Rumour has it - Donna Summer

'Rumour has it' was a single from Donna Summer's 1977 album 'Once upon a time', a concept album that tells the 'fairytale' story of a girl who goes from rags to riches. This song was included towards the end of the album, when the main character hears that someone is 'looking for a girl like me' and hopes that the man in question is someone she has liked for some time.

One of the verses in the album version was edited out for the 7" single. It reached number 22 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 19 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4539
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Rumour has it' / 'Say something nice'

Lady of the night - Donna Summer

'Lady of the night' was the first album by American singer Donna Summer. The album, which was produced by Pete Bellotte, was released in 1974 only in The Netherlands, and spawned the minor European hit singles 'The hostage' and 'Lady of the night'.

The latter was released in the autumn of 1974, and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. The track was written by Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder but didn't sound at all like Donna Summer's next hit, 'Love to love you', released the next year.

My collection: 7" single no. 4538
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Lady of the night' / 'Wounded'

Haus der drei Sonnen - Nena

'Haus der drei Sonnen' ('House of three suns') was released as the third single from Nena's 1985 album 'Feuer und Flamme'. The song was released internationally as 'It's all in the game', but it wouldn't be a very big success for Nena. Just like this single, which only reached number 43 in Germany.

I've been searching for this single for some time, so the actual find was a big pleasure. This single alone, to me, is worth the price of all the singles I bought in this shop on this day.

My collection: 7" single no. 4537
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Haus der drei Sonnen' / 'Ein Brief'

My guy - Tracey Ullman

Madness recorded 'My girl' in 1979 on their debut album 'One step beyond'. The song first made its way into the band's set when they were performing as The Invaders. The song was written by Mike Barson about his own girlfriend at the time, Kerstin Rodgers.

Tracey Ullman covered the song as 'My guy', altering the lyric to accommodate her gender. Madness' Mark Bedford played bass on the track. Her version peaked at number 23 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40. The accompanying music video featured the British politician, Neil Kinnock, at the time the Leader of the Labour Party.

My collection: 7" single no. 4536
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'My guy' / 'Thinking of running away'

Cross that bridge - The Ward Brothers

The single 'Cross that bridge' by the Ward Brothers was released when the cd-single format had just come around for the first time. In the summer of 1987, the cd-singles of 'Cross that bridge' were in the discount bins, because the single didn't make the impact the record company may have hoped for. In the end, I didn't buy it, although on a few occasions I almost did.

'Cross that bridge' was a single taken from their debut (and only) album 'Madness of it all'. The single reached number 32 in the UK singles chart and the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4535
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Cross that bridge' / 'Cross that bridge (instrumental)'

Voyeur - Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes released her seventh album 'Voyeur' in 1982. The title track was released as a single ahead of he release of the album, but it failed to live up to record company expectations, especially after the big success of her 1981 hit 'Bette Davis Eyes'.

Although the single reached number 10 in Sweden, it only managed to get to number 68 in the UK singles chart and number 29 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4534
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Voyeur' / 'Thrill of the grill'

Boem boem - The Internationals

In 1978, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands took place on February 22. Eight songs were selected to be sung by Barry Duncan, Harmony, The Internationals and Kimm. The jury consisted of old Dutch Eurovision Song Contest competitors.

While Harmony was selected with their song ''t Is OK', the Internationals recorded one of their two songs as a single. It was released shortly after the national final - but it didn't chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4533
Found: Any old time, Amsterdam, January 30, 2010
Cost: 0,1 euro
Tracks: 'Boom boom' / 'Boem boem'