I'm specialized in you - Time bandits

'I'm specialized in you' was the second chart hit in the Netherlands for the Dutch band Time Bandits, and also their biggest hit. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 in January 1983. The track was taken from their self-titled debut album, produced by well-known Dutch producer Pim Koopman.

The band, fronted by Alides Hidding, had several more top 10 hits in the Netherlands, but they never matched this success again.

My collection: 7" single no. 2823
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 1, 1997
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'm specialized in you' / 'Ginny (puts her hands on her shoulders)'

Eldorado - Drum Theatre

Simon Moore, Paul Snook, Patrick Gallagher, Gari Tarn, Myles Benedict and Kent B. Bass formed Drum Theatre in 1985. They released one album, entitled 'Everyman', after which they disbanded.

Four singles were taken from the album. The most successful was 'Eldorado', released in January 1987. It reached number 44 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Dutch Top 40. It was their third of four singles.

My collection: 7" single no. 1028
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'Eldorado' / 'Jungle of people'

Candy love - Lili and Sussie

I don't know why I like this song so much, but I do. It's pretty standard eighties dance stuff, but it has that certain Scandinavian coolness about it. I described the 12" single of 'Candy love' last year on this blog, but obviously I've got the 7" single too.

This single hit number 28 in the Dutch Top 40 in February 1987. Nothing was ever heard from them again - at least, in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1644
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, May 3, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Candy love' / 'Candy love (instrumental)'

MacArthur park - Richard Harris

This is the original version of 'MacArthur park', also made famous by Donna Summer. Richard Harris recorded it for his 1968 album 'A tramp shining' and also released it as a single. It was an unusual single, running for more than seven minutes, with a long, climactic orchestral break. Throughout his recording, Harris can be heard using the incorrect possessive form, "MacArthur's Park". Producer Jimmy Webb has said he tried correcting Harris during re-takes, but gave up when he simply could not (or would not) sing the correct words.

The single reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1313
Found: HMV, London, October 15, 1990
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'MacArthur park' / 'The yard went on forever'

I'll find my way home - Jon and Vangelis

Jon Anderson and Vangelis had their biggest hit together in 1982, when they released 'I'll find my way home'. It reached number 1 in Switzerland and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40, although it didn't chart in the UK.

The track was originally not included on their 1981 album 'The friends of Mr. Cairo', but after the single was such a success, it was still added to the tracklisting. And so there are two versions of the LP - although the cd edition was only released with 'I'll find my way home' included.

My collection: 7" single no. 2056
Found: November 27, 1993
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'I'll find my way home' / 'Back to school'

Your own sweet way - The Notting Hillbillies

When the Dire Straits went on hiatus in 1987, band leader Mark Knopfler formed the Notting Hillbillies, a country music project, with Brendan Croker, Steve Phillips, and Knopfler's bandmate Guy Fletcher. They made just one album, 'Missing... presumed having a good time' (1990).

The song 'Your own sweet way' was released as a single. While the album reached number 2 in the UK albums chart, the single did not chart at all.

My collection: 7" single no. 1244
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, June 14, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Your own sweet way' / 'Bewildered'

The head and the heart - Chris de Burgh

Chris de Burgh is considered by many to be the epitome of uncool. Hearing this song, having not played it for two decades, I would say I would have to agree. There is one saving grace for this particular song: it features Howard Jones on piano. And Howard Jones is, of course, very cool.

'The head and the heart' is a single taken from Chris de Burgh's 1984 album 'Man on the line'. The slightly oversensitive ballad did not make any chart impact.

My collection: 7" single no. 260
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The head and the heart' / 'Taking it to the top'