Don't dream it's over - Paul Young

Paul Young made a name for himself crooning old soul hits like 'Wherever I lay my hat' and 'Love of the common people' during the Eighties. When he took on Crowded House's 'Don't dream it's over' on the occasion of the release of his greatest hits album 'From time to time' in 1991 the audience had a much harder time to swallow it.

Still, it was a hit in various territories, albeit just not such a big one. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and reached anywhere between number 13 and 71 in European charts. It was a big hit in Norway, where the single reached number 6. Backing vocals on the track were performed by Paul Carrack.

My collection: 7" single no. 5160
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'I need somebody'

When you walk in the room - Paul Carrack

'When you walk in the room' was written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963. The lyrics of the song attempt to detail the singer's emotions when in the presence of the person he or she loves. There is also an expression of frustration by the singer that he or she cannot manage to tell that person of his or her love.

The song has since been covered by many artists including the Searchers and Agnetha Fältskog. In 1987, Paul Carrack released his version as the first single from his album 'Carrackature'. It reached number 48 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4811
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'When you walk in the room' / 'Collrane'

Thin line between love and hate - The Pretenders

'Thin line between love and hate' was written by the brothers Robert and Richard Poindexter with Jackie Members and first performed in 1971 by the New York City-based vocal group The Persuaders. It became the group's biggest hit in the autumn of 1971, reaching number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Pretenders recorded a cover version of the track in 1984 on their album 'Learning to crawl'. Featuring Paul Carrack on keyboards and backing vocals, their version reached number 83 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 49 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 912
Found: June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Thin line between love and hate' / 'Time the avenger (live)'

I need you - Paul Carrack

'I need you like a shot needs to shoot' is probably one of the least romantic lines in pop. It comes from this single by Paul Carrack, 'I need you'. The single peaked at number 37 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 in the Netherlands. In the UK, where Carrack was born, the single did not chart.

The single was produced by Nick Lowe, a successful artist in his own right. Like many singles from 1983, I got to know this one because of a local illegal radio station.

My collection: 7" single no. 2253

Found: March 22, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'I need you' / 'Call me tonight'

Don't shed a tear - Paul Carrack

Paul Carrack was born on April 22, 1951 in Sheffield, England. He's been a member of Squeeze, Mike & the Mechanics and Roxy Music, but he's also had a successful solo career. 'Don't shed a tear' was one of them. It could be described, if nothing else, as a radio hit. It was played almost continually in 1987.

Despite this, it didn't become his biggest hit: it stalled at number 60 in the UK, whereas in the Netherlands it only made number 21.

My collection: 7" single no. 815

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't shed a tear' / 'Merilee'