Moonlight shadow - Mike Oldfield

An early version of 'Moonlight shadow' was entitled 'Midnight passion' with vocals performed by British singer Hazel O'Connor. When Oldfield re-recorded the song with Maggie Reilly, a girlfriend of one of the roadies when he was on tour, Virgin Records were immediately happy with the song and wanted more pieces similar to it.

There was a long running urban myth (largely fuelled by the tabloid press) that the lyrics are a reference to the murder of John Lennon. Oldfield responded in a 1995 interview: 'It was originally inspired by a film I loved - Houdini, starring Tony Curtis, which was about attempts to contact Houdini after he'd died, through spiritualism'.

The single was one of Oldfield's biggest hits, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Netherlands. Over the past few years, the song has been wrongly attributed to Kim Wilde on various filesharing networks.

My collection: 7" single no. 1894
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Moonlight shadow' / 'Rite of man'

Caribbean blue - Enya

A day at the Enya producer's office

'It's almost time to release a new single by Enya'.
- 'Really? It isn't so long ago since the previous album.'
'Yes, I know, but people are buying the stuff in droves, so we better make a profit now.'
- 'Okay... So do you still have the tapes?'
'Yes, I've got all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' she sung a couple of years ago.'
- 'Right. So any ideas for a new song?'
'Not really, but I think you could write a lyric, something along the lines of that one song, you know...'
- 'Orinoco flow?'
'That's the one! That way, I don't have to spend hours composing and arranging.'
- 'So have you got any lyric yet?'
'Yep, I'm almost there. It's a good thing we have those tapes in which she sang random words; we can glue them together and form some lyric with that.'
- 'Okay. What about the B-side?'
'Hmmm... I guess we'll just stick that Orinoco thingy on it'.
- 'Wouldn't that be a bit obvious?'
'I don't know. We'll see, won't we? If people buy this single, we can make a whole album with this stuff.'
- 'Right, good thinking mate...'

My collection: 7" single no. 1544
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Caribbean blue' / 'Orinoco flow'

Falling - Julee Cruise

One of the best TV-series of all time, 'Twin Peaks' was blessed with a gripping soundtrack, taken care of by Angelo Badalamenti. He scored the series, but also worked together with David Lynch on an album by Julee Cruise. 'Falling' appeared on both the soundtrack album for 'Twin Peaks' and the solo album by Cruise, 'Floating into the night'.

In the UK, the single reached number 7 in the singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single charted twice; once in January 1991, reaching number 20 and again in October of that year, reaching number 16. So why did this happen? It's easy: in September 1991, 'Twin peaks' started being broadcast in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1431
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 13, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Falling' / 'Twin Peaks theme'

Die Zeit ist einsam - Timna Brauer

This is one of the hidden gems of the Eurovision Song Contest. It can be compared to the likes of 'Rapsodia' by Mia Martini (Italy 1992) and 'Sama' by Justyna Steczkowska (Poland 1995) as one of those songs that make you suicidal upon hearing it. Not because of the quality, mind, but because it's so moody and beautiful.

Timna Brauer was born on May 1, 1961 in Vienna, Austria and represented her country in 1996 with 'Die Zeit ist einsam' ('Time is lonely'). The international juries were not impressed and she ended up in 18th place in a field of 20 participants. They were obviously looking for something with more depth and substance - the winning song was 'J'aime la vie' ('I love life').

My collection: 7" single no. 2974
Found: Bea Records, March 1, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Die Zeit ist einsam' / 'And when the night comes'

Trojan horse - Luv'

Released in the autumn of 1978, 'Trojan horse' was the fifth single by Luv'. Heavy on bagpipes, this third hit single for the group reached number 1 in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Poland. Thanks to this success, Luv' established itself as one of the most popular Dutch pop acts of the late Seventies.

The song was used in the soundtrack of the Dutch movie 'Spetters', directed by Paul Verhoeven. When Luv' played a cameo role in the 1979 German movie 'Cola, Candy, Chocolate' they performed this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 32
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Trojan horse' / 'Life is on my side'

Mated - David Grant and Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham (born September 15, 1956 in Birmingham, UK) and David Grant (born August 8, 1956, Hackney, London, UK) recorded a duet called 'Could it be I'm falling in love' in Early 1985. The success of this duet led to a further recording together, 'Mated', released in autumn of that same year.

Written by Todd Rundgren, this duet was less successful, peaking at number 20 in the UK and number 15 in the Netherlands. But it's a glossy Eighties production and worth a spin or two.

My collection: 7" single no. 3865
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mated' / 'The facts of love'

Whose side are you on - Matt Bianco

'Whose side are you on' was the title track from Matt Bianco's debut album. The single was released in the summer of 1984, and was promoted with a music video which still sticks in my head despite the fact that I haven't seen it for two decades.

The single was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 23. It was not released in the UK and America.

My collection: 7" single no. 3866
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whose side are you on' / 'The other side'

Jimmy Mack - Risqué

'Jimmy Mack' was written by Lamont Dozier and Brian and Edward Holland in 1964 and recorded by Martha and the Vandellas that same year. The song was shelved because the Motown Quality Control team felt the recording was not suitable for release with the Vietnam War going on. It was pulled from the vault two years later and released as a single in early 1967. By that time, the Vietnam War had become a highly debated issue among the American public. Thus, Reeves' sentiment that her 'Jimmy Mack' return took on a different meaning for many listeners, particularly those stationed overseas.

The Dutch girl group Risqué recorded a cover version of the song in 1984, but it didn't find success. The song did not reach the chart despite some airplay.

My collection: 7" single no. 3858
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jimmy Mack' / 'Love supply'

Muscles - Diana Ross

Why Diana Ross wants muscles has always been a mystery to me. I wouldn't know what she would need them for. But anyway, 'Muscles' was the title of her 1982 hit single taken from the album 'Silk electric', written and produced by Michael Jackson. The song, which was named after Jackson's pet snake and was written for Ross and her 'desire' for a muscle-bound lover, also gave Ross her twelfth and final Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The single reached number 10 on the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3863
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Muscles' / 'I am me'

Windsurfin' - The Surfers

In 1978, Windsurfing was the world's new big thing. Dutch producer Jaap Eggermont decided to write a song about it. It was to be performed by members of the group Catapult, who just started a side project Rubberen Robbie. The song was not suitable for that group, and so The Surfers were thought up. Nico Fontijn, Paul Braaksma, Iwan Groeneveld, Patrick Elalouf and backing singers Esther Overbeek, Marijke Meyer and Cathy Leonupun were brought together to perform the song during TV programmes and live performances, while the studio version was recorded by members of Breeze and The Internationals.

The song became a number 2 hit in Belgium and the Netherlands. The success of the group proved to be short-lived. Esther Overbeek continued as a member of the Dolly Dots, other members disappeared into obscurity after The Surfers folded in 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 3864
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Windsurfin'' / 'Nite at the beach'

Shadow of your heart - Risqué

I don't know exactly what the 'shadow of your heart' is, but Risqué made a nice popsong with this title. It was not a hit for the girl group, one of many chart-missers.

The B-side featured a 'scratching version', essentially an extended mix with some scratching sounds in it. Scratching was the new sound of 1983, flown in from the black neighbourhoods from America.

My collection: 7"single no. 3860
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Shadow of your heart' / 'Shadow of your heart (Scratching version)'

Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had - Het Goede Doel

'Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had' ('If I was built like Arnold Schwarzenegger') was a new single by het Goede Doel to coincide with the release of a compilation album in 1991. It was the last single by the band before they broke up. Unfortunately, it wasn't a hit.

Having acquired a stack of singles by this band a few weeks ago (some of which have already featured on this blog), this was the only one still missing from my collection. It was great to finally get this one - even if I didn't know it was released on 7" vinyl! I wonder if the bodybuilding Californian politician knows about this song. I bet he'd feel flattered to be mentioned to be in a Dutch track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3861
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had' / 'De muren zijn te dun'

Yé ké yé ké - Mory Kante

Mory Kanté was born on March 29, 1950 in Kissidougou, Guinea. He was brought up in the Mandinka griot tradition in Guinea and sent to Mali at the age of 7, where he learned to play the kora harp. In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band, in which Salif Keïta was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.

Several years later he started a solo career. His biggest success was 'Yé ké yé ké', a single released in 1987. It became an international hit in 1988, reaching number 1 in the Netherlands and reaching the top 5 in several European countries. It became the first ever African single to sell over one million copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 3862
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Yé ké yé ké' / 'Akwaba beach'

Hold on tight - Electric Light Orchestra

'Hold on tight' was the first single to be released from ELO's 1981 album 'Time' and was their last top 10 hit in the UK, reaching number 4 in the summer of 1981. In the Netherlands, where the single reached number 5, they would have one more top 10 hit single with 'Rock and roll is king' in 1983.

The song is quite unique for an English band, because it contains a verse sung in French. The words are a direct translation of the English verse sung earlier on in the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3859
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Hold on tight' / 'When time stood still'

Annie I'm not your daddy - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

Kid Creole and the Coconuts enjoyed the biggest hit of their career in the autumn of 1982, when 'Annie I'm not your daddy' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. It became the signature song for the band.

Thomas August Darnell Browder, who renamed himself Kid Creole in 1980, described his persona as 'inspired by Cab Calloway and the Hollywood films of the Thirties and Fourties. The Kid fills out his colorful zoot suits with style and grace, dancing onstage with his inimitable, relentless and self-proclaimed cool'. Well, a line like 'If I was in your blood, then you wouldn't be so ugly' is decidedly icy.

My collection: 7" single no. 3857
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Annie I'm not your daddy' / 'You had no intention'

(You is) A guarantee for love - Smithereens

Smithereens was a short-lived Dutch rock band who enjoyed no chart success at all. Their single '(You is) A guarantee for love' was released in December 1985 and was played on the radio for a while, but without any commercial success. The band should not be confused with the American rock band the Smithereens.

My collection: 7" single no. 3867
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: '(You is) A guarantee for love' / 'Promiscuous'

Sketches of Spain - The Nits

The single 'Sketches of Spain' was a gripping tale of the Spanish civil war, taken from the Nits' 1983 album 'Kilo'. The single was the third hit single for the band, reaching number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

I recorded the song - like many others - from the radio in 1983, but I never realised that I didn't have this single until I bought it today. Well, that's one error corrected then!

My collection: 7" single no. 3855
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sketches of Spain' / 'Bild am Sontag (As usual)'

UFO (We are not alone) - Bolland and Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland enjoyed a handful of hit singles in the Netherlands during the Seventies, but this single, 'UFO (We are not alone)' was the beginning of a tough time for them. It was the first of many singles that wouldn't reach the charts. In fact, only one more single would do that - and that was in 1990.

This single was released in 1978, around the time when Jeff Wayne was enjoying lots of success with his 'War of the worlds' epic. The brothers could not profit from that success with this release.

My collection: 7" single no. 3856
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'UFO (We are not alone)' / 'Funkadelic man'

Fragile - Sting

'Fragile' was released as a single from Sting's 1987 album 'Nothing like the sun'. It was released as a limited edition with a poster sleeve and a standard edition with a beautiful glossy cardboard sleeve, both of which I have. It is a perfect song to play on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.

According to Wikipedia, the song is a tribute to Ben Linder, an American civil engineer who was killed by the Contras in 1987 while working on a hydroelectric project in Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Sting was touring the world with some indian with a frisbee in his lip to promote the problems of the South African rainforests. It's this kind of blathering that made Sting such a bore during the second half of the Eighties. The single, meanwhile, was a number 10 hit in the Netherlands, while in the UK it only made number 70.

My collection: 7" single no. 614 (1 & 2)
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders + 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Fragile' / 'Frágil (Portuguese)'

Who is it - Michael Jackson

'Who is it', to me, is one of the standout tracks on Michael Jackson's 1991 album 'Dangerous'. Michael Jackson sang it a cappella during his 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and the positive reaction to this prompted Sony to issue it as a single in the U.S. instead of the planned 'Give in to me'. The single peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 10 on the UK singles chart and number 15 on the Dutch Top 40.

Vinyl pressings exist from various countries, but this limited edition from the UK is by far the most interesting. It contains a free-standing cutout portrait of Michael, like it says on the sleeve. In the days after Michael's death, the price of this item shot up to 20 pounds, so I was very relieved to find a more reasonably priced copy in an online shop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3852
Found: Disc Covery records, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Who is it' / 'Rock with you (Masters at Work remix)'