There is life on earth - Sonja Lumme

Studio versions of Eurovision songs don't always do justice to the songs. They can sound quite meagre compared to the version that was performed on stage - especially before 1999, when the orchestra was abandoned in the show.

Sonja Lumme represented Finland during the 1985 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Eläköön elämä' - and yes, I have no idea what that means either. She finished ninth in a field of 19 competitors. She recorded it in English for this single. 'There is life on earth' was probably only a hit in Scandinavia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4410
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'There is life on earth' / 'Give me a call'

In the long run - Paul Young

'In the long run' was released as the third single from Paul Young's 1986 album 'Between two fires' - but only in the Netherlands. In the UK, the B-side of this single, 'Why does a man have to be strong' was chosen as the A-side.

This single did not chart and can be considered a turning point in Paul Young's career. Up until then, every single he released was a chart hit all over Europe and in the UK. From this moment on, his career would have highs as well as lows.

My collection: 7" single no. 4385
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'In the long run' / 'Why does a man have to be strong'

Little lies - Fleetwood Mac

'Little lies' was written by Christine McVie with her husband at the time, Eddy Quintela. It was recorded as a track on Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night' and released as the album's third single.

Upon its release in September 1987, the single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Little lies' reached number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 2307
Found: May 27, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Little lies' / 'Ricky'

Volare - Al Martino

Al Martino (October 7, 1927 - October 13, 2009) was an American singer and actor. His greatest successes as a singer took place between the Fifties and Seventies.

One of his many successes was this disco version of 'Volare', originally performed by Domenico Modugno as 'Nel blu dipinto di blu' during the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest. It reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 in early 1976.

My collection: 7" single no. 4379
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Volare' / 'You belong to me'

Suddenly - Billy Ocean

After a string of uptempo hit singles, Billy Ocean surprised many with the slow ballad 'Suddely'. It was the title track of his 1984 album, but released a a single in 1985. Such was the success of this ballad, that he would release further slow songs like 'There'll be sad song (to make you cry)' in later years.

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, while peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 821
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 13, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Suddenly' / 'Lucky man'

Back on the chain gang - The Pretenders

'Back on the chain gang' was originally going to be about Ray Davies, with whom Chrissie Hynde had a relationship. They also had a daughter together. The meaning of the song changed when James Honeyman-Scott, guitarist of the Pretenders, died of a drug overdose at the age of 25 in 1982.

The song was released as a single in 1982 and later included on the Pretenders' 1984 album 'Learning to crawl'. The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 17 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2313
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Back on the chain gang' / 'My city was gone'

Miss you like crazy - Natalie Cole

Natalie Maria Cole was born in 1950 as the daughter of Nat King Cole and former Duke Ellington Orchestra singer Maria Cole. She started singing herself from an early age and had her first performance aged 11. Her father died of lung cancer just four years later. After graduation in 1972, she started singing in small clubs. She released her first album, 'Inseparable', in 1975. Many albums followed, until 1989's 'Good to be back' gave her the biggest hit of her career: 'Miss you like crazy'.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1425
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Miss you like crazy' / 'Good to be back'

Ev'ry time we say goodbye - Simply Red

Cole Porter wrote 'Ev'ry time we say goodbye' in 1944 for the musical revue 'Seven lively arts'. The song became a jazz standard, recorded by classic artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Carly Simon and many others.

Simply Red recorded the song on their 1987 album 'Men and women'. It was released as a single just before the end of the year, reaching number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 596
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 18, 1988
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Ev'ry time we say goodbye' / 'Love for sale'

Kiss - Prince

'Kiss' started as a short acoustic demo with one verse and the chorus. Prince gave the song to the funk band Mazarati for their debut album. They reworked the song and gave it its stripped down sound. When Prince heard this version, he took back the song for himself, replacing their lead vocal, adding a guitar break in the middle. Mazarati were credited for their backing vocals, which Prince left intact. He added the song at the last minute to the album 'Parade'.

When 'Kiss' was released as a single, it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 2, and number 6 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3204
Found: September 30, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Kiss' / '♥ or $'

November rain - Guns n' Roses

'November rain' is a very long single, clocking in at 8 minutes and 57 seconds. Axl Rose had been working on the song since at least 1983. An early live version by the band, released in Australia in 1985 is an acoustic version with guitar, lead vocals and backing vocals, but without guitar solos or the outro. An 18 minute version was recorded in 1986 with guitarist Manny Charlton from the band Nazareth. The version on this single comes from Guns n' Roses' 1992 album 'Use your illusion'.

The single peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 4 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single charted twice: in April 1992, it reached number 13 during a six week chart run, and in September, 'November rain' reached number 4 during a 12 week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1720
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 26, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'November rain' / 'Sweet child o' mine'

Gold - Spandau Ballet

Back in 1983, Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran were the two biggest bands around. While Duran Duran's biggest peak would be 1984's 'The reflex', Spandau delivered their two flagship songs in 1983.

After the very successful 'True', taken from their third album of the same name, 'Gold' was another big hit, peaking at number 2 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, while also reaching number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2152
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, September 1, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Gold' / 'Gold (instrumental)'

Whole lotta love / Immigrant song - Led Zeppelin

I first heard 'Whole lotta love' as part of a top 100 of all times somewhere in the Eighties. It was a fascinating rock track and although I usually don't really like guitar-based tracks, this was one big exception.

Led Zeppelin recorded 'Whole lotta love' in 1969. According to Jimmy Page, 'It was put together when we were rehearsing some music for the second album. I had a riff, everyone was at my house, and we kicked it from there.' The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1969. In the UK, the track only hit the charts in 1997, when it reached number 21 during a two week chart run. The main guitar riff was subsequently used for the leader of the popular UK TV programme 'Top of the pops'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1844
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Whole lotta love' / 'Immigrant song'

I wanna be loved by you - Marilyn Monroe

If you were to compare Madonna with Marilyn Monroe, there are actually some similarities: both tried their hand at singing despite not having a very good singing voice, for instance. Both are American women and both were perceived as sex symbols, although in the case of Madonna you can wonder whether that is a just perception.

Marilyn Monroe oozed sexiness all through her career until her tragic death in 1962. She recorded 'I wanna be loved by you' for the 1959 movie 'Some like it hot'. It was re-released in 1989 during the hype of remixed oldies that went down at the time. This remix of 'I wanna be loved by you' adds some unnecessary rhythms, and sounds very dated by now as a result. The original version, which fortunately is included on the B-side of this single (and was my reason for buying it in the first place), stands out as one of the best recordings from that era.

My coollection: 7" single no. 828
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'I wanna be loved by you (Mr. President mix)' / 'I wanna be loved by you'

Waiting for a train - Flash and the Pan

Longtime readers of this blog will know that I bought the '89 remix of 'Waiting for a train' last year, but obviously I've got the original version too.

When it was released in April 1983, the single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart but it flopped in the Netherlands. The single was re-released in July 1983 there, and on that occasion, it managed to reach number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 371
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Waiting for a train' / 'Waiting for a train (instrumental version)'

You came - Kim Wilde

Despite the absence of a sexual connotation, a lot of people could relate to the lyric of Kim Wilde's 1988 hit single 'You came'. Kim wrote the lyric of the song after the birth of her nephew Marty, son of her brother Ricky. It also helped that at the time of this single's release, Kim was touring Europe supporting Michael Jackson on his 'Bad' tour. More people heard her songs, and so more people bought them.

'You came' reached number 1 in Denmark and was a top 10 hit all over Europe - with the exception of the Netherlands, where it only reached number 13. In the UK singles chart, 'You came' reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 639
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, July 9, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'You came' / 'Stone'

Female intuition - Mai Tai

Mai Tai's 'Female intuition' was released in January 1986. It became the group's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 9. This was quite in contrast with the developments in the UK, where they had just had two top 10 hits during 1985: this single only managed to reach number 54 in the UK singles chart.

This copy of the single was made in the UK and has a different sleeve when compared to the European version.

My collection: 7" single no. 3194
Found: September 16, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Female intuition' / 'Female intuition (Compressed dance mix)'

Right here waiting - Richard Marx

The soppy ballad 'Right here waiting' was the second single from Richard Marx's 1989 album 'Repeat offender'. It was an understated ballad while many bands were releasing so-called 'power ballads'. It featured none of the heavy drums and synths popular at the time, with Marx's vocal accompanied only by guitar and keyboards.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a number 1 hit in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 1423
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Right here waiting' / 'Wait for the sunrise'

Wishing / I ran - A flock of seagulls

So this is a weird one: the front cover only states 'A flock of seagulls', whereas on the back of the sleeve you can find a photograph of that band plus a track listing. This single contains two hits by the band: 'Wishing' and 'I ran'. So where does this come from?

The single was made by Tonpress, which is a wellknown Polish record label from the Eighties. It belonged to Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza (The National Publishing Agency), one of many government-controlled publishing units in Poland during that time. Tonpress was disactivated in 1990, when the new democratic Polish government decided to discontinue running many of the state-controlled publishing houses and agencies. Tonpress' Polish catalogue was split between various private-owned music labels.

My collection: 7" single no. 2578
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wishing (If I had a photograph of you)' / 'I ran'

On the beach - Chris Rea

This limited edition double single includes two live tracks recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London on May 2, 1986. Rea had just completed his 'On the beach tour' when this single was released, the title track from his 1986 album 'On the beach'. The track was remixed for the single release.

While the single only reached number 57 in the UK singles chart, it was a bigger hit for Rea in the Netherlands, where it got to number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2347
Found: June 26, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'On the beach (special remix)' / 'If anybody asks you' // 'One golden rule (live)' / 'Midnight blue (live)'

In fortune's hand - Clannad

Clannad started the Nineties with a slightly livelier sound. The single 'In fortune's hand', taken from their 1990 album 'Anam', was a full band effort, using more instrumentation than on previous singles.

This did not mean that commercial success awaited them: the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1479
Found: Breda, July 3, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In fortune's hand' / 'Dobhar'

Microkid - Level 42

'Microkid' is a track on Level 42's fourth album 'Standing in the light'.

When it was released as a single in October 1983, it reached number 37 in the UK singles chart. The single was unsuccessful in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 3064
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 9, 1999
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Microkid' / 'Turn it on (live version)'

Nescio - The Nits

The Dutch band The Nits released the track 'Nescio' in February 1983 as a single from their album 'Omsk'. The track features Dutch singer Mathilde Santing on backing vocals. It became the band's first top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My copy of the single comes in a standard record company sleeve, although it was released in a picture sleeve. I have seen picture sleeve editions recently, but they're usually quite expensive. So for now, this'll do.

My collection: 7" single no. 431
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Nescio' / 'Man of straw'

Picture this - Blondie

'Picture this' was a track on Blondie's 1978 album 'Parallel lines', written by Chris Stein, Debbie Harry and Jimmy Destri. Although all three were the main song writers for the band's albums, this is the only time when Harry and Stein would collaborate with Destri, who has written several later hit singles for Blondie on his own.

The track was released as the first single from 'Parallel lines' in the UK, reaching number 12 in the autumn of 1978. This copy of the single was pressed on yellow vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 1732
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Picture this' / 'Fade away and radiate'

Spirits in the material world - The Police

'Spirits in the material world' was the first track on the Police's 1981 album 'Ghost in the machine'. It has a Jamaican Ska beat which changes to a swaggering rock beat in the chorus.

It was released in November 1981 as the third single from the album. It reached number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, a limited edition of the single was released with a poster sleeve. The poster features a new photograph of the band taken from their official 1982 calendar.

My collection: 7" single no. 3092
Found: London, 1999
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Spirits in the material world' / 'Low life'

Mishandeld, vernederd, verkracht - Annie

I've always had a penchant for the inane and the ridiculous. And this is what drove me to buy this single: 'Mishandeld, vernederd, verkracht' ('Abused, humiliated, raped') by the Dutch singer Annie. Although the single never reached the Dutch Top 40, it has still become some sort of classic, as it reached number 22 in the Flop 100 of all times in 1994, 14 years after its release.

To foreign ears, this song may sound very innocent, but it is the story of a girl who goes out at night and is abused, humiliated and raped - and as a result, scarred for life. Not the most pleasant subject for a popular song. The B-side is downright bizarre: a boy asks his grandfather whether he can have his silver clock, and in the end he gets it. It used to belong to the boy's father, but he is dead now. In the last verse, the boy is buried and the grandfather takes the hourglass home. The lyric is rather mysterious, in that it doesn't explain what is the reason for this sudden death among the clock's owners.

My collection: 7" single no. 3214
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, October 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Mishandeld, vernederd, verkracht' / 'Het zilveren uurwerk'

Then you turn away - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Then you turn away' was the third single taken from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's 1991 album 'Sugar tax'. It peaked at number 50 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side is 'Sugar tax', but interestingly it is not included on the album of the same name. The track was not finished in time for the album, and so it was only released as a B-side on this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2355
Found: Marlyn Music, Eastbourne, June 28, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Then you turn away' / 'Sugar tax'

Slave to love - Bryan Ferry

'Slave to love' was the first single taken from Bryan Ferry's 1985 album 'Boys and girls'. Released in April 1985, the single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40. The guitar solo in the middle section features Keith Scott from Bryan Adams's band and the closing guitar solo is by Neil Hubbard.

The song was featured prominently in themovies '9½ Weeks' and 'Bitter Moon', although in the latter it is performed by Danny Wuyts.

My collection: 7" single no. 1807
Found: January 9, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Slave to love' / 'Valentine (instrumental)'

The word girl - Scritti Politti

'The word girl' was released as the fourth single from Scritti Politti's 1985 album 'Cupid & Psyche 85'. It turned out to be the band's biggest hit, peaking at number 6 in the UK singles chart. It also charted in the Netherlands, where it reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song has a similar sound to many of the other group's songs, with a reggae rhythm, a smooth R&B-inspired sound with Green Gartside's soulful vocals on top.

My collection: 7" single no. 462
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The word girl' / 'Flesh & blood'

Give me a break - Renée

Released as a single in 1982, Renée had no success with 'Give me a break', a track from the compilation album 'Sometimes you cry'. The song sounded a lot like previous singles from the band, and presumably the listeners had had enough of the band. Although they continued to perform live for years, they would have no further chart success.

My collection: 7" single no. 1835
Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, January 13, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Give me a break' / 'She's a star'

Piano man - Billy Joel

'Piano man' is a fictionalized retelling of real people Joel met during his days as a piano-lounge singer in Los Angeles, after the failure of his first album, 'Cold spring harbor'. At the time, Joel was trying to get out of a bad deal with the record company Family Productions, so, according to Joel, he was 'hiding out' at the bar, performing under the name Bill Martin while Columbia Records tried to get him out of the deal.

When the song was released as a single in 1975, it gave him his first hit: it peaked at number 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1569
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Piano man' / 'You're my home'

Serious - Duran Duran

By the time 'Serious' was released as the second single from Duran Duran's 1990 album 'Liberty', interest in the album had already waned. Poor promotion, including a decision not to tour in support of the album, led the single to stall at number 48 in the UK singles chart. This was the band's worst charting single up until then.

Due to the commercial failure of this single, plans for future singles were shelved. The third single in the USA was to have been the rock track 'First impression', while in Europe EMI would have released the album's title track 'Liberty'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2276
Found: April 23, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Serious' / 'Yo bad Azizi'

Moon over Bourbon Street - Sting

'Moon over Bourbon Street' is a track from Sting's debut solo album 'The dream of the blue turtles'. The lyric of the song was inspired by the book 'Interview with the vampire' by Anne Rice.

It was released in early 1986 as the fifth and last single from the album. Although released all over Europe, it only managed a number 44 placing in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single comes with a German press information insert.

My collection: 7" single no. 1877
Found: Record fair, March 27, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Moon over Bourbon Street' / 'Mack the Knife'

As one - Sam Brown

'As one' was the final single taken from Sam Brown's 1989 album 'April moon'. As far as I know, there was no cd-single release, only a 12" single and a 7" single - which in 1990 was quite unusual.

The choice of this track for a single was quite unusual too, as it was not particularly a standout track on the album. Furthermore, the single was barely promoted, and so it sank without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 1316
Found: London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'As one' / 'Think about your troubles'

Manzanar - Cock Robin

Cock Robin released the second single from their third album 'First love last rites' in early 1990. 'Manzanar' was an album track, coupled with a non-album track 'We've changed'. The single was not a commercial success, as it didn't chart in any territory.

Still, a third single, 'Straighter line' was released a few months later. I have a cd-single of that single, but I've never been able to locate a 7" single of that title.

My collection: 7" single no. 1210
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, April 20, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Manzanar' / 'We've changed'

Late at night - Maywood

The Dutch duo Maywood had several hits in the Netherlands, but none of them was as big as 'Late at night'. This single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1980. There were actually many sultry nights during that summer when my sister, who owned a copy of this single, played this song, and I will forever associate this song with hot summers for that reason.

One of the most fascinating features of this song are the vocals. Someone in the studio must not have been paying attention: you constantly hear 'Late at nighT / Early in the morning lighT'.

My collection: 7" single no. 961
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Late at night' / 'One, two, three'

Wishful thinking - China Crisis

'Wishful thinking' was the third single from the album 'Working with fire & steel' by China Crisis. When the song was released as a single, it became an international success, reaching number 9 in the UK singles chart - their only top 10 hit in the UK - and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. Since then, it has become one of the classic songs from the Eighties, appearing on numerous compilation albums.

My collection: 7" single no. 2588
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Wishful thinking' / 'This occupation'

Flesh for fantasy - Billy Idol

Released in September 1984, 'Flesh for fantasy' was the third single from Billy Idol's third solo album 'Rebel Yell'. After the international success of the previous single 'Eyes without a face', this single did almost equally well, reaching number 11, 20 and 30 in Germany, Switzerland and Italy respectively. The single also reached number 54 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In the UK, the single was issued in a gatefold sleeve. I was happy to find one of these, 14 years after its original release.

My collection: 7" single no. 2985
Found: House of Rhythm, London, May 23, 1998
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Flesh for fantasy' / 'Blue highway'

Pearl in the shell - Howard Jones

'Pearl in the shell' was the fourth and final single from Howard Jones' debut album 'Human's lib'. The track features a saxophone solo by Davey Payne of Ian Dury's band The Blockheads. Released in May 1984, the single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart.

This single, although made in Germany, comes in a poster sleeve. A similar poster sleeve was released as a limited edition in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 347
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Pearl in the shell' / 'Law of the jungle'

Ik dans dus ik besta - Het Goede Doel

Sometimes, when you're buying records, you find something you didn't know about. It's these nice surprises that makes all the record hunting so worthwhile. This 12" single is a very good example: there aren't that many extended remixes of Dutch songs, certainly from circa 1986.

And yet, here it is: a remix version of 'Ik dans dus ik besta' ('I dance, therefore I am') by the Dutch group Het Goede Doel. And it is quite a rare version: as far as I know it has never been released on cd. Finding this 12" single was a very nice surprise.

My collection: 12" single no. 524
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ik dans dus ik besta (Special maxi version)' / 'Ik dans dus ik besta (instrumental)'

Bem bom - Doce

The female quartet Doce, consisting of Laura Diogo, Lena Coelho, Fátima Padinha and Teresa Miguel, represented Portugal during the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with the catchy pop song 'Bem bom' ('Very good'). During their performance, the four women were dressed in musketeer outfits.

They finished 13th in a field of 18 competitors. The single was released in several European countries, but failed to chart outside of Portugal.

My collection: 7" single no. 4400
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bem bom (English version)' / 'Bem bom (Portuguese version)'

Tomb of memories - Paul Young

I bought a copy of 'Tomb of memories' for something quite close to nothing in July 2009, although I was aware of the limited edition double single version. I didn't really think I would find it so fast for such a reasonable price.

This limited edition double single has two live tracks on the second disc. It's nothing very special, but it is a double single. Did I ever mention that I am a sucker for such limited editions?

My collection: 7" single no. 4386
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 3,5 euro
Tracks: 'Tomb of memories' / 'Man in the iron mask' // 'Bite the hand that feeds (live)' / 'Love will tear us apart (live)'

Vamos a la playa - Righeira

'Vamos a la playa' was originally performed by the Mexican band Los Joao. Righeira recorded their version of the song in 1983. It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

This single features 'Vamos a la playa' on both sides - the labels give no further information. I'm not sure, but I think the B-side version is performed in Italian instead of Spanish.

My collection: 7" single no. 4384
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Vamos a la playa' / 'Vamos a la playa'

The eve of the war - Jeff Wayne

I've already got two copies of 'The eve of the war', namely the Dutch pressing and the UK pressing from 1978. When you listen to the version of 'The eve of the war' on this single, you will hear that it is performed by a different vocalist. And this is where the confusion begins...

When 'Eve of the war' was released as a single, Justin Hayward had already had a hit with 'Forever autumn'. There was no rights clearance for a single release of 'The eve of the war', and so Chris Thompson stepped in and sung an alternative version of the song. That version is featured on the 1978 singles - although the Justin Hayward version was also available circa 1978 when the rights issues were sorted out. This single was released in 1989, when Jeff Wayne's musical version of the War of the Worlds was re-released on lp and cd. And it features the Justin Hayward version! Obviously, I had to have this one as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 4382
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'

Where did love go wrong - Belle and the Devotions

The response on this blog is sometimes very useful. Last year I found out that there are three singles by Belle and the Devotions: their Eurovision entry 'Love games' of course, 'Got to let you know', released in 1983, and this one: 'Where did love go wrong'.

It was of course just a matter of time until I would find this one. And as always, I found it in a place where I least expected it: in a second hand shop in Amsterdam. Like the other two singles, it sounds like a modern Motown track. And I guess that was the sound that the group was always going for. I have to say that in my opinion, this is the least interesting single of the three.

My collection: 7" single no. 4383
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Where did love go wrong' / 'When you're alone'

She loved like diamond - Spandau Ballet

'She loved like diamond' sounds a bit like a rough demo, and so it is quite a surprise to find that it is actually Spandau Ballet's sixth single, the third single taken from their second album 'Diamond'. Earlier singles like 'Muscle bound' and 'Chant no. 1' sound a lot more sophisticated than this track.

Perhaps this is also why it was less successful chart-wise: 'She loved like diamond' only reached number 49 in the UK singles chart, the lowest chart placing for any Spandau Ballet single up until then.

My collection: 7" single no. 4381
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'She loved like diamond' / 'She loved like diamond (instrumental)'

Fool's paradise - Rosie Vela

I was very excited to find this single by Rosie Vela. Not because it contained any new tracks (both the A-side and the B-side are taken from her 1986 album 'Zazu'), but because of the sleeve and the fact that I didn't really know this single existed. Sure, I do have the 12" single so it was only logical a 7" single would also exist, but I always assumed it was only released in the UK and with a sleeve similar to the 12" single version.

But this is German pressing, featuring 'Tonto' on the B-side instead of 'Interlude'. I can only assume that there's a different UK pressing of 'Fool's paradise' on 7" single somewhere too. I'll keep on searching...

My collection: 7" single no. 4380
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fool's paradise' / 'Tonto'

Dansez maintenant - Dave

I don't remember this myself, but I am told that I was very much impressed with the song 'Dansez maintenant' by Dave when I was five years old. Dave was born as Wouter Otto Levenbach on May 4, 1944 in Amsterdam. He had a string of number 1 hits in France in the Seventies, but he remained virtually unknown in his country of origin.

The exception was 'Dansez maintenant', a track based on 'Moonlight serenade' by Glenn Miller and Mitchell Parish. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40 in the autumn of 1975.

My collection: 7" single no. 4378
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dansez maintenant' / 'Dimanche avec toi'

S-S-S-Single bed - Fox

The British band Fox formed in 1974, with members Noosha Fox, Kenny Young, Herbie Armstrong, Jim Gannon, Pete Solley, Gary Taylor and Jim Frank. The band had a lot of success with their self-titled debut album, which was released in 1975 and featured the distinctive lead vocals by Noosha Fox. When she was relegated to backing vocals for half of the tracks on the second album 'Tails of illusion' (1975), success eluded the band.

They came back in 1976 with the single 'S-S-S-Single bed', which did feature Noosha Fox on lead vocals. The single topped the chart in Australia and reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 4 in the UK singles chart. The track was recently covered by Bananarama on their 2009 album 'Viva'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4377
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'S-S-S-Single bed' / 'Silk milk'