Mandinka - Sinéad O'Connor

'Mandinka' was the second single taken from Sinéad O'Connor's debut album 'The lion and the cobra'. This single, released in early 1988, featured another album track, 'Drink before the war' on the B-side.

It was the only single from the album to chart in the UK, peaking at number 17. In the Netherlands, it performed worse in the charts than its predecessor, 'Troy', peaking at number 30.

My collection: 7" single no. 2533
Found: Beanos, East Croydon, London, November 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Mandinka' / 'Drink before the war'

I love your smile - Shanice

'I love your smile' was released as the first single from Shanice Wilson's 1992 album 'Inner child'. The song features a saxophone solo by Branford Marsalis. Shanice actually says 'Blow, Branford, Blow' during the solo. Janet Jackson and René Elizondo can be heard laughing at the end of the song.

The single reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, whereas in the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 1. It is the most successful hit of Shanice's career.

My collection: 7" single no. 1555
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I love your smile (radio version)' / 'I love your smile (instrumental)'

Love the life - Bass Culture featuring Gina G

This promotional double 12" single was a steal at 1 pound. I found it during a holiday in London. I was already familiar with Gina G, so I was a bit intrigued what this track would be like. According to the promo sheet enclosed in this set, 'Bass Culture exploded onto the international music scene in the early Nineties with their debut single 'Love the life' establishing them as Australia's leading dance outfit. The track featuring Gina G of 'Ooh aah... Just a little bit' fame, was the first in a string of successful singles for the band.'

Well, in Australia maybe, but in Europe no-one had heard of Bass Culture. And they never would, because they wouldn't reach the UK singles chart with this release either.

My collection: 12" single no. 310
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Love the life (Club mix)', 'Love the life (radio edit)' / 'Love the life (Hard life mix)' // 'Love the life (Pee Wee's mix)' / 'Love the life (Ivan Gough's mix)'

Outer space girl - The Beloved

On my way to Haaksbergen last Monday I had the album 'Conscience' by the Beloved on my iPod. It surprised me that this album from 1993 still sounded so great. It's uplifting music, that will work whether your mood is good or bad.

'Outer space girl' was the third single lifted from the album. For a long time I thought it was also the last single, but it seems that the track 'Rock to the rhythm of love' was released as a fourth single - although I'm not sure if a 7" single exists. So far, all I've seen are promotional 12" singles on eBay. 'Outer space girl' reached number 38 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1992
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Outer space girl' / 'Outer space girl (Space Hopper mix)'

What's the colour of money? - Hollywood Beyond

Hollywood Beyond was basically a one-man band, consisting of Birmingham-based singer-songwriter Mark Rogers. The first single issed under the Hollywood Beyond name was 'What's the colour of money', an instant hit in Europe, peaking at number 7 in the UK singles chart in the summer of 1986.

The song also hit number 21 in Germany, number 14 in Switzerland and number 9 in the Dutch Top 40. The single was featured on Hollywood Beyond's debut album 'If', released in 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 2880
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 28, 1997
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What's the colour of money?' / 'Hollywood Beyond'

If it's alright with you baby - The Korgis

The Korgis released 'If it's alright with you baby' in 1980 as the second single from their second album 'Dumb waiters'. The single version was slightly different from the album version, omitting a few synthesizer sounds in the musical break in the middle of the song.

The single reached number 56 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a slightly disappointing chart performance after the top 10 hit 'Everybody's got to learn sometimes'.

My collection: 7" single no. 808
Found: All that music, Leiden, May 5, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If it's alright with you baby' / 'Love ain't too far away'

Schoolgirl - Kim Wilde

'Schoolgirl' was released in the summer of 1986 as the first single from Kim Wilde's fifth studio album 'Another step'. The song was written shortly after the Chernobyl disaster by Kim Wilde herself, marking the first time that a song co-written by her was released as a single. Produced by her brother Ricki Wilde and German producer Reinhold Heil (who'd previously worked with Nena, amongst others), the single was released in Europe and Australia only.

The single reached number 7 in the Danish chart and number 38 in Germany. In other territories, the single didn't chart, prompting the UK record company to skip this single altogether and choose another track as the first single from the album: 'You keep me hangin' on'.

My collection: 7" single no. 415
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, June 19, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Schoolgirl' / 'Songs about love'

Rise to the occasion - Climie Fisher

Simon Climie and Rob Fisher formed Climie Fisher in 1986. They recorded 'Rise to the occasion' a year later. The original version, featured here on this single, is a glossy pop ballad. This version did not reach the charts.

Sensing a commercial opportunity, they had the track remixed, making it sound more like a hiphop record. Artistically this was reprehensible, but they did score a number 1 hit with it in the Netherlands and South Africa. Obviously, I still prefer this 'angry niggaz'-free version.

My collection: 7" single no. 616
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Rise to the occasion' / 'Mental block'

Forever young - Alphaville

'Forever young' is the title track of Alphaville's 1984 debut album. It became the group's highest charting hit in Europe. It reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

Since its release, it has been covered by numerous other acts, such as Laura Branigan, Bushido, Karel Gott, Interactive, Paul Michiels and the Australian rock band Youth Group.

My collection: 7" single no. 2562
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Forever young' / 'Welcome to the sun'

Love bites - Def Leppard

It's easy to discard Def Leppard for their cliched Eighties rock songs, their hairstyle and their lyrics. There's nothing innovative in there, it's all been done numerous times by other rock bands. And yet, they've been at it since 1977 and they're still touring. There must be something to it then.

'Love bites' is the only Def Leppard single I own, and that will probably not change. I didn't play it much, although the song itself is reasonably nice. A popular rumor about the song concerns the final seconds. After the line 'If you got love in your sights / Watch out, love bites', what is seemingly heard is 'Jesus of Nazareth, go to hell'. This rumor has been refuted by the band. The line is in fact producer Mutt Lange rambling in a Yorkshire accent, to the effect of 'Yes it does, it will be hell', with the aid of a vocoder.

My collection: 7" single no. 706
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love bites' / 'Billy's got a gun (live)'

Rhythm of life - Hugh Harris

I don't think I would have had this single if I hadn't gotten it for free. I was a regular customer at Melody Maker, buying all my singles there, and one day I got this as an extra. Hugh Harris? I'd never heard of him.

Hugh Harris was born in 1964 and his song 'Rhythm of life' was featured in the movie 'Uncle Buck'. It was taken from his 1989 album 'Words for our years'. Both the single and the album did not chart. Due to serious illness Hugh withdrew from the music business. In 2002 he re-emerged with the album 'Flowers', which he'd recorded in 1992.

My collection: 7" single no. 1272
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 28, 1990
Cost: nothing
Tracks: 'Rhythm of life' / 'Juice (edit)'

Rhythm of life - Oleta Adams

Oleta Adams was born on May 4, 1953 in Seattle, Washington as a daughter of a preacher. She was raised with gospel music. She tried to pursue a career in music in the Seventies but her work was often rejected. In 1986, her fortunes changed when she was performing live in a bar in Kansas City. She met Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith from the band Tears for Fears. They were so impressed with her singing that they wanted her to collaborate on their 1989 album 'The seeds of love'. After this was a success, Adams signed her own record deal and released her debut album 'Circle of one'.

'Rhythm of life' was released as the album's first single, reaching number 52 in the UK singles chart and number 31 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1321
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Rhythm of life' / 'Don't look too closely'

Love the one you're with - Bucks Fizz

'Love the one you're with' was originally written and performed by Stephen Stills in 1970. It was the first single from his debut solo album 'Stephen Stills'.

Since then, the track was covered numerous times by acts such as the Isley Brothers, Tight Fit, Will Young and Dennis Rollins. This 1986 cover version by Bucks Fizz was taken from their 1986 album 'Writing on the wall'. It reached number 47 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3253
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Love the one you're with' / 'Too hard'

Real cool world - David Bowie

'Cool world' is a 1992 live action/animation movie, starring Gabriel Byrne, Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger. The story of the movie is about a cartoonist who finds himself in the animated world he created, and is seduced by one of his characters, a vamp who wants to be real. The movie got negative reviews, but I actually still want to see it. It's hard to find nowadays.

None other than David Bowie provided the title song for the movie. The track marked a reunion with Nile Rodgers, with whom Bowie recorded his 1983 album 'Let's dance'. The single is one of Bowie's hidden classics. It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart (during its one week in the chart!) and number 21 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1701
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 29, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Real cool world' / 'Real cool world (instrumental version)'

High energy - Evelyn Thomas

Evelyn Thomas was born as Ellen Lucille Thomas. She is an American singer from Chicago, Illinois, best known for her dance hit 'High energy'. It became one of the earliest hit songs within the genre of music that has become known as Hi-NRG. The song was produced and written by Ian Levine and Fiachra Trench. For some reason, it was Levine who received all the royalties for the song, and neither Trench nor Thomas ever got paid for their work.

The single reached the charts worldwide, peaking at number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. Amusingly, the sleeve of this Belgian pressing is based on the sleeve of the 12" single, listing both tracks with a duration of over 7 minutes. Of course, both sides of this 7" single feature the edit of these two tracks.

My collection: 7" single no. 3120
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'High energy' / 'High energy (Instrumental dub)'

Nightporter - Japan

So this is the 12" single of Japan's 'Nightporter', on which the track appears in its full glory. While on the 7" single the track was edited, this is the full album version which is longer and slightly more intense.

The B-side is 'Methods of dance', also taken from Japan's 1980 album 'Gentlemen take Polaroids'. Although not a huge chart hit upon its initial release in the UK (where it peaked at number 51), the album was later certified gold by the BPI in 1986 for 100,000 copies sold.

My collection: 12" single no. 238
Found: Record fair, 1993
Cost: 15 guilders
Tracks: 'Nightporter' / 'Methods of dance'

Talk Talk - Talk Talk

So here's another version of Talk Talk's 1982 single 'Talk Talk'. I wrote about the single once before, but that version was a re-release. This is the original version, featuring a version of the track 'Mirror man' on the B-side.

I found this single during my very first shopping spree in London, back in 1989. I'd discovered the Music & Video Exchange shops in Notting Hill Gate: at the time, there were three different addresses all stacked with 7" vinyl records. I spent hours there, finding a lot of singles I'd been searching for years. I'd love to have those times back again sometimes: these days there aren't such big record shops anymore.

My collection: 7" single no. 1006
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Talk Talk' / 'Mirror man'

If I was - Midge Ure

'If I was' was written by Midge Ure and Danny Mitchell. The track features Mark King from Level 42 on bass guitar. Ure commented about the track: 'This song is pure Danny Mitchell. I found a demo of it on a cassette Danny had sent me for his band The Messengers. I grabbed it with both hands, messed around with it, sprinkled it with fairy dust and the rest is history.'

Indeed: the single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a hit all over Europe, launching Midge Ure's solo career with a bang.

My collection: 7" single no. 736
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 9, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'If I was' / 'Piano'

Nobody's diary - Yazoo

Well, at least they went out on a high. 'Nobody's diary' was Yazoo's last single release back in 1983, and it was a piece of synthpop perfected. The single became one of their biggest hits, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart.

After this, Yazoo broke up. Vince Clarke ended up, after a few short-lived projects, forming Erasure with Andy Bell, while Alison Moyet enjoyed a successful solo career. Last year they reformed for a reunion tour, and on that occasion, 'Nobody's diary' was remixed and releases as a download single.

My collection: 7" single no. 204
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Nobody's diary' / 'State farm'

Turn your back on me - Kajagoogoo

Released in the summer of 1984, 'Turn your back on me' was Kajagoogoo's last significant hit. Although it only reached number 47 in the UK singles chart, it reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 and also made number 2 in the American dance chart.

This single contains the original version of the song. It was subsequently remixed, and that version appears on most cd's nowadays.

My collection: 7" single no. 1390
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 22, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn your back on me' / 'The pump rooms of Bath'