Sata salamaa - Vicky Rosti

'Sata salamaa' ('One hundred lightnings') was performed by Finnish singer Vicky Rosti on the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest. On this single the original Finnish version is backed with an English version entitled 'Firenight'. The song is sung from the perspective of a woman telling her lover that, regardless of the adversity (the "hundred lightnings" of the title) they face in their love, 'There's a thousand worlds out there, and one of them is ours' - in other words, they will triumph in the end. At the close of voting, the song had acquired 28 points, finishing 15th out of 22 competitors.

Vicky is still active in the Finnish music scene, as a member of the band Menneisyyden Vangit.

My collection: 7" single no. 5616
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Sata salamaa' / 'Firenight'

Frère Jacques - Anne Marie B.

'Frère Jacques' was the Luxembourgish entry in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by French singer Anne-Marie Besse. As the title suggests, the disco-influenced song contains several references to the nursery rhyme of the same name; 'Frère Jacques, dormez-vous?' ('Brother John, are you sleeping?') 'J'entends les cloches qui sonnent' ('I can hear the bells ringing') and 'Tu aurais bien mieux à faire que de jouer au grand frère...' ('There are so much better things for you to do than pretending to be my big brother....'). The singer compares the childish rhyme to her current adulthood, singing about how she longs to have a relationship with some of Jacques/John's friends; 'I'm not a child anymore, you know'. The song ends with the line 'Frère Jacques, réveille-toi et viens dormir avec moi...' ('Brother John, wake up and come sleep with me...'). At the close of voting, the song had received 17 points, placing 16th in a field of 18 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5616
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Frère Jacques' / 'Bébé chat'

Lapponia - Monica Aspelund

Finnish singer Monica Aspelund was born in Vaasa on July 16, 1946. She debuted at the age of fourteen and since released many singles, including Finnish covers of international hits. In 1977 she participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Lapponia', which received 50 points and finished 10th in a field of 18 competitors.

Despite its moderate placing at the Eurovision final, 'Lapponia' was given release in twenty European countries and also in Australia, Brazil, Israel and Turkey. Aspelund recorded "Lapponia" in six languages; Finnish, her mother tongue Swedish, English, German, French and Dutch. "Lapponia" afforded Aspelund a number 5 hit in Finland and also reached number 5 in Sweden.

My collection: 7" single no. 5614
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Lapponia' / 'La-la laula laulu'

Pozdrav svijetu (Dobar dan) - 4M

Two weeks ago, as I was on Ebay bidding on a series of Eurovision singles (and won seven out of ten, as you can read here), I noticed that most of the action happened in the last two minutes. Suddenly there were bidders (or it was only one, I couldn't tell) coming up and offering more than my maximum - which, admittedly, wasn't exactly high. By quickly throwing in one more bid - which, again, wasn't very high - I was  able to steal back the singles in the last few seconds. There was just one exception: this 1969 Yugoslavian entry by 4M. And that's remarkable, since it's such an old record from a country that doesn't even exist anymore.

'Pozdrav svijetu' is a ballad, in which the 4M's salute all people of the world, wishing them a "good day" in several languages: Spanish, German, French, English, Dutch, Italian, Russian and Finnish. At the close of voting, it had received just 5 points, placing 13th in a field of 16 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5613
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 0,7 euro
Tracks: 'Pozdrav svijetu (Dobar dan)' / 'David i Ruth'

Romeo - Ketil Stokkan

Ketil Stokkan was born on April 29, 1956 in Harstad, Norway. As well as being a singer in the Norwegian band Zoo, Ketil performed as a solo singer, most notably in the Eurovision Song Contest - twice.

His first appearance was in 1986 with his self-penned song 'Romeo'. The Contest was held in Bergen, Norway that year, after the previous year saw the Bobbysocks win with the rather retro La det swinge. The song became more significant for the appearance onstage of a drag queen, a member of the Norwegian drag troupe "Great Garlic Girls", dressed in stylised clothing reminiscent of the 18th century, thus representing the first occasion on which a sexual minority was visible onstage. At the close of voting, 'Romeo' had received 44 points, placing 12th in a field of 20. Stokkan returned on the Eurovision stage in 1990 with the unsuccessful 'Brandenburger Tor'. But I am still looking for a (cheap) copy of that single...

My collection: 7" single no. 5612
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Romeo' / 'Vi overlever regnet'

Donne moi une chance - Modern Times

In 1993, Luxembourg participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the very last time. Despite regular rumours of their return to the Contest, the country has not made an appearance in the last 22 years so it seems likely that this song by Modern Times, a duo consisting of Simone Weis and Jimmy Martin, will remain their last.

'Donne moi une chance' is sung partly in Luxembourgish. It starts off with a strong intro but becomes a bit dull after that. Apparently the juries thought the same: at the end of the voting, the song had acquired 11 points, finishing as 20th in a field of 25 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5611
Found: eBay.com, received February 12, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Donne moi une chance' / 'Heaven only knows'

Suspicious minds - Elvis Presley

Mark James wrote and recorded 'Suspicious minds' in 1968. After his single was a commercial failure, the song was handed to Elvis Presley, who turned it into one of the most notable hits of his career. It was his seventeenth and last number one hit in the USA.

Session producer Felton Jarvis made the unusual decision to add a premature fade-out to the song starting at 3:36, mirroring the way Presley used to perform it in his live Las Vegas stage act. This fade-out lasts for about 15 seconds before fading back in, conveying a message of relationship in the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 5610
Found: Kringloop Hebbes, Rijswijk, February 7, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Suspicious minds' / 'You'll think of me'

Dishwasher - General Public

The white sleeve of this single informs the reader only that the disc contains 'Dishwasher', which was used in the Dutch radio show 'Avondspits'. Having listened to this show all through the Eighties, there's no small chance that I heard this tune every day for years. And indeed, the tune sounds very familiar.

General Public formed when Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger decided to continue working together in a new ventur after the breakup of their previous band The Beat. They recruited Mickey Billingham, Mick Jones, Horace Panter and drummer Stoker and signed to Virgin Records. 'Dishwasher' is an instrumental mix of General Public's track 'Burning bright', from their debut album 'All the rage' (1984). The single actually reached number 38 in the Dutch singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5609
Found: Kringloop Hebbes, Rijswijk, February 7, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dishwasher' / 'General public'

Roses are red - Mac Band

Released in 1988, 'Roses are red' is a typical Eighties production, sounding a lot like the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis productions for Janet Jackson. The song was actually produced by L.A. & Babyface. It was the band's only single to reach the UK singles chart, peaking at number 6.

The song was taken from the band's debut album 'The Mac Band featuring the McCampbell Brothers', also released in 1988. They released two further albums, 'Love U 2 the limit' (1990) and 'The real deal' (1991), after which they called it quits.

My collection: 7" single no. 5608
Found: Kringloop Hebbes, Rijswijk, February 7, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Roses are red' / 'Roses are red (instrumental)'

Je vais me marier Marie - Patrick Juvet

Patrick Juvet was born on August 21, 1950 in Montreux, Switzerland. While his early career was focused on making pop records, in the second half of the Seventies he found international success as a disco performer.

Before that, however, he represented his country in the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Je vais me marier Marie' ('I'm getting married, Mary'). At the close of voting, it had received 79 points, placing 12th in a field of 17 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5607
Found: Discogs.com, received January 20, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Je vais me marier Marie' / 'Moi j'ai le coeur sauvage'

't Spinnewiel - Saskia en Serge

Saskia & Serge competed in the Eurovision Song Contest once, with the forgettable song Tijd in 1971. However, the year before, they participated in the Dutch national final with this song, ''t Spinnewiel'. They were almost selected, but in the end the Hearts of Soul were chosen with their song 'Waterman'.

While I still have to find a copy of that song, I did manage to get hold of Saskia & Serge's song on this single. Listening to it now, it's hard to imagine that they would stand a chance against 1970's winner, Dana with All kinds of everything.

My collection: 7" single no. 5606
Found: Discogs.com, received January 20, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: ''t Spinnewiel' / 'Dans met me mee'

Vas vas vas - Ofra Haza

Back in 1983, the late Ofra Haza participated in the Eurovision Song Contest with Hi. Readers of this blog will know that I managed to buy the original version and the German version Frei in 2000 and 2011 respectively. I recently managed to add one more version to the collection: 'Vas vas vas', which is the French version.

I have to be honest: I almost didn't buy this single. Through the years I've seen this sleeve so often, that I almost believed I'd already bought it. But usually the price was too high, causing me to leave the single with the various suppliers. This time around, though, I got lucky. And it's a pristine copy too!

My collection: 7" single no. 5605
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Vas vas vas' / 'Hi'

Je t'aime moi non plus - Jane Birkin avec Serge Gainsbourg

It's getting late in the evening, so it's time for the ultimate moan and groan track of all times. 'Je t'aime... moi non plus' is one of those songs almost everyone with a minor interest in pop music knows. It achieved some notoriety because of its extensive inclusion of heavy breathing.

The lyrics are written as a dialogue between two lovers during sex. Phrases include: 'I go and I come between your loins', 'You are the wave, I the naked/deserted island', 'Physical love is a dead end'. Gainsbourg claimed the song was actually an "anti-fuck" song about the desperation and impossibility of physical love. That message somehow got lost a bit, as the single reached number 1 in many countries mostly on the strength of its face value: it sounded very sexual. Well, I hope you will have a good night after listening to this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5601
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Je t'aime moi non plus' / 'Jane B.'

Imagine - Joan Collins

Okay... So we've had many Dallas actors and actresses singing tracks, such as Audrey Landers, Charlene Tilton, Victoria Principal, Patrick Duffy and even good old Larry Hagman, so I guess a single by a Dynasty actor or actress was to be expected. But I never imagined it would be the preposterous proposition of Joan Collins reciting the lyric of John Lennon's 'Imagine'!

This single was released in 1982 to promote the album 'The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays The Beatles'. You have to marvel at the sheer strangeness of records sometimes. The B-side is slightly less bizarre, with Roy 'I wish it could be Christmas every day' Wood singing 'Happy Christmas (War is over)'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5602
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Imagine' (Joan Collins) / 'Happy Christmas (War is over)' (Roy Wood & Honor Hefferman)

L'amour est bleu - Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra

'L'amour est bleu' was the 1967 Eurovision entry by Vicky Leandros, representing Luxembourg that year. She actually won the contest with the song, prompting chart success all over Europe - and a flurry of cover versions.

The most famous cover version is the one by Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra, although his version was entirely instrumental. It didn't bother the audiences in Europe, where it became a hit in 1968. Amazingly, his version became the best known version in the United States, where it ranked as the second best sold song of the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 5603
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'L'amour est bleu' / 'A banda'

Can we still be friends - Robert Palmer

'Can we still be friends' was written and originally recorded by Todd Rundgren. It appears on his 1978 album 'Hermit of Mink Hollow'. It was the only hit single from that album, reaching number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Robert Palmer was quick to cover the song, releasing it just a year later. He included it on his album 'Secrets'. Despite the fact that this is a very decent version, the single didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 5601
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Can we still be friends' / 'Too good to be true'

Being boiled - Human League

It's hard to believe that this single was released in the summer of 1978, because the Human League's 'Being boiled' sounds a lot like early Eighties synthpop. But actually, it was one of the first pieces of electronic pop music produced in the UK. It was recorded on a domestic tape recorder, in mono, in an abandoned factory at a cost of £2,50.

The song was written by Martyn Ware and Ian Craig-Marsh before Philip Oakey joined the band. They gave him the music to listen to, and he returned two days later with lyrics for the track. Ware and Marsh liked the lyrics, and the song was born. The song was re-recorded in 1980, but this single contains the original version.

My collection: 7" single no. 5600
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Being boiled' / 'Circus of death'

Alors je chante (and then I sing) - Dimitri Dourakine and his orchestra

The title 'Alors je chante' may only seem familiar to those who have read about Rika Zarai's single on this blog almost six years ago. It is a cover of the 1969 Eurovision song Vivo cantando, one of four winners that year.

Dimitri Dourakine recorded this - instrumental - version of the song in 1969, not long after his single 'Casatchok' became a number one hit in France. It's kitsch, but Eurovision-related kitsch is always worthwhile of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5599
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Alors je chante (and then I sing)' / 'Haifa'

The man who sold the world - Lulu

'The man who sold the world' was written by David Bowie and recorded as the title track of his third album in 1970. The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974. Bowie invited her to a concert he gave after which he met her in his hotel room saying: "I want to make an MF of a record with you [because] you're a great singer." She didn't think Bowie would follow up, but a short time later she was actually in the studio, recording tracks with David Bowie and Mick Ronson producing.

When 'The man who sold the world' was released as a single, it reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, and also top 10 in the Netherlands and Ireland.

My collection: 7" single no. 5698
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro  
Tracks: 'The man who sold the world' / 'Watch that man'

Johnny & Mary - Leigh Jaeger

In 1989, Leigh Jaeger sang a cover of Robert Palmer's 'Johnny & Mary'. The track was produced by Stephen Stewart-Short, but received an 'additional production and remix' treatment by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow for PWL. No wonder, then, that this track sounds suspiciously like a Stock/Aitken/Waterman production.

So who is Leigh Jaeger, actually? The internet fails to give any information about her, and her only claim to fame seems to be this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 5697
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Johnny & Mary (remix)' / 'Johnny & Mary (instrumental)'

I was born to love - Rosy & Andres

Well, the following could become complicated... Dries Holten was born on January 30, 1936 in Cimahi, Dutch East Indies. He represented the Netherlands as Andres in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Sandra Reemer. Sandra en Andres, as they called themselves, performed Als het om de liefde gaat. They were a duo until 1975, when Andres said he wanted to work behind the scenes more.

Sandra went on to participate in the Dutch national final in 1976 and was surprised to learn that Andres had teamed up with Rosy Pereira to form Rosy & Andres. Together they sang 'I was born to love', the song that is presented on this single. They were unsuccessful: Sandra won the national final with The party's over and went on to represent the Netherlands in The Hague.

My collection: 7" single no. 5596
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I was born to love' / 'Why don't you phone me'

Un baiser volé - Sarah Bray

In the early Nineties, vinyl singles were becoming increasingly scarce. For some reason, singles from that era have become rather collectible. As a result, a single like this commands prices upwards of 8 euros on the internet. If they are offered at all, that is. Imagine my surprise when I found this copy in a big store filled with singles at 1 euro!

Sarah Bray represented Luxembourg in 1991 with 'Un baiser volé', a song composed by Patrick Hippert with lyrics by Mick Wersant and Linda Lecomte. At the close of voting, it had received 29 points, placing 14th in a field of 22 competitors.This single presents both the French and English versions.

My collection: 7" single no. 5595
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 16, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Un baiser volé' / 'One stolen kiss'

Les quatres chemins de l'amour - Frida Boccara

Frida Boccara used the melody of Vivaldi's Concerto for two mandolins in G major for 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour', a single released in 1970. It was the year after her impressive Eurovision win with 'Un jour, un enfant', one of the most melancholy Eurovision winners ever.

It's never fun and games with Frida Boccara, so this song sounds almost upbeat in comparison. Classical music can lend itself to modern interpretations, and this one is a good example.

My collection: 7" single no. 5693
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 9, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Les quatres chemins de l'amour' / 'La croix, l'étoile et le croissant'

1 2 3 - Vulcano

After Vulcano participated in the Dutch national final of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1983, finishing second with Een beetje van dit, they were hopeful the next year, participating once again. They participated with the song '1 2 3', which, if you understand Dutch, has a very strange lyric for a Eurovision song. It's all about a party where things are a bit 'strange'. The song then progresses into a happy chorus, which seems to describe the joys of a swingers club.

The band wasn't successful: they lost out to Maribelle, whose Ik hou van jou represented the Netherlands in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. Vulcano, meanwhile, split up in 1986, only to reform 20 years later - without ever releasing any new records, focusing on live performances instead.

My collection: 7" single no. 5892
Found: Velvet Vinyl Outlet, Leiden, January 9, 2015
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: '1, 2, 3' / 'Ik wil je in een hokkie'

No one gets the prize - Diana Ross

Diana Ross is one of the true female superstars in the history of pop. She could be criticized for not writing her own material, but no one ever does. 'No one gets the prize' was the second single taken from her 1979 album 'The Boss', released as a single after the title track. Both were actually written by Ashford and Simpson (the duo that would become famous in the Eighties with their own hit single 'Solid').

'No one gets the prize' was almost a prophetic title: the single didn't become a hit. It only charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 59.

My collection: 7" single no. 5690
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'No one gets the prize' / 'Never say I don't love you'

Right in the socket - Shalamar

'Right in the socket' was the third and last single taken from Shalamar's 1979 album 'Big fun'. While the album was Shalamar's third album, it was the first to feature the band's 'classic' line-up of Jeffrey Daniel, Howard Hewett and Jody Watley. Hewett had replaced Gerald Brown early on in 1979 after conflicts over lack of payment from Dick Griffey and Solar Records.

This single was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 44 in the singles chart. It isn't entirely inconceivable to interpret the lyrics in a sexual manner, but that's all up to the listener of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 5689
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Right in the socket' / 'Girl'

Monica - Island

In 1981 Cyprus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. This song, 'Monica', performed by Island, represents their very first entry. It is a love ballad directed toward the titular Monica. The chorus also features the repetition of the word 'Moni', which is Greek for 'alone' (female), as well as being part of the girl's name. At the close of voting, the song had received 69 points, placing it sixth in a field of 20 competitors.

Since its entry, the country has become famous for always exchanging 12 points with Greece, although there have been some (rare) exceptions.

My collection: 7" single no. 5691
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received January 6, 2015
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Monica' (Island) / 'Let me go' (Doros Georgiadis)

A music lesson - Pascalis, Marianna, Robert & Bessy

Pascalis Arvanitidis, Marianna Toli, Robert Williams and Bessy Argyraki managed to get to fifth place in the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest with Mathema Solfege. I bought the single back in 2010, but as it turns out, there are several different versions of this single.

In the UK, this single without a picture sleeve was released, featuring an English version called 'A music lesson'. The original version appears on the B-side. There is also a German single, which features the German version 'Freunde der Nacht' and 'A music lesson'. It commands prices that are quite impressive, starting at 15 euros.

My collection: 7" single no. 5688
Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'A music lesson' / 'Mathema solfege'

L'oiseau et l'enfant - Marie Myriam

Almost six years ago, I bought L'oiseau et l'enfant by Marie Myriam. The 1977 Eurovision winner is still the last song in French to win the Contest. However, it turns out that there is an English language version of the song, and it can be found on this British release.

The single didn't come in a picture sleeve, unfortunately, but the track is on the B-side, and out of the many different releases of 'L'oiseau et l'enfant', this single is the only one to include this version on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 5587
Found: Discogs.com, received December 31, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'L'oiseau et l'enfant' / 'The bird and the child'

Sandy - John Travolta

Singing actors... there is plenty of evidence that it is not a good idea. Bruce Willis, Don Johnson and (shudder) Meryl Streep have all proved that they were better on the screen than they are on vinyl. With the exception of the latter of course, as she cannot even act.

This single by John Travolta was, of course, released at the time of 'Grease', one of the biggest 'musical films' of all time. I wasn't impressed with this song when it was a hit, and hearing it now, I still am not. But the fact that this single was the only 'Grease' release my collection was lacking, and the fact that this was pressed on clear vinyl were great reasons to acquire this record anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 5686
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sandy' / 'Rainbows'

Baby makes her blue jeans talk - Dr. Hook

Statistics! That's what makes big collections interesting. Here's one for you: this single represents one of the biggest gaps between two singles from the same artist I ever bought. 'Sylvia's mother', also by Dr. Hook, was number 304 in my collection, bought on June 30, 1985. This one, number 5685, became mine almost thirty years later.

'Baby makes her blue jeans talk' was the first single from Dr. Hook's tenth studio album 'Players in the dark'. It peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side is worth a spin too, because it's just very funny. With lyrics revolving around a certain three letter word it would have been very risqué in that day and age. Which is probably why it was relegated to a B-side and cryptically entitled 'The turn on'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5685
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Baby makes her blue jeans talk' / 'The turn on'

Windforce 11 - Nadieh

Dutch singer Nadieh had a hit with her second single 'Windforce 11', taken from her debut album 'Land of Tá'. Peaking at number 23 in the Dutch Top 40, it had a lasting impression on the general public. The album was awarded music prizes in 1987.

Nadieh would continue to make music until the early Nineties, but then retreated from the stage and concentrated on writing songs for other (Dutch) artists instead. On April 5, 1996, Nadieh died after a battle with cancer.

My collection: 7" single no. 5684
Found: Flea market, Leidschendam, December 28, 2014
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Windforce 11' / 'Does it really matter'

BBC-TV's Song for Europe 1965 - Kathy Kirby

Kathy Kirby was born as Kathleen O'Rourke on October 20, 1938. She is best known for her cover version of Doris Day's 'Secret Love' and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in second place.

Her song 'I belong' was chosen during a television broadcast on January 29, 1965. All six songs feature on this EP, although 'I belong' was rearranged for the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Naples on March 20. While Kirby performed a very contemporary hit song, she was beaten by France Gall who performed an even more modern tune.

My collection: 7" single no. 5681
Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'I'll try not to cry', 'Sometimes', 'My only love' / 'I won't let you go', 'One day', 'I belong'

Voltarei - Dora

Portuguese singer Dora (full name: Dora Maria Reis Dias de Jesus) represented her country twice: in 1986 with 'Não sejas mau para mim' and in 1988 with this song, 'Voltarei'. Like many Portuguese entries at the Eurovision Song Contest, they weren't very successful. The former ended up in 16th place, and the latter finished in 18th place.

The single features both the Portuguese version and the English translation, 'I'll come back'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5682
Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Voltarei' / 'I'll come back'

Songs for Europe - Kenneth McKellar

Scottish singer Kenneth McKellar was born on June 23, 1927 and studied forestry at the University of Aberdeen, then trained at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer. He went on to sing traditional Scottish songs.

In 1965, the BBC selected him to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. This EP features all five songs that were performed during the national final. The song 'A man without love' was chosen for him to perform at Eurovision. It finished ninth in a field of 18 competitors, which was actually the UK's worst placing for a long time - until 1978. McKellar died of pancreatic cancer on April 9, 2010.

My collection: 7" single no. 5683
Found: Discogs.com, received December 12, 2014
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'As long as the sun shines', 'Country girl', 'A touch of the Tartan' / 'A man without love', 'Comes the time'

Sue (Or In a season of crime) - David Bowie

I started this year with an entry about David Bowie, so I thought it would be appropriate to end the year with Bowie as well. He surprised everyone - again - with his latest offering, 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)'. The single was released on 10" vinyl only, so no cd-singles, 7" or 12" at all. The track also appeared on his latest compilation, 'Nothing has changed'. But does the world really need yet another Bowie compilation album? I guess record companies still like to cash in with old stuff.

'Sue' is a weird offering, as it sounds a lot like jazz and it can seem a bit tedious, being such a long track. But repeated listening is rewarding. Bowie keeps changing, even if nothing much has changed.

My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 23, 2014
Cost: 8 euro
Tracks: 'Sue (Or In a season of crime)' / ''Tis a pity she was a whore', 'Sue (Or In a season of crime) (edit)'

Komm' heut zu mir - Chocolate Menta Mastik

Chocolate, Menta, Mastik ('Chocolate, mint, gum') was an Israeli female musical trio, active in the Seventies, composed of Yardena Arazi, Ruthie Holzman and either Tami Azaria (1972-1973) or Leah Lupatin. The trio performed both in Israel and Internationally, especially after being the 1976 entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in The Hague with 'Emor Shalom'.

Founded in 1948, Israel was a 28-year-old country in 1976, giving the line "I've been alone for almost thirty years" an extra meaning- since it gained independence Israel was isolated in the Middle East, surrounded by hostile Arab countries (Egypt and Jordan signed peace agreements with Israel since then). At the close of voting, it had received 77 points, placing 6th in a field of 18 competitors. This single presents the German and English versions of their song.

My collection: 7" single no. 5680
Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Komm' heut zu mir' / 'Say hello'

Du bist Musik - Blue Danube

Blue Danube was an Austrian band that has represented their country in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest. Their song 'Du bist musik' ('You are music') was filled with names of famous composers and certain types of music. The band consisted of Marty Brem, Wolfgang 'Marc' Berry, Sylvia Schramm, Rena Mauris and Wolfgang Weiss.

'Du bist Musik' received 64 points, placing 8th in a field of 19 competitors. The group split up after Eurovision, but Marty Brem reappeared solo on the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Austria with 'Wenn du da bist'.

My collection: 7" single no. 5679
Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Du bist Musik' / 'Du bist Musik (instrumental)'

Fångad i en dröm - Björn Skifs

Björn Nils Olof Skifs  was born on April 20, 1947 in Vansbro, Dalarna, Sweden. He formed his first musical group Slam Creepers in 1962. Slam Creepers split in 1969 and Skifs went on to form a new band, Blåblus, in 1972. As Blue Swede, the band had a number 1 hit on Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 with a cover of 'Hooked on a feeling'. Björn Skifs left the band in 1976 to pursue a solo career. He recorded the duet 'Med varann' with Anni-Frid Lyngstad for his 1975 album 'Schiffz'. Skifs appeared as The Arbiter on the original studio album for Chess, released in 1984. Skifs also recorded several demos for the album, including 'One night in Bangkok', later performed by Murray Head.

In 1981 he represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Fångad i en dröm'. This was the second time that Björn Skifs had represented Sweden in the contest, having previously entered the contest for Sweden in 1978 with the song 'Det blir alltid värre framåt natten'. Like in 1978, Skifs was the last performer of the night. At the close of voting, the song ended up in 10th place in  a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5678
Found: Discogs.com, received December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Fångad i en dröm' / 'Stackare, stackare'

Valentino - Cadillac

I don't know why, but the 1986 Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest always stuck out in my memory as one of the best Spanish entries ever. I had a lot of trouble finding a copy of the single ever since I started looking out for it some 20 years ago. Even online, because whenever I found a copy the seller was asking way too much for it.

That's why I was happy to finally spot a copy on Discogs.com last month for a reasonable price, and from a seller who had more interesting Eurovision singles on offer. After all these years, I finally have this single. And how did this song perform in 1986? At the close of the voting had received 51 points, placing 10th in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 5677
Found: Discogs.com, recieved December 9, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Valentino' / 'Tahiti'

Stad i ljus - Tommy Körberg

Bert Gustav Tommy Körberg was born in Norsjö (Sweden) on July 4, 1948. In 1988, he represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Stad i ljus', a beautifully orchestrated ballad.The song finished 12th in a field of 21 competitors.

The single peaked at number 8 at the Swedish singles chart. On the single, the song appears sung in Swedish and in English. In 2013 Körberg tried to reach the Eurovision Song Contest one more time as part of he group Ravaillacz. They ended up in 10th place in the Swedish national final.

My collection: 7" single no. 5676
Found: Discogs.com, received December 12, 2014
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Stad i ljus' / 'Unchained light'