Das Model - Kraftwerk

Hard to believe, but although Kraftwerk's 'The model' has become some sort of Eighties classic, the track was actually released in 1978. It just goes to show how ahead of their time the German perfectionists were even in the beginning of their career. The German version of 'The model' was called 'Das Model', and was released in Germany with the English version on the B-side.

When radio DJ's started playing the B-side, EMI re-issued the single in December 1981 – apparently against the band's wishes – with 'The model' as the A-side. That single reached number 1 in February 1982 and spent a total of 21 weeks in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4788
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Das Model' / 'The model'

It's a hard life - Queen

'It's a hard life' was written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. A track on their 1984 album 'The works', it was released as the third single from that album. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

The song is a continuation of the theme presented in earlier single 'Play the game': Mercury writes from the same lover's perspective at a later stage in their search for true love. The opening lyric of 'It's a hard life' is based on the line 'Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!' ('Laugh, Pagliaccio, at your broken love!') from 'Vesti la giubba', an aria from Ruggiero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci.

My collection: 7" single no. 585
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 6, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's a hard life' / 'Is this the world we created?'

Blue Peter - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield recorded a rendition of the theme tune of the BBC Television programme 'Blue Peter' in 1979. It was used by the show between 1979 and 1989. A single was also released, the royalties of which went to the Cambodia appeal launched by the show. The single peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart.

Traditionally, the debut of a new version of the famous theme tune 'Barnacle Bill' is accompanied with an introduction by the presenters at the time explaining the reasons behind the new rendition. Mike Oldfield's version had its genesis in his appearance on the programme in 1979 to demonstrate how modern pop music was created using multi-track recording techniques. Oldfield also recorded a new version of the programme's closing music, which runs for just 20 seconds and has never been commercially released.

My collection: 7" single no. 4804
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blue Peter' / 'Woodhenge'

One night affair - Spargo

The current amount of singles in my collection has been counted on arrival since the early Eighties. The last revision of these numbers took place sometime in 1984, when I decided I needed to ditch number 114. It was a terrible single from a Dutch singer who shall not be named here. The problem was, I needed to find a single to replace that one. All I had was a disc by Spargo that I had always kept despite the fact that it was half broken and the sleeve had gone missing. The name: 'One night affair'. Yesterday, I decided to fix the situation forever by buying a new (and complete) copy of that very single.

'One night affair' was a hit for the Dutch band Spargo in April 1981. It reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 114
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'One night affair' / 'Running from your lovin''

Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime) - Morris Minor and the Majors

British comedian Tony Hawks formed Morris Minor and the Majors together with Paul Boross and Phil Judge. Taking on the names Morris Minor, Rusty Wing and Phil Errup, they recorded 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)', a style parody of the Beastie Boys. The subtitle plays on their single 'No sleep till Brooklyn'.

The single also features the song 'Another boring 'B' side', which became something of a cult classic, particularly for its memorable chorus, which simply repeated the line: 'Very very very very very very boring'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 14 in Canada and number 2 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4815
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)' / 'Another boring 'B' side'

Verslaafd aan jou - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Verslaafd aan jou' ('Addicted to you') was the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1986 album 'In natura'. Released in September 1986, it reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

The single version was slightly shorter than the album version of the track. There were no signs yet that the next single would become the big hit it would be.

My collection: 7" single no. 449
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 3, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Verslaafd aan jou' / 'Op zoek naar de verloren tijd'

Leipzig - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Leipzig' was originally recorded by Thomas Dolby. Originally appearing as a B-side to an early Dolby single produced by Andy Partridge, 'Leipzig' - according to Stewart and Gaskin - sounded like a great song in embryo. The backing was minimal, the overall mood dark and introspective.

Dave & Barbara's version of the song is, by contrast, expansive and technicoloured, with a big, rolling beat, embellished with electronic percussion, keyboards, and cartoony sound effects.

My collection: 7" single no. 4786
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Leipzig' / 'Rich for a day'