Jij en ik - Bill van Dijk

Willem Edsger van Dijk was born in Rotterdam on December 22, 1947. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. After graduation he acted in various musicals in the Netherlands, where the genre was still in its infancy. Next to his acting he also made a name for himself in music: performing live with the Skymasters and the Metropole Orkest for radio and television in the Seventies and Eighties.

In 1982 he represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Jij en ik' ('You and me'). It was not a successful performance: he ended up in 16th place out of 18 participants. As a result, the single did not reach the charts in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3743

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Jij en ik' / 'Leven is'

Crucify - Tori Amos

Released as the fifth single from her debut album 'Little earthquakes', 'Crucify' was the most successful one, being the first Tori Amos single to reach the charts in Canada, France and Ireland. It was also Tori's biggest hit in the UK up to that point, peaking at number 15.

Accompanied by a provocative music video and a strange sleeve, Tori started to make a name for herself as a quirky songwriter, often nicknamed 'Kate Bush's loony stepsister'. I guess there's some truth to that.

My collection: 7" single no. 1658

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 30, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Crucify' / 'Here in my head'

In the clouds - All about Eve

'In the clouds' was originally released as an 'indie' 12" single in 1986, as the follow-up to All about Eve's debut 12" single 'D for desire'. When the band signed to a major label in 1987, 'In the clouds' was one of the few songs to survive from those early years and make it onto the self-titled debut album. Subsequently, the track was again released as a single.

This time, 'In the clouds' rose to number 47 in the UK singles chart and became the band's biggest hit up to that point. The three subsequent singles, all taken from the debut album, would each do better than the one before, and All about Eve quickly became a popular band in the UK.

Part of the success can be attributed to the plethora of limited editions that came with every release. This 7" single, for instance, was also released in a limited edition box set including a small poster. I was lucky enough to find a copy, number 1491 out of a limited edition of... well, I don't know. The 12" singles were also released in box sets, and then there were 10" singles, and later on, picture discs, cd-singles... the real All about Eve fan had a big job to do.

My collection: 7" single no. 1771

Found: October 21, 1992

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'In the clouds' / 'She moved through the fair'

Girlfriend - Pebbles

Perri Nixon was born on August 29, 1964. When she was 10 years old, her godfather nicknamed her after Fred and Wilma Flintstone's daughter. From an early age, she entered talent shows and studied opera and classical ballet. In highschool her focus shifted to singing.

In 1988 she released her debut album 'Pebbles', which included the hit single 'Girlfriend'. Produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, the single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single got to number 21. The song was not unlike Janet Jackson's hit singles at that time, a funky dance sound that was so popular in the second half of the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2754

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Girlfriend' / 'Girlfriend (instrumental)'

Brothers in arms - Dire Straits

The Dire Straits were used prominently in the Eighties to promote the new compact disc format. This may have contributed to their squeaky clean, slightly boring image. It's refreshing, therefore, to listen to their music from vinyl, with all the imperfections that appear in the music once you hear clicks and dust.

'Brothers in arms' is the title track from their 1985 album and is arguably one of their best songs. In the UK this single made number 16, in other countries it only made the charts years later when it was re-released as part of the promotion for a compilation album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2770

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996

Cost: 40p

Tracks: 'Brothers in arms' / 'Going home (live)'

I've been losing you - A-ha

'I've been losing you' was released as the first single from A-ha's second album 'Scoundrel days' (1986). It featured a slightly rawer sound than the happy bright pop of the previous album. In Norway, the single went to the top of the charts, whereas in Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands it reached number 11. In the UK, it did slightly better, reaching number 8.

The B-side, 'This alone is love' was derived from a song by Pal Waaktaar and Magne Furuholmen's previous band Bridges. The version on this single is rawer and, in my opinion, better than the version that appeared on A-ha's next album 'Stay on these roads' (1988).

My collection: 7" single no. 481

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'I've been losing you' / 'This alone is love'

Nous les amoureux - Jean-Claude Pascal

Jean-Claude Pascal was born on October 24, 1927 in Paris, France. Pascal first studied at the Sorbonne University and then turned to fashion design for Christian Dior. While designing costumes for the play 'Don Juan' he came in contact with acting. He acted in a few dozen films since then.

In 1961, he represented Luxembourg during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Nous les amoureux'. The song is about a man and another (rumoured to be another man) who others want to separate. He sings, however, that 'Heaven is with us lovers', a declaration of hope in spite of the difficulties. He won the Contest with this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3749

Found: eBay.nl, received May 26, 2009

Cost: 5 euro

Tracks: 'Nous les amoureux' / 'Les oubliettes'

Forest fire - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions

The second single by Lloyd Cole & the Commotions was released in a limited edition gatefold sleeve. The record shop where I bought my singles was importing singles from the UK, so I was lucky enough to score a copy. I wonder if I would have bought this single if it didn't come in a limited edition: I was always very choosy about which single to buy and this cannot have been at the top of my list.

Still, 'Forest fire' is one of the band's stronger tracks, even if that didn't reflect in the Dutch chart position (it did not chart). In the UK, it stalled at number 41, which was a disappointment in comparison to their debut single 'Perfect skin'.

My collection: 7" single no. 241

Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Forest fire' / 'Andy's babies'

Jesamine - The Casuals

The Casuals formed in 1961. After working in the music industry for six years, John Tebb, Howard Newcombe, Alan Taylor and Bob O'Brien switched record labels and recorded a cover of 'When Jesamine goes', originally released in February 1968 by the Bystanders. The song was written by Marty Wilde and Ronnie Scott under the pseudonyms Frere Manston and Jack Gellar. The single reached number 2 in late 1968.

The B-side of this 'Old gold' single is 'I can't let Maggie go' by Honeybus. This song reached number 8 in the UK singles chart in April 1968.

My collection: 7" single n. 3234

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 18, 2000

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Jesamine' (The Casuals) / 'I can't let Maggie go' (Honeybus)

Let be must the queen - Guesch Patti

The follow-up to Guesch Patti's single 'Etienne' was 'Let be must the queen'. With its nonsensical title and slightly complicated song structure, it fared less well in the charts than its predecessor. I'm not convinced that this is one of the best tracks of her album 'Labyrinthe' (1988), either. The B-side, on the other hand, should be one of the classic chansons of the past century.

Before I found the album cd, this single was one of my most often played discs - but usually the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 1294

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1990

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Let be must the queen' / 'Tout seul'

Come on home - Everything but the girl

It must be a shock for those who know Everything but the girl for their dance-oriented tracks in the Nineties to hear this orchestral ballad from 1986. The sparse beats of later years have made way for this lush, baroque sound.

'Come on home' comes from the duo's 1986 album 'Baby the stars shine bright', an entire album of original songs performed with an orchestra. The single peaked at number 44 in the UK, number 27 in Ireland and number 31 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2756

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Come on home' / 'Draining the bar'

Calling America - Electric Light Orchestra

After the 1983 album 'Secret messages' was not very successful, the Electric Light Orchestra effectively disbanded. However, Jeff Lynne was contractually obligated to deliver one more album to CBS Records, and so 'Balance of power' was released in 1986. The sound of this album was very different from the sound that had made the band so popular in the Seventies. There were no strings, just synthesizers, and the whole album kindof lacked the 'soul' previous albums had.

'Calling America' was the one and only hit from this album, reaching number 28 in the UK singles chart. It was also the band's last top 40 hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 2846

Found: Record fair, April 5, 1997

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Calling America' / 'Caught in a trap'

Love plus one - Haircut One Hundred

'Love plus one' was the second hit single for Haircut One Hundred in the UK, peaking at number 3. Outside of the UK, the band never really took off. The strange thing is, even though the band had four top 10 hits in the UK, this song was number 90 on VH1's '100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s' programme. Bad research, anyone?

I first heard this song when Nick Heyward performed it live during a Here & Now tour in 2001. Though he didn't do the best set of the evening, this song did stick in my mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 3731

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Love plus one' / 'Marine boy'

Ti sento / I feel you - Matia Bazar

The Italian group Matia Bazar had a Europe-wide hit with 'Ti sento', a very infectious slice of Italian pop. In an attempt to conquer even the English-speaking parts of the world, the group decided to record a translation entitled 'I feel you'.

The French pressing of 'Ti sento' includes both versions of the song, with - incredibly - the English version on the A-side. I don't know whether it helped the chart performance in France, but in the Netherlands - where 'Ti sento' was released without the English version on the single - the track reached number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 3733

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I feel you' / 'Ti sento'

My little world - Waterloo and Robinson

Waterloo & Robinson are an Austrian duo, consisting of Johann Kreuzmayr ('Waterloo') and Josef Krassnitzer ('Robinson'). They represented Austria during the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with 'My little world'. The song was performed entirely in English, which was a first for Austria.

The song ended up in fifth place during the Contest, which was won by Brotherhood of Man with 'Save your kisses for me'. Waterloo & Robinson participated in Austria's national finals for Eurovision again in 2004, but did not win.

My collection: 7" single no. 3747

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'My little world' / 'Marilyn'

Easy lover - Philip Bailey and Phil Collins

Philip Bailey was born on May 8, 1951 in Denver, Colorado (USA). He found fame by sharing lead vocal duties on songs by Earth Wind and Fire together with founder member Maurice White. When Bailey decided to record a solo album in 1984, he got Phil Collins to produce it. Their duet 'Easy lover' was released as a single in late 1984 and was a worldwide hit. It went number one in the UK and the Netherlands.

During a radio interview, Phil Collins was asked how 'he discovered' Philip Bailey. Annoyed at the lack of knowledge of the interviewer Collins made up a story about how he had been filling his car with petrol when he heard the attendant singing... and that turned out to be Philip Bailey. The interviewer believed the whole story, which was soon picked up by other media.

My collection: 7" single no. 3735

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Easy lover' / 'Woman'

Do you really want to hurt me - Culture Club

Part of my renewed interest in buying 7" vinyl singles is caused by my realisation that there are some very odd holes in my collection. This one is a prime example of that: while I have most of Culture Club's hit singles, their first major hit single was missing.

'Do you really want to hurt me' became a major hit after their memorable debut performance on 'Top of the Pops', which they got thanks to Shakin' Stevens being ill and not able to appear, leading the song to become a UK number 1 single for three weeks in October 1982. The single also became a number one hit in Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Austria and Australia. In the Netherlands, the song peaked at number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 3725

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Do you really want to hurt me' / 'Do you really want to hurt me (dub version)'

The harder I try - Brother beyond

The sound of the producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman is instantly recognisable. In the second half of the Eighties, they defined chart pop. The group Brother Beyond formed in 1987 but released four singles before they ended up with the producers trio. But when they did, it was an instant success: whereas previous singles didn't make the UK top 40 (but ended up somewhere between number 50 and 75), 'The harder I try', released in 1988, peaked at number 2, held off the top spot by Phil Collins' 'A groovy kind of love'.

The single even was their only release to make the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 18. It was the biggest success for the band, which consisted of Eg White, Nathan Moore, David Ben White, Carl Fysh and Steve Alexander.

My collection: 7" single no. 3728
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'The harder I try' / 'Remember me'

't Is genoeg - Conny van den Bos

Conny Vandenbos was born as Jacoba Adriana Hollestelle on January 16, 1937 in The Hague, the Netherlands. After a performance in the 1961 Knokke festival in Belgium she won a recording contract.

In 1965, she represented the Netherlands during the Eurovision Song Contest with ''t Is genoeg' ('It's enough'). She ended up in 11th place. The single did not make the charts in the Netherlands, but a series of hits started the next year. On April 7, 2002 Conny died of lung cancer in Amsterdam.

My collection: 7" single no. 3719

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: ''t Is genoeg' / 'Van de week'

Pinky blue - Altered Images

Taken from Altered Images' second album of the same name, 'Pinky blue' was the first single not to hit the top 10 after a hattrick of three singles that did. Released in May 1982, the track was not so different from previous Altered Images singles - but that may have been the problem of course.

The girlish voice of Clare Grogan never fails to make me feel optimistic and happy again. I'm just sorry that I missed her on the Here and Now tour this month, but I couldn't get to the UK this time around. Hopefully she'll appear live one more time not too far from now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3748

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Pinky blue' / 'Think that it might (dance mix)'

Solo tu - Matia Bazar

This sleeve claims that 'Solo tu' was a number one hit in Italy, and although I can't check this fact, I'm sure it is true. For more than three decades now, the band from Genoa has been very popular in their home country.

'Solo tu' was also the first single to be noticed in the Netherlands, although it didn't reach the Dutch Top 40: it stalled in the 'bubbling under chart' the Tipparade.

My collection: 7" single no. 3721

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Solo tu' / 'Per un minuto e poi...'

Der Kommissar - Matthew Gonder

Written by Robert Ponger and Falco, 'Der Kommissar' was originally a hit for Falco in 1982. Other acts were quick to follow and record cover versions of this song. I already wrote about the version by After the Fire, released in the summer of 1982.

This version was recorded by Matthew Gonder also in 1982. Apparently, besides this English translation of the track he's also recorded a French version. Ironically, I bought this single (in English) from a French dealer.

My collection: 7" single no. 3732

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Der Kommissar' / 'A part of me'

Love isn't love - Carola

This is the English version of 'Främling', the song with which Carola represented Sweden during the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Presumably she tried to conquer the UK with this single, but it was an unsuccessful attempt. The single was also widely available in the Netherlands, but I'm not sure whether it helped in achieving number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

While Carola didn't win Eurovision in 1983, she returned in 1991 to win the Contest with 'Fangad av en stormvind'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3718

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 3 euro

Tracks: 'Love isn't love' / 'Life'

On islands - New Musik

When I started collecting New Musik singles, I didn't know that the three albums they made brought forth so many different singles. I'm a lot wiser now than I was in the days before the Internet. I was aware of this French release for some time, but never thought I would actually find it - and so cheaply, too!

'On islands' is a track from New Musik's debut album 'From A to B'. The B-side 'Straight lines' was actually released as a single in the UK and was their first (minor) hit there. Now all I have to do is find the group's last single, 'The planet doesn't mind'...

My collection: 7" single no. 3730

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'On islands' / 'Straight lines'

Show you the way to go - The Jacksons

'Show you the way to go' was the second single by the Jacksons (They were named the Jackson 5 before that). It was their first hit in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 12 in the summer of 1977. In the UK, it did even better: it reached number one.

The song was written and produced by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, who were responsible for the majority of the Jacksons' work after they moved from the Motown label to Epic Records. In 1978, when they released 'Destiny', the Jacksons finally took over creative control.

My collection: 7" single no. 3738

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Show you the way to go' / 'Blues away'

Treat me good - Frizzle Sizzle

Time for some bubblegum pop, written by Jochem Fluitsma and Ed van Tijn, the songwriting duo that was responsible for a lot of bubblegum pop hits from the Eighties onwards. Although this song was no different from a lot of their other stuff - or perhaps because of that! - this single didn't become a hit. It signalled the beginning of the end for Frizzle Sizzle: after a few more unsuccessful singles they broke up.

My collection: 7" single no. 3740

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Treat me good' / 'Stand in your way'

Stand and deliver - Adam and the Ants

Released in spring 1981, 'Stand and deliver' was Adam and the Ants' biggest hit. Originally a track from their album 'Prince charming', it entered the UK singles chart at number one and stayed on that position for five weeks.

'Stand and deliver / Your money or your life' was a phrase commonly used by highwaymen in 18th century England during robberies. The music video featured Adam Ant dressed as a 'dandy highwayman'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3723

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Stand and deliver' / 'Beat my guest'

Parles-vous Français? - Baccara

Spanish flamenco artists Mayte Mateos and Maria Mondola formed Baccara in 1977. They achieved international success almost immediately with 'Yes sir I can boogie', a disco hit that went number one in various European countries.

Luxembourg was quick to recognise their success and invited them to represent the country during the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest. They performed the song 'Parlez-vous Français?', which became seventh in the Contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 3724

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Parlez-vous Français' / 'Amoureux'

Disco really made it - Gruppo Sportivo

Attentive readers of this blog know that I had some bad luck with Gruppo Sportivo nine years ago, when I bought the EP 'More mistakes'. The track billed as 'Disco really made it' was actually 'Real teeth are out', and so I still didn't have that track. Well, I knew it would only be a question of time until I would get 'Disco really made it' as a single, and so it finally happened yesterday.

Released in early 1979, this single was Gruppo Sportivo's last and biggest hit, peaking at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. The sleeve says 'Limited edition black vinyl', and I guess that's true - although I doubt it was actually a 'limited' edition.

My collection: 7" single no. 3741
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Disco really made it' / 'I don't know'

Il jouait du piano debout - France Gall

France Gall was born on October 9, 1947 in Paris, France. She started her career in music in 1963. Two years later she was asked to represent Luxembourg during the Eurovision Song Contest. It meant that she would become wellknown in the whole of Europe after winning with 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son'.

In the Seventies she became inactive for a few years after marrying with French artist Michel Berger and giving birth to two children. She returned to the fore with the 1980 album 'Paris France' and the single 'Il jouait du piano debout', a hit in many European countries including the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 22.

Searching for a translation of the title, I came up with 'He played the piano standing up'. But it might as well mean 'He played the upright piano'. Language can be a barrier sometimes.

My collection: 7" single no. 3734
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Il jouait du piano debout' / 'La chanteuse qui a tout donné'

Crazy horses - The Osmonds

The Osmonds originally consisted of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond. They were later joined by younger siblings Donny, Marie and Jimmy Osmond. After their early bubblegum pop phase, they started writing and performing their own music, and their sound moved towards rock and roll. 'Crazy horses' was one of the first fruits of that labour. The song was a number one hit in the Netherlands in 1972, peaking at number 2 in the UK.

According to Donny Osmond: 'It was Alan, Wayne and Merrill who wrote 'Crazy Horses'. Wayne and Merrill were in the studio and Wayne had started the main riff for the song. Then Alan came in and brought a cohesive concept about pollution: the horses being horsepower. Then Merrill added the 'crazy' before the horses. It's a very serious song.'

My collection: 7" single no. 3737

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Crazy horses' / 'That's my girl'

P-Machinery medley with Relax - Propaganda for Frankie

This is an interesting one. Propaganda for Frankie is an Italian producer/DJ outfit that decided to profit from the ongoing popularity of the bands Propaganda and Frankie goes to Hollywood. Their track 'P-machinery medley with Relax' is what people would nowadays call a 'mashup'. The difference being that the songs are performed by other, unnamed, artists.

Although the concept is the same as Club House's 'Do it again with Billie Jean', this single didn't become a Europe-wide hit. Instead, it has become some sort of item for Italo House afficionados.

My collection: 7" single no. 3729

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'P-Machinery medley with Relax' / 'Deejay'

Love is love - Culture Club

In 1984, Culture Club was asked to write two songs for the soundtrack to the movie 'Electric Dreams'. Boy George and Roy Hay wrote 'The dream' and 'Love is love'. The latter was released as a single in Canada, Japan and France. It was only a hit in Japan.

I found this single and didn't even know it existed. It was interesting enough for me to want to have it, especially since that other song from 'Electric dreams' ('Together in electric dreams' by Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder) has become an Eighties classic. It was interesting to find out how this song would compare.

My collection: 7" single no. 3726

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Love is love' / 'Don't go down that street'

Abergavenny - Marty Wilde

On the occasion of his daughter Roxanne's wedding today, I thought it might be nice to get out a real classic today: Marty Wilde's 'Abergavenny'. While all of the UK knows him for his hits beween 1958 and 1962, the European continent was more impressed with this song from 1968. Marty performed it at the Knokke festival, and subsequently had a great European hit on his hands: in the Netherlands the song peaked at number 5. The song also became a top 50 hit in America under Marty's pseudonym Shannon. 'Abergavenny' also appears on Marty's 1969 album 'Diversions', a collection of truly great songs including 'Jesamine', the 1968 hitsong he wrote for the Casuals.

I was incredibly lucky to get this Belgian pressing from a dealer who probably wasn't aware that this single normally sells for anything above 10 euros. I should know, I've searched for this one for years...

My collection: 7" single no. 3716
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 23, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Abergavenny' / 'Alice in blue'