Don't cry for me Argentina - Julie Covington

The musical 'Evita', written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, began life as an album before ever taking form on the British stage. Julie Covington first sang 'Don’t cry for me Argentina' for the original 1976 studio release. The single with the Julie Covington recording reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

Initially there had been concerns that the song sounded a little too boring for commercial chart success - despite being considered to be the best song to promote the album. There was so much concern that Julie Covington even recorded a version with alternative lines, however in the end the original version was released for the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 661
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 1, 1988
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't cry for me Argentina' / 'Rainbow high'

Love comes quickly - Pet Shop Boys

'Love comes quickly' was released as the third single from the Pet Shop Boys' debut album 'Please'. Although it was a top 20 hit in the UK, its chart performance was disappointing, given that it followed the worldwide number one, 'West end girls'. The song is about the inevitability of falling in love, even for those who deliberately shun the idea.

The B-side, 'That's my impression' was written in a basement in Camden Town (London) where the duo wrote all their early songs. Neil Tennant commented: 'When we'd written the music, I took the words of a song I'd written in the Seventies and just changed them to fit the tune. Rather enigmatic words.'

My collection: 7" single no. 420
Found: V&D, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Love comes quickly' / 'That's my impression'

Rockin' back inside my heart - Julee Cruise

'Rockin' back inside my heart' was released as the second single from Julee Cruise's 1989 debut album 'Floating into the night'. David Lynch wrote the lyrics for the song and Angelo Badalamenti composed the music.

The song was featured prominently in the long-anticipated Twin Peaks episode in which the killer of Laura Palmer was finally revealed after a year of anxious, media-driven anticipation. The single, meanwhile, was a modest hit in the UK singles chart, stalling at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 1935
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, July 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rockin' back inside my heart (edit)' / 'Falling'

Tell me tomorrow - Princess

Released in May 1986, 'Tell me tomorrow' was the last UK top 40 hit for Princess, peaking at number 34. The track was again produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the hottest pop producers at the time. Princess would have two more chart hits, but in the lower regions of the UK singles chart.

The B-side single contains the original demo version of her biggest hit, the debut single 'Say I'm your number one'.

My collection: 7" single no. 461
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Tell me tomorrow' / 'Say I'm your number one (original demo)'

Under the gun - Sisters of Mercy

Lord of darkness Andrew Eldritch invited Terri Nunn for vocals on this single, the ominous 'Under the gun'. Nunn is best known for her work in the band Berlin.

'Under the gun' was a new track on the compilation album 'A slight case of overbombing: greatest hits vol. 1' (1993). The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart, and was the last hit single for the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 2007
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Under the gun' / 'Alice (1993)'

Ann-Maria - Luv'

Luv' released their seventh consecutive hit single in February 1980. The girl trio were doing great business, performing live wherever they could and appearing in almost every TV programme in the Netherlands.

This single was a Mexican-flavoured popsong, using all the cliches of mariachi bands and the like. The single peaked at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and also appeared in several European charts. On the sleeve, the girls looked rather posh.

My collection: 7" single no. 33
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Ann-Maria' / 'Flash'

Maxou - Vanessa Paradis

I saw the music video for Vanessa Paradis' single 'Maxou' a couple of times in 1988 or 1989, and the song always stuck in my mind. The video was very cute (although it is a bit risqué with all those sensual images of a very young girl) and the music was very beautiful.

After I'd found the cd of the album 'M&J' I started searching for the 7" singles as well. In the Netherlands they were very difficult to get a hold of, because Paradis was a star in France only after her international hit 'Joe le taxi'. But I succeeded. The single also contains the best album track on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2262
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Maxou (remix)' / 'Le bon dieu est un marin'

I wanna get back with you - Tom Jones featuring Tori Amos

Tom Jones had just had a reasonable hit with the atrocious 'If I only knew' when he released this duet with Tori Amos as the second single from his 1994 album 'The lead and how to swing it'. It was a smart move: Tori Amos had just become the hottest thing since sliced bread and the appeal to a younger audience would be massive... or so the record company must have thought.

The single did not chart, which is quite logical when you hear the stuff that Diane Warren has composed and written. Warren has a monopoly on cliched pop ballads. Sometimes they are effective, in that audiences fall for it, but this time around, they didn't.

My collection: 7" single no. 2260
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'I wanna get back with you' / 'If I only knew'

Snobbery and decay - Act

Not only do I have the 7" single of 'Snobbery and decay', I've got the 12" single too! Quite a feat, because these things became increasinly expensive during the Nineties, when record buyers were finally catching on to the phenomenon Act. According to Claudia Brücken: 'The whole idea was based on a programme called 'Lifestyles of the rich and famous'. That was when we discovered how much we wanted to write about that idea and what a great introduction it would be for Thomas and me to have a duet as a first single. Two characters talking about that whole thing.'

This 12" single also features a cover of 'I'd be surprisingly good for you' from the musical 'Evita', chosen according to Thomas Leer, because 'we both dislike Andrew Lloyd Webber intensely. We wanted to do something from a musical, something that was crap and that we could make great. It also fitted the idea of the package.'

My collection: 12" single no. 510
Found: ?
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Snobbery and decay (That's entertainment)' / 'Poison', 'I'd be surprisingly good for you'

Dance away - Roxy Music

'Dance away' was released as the second single from Roxy Music's 1979 album 'Manifesto'. The single reached number 2 on the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 the single reached number 44.

The record shop where I bought this single is one of my most vivid memories of a shop ever. The place stank of urine (probably from the dog who was walking around there), there were boxes with singles everywhere and the state of most of them was deplorable. I rescued a few titles I really wanted to have and got out of there. Pity I don't remember the name of the place...

My collection: 7" single no. 856
Found: Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Dance away' / 'Cry cry cry'

Woman in chains - Tears for Fears

'Woman in chains' was the second single from Tears for Fears' 1989 album 'The seeds of love'. Band members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith discovered Oleta Adams while she was singing in a seedy bar somewhere in America. They decided that she had to work with them on the album, and 'Woman in chains' was one of two tracks on which she appeared. The track features Phil Collins on drums.

Roland Orzabal explained about the lyric: 'The song is also about how men traditionally play down the feminine side of their characters and how both men and women suffer for it.... I think men in a patriarchal society are sold down the river a bit - okay, maybe we're told that we're in control but there are also a hell of a lot of things that we miss out on, which women are allowed to be.' The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1115
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Woman in chains' / 'Always in the past'

In 't leven - Het Goede Doel

'In 't leven' ('In life') was the debut single of Het Goede Doel, a Dutch band formed by Henk Temming and Henk Westbroek. The lyric of the song described a one night stand, initiated by a woman who was interested in love nor money. The singer finds himself smelling the sweat of her body when he's eating a sandwich a few days later.

The single did not chart in the Dutch Top 40, despite repeated airplay in 1982, when it was released. Things turned out alright for the band: they would have a dozen hit singles during the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 3761
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'In 't leven' / 'Alleen'

Same old story - Ultravox

Released in September 1986, 'Same old story' was the first single from Ultravox's final album in the classic line-up with Midge Ure, 'U-vox'. The band moved away from their previous synth-based pop songs and showcased a more rock-oriented sound on this single.

The single wasn't a big hit for the band, peaking at number 31 in the UK singles chart. This limited edition version of the single is a nice item: the outer pvc sleeve has stripes on it, with which you can make the inner sleeve 'invisible', i.e. just a green square and no letters.

My collection: 7" single no. 2457
Found: Record fair, September 9, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Same old story' / '3'

The downtown lights - The Blue Nile

In 1989, the Scottish band The Blue Nile released their second album after five years of absence from the music scene. It was accepted by music critics with rave reviews, including a rare five-star rating from the UK's Q magazine.

The lead single from the album was 'The downtown lights', one of the few up-tempo tracks from the album. For the first time, the band reached the UK singles chart at number 67 during a one week chart run. The track was later covered by Annie Lennox on her second album 'Medusa'.

My collection: 7" single no. 990
Found: Tower Records, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The downtown lights' / 'The wires are down'

Together forever - Rick Astley

'Together forever' was the fourth single from Rick Astley's debut album 'Whenever you need somebody'. The track was remixed for the single by Pete Hammond.

The single reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and number 2 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 2445
Found: September 2, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Together forever (Lover's leap remix)' / 'I'll never set you free'

I've got you under my skin - Neneh Cherry

In 1990, the album 'Red Hot and Blue' was released in order to raise funds for AIDS research. Twenty artists contributed cover versions of Cole Porter songs to the album. Neneh Cherry's version of 'I've got you under my skin' was released as the lead single from the album.

She did a rather creative cover version of the track, with some added raps and lyrics, a strong bassline and a little less melody. Still, the track stands up well. The single reached number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2136
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, August 2, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I've got you under my skin' / 'I've got you under my skin (instrumental)'

Get on your feet - Gloria Estefan

Such is the nature of my record collection, that I sometimes buy a single I moderately like when the limited edition version is attractive enough. This single came in a foldout box set with four postcards. The price was right, so I bought it.

'Get on your feet' is taken from Gloria Estefan's album 'Cuts both ways'. The single peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2909
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Get on your feet' / '1, 2, 3 (live)'

Nothin' at all - Heart

'Nothin' at all' was the fourth single taken from Heart's self-titled 1985 album. It is a love song which describes a new relationship which falls into place without effort or conflict. The track was remixed for this single. In the remix, a vibrant alternate lead vocal take from Ann Wilson is featured with striking embellishments; Howard Leese's guitar solo is vastly different.

The single hit number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It only managed to reach number 76 on the UK singles chart, but a reissue in 1988 managed to reach number 38. The B-side of this single is a rather curious choice: the track was taken from Heart's 1978 album 'Magazine'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2473
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Nothin' at all (remix)' / 'I've got the music in me'

Different air - Living in a box

'Different air' was the last single by Living in a box to reach the UK singles chart, albeit at number 57 only. After the ballad hit 'Room in your heart', this single was a decidedly middle of the road track, that didn't touch a lot of people.

Artistic differences, as well as changes to their record label Chrysalis, caused the band to break up in 1990 before they could record a third album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1146
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Different air' / 'All the difference in the world'

That girl - Stevie Wonder

I depend on my photographic memory when it comes to buying records for my collection. This doesn't always work, as is demonstrated with this single. I bought the German pressing of 'That girl' (pictured above) back in 1989. A decade later, I found the UK version of that same title (pictured below), but because the sleeve was so different, I didn't recognise it and bought it again (I didn't register where and when, so that data is missing below). The French version has a different sleeve, so I'll have to watch out that I won't buy that one too in the future.

The 1982 release 'That girl' was the lead single from Stevie Wonder's Greatest Hits compilation, 'Original Musiquarium' as one of four new songs from the collection. The single reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 39 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 797
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'That girl' / 'All I do'

Frozen - Madonna

While recording the movie 'Evita', Madonna had finally had some much-needed vocal coaching. After more than a decade in music, she finally learned how to handle her voice during singing. The effects didn't wear off immediately, as shown on her 1998 album 'Ray of light'. The first single from that album was 'Frozen', showing a remarkable change in direction: from superficial pop to melodic trance. Producer William Orbit had a lot to do with this, of course.

Seemingly recorded with Animal from the Muppets on drums, 'Frozen' reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. This American 7" single is probably the only 7" single that exists as the format had been abondoned in almost every territory by 1998.

My collection: 7" single no. 3021
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 8, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Frozen' / 'Shanti/Ashtangi'

Is it any wonder? - Keane

Since this single is also included in the box set for 'Atlantic', I've got two copies of it. But originally I bought this single soon after it came out in 2006. The song was written about the war in Iraq. Tim Rice-Oxley explained: 'It's probably the one song that most expresses our dismay and confusion about what it means to be a British citizen, in terms of what our society's contributing to the world at large. It's very hard to make sense of why Britain feels it needs to sign up with George Bush's attacks on Iraq and the whole Afghanistan thing. It feels like there's a whole lot of trouble brewing up over Iran, and you just don't know where it's going to end. On a personal level, for people of our age, it's really unsettling...'

The single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart. It reached number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 during an amazing 17 week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 3438
Found: HMV, London, June 19, 2006
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Is it any wonder?' / 'Let it slide'

A different corner - George Michael

George Michael released his second solo single 'A different corner' in April 1986, while still a member of Wham!, although their farewell concert had already been announced. This song was written, arranged and produced by George Michael himself and the sleeve proclaimed that the song was 'dedicated to a memory'. It is rumoured that the song was written about his brief relationship with Pat Fernandez. Fernandez appeared in the Wham! videos 'Wake me up before you go-go' (as one of the dancers with Pepsi and Shirlie) and 'Last Christmas'.

The single was another number one hit for George Michael, in the Netherlands, the UK and Norway. It also reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100. I recently bought the 12" single but found out that the tracks on it are exactly the same as the ones on the 7" single I've had for 20 years.

My collection: 7" single no. 880 / 12" single no. 507
Found: All that music, Leiden, June 16, 1989 / Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 3 guilders / 2 euro
Tracks: 'A different corner' / 'A different corner (instrumental)'

Reputation - Dusty Springfield

After her success with the Pet Shop Boys in 1987 and 1989, Dusty Springfield finally returned to recording music after an absence from the music business for almost 20 years. The resulting album, 'Reputation' was released in June 1990. The album included the previous two hits 'Nothing has been proved' and 'In private'. This single, 'Reputation' was the title track and the first single by Springfield circa 1990 that was not produced by the Pet Shop Boys.

Perhaps that was why the single only managed to reach number 38 in the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, the album reached number 18 in the UK albums chart, finally resurrecting Springfield's career once and for all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2436
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, August 19, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Reputation' / 'Rep u dub 1'

Move to Memphis - A-ha

'Move to Memphis' was a new track by A-ha, released in 1991 to coincide with the release of 'Headlines and deadlines', their first ever compilation album. The single showed a more mature-sounding A-ha than ever before, already foreshadowing what their next album would sound like. A a new version of 'Move to Memphis' would actually appear on that next album.

The single became A-ha's least successful release up until then, only managing to reach number 47 in the UK singles chart during a two week chart run. The single didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1559
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 14, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Move to Memphis' / 'Crying in the rain (live)'

Goodbye girl - David Gates

'Goodbye girl' was the title track from David Gates' third solo album, released in 1978. The former Bread lead singer recorded only six new tracks for the album, the other six tracks were taken from his two previous solo albums.

The single was an unsuccessful one, as it didn't chart in Europe. Gates did continue recording music, although he took a break between 1981 and 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 2249
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 4 ,1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Goodbye girl' / 'Sunday rider'

Too shy - Kajagoogoo

The English band Kajagoogoo was formed in 1979 by Nick Beggs, Steve Askew, Stuart Croxford Neale and Jez Strode. Originally named Art Nouveau, they struggled to find a record company but were unsuccessful. In 1981 they auditioned for a lead singer to add to their band and found Christopher Hamill. He made his profile catchier by using a stage name, 'Limahl', an anagram of his surname. His hairdo, blond on top and black on the sides, also helped, of course.

With this new addition, they attracted interest from record companies and got Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran to produce their debut album 'White feathers'. The debut single 'Too shy' was released in January 1983 and became a number 1 hit in the UK and Germany. In the Netherlands, the single peaked at number 4. The B-side is not a straightforward instrumental version as you might expect, but a rather interesting dub version.

My collection: 7" single no. 1941
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 11, 1993
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Too shy' / 'Too shy (instrumental)'

When am I going to make a living - Sade

I might never have become a fan of Sade's music if it wasn't for this single. I thought her debut 'Your love is king' was pretty boring, and initially I didn't like this song either when it showed up on music video TV channels. But the chorus grabbed me one day, and I found myself buying the single not long after that. It went on from there: 'Smooth operator' was kindof interesting (although I very much preferred the 12" and extended video version) and by the time 'Hang on to your love' was released, I was looking for the album.

This single reached number 12 in the Netherlands and number 36 in the UK singles chart. I'm relieved to hear that Sade is about to release a new album later this year. Well, knowing how quickly the band works, it could also be 2010.

My collection: 7" single no. 243
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'When am I going to make a living' / 'Should I love you'

Reach out I'll be there 88 remix - Four Tops

I'm not a purist by any means, but I do think that remixing Motown classics like this should be a capital offence. At the height of the Stock/Aitken/Waterman mania in the UK, Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, who worked with the trio rather often, were commissioned to make a remix of the Four Tops classic 'Reach out I'll be there'.

The remix reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. I bought the single out of curiosity during a holiday in London. The next day I found myself hurrying to a Central London hospital because of a kidney stone. I'm not sure if this is a cause and effect thing...

My collection: 7" single no. 3166
Found: House of Rhythm, London, January 18, 2000
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Reach out I'll be there 88 remix' / 'Standing in the shadows of love'

I won't let me down - Dominic

While still a member of the British group Guys & Dolls, Dominic Grant recorded a solo album in 1982, of which 'I won't let me down' was the lead single. The single was mainly a success in the Netherlands, peaking at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

The Guys & Dolls would continue as a group until 1985, after which Dominic Grant and Julie Forsyth went on as a duo - being again mostly successful in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 154
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I won't let me down' / 'Just a little in love'

It ain't necessarily so - Bronski Beat

'It ain't necessarily so' was written by George and Ira Gershwin (pictured here on the sleeve) in 1935 for the opera Porgy and Bess. In the opera, the track is sung by a drug dealer who expresses his doubt about several statements in the bible.

Covered by Bronski Beat in 1984, the song took on a whole new meaning. The gay trio used the song to make a statement about homosexuality, as some religious groups kept using the bible to attack gay people. Like the song says, 'Things that you're liable to read in the Bible, ain't necessarily so'. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1095
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'It ain't necessarily so' / 'Close to the edge'

Have I told you lately - Van Morrison

I'd like to start off this Sunday morning with some typical Sunday morning music. This romantic ballad by Van Morrison was originally written as a prayer, and it certainly contains a few religious lines. Popularly it is interpreted as a love song, often played at weddings and the like.

Released in 1989, Van Morrison reached the UK singles chart with this single for the first time in 10 years, although it only made the chart for one week at number 74. In the Netherlands, it was his biggest hit overall, peaking at number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 951
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 5, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Have I told you lately' / 'Contacting my angel'

The dreamer - All about Eve

Since All about Eve was pretty much famous in the UK only, their singles became increasingly hard to find in the Netherlands. Some shops were still selling import records in 1991, but I was unlucky with this single: the shop in Rotterdam where I got my imports only got the 12" single, cd-single and picture disc 12" (which of course I bought too).

Thankfully, my friend Puck was taking an apprenticeship in Newcastle between September 1991 and January 1992, so I had the chance to ask him to pick up this single. He did, and when he returned, I finally had that single to complete my collection. Of course, the single did turn up at record fairs in the Netherlands - but that was a couple of years later!

My collection: 7" single no. 1581
Found: Newcastle, January 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The dreamer (remix)' / 'Frida of blood and gold'

Mull of Kintyre - Wings

'Mull of Kintyre' is arguably Paul McCartney & Wings' most recognised song. McCartney wrote it as an ode of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where he had a home and recording studio since the late Sixties. McCartney commented about the song: 'I certainly loved Scotland enough, so I came up with a song about where we were living; an area called Mull of Kintyre. It was a love song really, about how I enjoyed being there and imagining I was travelling away and wanting to get back there.'

Released shortly before Christmas 1977, it became that year's Christmas number 1 in the UK, staying at the top of the singles chart for nine weeks. The single eventually sold over two million copies. The single also reached the top position in the Dutch Top 40.

I originally bought a copy of the single back in 1985, with the sleeve so torn up that I eventually cut out the photographs and made a new sleeve for it using standard white paper. This new copy is actually made in England, and in the condition it's in (i.e. very good) I bet a collector would pay dearly for this one.

My collection: 7" single no. 300
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Mull of Kintyre' / 'Girls school'

James Cagney - Nik Kershaw

Nik Kershaw's 1986 album 'Radio Musicola' was released to critical acclaim, but it wasn't a big success in commercial terms. It seemed Kershaw had outgrown his audience with the more mature work displayed on the album.

The single 'James Cagney' was released on the European mainland only. The 'extended version' on the 12" single is in fact the album version, which is about 2 minutes longer than the edit that appeared on the 7" single. A remix of 'Radio Musicola' is tacked on on the B-side for good measure.

My collection: 12" single no. 504
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 24, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'James Cagney (extended)' / 'Radio Musicola (remix)'

Situation / Only you - Yazoo

Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke formed Yazoo in 1981, after Clarke had left Depeche Mode. They took the name of the band from the labels of old blues albums: Yazoo Records. While their debut single 'Only you' was successful in the UK, peaking at number 2, it flopped in most European countries.

It was only after the hit success of their next single 'Don't go' that Mute Records decided to re-release the debut single. This time around, the B-side 'Situation' was promoted as the lead track, and it became a hit, peaking at number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. My copy of the single has a new sleeve, but the single is still 'old', featuring 'Only you' as the A-side. It's not a mixup: this is how they were sold in 1982.

My collection: 7" single no. 170
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Only you' / 'Situation'

Lunatic - Gazebo

Gazebo continued on with the theme set by 'I like Chopin', using classical influences in his Italo dance tracks. Synths and strings to a less appealing lyric - it was perhaps predictable that he wouldn't be able to have more success with such a formulaic single.

'Lunatic' did chart in some European countries, such as Italy (peaking at number 3), Germany (number 4), Switzerland (number 6) and Austria (number 13). However, the single did not chart in the Netherlands, which surprised me at the time. Now I'm not so surprised...

My collection: 7" single no. 226
Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lunatic' / 'Lunatic (instrumental)'

Kiss - Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones

'Kiss' is a cover version of Prince's 1986 hit single. It was recorded by Art of Noise and Tom Jones as a new track for Art of Noise's 1988 compilation album 'The best of the Art of Noise'. The track features elements from previous Art of Noise singles 'Close (to the edit)', 'Moments in love', 'Paranoimia', 'Dragnet' and 'Peter Gunn'.

In the UK, the Art of Noise and Tom Jones improved on Prince's success by peaking at number 5 in the singles chart, one position higher than the original. In the Netherlands, the single also reached number 5, but there Prince had reached number 2 just two years before.

My collection: 7" single no. 3913
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss' / 'E.F.L.'

Lucky number - Lene Lovich

Lene Lovich released her debut album 'Stateless' in 1978. The album reached number 35 in the UK albums chart, largely on the back of the success of the album's lead single, 'Lucky number'. That single came about when Lovich met DJ and author Charlie Gillett, who presented her recording of 'I think we're alone now', a cover of the 1967 Tommy James & The Shondells hit to Stiff Records boss Dave Robinson.

He immediately agreed to release the track, but a B-side had to be written. That was 'Lucky number', which was then released as a single instead and reached number 3 in the UK and the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3918
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Lucky number' / 'Home'

Still - Commodores

Taken from their 1979 album 'Midnight magic', 'Still' was the last hit single for the Commodores before Lionel Richie, who sings lead vocals on this track, went solo.

The ballad was a huge hit in America, topping the US BIllboard Hot 100. The single also reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3917
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Still' / 'Such a woman'

Another silent day - The Adventures

There's something really alluring to early Eighties remixes: they are always based on the original recording, they are just longer. Echo effects, instrumental passages, and sometimes extra choruses are used to give the listener that extended listening experience.

The Adventures released 'Another silent day' in 1984, which was the time when these extended versions were still made. I've been searching for this 12" single for a long time, so I was really glad to have finally found it.

My collection: 12" single no. 508
Found: Songs for sale, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Another silent day (extended)' / 'Another silent day', 'Happy depression'

The woman in you - Bee Gees

'The woman in you' is one of five new songs the Bee Gees contributed to the movie 'Staying alive' (1983), the unsuccessful sequel to 'Saturday night fever' (1977). In interviews following the release of the movie and soundtrack, the brothers expressed their displeasure at the way their songs were edited in the movie and revealed that their hearts were not in the music. By 1983, The Bee Gees were focusing their talents on solo projects and productions of other artists, so it is not surprising that they were not all enthusiastic about the 'Staying alive' movie.

The single was still a reasonable success, peaking at number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3920
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'The woman in you' / 'Stayin' alive'

She works hard for the money - Donna Summer

'She works hard for the money' was released as the first single from Donna Summer's 1983 album of the same name. During a contract dispute with Geffen Records over creative control, Summer released the album on a different label, Mercury. The song was written by Summer herself and was based on an encounter she had with an exhausted bathroom attendant.

The version found on the 7" single was edited from the over 5 minute version on the album. The single peaked at number 25 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3919
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'She works hard for the money' / 'I do believe (I fell in love)'

Het stoomlied - Ed en Willem Bever

The Dutch children's programme 'De fabeltjeskrant' ('The newspaper of little fables') was extremely popular in the late Sixties and early Seventies. It was made in such a way that the 5 minute broadcasts always told a little story for the children, but also contained literary references and double entendres for adults.

Meanwhile, the merchandise range was impressive: there were puppets, puzzles and schoolbags - and then there were some very popular singles. This was the first one: 'Het stoomlied' ('The steam song') as performed by Ed and Willem Be(a)ver. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1970. Why did I buy this? Why, it's a tribute to my own childhood, of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 3910
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Het Stoomlied' (Ed en Willem Bever) / 'Lied van Momfer de Mol' (Momfer de Mol)

Would I lie to you? - Eurythmics

The Eurythmics changed their musical style from synthpop to a more rock-oriented sound in 1985, with the album 'Be yourself tonight' and the single 'Would I lie to you?'. The single peaked at number 17 in the UK singles chart, number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

I didn't buy the single at the time because I thoroughly disliked the song. Having grown accustomed to Eurythmics' synth-heavy tracks, this one was too boring for me to get through. Even now I don't think it's one of their best songs, but for 25 eurocents... What the hell. The single was very dusty but I cleaned it up while doing the dishes. It really helps, as you can hear.

My collection: 7" single no. 3916
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Would I lie to you?' / 'Here comes that sinking feeling'

You and me - Spargo

Spargo was founded by Ellert Driessen, Jef Nassenstein and Leander Lammertink, all three from Amsterdam. At the end of the Seventies the the American singer Lilian Day Jackson joined the band. With her performing lead vocals the band developed their own sound.

Their debut single 'You and me' was the best selling record in the Netherlands in 1980. It reached number 1. The single was also a hit in other European countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 3908
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 31, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'You and me' / 'Worry'