Dinner with Gershwin - Donna Summer

Brenda Russell wrote 'Dinner with Gershwin', which was recorded in 1987 by Donna Summer. It was the first single from her album 'All systems go', Summer's first album of new material in four years. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

Brenda Russell recorded her own version of her song for her 1990 album 'Kiss me with the wind'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4139
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Dinner with Gershwin' / 'Dinner with Gershwin (instrumental)'

I'm cryin' - Shanice

'I'm cryin'' was another single from Shanice Wilson's 1991 album 'Inner child'. It's a typical American ballad, produced by Narada Michael Walden, who co-wrote the song with Wilson.

I've never been very impressed with the vocal part of this song, as it lacks emotion and sounds too much like a child trying to sing, but the music had a certain appeal - and because of the instrumental version on this single I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 4138
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm cryin'' / 'I'm cryin' (instrumental)'

Si tu aimes ma musique - Stella

'Si tu aimes ma musique' ('If you like my music') was the Belgian entry for the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Stella. The song finished 4th in a field of 18 competitors.

Stella Maessen was born in Zandvoort, the Netherlands on August 6, 1953. She previously competed for the Netherlands in 1970 with her sisters in a group called Hearts of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium in the group Dream Express.

My collection: 7" single no. 4137
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Si tu aimes ma musique' / 'Renegade'

Su canción - Betty Missiego

Beatriz Teresa 'Betty' Missiego was born January 1, 1945 in Lima, Peru. She began her career as a dancer in Peru, but had to stop this career after an injury. In 1969 she moved to Spain to pursue a singing career. She took on Spanish citizenship in 1972.

In 1979, she represented Spain in the 24th Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Su canción'. She ended up in second place, behind Israel's Milk and Honey with the song 'Hallelujah'. The single was (obviously) a hit in Spain, but it was also released elsewhere in Europe. To this day, copies of this single pop up everywhere as it didn't chart in most countries. I finally bought my copy of the single this weekend.

My collection: 7" single no. 4136
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Su canción' / 'Contrastes'

Honey honey - Abba

This French version of the single 'Honey honey' by Abba features a photograph of their performance of 'Waterloo', the song that gave them a Eurovision victory earlier on in 1974. 'Honey honey' was released as the followup to that hit around the world, with the exception of the UK.

The single reached number 2 in Germany and number 4 in Austria and Switzerland. Elsewhere in Europe, it was less successful, peaking at number 16 in the Netherlands and number 12 in Belgium. However, it was a hit for Abba in the USA, peaking at number 27.

My collection: 7" single no. 4135
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Honey honey' / 'King Kong song'

That's the way the money goes - M

Robin Scott, a.k.a. M, released his debut album 'New York, London, Paris, Munich' in 1979. The best known single (as well as the first one) from the album is 'Popmuzik', but 'That's the way the money goes' was another single taken from that album - the third one.

Not that it was as successful: it did not chart in most of Europe, and only reached number 45 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4134
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'That's the way the money goes' / 'Satisfy your lust (before you go bust)'

Souvenir - Orchestral manoeuvres in the Dark

A tape consisting of slowed-down loops of a choir tuning up lent by ex-OMD member Dave Hughes was the initial inspiration for 'Souvenir'. Although very displeased with the original version, the band decided it had some merit after all, after having re-recorded it. The song features a rare lead vocal by Paul Humphreys. He was satisfied with his attempt at singing and would continue to sing lead vocals for some other OMD songs later on.

'Souvenir' reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. This single is the European version of the single, which features a different sleeve when compared to the UK original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4133
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Souvenir' / 'Motion & heart (Amazon version)'

Lovin' you - Shanice

'Lovin' you' was originally released in 1975 by Minnie Riperton. The sugary sweet song reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a worldwide hit.

Shanice Wilson recorded a cover version of the song on her 1991 album 'Inner child'. It was released as the second single from the album after the successful single 'I love your smile'. It could not match the success; it only reached number 54 in the UK singles chart, while it didn't chart in the Dutch Top 40. Shanice recorded the song for a second time on her 2006 album 'Every woman dreams'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4132
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Lovin' you' / 'I love your smile (Driza Bone single remix)'

The last time - Agnetha Fältskog

In 1987, Fältskog travelled to Malibu, California, to record the album 'I stand alone', produced by Peter Cetera and Bruce Gaitsch. Released in November of that year, it spent weeks at number 1 in Sweden, but was only a minor success in the rest of Europe.

When the first single 'The last time' appeared in the shops, I didn't buy it on account of Agnetha's strange hair on the sleeve photograph and the fact that the single was produced by Peter Cetera (whom I only knew from his boring middle of the road ballads at the time). 'The last time' was not a hit: it didn't chart in the Netherlands and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 4131
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The last time' / 'Are you gonna throw it all away'

Power to all our friends - Cliff Richard

Being a collector of Eurovision Song Contest singles, I was always quite surprised that it was so hard to find the two contributions of Cliff Richard to the Contest - for a reasonable price. But I've finally tracked down a copy of 'Power to all our friends', Cliff's 1973 song for Eurovision.

He represented the United Kingdom at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest with this song, written by Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett. He finished third, but did end up at fourth place in the UK singles chart and at number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4130
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Power to all our friends' / 'Come back Billie Joe'

Promised you a miracle - Simple Minds

Released in 1982, 'New gold dream' was the fifth album of the Simple Minds. The single 'Promised you a miracle' was the first one taken from the album, released in April 1982. It was their first single to generate success on the European continent, as it reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

In the UK, it was their fifth chart single, although it was the first one to actually break the top 40, peaking at number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 4129
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'Promised you a miracle' / 'Theme for great cities'

The day before you came - Abba

You can't tell from the sleeve design of this single - which is absolutely horrible - but with 'The day before you came' Abba arguably reached the creative peak of their career. It's a very melancholy song, written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson while they took time off in 1981 to write new material for Abba as well as beginning to create their first musical, 'Chess'.

'The day before you came' was recorded in August 1982. To date, this song was the last song the group ever recorded together in the studio. Agnetha performed the lead without the lights on and said that the mood had become sad and everybody in the studio knew that 'this was the end'.

My collection: 7" single no. 164
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'The day before you came' / 'Cassandra'

I don't wanna dance - Eddy Grant

This song sounds incredibly dated now, but back in 1982 it was a huge hit, reaching number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 1 in the UK singles chart! It was Eddy Grant's first number one hit in the UK since 'Baby come back' by the Equals (of which he was a member) in 1968.

The track was recorded in Barbados for his album 'Killer on the rampage', which reached number 7 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 975
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I don't wanna dance' / 'I don't wanna dance (acapella)'

19 - Paul Hardcastle

Paul Hardcastle's biggest hit '19' was released on two 12" singles, of which this was the first one. As far as extended remixes go, this one really isn't that shocking. It does contain some new material, but on the whole it's just a slightly longer version of the familiar track that appeared on the 7" single.

Although the remixer is not credited, it's safe to assume Paul Hardcastle created this extended version himself.

My collection: 12" single no. 520
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '19 (extended version)' / 'Fly by night', 'Dolores'

Alone without you - King

'Alone without you' was the first single taken from King's second album 'Bitter sweet'. The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart but fared less well in other territories. Still, it launched the album well in the UK. 'Bitter sweet' ended up reaching number 16 in the UK albums chart.

A slow ballad version, entitled 'reprise', was featured on the 12" single of the next release, 'Taste of your tears'.

My collection: 7" single no. 324
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Alone without you' / 'I kissed the spikey fridge (Rock hard mix)'

99 Luftballons - Nena

It was not their debut single, but the biggest hit of Nena's career did come early on in their career. The lyric of the song was written by the band's guitarist Carlo Karges after he was at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin. He noticed that balloons were being released. As he watched them move toward the horizon, he noticed them shifting and changing shapes, to the point of looking a lot like some UFO. He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet sector. The lyric speaks of an apocalyptic overreaction by military forces.

When the song was released as a single from Nena's debut album in early 1983, it was an immediate hit not only in German-speaking countries, but also in the Netherlands, where it topped the Dutch Top 40 for a few weeks.

My collection: 7" single no. 444
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 9, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: '99 Luftballons' / 'Ich bleib' im Bett'

Valentine - Nils Lofgren

Nils Lofgren released his first album with Rykodisc in 1991. It was titled 'Silver lining' and featured the single 'Valentine'. The track featured Bruce Springsteen on backing vocals. For most artists, this is quite a feat, but Nils Lofgren had already been in Springsteen's E-Street band for almost a decade. The arrangement must have been really easy.

It meant a hit for Lofgren, at least in the Dutch Top 40 where the single reached number 16. The single did not chart in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1645
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 4 guilders
Tracks: 'Valentine (edit)' / 'Valentine (album version)'

Don't look back in anger - Oasis

'Don't look back in anger' was written by Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis. He commented: '[It] reminds me of a cross between 'All the young dudes' and something the Beatles might have done.' And: 'I don't actually know anybody called Sally. It's just a word that fit, y'know, might as well throw a girl's name in there. It's gotta guarantee somebody a shag off a bird called Sally, hasn't it?'.

The single reached number 1 in Irelandand the UK, but stalled at number 55 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2634
Found: April 13, 1996
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't look back in anger' / 'Step out'

When I think of you - Janet Jackson

'When I think of you' was released as the third single from Janet Jackson's third album, 'Control'. The song was written by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who also produced the track.

It is Janet Jackson's first number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1642
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When I think of you' / 'Pretty boy'

Sorry seems to be the hardest word - Elton John

'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was one of the rare instances where Elton John himself wrote much of the lyric. The track was released in 1976 as a track on his album 'Blue moves'. When it was released as a single, it reached number 11 in the UK singles chart, number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

In 2007, Marty Wilde released a cover version of this track on a compilation cd to commemorate his 50 years as a performing artist. It was a duet with his daughter Kim, a successful artist in her own right. Although their version is commendable, nothing beats the beauty of the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 612
Found: All that music, Leiden, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' / 'Shoulder holster'