I wasn't the one (who said goodbye) - Agnetha Fältskog (duet with Peter Cetera)

'I wasn't the one (who said goodbye)' is a duet by Agnetha Fältskog and American singer Peter Cetera, formerly the lead singer and bass guitar player for rock band Chicago. The track was recorded for Fältskog's third English language studio album I Stand Alone (1987). It was written by Mark Mueller and Aaron Zigman, with Cetera providing production. It was released on 22 February 1988 as the second single from the album. 

It proved arguably the album's biggest chart success, peaking at number 93 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Finding this single was a bit of a surprise for me; it doesn't happen very often to find Agnetha singles other than the ones released from the previous album Wrap your arms around me.

My collection: 7" single no. 8472
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'I wasn't the one (who said goodbye)' / 'If you need somebody tonight'

Wings of a dove - Madness

My attempts to buy all the picture disc editions of Madness singles were stalling a bit, because ordering them online can become quite expensive, with shipping costs and import charges from the UK. Which is why I was happy to find one in a real shop.

The regular version of 'Wings of a dove' was released in a rather dull sleeve, but the picture disc is actually quite pretty. The B-side features a collage of band members, and the A-side shows, how appropriate, a dove. It must have helped sales: the single spent 10 weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 8471
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'Wings of a dove' / 'Behind the 8 ball' 

Perfect game - Thompson Twins

If you know Thompson Twins from 'Hold me now' and 'Lay your hands on me', this single may come as a shock. Their early singles are certainly less polished. 

In 1981, the line-up consisted of Tom Bailey, Pete Dodd, John Roog and Chris Bell. Indeed, no sight of Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway yet, although Leeway did perform percussion on the album A product of..., where this single 'Perfect Game' came from. The single was released on 30 January 1981. It was the third of six consecutive singles that didn't chart at all. The band would finally find success with their seventh single, 'In the name of love'.

My collection: 7" single no. 8470
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'Perfect game' / 'Politics'

Tears of ice - Bolland & Bolland

The Bolland brothers made a name for themselves when they produced Falco and his hit singles 'Jeanny' and 'Rock me Amadeus'. But they also recorded music themselves - and had been since the early Seventies.

'Tears of ice' came from their 1987 album Brotherology. The song was used in the German television series Tatort, as advertised on the sleeve of this single. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8469
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'Tears of ice' / 'Tears of ice (instrumental)' 

Doot doot / Runaway - Freur

Although this single doesn't contain anything new, I still wanted to have it because of the interesting sleeve. The single brings together two A-sides by the band Freur: 'Doot doot' and 'Runaway'.

Both singles may never have been big hits, but listening to 'Doot doot' four decades on you realize that it should have been massive. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8468
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'Doot doot' / 'Runaway' 

How long - Lipps Inc.

Lipps Inc. classifies as a one hit wonder, because their 'Funky Town' remains their only hit - and a big hit it was. After that... nothing. Well, not really. The American disco and funk group from Minneapolis, Minnesota released four albums and six singles. 

The only other single that became a hit outside of the USA was 'How long', a cover of the song by Ace and written by Paul Carrack. Although widely interpreted as being about infidelity, the song was in fact written when he discovered that bassist Terry "Tex" Comer had been secretly working with the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver. The version by Lipps Inc. is more danceable.

My collection: 7" single no. 8467
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'How long' / 'There they are' 

The entertainer - Belle Stars

I have a few singles by the Belle Stars, but it turns out that there were more than just their wellknown hits. 'The entertainer' was released in 1983 and only reached number 95 in the UK singles chart. Their next single, '80's romance', would improve on that slightly, but it proved to be the end of their success. Despite this, the band continued to tour throughout Europe. 

Such was the quality of Eighties music that a great, jolly song like this didn't get higher up the charts. Now that I listen to it, I think it should have done better. All in all, a nice unexpected find for my collection.

My collection: 7" single no. 8466
Found: 33 1/3 Schallplatten, Duisburg, 22 October 2026
Tracks: 'The entertainer' / 'Sun sun sun'