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'

Manhattan - G'Race

The band Grace, then without apostrophe, is founded in 1968 by Henk van der Burgh and his two brothers Frans and John, together with Ronald Dobber and Guido Collard. The band plays predominantly covers. In 1970, John and Frans van der Burgh leave the band, and they are replaced by Ed Kemperman and Peter de Wijn. Their debut single 'I hear music' is released in 1975, but it doesn't chart. Two further singles also flop.

In 1979, singer Gerda van den Outenaar joins the band. It ultimately results in a change of the band name in 1983 to G'Race and a contract with a bigger record company. G'Race's first single 'Manhattan' is released and peaks at number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It's the first of three hit singles, after which the band keeps trying for success without results.

My collection: 7" single no. 4442
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Manhattan' / 'Manhattan (part 2)'

The message is love - Arthur Baker and the backbeat disciples

Arthur Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 22, 1955. During the Seventies he started working as a DJ in the Boston area. In 1981, he moved to New York, where he continued to work as a DJ, while also moving into production. He produced amongst others Afrika Bambaataa and Planet Patrol.

In the late Eighties and early Nineties, Baker worked with soul star Al Green, writing and producing the international hit 'The message is love'. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 38 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4441
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'The message is love' / 'The message is love (Cupid mix)'

Gonna make you a star - David Essex

'Gonna make you a star' was released in the autumn of 1974 as a single by David Essex. The song was written by himself and produced by Jeff Wayne. The record features a prominent use of the synthesizer.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, spending three weeks at the top in November 1974. In the Dutch Top 40, where it entered in January 1975, it peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 4440
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Gonna make you a star' / 'Window'

Everything I own - Boy George

'Everything I own' was written by David Gates to be recorded by his band Bread in 1972 on their album 'Baby I'm a want you'. Although the song is frequently interpreted as a romantic love song, Gates actually wrote the song as a tribute to his late father. It quickly became a popular standard, recorded by artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Rod Steward, Chrissie Hynde... and Boy George.

Boy George's version was a reggae treatment of the song, released as his debut solo single after Culture Club split up in 1987. Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin it provided a major boost to his career. It was a number 1 in many countries, including the UK, Italy, Norway, Canada and South Africa. In the Dutch Top 40, the single peaked at number 3 - Boy George's only top 10 hit in the Netherlands to this day.

My collection: 7" single no. 4439
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Everything I own' / 'Use me'

Guilty - Barbra Streisand

When Barbra Streisand asked Barry Gibb to write an album for her, he not only contributed his songs, but also his voice, as well as producing the whole thing. The title track, 'Guilty', was actually recorded as a duet between Streisand and Gibb, and subsequently released as a single too.

The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 34 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4438
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Guilty' / 'Life story'

Lost in music - Sister Sledge

'Lost in music' was originally a track on Sister Sledge's 1979 album 'We are family'. I've had the 1984 release of the single for almost 10 years now, but this is the original release from 1979. It features a version of the track 'Thinking of you' on the B-side.

The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4437
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Lost in music' / 'Thinking of you'

Float on - The Floaters

The Floaters was formed by the former Detroit Emeralds singer James Mitchell, with his brother Paul Mitchell, Larry Cunningham, Charles Clark, and the unrelated Ralph Mitchell. Most of The Floaters were from the Sojourner Truth housing project, on Detroit's Eastside.

James Mitchell apparently came up with the idea and tune for their one major hit, 'Float on' in a dream. The lyrics spotlighted each member of the band, who introduced themselves with their name and astrological sign. The single became a world wide hit in 1977, reaching number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in the UK Singles Chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4436
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Float on' / 'Everything happens for a reason'

Break it out - Lisa

Lisa was born as Lisa Schulte Nordholt in Breda, the Netherlands on January 26, 1956. As Lisa Boray she forged a career as a singer in the Seventies as a member of the Houseband and the band Navel. As a session singer she can be heard on most Dutch albums of the first half of the Eighties. In 1982 she is part of the background choir during the Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, Bill van Dijk's 'Jij en ik', and again in 1988 when Gerard Joling represents the Netherlands with 'Shangri-la'.

'Break it out' is a single taken from her solo album 'Searchlight', credited simply to Lisa. The single reached number 9 during an eight week chart run in the Dutch Top 40. In 1991, she sings the theme song for the Dutch soap opera 'Goede tijden slechte tijden' ('Good times bad times') together with Louis de Vries. When this is released as a single, it again reaches number 9 during an eight week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 4435
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Break it out' / 'Break it out (instrumental)'

A good heart - Feargal Sharkey

'A good heart' was written by Maria McKee about her relationship with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboard player Benmont Tench. The track was recorded in 1985 by Feargal Sharkey and produced by David A. Stewart from the Eurythmics. It was released as Sharkey's debut solo single, after having been in the band the Undertones for seven years.

It was a very successful debut, topping the charts in the UK and the Netherlands in November 1985 and February 1986 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 4434
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'A good heart' / 'Anger is holy'

Talking out of line - Bardo

Bardo represented the United Kingdom during the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with 'One step further'. That song sounded a bit like a poor man's Bucks Fizz, and that was even more obvious with this follow-up single, 'Talking out of line'. The song was even written by Andy Hill and Nichola Martin, who were responsible for bringing together both Bucks Fizz and Bardo, so that's no real surprise then.

While 'One step further' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, this single, released just two months later, did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4433
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Talking out of line' / 'Always thinking of you'

What kinda boy you're lookin' for (girl) - Hot Chocolate

'What kinda boy you're lookin' for (girl)' was the twelfth top 10 hit for Hot Chocolate in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 10 in the spring of 1983. In the Dutch Top 40, it was the group's penultimate hit single, peaking at number 21.

Written by lead singer Errol Brown and produced by Mickie Most, the track used a formula that had become familiar by 1983: a catchy refrain and soulful vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 4432
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'What kinda boy you're lookin' for (girl)' / 'Got to get back to work'

It ain't over 'til it's over - Lenny Kravitz

I've always ignored Lenny Kravitz singles in the Nineties, mainly because I felt they were quite repetitive: they seemed to be remakes of his debut hit 'Let love rule'. In later years, I discovered a few songs that I still find worthwhile to own. 'It ain't over 'til it's over' is one of them.

The song was released as the second single from Kravitz's second album 'Mama said' (1991). The horn line at the end of the song is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. 'That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today', Lenny Kravitz commented in 2000. The title of the song is based on a quote from the Baseball player and manager Yogi Berra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4431
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'It ain't over 'til it's over' / 'The difference is why'

Arabian affair - The Abdul Hasssan Orchestra

'Arabian affair' sounds a bit Middle Eastern, but in fact it was made by a Dutch group. Behind the scenes, Dutch musician and producer Hans van Eijck was experimenting with Eastern melodies, combined with disco beats for the fun of it. He enlisted some session musicians to create the single 'Arabian affair', which became a big hit in the Netherlands: the single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

When the success crossed over to Germany, the project turned out to be lucrative enough to warrant a complete album, which you can find here.

My collection: 7" single no. 4430
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'Arabian affair' / 'Desert dance'

More more more - Andrea True Connection

Andrea True was born on July 26, 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee. After graduation, she sought fame and fortune in the showbusiness, but wasn't very successful. She moved into the hardcore porn industry instead. During this time, she was hired by a real estate business in Jamaica to appear in their commercial ads. While there, a political crisis gripped Jamaica, and no one was allowed to leave with any money. True asked her friend, record producer Gregg Diamond, to travel to the island and produce a track for her, which she would finance locally. Diamond arrived with a composition in hand, to which True added lyrics. The result of their collaboration was 'More more more'.

The track became a favourite in discotheques and nightclubs. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in Germany. An album, also titled 'More more more' soon followed. After three albums, True briefly returned to porn, but soon realized that there were significantly fewer opportunities in the porn industry for a woman in her late Thirties. She was also unable to return to music, because of a goiter that developed on her vocal cords requiring surgery, which in turn ended her singing ability. And so she went on to live a more private life.

My collection: 7" single no. 4429
Found: Kringloop, Sassenheim, January 23, 2010
Cost: 0,12 euro
Tracks: 'More more more (part 2)' / 'More more more (part 2)'

Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams - Tears for Fears

Although this 7" single is in no way different from the 12" single except for the size of the disc and sleeve, I still had to have it. I'm primarily a singles collector, of course!

The track, which is an alternative version of Tears for Fears's 1989 hit single 'Sowing the seeds of love', originally appeared as the B-side to their 1990 single 'Advice for the young at heart'. The song was later remixed by producer/DJ Fluke and released as a single in 1991. The single did not chart in the UK and has since become quite a collectors item among Tears for Fears fans.

My collection: 7" single no. 3072
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 1)' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 2)'

Life was made for living - Dollie de Luxe

Eurovision entries by Scandinavian countries have regularly had a certain Abba-esque quality to them. The duo Dollie de Luxe represented Norway in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Lenge leve livet', a great example of this fact.

The song is a modern ballad, with the duo singing the praises of life. They explain that it makes sense to live to the full, because nobody knows for sure what the future may bring. The song finished 17th in a field of 19 competitors. For the single, the English version was promoted to the A-side, which is probably a wise choice. The limited vocal qualities of the duo meant that the single didn't chart outside of Scandinavia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4388
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Life was made for living' / 'Lenge leve livet'

Can't let go - Mariah Carey

There's a certain bombastic quality to 'Can't let go', the 1992 single by Mariah Carey. As much as I hate the woman's voice, which seems to be inspired mainly by constipation, I couldn't pass up on this single when I saw it for half the price around the time it was released.

The single was a big success in the USA and Canada, peaking at number 2 and 7 respectively, and also reached number 20 in the UK singles chart. In mainland Europe, the single was largely ignored.

My collection: 7" single no. 1571
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 12, 1992
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't let go' / 'To be around you'

Sweet nothings - Renée

Renée was originally called René and the Alligators, and only changed names when Anja Nodelijk joined the band. Before they moved into the pop scene, they released a few singles that were true to their rock 'n' roll roots.

'Sweet nothings', released in July 1978, was their first hit single, peaking at number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side is a firm reminder of the band's previous incarnation.

My collection: 7" single no. 3283
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sweet nothings' / 'Alligator boogie'

Music - John Miles

John Miles was born as John Errington on April 23, 1949 in Jarrow, Tyne & Wear, England. He started his career in music in the Sixties, as a drummer with Roxy Music and his own band, the John Miles Set. In 1971, he went solo. During the Seventies, he released four albums and 18 singles.

His most successful song was 'Music', a track on his 1976 album 'Rebel'. The track features several 'movements', both classic and rock-oriented. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1976. In the Netherlands, the song was re-released in 1982, reaching number 5 on that occasion.

My collection: 7" single no. 296
Found: Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 2 guilders Tracks: 'Music' / 'Putting my new song together'

If you go away - Terry Jacks

Most people know the classic melodramatic song 'Ne me quitte pas', a song written and performed by Jacques Brel in 1959. The English lyrics were written by Rod McKuen as part of a project to translate Brel's work. Entitled 'If you go away', it has become a pop standard, recorded by artists like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Marc Almond, Emiliana Torrini, Alison Moyet, Dusty Springfield and Cyndi Lauper.

This version by Canadian musician Terry Jacks was released in 1974. It reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 890
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If you go away' / 'Me and you'

Do it for love - Sheena Easton

Most people assume that Sheena Easton's career basically consisted of two main periods: working in Europe and working with Prince in America. The truth, of course, is more complicated than that. Easton collaborated with Prince on her 1984 album 'A private heaven' and in 1987 on his track 'U got the look', but in 1985, she released the album 'Do you', which was produced by another musical legend, Nile Rodgers.

It's easy to understand why this album was overlooked, as it was only successful in America. In Europe, the album and this single 'Do it for love' was a flop.

My collection: 7" single no. 1765
Found: London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Do it for love' / 'Can't wait till tomorrow'

Live like kings - Clouseau

The Belgian band Clouseau released two albums in English. Whereas their first, 'Close encounters' (1991), mainly consisted of translations of their songs in Dutch, the second one, 'In every small town' (1993) featured only original material, and was recorded in Los Angeles.

'Live like kings' was the first single lifted from the album. I bought the cd-single immediately after the release, because I thought it was a very pretty rock song. A year later, I found a 7" single - these things hardly ever turned up in record shops anymore. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2069
Found: Record fair, February 19, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Live like kings' / 'Every single time'

And the band played on (Down among the dead men) - Flash and the Pan

'And the band played on (Down among the dead men)' was the follow-up to Flash and the Pan's debut single 'Hey St. Peter' and it sounds very similar to that track. In fact, I still have trouble distinguishing the two when I play them sometimes. Both tracks were taken from Flash and the Pan's self-titled debut album, released in 1979.

The lyric of the song was about the sinking of the Titanic. The single reached number 4 in Australia and number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1387
Found: February 22, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'And the band played on (Down among the dead men)' / 'The man who knew the answer'

Crazy little thing called love - Queen

Freddie Mercury composed 'Crazy little thing called love' on the guitar in just five to ten minutes. Other accounts say that he wrote it while lounging in a bubble bath in the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich during one of Queen's extensive Munich recording sessions. He took it to the studio shortly after writing it and presented it to bandmates Roger Taylor and John Deacon. The three of them, with their new producer Mack, recorded it at Musicland Studios in Munich. The entire song was reportedly recorded in less than half an hour (although Mack says it was six hours).

The single was released in October 1979 and reached number 1 in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the USA. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1579
Found: Record fair, January 25, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Crazy little thing called love' / 'We will rock you (live)'

De do do do de da da da - The Police

According to Sting, The Police's 'De do do do de da da da' is about the attraction people have towards simple songs: 'I was trying to make an intellectual point about how the simple can be so powerful. Why are our favourite songs 'Da doo ron ron' and 'Do wah diddy diddy'? In the song, I tried to address that issue. But everyone said, 'This is bullshit, child's play.' No one listened to the lyrics. Listen to the lyrics. I'm going to remake it again and put more emphasis on what I was talking about.'

The song was actually re-recorded in 1986, when the Police also made a re-recording of 'Don't stand so close to me'. It was dropped from the album 'Every breath you take: the singles', but finally saw a release in 1995 on a re-release of this album.

My collection: 7" single no. 3091
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 12, 1999
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'De do do do de da da da' / 'A sermon'

Judy et Cie - Pierre Rapsat

Pierre Rapsat was born as Pierre Raepsaet on May 28, 1948 in Brussels, Belgium. In 1973, he launched his career in music and became a very successful singer/songwriter in Belgium and other French-speaking countries.

In 1976, Rapsat composed 'Judy et Cie' ('Judy and Co.)'. It was chosen as Belgium's entry for the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. It was an unusual and atypical song for Eurovision at that time. It finished eighth in a field fo 18 competitors. The single reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40. Rapsat died on April 20, 2002 in Verviers, Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 4428
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 22, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Judy et Cie' / 'Djumbo l'Averick'

Out in the fields - Gary Moore and Phil Lynott

Gary Moore and Phil Lynott were childhood friends before they both became band members with Thin Lizzy. After the band broke up, they both pursued solo careers, but in 1985, they recorded 'Out in the fields' together, a song about the religious turmoil in their native Ireland.

The song is reminiscent of the sound of their band and draws many influences from both artists' wide musical palettes. It performed well critically as well as commercially, reaching number 3 in the Irish Singles Chart and number 5 in the UK Singles Chart. It was also to be the last known recording made by Phil Lynott before his untimely death on 4 January 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 3076
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Out in the fields' / 'Military man'

Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel

'Goodnight Saigon' is perhaps Billy Joel's best known song, and if nothing else his most epic track. Starting out with chopper sounds and ending with the sound of crickets, a lot is happening in the track that lasts for almost seven minutes.

The lyric of the song depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parris Island and in different aspects of Vietnam combat. The track appearing on Joel's 1982 album 'The nylon curtain' and was released as a single in spring 1982. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 423
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Goodnight Saigon' / 'Where's the orchestra?'

Verjaardagsfeest - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen formed the Frank Boeijen Groep in 1979 with Henk Wanders, Nels Busch and Wil Theunissen. Their debut single 'Transport uit Bangkok' ('Transport from Bangkok') was released in January 1981. The Dutch DJ Frits Spits played an important role in launching the band in the Netherlands: he preferred the B-side 'Verjaardagsfeest' ('Birthday party') and started playing it daily during his radio show.

Although 'Verjaardagsfeest' did not reach the Dutch Top 40, it gave the band some exposure, and somehow it has become one of those songs that most people in the Netherlands remember if they have any pop knowledge at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 668
Found: Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Verjaardagsfeest' / 'Transport uit Bangkok'

I'm so sorry - José

'I'm so sorry' is the debut solo single from José Hoebee, one third of the girl trio Luv', that broke up earlier in 1981. Released in December 1981, this single was an unsuccessful start of a solo career that would be more successful the next year with the hit singles 'I will follow him' and 'Secret love'.

This copy of 'I'm so sorry' was made in Germany and features a different sleeve when compared to the Dutch release.

My collection: 7" single no. 144
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm so sorry' / 'A reason for fallin' in love'

Popmuzik - M

I have the double groove 12" single of 'Popmuzik', but of course I have the 7" single as well. Although it has to be said, for a long time I only had the 12" single, because I didn't think I would ever play that 7" single very often. It had been a big hit in 1979, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, and for a long time I was very sick of this song.

Robin Scott commented about this song: 'I was looking to make a fusion of various styles which somehow would summarize the last 25 years of pop music. It was a deliberate point I was trying to make. Whereas rock and roll had created a generation gap, disco was bringing people together on an enormous scale. That's why I really wanted to make a simple, bland statement, which was, 'All we're talking about basically (is) pop music'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2852
Found: June 21, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Popmuzik' / 'M Factor'

Slow hand - Pointer Sisters

'Slow hand' is a pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981. It was also released on their album 'Black & White', released a few months later in 1981.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart - their first top 10 hit in the UK - and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3073
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Slow hand' / 'Holdin' out for love'

Fading like a flower (Every time you leave) - Roxette

'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' was written in 1989 in Canada by Per Gessle and recorded by Roxette on their 1991 album 'Joyride'. It was released as the second single from the album, and promoted with a music video that was filmed in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 12 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single was made in Italy and used for promotion, hence the punched holes in the lower left corner.

My collection: 7" single no. 1879
Found: Record fair, March 27, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' / 'I remember you'