More love - Feargal Sharkey

Released three years after its predecessor, 'Wish' is the second solo album by Feargal Sharkey. It disappointed commercially, with the singles underperforming in the singles chart and the album not selling too well either.

The first single from the album was 'More love', a dynamic song with bittersweet lyrics. It reached number 44 in the UK singles chart - the only single from the album to even reach the chart, by the way.

My collection: 7" single no. 747
Found: V&D, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'More love' / 'A breath of scandal'

If you don't know me by now - Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

'If you don't know me by now' was written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. It became their first hit when it was released as a single in 1972. The single reached number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 9 in the UK singles chart.

The song was later covered by Simply Red, giving them a hit in 1989. The song was also covered by British comedian Ricky Gervais as his character David Brent from the comedy series 'The office'. A music video was produced and released with BBC's The Office DVD set.

My collection: 7" single no. 804
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 21, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'If you don't know me by now' / 'Let me into your world'

Now you're in heaven - Julian Lennon

Julian Lennon released his third album 'Mr. Jordan' in 1989. The first single taken from that album was 'Now you're in heaven'. The single reached number 5 in Australia, but failed to chart in most other countries.

I didn't know the song when I bought this single, I simply assumed that it would be interesting to hear. I have to say the track sounds a bit David Bowie-esque.

My collection: 7" single no. 2292
Found: May 13, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Now you're in heaven' / 'Second time'

Purple rain - Prince

'Purple rain' was the title track from Prince's 1984 album. In order to be released as a single, the song was shortened from 8:45 to 4:05. It's quite a shame really, because the majestic guitar solo is totally deleted from the edited track, leaving just a quite boring ballad. The 12" single did feature the full length track - but I found that out after buying this single. Still, I don't regret buying the single, because it was pressed on purple vinyl.

'Purple rain' has become one of Prince's signature songs, reaching number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 245
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Purple rain' / 'God'

Always the sun - The Stranglers

'Always the sun' was released as the second single from the Stranglers' 1986 album 'Dreamtime'. In his book 'The Stranglers song by song', Hugh Cornwell mentioned that he thought it could have been as big as the band's earlier hit 'Golden brown'. He blamed their record company for its disappointing performance, peaking at number 30 in the UK singles chart: 'We'd given CBS something great to work with and I could see in this guy's face that he knew he hadn't delivered'.

The single performed poorly in the Netherlands as well, stalling at number 35 in the Dutch Top 40, but it did reach number 15 in France.

My collection: 7" single no. 489
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Always the sun' / 'Norman normal'

Africa - Toto

Toto's Steve Lukather commented in 2003: 'I didn’t think it was very good. That tells you what can happen when we pick our own singles!' Indeed, for 'Africa' became Toto's biggest hit ever. Taken from their 1982 album 'Toto IV', the single scored number1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 3 in the UK singles chart.

'Africa' was almost omitted from the album prior to its release. Having spent a great amount of time producing the tune, the band became so tired of the song that they didn’t want it on the album. The song itself was very different from anything the band had done before, and some members felt that it didn’t sound like Toto.

My collection: 7" single no. 165
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1982
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Africa' / 'We made it'

Prayer for the dying - Seal

'Prayer for the dying' was released as the first single from Seal's second self-titled album. Released in May 1994, the single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart. A year later, in November 1995, the single was re-released as a double A-side with the track 'Don't cry'. This released stalled at number 51.

The B-side is a beautiful piano version of the album track 'Dreaming in metaphors'.

My collection: 7" single no. 2123
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, July 16, 1994
Cost: pounds
Tracks: 'Prayer for the dying' / 'Dreaming in metaphors (piano version)'