Nothing - Frazier Chorus

When the pop landscape changed in 1990, Frazier Chorus adapted their music to conform to the newly set standard. Their single 'Nothing', taken from their second album 'Ray', was remixed by Paul Oakenfold and had a firm dance beat, just like bands like The Beloved. It didn't mean that they suddenly got a lot more commercial appeal: the single stalled at number 51, just like previous single releases.

At the time that I bought 'Nothing', I only knew the previously bought single 'Dream kitchen'. I was really surprised at their new sound, but at the same time I liked this track so much that I started to become very interested in this band.

My collection: 7" single no. 1324

Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 16, 1990

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Nothing' / 'Little piece of hell'

Download: here

Born to be alive - Patrick Hernandez

Patrick Hernandez will always be remembered for this one song. 'Born to be alive' was written by him in 1973, but it took six years to get it released. When it was finally released, it was a worldwide hit. It sold 25 million copies around the world and went gold in over fifty countries. Even thirty years later, Hernandez is still performing the show in television shows and concerts. His performances never last longer than the one song.

There is one more fact associated with this song: a certain Louise Ciccone (a.k.a. Madonna) was employed to dance behind Hernandez in 1979, while he was singing his song. She was discovered during auditions in New York and went with Patrick to France. She didn't stay in his company for too long. She was brought in contact with several producers, so she could go her own way. Says Hernandez: 'She didn't want to sing at the time. She was only interested in dancing and acting'.

My collection: 7" single no. 11

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Born to be alive' / 'I give you rendez-vous'

Download: here

Time after time - Beloved

Not to be confused with the Cyndi Lauper song of the same name, 'Time after time' was released in 1990 by the Beloved. It was the fourth and last single to be drawn from their debut album 'Happiness', and also the least successful, as it was the first to fall outside the UK singles chart. Even this limited edition flip pack with a picture disc inside didn't help matters.

Still, it is a cheerful mid-tempo song, and I was very happy to find this limited edition almost a year after its release, because it was such a beautiful package.

My collection: 7" single no. 1279

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1991

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Time after time' / 'Time after time (Through the round window)'

Download: here

All time high - Rita Coolidge

Written by John Barry and Tim Rice, 'All time high' is the theme song for the 1983 James Bond movie 'Octopussy'. Reaching number 75 in the UK singles chart, it is the least successful Bond theme song of all times. This may partly be explained by the lack of an obvious link between the song title and the movie title. Coolidge was reported to have disliked the song ever since its release. Because it was written so quickly, she felt it wasn't a finished work.

The single features an extended instrumental version on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 3378

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'All time high' / 'All time high (extended instrumental version)'

Download: here

Automatic - Pointer Sisters

'Automatic' was released in 1984 and became a worldwide top 10 hit, peaking at number 5 in the USA, number 2 in the UK and number 6 in the Netherlands.The song became one of the Pointers' signature tunes and was the first of four consecutive top ten singles from their album 'Break Out', which was award multi platinum discs.

My collection: 7" single no. 3381

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Automatic' / 'Nightline'

Download: Album 'Break Out', including both tracks

Cosy prisons - A-ha

Released as the third single from A-ha's most recent album 'Analogue', 'Cosy prisons' was only available in the UK. The single was released in two formats: a cd-single and a picture disc 7" single. Both formats carried a track from a Ken Bruce Session, previously broadcast on BBC Radio 2. Whereas the cd-single contained 'The sun always shines on TV', the 7" picture disc contained 'Stay on these roads'.

A cd-single was also due to be released in Germany, but at the last minute the release was cancelled. If released, it would have contained 'Cosy prisons' from the same Ken Bruce session, the demo of 'Cosy prisons' and the album track 'Birthright' as performed live on Radio Clyde.

My collection: 7" single no. 3445

Found: HMV, London, 2006

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Cosy prisons' / 'Stay on these roads (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce session)'

Download: here

Her town too - James Taylor

James Taylor was born on March 12, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). At the age of eighteen he became involved in the music business. Six years later, in 1972, he married Carly Simon. By that time, both were successful singer/songwriters. In 1981, James Taylor released his eleventh album, 'Dad loves his work'.

The album's title was, in part, drawn from the reasons for Taylor's divorce from Carly Simon. She gave him an ultimatum: cut back on his music and touring, and spend more time with her and their children, or the marriage was through. The album's title was his answer, and the divorce took place soon after. The emotional repercussions of the divorce likely served as at least part of the inspiration for 'Her Town Too'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3492

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Her town too' / 'Believe it or not'

Download: Album 'Dad loves his work', including both tracks

That certain smile - Midge Ure

'That certain smile' was the second single to be taken from Midge Ure's debut solo album 'The gift'. It was preceded by the number one hit 'If I was'. By comparison, the second single did worse, only peaking at number 28 in November of 1985.

I didn't know this song when I bought the single. Of course I was familiar with Midge Ure, so I had some confidence when I saw this release. Housed in a gatefold sleeve and pressed on clear vinyl, it was also a very attractive package. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to have this single. And I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the track: it's an uplifting, uptempo track.

My collection: 7" single no. 1762

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'That certain smile' / 'The gift (instrumental)'

Download: Album 'The gift', including both tracks

Don't push it don't force it - Leon Haywood

Leon Haywood was born on February 11, 1942 in Houston, Texas (USA). He launched his career in America as a conventional entertainer, scoring over 20 hit singles on the US R&B chart since 1965.

In the UK and the Netherlands, he is considered to be a one hit wonder, however, with only his 1980 single 'Don't push it don't force it' making the chart. In both countries, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 1821

Found: Record Palace, January 13, 1993

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Don't push it don't force it' / 'Who you been giving it up to'

Download: here

Sanctuary - New Musik

'Sanctuary' is, in my opinion, one of the best synthpop songs ever. Created by New Musik, it fitted perfectly in the sound they had created for themselves. It was the second single to be taken from their album 'From A to B', and the last single to reach the UK singles chart. Just like 'This world of water' a few months earlier, it reached number 31.

Notable also is the B-side of this single: it features a new track 'She's a magazine', as well as two short instrumentals. 'Chik Musik' is a wonderful pastiche of the signature sound of that famous disco/soul group Chic.

My collection: 7" single no. 1535

Found: Brussels, October 11, 1991

Cost: 30 Belgian Francs

Tracks: 'Sanctuary' / 'She's a magazine', 'Chik Musik', 'Magazine Musik'

Download: here

Immaculate fools - Immaculate fools

The Immaculate fools formed in 1984 in Kent, England by two sets of brothers: Kevin and Paul Weatherill and Andy and Peter Ross. Their self-titled debut single was released in January 1985 and reached number 51 in the UK singles chart. It would end up being their only chart success, as further singles failed to make any commercial impact in the UK.

I got to know this single while briefly working for a radio station in 1985. I only got to buy the single many years later, in the same gatefold sleeve that I saw the first time around.

My collection: 7" single no. 2144

Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, August 21, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Immaculate fools' / 'As the crow flies'

Download: here

Ooh aah... Just a little bit - Gina G

Gina G was born as Gina Mary Gardiner on August 3, 1970 in Brisbane, Australia. In 1996 she was chosen by producer Jonathan King to represent the UK in the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest. It was the UK's most successful Eurovision entry - at least in the UK singles chart: it went to number one in the week of the Contest. Unfortunately, the song only came eighth in the Contest itself, which was mainly down to her singing off-key during her performance.

A handful of remixes were released on two commercially available cd-singles. Four remixes by Soul Solution, however, were only available on this promotional 12" single. A rarity!

My collection: 12" single no. 346

Found: Esprit Mailorder, UK, 2000

Cost: 10 pounds

Tracks: 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Main Vocal)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Radio Version)' / 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Soul Solution Dub)', 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit (Instrumental)'

Download: here

Roof garden - Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau was born on March 12, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA). In the late Sixties he made a name for himself in the jazz circuit. In 1975, Jarreau was working with pianist Tom Canning when he was spotted by a representative of Warner Bros. Records. His debut album was soon released. 'We got by' gave him international fame.

His commercially most successful album was 'Breakin' away' (1981), featuring this single, 'Roof garden'. It was released in the Netherlands i nFebruary 1982 and reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. I bought this single while it was in the chart. The poster sleeve of this record is actually a promotional tool, with small adverts in Dutch and French about Christopher Cross, George Harrison, Randy Crawford and seven other artists, who at the time of the release recently had new albums out.

My collection: 7" single no. 112

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Roof garden' / 'Alonzo'

Download: here

Magnetic Fields part 2 - Jean Michel Jarre

I think everyone who grew up in or around the Seventies remembers their first cassettes. I got a tape recorder in 1980 and spent hours on end filling tapes with the music I heard on the radio. So in 1981 I recorded an instrumental track from a Belgian radio station, without actually hearing a title or artist. Instrumental tracks can be very hard to identify. And so it took me years to find out that this particular track was Jean Michel Jarre's 'Magnetic Fields part 2'. It was a minor hit in the Netherlands for Jarre, reaching number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Magnetic fields' was Jarre's first album recorded with digital synthesizers, having used analogue ones on his previous work.

My collection: 7" single no. 2455

Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 2, 1995

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Magnetic Fields part 2' / 'Magnetic Fields part 1'

Download: here

Old friend - Mo

The first single by Mo I ever bought was this one, the ballad 'Old friend' taken from their second album 'Ha Ha! The sound of laughing'. Contrary to most of their singles, this one was a ballad. The single version lasted three minutes and was one minute shorter than the album version, in an attempt to make it radiofriendly. Despite this, 'Old friend' didn't make the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 711

Found: All that music, Leiden, December 30, 1988

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Old friend' / 'Madman'

Download: here

Nothing to lose - UK

UK released two singles from their 1979 album 'Danger Money': 'Rendezvous 6:02' and 'Nothing to lose'. Funnily enough, 'Rendezvous' was a only a hit in the Netherlands, whereas 'Nothing to lose' could only reach the UK singles chart. It peaked at number 67 in the Summer of 1979. A live album, 'Night after night', was recorded in Japan in 1979 and released in September. Following a final European tour in December 1979, and in spite of plans to record a new studio album in America in March 1980, UK disbanded.

I bought my copy of 'Nothing to lose' without actually knowing the song. I always liked 'Rendezvous 602' a lot, and so I presumed this single would be similar. It is a very different song, though, but in its own way it is a nice track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2133

Found: Record Palace, July 30, 1994

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Nothing to lose' / 'In the dead of night'

Download: here

Into the fire - Sarah McLachlan

I remember seeing the video for 'Into the fire' on MTV in 1992 and thinking that it was a rather boring video. It spoiled any chance of me buying the single. Then a couple of years later I got into the album 'Fumbling towards ecstacy' by Sarah McLachlan, and discovered that she was actually a really great singer/songwriter. I bought the vinyl single as soon as I got a chance after that. It completed my Sarah McLachlan-collection, because as far as I know there are no further 7" singles by her besides this one and 'Vox'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2378

Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995

Cost: 60p

Tracks: 'Into the fire (Album version)' / 'Into the fire (John Fryer mix)'

Download: here

Absolute - Scritti Politti

Scritti Politti's main member Green Gartside moved to New York in 1983 to begin working on what was to become his band's signature sound.

Collaborating with producer Arif Mardin, David Gamson and Fred Maher, the first recording to emerge from these sessions was the single 'Wood Beez (Pray like Aretha Franklin)'. A series of hits in the style of this track followed, including 'Hypnotize', 'The word girl' and this single, 'Absolute'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1630

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Absolute' / 'Absolute (version)'

Download: here

Love blonde - Kim Wilde

In 1983, Kim Wilde reinvented herself as a 'Love blonde'. It was the title of her new single, the first to be taken from her third album 'Catch as catch can'. For the first time, I bought a Kim Wilde single while it was still in the charts. I was actually starting to collect her singles, although at that point I don't think I actually realised it.

Kim commented about the song: 'When my dad told me that he wanted to write a song called 'Love Blonde', I just looked at him and said, you know, give me a break, I don't think I could handle the sort of flack I'd get, making a record with a title like that. He just said, 'look, either you do it, or you don't', and that was it. I could see what he was getting at.'

My collection: 7" single no. 206

Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'Love blonde' / 'Can you hear it'

Download: here

I could be happy - Altered Images

Altered Images released their second album 'Pinky blue' after a successful headlining tour, in 1982. The album provided them with two top 20 hits in the UK: 'See those eyes' and 'I could be happy'. Since the band were going down a pop path, many critics who supported them before started to turn sour.

'I could be happy' is an infectious song, and for me it's one of Altered Images's standout tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3368

Found: Record Exchange, London, December 2002

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'I could be happy' / 'Insects'

Download: Album 'Pinky Blue... Plus', including both tracks