Back in love again - Donna Summer

'Back in love again' was released in 1977 as a single from Donna Summer's album 'I remember yesterday'. The track combined a disco beat with an interesting Sixties sound. The song is actually a re-working of a track called 'Something's in the wind', originally a B-side to 'Denver dream', a single released by Donna Summer in 1974.

This single peaked at number 29 on the UK singles chart. Although announced as 'Der neue Superhit von Donna Summer' on this German sleeve, the single never made it into the German charts.

My collection: 7" single no. 5022
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Back in love again' / 'A man like you'

My kind of lady - Supertramp

In 1982, Supertramp released their final album of the 'classic line-up' including Roger Hodgson, '...Famous Last Words...'. While the first single 'It's raining again' was a hit in several countries, its followup 'My kind of lady' disappeared without a trace in most territories.

A worldwide tour followed in 1983. After the tour, Hodgson left the band. There was much speculation behind the reasons why Roger Hodgson left Supertramp. In an interview, Hodgson stated that the reason he left the band was to spend time with his two small children. He has stated that there were never any real personal or professional problems between him and Rick Davies as some people thought.

My collection: 7" single no. 5021
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My kind of lady' / 'Know who you are'

Why does a man have to be strong - Paul Young

Because the shopping has to be done. Because the garbage has to be taken out. Because there's always a fight around the corner. Because life is so hurtful. Because they get kicked around so much on the football field. Because he can't kill a cow otherwise. Because women are so weak.

Paul Young asks, 'Why does a man have to be strong'. Well there you have the answers.

My collection: 7" single no. 5020
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Why does a man have to be strong' / 'Trying to guess the rest'

Crunchy Granola Suite - Percy Faith Orchestra

According to the blurb on the sleeve of this promotional single, Percy Faith's version of 'Crunchy Granola Suite' was a hit in the Netherlands. At the time of writing, the track was at number 9 and still climbing. The information was not entirely correct: the track was still in the Tipparade, the 'bubbling under' chart in the Netherlands - and never actually reached number Dutch Top 40.

The fact that this track was wellknown in the Netherlands was because it was regularly used by the Dutch radio station Veronica. As such, it was a daily background noise in their programmes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5019
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Crunchy Granola Suite' / 'Enter the dragon'

I'm a tiger - Olivia Pascal

You'd be forgiven for not knowing who Olivia Pascal is, but she was Germany's most popular singer in 1980, judging from the fact that she won Bravo's golden Otto that year. Olivia's singing style is quite reminiscent of Wendy James from Transvision Vamp or an even breathier version of Samantha Fox.

The two songs on this single are quite familiar: 'I'm a tiger' was originally a hit for Lulu and written by Marty Wilde (Kim's dad) in the Seventies. The other side is 'Glad all over', originally recorded by the Dave Clark Five. That song was recently covered by the Pet Shop Boys as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 5018
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm a tiger' / 'Glad all over'

Solsbury hill - Peter Gabriel

'Solsbury Hill' was written by Peter Gabriel after he left the and Genesis. Released as his debut single, it allegedly explains the reasons behind his departure, while also talking about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset.

The song has been used in a number of movies like 'Vanilla sky' (2001) and 'In good company' (2004). The song has been covered by various artists, such as Dave Matthews, Erasure, Sarah McLachlan, Saga, and Justin Hines.

My collection: 7" single no. 5017
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Solsbury hill' / 'Moribund the burgermeister'

Prime time - Alan Parsons Project

Released as the second single from the Alan Parsons Project's 1984 album 'Ammonia avenue', 'Prime time' was the follow-up to 'Don't answer me'. The success of that single was so phenomenal, that this single could never compare, but still it reached number 34 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The title of the album was inspired by Eric Woolfson's visit to Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Billingham, England, where the first thing he saw was a street with miles of pipes, no people, no trees and a sign that said 'Ammonia Avenue'. The album focused on the possible misunderstanding of industrial scientific developments from a public perspective and a lack of understanding of the public from a scientific perspective.

My collection: 7" single no. 5016
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Prime time' / 'The gold bug'

The eve of the war - Jeff Wayne

I have The eve of the war, The eve of the war and The eve of the war, but now I've also got 'The eve of the war', an original German pressing with a very different sleeve. This particular pressing contains the version sung by Chris Thompson, whereas later pressings would feature Justin Hayward on vocals.

The way I understand it, this single is the rarest one of all four, which made it all the more amazing I found it for such a low price. The world of record collecting is baffling sometimes.

My collection: 7" single no. 5015
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'

Keeping the mystery alive - Climie Fisher

Climie Fisher released 'Keeping the mystery alive' in 1987 as their third single. Although a flop in most territories, it reached number 35 in the German singles chart. The track was produced by Steve Lillywhite and mixed by Bruce Forrest.

Their next single was to be 'Rise to the occasion', the biggest hit in the duo's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 5014
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Keeping the mystery alive' / 'Nothing but a feeling'

Mad about you - Belinda Carlisle

After the Go-Go's broke up in 1985, Belinda Carlisle (born August 17, 1958) embarked on a solo career. Her first solo album 'Belinda' was released in 1986. It was a successful album in the USA and Canada, although it didn't trouble the charts in Europe.

'Mad about you' was released as a single from the album, reaching number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and also reaching the top 10 in Australia. Duran Duran's Andy Taylor played guitar on some of the tracks on the album and appeared in the music video for 'Mad about you'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5013
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mad about you' / 'I never wanted a rich man'

Vienna / The voice - Ultravox

Ultravox became famous in 1980 when their single 'Vienna' became a Europe-wide hit. The Conny Plank-produced album of the same name became a classic album as well, and the band continued to churn out wonderful hits all through the Eighties.

This 'Old gold' single brings together two of their biggest hits: 'Vienna' and 'The voice'. The band has reformed two years ago, did two very successful tours in 2009 and 2010 and this year they are planning to release a whole new album. There is a God.

My collection: 7" single no. 5012
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Vienna' / 'The voice'

More than a woman - Tavares

Quite possibly one of the best tracks from the soundtrack of 'Saturday night fever', the Tavares brothers recorded 'More than a woman', a track written by the Bee Gees and did some wonderful harmonies in it, especially near the end of the song. It was an era in which black artists were actually able to record something worth listening to.

'More than a woman' was actually recorded by the Bee Gees themselves too - and both versions appeared on the soundtrack of the movie.

My collection: 7" single no. 5011
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'More than a woman' / 'Keep in touch'

Right on - Veronica Unlimited

The Dutch producer and composer Hans van Hemert wanted to record a medley of wellknown hits. He needed a group, found three models, Iris Wolkenstein, Gaby and Angie Kreutz with their friend Manfred Köhler and called them Veronica Unlimited, after the popular Dutch broadcasting organisation. Their first single 'What kind of dance is this' was a big hit in several countries.

This single, 'Right on', was its follow-up. Although less successful, it still managed to reach number 30 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1978. The B-side is particularly amusing if you want to hear four Germans sing a medley of Dutch children's songs. The pronunciation of 'papier' ('paper'), which is a word both in German and Dutch is unmistakably German.

My collection: 7" single no. 5010
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Right on' / 'Childrens opera'

Back and forth - Cameo

Although the sleeve says that this single contains a remix of 'Back and forth', it is actually no different from the one I already had on this single. You could say that therefore this is not a good buy, but oh well, at least the sleeve is beautifully designed.

Back and forth' was released in April 1987 as the last single from the album 'Word up' and reached number 11 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single peaked at number 50.

My collection: 7" single no. 5005
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Back and forth (remix)' / 'You can have the world'

Video killed the radio star - Didi Zill

Whenever you see 'Deutsche Originalaufnahme' on a sleeve, you should be forewarned that there is some dodgyness afoot. In this case, it's German photographer and singer Didi Zill (born 1938), who takes on 'Video killed the radio star' - in German.

Although the title of the song stays intact, the rest of the track is sung in German and although I don't understand everything, it's not a literal translation of the original Buggles track. It's a collector's item of sorts. I guess....

My collection: 7" single no. 5009
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Video killed the radio star' / 'Ich bin nicht der Stoff... (aus dem deinr Träume sind)'

The highest high - China Crisis

Here's another one of those singles I thought I already had, and so I left it in the racks for many years. Finally I had some presence of mind, and bought this disc, one of the many lovely songs by the UK band China Crisis.

'The highest high' was released in 1985 as a single from their third album 'Flaunt the imperfection'. It reached number 82 in the UK singles chart. Please listen to the B-side of this single, it's the nicest bouncy instrumental track you will hear for some time.

My collection: 7" single no. 5004
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The highest high' / '96.8'

Thorn in my side - Eurythmics

'Thorn in my side' was released as a single from the Eurythmics' album 'Revenge' in the summer of 1986. Written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart, the song is a cast-off to an unfaithful lover.

The single became Eurythmics' ninth Top 10 single, reaching number five in the UK singles chart. In the United States, the track stalled at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 5003
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Thorn in my side' / 'In this town'

Te amo - Umberto Tozzi

The Italian singer Umberto Tozzi had a European hit with 'Ti amo' in 1977, a track that is still played on radio stations that specialize in mushy, romantic classics. However, there was also a Spanish version of the track, released on this Spanish 7" single.

I've got a feeling that this track is sung with an unmistakable Italian accent, but my Spanish is not good enough to judge this. Still, it is quite a rare track, and that's what always interests me: rare stuff.

My collection: 7" single no. 5002
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Te amo' / 'Olvidate, olvidame'

Baby don't cry - INXS

The Australian band INXS released many albums, but 'Welcome to wherever you are' is their best, in my opinion. I bought all of the single releases at the time - although in the age of cd-singles the 7" single sometimes slipped through. I was very surprised to find that I didn't have 'Baby don't cry' on 7" vinyl, an omission I finally managed to rectify today.

Besides the storming A-side track, there's also an instrumental version of the album track 'Questions' on the B-side. Instrumental versions usually aren't much cop, but with the varied instrumentation on this one, it's worth a spin or two.

My collection: 7" single no. 5001
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Baby don't cry' / 'Questions (instrumental)'

Gloria - Laura Branigan

'Gloria' was originally a hit for Italian singer Umberto Tozzi, but Laura Branigan was quick to cash in on the song's success. She released an English-language version two years after the original version had taken Europe by storm in 1979.

Her version was released in the summer of 1982 and eventually reached number 6 in the UK singles chart. It was shortly before she would have an even bigger hit with 'Self control', which would become her signature song.

My collection: 7" single no. 4990
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Gloria' / 'Living a lie'

My 16th apology - Shakespears sister

Shakespears Sister, the duo consisting of Marcella Detroit and Siobhan Fahey, had a few hits in the UK and Europe, but this was not one of them. 'My 16th apology' entered the UK singles chart at February 27, 1993 at number 61, then disappeared the next week.

Still, it was an attractive proposition: a single containing the title track plus no less than three live tracks as a bonus. The cover version of 'Hot love', originally performed by T-Rex and Marc Bolan, is quite a good one.

My collection: 7" single no. 4991
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My 16th apology', 'Catwoman (live)' / 'Hot love (live)', 'Dirty mind (live)'

Dirty looks - Diana Ross

While it is certainly true that Diana Ross has had an impressive career with many classic songs, some people tend to forget she's released some drivel from time to time too. When I bought this single, I didn't actually know that 'Dirty looks' was quite substandard. The lyrics are vacuous and the tracks as a whole is very repetitive.

The album whence this single came from, 'Red hot rhythm & blues', was released in May 1987 and featured a cover photo by Herb Ritts. It may have been the saving grace of the album, as the tracks on the album consisted of cover versions of old R&B hits plus some random new tracks. One has to wonder if the fact that this album fulfilled Ross's contract with RCA records was the main reason for this hastily cobbled together batch of songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 4994
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dirty looks' / 'So close'

Oh how the years go by - Simon Climie

'Oh how the years go by' is a track on Amy Grant's 1994 album 'House of love'. That's how I heard it first, at least. The writer credit was given to Simon Climie, which isn't that surprising since he wrote lots of songs for other artists in the Eighties and Nineties.

What is surprising, is that I found this single by Simon Climie himself. It was released in 1992, and his version is at least as good as Amy's. It wasn't a hit, like most of his solo output.

My collection: 7" single no. 4989
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Oh how the years go by' / 'Believe in me'

Forget me nots - Patrice Rushen

Patrice Rushen was born on September 30, 1954 in Los Angeles, California (USA). A classically trained pianist, she won a competition at the 1972 Monterey Jazz festival and gained national attention. She signed with Elektra Records in 1978 and recorded several albums on this label. Her biggest success was 'Forget me nots', released in 1982. Record label executives deemed it "a flop", but she reached the charts worldwide and almost was awarded a Grammy for her vocal performance.

In 1996, the song was used by George Michael on his hit single 'Fastlove', a track from his third solo album 'Older'. It is also one of the theme tunes for Kim Wilde's current radio programme on Magic 105.4 FM in London, 'Secret Songs'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4993
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Forget me nots' / '(She will) Take you down to love'

A town called malice - The Jam

Paul Weller was always at his best when he was angry, and he was the most angry while he was part of his band The Jam. Furious drums and wild guitars always made for interesting hit singles.

'A town called malice' is a great example of their sound. It was released in January 1982 as the first single from their album 'The gift'. It ended up a number one hit single in the UK, while also peaking at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40 (their first and last top 10 hit in the Netherlands). Weller commented that the song was about his teenage experiences in the English city of Woking.

My collection: 7" single no. 4988
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'A town called malice' / 'Precious'

Some people / Imagination - Belouis Some

I remember it well: the extended version of Belouis Some's 'Imagination' was used for a version of the music video of that song, which was played quite regularly on Music Box, the previous incarnation of MTV in Europe. I searched for the 12" single for some time, but after a while I realised there was so much more to buy and I gave up.

Fast forward more than a decade, and I see myself in London, going through rows and rows of bargain 12" singles.... including this one: a double 12" single of 'Some people' and 'Imagination' by Belouis Some. An amazing deal at an amazing price. Somehow I'm glad I never found the 12" when it was just out...

My collection: 12" single no. 414
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1998
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Some people (extended remix)' / 'Some people (dub version)', 'Walk away' // 'Imagination (extended remix)' / 'Imagination (dub mix), 'Imagination (7" version)', 'Have you ever been in love'

The dreamer - All about Eve

Although by 1991 the chart rules in the UK had restricted the number of different formats any single could be released on in order to count for sales, All about Eve still used the maximum amount of different formats to sell their singles. 'The dreamer', the last single to be taken from the album 'Touched by Jesus', was released on 7" single, cd-single, 12" single and this picture disc 12".

And this picture disc 12" came with one exclusive track, too: the demo version of the previous single 'Strange way'. It's an interesting version as the lyric of the song wasn't complete yet. The two instrumental B-sides, which were included on other formats too, have become classics in their own right.

My collection: 12" single no. 137
Found: Rhythm Records, London, October 1992
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'The dreamer (remix)', 'Frida of blood and gold' / 'Road to Damascus', 'Strange way (demo)'

Manchild - Neneh Cherry

This 12" single was a bit of a gamble: a rap artist who by chance had made a reasonable track, remixed by a triphop band that had made a reasonable track as well. Unfortunately, all this didn't add up: the remixes on this disc are not very interesting at all.

Also, while I thought this 12" was quite rare, it turns out it is offered on discogs.com for less than 5 euros. Sometimes you're less lucky with a gamble than you think.

My collection: 12" single no. 291
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Manchild (Massive attack remix)', 'Manchild (Massive Attack bonus beats)' / 'Manchild (Smith n Mighty remix)', 'Manchild (More bass less vocal style)'

Shouldn't have to be like that - Fra Lippo Lippi

'Shouldn't have to be like that' was Fra Lippo Lippi's international breakthrough single. They had already built up a reputation in Scandinavia as an indie band, but this pop song caused some international interest.

When the single was released, a 12" single quickly followed. In the absence of any remixes, the archive of the indie label which they originally released their music on was plundered: 'Say something' was licensed from Uniton records. It sounds less polished than the other tracks, but it is a very interesting piece of electronic music.

My collection: 12" single no. 78
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Shouldn't have to be like that', 'The distance between us' / 'Say something', 'Shouldn't have to be like that (original version)'

Daddy - Pussycat

Released in the summer of 1979, the Dutch band Pussycat managed to reach number 14 in the Dutch Top 40 with the song 'Daddy'. Like many of their previous hits, the track was written by band member Werner Theunissen.

The seven piece band continued to be successful throughout the second half of the Seventies. As is evidenced on Youtube, many people still feel very positive about the band's Seventies output.

My collection: 7" single no. 4986
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, January 2, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Daddy' / 'Three steps and then...'

Kiss this one goodbye - Andrew Gold

Andrew Gold released his fourth solo album 'Whirlwind' in 1979. An edited version of the song 'Kiss this one goodbye' was released as a single the following year. The single was unsuccessful, as it didn't make the charts anywhere.

Shortly afterwards, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman asked Andrew Gold to join 10CC, but business conflicts prevented him from doing so. After 10CC folded in 1983, Gold started the duo Wax with Gouldman.

My collection: 7" single no. 4985
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, January 2, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss this one goodbye' / 'Make up your mind'

My life - Billy Joel

Billy Joel wrote 'My life', released as a single in 1978, in reference to comedian Richard Lewis. He 'closed the shop, sold the house, bought a ticket to the west coast, now he gives them a stand up routine in LA'.

The single reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40, number 12 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 4984
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, January 2, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'My life', '52nd street'

I'll be your woman - Pussycat

The Dutch band Pussycat had four top 10 hits in the Netherlands in 1976 and 1977 with a few country-tinged songs. The country-influence was still evident in their fifth hit single, 'I'll be your woman', but this time, the single peaked at number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

'I'll be your woman' was the third single taken from Pussycat's 1977 album 'Souvenirs' and the song was written by band member Werner Theunissen.

My collection: 7" single no. 4983
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, January 2, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'll be your woman' / 'Just a woman'

Der Sommer ging vorüber - Lys Assia

Although the 7" single of Lys Assia's winning Eurovision number 'Refrain' still eludes me, I did find another treasure today: her German version of the 1963 winning song 'Dansevise'. Entitled 'Der Sommer ging vorüber', the song lyric was translated into German by Ralph Siegel, another Eurovision legend.

The B-side is another cover: it's a German translation of the 1963 English contestant 'Say wonderful things to me'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4982
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, January 2, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Der Sommer ging vorüber' / 'Zwei blaue Vergissmeinnicht'

The getaway - Athlete

One of the standout tracks on Athlete's most recent album 'Black swan', 'The getaway' was released as an EP in the UK a few months ago. It was only released on the elusive 10" vinyl format, and as I never heard about its release I nearly didn't get it at all. A shame, because the bonus tracks on this EP are quite magnificent.

Like the previous singles from the album, 'The getaway' didn't reach the UK top 40. The band subsequently released a 'greatest hits' album which unfortunately was equally unsuccessful.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received December 29, 2010
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The getaway (US radio mix)', 'Somewhere beneath my skin', 'Corner of my baby's eyes' / 'With you I never lose', 'The getaway (Athlete re-work)

Better than today - Kylie Minogue

'Better than today' was released on December 5, 2010 as the third single from Kylie's latest album 'Aphrodite'. Written by Nerina Pallot and Andy Chatterley, an earlier, acoustic version of the track was included on Pallot's EP 'Buckminster Fuller'.

Released on two cd-singles and a picture disc 7" single, it was a relatively minor hit for Kylie, as it only made number 32 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4981
Found: Recordstore.co.uk, received December 29, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Better than today' / 'Better than today (Bills and Hurr remix)'

Cold as Christmas (in the middle of the year) - Elton John

Although this single was released in late 1983 and the title actually mentions Christmas, this song is not a very Christmassy affair.

Taken from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero', this single only reached number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 52 in Australia. In other territories it remained unreleased or unsuccessful.

My collection: 7" single no. 4961
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Cold as Christmas (in the middle of the year)' / 'Crystal'

Jingle bell rock - Daryl Hall & John Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates usually recorded their songs together, but on this single, there is a separate side for each of them. 'Jingle bell rock' was recorded by Daryl Hall on one side, and John Oates on the other.

This promotional 7" single from 1985 was released in America in time for Christmas, although the song was actually first released two years before. The green vinyl adds a touch of collectability to an already quite surprising offering. I bought it back in the time when it was actually possible to get to the record fair in Utrecht.

My collection: 7" single no. 4779
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Jingle bell rock' (Daryl Hall) / 'Jingle bell rock' (John Oates)

Christmas forever - Nova

It's impossible to find information about the Dutch duo Nova, that recorded the single 'Christmas forever' in 1981. It was released but never charted, and the song is credited to E.O. MacDonald and H. Promes and recorded and mixed at 'Rena Sound' in Rotterdam. The single was released on the unknown MacProPoc label.

Of course, there was also 3a synthesizer duo called Nova around at the time, but this duo remains unlisted on any of the websites around today. Still, it's a Christmas song with religious overtones and a nifty melody line.

My collection: 7" single no. 4643
Found: All that music, Leiden, March 13, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Christmas forever' / 'My dream'

Last Christmas - Wham!

Most people know Wham's 'Last Christmas' - and about half of them love the song, the other half loathes it. It's a holiday staple every year, and more than a hundred covers of it exist.

It's less wellknown that the first release of this single appeared in a limited edition gatefold sleeve. I certainly didn't know this until January this year, when I bought this single in Amsterdam. The inside of the gatefold features the lyric of the song and an extra photograph of the popular duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 4488
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Last Christmas' / 'Everything she wants'

Doris Day - Doe Maar

Contrary to what people from abroad may think, Doe Maar's song 'Doris Day' was not a tribute to the American actress, but rather a complaint about the fact that there was never anything good on TV, just a film with Doris Day or a boring opera. The song suggests that it's better to turn off the one eyed monster and go out and have fun.

The single was released in the first half of 1982 and was the first big hit for the band, who would subsequently become 'as big as the Beatles' in the Netherlands for two consecutive years. 'Doris Day' reached number 9 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4980
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, December 18, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Doris Day' / 'Winnetoe'

Going back to my roots - Odyssey

The writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland had several hits in the Sixties, as writers of songs by the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers. This single, 'Going back to my roots' by Odyssey was released in 1981 - the song was written by Lamont Dozier alone.

He still had what it takes: the single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4979
Found: Kringloop, Lisse, December 18, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Going back to my roots' / 'Baba awa'

Get up and boogie - Freddie James

It's strange how a run of the mill disco track can sound quite good thirty years on. Freddie James recorded the track in 1979 and managed to get a worldwide hit with it, despite his age (he was just a young kid).

The single reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, but reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4973
Found: Empire Record, Den Haag, December 3, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Get up and boogie' / 'Get up and boogie (instrumental)'

Heartache all over the world - Elton John

Double singles have always been irresistible to me, so when I spotted this one I bought it despite the fact that I didn't know the A-side track. Elton John is a classic singer/songwriter anyway, so most of his stuff is worth listening to. With the exception, perhaps, of 'Heartache all over the world', which is a piece of music that doesn't really go anywhere.

Despite being described as a 'non-hit' on Wikipedia, it still managed to reach number 7 in Australia. In the UK, it didn't get past number 45.

My collection: 7" single no. 4966
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Heartache all over the world' / 'Highlander' // 'I'm still standing' / 'Passengers'

Walking in the air - Aled Jones

Aled Jones was born on December 29, 1970. He was raised in the small Welsh-speaking community of Llandegfan, in Anglesey and attended Ysgol David Hughes. Jones joined the choir of Bangor Cathedral at age nine and was lead soloist within two years. The remarkable clarity of his treble voice was appreciated by a member of the congregation, Hefina Orwig Evans, who wrote a letter to local record company Sain, and he was duly signed. In 1982 he won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions for competitors under 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

He became famous when he recorded 'Walking in the air' for the Channel 4 animated film 'The snowman', based on the book by Raymond Briggs. It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart three years later. I actually got to know the song two decades later, when All About Eve recorded a remarkable cover on their album 'Iceland'. However, this version - with full orchestra - is in a league of its own.

My collection: 7" single no. 4954
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'Walking in the air' / 'Walking in the air (instrumental)'

Love's about to change my heart - Donna Summer

Donna Summer's collaboration with Stock, Aitken & Waterman was short-lived, i.e. it only lasted for one album (1989's 'Another place and time'), but there were three singles taken from the album.

'Love's about to change my heart' was the last of the three. It was a moderate hit, but it became a favourite amongst fans due to Summer's strong vocal performance and the fact that it had a slow beginning, reminiscent of several of Summer's disco hits of the 1970s, during which time she was the most successful female of that genre. The single reached number 20 on the UK singles chart, but did not chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4955
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Love's about to change my heart' / 'Love's about to change my heart (instrumental)'

When Smokey sings - ABC

'When Smokey sings' was a comeback single of sorts for the band ABC. It was released as the first single from their fourth album 'Alphabet city' and their first big hit since 'All of my heart' almost five years previous.

The song's title refers to Smokey Robinson and is a tribute to this Sixties soul crooner. In the album version of the song, references are made to 'Luther', 'Sly', 'James' and 'Marvin' (most likely referring to Luther Vandross, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye respectively). In the single version, this is replaced by alternate lyrics, followed by a short saxophone solo.

My collection: 7" single no. 4965
Found: Sister Ray, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'When Smokey sings' / 'Chicago (part 1)'

April love - Pat Boone

Pat Boone was born on June 1, 1934 and was a successful pop singer in the Fifties and early Sixties. As a devout Christian, Boone refused songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards—including a role with sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. In his first film, 'April love', he refused to give co-star and love interest Shirley Jones an onscreen kiss, because the actress was married in real life.

The song from the movie was released as a single in 1958 and reached the top of the charts in the USA, while peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Netherlands. In 1974, the track was covered by Ricky Wilde. Indeed: Kim's younger brother.

My collection: 7" single no. 4953
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 31, 2010
Cost: 10p
Tracks: 'April love' / 'Love letters in the sand'