Room in your heart - Living in a box

Living in a box released their second album 'Gatecrashing' in 1989. From this album, they released 'Room in your heart'. It was the first time the group released a ballad as a single.

The single was a big success: it was the first time they equalled the success of their debut single, 'Living in a box', which also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the same happened, as both singles peaked at number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1111
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Room in your heart' / 'When push comes to shove'

Eagle / Thank you for the music - Abba

Released as a double A-side, 'Eagle' and 'Thank you for the music' got equal attention at its release, but in later years, it's 'Thank you for the music' that has become an Abba classic, and not 'Eagle'. I don't really understand. While 'Thank you for the music' certainly has a universal appeal, 'Eagle' comes with a much better production and sound overall.

The single became a number 1 hit in Belgium, but peaked lower in all other countries. In the Netherlands it made number 4, while in the UK it was not released. I got my copy from my sister as a result of a swap. I do not recall which single I swapped but I do know it was an improvement.

My collection: 7" single no. 18
Found: Den Haag
Cost: -
Tracks: 'Eagle' / 'Thank you for the music'

House of Salome - Kim Wilde

I knew nothing about this single when I bought it. I had the album 'Catch as catch can', which it was taken from, but I didn't know it was released, and for some time I wondered why. As it turns out, 'House of Salome' was released as a single by RAK Records shortly before Kim's contract with them expired. Hence, she did not do any promotion for it, there was no music video, and the single sunk without a trace.

I found my copy in early 1985, a year after its release. It's one of the standout tracks from Kim's 1983 album, and the sleeve is a gem too; a stunning photograph that has never been used before or since.

My collection: 7" single no. 284
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'House of Salome' / 'Sing it out for love'

Strange way - All about Eve

The release of 'Strange way', the second single from All about Eve's 1991 album 'Touched by Jesus' was promoted by the record company with a special promotional 7" single, featuring the full lengh track and a radio edit of the track.

It wasn't a very high profile promotional disc, in a custom black sleeve and a small info sticker at the front. But since these promotional items are collectable anyway and the radio edit never surfaced on any other disc, I'm glad I got hold of this item.

My collection: 7" single no. 1882
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, April 24, 1993
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Strange way (radio edit)' / 'Strange way (full version)'

How can I fall - Breathe

Released as the second single from Breathe's debut album 'All that jazz', 'How can I fall' was a beautiful ballad, which peaked at number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 48 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single reached number 23.

It was released in a limited edition containing a 1989 calendar. The gatefold sleeve could be made to stand up in a triangle, to be used as a desk calendar all year.

My collection: 7" single no. 3189
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 2000
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'How can I fall' / 'All this I should have known'

Pas pour moi - Daniela Simons

Daniela Simons represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen with the song 'Pas pour moi'. The song finished second behind Belgium's entry. Simons had made previous attempts to represent Switzerland. In 1983 she came last in the national selection with 'Dis moi tout'. She took second place in 1985 with 'Repars a zero'.

On this single, the B-side is an English version of 'Pas pour moi'. I liked the song, but only bought it because I found it in a discount bin years later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1909
Found: Plaatboef, Leiden, May 19, 1993
Cost: 0,5 guilder
Tracks: 'pas pour moi' / 'Candlelight'

Controversy - Prince

'Controversy' was originally released in 1981 as a single from Prince's album of the same name. The song addresses certain rumours about him, particularly rumours about his sexual preference, and how he couldn't understand why people were even interested in such facts. On its original release, the single charted in the US and Australia only.

When the record company released a compilation album in 1993, 'Controversy' was re-released in the UK. Besides a double cd-single release, this picture disc was also available. This time around, the single peaked at number 5 in the UK, Prince's first top 10 hit in that country since 'My name is Prince' a year before.

My collection: 7" single no. 2653
Found: June 29, 1996
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Controversy' / 'The future (remix)'

Heaven can wait - Sandra

After Sandra and Michael Cretu married on January 7, 1988, they went right back into it and released Sandra's third album 'Into a secret land'. Four singles were taken from the album, of which 'Heaven can wait' was the first.

Sales for the single were very good in Israel, where it reached number 2, and Austria, where the single reached number 4. In her native Germany, the single peaked at number 12.

My collection: 7" single no. 1923
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Heaven can wait' / 'Heaven's theme'

A whiter shade of pale - Procol Harum

'A whiter shade of pale' is one of those songs that have been universally accepted as a true classic. The Hammond organ line was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Sleepers awake' and 'Air on a G String', but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach, although it makes clear references to both pieces.

The song reached number 1 in several countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, when released in 1967. Written by Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid, the latter commented that he got the idea for the title when it came to him at a party, which gave him a starting point for the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 330
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'A whiter shade of pale' / 'Conquistador'

Early morning - A-ha

I wasn't very impressed with the third single off A-ha's 1990 album 'East of the sun west of the moon'. It was 'Early morning', a track that didn't stand out in any way. What's more, it didn't come with any interesting remixes, B-sides or somesuch. However, there was one interesting thing after all: in the UK, the record company released a limited edition 7" box set, which included three postcards and a tourpass. I am a sucker for extras and limited editions, so obviously I went for it.

The single was not a big success, stalling at number 78 in the UK singles chart. It was the last single to be released from the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 2929
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 17, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Early morning' / 'East of the sun'

Heartstopper - Emiliana Torrini

Emiliana Torrini was born on May 16, 1977 in Kópavogur, Iceland, where she went to opera school. Between 1994 and 1996 she released three albums in her native country. International recognition followed when Roland Orzabal from Tears for fears produced her first international album 'Love in the time of science'.

She followed up the album with the more acoustically based 'Fisherman's woman' in 2005. 'Heartstopper' was the second single from that album, which, like the first single 'Sunnyroad', did not chart. Too beautiful, I guess.

My collection: 7" single no. 3901
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24, 2009
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Heartstopper (Radiofied version)' / 'Thinking out loud (Extended Horn section version)'

Everything must change - Paul Young

Another single taken from his 1984 album 'The secret of association', 'Everything must change' is for all intents and purposes a 'black' soul song. It's one of the few hits by Paul Young which he himself co-wrote (Most of his hits are cover versions).

The single peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3868
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Everything must change' / 'Give me my freedom'

Hometown glory - Adele

I heard this song on a television series (I'm not saying which) and found out what it was because I remembered some of the lyrics. These days with Google, it ain't hard. Adele's 'Hometown glory' is a great piano-based track, with the voice of Adele not distracting too much from the beautiful music.

Adele wrote 'Hometown glory' when she was just 16 years old. She was born on May 5, 1988 in Enfield, North London and released her debut album '19' in 2008. The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart, after flopping on its initial release in 2007.

My collection: 7" single no. 3617
Found: La La Land, April 2009
Cost: 5 euro
Tracks: 'Hometown glory' / 'Fool that I am (live)'

Girl you're so together - Michael Jackson

Not content with one hit single, 'Farewell my summer love', from their archive-plundering album of the same name, Motown released a second single, 'Girl you're so together'. While the previous single charted in several countries, this one only made the charts in the UK and Ireland, peaking at number 33 and 29 respectively.

I'm still curious what Motown will come up with, now that Michael Jackson is no longer with us. There still must be a lot of material in those vaults...

My collection: 7" single no. 3850
Found: eBay.co.uk, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Girl you're so together' / 'Touch the one you love'

Mirror, mirror - Diana Ross

'Mirror mirror' was released as a single from Diana Ross's 1982 album 'Why do fools fall in love'. Having hit number 1 in the Netherlands with the title track, 'Mirror mirror' was a relative disappointed, peaking at number 27.

The song is notable as one of the few songs Ross sung both lead and background vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 3887
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Mirror, mirror' / 'Sweet nothings'

The racing rats - Editors

'The racing rats' was the third single taken from the Editors' album 'An end has a start'. In the UK, the single was released, unusually, on one cd-single and two different 7" singles. This is the second one, featuring a demo version of the track and a new B-side track.

'The racing rats' reached number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3899
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'The racing rats (original demo)' / 'A thousand pieces'

My delirium - Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke was born as Philippa "Pip" Brown in Wellington, New Zealand. During her childhood various illnesses and allergies kept her in and out of the hospital. In 2008 she debuted with her self-titled album, from which several singles have been taken.

Her biggest hit so far is 'My delirium', a catchy synthpop anthem which led to comparisons with Kim Wilde in various media. The single peaked at number 33 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in Australia. This picture disc edition comes on extremely heavy vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3903
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'My delirium' / 'My delirium (Toddla T& Ross Orton Remix)'

Instinctual - Imagination

'Instinctual' was the last (minor) hit for Imagination. It was released in 1987 as a single from their album 'Closer'. The song was written by Arthur Baker and Paul Gurvitz. The single reached number 62 on the UK singles chart.

While on the album the band was pictured with three members, only two of them featured on this sleeve: Leee John and Ashley Ingram. I've no idea where Errol Kennedy went back then...

My collection: 7" single no. 3886
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Instinctual' / 'Touch (part 2)'

Shame for you - Lily Allen

'Shame for you', a double A-side with 'Alfie', was the fourth single taken from Lily Allen's debut album 'Alright, still', released in 2007. The vocal melody is loosely based on a horn line of a Jackie Mittoo song titled "Loving You" off the album "Evening Time". The single did not come with a music video, but it was released on 7" vinyl.

I was aware of this release, but it was always exceedingly expensive to get a hold of. Now I ordered it online together with some other recent singles (soon on this blog), the price was more reasonable.

My collection: 7" single no. 3902
Found: 7inchsingles.nl, received July 24, 2009
Cost: 4 euro
Tracks: 'Shame for you' / 'Alfie'

Fall in love with me - Earth Wind and Fire

'Fall in love with me' was written by Wayne Vaughn and Wanda Vaughn. It was released in 1982 as a single from Earth Wind & Fire's 1983 album 'Powerlight'. The single peaked at number 47 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

'Fall in love with me' was also nominated for a Grammy in the category Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 3889
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Fall in love with me' / 'Lady sun'