Real men - Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson was born as David Ian Jackson on August 11, 1954 in Burton upon Trent, England. He started off learning to play the violin but soon switched to piano. When he was sixteen he started playing in bars, and eventually won a scholarship to study musical composition at London's Royal Academy of Music. Jackson did not like the prospect of being a classical composer, and moved towards pop and rock instead.

Starting his career in the late Seventies, he had some early hits in the UK with 'It's different for girls' and 'Is she really going out with him?'. His first big hit in the Netherlands was 'Real men', taken from the 1982 album 'Night and day'. The album paid tribute to the wit and style of Cole Porter (and indirectly to New York City). 'Real men' pointed obliquely to the city's early Eighties gay culture.

My collection: 7" single no. 142

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Real men' / 'Chinatown'

Download: Album 'Night and day', including both tracks

Spacer - Sheila B. Devotion

Sheila was born as Annie Chancel on August 16, 1945 in Créteil, France. She started her musical career in 1962. She had numerous hits in France during the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. One of her biggest hits was 'Spacer' (1979). The song was taken from her album 'King of the world', which was produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic fame.

The song was sampled by the Swedish pop group Alcazar for their track 'Crying at the discotheque' in 2000. Of course I prefer the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 3298

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Spacer' / 'Don't go'

I believe in you - Talk Talk

Out of all the Talk Talk 7" singles I have, this is probably the rarest one. It showed up in my record shop and I bought without hesitation. 'I believe in you' was already out for a few weeks, and spotting this promotional single with twice the edit of the song on it, I had to have it. This edit wasn't released on cd at the time, so I even wrote down which side of the disc I played, so I could preserve the other side for later. Fortunately, the edit was released on cd in 1997.

Taken from the excellent album 'Spirit of Eden', 'I believe in you' is apparently an 'anti-heroin song'. When asked whether the lyrics are based on personal experience, Mark Hollis replied, 'No, not at all. But, you know, I met people who got totally fucked up on it. Within rock music there's so much fucking glorification of it, and it is a wicked, horrible thing.'

My collection: 7" single no. 659
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I believe in you (edit)' / 'I believe in you (edit)'

What becomes of the broken hearted - Dave Stewart featuring Colin Blunstone

Dave Stewart (not to be confused with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics fame) was born as David Lloyd Stewart on December 30, 1950 in London. As a musician he has worked in various progressive rock bands like Uriel, Egg, Gong, National Health and others. In 1981 he recorded a solo single with vocals by Colin Blunstone. It peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

'What becomes of the broken hearted' was originally a hit for Jimmy Ruffin in 1966. I didn't know the original song when I first heard this in 1981. I thought it was a great electronic composition!

My collection: 7" single no. 360
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'What becomes of the broken hearted' / 'There is no reward'

Embarrassment - Madness

'Embarrassment' was Madness' sixth single and lyrically one of their darkest tracks up to that point. Primarily written by Lee Thompson, the song reflected the unfolding turmoil following the news that his teenage sister, Tracy Thompson, had become pregnant and was carrying a black man's child. The song describes the following rejection by her family, and the shame felt.

The song is a clear indication of changing times and attitudes as time goes on. The real life story had a happy ending, however; Thompson later stated that when the child, named Hayley, was born, the antipathy of Tracy's relatives dissolved.

My collection: 7" single no. 1796
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 4, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Embarrassment' / 'Crying shame'

Under stjernerne på himlen - Tommy Seebach Band

Tommy Seebach had represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest on two previous occasions. In 1979, he did it for the first time with the song 'Disco tango', which ended up on 6th place. 1981, he took Denmark to 11th place with the song 'Krøller eller ej'. He participated in a number of national finals since then, without winning the competition. Finally, in 1993 he got another chance. 'Under stjernene på himlen' was the song that should bring him international acclaim. But unfortunately, it didn't. Instead, he brought back Denmark's worst result in years, finishing 22nd out of 25. The result was that Denmark wouldn't compete in the 1994 edition of the Contest.

In the Nineties, Seebach's career in Denmark took a nosedive. It was only in 1999 that he could find new audiences with a disco version of 'Krøller eller ej'. After that, he became the head of musical entertainment at amusement park Bakken in Klampenborg, Denmark. But Seebach's problems with alcoholism took their toll on him and he died at the age of 53 from a heart attack on March 31, 2003.

This single actually features another Danish song on the A-side, but since I bought this 'promotion only' single for the Eurovision song, it's only fitting that I should highlight that one. It's a wonderful upbeat song, and really should have done better in the Contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 1974

Found: Bea Records, October 17, 1993

Cost: 7,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Går det ikk', så går det nok' (Teddy Edelmann) / 'Under stjernene på himlen' (Tommy Seebach Band)

Aquarius - Gary Fane

This single comes from the album 'Horoscope' (1980), subtitled 'Gary Fane's musical interpretation of the Zodiac'. The album apparently features 14 tracks, one track for every sign in the zodiac plus an 'Overture' and a 'Finale'. The album was produced by Jaap Eggermont (of 'Stars on 45' fame), who enlisted the help of famous Dutch musicians Jan Rietman, Hans Hollestelle and Dick Bakker.

Gary Fane's real name is Gerard Veen. He started his career with the Dutch group Johnny Kendall and the Heralds. This group has a couple of hits in the Sixties. 'Aquarius' peaked at number 10 in the Dutch Top 40. It was his only solo hit, although he did release another single, entitled 'Love' in 1981. Since then, he has kept on making music, although it didn't bring him any commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1942

Found: Disco Market, Den haag, August 11, 1993

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Aquarius' / 'Leo'

Download: Album 'Horoscope', including both tracks

More than just the two of us - Sneaker

Sneaker was formed in 1973 by Mitch Crane, Michael Carey Schneider, Michael Cottage, Tim Torrance, Mike Hughes and Jim King. The band cited Steely Dan, the Eagles and the Doobie Brothers as their primary musical influences. Indeed, the band's name came from a Steely Dan track, 'Bad sneakers'.

'More than just the two of us' was the band's biggest hit, which became a top 40 hit in America. The single was taken from their self-titled debut album, released in 1981. After their second album, 'Loose in the world' (1982) the band broke up.

My collection: 7" single no. 1492

Found: Den Haag, July 18, 1991

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'More than just the two of us' / 'In time'

Nocturne - Clerx and Van Dijk

Secret Garden represented Norway during the 1995 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. They won the edition with 'Nocturne'. Featuring a lyric consisting of about eight lines, some were outraged that an instrumental track would win a 'song' contest. Personally I still think it's one of the best winners ever - especially when you consider all the boring predictable Irish songs that won the Contest in the Eighties.

Jan, who makes the excellent Eurocovers blog, informs me that there are at least 47 cover versions of this track. One of them is this dance version by Clerx & Van Dijk, released in 2002. Vocals in this version are performed by Margot Roeken. I ordered the 12" single recently and received it today. What a great way to start the weekend.

My collection: 12" single no. 487
Found: Y-Music, mailorder, received February 21, 2009
Cost: 10 euro
Tracks: 'Nocturne (Fire & Ice mix)', 'Innocent' / 'Nocturne (Original mix)', 'Nocturne (Remix)'

Going in with my eyes open - David Soul

As much as I remembered 'Don't give up on us', the only thing I knew about 'Going in with my eyes open' was that I didn't dislike the song when it was in the chart. Of course, I was only six years old at that time - so when I bought the single two decades later it was a bit of a gamble. What's more, the copy I bought originally didn't even have a picture sleeve. I replaced it two weeks after buying that one with a copy that did.

'Going in with my eyes open' peaked at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the UK and number 54 in the US Billboard Hot 100. I think the British people were right: it's still a beautiful song now.

My collection: 7" single no. 2380

Found: House of rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Going in with my eyes open' / 'Topanga'

The best thing - Charley

Michelle Charles played Marilyn 'Charley' Charlton in the British youth TV series Byker Grove between 1990 and 1992. She recorded 'The best thing', a song which apparently she also sung in the television series.

But this is not why I bought this 12" single. The real reason is the B-side track, 'You don't know me'. Written by Kim Wilde and Tony Swain, this track was never recorded by Kim herself as far as I know (although it might well have been), and ended up being performed by Charley. This 12" single is pretty rare these days, although the cd-single is even more rare. It does exist - so if anyone has a copy for me, don't hesitate to contact me...

My collection: 12" single no. 421

Found: Record Exchange, London, 2000

Cost: 50p

Tracks: 'The best thing (FM mix)', 'The best thing (Byker Grove mix)' / 'The best thing (12" original mix)', 'You don't know me'

The man with the child in his eyes - Inside moves

I think I've mentioned a few times that I like cover versions. Especially Kim Wilde and Kate Bush cover versions are always interesting to me, just because I love the original songs so much I always like to hear what other artists do with them. (I also like cover versions of Eurovision songs, so Eurocovers is really an addictive blog for me.)

So every now and again I go hunting for cover versions I haven't heard yet. That is how I found this single by Inside moves, an anonymous dance outfit from 1992. Their version of 'The man with the child in his eyes' is typical nineties fare, nothing too high class unfortunately. It's hard to do justice to Kate Bush.

My collection: 7" single no. 3364

Found: Esprit mail order, 2002

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'The man with the child in his eyes' / 'I wish'

Magic fly - Space

Space was founded in 1977 by Didier Marouani (also known as Ecama), Roland Romanelli, and Jannick Top in Marseille, France. Their debut single 'Magic fly' and the album of the same name, both released in 1977, gave them immediate success. Today, they are considered to be pioneers of the eurodance/electronica genre.

I first heard the track 'Magic fly' in 1996 when it was shown on a television show. I was very surprised when I found this old single within days in the record shop in my hometown which I regularly visited.

My collection: 7" single no. 2645
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 24, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Magic fly' / 'Ballad for space lovers'

One love - Sniff 'n' the Tears

Sniff 'n' the Tears will always be remembered for their biggest hit, 'Driver's seat', one of the best songs to play if you're driving around in a car. Or so I've heard - I don't have a car. Which may be why I prefer this single, released three months earlier in August 1980.

'One love' comes from Sniff 'n' the Tears' 1980 album 'The game's up'. It reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 111

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'One love' / '5 & zero'

Scottish rain - The Silencers

The Silencers were a Scottish rock band formed in London in 1986, consisting of Jimme O'Neill, Cha Burns, Joseph Donnelly and Martin Hanlin. Their debut single was 'Painted moon', written by O'Neill about his reaction to the Falklands war. Their first album 'A Letter from St. Paul' was released soon after. The Pretenders invited the band to support them on their European tour.

In 1988 The Silencers toured Europe with The Alarm and 'Painted Moon' became a radio hit in Britain. The band moved back to Scotland and recorded second album 'A Blues for Buddha', with Flood producing. The first single drawn from that album was 'Scottish rain', a song about love and fallout from Chernobyl. The band then toured Europe with Simple Minds for four months, culminating with a stadium show at Wembley in front of 80,000.

It was my sister who'd discovered the Silencers and bought this single. I bought it soon after and was pleasantly surprised that it came in a gatefold sleeve - always a nice item. My sister actually saw them play live in Rotterdam, supporting the Simple Minds - my interest waned after this one single.

My collection: 7" single no. 972
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Scottish rain' / 'A blues for buddha', 'Gimme shelter'

About this DMCA nonsense

Readers of this blog know that I write entries about various 7" and 12" single with an image of the sleeve, some random facts and memories, plus the information about that single - and whenever possible a link to a soundfile. Blogger has been deleting random posts over the last few months, without stating what the hell the problem was with those particular posts. I've been writing messages to them but they are as responsive as my deaf and insane neighbour.

Their actions are based on the DMCA, they write. Has any reader got any understanding of this? Since when is it illegal to link to stuff that's already out there on the web? And what does Blogger want - that I stop blogging? Your responses are welcome here. God knows that big corporations don't listen to reason, but it would be nice to hear from some people out there who do give a f***.

What's more, this blog will feature divshare from now on - I've noticed that they host a lot of music as well and it allows me to stream music instead of letting people download the stuff. Perhaps this is more acceptable to the DMCA people? We'll find out.

Door de wind - Ingeborg

In the 1989 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, Belgium was represented by Ingeborg Sergeant and the song 'Door de wind' ('Through the wind'). The song was written by Stef Bos, who also performed backing vocals on the track.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a big success for Belgium: the song ended up on 19th place in the Contest. The single features the normal and acoustic version of 'Door de wind'. It's a charming little song, but probably not Song Contest material.

My collection: 7" single no. 873

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 3, 1989

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Door de wind' / 'Door de wind (acoustische versie)'

Download: here

This is welfare - The Dutch

The Dutch band aptly named The Dutch is formed in Amstelveen in 1979. Singer Hans Croon writes mostly politically inspired lyrics for their songs. In 1983 they have their first and only hit with 'This is welfare', a beautiful piano-based popsong. I remember recording the song from the radio and playing it over and over again.

In 1989 I finally buy my own copy of the single. The band has already disbanded by then: the have gone on to form Siobhan in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 1098
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'This is welfare' / 'Heimat vorbei'
Download: here

Morning dew - Long John Baldry

John William Baldry was born on January 12, 1941. He was commonly known as Long John Baldry, as he grew 2m (6ft 7 in) tall. His career started in the early sixties. He recorded mainly blues songs, but in 1967, he recorded a pop song 'Let the heartaches begin' that went to number one in Britain.

In the seventies Baldry had mental health problems and was institutionalised. The 1979 album 'Baldry's Out' was recorded after his release. From the follow-up, the 1980 album 'Long John Baldry' came this single, 'Morning dew'. It was another impressive pop song, which made number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, it didn't chart.

Baldry died on July 21, 2005, in a Vancouver hospital of a chest infection.

My collection: 7" single no. 2124

Found: Record fair, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Morning dew' / ' I want you, I love you'

Download: here

Just the two of us - Grover Washington Jr.

'Just the two of us' was recorded by jazz musician Grover Washington Jr. (1943-1999) with vocals by Bill Withers. It was released as a single in June 1980, and rewarded with a Grammy Award on February 24, 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 2255
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, March 22, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Just the two of us' / 'Make me a memory (Sad Samba)'
Download: Album 'Winelight', including both tracks

Typical! - Frazier Chorus

Not only do I have the 10" single of 'Typical!', I've got the 7" single too. It contains the title track plus the B-side 'String'.

I bought this single in Beanos, the big second hand record shop in East Croydon, London, along with three other singles by Frazier Chorus. I'd discovered the band a few years earlier, but it was only when I bought a cd ('Sue') that I realised I had to have all the singles, and not just 'Dream kitchen'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2523

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Typical!' / 'String'

Download: here

Mirror mirror - Dollar

The four singles that Trevor Horn produced for Dollar were among the most successful of the duo's career. Among those, 'Mirror mirror' was the most successful one, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart and staying in there for 17 weeks.

Personally, I think it's the least dodgy of all Dollar singles. There's always been something naff about the duo's output, but this single is actually quite decent.

My collection: 7" single no. 3435

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'Mirror mirror' / 'Radio'

Download: here

Johnny Johnny - Prefab Sprout

Another impressive single by Prefab Sprout, released from the album 'Steve McQueen'. On that album it was entitled 'Goodbye Lucille #1'. This song is a tense affair, and only lets go in the last few seconds, when the track fades out.

I was fascinated by this song when it was released, and played it dozens of times after I found this single at a discount price. In my book, it's still one of Prefab Sprout's best songs ever.

My collection: 7" single no. 399

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Johnny Johnny' / 'Wigs'

Download: 'Johnny Johnny' / 'Wigs'

Children of paradise - Boney M

'Children of paradise' was released as a single in autumn of 1980 to fill the gap between Boney M's 1979 album 'Oceans of fantasy' and the 1981 album 'Boonoonoonoos'. The single featured the religiously-inspired title track and a disco cover of the 1968 psychedelic track 'In a gadda-da-vida' by Iron Butterfly.

As usual, the single became a Europe-wide hit for Boney M. I bought the single as soon as it came out. Aged 10, I bought all of Boney M's singles at the time.

My collection: 7" single no. 73

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Children of paradise' / 'Gadda-da-vida'

Download: here

You won't see me cry - Wilson Phillips

At the time I bought this single, the forthcoming demise of the 7" vinyl single format as a commercial item in Europe was getting more obvious by the week. Although 7" singles were still being made in the UK, European pressings became increasingly rare. At the time of buying this single, I was buying every track I liked on this format on principle.

'You won't see me cry' was actually the first Wilson Phillips track I liked - all their previous singles were dull and uninteresting to me. It wasn't a hit in the Netherlands, but it peaked at number 18 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1684

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 11, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'You won't see me cry' / 'This doesn't have to be love'

Download: here

Something for the weekend - The Divine Comedy

After having been in the music business for seven years, and having released three albums, The Divine Comedy suddenly found chart success in the UK for the first time with this single, 'Something for the weekend'. Released in June 1996 in advance of the fourth album 'Casanova' it peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart - and it would be the first of many chart hits that followed.

I found this single while on holiday in York. I knew about the Divine Comedy, but wasn't aware that this new single was released. I bought it despite not having heard it, and of course I bought every single and album since then.

My collection: 7" single no. 2647

Found: HMV, York, June 28, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Something for the weekend' / 'Songs of love (Theme from 'Father Ted')

Download: here

Love machine - Supermax

The band Supermax was set up by the Austrian musician and producer Kurt Hauenstein. Other members of his band were Hans Ochs, Ken Taylor, Lothar Krell, Peter Koch and the singers Cee Cee Cobb and Jean Graham.

'Love machine' was their biggest hit, peaking at number 6 in Switzerland, number 9 in Austria and number 11 in the Netherlands. The single even reached the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 96. The track was taken from the album 'World of today', where it appears in its entirity. For the single, it was divided into two parts.

My collection: 7" single no. 2294

Found: May 13, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Love machine part 1' / 'Love machine part 2'

Download: here

Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' will always be remembered mostly because of this video. It was directed by Stephen R. Johnson. Aardman Animation and the Brothers Quay provided claymation, pixilation, and stop motion animation that gave life to images in the song. In 1987, it won nine MTV Video Music Awards, a record which still stands today. It ranked at number four on MTV's 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made (1999). MTV later announced that 'Sledgehammer' is the most played music video in the history of the station.

The lyric of the song contains thinly-veiled sexual innuendo, which was common in soul music from the 1960's, which the song was influenced by. The lyrics include phallic references such as a steam train, bumper cars, a Big Dipper (roller coaster) and a fruit cage. It also includes references to the sexual reproduction of plants, mentioning pollination, fruit and bees.

I bought this single a decade after it came out. At the time of its chart ascent, the song was played so often on radio and television that I thought I would never play this record anyway. And I was right. I still haven't played it much.

My collection: 7" single no. 2832

Found: Record Exchange, London, February 8, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Sledgehammer' / 'Don't break this rhythm'

Download: here

Lead me on - Amy Grant

Amy Grant was born on November 25, 1960 and made her debut already in 1977. She made a career out of recording Christian music, which got her a lot of critical and commercial acclaim in those circles. In 1988 her music took on a more contemporary pop form, when she released the album 'Lead me on'.

The title track deals lyrically with slavery and the Holocaust. The lyrics also talk about man's relation to these events and man's relation to man. The message of the song makes it very strong, unusual for Amy Grant, who was known for her meaningful but light lyrics.

My collection: 7" single no. 2342

Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Lead me on' / 'Find a way'

Download: here

Love on the rocks - Neil Diamond

In 1980, the movie 'The Jazz singer' was released. It was a remake of the 1927 movie of the same name. The soundtrack of the 1980 movie was performed by Neil Diamond. He had been singing and performing since 1966 and got praised and scorned for his role in the movie. Three hit songs came from the soundtrack album: 'America', 'Hello again' and 'Love on the rocks' - but only the last one was also a hit in the Netherlands. I thought it was a beautiful song, and now that I've heard it again, I stand by my judgement of almost 30 years ago.

My collection: 7" single no. 854

Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Love on the rocks' / 'Acapulco'

Download: here

Let it all blow - Dazz Band

The Dazz Band grew out of the Cleveland jazz fusion band Bell Telefunk. Originally consisting of Mike Calhoun, Kenny Pettus, Bobby Harris, Ike Wiley and Michael Wiley, they recruited extra members Kevin Kendrick, Steve Cox, Eric Fearman, Pierre DeMudd, Sennie "Skip" Martin, Jerry Bell and Terry Stanton. Their debut hit in America was 'Shake it up' in 1980.

'Let it all blow' was released in 1984, like their former albums and singles on the Motown label. It became their biggest hit in the UK, peaking at number 12, and their only hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1855

Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, January 30, 1993

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Let it all blow' / 'Now that I have you'

Download: here

I'm on my way - Betty Boo

In December 1992, an acquaintance of my sister went to London and offered to buy us some singles while she was there. I wrote down a couple of titles and included this one. A week later, I suddenly had this posterbag edition of Betty Boo's second single off her album 'Grrr! It's Betty Boo'. I can't say I played this single a lot, but it's a nice throwaway pop song. It also includes a musical quote from the Beatles' 'Lady Madonna', by the way.

After 'Let me take you there', this was the second and last Betty Boo single I bought. Her career was almost over by that time: she released one more single and then disappeared from the scene - writing song for other acts instead.

My collection: 7" single no. 1797

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, December 7, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I'm on my way' / 'Boo choons'

Download: here

My side of the bed - Susanna Hoffs

The Bangles had a big hit with 'Walk like an Egyptian' in 1986. In the video, Susanna Hoffs was the one that caught the eye of the viewer the most, with an innocent look and big seductive eyes. It should be no wonder, then, that her first solo single in 1991 was titled 'My side of the bed'. It's just enough to make any man fantasize away.

Well anyway - with those smouldering looks and such a great voice, I bought the single when it came out and the cd soon after that. But I was surprised five years later when I found out that there was also a picture disc 7" of this single - with quite a different photograph of Susanna on it. At one pound, I couldn't resist buying that one too. So now I have two editions of this single. Well, not a problem. It's still very nice to look at those pictures.

My collection: 7" single no. 1394 / 7" single no. 2668

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 2, 1991 / Record fair, Leeds, June 30, 1996

Cost: 6 guilders / 1 pound

Tracks: 'My side of the bed' / 'Made of stone'

Download: Album 'When you're a boy', including both tracks

Melodrama - Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland are famous in the Netherlands, mostly for their production work with Falco and others, but also for their successful singles in the seventies. Their biggest international hit, 'You're in the army now', ironically didn't chart in the Netherlands - and this single from 1979 befell a similar fate.

It's amazing when you read Dutch career overviews of Bolland & Bolland, because they simply ignore this single. Most articles state that 1979 was the year in which they started producing other artists (like for instance Sandra Reemer, who participated in that year's Eurovision Song Contest), but 'Melodrama' was released in 1979 as well. And I bought this single back then, because it was one of the few available for 3 guilders in the shop I went to almost weekly. And that was just about what I could afford...

My collection: 7" single no. 26

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Melodrama' / 'Showdown at sundown'

Download: here

Tell me - Jahn Teigen and Anita Skorgan

This is the first Eurovision Song Contest-related single I ever bought. That's quite amazing, because I don't live in Norway and I had been following the Contest for three years already. But this single came cheap and the memory of the song had faded but was still clear enough for me to remember that I actually liked it better than that year's winning song, 'Ein Bisschen Frieden' by Nicole. The single contained the English and Norwegian version of the song 'Adieu'.

Jahn Teigen participated three times in the Contest, of which 1982's 'Adieu', together with his wife at the time, Anita Skorgan, was the second. They ended up at twelfth place, which seemed like a great injustice to me at the time. Even now I think it was a great song - but perhaps not as overwhelming as a Bambi-eyed German girl singing about peace.

My collection: 7" single no. 136

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Tell me' / 'Adieu'

Download: here

Can't shake loose - Agnetha Fältskog

25 years after the fact, I think that 'Can't shake loose' was the best single from Agnetha Fältskog's album 'Wrap your arms around me'. It's not the most logical choice, since only 'The heat is on' and the title track became hits for her in 1983. But it's a great rock track, and it utilises the desperation that sometimes flares up in Agnetha's voice to full effect.

The song was written by Russ Ballard, who also wrote the more successful 'I Know There's Something Going On' for Agnetha's former Abba colleague Frida.

My collection: 7" single no. 199

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Can't shake loose' / 'To love'

Download: Album 'Wrap your arms around me', including both tracks

Queer - Garbage

So this is an impressive packaging: the vinyl 7" of Garbage's fourth single 'Queer' came in a sleeve, with an extra card inside to show the credits of the two tracks, and a perspex casing with the 'G' from the band's logo branded on it, and a sticker on the casing to show that this single was called 'Queer' by the band Garbage. The whole thing originally came in a bubblewrap bag, but I have to confess I threw that away, because it took up too much space.

Butch Vig from the band said about the song: 'I was reading this novel about this woman who was hired to go and make this guy's son 'a man'. The kid is missing a few marbles. But then he realises that the woman who came to his room is also fucking his father.'

My collection: 7" single no. 2863

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, September 20, 1997

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Queer' / 'Queer (dub-bin mix)

Download: here

Rock 'n' Roll kids - Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan

This is the last winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest to be released on 7" vinyl single. Subsequent winners (1995 and later) were only released on cd-single. That's a great loss. But perhaps it's fitting: this song was a lament for the singers' lost youths, like many vinyl buyers these days buy singles for nostalgic reasons.

The duo Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan were - so it was presumed - specifically selected by Ireland not to win the Contest. As the Contest rules require the previous year's winner to host the next edition of the Contest, the argument runs that the Irish broadcaster was not prepared to do this. The setup didn't work: in an unlikely turn of events, Ireland won the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, and still had to organise the 1995 edition.

My collection: 7" single no. 2121

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, July 2, 1994

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Rock 'n' Roll kids' / 'Rock 'n' Roll kids (acoustic mix)', 'Rock 'n' Roll kids (Backing track)'

Download: here

House of thorns - Fiat Lux

After the singles 'Secrets' and 'Blue emotion' had made a big impact on me, I started trying out other singles by Fiat Lux. I bought 'Photography' and this one on the same day, hoping for more jewels in their repertoire.

All I can say is: sometimes you strike out. While 'Photography' still sounds interesting, 'House of thorns' is a bit of a mediocre affair. It seems like an unfinished demo; the production could (and should) have been tighter. Oh well, it's still not bad compared to loads of other songs around these days, but I won't play this often.

My collection: 7" single no. 3161

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 27, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'House of thorns' / 'Threes company'

Download: here

War babies - Simple Minds

The Simple Minds have had enormous success in the Eighties, but they had some difficulties continuing that success after the decade ended. The band effectively fell apart, with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill being the only active members. After being released from their contract with Virgin Records in 1998, Simple Minds decided to musically reinvent themselves, using techno influences in their rock music. The resulting album, 'Neapolis', got mixed reviews.

'War babies' was the second single drawn from the album. It reached number 43 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2996

Found: HMV, London, October 1998

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'War babies (Bascombe mix)' / 'I travel (Utah Saints mix - edit)'

Download: here

Invincible - Pat Benatar

After the major worldwide success of 'Love is a battlefield', the rest of Pat Benatar's career must have seemed to her and the world as a relative disappointment. Whatever she did, it wouldn't measure up to that one big hit.

'Invincible' is a convincing rock track, which is part of the soundtrack of the movie 'The legend of Billie Jean'. The movie was expected to be a big hit. However, the reviews were poor, and it flopped in the theatres. Benatar herself has often spoken disparagingly about the film before launching into 'Invincible' in concert, calling it 'The Worst Movie Ever Made' on at least one occasion.

My collection: 7"single no. 338

Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Invincible' / 'Invincible (instrumental)'

Download: here

Geno - Dexy's Midnight Runners

Dexy's Midnight Runners released 'Geno' in March 1980. Two months later, it reached number 1 in the UK singles chart. It was their second single. The song was a tribute to soul singer Geno Washington. The song's style - with classic soul influences - was out of sync with the popular new wave sounds of the time.

I'd forgotten this song totally until I heard it again sometime in 1996. A few months later, I was able to find a copy during a lovely weekend in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 2833

Found: Record Exchange, London, February 8, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Geno' / 'Breakin' down the walls of heartache'

Download: here

Milk from the coconut - Toto Coelo

Toto Coelo were brought together by producer Barry Blue. Original members were Anita Mahadervan, Lacey Bond, Lindsey Danvers, Ros Holness and Sheen Doran. The group's name is Latin and means 'by the whole extent of the heavens' or 'heaven-wide', but is commonly translated as 'completely', 'entirely' or 'utterly'. Of the name, Sheen Doran said, 'It has a number of meanings, such as 'heart and soul', 'root and branch' and 'totally different'. It seemed to describe what we were. Plus, it's strange-sounding and hard to pronounce, so it sticks in your mind.'

'Milk from the coconut' was released in 1983, but failed to chart. Personally, I think this track is more catchy and memorable than their only hit, 'I eat cannibals'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3156

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 27, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Milk from the coconut (part 1)' / 'Milk from the coconut (part 2)'

Download: here

Different time, different place - Julia Fordham

Julia Fordham's 1994 album 'Falling forward' received some critical praise. The single 'Different time, different place', written by Julia Fordham and Simon Climie, was a minor hit, reaching number 41 in the UK singles chart.

Buying this single was a gamble for me: it caught my attention because of the beautiful sleeve and the free postcard that came with this single. And I figured, someone who had recorded 'Happy ever after' was bound to make more nice popsongs. I was right, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 2102

Found: Record fair, May 15, 1994

Cost: 8 guilders

Tracks: 'Different time, different place' / 'Safe (alternative version)'

Download: here

Why - Carly Simon

The movie 'Soup for one' was released in 1982, and flopped. However, the soundtrack of this movie, released in the same year, met with critical acclaim and commercial success. The soundtrack was produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers from Chic. Carly Simon provided vocals on this track, 'Why' and was perceived at the time as a conscious attempt to move away from her guitar-based singer/songwriter material from the Seventies.

The single flopped in America, peaked at number 10 in the UK singles chart and at number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. The song resurfaced in 1989 on the 'Hacienda' scene in Ibiza.

My collection: 7" single no. 954

Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Why' (Carly Simon) / 'Why (instrumental)' (Chic)

Download: here

'Ullo John! Gotta new motor? - Alexei Sayle

British comedian Alexei Sayle made quite an impression on me with this video back in 1984. Some kind of lunatic running through the streets, venting the most incoherent oneliners... it was great. Finding the accompanying single was a big problem though. It wasn't available in Holland, and when I ordered it in England all they had was the 12" single. It took me a decade to finally come across a copy - and of course I bought it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 2534

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: ''Ullo John! Gotta new motor? (part 1)' / ''Ullo John! Gotta new motor? (part 2)'

Download: here

Jamie - Mistral

Mistral was a studio project by Robbie van Leeuwen (ex-Shocking Blue) and Rick van der Linden (ex-Ekseption). The duo recorded three singles, and used different singers for every one of them. Sylvia van Asten sang the vocals on 'Jamie'. When this single became a hit in the Dutch Top 40 (it would eventually peak at number 15), the group was invited to perform at the popular chart show Toppop. Two dancers were clad in ridiculous insect suits, but the whole routine looked incrediby stupid.

It was one of the reasons that led to me disliking the song. (Sometimes it happens that way.) Thankfully, I changed my mind two decades later.

My collection: 7" single no. 2851

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 21, 1997

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Jamie' / 'Nectar'

Download: here

Perfect - The The

'Perfect' appeared on The The's album 'Soul mining'. It was the third single drawn from that album, and it appeared in several different formats. This particular 12" single is presumably a rare one, since it isn't listed on discogs.com. It features the album version of 'Perfect' and the B-side track 'Fruit of the heart' - and nothing else. There isn't even a picture cover! As such, it's one of those releases where you wonder whether you've stumbled across a collector's item...

My collection: 12" single no. 412

Found: Record Exchange, 2001

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Perfect' / 'Fruit of the heart'

Download: here

Fade to grey (Bassheads 93 remix) - Visage

Record companies were milking their back catalogues in the late Eighties and early Nineties. It had become a proven recipe for success: take an old song, remix it and have a new chart hit. It didn't turn out so well in this case: whereas 'Fade to grey' was a top 10 hit in 1980, the 1993 remix by Bassheads only reached number 39 in the UK singles chart.

Being as interested in cover versions and remixes as I am, I always try out such releases. In this case, I was well pleased with this single. The remix updated the original music, but thankfully kept the original vocals intact. Nothing beats the original track, of course, but sometimes this is a great alternative.

My collection: 7" single no. 2037

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 22, 1993

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Fade to grey (Bassheads edit)' / 'Fade to grey (7" remix)', 'Fade to grey (7" Original mix)'

Download: here

Now and forever - Fra Lippo Lippi

Rune Kristoffersen and Morten Sjoberg formed the Norwegian duo Fra Lippo Lippi in 1980. Originally their music was gloomy, drum machine-driven synth music with muffled vocals, influenced heavily by Joy Division. Their debut album 'In silence' was recorded on a 4 track recorder in a basement in Oslo.

The vocals of Rune improved already on this 1982 7" single 'Now and forever', which they released in 1982. The song is more catchy and the vocals are almost audible this time around. What's more, the B-side consists of two beautiful piano-based melodies. It was a first glimpse of their later melodic pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3187

Found: Mail order, 1999

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Now and forever' / 'In a little room', 'An idea'

Download: here