Don't go breaking my heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John and Kiki Dee recorded and released the duet 'Don't go breaking my heart' in 1976. Like many of Elton John's singles from the Seventies, it was never included on any of his original albums (though it was recorded during the same sessions that produced 'Blue Moves'). The single was Elton John's first number 1 single in the UK. It was his sixth number one in the USA. In the Netherlands, it was just kept off the top spot by 'Kiss and say goodbye' (Manhattans) and 'Dancing queen' (Abba).

The song’s video is apparently one of the cheapest music videos ever produced. The director was found while filming a Rod Stewart television special. He was pulled aside, located an unused soundstage, hastily dressed it to give the appearance of a recording studio, set up three cameras and had the two singers pretend to record their vocals. Shot in a single take while being told to ‘improvise’, Elton John and Kiki Dee often missed their cues. Elton John’s attempt to lead Dee in a very haphazard dance sequence caught his companion off guard.

My collection: 7" single no. 3534

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Don't go breaking my heart' / 'The snow queen'

Download: Album 'Stay with me - The Rocket Years' (Kiki Dee), including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)

Hallelujah - Milk and Honey

'Hallelujah' was the winning song of the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, performed in Hebrew by Milk & Honey, representing Israel. The group was created especially for the contest after the song's original performers, the band Hakol Over Habibi, declined the opportunity to sing the song. The song is a slow-building ballad, with the group praising God for the world and all the good things in it. This is, to date, the most religiously-themed song to win the Contest.

In the Netherlands, the single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40, and in many European countries, the song became a standard. It is even recognized by many North Americans who might never even have heard of Eurovision.

My collection: 7" single no. 3391
Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Hallelujah' / 'Lady sun'
Download: here

Self control - Laura Branigan

'Self control' is one of those songs I heard a lot in 1984, so much that I got entirely sick of it. Radio stations kept playing it and whenever I watched television the video would appear at some point. It got so boring! But ultimately it is a great song, and two decades later I can finally hear it again.

Laura Branigan recorded the song in 1984 for her album of the same name. The song was originally recorded and sung that same year with the same English lyrics by Italian singer Raf, who wrote the song together with Giancarlo Bigazzi and Steve Piccolo.

Branigan died at her home on Long Island, New York, on August 26, 2004. Her death was attributed to a previously undiagnosed brain aneurysm. She had been experiencing headaches for a few weeks before her death but did not seek medical attention. Not so much self control, then.

My collection: 7" single no. 3480

Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, December 11, 2008

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Self control' / 'Silent partners'

Download: Album 'Self control', including both tracks

Black on black - Dalbello

In 1994 I bought a promotional cd-single of Heart's 'Black on black'. It turned out to be a cover version of a song originally performed by Dalbello. Heart's version rocked a lot, so naturally I became rather curious about the original song.

Lisa Dalbello released her fifth studio album 'She' in 1987. It included her biggest hits, 'Tango' and 'Black on black'. Even though it is described as a rock album, I have to say that her version of 'Black on black' sounds rather mechanic.

My collection: 7" single no. 3118

Found: June 27, 1999

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Black on black' / 'Baby doll'

Download: here

Videotheque - Dollar

'Videotheque' was released in 1982 and, like many of their singles, it was produced by Trevor Horn. Lots of echo effects and synthesizers once again disguise the limited vocal abilities of the two.

I have special memories attached to this track. During the 2002 Here And Now Tour, Dollar was one of the performing acts, and during their set 'Videotheque' was one of the dodgy highlights. Together with my friend, with whom I saw many of these concerts, we laughed a lot about the lyric of this song. I bought the single some time later, even if I was questioning if I would ever play it again.

My collection: 7" single no. 3434

Found: Esbjerg, Denmark, June 17, 2006

Cost: 10 Danish crowns

Tracks: 'Videotheque' / 'Living a life of dreams'

Download: here

With you I'm born again - Billy Preston and Syreeta

The beautiful balled 'With you I'm born again' was performed by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright in 1980. The song appeared on Billy Preston's 1980 album 'Late at night'. The B-side of this single features a beautiful instrumental version, played on the piano by the gifted Billy Preston.

Syreeta Wright died on July 6, 2004 of congestive heart failure, a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatments she was receiving to combat breast and bone cancers. She was 57 years old. Billy Preston died on June 6, 2006 as a result of kidney failure and other complications, after having been in a coma for almost eight months. He was 59 years old.

My collection: 7" single no. 1368

Found: January 3, 1991

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'With you I'm born again' / 'With you I'm born again (instrumental)'
Download: here

Help is on its way - Little river band

Little River Band was an Australian rock band consisting of Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles, Ric Formosa, Roger McLachlan and Derek Pellicci. 'Help is on its way' was one of only three of their singles that made the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 20 (the other two peaked at number 13). It was taken from their third album 'Diamantina Cocktail', released in 1977. The band has released over twenty albums between 1975 and now, and still perform live in the USA - around 100 shows every year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2606

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, January 27, 1996

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Help is on its way' / 'Changed and different', 'L.A. in the sunshine'

Download: Album 'Diamantina Cocktail', including these tracks

I'm not the man I used to be - Fine Young Cannibals

The fourth single from the Fine Young Cannibals' second album 'The raw and the cooked' was 'I'm not the man I used to be'. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart before the end of 1989.

Just like 'Don't look back', 'Good thing' and 'She drives me crazy', a limited edition of the single was released housed in a tin can. This time, the single was pressed on white vinyl. There's also a limited edition of 'I'm not satisfied', but I'm still manically searching for that one.

My collection: 7" single no. 2785

Found: London, November 1996

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'I'm not the man I used to be' / 'Motherless child'
Download: here

Live at the Astoria - All About Eve

Some things are forever lost in time. Like for instance the shop where I bought this bootleg e.p. of All About Eve. All I remember was they had expensive Kate Bush singles on the wall, and that I bought this e.p. there. And I think it was near a busy motorway, somewhere in London. Well, not much to go on, and so I never saw that shop again.

This bootleg e.p. is something extraordinary: it's an audience recording of All About Eve's performance at the Astoria. The sleeve gives no further information, so it could have been their concert there on February 28, 1987, November 14, 1987. March 4, 1988, March 5, 1988 or March 27, 1988. Well, that narrows it down...

My collection: 7" single no. 1069

Found: London, October 19, 1989

Cost: 5 pounds

Tracks: 'Every angel', 'Candy tree' / 'In the clouds', 'Flowers in our hair' (all tracks live at the Astoria, London)

Download: here

Quiet life - Japan

'Quiet life' was Japan's first big chart hit, peaking at number 19 in the autumn of 1981. The album of the same name saw the band change from glam rockers to futuristic synthpop performers. They were rewarded with an ever greater following.

I didn't get to know Japan until they had disbanded. First I heard 'Nightporter', then 'Adolescent sex', and then this synthpop track. And all this after I'd heard David Sylvian's early solo work. Even when you follow pop music from an early age, you get to miss something every once in a while.

My collection: 7" single no. 2883

Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Quiet life' / 'A foreign place'

Download: Album 'Quiet life', including both tracks

Feel like change - Black

I wonder how much this single is worth. It's obviously not a commercially sold item, and not quite a white label. However it does list the release date of this single (April 22, 1991) and it is a custom A&M label.

Well anyway, 'Feel like change' was the first single from Black's self-titled album from 1991. It would be the last album for A&M, as after this main member Colin Vearncombe went independent and never dealt with big corporate record companies again. Oh, I wish I had Colin Vearncombe's voice, I would love hearing myself all day.

My collection: 7" single no. 3461

Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 22, 2008

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Feel like change' / 'Nice'

Download: Album 'Black (+ bonus tracks)', including both tracks

Thought you were on my side - Cock Robin

'Thought you were on my side' was the second chart hit for Cock Robin in the Netherlands. After the number one hit 'The promise you made', this single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was also successful in Germany and France, but flopped in the UK and America.

Having bought the 12" single of 'The promise you made' I was already convinced that the extended versions of Cock Robin tracks were very interesting, so I had no doubts that I should have this record as well. I did wait it out, though, because 12" singles became cheaper once they left the chart. It was well worth the wait.

My collection: 12" single no. 32

Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986

Cost: 7,95 guilders

Tracks: 'Thought you were on my side (extended remix)' / 'Thought you were on my side', 'Peace on earth'

Download: here

Equinoxe - Jean Michel Jarre

'Equinoxe' was the second album released by Jean Michel Jarre, released in 1978. The album reflects a day in the life of a human being, from morning to night. The release of the album was followed by a concert on the Place de la Concorde, Paris on July 14, 1979. The concert attracted one million people, becoming Jarre's first entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest crowd for an outdoor concert.

The single 'Equinoxe (part 5)' peaked at number 45 in the UK singles chart, and reached number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. The B-side of this single features an autograph of Jean Michel Jarre in the runout groove, as made by him on the master plate.

My collection: 7" single no. 2917

Found: London, November 1, 1997

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Equinoxe (part 5)' / 'Equinoxe (part 1)'

Download: here

Ghosts - Ghosts

I already wrote about the Ghosts' single 'Stay the night'. 'The world is outside', their next single, peaked at number 35 in the UK singles chart. 'Ghosts' was released a few months after that, but achieved no chart placing in the UK. Still, this is an interesting single, if only for the remix of 'The world is outside'. While this remix misses the sparkle of the original track, it does keep certain elements of the song intact and makes it interesting to listen to. 'The world is outside' was one of my favourite tracks of 2008 (although it was released a year earlier, but how was I to know...) and so I was glad to get this single. And it's pressed on white vinyl, too!

My collection: 7" single no. 3574

Found: eBay, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'Ghosts' / 'The world is outside (Stellasound remix)'

Download: here

The Fear - Lily Allen

When you read the long, long entry on Lily Allen in Wikipedia, you would think this girl has spent decades in the entertainment business. But in fact she's only released one album, with her second one underway right now. 'The fear' is the first single drawn from this second album, and it was released last month on cd-single and this picture disc 7" single.

Lily Allen was born on May 2, 1985 as the daughter of British actor/musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. While the songs on her debut album were mostly about former boyfriends and short-lived love affairs, the new album supposedly contains some more adult oriented lyrics. 'The fear' is a good example: it reflects on fame and what it can do to a young woman like Lily.

My collection: 7" single no. 3578

Found: digitalstores.co.uk website, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'The fear' / 'Kabul shit'

Download: here

Let's all chant - Michael Zager Band

A fabulous disco track from 1978. 'Let's all chant' by the Michael Zager Band reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 8 in the UK singles chart. Michael Zager was born on January 3, 1943 in Passaic, New Jersey. He was a member of Ten Wheel Drive from 1968 to 1973, and then went on to record a couple of album as the Michael Zager Band. 'Let's all chant' remains his best known song, and was even re-released in 2000 in a remixed version.

Michael Zager went on to produce and compose music for many artists, such as Gladys Knight, Deniece Williams, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston.

My collection: 7" single no. 2291

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 13, 1995

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Let's all chant' / 'Love express'

Download: here

Are 'friends' electric? - Tubeway Army

One of the most famous hits from the Eighties is actually a song from the Seventies: 'Are 'friends' electric?' was released in 1979. Tubeway Army consisted of many different musicians, but the main members were Gary Webb (a.k.a. Gary Numan) and Paul Gardiner. 'Are 'friends' electric?' became their first hit after appearances in 'Whistle Test' and 'Top of the pops'. The single climbed steadily to stay at number one in the UK charts for 4 weeks. After this hit, Tubeway Army disbanded and Gary Numan went on solo.

These days, the track is a regular on Eighties compilation cd's. They were obviously ahead of their time...

My collection: 7" single no. 1216

Found: Record fair, Den Haag, April 22, 1990

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Are 'friends' electric?' / 'We are so fragile'

Download: Album 'Replicas', including both tracks

Eat it - Weird Al Yankovic

In a world where Michael Jackson was just about the most famous person alive, it was no wonder that other people tried to make some money out of his work. Or try to parody him. Weird Al Yankovic shot to worldwide fame when he made a parody of Michael Jackson's video for 'Beat it', and a song to match. Entitled 'Eat it', the video was a shot-for-shot parody.

In America, the single made number 12 of the Billboard Hot 100, while it made number 36 in the UK singles chart. The single didn't chart in the Netherlands, but the video was on TV quite regularly.

My collection: 7" single no. 1917

Found: Record fair, Leiden, May 22, 1993

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'Eat it' / 'That boy could dance'

Download: Album 'In 3D', including both tracks

Blue emotion - Fiat Lux

Fiat Lux followed up their single 'Secrets' with the up-tempo track 'Blue emotion'. Some sounds on this track reminded me very much of Ultravox, and if someone had told me it was their new single, I probably would have believed it. My sister played this single a lot when I was younger, so when I came across this single years later, I still knew I wanted to have it.

I was really surprised, then, to find out I'd bought a copy on coloured vinyl. 'Blue emotion' was released on - wait for it - blue vinyl. How imaginative.

My collection: 7" single no. 2369

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

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Blue emotion' / 'Sleepless nightmare'

Download: here

Kiss me - Indecent Obsession

Indecent Obsession formed in 1987 in Brisbane, Australia. David Dixon, Andrew Coyne, Michael Szumowski and Daryl Sims hit the Australian chart in 1989 with their single 'Say goodbye'. follow-up single 'Tell Me Something' peaked at number 17 two months later, but would be the band's last Australian Top 20 single.

Their second album 'Indio' spawned the single 'Kiss me', which became an international hit. It was number one in South Africa for an amazing 27 weeks. By comparison, they had a modest hit with this in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number 21 in the summer of 1992. In the UK, where I bought this limited poster bag edition of the single, it didn't chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1773

Found: Kensington Market, London, October 21, 1992

Cost: 2 pounds

Tracks: 'Kiss me' / 'Mystery'

Download: here