To love somebody - Jimmy Somerville

'To love somebody' was originally recorded and released by the Bee Gees in 1967, back when they were still a quintet. The song was written on a boat in Monte Carlo the day the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein was found dead (August 1967) after manager Robert Stigwood encouraged Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Redding, however, died in an airplane crash before he could record the song.

In 1990, Jimmy Somerville released a reggaefied cover version of the track. Released as a single in November of that year, it reached number 8 in the UK singles chart, his last top 10 hit until now.

My collection: 7" single no. 5043
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'To love somebody' / 'Rain'

Son of a preacher man - Dusty Springfield

'Son of a Preacher Man' was recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 as a track on her legendary album 'Dusty in Memphis'. Written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins, the song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, but she turned it down. Only after she'd heard Springfield's version she recorded the song herself. By that time, however, Springfield's version had already become a hit; thus, Franklin's version, included on her 1970 album, 'This girl's in love with you', ended up as a B-side of the single 'Call me' only.

Although the album 'Dusty in Memphis' was released in stereo, the singles off the album were remixed and released in mono. This single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5042
Found: Kringloop, Haarlem, March 11, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Son of a preacher man' / 'Just a little lovin' (Early in the mornin')'

Funny how time flies (when you're having fun) - Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's album 'Control' was a big success, and the way the album was 'milked' for singles was equal to her brother Michael's 'Thriller' a few years before. After six singles released internationally, 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' was released as single number seven in the UK and Australia.

This limited edition version from the UK featured a giant poster with two pictures of Janet in black and white. The single performed poorly in the UK singles chart despite this: it only reached number 59. Janet performed the song live for the first time in 2008, during her Rock Witchu Tour.

My collection: 7" single no. 5041
Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 28, 2011
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Funny how time flies (when you're having fun)' / 'When I think of you'

Tomorrow's clown - Marty Wilde

I always get a kick out of buying really old singles, and this one is almost 50 years old. Marty Wilde released 'Tomorrow's clown' in October 1961, and reached number 33 in the UK singles charts with it.

The B-side is called 'The Hellions' and that's also the title of the movie he starred in. The western movie has never been released officially on DVD, but I got a recording of it last year and it's really interesting to see how the rocker proves himself as a credible actor.

My collection: 7" single no. 5040
Found: Ebay.co.uk, received February 21, 2011
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Tomorrow's clown' / 'The Hellions'.

Some kind of lover - Jody Watley

'Some kind of lover' was the fourth single taken from Jody Watley's self-titled debut solo album. It was a relative failure, reaching number 81 in the UK singles chart, but it is one of the nicest funky tracks on the album.

These remixes were made by Louil Silas, jr., who mostly adds a lot of 'bounce' to the track. The 12" single features three versions of the tracks which are quite similar to one another. Still, good stuff.

My collection: 12" single no. 217
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1994
Cost: 1,5 pounds
Tracks: 'Some kind of lover (extended version)' / 'Some kind of lover (instrumental)', 'Some kind of lover (dub)'

If it happens again - UB40

'If it happens again' is one of my favourite tunes by UB40, and a lot of that has to do with the last few minutes of the track. So I was hoping that the 12" version would offer more of that. Well it doesn't, but that's okay because this dub mix is quite interesting too.

It was the seventh top 10 hit in the UK for UB40. It peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart, but did even better in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 12" single no. 375
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1999
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it happens again (12" version)' / 'Nkomo a gogo'

Boys keep swinging - Duran Duran / Absolute beginners - Carla Bruni

'We were so turned on: A tribute to David Bowie' was released worldwide on September 6, 2010 as a charity for War Child UK. It is the only tribute album that has been approved by David Bowie and his management.

This single was released from the album, featuring the tracks by Duran Duran and Carla Bruni. It is the first Duran Duran 7" vinyl single since 1995's 'Perfect day'. Upon first listen, I have to say I like the cover by French president Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni better: she has turned the wonderfully rich original into an intimate piano-and-vocal song - and that works very well.
This single is a limited edition and was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 5039
Found: HMV, London, received February 16, 2011
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' (Duran Duran)' / 'Absolute beginners' (Carla Bruni)

I am an astronaut - Ricky Wilde

Released in 1972, Ricky Wilde (yep, Kim's brother) was just eleven years old when he sang 'I am an astronaut'. The single was not a hit all over Europe, but the single was released in several countries.

Attentive readers of this blog will have seen the previous entry about 'I am an astronaut' from two years ago, but this single is a recent acquisition: a Belgian pressing featuring a beautiful photo sleeve of a young Ricky. And so it merits a repost.

My collection: 7" single no. 5038
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 9, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'I am an astronaut' / 'The Hertfordshire rock'

Verlieben verlieren - Münchener Freiheit

'Verlieben verlieren' can be translated as 'loving and losing', which qualifies this song as a story everyone has gone through at one point or another. It's a pleasant popsong and the B-side is a nice bonus, as it holds a remix of the A-side track.

It's another single from Münchener Freiheit's 1989 album 'Purpurmond', and this wasn't a hit either.

My collection: 7" single no. 5028
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Verlieben verlieren' / 'Verlieben verlieren (Rhythm mix)'

Boogie oogie oogie - A taste of honey

A Taste of Honey was the name of an American recording act formed in 1971 by associates Perry Kibble and Donald Ray Johnson. In 1978 they had one of the best known songs of the disco era, 'Boogie Oogie Oogie'. The single as a number 1 hit in the USA, while reaching number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

After their popularity waned during the 1980s Johnson went on to record as a solo artist and release the album 'One Taste Of Honey' which produced numerous minor hits in America.

My collection: 7" single no. 5034
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Boogie oogie oogie' / 'World spin'

Ich will dich nochmal - Münchener Freiheit

One of many Münchener Freiheit singles I bought recently, 'Ich will dich nochmal' was taken from their 1989 album 'Purpurmond'. Produced, as usual, by Armand Volker, the single didn't trouble the charts, which must have been a disappointment after the success of 'Keeping the dream alive' a year earlier.

The pop song is pleasant but forgettable. The same could be said of more of their singles, actually...

My collection: 7" single no. 5029
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Ich will dich nochmal' / 'Lass mich nie mehr los'

Same old song - Pussycat

There's an air of calculation behind this single release by the Dutch band Pussycat. After a handful of top 10 hits their singles 'I'll be your woman' and 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' landed outside the top 10, and so someone must have suggested a cover version.

'Same old song' was originally a hit for the Four Tops in 1965 and written by the Motown writers team of Holland, Dozier & Holland. Pussycat's version was rewarded with a highest chart placing at number 10. The strategy had paid off.

My collection: 7" single no. 5032
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Same old song' / 'Stupid Cupid'

What kind of fool - Barbra Streisand with Barry Gibb

'Guilty' is one of those classic albums that literally everybody owned in 1980. It featured two big hits: the title track, a duet with Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees, who also produced the album, and of course the inevitable 'Woman in love'.

I didn't know a third single had been taken from the album: 'What kind of fool', another duet with Barry Gibb. No wonder: it wasn't a hit. It isn't necessarily a bad song, but not very memorable either. The B-side, by contrast, is horrendous.

My collection: 7" single no. 5031
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'What kind of fool' (with Barry Gibb) / 'Make it like a memory'.

Mama help me - Edie Brickell and New Bohemians

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians released their 'difficult second album' in 1990. 'Ghost of a dog' was less accessible than their debut album 'Shooting rubberbands at the stars' (1988) and, as a result, failed to capture the imagination of the listening audiences worldwide.

The single 'Mama help me' was released around the same time as the album but was greeted with the same muted response. The band fell apart soon after, causing Edie Brickell to launch a solo career.

My collection: 7" single no. 5033
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Mama help me' / 'Oak cliff bra'

Oh, Lori - Evidence

'Oh Lori' was originally recorded by the Alessi brothers in the Seventies. This Dutch band recorded a cover version on their 1986 album 'Heavy harmonies' and released it as a single from that album.

Evidence sounds a bit like an acapella group for which the producer decided he wanted to have some background music anyway. Hence, the single sounds a bit contrived, which is a shame because a real acapella version of this song would have been fabulous.

My collection: 7" single no. 5035
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Oh, Lori' / 'Get up join the party'

Herzschlag ist der Takt - Munchener Freiheit

The German band Münchener Freiheit released their third album 'Herzschlag einer Stadt' in 1984. The Neue Deutsche Welle, which had launched many German bands in the early Eighties, was almost over, but they finally managed to hit success with this album and the single 'Oh baby', a top 30 hit in Germany.

The next single was a remix version of 'Herzschlag ist der Takt', released in early 1985. Unfortunately, this single did not repeat the success of 'Oh baby'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5030
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Herzschlag ist der Takt' / 'Keiner hat mich gewarnt'

Get that love - Thompson Twins

Joe Leeway left Thompson Twins in 1986, leaving Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie to carry on making music as a duo for another seven years. They released their first album as a duo in 1987, entitled 'Close to the bone'. 'Get that love' was the first single taken from that album.

It reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart but failed to reach the charts in the UK and Europe.

My collection: 7" single no. 5036
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Get that love' / 'Perfect day'

Cherchez la femme - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band

'Cherchez la femme' is a French phrase which literally means 'look for the woman'. When a man behaves out of character or in an otherwise inexplicable manner, it's because he is trying to cover up an affair with a woman. It was also the title of a hit single by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, released in 1977. The lead vocals were performed by Cory Daye.

Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a big band and swing influenced disco band, formed in the Bronx, New York. The single was taken from their self-titled debut album. They released two more albums before the end of the Seventies. Bassist Thomas August Darnell Browder and vibraphonist Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi), went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers. Lead singer Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career.
The song 'Cherchez la femme' was covered by Gloria Estefan on her album 'Hold me, thrill me, kiss me' (1994).

My collection: 7" single no. 5037
Found: Kringloop Juttersdok, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Cherchez la femme' / 'Sunshower'

Rivers of Babylon (Remix '88) - Boney M

Bobby Farrell died last month, legendary dancer of Boney M, who also lipsynched so well to the words that were in actual fact sung by producer Frank Farian. I didn't write an entry about Boney M at the time since all my Boney M singles were already up on this blog. But I've found a new single to write about.

This '88 remix of 'Rivers of Babylon' was released in Germany to celebrate the reunion of the original line-up of the band, including the aforementioned Bobby Farrell. The remix-album 'Greatest hits of all times' was as unsuccessful as this ill-fated single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5027
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Rivers of Babylon ('88 remix)' / 'Mary's Boy Child - Oh my Lord ('88 remix)'

So heiss - Münchener Freiheit

'Keeping the dream alive' is perhaps Münchener Freiheit's biggest hit, and it was taken from their 1988 album 'Fantasy'. That album was released in English and in German. The German version was entitled 'Fantasie' and several singles were taken from that one.

'So heiss' was released in Germany with the same kind of sleeve as 'Keeping the dream alive'. The design was only slightly different. All this to cover the fact that there really isn't that much to report about this single. It is a nice song, that's all.

My collection: 7" single no. 5026
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'So heiss' / 'Lass es einfach geschehn'

In the heat of a passionate moment - Princess

'In the heat of a passionate moment' was released in 1986 as Princess's fifth single. Like all previous singles, it was produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman which meant that it sounded a lot like all their other productions. It was popular at the time but it's easy to recognise the same sounds that were used in Rick Astley and Mel & Kim tracks.

The single reached number 74 in the UK singles chart, which meant that it was her least succesful single up to that point.

My collection: 7" single no. 5025
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the heat of a passionate moment' / 'In the heat of a passionate moment (instrumental)'

Es gibt kein nächstes mal - Münchener Freiheit

Released in 1986, 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' ('There is no next time') is a single by the German band Münchener Freiheit that was successful in Germany only. It was taken from the compilation album 'Von Anfang an'.

Living up to its title, the album contained a selection of new singles, a previously unreleased live version of 'Zeig mir die Nacht' (from the album 'Umsteiger'), two remixes and the occasional track from their previous two albums. Its success was due largely to its two original hit singles, 'Ohne Dich (schlaf' ich heut' nacht nicht ein)' and 'Tausendmal Du'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5024
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Es gibt kein nächstes mal' / 'Wenn das so einfach ist...'

Terry - Tracey Ullman

After having had success with 'They don't know', composed and recorded by Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman recorded another Kirsty MacColl track, 'Terry' in 1984, shortly after the original version by MacColl had been a hit. This cover version is a bit unnecessary as it adds nothing to the original. The music sounds like a replica, and if anything, Ullman's vocals are less powerful than MacColl's.

That said, I've always been fond of the song 'Terry' and so having different versions of it is quite interesting. Quite rightfully, however, this version was not a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5023
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 29, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Terry' / 'I don't want our loving to die'

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'