You're in the army now - Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland released their album 'The domino theory' in 1981. The single 'You're in the army now' was released as the first single from that album. In the Netherlands, this single did not chart, but in South Africa, where the two were born, the single peaked at number 9 in May 1982.

In 1986, the band Status Quo recorded the song on their album 'In the army now'. Their version peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1160
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 27, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'In the army now' / 'The Domino Theory theme'

Nur ein Lied - Thomas Forstner

Thomas Forstner was born on December 3, 1969 in Deutsch Wagram, Austria. He represented Austria during the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Nur ein Lied' ('Only a song'), composed and produced by Dieter Bohlen, of Modern Talking fame. The song gave Austria fifth place — their highest position since their win in 1966.

Forstner was selected to represent Austria again in Rome in 1991. His entry, "Venedig im Regen" (English: "Venice in Rain") came in last at 22nd, failing to score a single point.

My collection: 7" single no. 3802
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 25, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Nur ein Lied' / 'Nur ein Lied (instrumental)'

Memories - Earth and Fire

Earth & Fire debuted in 1970 with the single 'Seasons'. The single made an immediate impression and peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40. But it would take the band two years to improve on that success: 'Memories', released in April 1972, was the band's first single to reach the number one position.

'Memories' was taken from the album 'Song of the marching children', an album that was released in a beautifully illustrated gatefold sleeve, as advertised on the back of the sleeve of this single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2731
Found: September 7, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Memories' / 'From the end till the beginning'

I don't know anybody else - Black box

'I don't know anybody else' was the second hit single for the Italo house band Black Box. It was the second single from their debut album 'Dreamland' and was released in the first months of 1990 in most of countries worldwide. The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song features an un-credited Martha Wash on lead vocals. Wash later sued the record label for royalties and directly contributed to legislation ensuring proper credit for vocalists on both songs and music videos.

My collection: 7" single no. 1199
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 30, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't know anybody else (Melody mix)' / 'I don't know anybody else (House club)'

You're all I have - Snow Patrol

The first single from Snow Patrol's 2006 album 'Eyes open' was the rock song 'You're all I have'. According to band leader Gary Lightbody: 'It’s near the beginning of a dangerously reliant relationship. The album is full of songs like this. Rather than a break up record this is a make up record. That is a massive generalization but it is a more positive record than the last'.

The single was a big success in the UK, where it peaked at number 7. The single did not chart in the Netherlands, but by that time I was already so much into Snow Patrol that I bought their albums blindly. And the singles followed in time...

My collection: 7" single no. 3495
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 12, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'You're all I have' / 'You're all I have (Minotaur Shock remix)'

Something real (Inside me, inside you) - Mr. Mister

Released as the first single from their third album 'Go on...', 'Something real (Inside me, inside you)' was the first indication of a lack of success. The single did reach number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, but in other territories the single did not chart.

This album did not fare well commercially either. It would become the last album by the band before they broke up in 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 2306
Found: Record fair, May 27, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Something real (Inside me, inside you)' / 'Bare my soul'

If I can dream - Michael Ball

Sometimes I gamble when I buy a single. This is an example. I knew the songs, I knew the singer, so I thought 'what the hell'. The real surprise was that the musical accompaniment could have been a lot more expensive: the whole EP sounds rather cheap. This must be why the single only managed a number 51 placing during a 2 week chart run in the UK.

Michael Ball commented on the back of the sleeve: 'The words of a song have always been important to me and these songs are great examples of fine lyrics'. Okay, fair enough. But next time, try an orchestra instead of a synthesizer...

My collection: 7" single no. 2190
Found: House of Rhythm, London, September 29, 1994
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'If I can dream', 'You don't have to say you love me' / 'Always on my mind', 'Tell me there's a heaven'

Making love (out of nothing at all) - Air Supply

'Making love out of nothing at all' was written and composed by Jim Steinman. Air Supply recorded the track as a new song for their 1983 'Greatest hits' album. The song became a number two hit in the US Billboard Hot 100. At the time, it was held off the top spot by another Jim Steinman production, Bonnie Tyler's 'Total eclipse of the heart'. Incidentally, Tyler recorded the track on her album 'Free spirit' twelve years later.

The song is featured on the movie 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith', as well as the movies 'Click' and 'Dumb and Dumberer'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3109
Found: Big Company Records, London, May 13, 1999
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Making love (out of nothing at all)' / 'Late again (recorded live)'

The hardest part - Coldplay

While their previous single 'Talk' was a sort of tribute to the German band Kraftwerk, 'The hardest part' was intended to acknowledge the band R.E.M. When asked why, band leader Chris Martin explained: 'I've lost all respect for fame, but I haven't lost all respect for respect. So the one great thing about being famous is that I get to meet people who I respect. Our relationship is akin to a dog and its master. I'll always look up to (Michael Stipe, band leader of R.E.M.).'

While the single did not chart in the UK, it did peak at number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3497
Found: eBay.co.uk, received December 23, 2008
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'The hardest part' / 'Pour me (live at the Hollywood Bowl)'

Get down on it - Kool and the Gang

'Get down on it"was recorded by the jazz/funk/R&B/pop band Kool & the Gang on their album 'Something special' in 1981. The song reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 in the Netherlands. In the UK, the single peaked at number 3.

Ten years later it was re-released in the UK but it was only in the chart for one week, at number 69.

My collection: 7" single no. 3124
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Get down on it' / 'No show'

Half light - Athlete

'Half light' was the second single from Athlete's second album 'Tourist'. It was released in April 2005 and peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

This single was released as a 7" picture disc, including a remix of 'Half light' on the B-side, which did not appear on any other format (although a promotional cd-single with the track does exist).

My collection: 7" single no. 3412
Found: HMV, London, 2005
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Half light' / 'Half light (Eddie TM Losers mix)'

Black velvet - Alannah Myles

Alannah Myles was born on December 25, 1958 in Toronto, Ontario (Canada). At sixteen, she began performing in Southern Ontario. She performed cover versions of Aretha Franklin, T. Rex, AC/DC, Bob Seger, Anne Peebles, the Rolling Stones, and the Pretenders. Later, she joined with David Tyson to produce her self-titled debut album, Alannah Myles.

This album contained her worldwide hit single 'Black velvet.' The song was a commemoration of the life and career of Elvis Presley. The single reached number 3 in the Netherlands and peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart. Myles also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance.

My collection: 7" single no. 1406
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Black velvet' / 'If you want to'

Viver senza tei - Furbaz

The Swiss band Furbaz consisted of Marie Louise Werth, Ursin Defuns, Gion Defuns and Giusep Quinter. They won the Swiss national final and represented Switzerland during the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest with their song 'Viver senza tei'. The song was performed in one of the four official languages of Switzerland, Romansh.

The song ended on 13th place in the contest.

My collection: 7" single no. 3803
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 25, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Viver senza tei' / 'Ina flur'

Working in a goldmine - Aztec Camera

Taken from the album 'Love', 'Working in goldmine' was an unlikely single candidate. The track lasts for 5 minutes and 40 seconds and is a tad introverted. But it is an interesting song and that was rewarded by the listeners in the UK; the single climbed to the number 31 position.

My copy of the single contains a slight error: the label for the A-side is attached on both sides of the disc. The B-side, 'I threw it all away', was recorded live at the Colston Hall, Bristol in June 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 793
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Working in a goldmine' / 'I threw it all away (live)'

Calling out - Curt Smith

After the demise of Tears for Fears as a duo in the early Nineties, Roland Orzabal decided to go on under the name of the band while Curt Smith tried to make it on his own. Unfortunately, he turned out to be the least successful one of the two.

Both this single and the album 'Soul on board', released in 1993, failed to chart. Subsequently, the album was never released at all in the US. Smith himself has stated that he hates the album and alleges that he made it purely to fulfil his recording contract with Phonogram/Mercury Records.

My collection: 7" single no. 1990
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Calling out' / 'Deal'

Writing on the wall - One 2 Many

The last single from One 2 Many's only album 'Mirror' was 'Writing on the wall'. The track was remixed for the single release by Julian Mendelsohn. It did not help matters much: the single did not chart.

Singer Camilla Griehsel was still promoting the music of the band while it had already fallen apart. After she was released from her contract she'd already met singer Colin Vearncombe (from Black), with whom she married and had children. Nowadays they live in Ireland, and Camilla is enjoying a successful career as a classical singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1012
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Writing on the wall' / 'Another man'

Bad old days - CoCo

The group CoCo formed in the first half of the Seventies but they only rose to fame in 1978 when they represented the United Kingdom during that year's Eurovision Song Contest. The group consisted of Terry Bradford, Josie Andrews, Cheryl Baker, Keith Hasler and Paul Rogers.

'Bad old days' finally reached 11th place in a field of 20 participants. Subsequently, the single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart. In contrast to previous years, the song had not reached the chart in the weeks leading up to the contest and had been noticeably absent. Its eventual peak of 13 occurred several weeks after their appearance in the Contest. It was to be the group's only hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 3801
Found: eBay.co.uk, received June 25, 2009
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Bad old days' / 'Get you out of my life'

Tell it like it is - Don Johnson

Don Johnson is best known for his acting work in the television series Miami Vice. Once you are famous in America, you can do pretty much whatever you want, so mister Johnson opted for a singing career, despite not having a very remarkable voice.

'Tell it like it is' is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and recorded several times by different artists, to varying degrees of success. It was first recorded by Aaron Neville, who released the song as a solo single in 1966. It became a hit, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1967. Don Johnson's version was only released in the UK and Europe to reasonable success: the single peaked at number 6 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1051
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tell it like it is' / 'Angel city'

Bliss - Tori Amos

'Bliss' was the first single from Tori Amos' 1999 double album 'To Venus and back'. One disc of that album was filled with new tracks, whereas the other disc was filled with atrocious live tracks. Atrocious, because the audiences kept screaming through the music. I'll never understand why people felt the need to do that during Tori Amos concerts.

Tori Amos commented about the song: 'I sing Father I killed my monkey to lead off the song, which explains that sometimes you even destroy your own so they can't excavate it. When I was growing up, I started becoming very secretive about my thoughts and the sensory world I would go to, because there's a lot of mind control that goes on constantly, people wanting access: 'What are you thinking?' So sometimes I'd have my own defense going, which would be to look them straight in the eye and make them think I've killed my imagination. But it's like, I'll take control.'

My collection: 7" single no. 3145
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Bliss' / 'Hey Jupiter (live)'

Jealous heart - Maire Brennan

When you listen to this single and you know Máire Brennan's sister Enya's body of work, it's hard to imagine that there was ever a rowdy party at the Brennan residence. The music of the two sisters is beautiful, but sometimes verging on boring.

This second single from Máire Brennan's debut solo album 'Máire' flopped in the UK. The B-side, sung in Gaelic, would not be out of place in a church repertoire. Sometimes you would just wish that Máire would rock out a little.

My collection: 7" single no. 1735
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Jealous heart' / 'Citi Na gCumann'