I still remember - Gary Numan

Gary Numan really impressed me when he recorded 'Change your mind' together with Bill Sharpe in 1985. I played this track all through the year. Then a year later I heard this one, 'I still remember'. I don' t recall where I heard it, but I really liked the kind of melancholy feeling this song evoked. It was only when I bought the single that I found out that it had been recorded to benefit the RSPCA. Shortly after I bought the single, I also got my hands on the picture disc 12" single.

As Gary Numan himself said: 'This version features a different lyric to the version which appears on The Fury album, being written from the point of view of an abused dog, I was watching the animal squad programme and there was a dog that had been starved and it ended with the dog look at the camera and there was a sad Barbara Dickson song playing in the background. I thought it was very, very moving. So I took an old ballad and re-wrote the lyric. What I tried to do was put myself from the point of view of a badly treated dog. That's why the chorus for example was changed from “I still remember” to “How can they do this.”'

The single didn't get any radio exposure. It went into the UK singles chart, at no. 74 for one week on December 6, 1986. And that was that. Numan was frustrated: 'You’ve got a record for charity, for animals, at Xmas and not one single play on the Radio; I found it disgusting, hypocritical, if we’d had the radio behind that we’d have done so much good.'

My collection: 7" single no. 480 / 12" single no. 42

Found: LP top 100, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 6 guilders / 15 guilders

Tracks: 'I still remember' / 'Puppets' (extended version of A-side on 12")

Download: here

Union of the snake - Duran duran

Limited editions are a phenomenon in the UK. Especially in the eighties, there were gatefold sleeves, double singles, box sets and strangely coloured vinyl singles aplenty. In the Netherlands, these phenomena didn't happen as often. So whenever it did, it was immediately a collector's item. If I liked the artist, I simply had to have it.

However, I found out about Duran Duran's limited edition single 'Union of the snake' too late. So when I did, it had already left the shops. I finally found it two years later during a flea market in my highschool. The unsuspecting fellow student from which I bought this didn't know quite what he parted with: he only asked a mere two guilders for it. What a steal! I was very satisfied. Little did I know that later in life these items would change hands for astronomical amounts at times...

My collection: 7" single no. 358

Found: School fair, Den Haag, 1985

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Union of the snake' / 'Secret oktober' plus free flexi disc with medley of tracks from the albums 'Duran Duran' and 'Rio'

Download: here

The day before yesterday's man - The Supernaturals

On February 8, 1997 I went to London to see the last performance of the musical 'Tommy', starring Kim Wilde as mrs. Walker. It was a fine performance, and after that very nice evening I went back to the hotel. Before being able to sleep, I watched some television and saw an episode of good old Top of the Pops. During this episode there was a performance by the Supernaturals, playing their current single 'The day before yesterday's man'. I'd never heard of the group, but I liked the song. So sure enough, the next day I went to the Virgin Megastore and got myself a copy of the limited edition yellow vinyl 7" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2835

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, February 9, 1997

Cost: 99p

Tracks: 'The day before yesterday's man' / 'Honk Williams'

Download: here

Hello again - The Cars

The Cars were very successful in their native America, but they only got noticed here in Europe in 1984, when video music channels were on the rise. Their innovative video for 'You might think' was played dozens of times a week, and 'Drive' became famous after it was used for a video full of needy African people during Live Aid. To the best of my knowledge, neither of the 12" singles for these songs contained remixes.

'Hello again' was taken from the same album as the two named singles, 'Heartbeat city', and the 12" single featured remixes by famous producer Arthur Baker.

My collection: 12" single no. 465

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2004

Cost: 2 euros

Tracks: 'Hello again (extended remix version)', 'Hello again (dub version)' / 'Hello again'

Download: here

Vienna - Ultravox

In 1981, I thought Ultravox was the best band in the world. In some ways, I still think that. But back then, I was totally enchanted by the song 'Vienna' and its interesting video. I'd been to Vienna on holiday with my parents the year before and I was always trying to figure out where they had filmed the scenes. One part of it was easy: the cemetary in Vienna is famous for its buildings and beautiful graves - one of which is featured on the sleeve of the single. I would come to visit that grave, too, because we went back to Vienna that summer. But the other scenes I couldn't identify. I have recently found out that Ultravox filmed those scenes in England. A great disappointment... Vienna is the title track of the equally great album, a landmark in pop history.

I bought the single twice: once in 1981 and once in 1998. The latter was a clear vinyl version, released in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 82 / no. 3061

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981 / Record Exchange, London, 1999

Cost: 2 guilders / 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Vienna' / 'Passionate reply'

Download: Compilation album 'Dancing with tears in my eyes', including both tracks (Part One / Part Two)

Reduced to tears - In Parallel

In Parallel was an English band. Their single 'Reduced to tears' was a regular on satellite TV channels like Music Box and Sky Channel in 1984. It was produced by Phil Harding. That's about the extent of my knowledge. Even the web, usually a fountain of wisdom, contains no more information about this release. A truly rare single then, because it didn't even make the charts anywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 2129

Found: Record Palace, Amsterdam, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Reduced to tears' / 'Somewhere in Paris'

Download: here

Sensitive - Mick Karn

Having collected Kim Wilde records for more than a decade, it's not so strange that I started 'branching out'. The singles released by her brother Ricky were hard to come by, since they were all released in the seventies in rather small quantities. So the first Ricky Wilde record I found was 'Sensitive' by Mick Karn, which was produced and mixed by Ricky Wilde together with Mick Karn.

Karn made his name as part of the English group Japan, but he also made some solo records. 'Sensitive' was his first solo single, which didn't make the charts anywhere.

My collection: 7" single no. 2961

Found: Record fair, Netherlands, February 9, 1998

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Sensitive' / 'The sound of waves'

Download: here

Magic smile - Rosie Vela

Everyone who has a singles collection will recognise this: once you've heard an album you like, you'll want to have all the singles drawn from that album. Well, at least, I do. So after buying Rosie Vela's cd 'Zazu' in 1989, I started looking for her singles. It took me some time to collect them, but I finally started to see things going my way when I found 'Magic smile', the first single to be drawn from 'Zazu'.

'Magic smile' reached no. 27 in the UK singles chart in January 1987. In other countries it didn't reach the charts. Despite her great music, Rosie Vela was discarded by many so-called 'serious' critics because of her modeling career. When you listen to 'Magic smile', it's obvious that the former model was mistreated in this respect.

My collection: 7" single no. 2029

Found: House of rhythm, London, October 19, 1993

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Magic smile' / '2nd emotion'

Download: Album 'Zazu', including both tracks

Living on video - Trans X

My sister didn't approve. That's what I always think when I see this single. Back in 1983, it was still a big issue which records we bought. As we both had record collections, she didn't appreciate it much when I bought the same singles she did, because we would have less extra songs to play, but whenever I bought something she didn't like, she was disappointed as well.

'Living on video' was an example of electronic music. When I grew older, I came to realise that women generally don't like electronic music, because of its mechanic nature. But I loved this song for all its simplicity and weird noises. And that includes the vocals...

My collection: 7" single no. 212

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Living on video' / 'Digital world'

Download: Album 'Living on video', including both tracks. (Part one / Part two; password video93)

Så länge det lyser mittemot - Marie Fredriksson

Marie Fredriksson was famous in Sweden even before she joined the band Roxette, that would take her around the world. Her solo work is sometimes just as poppy, but also contains a darker, more melancholic side that appeals to me a lot.

I got to hear 'Så länge det lyser mittemot' via MTV Europe in 1992, soon after it was released in Sweden. I wasn't too impressed by this track at first, mostly because the video didn't appeal to me. Then, a year later, I spotted Marie's cd 'Den standiga resan' in a record shop in Amsterdam at a discount price. The booklet of this cd was beautiful, and because of that I decided to buy this cd and try it out. I fell in love with the album. It was only in 2001 when I bought this vinyl single. I've come to like this track and the thought of owning this single was too attractive to deny. It's the only Marie Fredriksson track that I have on vinyl - everything else I have on cd now.

My collection: 7" single no. 3317

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, March 24, 2001

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Så länge det lyser mittemot' / 'Den där novemberdan'

Download: here

Precious little diamond - Fox the fox

The Dutch group Fox the Fox was formed in 1983 by Berth Tamaela and Robbie Brans. They were joined by Silhouette Musmin. Their first single 'Flirting and showing' barely missed the Dutch top 40, but in 1984 they had their first (and only) hit: 'Precious little diamond'. The song is a big success in Europe and South America as well.

'Precious little diamond' was remixed by Ben Liebrand, who had just become a famous dj and remixer thanks to his weekly 'minimix' on Radio Veronica. The remix is an extended version of the original song with extra instrumental breaks. Very attractive.

My collection: 12" single no. 459

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Precious little diamond (special remix by Ben Liebrand)' / 'Man on the run'

Download: here

Prisoner - Sue Saad and the Next

Another recent find is this single by Sue Saad and the Next. 'Prisoner' was taken from their only self-titled album and it's the single I bought last week at the Utrecht record fair.

Sue Saad and The Next are Sue Saad (vocals), James Lance (drums), Tony Riparetti (guitar), Billy Anstatt (guitar), and Bobby Manzer (bass). Saad, Lance, and Riparetti wrote all the songs on the band's self-titled debut album and are the original nucleus of the group, having been friends and musical collaborators since junior high school in Santa Barbara, California. Richard Perry produced the band's album with the help of Lance, the whole project taking less than twenty days to complete. Lance had said that the songs on the album 'evoke youthful passion seasoned with wry adult knowledge, as well as a toughminded picture of daily American life and the ways it can be lit up by moments of rock and roll celebration'. For more information about the band, have a look at this webpage.

My collection: 7" single no. 3460

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Prisoner' / ' I want him'

Download: Album 'Sue Saad & the Next', including both tracks

Change his ways - Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer is dead. It's strange every time I realise that. He's one of those artists that was just always around. When I was a child, I listened to 'Looking for clues', thinking that it was just a great song from some strange guy. When I was a bit older, I heard 'Riptide' and thought this man was truly sophisticated. Then I heard 'Addicted to love' a few years later and I was slightly put off by the 'straight up and down' rock.

My sister bought the album 'Heavy Nova' and I played it many times. In time, I bought almost every single drawn from that album. The only one that was missing was 'Change his ways' - until recently. I picked up the picture disc 7" last week. For the first time ever, it was a bargain.

My collection: 7" snigle no. 3457

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1,25 euro

Tracks: 'Change his ways' / 'More than ever'

Download: Album 'Heavy Nova', including both tracks

Heaven can wait - Bolland

The Dutch brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland have released many singles in the Netherlands, but they became more famous for their production work, amongst others with Austrian singer Falco. They became still more famous because of their song 'You're in the army now', which was covered by Status Quo in 1986. The original version was recorded in 1983 for Bolland's album 'The domino theory'.

The 12" single 'Heaven can wait' includes an extended remix of 'You're in the army now', and that was my reason for buying it. I didn't know the track 'Heaven can wait', which is on the A-side, and I have to say the B-side of this 12" single is superior. Or is it just me...?

My collection: 12" single no. 465

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2007

Cost: 5 euro

Tracks: 'Heaven can wait (extended version)' / 'You're in the army now (extended version)'

Download: here

Popcorn - The Popcornmakers

Although I was very interested in the track 'Popcorn', I didn't know about all the versions that existed. So when I found this version by the Popcornmakers, I wasn't even aware that this was one of the versions that contributed to the number 1 position in the Dutch Top 40 in 1972, together with those by Anarchic System, Hot Butter and Revolution System.

The B-side was another moog instrumental, 'Toad in the hole', presumably another track named after a delicacy. It all may sound hopelessly dated now, back then it sounded downright futuristic.

My collection: 7" single no. 2209

Found: Record fair, the Netherlands, October 22, 1994

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Popcorn' / 'Toad in the hole'

Download: here

Secrets - Fiat Lux

In 1983, there were a few songs that I deemed instant classics. This was one of them. Fiat Lux was the best synthpop band that never made it. 'Secrets' was the best example of their extraordinary talent. Part ballad, part popsong, part classical music, it contained almost everything that I admired.

Fiat Lux formed in Yorkshire (UK) in 1982 with Steve Wright (vocals), Ian Nelson (sax, keyboard) and Dave Crickmore (guitars, keyboards). They never released any albums, however, there are several singles out there, most of which I have. The first one I bought was this 'Secrets', in 1989. Until then, I had to make do with a radio recording.

My collection: 7" single no. 780

Found: All that music, Leiden, March 24, 1989

Cost: 3 guilders

Tracks: 'Secrets' / 'Comfortable life'

Download: here

Too depressed to commit suicide - PeeCees

It's not blatantly obvious, but when you read a song title like 'Too depressed to commit suicide', you have to assume it's not a serious song. When you look at the sleeve and instantly recognise an album cover from The Police, you have to conclude that this is definitely a parody. And not only that: this 'triple A side' also features songs by Jack Michaelson and the HeeBeeGeeBees.

My decision was made pretty fast: I had to buy this single at last week's record fair, if only to satisfy my curiosity. It was released in 1981, at the height of the success of the Police, Michael Jackson and the Bee Gees. It's pretty amazing when you hear the tracks and how similar they sound to the original artists' work. Even more amazing when you find out that one of the three in this group is Angus Deayton. I never knew he had singing ambitions...

My collection: 7" single no. 3462

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1,25 euro

Tracks: 'Too depressed to commit suicide' - The PeeCees / 'Up the wall' - Jack Michaelson, 'Meaningless songs' - HeeBeeGeeBees

Download: Album '439 Golden Greats', including these three tracks

Lay all your love on me - Abba

As I wrote before, the first 7" single I ever had will always remain a mystery. Fortunately, this isn't the case with my 12" singles. The very first one I had is still in my collection and is still proudly number one. And I remember how I got it, too.

I was a big fan of Abba. Then, sometime in 1980, they released a single on 12" only. It was a track taken from their album 'Super trouper' and this maxi single didn't even contain a remix. But still, the fact that I didn't have it bugged me. My brother, one day, offered his copy to me - but at full price. Greedy as I was to want to have it, I paid it, too. I was, and still am, the proud owner of a very collectable item - or so I thought.

My collection: 12" single no. 1

Found: My brother's record collection, at home, 1981

Cost: 15 guilders

Tracks: 'Lay all your love on me' / 'On and on and on'

Download: Album 'Super trouper', including both tracks

People are people - Götz Alsmann and the sentimental pounders

Depeche Mode have written many great songs that have stood the test of time. One of them is 'People are people' (1984). Having heard the original countless times, sometimes I get curious how other bands would perform this track.

My curiosity was finally satisfied when I found this single by Götz Alsmann and the sentimental pounders. Contrary to Depeche Mode, this band worked entirely with acoustic instruments to create a very 'cosy' version of the song. It always makes me happy when I hear this version.

My collection: 7" single no. 2820

Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 1997

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'People are people' / 'Lonesome Pine'

Download: here

Promises, promises - Naked Eyes

Naked Eyes was an English synthpop band, consisting of childhood friends Pete Byrne (vocals) and Rob Fisher (keyboards). The latter would continue his career in the second half of the eighties as one half of the duo Climie Fisher.

'Promises, promises' was their first self-penned hit in the USA, after their version of Bacharach's standard 'Always something there to remind me'. The extended version of 'Promises, promises' apparently features backing vocals by Madonna, although I never heard them... What's more interesting is that the B-side of the 12 inch features an early version of 'In the name of love', a track they would re-record a year later and have another hit with.

My collection: 12" single no. 107

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Promises, promises (extended version)' / 'Low life', 'In the name of love'

Download: here