The head and the heart - Chris de Burgh

Chris de Burgh is considered by many to be the epitome of uncool. Hearing this song, having not played it for two decades, I would say I would have to agree. There is one saving grace for this particular song: it features Howard Jones on piano. And Howard Jones is, of course, very cool.

'The head and the heart' is a single taken from Chris de Burgh's 1984 album 'Man on the line'. The slightly oversensitive ballad did not make any chart impact.

My collection: 7" single no. 260
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The head and the heart' / 'Taking it to the top'

Enola gay - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the dark

'Enola Gay' is named after the aeroplane, a USAAF B-29 Superfortress which dropped 'Little Boy', the first atomic bomb to be used in an act of War, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 to bring an end to the Second World War. The lyric attacks the decision to use the bomb, suggesting that the bombing was unnecessary ('It shouldn't ever have to end this way').

The song appears on OMD's second album 'Organisation' (1980) and when it was released as a single in September 1980, it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2763
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Enola gay' / 'Annex'

Cowboys and angels - George Michael

'Cowboys and angels' was released as the fifth single from George Michael's 1990 album 'Listen without prejudice vol. 1'. The song was written, arranged and produced by George Michael and was the first single in his career not to reach the top 40 in the UK: it peaked at number 45 in March 1991. It did better in the Dutch Top 40, reaching number 15.

Although the album version of 'Cowboys and angels' is over 7 minutes long, the single version was edited to four and a half minutes, amongst other things removing the beautiful piano intro from the track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2451
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Cowboys and angels (edit)' / 'Something to save'

Forever autumn - Justin Hayward

The mailman made me happy today, when he delivered this little package to my doorstep. Although I have the UK pressing of 'Forever autumn', this Dutch pressing came in a beautiful sleeve; and sometimes the sleeve is what counts.

'Forever autumn' reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. It is of course a track from Jeff Wayne's marvellous musical version of the book 'War of the worlds'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4100
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received October 10, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Forever autumn' / 'The fighting machine'

Mrs. Malinski - Ricky Wilde

Ricky Wilde's short-lived music career consisted of six singles released on the UK label. 'Mrs. Malinski' was the fourth of this series, released in 1974. The song was written and produced by his father Marty Wilde. The B-side is called 'Cassette blues' and sounds rather like it was recorded on a cassette as well.

This single was the least successful of all Ricky Wilde singles, having not reached the charts in any country.

My collection: 7" single no. 3354
Found: eBay.co.uk, 2002
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Mrs. Malinski' / 'Cassette blues'

Nothing compares 2 u - Sinéad O'Connor

'Nothing compares 2 u' was written in the Eighties for the Family by Prince. They released their version in 1985. In 1990, Sinéad O'Connor recorded a cover version on her second album 'I do not want what I haven't got', and released it as the first single from that album. A limited edition box set was released in the UK, featuring a giant poster and a picture button.

The song was famous mostly for the music video in which Sinéad sheds two tears. I never quite got what was so special about that, but the media were in spasms about it. It helped the song get to number 1 in 11 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1156
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Nothing compares 2 u' / 'Jump in the river'

The man with the child in his eyes - Kate Bush

Kate Bush released her second single 'The man with the child in his eyes' in the summer of 1978. This 7" single is a bit of a rarity, since the single version of this track has only ever been released on one obscure cd compilation. It remains unreleased on any Kate Bush cd.

Kate wrote the song when she was only 13 years old. It was recorded at Air Studios in 1975. The single reached number 6 in the UK and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 676
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The man with the child in his eyes' / 'Moving'

Brite side - Deborah Harry

'Brite side' was released as the third single from Deborah Harry's third solo album, 'Def, dumb and blonde'. The single was only released in the UK and a limited edition was released in a poster sleeve (just like my copy). The song is an eerie and smoky ballad which sounds very unlike the harder, edgier material from her Blondie days.

The single, however, was not a big success: it reached number 59 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1157
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 19, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Brite side' / 'Bugeye'

Violet hill - Coldplay

Coldplay originally released 'Violet hill' on April 29, 2008 as a free download from their official website. After one week of free downloading, the song was available as a paid download. Although the free track was downloaded two million times, the single was still released commercially as well. A cd-single made the rounds in Europe, whereas the paid downloads provided the band with chart placings in America and the UK (number 40 and number 8 respectively).

This 7" single was released as a free promotional disc with the May 10 issue of the UK magazine NME, including the non-album track 'A spell a rebel yell' on the B-side. On subsequent cd releases, 'Lost?', an acoustic recording of album track 'Lost!' serves as extra track instead. I have to say this was the first time I ever bought the NME...

My collection: 7" single no. 3454
Found: Bruna, Den Haag, May 15, 2008
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Violet hill' / 'A spell a rebel yell'

The air that I breathe - The Hollies

This song has the rare distinction of being the one and only song that has ever appeared in my dreams. I don't remember much of the dream, but I do remember waking up (twenty years ago) and remembering having heard this song while I was sleeping. And I think in my dream I was singing along, too! How weird.

'The air that I breathe' was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and originally recorded by Phil Everly. When the Hollies recorded it in 1974, they reached number 2 in the UK singles chart with it. This copy of the single is a UK re-release from 1988, which reached number 60.

My collection: 7" single no. 1083
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'The air that I breathe' / 'We're through'

Fast car - Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman was born on March 30, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was raised by her mother. In 1988, he made her debut with the single 'Fast car', a vivid tale of poverty that reached number 1 in Ireland and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

While usually I don't understand why an artist has one hit as big as this and then virtually disappears from the world stage, in this case I do. Tracy Chapman appeared on the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday tribute concert, doing her 'girl with guitar' thing, and the world was in raptures. But after two or three songs of a girl with a guitar, the fascination leaves as quickly as it comes. And so it did.

My collection: 7" single no. 2414
Found: Record fair, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Fast car' / 'For you'

This is me - Climie Fisher

'This is me' was originally Climie Fisher's debut single in 1986. After the success of 'Love changes (everything)' and 'Rise to the occasion', the track was re-released in 1988. This is the re-released single, featuring a new sleeve.

The single, which flopped the first time around, now reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 54 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1327
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'This is me' / 'Far across the water'

That was my big mistake - Korgis

For a while in the early Eighties, I thought the Korgis were the coolest thing since sliced bread. That was largely thanks to their biggest hit 'Everybody's got to learn sometime', but this single was a close second in my book.

'That was my big mistake' was the first single from their 1981 album 'Sticky George'. A lot of people did not agree with me, as the single did not chart in any country.

My collection: 7" single no. 739
Found: All that music, February 9, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'That was my big mistake' / 'Can't we be friends'

It's alright - Pet Shop Boys

'It's alright' was originally recorded by Sterling Void in 1988. The Pet Shop Boys released their cover version of the song a year later on the album 'Introspective'. They heard the original on a house compilation album. While the original verion had only two verses, Neil Tennant wrote a third verse (sung as the second verse in their cover version) to expand the song's political concerns towards environmental issues.

The nine minute album version was edited for the single, which became half the length. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1925
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's alright' / 'One of the crowd', 'Your funny uncle'

Lonely avenue - Marty Wilde

As a fan of Kim Wilde, I was rather late in discovering the music of Marty Wilde. As 'Abergavenny' had been a hit in the Netherlands, I knew that song, but his earlier work eluded me until the Nineties. After I'd discovered great songs like 'Jezebel' and 'Teenager in love', I started hunting for these singles - but they are incredibly hard to come by.

I found this EP on eBay a few years ago. I was again intrigued, as the song titles didn't look familiar. Turns out that the two songs on the A-side of this EP were recorded with the legendary John Barry and his orchestra. The songs were not commercially successful, but I do think they are an artistic triumph. Released in 1964, this is an extraordinary collection of songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 3342
Found: eBay.co.uk, received 2002
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Lonely avenue', 'Brand new love' / 'Kiss me', 'My what a woman'

Losing my mind - Liza Minelli

'Losing my mind' was written by Stephen Sondheim for the 1971 musical 'Follies'. The song was originally performed by Dorothy Collins and was since covered by many artists including Shirley Bassy and Michael Ball.

The most successful version of the song was recorded by Liza Minelli, on her 1989 album 'Results', which was produced by the Pet Shop Boys and Julian Mendelsohn. The single reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1891
Found: May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Losing my mind' / 'Tonight is forever'

More love - Feargal Sharkey

Released three years after its predecessor, 'Wish' is the second solo album by Feargal Sharkey. It disappointed commercially, with the singles underperforming in the singles chart and the album not selling too well either.

The first single from the album was 'More love', a dynamic song with bittersweet lyrics. It reached number 44 in the UK singles chart - the only single from the album to even reach the chart, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 747
Found: V&D, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'More love' / 'A breath of scandal'

If you don't know me by now - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

'If you don't know me by now' was written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It became their first hit when it was released as a single in 1972. The single reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

The song was later covered by Simply Red, giving them a hit in 1989. The song was also covered by British comedian Ricky Gervais as his character David Brent from the comedy series 'The office'. A music video was produced and released with BBC's The Office DVD set.

My collection: 7" single no. 804
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 21, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'If you don't know me by now' / 'Let me into your world'

Now you're in heaven - Julian Lennon

Julian Lennon released his third album 'Mr. Jordan' in 1989. The first single taken from that album was 'Now you're in heaven'. The single reached number 5 in Australia, but failed to chart in most other countries.

I didn't know the song when I bought this single, I simply assumed that it would be interesting to hear. I have to say the track sounds a bit David Bowie-esque.

My collection: 7" single no. 2292
Found: May 13, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Now you're in heaven' / 'Second time'

Purple rain - Prince

'Purple rain' was the title track from Prince's 1984 album. In order to be released as a single, the song was shortened from 8:45 to 4:05. It's quite a shame really, because the majestic guitar solo is totally deleted from the edited track, leaving just a quite boring ballad. The 12" single did feature the full length track - but I found that out after buying this single. Still, I don't regret buying the single, because it was pressed on purple vinyl.

'Purple rain' has become one of Prince's signature songs, reaching number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 245
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Purple rain' / 'God'

Always the sun - The Stranglers

'Always the sun' was released as the second single from the Stranglers' 1986 album 'Dreamtime'. In his book 'The Stranglers song by song', Hugh Cornwell mentioned that he thought it could have been as big as the band's earlier hit 'Golden brown'. He blamed their record company for its disappointing performance, peaking at number 30 in the UK singles chart: 'We'd given CBS something great to work with and I could see in this guy's face that he knew he hadn't delivered'.

The single performed poorly in the Netherlands as well, stalling at number 35 in the Dutch Top 40, but it did reach number 15 in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 489
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Always the sun' / 'Norman normal'

Africa - Toto

Toto's Steve Lukather commented in 2003: 'I didn’t think it was very good. That tells you what can happen when we pick our own singles!' Indeed, for 'Africa' became Toto's biggest hit ever. Taken from their 1982 album 'Toto IV', the single scored number1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the UK singles chart.

'Africa' was almost omitted from the album prior to its release. Having spent a great amount of time producing the tune, the band became so tired of the song that they didn’t want it on the album. The song itself was very different from anything the band had done before, and some members felt that it didn’t sound like Toto.

My collection: 7" single no. 165
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Africa' / 'We made it'

Prayer for the dying - Seal

'Prayer for the dying' was released as the first single from Seal's second self-titled album. Released in May 1994, the single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart. A year later, in November 1995, the single was re-released as a double A-side with the track 'Don't cry'. This released stalled at number 51.

The B-side is a beautiful piano version of the album track 'Dreaming in metaphors'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2123
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, July 16, 1994
Cost: pounds
Tracks: 'Prayer for the dying' / 'Dreaming in metaphors (piano version)'

Visions of China - Japan

'Visions of China' was a single released by Japan in 1981. I discovered the track a few years later, when the music video appeared on television quite regularly. It was a strange music video, which stuck in my head. Later on, the song became a happy obsession for a while.

I finally found the single in 1996, after I'd found the live version on single in 1989. This single peaked at number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2685
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Visions of China' / 'Taking island in Africa'

De ambulance - Rubberen Robbie

Although I realise the joke is lost on foreign readers, I have committed myself to putting my record collection online and that includes a handful of Rubberen Robbie singles. 'De ambulance' is a parody of the song 'De diligence' and is all about boozing and fighting in a nearby pub.

The pub that was frequented by the members of Rubberen Robbie - and often mentioned in their songs - was 'De hut van Ome Henne' (Uncle Henne's cabin), a pub in Leiden that still exists. The B-side of this single was apparently recorded live there too.

My collection: 7" single no. 2567
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'De ambulance' / 'Witte en rooie radijs (live)'

Better than this - Keane

'Better than this' was the last single release from Keane's 2008 album 'Perfect symmetry'. The single did not reach the UK singles top 100.

The 7" single came with a pair of 3d glasses, by way of promoting a concert that was shown in 3d on the internet a few months ago. That concert is still accessible via the band's official website, www.keanemusic.com.

My collection: 7" single no. 3615
Found: Keanemusic.com webshop
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Better than this' / 'Better than this (Stuart Price demo mix)'

Romeos - Alphaville

In 1989, Alphaville released their third album 'The breathtaking blue'. The album was released as a CD+G, a shortlived format including graphic representations of songs on the cd, which people could view from a CD+G-enabled cd player.

'Romeos' was the second single from the album, which reached number 45 in the German singles chart. In other territories, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2732
Found: Record fair, September 7, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Romeos' / 'Headlines'

The reflex - Duran Duran

Duran Duran had the biggest hit of their career in 1984 with 'The reflex'. It was the third and last single from their album 'Seven and the ragged tiger'. Originally the band wanted it to be the lead single, but the record company was afraid that the warbling singing during the 'Why don't you use it' segments would hinder its success as a single. How wrong they were! The single hit number 1 in the UK, America and the Netherlands.

The video appeared on television almost every hour at the time, until I got quite sick of it. I never bought the single as a result. Just recently I found out it was released as a limited edition with a poster sleeve in the UK. It took some time to find it for a reasonable price, but I'm glad I waited: instead of the usual 4 to 6 pounds asked for it, I paid a measly 1 pound. Plus postage, but oh well.

My collection: 7" single no. 4099
Found: eBay.co.uk, received October 6, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'The reflex' / 'Make me smile (Come up and see me) (live)'

Shipbuilding - Tasmin Archer

'Shipbuilding' was written by singer/songwriter Elvis Costello and producer Clive Langer during the Falklands War of 1982. Costello's lyrics discuss the contradiction of the war bringing back prosperity to traditional shipbuilding areas of Merseyside (Cammell Laird), Tyneside (Swan Hunter) and Belfast (Harland and Wolff) to build new ships to replace those being sunk in the war, whilst also sending off the sons of these areas to fight and, potentially, lose their lives in those same ships.

Tasmin Archer recorded the song as part of her 'Shipbuilding EP', which contains covers of four Costello songs. The EP reached number 40 in the UK singles chart in 1994.

My collection: 7" single no. 2665
Found: Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Shipbuilding', 'Deep dark truthful mirror' / 'All grown up', 'New Amsterdam'

Cry for help - Rick Astley

Having left the Stock-Aitken-Waterman stable of stars, Rick Astley presented himself as a 'serious' artist in 1991 with his third album 'Free'. 'Cry for help', released as the first single from the album, was written by Astley himself with Rob Fisher, one half of the duo Naked Eyes in the Eighties.

The single reached number 7 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Netherlands, it reached number 11.

My collection: 7" single no. 1378
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 2, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Cry for help' / 'Behind the smile'

The unforgettable fire - U2

This month sees the release of the deluxe edition of U2's classic 1984 album 'The unforgettable fire'. It is a milestone in the history of music, and best of all: the deluxe edition will contain a bonus disc with two previously unreleased tracks from the album sessions, plus the B-sides and remixes that have been so hard to find until now.

This is the double single edition of the title track, released in 1985. I was truly in love with this track at the time, and would have killed to get the double single my sister came home with in May of that year. Fortunately, these double singles weren't so hard to find in the Netherlands (unlike many other double singles at the time). Five tracks of pure genius. U2 were never again as good as they were back then.

My collection: 7" single no. 286
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 12 guilders
Tracks: 'The unforgettable fire' / 'A sort of homecoming' // 'Love comes tumbling', 'Sixty seconds in kingdom come' / 'The three sunrises'

Escape (The Pina Colada song) - Rupert Holmes

Contrary to the belief of some, Rupert Holmes did not wrote 'Escape' after a similar event as told in the song happened to himself. Instead, the lyrics were inspired by a want-ad he read while idly perusing the personals. As Holmes commented, 'I thought, what would happen to me if I answered this ad? I'd go and see if it was my own wife who was bored with me.'

The chorus originally started with 'If you like Humphrey Bogart', which Holmes changed at the last minute, replacing the actor with the name of the first exotic cocktail he could think of. The song landed at number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1979 and number 23 in the UK singles chart in January 1980. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 13 in February 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 299
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Escape (The Pina Colada song)' / 'Drop it'

Poing - Rotterdam Termination Source

Rotterdam Termination Source is a Dutch house act, formed by producers Maurice Steenbergen and Danny Scholte. The duo joined Paul Elstak's hardcore label Rotterdam Records in 1992 and released their debut single 'Poing'. It was nothing but a novelty record, combining the sound of a computerized bouncing ball to a hard beat, the kind of mindless noise that was becoming popular around that time with xtc-filled brainless mongrels.

The single became a number 2 hit in the Netherlands, shamelessly exposing the lack of taste at the time. Although it has to be assumed there were also people who were, like me, just buying this for the ridiculousness of it all. The track was voted 'worst song of all times' on a Dutch radio station in 2000.

My collection: 7" single no. 1691
Found: Melody Maker, August 1, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Poing' / 'Bonus poing'

Nineteen forever - Joe Jackson

In the Nineties, Joe Jackson moved away from pop music, but not before he released one of his best albums, 'Blaze of glory'. The first single from the album was 'Nineteen forever', a great energetic song. The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, but did not chart in the UK.

Jackson felt the album was one of his best efforts and toured to support it with an eleven piece band in the USA and Europe from June to November 1989. He was disappointed with both the commercial reaction and his record label's lack of support. He parted ways with A&M, who then released the 1990 compilation 'Steppin' out: the very best of Joe Jackson'.

My collection: 7" single no. 840
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Nineteen forever' / 'Acropolis now'

Let me live - Queen

Queen's record company had a taste for the bizarre when they released 'Let me live' as a single, given the fact that lead singer Freddie Mercury was already dead for almost five years. Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and Brian May shared lead vocal duties on this song. Rebecca Leigh-White, Gary Martin, Catherine Porter and Miriam Stockley provided the backing vocals on this track.

The fourth single from the album 'Made in heaven' reached number 9 in the UK singles chart, but only number 36 in the Netherlnads. But then, this limited edition 7" picture disc was only released in the UK of course. Cd-singles are just not that appealing, whatever anyone says.

My collection: 7" single no. 2650
Found: HMV, London, June 28, 1996
Cost: 2,3 pounds
Tracks: 'Let me live' / 'Fat bottomed girls (digital remaster)', 'Bicycle race (digital remaster)'

Halt mich - Herbert Grönemeyer

Back in 1988, it was a strange thing to get my head around: a German singing a lovesong. At the time, all the history lessons were telling us that Germans were cruel people who were responsible for atrocious crimes just short of a half century ago. And here came Herbert Grönemeyer with one of the most beautiful lovesongs ever written.

I was only 18 when this song was released, young enough to think in black and white, good and bad. These days we know that you can't hold everyone responsible for decades on end. Fortunately, the single was rewarded with a decent placing in the Dutch chart: it reached number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 677
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 12, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Halt mich' / 'Lesmona'

Because of love - Janet Jackson

'Because of love' was released as the fourth single from Janet Jackson's 1993 album 'Janet' in January 1994. The track is a rather traditional love song and was produced, like the album, by Jackson, James Harris III and Terry lewis.

The single peaked at number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2080
Found: March 8, 1994
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Because of love' / 'Because of love (Frankie & David 7")'

Really saying something - Bananarama

'He was really sayin' somethin'' was written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield, William "Mickey" Stevenson and Edward Holland, Jr. in 1964. The song was originally recorded by the Velvelettes in 1964.

Bananarama recorded their version of the song as the first single from their debut album 'Deep sea skiving'. Fun Boy Three provided backing vocals, after they had a hit with Bananarama earlier in the year with 'It ain't what you do (It's the way that you do it'. With this single they had another hit together, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1976
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Really saying something' / 'Give us back our cheap fares'

Paperback writer - The Beatles

This single is part of a boxed set of all of Beatles 7" singles, reissued some time in the Seventies. I wish I could find that box set for a relatively cheap price, but so do many others. Every time it pops up on eBay, you can spend a fortune on it. So for now, I'll have to be satisfied with the three separate singles I bought in 1986. This is the first of them.

'Paperback writer' was originally released in 1966. Written in the form of a letter from an aspiring author to a publisher, 'Paperback writer' was the first Beatles single that was not a love song. The single reached number 1, well, everywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 455
Found: Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Paperback writer' / 'Rain'

We close our eyes - Go west

'We close our eyes' was the debut single by Go West, composed by both members Peter Cox and Richard Drummie. The accompanying music video was directed by Godley & Creme. The single spent fourteen weeks on the UK singles chart, peaking at number 5. In the Netherlands, it reached number 22.

I bought the 12" single quite quickly after the release of this single, but the 7" single followed almost a decade after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2289
Found: May 6, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'We close our eyes' / 'Missing persons'

Jump in the river - Sinéad O'Connor

After three singles from her debut album 'The lion and the cobra' were released, Sinéad O'Connor released a stand-alone single in the autumn of 1988. 'Jump in the river' was only a minor success, stalling at number 81 in the UK singles chart, although it did reach number 29 in Ireland.

The B-side is a live recording of the track 'Never get old' from the aforementioned debut album. It was recorded at Dominion theatre in London on June 3, 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 2549
Found: November 2, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Jump in the river' / 'Never get old (live)'

I've seen that face before - Grace Jones

'I've seen that face before' was the third single taken from Grace Jones' 1981 album 'Nightclubbing'. The song combines 'Libertango', an Argentine tango classic written by bandoneonist Ástor Piazzolla, with a reggae arrangement en new lyrics by Grace Joes and Barrey Reynolds.

This version of the single, which I've only seen once (when I bought it), features not only a beautiful sleeve, but also a Spanish version on the B-side. It replaces the French spoken verse 'Tu cherches quoi ? À rencontrer la mort ? Tu te prends pour qui ? Toi aussi tu détestes la vie...' with a literal translation in Spanish. The single reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. Bizarrely, it did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2995
Found: London, May 27, 1998
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'I've seen that face before' / 'I've seen that face before (Spanish version)'

Waiting in vain - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Musicians always live forever. After the death of Bob Marley, there was no shortage of new albums and singles. 'Waiting in vain' was released as a single when the compilation album 'Legend' appeared in 1984. It was originally recorded in 1977 for Marley's album 'Exodus'. This single was mixed by Julian Mendelsohn.

The original release of 'Waiting in vain' reached number27 in the UK singles chart. This new release reached number 31 in the summer of 1984. In the Netherlands, the song only charted once in 1984, reaching number 32.

My collection: 7" single no. 1890
Found: Record fair, May 2, 1993
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Waiting in vain' / 'Blackman redemption'

Half a minute - Matt Bianco

Basia was the lead singer on this single by Matt Bianco, released in the autumn of 1984. While it only reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, it spent 10 weeks in the chart, which was quite a feat.

The summery video was a regular on television, even in the Netherlands, where it did not chart. I found the single years later. I think I must have seen it many times before I bought it, but the sleeve is a bit inconspicuous.

My collection: 7" single no. 1764
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Half a minute' / 'Matts Mood II'

The sign - Ace of base

'The sign' was the first single taken from Ace of Base's second album 'Happy nation'. The single continued the success story of the Swedish band, as it reached number 1 in America, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Spain and Austria. In the Netherlands, it reached number 3 and in the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 2.

After this single, Ace of base continued to release albums and singles, but this was their last big hit worldwide.

My collection: 7" single no. 2490
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'The sign' / 'The sign (long version)'

You'll never be so wrong - Hot Chocolate

'You'll never be so wrong' was written by Ricky and Marty Wilde, who had just been successful launching Kim Wilde, their sister and daughter respectively, as an artist with the singles 'Kids in America'. Producer Mickie Most had just accepted 'Chequered love' as her second single, but they still needed a B-side. They recorded 'You'll never be so wrong', but Most responded that the track was too good to be a B-side. He wanted to give Hot Chocolate a shot with the track.

And so Hot Chocolate released this single in May 1981. It reached number 51 in the UK singles chart, but did considerably better in Europe. In the Netherlands, for instance, it reached number 23. Kim Wilde's version of the track subsequently appeared as a track on her debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 581
Found: 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You'll never be so wrong' / 'Robot love'

Till you come back to me - Leo Sayer

'Till you come back to me' is a cover of a song originally performed by Stevie Wonder. Leo Sayer recorded it on his tenth album, 'Have you ever been in love', which was released in 1983. When it was released as a single, it effectively ended a run of chart hits Sayer had since the early Seventies. The single reached number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I heard the track on the radio very frequently back in 1983 and 1984. When I found this single a decade later, I was pretty happy as I'd never seen a copy!

My collection: 7" single no. 1943
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 11, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Till you come back to me' / 'Train'

You keep me hangin' on - The Supremes

'You keep me hangin' on' was written by the famous Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team. It was recorded by The Supremes in 1966. Many elements of the recording, including the guitars, the drums, and Diana Ross's lead vocal, were multitracked (the parts were recorded multiple times and the takes layered over one another). This was done to create a fuller sound than the previous Supremes records. The song was recorded nine different times with the Supremes and session band The Funk Brothers before the producers got the version they were finally satisfied with.

'You keep me hangin' on' was the first single from the Supremes' 1967 album 'The Supremes sing Holland-Dozier-Holland'. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks in November 1966. In the Netherlands, it reached number 26.

My collection: 7" single no. 2979
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 4, 1998
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'You keep me hangin' on' / 'Hang on Sloopy'