Toi, la musique et moi - Mary Cristy

Mary Cristy was born as Marie Ruggieri. In 1976, she represented Monaco in the Eurovision Song Contest with the disco-inspired 'Toi, la musique et moi'. The song finished third in a field of 18 contestants.

Cristy subsequently also recorded her song in Italian (as 'La musica e noi due'), Spanish ('La música, tú y yo'), German ('Die Musik und ich') and English ('Thank you for rushing into my life').

My collection: 7"single no. 4829
Found: eBay.be, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Toi, la musique et moi' / 'Juste un peu de chagrin'

Per Lucia - Riccardo Fogli

Riccardo Fogli was born on October 21, 1947 in Pontedera, Italy. During the Sixties, he became a fan of The Beatles, which also influenced his decision to start his career as a singer. After some time in bands like Slenders and Pooh, he started a solo career in 1973. His main success, however, came in the Eighties.

In 1983, he represented Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Per Lucia' ('For Lucia'). He finished in eleventh place in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4828
Found: eBay.be, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Per Lucia' / 'Altri tempi'

Über die Brücke geh'n - Ingrid Peters

Ingrid Peters was born in Dudweiler, Germany on April 19, 1954. During her career, she made several attempts to represent Germany during the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song 'Du bist nicht frei' didn't win the national final in 1979 and in 1983 she finished second during the national final with 'Viva la mamma'.

In 1986, she was finally selected to do the job with the optimistic song 'Über die Brücke geh'n'. She finished eighth in a field of 20 competitors.

My collection: 7" single no. 4827
Found: eBay.be, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Über die Brücke geh'n' / 'Mitten ins Herz'

En un mundo nuevo - Karina

Karina was born as María Isabel Bárbara Llaudés Santiago in Jaén, Andalusia on December 4, 1943. She recorded her first album in 1964 and had her biggest success in the late Sixties and early Seventies, after her breakthrough with a Spanish version of France Gall's 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son'.

In 1971, she represented Spain during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'En un mundo nuevo' ('In a new world'). The song finished second, behind Severine's 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue' for Monaco.

My collection: 7" single no. 4826
Found: eBay.be, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'En un mundo nuevo' / 'Quisiera tener'

Love don't live here - Bananarama

Obviously, when I ordered the 12" single of Bananarama's most recent single 'Love don't live here', I bought the 7" single as well. This 7" single comes with an exclusive new track on the B-side, 'Here comes the rain'.

Producer Ian Masterson was once part of the remix outfit the Trouser Enthusiasts, and it shows on these excellent tracks. Now let's hope that the single turns up in tomorrow's UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4825
Found: What records, received April 14, 2010
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Love don't live here' / 'Here comes the rain'

Hounds of love - Kate Bush

'Hounds of love' is the title track of Kate Bush's 1985 album. The track starts with a sample from the British 1957 horror film 'Night of the demon'. The words 'It's in the trees! It's coming!' are spoken by an actor from the film, Maurice Denham. The song is about being afraid to fall in love; in the song this feeling is compared to being chased by a pack of hounds.

Released as the third single from the album in February 1986, 'Hounds of love' reached number 18 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 392
Found: Den Haag, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hounds of love' / 'The handsome cabin boy'

Anne - Kayak

'Anne' was the only single from Kayak's album 'Periscope life' to become a hit in the Netherlands. And rightfully so, I should add: it's a beautiful track with a great melody, performed in style by the Dutch symphonic rockers.

Released in March 1980, 'Anne' reached number 26. The artwork on the sleeve was identical to the album sleeve, which makes it look a bit odd.

My collection: 7" single no. 4817
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Anne' / 'The sight'