Out in the fields - Gary Moore and Phil Lynott

Gary Moore and Phil Lynott were childhood friends before they both became band members with Thin Lizzy. After the band broke up, they both pursued solo careers, but in 1985, they recorded 'Out in the fields' together, a song about the religious turmoil in their native Ireland.

The song is reminiscent of the sound of their band and draws many influences from both artists' wide musical palettes. It performed well critically as well as commercially, reaching number 3 in the Irish Singles Chart and number 5 in the UK Singles Chart. It was also to be the last known recording made by Phil Lynott before his untimely death on 4 January 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 3076
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 40p
Tracks: 'Out in the fields' / 'Military man'

Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel

'Goodnight Saigon' is perhaps Billy Joel's best known song, and if nothing else his most epic track. Starting out with chopper sounds and ending with the sound of crickets, a lot is happening in the track that lasts for almost seven minutes.

The lyric of the song depicts the situation and attitude of United States Marines beginning with their military training on Parris Island and in different aspects of Vietnam combat. The track appearing on Joel's 1982 album 'The nylon curtain' and was released as a single in spring 1982. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 29 in the UK singles chart and number 56 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 423
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Goodnight Saigon' / 'Where's the orchestra?'

Verjaardagsfeest - Frank Boeijen Groep

Frank Boeijen formed the Frank Boeijen Groep in 1979 with Henk Wanders, Nels Busch and Wil Theunissen. Their debut single 'Transport uit Bangkok' ('Transport from Bangkok') was released in January 1981. The Dutch DJ Frits Spits played an important role in launching the band in the Netherlands: he preferred the B-side 'Verjaardagsfeest' ('Birthday party') and started playing it daily during his radio show.

Although 'Verjaardagsfeest' did not reach the Dutch Top 40, it gave the band some exposure, and somehow it has become one of those songs that most people in the Netherlands remember if they have any pop knowledge at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 668
Found: Den Haag, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Verjaardagsfeest' / 'Transport uit Bangkok'

I'm so sorry - José

'I'm so sorry' is the debut solo single from José Hoebee, one third of the girl trio Luv', that broke up earlier in 1981. Released in December 1981, this single was an unsuccessful start of a solo career that would be more successful the next year with the hit singles 'I will follow him' and 'Secret love'.

This copy of 'I'm so sorry' was made in Germany and features a different sleeve when compared to the Dutch release.

My collection: 7" single no. 144
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm so sorry' / 'A reason for fallin' in love'

Popmuzik - M

I have the double groove 12" single of 'Popmuzik', but of course I have the 7" single as well. Although it has to be said, for a long time I only had the 12" single, because I didn't think I would ever play that 7" single very often. It had been a big hit in 1979, peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40, and for a long time I was very sick of this song.

Robin Scott commented about this song: 'I was looking to make a fusion of various styles which somehow would summarize the last 25 years of pop music. It was a deliberate point I was trying to make. Whereas rock and roll had created a generation gap, disco was bringing people together on an enormous scale. That's why I really wanted to make a simple, bland statement, which was, 'All we're talking about basically (is) pop music'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2852
Found: June 21, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Popmuzik' / 'M Factor'

Slow hand - Pointer Sisters

'Slow hand' is a pop ballad by the Pointer Sisters, released in the spring of 1981. It was also released on their album 'Black & White', released a few months later in 1981.

The single reached number 10 in the UK singles chart - their first top 10 hit in the UK - and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3073
Found: London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Slow hand' / 'Holdin' out for love'

Fading like a flower (Every time you leave) - Roxette

'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' was written in 1989 in Canada by Per Gessle and recorded by Roxette on their 1991 album 'Joyride'. It was released as the second single from the album, and promoted with a music video that was filmed in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 12 in the UK singles chart. My copy of the single was made in Italy and used for promotion, hence the punched holes in the lower left corner.

My collection: 7" single no. 1879
Found: Record fair, March 27, 1993
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fading like a flower (Every time you leave)' / 'I remember you'

Early in the morning - Robert Palmer

A track from Robert Palmer's 1988 album 'Heavy nova', 'Early in the morning' was only released as a single in America, Canada and Australia as far as I know. I knew the album and so when I spotted this single as an import, I bought it immediately.

The single reached number 26 in Canada, number 19 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 81 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 733
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 7, 1989
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Early in the morning' / 'Disturbing behaviour'

Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme) - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

'Love's Theme' is an instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra and released in 1973. The recording, with a large string orchestra and wah-wah guitar, is considered to be an influence to the disco sound, which would explode in popularity the following year.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark used the tune to create the track 'Dream of me', released as the second single from their 1993 album 'Liberator'. Promoted with a colourful and digitally enhanced music video, it reached number 24 in the UK singles chart and number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2006
Found: HMV, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Dream of me (Based on Love's Theme)' / 'Strange sensations'

Babooshka - Kate Bush

Kate Bush released 'Babooshka' in June 1980 as a single from her third album 'Never for ever'. The lyric of the song describes a wife's desire to test her husband's loyalty. She takes on the nom de plume of Babooshka and sends notes to her husband in the guise of a younger woman. The trap is set when, in her bitterness and paranoia, she arranges to meet her husband, who is attracted to the character that reminds him of his wife in earlier times.

When Bush wrote the song, she didn't know that 'Babooshka' actually means 'grandmother' in Russian. The single reached number 15 in the Dutch Top 40, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 63
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Babooshka' / 'Ran tan waltz'

Life in one day - Howard Jones

'Life in one day' was released as the third single from Howard Jones' 1985 album 'Dream into action'. The lyric warned against wishing one's life away. The single reached number 14 in the UK Singles chart, and number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, it reached number 27.

I have two different versions of this single: one with a poster sleeve, and one special double single, which features a second disc with two live tracks, recorded at the Manchester Apollo on March 15, 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 354
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Life in one day' / 'Boom bap respite' // 'Always asking questions (live)' / 'New song (live)'

Last dance - Donna Summer

Paul Jabara wrote 'Last dance' in the mid-Seventies. It was recorded by Donna Summer for the soundtrack of the movie 'Thank God it's Friday', in which she also had a small part, singing the song. It was one of the first disco songs to also feature slow tempo parts. It starts off slow and the full-length version found on the film soundtrack also has a slow part in the middle.

The song has sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, peaking at number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the Dutch Top 40, 'Last dance' reached number 8, while it stalled at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3116
Found: Record fair, 1999
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Last dance' / 'With your love'

Io senza te - Peter, Sue and Marc

Peter, Sue & Marc were a Swiss music group from Berne. The members were Peter Reber (born 1949), Sue Schell (born 1950) and Marc Dietrich (born 1948). They represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest four times and in four different languages.

Their last performance in Eurovision took place in 1981 with the Italian song 'Io senza te'. The song was written by Peter Reber and Nella Martinetti. It finished fourth in a field of 20 competitors, their best result.

My collection: 7" single no. 4402
Found: Second Life Music, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Io senza te' / 'Me without you'

Regrets - Mylene Farmer and Jean-Louis Murat

Already in 1989, Mylene Farmer said that she liked Jean-Louis Murat's songwriting. They corresponded for two years until they finally recorded the duet 'Regrets' in 1991. It is a love song in which two lovers are answering tenderly and with melancholy, while they are separated by the death of one of them. Only memories allows the one that is left behind to savour the well-being of the past relationship.

The song was released as the third single from Farmer's third album 'Ainsi soit je...', reaching number 3 in France and number 2 in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 2221
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Regrets' / 'Regrets (Classic bonus beats)'

Lessons in love - Level 42

'Lessons in love' was released in April 1986 as the first single from Level 42's seventh studio album 'Running in the family'. It was the first of five singles from that album, and paved the way for international success for the band.

For the first time they reached the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it peaked at number 12 in 1987. In the UK, the single reached number 3, while in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 2. Level 42 scored their first hit with this in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia and other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1333
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1990
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Lessons in love' / 'Hot water (live)'

Sexcrime (1984) - Eurythmics

When the British film '1984' was made in the UK, the Eurythmics were contacted to make the soundtrack. They agreed, and so the album of the same name came to be. 'Sexcrime (1984)' was the first single lifted from the album, released in October 1984.

The single peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart, becoming Eurythmics' sixth song in a row to enter the Top 10. It was also a big hit throughout Europe and became one of the duo's biggest selling singles in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 2024
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Sexcrime (1984)' / 'I did it just the same'

Arizona sky - China Crisis

'Arizona sky' was released in 1986 as the first single from China Crisis' fourth album 'What price paradise'. The single was a minor success in the UK, reaching number 47 in the singles chart.

I bought the 12" single quite recently, but I've had the 7" single for almost two decades now.

My collection: 7" single no. 1456
Found: Record fair, June 27, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Arizona sky' / 'Trading in gold'

Aloha-oe, until we meet again - Goombay Dance Band

Germany has been responsible for quite a few dodgy acts through the years, and Goombay Dance Band can be considered as one of them. They formed in the late Seventies, and styled their music to combine Caribbean soca and calypso with western pop.

'Aloha-oe, until we meet again' was released in 1980 as the follow-up to their debut hit 'Sun of Jamaica'. The track was inspired by a traditional Hawaiian song. This single reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 60
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Aloha-oe, until we meet again' / 'Conga man'

Can you feel it - The Jacksons

Michael Jackson and his brothers formed the Jacksons, a successful group that made hit singles until the Eighties, after which solo careers took preference over the group effort. 'Can you feel it' is arguably the band's last big hit, released on the 1980 album 'Triumph' and released as a single in early 1981. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40, while it only reached number 77 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The accompanying music video was noted for its remarkable special effects created by Robert Abel and Associates. Michael created the video's concept and Tito's sons Taj and Taryll appeared as extras.

My collection: 7" single no. 844
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, May 27, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Can you feel it' / 'Wondering who'

I'm not afraid - Black

Through the years I have heard some horrendous single edits, but none have been as monstrous as the 7" edit of Black's 'I'm not afraid'. Someone took a blunt knife and started hacking into this track, particularly during the last few minutes. You can hear the voice being cut during singing, each and every cut is audible. And all this to bring down the length of this track with one minute. Perhaps they should just have released the five minute version.

Consequently, this single, the follow-up to Black's biggest hit 'Wonderful life', did not chart. What's interesting about the sleeve is that the German version, pictured here, features the entire lyric of the song on the front, whereas on the UK single (which I don't own, unfortunately) only the refrain, printed in blue, is shown.

My collection: 7" single no. 589
Found: Gé Hofenk, Leiden, February 16, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid' / 'Have it your own way'