American life - Madonna

There's always something quite hypocritical about famous stars who complain about their life as a celebrity. Basically what they're saying is: all this fame and fortune, it doesn't come with fulfillment and happiness, and all the downsides really get you down. Madonna went as far as writing a song about it. 'American life' is Madonna's account of her life up to that point, with all these familiar complaints to go with it. Strangely, she didn't pull out of the music business, which would end all her 'troubles'.

This single version edits out all the 'fuck it's that were included in the unedited version. American people still seem to have trouble listening to certain words. The single, meanwhile, reached number 1 in Canada, Denmark, Italy and Switzerland, while peaking at number 37 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 13 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 2 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4568
Found: Discogs.com, received February 19, 2010
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'American life (radio edit)' / 'Die another day (Richard Humpty Vission radio edit)'

Gwendolyne - Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias was born on September 23, 1943. After studying law in Madrid he was a goalkeeper for the football team of Real Madrid. A car crash in 1963 ended his career in football. It took him three years to recuperate, after which he started a career in music. He won the Benidorm International Song Festival in 1968, which was an important stepping stone to get himself a record deal.

In 1970, he represented Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Gwendolyne', a beautiful ballad written by Iglesias himself about his first girlfriend, a French girl whom he met at the age of 20. It was his first major international TV appearance. The song finished fourth in a field of 12 competitors. It went on to become his first number 1 single in Spain. Since then, Iglesias has become one of the best selling artists in history.

My collection: 7" single no. 4567
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received February 18, 2010
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Gwendolyne' / 'Bla bla bla'

Falling - D. Twins

When the television series 'Twin Peaks' hit the screens in the early Nineties, it was a sensation. Not only was I in awe of the series, but the music, composed by Angelo Badalamenti, and the songs, performed by Julee Cruise, were wonderful as well. Of course, I bought the soundtrack and the single 'Falling' as soon as I could.

Then, during a holiday in Austria, I found a cd-single by the D. twins, also entitled 'Falling'. After I bought the cd-single, it turned out to be a weird dance version of the track, performed by an anonymous group of dj's and/or producers. My friend Puck turned up a second cd-single a few months later. And then, a few months after that, I found this 12" single. Made in Italy, the label promised four remixes which incidentally all proved to be on the cd-singles anyway. But upon playing the disc, I found out that the actual playlist was a bit shorter: it contained two remixes that were not mentioned on the label at all! And these two were on the cd-singles as well. How confusing. I guess this is a collector's item of sorts.

My collection: 12" single no. 233
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, January 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks (on label): 'Falling (Twin club mix)', 'Falling (10 dance mix)' / 'Falling (Peaks version)', 'Falling (Meditation mix)'
Tracks (actual): 'Falling (Club mix)' / 'Falling (New version remix)'

Empty rooms - Gary Moore

'Empty rooms' was re-released in 1985 after an earlier release in 1984 failed to chart. The track was slightly remixed and called the 'Summer 1985 version'.

It seemed to be a successful strategy: this time around, the single actually charted and reached number 23 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 341
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Empty rooms (Summer 1985 version)' / 'Out of my system'

Four letter word - Kim Wilde

Released in November 1988, 'Four letter word' was the first ballad released by Kim Wilde as a single. All through her career, which at the time spanned eight years, she'd released up-tempo songs, but the fourth single from her very successful sixth album 'Close' was in a sense a novelty. It was also the last single by Kim Wilde to be written by her brother Ricky and her father Marty. Kim had become increasingly involved in songwriting and Marty was stepping down.

The single was another successful release, peaking at number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 6 in the UK singles chart. The B-side of this single was a new version of a track from her previous album, 'Another step' (1986).

My collection: 7" single no. 690
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 24, 1988
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Four letter word' / 'She hasn't got time for you '88'

Tower of strength - The Mission

After the release of their second album 'Children', the Mission released the single 'Tower of strength' from that album. The single version was edited down from the 8 minute album version to 4 minutes 30 seconds. It still retained much of the strength and character of the track, and so the band were rewarded with their biggest hit yet.

'Tower of strength' was the first single by the Mission to achieve some success abroad: it reached number 30 in the Dutch Top 40 in April 1988. Two months prior to that, the single reached number 12 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 795
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 15, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Tower of strength' / 'Fabienne', 'Breathe (vocal)'

Don't lose my number - Phil Collins

Phil Collins has said that 'Don't lose my number' was actually written during the recording sessions for his debut solo album 'Face value'. It turned up four years later on his third album 'No jacket required'. The lyric of the song was partly improvised, and Collins admitted that he does not fully understand what they mean.

The single was not released in the UK, but was in most of Europe and in the USA. It reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1564
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't lose my number' / 'We said hello goodbye'

A better love - London Beat

This limited edition 7" single of 'A better love' was not only housed in a gatefold sleeve, it also gave the buyer two acoustic versions of London beat tracks: 'A better love' and 'I've been thinking about you'. A good deal, especially if, like me, one was able to find this single at discount price in a second hand shop.

The single was released in the UK to boost sales of 'A better love'. It didn't help much: at the time of release it only made number 52. A re-release six months later would be more successful, as it got to number 23.

My collection: 7" single no. 2372
Found: House of Rhythm, London, July 1, 1995
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'A better love (acoustic)', 'I've been thinking about you (acoustic)' / 'A better love'

Mountains - Prince

Like many Prince songs, 'Mountains' focuses on Christian motifs. The lyric most obviously references Jesus' speech on the general theological theme of God's omnipotence: 'In answer Jesus said to them: 'Truly I say to you, if only you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what I did to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and cast into the sea,' it will happen.' (Matthew 21:21)

Written by Prince with his band members Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, it was one of Prince's relatively unsuccessful singles of the Eighties, reaching number 23 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 in the Dutch Top 40, but only number 48 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 443
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 2, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Mountains' / 'Alexa de Paris'

MacArthur park - Donna Summer

Written by Jimmy Webb, 'MacArthur park' was originally recorded by Richard Harris in 1968. Donna Summer recorded her version as part of the 'MacArthur Park Suite' on her 1978 album 'Live and more', clocking in at 8 minutes and 40 seconds.

A shorter single edit was made for a release on 7" vinyl. It became Donna Summer's first number 1 hit in the USA, also peaking at number 9 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1661
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, June 6, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'MacArthur park' / 'Once upon a time'

How do you do! - Roxette

With a hit album ('Joyride') under their belt, Roxette toured extensively in 1991 and 1992. During that tour, they decided to record songs on the road, in hotel rooms, studios and throwing in some live recordings as well. The album 'Tourism' (1992) was born, and the first single from that album was 'How do you do!', a typically upbeat Roxette track.

The single reached number 58 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands and number 13 in the UK singles chart. The B-side is a live version of 'Fading like a flower' which was not included on the album.

My collection: 7" single no. 1686
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, July 11, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'How do you do!' / 'Fading like a flower (live)'

Lithium - Nirvana

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain described 'Lithium' as 'one of those songs I actually did finish while trying to write it instead of taking pieces of my poetry and other things'. He added that the sog is about a man who, after the death of his girlfriend, turns to religion 'as a last resort to keep himself alive. To keep him from suicide. I did infuse some of my personal experiences, like breaking up with girlfriends and having bad relationships'.

The song was originally recorded in April 1990 with Butch Vig producing. It appeared as a track on their debut album 'Nevermind' and released as a single from the album. It reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1695
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 15, 1992
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lithium' / 'Been a son (live)'

Be free with your love - Spandau Ballet

After a hiatus from recording during which Spandau Ballet band members Gary and Martin Kemp established themselves as credible actors in the gangster film 'The Krays', the band released 'Heart like a sky' in September 1989. Although the album was not the commercial success they'd hoped for, several singles were released, with varying degrees of success.

'Be free with your love' was one of the standout tracks from the album, and released as the second single from it. It reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 33 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1183
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Be free with your love' / 'Be free with your love (Dance mix edit)'

Don't get me wrong - The Pretenders

'Don't get me wrong' was the first single taken from the Pretenders' 1986 album, 'Get close'. This song was more commercial than the band's usual sound, with a jangly guitar sound and a pop melody. However, the lyrics were still as edgy as their earlier material.

The single reached number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK singles chart, while peaking at number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2556
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 1 guilders
Tracks: 'Don't get me wrong' / 'Dance!'

Seven tears - Goombay Dance Band

Although decidedly uncool, the Goombay Dance Band were able to have a major hit across Europe in the spring of 1982 with 'Seven tears'. The song was written by Wolff-Ekkehardt Stein and Wolfgang Jass and produced by Jochen Peterson.

The single reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 in Austria. It also spent three weeks at number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, being only the second time a German act had topped that chart, only six weeks after Kraftwerk had achieved that feat with 'The model'. Incidentally, my copy of the single was made in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 137
Found: 1982
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Seven tears' / 'Mama Coco'

Better be good to me - Tina Turner

'Better be good to me' was written by Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman and Holly Knight and originally recorded by Spider, a band from New York City of which Holly Knight was a member.

Tina Turner recorded her version on her comeback album 'Private dancer' in 1984. When it was released as a single, it reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100, chart, number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 45 in the UK singles chart. It is still one of Tina Turner's most popular and recognizable songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 270
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Better be good to me' / 'When I was young'

Texas - Chris Rea

'Texas' was released as the third single from Chris Rea's 1990 album 'The road to hell'. The lyric tells of two people who are tired of the situation around them and are discussing moving to the American state of Texas. As often with Chris Rea, it's hard to tell whether this is a serious lyric or one to be interpreted as tongue-in-cheek.

The single only reached the UK singles chart for one week, at number 69. It has been played on radio stations in Texas, and is sometimes played as background music before Texas Rangers baseball games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

My collection: 7" single no. 1250
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 21, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Texas' / 'Let's dance (live)'

Adult education - Daryl Hall and John Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates recorded two new tracks for their 1984 compilation album 'Rock 'n' Soul Part 1'. One of the two tracks was 'Adult education'.

When 'Adult education' was released as a single, it had moderate success in most territories: it peaked at number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 63 in the UK singles chart. However, in the Netherlands it was their biggest hit overall, peaking at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1841
Found: Record fair, January 23, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Adult education' / 'I can't go for that (No can do)'

Sat in your lap - Kate Bush

'Sat in your lap' was a track on Kate Bush's 1982 album 'The dreaming', but released as a single 15 months before the release of that album. The track was later remixed and slightly altered to fit it better with the overall feel of the album. About the lyric, Kate commented: ''Sat inyour lap' is very much a search for knowledge. And about the kind of people who really want to have knowledge but can't be bothered to do the things that they should in order to get it. So they're sitting there saying how nice it would be to have this or to do that without really desiring to do the things it takes you to get it. And also the more you learn the more ignorant you realize you are and that you get over one wall to find an even bigger one.'

The single reached number 11 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in Ireland. In other territories, 'Sat in your lap' failed to become a hit.

My collection: 7" single no. 427
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 29, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Sat in your lap' / 'The lord of the reedy river'

Suicide blonde - INXS

'Suicide blonde' was written by Michael Hutchence and Andrew Farriss of the group INXS, after the band had gotten back together after a year-long sabbatical during 1989. The track was named after a woman who had bleached her own hair because she had 'dyed' by her own hand and who was 'love devastation'.

The music showed some new influences: Jon Farriss' drums sounded similar to the dance music rhythms at the time, especially the acid house sounds popular in the UK. Similarly, the blues harp intro on the track, performed by Charlie Musselwhite, was sampled rather than recorded live.

My collection: 7" single no. 1846
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Suicide blonde' / 'Everybody wants u tonight'