99.9 F - Suzanne Vega

'99.9F°' was the title track of Suzanne Vega's 1992 album, which was subsequently released as a single as the album's second single. My copy of the single comes from the music library of Capital radio, as the large sticker on the front clearly indicates.

It's interesting to note that the highest chart position is also noted on this sticker: number 57. However, this is incorrect: the single made it to number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2206
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: '99.9F°' / 'Tom's diner (live)'

Paranoid - Black Sabbath

These days, Ozzy Osbourne is an old, mumbling idiot who prostitutes himself for the entertainment of people who watch corny shows on MTV, but back in 1968 he formed the rock band Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.

In 1970, they released the single 'Paranoid', from the album of the same name. Iommi came up with riff while the rest of the band was out to lunch. When they returned, the band recorded the track within a couple of minutes. The lyrics had not been written yet so vocalist Osbourne sang whatever came to mind. The final version contained different lyrics penned by bassist and principal lyricist Butler. The song became a big hit, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. It subsequently landed in the annual Top 100 of all times chart from Radio Veronica, which is where I got to hear the track in the mid-Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2727
Found: Record fair, Leiden, September 7, 1996
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Paranoid' / 'The wizard'

Jealousy - Pet Shop Boys

'Jealousy' was originally written by the Pet Shop Boys in 1982. It was finally recorded for their 1990 album 'Behaviour'. It was released as a single in 1991, in a slightly altered version: the outro which was originally recorded with a sampler-based orchestra, was re-recorded with a real orchestra. This dramatically increased the quality of the track, of course. In the track, Neil Tennant recites a quote from William Shakespeare's Othello: 'Not poppy, nor mandragora /Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep / Which thou owedst yesterday.'

The single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 20 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 1455
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 22, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Jealousy' / 'Losing my mind'

Dumb waiters - The Korgis

The artwork department must have been happy when 'Dumb waiters' by the Korgis was released as a single. They didn't even bother to design a new sleeve: the single sleeve was identical to the album sleeve - as the album was also called 'Dumb waiters' anyway.

'Dumb waiters' was the third single from the album, but unlike its two predecessors, it did not reach the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2916
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Dumb waiters' / 'Perfect hostess'

Cold cold heart - Wet Wet Wet

'Cold cold heart' was a new track recorded for Wet Wet Wet's first Greatest Hits album, 'End of part one' (1993). It was produced by Nile Rodgers of Chic fame.

The single was released on December 27, 1993 and reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2092
Found: April 16, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Cold cold heart' / 'Roll 'um easy', 'Cold cold heart (Arthur Baker '93 remix)'

French word for love - Earth and Fire

Jerney Kaagman, Bert Ruiter, Ton Scherpenzeel, Age Kat, Ab Tamboer and Jons Pistoor got together in 1989 and reunited as Earth & Fire. The group had been inactive for five years, but decided to record a new album together and see if they could recapture the amount of success they'd had throughout the Seventies and early Eighties.

'French word for love' was the first single from what would be their final album 'Phoenix'. The single did not reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1114
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilder
Tracks: 'French word for love' / 'Gemini'

Hello (Turn your radio on) - Shakespears sister

'Hello (Turn your radio on)' was written by Marcella Detroit, Manu Guiot and Siobhan Fahey. The latter commented: 'Hello is the furthest I've come as a writer, because it's intense and emotional and it sounds like it could have been done by a man'.

The track was released as fourth single from Shakespears sister's 1992 album 'Hormonally yours'. The single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1791
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 14, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello (Turn your radio on)' / 'Stay (Andre Betts remix)'

Roots bloody roots - Sepultura

Like most Sepultura songs, 'Roots bloody roots' is thought to be another protest song. The most common meaning that fans come up with is that everyone needs to preserve their own roots, and not modernize, forget or feel shame for them. This is shown in the lyrics We don't need to change, our ways to be saved.

The single was the first one taken from Sepultura's sixth album 'Roots', released in 1996. The single was released as a strictly limited edition on dark orange vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2640
Found: April 13, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Roots bloody roots' / 'Symptom of the universe'

Vroeg of laat - Toontje Lager

Here's another good Dutch song from the Eighties. Yes, the combination 'good' and 'Dutch' is a rare one in my book, but in the first half of the Eighties it seemed to happen more often than ever. 'Vroeg of laat' ('Sooner or later') is a combination of great synths, a nice drum rhythm, beautiful vocals and a rather accomplished guitar solo at the end. As a bonus, the B-side is an upbeat song in which an atheist ensures us that life is great after we die.

The single was taken from the band's 1983 album 'Stiekem dansen' ('Dancing secretly') but failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 934
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Vroeg of laat' / 'Fijn na de dood'

Feel no pain - Sade

A colleague of my sister went to London in December 1992. These were strange times: international mail order was still in its infancy, while 7" singles became increasingly rare in the Netherlands. So I took it as an opportunity to have the latest Sade single brought to me. It was bought and I paid back the amount via my sister. That's how I got 'Feel no pain', a single I actually didn't see very often during record fairs and the like after that.

'Feel no pain' is a rather socially conscious song, with a lyric about unemployment. As Sade were better known for their carefree, laidback songs, this single wasn't a huge success: it reached number 56 in the UK singles chart and didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 1798
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, received December 7, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Feel no pain' / 'Love is stronger than pride (Mad Professor remix)'

Circle in the sand - Belinda Carlisle

'Circle in the sand' was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, who wrote many of Belinda Carlisle's hit singles in the late Eighties and early Nineties. The track was released as the third single from Belinda's1988 album 'Heaven on earth'.

The single was a worldwide success, reaching number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1780
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 25, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle in the sand' / 'Circle in the sand (Seaside mood groove mix)'

Hello again - The Cars

'Hello again' was the fourth single taken from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single was notable for its music video, which was directed by Andy Warhol, who also appeared in the video.

The single reached number 42 in Canada and number 52 in Australia, but in Europe, it did not chart. The video was shown regularly on music channels at the time despite this - which is how I found out about the song. And even then it took me some years to finally find the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2622
Found: February 24, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello again' / 'Hello again (dub version)'

New York Minute - Don Henley

Don Henley recorded 'New York minute' for his 1989 album 'The end of the innocence'. It was released as the album's second single and reached number 48 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was covered by the Eagles on the album 'Hell freezes over' reunion album (1994).

My collection: 7" single no. 1154
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 20, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'New York minute' / 'Gimme what you got'

How does it feel - Time bandits

Despite the somewhat dodgy lyrics, I always considered this single by the Dutch band Time bandits to be an epic piece of work. It's got something to do with the subtle intro and the thundering drums, building to a climax that sadly ends in a fade-out. I've spent many moments in 1983, when this single was released, trying to imagine how this song would be like if there were an extended version of it.

I was very surprised when this track did not become a hit. Previous singles 'I'm only shooting love' and 'Listen to the man with the golden voice', also taken from the band's album 'Tracks' were more successful, whereas personally I think this is the best single of the three. Just goes to show how strange my taste is when compared to the general public.

My collection: 7" single no. 224
Found: LP Top 100, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'How does it feel' / 'Don't let your love go bad'

Three babies - Sinéad O'Connor

'Three babies' was the third single taken from Sinéad O'Connor's second album 'I do not want what I haven't got'. In the UK, this single was released in a limited edition poster sleeve, which fortunately I got to buy while I was in London.

The beautiful ballad did not make much of a chart impression: it only charted in the UK and Ireland, peaking at number 42 and 19 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 1325
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Three babies' / 'Damn your eyes'

Live-in world - The Anti-Heroin Project

Fish, Nik Kershaw, Cliff Richard, Dave Stewart, Holly Johnson, Robin Gibb, Kim Wilde and many others contributed their voices and music to the Anti-Heroin Project in 1986. It was one of many charity projects in music that took place in the mid-Eighties, following the lead of Band Aid and Live Aid.

The single 'Live-in world' was lifted from a double album that contained tracks from various artists. This was the track that contained vocals from over fifty artists on a new song written by Charley Foskett. The Anti-Heroin Project was not very successful: neither the single nor the album charted.

My collection: 7" single no. 501
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Live-in world' / 'Something better'

Be my downfall - Del Amitri

Dutch readers of this blog are not likely to miss the fact that the photo on this sleeve was made in Amsterdam, at the Kadijksplein to be exact. This was not the reason for me buying this single, but I think I saw the song once on television not long before I bought it. (By that time, I'd already given up on radio.)

'Be my downfall' was the second single taken from Del Amitri's second album 'Change everything', and reached number 30 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2660
Found: June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Be my downfall' / 'Whiskey remorse'

Don't mess with doctor dream - Thompson Twins

While working on the follow up to 'Into the gap', Thompson Twins band member Tom Bailey suffered a nervous breakdown. Nile Rodgers was subsequently called in to help finish the album 'Here's to future days', which was released in September 1985.

The first single from the album was 'Don't mess with doctor dream', a track with a strong anti-drug message. The single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 569
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't mess with doctor dream' / 'Big business'

Iron lion zion - Bob Marley

Bob Marley wrote and recorded 'Iron lion zion' in April 1973 or 1974. It was released posthumously in May 1992 on the box set 'Songs of freedom'. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 when the track was released as a single.

The song's lyrics are directly related to Rastafarian beliefs. Zion is 'the promised land', in the song referring to Ethiopia. The lion refers to the Lion of Judah, which appeared on the old royal Ethiopian flag, and represents Haile Selassie I, the former Ethiopian emperor whom Rastafarians regard as their Messiah.

My collection: 7" single no. 1799
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, December 11, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Iron lion zion' / 'Smile Jamaica'

Love will save the day - Whitney Houston

I recently saw a video of Whitney Houston on the UK television programme 'X Factor'. Her new song was quite horrible, she almost lost the top of her dress and she looked quite lost on stage, like she hasn't quite kicked her drug habit yet.

It's easy to discard her entire body of work as sentimental crap and uninspired dance tracks. Even this one single I have from her now sounds very dated. But 'Love will save the day' has a nice hook, even if the vocals are not the best and the music sounds very Eighties. the single was not Whitney's biggest hit, but still reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40, number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1298
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 30p
Tracks: 'Love will save the day' / 'Hold me' (duet with Teddy Pendergrass)

More than I can bear - Matt Bianco

Released in February 1985 as their fourth single, Matt Bianco's 'More than I can bear' was not their biggest hit but perhaps their artistically most accomplished song. The song appeared on their debut album 'Whose side are you on' (1984) and was remixed for the single.

It reached number 50 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 643
Found: August 2, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'More than I can bear (remix)' / 'Matts mood (remix)'

The world is stone - Cyndi Lauper

'The world is stone' was originally written in 1978 for the Starmania musical as 'Le monde est stone', a French song by Michel Berger and Luc Plamondon. The song was adapted to English by Tim Rice.

Cyndi Lauper recorded the song in 1992 for the soundtrack of the musical 'Tycoon'. The single was not released in the USA, but it did hit number 15 in the UK singles chart. In France the single peaked at number 2. It also became the biggest selling single in France that year, earning a double platinum certification.

My collection: 7" single no. 2744
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The world is stone' / 'Learn to live alone'

If I can't have you - Yvonne Elliman

Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, a.k.a. the Bee Gees wrote 'If I can't have you' in 1976. They intended to record it as a track on their follow-up of the 1976 Bee Gees album 'Children of the world', but when they became involved in the soundtrack of the movie 'Saturday night fever', they gave the song to Yvonne Elliman to record it.

Elliman's version of the song became an international hit, reaching number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 4 in the UK singles chart. The Bee Gees also recorded the song themselves, and it was released as the B-side to their single 'Stayin' alive'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2776
Found: London, October 31, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'If I can't have you' / 'Good sign'

Il veliero - The Chaplin Band

Although they released several singles between 1976 and 1982, 'Il veliero' was only the second hit for the Chaplin band. Like their debut single 'Let's have a party' in 1977, this single reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. I've also got the 12" single, but this is the single version of that track.

After one more hit, 'Gold' later on in 1982, the Chaplin band would never return to the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2057
Found: November 27, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Il veliero' / 'Dancin' on town square'

Goodnight song - Tears for fears

Released in October 1993, 'Goodnight song' was the third single from Tears for fears' 1993 album 'Elemental'. Although the cd-single in Europe was backed by a remix of the album's title track, in the US the B-side 'New star' was used (released as the B-side of 'Cold' in the UK).

The single was not very successful, as it didn't chart in any territory. Until recently, I didn't even know a 7" single of this release existed.

My collection: 7" single no. 4118
Found: eBay.com, received October 19, 2009
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Goodnight song' / 'New star'

Hey Jude - The Beatles

'Hey Jude' was originally written by Paul McCartney as 'Hey Jules' as a song for Julian Lennon, after the divorce of his parents, John and Cynthia Lennon. Paul commented: 'I started with the idea 'Hey Jules', which was Julian, don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better. Hey, try and deal with this terrible thing. I knew it was not going to be easy for him. I always feel sorry for kids in divorces... I changed it to 'Jude' because I thought that sounded a bit better.'

The song became a massive hit for the Beatles, reaching number 1 in charts around the world. The single was the debut release of the Beatles' record label Apple Records.

My collection: 7" single no. 425
Found: Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey Jude' / 'Revolution'

Love changes (everything) - Climie Fisher

My copy of 'Love changes (everything)' features a free poster. This is also the reason why I bought it, as part of a batch of the four last singles I bought during a holiday in London. I figured that limited editions like this were much harder to find again than the usual second hand singles.

'Love changes (everything)' is arguably Climie Fisher's best known single, and their biggest hit in the UK, peaking at number 2 in the summer of 1987. In the Dutch Top 40, the single landed at number 20.

My collection: 7" single no. 1082
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love changes (everything)' / 'Never close the show'

Shine silently - Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren was born on June 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois (USA). He joined Neil Young's band, following this up with a brief stint with Crazy Horse in 1971. His own band Grin then landed a record deal and had some success for three years. Lofgren then launched a solo career.

His fifth album 'Nils' was released in 1979, featuring the single 'Shine silently'. This single reached number 21 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn of 1979 and is still a firm radio favourite these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 1422
Found: Record fair, Den Haagt, April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Shine silently' / 'Kool skool'

Stop loving you - Toto

'Stop loving you' was the first single taken from Toto's 1988 album 'The seventh one'. The song was written by David Paich and Steve Lukather and featured backing vocals by Jon Anderson.

The single peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1812
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Stop loving you' / 'The seventh one'

Call me - Go west

Go west released 'Call me' as their second single. It was taken from their self-titled debut album, released in 1985. Although the single couldn't match the success of their debut single 'We close our eyes' in any territory. it still did rather well.

In the UK, 'Call me' reached number 12, whereas in the US Billboard Hot 100 the single reached number 54. In New Zealand, 'Call me' reached number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 312
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Call me' / 'The man in my mirror'

Why can't it wait 'til morning - Phil Collins

'Why can't it wait 'til morning' was the fifth single taken from Phil Collins' second solo album 'Hello, I must be going!'. It was only released in the UK, but it was not successful: the single did not chart, despite the fact that it is actually quite a great ballad.

The B-side was also taken from the album. The lyric of 'Like china' is about an infatuated teenager attempting to convince his girlfriend to sleep with him by saying he will treat her as gently like china. I wonder if she fell for it...

My collection: 7" single no. 3202
Found: Record fair, September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't it wait 'til morning' / 'Like china'

Sexy MF - Prince

There were some problems when Prince delivered his song 'Sexy motherfucker' in 1992. Puritan people were very distraught by this expression, whereas in that day and age it shouldn't really shock anyone much more than violence on TV and in movies. But apparently saying 'motherfucker' is worse than that. Channels like MTV hastily censored the offending word 'fucker' with an exclamation by Prince, which made the song sound very strange indeed.

The single did benefit somewhat from all the upheaval, as it reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. In the USA, the single stalled at number 66.

My collection: 7" single no. 1744
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sexy MF' / 'Strollin''

Kissing gate - Sam Brown

Sam Brown's second album 'April moon' spawned five singles, of which 'Kissing gate' was the second. It was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart and also reaching number 45 in Canada.

The single was released in a limited edition pop-up sleeve. The popup revealed an image of Sam Brown with the lyric of 'Kissing gate' behind her. The quirky B-side 'Is it mustard or mango?' is a nice treat as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 1258
Found: Tower Records, London, July 5, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Kissing gate' / 'Is it mustard or mango?'

Don't cry - Seal

I've been buying some Nineties singles recently, and it's interesting how the 7" format continued in America as it was slowly abolished in Europe already.

'Don't cry' was released as the fifth and final single from Seal's fourth album in 1995. It featured a radio edit of the track (which was not that much shorter than the album version). The single reached number 51 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4117
Found: eBay.com, received October 19, 2009
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Don't cry (radio edit)' / 'Fast changes'

Hallo spaceboy - David Bowie

'Hallo spaceboy' was a track on David Bowie's 1995 album '1. Outside', a loud rock track that would surprise a lot of listeners if they would hear it. The lyric of the song featured a return of Major Tom, a character wellknown from Bowie's songs 'Space oddity' and 'Ashes to ashes'.

The single version was remixed by the Pet Shop Boys and was far more dance oriented. The introduction was sampled from 'Outside's opening track, 'Leon take us outside'. Bowie initially expressed reservation about the additions, which referenced and 'chopped up' the lyrics to 'Space oddity', but later agreed that they worked well so long as Tennant sung them. The single became a hit for Bowie, peaking at number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. The 7" single was pressed on pink vinyl. On my copy, the label of the B-side is missing.

My collection: 7" single no. 2632
Found: March 16, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Hallo spaceboy' / 'The hearts filthy lesson (radio edit)'

Robin (the hooded man) - Clannad

I bought the Clannad compilation album 'Pastpresent' somewhere around 1990 and it was through that cd that I discovered the interesting back catalogue of this Irish band. I went through a phase of buying their singles whenever I came across them - and I still will, I think.

'Robin (the hooded man)' was the only single to be lifted off Clannad's 1984 album 'Legend'. The music of that album was composed for the ITV drama series 'Robin of Sherwood', starring Michael Praed, who appears on the cover of this single. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2901
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 30, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Robin (the hooded man)' / 'Lady Marian'

What do I have to do - Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue was changing her image from 'girl next door' to 'sex siren', and the music video for 'What do I have to do' was one of the means to do this. The video showed Kylie in a swimming pool, a fairground, doing the ironing in a French maid's costume, and dancing with a female friend in a club. The sexual undertones in the video directed by Dave Hogan proved too much for Saturday morning TV shows, and so they showed a censored version of the video.

The music video was exploited in the single release as well: this limited edition features two free postcards with stills from the video. 'What do I have to do' reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2701
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 3, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What do I have to do' / 'What do I have to do (instrumental)'

Hide and seek - Howard Jones

'Hide and seek' was the third single from Howard Jones' debut album 'Human's lib'. The ballad had an almost biblical lyric and intriguing synthesizer sounds. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

This 10" single features both the A- and B-sides of the 7" single, but also an exclusive 'concert version', recorded live in concert at High Wycombe Concert Hall in 1984.

My collection: 10" single [unnubered]
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Hide & seek (Concert version)' / 'Hide & seek', 'Tao te Ching'

Circle of one - Oleta Adams

'Circle of one' was the second single released by Oleta Adams, taken from her debut album of the same name. Capitalizing on the success she found with Tears for fears wasn't easy at first, because after her debut single 'Rhythm of life' only reached number 52 in the UK singles chart, this one only managed to peak at number 95.

'Circle of one' was written by Adams herself and produced by Roland Orzabal and Dave Bascombe. It would take another single to finally find breakthrough success: the ballad 'Get here'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1302
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Circle of one' / 'Think again'

With or without you - U2

'With or without you' is the song that took U2 to superstardom for good. They scored their first American number 1 hit, launching the album 'The Joshua tree' with a bang. At the same time, band leader Bono became involved in way too many charities, taking on some kind of Jesus image - something he would never shake off since then.

The single also reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. The song recently re-entered the UK singles chart in May 2009 at number 43, based on download sales alone.

My collection: 7" single no. 914
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'With or without you' / 'Luminous times (Hold on to love)', 'Walk to the water'

Heal the pain - George Michael

'Heal the pain' was the fourth single taken from George Michael's 1991 album 'Listen without prejudice vol. 1'. The guitar-based love song was a moderate success, reaching number 31 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the USA, the sides were flipped and 'Soul free' was released as the A-side. That single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2569
Found: Record fair, December 2, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heal the pain' / 'Soul free'

Move right out - Rick Astley

As Rick Astley left Stock, Aitken & Waterman behind, his singles became better artistically and less appreciated commercially. 'Move right out' was written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher and was the second single release from Astley's third album 'Free' (1991).

The single reached number 58 in the UK singles chart and number 81 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the Neherlands, the single failed to reach the Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1484
Found: July 3, 1991
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Move right out' / 'Move right out (vox, piano, strings mix)'

Why can't I have you - The Cars

I don't remember how I got to hear 'Why can't I have you' by the Cars. As it didn't reach the charts in the Netherlands and I can't imagine it being played on the radio much, I really can't figure it out. But I'm glad I did: it's one of my favourite songs from the Eighties.

'Why can't I have you' is a track from the Cars' very successful 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single only charted in the USA, peaking at number 33 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 917
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Why can't I have you' / 'Heartbeat city'

No ordinary love - Sade

'No ordinary love' was released as the first single from Sade's fourth studio album 'Love deluxe'. The band had been away from the scene for three years and their comeback was highly anticipated. Some may have thought it was time for the band to explore new territories musically, but the song fit perfectly into the formula that had been so successful the three previous albums.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100, the single was slightly less successful, peaking at number 28. It was impossible to find this 7" single in the Netherlands, but fortunately a holiday in London helped me get the single after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1727
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'No ordinary love' / 'Paradise (remix)'

Im nin' alu - Ofra Haza

Ofra Haza scored her biggest international hit in 1988 with 'Im nin' alu'. A sample of the track, which was originally recorded in 1984, appeared in Eric B & Rakim's hiphop track 'Paid in full' in 1987. Izhar Ashdot then remixed Ofra Haza's song, and this remix was released within months of the chart success for 'Paid in full'.

As a result, Ofra Haza reached number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40. Reportedly the song sold three million copies worldwide, making it one of the first so-called 'world music' recordings to cross over to mainstream pop chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 2115
Found: Record fair, June 11, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Im nin' alu (Played in full mix - English vocal)' / 'Im nin' alu (Yemenite vocal)'

You're the one - Julian Lennon

This is one of those rare occasions where I bought a 7" single because of the B-side. Puck played me 'Sunday morning' back in 1995, and only weeks later I found this single which featured that particular album track on the B-side. Playing the single now, I still think that the A-side is very uninteresting, while the B-side is simply beautiful.

'You're the one' was released as the second single from Julian Lennon's 1989 album 'Mr. Jordan', but it didn't chart at all. Perhaps more people should have heard the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 2532
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You're the one' / 'Sunday morning'

World at war - Dr. Pop

The Dutch band Dr. Pop is formed in Velp in 1978 by Ans Dijkstra, Bert Meijer, Chris Meurs, Jan de Wit and Ton van Tent. Their self-titled debut album is released in 1980 and is produced by Jaap Eggermont (who would go on to have international success with his 'Stars on 45' project).

The single 'World at war' is released in May 1980 and reaches number 21 in the Dutch Top 40. It's the band's only hit. In 1981 they split up.

My collection: 7" single no. 2407
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'World at war' / 'Titanic'

Suffer the children - Tears for fears

According to Tears for fears' Curt Smith: ''Suffer the children' was the first song we did together when we left The Graduate. It was our very first experimentation with sequencers and drum machines, with a guy called David Lord, who worked with Peter Gabriel and different people down in Bath. So that was actually the first song we did as Tears For Fears.'

The original 7" version of "Suffer The Children" is distinct from the version found on their debut album 'The hurting' by the inclusion of an extra Curt Smith-sung lyric at the beginning of the song.

There are two versions of the single: the original release featured a white sleeve (pictured above). In 1985, following up on the massive success of the band's second album 'Songs from the big chair', the single was reissued in a black sleeve. All this didn't help matters: both releases did not chart anywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 1319
Found: London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Suffer the children' / 'Wino'