Something happened on the way to heaven - Phil Collins

'Something happened on the way to heaven' was written by Phil Collins and Daryl Stuermer for the movie 'War of the roses', but was ultimately not used. Instead, Collins recorded it on his album 'But seriously'.

The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40, number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 15 in the UK singles chart. This copy is part of a limited edition featuring a booklet with photographs from Phil Collins' live tour.

My collection: 7" single no. 1246
Found: Free Record Shop, June 14, 1990
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Something happened on the way to heaven' / 'I wish it would rain (demo)'

The downeaster Alexa - Billy Joel

Taken from Billy Joel's eleventh studio album 'Storm front', 'The downeaster Alexa' is the story of an impoverished fisherman in the Outer Lands and the surrounding waters who, like many of his fellow men, is finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet and keep ownership of his boat.

Alexa, the name of the fishing boat in the song, is the name of Billy Joel's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. Joel does in fact own a Downeaster lobster/swordfish hybrid boat by the name Alexa, built on a Maine lobster boat hull.

My collection: 7" single no. 1263
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 14, 1990
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'The downeaster Alexa' / 'And so it goes'

Scandalous - Prince

After all the messy tracks from the soundtrack of 'Batman', 'Scandalous!" was the first single from that soundtrack that was actually a pleasure to listen to. It's a smooth, sexually charged ballad, performed by Prince in falsetto voice.

The single did not chart in the UK and USA, but did reach number 18 in the Dutch Top 40. A 19 minute version entitled the Scandalous Sex Suite was released as a 12" single and cd-single. It featured a seductive conversation between Prince and Kim Basinger with various lyrics from the song interspersed.

My collection: 7" single no. 1144
Found: January 13, 1990
Cost: 7 guilders
Tracks: 'Scandalous' / 'When 2 R in love'

Policy of truth - Depeche Mode

'Policy of truth' was the third single from Depeche Mode's 1989 album 'Violator', released in May 1990. The song was slightly remixed and extended for its single release, becoming slower than the album version. An introduction was added, Martin Gore's vocals were more prominent, and the sounds at the end were modified.

The single reached number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1248
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 16, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Policy of truth' / 'Kaleid'

Run to you - Roxette

'Run to you' was released as the fourth single from Roxette's 1994 album 'Crash! Boom! Bang!'. The single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and also reached the charts in Switzerland and Australia.

The melody at the opening of the song is sampled in Tommy Henriksen's hit song, 'I see the sun'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2226
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 17, 1994
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Run to you' / 'Love is all (Shine your light on me)'

Scratching situation - Oozay

Yazoo made an impression in the pop world between 1982 and 1984. Their own singles and albums were successful, but there were also some acts that tried to profit from their success. The acapella group the Flying Pickets recorded a version of 'Only you', and this medley of Yazoo tracks is further proof of their influence at the time.

Oozay ('Yazoo' backwards) was an Italian outfit. The single 'Scratching situation' was a medley of 'State Farm', 'Situation' and 'Don't go', as performed by an Italian female singer (who has a problem pronouncing some of the lyrics), backed with cheaper synthesizers. 'The Lenny Twins' produced the single. It was not a hit in most territories, although I imagine it was still very popular in Italy and a proud possession of many Italo disco fanatics.

My collection: 7" single no. 4764
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Scratching situation' / 'A non scratching situation'

It should have been me - I've got the bullets

'It should have been me' is the sad tale of a woman who witnesses the wedding of the man of her dreams with someone else. The song was written by Stevenson and Whitfield and originally recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1968.

The Dutch band I've got the bullets recorded a cover version of the song in 1986 on their self-titled debut album. The track was also released as a single, but this one failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4759
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'It should have been me' / 'Special one'

Take my time - Sheena Easton

'Take my time' was the title of Sheena Easton's debut album, released in 1981. Produced by Christopher Neil, the album was a combination of pure pop songs and sentimental ballads. Besides the two hit singles Easton had already had in 1980, 'Morning train' and 'Modern girl', three more singles were taken from the album in 1981.

The title track was the penultimate single taken from the album. It reached number 44 in the UK singles chart but failed to chart in other territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 4753
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Take my time' / 'Calm before the storm'

Macho - Doe Maar

The lyric of 'Macho' by Doe Maar seemed to be a declaration of love to their main audience: girls. The singer declares that he never had many male friends, but played with girls instead. Basically, the members of Doe Maar declared that they were anything but macho.

In reality, the relationship with their audience was becoming strained. Although they didn't talk much about it at the time, it was becoming obvious that the audiences of screaming girls were becoming a trap for the men who just wanted to develop themselves musically. 'Macho' reached number 12 in the Dutch Top 40 and was in fact their last single before the band broke up - breaking many young girls' hearts.

My collection: 7" single no. 4744
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Macho' / 'Grote broer'

Matrimony - Gilbert O'Sullivan

After a few hit singles with 'Nothing rhymed' and 'Alone again (Naturally)', Gilbert O'Sullivan released 'Matrimony' in May 1972. The single was not released in the UK, but it was a big hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 4.

O'Sullivan's self-created eye-catching visual image comprised a pudding basin haircut, cloth cap and short trousers. His manager reportedly hated the image, but O'Sullivan insisted on using it initially, until he assumed a more modern 'college-like' look in which he often wore a sweater bearing a large letter 'G' - as pictured here on the sleeve.

My collection: 7" single no. 4743
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Matrimony' / 'January git'

Grey day - Madness

Mike Barson wrote 'Grey day', which was performed for the first time by Madness in 1978 at Acklam Hall, while the band were still known as 'The North London Invaders'. The song was finally recorded in 1981, when it was released as a single in April, the first single from Madness's third album '7'.

The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 25 in the Dutch Top 40. The track was always my favourite Madness track, but back in 1981 I didn't buy the single due to lack of money.

My collection: 7" single no. 4745
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Grey day' / 'Memories'

Periscope life - Kayak

'Periscope life' was the title track from Kayak's 1980 album. The album yielded one hit single, 'Anne', but other singles taken from the album failed to reach the Dutch Top 40. This single is one of them.

The song was written by Ton Scherpenzeel, one of the main composers of the band. The single, like the album, sounded a lot poppier than Kayak's earlier work, which was more rock-oriented.

My collection: 7" single no. 4740
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Periscope life' / 'Astral aliens'

Only you - Yazoo

I always regretted the fact that I discovered Yazoo too late to buy their debut single, 'Only you'. After their second single 'Don't go' became a hit, that debut was re-released, but with flipped sides: the B-side 'Situation' reached number 16 in the Dutch Top 40 in November 1982.

It took me 28 years to find the original single. 'Only you' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart but flopped in the Netherlands. Despite that fact, the single was impossible to find for all this time.

My collection: 7" single no. 4763
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Only you' / 'Situation'

Thunder in my heart - Leo Sayer

'Thunder in my heart' was the title track of Leo Sayer's 1977 album. It was released as a single in the autumn of 1977 and reached number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song found fame once more when it was remixed by Meck in 2006. Entitled 'Thunder in my heart again', the track reached number 1 in the UK and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40. According to Leo Sayer: 'It wasn't just because it was a hot tune, it was all because [people thought] 'Oh my God, it's Leo Sayer!''. Still, nothing beats the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 4761
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Thunder in my heart' / 'Get the girl'

Steamhammer Sam - Intaferon

Intaferon was a short-lived Eighties band, consisting of Simon Fellowes and Simon Gillham. Their only claim to fame was this 1983 single, 'Steamhammer Sam', which failed to reach the UK singles chart but did reach number 36 in the Dutch Top 40 that year.

Their song 'Get out of London' was featured in the 2001 Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie 'Winning London'. Their singles were often featured on the Channel Four television show 'Max Headroom'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4760
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Steamhammer Sam' / 'The continuing story of Steamhammer Sam'

Fashion - David Bowie

According to co-producer Tony Visconti, 'Fashion' was the last song completed in the sessions for David Bowie's 1979 album 'Scary monsters'. The song borrowed some elements from the past: the bassline and some of the melody were inspired by Bowie's 1975 hit 'Golden years'. A phrase in the lyric that Bowie borrowed from his past was 'People from bad homes', the title track of a 1973 album he recorded with his proteges The Astronettes, which went unreleased until 1995.

The song was released as the second single from 'Scary monsters'. The single version was an edit of the album version. The single reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 70 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4750
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Fashion' / 'Scream like a baby'

In the middle of the night - I've got the bullets

The Dutch band I've got the bullets formed in 1985. The name of the band was taken from the movie 'Rebel without a cause' in which James Dean exclaims these words in the final scene. The band changes personnel regularly, which isn't strange with nine members . Lead vocalist Fréderique Spigt is the face of the group with her raw voice and dynamic stage persona.

Their single 'In the middle of the night' is released in 1986 and is a modest hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 36 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4758
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'In the middle of the night' / 'Sheet of rain'

The crying game - Boy George

'The crying game' was written by Geoff Stephens and first recorded by Dave Berry in July 1964. Then-unknown session guitarist Jimmy Page played rhythm guitar in this song while Big Jim Sullivan played the solo.

In 1965, Brenda Lee recorded a cover version of the song. Boy George followed suit in 1992. His version was produced by the Pet Shop Boys. Both the Brenda Lee and Boy George versions were used in the Neil Jordan movie, 'The crying game' (1992). The single turned out to be Boy George's last major hit single, peaking at number 22 in the UK singles chart and number 15 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It topped the singles chart in Canada.

My collection: 7" single no. 4756
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'The crying game'

The sound of the crowd - Human League

'The sound of the crowd' was the fifth single by the Human League and represents the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching number 12 in the UK singles chart in May 1981.

Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and keyboard player Ian Burden, the song was recorded at Genetic Sound Studios, Reading, in March 1981. It was the first Human League song to feature female vocals from new band members Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, interacting with Philip Oakey's baritone lead vocals. Originally released as a stand-alone single in April 1981, it was subsequently re-recorded and incorporated into the studio album 'Dare', later in the year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4751
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'The sound of the crowd' / 'The sound of the crowd (Add your voice)'

Kiss the bride - Elton John

The third single from Elton John's 1983 album 'Too low for zero' was 'Kiss the bride'. Released in this limited edition double pack, a second disc included the old classic 'Song for Guy' from 1978 and another single from the same year, 'Ego'. Curiously, this package was not housed in a gatefold sleeve; the two discs were crammed into one sleeve instead.

The single reached number 20 in the UK singles chart, with lower chart placings in Australia, Canada and the USA (number 25, 37 and 25 respectively).

My collection: 7" single no. 4747
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Kiss the bride' / 'Dreamboat' // 'Ego' / 'Song for Guy'