System addict - Five Star

'System addict' was released in January 1986 as the seventh and last single from Five Star's debut album 'Luxury of life'. It was their first top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 3. The 12" single features two remixes of the track, plus an extended version of the album track 'Winning'.

'System addict' was remixed and re-released in July 2005, after Five Star had participated in a Here and Now tour in December 2004. This version did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 12" single no. 500
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 2007
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'System addict (M&M remix)', 'System addict (dub remix)' / 'Pure energy', 'Winning (extended version)'

Bla bla bla - Bob Barbeque, Willy Would-Be plus Agaath

The illustrious trio Bob Barbeque, Willy Would-Be plus Agaath recorded a Dutch version of Trio's 'Da da da', entitled 'Bla bla bla'. In fact, it was a parody of the song, using the same song structure and melody but with entirely different lyrics, performed in the dialect of The Hague, one of the four big cities in the Netherlands.

The single was released soon after Trio's original single, but it did not chart. According to some sources, the production company Cat Music was behind this release, the same group of people who were involved in the Dutch band Catapult in the Seventies and Rubberen Robbie in the Eighties.

My collection: 7" single no. 133
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Bla bla bla' / 'Boem-tek-boem-boem'

Da da da - Trio

Stephan Remmler, Gert 'Kralle' Krawinkel and Peter Behrens formed Trio in 1980. They used the term 'Neue Deutsche Fröhlichkeit' ('New German cheerfulness') to describe their music. Their main principle was to remove almost all the ornamentation and polish from their songs, and to use the simplest practical structures (most of their songs were three chord songs).

Their most popular song was 'Da da da', which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. Cover versions were recorded by Elastica and Christina Aguilera (for a Pepsi ad).

My collection: 7" single no. 2671
Found: Leeds, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Da da da (English version)' / 'Da da da (German version)'

Man in the mirror - Michael Jackson

After Michael Jackson's death last week, a tremendous amount of his songs reappeared on the UK singles chart. This is because of the fact that the chart is compiled partly with (legal) downloads of music. Along with several other tracks, the highest charting song on the June 28 edition of the UK singles chart was 'Man in the mirror', entering at number 11.

When the single was originally released in 1988, its highest chart placing in the UK was number 21. In America, the single topped the chart, whereas in the Netherlands, it reached number 16. Michael dedicated 'Man in the mirror' to Yoshiaki Hagiwara, a five year old boy who was kidnapped and murdered while Michael was touring Japan. He made a donation of 20,000 dollars to the grieving family. Although the song comes across as a rather sappy ballad, you have to listen to the instrumental version of this track to really appreciate what is going on here musically.

My collection: 7" single no. 727
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 28, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Man in the mirror' / 'Man in the mirror (instrumental)'

Song for whoever - The Beautiful South

The Beautiful South formed in 1989 when Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway left their band the Housemartins. They were joined by Sean Welch, Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray. On the band's debut album 'Welcome to the Beautiful South', Briana Corrigan was featured as a background vocalist.

Their debut single 'Song for whoever' was sung from the point of view of a cynical songwriter who romances women solely to get material for his love songs. The single reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 968
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 19, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Song for whoever' / 'Straight in at 37'

You name it... I'll do it - Chips

The twin brothers Hans and Rob Keller were born and raised in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Together with Lidy Sluyter they formed the trio Chips in 1979. Their debut single 'You name it... I'll do it' was produced by Hans van Hemert.

It was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 26. After this one single, subsequent singles failed to reach the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3286
Found: February 24, 2001
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You name it... I'll do it' / 'Ooh... the night'

Kalimba de luna - Boney M

'Kalimba de Luna' was originally released as a single by Italian musician Tony Esposito in 1984. It was covered almost instantly by Boney M for the German market. The lead vocals were performed by new group member Reggie Tsiboe, who was originally scheduled to release it as a solo single. The plans were changed, and 'Kalimba de luna' became a new Boney M single, released in the autumn of 1984.

Neither Liz Mitchell nor Marcia Barrett sang on this recording - the backing vocals were done by producer Frank Farian, Amy & Elaine Goff, and vocal group La Mama (Patricia Shockley, Madeleine Davis and Judy Cheeks). The single became Boney M's first hit single in three years, peaking at number 27 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 246
Found: Cochem, Germany, October 1984
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Kalimba de luna' / '10.000 lightyears'

You are the one - A-ha

The fourth and final single from A-ha's third album 'Stay on these roads' was 'You are the one'. The track was remixed by Justin Strauss to give the track some extra 'punch'. The strategy worked in some countries: in the UK, for instance, the single reached number 13. In the Netherlands the audience was less impressed: the single did not chart.

The B-side was one of the album's strongest tracks, the lengthy 'Out of blue comes green'. After two rather disappointing singles (for me at least), the band was back on track.

My collection: 7" single no. 696
Found: Present, December 5, 1988
Cost: -
Tracks: 'You are the one (remix)' / 'Out of blue comes green'

The real thing - ABC

Adding insult to injury, ABC released a second single from their disappointing fifth album 'Up' (1989). This second single performed even worse in the charts than 'One better world', peaking at number 68 in the UK singles chart.

After this single, the record company quickly released a compilation album, and must have felt some relief to see an end to the recording contract with the band. Fortunately, further releases were better than 'Up', which despite its title was the lowpoint of their career.

My collection: 7" single no. 1059
Found: London, October 18, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'The real thing (edit)' / 'The greatest love of all (edit)'

She - The Colourfield

After Terry Hall left the band Fun Boy Three, he went on to form The Colourfield together with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale. Their third album 'Deception' was released in 1987 and featured various session musicians as a result of Lyons leaving the band.

The two singles released from the album were both cover versions: 'Running away' was originally recorded by Sly & The Family Stone in 1971, whereas 'She' was composed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. The singles did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2993
Found: May 27, 1998
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'She' / 'Monkey in winter'

Wishing you were here - Alison Moyet

Following a period of personal and career evaluation, Alison Moyet released her third solo album 'Hoodoo' in 1991. The album was a firm step away from the glossy pop songs on the previous two albums and sounded a lot more mature and personal.

Hoodoo received little label support and only minimal promotion. The album sold respectably in Britain, but the singles fared less well. The second single from the album was 'Wishing you were here'. It only reached number 72 during its one week residence in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1448
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 15, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Wishing you were here' / 'Back where I belong'

The lovecats - The Cure

'The lovecats' was released by the Cure in 1983. It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7. Originally a non-album single, it later appeared on the compilation album 'Japanese whispers'.

The single was accompanied by another Tim Pope directed music video featuring lots of cats, both living and stuffed ones.

My collection: 7" single no. 2867
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, 1997
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The lovecats' / 'Speak my language'

The universal song - Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes released her sixth album 'Café Racers' in 1983. While internationally the first single from that album was 'Invisible hands', the Netherlands saw the release of 'The universal song', an uncharacteristically slow song from the American pop singer.

The single peaked at number 29 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1984. I recorded the song from the radio and found the single a couple of years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 831
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 20, 1989
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'The universal song' / 'Invisible hands'

Love in our hearts - Peter Brown

Peter Brown was born on July 11, 1953 on Blue Island, Illinois. His only hit in the Netherlands was 1980's 'Love in our hearts', taken from the album 'Stargazer'. The single reached number 21. Between 1977 and 1984 Peter Brown released four album, after which he retired from the music business as a performer.

He had his biggest worldwide success when Madonna recorded his song 'Material girl' in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 1945
Found: Plaatboef, Leiden, August 20, 1993
Cost: 25 cents
Tracks: 'Love in our hearts' / 'Penguin'

Codo - Tauchen Prokopetz

The band Deutsch-Österreichisches Feingefühl consisted of Joesi Prokopetz, Manfred O. Tauchen, Annette Humpe and Inga Humpe. They were alternatively known as Tauchen - Prokopetz, which is the name used on the label of the single 'Codo', which was released in 1983. This single sold more than one million copies in Europe, and gave the band a number one hit in Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The band was rather short-lived: after the album 'DÖF', released in 1983, a second album 'Tag und Nacht' was released in 1985, but Manfred Tauchen was the only original member on this album.

My collection: 7" single no. 207
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Codo' / 'Rein gar nix'

Sometimes - Erasure

Although I always thought this was Erasure's debut single, it is actually their fourth release. It was their first top 10 hit in the UK, reaching number 2, and their first hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 3. The song became a huge international hit

Written by band members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, 'Sometimes' typifies Erasure's signature sound — an uptempo, dance-oriented pop tune accentuated by Clarke's analogue synthesizers and Bell's soulful vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 1961
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 25, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sometimes' / 'Sexuality'

I'm lucky - Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading released her seventh studio album 'Walk under ladders' in 1981. From the album came this single, 'I'm lucky'. The track was made with the help of Thomas Dolby on synthesizer. The single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2564
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm lucky' / 'Shine'

I wanna be loved - Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello announced the breakup of Elvis Costello and the Attractions shortly before the release of their eighth album together, 'Goodbye cruel world' (1984). He also announced his retirement, but that proved to be shortlived.

The album, meanwhile, yielded two hit singles, 'The only flame in town' and this one, 'I wanna be loved'. The track featured backing vocals by Green Gartside of Scritti Politti and was a cover of an obscure single by Teacher's Edition. The single reached number 25 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2888
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, October 29, 1997
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I wanna be loved' / 'Turning the town red'

I scare myself - Thomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby released his second album 'The flat earth' in 1984. The single 'I scare myself' was taken from that album. As young as I was, I immediately recognised this work of genius. It is an ingenious track, mixing modern sounds with latin-inspired brass work.

The single peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40, Dolby's only hit single in this country.

My collection: 7" single no. 907
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I scare myself' / 'Cloudburst at Shingle street'

This is your life - Banderas

Sally Herbert and Caroline Buckley formed Banderas in 1991, after Herbert had been working as a backing vocalist with the Communards. Their debut single was 'This is your life', a track in which they sound quite like Madonna. The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Netherlands.

Although I have all of the band's 7" singles and cd-singles, I was quite surprised when I saw this 12" single today. It features three remixes not available on any other format. What's more, this particular 12" single was made in the USA for promotion only. Although the 12" was also released commercially, that's a nice bonus.

My collection: 12" single no. 499
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'This is your life (original mix)', 'This is your life (Less Stress mix)', 'This is your life (extended mix)' / 'This is your life (Red book mix)', 'This is your life (Easy life mix)'