Enigma (Give a bit of mmh to me) - Amanda Lear

Amanda Lear released her second studio album 'Sweet revenge' in 1978. She proclaimed in the liner notes: 'This album is the story of a girl who sold her soul to the Devil and won. A lonely child, disenchanted by the society she lives in, she has no friends until the day she listens to the tempting offer of the Devil who promises her anything she wants ('Follow Me'). Her first wish is for riches ('Gold'), and then for fame. After turning to her mother for help ('Mother look what they've done to me'), she runs away ('Run baby run') and retires into solitude and memories. Renouncing her selfish need, she offers her love to a man who really needs her, her sweet revenge over the Devil's offer...'

'Enigma (Give a bit of mmh to me)' was the follow-up single to the hugely successful 'Follow me'. It did not match that success, but still reached number 17 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4543
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Enigma (Give a bit of mmh to me)' / 'Run baby run'

I remember yesterday - Donna Summer

'I remember yesterday' is the title track from Donna Summer's 1977 album. The song uses a 1940s-influenced sound (with both melody and instruments) and combines this with the disco sound that Summer had become associated with.

When the track was released as a single, it became a hit in Europe. Upon its release as a single it became a hit in Europe. It would be one of Summer's first singles in a long time that did not feature the trademark sensual moans and groans that had become associated with her. It reached number 24 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 14 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4542
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'I remember yesterday (part 1)' / 'I remember yesterday (part 2)'

One for you, one for me - La Bionda

La Bionda was formed by Carmelo and Michelangelo La Bionda in the early Seventies. They had their biggest successes in the second half of the Seventies, at the height of the disco craze. 'One for you, one for me' was released in the summer of 1978 and reached number 6 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 54 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side, 'There for me', became a classic in its own right, having been covered by artists such as Sarah Brightman, Hayley Westenra and Paul Potts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4541
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'One for you, one for me' / 'There for me'

Get off - Foxy

Foxy was formed in 1976 in Miami, Florida by Ish 'Angel' Ledesma, Richard Puente, Charlie Murciano, Arnold Paseiro and Joe Galdo. Carl Driggs contributed vocals/percussion and shared songwriting credits on the band's second album, Get Off.

Their biggest hit was 'Get off' in 1978, which peaked at number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number and number 1 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4540
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Get off' / 'You make me hot'

Rumour has it - Donna Summer

'Rumour has it' was a single from Donna Summer's 1977 album 'Once upon a time', a concept album that tells the 'fairytale' story of a girl who goes from rags to riches. This song was included towards the end of the album, when the main character hears that someone is 'looking for a girl like me' and hopes that the man in question is someone she has liked for some time.

One of the verses in the album version was edited out for the 7" single. It reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4539
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Rumour has it' / 'Say something nice'

Lady of the night - Donna Summer

'Lady of the night' was the first album by American singer Donna Summer. The album, which was produced by Pete Bellotte, was released in 1974 only in The Netherlands, and spawned the minor European hit singles 'The hostage' and 'Lady of the night'.

The latter was released in the autumn of 1974, and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The track was written by Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder but didn't sound at all like Donna Summer's next hit, 'Love to love you', released the next year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4538
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Lady of the night' / 'Wounded'

Haus der drei Sonnen - Nena

'Haus der drei Sonnen' ('House of three suns') was released as the third single from Nena's 1985 album 'Feuer und Flamme'. The song was released internationally as 'It's all in the game', but it wouldn't be a very big success for Nena. Just like this single, which only reached number 43 in Germany.

I've been searching for this single for some time, so the actual find was a big pleasure. This single alone, to me, is worth the price of all the singles I bought in this shop on this day.

My collection: 7" single no. 4537
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Haus der drei Sonnen' / 'Ein Brief'

My guy - Tracey Ullman

Madness recorded 'My girl' in 1979 on their debut album 'One step beyond'. The song first made its way into the band's set when they were performing as The Invaders. The song was written by Mike Barson about his own girlfriend at the time, Kerstin Rodgers.

Tracey Ullman covered the song as 'My guy', altering the lyric to accommodate her gender. Madness' Mark Bedford played bass on the track. Her version peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. The accompanying music video featured the British politician, Neil Kinnock, at the time the Leader of the Labour Party.

My collection: 7" single no. 4536
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'My guy' / 'Thinking of running away'

Cross that bridge - The Ward Brothers

The single 'Cross that bridge' by the Ward Brothers was released when the cd-single format had just come around for the first time. In the summer of 1987, the cd-singles of 'Cross that bridge' were in the discount bins, because the single didn't make the impact the record company may have hoped for. In the end, I didn't buy it, although on a few occasions I almost did.

'Cross that bridge' was a single taken from their debut (and only) album 'Madness of it all'. The single reached number 32 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4535
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Cross that bridge' / 'Cross that bridge (instrumental)'

Voyeur - Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes released her seventh album 'Voyeur' in 1982. The title track was released as a single ahead of he release of the album, but it failed to live up to record company expectations, especially after the big success of her 1981 hit 'Bette Davis Eyes'.

Although the single reached number 10 in Sweden, it only managed to get to number 68 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4534
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Voyeur' / 'Thrill of the grill'

Boem boem - The Internationals

In 1978, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands took place on February 22. Eight songs were selected to be sung by Barry Duncan, Harmony, The Internationals and Kimm. The jury consisted of old Dutch Eurovision Song Contest competitors.

While Harmony was selected with their song ''t Is OK', the Internationals recorded one of their two songs as a single. It was released shortly after the national final - but it didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4533
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Boom boom' / 'Boem boem'

Oh well - Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac were formed in 1967 in London by Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, Jeremy Spencer and John McVie. They released their self-titled debut album in February 1968. Six months later, 'Mr Wonderful', their second album was released. Both albums were very blues-oriented. Shortly after the release of their second album Fleetwood Mac added guitarist Danny Kirwan to their line-up. With him they recorded their third album 'The pious bird of good omen'. They soon made their last all-blues recordings, as they changed label and changed style.

Even though The Beatles wanted the band on Apple Records (Mick Fleetwood and George Harrison were brothers-in-law), the band's manager Clifford Davis decided to go with Warner Bros. Records, the label they have stayed with ever since. Their first album for Warner, released in September 1969, was the well-regarded 'Then play on'. This album contained the single 'Oh well', a single that became a number 1 hit in the Netherlands and a number 2 hit in the UK singles chrat in the autumn of 1969.

My collection: 7" single no. 4532
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Oh well (part 1)' / 'Oh well (part 2)'

Lay down - Melanie

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk was born on February 3, 1947. She made her first public appearance at four on the radio show 'Live like a millionaire', performing the song 'Gimme a little kiss'. Her biggest successes followed in the late Sixties, when she had a hit in the Netherlands with 'Beautiful people', before performing at the famous Woodstock festival.

The inspiration for 'Lay down (Candles in the rain)' apparently arose from the Woodstock audience lighting candles during her set. She recorded the track with the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who provide gospel vocals in the background of each chorus. The single reached number 1 in the Netherlands and was a top 10 hit all over the world.

My collection: 7" single no. 4531
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Lay down' / 'Animal crackers'

When I fall in love - Nat 'King' Cole

'When I fall in love' was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman and was introduced in the 1952 movie 'One minute to zero'. It has since been recorded by lots of artists, most famously (these days) by Nat 'King' Cole and Rick Astley.

Nat 'King' Cole recorded his version in 1956. It was released on the album 'Love is the thing' and released as a single in the UK in 1957. It reached number 2 in the UK singles chart. The song was actually re-released in 1987, competing with Rick Astley's version for a chart position. While Astley reached number 2 with his single, Nat 'King' Cole peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 4530
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'When I fall in love' / 'Calypso blues'

Zabadak - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

Dave 'Dee' Harman, Trevor 'Dozy' Ward-Davies, Anthony Stephen 'Beaky' Carpenter, Michael 'Mick' Wilson and Ian 'Tich' Amey formed 'Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich', an amalgam of their nicknames in the late Sixties.

One of their many successful singles between 1965 and 1969 was the nonsensical 'Zabadak!', released in the autumn on 1967. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4529
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Zabadak!' / 'The sun goes down'

In the year 2525 - Zager and Evans

Denny Zager and Rick Evans got together in Lincoln, Nebraska in the late Sixties as Zager & Evans. Their biggest hit was the 1969 single 'In the year 2525', the lyric of which warned of the dangers of technology, portraying a future in which the human race would at length be destroyed by its own technological and medical innovations and divine wrath. The last stanza of the song intimates a continuing cycle of birth, death and rebirth of mankind.

The song was originally written in 1964 and recorded and released in 1968. After a radio station in Odessa, Texas popularized the record, RCA Records distributed the song nationwide - and subsequently worldwide. The single reached number 1 in the UK, the USA and the Netherlands, as well as several other countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 4528
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'In the year 2525' / 'Little kids'

Canta y se feliz - Peret

When you hear 'Canta y sé feliz' ('Sing and be happy') it's hard to believe this song was performed on the same night as the winning song of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Waterloo' by Abba. But it's exactly what happend: Pedro Pubill Calaf, a.k.a. Peret represented Spain with this song.

What's more, the Spanish Catalan Romaní gypsy singer finished in third position in the Contest, behind Abba (for Sweden) and Olivia Newton-John (for the United Kingdom). While Abba and Newton-John became international stars, Peret was mainly known in Spain for the rest of his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 4527
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Canta y se feliz' / 'Mi Papá'

Non, je ne regrette rien - Edith Piaf

What is an original Dutch copy of 'Non, je ne regrette rien' ('No regrets') by Edith Piaf from 1961 worth? I don't know, but I was very surprised when I saw this 50 year old single in the bargain bin. The track was composed by Charles Dumont, with lyrics by Michel Vaucaire. It was written in 1956, and Edith Piaf's 1960 recording is the best known version.

The song was a Europe-wide success, even in non-Francophone countries. In the Netherlands, the single was a number 1 hit while it stayed in the (monthly) chart for 10 months.

My collection: 7" single no. 4526
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Non, je ne regrette rien', 'Les mots d'amour' / 'Jerusalem'

J'aime la vie - Sandra Kim

I bought 'Crazy of life' last year, the English version of 'J'aime la vie' by Sandra Kim. Although that single features the original French version on the B-side, I still decided to buy the original single 'J'aime la vie' because, well, a Eurovision collection is only complete when you have the 'common' edition next to rare abroad versions.

The B-side is actually an interesting affair. Despite the limitations of Sandra Kim's high pitched shrieking, there's a great chanson hiding in the recording. 'J'aime la vie' reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4525
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'J'aime la vie' / 'Ne m'oublie pas'

Voice les clés - Gérard Lenorman

'Voici les clés' is a classic Seventies song performed by French singer Gérard Lenorman, who was born on February 9, 1945 at the Château de Bénouville, Calvados (Normandy) when it was a maternity hospital . He is the son of Madeleine Lenormand and an unknown German soldier.

He released his first album in 1969. His sixth album 'Droles de chansons' featured 'Voici les clés', which ended up peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in the spring of 1977.

My collection: 7" single no. 4524
Found: Any old time, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Voici les clés' / 'Comme une chanson bizarre'