Stay (Faraway, so close!) - U2

Bono and The Edge worked for a long time on 'Stay (Faraway, so close!)', a track that was inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra. They actually made the melody during sessions for U2's album 'Achtung baby', but only completed the song when they heard that Wim Wenders was looking for a song for his new movie 'Faraway, so close!'.

he single's B-side featured the song 'I've got you under my skin', as a duet between Bono and Sinatra, which was originally released on Sinatra's album 'Duets'. (I wonder how many U2 fans were excited about this track...) Released in November 1993, the single reached number number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2062
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Stay (Faraway, so close!)' / 'I've got you under my skin'

Tragedy and mystery - China Crisis

When China Crisis started work on their second album 'Working with fire and steel', they added Gazza Johnson and Kevin Wilkinson to their line-up. Together with original members Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon they recorded a collection of tracks that included the hit singles 'Hanna Hanna', the title track and 'Tragedy and mystery'.

'Tragedy and mystery' was released as the first single from the album, six months prior to its release. A limited edition was pressed as a picture disc 7" single. While not a hit in Europe, the single reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2014
Found: London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Tragedy & mystery' / 'A golden handshake for every daughter'

Let's go all the way - Sly Fox

Sly Fox was formed in 1985 by Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper and Michael Camacho. They were brought together by British producer Ted Currier. Their only album, 'Let's go all the way' was released in 1985, and spawned one hit single of the same name. The song's title was often interpreted as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, though nothing else in the lyrics hinted at this.

When the single was released, it reached number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 472
Found: V&D, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Let's go all the way' / 'Como tu te llama?'

Violence of summer - Duran Duran

After the compilation album 'Decade', Duran Duran found themselves in a period of less commercial success, with a new album and a new line-up. The first single from the new album 'Liberty' was 'Violence of summer', a simple rock song.

The single was released in July 1990 and managed to reach number 20 in the UK singles chart, while it was unsuccessful in most other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 2274
Found: Record fair, April 23, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over)' / 'Violence of summer (Love's taking over) (The story mix)'

She's a river - Simple Minds

By 1995, the Simple Minds had become 'the former super group'. The line-up had diminished to Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, using session musicians for their tenth album 'Good news from the next world'. The album was reviewed positively in the USA, but in the UK, critics panned the album.

The single 'She's a river' preceded the release of the album, and was released in a limited edition of 7000 copies on 7". (I have number 1544.) The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2233
Found: Record fair, January 21, 1995
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'She's a river' / 'E55'

Out of my system - Feargal Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey's solo career took off with a bang in 1985, with his self-titled debut album and the associated hit singles 'A good heart' and 'You little thief'. When his second album 'Wish' was released in 1988, much of his fans had moved on and new audiences were not attracted. The album was considered a flop, just like the singles that were released from it.

'Out of my system' was one of these singles. It didn't reach the chart in any territory. I bought it after a long time of seeing it in the shop were I came regularly.

My collection: 7" single no. 2078
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 26, 1994
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Out of my system' / 'A touch of blue'

Rhythm nation - Janet Jackson

'Rhythm nation' was the second single from Janet Jackson's 1989 album 'Rhythm nation 1814'. The song preached racial unity and harmony among nations, 'looking for a better way of life' and a way to stop 'social injustice'. The song contains a sample from Sly & the Family Stone's 1969 song 'Thank you (Falettinme be mice elf agin)'. The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 11 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 23 in the UK singles chart.

I actually own two different copies of this single: the German pressing, which contains an instrumental version of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side, and a limited edition UK pressing with a gatefold sleeve and a remix of 'Rhythm nation' on the B-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 1164 / no. 2505
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 27, 1990 / House of Rhythm, London, October 30, 1995
Cost: 6 guilders / 1 pound
Tracks: 'Rhythm nation' / 'Rhythm nation (instrumental' or 'Rhythm nation (CHR remix)'

Enter Sandman - Metallica

Hindsight is bliss. If I'd known that Metallica would be so vehemently against a service like Napster later on in their career, I would never have bought any of their records. But I did, and so now I'm stuck with them.

'Enter Sandman' was the first single from Metallica's black album, released in 1991. It was their most commercial album up until them, bringing the hardrock band into the mainstream for the first time. The single reached number 1 in Canada and Norway, but also reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1514
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 7, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Enter Sandman' / 'Stone cold crazy'

Neverending story - Limahl

'Neverending story' was composed by Giorgio and Keith Forsey for the German movie of the same name. Limahl, formerly from the popular band Kajagoogoo, was asked to sing the song. In the end, it didn't feature in the movie at all, but it did appear on the soundtrack album. As a reference to the film and its title, the song has no distinctive beginning, nor an end. While many songs fade out, this track not only fades out, but also fades in, thus making it 'never ending'.

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1979
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Neverending story' / 'The ivory tower'

Unfinished sympathy - Massive

The group Massive Attack was only just becoming better known with their first hit single 'Unfinished sympathy', when the Gulf War started and anything slightly offensive was censored by the powers that be. So 'Attack' was dropped from the band's name for a while. (After all, as long as we're waging wars, we shouldn't really talk about it, should we?)

'Unfinished sympathy' featured vocals by Shara Nelson and is usually named as one of the first tracks to bring the 'triphop' genre to the mainstream. The single reached number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1428
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 13, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Unfinished sympathy' / 'Unfinished sympathy (Nellee Hooper 7" mix)'

Losing my religion - R.E.M.

'Losing my religion' was essentially the breakthrough single for the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The song was originally composed by guitarist Peter Buck on a mandolin which he had just bought. The title of the song refers to an expression from the southern region of the USA that means losing one's temper or civility, or 'being at the end of one's rope'.

The single was released in early 1991 as the first single from R.E.M.'s 1991 album 'Out of time'. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, the only country where the single topped the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1401
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, March 16, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Losing my religion' / 'Rotary eleven'

Ain't no sunshine - Joe McGann and Rebecca de Ruvo

'Ain't no sunshine' was originally a hit for Bill Withers in 1971. It was re-recorded by Joe McGann and MTV hot babe Rebecca de Ruvo with a studio group called Bi Virtue. This 12" single was released in 1992.

This is one of those releases that sinks without a trace, fails to chart anywhere, and ends up in the sales bin all over Europe. I didn't know this version, but was curious enough about Rebecca de Ruvo's singing qualities to try it out. Hearing this now, it really sounds like an early Nineties production.

My collection: 12" single no. 522
Found: Plaatboef, Den Haag, 2000
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Ain't no sunshine (radio mix)', 'Ain't no sunshine (Phill Chill mix)' / 'Why can't we just be friends (radio mix)', 'Ain't no sunshine (Up front mix)'

Sailing on the seven seas - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Paul Humphreys left Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in 1989 when the band's success in America forced them to make creative compromises. Other members of the band soon left as well, leaving founder member Andy McCluskey to go on solo under the OMD banner.

His first 'solo' OMD album was 1991's 'Sugar tax', preceded by the single 'Sailing on the seven seas'. The track featured a rather sparse synth sound, although it didn't sound very much like previous OMD tracks. The single peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, making this a very successful comeback.

My collection: 7" single no. 1486
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 3, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Sailing on the seven seas' / 'Burning'

Simply irresistible - Robert Palmer

'Simply irresistible' was released as the first single from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'. The single was accompanied by a music video that has since become one of the iconic images of the Eighties: Robert palmer backed by an all female band of mannequins.

The single reached number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 44 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2557
Found: November 19, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Simply irresistible' / 'Nova'

Ice out in the rain - Sheena Easton

While 'You could have been with me' was taken from Sheena Easton's second album of the same name and 'Ice out in the rain' was taken from her third album, the two singles' sleeves still share the same photograph and artwork.

'Ice out in the rain' is one of Sheena Easton's lesser known single releases. When it was released as the follow-up to 'Machinery', it didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1472
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Ice out in the rain' / 'Loner'

Chant no. 1 - Spandau Ballet

'Chant no. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)' was the first single taken from Spandau Ballet's second album 'Diamond'. Released in the summer of 1981, it became the band's biggest hit up to that point, peaking at number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 30 in Australia.

Spandau Ballet was still profiting from the New Romantics scene in 1981, but their fortunes were quickly changing. Subsequent singles fared less well, and for their third album 'True', a change of style was much needed.

My collection: 7" single no. 85
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1981
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Chant no. 1' / 'Feel the chant'

In the Dutch mountains - The Nits

The Dutch band The Nits released the album 'In the Dutch mountains' in October 1987. The title track was released as the first single, reaching number 14 in the Dutch Top 40. The band decided to go back to basics and record this album live to two-track in their own rehearsal space to, in their own words, 'reproduce the special atmosphere of a Nits concert'.

The album was the first to be released in the UK and the USA. While the single 'In the Dutch mountains' was a success in several European countries, the album failed to receive similar commercial acclaim. This copy of the single was made in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1031
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'In the Dutch mountains' / 'Strangers of the night'

Hourglass - Clannad

'Hourglass' and 'Theme from Harry's Game' were released as a double A-side single by Clanad in 1989 to promote the greatest hits album 'Pastpresent'. 'Hourglass' was a new track, whereas 'Theme from Harry's Game' was (and still is) Clannad's biggest hit to date.

While 'Pastpresent' became Clannad's best selling album, reaching number 5 in the UK albums chart, this single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1055
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Hourglass' / 'Theme from Harry's Game'

Bad romance - Lady Gaga

'Bad romance' was released in October 2009 as the first single from Lady Gaga's second album 'The fame monster'. The lyric of the song talks about exploring the joys of a bad romance while referencing Alfred Hitchcock films in some of the verses.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart as well as in Ireland, Canada, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. The song is in the Dutch Top 40 right now, climbing to number 14 this week. As usual for a Lady Gaga single, 'Bad Romance' was released on a 7" picture disc as well as several other formats.

My collection: 7" single no. 4347
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, December 19, 2009
Cost: 5,9 euro
Tracks: 'Bad romance (radio edit)' / 'Paparazzi (DJ Dan club remix)'

Boys keep swinging - David Bowie

'Boys keep swinging' was the single from, and preceded the release of, David Bowie's 1979 album 'Lodger'. During the sessions for the album Bowie wanted to capture a garage band style for the track. He asked guitarist Carlos Alomar to play the drums and drummer Dennis Davis to play bass. The intention, according to Bowie, was to suggest 'young kids in the basement just discovering their instruments'.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40 when it was released in April 1979. 'Boys keep swinging' was not released in the USA because of, let's face it, homophobia. They couldn't handle the line 'When you're a boy / Other boys check you out' and the fact that the music video starred three drag queens on backing vocals.

My collection: 7" single no. 91
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Boys keep swinging' / 'Fantastic voyage'