I put a spell on you - Creedence Clearwater Revival

On her latest album, Lily Allen states that Creedence Clearwater Revival may very well be God's favourite band. When you listen to their best known track, 'I put a spell on you', you can just imagine Him playing airguitar.

'I put a spell on you' was actually a cover of a 1956 song written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The Creedence version reached number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 539
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 1987
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I put a spell on you' / 'Molina', 'Fortunate son'

Message in a bottle - The Police

'Message in a bottle' was released as a single from the Police's second album 'Reggatta de Blanc'. The single was The Police's first number 1 hit in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and only reaching number 74 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Police frontman Sting has stated later that this is his favourite song.

The Police reformed at Live Earth, a 2007 charity concert to raise awareness of global warming and other environmental hazards and performed 'Message in a bottle' as the US finale. Unfortunately Kanye West was mumbling through this track as well at the time. This 7" single was pressed on green vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 3261
Found: Record Exchange, London, 2002
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Message in a bottle' / 'Landlord'

The promise - Arcadia

After their first hit 'Election day', things quickly went downhill for Arcadia. The single 'Goodbye is forever' was only released in the US, while in Europe the follow-up was 'The promise', a track featuring Sting on backing vocals.

'The promise' reached number 37 in the UK singles chart and number 24 in Ireland, but failed to chart anywhere else. In fact, I only found out about the release years after it happened...

My collection: 7" single no. 2265
Found: Record fair, April 8, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The promise' / 'Rose arcana'

Don't turn me away - 10CC

The eighth studio album by 10CC was 'Ten out of 10', released in 1981. It failed to chart in the USA and UK. The album marked the first involvement with the band by American singer-songwriter Andrew Gold. The American record company wanted more of an American flavour to the album.

In the UK, the record company was less enthusiastic about this change. They replaced all three of Andrew Gold's contributions, as well as a Gouldman-penned track, with four tracks by Gouldman and Stewart. The second single taken from the album was 'Don't turn me away', written by Eric Stewart. I always thought it was an excellent song, however this single too failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 594
Found: All that music, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't turn me away' / 'Tomorrow's world today'

Tingalingaling - Luv'

On March 5, 1981, Luv' disbanded. The replacement of Patty Brard by Ria Tielsch did not bring them the amount of success they hoped for, and there are also personal reasons to quit. However, that summer the trio reforms for a one off performance in the amusement park the Efteling for an event sponsored by the music weekly Hitkrant. Press and fans are enthusiastic, and so their record company decides to release one more single from Luv's last album, 'Forever yours'.

'Tingalingaling' is released in July 1981 and reahces number 29 in the Dutch Top 40. Luv' perform the song in the popular tv programme 'Nederland Muziekland', which also is their official goodbye.

My collection: 7" single no. 4185
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tingalingaling' / 'Billy the kid'

Rapture '88 - Blondie

In 1988, Blondie's record company released 'Once more into the bleach', an album of remixes of Blondie hits. It also contained material from Deborah Harry's solo career and was released as 'Debbie Harry and Blondie'.

Three singles were released from the album, and 'Rapture '88' was one of them. The track was remixed by Teddy Riley and brought forward Debbie Harry's voice into the mix. This single was only released in Europe, as in America and the UK the B-side, a remix of 'Denis' was preferred. That remix reached number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4193
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rapture '88 (Teddy Riley remix)' / 'Denis (Dancin' Danny D remix)

All I want is you - U2

'All I want is you' is a track on U2's 1988 album 'Rattle and hum'. Although I really didn't like that album, this was the one standout track from that album and I was glad to see the single release - although the 7" single contains a rather ugly edit of the track.

The single reached number 83 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 upon its original release in June 1989.

My collection: 7" single no. 893
Found: June 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'All I want is you (edit)' / 'Unchained melody'

Seven years in Tibet - David Bowie

'Seven years in Tibet' is one of the tracks on David Bowie's stunning 1997 album 'Earthling'. It was released as the fourth single from the album. The single included a Mandarin version of the song. The title of this translation translates back into English as 'A fleeting moment'.

The single reached number 61 in the UK singles chart during its one week chart run. The limited edition 7" single release was pressed on clear vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2928
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 3, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven years in Tibet (edit)' / 'Seven years in Tibet (Mandarin version)'

Congratulations - Cliff Richard

'Congratulations' was written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter as the UK entry for the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest. The song was performed by Cliff Richard. The song was immediately popular in the UK and became a number 1 hit both in the UK and the Netherlands. On the day of the Contest, the British press were posing the question: 'What will come 2nd to 'Congratulations'?'.

Of course, Cliff Richard did not win, but came second to Spain's entry, the infamous 'La la la' performed by Massiel. In 2008, documentary film-maker Montse Fernandez Vila claimed that the loss was the result of rigging of the Spanish vote by state television on behalf of General Franco's fascist regime.

My collection: 7" single no. 4152
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Congratulations' / 'High 'n' dry'

Never tear us apart - INXS

'Never tear us apart' was the third single taken from INXS's sixth studio album 'Kick'. It was composed by Andrew Farriss, with lyrics by Michael Hutchence. The song was originally composed on piano as a blues number in the style of Fats Domino. Kirk Pengilly played a striking saxophone solo near the end of the song.

When the single was released, it reached number 24 in the UK, number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 745
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Never tear us apart' / 'Guns in the sky (Kick ass remix)'

Into temptation - Crowded House

'Into temptation' was released as the third single from Crowded House's second album 'Temple of low men'. The track was edited for the single, which I felt was a shame because it had such a beautiful outro.

The single did not chart in the UK, but reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 792
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Into temptation' / 'Mansion in the slums'

The answer - Garland Jeffreys

Garland Jeffreys released 'The answer' as the second single from his 1992 album 'Don't call me Buckwheat' in December 1991. It sounded more electronic than any of his previous efforts, and almost sounded like a pop song.

Unfortunately the single didn't match the success that 'Hail hail Rock 'n' Roll' enjoyed, as it didn't chart in Europe. The accompanying music video was shown regularly on television, which is how I got to know this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 2214
Found: Record fair, November 14, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'The answer' / 'Murder jubilee'

Soul kiss - Olivia Newton-John

Although Olivia Newton-John's 1985 album 'Soul kiss' was only a moderate success in Europe, it did achieve gold status in America and Australia. When the album was released, Olivia was pregnant and thus unable to promote the album as much as would have been expected.

Some critics argued that the sexual overtones of the album were the real problem. The title track was released as a single and featured some uncharacteristic heavy breathing. The single did not chart in the UK and only reached number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2208
Found: Record fair, October 22, 1994
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Soul kiss' / 'Electric'

Listen to your heart - Roxette

According to Per Gessle, 'Listen to your heart' was conceived as 'The Big Bad Ballad. This is us trying to recreate that overblown American FM-rock sound to the point where it almost becomes absurd. We really wanted to see how far we could take it.'

They took it very far, all the way to number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart to be exact. When released in the UK in October 1989 it only reached number 62, but a re-release took it to number 6. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 1072
Found: HMV, London, October 19, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Listen to your heart' / '(I could never) give you up'

19 (The final story) - Paul Hardcastle

'19 (The Final Story)' was the second 12" single to be released by Paul Hardcastle as a result of the success of his single '19'. The new remix features new spoken material and samples, as well as a totally different sleeve.

It's uncanny how catchy this collection of soundfiles about the Vietnam war is still after two decades. It's also strange how such a serious subject becomes danceable.

My collection: 12" single no. 521
Found: Record fair, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: '19 (The Final Story)' / 'King Tut (US remix)', 'Fly by night'

Can you forgive her? - Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys followed up the two singles from their compilation album 'Discography' with the dramatic and impressive single 'Can you forgive her?'. It was a remarkable comeback for the duo, complete with a rather ridiculous space age image and a computer animated music video.

The lyrics describe a young man's humiliation when his girlfriend accuses him of having gay tendencies – even though he does in fact have them. The title of the song is taken from the Anthony Trollope novel of the same name. 'Can you forgive her?' reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1919
Found: Record fair, June 5, 1993
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Can you forgive her?' / 'Hey headmaster'

Bopper en larmes - Laurent Voulzy

'Bopper en larmes' is a rather straightforward pop song, not one of the things Laurent Voulzy specialized in during the Eighties, when he was predominantly releasing ballads and well thought out album tracks.

Still, it was a hit for Voulzy in France, where he has always had a big fan following. Outside of France, he remained virtually unknown.

My collection: 7" single no. 4199
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Bopper en larmes' / 'L'Océane'

My number one - Luv'

After Patty Brard left Luv', it seemed like the girl group had reached the end of their tether. But this wasn't necessarily true: with a new girl, Ria Tielsch, they record their fourth studio album 'Forever yours'. The first single, released in advance of the album, is 'My number one'.

This single is their last top 10 hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 5.

My collection: 7" single no. 4184
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'My number one' / 'The show must go on'

One more time - Fay Lovsky

Another single from Fay Lovsky's 1983 album 'Origami', 'One more time' is a ballad with a very intimate instrumentation. It's another single by Lovsky that didn't make the Dutch charts, although it was heavily promoted at the time as the follow-up to 'Ramon'.

I found this single together with three other Fay Lovsky releases in Belgium, which is quite extraordinary since they are so hard to find in Lovsky's native Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 4178
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'One more time' / 'Sugar me Sam'

Hero takes a fall (remix) - The Bangles

'Hero takes a fall' is a single from the Bangles' debut album 'All over the place'. The song was written by Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from the band.

The single did not chart, but it did give the band some exposure. So much so, that they performed as an opening act for Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis and the News in 1984. It also won the attention of Prince, who would write their first hit: 'Manic Monday'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4197
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 8, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Hero takes a fall (remix)' / 'Tell me'