Say I'm your no. 1 - Princess

The debut single by Princess was 'Say I'm your no. 1'. Like most of her work, the single was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the producers trio that was at the height of their popularity during that year, 1985. In the UK and the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 7.

I didn't like the song when it came out; Princess looked ridiculous in that hat and it dominated my view of the artist and the song at first. In hindsight, I liked it better, and in the end I caved and bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1760
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say I'm your no. 1' / 'Say I'm your no. 1 (Senza voce)'

Crockett's Theme - Jan Hammer

'Crockett's Theme' was another track from the soundtrack of the TV series 'Miami Vice', with which Jan Hammer made his name in the mid-Eighties. The initial version of the theme first appeared in the episode 'Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List' which aired on October 19, 1984 in the USA.

Released as a single, the track hit number 2 in the UK singles chart and topped the charts in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1038
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Crockett's theme' / 'Miami Vice: New York theme'

Strange way - All about Eve

'Strange way' was the song that started it all for All about Eve mark 2, featuring Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars instead of Tim Bricheno. Like Julianne Regan commented in 1998: 'On the very first day in the unglamorous King's Cross rehearsal room, within the first hour of playing, Andy, Mark and Marty had written the music to 'Strange way'. I was in a state of absolute delight. To see this instant musical chemisty develop right in front of me and to feel and be involved in this great natural rapport that was happening was, after the recent miseries we'd been through, nothing short of wonderful.'

Unfortunately, this great single release (with a marvellous B-side!) was not rewarded by the UK audience: the single stalled at number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1529
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, September 28, 1991
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Strange way' / 'Drawn to earth'

Voyage voyage - Desireless

Desireless was born as Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop on December 25, 1952 in Paris, France. In 1983, she met Jean-Michel Rivat, a composer and record producer who had already made his name working with Michel Delpech, France Gall and Patrick Juvet, amongst others.

In 1986, Rivat composed 'Voyage Voyage', a synthpop song that topped the charts in many European countries, and even reached number five in the UK Singles Chart — a rare feat for a French-language song, although this was a remix of the original entry, which made number 53 in the UK.

I have both releases: the original one (pictured above) and the UK remix version (pictured below). Having heard the two singles, I still can't quite figure out the difference between the two. Maybe if you play it loud...?

Original version
My collection: 7" single no. 3144
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 18, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Remix version
My collection: 7" single no. 2487
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Voyage voyage (remix)' / 'Destin fragile (instrumental)'

Only time will tell - Earth and Fire

'Only time will tell' was the second single taken from Earth & Fire's 1974 album 'To the world of the future' and the first of their hit singles not to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. The single peaked at number 12, which may be explained by the slightly more complicated 'stop/start' structure of the song.

The track still sounds epic, like most of the band's work in the Seventies. I discovered the single a decade after its release and was immediately hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 862
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 2, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Only time will tell' / 'Fun'

What a fool believes - The Doobie Brothers

Although originally released in 1979, 'What a fool believes' only made the Dutch chart upon its reissue in 1986. It reached number 12, which is a better placing than the two in the UK in 1979 and 1986, when it reached number 31 and 57 respectively. In the USA, 'What a fool believes' was one of the few non-disco hits to top the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

The song was written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald and recorded on the 1978 Doobie Brothers album 'Minute by minute', with McDonald performing lead vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1336
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'What a fool believes' / 'Don't stop to watch the wheels'

Wijs me de weg - Humphrey Campbell

In 1991, the Netherlands did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest because it was organised on May 4, traditionally a national holiday in Remembrance of the dead from World War II. In 1992, the country returned to the Contest with Humphrey Campbell's 'Wijs me de weg'. Campbell was chosen during a national final in which ten artists sang ten different songs.

'Wijs me de weg' was written by producer Edwin Schimscheimer. At the close of the voting, the song received 67 points, finishing 9th in a field of 23 participants. The energetic live version must have contributed to this success. On the record, the song sounds unbelievably flat. 'Wijs me de weg' did not chart in the Netherlands. This was also the last Dutch song for Eurovision that was released on the 7" vinyl format.

My collection: 7" single no. 3854
Found: 45toeren.nl, received July 16, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Wijs me de weg' / 'Open your eyes'

Manchild - Neneh Cherry

Neneh Cherry was born as Neneh Marianne Karlsson on March 10, 1964. She dropped out of school at 14 and moved to London, where she joined the punk rock band The Cherries. She then moved through several bands, including The Slits, New Age Steppers, Rip Rig & Panic, and Float Up CP.

She began a solo career with 'Stop the war', a protest song about the Falkland Islands. She also worked with The The and musician Cameron McVey, who co-wrote most of her debut album 'Raw like sushi', and whom she would eventually marry. After having had a big seller with 'Buffalo stance', the first single from 'Raw like sushi', she released the slower 'Manchild'. The song actually had a melody, although some irritating raps were still in the song. Despite this, I decided to buy the single. I wasn't the only one: the single peaked at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 925
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 1, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Manchild' / 'Manchild (Original mix)'

A love bizarre - Sheila E

Taken from Sheila E.'s second solo album 'Romance 1600' (1985), 'A love bizarre' was written and produced by Sheila E. and Prince. Prince also sings on the track. On the album, the track is over 12 minutes long, while the single version is one third of that length.

The single became Sheila E.'s last major hit, peaking at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 422
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'A love bizarre' / 'A love bizarre (part 2)'

Can't take my eyes off you - Boys Town Gang

The Boys Town Gang were formed in 1980 by DJ Bill Motley, who saw an opportunity to form a group that catered to San Francisco's large gay clientele. Over the years the formation of the group changed a lot.

Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, 'Can't take my eyes off you' was originally a hit single for Frankie Valli in 1967. The Boys Town Gang made a disco cover of the song in 1982, which gave them a number one hit in the Netherlands. I rediscovered the tune in 1992, when I literally couldn't take my eyes off a girl I saw daily in school. This is the theme song of that temporary obsession.

My collection: 7" single no. 1783
Found: November 7, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Can't take my eyes off you' / 'Can't take my eyes off you (reprise)'

Let's talk about me - Alan Parsons Project

'Let's talk about me' is a single taken from the Alan Parsons Project album 'Vulture culture'. The song was composed by Eric Woolfson and Alan Parsons from the band. The song features voice-over commentary from Lee Abrams, credited on the album as 'Mr. Laser Beam' (an anagram of his name).

The B-side 'Hawkeye' is mostly an instrumental but contains a line from Monica, a woman working at the canteen in Abbey Road Studios. The line she says is: "Only what's on the menu". The single reached number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1268
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Let's talk about me' / 'Hawkeye'

They don't care about us - Michael Jackson

'They don't care about us' was released as the fourth single from Michael Jackson's album 'History'. The song attracted a lot of critiism for its lyric, which includes the line 'Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me'. The word 'kike' is an offensive term referring to a jew. Jackson responded to the allegations of antisemitism several times in the American media, commenting: 'The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted.'

In the end, the song was censored. In this single version, the words 'Jew me sue me' are replaced with 'Sue me sue me' and the words 'Kick me, kike me' are replaced with 'Kick me, kick me'. There's also a different censored version in which the offensive words are replaced by loud sounds.

This vinyl single was an utter surprise to me. As far as I knew, 'You are not alone' was the last Jackson single from 'History' released on vinyl. This copy has no picture sleeve, but it does have a 'normal' label (something which is omitted from later 'jukebox' releases). The single, meanwhile, reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, and number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3851
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'They don't care about us (LP edit)' / 'They don'tcare about us (Love to Infinity's Walk in the Park radio mix)'

Live to tell - Madonna

'Live to tell' was originally written by Patrick Leonard for the soundtrack of Paramount's romantic drama film 'Fire with fire', but after the company declined it, Leonard showed the song to Madonna. She decided to use it for 'At close range', the new film of her then-husband, actor Sean Penn. Madonna made a demo of the song, which the film's director, James Foley, after hearing, asked Leonard to write the score for the film, as suggested by Madonna.

The song was produced by Leonard and Madonna for her third studio album 'True blue' (1986). Released as its first single, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single managed to reach number 3. I liked the song a lot, despite the limited vocal skills of the performer. Someone with a stronger voice would have made this an absolutely overpowering ballad.

My collection: 7" single no. 2599
Found: Grammafoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Live to tell' / 'Live to tell (instrumental)'

I want your love - Chic

'I want your love' was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The track appeared on Chic's 1978 album 'C'est Chic'. It was originally intended for then-protégés, Sister Sledge. The single was slightly less successful than their previous single 'Le freak'.

It peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single peaked at number 4, making it the biggest hit from the band in that country. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 14. I hated the song in 1978, but a decade later I changed my mind.

My collection: 7" single no. 937
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 7, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I want your love' / '(Funny) bone'

Straight on - Heart

After the sales of their third album 'Magazine' were disappointing, Heart bounced back with their fourth one, 'Dog & Butterfly'. The album reached number 17 on the US albums chart.

'Straight on' was released as the first single from the album. However unsuccessful in Europe, the single peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 2243
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Straight on' / 'Lighter touch'

Amiga Quartett - Sandra

Here's another one of those Amiga Quartett EP's. Following her success in the Western part of Germany, the state-run record company of Eastern Germany decided to release this EP with four of her biggest hits. Judging from the cover, the single was released around the same time as Sandra's compilation album 'Ten on one'. As usual, the disc and the sleeve of this release do not state any year of manufacture.

The single has become quite a treasure in my collection, since East Germany (or the GDR as it is usually called) does not exist anymore. Which was also true when I bought this, actually.

My collection: 7" single no. 2400
Found: Record fair, July 8, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Everlasting love', 'Little girl' / 'Maria Magdalena', 'Midnight man'

Super trouper - Abba

'Super trouper' is a name for gigantic spotlights used in stadium concerts and such. While Abba were never fond of performing live, the lyric seems to suggest that they 'feel like a number one' when they perform live. But in typical Abba style, the happy and upbeat song hides a darker and sadder subtext.

The music video for 'Super trouper' featured the largest number of artists the group ever used in a video. Other than Abba and their friends, the rest were from a circus troupe based in the UK. Group photos were made for the sleeve of this single and also for the album cover of 'Super trouper', where this single was drawn from. The single topped the charts in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 173
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Super trouper' / 'The piper'

The sun rising - The Beloved

On my birthday in 1990 I bought the album 'Happiness' by the Beloved. It's one of the most uplifting, positive and beautiful albums in my collection. Despite the fact that it's a dance-oriented work, the lyrics are intelligent, the music is beautiful and the rhythms are never overwhelming.

There is one exception, of course, and that's 'The sun rising'. The song is a bit repetitive and will no doubt have filled the dancefloors in the XTC-infested house scene that was dominating the clubs in 1989. The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart, meaning that after years of struggling, the Beloved had finally made their mark in the music business. They would finally have some success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1264
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The sun rising' / 'The sun rising (Eurovisionary)'

Zoom - Fat Larry's Band

Fat Larry's Band was formed by 'Fat' Larry James (August 2, 1949 - December 5, 1987). He recruited Art Capehart, Doug Jones, Jimmy Lee, Ted Cohen, Darryl Grant, Larry La Bes and Erskine Williams to form his band. They performed R&B and funk tracks between 1977 and 1987. The band folded when its founder died.

Their biggest (and only) hit in the Netherlands was the ballad 'Zoom', released in the autumn of 1982. It reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2424
Found: All that music, Leiden, July 22, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Zoom' / 'House party'

It doesn't have to be - Erasure

'It doesn't have to be' was released as the second single from Erasure's second album 'The circus' (1987). Written by the band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the track features Clarke's signature synthesizer programming along with a prominent acoustic guitar. Bell's lyrics touch upon patching up an argument between two people in a relationship.

The single peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the German singles chart. In the Netherlands, it was only a minor success, peaking at number 38 in the Dutch Top 40.
The single's B-side, 'In the hall of the mountain king', is an excerpt from Grieg's Peer Gynt suite as performed by Vince Clarke.

My collection: 7" single no. 2547
Found: London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'It doesn't have to be' / 'In the hall of the mountain king'

I like Chopin - Gazebo

Paul Mazzolini was born on February 18, 1960 in Beirut, Libanon as the son of an Italian diplomat and an American singer. He learned to play the guitar at 10 to impress a girl in his class.

He used the stage name Gazebo when he started his solo career in 1982. 'I like Chopin', released a year later, became an international success. The piano motif in the song is not a Chopin composition; actually the entire song was composed by Pierluigi Giombini. The single reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 216
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I like Chopin' / 'I like Chopin (instrumental)'

Words - F.R. David

F.R. David was born as Eli Robert Fitoussi on January 1, 1947 in Menzel Bourguiba, Tunisia.During the Seventies, he was a member of the French rock band Les Variations. After this, he went solo, always wearing his trademark sunglasses and a white Fender Stratocaster guitar.

His single 'Words', released in 1982, became his trademark song when it sold eight million copies worldwide. It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. The song actually topped the charts in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway.

My collection: 7" single no. 1767
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Words' / 'When the sun goes down'

Your latest trick - Dire Straits

'Your latest trick' is a track from the classic Dire Straits album 'Brothers in arms'. It was released as a single in the UK, with all the royalties from the sale of the record donated to 'the hospitals for sick children'. Whether this helped a lot remains to be seen: the single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart, with only six weeks in the chart not one of the band's biggest hits.

The saxophone solo on the track was performed by Michael Brecker, an American jazz saxophonist who worked with many famous contemporaries including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, George Benson, Quincy Jones and Pat Metheny.

My collection: 7" single no. 2205
Found: Record fair, October 9, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Your latest trick' / 'Irish boy', 'The road'

Blood on the dancefloor - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson recorded 'Blood on the dancefloor' in 1991, during the sessions for his eighth album 'Dangerous'. The song was written by Michael Jackosn, but producer Teddy Riley came up with the title. It failed to make the final track listing of the album, but in 1997 it became the title track of Jackson's remix album, released after the double album 'History'.

Riley was reportedly upset that Jackson didn't call him to 'vacuum clean this old master'. Riley wanted to update the musical composition before it appeared on the remix album. The song was released as the first single from the album and reached number 42 in the US Billboard Hot 100. It was more successful in the UK, where the single topped the singles chart and in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 7.

Like 'History', which I found recently as well, this is a very rare single, released only for jukebox purposes, apparently.

My collection: 7" single no. 3853
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Blood on the dancefloor' / 'Blood on the dancefloor (Refugee Camp edit)'

More than one kind of love - Joan Armatrading

Around 1990 it happened regularly that I spotted a music video on one of the music channels (MTV Europe or Super Channel, the two that were most popular back then) and decided right away to buy the single. I happened by some interesting tracks that way.

I thought Joan Armatrading had long since stopped making music when I saw 'More than one kind of love' on television in 1990. I think the video was shown only once - at least, that I saw - and the success of the single wasn't great either: it reached number 75 during a one week run in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1257
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, September 5, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'More than one kind of love' / 'Love and affection (live)'

Go insane - Lindsey Buckingham

After ending his seven year relationship with Carol Ann Harris, Lindsey Buckingham released his second solo album 'Go insane'. The title track was released as a single, with a rather interesting music video to promote it.

The single became a modest hit, reaching number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the single did not chart in Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 279
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Go insane' / 'Play in the rain'

Joey - Beverley Craven

Beverley Craven's later work would be the housewife's wet dream, as the lyrics were all about homely subjects: period pains, faithful wifes and of course... children. However, her second single 'Joey', which was still quite listenable, was an early sign of this danger: the song was about her dog.

The audiences in different countries were not amused, and so the single flopped mercilessly. It's a shame, because the B-side is actually one of the best songs of her career!

My collection: 7" single no. 1959
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Joey' / 'It doesn't have to end this way'

The worker - Fischer Z

The biggest hit by Fischer Z was 'The worker'. It peaked at number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was remixed for the single, putting the emphasis on the keyboard parts instead of the bass and guitar parts.

The song was one of the few singles during that time to go down in the charts after being featured in the BBC chart show 'Top of the pops'.

My collection: 7" single no. 845
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The worker' / 'Kitten curry'

Wouldn't it be good - Nik Kershaw

'Wouldn't it be good' was released as the second single from Nik Kershaw's debut album 'Human racing' (1984). The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 24.

Kershaw performed the song live at Live Aid in July 1985. The song was covered by various acts including Placebo, Cascada and Soulwax.

My collection: 7" single no. 2762
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Wouldn't it be good' / 'Monkey business'

Uit vrije wil - Het Goede Doel

In 1988, the Dutch government launched an advertising campaign to stimulate the use of condoms. This was in the time when Aids was a relatively new phenomenon and safe sex was considered to be the only way to avoid an almost certain death. The campaign used the image of a bee and a flower, which was considered, shortly thereafter, a stupid move.

Be that as it may, the song 'Uit vrije wil' ('Free will') by Het Goede Doel tied in to the campaign, and was essentially a song about safe sex. The single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 635
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Uit vrije wil' / 'Uit vrije wil (instrumentaal)'

The days of Pearly Spencer - Marc Almond

Marc Almond recorded a cover version of David McWilliams' 1967 single 'The days of Pearly Spencer' on his 1992 album 'Tenement Symphony'. Unlike the original, this became a top 10 hit for Almond, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart. It would also prove to be Almond's last top 10 hit in the UK.

At the time of buying this single, I only knew the original version. I assumed that Marc Almond would do a decent job with his cover version. Fortunately, I was not wrong.

My collection: 7" single no. 1619
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The days of Pearly Spencer' / 'Bruises'

Days of Pearly Spencer - David McWilliams

David McWilliams was born on July 4, 1945. He recorded his first single in 1966 and recorded three albums in two years. All three albums managed to reach the lower regions of the UK albums chart, but single success never followed.

Nonetheless, his 1967 single 'Days of Pearly Spencer' became a classic of its time. The lyric was inspired by the fate of a homeless friend of McWilliams. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. McWilliams died of a heart attack at his home in Ballycastle, County Antrim in 2002, at the age of 56.

My collection: 7" single no. 1646
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Days of Pearly Spencer' / 'Poverty street'

Master Blaster (Jammin') - Stevie Wonder

'Master Blaster (Jammin')' was released by Stevie Wonder in 1980, taken from his album 'Hotter than July'. The song, built on a heavy reggae rhythm, was an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley. Wonder had been performing with Marley a few times in concerts (and actually billed him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of the year.

'Master Blaster' became a major hit, reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1065
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Master Blaster (Jammin')' / 'Master Blaster (dub)'

This corrosion - The Sisters of Mercy

'This corrosion' was the first single from the Sisters of Mercy's 1987 album 'Floodland'. The song was written by Andrew Eldritch. The lyric concerns the leaving of band members to form a new band, The Mission.

Produced by Jim Steinman, the track was constructed as a very impressive piece, incorporating a 40 piece orchestra, a choir, and lasting over ten minutes. For this single, the song was drastically edited. Peaking at number 7, the track became one of only two top 10 hit singles in the UK for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 1964
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'This corrosion' / 'Torch'

Hora - Avi Toledano

Avi Toledano was born in Morocco on April 4, 1948. His music career in Israel in the Eighties seemed to revolve around the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1981 he sang 'Carneval' in the national final, reaching third place. In 1982 he won the national selection and represented Israel with 'Hora'. He finished in second place, although a considerable distance behind the German winner, Nicole.

In 1983 Toledano composed the song that represented Israel in Munich, 'Hi', performed by Ofra Haza. He also wrote Israel's 1986 song 'Lechaim', performed by Chaim Moshe. In 1989 Toledano performed in the Israeli final himself and took second place with the song 'Dayenu'.

My collection: 7" single no. 202
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hora (English version)' / 'Hora (Hebrew version)'

Miami Vice theme - Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer was born on April 17, 1948 in Prague. After having been in several bands and returning to solo work every now and again, he finally hit the big time in 1985 after he composed the theme tune for the TV series 'Miami Vice'.

It was first heard by the public in September 1984 and released as a single in 1985, peaking at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40. In 1986, Hammer won Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 3315
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Miami Vice theme' / 'Miami Vice theme (TV version)', 'Miami Vice theme'

Girls and Cadillacs - Albert West

Released in 1980, I always interpreted Albert West's song 'Girls and Cadillacs' as the story of a fallen popstar. 'Goodbye to girls and Cadillacs / I had my share and I had a ball'. The sleeve was rather appropriate with all the carwrecks, but I did wonder where the girls were in that picture.

The single was Albert West's first hit since 'Listen' (1977), peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 68
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Girls and Cadillacs' / 'Sunday rosas'

Weak in the presence of beauty - Floy Joy

'Floy Joy' is the name of a 1972 album by the Supremes. It's also the name of the band that debuted in 1986 with the single 'Weak in the presence of beauty'. This single did not chart, but when Alison Moyet recorded a version of that song, it shot to number 6 in the UK singles chart.

I bought two versions of the single: the regular German pressing pictured here and a limited edition UK single on which one side could be used as a mirror. Like the accompanying card says: 'You too can grow weak in the presence of beauty'!

My collection: 7" single no. 708
Found: December 22, 1988
Cost: 0,5 guilder
Tracks: 'Weak in the presence of beauty' / 'You and me'

Tell me your plans - The Shirts

Annie Golden, Ronald Ardito, Artie La Monica, Robert Racioppo, John Piccolo and John Criscione formed The Shirts in the mid-Seventies. Their debut album 'The Shirts' was recorded in London and released in early 1978. The album became very popular in Europe.

The first single, 'Tell me your plans' reached number 4 in the Netherlands after a chewing gum-gnawing Annie Golden appeared alongside her band in the popular weekly music show Toppop.

My collection: 7" single no. 631
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tell me your plans' / 'Cyrinda'

Dogs of lust - The The

In 1992, The The released the album 'Dusk'.The first single to be taken from the album was 'Dogs of lust'. The 7" vinyl was released in the UK only in a limited edition pressed on pink marbled vinyl. Whether this helped the sales is unknown, but the single peaked at number 25 in the UK.

The band would release two further singles from the album, but those were not released on vinyl anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 1850
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Dogs of lust' / 'The violence of truth (remix)'

Farewell mr. Sorrow - All about Eve

In 1990, guitarist Tim Bricheno left All about Eve to join the Sisters of Mercy. He was replaced by Marty Willson-Piper, who had worked with The Church. With this new guitarist, the band was pressured into becoming 'some sort of Fleetwood Mac', according to singer Julianne Regan. They resisted the pressure from the record company and instead made an album that was partly true to their own sound but also had definite influences from their new guitarist.

The clear-sounding, upbeat 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' was drawn as the first single from the album 'Touched by Jesus', and reached number 36 in the UK singles chart, which was a reasonable placing, considering their previous singles had peaked at number 34. Still, difficult times were ahead for the band...

My collection: 7" single no. 1454
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 22, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Farewell mr. Sorrow' / 'Elizabeth of glass'

Take me to the fire - This Island Earth

While I was searching for 'See that glow' by This Island Earth, I came across this follow-up single, 'Take me to the fire' repeatedly. At some point I got so tired of it, that I decided to buy this one. Sometimes the irony of buying records is that you get the ones you don't want quicker than the ones you do want.

'Take me to the fire' is not a bad song per se, but it's easy to see why it didn't reach the UK singles chart like the previous single did.

My collection: 7" single no. 932
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Take me to the fire' / 'Pearl of love'

Ooh, yes I do - Luv'

The girl trio Luv' was churning out hit after hit in 1979, at the height of their popularity. Not everything they did was highly inspired, but at least every single song they recorded was a happy, positive track.

'Ooh, yes I do' was released in October 1979 and reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 38
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ooh yes I do' / 'My guy'

Sowing the seeds of love - Tears for Fears

'Sowing the seeds of love' was released as the first single from Tears for Fears' third album 'The seeds of love'. The song was in essence a pastiche of the Beatles sound of the second half of the Sixties, a style the band would also stick to in their reunion cd 'Everybody loves a happy ending' released a couple of years ago.

The single was a wordwide success, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The B-side 'Tears roll down' was a demo version of a track the band would record as 'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' a few years later for the compilation album 'Tears roll down (Greatest hits 82-92)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 988
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sowing the seeds of love' / 'Tears roll down'

If you leave me now - Chicago

'If you leave me now' was released by the American band Chicago on their 1976 album 'Chicago X'. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976.

The single topped the US charts on October 23, 1976 and stayed there for two weeks, making it the first number one hit in America for the group. It also reached the number one spot in the UK and the Netherlands. The single went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.

My collection: 7" single no. 1804
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, December 19, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'If you leave me now' / 'Make me smile'

My unknown love - Count Indigo

'My unknown love' by Count Indigo was produced by Mike Flowers and has that unmistakable retro sound that made the Mike Flowers Pops so popular circa 1995. Despite this, the single by the Count only reached the UK singles chart for only one week, at number 59.

I bought this 10" single during a holiday in London. I would obviously have preferred a 7" single, but since this was the only release on vinyl I thought I should have this.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'My unknown love' / 'My unknown love (Memory lapse mix)', 'My unknown love (Duelling Martini mix)'

What's a matter baby - Ellen Foley

Ellen Foley was born on June 5, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). She gained high public recognition singing the duet with Meat Loaf on the hit single 'Paradise by the dashboard light' from the 1977 album Bat out of Hell. Although Karla DeVito is featured on the music video, DeVito is lip synching to Foley's vocals.

Ellen Foley's debut album 'Nightout' was released in 1979. It featured the hit single 'What's a matter baby', a hit that peaked at number 7 in the Netherlands. The album was produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson. Foley recorded a duet with Ian Hunter in 1980: 'We gotta get out of here'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1972
Found: October 16, 1993
Cost: 0,25 guilders
Tracks: 'What's a matter baby' / 'Hideaway'