Could it be happiness - Ann Christy

Ann Christy's 1975 entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, 'Gelukkig zijn', was released in two versions: the original Dutch (Flemish) version, and this English translation. Both singles are considered a rarity, extremely hard to find, and so I was lucky to find both on one day.

Although the original title means 'Being happy', the title 'Could it be happiness' was chosen for this English version.

My collection: 7" single no. 5182
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Could it be happiness' / 'This world is full of pain'

Wired to the moon - Chris Rea

Chris Rea released his sixth album 'Wired to the moon' in 1984, keeping up his 'one album per year' tempo without any problem, it seemed. A whopping five singles were drawn from the album, although only the first one, 'I don't know what it is but I love it', reached the UK singles chart.

The title track was the fifth single, and like the previous three, it didn't chart. All this despite the fact that it's actually a lovely sort of lullaby.

My collection: 7" single no. 5171
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Wired to the moon' / 'True love'

Gelukkig zijn - Ann Christy

Ann Christy was born as Christianne Leenaerts on 22 September 1945 in Antwerp, Belgium. She began a singing career with The Adams Orchestra. She later married the drummer, Marc Hoyois. Her first solo recordings met with little success. In 1968 she won the Knokke Cup singing contest.

Her first attempt to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest came in 1970 with the song 'Le temps, le vent'. She also tried the next year with 'Dag vreemde man', which finished second in the national final. A third attempt in 1973, when each of five chosen acts performed two songs, ended in third place for 'Bye Bye'. She finally had success in 1975 when 'Gelukkig zijn' ('Being happy') was chosen to represent Belgium in Stockholm. Christy sung the first half of the song in Dutch and the second half in English, and although the song had been tipped to do well, it ended the evening in a very disappointing 15th place out of 19 entries.

Christy was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1982, and died on 7 August 1984, aged 38.

My collection: 7" single no. 5181
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Gelukkig zijn' / 'Er is zoveel verdriet in de wereld'

Sad song - Ellen Foley

'Sad song' was released as the third single from Ellen Foley's debut album 'Night out'. It featured Ellen's trademark voice, which was used to so much effect on Meat Loaf's 'Paradise by the dashboard light'.

Contrary to the previous two singles 'We belong to the night' and 'What's a matter baby', the single was not a commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 5173
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Sad song' / 'Stupid girl'

You surround me - Erasure

'You surround me' was released as the second single from Erasure's fourth studio album 'Wild!'. Upon release, it became Erasure's tenth consecutive Top 20 hit on the UK singles chart, peaking at number 15. It reached number 10 on the Irish singles chart, and number 38 in Germany.

The track, a love song, was written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell and is a heavily-synthesized ballad with a dramatic chorus featuring Bell's falsetto. Clarke has stated that this song was his attempt at writing a James Bond film theme. Also included on the single as a B-side is '91 Steps', an instrumental with complex synthesizer programming and unusual time signature. The track utilizes repeating cycles in which the first seven bars use a 7/4 time signature, followed by one bar in 3/4 time.

My collection: 7" single no. 5132
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You surround me' / '91 Steps'

Nights on Broadway - Bee Gees

'Nights on Broadway' is a track from the Bee Gees' 1975 album 'Main course'. The second single release from the album, it immediately followed their number one hit "Jive Talkin'". The song introduced Barry Gibb's falsetto voice in the chorus. It was a turning point in Bee Gees style, as they progressed through their disco era writing songs mostly sung in falsetto by Barry. He did not know of his special "talent" until producer Arif Mardin asked someone within the group to try to do some kind of screaming during the main chorus.

'Nights on Broadway' reached number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 5136
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Nights on Broadway' / 'Edge of the universe'

Cold love - Donna Summer

'Cold love' is the second single from the Donna Summer album The Wanderer. Although the song did not gain as much success as its predecessor, it did receive a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Vocally, this song contrasts with the just previous 'The Wanderer' single release - it is very reminiscent of her 1979 'Hot Stuff' - power belt and hard rock approach. Personally, I prefer the B-side, the very intriguing 'Grand illusion'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5166
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cold love' / 'Grand illusion'

Victor should have been a jazz musician - Grace Jones

Nile Rodgers and Grace Jones produced 'Victor should have been a jazz musician', a track taken from her 1986 album 'Inside story'. As the song title suggests, it saw Jones exploring new musical territories and the spoken opening line even refers to one of the late and greats of jazz: "I went to a Nina Simone concert...". The horns on the track were played by Lenny Pickett, Stan Harrison, Steve Elson, and Mac Gollehon under the collective name The Borneo Horns.

The single reached number 35 in the Dutch Top 40, but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 5176
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Victor should have been a jazz musician' / 'Crush'

You've got it - Simply Red

In the autumn of 1989, 'You've got it' was released as the fourth and final single from Simply Red's third album 'A new flame'. The previous three singles had been top 20 hits in the UK, but this single wasn't as successful, peaking at number 46 only.

The B-side of this single features a live acoustic version of their biggest hit, 'Holding back the years', recorded in Australia in August 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 5174
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'You've got it' / 'Holding back the years (live acoustic version)'

Rendez-vous - Pas de deux & Big Band

Pas de Deux (Walter Verdin, Dett Peyskens and Hilde van Roy) were a Belgian band, best known for their participation in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest, and the controversy surrounding their selection as that year's Belgian representatives. 'Rendez-vous' consisted of just one line of quasi-nonsensical lyric ('Rendez-vous, maar de maat is vol en m'n kop is toe') repeated over a quirky, rhythmic instrumental track while Peyskens and van Roy danced barefoot, and seemed to baffle the conservative audience.

'Rendez-vous' proved unsuccessful, finishing in 18th place of the 20 entries, having received points from only the UK, Spain and Portugal. The single reached the Belgian top 30, but a follow up single, 'Manimeme', went unnoticed and the group soon disbanded. When I bought this single, a search of almost 28 years came to an end. In the shop they told me second hand copies of this single came in every so often, and it was never there for long. It's still very much sought after, apparently.

My collection: 7" single no. 5187
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Rendez-vous' / 'Rendez-vous (mix)'

What kind of fool - Kylie Minogue

'What kind of fool (Heard all that before)' was written by Kylie Minogue, Mike Stock and Pete Waterman for Minogue's first compilation album 'Greatest Hits' (1992). The song was produced by Stock and Waterman and received a generally positive reception from critics. Released as the first single in the summer of 1992, it became Minogue's 19th top 20 hit in the UK and 15th in Australia.

Kylie admitted in an interview with the Australian Sunday Telegraph in October 2008, that she is no longer fond of the song: 'There's plenty I've cringed about', she says. 'There's one track I really didn't like called 'What Kind of Fool'. But I realised you can run, but you can't hide, so I embraced 'I Should Be So Lucky' and the rest of them.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5153
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'What kind of fool' / 'Things can only get better'

Still my heart cries for you - Kayak

'Still my heart cries for you' was Kayak's seventh single, a track taken from their 1976 album 'The last encore'.

The love song written by band member Pim Koopman was an atypical single. It has changes in tempo and atmosphere, making it quite inaccessible. As a result, the single failed to chart. Releasing any track from the album as a single seemed to be a desperate move from the record company since the album didn't contain any potential hit, since the band were into making quite intricate arrangements at that point.

My collection: 7" single no. 5130
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Still my heart cries for you' / 'Raid your own house'

Cheri babe - Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate had a string of hits during the Seventies. Of course, not all of their singles made it into the top 10, there were some smaller hits inbetween the big ones. Most of their songs were produced by legendary hitmaker Mickie Most and written by band members Brown and Wilson.

'Cheri babe' was one such smaller hits. Released in November 1974, the single reached number 31 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5164
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cheri babe' / 'Sexy lady'

La la la - Merino Costa

Released in 1968, shortly after Spain's historic Eurovision Song Contest win, Merino Costa released this cover version of Massiel's song 'La la la'. Essentially, it's a cash-in on her success, as this version is not too far removed from the original.

There are various cover versions of 'La la la' around, actually. Which is quite strange since the song was put down by critics and the viewing audiences after it won. Apparently it was still worth cashing in on the song's success...

My collection: 7" single no. 5180
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'La la la' / 'Teresa mia'

Don't dream it's over - Paul Young

Paul Young made a name for himself crooning old soul hits like 'Wherever I lay my hat' and 'Love of the common people' during the Eighties. When he took on Crowded House's 'Don't dream it's over' on the occasion of the release of his greatest hits album 'From time to time' in 1991 the audience had a much harder time to swallow it.

Still, it was a hit in various territories, albeit just not such a big one. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and reached anywhere between number 13 and 71 in European charts. It was a big hit in Norway, where the single reached number 6. Backing vocals on the track were performed by Paul Carrack.

My collection: 7" single no. 5160
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't dream it's over' / 'I need somebody'

How can you mend a broken heart - Bee Gees

The Bee Gees released 'How can you mend a broken heart' in 1971. Barry and Robin Gibb wrote the song in August 1970, when the Gibb brothers had reconvened following a period of break-up and alienation. They said that they originally offered it to Andy Williams, but ultimately the Bee Gees recorded it themselves and included it on their 1971 album, 'Trafalgar'.

The song was recorded on 28 January 1971 in London. It was released as a single in May 1971 ahead of the album. Although failing to chart in the UK singles chart, the song became the Bee Gees' first number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5141
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'How can you mend a broken heart' / 'Country woman'

Solsbury hill (live) - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel released 'Peter Gabriel plays live' as his fifth album in 1983. The album was originally released as a double album and longplay cassette, with sixteen songs and a running time of over 80 minutes. It was eventually issued as a double CD set, and, in 1985, as a single CD version 'Plays Live – Highlights' with only twelve songs and some significant track time alterations.

This live version of 'Solsbury hill' was lifted from the album for a single release. It was not a hit, but apparently it inspired Sarah McLachlan to record a cover of this song a decade later.

My collection: 7" single no. 5157
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Solsbury hill (live)' / 'Kiss of life (live)'

Do you remember? (live) - Phil Collins

'Do you remember?' was originally a track on Phil Collins's 1990 album 'But Seriously'. Shortly after the release of that album, Collins released 'Serious hits... live!', an album with live versions of his best songs. A live version of 'Do you remember?' was released as a single in the UK and Europe and managed to reach number 57 in the UK singles chart.

The song was written by Collins and produced by Collins and Hugh Padgham. Singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop is a backing vocalist on the track. The B-side features a live version of one of the Eighties' most accomplished love songs, 'Against all odds'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5158
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Do you remember (live)' / 'Against all odds (live)'

One of these nights - Eagles

'One of these nights' is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded by the Eagles. The title track from their 1975 album, the song became their second single to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart after 'The best of my love'. The single version was shortened from the album version of the song, removing most of the song's intro and most of its fade-out.

According to songwriter Glenn Frey, the song is about putting things off. 'We've all said, 'one of these nights I'm gonna do something - get that girl, make that money, find that house'. We all have our dreams - a vision we hope will come true someday. When that 'someday' will come is up to each of us.'

My collection: 7" single no. 5175
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One of these nights' / 'Visions'

Let the music play - Shannon

'Let the music play' was released by Shannon in 1983. The original version of the record was produced by Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa. The rhythmic ingenuity of the track included a drum-machine pattern produced by a filtered Roland TR-808.

The single reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 14 in the UK singles chart. Although Shannon never reached the US top 40 again, she had five more hits in the UK. Despite this, she is still regarded as a one hit wonder.

My collection: 7" single no. 5162
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Let the music play' / 'Let the music play (dub version)'

Als de zon schijnt in je hart - Lou Prince

Yesterday I presented Aline's attempt at covering Wind's 'Lass die Sonne in dein Herz', today I give you Lou Prince's version. It's another unknown singer, this time from the Netherlands, who has also recorded a Dutch version of the song - though with different lyrics than Aline.

Like Aline, this version never troubled the charts. Although the sleeve actually mentions a Lou Prince fanclub, I doubt it was ever reached the three digit mark.

My collection: 7" single no. 5179
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Als de zon schijnt in je hart' / 'Zonder jou'

Tennis - Chris Rea

'Tennis' was Chris Rea's third album, released in 1980. The title track was released as a single ahead of the album in March 1980. The single went by without troubling the charts in any territory.

The album wasn't much more successful: it reached number 60 in the UK albums chart - and that was all.

My collection: 7" single no. 5170
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tennis' / 'If you really love me'

Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate

Not to be confused with the Modern Talking song from the Eighties, this single by Hot Chocolate was written by band members Tony Wilson and Erroll Brown and released in April 1973. It's a song about an interracial love affair and a father who does not approve. Founding father of British blues Alexis Korner has a spoken word part in the song.

The single was a hit for the band, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart. The song was later covered by the American band Stories, the Quireboys and - unfortunately - Dutch singer Bert Heerink who created a Dutch version called 'Julie July'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5165
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Brother Louie' / 'I want to be free'

C'mon let's boogie - Kirka

As it says in Wikipedia: 'Kirill "Kirka" Babitzin (22 September 1950 – 31 January 2007) was a musician from Finland, but now he's dead'. It's a bit harsh, but it is the truth. There's more to the story than that of course, but there you go.

Kirka represented Finland in Eurovision Song Contest 1984 with the song 'Hengaillaan' (which is Finnish for 'hanging out'). The song finished ninth in a field of 19 competitors. This single features an English language version of the song, entitled 'C'mon let's boogie'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5177
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'C'mon let's boogie' / 'Oh Marie'

Don't stand another chance - Janet Jackson

Two major compilation albums with hits by Janet Jackson have been released so far, but both of them failed to include her earliest singles. Only a UK limited edition double cd package of 'Design of a decade' (1995) included a 12" version of 'Young love', 'Say you do' and this single, 'Don't stand another chance'.

It's even more amazing when you think that Janet actually released 10 singles before she hit it big with 'What have you done for me lately' - and subsequent singles. And one more thing: between 1982 and 1985 she didn't need to get her tits out to sell records. But then, she only sold half a million records in that time...

My collection: 7" single no. 5155
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Don't stand another chance' / 'Rock 'n' roll'

Give me just a little more time - Kylie Minogue

'Give me just a little more time' was originally released in 1970 as the debut single of Chairmen of the Board, an American soul band. The song was written by Holland, Dozier & Holland, who also released the single on their own Invictus label.

It was covered in 1991 by Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue. Minogue's version was featured in a commercial for Accurist watches at the time. It was one of the last tracks to be recorded for her fourth album, 'Let's get to it. It peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5152
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Give me just a little more time' / 'Do you dare (NRG edit)'

Eternity - Sheena Easton

'No sound but a heart' was Sheena Easton's eighth studio album, released in 1987 on the EMI label. The album was issued in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and other Asian markets. The album consisted of midtempo and ballad songs. The release of 'No sound but a heart' was hampered in the United States after EMI America was absorbed into EMI Manhattan records and two scheduled release dates for the album (February and June of 1987) were not met.

The album produced only one single, 'Eternity', written by Prince. The single was, amazingly, not a hit. This was Easton's final release on the EMI label, where she had started her career. She subsequently moved to MCA Records the following year in 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 5149
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Eternity' / 'Shockwave'

Laat de zon in je hart - Aline

There is no information available about this release, so I don't know who Aline is, but I'll wager a guess that she's from Belgium. The label, Diamonds Records, is unknown, but the photograph on the sleeve was credited to one Clement in Maasmechelen and Diamonds Records could be reached via a Belgian phone number.

So what is 'Laat de zon in je hart'? It's a Flemish cover version of Wind's successful 1987 Eurovision Song Contest entry 'Lass die Sonne in dein Herz'. A collector's item of sorts.

My collection: 7" single no. 5178
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Laat de zon in je hart' / 'Memories of the wind (instrumental)'

Girls night out - Jody Watley

After the band Shalamar split up, Jody Watley moved to England, and while there she recorded a guest vocal with British Jamaican roots reggae group Musical Youth for their album 'Different Style'. She also recorded demos with Gary Langan, Anne Dudley and J.J Jeczalik (who later became Art of Noise). A brief stint with Phonogram Records yielded two demos that were released as promo records.

'Girls night out' was one of them, a single released in 1985. Billed simply as 'Jody', I only discovered this single because the shopkeeper was smart enough to put them in the 'Jody Watley' section. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found this bubbly piece of pop.

My collection: 7" single no. 5151
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Girls night out' / 'My house (4-free)'

9 fragmenten uit de nieuwe elpee Bad - Michael Jackson

When Michael Jackson released a follow-up to his hugely successful 'Thriller' album in 1987, it was nothing less than a sensation. The lead single 'I just can't stop loving you' was a big hit and the album was sure to be big as well.

This promotional single was released in Belgium, featuring nine snippets from the album. Why the track 'Just good friends', featuring Stevie Wonder, was not included on this preview I do not know, but I'm sure that 'Leave me alone' was omitted because, well, it was a bonus track on the cd only at the time. In the Netherlands, this single was released as a flexi disc as a freebie with the magazine Top 10. This Belgian single was sponsored by the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad and the bank Spaarkrediet. The title? '9 fragments from the new LP 'Bad''.

My collection: 7" single no. 5154
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: Medley of 'Bad', 'The way you make me feel', 'I just can't stop loving you', 'Liberian girl', 'Dirty Diana', 'Another part of me', 'Speed demon', 'Smooth criminal' and 'Bad' (Plays the same both sides)

Take your time (Do it right) - SOS Band

'Take your time (Do it right)' was released in 1980 as a single from the S.O.S. Band's album 'S.O.S.'. It is often regarded as one of the last big hits of the disco era.

Although a bit hit in the USA, the single only reached number 51 in the UK singles chart and didn't chart in the Netherlands. Listen to it now, and you'll find it's a very classy pop song.

My collection: 7" single no. 5148
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Take your time (Do it right) part 1' / 'Take your time (Do it right) part 2'

Anxiety - Leisure Process

Leisure Process was a British New Wave duo formed in the early 1980s. They consisted of Ross Middleton, previously of post-punk Glasgow band Positive Noise, and session sax player Gary Barnacle. Four singles were released before their split.

'Anxiety' was their last single, released in 1983. Like all previous singles, it was released by Epic Records and produced by Martin Rushent.

My collection: 7" single no. 5145
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Anxiety' / 'The company'

Words - Bee Gees

In November 1990 Universal Music released 'The very best of Bee Gees', a compilation album featuring the band's most popular tracks in chronological order from 'New York mining disaster 1941' (1967) to 'Ordinary lives' (1989).

To further promote the album, a single was released in early 1991, featuring two tracks from that album: 'Words', a hit for the Bee Gees in 1968, and 'Run to me', a hit from 1972. Dutch readers will know that 'Run to me' was also a big hit for Lee Towers & Anita Meyer in 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 5138
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Words' / 'Run to me'

One way love - Agnetha Faltskog

Agnetha's second solo album after Abba effectively ended in 1982 was the Eric Stewart-produced 'Eyes of a woman', released in March 1985. The album sold well in parts of Europe, reaching number 2 in Sweden and the Top 20 in Norway and Belgium, but failed to match the success of the previous album, 'Wrap your arms around me'.

Lead single 'I won't let you go' enjoyed considerable chart success in both Continental Europe and Scandinavia, but its follow-up 'One way love' was less of a success: it only reached number 12 in Sweden and number 37 in Germany.

My collection: 7" single no. 5133
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One way love' / 'Turn the world around'

Ship of fools - Erasure

'Ship of fools' was released in February 1988 as Erasure's first single from their third album 'The innocents' and their eighth single overall.

'Ship of fools' marked Erasure's first release without record producer Flood. Known for creating slick, pop-oriented production style, Stephen Hague took over producing duties for The Innocents album. 'Ship of fools' also marks Erasure's first ballad single-release. Its B-side, 'When I needed you', is also a ballad. Both tracks were written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The single reached number 6 in the UK Singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5131
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ship of fools' / 'When I needed you'

Oh mama - Lili and Sussie

The Swedish duo Lili and Sussie released several singles, but none of them were more bubbly and danceable than their biggest hit, 'Candy love'. This single, released in 1987, was another attempt at having a hit.

Produced by Tim Norell, Ola Hakansson and Anders Hansson, the single wasn't a hit outside Sweden - but I don't know if it was a hit in Sweden.

My collection: 7" single no. 5146
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Oh mama' / 'One more night'

Lyrics - Kayak

The Dutch rock band Kayak started in 1972, consisting of Ton Scherpenzeel, Pim Koopman, Max Werner, Jean Michel Marion and Johan Slager.

A year later they had their first chart hit: the single 'Lyrics', taken from their debut album 'See see the sun'. It reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. Kayak singles are pretty much impossible to find these days, so this one was a real catch.

My collection: 7" single no. 5129
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lyrics' / 'Try to write a book'

Hang on in there baby - Curiosity

After the lacklustre performance of Curiosity killed the cat's second album 'Getahead', the band was dropped from Mercury Records. However, three years after the release of that single they returned to the UK singles chart as a three piece band on RCA Records, with a cover of Johnny Bristol's 'Hang On In There Baby'.

This single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, and it seemed like they were back for good. Unfortunately, subsequent singles, covers of 'I Need Your Lovin'' and 'Gimme the Sunshine', flopped, which resulted in the album Back to Front only being released in Japan and selected overseas markets.

My collection: 7" single no. 5125
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hang on in there baby' / 'Meaning of dreaming'

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'