Reunited - Peaches and Herb

The original Peaches & Herb consisted of Herb Fame and Francine 'Peaches' Hurd Barker. Herb has been part of the duo ever since its original creation in 1967, but after Francine, several different women have taken on the 'role' of Peaches. Initially the duo wasn't successful, to the point where they both retired from the music scene in 1970. In 1976, Herb decided to return to music and enlisted the help of Van McCoy to find a new 'Peaches'. Linda Greene was found, and thus started the most successful incarnation of the duo.

Their first album together, produced by McCoy, generated no hits, but after switching labels and recording the album '2 hot', they had a massive number 1 hit in America with 'Reunited'. It also reached number 1 in the Netherlands, and it peaked at number 4 in the UK. Unable to repeat the success of 2 Hot with their subsequent albums, Greene and Fame decided to retire their partnership in 1983. Two more incarnations followed, but without big commercial success.

My collection: 7" single no. 12

Found: London, 1979

Cost: 10p

Tracks: 'Reunited' / 'Easy as pie'

Download: Album '2 hot', including both tracks

Everyday is like Sunday - Morrissey

'Everyday is like Sunday' was the second single taken from Morrissey's debut solo album 'Viva hate'. The previous single, 'Suedehead', reached number 5 in the UK singles chart, and this one did almost just as well, peaking at number 9. In the Netherlands, both singles didn't make the Top 40.

Morrissey has been quoted as saying that there is 'something strangely depressing about a seaside town out-of-season'. Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders has showered praise on this song, saying 'the lyric to 'Everyday is like Sunday' is, to me, a masterful piece of prose'.

My collection: 7" single no. 801

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 21, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Everyday is like Sunday' / 'Disappointed'

Download: cd-single 'Everyday is like Sunday', including both tracks

Innocence - Deborah Blando

In 1992, Deborah Blando suddenly appeared on the pop scene with the song 'Innocence'. Born in Italy but raised in Brazil, Blando released her debut album at the age of eleven, entitled 'Giovanna – Alegria da Gente', containing Italian songs. In her teens, Deborah joined the Brazilian theater company Os Menestréis, which has revealed many promising singers in Brazil, and started touring the country acting and singing in their musicals.

In 1989 she met producer David Wolff who, impressed by her musical talent, invited her to record an album in English. In 1991, 'A different story' was released. The first single, 'Boy (Why do you wanna make me blue?)' hit American dance charts and was featured in a worldwide TV ad for Diet Coke. The English version of the ballad 'Innocence', written by Deborah herself when she was 18, was a hit around the world, although in the Netherlands it sunk without a trace. I saw the video on television once. On this occasion Blando was presented as 'the new Madonna'. I was sceptical, but liked the song - and so I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 1622

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

Cost: 3,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Innocence (edit)' / 'Innocence (instrumental)'

Download: here

Turn the beat around - Vicki Sue Robinson

'Turn the beat around' is a disco song written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson and made popular by Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976. It appeared on her debut album 'Never gonna let you go', and was released as a single. In the USA, the song went number 10 on the Billboard pop charts. In the Netherlands, it reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was covered by Gloria Estefan in 1994.

Vicki Sue Robinson continued to make records until 1984. After that, she worked as a session singer for artists like Cher, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper and others. She was also the voice behind the Jem animation series in the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 3483

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

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Turn the beat around' / 'Lack of respect'

Download: here

In a minor key - Tim Finn

This is the first double single that I can remember, and it is quite possibly the first double single released on the European continent. After his big success in Europe with 'Fraction too much friction', Tim Finn released the beautiful ballad 'In a minor key' as the second single from his debut solo album 'Escapade'. This double single was widely available in the Netherlands, but it flopped all the same. The interest for Tim Finn has disappeared as quickly as it had come.

My collection: 7" single no. 1213

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

Cost: 5 guilders

Tracks: 'In a minor key' / 'Not for nothing' // 'Fraction too much friction (live)' / 'Below the belt (live)'

Download: here

I'll fly for you - Spandau Ballet

Yes, I know, I wrote about the 12" single of 'I'll fly for you' in December, but it was exactly that piece which made me realise that I didn't actually have the 7" single. And so I bought it, quite recently. And not just any old 7" single: it's the limited edition, apparently, released in a poster bag. And quite a creepy one: it shows the Spandaus without a shirt on. I wish I hadn't now...

The single version is just as powerful as the extended version, only shorter. It reached number 27 in the Netherlands in the autumn of 1984. In the UK, it went to number 9.

My collection: 7" single no. 3573
Found: eBay, received February 2, 2009

Cost: 3 pounds

Tracks: 'I'll fly for you' / 'To cut a long story short (live)'

Download: here

Ainsi soit je... - Mylene Farmer

'Ainsi soit je...' was the second single taken from Mylene Farmer's 1988 album of the same name. As for all her songs since the 1987 single 'Tristana', Farmer wrote the lyric. Nevertheless, the first words of the couplets 'bulle de chagrin, boule d'incertitude' were written by Marie, a singer unknown to the general public who died not long before. It was a way for Mylene to pay a tribute to her.

I'd started collecting Mylene Farmer singles only months before I went on a holiday to Vienna, Austria. I was greatly surprised to find an old single in a record shop there - but of course I bought it right away.

My collection: 7" single no. 1934

Found: Marik, Vienna, Austria, 1993

Cost: 59 Austrian Schilling

Tracks: 'Ainsi soit je...' / 'Ainsi soit je... (Lamentations)'

Download: here

Without your love - Roger Daltrey

'McVicar' is a British film, released in 1980, starring Roger Daltrey from The Who in the title role of John McVicar, an armed robber turned writer who Scotland Yard publicly announced to be Public Enemy Number One and wanted dead or alive. The soundtrack of the film was performed entirely by Daltrey, and the single 'Without your love' was drawn from the soundtrack album.

Though it was only a minor hit in the UK (peaking at number 55 in the singles chart), it reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and it remains Daltrey's only top three hit in this country.

My collection: 7" single no. 824

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 18, 1989

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Without your love' / 'My time is gonna come'

Download: Album 'McVicar', including both tracks

White and black blues - Joelle Ursull

'White and black blues' was composed by Georges Ougier de Moussac, with lyrics by legendary French songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. The song was originally titled 'Black Lolita Blues', however Joelle Ursull, who was chosen to represent France at the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest, declined to perform it with this title. Rewritten as 'White and black blues', the song deals with the need to overcome the prejudices of skin colour.

Eurovision songs were always difficult to get a hold of in record shops. 1990 was actually the first year that several songs were readily available: in a short amount of time I collected the entries of Belgium, France, Spain and even Portugal. Due to a lack of budget, I didn't buy the cd-single of this track - something I do regret, because I'm unable to find it now.

My collection: 7" single no. 1231

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 11, 1990

Cost: 6 guilders

Tracks: 'White and black blues' / 'White and black blues (instrumental)'

Download: here

Crazy - Icehouse

The Australian band Icehouse found fame with 'Hey little girl' and 'Can't help myself' in the early Eighties. I was very impressed with these early singles, and the later hits 'No promises' and 'Crazy' took some more getting used to after that. 'Crazy' was drawn from their 1987 album 'Man of colours', Icehouse's best selling album worldwide.

It took me many years to finally buy this single. 15 years to be exact. It's one of those singles you come across regularly and you always think, 'nah, later'. So 'later' finally happened in 2003.

My collection: 7" single no. 3393

Found: Geest, Den Haag, 2003

Cost: 1 euro

Tracks: 'Crazy', 'Completely gone'

Download: 'Crazy', 12" single 'Crazy', including 'Completely gone'

Bring me closer - Altered Images

During the Here and Now Tour 2002 I saw Altered Images, or rather Clare Grogan, live in concert and immediately liked the songs she was performing. So I went to the nearest record shop in London and found 'I could be happy' and this single. I didn't know this song - she hadn't performed it - but the sleeve looked interesting enough and so I decided to buy it anyway.

It's one of those instances where you are a little too impulsive. 'Bring me closer' is a rather directionless song, and really doesn't end up anywhere. The same goes for the B-side. Clare Grogan's typical voice sounds a bit weird in these tracks. So not one of my most prized possessions this single. But it is a nice sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 3369

Found: Record Exchange, London, December 2002

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Bring me closer' / 'Surprise me'

Download: here

Uncertain smile - The The

After 'Uncertain smile' single version 1 and version 2, I quickly realised that I should also buy the 12" single. It would probably feature an extended version of this wonderful track. There was always the chance, of course, that it would simply contain the album track which is lengthy enough as it is, but it was a risk I was willing to take.

As it turned out, I was lucky: the 12" single features an extended version which goes on for more than nine minutes. It is based on the original version (single version 1) and then goes on for several minutes where the single fades out. Needless to say, I was very glad when I found this disc.

My collection: 12" single no. 122

Found: Record fair, 1991

Cost: 15 guilders

Tracks: 'Uncertain smile [extended version]' / 'Soul mining (Definitive Version)'

Download: here

4 films - Het Goede Doel

Het Goede Doel (The Good Cause) released their single '4 films' in 1987. It was a new track on the live album that was released after their tour across the Netherlands after the release of their third studio album 'Mooi en onverslijtbaar' (1986). It didn't become a hit and has since become a very rare track. A version sung by Ramses Shaffy was released on the album 'Iedereen is anders' (1988), but this original version wasn't released on cd for a long time.

The B-side is a live version of the track 'Atoombom' ('Atom bomb'), also taken from the live album mentioned above.

My collection: 7" single no. 3538

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: '4 films' / 'Atoombom (live)'

Download: here

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