'Heel alleen' ('Lonely') was the first single from Clouseau's second album, 'Of zo' ('Or something'). It featured a slightly rougher sound, something that would also be true for the album.
The fans were undeterred: the single was again a big hit for the band. In Belgium, the single reached number 3 and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 13.
My collection: 7" single no. 1358 Found: Den Haag, December 5, 1990 Cost: - (present) Tracks: 'Heel alleen' / 'Verlangen'
Alan Sorrenti was born in Naples, Italy on December 9, 1950. His mother was Welsh, and he was raised in Aberystwyth, Wales for much of his childhood. He started his singing career in the early Seventies. His work consisted mainly of progressive rock and experimental music.
In 1980, he represented Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Non so che darei' ('I don't know what I would give'). The song finished sixth in a field of 19 competitors. This single features both an Italian and English version of the song.
My collection: 7" single no. 4802 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'No so che darei' / 'If you need me now'
'Two people' was released as the second single from Tina Turner's 1986 album 'Break every rule'. Contrary to most of her singles, this was a midtempo ballad, which for the most part she performed pretty well. Turner's voice can become pretty grating, especially in the higher registers, but on this single she starts off low enough - and that actually sounds good.
The single reached number 1 in Spain, number 22 in the Dutch Top 40, number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 in Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
My collection: 7" single no. 484 Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987 Cost: 3 guilders Tracks: 'Two people' / 'Havin' a party'
'Who were you with in the moonlight' was the second single by the duo Dollar, releasedin April 1979 and produced by Christopher Neil.
Their debut single 'Shooting star' had been a big hit in several European countries, but this single did less well in comparison: it only charted in the UK, Ireland and Australia, peaking at number 14, 17 and 39 respectively.
My collection: 7" single no. 4805 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Who were you with in the moonlight' / 'Star control'
The track 'Innuendo' was pieced together 'like a jigsaw puzzle'. The recurring theme started off as a jam session between Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor. Freddie Mercury then added the melody and some of the lyrics, which were then completed by Taylor. At six and a half minutes, it is one of Queen's longest songs, and their longest ever released as a single, exceeding 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by 35 seconds.
Like 'Bohemian Rhapsody', it was released as the first single from its parent album, despite its length and complexity, going straight to number 1 in the UK singles chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 4.
My collection: 7" single no. 1379 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 9, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Innuendo' / 'Bijou'
Yet another addition to my collection of Future World Orchestra singles. 'Don't go' was released in 1985, just before Robert Pot and Gerto Heupink decided to break up after differences of opinion about the musical direction they were heading.
Future World Orchestra still exists, with Pot as the sole original member.
My collection: 7" single no. 4819 Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010 Cost: 0,5 euro Tracks: 'Don't go (part 1)' / 'Don't go (part 2)'
'Fighting for our queen' was Maarten Peters' last solo single to be released on 7" vinyl - and his last solo single overall (not counting a track in Dutch he recorded over a decade later). His solo career came to a sudden halt after this single failed to chart. He released no further albums, but focused on songwriting instead, and worked as a musician with his partner Margriet Eshuys.
As a song, 'Fighting for our queen' is not his best effort. It plays on the imagery of fairy tales but the lyric is not very accomplished.
My collection: 7" single no. 1443 Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 24, 1991 Cost: 6,5 guilders Tracks: 'Fighting for our queen' / 'Surrender'