Cold as ice - Foreigner

'Cold as ice' was taken from Foreigner's self-titled debut album. When it was released as a single, it quickly became one of the band's best known songs after it peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

I actually own two copies of the single. I bought the first one in 1992, which was made in Holland and widely available in Europe at the time of its release. The other single popped up in 1995, pressed on clear vinyl and housed in a see-through sleeve. This is a limited edition version from the UK, also released in 1977. A real rarity!

My collection: 7" single no. 1793 / no. 2521
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 25, 1992 / London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 3,5 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Cold as ice' / 'I need you'

Alright - Janet Jackson

Personally, I was never impressed with the track 'Alright' by Janet Jackson, taken from her album 'Rhythm Nation 1814'. When it was released as a single, I simply didn't buy it. That is, until I spotted this UK edition featuring the Spanish version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side. 'Come back to me' is a beautiful ballad, and sounds even better in Spanish, I have to say.

'Alright' reached number 20 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1990. In the Netherlands, where it was released in April with the 'normal' version of 'Come back to me' on the B-side, it didn't chart. A good B-side makes all the difference in the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 2031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Alright (House mix)' / 'Vuelve a mi (Come back to me)'

King in a Catholic style - China Crisis

'King in a Catholic style' was released in early 1985 as the follow-up to 'Black man Ray' and the second single from China Crisis' third album 'Flaunt the imperfection'. It reached number 19 in the UK singles chart.

This special edition of the single features a gatefold sleeve with a 12" sized sheet glued into the center, featuring stills from the music video of 'King in a Catholic style'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2337
Found: Sister Ray, London, May 26, 1995
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'King in a Catholic style' / 'Blue sea'

Private investigations - Dire Straits

Dire Straits surprised, I think, everyone with 'Private investigations'. Up until the release of this single, they delivered rather straight guitar-based rock songs, while this track added a layer of sophistication to their work. Mark Knopfler commented about the lyric of the song: 'It's just about the private investigations... What have you got at the end of the day... Nothing more than you started out with'.

The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought my copy from my sister, who bought a second copy of this single because she played this one so often. When I listen to it now, the single hasn't deteriorated much.

My collection: 7" single no. 306
Found: Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Private investigations' / 'Badges posters stickers t-shirts'

Following - The Bangles

'Following' was the fifth and last single to be taken from the Bangles' very successful album 'Different light'. In the UK, it was released in a limited edition poster sleeve. I bought this single without knowing the song just because of this poster sleeve - I love limited edition versions as I've stated before on this blog.

The single reached number 55 in the UK singles chart, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 1217
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Following' / 'Dover beach'

Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy) - Scritti Politti

'Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)' is a track on Scritti Politti's 1988 album 'Provision'. It features Miles Davis, who plays a trumpet solo. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

This very attractive limited edition box set features the single plus three postcards and a sect of stamps. The colour poster that should be in it as well is missing, so I hope I can find a complete box set one day.

My collection: 7" single no. 761
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 2, 1989
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Oh Patti (Don't feel sorry for loverboy)' / 'Oh Patti (instrumental)'

Who - Diana Ross

'Who' is a track on Diana Ross's 1982 album 'Silk electric'. It was released as a single but, unlike other singles from the album, it didn't chart in any territory. Since I can't find any details about this single, I even start to wonder whether it was released worldwide. This copy was made in Holland and it may have been an exclusive release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4421
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Who' / 'Anywhere you run to'

The alternative way - Anita Meijer

This single represents Anita Meijer's breakthrough in the Netherlands. After some time as a singer in the band Rainbow Train, she recorded 'The alternative way' as a duet with Hans Vermeulen, who also produced and arranged the track. It quickly rose to the top of the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1976.

It would take Meijer five years to reach number 1 again with the less engaging 'Why tell me why'. Although very famous in the Netherlands, she was never able to score any hits in other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4420
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The alternative way' / 'You showed me how'

I wish - Stevie Wonder

Some singles are just classic tracks and it can be quite surprising to come across them in the bargain bin. But that's just what happened with 'I wish' by Stevie Wonder, one of the most recognisable tunes from 1977.

The track was written by Wonder himself. The lyric is about looking back on his childhood. Taken from his classic album 'Songs in the key of life', it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4419
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I wish' / 'You and I'

A way you'll never be - Leisure Process

When you hear 'A way you'll never be', you may think it's a Level 42 track. And you wouldn't be too far from the truth: guest musicians on this track are Mark King and Phil Gould from Level 42. It didn't help the commercial appeal of this single: it sunk without a trace.

I bought 'Love cascade' last year and that track was good enough to make me curious about the rest of this band's output.

My collection: 7" single no. 4418
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'A way you'll never be' / 'Rachel dreams'

Mama told me - Fantastique

Fantastique was brought together by the producers team Cat Music in 1980. Dick van Dam and Astrid Leuwener were the faces of this duo, who scored their first hit in 1981 with 'Mama told me'. Not only did it reach number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, it also scored well elsewhere in Europe.

The track is a typical nonsensical popsong, with not a lot of substance. Apparently, the track was re-released in remixed form many times after Fantastique drifted into oblivion and it remained a favourite in disotheques all through the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 4417
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mama told me' / 'Musica fantastica'

The wanderer - Donna Summer

'The wanderer' was written by Donna Summer together with her producer Giorgio Moroder. She'd worked with Moroder while she was signed to Casablanca Records. When she left that label in 1980 after a dispute, she signed to the new Geffen label and continued to work with Moroder.

By 1980, disco had experienced a backlash. Rock music was becoming popular and Donna Summer's 1980 album reflected this: the songs were very new wave and rock-flavoured. This first single from the album became a big hit for Summer in the United States - peaking at number 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, while reaching number number 48 in the UK singles chart and number 26 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4416
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The wanderer' / 'Stop me'

Take five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

I was never really looking for this single, but I think this is the first time I actually saw it, and I bought it right away. This is the track my wife and I talked about when I showed her my record collection for the first time. I didn't have it, and she instructed me to download it so we could dance to it. And so I did, of course. It's good to have a physical representative of this track now.

'Take five' was written by Paul Desmond and recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album 'Time out'. This piece became one of the group's best-known tracks, famous for its distinctive, catchy saxophone melody and use of the unusual quintuple (5/4) time, from which its title is derived. This single was made in Holland in 1969, but in the Dutch chart, it reached number 9 in 1962.

My collection: 7" single no. 4415
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Take five' / 'Unsquare dance'

Jimmy - Renée

'Jimmy' was the fifth single release from the Dutch band Renée, released in June 1980. It was the first single taken from the band's 1980 album 'Reaching for the sky' and it was received positively by critics and DJ's.

The single did not break the Dutch Top 40, which was disappointing after two hit singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 4414
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jimmy' / 'Change your style'

Now that we found love - Third World

'Now that we found love' was written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and originally recorded by The O'Jays.

In 1978, the reggae band Third World recorded a cover version of this song. When it was released as a single, it reached number 47 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4413
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Now that we found love' / 'Night heat'

People are people - Depeche Mode

'People are people' was written by Martin Gore, with Alan Wilder creating much of the sound of the track. It was released as Depeche Mode's tenth single in March 1984, reaching number 1 in Germany, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

Despite its success, Martin Gore considers 'People are people' one of his least favourite songs. He prefers his songs to have subtle meanings so that people can find their own meanings to it, and this lyric does not fit that description. It was never performed live again after 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 591
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'People are people' / 'In your memory'

Don't dream it's over - Crowded House

The band Crowded House broke up in 1996. The record company quickly released a compilation album featuring all of the band's hits during the decade they existed. One of those hits was 'Don't dream it's over', and it was this track that was re-released as a single in the UK.

Released on blue vinyl, this single features a live version of 'Weather with you', recorded during their last ever UK performance at the Phil Jupitus show at BBC GLR, June 21, 1996. As far as re-releases go, it did quite well: upon its original release in June 1987, 'Don't dream it's over' reached number 27 in the UK singles chart; the November 1996 re-release peaked at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 2750
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 28, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'Weather with you (live)'

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'