I don't like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats

'I don't like Mondays' was written by the lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof after he read a telex report at Georgia State University's campus radio station, WRAS, where he was giving an interview. The report was about Brenda Ann Spencer, aged 16 at the time, firing at children playing in a school playground across the street from her home in San Diego, California. She killed two adults and injured eight children and one police officer. Spencer showed no remorse for her crime, and her full explanation for her actions was 'I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day'.

Geldof had originally intended the song as a B-side, but changed his mind after the song went down well with audiences on the Boomtown Rats' US tour. Spencer's family tried unsuccessfully to prevent the single from being released in the United States. It reached number 73 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it was a number 1 hit, and in the Netherlands the single reached number 2. The single was one of two singles I got from my parents as a birthday present.

My colection: 7" single no. 27
Found: present, August 31, 1979
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'I don't like Mondays' / 'It's all the rage'

Irresistible - Stephanie

When an artist records two versions of a song, one in French and one in English, it's quite easy to make an extended remix: you just use the verses of both versions and before you know it the song is about seven minutes long.

That's what happened with Stephanie's 'Irresistible', which she also recorded in French as 'Ouragan', on this 12" single. Fortunately, there are also a few interesting instrumental passages, but the whole thing is not very imaginative. Still, like all the material from Stephanie's debut album, it's pleasant enough to listen to.

My collection: 12" single no. 511
Found: ?
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Irresistible (extended)' / 'Irresistible', 'Ouragan'

The way it is - Bruce Hornsby and the Range

Such is the nature of beautiful music, that these days even people with not an inch of artisticity in their body recycle it to make their own filth. Bruce Hornsby's 'The way it is' fell victim to Tupac Shakur when he made the track 'Changes', which for reasons that are still a mystery to me became a worldwide hit.

'The way it is' itself is a thing of rare beauty. I've always been attracted to keyboard-based songs and the way the piano is used in this track is truly phenomenal. The lyric tends a bit towards the preachy side, but with a Christian Scientist upbringing, Hornsby probably couldn't help himself. The single was a number 1 hit the Netherlands and the USA. And in this case, that's not a mystery to me.

My collection: 7" single no. 915
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The way it is' / 'The red plains'

Killer - Adamski

Adamski was born as Adam Tinley on December 4, 1967 in the New Forest, England. In the late Eighties, at the time of acid house, Adamski made a name for himself in the club circuit, touring with Daddy Chester and later with Seal. With the latter, he wrote 'Killer', which would become Adamski's breakthrough single, but is better known as the track that launched Seal's career.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles charts and peaked at number 2 in the Netherlands and Germany. While Adamski had no more notable hit singles, Seal started a solo career that would see him reach the charts around the world with hits like 'Crazy', 'Kiss from a rose' and many others.

My collection: 7" single no. 1405
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Killer' / 'Bassline changed my life'

It would take a strong strong man - Rick Astley

I bought this single of 'It would take a strong strong man' in 1995. I didn't know it had been released as a single, but since this was an American pressing I assumed it was only released over there. I was right, to a degree: this single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100, but it also reached number 2 in Canada and number 4 in Ireland.

The real treat here is the B-side: just like 'It would take a strong strong man', 'You move me' was taken from Astley's debut album 'Whenever you need somebody'. But 'You move me' is the best track on the album, a bouncy, soulful track that is still fresh two decades later. And the lyric is very appropriate for these times of crisis and people losing their jobs.

My collection: 7" single no. 2317
Found: Record fair, June 3, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It would take a strong strong man' / 'You move me'

Advice for the young at heart - Tears for Fears

'Advice for the young at heart' was the third single taken from the 1989 Tears for Fears album 'The seeds of love'. The song was written by Roland Orzabal and keyboardist/singer Nicky Holland. The lyric 'Love is a promise, love is a souvenir once given, never forgotten, never let it disappear' is a quote from John Lennon. The lead vocal on the song was sung by Curt Smith; the only track he sang on the whole album. The single peaked at number 36 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the UK, this single was released in a limited edition box set (pictured below) including four postcards. The front of the box set states that it's 'part one', but I've never seen 'part two'.

The music video for this single was the last Tears for Fears video to feature both Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith before their acrimonious split in the early Nineties. It would be 15 years before they made a video together again ('Closest thing to heaven' in 2005).

My collection: 7" single no. 1230
Found: Esprit Mail Order, received July 1990
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Advice for the young at heart' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams'

Faith - George Michael

You don't hear it much on the radio nowadays, but George Michael's 'Faith' actually starts out with an organ intro, playing the Wham! song 'Freedom'. There were high expectations preceding the release of this solo single, since all of Michael's previous solo singles resulted in top three hits in the UK. This was the last single release before his debut album, also called 'Faith' saw the light of day one month later.

The single 'Faith' did not disappoint: it reached number 2 in the UK singles and topped the charts in Australia, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 2452
Found: Record fair, September 2, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Faith' / 'Hand to mouth'

Hurts to be in love - Gino Vanelli

Gino Vanelli was born on June 16, 1952 in Montreal, Quebec. His career took off in the Seventies, when he signed to A&M Records, releasing his debut album in 1973. Although successful in Europe and America, Vanelli never had a hit in the UK.

He continued to be successful in the Eighties, with this ballad as a good example. 'Hurts to be in love' was released in December 1985 and reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40. The single also reached number 57 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1410
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Hurts to be in love' / 'Here she comes'

Last words - Ten Sharp

Ten Sharp were unable to release an album between 1985 and 1987, but they did release four singles on the CBS label. This one was the third and probably the best of them. 'Last words' was not a hit for the band, causing them to rethink their sound and come back in 1987 with a hardrock-esque track, 'Way of the west'.

The 12" single contains a good extended remix of 'Last words'.

My collection: 7" single no. 419
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 28, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Last words' / 'White gold'

Pump up the jam - Technotronic

I've always been a fan of songs with a beautiful melody and deep, meaningful lyrics. I like to be touched by music, feel the passion and the warmth of the artist in it, that's also why I have a lot of singer/songwriters in my record collection. But every now and again, I have to buy a record because it does not fit the profile.

In the autumn of 1989, I was suddenly grabbed by the nonsensical track 'Pump up the jam' by Belgian producers act Technotronic. I suddenly felt the desire to write down the lyrics and take it all in. Until you do that, there's no way to pin down the utter vacuousness of it all. In the end, I bought the single because I laughed so hard at the track. It has been a top 10 hit around the world. Used to be a time when one had to actually be able to compose to achieve that. But in 1989, all you had to do was say 'Pump up the jam / Pump it pump it pump it pump it'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1178
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1990
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Pump up the jam' / 'Pump up the jam (original mix)'

Sleeping satellite - Tasmin Archer

Although first released in 1992, Archer and her co-writers wrote 'Sleeping satellite' in the late Eighties, but it was only when Archer got a record deal that the song saw the light of day. Archer sings backing vocals on the track along with Tessa Niles and Carol Kenyon. Released on August 31, 1992, the single rose to the top of the chart in the UK, creating an instant media hype at the time.

The single was also a success in other countries. In the Netherlands, 'Sleeping satellite' became Archer's only chart hit, peaking at number 9 in November 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 2482
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 29, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Sleeping satellite' / 'Sleeping satellite (acoustic version)'

Shadow on the wall - Mike Oldfield

'Shadow in the wall' by Mike Oldfield was taken from his 1983 album 'Crises'. Vocals on this track were performed by Roger Chapman, formerly from the band Streetwalkers. The single had an aggressive sound, very different from the biggest hit from the same album, 'Moonlight shadow'.

The single was a number 1 hit in Austria, reached number 10 in the Netherlands and stalled at number 95 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 218
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Shadow on the wall' / 'Taurus 3'

What's in a kiss - Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert O'Sullivan was born on December 1, 1946 in Waterford, Ireland. After scoring worldwide successes with songs like 'Alone again (naturally)' and 'Get down', he released the 1980 album 'Off centre', with 'What's in a kiss' as the first single from that album.

The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 21 in Japan. I got to know the song thanks to a compilation album released in the second half of the Eighties, and bought the single not long after that.

My collection: 7" single no. 846
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'What's in a kiss' / 'Down, down, down'

Ooh to be ah - Kajagoogoo

After the success of their debut single 'Too shy', Kajagoogoo's follow-up single 'Ooh to be ah' was released quickly. Although not topping the chart like its predecessor, the single still reached a respectable seventh place in the UK singles chart.

The nonsensical title hides a lyric about the showbiz and glamour world in which appearance is all-important. It is still a very topical song, then.

My collection: 7" single no. 1307
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Ooh to be ah' / 'Animal instincts'

Smooth operator - Sade

'Smooth operator' was released as the third single from Sade's debut album 'Diamond life'. Ray St. John, who co-wrote the song with Sade Adu, was a member of Adu's former band Pride, although he was not a member of the band Sade. The pair had co-written the song in 1982 while still members of Pride, but they did not get around to recording it because St. John left Pride shortly after Sade joined.

The B-side of the single contained a non-album track, 'Spirit', whereas the A-side was an edited version of the album track. It reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 19 in both the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1417
Found: April 7, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Smooth operator' / 'Spirit'

Phased EP - All about Eve

In 1992, All about Eve left their record company Phonogram and signed to MCA Records. They recorded a new album 'Ultraviolet', which was released in the autumn, with this EP preceding it. Well, it was... different. Gone was the romantic, goth-like All about Eve of the past: here was a modern, cold-sounding band, with Julianne Regan's vocals buried deep in the mix.

The Phased EP was a collection of two album tracks, one instrumental version of an album track and one non-album track ('Ascent/descent'). It barely caught on, but still managed to reach number 38 in the UK singles chart during its two week chart run.

My collection: 7" single no. 1726
Found: Tower Records, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2,3 pounds
Tracks: 'Phased', 'Mine' / 'Infrared (instrumental version)', 'Ascent/descent'

Set the fire to the third bar - Snow Patrol

'Set the fire to the third bar' was the third single taken from Snow Patrol's fourth album 'Eyes open'. It features guest vocals from Martha Wainwright, a Canadian-American folk-rock singer/songwriter. The lyric of the song is about a couple separated by a great distance and their longing to be together again. After their long journey to meet each they would settle down in front of an electric bar fire, hence the title, 'Set the fire to the third bar'.

The single reached number 18 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Irish chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3580
Found: eBay, received February 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Set the fire to the third bar' / 'Chasing cars (live)'

Fat - Weird Al Yankovic

Released in 1988, 'Fat' by Weird Al Yankovic is a parody of Michael Jackson's 1987 single 'Bad'. In a way, Yankovic continued the theme set out by his parody of 'Beat it', entitled 'Eat it'. The music video for 'Fat' was shot in the same subway set as the music video for 'Bad' and parodies a host of elements from that video.

Although the music video was shown numerous times on Dutch television, it did not chart. In the UK singles chart, 'Fat' reached number 80, whereas in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart it peaked at number 99.

My collection: 7" single no. 3998
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received August 12, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Fat' / 'You make me'

I've been in love before - Cutting Crew

Vocalist Nick Van Eede founded Cutting Crew along with Canadian guitarist Kevin Scott MacMichael in 1985, and the two made demos that led to a recording contract, before bassist Colin Farley and drummer Martin Beadle joined in 1986. They recorded the debut album 'Broadcast', which was released that same year. Their debut single '(I just) Died in your arms' was a worldwide hit, but after that they had some trouble coming up with a satisfactory successor.

'I've been in love before' was released two times: the original single appeared in later 1986. A different version of the single appeared a year later, featuring a shorter and slightly remixed version of the A-side. I bought the 1987 version (pictured below) in 1995, but depending on my photographic memory once again, I bought the 1986 version (pictured above) last week. At first, I thought I'd struck out, but listening more closely to the tracks made me realise these are actually two different singles.

Both singles actually made the UK singles chart: the 1986 version reached number 31, whereas the 1987 version reached number 24.

My collection: 7" single no. 2519 (1987 version) / no. 3997 (1986 version)
Found: Record Exchange, London, November 1, 1995 / August 5, 2009
Cost: 60p / 1 pound
Tracks: 'I've been in love before' / 'Life in a dangerous time'

Human racing - Nik Kershaw

'Human racing' was the fifth and final single from Nik Kershaw's debut album of the same name. Kershaw suddenly showcased a certain Stevie Wonderesque quality in his voice while singing this song. While initially this song bored me - probably because of the music video accompanying it - it has grown into my alltime favourite Nik Kershaw tracks.

The single became a hit in the UK only, peaking at number 19 in the UK singles chart. To this day I don't know why this didn't appeal to international audiences.

I bought a double single edition of this a decade ago, featuring a second single with two live tracks. The gatefold sleeve showed a rather funny playing board based on Kershaw's songs. On August 5, I found a picture disc of this single (pictured below) for 50p at Revival Records.

My collection: 7" single no. 3056
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, May 8, 1999
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Human racing' / 'Faces (remix)' // 'Cloak and dagger (live)' / 'Drum talk (live)'