Flash - Queen

Written by Queen guitarist Brian May, 'Flash' is the theme song of the 1980 movie Flash Gordon.
The soundtrack released to coincide with the film contained only the music composed and performed by Queen. The single features dialogue cut from various parts of the movie.

Flash is sung as a duet between Freddie Mercury and May, with Roger Taylor adding the high harmonies. May plays all of the instruments except for the rhythm section. He used a Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano (with 97 keys instead of 88, thus enabling an extra octave on the low range), Oberheim OBX synth (which he plays in the video) and his homemade Red Special guitar.

My collection: 7" single no. 4015
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Flash' / 'Football fight'

Wanna be startin' somethin' - Michael Jackson

Late last year, I started trying to complete my Michael Jackson singles collection. It started when I found the red vinyl collectors set of 'Thriller' singles. It's gone on from there, until I had almost every Michael Jackson single from 1978 onwards (The early years are much harder, as Motown singles are always expensive). The only single still missing was 'Wanna be startin' somethin'', a single I left standing in the racks numerous times back in the Eighties and Nineties. That omission has now finally been rectified.

The song was released as the fourth single from 'Thriller', and another smash hit. The song includes references to the sometimes unhealthy nature of fandom: 'Still they hate you, you're a vegetable / They eat off of you, you're a vegetable'. The song ends with a chorus repeatedly singing 'Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa'. The chant is a riff on one first used by Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango, who broke into the American market in 1973 with his classic 'Soul Makossa'. That track was a big hit in Africa, Europe and America. Dibango named his song after the makossa, a Cameroonian dance, but he stretched the word out and played with it: 'Ma-mako, ma-ma-ssa, mako-makossa'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4014
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Wanna be startin' somethin'' / 'Rock with you (live)'

Belle - Balavoine et Frida

As advertised on the sleeve of this single, 'Belle' is an extract from the musical Abbacadabra, as performed in France. The song adds French lyrics, written by Alain and Daniel Boublil, to the instrumental track 'Arrival', which originally appeared on Abba's 1977 album 'Arrival'.

Daniel Balavoine (February 5, 1952 - January 14, 1986) recorded the track together with Frida from Abba, making this a nice collectors item for Abba fans. I bought it out of curiousity more than anything - and once again, I was rewarded.

My collection: 7" single no. 4013
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Belle' / 'C'est fini'

Reasons to be cheerful (remixed by Paul Hardcastle) - Ian Dury and the Blockheads

In 1985, the popularity of Paul Hardcastle in the UK was taking on serious shape. He had a big hit with the track '19' and was subsequently commissioned to make remixes. One of them was this single, 'Reasons to be cheerful' by Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Originally it was a hit for them 1979, reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart.

This single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart, but the A-side was the remix of 'Hit me with your rhythm stick', which appears as a B-side on this single. Why the sides were swapped in Europe, I do not know. It did not work anyway: the single flopped. But still, these remixes are interesting to hear, even if they sound a bit dated.

My collection: 7" single no. 4012
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Reasons to be cheerful (remix)' / 'Hit me with your rhythm stick (remix)'

"Heroes" - David Bowie

The title of the song "Heroes" is a reference to the 1975 track "Hero" by the German band Neu!, whom Bowie and Eno admired. It was one of the first tracks to be recorded for Bowie's album of the same name, but it was instrumental until the last sessions for the album. Producer Tony Visconti inspired the image in the lyric of the lovers kissing 'by the wall', when he and backing vocalist Antonia Maaß embraced in front of Bowie as he looked out of the Hansa Studio window. Bowie's habit in the period following the song's release was to say that the song was based on an anonymous young couple but Visconti, who was married to Mary Hopkin at the time, contends that Bowie was protecting him and his affair with Maaß. Bowie confirmed this in 2003.

The music, co-written by Bowie and Eno, has been likened to a Wall of Sound production. Eno has said that musically the piece always 'sounded grand and heroic' and that he had 'that very word - heroes - in my mind' even before Bowie composed the lyric.

My collection: 7" single no. 4011
Found: Vinylfabriek, Haaksbergen, September 14, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: '"Heroes"' / 'V-2 Schneider'

The night sky - Keane

'The night sky' was written and performed by Keane and released as a non-album single in aid of War Child in October 2007. The song is written from a child's point of view on war. Originally the song was meant to be included on Kean's 2006 album 'Under the iron sea', but it was dropped from the track listing on the last minute.

The single did not chart in the UK due to controversial chart rules. The 7" single was not eligible for chart placing because of the free poster included with it.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The night sky' / 'Put it behind you (Ffrisco mix)'

You've got me thinking - The Beloved

'You've got me thinking' was the second single from the Beloved's second album 'Conscience'. The single was not as big a success as its predecessor 'Sweet harmony' which peaked at number 8, whereas this single peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart.

Personally, I think this single is the strongest of the four singles that were taken from the album. Of course, due to the apparent nudity in the music video for 'Sweet hoarmony', that single attracted more attention. Sometimes scandal is overrated.

My collection: 7" single no. 1950
Found: HMV, London, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'You've got me thinking' / 'Celebrate your life (Fit for life mix)'

Arienne - Tasmin Archer

'Arienne' was the fourth and last single taken from Tasmin Archer's debut album 'Great expectations'. The name Arienne came up when Tasmin had a melody in her head and the name just seemed to fit. The name is not that common, but it is an old French family name. Tasmin says the lyrics of 'Arienne' are about 'finding your way in the world and having to cope with growing up in a world that's not so friendly.'

The single peaked at number 30 in the UK singles chart, but only spent four weeks in the chart before dropping off.

My collection: 7" single no. 2376
Found: London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Arienne' / 'In your care (live)'

Love pains - Liza Minelli

The American 12" single of Liza Minelli's cover version of the song 'Love pains' is not the only 12" single of it that I own. The life of a collector can be complicated sometimes: when a 12" single contains different tracks in different territories for instance.

This German 12" single contains the two single tracks, 'Love pains' and the B-side 'Rent'. But then, suddenly, an unknown remix of 'Losing my mind' appears in the track listing as well. According to Wikipedia, the 'Dubulta mix' is actually a dub mix from the DJ remix service Ultimix.

My collection: 12" single no. 514
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Love pains' / 'Rent', 'Losing my mind (Dubulta mix)'

Captured by a lovestorm - Carola

Carola represented Sweden for the second time during the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. The song she performed was 'Fångad av en stormvind', a dynamic song with a rather stupid choreography. While she finished third in 1981 with 'Främling', expectations were very high indeed.

Carola came through: while she ended up with exactly the same amount of points from the international juries as Amina's 'Le dernier qui a parlé...', the rules dictated that the song that got the 'douze points' the most won. And so Carola went away with the victory. Unfortunately, I have to add, because the other song was the artistic triumph of the two.

My collection: 7" single no. 1441
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, May 24, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Captured by a lovestorm' / 'Fångad av en stormvind'

That's what love is for - Amy Grant

'That's what love is for' was released in 1991 as the fourth single from Amy Grant's album 'Heart in motion'. In America, it was one of the few from the album to be released both to secular and Christian radio stations. The single peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single reached number 60.

The song was remixed for the single, but remarkably enough the single mix appears on the B-side of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2608
Found: January 27, 1996
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'That's what love is for (album edit)' / 'That's what love is for (single mix)'

Rage to love - Kim Wilde

'Rage to love' was the third and last single from Kim Wilde's fourth album 'Teases & dares'. The track was remixed for the single by rock 'n' roll legend Dave Edmunds. Kim commented: 'We got Dave Edmunds to remix that and it sounded very Stray Cats-ish. But I just thought it had the best energy of any record from that time, unlike myself. I didn't have an awful lot at that time. I kinda let things go, lost control a bit, became a bit jaded.'

Still, the single became Kim's biggest hit in the UK for three years, reaching the UK top 20, peaking at number 19. The B-side, 'Putty in your hands' is a non-album track and a cover version of the song originally performed by the Yardbirds.

My collection: 7" single no. 271
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Rage to love' / 'Putty in your hands'

Waste of time - Maarten Peters

'Waste of time' is a single from Maarten Peters' debut album 'Hunting the queenbee'. Lack of information makes it hard to give it a chronology, but it's probably Maarten's second or third single. It is an interesting popsong which nevertheless did not chart in the Netherlands.

The B-side, 'I must get over you', is a non-album track that has never been released anywhere else. A moving ballad that is great for dark nights if you're lovesick.

My collection: 7" single no. 663
Found: Amsterdam, October 8, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Waste of time' / 'I must get over you'

Always - Erasure

'Always' was released as the first single from Erasure's sixth album 'I say I say I say'. The song quickly became Erasure's 13th Top 10 on the UK singles chart, peaking at number 4. It topped the charts in Ireland and hit number 5 in Germany. In the United States, the single peaked at number 20 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The real treat here is the instrumental B-side 'Tragic'. Andy Bell added vocals to this track later on - that version was released on the cd-single of the later single 'I love Saturday'. That single was not released on 7" vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2507
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Always' / 'Tragic'

The name of the game - Abba

'The name of the game' was the first song to be recorded for Abba's fifth album, which would be named 'The album'. Written by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Stig Anderson, it was their most complex composition yet and contained the influences of the laid-back California sound of the day.

An edited version of 'The name of the game', which omitted the entire second verse of the song, reduced the length of the track from its original 4:51 to 3:58. This was released on a promotional single in the USA. Somehow this edited version found its way onto various cd releases, including the compilation 'Abba Gold' and the 1999 digital remaster of 'The album'. Fortunately, the original single features the song in its entirity.

My collection: 7" single no. 130
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The name of the game' / 'I wonder (Departure)'

No mercy - The Stranglers

The relationship with my brother has always been a bit strange. He was very much into music, and didn't have any scruples about how to get hold of records. So when I started buying records as a child, sometimes I had singles disappear on me. There was also the odd swap, but he always came out on top, because I had a lousy judgement when I was eight years old.

This single is a historic one, because it was the first single I got from him, no strings attached. It happened one sunny summers day in 1985, when I'd done some radio work for him. I didn't really like the song, but I was too baffled to say anything about it. Lucky I kept it, because I really like the song now. The single reached number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 259
Found: Den Haag
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'No mercy' / 'In one door'

When a heart beats - Nik Kershaw

'When a heart beats' was the eighth hit single for Nik Kershaw. It was the third single taken from his 1984 album 'The riddle', and at the time of its release I really thought it was a bit of a tuneless affair. It was only later, when I realised I had nearly every single by Kershaw, that I bought this one. Now, twentyfour years later, I think it's a nice pop song, albeit a little unfocused.

The single reached number 27 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2449
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When a heart beats' / 'Wild horses'

This side of love - Terence Trent d'Arby

When you see the picture here, you would almost think there's been a mistake. But it's true: I bought this single in a completely white sleeve. And that's because this copy of 'This side of love' is a promotional single, with a white CBS sleeve and the warning 'For promotion only - Not for sale' on the label. This is slightly surprising, because I always thought CBS dropped Terence Trent d'Arby like a stone the minute they heard his second album 'Neither fish nor flesh'.

The album was precisely what the title described. A collection of songs with pretentious titles that weren't particularly radio-friendly. 'This side of love' did not chart in any territory. On the upside: the B-side of this single (a non-album track) sounds a bit like an Eric Satie piano improvisation.

My collection: 7" single no. 3290
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'This side of love' / 'Sad song for Sister Sarah Serenade'

Doctor doctor - Thompson Twins

'Doctor doctor' was the second single taken from Thompson Twins' hugely successful 1984 album 'Into the gap'. It reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, which was an improvement on the number 4 reached by the previous single, 'Hold me now'. In the Netherlands, 'Doctor doctor' reached a more modest number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 3264
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 21, 2000
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Doctor doctor' / 'Nurse shark'

More than this - Roxy Music

'More than this' was released in 1982 as the first single from Roxy Music's album 'Avalon'. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. Although it didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it is still one of their best known singles there.

In 1999, Emmie released a very good dance cover of this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1290
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 31, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'More than this' / 'India'

When the spirit slips away - Ten Sharp

'When the spirit slips away' is the third single from Ten Sharp's 1991 album 'Under the waterline'. Originally released as a 7 track mini-album, it was expanded to 10 tracks when international success loomed.

With its environmental message, this single was probably deemed uninteresting by the Dutch public, as the single did not chart. In other countries it was equally unsuccessful, although it was released in only a few countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1966
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'When the spirit slips away' / 'When the spirit slips away (instrumental)'

Peeping Tom - Rockwell

Peeping Tom is a person who, in the legend of Lady Godiva, watched her during her ride and was struck blind or dead. The song 'Peeping Tom' was Rockwell's third single, taken from his album 'Captured'. It also featured on the soundtrack of the motion picture 'The last dragon', a Motown Productions picture. This martial arts film was a critical disappointment but a commercial success.

Although personally I think this is an accomplished song, it was not successful in any territory. I had the 12" single before I found this 7" single - and I do admit the remix is better than the single version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2581
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Peeping Tom' / 'Tokyo (instrumental)'

Break the chains - Private lives

'Break the chains' was the third and last single release from Private lives' debut album 'Prejudice and pride'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, as it added a sung intro.

Like most Private lives singles, this one did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2984
Found: Record fair, February 9, 1998
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Break the chains' / 'You've got to win'

Part-time lover - Stevie Wonder

'Part-time lover' was released as a single in 1985 and was taken from Stevie Wonder's album 'In square circle'. The song reached number 1 in America, number 3 in the UK and number 11 in the Netherlands. The song featured R&B singer Luther Vandross humming at the end of Stevie's verses.

Sounds familiar? Well that's because I wrote about the 12" single of 'Part-time lover' on this blog a few months ago...

My collection: 7" single no. 2261
Found: April 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Part-time lover' / 'Part-time lover (instrumental)'

Praying for time - George Michael

'Praying for time', released in August 1990, was George Michael's first single in almost two years. The song was a dark and sombre reflection on social ills and injustice. George used an echoey vocal effect and put the melody in a low enough key to take away the sunny nature of his regular singing voice.

While George Michael refused to appear in videos to support the album, a music video was released featuring only the words of the song with a blue and black background that, at the end of the clip, reveals itself to be the image on the cover of the album 'Listen without prejudice', from which the song was taken. The single reached number 6 in the UK, number 10 in the Netherlands and number 1 in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1312
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Praying for time' / 'If you were my woman'

Lolly lolly - Wendy and Lisa

'Lolly lolly' was the second single released from Wendy & Lisa's second album 'Fruit at the bottom' (1989). The single was remixed by their former employer Prince, who made the track sound bouncier and funkier than on the album.

Despite his efforts, the single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 64. However, in the Netherlands 'Lolly lolly' shot to number 8.

My collection: 7" single no. 936
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 7, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lolly lolly' / 'Hip hop love'

(What) In the name of love - Naked Eyes

Back in 1984, while I was constantly watching television to see music videos, I got to know the duo Naked Eyes thanks to their video of '(What) In the name of love'. They were unknown in the Netherlands, but in the UK - where Music Box was based - they already had one hit under their belt with 'Always something there to remind me'.

It took me years to find this single, but I finally did in 1995. What a relief! It was not a hit for Naked Eyes, even though the music video was a regular on television in the summer of 1984.

My collection: 7" single no. 2431
Found: August 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '(What) In the name of love' / 'Two heads together'

The other side of love - Yazoo

Yazoo released their second album 'You and me both' in 1982, and 'The other side of love' was the first single taken from that album. It was an uptempo song with a strong synth hook. Alison Moyet's soulful vocals completed the package.

While the album reached the top of the UK albums chart, the single stalled just outside the top 10, peaking at number 13. It's an energetic sort of song that has stood the test of time.

My collection: 7" single no. 177
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'The other side of love' / 'Ode to boy'

A view to a kill - Duran Duran

Duran Duran was chosen to do the theme song of the 1984 James Bond movie 'A view to a kill' after bassist John Taylor (a lifelong Bond fan) approached producer Cubby Broccoli at a party and asked: 'When are you going to get someone decent to do one of your theme songs?'. As a result, the band was introduced to Bond composer John Barry. Simon le Bon comments: 'He didn't really come up with any of the basic musical ideas. He heard what we came up with and he put them into an order. And that's why it happened so quickly because he was able to separate the good ideas from the bad ones, and he arranged them.'

The song was completed in April, and was released worldwide in May 1984. It was the last track that the original five members of Duran Duran recorded together until their reunion sixteen years later, in 2001.

My collection: 7" single no. 1866
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 13, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'A view to a kill' / 'A view to a kill (That fatal kiss)'

Light of the world - Kim Appleby

In 1993, Kim Appleby released her second solo album 'Breakaway'. The album was preceded by this single, 'Light of the world'. With the material co-written with her sister Mel Appleby all used up, she turned to new co-writers Davidge and Slateford to make this track. You would think that such an uplifting song housed in a sexy sleeve like this one would have been a big hit.

But these were strange times; people were still listening to tuneless, depressing 'grunge rock' and dance was not as en vogue as it was before. Hence, 'Light of the world' stalled at number 41 in the UK singles chart and did not chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2001
Found: London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Light of the world' / 'Don't worry'

The power of goodbye - Madonna

According to Australian music critic Molly Meldrum the lyric of Madonna's 'The power of goodbye' was written about Madonna's ex-husband Sean Penn. The track was released as a single in the fall of 1998. The single reached number 6 in the UK and the Netherlands, but stalled at number 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

'The power of goodbye' was taken from Madonna's 1998 album 'Ray of light', the best work of her career. After this single, her singles would slowly fall back to the mediocre material she's issuing these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 3046
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 23, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'The power of goodbye' / 'Mer girl'

Book of days - Enya

Inside the dark castle

Nicky Ryan enters the dark castle, a gloomy place where few people ever dare to enter.
'Enya? Enya? Where are you?'
A dark rumbling comes from afar, a cough, a rattle, and then a deep, dark voice sounds from across the hall.
-'Who the hell is that?'
'It's Nicky. Enya? I've got a request...'
- 'Go away, I want to sleep', comes the answer, and another coughing fit ensues.
'But I got a call from the record company. They want you to record some vocals for this movie soundtrack.'
- 'Vocals? Are you mad?', rumbles the voice. 'Do you think I still have that same voice I had ten years ago? Now where did I keep my fags and my whiskey...'
'Enya, please. We could make a good deal of money on this.'
- 'But I can't, I just can't. Listen to me, man! You really think I could pull it off with this? I sound like Tom Waits or Marianne Faithfull...'
Nicky sighs. The darkness of the castle makes him depressed. 'Maybe you're right... But if we slow down the music, perhaps...? '
A silence.
Then: 'How much money are we talking about?'

Exclusively on this blog: the original version of 'Book of days', as recorded in Enya's dark castle.

My collection: 7" single no.1731 (pictured above)
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Book of days' / 'As baile'

My collection: 7" single no. 2239 (pictured below)
Found: Record fair, February 18, 1995
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Book of days' / 'On your shore'

Don't break my heart - UB40

After UB40 scored a massive hit with 'I got you babe' (a duet with Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders), they released a song that I thought was about a thousand times better than that piece of outdated drivel. 'Don't break my heart' was composed by the band, as opposed to the aforementioned cover version.

They managed to reach number 3 in the UK singles chart with this, plus number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 349
Found: 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't break my heart' / 'Mek ya rok'

Megamix - Technotronic

I don't know whether it was such a wise move for Technotronic to release a Megamix as a single in the summer of 1990, within months of their breakthrough. If anythnig, it showed how monotonous and interchangeable their track were. 'Pump up the jam', 'Get up' and 'This beat is Technotronic' are all here in the mix, and it's amazing how well they fit together. Or, rather, it's not amazing, it's rather obvious.

This megamix was put together by The Unity Mixers, a.k.a. Patrick Samoy and Luc Rigaux. The single peaked at number 6 in the UK, number 9 in Germany and number 26 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1260
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 12, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Megamix' / 'Raw update (remix)'

Every little kiss - Bruce Hornsby and the Range

'Every little kiss' was released as the second single from Bruce Hornsby and the Range's 1986 album 'The way it is'. The single reached number14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40, but didn't chart in the UK.

The B-side of this single was produced by Huey Lewis, who had a successful career in pop himself in the first half of the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2403
Found: Rotterdam, July 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Every little kiss' / 'The river runs low'

Hand on your heart - Kylie Minogue

'Hand on your heart' was released as the first single from Kylie Minogue's second album, 'Enjoy yourself'. It was another track written and produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, so nothing really had changed: Kylie was still making radiofriendly commercial pop without pretences.

The single became her third number 1 hit in the UK, while it reached number 4 in Australia and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.



My collection: 7" single no. 3324
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hand on your heart' / 'Just wanna love you'

Solo so long - Dimestars

In 2000, Roxanne Wilde (Kim Wilde's sister), Morgan Quaintance, Joe Holweger and Tom Hanna signed to Polydor records as Dimestars. They tried to forge a career for themselves, starting off with the single 'Solo so long'. It was released as a cd-single and cassette single, and this 12" single, the only vinyl release by Dimestars as far as I know.

'Solo so long' did not chart. The follow-up single 'My superstar', released in 2001, did. Their album 'Living for the weekend' was pressed and distributed as a promotional disc, but never got a commercial release in the end. Dimestars toured with Kylie Minogue in 2001, but split up after their career didn't take off. Right now, Roxanne Wilde is one of Kylie's backing singers during her current world tour.

My collection: 12" single no. 513
Found: HMV, London, 2000
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Solo so long (Cut la Roc remix)' / 'Solo so long (radio edit)'

Dream - Earth and Fire

In October 1981, after a year's absence from the charts, Earth and Fire released their single 'Dream'. It was the first single from their as-yet-untitled new album. When it was released, it was called 'Andromeda girl'. Two further singles, 'Tell me why' and 'Love is an ocean' were released from that album, but neither reached the Dutch Top 40.

Thus, this single was the only successful release, peaking at number 27 in November 1981. The B-side 'Jerney's day off' sounds like an original title for the instrumental version of 'Dream', but instead it is an original instrumental track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1384
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Dream' / 'Jerney's day off'

The lion's mouth - Kajagoogoo

With the benefit of hindsight, I think you can conclude that the lack of success for Kajagoogoo can be explained by their inconsistence in sound. After the hard rock sound of 'Big apple', they suddenly presented 'The lion's mouth', a brass-driven affair.

The single reached number 25 in the UK singles chart but failed to chart in many European countries. 25 years later, this track still sounds pretty fresh.

My collection: 7" single no. 3078
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'The lion's mouth' / 'The garden (instrumental)'

Once upon a long ago - Paul McCartney

'Once upon a long ago' was recorded as a new track for Paul McCartney's 1987 compilation album 'All the best!'. The track was produced by Phil Ramone and mixed by George Martin. Personally, I think it's one of McCartney's most accomplished tracks, not least because of the moving violin solo by Nigel Kennedy.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart, McCartney's last top 10 hit in the UK. It did slightly better in the Netherlands, peaking at number 6. The single was not released in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 2199
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Once upon a long ago' / 'Back on my feet'

Kiss them for me - Siouxie and the Banshees

'Kiss them for me' was written by Siouxsie & the Banshees and produced by Stephen Hague. It was released in 1991 as the first single from the band's tenth studio album 'Superstition'. The song presented a change in musical direction for Siouxsie & the Banshees — adopting a much more straightforward pop-oriented feel than previous tracks, due in large part to Hague's production work.

The single became their biggest hit in the USA, peaking at number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the single reached number 32.

My collection: 7" single no. 1539
Found: Record fair, October 27, 1991
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Kiss them for me' / 'Return'

Brood en spelen - Het Goede Doel

'Brood en spelen' ('Bread and games') was an unsuccessful single release from het Goede Doel's 1984 album 'Tempo Doeloe'. The story behind this one was an unfortunate one: the band made a deal with successful Dutch DJ Frits Spits to give him the premiere of this single on the radio. Then the record company suddenly released a different track from the album without the band knowing, and the DJ as a result refused to play their singles at all. Furthermore, Dutch language music was losing its popularity in the Netherlands as a result of the most popular band, Doe Maar, breaking up.

The B-side of this single is a German version of the band's song 'Alleen' ('Alone'). The band recorded a whole album's worth of German material, but when it was released in January 1985, the German record company decided not to promote it. The band was in a bit of trouble.

My collection: 7"single no. 3765
Found: Marktplaat.nl. received June 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Brood en spelen' / 'Allein'

A bad dream - Keane

Keane's song 'A bad dream' was partially based on the poem 'An Irish Airman foresees his death' by W.B. Yeats. Tim Rice-Oxley explains: 'We wanted to get a balance between a kinda dream sequence. It starts very quietly, and I love the idea of being in a plane, like a Spitfire or something, being so high up in the sky that you can't hear the guns below you and so on. And it's almost got a serene silence which is what this Yeats poem seemed to really express. The song starts very quietly, but it gets huge and angry as it goes on... The big distorted washy piano sound in the middle is a pretty vast sound and it's I guess an attempt to express all that anger bursting out.'

The track was released as the sixth and final single from Keane's album 'Under the iron sea' in January 2007. Although it became Keane's first single to fail to reach the UK Top 20, it peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3491
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 20, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'A bad dream' / 'She sells sanctuary'

I should have known better - Jim Diamond

Jim Diamond was born on September 28, 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland. His big break came in 1982 as part of the band Ph.D. After this band folded, Diamond went solo. He recorded the sloppy ballad 'I should have known better', which became a UK number 1, and also reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

When 'I should have known better' reached number 1 in the UK, Band Aid just released their charity single 'Do they know it's Christmas?'. He requested publicly that people not buy his single, but instead buy that single.

My collection: 7" single no. 251
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, December 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I should have known better' / 'Impossible dream'

Valotte - Julian Lennon

'Valotte' was the title track of Julian Lennon's debut album. It was written by Lennon, Justin Clayton and Carlton Morales and recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The first line of the chorus, 'Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar', was written by Lennon, inspired by the Tennessee River in Muscle Shoals.

The track was released as a single in December 1984. It reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but was significantly less successful in the UK, where it only reached number 55. This single was released with a limited edition poster sleeve in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2202
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Valotte' / 'Let me be'

When I need you - Leo Sayer

'When I need you' was written by Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded by Hammond on his 1976 album of the same name.

Leo Sayer recorded his version later that year and included it on his album 'Endless flight'. The single reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart in February 1977. Three months later, the single also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Sayer performed the song on the second show of the third season of The Muppet Show.

My collection: 7" single no. 1215
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 0,5 guilder
Tracks: 'When I need you' / 'I think we fell in love too fast'