Angel of the morning - Guys 'n' Dolls

Back in 1979, I got a double LP of the biggest hits of 1978. I was only eight years old and this was a huge addition to my collection of records. I played the album a lot and those tracks of 1978 have all become engrained in my memory. In recent years I have become less interested in LP's and more interested in singles, so it's only logical that I should buy the singles from that LP.

'Angel of the morning' was originally a hit in 1968 for Merrilee Rush. Later versions were recorded by Nina Simone, Juice Newton, P.P. Arnold, Olivia Newton-John, The Pretenders/Chrissie Hynde, Dusty Springfield, Mary Mason, Melba Montgomery, and Billie Davis. Guys 'n' Dolls released their version in November 1977, and had a hit with it at the turn of the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 5124
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Angel of the morning' / 'I must go home alone'

Thrill me - Simply Red

Simply Red were at the peak of their career in 1991/1992, after the release of 'Stars', their fourth album. No less than five singles were taken from the album, of which 'Thrill me' was the fourth. The single was less successful than the previous three, but still managed to get to number 33 in the UK singles chart, number 30 in the Irish singles chart and number 59 in Germany.

The B-side featured a remix of 'Thrill me' by Nellee Hooper, wellknown for his remixes of Massive Attack, Seal and Madonna.

My collection: 7" single no. 5123
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Thrill me' / 'Thrill me (Nellee Hooper mix)'

Truly - Lionel Richie

'Truly' is the title of the debut solo single by Lionel Richie, released in 1982. Richie wrote the song and co-produced it with James Anthony Carmichael.

Released as the first single from his self-titled debut album in 1982, 'Truly' went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks near the end of 1982. In the UK singles chart the single peaked at number 6, while it didn't chart in the Netherlands. The song won a Grammy Award for Richie in the category Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 5122
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Truly' / 'Just put some love in your heart'

Blue night - Hot Chocolate

Many people, including myself, are unaware that one of Hot Chocolate's biggest hits, 'You sexy thing', started life as the B-side of another single. And this is it: 'Blue night', released in 1975.

Producer Mickie Most put 'You sexy thing' on the flip-side of this single as he was not convinced that it could be a hit. The song was remixed at a later date by Most, who re-released it as an A-side some months later on his RAK label. The song was a hit and ultimately became the group's most well-known song. Oh, and by the way: 'Blue night' never charted...

My collection: 7" single no. 5127
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Blue night' / 'You sexy thing'

Your greatest shade of blue - The Adventures

The Adventures combined pop/rock with a folk music sound for their third album, 'Trading secrets with the moon'. Released in early 1990, the album failed to capitalise on their earlier success and only appeared briefly on the UK albums chart, stalling at number 64.

The first single from the album was 'Washington Deceased', which failed to chart. This second single, 'Your greatest shade of blue', met the same fate. Strange, because it's quite a beautiful pop song.

My collection: 7" single no. 5126
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Your greatest shade of blue' / 'Put me together again'

All I have to do is dream - Andy Gibb and Victoria Principal

The Gibb family had their share of misery, but the tale of Andy Gibb is perhaps the most miserable of all. Throughout the Eighties he was battling an addiction to cocaine, and it ended up destroying everything he had achieved. According to a co-star in the musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' (in which Andy starred in 1981): 'I hear he spent most of his time in his hotel room in front of the TV. I guess he was frightened and insecure. That's what happens when you're the baby brother of the Bee Gees.'

His romance with Principal ended shortly after an ultimatum from her to decide between her or the drugs; but not before they recorded and released a duet of the Everly Brothers' 'All I have to do is dream', in the summer of 1981. This would be Gibb's last official single, and his last US chart entry, peaking at number 51.

My collection: 7" single no. 5142
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'All I have to do is dream' / 'Good feeling'

Amsterdam - Maggie MacNeal

I already own two copies of Maggie MacNeal's 'Amsterdam': the German version and the Dutch version. So I was pleasantly surprised to find yet another version: this time, the French version. Like the other two singles, this one has the English version on the B-side.

It looks like this one completes the set, as no other language versions of this song are known. At least, I don't see them listed on authorative websites. But who knows... a Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Icelandic or Arabian version might be lurking somewhere!

My collection: 7" single no. 5168
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Amsterdam (French version)' / 'Amsterdam (English version)'

My world - Bee Gees

'My world' was recorded and released while the Bee Gees were recording their new album 'To whom it may concern' during the winter of 1972. The single reached number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 16 and number 41 in the UK and Germany charts, respectively.

As Robin Gibb states in the liner notes of Tales from the Brothers Gibb, 'One rollicking little jaunt that me and the lads came up with in downtown Birmingham, England, whilst doing a television show called Golden Shot, the ensuing results being that it went on to be a huge top 20 hit in the UK and the US that left the three of us 'drooling' with pleasure.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5128
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My world' / 'On time'

Can't get enough of your love - Taylor Dayne

With a big voice and big hair, Taylor Dayne managed to stay on the good side of grating, but only just. The first single from her third album was a cover of an old Barry White classic, 'Can't get enough of your love' and ever since its release I have been iffy about this track. Still, I had the cd-single, I had the album so the 7" single was missing from my collection.

I was never sure that a 7" single actually existed so it was a good surprise to find one. And in such good condition too! If nothing else, the sleeve is a thing of beauty.

My collection: 7" single no. 5121
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Can't get enough of your love' / 'Let's spend the night together'

You don't have to say you love me - Guys 'n' Dolls

Guys 'n' Dolls were formed in 1974, after Ammo Productions held auditions for three girls and three boys to start the band. The six members of the group Paul Griggs, David Van Day, Thereza Bazar, Dominic Grant, Martine Howard, and Julie Forsyth (daughter of Bruce Forsyth), first met in November 1974. They released their first hit single, "There's a whole lot of loving' in January 1975 (this was actually recorded by session singers, and the group were later discovered not to have actually recorded the original). In the six years that followed, the group released several more hits

In 1976, they released a cover version of 'You don't have to say you love me', a song made famous ten years before by Dusty Springfield. Their version reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 5120
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You don't have to say you love me' / 'Lovely lady'

Better days - Supertramp

'Better days' was a single taken from Supertramp's 1985 album 'Brother where you bound'. It was their first album without Roger Hodgson. After the first single 'Cannonball' was a reasonable success, this second extract fared less well commercially.

The B-side featured an edited version of the title track of the album. It still clocked in at 7'44 minutes, but less than the original length, since on the album the track lasted for a whopping 16'30 minutes. Rick Davies from the band recalled: 'I remember saying to the guys, 'We need to find somebody that can play a bit like Gilmour' for the guitar stuff, and I think it was someone at A&M - it might have been Jordan Harris or somebody, one of those guys - and he said, 'Well, I know David - maybe he would like to come over and do it,' and he sent him a demo and he decided he'd like to do it and he was very reasonable. Came over, brought all his gear and straight to the studio. It was a home studio, my studio, and we did it.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5119
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Better days (edit)' / 'Brother where you bound (edit)'

Shine a light - Audrey Landers

Audrey Landers made a name for herself in the early Eighties playing Afton Cooper in the legendary soap series 'Dallas'. After a few seasons she disappeared from the series, while launching a reasonably successful singing career in Europe. By the mid-Eighties she'd disappeared from the music scene, though.

By 1990, she returned both to 'Dallas' and to music. She reprised her role of Afton Cooper for one season and recorded this single, a quite dated slice of German schlagerpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 5118
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Shine a light' / 'Pieces of my heart'

Dance Classics: the party mix - Various artists

The Arcade label was very successful with compilation albums of old hits. It made their albums chart hits and its boss, who would later go into politics for purely selfish reasons of course, very rich. One of their staples was the 'Dance Classics' series. In fact, it was such a hype that it spawned a few singles as well. The first two, released in 1990, were mixed by Ben Liebrand, and reached the Dutch Top 40.

This single was released two years later and didn't chart at all. The mixers, Koen Groeneveld and Addy van der Zwan weren't as wellknown as Liebrand, and by 1992, the concept was hardly new. Still, it included a few timeless dance classics by Dan Hartman and the Jacksons.

My collection: 7" single no. 5117
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dance Classics - The Party Mix' / 'Dance Classics - Party groove'

Pieces of ice - Diana Ross

I saw Diana Ross on television recently and she still looked quite good. So it's a mystery to me why she didn't appear on the sleeve of this single. 'Pieces of ice' was the first single taken from her 1983 album 'Ross' - which, coincidentally, is not only her last name but also the name of her eldest son, who was born in 1987. And no, his name is not Ross Ross, but rather Ross Naess, after his father.

Despite the fact that the single reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, it was never included on subsequent 'greatest hits' compilations. In the UK, the singles less successful, peaking at number 46.

My collection: 7" single no. 5116
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Pieces of ice' / 'Still in love'

Wintertime - Kayak

There is no denying that Kayak made some great rock music in the Seventies. And it was also hard to deny where they came from. On 'Mammoth' they had a street organ included in the music, on this single, 'Wintertime', an accordeon is part of the proceedings.

Released in September 1974, it became the band's third hit single, peaking at number 30 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 5115
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wintertime' / 'Alibi'

Dynamite - Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine Jackson never achieved the same level of fame his brother and sister Michael and Janet did. But at least one of his albums was pretty successful in various territories: 'Dynamite'. The album reached number 19 in the US album chart and number 57 in the UK.

The title track was released as the second single from the album and managed to get to number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100. It was successful in some European countries too. Further success would come to Jermaine with the next single, 'Do what you do' and the infamous duet with Pia Zadora, 'When the rain begins to fall'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5114
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dynamite!' / 'Take good care of my heart' (duet with Whitney Houston)

In the heat of the night - Imagination

The title track from their second album 'In the heat of the night' was released as Imagination's third single from that album and their sixth single overall. It sounded a bit like a slowed down version of their biggest hit 'Just an illusion' or perhaps 'Body talk', but despite the familiarity of the sound - or perhaps because of it - it wasn't as big a hit.

In the UK singles chart, 'In the heat of the night' reached number 22, while peaking at number 48 and 14 in Germany and the Netherlands respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 5113
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'In the heat of the night' / 'In the heat of the night (instrumental)'

Morning train (9 to 5) - Sheena Easton

Young Scottish singer Sheena Easton had some success with her debut single 'Modern girl', but her second, '9 to 5' went to number 3 in the UK singles chart.

'9 to 5' was Easton's first single release in the United States, although it was renamed 'Morning Train (Nine To Five)' to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's hit movie title song '9 to 5'. 'Morning Train' became Easton's first and only #1 hit in the USA. It was the start of a very impressive and varied career on both sides of the Atlantic.

My collection: 7" single 5112
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Morning train (9 to 5)' / 'Calm before the storm'

Black Man Ray - China Crisis

China Crisis's third album was produced by Walter Becker, of Steely Dan fame. Named 'Flaunt the imperfection', the album was preceded by the single 'Black man Ray', which became an international hit.

I had the limited edition set which consisted of two picture discs for some time, but for some reason I never actually bought the 'normal' 7" single. Now, finally, I did.

My collection: 7" single no. 5111
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Black Man Ray' / 'Animalistic'

Gwendolyne - Julio Iglesias

I already own a copy of 'Gwendolyne' by Julio Iglesias, the Spanish entry for the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest - possibly one of the country's most beautiful entries ever. When I bought my copy 15 months ago, I didn't know this one existed...

...It's a promotional single which features four versions of the song: in Spanish, English, Italian and French. Of course it's all sung with a delicious Spanish accent, but it's a rarity that I suspect many Eurovision fans would kill for, 31 years after its release...

My collection: 7" single no. 5110
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, June 4, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Gwendolyne (Espanol)', 'Gwendolyne (Ingles)' / 'Gwendolyne (Italiano)', 'Gwendolyne (Frances)'

When I think of you - Janet Jackson

My collection of Jackson records is far from complete, but I do have most of the albums, 7" singles and cd-singles released by Michael and Janet since 1988. Problem is, before the cd-single became popular, they'd released several singles on vinyl only. As such, most of the remixes from Janet's album 'Control' have only been released on vinyl.

This 12" single is a good example. Although there is a cd called 'Control: the remixes', it does not contain all four versions included on this disc. As such, it is worth having. And I'm glad to have come across a cheap copy...

My collection: 12" single no. 561
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, June 4, 2011
Cost: 2,25 euro
Tracks: 'When I think of you (Dance remix)' / 'When I think of you (Instrumental)', When I think of you (Extra beats)', 'When I think of you (Dub)'

Masked moods - Blue Rondo

A search of 25 years came to an end two years ago when I found the 7" single of 'Masked moods' by Blue Rondo. I thought that would be the end of it, but I should have known there was also a 12" single. Not that it contains a different version of the track, but I bought this copy just to be sure. It was quite amazing to spot it in a record shop not too far from home - and getting 50% off because that record shop is closing down.

Despite the absence of a different version of 'Masked moods', it's still a nice 12" single, as the other tracks are very dancable.

My collection: 12" single no. 560
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, June 4, 2011
Cost: 2,75 euro
Tracks: 'Masked moods', 'The method' / 'Samba no pé', 'Heavens revisited'

For you only - Alison Moyet

'For you only' was the last single to be taken from Alison Moyet's debut solo album 'Alf'. It was a new version of the track, but for reasons unknown, it wasn't released in the UK, but only in some European countries.

This 12" single features an extended version of that new version. It is a nice extended version because it is not a total remix, something that would happen more often in the late Eighties.

My collection: 12" single no. 559
Found: Record fair, 200X
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'For you only (Extended new version)' / 'Twisting the knife'

Strong as steel - Five Star

The ballad 'Strong as steel' was the second single from Five Star's 1987 album 'Between the lines', their third album. It reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

This 12" single featured the full album version of 'Strong as steel' (as opposed to the 7" single, which featured an edit) and a remix of the 1986 hit single 'Can't wait another minute'. Apparently there was another 12" single featuring a megamix of Five Star hits instead.

My collection: 12" single no. 455
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Strong as steel' / 'The man', 'Can't wait another minute (M&M Groove Remix)'

Heart and soul - T'pau

Ron Rogers and Carol Decker from T'pau have just released Story behind the tracks, a remarkable collection of demos and unreleased tracks from 1987 and before, when T'pau celebrated their first success with the single 'Heart and soul'.

I actually have two 12" singles of this hit single: a UK pressing and a German one. There is a difference between the two: while the UK version contains two remixes of the title track, the German has a live version of 'Taking time out'. I bought both some time after their release.

My collection: 12" single no. 102
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Heart and soul (US Dance mix)' / 'Heart and soul (remix)', 'On the wing'

My collection: 12" single no. 558
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Heart and soul (remix)' / 'On the wing', 'Taking time out (live mix)'

When am I going to make a living - Sade

I don't have a lot of test pressings and white label records, but this one must be pretty sought after by Sade fans. I found it in one of the Music & Video Exchanges in London in a corner of a basement in Camden. I would never have bought it if the sleeve, which was white, had been written on. That way, it was easier to recognise this record - a snip at just 50p.

Not that this particular 12" single had a lot to offer: two tracks from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life' and the B-side 'Should I love you', which I already had at the time. But still, it's a white label record. Collectors items like these are quite hard to find.

My collection: 12" single no. 106
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'When am I going to make a living' / 'Why can't we live together', 'Should I love you'

The pleasure principle - Janet Jackson

The four remixes on this disc were all created by Shep Pettibone. This makes for a rather unvaried compilation, as all four remixes draw from the same ideas: a few samples from 'Let's wait awhile' and 'When I think of you', lots of drum tracks, and of course the vocal track from Janet herself, which is most prominent in the 'acapella' version (which basically is just the vocal track with all the other tracks muted).

There were many of such 12" singles around in the second half of the Eighties. Some of these mixes finally ended up on the remix album 'Control: the remixes', but not all of them. Which makes this 12" single interesting for Janet Jackson collectors after all.

My collection: 12" single no. 557
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'The pleasure principle (Long vocal)', 'The pleasure principle (acapella)' / 'The pleasure principle (12" dub)', 'The pleasure principle (7" vocal)'

Elettrochoc - Matia Bazar

I was never sure it existed, but 25 years after buying the 7" single of Matia Bazar's 'Elettrochoc', I have found a copy of the 12" single. It's a track that lends itself well to an extended version because it's so addictive.

This disc not only contains an extended version of the vocal version, but also of the instrumental version. To top off the whole thing, a previous single, 'Vacanze Romane' is also featured on this disc. It's a wonderful single, a true find.

My collection: 12" single no. 556
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 1,5 euro
Tracks: 'Elettrochoc [extended]' / 'Vacanze Romane', 'Elettrochoc ([extended] instrumental)'

Don't leave me this way - Communards

As far as gay anthems go, this cover version of Thelma Houston's 'Don't leave me this way' by the Communards must be one of the biggest ones. Performed by Richard Coles, highpitched singer Jimmy Somerville and guest vocalist Sarah Jane Morris, this hi-NRG version topped the charts in several countries.

Several remixes were released, but the 'Gotham City Mix' was without a doubt the longest one. Side A of this 12" single features a remix of 11 minutes and 25 seconds, and side B runs for 11 minutes and 30 seconds. This mix also incorporates the single's B-side, 'Sanctified'.

My collection: 12" single no. 555
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, May 14, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't leave me this way (Gotham City mix)' / 'Don't leave me this way / Sanctified / Don't leave me this way (Gotham City mix)'

Radioactivity - Fatboy Slim

At a time when nuclear facilities are again messing up the environment, it's time to listen to Kraftwerk's timeless 'Radioactivity' again. That song is quite alarming, despite their clean and tidy way of mixing words with music.

This bouncy cover version is something else. It was recorded by Fatboy Slim for the compilation album 'Late night tales' in 2007. The track was released as a limited edition 7" single in October of that year.

My collection: 7" single no. 5109
Found: La La Land, May 14, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Radioactivity' (Fatboy Slim) / 'Everything is everything' (Bootsy Collins)

Behind the mask / Hollywood tonight - Michael Jackson

In December 2010, the first posthumous album by Michael Jackson was released. The first, because as record companies and the estate of Michael Jackson are always interested in getting more money off the legend, there will be loads more in the coming years. You've got to wonder whether that's good news or not.

This album, anyway, was not too bad. Most of the stuff would never have been released had Michael been alive, but it's good to hear some of the tracks. This vinyl single, released on Record Store Day (April 16, 2011) in some territories, features alternate versions of 'Behind the mask' and 'Hollywood tonight'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5108
Found: eBay.co.uk, received May 12, 2011
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Behind the mask (edit)' / 'Hollywood tonight (Throwback mix)'

Classical gas - Mason Williams

Mason Williams was born on August 24, 1938. He is best known for his instrumental piece 'Classical gas', released as a single in 1968, taken from the album 'The Mason Williams Phonograph Record'. Williams was the head writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour at the time of the piece's release and premiered the composition on the show. Williams performed it several times over several episodes.

There is a common misconception that "Classical Gas" was composed and performed by Eric Clapton. Clapton has never recorded a cover of the song. This misconception may possibly be attributed to the fact that Clapton was musical director of, and played much of the guitar music for, the feature film 'The story of us.' The version of the song on the film's soundtrack is actually Williams's own solo-guitar re-recording of it, from his 1970 album Handmade.

My collection: 7" single no. 5104
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'Classical gas' / 'Long time blues'

New York mining disaster 1941 - Bee Gees

'New York mining disaster 1941' recounts the story of a miner trapped in a cave-in. He is sharing a photo of his wife with a colleague ('Mr. Jones') while they hopelessly wait to be rescued. In the second and third verses, the lyrical lines get slower and slower, as to indicate that life is about to expire for the miners. According to the liner notes for the Bee Gees box-set 'Tales from the Brothers Gibb' (1990), this song was inspired by the 1966 Aberfan mining disaster in Wales.

Maurice Gibb recalled in an interview with Mojo magazine: 'The opening chord doesn't sound like a conventional A minor. Barry was using the open D tuning he'd been taught when he was nine, and I was playing it in conventional tuning. It gives an unusual blend. People went crazy trying to figure out why they couldn't copy it.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5102
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'New York mining disaster 1941' / 'I can't see nobody'

If you ever come to Amsterdam - Pussycat

Released in November 1977, 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' was the follow-up to Pussycat's successful single 'I'll be your woman' which reached number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. By comparison, this single did worse, as it stalled at number 20. Both singles stayed in the chart for seven weeks.

Like all of the band's hits, the song was written by the band's guitarist Werner Theunissen.

My collection: 7" single no. 5101
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'If you ever come to Amsterdam' / 'You must have been a beautiful baby'

Tired of toein' the line - Rocky Burnette

Rocky Burnette (born Jonathan Burnette, 12 June 1953) is an American rock and roll singer/musician and the son of rock and roll pioneer, Johnny Burnette. He is best known for his 1980 hit single 'Tired of toein' the line'. The song's lyrics detail an imminent breakup.

The single reached number 8in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 in Australia. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 5099
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tired of toein' the line' / 'Clowns from outer space'

Only yesterday - The Carpenters

"Only Yesterday" is a song recorded by The Carpenters in 1975. It was released on March 14, 1975, and was the Carpenters' last top 10 single in the United States. Composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, it peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The music video features some footage of Karen and Richard at work in the studio. After Karen sang the line, "the promise of morning light", it faded from the studio to a fountain in Huntington Library Gardens in San Marino, California. It then featured some footage of a Japanese bridge.

My collection: 7" single no. 5098
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Only yesterday' / 'Happy'

All night long - Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie was very hot in 1983. He released the album 'Can't slow down' and before he knew it, he had a row of hits on his hands. The first of them was 'All night long', a festive, danceable tune that went to number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, Australia and the Netherlands. In the UK, it reached number 2.

The video was played on television ad nauseam, and I grew rather tired of this track. Fast forward 27 years and I finally bought the single... Because after all, the tune is not bad.

My collection: 7" single no. 5097
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'All night long' / 'Wandering stranger'

First of May - Bee Gees

'First of May' was released as the only single from the Bee Gees' 1969 album 'Odessa'. The song was partially responsible for the departure of Robin Gibb from the group. He wanted his song 'Lamplight' to be the album's first single, while Barry preferred 'First of May'. When Robert Stigwood, their manager, sided with Barry, Robin quit the band.

The single reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 37. Robin Gibb eventually returned to the Bee Gees, after Barry and Maurice released one album as a duo.

My collection: 7" single no. 5100
Found: Vrijmarkt, Den Haag, April 30, 2011
Cost: 0,2 euro
Tracks: 'First of May' / 'Lamplight'

Always tomorrow - Gloria Estefan

In 1992, Gloria Estefan released the album 'Greatest hits' to try and make some money with her past successes. Her enormous popularity of the late Eighties was fading a bit, and although her fans were still very much in awe of her, the rest of the world seemed to lose interest. 'Always tomorrow' was a new track included on the album and released as its first single. The song was about starting over in the wake of tragedy or disaster.

The royalties of the single were donated by Estefan to victims of Hurricane Andrew, which ruined much of Miami, Florida in August 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 5093
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Always tomorrow' / 'Words get in the way (live)'

Special kind of love - Dina Carroll

Dina Carroll was born as Geraldine Carroll on August 21, 1968 in Newmarket, Suffolk (UK). She started singing at age of five, primarily at home with her sister. Despite the lack of formal vocal coaching, in 1981, at the age of thirteen, she won a local Cambridgeshire talent competition, with her rendition of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman in Love'. After leaving school, she worked in various jobs, including a one-day stint as a chambermaid in a Cambridge hotel in 1985.

In 1989, Carroll secured a recording contract with Jive/Zomba and released a number of singles in 1989 and 1990. After a short time at Jive/Zomba, Carroll was spotted by Dennis Ingoldsby, one half of First Avenue Management, a small and newly founded management group. She was signed to A & M Records by managing director Howard Berman. Carroll's first solo single (produced and co-written by Nigel Lowis) 'Ain't no man' was released in June 1992, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart. Carroll and Lowis worked on future singles together, one of which being the top 20 hit 'So close', which was released in December 1992; coincidentally the title of her debut album. Carroll was approached by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory who invited her to New York to become the first British artist to work with them. Carroll interrupted the writing and recording of her album to record 'Special kind of love', which also reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5092
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Special kind of love' / 'If I knew you then'

Heartache avenue - The Maisonettes

The Maisonettes were an English band formed by Lol Mason and Mark Tibenham. Their debut single, 'Heartache avenue', reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983. It was also a big hit in the rest of Europe - I heard the song so often back in 1983 that it really bored me in the end.

I finally bought this single now because it was so cheap and because the feeling of boredom has finally worn off after almost two decades. And now it turns out the B-side of the single, 'The last one to know', is actually quite brilliant.

My collection: 7" single no. 5091
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, April 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Heartache avenue' / 'The last one to know'

Two rivers - The Adventures

The Adventures debuted in 1984 with the album 'Theodore and friends' which has recently been released on cd by Cherry Red records (Buy it here). The fourth and final single taken from that album was released after the relative success of 'Send my heart' and 'Feel the raindrops'.

Unfortunately, this single stalled at number 96 and this meant that the album didn't get the much needed promotional push. Fortunately, the band's second album, released in 1988, would do much better.

My collection: 7" single no. 5090
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Two rivers' / 'Love in chains (live)'

That's what they say about love - Touch

In 1986 the band Flip had a minor hit with 'That's what they say about love'. They were signed to Arista two years before, and - this I didn't know - released two singles as Touch before they changed their name to Flip.

This single was the second one: the very same recording of 'That's what they say about love' that would become a hit in 1986. This limited edition double pack includes their debut single 'Plague of hearts' as well. The fun thing about this double pack is that aside from 'That's what they say about love', the other tracks are different from the ones that would end up on Flip's debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 5089
Found: Record fair, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's what they say about love' / 'Nothing really matters' // 'Plague of hearts' / 'Plague of hearts (the imagination) (instrumental)'

Etienne - Guesch Patti

Guesch Patti had a number 1 hit in France with her single 'Etienne' (1987). Despite the French language, which can be quite difficult for non-francophones, the song had a strong enough melody to also give her a top 10 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

The single was subsequently also released in the UK. This version of the single included an exclusive English-language version of the track. Despite this, the single failed to chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 5087
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Etienne' / 'Un espoir', 'Etienne (English version)'

Takin' a chance on you - Dollar

'Takin' a chance on you' was the second single from Dollar's second album 'The Paris collection'. Contrary to its predecessor 'The girls are out to get ya' and the follow-up 'You take my breath away', this single did make the UK singles chart, but only reached number 62.

This copy is a limited edition picture disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 5086
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Takin' a chance on you' / 'No mans land'

Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix) - Cicero

Cicero released his debut single 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' on 12 August 1991 on the Spaghetti Records label, owned by the Pet Shop Boys. Despite promotion from the artist and Pet Shop Boys, the single failed to chart. The two singles that followed, 'Love is everywhere' and 'That loving feeling' were co-produced by Pet Shop Boys and were minor hits in the UK.

His debut album, 'Future boy', was released in June 1992. Pet Shop Boys remixed 'Heaven must have sent you back to me' for the album. It was released as the fourth single and charted at number 70 in the UK. The music video for the single was directed by Chris Lowe.

My collection: 7" single no. 5088
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heaven must have sent you back to me (remix)' / 'Jungilism'

Frei - Ofra Haza

One of Israel's most famous singers Ofra Haza competed in the 1983 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hi'. Although the song title means 'Alive' in Hebrew, it was translated into English as 'High' and into German as 'Frei'.

This German version was released on the Jupiter Records label, owned by Ralph Siegel, who has written loads of songs for the Contest. The label has released many Eurovision-related singles through the years.

My collection: 7" single no. 5085
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Frei' / 'High'