Winter in Hamburg - Frank Boeijen Groep

Circa 1987, Frank Boeijen had a much-publicized relationship with English television presenter Amanda Redington. 'Winter in Hamburg' could easily have been a description of a trip the two enjoyed together, but in interviews, Boeijen never spoke much about his personal life, so it's anyone's guess.

The photograph on the sleeve of this single was taken during one of the band's concerts. In 1987, the band embarked on a tour in theatres everywhere in the Netherlands, moving away from the club circuit. It was obvious that their music was better suited for this new environment.

My collection: 7" single no. 571
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Winter in Hamburg' / 'Welkom in Utopia 1 (acoustic)'

I'm losing you - Hot Chocolate

Another single from their 1981 album 'Class', 'I'm losing you' is one of those many infectious Hot Chocolate tunes.

The track was written by Russ Ballard, writer of many hit singles throughout the Eighties. However, this particular single failed to reach the charts in any territory.

My collection: 7" single no. 4776
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'I'm losing you' / 'Children of spacemen'

It's here - Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde seemingly finished the Eighties in a winning mood: she'd toured with Michael Jackson, her album 'Close' had been a phenomenal success, and superstardom was looming. But meanwhile, she wasn't quite that happy. She'd witnessed the intense loneliness stardom could bring while she was watching Michael Jackson and it wasn't that easy to come up with an equally successful album after 'Close'.

The first single from Kim's 1990 album 'Love moves' was the optimistic 'It's here'. When this single stalled at number 42 in the UK singles chart and was unsuccessful in several other territories, it was a first sign that the Nineties could be a bit troublesome for the British singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 1200
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 30, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'It's here' / 'Virtual world'

C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique - Jean Claude Pascal

A single sleeve like this one wouldn't be acceptable anymore nowadays: a man with a fag in his hand, well, it's a disgrace! It's interesting to see how much has changed in three decades.

Jean Claude Pascal represented Luxembourg for the second time in 1981. His first effort for the same country in 1961 was a big success: his song 'Nous les amoureux' won the Contest. In 1981, he was considerably less successful: 'C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique' finished eleventh in a field of 20 competitors. Maybe the fag had something to do with it after all...

My collection: 7" single no. 4768
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique' / 'Car tu es la musique'

In your room - Depeche Mode

Martin Gore wrote 'In your room', a tense and atmospheric track on Depeche Mode's 1993 album 'Songs of faith and devotion'. It was released as the fourth and final single from that album in a remixed version. The 'Zephyr mix', as it was called, includes music completely redone by Butch Vig of Nirvana fame.

The single reached number 8 in the UK singles chart and number 40 in Australia. It achieved its biggest success in Sweden, where the single peaked at number 2. 'In your room' was the last Depeche Mode single to be released on 7" vinyl, until the format was re-used in the Noughties.

My collection: 7" single no. 2404
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, 1994
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'In your room (Zephyr mix)' / 'Higher love (Adrenaline mix)'

Rules of the game - Bucks Fizz

'Rules of the game' was written by Warren Harry. The lyric centres on a woman who becomes famous and turns her back on her old friends, but when the fame ends, she finds herself desperately lonely. Cheryl Baker, who performs lead vocals on this song, has since said of her dislike for this song, stating that she finds the lyrics depressing and was unhappy with the affected way she was asked to sing.

Released in November 1983, the single proved to be one of the group's least successful singles, peaking at number 57 in the UK singles chart. The single was released to promote Bucks Fizz's first Greatest Hits album.

My collection: 7" single no. 4785
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Rules of the game' / 'When we were at war'

Bohemian rhapsody / These are the days of our lives - Queen

Two weeks after the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury, this double A-side single by Queen was released on December 9, 1991. It brought together the band's seminal track 'Bohemian rhapsody' from 1975 and a track from their most recent album, 'Innuendo', 'These are the days of our lives'. The song had very poignant lyrics that seemed almost too appropriate for the occasion.

The single reached number 1 in the UK singles chart immediately after release, and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 a month later.

My collection: 7" single no. 1613
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 28, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Bohemian rhapsody' / 'These are the days of our lives'