You're all I have - Snow Patrol

The first single from Snow Patrol's 2006 album 'Eyes open' was the rock song 'You're all I have'. According to band leader Gary Lightbody: 'It’s near the beginning of a dangerously reliant relationship. The album is full of songs like this. Rather than a break up record this is a make up record. That is a massive generalization but it is a more positive record than the last'.

The single was a big success in the UK, where it peaked at number 7. The single did not chart in the Netherlands, but by that time I was already so much into Snow Patrol that I bought their albums blindly. And the singles followed in time...

My collection: 7" single no. 3495
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 12, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'You're all I have' / 'You're all I have (Minotaur Shock remix)'

Something real (Inside me, inside you) - Mr. Mister

Released as the first single from their third album 'Go on...', 'Something real (Inside me, inside you)' was the first indication of a lack of success. The single did reach number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but in other territories the single did not chart.

This album did not fare well commercially either. It would become the last album by the band before they broke up in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 2306
Found: Record fair, May 27, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Something real (Inside me, inside you)' / 'Bare my soul'

If I can dream - Michael Ball

Sometimes I gamble when I buy a single. This is an example. I knew the songs, I knew the singer, so I thought 'what the hell'. The real surprise was that the musical accompaniment could have been a lot more expensive: the whole EP sounds rather cheap. This must be why the single only managed a number 51 placing during a 2 week chart run in the UK.

Michael Ball commented on the back of the sleeve: 'The words of a song have always been important to me and these songs are great examples of fine lyrics'. Okay, fair enough. But next time, try an orchestra instead of a synthesizer...

My collection: 7" single no. 2190
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'If I can dream', 'You don't have to say you love me' / 'Always on my mind', 'Tell me there's a heaven'

Making love (out of nothing at all) - Air Supply

'Making love out of nothing at all' was written and composed by Jim Steinman. Air Supply recorded the track as a new song for their 1983 'Greatest hits' album. The song became a number two hit in the US Billboard Hot 100. At the time, it was held off the top spot by another Jim Steinman production, Bonnie Tyler's 'Total eclipse of the heart'. Incidentally, Tyler recorded the track on her album 'Free spirit' twelve years later.

The song is featured on the movie 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith', as well as the movies 'Click' and 'Dumb and Dumberer'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3109
Found: Big Company Records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Making love (out of nothing at all)' / 'Late again (recorded live)'

The hardest part - Coldplay

While their previous single 'Talk' was a sort of tribute to the German band Kraftwerk, 'The hardest part' was intended to acknowledge the band R.E.M. When asked why, band leader Chris Martin explained: 'I've lost all respect for fame, but I haven't lost all respect for respect. So the one great thing about being famous is that I get to meet people who I respect. Our relationship is akin to a dog and its master. I'll always look up to (Michael Stipe, band leader of R.E.M.).'

While the single did not chart in the UK, it did peak at number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3497
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 23, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The hardest part' / 'Pour me (live at the Hollywood Bowl)'

Get down on it - Kool and the Gang

'Get down on it"was recorded by the jazz/funk/R&B/pop band Kool & the Gang on their album 'Something special' in 1981. The song reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 in the Netherlands. In the UK, the single peaked at number 3.

Ten years later it was re-released in the UK but it was only in the chart for one week, at number 69.

My collection: 7" single no. 3124
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Get down on it' / 'No show'

Half light - Athlete

'Half light' was the second single from Athlete's second album 'Tourist'. It was released in April 2005 and peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

This single was released as a 7" picture disc, including a remix of 'Half light' on the B-side, which did not appear on any other format (although a promotional cd-single with the track does exist).

My collection: 7" single no. 3412
Found: HMV, London, 2005
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Half light' / 'Half light (Eddie TM Losers mix)'