Loverboy - Billy Ocean

I remember a very strange music video for Billy Ocean's 'Loverboy', which was played rather often on television in 1985. These days, it simply does not appear anymore, except of course on YouTube.

The single was a good success for Billy Ocean, peaking at number 15 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1842
Found: January 23, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Loverboy' / 'Loverboy (dub mix)'

I feel possessed - Crowded House

'I feel possessed' was written by Neil Finn and included on Crowded House's album 'Temple of low man'. It was released as the final single from the album. The B-side was a live version of 'Mr. Tambourine man', a song originally performed by the Byrds and performed together with Roger McGuinn from the Byrds.

The single did not chart in most territories, although it was released worldwide.

My collection: 7" single no. 950
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 5, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I feel possessed' / 'Mr. Tambourine man (live)'

Jesus to a child - George Michael

'Jesus to a child' was the first single release from George Michael's 1996 album 'Older'. The song was a melancholy tribute to Michael's Brazilian friend and lover Anselmo Feleppa, whom he met when performing in Rio de Janeiro in 1991. Feleppa died two years later from an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage. Michael had been unable to write for the next 18 months as a consequence of his grief, but then penned the words to 'Jesus to a child' in little more than an hour, indicating that the time was right to move on with his life. Michael consistently dedicates the song to Feleppa before performing it live.

The single reached number 1 in the UK and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. As far as I know, this American pressing of the 7", without a picture sleeve, was the only 7" single release of 'Jesus to a child'.

My collection: 7" single no. 3993
Found: eBay.com, received August 6, 2009
Cost: $4
Tracks: 'Jesus to a child' / 'One more try'

Breakfast - The Associates

'Breakfast' was a single taken from the Associates' 1985 album 'Perhaps'. The album cost £250,000 and four years to make, partly because the master tapes disappeared halfway through the process (allegedly they were hidden by frontman Billy MacKenzie because he was dissatisfied with them). In the end, the album only sold 40,000 copies, putting MacKenzie in significant debt with his record company.

Meanwhile, 'Breakfast' was the standout track from the album, released as a single in early 1985. It reached number 49 in the UK singles chart. And yes, I own the 12" single as well.

My collection: 7" single no. 258
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Breakfast' / 'Breakfast alone'

You're a lady - Peter Skellern

Peter Skellern was born on March 14, 1947 in Bury, Lancashire. He studied piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and then joined pop groups like Harlem and March Hare.

He scored his first solo hit in 1972 with 'You're a lady'. The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart, number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 50 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1187
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, March 3, 1990
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'You're a lady' / 'Manifesto'

I don't want your love - Duran Duran

Duran Duran released 'I don't want your love' as the first single from their 1988 album 'Big thing'. The single version was a remix by Shep Pettibone.

The single peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. It did much better in Italy, where the single spent six weeks at number 1, and in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where the single peaked at number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1565
Found: All that music, Leiden, January 2, 1992
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'I don't want your love' / 'I don't want your love (album version)'

Under pressure - Queen and David Bowie

David Bowie originally came to the studio with Queen to sing backing vocals on a track called 'Cool cat'. He wasn't satisfied with the backing vocals he did, but did want to collaborate with the band on a different song. Queen had been working on a song under the title 'Feel like', but were not yet satisfied with the result. The band had a jam session together with Bowie, from which 'Under pressure' evolved.

When the single was released, it was a number 1 hit in the Netherlands and the UK. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single reached number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 3225
Found: London, October 19, 2000
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Under pressure' / 'Soul brother'