La mémoire en exil - Jo Lemaire

The album 'Concorde' by Jo Lemaire, released in 1983, contained one side in English and one side in French. This single was taken from the album and contains two French-language tracks. Just like earlier single 'Parfum de rêve', I bought this single because of the beautiful sleeve, and again I was not disappointed: the single is a perfect example of Belgian melodious synthpop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3809
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'La memoire en exil' / 'Les ombres de la rue'

If there was a man - The Pretenders

'The living daylights' was the final James Bond film to date to be scored by composer John Barry. The soundtrack is notable for its introduction of sequenced electronic rhythm tracks overdubbed with the orchestra, which at the time was a relatively new thing.

Contrary to previous Bond films, the film uses different songs over the opening and end credits. The song heard over the end credits, 'If there was a man', was one of two songs performed for the film by Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. The Pretenders were originally considered to perform the title song. However, the producers were pleased with the commercial success of Duran Duran's 'A view to a kill', and felt that A-ha would be more likely to make an impact in the charts. 'If there was a man' was released as a single nonetheless, and peaked at number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3808
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'If there was a man' / 'Into Vienna'

The glamorous life - Sheila E.

Sheila Escovedo was born on December 12, 1957 in Oakland, California (USA). She is the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo. She became a drummer and percussionist herself and made her debut in 1976 with jazz bassist Alphonso Johnson on 'Yesterday's dream'. Sheila met Prince in the early Eighties, when she was performing with her father. He enlisted her for his band and she played during the recording sessions for 'Purple rain' (1984).

Though taken under Prince's wing, she proved to be a successful artist in her own right. In 1984 she scored her first solo hit with 'The glamorous life', which peaked at number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1896
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The glamorous life' / 'The glamorous life part 2'

Road to your soul - All about Eve

When All about Eve released the single 'Road to your soul', some record company executives must have thought that the song was too long for the radio. At more than 5 minutes, there may well have been some reluctance by DJ's to play the song. And so they got to work: a DJ promo with the song was made, including an exclusive 'radio edit'.

If it were me, I would have made a different edit of the song. The radio edit featured on the A-side of this promotional single still clocks in at over four minutes, making it still a lengthy track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2912
Found: London, November 1, 1997
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Road to your soul (radio edit)' / 'Road to your soul'

Armageddon days are here (again) - The The

Another single from The The's 1989 album 'Mind bomb', 'Armageddon days are here (again)' was an odd choice because of its explosive political content. A lyric like 'Islam is rising / The Christians mobilising' implies a lot of things. The single only managed a number 70 placing in the UK singles chart during a two week run.

I remember being surprised to find this single in the shop, since a video for 'Kingdom of rain' was regularly shown on MTV at the time. I would have expected to find that single, but in the end, I never did.

My collection: 7" single no. 987
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, October 5, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Armageddon days are here (again) (radio edit)' / 'Armageddon days are here (again) (Orchestral version)'

My Sharona - The Knack

The Knack released their debut single 'My Sharona' in 1979. According to lead singer/guitarist Doug Fieger, he met Sharona Alperin (who was 16 at the time) and she inspired a two-month-long run of songwriting. 'It was like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat; I fell in love with her instantly. And when that happened, it sparked something and I started writing a lot of songs feverishly in a short amount of time.' The main riff of 'My Sharona' was written by the band's guitarist, Berton Averre, long before he ever joined The Knack.

Sharona appears on the picture sleeve for the single, and became a major booster of the band bringing many girls to their early shows. The single reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 20 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1895
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 2, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'My Sharona' / 'Let me out'

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

When EMI released the compilation album 'Natural history' in 1990, the record company was also re-releasing lots of old Talk Talk singles. For some strange reason, EMI France decided to re-release the band's early single 'Talk Talk'. Not that it had been a hit in 1982, when it was originally released. And sure enough, the second time around it didn't chart either.

As a collector of Talk Talk single, I was happy to find this item. The artwork is different from the singles that were (re-)released in the UK in 1990, so it's a great find.

My collection: 7" single no. 3119
Found: Record fair, June 27, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Talk Talk' / 'Today'

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'