You're the greatest lover - Luv'

'You're the greatest lover' is Luv's signature song. Originally released in July 1978, it reached number 1 a month later. The trio was at the height of their popularity in the second half of 1978, when also their next single 'Trojan horse' became a number 1 hit.

So is it alright to buy singles by Luv' when you're a grown man? I guess not. I've got the perfect excuse, though: I've got nearly all their singles because I bought them as a kid. Now all I want to do is complete the set, like I'm doing with a lot of other artists. Just label this as a guilty pleasure...

My collection: 7" single no. 3823
Found: La La Land, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You're the greatest lover' / 'Everybody's shakin' hands on Broadway'

Wow (Eddy TM Losers remix) - Snow Patrol

The album 'DanceRocks' was released in April 2007 and features remixes by Eddie Temple Morris. It's a collection of rock tracks by bands such as the Doors, the Who and the Infadels, remixed to fit the taste of the dancefloor crowd.

One of the tracks on the album is the Eddy TM Losers remix of 'Wow' by Snow Patrol. Being one of the hot bands around, that remix was also released on a promotional 7" single, backed with a remix of a track by Stone Lions. I didn't know this promo existed, but when I saw it I bought it immediately.

My collection: 7" single no. 3814
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 4,5 euro
Tracks: 'Wow (Eddie TM Losers remix)' (Snow Patrol) / 'Transitions' (Stone Lions)

New dimension - Imagination

Imagination released the single 'New dimension' in 1983. It met with a muted response from the record-buying audience: the single only charted in the UK (where it peaked at number 56) and Germany (where it peaked at number 61). In the Netherlands, it was the biggest success, reaching number 12. It was also their last hit in the Netherlands.

When I bought this single I didn't know whether I had it already. Maybe this is because many of Imagination's singles sound the same. It's hard to distinguish the one from the other. That's not to say that the songs are bad: this is another great, dynamic dance track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3821
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'New dimension' / 'I'll always love you'

Schoolgirl - Steve Forbert

Steve Forbert was born on December 13, 1955 in Meridian, Mississippi. In America he is best known for his song 'Romeo's tune', which reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980. However, in the Netherlands he had only one hit, 'Schoolgirl', which reached the Dutch Top 40 in March 1981 and peaked at number 19.

I only bought the single for the striking resemblance between the sleeve of this single and Kim Wilde's single 'Schoolgirl', which was released in 1986. Both were wearing jeans, both were photographed in black and white and both had a song entitled 'Schoolgirl'. However, hers is a lot better than his...

My collection: 7" single no. 3818
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Schoolgirl' / 'Rain'

The way to your heart - Soulsister

The Belgian duo Soulsister, consisting of Jan Leyers and Paul Michiels, released their fourth single 'The way to your heart' in 1988. What was interesting about this release, was the fact that initially the single was released at half price with only one track - the B-side being totally blank. The track owed a lot to the Sixties Motown sound.

The single reached number 7 in the Netherlands and also charted in many other European countries. After its European success, the single was released in the US in 1989 were it went to number 41 in the Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 3822
Found: La La Land, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Track: 'The way to your heart'

There's no answer to it - Ph.D.

The self-titled debut album from Ph.D. did not only include their big hit 'I won't let you down' and the unsuccessful 'Little Suzi's on the up' but also this follow-up single, 'There's no answer to it'. This third single didn't trouble the charts anyway and sunk without a trace.

My collection: 7" single no. 3815
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'There's no answer to it' / 'Rock 'n' Roll days'

Einstein a go-go - Landscape

Landscape was formed in 1974 by Richard James Burgess, Christopher Heaton, Andy Pask, Peter Thoms and John Walters. They began experimenting with computer programmed music and electronic drums in the late Seventies, making records in the emerging genres of electronic dance music and synthpop.

They had only two hits in the UK, both in 1981: 'Norman Bates' which reached number 40 and the number 5 hit 'Einstein a go-go'. They never managed to score a hit outside of the UK, but this single appears on many Eighties compilation cd's.

My collection: 7" single no. 3824
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, July 2, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Einstein a go-go' / 'New religion'