Singles bag - John Lennon

In support of Record Store Day, EMI released a limited edition John Lennon vinyl package. It's titled 'Singles bag', but it's not really a bag, but rather a cardboard envelope with three singles, a poster, three postcard and one plastic adaptor in it. It's a real treat for John Lennon fans and those who appreciate his music.

Of course, there isn't really anything new in the bag: all three singles have been released in the past. Still, it is quite wonderful to hear 'Imagine' once again - still the highlight of this bag in my opinion - and of course who could resist the sound of Yoko Ono screaming like an escaped inmate of a psychiatric ward in 'Why'? The poster of the duo in the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam during their 'Bed-in for peace' action is a nice extra.

My collection: 7" single no. 4837
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: Well... let's just say it wasn't cheap.
Tracks: 'Mother' (John Lennon) / 'Why' (Yoko Ono) // 'Imagine' / 'It's so hard' // 'Watching the wheels' (John Lennon) / 'Yes, I'm your angel' (Yoko Ono)

Last day - Editors

Last year, the Editors released their most recent album 'In this light and on this evening'. Produced by Flood, the sound of the album leaned a lot towards band he'd produced before, such as U2 and Depeche Mode. The first single from the album was 'Papillon', which appears on this single in a beautiful acoustic version.

The track 'Last day' was not included on the album, but most probably recorded during the sessions for it. This single was released exclusively on Record Store Day, April 17, 2010.

My collection: 7" single no. 4836
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: 10 euro
Tracks: 'Last day' / 'Papillon (acoustic live at Studio Brussels)'

Side of the road - Babyshambles

Pete Doherty formed Babyshambles during a hiatus from his band the Libertines in 2003. Although Doherty is mainly famous for his drug abuse, the band was actually able to find some sort of commercial recognition with their debut album 'Down in Albion' (2005). Initially an independent band, they signed with Parlophone in 2007.

On Record Store Day, Parlophone released this limited edition 7" vinyl with two tracks by Babyshambles. Personally, I think the B-side is better than the A-side.

My collection: 7" single no. 4835
Found: La La Land, April 17, 2010
Cost: 6 euro
Tracks: 'Side of the road' / 'UnBiloTitled'

Back to the start - Lily Allen

'Back to the start' is a track on Lily Allen's most recent album, 'It's not me, it's you' (2009). It was getting a lot of airplay in Australia, having peaked at number 21 in the Australian Airplay chart.

On Record Store Day (April 17, 2010), a limited edition 7" vinyl single was released, available only for one day. The single contains this track and the bonus track 'Kabul shit'. It is unlikely that the track will be released as a 'regular' single, but meanwhile, this is a great collector's item.

My collection: 7" single no. 4834
Found: La La Land, Den Haag, April 17, 2010
Cost: 7 euro
Tracks: 'Back to the start' / 'Kabul shit'

Teen wave - Ricky Wilde

Ricky Wilde's career never really took off outside of Scandinavia - which is quite extraordinary for a British artist. Ricky only released six singles on the UK records label, before concluding that the life of a pop star wasn't something he wanted. The fact that he was teased in the school yard because of his musical aspirations probably didn't help either.

'Teen wave' was the last single release of Ricky, released in 1974. The song was written and produced by his father Marty Wilde and is the roughest of his singles, leaning heavily into the glam rock genre.

My collection: 7" single no. 2921
Found: Record fair, November 9, 1997
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Teen wave' / 'Round and round'

Hier komt de storm - Frank Boeijen Groep

The third and last single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's seventh album 'Welkom in Utopia' was 'Hier komt de storm' ('Here comes the storm'). The single version was heavily edited, which detracted a bit from the track. As a result, the single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

Meanwhile, the band had concluded their theatre tour across the Netherlands and work was already underway for the next album. They had never been as popular as they were right at that moment.

My collection: 7" single no. 584
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Hier komt de storm' / 'Oorlog der liefde'

Time - Kim Wilde

The second single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' was 'Time' - at least, it was in the UK and Australia. The record company in Europe opted for 'Can't get enough (of your love)' instead, and so a nightmare was born. Back in 1990, it was very hard to get hold of English singles.

I had to wait until a holiday in London in October - four months after the release of the single - to find a copy. And even then, it was very hard to find one. I eventually found a copy in a dark second hand shop off Kensington High Street - and it was the only copy I saw that week.

My collection: 7" single no. 1320
Found: London, Otcober 16, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Time' / 'Someday'