Are you sure? - The Allisons

Bernard Colin Day (born 2 February 1941) and Brian John Alford (born 31 December 1939) were marketed as the brothers Bob and John Allison, while in fact they weren’t brothers. The song ‘Are You Sure’ was written by John, inspired by an old girlfriend who broke off their relationship. They were only 18 at the time, so it had an impact. 'Over the next few months, I wrote a succession of very sad songs. One afternoon, about six months later (…) I began to wonder why on earth did she say goodbye? I don’t understand why she finished it. So I kept thinking, would she change her mind? (…) I hadn’t got a tune. Normally when I wrote songs, you get an idea for a tune first of all and then you decide what lyrics, which sort of lyrics would suit that tune. But I had an idea, I had this thought, why are there so many words that mean goodbye. So I wrote them down. Goodbye, farewell, so long, au revoir. And then I thought I could turn that into a verse. So I did.' 

Meanwhile, Bob was in school, finishing his exams. His parents didn’t want him to do anything other than school work, and so the two didn’t meet for two months. In the meantime, John finished the song on his own. When they finally did meet, the created the harmony together. In 1961 they represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song. 

This German single was released in 1987, but with a colour picture sleeve. It was number 54 in a series of hundred 'Hit Come Back' singles. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8454
Found: Reformdrogist de Regenboog, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Are you sure' / 'There's one thing more' 

Let it be - Joan Baez

Speaking of the Beatles, I wasn't really aware that Joan Baez had recorded a cover version of 'Let it be' until I saw this single last weekend. She turned this staggering anthem into an intimate folk tune. 

Joan Baez was born on 9 January 1941 and her repertoire is full of songs of protest and social injustice. She played at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and released some 30 albums. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8455
Found: Rataplan, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Let it be' / 'Poor wayfaring stranger' 

2+2 - The Supremes

In 1977 EMI released 50 EP's under the series title 2+2. It was an easy way to pick up four hits from a certain artist. Obviously the tracks were from the previous decade, otherwise the price tag would have been too steep probably. 

In the case of the Supremes, you got a brilliant set of songs, all written by the trio Holland, Dozier & Holland. I don't think I've ever seen an EP from this series before, but I guess I will have to look out for some of them. After all, who could resist tracks by the Jackson 5, the Beach Boys or the Beatles?

My collection: 7" single no. 8453
Found: Reformdrogist de Regenboog, Rijswijk, 3 October 2026
Tracks: 'Baby love', 'Stop! In the name of love' / 'My world is empty without you', 'You can't hurry love' 

One hello - Randy Crawford

Randy Crawford made a name for herself when she released 'One day I'll fly away' in 1980. It was a track from her fourth solo album Now we may begin. Her first three albums didn't get the amount of success this fourth album did. This was mainly thanks to her guest appearance on the track 'Streetlife' by the Crusaders. Further albums and singles got more recognition from the public.

'One hello' was the first single taken from her sixth album Windsong. The song became a minor hit, peaking at number 35 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 48 in the UK singles chart. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8452
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'One hello' / 'That's how heartaches are made' 

Theme from Love Story - Francis Lai

I recently bought 'Love story' by Nino Tempo & April Stevens, which is a vocal version of the theme from the movie Love Story by Francis Lai. I was pleased to find a copy of that instrumental piece. 

The vocal version was a big hit in 1972, but this instrumental version, released in the first half of 1971, did alright too: it peaked at number 24 in the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8451
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Theme from Love Story' / 'Skating in Central Park' 

Little Jackie wants to be a star - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam formed after Lisa Velez auditioned for the production team Full Force at age 14. The group signed with Columbia Records, which released their debut single, 'I wonder if I take you home' in 1983 for the compilation album Breakdancing. The single eventually went gold in the United States. That same year, the group released their debut album, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force.

'Little Jackie wants to be a star' was released as a single off their third album Straight to the sky from 1989. The single reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40, but only got to number 90 in the UK singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100, the single peaked at number 29.

My collection: 7" single no. 8450
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Little Jackie wants to be a star' / 'Star (The Jackie mix)' 

Always another girl - Silver Convention

The best way to describe this single by Silver Convention is 'vacuous but fun'. The song 'Always another girl' isn't very impressive lyrically - lots of repeats - but it's got a good rhythm; perfect for discotheques. The B-side, 'I like it', is equally void of substance. It's bubblegum music, but in a good disco way. 

'Always another girl' was the trio's second single, after 'Save me'. It reached number 29 in the Belgian (Flemish) chart and number 15 in the Dutch Top 40. 

My collection: 7" single no. 8449
Found: Plato, Leiden, 27 September 2026
Tracks: 'Always another girl' / 'I like it'