Ole ole - Izhar Cohen

Last year I bought two copies of 'Ole ole!', and I thought that would pretty much complete my collection of Izhar Cohen singles. But I was wrong. While this single features the English version of the track and this single features the original Hebrew version, I found another single that features a third version of the track.

Izhar Cohen also recorded 'Ole ole!' in French, as proved on this version of the single, a German pressing released by Teldec. So do I have all the versions now? Who knows...

My collection: 7" single no. 4781
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ole ole (English version)' / 'Ole ole (French version)'

Walking in my shoes - Depeche Mode

'Walking in my shoes' was the second single taken from Depeche Mode's 1993 album 'Songs of faith and devotion'. The single version of the song was a remixed version of the album version. The sound has been made more noisy and dirty, especially the drums in the verse, and the intro has been shortened.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 69 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing of the single was made in Germany. 'Walking in my shoes' was the first Depeche Mode single not to have a commercial 7" release in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1932
Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993
Cost: 55 Schilling
Tracks: 'Walking in my shoes' / 'My joy'

Don't walk away - Electric Light Orchestra

'Don't walk away' was released in 1980 as the fourth single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Xanadu'. Electric Light Orchestra may have been the only party to really profit from this movie, as it was not a commercial success, but the singles did fare reasonably well in the charts.

At least, the previous singles 'I'm alive', 'Xanadu' and 'All over the world' were top 10 hits in varying countries. 'Don't walk away' only reached number 7 in Ireland, reaching a more modest number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4808
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't walk away' / 'Across the border'

You're a big girl now - Black

'You're a big girl now' was released as the second single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy'. This limited edition version features a gatefold sleeve and a booklet with photographs and the song lyric in innovative typography.

The single did not reach the chart in any territory, a first sign that the commercial success of Black might not last forever - although the album was still a millionseller.

My collection: 7" single no. 689
Found: Record Exchange, October 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You're a big girl now' / 'Enough is enough'

Dancing in the city 1987 - Marshall Hain

In 1987, Dutch DJ Ben Liebrand remixed Marshall Hain's 1978 hit 'Dancing in the city'. It wasn't just a straightforward remix, as singer Kit Hain contributed new vocals to the track, adding a new verse. Gerbrand Westveen played the saxophone on this new version.

The single was released in the summer of 1987, but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4800
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dancing in the city (Summer city '87)' / 'Dancing in the alley'

Goudzoekers (remix) - Frank Boeijen Groep

Most of the albums of the Frank Boeijen Groep yielded three singles, but the 1986 album 'In natura' brought forth a fourth single. 'Goudzoekers' was released as the fourth single from the album in April 1987 in a special single remix. Adding backing vocals and new lead vocals, the single version was very different from the album version.

The single release was prompted by the chart success of previous single 'De verzoening', but this single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 517
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Goudzoekers (remix)' / 'Mantel der liefde'

When you gonna - Rick and Lisa

In 1987, Rick Astley recorded his debut single, a duet with Lisa Carter called 'When you gonna'. Produced by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, the single sunk without a trace. However, shortly after that, Astley recorded 'Never gonna give you up', the song that propelled him to international stardom.

When 'Never gonna give you up' became a big hit, the record company decided to re-release 'When you gonna'. And despite the fact that it sounded quite different from his Stock/Aitken/Waterman-produced hit, it still managed to become a hit in some countries. In the Dutch Top 40, 'When you gonna' reached number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 4782
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When you gonna' / 'When you gonna (dub mix)'

Sweet dreams (are made of this) '91 - Eurythmics

In 1991, the Eurythmics decided to take a break from working together to concentrate on solo efforts. Annie Lennox recorded the awardwinning album 'Diva', David A. Stewart formed the Spiritual Cowboys, releasing two albums with the group.

The record company took the opportunity to release a greatest hits album. In order to promote the album, a remix of 'Sweet dream (are made of this)' was made and released as a single. The remix didn't really change much from the original song, but simply added some sounds and beats to what was already a pretty perfect popsong. It reached number 48 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2201
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Sweet dreams (are made of this) '91' / 'The king & queen of America'

Some things are better left unsaid - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Some things are better left unsaid' was the third single from Daryl Hall & John Oates' 1984 album 'Big bam boom'. Although the first two singles from the album were top 5 hits in the USA, this single couldn't match that level of success, peaking at number 18 instead. In Europe, the single did not chart at all.

My copy of the single was made in Germany. It features a standard label with the text 'Ungeprüftes Muster' on it, meaning that this single was made for promotional purposes only.

My collection: 7" single no. 4778
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Some things are better left unsaid' / 'All American girl'

Wil niet dat je weggaat - Clouseau

The Belgian band Clouseau was still riding the wave of popularity when they released the last single from their debut album in the summer of 1990. 'Wil niet dat je weggaat' ('Don't want you to leave') was re-recorded for this single version, adding much melodrama to the original, more relaxed version.

The single reached number 12 in Belgium and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The band, meanwhile, was starting work on their second album, while also touring in the two countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1283
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 23, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Wil niet dat je weggaat' / 'Brandweer'

Rock me Amadeus - Falco

The history of the track 'Rock me Amadeus' has been badly documented on the web. A remix version of the track was a big hit around the world, but this single is the original version, released in early 1985. On this single, the track has the lengthy title 'Rock me Amadeus (Ihn liebten alle Frauen)', the subtitle of which means 'All the women loved him'.

The track was produced by the Dutch brothers Bolland and was going to be included on the forthcoming album 'Falco 3' later on in 1985. Of course, the remix version of this single was a number 1 hit all over the world, but this single didn't cause much of a stir.

My collection: 7" single no. 4799
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Rock me Amadeus (Ihn liebten alle Frauen)' / 'Urban tropical'

Cold in my heart - Frank Boeijen

Although none of the singles from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album charted in the Netherlands, the record company still thought it might be good to try and launch his career abroad. Two songs, 'Koud in mijn hart' and 'Vaarwel' were translated in English by J. Balin and released on this single. It was released in some European countries, but not in the Netherlands.

This, of course, instantly turned it into a sort of collector's item for Boeijen fans. I have to say I never even saw this single until I bought it last week. The single, of course, had no commercial success. It is next to impossible to locate a copy, unless you meet a German dealer who doesn't know what he's selling...

My collection: 7" single no. 4783
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cold in my heart' / 'Farewell'

Sugar walls - Sheena Easton

Alexander Nevermind was credited for composing and producing Sheena Easton's 1984 single 'Sugar walls'. It was a pseudonym of Prince, marking the first time the purple midget from Minneapolis worked with the innocent Scottish girl.

'Sugar walls' was a suggestive song, for its repeating innuendo about a woman's private parts where the listener should 'come inside', adding 'Take advantage, it's all right' just to be sure. The single was not a hit in Europe, but reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4807
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sugar walls' / 'Straight talking'

Love in the natural way - Kim Wilde

Such was the success of Kim Wilde's sixth album 'Close', that the record company decided to release a fifth single in early 1989. 'Love in the natural way' was released in Germany, Ireland and the UK only, but failed to chart in Germany. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 32, whereas in Ireland it reached number 26.

This was Kim's final single release of the Eighties, the decade in which she had become the biggest selling British female solo singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 764
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in the natural way' / 'You'll be the one who'll lose'

Food for thought - UB40

'Food for thought' was the first single release by British reggae band UB40. The song was an attempt to publicize and condemn the Ethiopian famine in Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, a full five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention.

It was released as a double A side along with 'King', which was a song written about the late Martin Luther King, questioning the lost direction of his followers and the state of mourning of a nation after his death. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart early in 1980 and number 1 in New Zealand a few months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4813
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Food for thought' / 'King'

Playing the blues - Maarten Peters

In early 1991, Maarten Peters came up with the follow-up to his successful 1989 album 'White horses in the snow'. Entitled 'A scary tale', it was a collection of songs mainly inspired by fairytales.

The first single 'Playing the blues', however, was not one of them. This one sounded like a poppy version of a blues track. It probably didn't sound that believable coming from a white Dutch man, because the single failed to chart even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1397
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Playing the blues' / 'Merlin'

Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum) - Severine

In 1971, Severine won the Eurovision Song Contest for Monaco with the song 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue'. She recorded three alternative versions of the song: 'Chance in time' (English version), 'Il posto' (Italian) and 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)'.

This German version was released in German-speaking countries. It reached number 23 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4771
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)' / 'Ich denke oft noch an dich'

Angel - Eurythmics

'Angel' was written by Eurythmics band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. It was the fourth single taken from their album 'We too are one'.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1233
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 8, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Angel' / 'Angel (Choir version)'

Whatever happened to Benny Santini? - Chris Rea

When Chris Rea signed his first record deal with Magnet Records in 1978, they suggested he use the stage name Benny Santini. He refused, but it did inspire him to write the song 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?'. What's more, his debut album was named after this song.

And the song in turn was released as the second single from the album. Although this single flopped all over Europe, it did manage to reach number 71 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Even more remarkable: only 'Fool (if you think it's over)' (1978) and 'Diamonds' (1979) were bigger single hits for Rea in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4794
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?' / 'Three angels'

De verzoening - Frank Boeijen Groep

There was always something quite embarrassing about 'De verzoening' ('The reconsiliation') by the Frank Boeijen Groep. Frontman Frank Boeijen wrote the song with a very personal lyric, leading to a chorus that proclaimed 'Heb me lief' ('Love me'). During live concerts and television performances this led to hysterical audiences singing along to those lines, something that always struck me as something otherworldly.

Anyway, the song struck a chord with many people, which led to it becoming a modest hit: it reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. The response endures to this day: whenever Boeijen sings this song, audiences sing along as if their lives depend on it. I just chuckle whenever I notice that.

My collection: 7" single no. 487
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De verzoening' / 'Niemand heeft gelijk'