In dreams - Marty Wilde

After his daughter Kim had some success with her first two albums, father Marty decided to get back into the game as well. He signed with Kaleidoscope Records, a small subsidiary of Epic Records, and released this cover of the Roy Orbison track 'In dreams'.

The single did not become the success he may have hoped for. The problem is, while this is a good version of the song, it was a bit out of time. It mystifies me why he didn't try out a song of his own - after all, Marty Wilde was one of the best songwriters in the UK at the time, with many hit singles under his belt.

My collection: 7" single no. 3434
Found: Esbjerg, June 17, 2006
Cost: 10 Danish crowns
Tracks: 'In dreams' / 'Hard to find, easy to lose'

Vrijdagavond - Frank Boeijen Groep

It's interesting how record companies sometimes think they know better than the artist. For the second single of the Dutch Frank Boeijen Groep, the record company re-edited the track 'Vrijdagavond' ('Friday night'), including the chorus not two, but four times. The cuts are audible and frankly only make the song repetitive.

No wonder, then, that 'Vrijdagavond' did not chart in the Netherlands. It subsequently became a very rare single, which many fans are searching for even now. I found my copy almost 20 years after its release in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 3188
Found: eBay.nl, received September 12, 2000
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Vrijdagavond' / ''s Nachts wanneer ik waak'

Found my girl - Imagination

Released in 1985, 'Found my girl' was dedicated to Charlotte. The song was written by Leee John and Ashley Ingram, so without any additional information I can only assume that the girl meant something to one of them - or both. However passionate the message in the song, it left the audiences cold, as the single didn't chart in any territory.

The 12" single adds two live tracks into the mix, and if you think Imagination live is quite a boring affair, think again: the live arrangement of the earlier single 'In and out of love' is quite, er, imaginative.

My collection: 12" single no. 525
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Found my girl' / 'In and out of love (live)', 'I gave it all (live)'

Perfect day - Duran Duran

This limited edition 'scratch 'n' sniff' sleeve still works after 15 years: there is a sweet strawberry/cherry smell coming from the front when you rub it. It's a good gimmick, but fortunately the music on the disc is very good too.

Duran Duran recorded an album of covers in 1995, entitled 'Thank you'. Lou Reed called Duran Duran's version of 'Perfect day' 'the best cover ever done of one of my songs', and rightfully so. The song was notable for a rare appearance by Roger Taylor. He had been Duran Duran's first drummer, but left the band at the height of their fame in 1986, and had had little contact with them in the ten years since. He rejoined Duran Duran in the studio to record 'Perfect day', 'Watching the detectives' and 'Jeepster'. 'Perfect day' reached number 28 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2258
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Perfect day' / 'Femme fatale (alternative mix)'

Johnny come home - Fine Young Cannibals

Released in late 1984, 'Johnny come home' was the debut single by the British band Fine Young Cannibals, taken from their self-titled debut album. The lyric of the song tells the gritty realistic story of a runaway youth, and alternates from the first-person narrative, explaining how his arrival in the big city has not turned out as he expected, to the view of the parents in the chorus, expressing their wish that he would come home.

The single reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but was a big hit in Europe, peaking at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 323
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Johnny come home' / 'Good times and bad'

Every breath you take - The Police

Sting commented about 'Every breath you take': 'I woke up in the middle of the night with that line in my head, sat down at the piano and had written it in half an hour. The tune itself is generic, an aggregate of hundreds of others, but the words are interesting. It sounds like a comforting love song. I didn't realise at the time how sinister it is. I think I was thinking of Big Brother, surveillance and control.'

Sting later said he was troubled by how many people think the song is more positive than it is. He insists it's about unrequited love (the song was written at the time he and his then wife divorced), about the obsession with the lost lover, the jealousy and surveillance that followed. It went on to become the Police's signature tune. As of 2003, Sting was still taking in an average of $2000 per day in royalties. In October 2007, Sting was awarded a Million-Air certificate for 9 million airplays of 'Every breath you take' in the United Kingdom.

My collection: 7" single no. 763
Found: Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Every breath you take' / 'Murder by numbers'

Sunday girl - Blondie

'Sunday girl' was the fourth single to be taken from Blondie's album 'Parallel lines'. Two versions of the song were included on the single: one in English and one in French. My copy of the single unfortunately didn't come in a picture sleeve - and so I'm still searching for one that does.

The single reached number 1 in the UK, Australia and Ireland, while also reaching number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 176
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sunday girl' / 'Sunday girl (French version)'

Shiny happy people - R.E.M.

Although the intro of 'Shiny happy people' is a lovely melody, it doesn't sit well with the rest of the song, which is a pretty straightforward rock song. I've always had mixed feelings towards this song, but still felt positive enough to buy it when I did.

'Shiny happy people' was the second single from R.E.M.'s 1991 album 'Out of time'. The song features guest backing vocals by Kate Pierson of the B52's who also appeared in the song's music video. The single peaked at number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1510
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 17, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Shiny happy people' / 'Forty second song'

Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth

Last week, my wife came home from the local Kringloop shop with two singles, one of them being 'Save your love (for #1)' by René and Angela. The other one was 'Pass the dutchie' by Musical Youth. Although the sleeve was in perfect shape, unfortunately it contained the wrong single. When I went shopping yesterday, I found the single once more, and so I now own it.

Musical Youth recorded 'Pass the Dutchie' in 1982. It was a major hit, reaching number 1 in the UK and the Netherlands in the autumn of 1982. It was a cover version of the song 'Pass the Koutchie' by The Mighty Diamonds, which deals with the recreational use of cannabis. For the cover version, the song's title was changed to 'Pass the Dutchie', and all obvious drug references were removed from the lyrics.

My collection: 7" single no. 4454
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'Pass the Dutchie' / 'Please give love a chance'

All right - Christopher Cross

At the time of its release in February 1983, I thought that Christopher Cross's 'All right' was one of the dullest songs on the planet. But 27 years later, you can see that I've changed my mind. The fact is, these days it's hard to find any melodic pop songs anymore and it's good to be able to travel back to the early Eighties via singles like this.

'All right' is a track from the album 'Another page', also released in 1983. It reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4453
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'All right' / 'Long world'

Sussudio - Phil Collins

According to Phil Collins, 'Sussudio' is the result of an improvisation. He was just playing around with a drum machine, and the lyric 'sus-sussudio' was what came out of his mouth. 'So I kinda knew I had to find something else for that word, then I went back and tried to find another word that scanned as well as 'sussudio', and I couldn't find one, so I went back to 'sussudio',' Collins explained. The lyrics are about a schoolboy crush on a girl at school.

The single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4452
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'Sussudio' / 'The man with the horn'

I love Rock 'n Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker from The Arrows wrote 'I love Rock 'n Roll' in 1975. They recorded the track on RAK Records, produced by Mickie Most. Although not a chart hit because the label did not promote the song, it did catch the attention of Joan Jett when the Arrows performed the song on their weekly television series The Arrows Show.

She first recorded the song in 1979 with two of the Sex Pistols: Steve Jones and Paul Cook. This first version was not released until 1993 on the album 'Flashback'. In 1982, Jett re-recorded the song, this time with her band, The Blackhearts, and this recording became a U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1 single for seven weeks. The single also hit number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 4 in the UK singles chart. Let us forget about the lifeless version by Britney Spears in 2002, shall we?

My collection: 7" single no. 4451
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'I love Rock 'n Roll' / 'Love is pain'

I was made for dancin' - Leif Garrett

Leif Garrett was born as Leif Per Nervik on November 8, 1961. He started his career in entertainment at just five years old, acting in several television series in America. In 1976, he signed a recording contract and released his self-titled debut album. His second album 'Feel the need' spawned the single 'I was made for dancin'', which became his first worldwide hit single, reaching number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. Subsequent singles and albums couldn't match this succcess however.

I bought a copy of this single - a UK pressing with a custom record company sleeve - already in 1979 during a holiday in London, which would have placed it among the first 30 singles in my current collection. However, not long after that holiday, my sister talked me into swapping the single for a different one out of her collection, and as I didn't play that single often enough, I agreed. Now, 30 years later, the single is back in my possession: an American pressing in a picture sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 4450
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'I was made for dancin'' / 'Living without your love'

Worn down piano - Mark and Clark Band

This is one single I almost didn't buy because I thought I already had it. I didn't, but the sleeve looks awfully familiar. I just can't work out where I might have seen it.

Anyway: 'Worn down piano' is one of the most interesting songs from 1977. Split into two parts, the full length of the song is over eight minutes. The lyric tells a story of an old piano that's about to be auctioned off, while a poor man plays the most beautiful melodies on it. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4449
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'Worn down piano (part 1)' / 'Worn down piano (part 2)'

Funkytown - Lipps Inc.

Lipps Inc. (pronounced like 'lip sync') was a studio band that is quite basically the very definition of the term 'one hit wonder'. The group was formed in Minneapolis by Steven Greenberg, who wrote and produced all of the group's music, and who also played several musical instruments. The lead singer was Cynthia Johnson, and the rest of the group consisted of a changing group of session musicians.

The group released their debut album 'Mouth to mouth' in 1980. The single 'Funkytown' was taken from this album and became a number 1 hit in the USA, the Netherlands and several other European countries. In the UK singles chart it reached number 2. Their further singles failed to chart, and so Lipps Inc. gradually faded from view. They actually released four albums between 1980 and 1983, none of which attracted much attention.

My collection: 7" single no. 4448
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Funkytown' / 'All night dancing'

Jij daar! - Petra and Co.

Petra De Steur was born in Gent, Belgium on June 20, 1972. She was discovered in 1988 and scored a series of hits in Belgium between 1989 and 1992 as Petra & Co. 'Jij daar', a dance song produced by wellknown producer Phil de Wilde (who's worked with Kabouter Plop, K-Otic and Kate Ryan) and low on substance, was their second hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

She reinvented herself in 2006 and is known since then as La Sakhra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4447
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Jij daar!' / 'Where and when'

Someone loves you honey - June Lodge and Prince Mohammed

The biggest hit of 1982 in the Netherlands was 'Someone loves you honey' by June Lodge and Prince Mohammed. This reggae version of a country and western tune topped the charts in Jamaica and went on to chart all over Europe.

Although the record was a big hit, it bankrupted producer Joe Gibbs, as he had failed to pay royalties to the songwriter. An album of the same name, featuring the deejay talents of Prince Mohammed was released in 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 4446
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Someone loves you honey' / 'Stay in tonight'

Hot love - Five Star

'Hot love' is the second single from Five Star's self-titled 1990 album. The single was, like the album, recorded in their new studio built in the grounds of their family home in Ascot, Berkshire. When the single only reached number 68 in the UK singles chart, the press were quick to declare Five Star's bankruptcy, although the band refuted those claims, saying that they were in fact very happy and wealthy, after all the fortunes their previous hits had brought them.

Still, bad times were ahead as the album was shelved by the record company after the disappointing result of the single. The album was released in the USA, and only available as an import in the UK. The band subsequently left Epic and pursued a career in the United States.

My collection: 7" single no. 4445
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Hot love' / 'Act one'

Together we're strong - Mireille Mathieu and Patrick Duffy

The singing aspirations of the actors from the popular evening drama 'Dallas' has led to some pretty embarrassing results. Readers of this blog have already heard the single by Charlene Tilton, and here is another shocking example.

Mireille Mathieu and Patrick Duffy recorded 'Together we're strong' in 1983 when Duffy appeared in Mathieu's French television show. The song, which was written by Ralph Siegel and Richard Palmer James, was released as a single and, unbelievably, became a hit all over Europe. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Together we're strong' landed at number 5. I bought this single strictly for its comedy value.

My collection: 7" single no. 4444
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Together we're strong' / 'Something's going on'

What kind of dance is this - Veronica Unlimited

Producer Hans van Hemert formed Veronica Unlimited on the occasion of the 12,5 year jubilee of the Dutch broadcaster Veronica's Dutch Top 40. His idea to make a disco medley of old hits, combined with jingles from Radio Veronica, was realised by singers such as Margriet Eshuijs and Sandra Reemer, although the line-up soon changed to include four German singers: Manfred Kohler, Edna Bejarano, Gabi Kreutz and Angie Kreutz.

'What kind of dance is this' was the group's first single and also their biggest hit. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1977. The B-side of this single features a disco version of the classic melody 'Für Elise'. Subsequent releases couldn't match this success, and ultimately the group broke up in 1981.

My collection: 7" single no. 4443
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'What kind of dance is this' / 'Ferme la porte'