Song for Guy - Elton John

Elton John wrote 'Song for Guy' himself, without his usual writing partner Bernie Taupin. The track is mainly instrumental but contains one line near the end of the track, which is repeated several times: 'Life isn't everything'. Elton later commented: 'As I was writing this song one Sunday, I imagined myself floating into space and looking down at my own body. I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy (Burchett), our 17 year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song.'

The single version of 'Song for Guy' is one and a half minutes shorter than the album version. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1768
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Song for Guy' / 'Lovesick'

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Besides the regular version of the single of 'Personal Jesus' by Depeche Mode, this limited edition was also released in the autumn of 1989. It features a gatefold sleeve with a booklet featuring four photographs (each of the band members with a naked woman) and two tracks on the B-side. The acoustic version of 'Personal Jesus' is of particular interest.

Whilst not the first Depeche Mode song to feature guitar parts ('Behind the wheel' and their cover of 'Route 66' featured a guitar; 'Love in itself' featured an acoustic guitar), it was the first time a guitar was used as a dominant instrument in a Depeche Mode song.

My collection: 7" single no. 1197
Found: Ter Meulen, Rotterdam, March 23, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Personal Jesus' / 'Dangerous (Hazchemix edit)', 'Personal Jesus (Acoustic)'

Strong as steel - Five Star

'Strong as steel' was released in 1987 as the second single of Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. The song was written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren, who has also written hit songs for Cher, Tina Arena and Michael Bolton amongst others.

The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart. In 1990, the track was covered by Tina Arena.

My collection: 7" single no. 2365
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Strong as steel' / 'The man'

Silver springs (live) - Fleetwood Mac

Written by Stevie Nicks, 'Silver springs' was originally intended for the Fleetwood Mac album 'Rumours'. Years after the fact, Nicks commented that in a way, its lack of inclusion on the effort marked a growing tension in the band. The group has three great writers, and only so many slots. The track's inherent longing reportedly came from the ending of the romantic relationship between Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

Years later, the band went on a world tour to promote the Fleetwood Mac album 'Behind the mask'. After the tour concluded, Nicks left the group over a dispute with Mick Fleetwood, who would not allow her to release the track 'Silver springs' on her album 'Timespace – The Best of Stevie Nicks', because of his plans to release it on a forthcoming Fleetwood Mac box set. The song eventually appeared on the 1992 box set '25 Years: The Chain'.

In 1997, the song got a second life on the reunion album 'The Dance'. During the filming of the reunion concert that brought Nicks and Buckingham back to the fold, 'Silver springs' was on the set list. This track was released as a single from the album, but was not commercially successful.

My collection: 7" single no. 2949
Found: Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Silver springs (live)' / 'Go your own way (live)'

Let it swing - Bobbysocks

Norway won the Eurovision Song Contest for the very first time in 1985 with a very tired old song, 'La det swinge' was performed by the Bobbysocks. This duo, consisting of Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreasson, sang a tribute to dancing to old rock 'n' roll heard on the radio. The melody arrangement is in retro style, containing elements of contemporary Eighties music and throwbacks to the Fifties.

The single reached number 1 in Norway and Belgium and peaked at number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. I have always disliked this song for its repetitiveness and its unimaginative lyrics. Still, it's a Eurovision winner and since I have almost all of them, I had to have this one as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 3562
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, January 31, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Let it swing' / 'La det swinge'

Turn to stone - Electric Light Orchestra

Jeff Lynne spent two weeks writing songs in Switzerland in 1977 for Electric Light Orchestra's double album 'Out of the blue'. One of the results was this song, 'Turn to stone', which became the opening track for the album. It was also released as the first single from the album.

The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. In 2008, Jeff Lynne was awarded a BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) Million-Air certificate for having one million airplays of this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2869
Found: Record fair
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn to stone' / 'Mister Kingdom'

You have placed a chill in my heart - Eurythmics

'You have placed a chill in my heart' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, and appears on the duo's album 'Savage'. It was released as the fourth single from the album.

The track is driven by a drum machine and is a mostly synth-based pop song. Lyrically, Lennox sings of mustering the power to leave a destructive relationship with a lover who does not return the affection she deserves. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 687
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'You have placed a chill in my heart' / 'You have placed a chill in my heart (acoustic version)'

Whisky in the jar - Thin Lizzy

'Whiskey in the jar' is a famous Irish traditional song, set in the southern mountains of Ireland, with specific mention of Cork and Kerry counties, as well as Fenit, a village in Kerry county. It is about a highwayman, or perhaps a footpad, who is betrayed by his wife or lover, and is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs. It has been recorded by numerous professional artists since the Fifties.

The song was given a rock veneer by Thin Lizzy. Their version was released as a single in 1972 and stayed at the top of the Irish charts for 17 weeks. In 1973, the single reached the UK singles chart and Dutch Top 40, peaking at num,ber 6 and number 20 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 855
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Whisky in the jar' / 'Black boys on the corner'

Burn your boats - Maarten Peters

The single 'Burn your boats' was the second single taken from Maarten Peters' second album of the same name. The single featured a live version of the song 'Get out of here' (a track on his debut album 'Hunting the queenbee') on the B-side.

The single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40. Some would argue that the sleeve photography by one Jan van Teeffelen had something to do with this.

My collection: 7" single no. 564
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Burn your boats' / 'Get out of here (live)'

Please forgive me - Bryan Adams

When I bought this single, I hadn't actually heard it. I might have thought twice before buying it if I had, I think. 'Please forgive me' was written by Bryan Adams and Robert John 'Mutt' Lange and treads a much too often trodden path. According to an article in Wikipedia: 'the passion Adams sings the song with is breathtaking'. I would say instead that the lack of originality in this song is breathtaking, but there you go.

The single reached number 2 in the UK, number 7 in the USA and number 1 in Australia. The single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

EDIT:: As you can read in the reactions below, I've had a request to remove the divshare box with this post. I guess even Bryan Adams himself thinks these two tracks shouldn't be listened to. In this case, he's certainly right, so I'm happy to oblige.

My collection: 7" single no. 2038
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Please forgive me' / 'Can't stop this thing we started (live)'

Two hearts - Phil Collins

'Two hearts' was written by Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier (of Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland) for the 1988 crime comedy film 'Buster'. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song alongside the Carly Simon song 'Let the river run' from 'Working girl'.

Released as the second single from the 'Buster' soundtrack album, the single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in 1988. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2435
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Two hearts' / 'The robbery (excerpt)'

Binnen zonder kloppen - De Dijk

The Amsterdam-based Dutch band De Dijk released one of their better known songs 'Binnen zonder kloppen' ('Enter without knocking') in early 1985. The single failed to chart but is remembers within the Netherlands until this day.

During the first Gulf War, the song ended up on a list of boycotted songs for radiostations, probably because of the title...

My collection: 7" sigle no. 1364
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 28, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Binnen zonder kloppen' / 'Wat nog meer'

Just the way you are - Billy Joel

'Just the way you are' is a love song from Billy Joel's 1977 album, 'The Stranger'. It was written as a birthday gift to Joel's first wife Elizabeth Weber. After they divorced, Joel said that when performing the song, he would imagine what he would eat for dinner or what he would do after the show, or even accidentally sing alternate lyrics written by Liberty DeVitto ('She took the dog, the house, the car').

The track features an alto sax solo by jazz artist Phil Woods, who replaced Richie Cannata (who played sax for most of the songs on The Stranger) when the latter's style of playing was deemed unfit for the song. The bossa nova style of the song was strongly encouraged by producer Phil Ramone. Joel has gone on record stating that he personally dislikes the song and was originally going to leave it off the album. However, at the request of both Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow (both were recording in other studios in the same building at the time), Joel and Ramone agreed to leave it on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2030
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1998
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Just the way you are' / 'Get it right the first time'

Still got the blues (for you) - Gary Moore

'Still got the blues' is a 1990 album by guitarist Gary Moore. Prior to this album Moore's work had consisted of predominantly rock and hard rock styles including his work with Skid Row, Thin Lizzy, G-Force as well as a large repertoire of solo work. This album, as evidenced by its title, is a departure from hard rock to an electric blues style.

'Still got the blues' has been arguably the most successful of Moore's solo albums as it was well received by old fans and also converted many who had never heard of the Irish guitarist before. Part of the success was caused by the title track, which was released as a single in early 1990. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1241
Found: June 9, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Still got the blues' / 'Left me with the blues'

Tower of strength (remix) - The Mission

In 1994, the Mission released the compilation album 'Sum and substance'. The album was preceded by this single release, a remix of their biggest hit up until then: 'Tower of strength'. The 'East India Trans Cairo Mix' was created by Youth.

The single charted in the following January, reaching number 33 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3009
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, June 28, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Tower of strength (East India Trans Cairo Mix)' / 'Wasteland (Musketeer mix)'

Disappear - INXS

'Disappear' was released as the second single from INXS's album 'X'. The song was written by Jon Farriss and Michael Hutchence while they were living together in Hong Kong in 1989.

The single peaked at number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the band's seventh and last top 10 single there. It was a lesser hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 21. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 1808
Found: Record fair, January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Disappear' / 'Middle beast'

Rapture - Blondie

'Rapture' is a combination of New Wave pop, funk, jazz and rap music, with the rap section forming an extended coda. While it was not the first single involving rap to be successful, it was the first to top the charts in the USA. The lyrics of 'Rapture' included references to hip-hop pioneers Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.

It was the second and final song to be released from Blondie's 1980 album 'Autoamerican', following 'The tide is hight', which had topped the charts in theUSA and the UK. This single only reached number 5 in the UK and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 829
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Rapture' / 'Walk like me'

Out of touch - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Out of touch' was the lead single from Daryl Hall & John Oates' 1984 album 'Big Bam Boom'. It was their last Billboard Hot 100 number one, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in December 1984. The single also reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 48 in the UK singles chart.

John Oates wrote the refrain, 'You're out of touch, I'm out of time but I'm out of my head when you're not around.' He and Hall collaborated on the music and the rest of the lyrics.

My collection: 7" single no. 2890
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Out of touch' / 'Dance on your knees'

Pink cashmere - Prince

'Pink cashmere' was written by Prince for his then-girlfriend, Anna Fantastic (Anna Garcia), for her 18th birthday. The song references the actual gift he presented to her, a coat made of pink cashmere with a black mink collar and cuff, the name Anna Fantastic embroidered on the sleeve, and '89' on the back. The coat was valued at $15,000, being custom made by his personal staff designer.

The single reached number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but failed to chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 2438
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Pink cashmere' / 'The future (Mark Moore remix)'

Have a little faith in me - John Hiatt

Sailing safely between beautiful and downright irritating, John Hiatt's 'Have a little faith in me' would never have become part of my collection if it wasn't played on the radio so often after it came out. The first few dozen times I heard it, I couldn't listen to the song, but in time I gradually warmed to it. When I listen to it now, I still don't know whether to keep listening or to throw the single out the window.

The song appears on John Hiatt's 1987 album 'Bring the family' and was released as a single over a year later. It reached the Dutch Top 40 in April 1989, peaking at number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 773
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 18, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Have a little faith in me' / 'Lipstick sunset'