When doves cry - Prince

I've never actually seen a dove cry, but I guess that's a poetic license the Purple Majesty took on himself in this song. Prince wrote and composed the tracks after all the other tracks on the album 'Purple rain' (which was also the soundtrack to the movie of the same name) were complete. In addition to vocals, he also played all instruments on the track. Remarkably, there is no bass line in the track. Prince has said that there originally was a bass line, but decided that the song was too conventional with it.

The song was released as the first single from the album, peaking at number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 237
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'When doves cry' / '17 days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose. If U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose)'

Walking down your street - The Bangles

Following up the massive hit 'Walk like an Egyptian' was quite a chore for the Bangles, as they didn't have a lot of these unusual tracks on their album 'Different light'. In the end, the record company opted for 'Walking down your street', in a slightly remixed version when compared to the album version. In the UK, they released the single in a limited edition double pack with 'Walk like an Egyptian' as the free second single.

Of course, this single scored less well. It peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 504
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Walking down your street' / 'Return post' // 'Walk like an Egyptian' / 'Not like you'

Just an illusion - Imagination

'Just an illusion' was written by Leee John and Ashley Ingram from the band Imagination, together with their producers Steve Jolley and Tony Swain. The smooth soul sound of the track appealed to a lot of listeners.

When the track was released as a single in March 1982, it became the band's biggest hit, peaking at number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2054
Found: November 20, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Just an illusion' / 'Just an illusion (instrumental)'

Lost without your love - Bread

Bread broke up in 1974 and lead singer David Gates launched a solo career, as well as Jimmy Griffin. The band come back together in 1976 when their record label expressed interest in another album. David Gates, Jimmy Griffin, Mike Botts and Larry Knechtel returned to the studio that year and recorded the album 'Lost without your love', which was released in January 1977.

The title track, written and sung by Gates, was the band's last top 10 hit in the USA, peaking at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 14 and in the UK singles chart it got as far as number 27.

My collection: 7" single no. 1235
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 25, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Lost without your love' / 'Change of heart'

You treated me wrong - Maywood

The sisters Alie and Doetie de Vries, calling themselves Alice May and Caren Wood, started singing at a very early age. The joined the Karina's in 1974, moving on to the country group Colt 45 in 1976 and in 1977 forming the duo The Lady Pop's. In 1978 they decided to continue as Maywood.

'You treated me wrong' was their second single, produced by ex-Kayak drummer Pim Koopman, who had just started producing. Although the single only reached number 32, it was their first Dutch Top 40 hit and the start of a very successful career.

My collection: 7" single no. 782
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 24, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'You treated me wrong' / 'I can't let you go now'

Saltwater - Julian Lennon

Julian Lennon sounds a lot like his famous father on this 1991 single, 'Saltwater'.The song combines subtle melodies with a lyric full of environmentally conscious themes such as pollution and poverty. The many marvels and feats of human civilization are in sharp contrast with the way we handle our planet. The track features George Harrison on lead guitar.

This first single from Julian Lennon's 1991 album 'Help yourself' became his biggest hit in the UK, peaking at number 6 during a 13 week chart run. In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1531
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 28, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Saltwater' / 'Rebel king (edit)'

What is love - Howard Jones

'What is love?' was Howard Jones' second single, released in November 1983. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart. What's more, the single was his international breakthrough. It became a hit in various European countries and peaked at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of 1984.

I got to know Howard Jones thanks to the single 'What is love?' and I bought it within days of hearing it - which I didn't do very often in 1983 because of lack of money. Since then, I've bought every Howard Jones single and album.

My collection: 7" single no. 220
Found: LP Top 100, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'What is love?' / 'It just doesn't matter'

Am I losing you forever - Mai Tai

Although Mai Tai made a name for themselves with dance hits like 'Body and soul' and 'History', they tried their luck in 1985 with the ballad 'Am I losing you forever'. Contrary to most Dutch productions, this track had an international sound: it might as well have been sung by an American soul trio.

International success did not follow for this particular single, but it did reach number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 941
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Am I losing you forever' / 'The rhythm of the street'

Wow - Kate Bush

'Wow' was released as the second single from Kate Bush's second album 'Lionheart'. The single featured an edited version of the song, although it is not actually labelled as such: the first 12 seconds of synthesizer chords were removed from the track.

Released in March 1979, the single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in Ireland .

My collection: 7" single no. 675
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wow' / 'Fullhouse'

One more night - Phil Collins

Phil Collins was playing around with a drum machine when he started saying the chorus of 'One more night'. He later recalled that 'the rest of the song was written very quickly'.

The track was recorded for Collins' 1985 album 'No jacket required' and released as its second single. It reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy was made in France and turned up in a record shop discount bin four years after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 713
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 5, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'One more night' / 'I like the way'

Josephine - Chris Rea

Chris Rea wrote the song 'Josephine' for his daughter of the same name. It was included on his 1985 album 'Shamrock diaries'. (He would pay the same compliment to his youngest daughter Julia on the 1993 album 'Espresso logic'.)

In the UK, the single reached number 67, but in the Dutch Top 40 it peaked at number 3. Part of this popularity was caused by an appearance of Chris Rea in the Dutch weekly chart show 'Toppop'. It was the last edition presented by longtime presenter Ad Visser. While Rea was playing this rather serious song, confetti and balloons were flying through the studio. The artist was visibly surprised and bewildered.

My collection: 7" single no. 311
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Josephine' / 'Josephine (edit remix version)'

Cover my eyes (Pain and heaven) - Marillion

Fish left Marillion in 1988, leaving the band with a big hole in their line-up. This hole was filled when they recruited Steve Hogarth, former keyboardist and sometime vocalist of The Europeans. The band had already recorded some demos for what was to become 'Seasons end', Marillion's fifth album. With Fish - who had written most of the lyrics for the four previous albums - gone, Hogarth set about writing new lyrics for the songs that had been demoed. The album was eventually released in 1989.

'Holidays in Eden', their next album, was the first the new line-up of the band actually created together. 'Cover my eyes (Pain and heaven)' was the first single from the album. It was a good success for them, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 (their biggest hit since 1985's 'Kayleigh') and number 34 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1507
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 10, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Cover my eyes (Pain and heaven)' / 'How can it hurt'

Ongelofelijk - Mam

Even for foreigners the Dutch single 'Ongelofelijk' ('Unbelievable') is easy to follow: the only lyric in the song is the title plus the phrase 'Het gaat maar door' ('It just goes on'). Makes no sense to you? Well, most Dutch people didn't understand this either, which is why it didn't reach the chart. Personally, I am rather fond of such nonsensical tracks.

The B-side, which is a lot more wordy, is equally nonsensical: it's about a man who wonders about his own sentimentality when he thinks back with shame about the time he met a man on the market who was offering him the fish he had been eating, as he didn't want the rest of it: he turned him down.

My collection: 7" single no. 872
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 2, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ongelofelijk' / 'Lekkerbekje: het gesprek'

Message of love - The Pretenders

The second single from the Pretenders' second album 'Pretenders II' was the dynamic 'Message of love'. It was another UK success for the band, as it peaked at number 11 in the UK singles chart. They also managed to reach number 16 in the Australian singles chart.

This is one of those songs that I've always liked but I never could remember to buy it. It's only more recently that I've come to discover that I actually like quite a lot of Pretenders tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 857
Found: May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Message of love' / 'Porcelain'

Amsterdam - Maggie MacNeal

The Netherlands organised the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, stepping in for Israel, which had won the Contest twice in a row but were unable to do this in 1980 because of the fact that it was held at a national holiday. The Dutch used the same setup they had used in 1976, after Teach-In had won the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest.

Because of all of this, the Netherlands didn't hold a national final, but instead they elected Maggie MacNeal internally to sing the Dutch entry. During the voting, 'Amsterdam' was in first place for some time, but in the end ranked fifth in a field of 19 participants. The single reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40, MacNeal's last hit single in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3136
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Amsterdam' / 'Amsterdam (English version)'

Chain reaction - Diana Ross

It was Puck who introduced me to the 12" single of 'Chain reaction' by Diana Ross. I wasn't particularly fond of the track, despite the involvement of the Bee Gees in the writing of the track and the backing vocals. When I heard the special dance mix of 'Chain reaction', however, I had to admit this was a pretty good remix.

The confusing thing is that remixes of 'Chain reaction' were also released later on, when the track was re-released as a single. These remixes are available on several cd's. But this original dance remix is quite rare. Finding the 12" single for myself was therefore a relief.

My collection: 12" single no. 312
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Chain reaction (special dance remix)' / 'More and more', 'Chain reaction'

Get the balance right! - Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode's seventh single 'Get the balance right!' was released between albums in January 1983. Alan Wilder had officially joined the line-up of the band, and he wrote the B-side of this single together with Martin Gore.

The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in Ireland, but it was not included on the album 'Construction time again', which was released later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2672
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Get the balance right!' / 'The great outdoors!'

Don't stop the dance - Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry released his sixth solo album 'Boys and girls' in 1985. The album was a big success, and to this day it's still his only number 1 album in the UK.

'Don't stop the dance' was the second single taken from the album, after the very successful 'Slave to love'. By comparison, this single did less well, but still reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1769
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Don't stop the dance' / 'Nocturne'

Like a mountain - Soulsister

Jan Leyers and Paul Michiels formed the Belgian duo Soulsister in 1986. They debuted that year with the single 'You get to me'. The next single was 'Talk about it', and in 1988 they released 'Like a mountain'.

All three singles were minor successes in Belgium, but they didn't reach the international chart until they released their fourth single 'The way to your heart'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2591
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Like a mountain' / 'Car'

Tonight I'm yours - Rod Stewart

'Tonight I'm yours' was the title track of Rod Stewart's 1981 album. The single was released in the autumn of 1981, a few weeks ahead of the album. It became an international hit, reaching number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

After the disco-influenced tracks of the late Seventies, Stewart added synthpop and new wave elements to his songs on his 1981 album. He managed to win new fans while not alienating his existing fan group.

My collection: 7" single no. 1476
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Tonight I'm yours' / 'Sonny'

Hey, st. Peter - Flash and the Pan

The Australian band Flash & the Pan made their international chart debut with the 1977 single 'Hey st. Peter', written by band members Harry Vanda and George Young. The single reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart nd number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

Remarkably, the 1977 single only appeared on an album in 1979, when the band released their self-titled debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 619
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey, st. Peter' / 'Walking in the rain'

Hello - Lionel Richie

One of Lionel Richie's biggest hits is arguably more famous for its music video than for the music itself. The video, in which a blind girl sculpts an image of Lionel Richie's face (which looks as much like him as my behind looks like a lily), became the subject of lots of airplay and some parodies too.

But 'Hello' is a beautiful ballad as well. Written by Richie himself, it was the third single from his multi-millionselling album 'Can't slow down'. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, as well as the Swiss singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 228
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello' / 'You mean more to me'

La vie en rose - Grace Jones

I bought this 7" single of Grace Jones' 'La vie en rose' long before I bought the 12" single. At the time, I felt it was just a nice song, but since then, I have grown to appreciate this track as one of Grace's best.

Of course, 'La vie en rose' was a hit for French singer Edith Piaf first. Written by Piaf and Louis Gugliemi, her songwriting team did not think the song would be successful, but it turned out to be a favourite with audiences. The same goes for Grace Jones' version: it was released as a single in 1977 and 1982, and on both occasions it became a big hit in several countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1626
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'La vie en rose' / 'I need a man'

Leaving me now - Level 42

'Leaving me now' was the second single release from Level 42's 1985 album 'World machine'. The song was written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. Though heavily edited for the single, the track was still a good success for the band.

In the Netherlands, 'Leaving me now' reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1015
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Leaving me now' / 'I sleep on my heart'

Seven wonders - Fleetwood Mac

'Seven wonders' was the second single release from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. Lead vocals were performed by Stevie Nicks, who wrote the song together with Sandy Stewart.

The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, but stalled at number 56 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1087
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven wonders' / 'Book of miracles'

Perfect way - Scritti Politti

Back in 1985, the lucky buyer of 'Perfect way' in the UK could get this limited edition version of the single, featuring not only a gatefold sleeve, but also a poster with a monochrome photograph of founding member Green Gartside.

'Perfect way' was the fifth single taken from Scritti Politti's 1985 album 'Cupid & Psyche', and their only big hit stateside, reaching number 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single only got to number 48.

My collection: 7" single no. 1864
Found: January 30, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Perfect way' / 'Perfect way (version)'

Crying - Don McLean

'Crying' was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and recorded by Roy Orbison in 1961. It was released as a single that summer, becoming a worldwide hit.

Don McLean recorded his version of the song in 1978 on his album 'Prime time'. It also became a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 620
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Crying' / 'Genesis'

Fortress around your heart - Sting

Sting wrote 'Fortress around your heart' in the studio in Barbados in 1985. He commented about the song: '[it] is about appeasement, about trying to bridge the gaps between individuals. The central image is a minefield that you've laid around this other person to try and protect them. Then you realise that you have to walk back through it. I think it's one of the best choruses I've ever written.'

The track features a sax solo performed by Branford Marsalis. It was released as the fourth single from Sting's 1985 album 'The dream of the blue turtles'. It reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 386
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Fortress around your heart' / 'Shadows in the rain'

Minimal - Pet Shop Boys

'Minimal' was originally planned to be the first single from the Pet Shop Boys' 2006 album 'Fundamental', but was held back in favour of 'I'm with stupid'. The single finally was released in July 2006. The lyrics are an abstract description of expressions of minimalism, such as 'more is less' and 'an empty box, an open space'. The upbeat, busy instrumentation and production is quite in contrast with minimalism.

The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in Denmark, but was not successful in other European countries. The B-side 'In private' is a new version of a song originally written for Dusty Springfield. This time the track is recorded as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John.

My collection: 7" single no. 3447
Found: HMV, London, 2006
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Minimal (radio edit)' / 'In private (7 inch mix)'

Red skies - The Fixx

The Fixx released 'Red skies' as a single in 1982. The lyric of the song is quite explicit on the theme of impending doom. This was made even more obvious by a music video, released in 1987, in which a nuclear holocaust is depicted.

The single reached number 57 in the UK singles chart upon its first release in 1982. When it was re-released in 1987 the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 146
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Red skies' / 'Is it by instinct'

Soul inspiration - Simon Climie

After Climie Fisher broke up, Simon Climie embarked on a solo career, signing to Columbia Records to release his debut solo album 'Soul inspiration'. The title track was released as a single, which reached number 60 in the UK singles chart in the autumn of 1992.

After the commercial disappointment of both the single and the album, Climie switched to production and songwriting. In the late Nineties, he became involved with Eric Clapton, acting as producer and sometime co-writer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1729
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Soul inspiration' / 'Life goes on'

Knockin' on heaven's door - Randy Crawford

'Knockin' on heaven's door' was written by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 movie 'Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid'. The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy.

Eric Clapton recorded a version of the song in June 1975 and released it as a single later that year. The song was not included on a full-length album until the release of the 1982 compilation 'Time pieces: The best of Eric Clapton'. In 1989, Clapton and David Sanborn backed singer Randy Crawford in a new version, which was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie 'Lethal Weapon 2'. This version reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1110
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Knockin' on heaven's door' / 'Medley: The Shipyard / Knockin' on heaven's door'

Set your loving free - Lisa Stansfield

'Set your loving free' was the fourth single from Lisa Stansfield's second album 'Real love'. The track is full of Seventies disco sounds, but still sounds very modern. The real treat on this single is the non-album track, 'Whenever you're gone', a touching ballad about a woman who can't face the light of day when her lover is out of sight.

My copy of the single is interesting for its extra labels: each side of this single carries not one, but two paper labels. 'Set your loving free' reached number 28 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1743
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Set your loving free' / 'Whenever you're gone'

I can hear your heart beat - Chris Rea

'Water sign' was released in 1983 as Chris Rea's fifth album. By that time, the record company showed so little interest in anything by him, that they wouldn't even give him the money to record the album professionally. What was actually released is a collection of demo versions, with a few overdubs. Hence the extensive use of electronic drum machines.

'I can hear your heart beat' was released as a single from the album. The single and the album were well received. Most people thought the 'new electronic sound' of Chris Rea was rather good. The single reached number 60 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 974
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I can hear your heart beat' / 'From love to love'

Maybe someday... - Simply Red

Simply Red was pretty successful with their first two albums 'Picture book' and 'Men and women', but occasionally their singles didn't do so well in the charts. 'Maybe someday' is a prime example of this: the video was shown regularly on television in 1987, but I was not able to locate a copy. In the end, I just assumed that it was only released as a single in the USA - especially when I found this copy in 1991: an American promo 7" featuring the same track on both sides.

More recently I found out that the single only charted in the UK, peaking at number 88. Why was this song not more successful? I will never know. It's up there as my favourite Simply Red track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1541
Found: Record fair, October 27, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Maybe someday...' / 'Maybe someday...'

Puttin' on the ritz - Taco

Dutch singer Taco Ockerse made his debut in 1982 with a cover version of 'Puttin' on the ritz', which was written by Irving Berlin in 1929. The song was used in several movies, including 'Idiot's delight' (1939), performed by Clark Gable, and 'Blue skies' (1946), performed by Fred Astaire.

Taco's version included a tap dance solo as a tribute to Astaire. Also included in the recording are parts of 'White Christmas', 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' and 'There's No Business Like Show Business' (all written by Irving Berlin), and 'Gotta Dance' from the movie 'Singin' in the Rain'. Taco's single reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 187
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Puttin' on the ritz' / 'Livin' in my dream world'

El Norte - Cock Robin

'El Norte' was the third and final single from Cock Robin's second album, 'After here through midland' (1987). It showed the first signs of the Spanish influences that would become more apparent on their next album, 'First love last rites' (1989).

The single was very unsuccessful, as it didn't chart in any territory. In fact, I only found out about its existance a few years after it was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 1480
Found: July 3, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'El Norte' / 'For dear life'

Luka - Suzanne Vega

'Luka' was a track on Suzanne Vega's second album 'Solitude standing'. It was released as a single in May 1987. The song was one of the earliest about the subject of child abuse and domestic violence.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, number 26 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it her biggest hit in the USA. This 10" single features two live track on the B-side, recorded at Piccadilly Theatre in London.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Luka' / 'Straight lines (live)', 'Neighborhood girls (live)'

Hanna Hanna - China Crisis

China Crisis released 'Hanna Hanna' in March 1984, after their first top 10 hit, 'Wishful thinking'. The single did not match that success, as it only reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and failed to chart in much of Europe - contrary to its predecessor.

The B-side is a live version of their debut single 'African and white', recorded at Reading University in January 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2113
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, June 11, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hanna Hanna' / 'African and white (live)'

Dreamlover - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is one of those vocalists that people love or loathe. And of course, I'm in the latter category - and rightfully so. People who think that the woman can sing clearly have their ears clogged up. But the strange thing is, she did occasionally record a decent song. 'Dreamlover', taken from her fourth album 'Music box' was the one track that stood out amidst a pile of drivel.

The single reached number 1 in Canada and the USA, peaking at number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1995
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Dreamlover' / 'Do you think of me'

Never gonna cry again - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics were one of the most successful bands of the Eighties, but their debut single went by almost unnoticed - except by me. My sister bought 'Never gonna cry again' when it was released and for a long time it was a favourite of ours. The spooky sleeve and the sad, melancholic song appealed enormously to us.

The song was produced by Conny Plank and featured Holger Czukay from the band Can on French horn. Annie Lennox performed a flute solo, one of the few times that she actually used the instrument during her pop career, despite having studied it at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London. The single reached number 63 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 215
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Never gonna cry again' / 'Le sinistre'

Driver's seat - Sniff 'n' the tears

The genesis of 'Driver's seat' dates back to 1973 and a demo tape recorded for a French record label by singer/guitarist Paul Roberts for the band Ashes of Moon. However, that band broke up and, at the suggestion of drummer Luigi Salvoni, Roberts reformed it as Sniff 'n' the Tears with guitarists Laurence 'Loz' Netto and Nick Dyche and bassist Nick South. They shopped the demo tape and signed with the small Chiswick label in 1977. They recorded 'Driver's seat' in 1978 on their debut album 'Fickle heart'.

According to Paul Roberts, 'Driver's seat' isn't about driving, but rather 'fragmented, conflicting thoughts and emotions that might follow the break-up of a relationship'. The single peaked at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1980, but resurfaced in 1992 when it was used in a Pioneer commercial, reaching number 1 on that occasion.

My collection: 7" single no. 924
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Driver's seat' / 'Slide away'

Humanahum - Jean Gabilou

Jean Gabilou was born in Tahiti and became the first singer from French overseas territory to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest. He did so in 1981, with the song 'Humanahum'. The title may seem nonsensical, but the message is quite serious: the lyric is about an old man teaching a group of children about life on Earth. Gabilou sings that because humanity 'invented the war', the Earth eventually could not support life. The song, therefore, is a plea for global peace.

The song finished third in the contest, out of 20 competitors. France famously opted out of the Contest the next year, with the national broadcaster calling Eurovision 'a monument to inanity'. France returned in 1983 with a different broadcaster sending the artists.

My collection: 7" single no. 4345
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, December 1, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Humanahum (Version Française)' / 'Humanahum (English version)'

All for Leyna - Billy Joel

Taken from Billy Joel's 1980 album 'Glass houses', 'All for Leyna' is the tale of someone who meets a girl names Leyna, and after a one night stand, becomes obsessed with her. At the time, Billy Joel sang his songs with a biting aggressiveness that made this track that much more attractive.

'All for Leyna' reached number 40 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1840
Found: Record fair, January 23, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'All for Leyna' / 'Close to the borderline'

You could have been with me - Sheena Easton

'You could have been with me' was the title track from Sheena Easton's second album, released in 1981. The song was composed by Lea Maalfrid who had had considerable success in her native New Zealand as frontwoman for glam rock band Ragnarok. Maalfrid had little awareness of Sheena Easton and 'wasn't too bothered [i.e. interested]' about Easton recording her song. When the song turned out to be successful, Maalfrid abandoned her own singing career in favour of songwriting.

The single reached number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single only reached number 54, showing the first signs of Easton's career being more successful in America than in her native Great Britain.

My collection: 7" single no. 103
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You could have been with me' / 'Family of one'

Hijo de la luna - Mecano

The fairytale-like 'Hijo de la luna', recorded in 1990 by the Spanish band Mecano, was a major European hit. It reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, despite the fact that even most of the Dutch can't understand Spanish.

The lyric of the song depicts a 'gypsy' woman, who prays an entire night to the Moon goddess for a husband. In the end, the moon says that she shall have her man, but in return she wants her first-born child to be turned over to her. When the child is born, it turns out that its skin color does not resemble the father's, but instead is white 'like the back of an ermine' (the white fur of a stoat originating from Armenia), and has grey eyes. The gypsy man automatically assumes that his wife committed adultery, and kills her with a knife. Afterwards, he carries the infant onto the top of a mountain, where he abandons it. The child is taken up into the sky by the moon, and on nights when the moon is full, it is because the child is happy, and when the child cries, the moon will wane to make him a cradle. The chorus throughout the song says that the moon wants to be a mother, yet cannot find a lover who will make her a woman (and therefore, impregnate her), and questions her as to what she would do with a child of flesh.

My collection: 7" single no. 1242
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hijo de la luna' / 'Mujer contra mujer'

Burning the ground - Duran Duran

When Duran Duran's compilation album 'Decade: Greatest hits' was released in 1989, 'Burning the ground' was released as the accompanying single (although the track did not appear on the album). It is essentially a megamix of Duran Duran hits, created by producer John Jones.

'Burning the ground' contains elements from 'Save a prayer', 'Hungry like the wolf', 'Rio', 'The reflex', 'The wild boys', 'Skin trade', 'A view to a kill', 'Notorious', 'I don't want your love', 'Planet earth' and 'Girls on film'. The song also uses several samples from the 1968 erotic science fiction movie 'Barbarella', from which the band took their name.

My collection: 7" single no. 2319
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Burning the ground' / 'Decadance'

Souvenir - Orchestral manoeuvres in the Dark

I bought a European pressing of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1981 single 'Souvenir' just last month, but when I saw this UK pressing, I just couldn't resist buying this one too. And for good reason, too: the picture label is so beautiful that the sleeve was made to fit the label.

What's more, where the European single only contains the B-side track 'Sacred heart', this one also contains a second B-side track. All in all, quite a good package here.

My collection: 7" single no. 4267
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Souvenir' / 'Motion & heart (Amazon version)', 'Sacred heart'