De wereld - Frank Boeijen Groep

In a way, the single 'De wereld' ('The world') was a charity singles. All the proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to the World Wildlife Fund. It wouldn't be a very big gesture, as in the end the single did not chart. All the band could give the WWF was 2500 guilders - which in itself is a nice sum, but not too shocking.

The B-side of this single was a new song, 'Holland is vrij' ('Holland is free'). It's a cynical commentary on the release of 'The two from Breda', two war criminals who were released on account of the fact that they were, according to the minister of justice, 'very old'. Boeijen sketches the image of an old woman who is still suffering from the crimes by these people every night. In a way, Holland is only a free country for those who commit crimes against humanity. It was not a pretty picture, but good enough to be re-recorded and included on the band's next album.

My collection: 7" single no. 750
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, February 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De wereld' / 'Holland is vrij'

Afscheid van een vriend - Clouseau

The song 'Afscheid van een vriend' ('Goodbye to a friend') was released as the fifth and last single from Clouseau's 1992 album 'Doorgaan'. According to Koen Wauters from the band, the song was about a friend of him. 'He had an illness, but instead of taking it a bit easier, he was getting more and more out of hand. I imagined him dead. I imagined burying him and wrote the song about that.'

The single reached number 12 in the Belgian singles chart. After this, it became an often requested song during funerals in Belgium.

My collection: 7" single no. 2068
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, February 19, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Afscheid van een vriend' / 'Een huis vol liefde'

I can't say goodbye - Kim Wilde

'I can't say goodbye' was released as the third and final single from Kim Wilde's 1990 album 'Love moves' in the UK. It featured backing vocals by Jaki Graham. The album version was remixed for the single release, and the 7" single featured an edited version of this remix, whereas the 12" single featured the full length version of the remix. The B-side of the single was a megamix of Kim Wilde hits 'You came', 'You keep me hangin' on', 'The second time' and 'Can't get enough (of your love)'.

The single was released as a limited edition pack containing a poster, a Christmas postcard (well, it was that time of the year) and of course the single. 'I can't say goodbye' reached number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1400
Found: 1990
Cost: ?
Tracks: 'I can't say goodbye (edit)' / 'Sanjazz megamix (edit)'

The big sky - Kate Bush

'The big sky' was one of the tracks on Kate Bush's 1985 album 'Hounds of love'. The song is about remembering some of the simple pleasures enjoyed as children that most no longer find the time for, such as spending the afternoon looking at the sky, watching the clouds take on shapes. It's probably the most uplifting, poppy song on the album.

When the song was released as a single in April 1986, a special single remix was made with an alternate intro. It reached number 15 in the Irish singles chart and number 37 in the UK singles chart.

'The big sky' was also the first Kate Bush single to be released as a picture disc. I wasn't aware of the release of this picture disc until years later. Such special items are notoriously expensive when the name Kate Bush is on it, but just when I had given up hope of finding this for a reasonable price, I found it. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.

My collection: 7" single no. 396 / no. 2948
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1986 / Record fair, Leiden, January 31, 1998
Cost: 6 guilders / 5 guilders
Tracks: 'The big sky (special single mix)' / 'Not this time'

Torture - King

The band King were able to maintain a stylish image throughout their career. The sleeve designs, the music videos and even the songs had a certain glossy quality to them that attracted a faithful fanbase. This 12" single of 'Torture', their last single release, was released in a limited edition poster bag featuring a 1986 calendar with photographs of the band members.

All this to sell a set of tracks that were actually good as well: the extended version of 'Torture' is percussive and dynamic, whereas the extra B-side track 'These things' is recorded with piano and vocals only, creating a very intimate atmosphere.

My collection: 12" single no. 141
Found: Record Exchange, London, 1992
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Torture (PF extended mix)' / 'Groovin' with the Kings', 'These things (The reprise)'

Turn your back on me - Kajagoogoo

Without Limahl, Kajagoogoo were still able to produce some cracking tracks. And the 1984 single 'Turn your back on me' with its great drums and percussion may be their finest track.

It was released as a 12" single as well, featuring an extended version that brought out all the best bits from the song plus some extras.

My collection: 12" single no. 537
Found: unknown
Cost: 2,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Turn your back on me (extended version)' / 'The pump rooms of Bath', 'Turn your back on me'

I wanna go to a disco - Ricky Wilde

Father Marty Wilde wrote and produced 'I wanna go to a disco' for his son Ricky Wilde. It was released as a single in 1974. Like the singles before this one, it didn't chart in the UK but it did achieve some success in Scandinavia.

These singles by Ricky Wilde are great collectors items, as he went on to become his sister's producer and songwriter, but never returned to the spotlights himself.

My collection: 7" single no. 3269
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, October 22, 2000
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'I wanna go to a disco' / 'Mrs. Malinski'