NME Readers' Pollwinners '84 EP - Bronski Beat, Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, U2

British music magazine New Musical Express, or NME in short, started giving away free EP's with the magazine in 1985. The first EP featured tracks from four readers poll winners. And quite exclusive tracks, too, as far as I know!

As is usual with such giveaway discs, they turn up in second hand shops years later. I spotted this one in a Dutch shop(!), then saw that it included a dub mix of U2's 'Wire' and decided that I needed to check this out.

My collection: 7" single no. 2215
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, November 14, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Hard rain' (Bronski Beat), 'Ivo (new version)' (Cocteau Twins) / 'What she said (live)' (The Smiths), 'Wire (dub mix)' (U2)
Download: here

Baby Jane - Rod Stewart

'Baby Jane' was a number one single in the UK for Rod Stewart, taken from his 1983 album 'Body wishes'. It was his most successful single since 'Da ya think I'm sexy' (1978). It was Stewart's sixth and final UK charttopper.

These days, Rod Stewart is busy recording big band albums, but this is a track from the time when he still rocked the pants off everyone. A style which I much prefer, I have to say.

My collection: 7" single no. 3535

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Baby Jane' / 'Ready now'

Download: Album 'Body wishes', including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

La vie en rose - Grace Jones

'La vie en rose' was one of French singer Edith Piaf's most famous songs. The lyrics were written by Piaf, with music composed by Louis Gugliemi. It became a favourite with audiences in 1946. Owing to its popularity, Piaf would include it on many of her albums.

Grace Jones recorded a cover version of this track in 1977 as part of her debut album 'Portfolio'. The radical bossanova/disco interpretation of the track became Jones's first international hit single, even if the single version was heavily edited. The original album version was included on this 12" single, lasting over seven minutes.

My collection: 12" single no. 318

Found: Record fair, 2002

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'La vie en rose' / 'I need a man'

Download: Album 'Island life', including both tracks

Valentine - T'pau

Drawn from their debut album 'Bridge of spies', 'Valentine' is a power ballad that is laden with emotions. Released in time for Valentine's day 1988, it climbed to the ninth place in the UK singles chart, only reaching number 22 in the Netherlands.

Of all the singles T'pau has released, this is probably the one that affected me most. There was a time when I could dream the lyric of this song. No wonder, then, that I bought this single as soon as I recognised its appeal.

My collection: 7" single no. 603

Found: Free record shop, Den Haag, 1988

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Valentine' / 'Giving my love away'

Download: cd-single 'Valentine', including both tracks

Carmen Brasilia - Anarchic System

This single was released in 1972 at the same time as other versions of 'Carmen Brasilia' by Bob Callaghan and co. and Revolution System. Like the other versions, 'Carmen Brasilia' is an instrumental track, performed on a Moog synthesizer, based on the most famous part of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The B-side is 'Marina', a more acoustic instrumental, featuring faint vocals, guitars and a flute.

Anarchic System consisted of Gilles Devos, Jacqus Deville, Patrick Verette, Christian Lerouge and Michel Dhuy. Later incarnations of the band would draw inspiration from the rock genre. This remains an excellent example of Moog music.

My collection: 7" single no. 2560
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Carmen Brasilia' / 'Marina'
Download: here

She drives me crazy - Fine Young Cannibals

'She drives me crazy' was the first single taken from the Fine Young Cannibals's second album 'The raw and the cooked'. It peaked at number 5 in the UK and reached number one in the USA's Billboard Hot 100.

My copy of the single was issued on red vinyl in a red tin can. The other four singles of the same album were also released in tin cans, each in their own unique colour of vinyl. An item like that takes up a lot of space, but it's so much fun to have.

My collection: 7" single no. 2786

Found: London, November 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'She drives me crazy' / 'Pull the sucker off'

Download: Album 'The platinum collection', including both tracks

Break it up - Lois Lane

The Dutch group Lois Lane was Founded by Monique Klemann, she originally worked with backing singer Angela. When she left the band in 1985, Monique replaced her with her own sister, Suzanne Klemann. In 1987, they won a band contest in the Netherlands, which earned them a recording contract. The bouncy 'Break it up' became their debut single.

It ended up just outside the Dutch Top 40 in the summer of 1987. They would reach that chart with their third single, the theme song of the movie 'Amsterdamned'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3489

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2006

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Break it up' / 'Nothing left'

Download: here

Sans contrefaçon - Mylene Farmer

After I'd decided I wanted to hear more from Mylene Farmer, things went pretty fast. Thanks to record fairs, I was able to buy a lot of her early material quickly. 'Sans contrefaçon' was a song I'd seen on television thanks to its accompanying video, and I was happy to find this old single.

It was originally released on October 16, 1987. The song's lyrics seem to be autobiographical. Indeed, in interviews, Farmer often explained that when she was younger, a lot of people thought she was a boy because of her short hair. To play on this doubt, she even confessed to putting a handkerchief in her trousers. Although the song doesn't deal with homosexuality, over years it has become somewhat of a gay anthem.

My collection: 7" single no. 1871

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, March 27, 1993

Cost: 10 guilders

Tracks: 'Sans contrefaçon' / 'La ronde triste'

Download: Album 'Ainsi soit je...', including both tracks (password: Ralf)

No regrets - Robbie Williams

Not to be confused with the Walker Brothers song of the same name, 'No regrets' is an equally monumental piece of work. Written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, this track features backing vocals by Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys and Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy. The single peaked at number four in the UK, but fared less well everywhere else. The B-side, 'Antmusic', was a cover of the famous Adam and the Ants track. It also featured in the soundtrack of the movie 'A Bug's life'.

I ordered this single in the UK, since it was getting increasingly difficult to find vinyl singles. This is also the only Robbie Williams vinyl that I own, as it is by far his best track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3047

Found: Esprit Mail Order, January 16, 1999

Cost: 4 pounds

Tracks: 'No regrets' / 'Antmusic'

Download: here

Little girl lost - The Icicle Works

The Icicle Works released their fourth album 'Blind' in 1988. This contained the reggae-inspired track 'Little girl lost', a track I got to know thanks to a four track cd-single which also featured the earlier single 'Evangeline'. The Icicle Works never managed to get into the Dutch Top 40, and this single was no exception.

I bought this single during a trip to London to see two live concerts on two nights: Black and All About Eve were both playing in the same week in that town. On the last day of my trip, I was hit by a kidney stone. What a memorable week.

My collection: 7" single no. 3167
Found: House of Rhythm, London, January 18, 2000
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Little girl lost' / 'Tin can'
Download: here

Sleepwalk - Ultravox

'Sleepwalk' was the first single drawn from Ultravox's classic album 'Vienna' (1980). The song was primarily used to achieve a record contract with Chrysalis in 1980 after the band were sacked from their previous label, Island records. Compared to previous singles with John Foxx as their frontman, it was moderately successful in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 29.

The single's B-side, 'Waiting' is an intriguing instrumental track. It was recently released on cd as part of a special disc celebrating the classic album that is 'Vienna'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2540

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Sleepwalk' / 'Waiting'

Download: here (password: UVXx8+Mu )

Making plans for Nigel - XTC

XTC's 'Making plans for Nigel' reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1979. It fared better in the UK, where it reached number 17. The video of this song impressed me greatly when I was a child; it made me remember the band and this single for years on end. I didn't buy the single, so I spent years searching for it. I finally found it during a holiday in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 2695

Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, July 3, 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Making plans for Nigel' / 'Bushman president', 'Pulsing pulsing'

Download: here

Heart of glass - Associates

Billy MacKenzie and Alan Rankine formed the Associates in early 1980, after having worked together on various other projects. They found commercial success with their 1982 release, 'Party fears two'. Shortly after the release of their debut album 'Sulk', Rankine left the band, leaving Billy MacKenzie to continue with the band. This proved to be a difficult task, as commercial success eluded the Associates ever since.

'Heart of glass' was released in 1988. It was a cover of Blondie's 1979 single. Remixed by Auchterhouse, this 12" single adds some power to an otherwise slightly dull version.

My collection: 12" single no. 235

Found: unknown, 1990

Cost: unknown

Tracks: 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse mix)' / 'Heart of glass (Auchterhouse Instrumental)', 'Her only wish'

Download: here

Diamante - Zucchero with Randy Crawford

The original version of 'Diamante' appeared on Zucchero 'Sugar' Fornaciari's 1989 album 'Oro incenso e birra', released first in Italy and then in the rest of Europe. The album also contained the hits 'Overdose (d'Amore)', 'Il mare' and 'Wonderful world'. A year later, Zucchero started conquering the English-speaking world with his first album in that language. The duet with Paul Young, 'Senza una donna', is still one of his biggest hits. This version of Diamante, recorded with Randy Crawford, was a less successful single and didn't appear on any album until 'Zu & Co' was released in 2004. It was included in a special edition of that album.

I bought this single because I knew the original song in Italian. The English version is equally beautiful, but contrary to the Italian version, I can understand the words...

My collection: 7" single no. 1572

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, January 18, 1992

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Diamante (with Randy Crawford)' / 'Diamante'

Download: here

Jealous guy - Roxy Music

Following the tragic death of John Lennon in December 1980, Roxy Music recorded a cover version of his song 'Jealous guy'. This was met with some criticism as it was suggested that they were cashing in on his death. Still, the song became a number one chart hit for Roxy Music.

John Lennon wrote the song in ten years earlier, after his relationship with Yoko Ono had become strained because of his drinking problems and jealousy problems with his first wife, Cynthia Powell. Yoko commented, '(The song) said it all! ... After we got together he made me write out a list of all the men I'd slept with before we met. I started to do it quite casually – then I realised how serious it was to John. He didn't even like me speaking Japanese because that was a part of my mind that shut him out.'

My collection: 7" single no. 3508

Found: Record Mania, Amsterdam, December 27, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Jealous guy' / 'To turn you on'

Download: here

Are you my baby? - Wendy and Lisa

I'll be honest: I didn't like 'Are you my baby?' when it came out and climbed to number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 in the spring of 1989. Yesterday, while I was buying some old singles, I saw this one and started wondering just why I didn't. After all, I do have all their other hit singles. Listening to the song now makes it sound really wonderful. These days there are much worse songs around, so that helps...

My collection: 7" single no. 3536

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Are you my baby?' / 'Happy Birthday'

Download: here

Move in my direction - Bananarama

While most recognised for their eighties work, Bananarama are still around today. Of course, they are not a trio anymore, as only Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward are still at it. 'Move in my direction' was released in 2005, a track from their latest album 'Drama!'. It reached number 14 in the UK singles chart. It was their 24th UK Top 40 hit, and their first since their 1991 single 'Preacher man'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3416

Found: HMV, London, 2005

Cost: 2,5 pounds

Tracks: 'Move in my direction (radio edit)' / 'Move in my direction (Angel City remix edit)'

Download: 11 versions of 'Move in my direction', including both tracks

Ne partez pas sans moi - Celine Dion

A record collection which includes all the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest (well, I do try) should also contain the 1988 winner, Celine Dion. What a great injustice. Dion has to be the singer with the ugliest voice in the business. Her screaming and wailing cuts through the bone and shatters your eardrums. What's more, during the 1988 contest she appearde in a dress which made her look like an ostrich.

It didn't matter. The hearing-impaired judges award her the prize, just one point ahead of that year's real winner, Scott Fitzgerald with 'Go'. I bought that single in 1988. This one, I could only buy now - and only because I have to have all the winners. One bonus: on this single there is an instrumental version, in which a piano takes the place of Dion's horrible vocals. A version which I prefer, of course.

My collection: 7" single no. 3543

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'Ne partez pas sans moi' / 'Ne partez pas sans moi (instrumental)'

Download: here

State of shock - The Jacksons

'State of shock' was recorded by The Jacksons with Mick Jagger in 1984 for the album 'Victory'. Originally the song was going to be a duet with Freddie Mercury, with whom Michael Jackson wrote it. Unreleased demos have surfaced on bootleg discs to testify to this fact. The Jacksons finally recorded the song with Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger performed the song live with Tina Turner during Live Aid in 1985.

I bought this single after my recent surge of interest in Michael Jackson's back catalogue. This is a great example of a powerful pop song with not a lot of substance. Still very enjoyable though.

My collection: 7" single no. 3531

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 2 euro

Tracks: 'State of shock' / 'Your ways'

Download: Album 'Victory', including 'State of shock' / Album 'Triumph', including 'Your ways'

I'm in a different world - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin made a career out of covering old soul songs. Starting out with the German number one hit 'It's my party' in 1981, they also recorded covers of songs like 'The Locomotion', 'Johnny Rocco' and this 'I'm in a different world'. It was written by the Motown songwriting team of Holland/Dozier/Holland and it was a hit for the Four Tops in November 1968, reaching number 27 in the UK singles chart. This cover version didn't reach that chart, but it was a minor hit in the Netherlands, only just missing the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3540

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'I'm in a different world' / 'Henry and James'

Download: here