My heart can't tell you no - Rod Stewart

'My heart can't tell you no' was a single taken from Rod Stewart's 1988 album 'Out of order'. The track was written by Simon Climie, of Climie Fisher fame. It was a significant change in style for Rod Stewart, who performed many racy rock tracks until the mid-Eighties. He seemed to have calmed down a little, which was even more evident in the B-side: a cover of 'Try a little tenderness' - already foreshadowing his new career in the Noughties, covering old American standards.

Although this single was a big hit in the USA, it left European audiences cold. It only reached number 49 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 757
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 23, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'My heart can't tell you no' / 'Try a little tenderness'

Big love - Fleetwood Mac

'Big love' was written by Lindsey Buckingham, and was originally going to be part of his third solo album which he began working on in 1985, but the project became a Fleetwood Mac album instead. Since Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac in 1987 (shortly after the album 'Tango in the night' was released), the band never performed 'Big love' live until his return in 1997. Meanwhile, the single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

Though many assumed the female 'ahh' in this track to be Stevie Nicks, it was actually Lindsey Buckingham performing both, created by way of his voice being sampled and altered in the studio to mimic that of a woman.

My collection: 7" single no. 513
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Big love' / 'You and I, part I'

The flame - Arcadia

'The flame' was released as the third single from Arcadia's sole album 'So red the rose' in July 1986. The single reached number 58 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the Irish singles chart.

The song was mostly remarkable for its music video (stills of which are featured on the sleeve of this single). The storyline revolved around a series of comic disasters that befall an awkward, nerdish character (played by Simon Le Bon) and his girlfriend while visiting a haunted house. At one point, John Taylor comes out of the closet with a contract for the band to sign. It was around this time that the three remaining Duran Duran members were preparing to write and record the next album.

My collection: 7" single no. 460
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The flame (remix)' / 'Flame game (Yo homeboy mix)'

Every beat of my heart - Chris Rea

The ballad 'Every beat of my heart' was taken from Chris Rea's self-titled album. The track was produced by Jon Kelly and Chris Rea and written by Chris Rea. The lyric of the song is quite sentimental.

The single was not a commercial success, as it didn't chart in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 1104
Found: All that music, Leiden, November 11, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Every beat of my heart' / 'Don't look back'

In a lifetime - Clannad

Clannad may well have made the best track of their career with 'In a lifetime'. By bringing in Bono from U2, they managed to breathe some extra life into their music, and that was much needed, since most of their material is so, well, calm. The passionate vocals by Bono work wonders with the band's beautiful melodies.

'In a lifetime' was the first single release from Clannad's eighth studio album 'Macalla' (1985). It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. When it was re-released in the UK in 1989, the single peaked at number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 414
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, June 13, 1986
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'In a lifetime' / 'Indoor'

Lean on you - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard worked with producer Alan Tarney once again on his album 'Stronger' (1989). The single 'Lean on you' was taken from this album - and personally I think this is one of the best songs of his career.

Not that many people agreed with me though: it only charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 17, and Ireland, where it reached number 10.

My collection: 7" single no. 1112
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Lean on you' / 'Hey mister'

Manic Monday - The Bangles

With 'Manic Monday' the Bangles finally had a worldwide hit single on their hands. The song was written by Prince in 1984 and originally recorded as a duet for the Apollonia 6 album, but the song was eventually pulled. Two years later, as he was attempting to 'court' singer Susanna Hoffs of the band, Prince, using the pseudonym Christopher, offered the song to them to record their version.

The single reached number 2 in both the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as reaching number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2019
Found: Sounds Familiar, London, October 19, 1993
Cost: 20p
Tracks: 'Manic Monday' / 'In a different light'