Revival - Eurythmics

'Revival' was written by Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart together with guest keyboardist Pat Seymour. The lyric is a call for renewal and encouragement. Lennox sings the song to a subject who is facing hardships and feeling low, or perhaps is feeling bitter after much struggle in life.

The single was not released in the USA, and was only a minor hit in the UK, peaking at number 26. In the Dutch Top 40, it fared marginally better, peaking at number 25.

My collection: 7" single no. 4812
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Revival' / 'Precious'

No tiene edad - Gigliola Cinquetti

Gigliola Cinquetti won the 1964 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Non ho l'eta per amarti'. The song was released as a single and became a hit all over Europe. As a result, Cinquetti recorded the song in several other languages besides Italina. The English got 'This is my prayer', the French were promised 'Je suis à toi' and there waseven a Japanese version, 'Yumemiro omoi'.

This Spanish EP features four Spanish recordings from Cinquetti, including the Spanish version of her Eurovision hit, 'No tiene edad'. It is a charming version of a timeless classic.

My collection: 7" single no. 4822
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'No tiene edad', 'Eres un buen muchacho' / 'Cuando veo que todos se quieren', 'Pienso en las cosas perdidas'

Vision of you - Belinda Carlisle

'Vision of you' was the fifth single taken from Belinda Carlisle's album 'Runaway horses' (1990). Like most of her work during that time, the song was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley and produced by Rick Nowels. The single featured a remixed version of the album version, giving it a more uptempo sound.

The song was the lowest charting single from the album. In the UK, it only managed to reach number 41. The single was re-released a year later after the success of '(We want) the same thing' and 'Summer rain', but it charted lower at number 71.

My collection: 7" single no. 4810
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Vision of you' / 'Leave a light on (Kamikazee mix)'

Somewhere somebody - Five Star

'Somewhere somebody' was released while the band was touring. Hence, live photographs were used on the sleeve. The merchandise sellers were in full swing, too: the back of the sleeve advertises a video and a book.

Released in the summer of 1987, the single was the third taken from Five Star's third album, 'Between the lines'. 'Somewhere somebody' was written by Dean Chamberlain and Martin Briley. Peaking at number 23 in the UK singles chart, it became the group's lowest charting single since 'Love take over' in 1985.

My collection: 7" single no. 4816
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Somewhere somebody' / 'Have a good time'

Some people - Fra Lippo Lippi

The Norwegian band Fra Lippo Lippi has never known any enduring success in the UK and Europe, but their popularity is still quite extraordinary in Asia. 12" singles like this one would probably be sold for collectors prices over there, especially with exclusive live tracks on the B-side of this disc. As it is, I could buy this 12" single for next to nothing.

'Some people' is an excellent track from the band's 1987 album 'Light and shade' and is backed with two live versions of tracks of their previous and most accomplished album 'Songs' (1985). Fra Lippo Lippi is always worth a listen.

My collection: 12" single no. 152
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Some people' / 'Even tall trees bend (live)', 'Come summer (live)'

Love you inside out - Bee Gees

Taken from their album 'Spirits having flown', the single 'Love you inside out' was another hit single for the Bee Gees in the summer of 1979. Like many of their hits in the Seventies, it features the band's trademark falsetto vocal style.

It reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, their ninth and final number 1 hit in that territory. In the UK, the single reached number 13 and in the Dutch Top 40 it only got to number 35.

My collection: 7" single no. 4792
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Love you inside out' / 'I'm satisfied'

Take me home tonight - Eddie Money

Eddie Money was born as Edward Joseph Mahoney on March 21, 1949 in New York City. After becoming a police officer like his father, he became interested in music and finally landed a recording contract circa 1970. He was successful throughout the Seventies in the USA, but in the Eighties his career began to fail him after several unsuccessful releases, accompanied by his struggles with drug addiction.

In 1986, he made a comeback with the album 'Can't hold back' and the hit single 'Take me home tonight'. The track features Ronnie Spector, who sings the chorus from the Ronettes' hit 'Be my baby' in this song. Released in the autumn of 1986, 'Take me home tonight' reached number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 527
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Take me home tonight' / 'Calm before the storm'

Pour un instant d'amour - Massimo Ranieri

Massimo Ranieri was born as Giovanni Calone on May 3, 1951 in Naples, Italy. He started singing at the tender age of ten, starting his recording career three years later. After many hits near the end of the Sixties, he started to venture into acting. His screen debut, 'Metello', received rave reviews by critics, and he even won an award for portraying the title character.

In 1971, he was asked to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest. He performed the song 'L'amore e' un attimo' and finished fifth in a field of in Dublin, Ireland, where he placed 5th with the song, 'L'Amore E' Un Attimo'. This single features the French version of that song.

My collection: 7" single no. 4769
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Pour un instant d'amour' / 'Vingt ans'

I can laugh about it now - Black

Spain has always been friendly towards Black, ever since he had his biggest hit 'Wonderful life'. By the time Black's second album 'Comedy' was released in 1988, Spain even had an exclusive single release: the album track 'I can laugh about it now' was released as a single in Spain only. The B-side was a live version of 'All we need is the money', recorded - and released - in Japan in 1987.

I have no chart information about this single, all I know is that another exclusive Black single was released in 1993, the elusive 'Swingtime'. If you can sell that one to me, please contact me...

My collection: 7" single no. 3313
Found: Spanish website, received March 14, 2001
Cost: ?
Tracks: 'I can laugh about it now' / 'All we need is the money (live)'

Are you man enough - Sheena Easton

'Are you man enough', asks Sheena Easton with a bare shoulder on the sleeve of this single. It almost sounds like an indecent proposal. The song was written by G. Lyle and B. Livsey, and so at least the proposal doesn't really come from Easton herself.

The song was released in 1982 as the second single from her third album 'Madness, money and music', and failed to chart in all territories.

My collection: 7" single no. 4787
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Are you man enough' / 'Loner'

Domino - Clouseau

The song 'Domino' describes the end of a relationship with a girl called Domino. She tells the singer he'll forget him, but he still remembers 'She was called Domino or something'.

Released as the second single from their second album, 'Domino' reached number 4 in the Belgian singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1356
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 24, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Domino' / 'Als je lacht'

The time has come - Mike Oldfield featuring Anita Hegerland

I bought this single with an information sheet from the German record company which released this single on November 9, 1987. According to this, Mike Oldfield employed the Norwegian ex-child star Anita Hegerland on lead vocals for 'The time has come'. 'Voll geschmeidiger Kraft interpretiert sie das spannungsreiche, melodische 'The time has come', fur dessen Sphärensound auch Michael Cretu as co-produzent verantwortlich zeichnet.'

Or, as Google Translate tells us: 'Full supple strength she interprets the tension-filled, melodic 'The time has come' records, for the spheres sound even as co-producer Michael Cretu responsible.' You've got to love automatic translators.

My collection: 7" single no. 4806
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The time has come' / 'North point'

Winter in Hamburg - Frank Boeijen Groep

Circa 1987, Frank Boeijen had a much-publicized relationship with English television presenter Amanda Redington. 'Winter in Hamburg' could easily have been a description of a trip the two enjoyed together, but in interviews, Boeijen never spoke much about his personal life, so it's anyone's guess.

The photograph on the sleeve of this single was taken during one of the band's concerts. In 1987, the band embarked on a tour in theatres everywhere in the Netherlands, moving away from the club circuit. It was obvious that their music was better suited for this new environment.

My collection: 7" single no. 571
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Winter in Hamburg' / 'Welkom in Utopia 1 (acoustic)'

I'm losing you - Hot Chocolate

Another single from their 1981 album 'Class', 'I'm losing you' is one of those many infectious Hot Chocolate tunes.

The track was written by Russ Ballard, writer of many hit singles throughout the Eighties. However, this particular single failed to reach the charts in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4776
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm losing you' / 'Children of spacemen'

It's here - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde seemingly finished the Eighties in a winning mood: she'd toured with Michael Jackson, her album 'Close' had been a phenomenal success, and superstardom was looming. But meanwhile, she wasn't quite that happy. She'd witnessed the intense loneliness stardom could bring while she was watching Michael Jackson and it wasn't that easy to come up with an equally successful album after 'Close'.

The first single from Kim's 1990 album 'Love moves' was the optimistic 'It's here'. When this single stalled at number 42 in the UK singles chart and was unsuccessful in several other territories, it was a first sign that the Nineties could be a bit troublesome for the British singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1200
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 30, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'It's here' / 'Virtual world'

C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique - Jean Claude Pascal

A single sleeve like this one wouldn't be acceptable anymore nowadays: a man with a fag in his hand, well, it's a disgrace! It's interesting to see how much has changed in three decades.

Jean Claude Pascal represented Luxembourg for the second time in 1981. His first effort for the same country in 1961 was a big success: his song 'Nous les amoureux' won the Contest. In 1981, he was considerably less successful: 'C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique' finished eleventh in a field of 20 competitors. Maybe the fag had something to do with it after all...

My collection: 7" single no. 4768
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique' / 'Car tu es la musique'

In your room - Depeche Mode

Martin Gore wrote 'In your room', a tense and atmospheric track on Depeche Mode's 1993 album 'Songs of faith and devotion'. It was released as the fourth and final single from that album in a remixed version. The 'Zephyr mix', as it was called, includes music completely redone by Butch Vig of Nirvana fame.

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 40 in Australia. It achieved its biggest success in Sweden, where the single peaked at number 2. 'In your room' was the last Depeche Mode single to be released on 7" vinyl, until the format was re-used in the Noughties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2404
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1994
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'In your room (Zephyr mix)' / 'Higher love (Adrenaline mix)'

Rules of the game - Bucks Fizz

'Rules of the game' was written by Warren Harry. The lyric centres on a woman who becomes famous and turns her back on her old friends, but when the fame ends, she finds herself desperately lonely. Cheryl Baker, who performs lead vocals on this song, has since said of her dislike for this song, stating that she finds the lyrics depressing and was unhappy with the affected way she was asked to sing.

Released in November 1983, the single proved to be one of the group's least successful singles, peaking at number 57 in the UK singles chart. The single was released to promote Bucks Fizz's first Greatest Hits album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4785
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rules of the game' / 'When we were at war'

Bohemian rhapsody / These are the days of our lives - Queen

Two weeks after the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury, this double A-side single by Queen was released on December 9, 1991. It brought together the band's seminal track 'Bohemian rhapsody' from 1975 and a track from their most recent album, 'Innuendo', 'These are the days of our lives'. The song had very poignant lyrics that seemed almost too appropriate for the occasion.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart immediately after release, and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 a month later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1613
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 28, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Bohemian rhapsody' / 'These are the days of our lives'

Maman - Jean-Jacques

These days, you have the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for children who want to be a performer watched by millions of viewers who get excited at watching young persons do their thing. It always makes me think of pedophiles, but that's a different story.

In 1969, Jean-Jacques was just 12 years old when he participated in the 'real' Eurovision Song Contest. Singing 'Maman', he represented Monaco and finished sixth in a field of 16 contestants. He subsequently recorded the track in French, Spanish and Italian. This EP brings together four French songs, sold as a souvenir of the youngster's Eurovision appearance.

My collection: 7" single no. 4824
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Maman', 'Paris m'a dit je t'aime' / 'Les beaux dimanches', 'Il est vrai'