Rules of the game - Bucks Fizz

When I saw this single at some dealer's stand, I didn't think I had it. Although I have a pretty complete collection of Bucks Fizz singles, it could have passed me by. But of course, I already have a copy of 'Rules of the game', but it's a German pressing.

This UK pressing comes in a funny gatefold sleeve, which presents facts about the group's career in a 'Game of the Goose' style. A limited edition like this should have pushed the sales somewhat, but in fact this single only managed to reach number 57 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 8285
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Rules of the game' / 'When we were at war' 

People are people - Depeche Mode

After my visit to the record fair last Saturday I was waiting for the bus to take us back to the station of Den Bosch and talked for a while with a German buyer. We both were pretty satisfied despite not having found many collector's items this time around. He told me that he bought the Depeche Mode 12" singles box containing the singles of the album Violator, but sold it after a few years because its value had tripled in the meantime.

I said I was collecting the red vinyl singles from the early days and he assumed that they had become very expensive too, since Depeche Mode fans are now at an age where they can spend more money on music. But fortunately, that isn't the case: I bought this red vinyl version of 'People are people' for a mere 5 euros. It looks like I might get the set complete, as long as I keep on searching, both online and offline.

My collection: 7" single no. 8284
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'People are people' / 'In your memory' 

Dis-moi lequel - Raphael

The Spanish singer Raphael is a living legend. Outside of Spanish speaking countries his existence goes mainly unnoticed, except back in 1966 and 1967, when he represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest. And how! Both songs are very impressive.

'Yo soy aquel' was his 1966 entry, and he also recorded the song in French. 'Dis-moi lequel' was given French lyrics by Don Diego, who translated more Spanish songs into French during the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies.

My collection: 7" single no. 8283
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Dis-moi lequel', 'Oui c'est vrai' / 'La cancion del tamborilero', 'Pour toi' 

Waterloo - Abba

Now this is a special one. I've been searching for the Japanese single of Abba's 'Waterloo' for some years now, ever since I bought a few lesser known Eurovision songs on Japanese vinyl. But unfortunately, when you would order this single online, combined with shipping, you're bound to lose close to 100 euros, which I think is a bit steep.

I was really happy to find a copy of this single during the weekend's record fair. Best of all, I also managed to haggle about 20% off the stated price. And so here it is: a near mint copy of Abba's winning Eurovision song from 1974 on Japanese vinyl. It's an item that not many people in Europe own, I'm sure.

My collection: 7" single no. 8278
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Waterloo' / 'Watch out' 

Wir glauben an Morgen - Mary Roos

Karina represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with 'En un mundo nuevo'. She also recorded the song in German as 'Wir glauben an Morgen'. 

It gets better: the German version of the song was also recorded by Mary Roos, who got her own shot at Eurovision fame the next year with 'Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben' - a song she also recorded in English and French. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8276
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'Wir glauben an Morgen' / 'Komm, komm, komm' 

London Town - Wings

Paul McCartney and Denny Laine began writing 'London Town' in Perth, Australia, in late 1975 during the Wings Over the World tour, but they completed it later in Scotland. The recording features a lead vocal by Paul McCartney and backing vocals by Linda McCartney and Laine. It was one of the first songs recorded for the album of the same name, prior to the departures of Joe English and Jimmy McCulloch, who play drums and guitar, respectively, on the track.

The lyrics of 'London Town' describe "ordinary people" and everyday life in London. According to Beatles biographer John Blaney, it "presents a romanticized view of London; part reportage and part fantasy." Blaney elaborates that it combines "idealisation with acute observations of everyday street life." 

My collection: 7" single no. 8282
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: 'London Town' / 'I'm carrying' 

80's romance - The Belle Stars

The Belle Stars were quite popular for a while in the first half of the Eighties, especially with their song 'Sign of the times', which was a top 3 hit in the UK. 

Their last hit was '80's romance', released in the summer of 1984. It only reached number 71 in the UK singles chart, but for some reason I remembered this song instantly when I saw this single during this weekend's record fair. It was actually the first time I saw this single; at least, I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's so nice to own a copy.

My collection: 7" single no. 8279
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 11 April 2026
Tracks: '80's romance' / 'It's me'