA' banner on this sleeve a tad overenthusiastic.

In Europe the single sunk without a trace. I bought this single because I saw it for the first time and I've always had a soft spot for Exile.

My collection: 7" single no. 3665

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'You thrill me' / 'Don't do it'

We all stand together - Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus

'We all stand together' was viewed by some as definite proof that Paul McCartney had lost his marbles. Beatles-haters pointed to this song as track to try to demonstrate the infantility of the entire Beatles catalogue. It is, of course, a novelty song, taken from the animated movie 'Rupert and the Frong Song'.

The 'Frog Chorus' backing on the song was provided by the King's Singers choral group and the choir of St Paul's Cathedral. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK and number 12 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3623

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'We all stand together' / 'We all stand together (Humming version)'

Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) - Chagrin d'amour

Chagrin d’amour is a French pop duo, often hailed as the artists to record the first French hip hop album. In 1982, they released 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)', a single taken from their debut album of the same name. It was probably the first ever French rap single.

The single barely missed the Dutch Top 40 in 1982. I had vague memories of this song when I bought the single and was slightly disappointed: beside the catchy chorus, there isn't much else.

My collection: 7" single no. 3641

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait)' / 'Chacun fait (c'qui lui plait) (dub instrumental)'

The way you make me feel - Michael Jackson

With all the controversy always surrounding Michael Jackson, you'd almost forget the man is responsible for many catchy tunes throughout the years. And this is one of them. 'The way you make me feel' was the third single release from his 1987 album 'Bad'. It reached number 1 in the USA and Canada, number 3 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.

Jackson has released so many singles that I missed out on buying some of them. Lately I'm trying to fill the holes in my collection, and I'm hopeful I will have all of his singles from 'Off the wall' onwards soon.

My collection: 7" single no. 3651
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 18, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The way you make me feel' / 'The way you make me feel (instrumental)'