Roots bloody roots - Sepultura

Like most Sepultura songs, 'Roots bloody roots' is thought to be another protest song. The most common meaning that fans come up with is that everyone needs to preserve their own roots, and not modernize, forget or feel shame for them. This is shown in the lyrics We don't need to change, our ways to be saved.

The single was the first one taken from Sepultura's sixth album 'Roots', released in 1996. The single was released as a strictly limited edition on dark orange vinyl.

My collection: 7" single no. 2640
Found: April 13, 1996
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Roots bloody roots' / 'Symptom of the universe'

Vroeg of laat - Toontje Lager

Here's another good Dutch song from the Eighties. Yes, the combination 'good' and 'Dutch' is a rare one in my book, but in the first half of the Eighties it seemed to happen more often than ever. 'Vroeg of laat' ('Sooner or later') is a combination of great synths, a nice drum rhythm, beautiful vocals and a rather accomplished guitar solo at the end. As a bonus, the B-side is an upbeat song in which an atheist ensures us that life is great after we die.

The single was taken from the band's 1983 album 'Stiekem dansen' ('Dancing secretly') but failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 934
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 6, 1989
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Vroeg of laat' / 'Fijn na de dood'

Feel no pain - Sade

A colleague of my sister went to London in December 1992. These were strange times: international mail order was still in its infancy, while 7" singles became increasingly rare in the Netherlands. So I took it as an opportunity to have the latest Sade single brought to me. It was bought and I paid back the amount via my sister. That's how I got 'Feel no pain', a single I actually didn't see very often during record fairs and the like after that.

'Feel no pain' is a rather socially conscious song, with a lyric about unemployment. As Sade were better known for their carefree, laidback songs, this single wasn't a huge success: it reached number 56 in the UK singles chart and didn't reach the US Billboard Hot 100.

My collection: 7" single no. 1798
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, received December 7, 1992
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Feel no pain' / 'Love is stronger than pride (Mad Professor remix)'

Circle in the sand - Belinda Carlisle

'Circle in the sand' was written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, who wrote many of Belinda Carlisle's hit singles in the late Eighties and early Nineties. The track was released as the third single from Belinda's1988 album 'Heaven on earth'.

The single was a worldwide success, reaching number 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1780
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, October 25, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Circle in the sand' / 'Circle in the sand (Seaside mood groove mix)'

Hello again - The Cars

'Hello again' was the fourth single taken from the Cars' 1984 album 'Heartbeat city'. The single was notable for its music video, which was directed by Andy Warhol, who also appeared in the video.

The single reached number 42 in Canada and number 52 in Australia, but in Europe, it did not chart. The video was shown regularly on music channels at the time despite this - which is how I found out about the song. And even then it took me some years to finally find the single.

My collection: 7" single no. 2622
Found: February 24, 1996
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Hello again' / 'Hello again (dub version)'

New York Minute - Don Henley

Don Henley recorded 'New York minute' for his 1989 album 'The end of the innocence'. It was released as the album's second single and reached number 48 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was covered by the Eagles on the album 'Hell freezes over' reunion album (1994).

My collection: 7" single no. 1154
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 20, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'New York minute' / 'Gimme what you got'

How does it feel - Time bandits

Despite the somewhat dodgy lyrics, I always considered this single by the Dutch band Time bandits to be an epic piece of work. It's got something to do with the subtle intro and the thundering drums, building to a climax that sadly ends in a fade-out. I've spent many moments in 1983, when this single was released, trying to imagine how this song would be like if there were an extended version of it.

I was very surprised when this track did not become a hit. Previous singles 'I'm only shooting love' and 'Listen to the man with the golden voice', also taken from the band's album 'Tracks' were more successful, whereas personally I think this is the best single of the three. Just goes to show how strange my taste is when compared to the general public.

My collection: 7" single no. 224
Found: LP Top 100, 1983
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'How does it feel' / 'Don't let your love go bad'