Rock me Amadeus - Falco

Falco released 'Rock me Amadeus' in 1985. The song was produced by the Dutch brothers Bolland, who co-wrote the song with Falco. The lyric was inspired by the movie 'Amadeus' (1984) and talks about Mozart's poverty and his debts.

For the U.S. release, the song was remixed with an English background overlay by L.A. DJ Chris Modig. This is also the version included on this single, which is a Dutch pressing. Interestingly enough, the song only became a hit in the Netherlands when this version was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2286
Found: Record fair, May 6, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Rock me Amadeus' / 'Tango the night'

Wrap your arms around me - Agnetha Fältskog

'Wrap your arms around me' was Agnetha Fältskog's second solo single since the breakup of Abba. It was the title track of her solo album, which was released shortly before the release of this single. The single featured an edit of the longer album track, which featured some extra groaning and erotically charged sounds.

Strangely enough, Agnetha never really sounded very erotic. She just didn't have the trashy quality singers like Donna Summer and Madonna had. The single, nonetheless, was a success. It was a number one hit in Belgium and peaked at number 5 in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2045

Found: Record fair, October 30, 1993

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Wrap your arms around me' / 'Take good care of your children'

Saving forever for you - Shanice

Shanice Lorraine Wilson was born on May 14, 1973 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When she was only eight years old, she appeared in a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken with Ella Fitzgerald. In 1984, she performed on 'Star search', an American talent show on TV. Shortly after her appearance, she was signed to A&M Records.

'Saving forever for you' was Shanice's second top 5 hit in America. It is a pretty straightforward soul song, written by Diane Warren, which explains its slightly formulaic character. The song appeared on the soundtrack cd of the popular television series 'Beverley Hills 90210', which was recently brought back to life in the form of the spin-off series '90210'.

My collection: 7" single no. 1867

Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 13, 1993

Cost: 6,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Saving forever for you (radio edit)' / 'Saving forever for you (instrumental)'

Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst) - Peter Schilling

Pierre Michael Schilling was born on January 28, 1956 in Stuttgart, Germany. He started a music career in the Seventies, originally as Pierre Schilling, but in 1982 he changed his stage name to Peter Schilling. His first single as Peter Schilling was 'Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst). His re-telling of David Bowie's classic 1969 single 'Space oddity' became his first and only international hit.

An English-language version was recorded, which brought him his international success, but this is the original version which became a hit in German-speaking countries and the Netherlands. The single peaked at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in April 1983.

My collection: 7" single no. 186

Found: Studio Echo, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 5,5 guilders

Tracks: 'Major Tom (Völlig losgelöst)' / 'Ich hab' keine Lust'

When violets meet - Soft Parade

Soft parade was a Dutch alternative rock band, formed in 1988 by Eric Maas and Hans Bos. They recruited Dick Brouwers, Joop Pollet, Marieke Giessen, Sigrid Woudenberg and Edwin Visser to form the band. Their debut album 'Puur' was produced by David A. Stewart from the Eurythmics. In support of the album they toured across Europe with the Godfathers and Shakespear's Sister.
'When violets meet' was their debut single. They would continue to make music until 1997.

My collection: 7" single no. 1699
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, August 29, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'When violets meet' / 'Dead song (birth)'

Theme from 'The Deer Hunter' - The Shadows

The Shadows were formed in the Fifties as a backing band for Cliff Richard, named the Drifters. A very successful career followed, with the personnel of the band frequently changing. One of the Shadows' best known tracks is the 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter''. It was composed as 'Cavatina' by Stanley Myers. The piece had been recorded by classical guitarist John Williams, long before the film that made it famous.

Following the release of the movie 'The Deer Hunter' in 1979, John Williams' instrumental version of 'Cavatina' became a UK Top 20 hit. Two other versions also made the Top 20 the same year - a vocal version by Iris Williams and another instrumental recording by The Shadows, with an electric guitar played by Hank Marvin. It peaked at number nine in the UK Singles chart.

This 12" single is one of those rare double groove discs. Depending on which groove you choose, the A-side plays either 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter'', or the Shadows' previous single, 'Don't cry for me Argentina'. A wonderful item, which I'd seen a dozen times before - but never this cheap.

My collection: 12" single no. 489
Found: Kringloop Holland, Den Haag, March 3, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from 'The Deer Hunter'', 'Don't cry for me Argentina' / 'Bermuda Triangle'

Listen to the radio - Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson was born on June 1, 1950 in Cambridge. He was the founding member of the Tom Robinson Band, a band with several hits in the Seventies, such as '2-4-6-8 Motorway', '(Sing if you're) Glad to be gay', 'Power in the darkness' and 'Don't take no for an answer".

In 1983, Robinson went solo. He had his first hit in the Netherlands in 1984 with the song 'Listen to the radio', which he wrote together with Peter Gabriel.

My collection: 7" single no. 953

Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Listen to the radio (Atmospherics)' / '(Don't do me) Any favours', 'Out to lunch'