Trees and flowers - Strawberry Switchblade

A song about agoraphobia, 'Trees and flowers' was originally the debut single of Strawberry Switchblade, the Scottish duo consisting of Jill Bryson and Rose McDowall. Released on the indie label '92 happy customers', it didn't reach the chart, but it got them noticed by bigger record companies.

They eventually signed with WEA records, who released their debut album in 1985. A limited reissue pressing of the 7" was made and given away with initial copies of the album. This copy was actually sold separately - and so I snapped it up.

My collection: 7" single no. 4875
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Trees and flowers' / 'Go away'

Be my lover now - Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder

Human League frontman Philip Oakey and legendary producer Giorgio Moroder had worked together previously. Two singles had already been released - the hit single 'Together in electric dreams' and the flop 'Good-bye bad times' - when 'Be my lover now' was released in 1985.

Like 'Good-bye bad times', this single did not reach the UK singles chart. Meanwhile, their self-titled album reached number 52 in the UK albums chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4874
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Be my lover now' / 'Be my lover now (instrumental version)'

Memory of your name - Private Lives

In 1982, when this single was released, the British band Private Lives consisted of John Adams, Rick Lane and John Reid. Two years later, Adams would record the first Private Lives album together with Morris Michael.

'The memory of your name' was one of the singles released by the early line-up that wasn't successful. Interesting fact: Simon Climie plays guitar on the track. He would later form Climie Fisher together with Rob Fisher.

My collection: 7" single no. 4873
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Memory of your name' / 'Swim away'

Painting my love song - Henry Gross

On his third album 'Show me to the stage', Henry Gross mixed Rock & Roll songs with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson influences. A good example of the Brian Wilson sound on his album is the single 'Painting my love songs', released in the summer of 1977.

This single did not chart in any territory, but it very nearly made the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4872
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Painting my love song' / 'String of hearts'

Springtime mama - Henry Gross

After Henry Gross had a worldwide hit with the single 'Shannon', he released his second album 'Release'. The second single taken from that album was the uptempo 'Springtime mama'.

This single almost reached the gold status in the USA, while peaking at number 37 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In Europe, this single failed to impress the record buying public.

My collection: 7" single no. 4871
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Springtime mama' / 'Overtone Square'

Not that funny - Fleetwood Mac

Though selling millions of copies worldwide, Fleetwood Mac's 1979 album 'Tusk' was deemed a failure in comparison to their previous album, 'Rumours'. Two hit singles were taken from the album ('Sara' and the title track), but three further singles failed to chart in most territories.

'Not that funny' was released as the third single from the album and underwent the same fate as its follow-ups 'Think about me' (released in the USA only) and 'Sisters of the moon'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4870
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Not that funny' / 'Think about me'

How can this be love - Andrew Gold

After Andrew Gold enjoyed his first UK hit in 1977 with 'Lonely boy', he followed it up in 1978 with 'How can this be love'. The single reached number 19 in the UK singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single narrowly missed the Dutch Top 40.

The B-side, 'Thank you for being a friend', also written and performed by Andrew Gold, was recorded by Cynthia Fee as the theme tune to the US comedy series 'The Golden Girls'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4869
Found: Da Capo, Utrecht, May 21, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'How can this be love' / 'Thank you for being a friend'