Amsterdam - Maggie MacNeal

The Netherlands organised the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, stepping in for Israel, which had won the Contest twice in a row but were unable to do this in 1980 because of the fact that it was held at a national holiday. The Dutch used the same setup they had used in 1976, after Teach-In had won the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest.

Because of all of this, the Netherlands didn't hold a national final, but instead they elected Maggie MacNeal internally to sing the Dutch entry. During the voting, 'Amsterdam' was in first place for some time, but in the end ranked fifth in a field of 19 participants. The single reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40, MacNeal's last hit single in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 3136
Found: July 24, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Amsterdam' / 'Amsterdam (English version)'

Chain reaction - Diana Ross

It was Puck who introduced me to the 12" single of 'Chain reaction' by Diana Ross. I wasn't particularly fond of the track, despite the involvement of the Bee Gees in the writing of the track and the backing vocals. When I heard the special dance mix of 'Chain reaction', however, I had to admit this was a pretty good remix.

The confusing thing is that remixes of 'Chain reaction' were also released later on, when the track was re-released as a single. These remixes are available on several cd's. But this original dance remix is quite rare. Finding the 12" single for myself was therefore a relief.

My collection: 12" single no. 312
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Chain reaction (special dance remix)' / 'More and more', 'Chain reaction'

Get the balance right! - Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode's seventh single 'Get the balance right!' was released between albums in January 1983. Alan Wilder had officially joined the line-up of the band, and he wrote the B-side of this single together with Martin Gore.

The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in Ireland, but it was not included on the album 'Construction time again', which was released later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 2672
Found: London, June 30, 1996
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Get the balance right!' / 'The great outdoors!'

Don't stop the dance - Bryan Ferry

Bryan Ferry released his sixth solo album 'Boys and girls' in 1985. The album was a big success, and to this day it's still his only number 1 album in the UK.

'Don't stop the dance' was the second single taken from the album, after the very successful 'Slave to love'. By comparison, this single did less well, but still reached number 21 in the UK singles chart and number 22 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1769
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Don't stop the dance' / 'Nocturne'

Like a mountain - Soulsister

Jan Leyers and Paul Michiels formed the Belgian duo Soulsister in 1986. They debuted that year with the single 'You get to me'. The next single was 'Talk about it', and in 1988 they released 'Like a mountain'.

All three singles were minor successes in Belgium, but they didn't reach the international chart until they released their fourth single 'The way to your heart'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2591
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, December 30, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Like a mountain' / 'Car'

Tonight I'm yours - Rod Stewart

'Tonight I'm yours' was the title track of Rod Stewart's 1981 album. The single was released in the autumn of 1981, a few weeks ahead of the album. It became an international hit, reaching number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

After the disco-influenced tracks of the late Seventies, Stewart added synthpop and new wave elements to his songs on his 1981 album. He managed to win new fans while not alienating his existing fan group.

My collection: 7" single no. 1476
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Tonight I'm yours' / 'Sonny'

Hey, st. Peter - Flash and the Pan

The Australian band Flash & the Pan made their international chart debut with the 1977 single 'Hey st. Peter', written by band members Harry Vanda and George Young. The single reached number 76 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart nd number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

Remarkably, the 1977 single only appeared on an album in 1979, when the band released their self-titled debut album.

My collection: 7" single no. 619
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hey, st. Peter' / 'Walking in the rain'

Hello - Lionel Richie

One of Lionel Richie's biggest hits is arguably more famous for its music video than for the music itself. The video, in which a blind girl sculpts an image of Lionel Richie's face (which looks as much like him as my behind looks like a lily), became the subject of lots of airplay and some parodies too.

But 'Hello' is a beautiful ballad as well. Written by Richie himself, it was the third single from his multi-millionselling album 'Can't slow down'. It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100, the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, as well as the Swiss singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 228
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello' / 'You mean more to me'

La vie en rose - Grace Jones

I bought this 7" single of Grace Jones' 'La vie en rose' long before I bought the 12" single. At the time, I felt it was just a nice song, but since then, I have grown to appreciate this track as one of Grace's best.

Of course, 'La vie en rose' was a hit for French singer Edith Piaf first. Written by Piaf and Louis Gugliemi, her songwriting team did not think the song would be successful, but it turned out to be a favourite with audiences. The same goes for Grace Jones' version: it was released as a single in 1977 and 1982, and on both occasions it became a big hit in several countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1626
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'La vie en rose' / 'I need a man'

Leaving me now - Level 42

'Leaving me now' was the second single release from Level 42's 1985 album 'World machine'. The song was written by Mark King, Phil Gould and Wally Badarou. Though heavily edited for the single, the track was still a good success for the band.

In the Netherlands, 'Leaving me now' reached number 33 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 1015
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Leaving me now' / 'I sleep on my heart'

Seven wonders - Fleetwood Mac

'Seven wonders' was the second single release from Fleetwood Mac's 1987 album 'Tango in the night'. Lead vocals were performed by Stevie Nicks, who wrote the song together with Sandy Stewart.

The single reached number 27 in the Dutch Top 40, but stalled at number 56 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1087
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, October 27, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Seven wonders' / 'Book of miracles'

Perfect way - Scritti Politti

Back in 1985, the lucky buyer of 'Perfect way' in the UK could get this limited edition version of the single, featuring not only a gatefold sleeve, but also a poster with a monochrome photograph of founding member Green Gartside.

'Perfect way' was the fifth single taken from Scritti Politti's 1985 album 'Cupid & Psyche', and their only big hit stateside, reaching number 11 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK, the single only got to number 48.

My collection: 7" single no. 1864
Found: January 30, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Perfect way' / 'Perfect way (version)'

Crying - Don McLean

'Crying' was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and recorded by Roy Orbison in 1961. It was released as a single that summer, becoming a worldwide hit.

Don McLean recorded his version of the song in 1978 on his album 'Prime time'. It also became a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 620
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 26, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Crying' / 'Genesis'

Fortress around your heart - Sting

Sting wrote 'Fortress around your heart' in the studio in Barbados in 1985. He commented about the song: '[it] is about appeasement, about trying to bridge the gaps between individuals. The central image is a minefield that you've laid around this other person to try and protect them. Then you realise that you have to walk back through it. I think it's one of the best choruses I've ever written.'

The track features a sax solo performed by Branford Marsalis. It was released as the fourth single from Sting's 1985 album 'The dream of the blue turtles'. It reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 386
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Fortress around your heart' / 'Shadows in the rain'

Minimal - Pet Shop Boys

'Minimal' was originally planned to be the first single from the Pet Shop Boys' 2006 album 'Fundamental', but was held back in favour of 'I'm with stupid'. The single finally was released in July 2006. The lyrics are an abstract description of expressions of minimalism, such as 'more is less' and 'an empty box, an open space'. The upbeat, busy instrumentation and production is quite in contrast with minimalism.

The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in Denmark, but was not successful in other European countries. The B-side 'In private' is a new version of a song originally written for Dusty Springfield. This time the track is recorded as a duet between Neil Tennant and Elton John.

My collection: 7" single no. 3447
Found: HMV, London, 2006
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Minimal (radio edit)' / 'In private (7 inch mix)'

Red skies - The Fixx

The Fixx released 'Red skies' as a single in 1982. The lyric of the song is quite explicit on the theme of impending doom. This was made even more obvious by a music video, released in 1987, in which a nuclear holocaust is depicted.

The single reached number 57 in the UK singles chart upon its first release in 1982. When it was re-released in 1987 the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 146
Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Red skies' / 'Is it by instinct'

Soul inspiration - Simon Climie

After Climie Fisher broke up, Simon Climie embarked on a solo career, signing to Columbia Records to release his debut solo album 'Soul inspiration'. The title track was released as a single, which reached number 60 in the UK singles chart in the autumn of 1992.

After the commercial disappointment of both the single and the album, Climie switched to production and songwriting. In the late Nineties, he became involved with Eric Clapton, acting as producer and sometime co-writer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1729
Found: HMV, London, October 17, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Soul inspiration' / 'Life goes on'

Knockin' on heaven's door - Randy Crawford

'Knockin' on heaven's door' was written by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 movie 'Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid'. The song describes the feelings and impressions of a dying deputy.

Eric Clapton recorded a version of the song in June 1975 and released it as a single later that year. The song was not included on a full-length album until the release of the 1982 compilation 'Time pieces: The best of Eric Clapton'. In 1989, Clapton and David Sanborn backed singer Randy Crawford in a new version, which was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie 'Lethal Weapon 2'. This version reached number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1110
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Knockin' on heaven's door' / 'Medley: The Shipyard / Knockin' on heaven's door'

Set your loving free - Lisa Stansfield

'Set your loving free' was the fourth single from Lisa Stansfield's second album 'Real love'. The track is full of Seventies disco sounds, but still sounds very modern. The real treat on this single is the non-album track, 'Whenever you're gone', a touching ballad about a woman who can't face the light of day when her lover is out of sight.

My copy of the single is interesting for its extra labels: each side of this single carries not one, but two paper labels. 'Set your loving free' reached number 28 in the UK singles chart and number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1743
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Set your loving free' / 'Whenever you're gone'

I can hear your heart beat - Chris Rea

'Water sign' was released in 1983 as Chris Rea's fifth album. By that time, the record company showed so little interest in anything by him, that they wouldn't even give him the money to record the album professionally. What was actually released is a collection of demo versions, with a few overdubs. Hence the extensive use of electronic drum machines.

'I can hear your heart beat' was released as a single from the album. The single and the album were well received. Most people thought the 'new electronic sound' of Chris Rea was rather good. The single reached number 60 in the UK singles chart and number 28 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 974
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, August 29, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I can hear your heart beat' / 'From love to love'