Runaway boys - The Stray Cats

The Stray Cats formed in 1980 in New York. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom based their style upon the sounds of Sun Records artists and other artists from the Fifties. When they heard rumor that there was a revival of the Fifties Teddy Boy youth subculture in England, the band moved to the UK.

In the summer of 1980 the cats found themselves being courted by the elite of the music world including Virgin Records, Stiff Records and Arista records. Word quickly spread and soon members of the Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were at their shows. Dave Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they recorded their debut album, which was released in early 1981. Ahead of the album, their first hit single 'Runaway boys' was released. It reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4594
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway boys' / 'My one desire'

La Luna - Belinda Carlisle

Released in 1989, 'La luna' ('The moon') was the second single from Belinda Carlisle's album 'Runaway horses'. The track was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley and produced by Nowels - as most of her output up until then.

The single reached number 10 in Switzerland, but ended up outside the top 10 in other territories. In the UK singles chart, 'La luna' stalled at number 38.

My collection: 7" single no. 4584
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'La luna' / 'Whatever it takes'

Never wanna dance (when I'm blue) - Audrey Landers

Although most people remember Audrey Landers as the pouting blonde that played Afton Cooper in the American series 'Dallas', she also has a lengthy musical career under her belt. Starting out as early as 1978, she had her biggest hit in Europe with 1983's 'Manuel goodbye'. After this, she released ten albums and a few dozen singles.

One of those singles is this one, from 1988. 'Never wanna dance (when I'm blue)' was co-written by herself, but failed to make an impression in the charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4577
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Never wanna dance (when I'm blue)' / 'It takes 2 to fly'

The way old friends do - Shirley

'The way old friends do' was originally a live recording by Abba, included as the last track on their 1980 album 'Super trouper'. The song was written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson.

In 1983, the Dutch singer Shirley recorded a cover version of this song, which in contrast to the original was released as a single. The single did not chart in any territory and as such is one of many obscure Abba covers out there.

My collection: 7" single no. 4597
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The way old friends do' / 'One and only'

The next time I fall - Peter Cetera and Amy Grant

'The next time I fall' was written by Bobby Caldwell and Paul Gordon, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant for Cetera's 1986 album 'Solitude/Solitaire'.

When the track was released as a single, it reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1986. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In Europe, the single was released, but achieved no commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 4583
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The next time I fall' / 'Holy moly'

Shelley - Marty Wilde

Although Marty Wilde was very successful in the UK between 1958 and 1962, he never managed to regain that early popularity. In 1968 he had a hit in Europe with 'Abergavenny', and that allowed him to record an album 'Diversions' in 1969.

This single, 'Shelley', was also released in 1969, but the track does not appear on that album. It is a good example of the versatility of Marty Wilde, as it doesn't sound at all like the rock and roll tracks he recorded in his heydays.

My collection: 7" single no. 4607
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 27, 2010
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Shelley' / 'Jump on the train'

Before - Pet Shop Boys

Although the single 'Before' by the Pet Shop Boys was not released on 7" vinyl, the record company had not abandoned the vinyl format altogether: 12" singles by the Pet Shop Boys continued to be released all through their career. And 'Before' was released in a plethora of different 12" singles. The promotional 12" singles with penises on the front cover were perhaps the most notorious ones, but this box set was the best item overall.

Comprising nine remixes on three discs, it is an hour's worth of music. And I'm using the term 'music' loosely here: only the last remix actually features verses and chorus of the song - other remixes are just collections of sounds and beats that sometimes seem to have nothing in common with the track itself. Still, it is a great collector's item for Pet Shop Boys fans, and finding this box set for so little money was a great bargain.

My collection: 12" single no. 533
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Before (Underground mix)', 'Before (Bonus dub)' / 'Before (Underground instrumental)', 'Before (Bonus beats)' // 'Before (Classic Paradise mix)' / 'Before (Aphrodisiac mix)' // 'Before (Hed Boys mix)', 'Before (Hed Boys dub)' / 'Before (Joey Negro extended mix)'

Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix) - Fox the fox

So I have the 7" single and the 12" single of Fox the fox's 'Precious little diamond' - what else could there be? As it turns out, this 1984 single was re-released in 1986 in a remix made by Shep Pettibone.

A lot has changed in two years: the band, originally consisting of six members on the 1984 sleeve, seems to have been brought down to only two members, and the remix diminishes the beautiful song to a rather substandard collection of beats. Well, maybe I'm a bit harsh, but although I like this remix, I do prefer the original track.

My collection: 7" single no. 4574
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (Shep Pettibone mix)' / 'Man on the run'

Some people - E.G. Daily

When the internet was still a new phenomenon in my life (i.e. some 14 years ago) I knew a young man in Canada, with whom I regularly swapped cassettes (yes, we still had those back then) with music. I sent him some Dutch stuff, and he came up with things like Amy Grant and E.G. Daily. These tapes really interested me, and most of the stuff he sent me ended up in my record collection.

E.G. Daily's 1989 album 'Lace around the wound' is actually a great album. Although it didn't have any commercial success in Europe, the record company still released a single from the album: 'Some people' was an unexpected find for me.

My collection: 7" single no. 4581
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Some people (remix)' / 'Are you there'

After a fashion - Midge Ure and Mick Karn

The one-off collaboration between Midge Ure and Mick Karn, 'After a fashion', was released in 1983. I had a hard time finding the 7" single, but when I did, I thought I had it all. That is, of course, until I found this 12" single today. I didn't know a 12" single existed, but I'm glad I was able to buy it right away.

This 12" single features an extended remix that is just that: an extended version of the 7" single version. It seems to be a simple cut and paste job, with longer instrumental passages, an effect that is achieved by putting them in a loop. A charming little remix.

My collection: 12" single no. 529
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'After a fashion (extended version)' / 'Textures'

Don't leave me behind - Everything but the girl

Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn created many albums together as Everything but the girl. Although these days, Tracey Thorn is active as a solo artist (her third solo album is due out soon), they are still together as a couple with their three children.

'Don't leave me behind' was released as a single from their 1986 album 'Baby the stars shine bright'. During a two week chart run, it stalled at number 72 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4587
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me behind' / 'Alfie'

The silence in my heart - Esther Tuely

Now that I'm hunting for singles again, I sometimes find 7" singles that I never thought were even released. And this one is a good example. 'The silence in my heart' was released as a 1-track cd-single in 1992. Around that time, most Dutch record shops weren't stocking 7" singles anymore, and the one address I still visited regularly never had this single.

Now, 18 years later, I found not one, but five copies of this single tucked away in a closet in a second hand shop. 'The silence in my heart' is Esther Tuely's most accomplished song, and it is still a mystery to me why this didn't turn out to be a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 4591
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The silence in my heart' / 'Eye of heaven (remix)'

Unconditional love - Donna Summer

Although they were not credited, 'Unconditional love' by Donna Summer also features vocals by the British reggae act Musical Youth, who had a hit a few months before the release of this single with 'Pass the Dutchie'.

'Unconditional love' was released as the second single from the Donna Summer album 'She works hard for the money'. It reached number 43 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4571
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Unconditional love' / 'Woman'

My favourite sins - Larry Hagman

I wonder how many viewers of the American series 'Dallas' knew that Larry Hagman, who played J.R. in it, actually recorded a single. 'My favourite sins' stays true to the evil character he plays, while not taking it all too seriously. The result is a rather strange recording that is still a footnote in Hagman's career.

Released in 1980, at the height of the 'Dallas' hype, I don't know whether Hagman had serious singing aspirations or if he was pushed by the merciless need for merchandise. I'm hoping it was the latter...

My collection: 7" single no. 4595
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My favourite sins' / 'Ballad of the good luck charm'

One night stand - Lois Lane

Released as the follow-up to their debut single 'Break it up', 'One night stand' was Lois Lane's second single, and the second and last one of their five singles released by WEA records to not reach the Dutch Top 40.

This particular copy appears to be a mispressing: although the B-side is announced as 'Goodbye girl' on the label, it simply plays 'One night stand' once again.

My collection: 7" single no. 4576
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks (label): 'One night stand' / 'Goodbye girl'
Tracks (disc): 'One night stand' / 'One night stand'

The road to hell (part 2) - Chris Rea

Chris Rea's 'The road to hell' was written about the frustrations of driving on the M25 during rush hour. It's strange how such a boring subject can lead to such a great song. It was the title track of his 1989 album, which featured two parts of the track.

Part 2 was released as a single. The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart. In 2009, the song inspired the title of a crime novel by northeast author Sheila Quigley, 'The road to hell', the fifth book in the Seahills series of novels.

My collection: 7" single no. 4580
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The road to hell (part 2)' / 'He should know better'

Een nacht in Mokum - Dingetje

At his best, Dingetje can be called the Weird Al Yankovic of the Netherlands. And this single represents one of his best parodies, which I have to admit didn't know existed. 'Een nacht in Mokum' translates as 'One night in Amsterdam', and is a parody of the Murray Head single 'One night in Bangkok', written by Tim Rice with Benny and Bjorn of Abba.

Dingetje describes a night out in the capital of the Netherlands in his version, using some elements from the original lyric, such as 'the massage parlours'. The single did not chart - and I have to say I've never seen it before.

My collection: 7" single no. 4585
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, February 26, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Een nacht in Mokum' / 'Sukke heb ze'

Every time I see you - Fra Lippo Lippi

Fra Lippo Lippi released three singles from their 1985 album 'Songs', of which 'Every time I see you' was the last. The track was remixed before it was released as a single, but the single version and the version on this 12" single are the same.

The bonus is included on the B-side. Besides the single B-side 'The heather on the hills', it adds another beautiful instrumental track, 'The true story'. This track was definitely worth the money for buying this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 142
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Every time I see you' / 'The true story', 'The heather on the hills'

Looking for the summer - Chris Rea

'Looking for the summer' was a track on Chris Rea's 1990 album 'Auberge'. The album reached number 1 in the UK albums chart, however the three singles taken from the album wouldn't meet a similar fate in the singles chart.

The single version of 'Looking for the summer' was a remix, shorter and faster than the album version. It reached number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1511
Found: August 17, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Looking for the summer' / 'Six up'

Sex and drugs and rock and roll - Ian Dury

'Sex & drugs & rock & roll' was written by Ian Dury and Chas Jankel in Dury's flat in Oval Mansions, London. According to Chas, he would be repeatedly given the lyric for the song by Dury but Jankel kept rejecting the song only for it to be at the top of the pile again the next time - only to be rejected again. This went on until Dury sung the song's guitar riff to Chas and sang the song's title in time with it.

Released as it was at the height of the popularity of punk rock, the song was misinterpreted as a song about excess as its title would suggest. Dury himself maintained that the song was not a punk anthem and said he was trying to suggest that there was more to life than a 9-to-5 existence.

My collection: 7" single no. 1738
Found: Out on the floor, London, October 18, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sex & drugs & rock & roll' / 'Razzle in my pocket'

That's all - Genesis

The nicest feature of this single is the sleeve: the label which carries a photograph of flowers is visible through a larger hole at the front, whereas the back cover is entirely brown and doesn't have a hole in it.

'That's all' is a group composition by Genesis with lyrics written by Phil Collins. Released as the second single from their self-titled 1983 album, it reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1101
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'That's all' / 'Taking it all too hard'

Lovely one - The Jacksons

Released as the first single from the Jacksons' album 'Triumph', 'Lovely one' was the followup to their 1979 hit, 'Shak your body (down to the ground)'. Lead vocals in this song were performed by Michael Jackson, while his brothers Jackie, Tito, Randy and Marlon performed backing vocals.

The single reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 102
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Lovely one' / 'Bless his soul'

Say it isn't so - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Say it isn't so' was released as one of two new tracks on their greatest hits album 'Rock 'n' Soul part 1'. The song is about a love gone wrong and a fellow who asks his girl to "Say it isn't so".

When it was released as a single, it reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at the turn of the year 1983/1984. In the UK, it did considerably less well, peaking at number 69. In the Netherlands, where the single was played on the radio regularly, it didn't chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2498
Found: London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Say it isn't so' / 'Did it in a minute'

What's going on - Cyndi Lauper

'What's going on' was written by Renaldo 'Obie' Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. It was the title track of Gaye's groundbreaking 1971 album. A meditation on the troubles and problems of the world, the song was released as a single to worldwide success.

The song has been covered by multiple artists, notably Cyndi Lauper, whose version was released as the third single from her 1986 album 'True colours'. On the album version, the song starts off with a series of gunshots in reference to the Vietnam war, while the single release is a remix with an alternate vocal used in the intro. The single reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 531
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'What's going on' / 'One track mind'

Boom! There she was - Scritti Politti

Roger Troutman was well known for his use of the talkbox, a device that is connected to an instrument (frequently a keyboard) to create different vocal effects.After scoring a hit with 'I want to be your man' in 1987, he collaborated with Green Gartside from Scritti Politti on the single 'Boom! There she was'.

Released in November 1988, 'Boom! There she was' reached number 55 in the UK singles chart. Scritti Politti then disappeared from the scene for three years.

My collection: 7" single no. 809
Found: May 6, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Boom! There she was' / 'World come back to life'

This is not America - David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group

Taken from the soundtrack for the movie 'The falcon and the snowman', 'This is not America' was a collaboration between David Bowie and the jazz fusion band the Pat Metheny Group.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart, number 32 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 366
Found: Bruxelles, January 11, 1986
Cost: 105 Belgian Francs
Track: 'This is not America' / 'This is not America (instrumental)'

Paradise by the dashboard light - Meat Loaf

Although the label on this single claims that 'Paradise by the dashboard light' has a running time of 7 minutes and 55 seconds, it is actually only 5 minutes and 25 seconds - which means it is a single edit of the epic album version, excluding the lengthy baseball commentary and some minor musical bits. I would regret this if I was actually planning on listening to this song ever again - which I won't for another decade or two.

Still, I have to concede that 'Paradise by the dashboard light' is a classic track, one that is forever synonymous to Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman's brilliant collaboration. I wish it wasn't played so damn often though.

My collection: 7" single no. 378
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Paradise by the dashboard light' / ''Bat' Overture'

Bloedend hart - De Dijk

The Dutch band De Dijk ('The Dike') released the single 'Bloedend hart' ('Bleeding heart') in the summer of 1982. The amusing tale of the Christian broadcaster NCRV always stuck with me: they took offence to the line 'Ik kijk wat door de ramen / en ik krab wat aan mijn kont' ('I'm looking through the windows / and I'm scratching my ass') and through some clever manipulation they managed to change the line to '...en ik krab wat aan mijn hond' ('...and I'm scratching my dog'). Personally, I think scratching your dog is a lot nastier than scratching your own ass.

This minor controversy didn't help the single: it failed to reach the Dutch Top 40 when it was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 158
Found: Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Bloedend hart' / 'Geldgebrek en rock & roll'

As long as you follow - Fleetwood Mac

The production process of making 7" vinyl singles has been successful for millions of copies: you take a piece of vinyl, press the grooves on it, cut off the edges to make a round piece of vinyl and punch a hole in the middle. But sometimes, things go wrong. My copy of 'As long as you follow' by Fleetwood Mac had a hole in the middle, but it was not exactly in the middle. As a result, the sides were unlistenable.

I never went back to the shop with the single, but I did buy a promotional copy of it, made in Spain, seven years later. This copy featured 'As long as you follow' on both sides. For this blog, I used my original copy to record the B-side. It's a matter of putting the record on the right spot on the record player. I think the recording still turned out alright!

'As long as you follow' was a new track on the compilation album 'Greatest hits', released in 1988 after Fleetwood Mac's previous album 'Tango in the night' was very successful. Lindsey Buckingham had left the band and he was replaced by Billy Burnette (mainly for lead vocals) and Rick Vito. The single reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 66 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 756 / no. 2612
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 23, 1989 / Record fair, Den Haag, February 10, 1996
Cost: 6 guilders / 3 guilders
Tracks (no. 756): 'As long as you follow' / 'Oh well (live)'
Tracks (no. 2612): 'As long as you follow' / 'As long as you follow'

To be with you again - Level 42

The album 'Running in the family' by Level 42 was a big success, and part of the success was the singles that kept entering the charts. 'To be with you again' was the third single from the album and it was just as successful as the previous two.

'To be with you again' reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 10 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2752
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 29, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'To be with you again' / 'Microkid (live)'

Last days of summer - Imagination

'Last days of summer' was released in the summer of 1985 as a single by Imagination. Their last hit was 1984's 'Thank you my love', and this new single would be the second in a long line of singles that would be unsuccessful in all territories.

The B-side featured a live recording of the earlier hit 'Shoobedoo da dabba doobee', recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London.

My collection: 7" single no. 3107
Found: Big Company Records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Last days of summer' / 'Shoobedoo da dabba doobee (live)'

Oye mi canto - Gloria Estefan

'Oye mi canto' showed off some of Gloria Estefan's musical roots, much like in the style of her earlier music with Miami Sound Machine, and is in the style of the earlier hit 'Conga', which is included on this single as the B-side track.

Released as the fourth single from her album 'Cuts both ways', it reached number 48 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1058
Found: London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Oye mi canto' / 'Conga'

If - Janet Jackson

In the song 'If', Janet Jackson is consumed with sexual fantasies of a man who doesn't even know she exists. An electric guitar and a sample from Diana Ross & the Supremes' 1969 song 'Someday we'll be together' are the musical ingredients for this fast-paced track. The single contains a B-side track called 'One more chance', which is a cover of a song her brother Randy wrote, produced, and performed for The Jacksons' 1984 album 'Victory'.

'If' was released as the second single from Janet's album 'janet.' in the summer of 1993. It reached number 1 in Canada, number 14 in the UK singles chart, number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2004
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'If' / 'One more chance'

Girl you know it's true - Milli Vanilli

The tale of Milli Vanilli is all too familiar: they had a lot of success in the late Eighties, then people found out that they didn't actually sing the songs themselves and started burning their records. I never quite understood that attitude: you like a song or you don't, and it doesn't really matter who sings them, does it? Sure, it is misleading, but Frank Farian was never the most honest man in pop: Boney M's songs were rarely sung by the band members either - and no-one ever complained about that.

Anyway, 'Girl you know it's true' is a fine example of a Milli Vanilli track. (And let's be honest: when you've heard one, you've heard them all.) This remix is of special interest for Boney M fans. What a coincidence!

My collection: 12" single no. 528
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 199X
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Girl you know it's true (Super club mix)' / 'Girl you know it's true (radio mix)', 'Magic touch'

E.S.P. - Bee Gees

E.S.P. stands for Extrasensory perception, a paranormal ability, but it's also the title track of the Bee Gees' 1987 album, which was released as a single in the autumn of 1987. The acapella intro on the album version was edited out for the single version.

The single reached number 51 in the UK singles chart and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2596
Found: Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'E.S.P.' / 'Overnight'

Babe - Styx

Syrupy sweet and slightly silly, the ballad 'Babe' was a big hit at the end of the Seventies for the American band Styx. Written by band member Dennis DeYoung as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne, it was not originally intended to be a Styx track, but the band decided to include it on their album 'Cornerstone' upon hearing the demo by DeYoung and Styx membes John and Chuck Panozzo.

The song became Styx's first and last US number-one single, also reaching number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1089
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1988
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Babe' / 'I'm OK'

Strangelove - Depeche Mode

'Strangelove' may well be one of Depeche Mode's best singles ever. The melody, the hook, the lyric and the instrumentation: it's all damn near perfect. The band was able to combine the upbeat poppy influences of their earlier work with the gloomy, disturbing vibe of their later work.

I wasn't the only one to appreciate the single: even in the Netherlands, where Depeche Mode have always had a hard time reaching the charts, it peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, 'Strangelove' hit number 16.

My collection: 7" single no. 523
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Strangelove' / 'Pimpf'

When tomorrow comes - Eurythmics

I remember the feeling of disillusionment when I first heard 'When tomorrow comes' by the Eurythmics. They were always known for their synthpop tracks, but on this song, there was literally no synthesizer in sight. And weren't there already too many guitar bands?

'When tomorrow comes' isn't a bad song, though. The album 'Revenge' would continue this rock sound, making the synthpop label on Eurythmics a bit misplaced anyway. Meanwhile, this single only reached number 30 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40, while becoming a top 10 hit in Scandinavia and Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 463
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'When tomorrow comes' / 'Take your pain away'

Whenever you're ready - Five Star

Released in August 1987, 'Whenever you're ready' was the first single from Five Star's third album 'Between the lines'. It is a bouncy popsong full of subtle sounds and a rather straightforward chorus-verse structure.

The single reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1184
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Whenever you're ready' / 'Forever yours'

Suspended in gaffa - Kate Bush

'I'm scared of the changes' says a little voice in this track, 'Suspended in gaffa' by Kate Bush. It's a minor detail in the enormous soundscape created by Kate Bush in this track, but one that caused me to listen to this track over and over again from 1982 until today. The song lyric is about seeing something one really wants, then not being able to see or experience it ever again. The 'gaffa' of the title and chorus refers to gaffer tape, the tough black tape used by technicians in film and concert industries.

Released as the third single from her fourth album 'The dreaming' - with the exception of the UK where 'There goes a tenner' was released instead - it was not a commercial success for Kate Bush. I actually own two versions of this single: I bought the first one, a German pressing, as soon as it came out. Just four months ago, I found the Dutch edition with a slightly different sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 172 / no. 4116
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Suspended in gaffa' / 'Ne t'en fuis pas'

On my own - Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald

Although 'On my own' was a duet between Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald, both were in separate cities when they recorded their individual parts. They were mixed together during mastering. This was reflected in the music video, which showed Labelle and McDonald performing the song on two different locations. 'On my own' couldn't have been a more apt title for this song.

The track was taken from LaBelle's album 'Winner in you' and written and produced by Burt Bacharach and his former wife Carole Bayer Sager. The single reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 448
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 26, 1986
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'On my own' / 'Stir it up'

Everlasting love - Howard Jones

Sometimes even Wikipedia is intriguing. In the description for 'Everlasting love' by Howard Jones it says: 'The video had mummies.' I'm sure this is true, but having never seen the video, it was a bit puzzling. These days, fortunately, you can hop over to YouTube and see it for yourself. (Proving the point that this blog is still a journey of discovery for me too.)

The song was co-produced by ex-Tears for Fears band member Ian Stanley. It was released as the first single from Howard Jones' 1989 album 'Cross that line'. It reached number 12 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, while stalling at number 62 on the UK Singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1019
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Everlasting love' / 'The brutality of fact'

1.000.000 sterren - Frank Boeijen Groep

The Frank Boeijen Groep had to come up with another hit after their previous single 'Zwart wit' had been such a convincing top 5 hit. '1.000.000 sterren' ('1,000,0000 stars') was a song that didn't meet these expectations, although it was still able to reach number 29 in the Dutch Top 40.

Having been successful with their first music video for 'Zwart wit', another music video was made for this single. While 'Zwart wit' was shown sometimes in later years, the video for '1.000.000 sterren' disappeared from tv screens forever.

My collection: 7" single no. 229
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: '1.000.000 sterren' / 'Het antwoord (live)'

Aufrecht geh'n - Mary Roos

'Aufrecht geh'n' ('Walk tall') was the German entry in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Mary Roos. The song was composed by Michael Reinecke with lyrics by Michael Kunze, who previously had written the lyrics to Silver Convention's 1977 entry 'Telegram'. This was also Mary Roos' second Eurovision entry; she had represented Germany at the 1972 Contest with 'Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben', which finished third in a field of 18 competitors.

Obviously, the Germans were hoping for a similar result in 1984. But this time around Mary Roos wasn't so lucky: she finished 13th in a field of 19 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4392
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Aufrecht geh'n' / 'Wer sagt, daß ich verlier''

Que mon coeur lâche - Mylene Farmer

This is the last single by Mylene Farmer to be released on the 7" vinyl format. It was released to coincide with the release of the album 'Dance remixes', which was a collection of remixes of previous hits by Mylene. The track was originally recorded for a charity compilation album coordinated by Etienne Daho, which would benefit AIDS research. However, it was refused for that album, because the lyric was considered to be too ambiguous and seemed to advocate sexual intercourse without the use of a condom. Mylene did refute these claims, but in the end she recorded an acoustic version of an other track for the charity album, and this track ended up being a single.

The single reached number 9 in the French singles chart and number 8 in the Belgian (Wallonia) singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2629
Found: Record fair, March 16, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Que mon coeur lâche' / 'Que mon coeur lâche'

Worship - Clouseau

The third and final single from Clouseau's second English language album 'In every small town' (1993) was the beautiful ballad 'Worship'. A simple yet effective track with just vocals and keyboards, it is one of the essential love songs in my collection.

The single was not a commercial success, but I'm still happy to have found a 7" vinyl copy. These were the days that 7" singles were becoming extinct, after all.

My collection: 7" single no. 2844
Found: Record fair, April 5, 1997
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Worship' / 'How long'

Burning bush - Savage Progress

'Burning bush' was one of those strange synthpop singles from 1984 that irritated me at first, until I grew to like it later. Although none of the four singles from Savage Progress were a hit in the UK, 'Burning bush' is probably their best known song.

This 12" single features both the A- and B-sides of the 7" single, plus a remix entitled 'Mad Mix II'. It's one of those remixes you either love or loathe. I've still not decided, though.

My collection: 12" single no. 416
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Burning bush (Mad Mix II)' / 'Burning bush', 'Tears of love'