Heart like a wheel - Human League

Human League released their last album for Virgin, 'Romantic?' in 1990. The song is a return to the overtly political lyrics that the Human League sometimes do, but dressed up to a poppy hook that makes it acceptable for the public.

Whereas 'The Lebanon' of 1984 was the Human League’s view of the Israeli Invasion of Southern Lebanon and subsequent civil war, 'Heart like a wheel' is a commentary on US military imperialism. Callis's lyric 'sell your soul to a holy war' went over the heads of most of the song's listeners at a time when Jihad was all but unheard of in the West. It still reached number 29 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1311
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Heart like a wheel' / 'Rebound'

Some people - Cliff Richard

In 1987, Cliff Richard recorded the album 'Always guaranteed', which became his best selling album of all new material. It contained two top ten hit singles, 'My pretty one' and 'Some people'. The album was produced by Alan Tarney, who had been successful with Cliff Richard before.

'Some people' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. It was Cliff's last top 10 hit in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1147
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Some people' / 'One time lover man'

Patience of angels - Eddi Reader

Eddi Reader was born as Sadenia Reader on August 28, 1959. After working as a session vocalist for a few years, she joined the band Fairground Attraction in 1987. The band made a name for themselves with the hit 'Perfect', but fell apart already in 1989.

Reader then went solo and released the album 'Eddi Reader' in 1994. The first single, 'Patience of angels' was written by Boo Hewerdine and reached number 33 in the UK singles chart. As much as I'd hated the song 'Perfect', this was a track I found irresistible.

My collection: 7" single no. 2197
Found: HMV, London, September 30, 1994
Cost: 2,4 pounds
Tracks: 'Patience of angels' / 'Red face big sky'

System addict - Five Star

'System addict' was released in January 1986 as the seventh and last single from Five Star's debut album 'Luxury of life'. It was their first top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 3. The 12" single features two remixes of the track, plus an extended version of the album track 'Winning'.

'System addict' was remixed and re-released in July 2005, after Five Star had participated in a Here and Now tour in December 2004. This version did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 12" single no. 500
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2007
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'System addict (M&M remix)', 'System addict (dub remix)' / 'Pure energy', 'Winning (extended version)'

Bla bla bla - Bob Barbeque, Willy Would-Be plus Agaath

The illustrious trio Bob Barbeque, Willy Would-Be plus Agaath recorded a Dutch version of Trio's 'Da da da', entitled 'Bla bla bla'. In fact, it was a parody of the song, using the same song structure and melody but with entirely different lyrics, performed in the dialect of The Hague, one of the four big cities in the Netherlands.

The single was released soon after Trio's original single, but it did not chart. According to some sources, the production company Cat Music was behind this release, the same group of people who were involved in the Dutch band Catapult in the Seventies and Rubberen Robbie in the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 133
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Bla bla bla' / 'Boem-tek-boem-boem'

Da da da - Trio

Stephan Remmler, Gert 'Kralle' Krawinkel and Peter Behrens formed Trio in 1980. They used the term 'Neue Deutsche Fröhlichkeit' ('New German cheerfulness') to describe their music. Their main principle was to remove almost all the ornamentation and polish from their songs, and to use the simplest practical structures (most of their songs were three chord songs).

Their most popular song was 'Da da da', which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. Cover versions were recorded by Elastica and Christina Aguilera (for a Pepsi ad).

My collection: 7" single no. 2671
Found: Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Da da da (English version)' / 'Da da da (German version)'

Man in the mirror - Michael Jackson

After Michael Jackson's death last week, a tremendous amount of his songs reappeared on the UK singles chart. This is because of the fact that the chart is compiled partly with (legal) downloads of music. Along with several other tracks, the highest charting song on the June 28 edition of the UK singles chart was 'Man in the mirror', entering at number 11.

When the single was originally released in 1988, its highest chart placing in the UK was number 21. In America, the single topped the chart, whereas in the Netherlands, it reached number 16. Michael dedicated 'Man in the mirror' to Yoshiaki Hagiwara, a five year old boy who was kidnapped and murdered while Michael was touring Japan. He made a donation of 20,000 dollars to the grieving family. Although the song comes across as a rather sappy ballad, you have to listen to the instrumental version of this track to really appreciate what is going on here musically.

My collection: 7" single no. 727
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 28, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Man in the mirror' / 'Man in the mirror (instrumental)'

Song for whoever - The Beautiful South

The Beautiful South formed in 1989 when Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway left their band the Housemartins. They were joined by Sean Welch, Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray. On the band's debut album 'Welcome to the Beautiful South', Briana Corrigan was featured as a background vocalist.

Their debut single 'Song for whoever' was sung from the point of view of a cynical songwriter who romances women solely to get material for his love songs. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 968
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 19, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Song for whoever' / 'Straight in at 37'

You name it... I'll do it - Chips

The twin brothers Hans and Rob Keller were born and raised in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Together with Lidy Sluyter they formed the trio Chips in 1979. Their debut single 'You name it... I'll do it' was produced by Hans van Hemert.

It was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 26. After this one single, subsequent singles failed to reach the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3286
Found: February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You name it... I'll do it' / 'Ooh... the night'

Kalimba de luna - Boney M

'Kalimba de Luna' was originally released as a single by Italian musician Tony Esposito in 1984. It was covered almost instantly by Boney M for the German market. The lead vocals were performed by new group member Reggie Tsiboe, who was originally scheduled to release it as a solo single. The plans were changed, and 'Kalimba de luna' became a new Boney M single, released in the autumn of 1984.

Neither Liz Mitchell nor Marcia Barrett sang on this recording - the backing vocals were done by producer Frank Farian, Amy & Elaine Goff, and vocal group La Mama (Patricia Shockley, Madeleine Davis and Judy Cheeks). The single became Boney M's first hit single in three years, peaking at number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 246
Found: Cochem, Germany, October 1984
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Kalimba de luna' / '10.000 lightyears'

You are the one - A-ha

The fourth and final single from A-ha's third album 'Stay on these roads' was 'You are the one'. The track was remixed by Justin Strauss to give the track some extra 'punch'. The strategy worked in some countries: in the UK, for instance, the single reached number 13. In the Netherlands the audience was less impressed: the single did not chart.

The B-side was one of the album's strongest tracks, the lengthy 'Out of blue comes green'. After two rather disappointing singles (for me at least), the band was back on track.

My collection: 7" single no. 696
Found: Present, December 5, 1988
Cost: -
Tracks: 'You are the one (remix)' / 'Out of blue comes green'

The real thing - ABC

Adding insult to injury, ABC released a second single from their disappointing fifth album 'Up' (1989). This second single performed even worse in the charts than 'One better world', peaking at number 68 in the UK singles chart.

After this single, the record company quickly released a compilation album, and must have felt some relief to see an end to the recording contract with the band. Fortunately, further releases were better than 'Up', which despite its title was the lowpoint of their career.

My collection: 7" single no. 1059
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The real thing (edit)' / 'The greatest love of all (edit)'

She - The Colourfield

After Terry Hall left the band Fun Boy Three, he went on to form The Colourfield together with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale. Their third album 'Deception' was released in 1987 and featured various session musicians as a result of Lyons leaving the band.

The two singles released from the album were both cover versions: 'Running away' was originally recorded by Sly & The Family Stone in 1971, whereas 'She' was composed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. The singles did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2993
Found: May 27, 1998
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'She' / 'Monkey in winter'

Wishing you were here - Alison Moyet

Following a period of personal and career evaluation, Alison Moyet released her third solo album 'Hoodoo' in 1991. The album was a firm step away from the glossy pop songs on the previous two albums and sounded a lot more mature and personal.

Hoodoo received little label support and only minimal promotion. The album sold respectably in Britain, but the singles fared less well. The second single from the album was 'Wishing you were here'. It only reached number 72 during its one week residence in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1448
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 15, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wishing you were here' / 'Back where I belong'

The lovecats - The Cure

'The lovecats' was released by the Cure in 1983. It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7. Originally a non-album single, it later appeared on the compilation album 'Japanese whispers'.

The single was accompanied by another Tim Pope directed music video featuring lots of cats, both living and stuffed ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 2867
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 1997
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The lovecats' / 'Speak my language'

The universal song - Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes released her sixth album 'Café Racers' in 1983. While internationally the first single from that album was 'Invisible hands', the Netherlands saw the release of 'The universal song', an uncharacteristically slow song from the American pop singer.

The single peaked at number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1984. I recorded the song from the radio and found the single a couple of years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 831
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'The universal song' / 'Invisible hands'

Love in our hearts - Peter Brown

Peter Brown was born on July 11, 1953 on Blue Island, Illinois. His only hit in the Netherlands was 1980's 'Love in our hearts', taken from the album 'Stargazer'. The single reached number 21. Between 1977 and 1984 Peter Brown released four album, after which he retired from the music business as a performer.

He had his biggest worldwide success when Madonna recorded his song 'Material girl' in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 1945
Found: Plaatboef, Leiden, August 20, 1993
Cost: 25 cents
Tracks: 'Love in our hearts' / 'Penguin'

Codo - Tauchen Prokopetz

The band Deutsch-Österreichisches Feingefühl consisted of Joesi Prokopetz, Manfred O. Tauchen, Annette Humpe and Inga Humpe. They were alternatively known as Tauchen - Prokopetz, which is the name used on the label of the single 'Codo', which was released in 1983. This single sold more than one million copies in Europe, and gave the band a number one hit in Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The band was rather short-lived: after the album 'DÖF', released in 1983, a second album 'Tag und Nacht' was released in 1985, but Manfred Tauchen was the only original member on this album.

My collection: 7" single no. 207
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Codo' / 'Rein gar nix'

Sometimes - Erasure

Although I always thought this was Erasure's debut single, it is actually their fourth release. It was their first top 10 hit in the UK, reaching number 2, and their first hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3. The song became a huge international hit

Written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, 'Sometimes' typifies Erasure's signature sound — an uptempo, dance-oriented pop tune accentuated by Clarke's analogue synthesizers and Bell's soulful vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1961
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sometimes' / 'Sexuality'

I'm lucky - Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading released her seventh studio album 'Walk under ladders' in 1981. From the album came this single, 'I'm lucky'. The track was made with the help of Thomas Dolby on synthesizer. The single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2564
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm lucky' / 'Shine'

I wanna be loved - Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello announced the breakup of Elvis Costello and the Attractions shortly before the release of their eighth album together, 'Goodbye cruel world' (1984). He also announced his retirement, but that proved to be shortlived.

The album, meanwhile, yielded two hit singles, 'The only flame in town' and this one, 'I wanna be loved'. The track featured backing vocals by Green Gartside of Scritti Politti and was a cover of an obscure single by Teacher's Edition. The single reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2888
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I wanna be loved' / 'Turning the town red'

I scare myself - Thomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby released his second album 'The flat earth' in 1984. The single 'I scare myself' was taken from that album. As young as I was, I immediately recognised this work of genius. It is an ingenious track, mixing modern sounds with latin-inspired brass work.

The single peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40, Dolby's only hit single in this country.

My collection: 7" single no. 907
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I scare myself' / 'Cloudburst at Shingle street'

This is your life - Banderas

Sally Herbert and Caroline Buckley formed Banderas in 1991, after Herbert had been working as a backing vocalist with the Communards. Their debut single was 'This is your life', a track in which they sound quite like Madonna. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Netherlands.

Although I have all of the band's 7" singles and cd-singles, I was quite surprised when I saw this 12" single today. It features three remixes not available on any other format. What's more, this particular 12" single was made in the USA for promotion only. Although the 12" was also released commercially, that's a nice bonus.

My collection: 12" single no. 499
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'This is your life (original mix)', 'This is your life (Less Stress mix)', 'This is your life (extended mix)' / 'This is your life (Red book mix)', 'This is your life (Easy life mix)'

Farewell my summer love - Michael Jackson

Motown gave a good example in 1984 of what will probably happen in the next few months and years to come. Spurred on by the success of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', they excavated their archives and came up with a whole album of previously unreleased material entitled 'Farewell my summer love', recorded between 1973 and 1975. To make the album sound contemporary, the songs were remixed.

The title track was released as a single and reached number 38 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the UK singles chart. The untimely death of Michael Jackson will be a sign for record companies to start digging. Who knows what they will come up with...

My collection: 7" single no. 3807
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Farewell my summer love' / 'Call on me'

Close to perfection - Miquel Brown

'Close to perfection' was the title track of the 1985 album by Miquel Brown and released as its first single. It was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 63, but in the Netherlands it reached a very respectable number 13. It was also regularly heard on the radio during that year and included in many remixes by DJ's like Ben Liebrand.

Miquel Brown has two twin daughters, Greta and popstar Sinitta.

My collection: 7" single no. 2989
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 27, 1998
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Close to perfection' / 'Close to perfection (instrumental)'

Give in to me - Michael Jackson

'Give in to me' was released as the sixth single from Michael Jackson's album 'Dangerous'. It featured a guitar solo by Guns 'n Roses guitarist Slash. It was not the first time that Jackson used a famous guitarist: for 'Dirty Diana' (1988) he hired Steve Stevens and on 'Beat it' (1983) you can hear Eddie Van Halen.

'Give in to me' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Netherlands. It may seem like I am desperately buying Michael Jackson in the wake of his death, but in fact I started completing my collection already a couple of months ago. I am happy to find these singles at relatively low prices right now because they will start to rocket in the near future, I'm afraid.

My collection: 7" single no. 3804
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Give in to me' / 'Dirty Diana'

Rocky - Frank Farian

'Rocky' was originally written by Jay Stevens in 1975 and performed by two different American artists: Austin Roberts, who recorded it as a pop song and Dickey Lee, who had a hit in the country charts with it.

Frank Farian had only just recorded one song, 'Baby do you wanna bump' as Boney M, but the group did not exist as such yet. His next single was a German version of the song 'Rocky'. He didn't just score a hit in Germany with this, but also reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. A few months before that, a Dutch version performed by Don Mercedes reached number 1 in the same chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3812
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Rocky' / 'Am Samstagabend'

Why can't we live together - Timmy Thomas

Timmy Thomas was born on November 13, 1944 in Evansville, Indiana (USA), and is best known for his 1972 hit 'Why can't we live together'. The song is notable for its sparse production, featuring only a Hammond organ, percussion from an early rhythm machine and Thomas's passionate, soulful vocal.

Released as a single in late 1972, the song became a major hit in the US during the early part of 1973, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Netherlands. The song was later covered by Mike Anthony and Sade.

My collection: 7" single no. 3811
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Why can't we live together'

If you feel the funk - La Toya Jackson

I always perceived La Toya Jackson as Michael Jackson's weird sister. She was born on May 29, 1956 and only made her debut after her little brother hit it big with 'Off the wall'. Her self-titled debut came out in 1981. The first single from that album was 'If you feel the funk', a rather run-of-the-mill dance track in that day and age. It was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 13.

After marrying Jack Gordon in September 1989, Jackson distanced herself from certain members of her family. Her 1991 autobiography 'La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson family' was probably the main reason for this estrangement, as it made scathing criticisms of several family members. Some members of the family hypothesised that that part of the book had, in fact, been written by Gordon. In 1996 La Toya walked out on her husband after he attempted to force her to dance at a strip club in Cleveland, Ohio. A year later, she ended her estrangement with the entire Jackson family, returned home and divorced Gordon.

My collection: 7" single no. 3806
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'If you feel the funk' / 'Lovely is she'

Too low for zero - Elton John

'Too low for zero' was the title track of Elton John's 17th studio album, released in 1983. All the lyrics on the album were written by Bernie Taupin. At the insistence of Taupin, Elton decided to go back to basics and returned to working with Taupin full time.

Released as the third single from the album, it couldn't match the success of the previous two singles, 'I guess that's why they call it the blues' and 'I'm still standing'. Contrary to those two, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3810
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Too low for zero' / 'Dreamboat'

Ben - Michael Jackson

'Ben' was written by Don Black and Walter Scharf. The song was originally written for Donny Osmond, but he was on tour and unavailable when it was time to record the single, so the song was offered to Michael Jackson. He recorded it, while he was just 14 years old, for the Motown label in 1972.

The song, the theme song of a 1972 film of the same name, reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and Australia. It peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands and number 7 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3805
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Ben' (Michael Jackson) / 'Lookin' through the windows', 'Little bitty pretty one'

Beg, steal or borrow - The New Seekers

'Beg, steal or borrow' was performed by the New Seekers during the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was composed and written by Tony Cole, Steve Wolfe and Graeme Hall.

I bought the German version, 'Oh, ich will betteln, ich will stehlen' six months ago, but I didn't have the original version yet. I found a copy today and was able to get it for half price too. Well, enough reason to add this to my collection, I'd say...

My collection: 7" single no. 3813
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Beg, steal or borrow' / 'Sing out'

La mémoire en exil - Jo Lemaire

The album 'Concorde' by Jo Lemaire, released in 1983, contained one side in English and one side in French. This single was taken from the album and contains two French-language tracks. Just like earlier single 'Parfum de rêve', I bought this single because of the beautiful sleeve, and again I was not disappointed: the single is a perfect example of Belgian melodious synthpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3809
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'La memoire en exil' / 'Les ombres de la rue'

If there was a man - The Pretenders

'The living daylights' was the final James Bond film to date to be scored by composer John Barry. The soundtrack is notable for its introduction of sequenced electronic rhythm tracks overdubbed with the orchestra, which at the time was a relatively new thing.

Contrary to previous Bond films, the film uses different songs over the opening and end credits. The song heard over the end credits, 'If there was a man', was one of two songs performed for the film by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. The Pretenders were originally considered to perform the title song. However, the producers were pleased with the commercial success of Duran Duran's 'A view to a kill', and felt that A-ha would be more likely to make an impact in the charts. 'If there was a man' was released as a single nonetheless, and peaked at number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3808
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'If there was a man' / 'Into Vienna'

The glamorous life - Sheila E.

Sheila Escovedo was born on December 12, 1957 in Oakland, California (USA). She is the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo. She became a drummer and percussionist herself and made her debut in 1976 with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on 'Yesterday's dream'. Sheila met Prince in the early Eighties, when she was performing with her father. He enlisted her for his band and she played during the recording sessions for 'Purple rain' (1984).

Though taken under Prince's wing, she proved to be a successful artist in her own right. In 1984 she scored her first solo hit with 'The glamorous life', which peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1896
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The glamorous life' / 'The glamorous life part 2'

Road to your soul - All about Eve

When All about Eve released the single 'Road to your soul', some record company executives must have thought that the song was too long for the radio. At more than 5 minutes, there may well have been some reluctance by DJ's to play the song. And so they got to work: a DJ promo with the song was made, including an exclusive 'radio edit'.

If it were me, I would have made a different edit of the song. The radio edit featured on the A-side of this promotional single still clocks in at over four minutes, making it still a lengthy track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2912
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Road to your soul (radio edit)' / 'Road to your soul'

Armageddon days are here (again) - The The

Another single from The The's 1989 album 'Mind bomb', 'Armageddon days are here (again)' was an odd choice because of its explosive political content. A lyric like 'Islam is rising / The Christians mobilising' implies a lot of things. The single only managed a number 70 placing in the UK singles chart during a two week run.

I remember being surprised to find this single in the shop, since a video for 'Kingdom of rain' was regularly shown on MTV at the time. I would have expected to find that single, but in the end, I never did.

My collection: 7" single no. 987
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, October 5, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Armageddon days are here (again) (radio edit)' / 'Armageddon days are here (again) (Orchestral version)'

My Sharona - The Knack

The Knack released their debut single 'My Sharona' in 1979. According to lead singer/guitarist Doug Fieger, he met Sharona Alperin (who was 16 at the time) and she inspired a two-month-long run of songwriting. 'It was like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat; I fell in love with her instantly. And when that happened, it sparked something and I started writing a lot of songs feverishly in a short amount of time.' The main riff of 'My Sharona' was written by the band's guitarist, Berton Averre, long before he ever joined The Knack.

Sharona appears on the picture sleeve for the single, and became a major booster of the band bringing many girls to their early shows. The single reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1895
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'My Sharona' / 'Let me out'

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

When EMI released the compilation album 'Natural history' in 1990, the record company was also re-releasing lots of old Talk Talk singles. For some strange reason, EMI France decided to re-release the band's early single 'Talk Talk'. Not that it had been a hit in 1982, when it was originally released. And sure enough, the second time around it didn't chart either.

As a collector of Talk Talk single, I was happy to find this item. The artwork is different from the singles that were (re-)released in the UK in 1990, so it's a great find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3119
Found: Record fair, June 27, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Talk Talk' / 'Today'

You're in the army now - Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland released their album 'The domino theory' in 1981. The single 'You're in the army now' was released as the first single from that album. In the Netherlands, this single did not chart, but in South Africa, where the two were born, the single peaked at number 9 in May 1982.

In 1986, the band Status Quo recorded the song on their album 'In the army now'. Their version peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1160
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 27, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In the army now' / 'The Domino Theory theme'

Nur ein Lied - Thomas Forstner

Thomas Forstner was born on December 3, 1969 in Deutsch Wagram, Austria. He represented Austria during the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Nur ein Lied' ('Only a song'), composed and produced by Dieter Bohlen, of Modern Talking fame. The song gave Austria fifth place — their highest position since their win in 1966.

Forstner was selected to represent Austria again in Rome in 1991. His entry, "Venedig im Regen" (English: "Venice in Rain") came in last at 22nd, failing to score a single point.

My collection: 7" single no. 3802
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 25, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Nur ein Lied' / 'Nur ein Lied (instrumental)'

Memories - Earth and Fire

Earth & Fire debuted in 1970 with the single 'Seasons'. The single made an immediate impression and peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. But it would take the band two years to improve on that success: 'Memories', released in April 1972, was the band's first single to reach the number one position.

'Memories' was taken from the album 'Song of the marching children', an album that was released in a beautifully illustrated gatefold sleeve, as advertised on the back of the sleeve of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2731
Found: September 7, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Memories' / 'From the end till the beginning'

I don't know anybody else - Black box

'I don't know anybody else' was the second hit single for the Italo house band Black Box. It was the second single from their debut album 'Dreamland' and was released in the first months of 1990 in most of countries worldwide. The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song features an un-credited Martha Wash on lead vocals. Wash later sued the record label for royalties and directly contributed to legislation ensuring proper credit for vocalists on both songs and music videos.

My collection: 7" single no. 1199
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 30, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't know anybody else (Melody mix)' / 'I don't know anybody else (House club)'

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)'