The bell / Sentinel-Restructure - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield's magnum opus 'Tubular bells' was first released in 1973. In 1992, he recorded 'Tubular bells II', a reworking of the original 'Tubular bells' produced by Trevor Horn. From this release, several singles were taken. 'The bell' was the third single, released in early 1993.

This 12" single was released in the USA and featured four remixes of 'Sentinel', the first single from 'Tubular bells II'. One of these, the 'Tubular beats' remix, was never released commercially in the UK.

My collection: 12" single no. 512
Found: Esprit Mail Order, 1999
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Sentinel (Trance mix)', 'Sentinel (Tubular beats)', 'The bell (edit)' / 'Sentinel (Satoshi Tomii interpretation)', 'Sentinel (Global Lust mix)'

Will you remember - Eighth Wonder

Released in 1987, Eighth Wonder's single 'Will you remember' did not chart in the UK. It is a somewhat unremarkable dance track with the seductive voice of Patsy Kensit as the main attraction.

I didn't know the track when I bought this single, however I did know the B-side. 'Having it all' was featured in the movie 'Absolute beginners' and was performed in the movie by Patsy. This B-side is the original version of the track, with its jazzy music.

My collection: 7" single no. 2171
Found: Record Exchange, London, September 27, 1994
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Will you remember' / 'Having it all'

Tourist - Athlete

'Tourist' was released as the third single from Athlete's album of the same name. Released in August 2005, it managed to reach number 43 in the UK singles chart.

This picture disc 7" single featured an exclusive track: 'Half light', the previous single, as performed during a radio programme on BBC6.

My collection: 7" single no. 3414
Found: HMV, London, 2005
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tourist' / 'Half light (BBC6 music session)'

Father figure - George Michael

'Father figure' was the third single from George Michael's debut album 'Faith'. Originally recorded as an uptempo dance track, whilst checking his mix of the song, Michael inadvertently turned off the snare track and realized he liked the song better without it.

The single reached number 2 on the Dutch Top 40, number 11 on the UK singles chart number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This limited edition double single was made in Australia and released as a tour souvenir.

My collection: 7" single no. 1069
Found: London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Father figure' / 'Love's in need of love today (live)' // 'Father figure (instrumental)' / 'A last request (I want your sex part 3)'

Stop! - Sam Brown

Sam Brown wrote 'Stop!' together with Gregg Sutton and Bruce Brody during a trip to Los Angeles. Sam commented: 'I was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway heading south and the idea for 'Stop!' came into my head. I kept it there until I got back to my hotel room where I probably jotted down some thoughts. I didn't really realise that it was a blues song - I'd had no blues experience then.' She met Sutton and Brody in Brody's hotel room as he was preparing for a live concert with his group Lone Justice. They put the song together in half an hour.

In 1988 when 'Stop!' was becoming a hit country by country across Europe, Gregg went to Amsterdam with Sam and her crew to celebrate it going to the top of the chart in Holland. 'It was considered to be like Cleveland, a test market for Europe.' explains Gregg. 'The music biz insiders said if a record did well there it would do well everywhere in Europe.' They were right: the single became a top 10 hit all over Europe and reached number 4 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single is a limited edition poster sleeve from the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2290
Found: Record fair, May 6, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop!' / 'Blue soldier'

Silent running - Mike and the Mechnics

Mike Rutherford was a member of Genesis when he started a side project, Mike & the Mechanics, in 1985. Their self-titled debut album came out in that year and featured this single, 'Silent running'. The track was featured in the movie 'On dangerous ground' (titled 'Choke Canyon' in the USA).

The single reached number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 389
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Silent running' / 'I get the feeling'

Teardrops - Womack and Womack

Cecil and Linda Womack released 'Teardrops' in 1988, a very radiofriendly track featuring one of the most impressive synthesizer solos in the history of pop music (not). The single was a big success in the Netherlands, where it reached number 1, but it also reached number 2 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and number 3 in the UK.

Although a picture sleeve exists for this single, I bought this sleeveless version because it was discounted at the time. I felt no need to pay more for a song I wasn't going to play for a decade, because it had been played to death on the radio.

My collection: 7" single no. 716
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 6, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Teardrops (remix)' / 'Conscious of my conscience'

I know there's something going on - Frida

The Swedish group Abba never officially announced their breakup, but in 1982 both Agnetha and Frida were releasing solo albums. At the time, I thought I could never really forgive the band for throwing away their career, but I had to admit pretty fast that Frida's solo single 'I know there's something going on' was a damn fine song. Like the accompanying album 'Something's going on', the single was produced by Phil Collins, who also provided the great drum track on the song.

The B-side 'Threnody' was co-written by Per Gessle, the Swedish popstar from Gyllene Tider who would make a name for himself internationally when he started Roxette with Marie Fredriksson. Meanwhile, this single reached number 43 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 152
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'I know there's something going on' / 'Threnody'

Sail on - Commodores

The Commodores reached the peak of their career in 1978 when 'Three times a lady' was a worldwide hit. Their next big hit was 'Sail on', a ballad with a funky brass band in the background. The single peaked at number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

After this, the Commodores released 'Still', their last hit single with Lionel Richie in the band.

My collection: 7" single no. 2605
Found: Record fair, January 27, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sail on' / 'Thumpin' music'

In your care - Tasmin Archer

After peaking early with her debut single 'Sleeping satellite', Tasmin Archer never managed to hit the UK top 10 again. That's not to say that the rest of her singles weren't much cop: 'In your care' is an intense ballad that should really have been a massive hit as well. The lyric of 'In your care' is about child abuse, a topic Archer feels very strongly about.

The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart, but did not chart in other territories. The money made from this release was donated to the UK charity Child Line.

My collection: 7" single no. 2344
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'In your care' / 'Sleeping satellite (Fitz mix)'

Waterfront - Simple Minds

The early Simple Minds material has a certain quality their later songs did not have. It featured a sparser sound, it rocked like hell and the production by Steve Lillywhite was always spot-on. Their 1983 single 'Waterfront' sounded a bit like U2, that other band that was just coming up around that time.

The single was a massive hit in New Zealand, where it topped the chart. It also reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. I found my copy of the single during a festival market. The dealer which I bought this single from, had obviously been in London; the sticker from the Record Exchange was still on the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 1469
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Waterfront' / 'Hunter and the hunted (live)'

Wishing I was lucky - Wet Wet Wet

'Wishing I was lucky' was the debut single by the Scottish pop band Wet Wet Wet. It was taken from their 1987 album 'Popped in souled out'. It was released on 6 April 1987 and was their first hit, peaking at number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 26 on the Dutch Top 40.

Lead singer Marti Pellow recorded a solo version of the song for inclusion on his 2002 album 'Marti Pellow sings the hits of Wet Wet Wet & Smile'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2413
Found: Leiden, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Wishing I was lucky' / 'Words of wisdom'

Hang on to your love - Sade

Although 'Hang on to your love' was the fourth and last single from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life' in Europe, it was released almost at the same time in the USA as Sade's first single. While the USA single featured a 4'19 edit of the song, the European version was even shorter, clocking in at 3'58. The single was not released in the UK at all.

'Hang on to your love' reached number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 and narrowly missed the US Billboard Hot 100. It didn't harm her career: later on Sade would achieve an enormous popular across the Atlantic.

My collection: 7" single no. 479
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hang on to your love (edit)' / 'Should I love you'

Joseph mega-remix - Jason Donovan

Once before I had a guest entry on this blog: 'Juliana' was a single from the collection of my friend Puck. Well, here's another one: a single I actually bought for him, because I know he's addicted to soundtracks and musicals. And it's on the blog today, because I am giving it to him today!

This single is a release from the soundtrack of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. The mega-remix is a medley of different songs from the musical, in true Eighties style (but released in 1991, oddly enough). It actually was a hit in the UK, reaching number 13 in December 1991.

Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Tracks: 'Joseph mega-remix' / 'Close every door (Orchestral version)', 'One more angel in heaven'

True faith 94 - New Order

'True faith' was originally a hit for New Order in 1987, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart. On the occasion of a compilation album 'The best of New Order' (1994), a remix was made and released as a single. This time around, the track reached number 9 in the UK singles chart - still a very respectable feat.

A further remix single was released in 2001, but that one did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2456
Found: September 2, 1995
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'True faith 94' / 'True Faith (Perfecto radio edit)'

All by myself - Eric Carmen

When you're young, you will probably only know the horrible cover version of this song by Celine Dion. She did a very good job of murdering one of the most beautiful tracks ever recorded. Eric Carmen released this gem in 1976 as his debut solo single.

This 7 minute epic actually borrows from the second movement (Adagio Sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18. Carmen believed that the work was in the public domain, but subsequently had to come to an agreement with the Rachmaninoff estate. Nonetheless, Carmen had a hit on his hands: the track peaked at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2319
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'All by myself' / 'Never gonna fall in love again'

Arrested by you - Dusty Springfield

'Arrested by you' was the last single taken from Dusty Springfield's 1990 album 'Reputation'. Although the track resembled some of the more laidback Pet Shop Boys tracks, it was actually prouced by the unknown producer Paul Staveley O'Duffy.

The single was not a big success, stalling at number 70 during a two week chart run in the UK singles chart. Dusty Springfield disappeared from the scene once again, resurfacing only three years later with 'Heart and soul', a duet with Cilla Black.

My collection: 7" single no. 3057
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Arrested by you' / 'Arrested by you (instrumental)'

La la la - Massiel

The song 'La la la' was originally performed by Joan Manuel Serrat, but he intended to sing the song in Catalan. The Franco government would not allow this, and so they used Massiel as a replacement. Massiel represented Spain during the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest and eventually won the contest, beating the United Kingdom's Cliff Richard with 'Congratulations' with just one point. Some critics still cite this song as an exemple of Eurovision at its worst.

Last year, it became clear that General Franco had the competition fixed to ensure a victory for Spain, boosting the image of the country abroad. According to a documentary shown on Spanish television, Spain had bought programmes from other countries for broadcast in SPain, in return for votes for the Spanish entry. Massiel herself was outraged by the allegations, insisting that she won because her song was better, and that Franco would have not been able to buy any votes for her in the first place. The theory of bought votes certainly makes the bitter pill of this song winning the Contest a little easier to swallow.

My collection: 7" single no. 2998
Found: Geest, Den Haag, June 20, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'La la la' / 'He gives me love (La la la)'

I feel the earth move - Martika

'I feel the earth move' was originally released as the debut single by Carole King in 1971. Martika recorded a cover version in 1988 on her debut album, and it was released as the third single from that album. It reached number 7 in the UK singles chart.

Part of the success must have been the release of this limited edition with a colour poster of the pretty singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 3094
Found: House of Rhythm, London, 1999
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'I feel the earth move' / 'Alibis'

Comment te dire adieu - Jimmy Somerville and June Miles Kingston

'Comment te dire adieu' was first performed by American singer Margaret Whiting in 1966 as 'It hurts to say goodbye'. In 1968, the song was adapted in French by legendary songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Scottish pop singer Jimmy Somerville recorded a cover version of the French version in 1989, together with June Miles Kingston for his debut solo album 'Read my lips'.

The track was released in November 1989 as Somerville's first solo single. It reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1266
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Comment te dire adieu' / 'Tell the world'

My own way - Duran Duran

I thought I knew everything about Duran Duran's discography, until I found this single. I'd never heard of the track, the sleeve looked unlike any other Duran Duran sleeve at the time and so I assumed it was an early single, from before they were famous.

In fact, it was the fourth single by the band, a new track not on any album to capitalise on the success of 'Girls on film', their previous hit single. 'My own way' has often been cited by the band as their least favourite and is rarely played live. The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2467
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'My own way' / 'Like an angel'

Woman to woman - Beverley Craven

I didn't realise this when I wrote my previous entry about Beverley Craven's 'Woman to woman', but I've got several copies of this single. The UK edition features the same tracks as the European counterpart, but it has a different sleeve (no. 2266).

That same sleeve is used for a Spanish one-sided promotional single. It features only 'Woman to woman', and not the B-side (no. 2611). And finally, there's the limited edition poster sleeve from the UK (no. 2609; pictured below).

Now why did this single get all these different numbers in my administration? These days I use the basic premise that the single should have different tracks, but in the old days I didn't. And so, here it is: three different numbers - four, if you count the European one - for two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 2266 / no. 2609 / no. 2611
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 8, 1995 (no. 2266) / Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders each
Tracks: 'Woman to woman' / 'Everything but the blues'

The blood that moves the body (The Gun mix) - A-ha

After 'Move to Memphis', one more single was released to promote A-ha's 1992 compilation album 'Headlines and deadlines'. It was a remix of the 1988 single 'The blood that moves the body'. Since that single was the first A-ha single to land outside the UK top 20 in 1988, the record company probably thought it had some room for improvement.

So this remix was made, adding, well, not very much to the original version. The release went by largely unnoticed, and it did not chart. I only found out about the single a year after its release, and had to search for a few more years to finally find this 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2741
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The blood that moves the body (The gun mix)' / 'The blood that moves the body (Two-time gun mix)'

Digging your scene - Blow Monkeys

Fronted by lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and piano player Dr. Robert (born Bruce Robert Howard, 2 May 1961, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland), the Blow Monkeys formed in 1981. The other members were Mick Anker, Neville Henry and Tony Kiley. They released their debut album 'Limping for a generation' in 1984.

It was 1986's 'Animal magic', their second album, that carried their first hit, 'Digging your scene'. The lyric of the song dealt with the AIDS-fuelled backlash against gays. Robert commented: 'There was a little bit of hysteria about AIDS, I think, in the early days here in the tabloids. People were using it in order to slag off the gay scene and the gay culture. And what I wanted to do was redress the balance in my own way.' The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 405
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Digging your scene' / 'I backed a winner (in you)'

Kiss that frog - Peter Gabriel

'Kiss that frog' was the fourth single taken from Peter Gabriel's 1992 album 'Us'. Produced by Peter Gabriel and Daniel Lanois, the track was a bit of a messy affair, reminiscent of earlier singles by Gabriel, but not quite as effective.

The single only managed to reach number 46, and as a result, no further singles were taken from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2039
Found: HMV, London, October 22, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Kiss that frog (edit)' / 'Kiss that frog (Mindblender mix - edit)'

Ray of light - Madonna

'Ray of light' was the second single taken from Madonna's 1998 album of the same name. The track was based on Curtiss Maldoon's 'Sepheryn', although that track has a different melody and instrumentation. The track is full of weird high-pitched sounds, courtesy of producer William Orbit.

Madonna reached her creative peak with the album 'Ray of light', and the title track is an energetic, uplifting piece. The single reached number 17 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3022
Found: Record fair, September 8, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Ray of light' / 'Has to be'

Love on your side - Thompson Twins

Thompson Twins found themselves functioning as a trio as of 1982. The single 'In the name of love' had become a hit, and Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway wanted to pursue the single's different sound. They toyed with the idea of starting a new band on the side, which they planned to call 'The Bermuda Triangle'. John Hade, their manager, convinced them to downsize their original band, Thompson Twins.

Their first hit as a trio was 'Love on your side', a track that even quoted 'In the name of love' for a few seconds. The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart (their first top 10 hit in the UK) and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. This limited edition double single features the earlier single 'In the name of love' as disc 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 2314
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love on your side' / 'Love on your back' // 'In the name of love' / 'In the beginning'

Orangefield - Van Morrison

'Orangefield' was the second single drawn from Van Morrison's 1989 album 'Avalon Sunset'. The song is named after the school for boys which Morrison attended during his youth in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The single did not chart, despite the staggering beauty of the music in this track. Perhaps more people felt, like me, that the voice demolished the song a bit.

My collection: 7" single no. 1148
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 19, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Orangefield' / 'These are the days'

Angel eyes - Roxy Music

'Angel eyes' was the third single taken from Roxy Music's album 'Manifesto' (1979). It was a re-recorded version of the album track. An extended dance mix was also released on the accompanying 12" single, a relatively new format at the time. The song was in the charts at the same time as another song called 'Angeleyes', by the Swedish group Abba.

Roxy Music's 'Angel eyes' peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 515
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Angel eyes' / 'My little girl'

Baby baby - Amy Grant

Amy Grant was moving firmly into pop territory with her 1991 album 'Heart in motion'. 'Baby baby' was the first single drawn from the album and it was the biggest hit of her career. Not only did it top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it also reached number 2 in the UK singles chart (her first and biggest hit in the UK) and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40 (her only hit in the Netherlands).

I didn't like the track upon its release, but in 1995 I got an Amy Grant tape from a friend in America and since then I was hooked.

My collection: 7" single no. 2237
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, January 21, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Baby baby' / 'Lead me on'

Diamond smiles - Boomtown Rats

I was too young to understand the lyric of the Boomtown Rats' 'Diamond smiles' but I was fascinated by it. I was sure an interesting story was told here, but I just couldn't make out what it was. Listening to it now, I'm almost certain it's about suicide. The Boomtown Rats were never about happy lovesongs anyway.

The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reached the Dutch Top 40. Lucky for me, because it meant that I could buy the single pretty quickly at discount price.

My collection: 7" single no. 55
Found: Rapsody, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Diamond smiles' / 'Late last night'

Another brick in the wall (live) - Roger Waters featuring Cyndi Lauper

Soon after the wall in Berlin came down, Roger Waters staged a live concert together with a lot of other pop stars, playing the entire Pink Floyd double album 'The Wall'. It was one of the largest concerts ever, with 350,000 people in the audience and 52 countries broadcasting the event live. While earning back the money invested from the sale of the cd and video releases of the concert, the original plan was to donate all profits past his initial investment to the Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief. This fund incurred heavy losses, and when the charity was wound up, the audio and video sales rights returned to Roger Waters himself.

'Another brick in the wall' was the only single release from the concert. It featured Cyndi Lauper on vocals, giving it a somewhat quirky feel. The single did not become a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 1357
Found: Free Record Shop, December 1, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Another brick in the wall (live)' / 'Run like hell (live)'

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

Meredith Brooks was born on June 12, 1958 in Oregon City, USA. In 1995 she signed a recording contract with Capitol Records and recorded her debut album, 1997's 'Blurring the edges'. Her debut single 'Bitch' became the biggest hit of her career, reaching number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

Brooks has stated in interviews that 'Bitch' was almost omitted from the album, reportedly because of its title, which could have prevented it from becoming a radio hit. Only in America....!

My collection: 7" single no. 2922
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 9, 1997
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Bitch' / 'Bitch (Madgroove mix)'

Even the nights are better - Air Supply

'Even the nights are better' was taken from Air Supply's 1982 album 'Now and forever'. Itw as released as a single in the summer of 1982 and reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 44 in the UK singles chart.

Even though Air Supply would continue to record and perform concerts, but 'Even the nights are better' would prove to be their last significant hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 2517
Found: House of Rhythm, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Even the nights are better' / 'Lost in love', 'All out of love'

I treni di Tozeur - Alice e Battiato

Italian singers Alice Visconti and Franco Battiato represented Italy during the 1984 Eurovision song Contest with 'I treni di Tozeur'. It earned them a fifth place in the Contest and one of the biggest hits of a non-winning Eurovision entry - at least in the Netherlands, peaking at number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

I don't usually do this, but the Wikipedia entry on this song is so extensive, that you really should read it. It gives more information about the lyric and the composition than this short description here could ever give you. What remains here, is the song - and it really is a beauty.

My collection: 7" single no. 1709
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I treni di Tozeur' / 'Le bicicletti di Forli'

Your love takes me higher - Beloved

The Beloved found success in 1990, with the single 'Hello' reaching number 19 in the UK singles chart. A follow-up single was chosen, and it was a new recording of 'Your love takes me higher', originally released in 1989. This new single featured a different sleeve and a different B-side.

Unlike the original release, this one reached the UK singles chart and peaked at number 39. One further single from the Beloved's debut album 'Happiness' was released, the beautiful 'Time after time'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1299
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Your love takes me higher' / 'Pablo'

She wants to dance with me - Rick Astley

Although Rick Astley's debut album already contained a few tracks written by Astley himself, it wasn't until the release of 'She wants to dance with me', the first single from his second album, that a single was actually written by himself. His album was still produced wholly by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, but that would be over on his third album too. Astley was slowly taking artistic control over his career.

'She wants to dance with me' remained faithful to the SAW sound, which may be why it did so wel, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1335
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'She wants to dance with me' / 'She wants to dance with me (instrumental)'

Does your mother know - Abba

Abba's 'Does your mother know' was recorded in February 1979 and released as a single in April of that year. Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the song is something of a pastiche to 1950s/early 1960s-style rock & roll, incorporating some modern disco rhythms as well. The lyric of the song touches on the subject of a man responding to the flirting of a much younger girl. For the first time in a long time, the song's lead vocals were not performed by female vocalists Agnetha and/or Frida, but by Björn Ulvaeus.

The single was still a big hit for the Swedish superstars, peaking at number 4 in the Netherlands and the UK, also reaching number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2044
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, October 30, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Does your mother know' / 'Kisses of fire'

I'm on fire - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's 'I'm on fire' is a candidate for the title of 'shortest single of the Eighties'. With the A-side lasting for 2'36 minutes and the B-side just 1'50, both tracks of the single combined were shorter than the A-side of a lot of singles around at the time.

The single reached number 1 in the Netherlands and peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart. I didn't like the song when it came out, but learned to appreciate it years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1897
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm on fire' / 'Johnny bye bye'

7 8th Avenue - Earth and Fire

I have no idea what a 'Gate to infinity' is, but it is the title of Earth & Fire's 1977 album. Filled as usual with symphonic rock tracks and some more commercial-sounding hits, it was a reasonable success in the Netherlands.

The single '7 8th Avenue' was drawn from the album and reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. I can remember this song from my childhood and never understood the title until I heard about streets in America being actually named after numbers.

My collection: 7" single no. 559
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: '7 8th Avenue' / 'Dizzy raptures'

Life's what you make it (remix '91) - Talk Talk

EMI Records were so happy with the success of the compilation 'Natural history', featuring all the singles by Talk Talk, that they released a remix album, 'History revisited' in 1991. It featured the hits of Talk Talk in all new remixes by various DJ's. Bad move: the band, who had just switched record companies, sued EMI for remixing their material without permission.

I've been looking for the outcome of this lawsuit on the web, but I couldn't find it. As far as I can recall, EMI were ordered to take 'Natural history' out of the shops, making it an instant collectors item. There was, however, one single drawn from the album: a remix of 'Life's what you make it' by BBG. It was not a hit, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 2789
Found: Record fair, November 9, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Life's what you make it (remixed by BBG)' / 'Today (remixed by Gary Miller)'

You make me feel brand new - The Stylistics

'You make me feel brand new' was written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed. It became a hit for the Philadelphia soul groep The Stylistics in 1974. It reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, it reached number 12.

The track appeared on the Stylistics' 1973 album, 'Rockin' roll baby', as well as their 1974 album, 'Let's put it all together'. It has been covered in jazz and pop circles, including a soulful version by Simply Red in 2003.

My collection: 7" single no. 2895
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You make me feel brand new' / 'Only for the children'

Chorus - Erasure

'Chorus' was the first single from Erasure's 1991 album of the same name. A track with an environmental theme, it was produced by Martyn Phillips and written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and became a top 10 hit in Denmark and Ireland.

The B-side track 'Over the rainbow' is notable for its lyric namechecking the members of the Swedish group Abba. Erasure would record a tribute to that group the next year, in the form of the 'Abba-esque' EP.

My collection: 7" single no. 1501
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 6, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Chorus' / 'Over the rainbow'

I'm not scared - Eighth Wonder

Patsy Kensit joined the band of her brother Jamie in 1983, aged 14. Together with Geoff Beauchamp, Lawrence Lewis and Jake Walters they started performing live, trying to get the attention of record labels. In 1985 they were signed to CBS Records and began recording in London, while Patsy Kensit also managed to land a role in the movie 'Absolute beginners'.

During the recording of their second album 'Fearless' in 1987, they came in contact with the Pet Shop Boys, who co-produced and wrote 'I'm not scared'. This was released as the first single from the album. It was a number 1 hit in Italy, reaching number 7 in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 997
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'I'm not scared' / 'J'ai pas peur'

Opposites attract - Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul's single 'Opposites attract' was notable mostly for its colourful music video featuring a cartoon cat, MC Skat Kat, with which Abdul is dancing and singing. The vocals of the Kat were performed by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn (The Wild Pair) and Derrick 'Delite' Stevens, who performed the rap in the song.

The idea of MC Skat Kat came from the Gene Kelly movie 'Anchors aweigh', in which Kelly dances with Jerry, the mouse from the Tom and Jerry cartoon series. Paula even choreographed the animated character's moves to match her live-action dance moves in the video. The single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK it was released as a limited edition with a free pull-out poster, featuring stills from the music video.

My collection: 7" single no. 1190
Found: Record Exchange, London, August 5, 2009
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Opposites attract' / 'One or the other'

Girls on film - Duran Duran

Duran Duran are best remembered for their glossy Eighties videos, recorded in exotic places. But the music video for 'Girls on film' did not take the band halfway around the world: they simply used a studio somewhere in the UK. They created a video that was the dream of any teenage boy, with scantily clad women wrestling one another.

'Girls on film' was originally co-written by Andy Wickett, one of Duran Duran's previous singers before Simon Le Bon. When Wickett left the band, Duran Duran bought the song from him for £600 and made him sign a waiver removing his rights to the song. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and also went top 20 in Australia, Sweden and Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 2749
Found: London, October 28, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Girls on film' / 'Faster than light'

Take back the city - Snow Patrol

This is the second 7" single of 'Take back the city', featuring a live version of 'Set the fire to the third bar', featuring Miriam Kaufmann on vocals. The live track was recorded at Union Chapel for Mencap Little Noise Sessions.

Although the track was met with mixed reviews, it still did reasonable in various charts. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. This 7" single was also a numbered limited edition; this is number 2261.

My collection: 7" single no. 3466
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received January 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Take back the city' / 'Set the fire to the third bar (live)'