Theme from E.T. - Future World Orchestra

Steven Spielberg directed the movie E.T., which was one of the box office hits of 1982. Longtime Spielberg collaborator John Williams composed the musical score for the movie. Williams described his challenge as creating a score that would generate sympathy for such an odd-looking creature. As with their previous collaborations, Spielberg liked every theme Williams composed and had it included.

When 'E.T.' proved to be a phenomenon, the Dutch group Future World Orchestra decided to cash in on the success as well. Their innovative synthesizer sound was still an attraction, so the single reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. When you listen to it now, it sounds like one of those 'Synthesizer greatest' tracks. But for E.T. fans, this might be a rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3897
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from E.T.' / 'Mister Y'

Don't tell me the time - Martha Davis

After having been in the Motels for over a decade, Martha Davis released her first solo album entitled 'Policy' in October 1987. Musicians who worked with her included Clarence Clemons, Kenny G and Charlie Sexton. In November 1987, she had a number 8 hit in Australia with 'Don't tell me the time'. In the US Billboard Hot 100 the single stalled at number 80.

I bought this single based on the confused notion that Martha Davis was a member of Martha & the Muffins. Since I loved some of the Motels singles as well, and this song is actually quite good, this turned out to be quite a pleasant acquisition.

My collection: 7" single no. 3875
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Don't tell me the time' / 'Lust'

The eve of the war - Jeff Wayne

I've made an earlier posting on Jeff Wayne's 'The eve of the war', but I'm so enthusiastic about today's purchase I simply have to do it once again. I went to a record shop in Rotterdam, where they had a few hundred singles for only 0,25 euro a piece. The last time I was there - a few years ago - it was a mess, and in a way it still was. But going through these singles I found 30 titles I wanted to have, and so I still did a great purchase there.

Now this single is a near-mint copy of the original UK release of 'The eve of the war'. Housed in a standard CBS sleeve, the real interesting thing is the picture label on this one. I don't know what these things are going for in the UK, but I bet they are way expensive in the record fairs and collector's vaults these days. And here I am... paying only 25 eurocents for this beauty.

My collection: 7" single no. 3894

Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009

Cost: 0,25 euro

Tracks: 'The eve of the war' / 'The red weed'

Veerpont - Drs. P.

Since this blog is written with an international audience in mind, I deliberated some time with myself whether I should publish this single. But in the end I decided that since I am publishing my entire singles collection, I couldn't simply omit this one.

'Veerpont' ('Ferry') is essentially the monologue of a ferryman, explaining his life going back and forth all the time. He explains that someone once explained to him that if the ferry were long enough to span the river, it could be turned into a bridge, but that would render other boats on the river useless. Well it sounds a bit boring but of course the joke is in the phrasing and the brilliant mind behind Drs. P.'s writing. So here it is, for the Dutch listeners - and the foreigners too.

My collection: 7" single no. 1776
Found: Record fair, October 25, 1992
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Veerpont' / 'Los Pompadoros'

Sleep like breathing - Alison Moyet

Alison Moyet released her second album 'Raindancing' in 1987. The track 'Sleep like breathing', a duet with David Freeman, was released as the third single. It was the least successful single by Moyet up to that point, stalling at number 80 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side is a live version of 'Love resurrection', recorded at Wembley Arena on May 13, 1987.

My collection: 7" single no. 3276
Found: November 11, 2000
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Sleep like breathing' / 'Love resurrection (live)'

Lost again - Yello

At only twelve, I was getting into electronic music really fast. I was aided somewhat by my sister, who is six years older than me and was already buying loads of singles. That is how I heard 'Lost again' (1983) by Yello, a mysterious-sounding track that, although it did not chart, ended up high in my personal top 100.

As I grew older, I had trouble finding the single. I was jealous as hell when my sister came home in 1985 with a double single of this track - but fortunately, she was willing to part with her original copy, and so I ended up owning this single anyway.

My collection: 7" single no. 369
Found: at home
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Lost again' / 'Pumping velvet'

Thanks for the love - Earth and Fire

'Thanks for the love' was another hit single for the Dutch band Earth & Fire. It reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40.

The B-side is an interesting one: it contains excerpts of the band's album 'To the world of the future', released a year earlier. The voice-over, Radio Veronica's DJ Lex Harding, explains that 'too few people know this album' and that the band 'has worked a half year on the album'. Back then, that was pretty impressive. These days bands need years of course...

My collection: 7" single no. 1371
Found: Concerto, Amsterdam, January 3, 1991
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Thanks for the love' / 'Excerpts from 'To the world of the future''

I owe you nothing - Bros

Originally released as their debut single in 1987, 'I owe you nothing' flopped. After the success of their breakthrough single 'When will I be famous?' it was re-released. It was accepted by the teenage audience as Bros mania was at its height. The single became the band's only UK number one, spending two weeks at the top in June 1988.

While the band ever broke through in America, the single did make number 10 on the Billboard dance chart. The single was also released as a lengthy 18 minute dance mix on a special 12" single.

My collection: 7" single no. 1032
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I owe you nothing' / 'I owe you nothing (The voice)'

Ship of fools - World Party

World Party was essentially the project of Karl Wallinger, as he was the sole member of the band. The debut album 'Private revolution' was released in 1986 and contained the debut single 'Ship of fools', a retro-sounding track like most of the work on that album. The single reached number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 35 in the Dutch Top 40.

A 'Ship of fools' is actually an allegory that is a fixture in Western literature and art. The allegory depicts a vessel populated by human inhabitants who are deranged, frivolous, or oblivious, passengers aboard a ship without a pilot, and seemingly ignorant of their own direction.

My collection: 7" single no. 530
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Ship of fools' / 'World groove (Do the mind guerrilla)'

Word up! - Cameo

'Word up!' was released by Cameo as a single from their 1986 album of the same name. The single peaked at number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

In more recent years, the single has been covered by bands like Gun and Korn and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

My collection: 7" single no. 2423
Found: July 22, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Word up!' / 'Urban warrior'

Free your mind - En Vogue

'Free your mind' was released after the uprising that took place in Los Angeles, California from April 29 to May 4, 1992 following the acquittal of the police officers who had beaten up Rodney King. The song used the chorus line of a George Clinton song with his permission.

The track was taken from En Vogue's 1992 album 'Funky Divas'. It peaked at number 18 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 16 in the UK singles chart and number 7 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1789
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 14, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Free your mind' / 'Giving him something he can feel'

You stole a little piece of my heart - Patty Brard

After leaving Luv', Patty Brard had a solo career in the first half of the Eighties. She recorded three albums in Los Angeles, of which 'You're in the pocket' (1983) was the second one. The single 'You stole a little piece of my heart' was an unusually hardrock-sounding track, released as the first single from that album.

The single did not chart, like most of her other singles. Still, it is an impressive popsong, even if Brard herself is an extremely irritating person these days.

My collection: 7" single no. 213
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'You stole a little piece of my heart' / 'Just a tease'

Walk out to winter - Aztec Camera

I never know what came first: the chicken or the egg. It's the same with this song: the lyric fits the music really well - or is it the other way around? The music sounds extremely 'wintery', but it might be because of the lyric that I think that.

The single reached number 64 in the UK singles chart and remains one of the band's best recognised songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 1983
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Walk out to winter' / 'Set the killing free'

Keeping the dream alive - Freiheit

Taken from the album 'Fantasy', 'Keeping the dream alive' is the English-language version of 'So lang' man Träume noch leben kann'. This single became the band's sole hit in the UK, reaching number 14 in the UK singles chart.

Like its German counterpart, the track was performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson Singers. It was one of my favourite tracks from 1989, even though it was released in late 1988.

My collection: 7" single no. 701
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, December 15, 1988
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Keeping the dream alive' / 'The land of fantasy'

Boom bang-a-bang - Lulu

'Boom bang-a-bang' was the United Kingdom entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1969. It was sung by Lulu. The song famously became one of four winning entries. The single peaked at number 2 in the UK singles chart and at number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song was the second entry with a nonsense title to win (after Massiel's triumph in 1968 with 'La la la'), and became infamous in the comedy world - most notably inspiring Monty Python's Flying Circus to parody it with 'Bing tiddle-tiddle bong'. Over two decades after its first release, the song was infamously included on a blacklist of banned songs issued by the BBC during the 1991 Gulf War.

My collection: 7" single no. 3693
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, May 5, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Boom bang-a-bang' / 'March!'

Money, money, money - Abba

'Money, money, money' was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and at first had the working title 'Gypsy girl'. The dramatic structure of the song suited well for Anni-Frid Lyngstad's lead vocal. The song is an early indication of Björn and Benny's abilities to write dramatic music suitable for a musicals.

'Money, money, money' was the second worldwide hit from Abba's album 'Arrival'. The single topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, West Germany, Mexico and New Zealand, and reached the Top 3 in Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria and the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 174
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1980
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Money, money, money' / 'Crazy world'

Heaven must be missing an angel (remix) - Tavares

'Heaven must be missing an angel' was written by Freddie Perren and Keni St. Lewis. It was recorded by Tavares in 1976. The original version was a hit all over the world, at the height of 'disco fever'.

Dutch remixer Ben Liebrand made a remix of the song in 1985, which made it a hit for the second time. The single reached number 8 in the Dutch Top 40 in September 1985, and number 21 in the UK singles chart in March 1986.

My collection: 7" single no. 343
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Heaven must be missing an angel (remix)' / 'Whodunit'

Love in your eyes - Limahl

Limahl got rid of his extravagant haircut and started making 'serious' music in 1986. His album 'Colour all my days' was mostly produced by Giorgio Moroder. The first single, 'Love in your eyes' was a minor hit for the ex-Kajagoogoo singer.

Around this time, a UK tabloid published a photograph of Limahl leaving an unemployment office, with the caption, 'how the once mighty can fall'. But while only reaching number 80 in the UK Singles chart, 'Love in your eyes' fared much better in the rest of Europe, particularly in Germany, where the single reached number 28 and Italy, where the single peaked at number 22.

My collection: 7" single no. 439
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, July 26, 1986
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in your eyes' / 'Love will tear the soul'

Run to you - Bryan Adams

'Run to you' was recorded by Bryan Adams in 1984. It became his first worldwide hit, peaking at number 11 in the UK and number 14 in the Netherlands. It was the first single from Adams' fourth studio album 'Reckless'.

Most of all I remember the music video, which I found very impressive with all that snow...

My collection: 7" single no. 1526
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 21, 1991
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Run to you' / 'I'm ready'

EDIT (April 5, 2010): I received a notice from Blogger that this post was complained about. I trust it's from the same people who posted a reaction on this post. They are obviously terrified that anyone should hear any Bryan Adams music, even if it's any good. The message these people are sending is: don't listen to music, you might get inspired to buy it yourself. And they wonder why the music industry is in such terrible shape...

Handle with care - Traveling Wilburys

After Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Jeff Lynne had a meal together, they decided to come together at Bob Dylan's home studio in Malibu, California, to record an additional track as a B-side for the single release of Harrison's 'This is love'. Harrison had left his guitar at Tom Petty's house, and so he became involved as well.

When they'd recorded the song, 'Handle with care', the five decided that it was too good to be used as a B-side, and they enjoyed working together so much that they even decided to record a whole album together. And so the Traveling Wilburys were born. 'Handle with care' became the first single from their album 'Volume 1'. It became a hit in various countries including the UK (peaking at number 20) and the Netherlands (peaking at number 24).

My collection: 7" single no. 1466
Found: Record Exchange, London, June 30, 1991
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Handle with care' / 'Margarita'

Slide - The Big Dish

When the compact disc format was a new event, every single disc in the house was a true event. My sister had a couple of cd's, I owned one or two, but my brother had managed to find a few cd's very cheaply. One of them was a compilation on which this song featured: 'Slide' by the Big Dish. I'd never heard of the group, but the song - which sounded a bit like Tears for Fears - intrigued me. Naturally, when I saw the single some time later I had no reservations about buying it.

The Big Dish were a Scottish rock band, formed in Airdrie, Scotland in 1983. The band was formed by Steven Lindsay, Mark Ryce and John Harper. Early live performances in support of Lloyd Cole gave them a wider audience. However, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 698
Found: V&D, Den Haag, December 6, 1988
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Slide' / 'Reverend killer'

Moonlight shadow - Mike Oldfield

An early version of 'Moonlight shadow' was entitled 'Midnight passion' with vocals performed by British singer Hazel O'Connor. When Oldfield re-recorded the song with Maggie Reilly, a girlfriend of one of the roadies when he was on tour, Virgin Records were immediately happy with the song and wanted more pieces similar to it.

There was a long running urban myth (largely fuelled by the tabloid press) that the lyrics are a reference to the murder of John Lennon. Oldfield responded in a 1995 interview: 'It was originally inspired by a film I loved - Houdini, starring Tony Curtis, which was about attempts to contact Houdini after he'd died, through spiritualism'.

The single was one of Oldfield's biggest hits, reaching number 4 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Netherlands. Over the past few years, the song has been wrongly attributed to Kim Wilde on various filesharing networks.

My collection: 7" single no. 1894
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, May 2, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Moonlight shadow' / 'Rite of man'

Caribbean blue - Enya

A day at the Enya producer's office

'It's almost time to release a new single by Enya'.
- 'Really? It isn't so long ago since the previous album.'
'Yes, I know, but people are buying the stuff in droves, so we better make a profit now.'
- 'Okay... So do you still have the tapes?'
'Yes, I've got all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' she sung a couple of years ago.'
- 'Right. So any ideas for a new song?'
'Not really, but I think you could write a lyric, something along the lines of that one song, you know...'
- 'Orinoco flow?'
'That's the one! That way, I don't have to spend hours composing and arranging.'
- 'So have you got any lyric yet?'
'Yep, I'm almost there. It's a good thing we have those tapes in which she sang random words; we can glue them together and form some lyric with that.'
- 'Okay. What about the B-side?'
'Hmmm... I guess we'll just stick that Orinoco thingy on it'.
- 'Wouldn't that be a bit obvious?'
'I don't know. We'll see, won't we? If people buy this single, we can make a whole album with this stuff.'
- 'Right, good thinking mate...'

My collection: 7" single no. 1544
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, November 2, 1991
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Caribbean blue' / 'Orinoco flow'

Falling - Julee Cruise

One of the best TV-series of all time, 'Twin Peaks' was blessed with a gripping soundtrack, taken care of by Angelo Badalamenti. He scored the series, but also worked together with David Lynch on an album by Julee Cruise. 'Falling' appeared on both the soundtrack album for 'Twin Peaks' and the solo album by Cruise, 'Floating into the night'.

In the UK, the single reached number 7 in the singles chart. In the Netherlands, the single charted twice; once in January 1991, reaching number 20 and again in October of that year, reaching number 16. So why did this happen? It's easy: in September 1991, 'Twin peaks' started being broadcast in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1431
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 13, 1991
Cost: 3,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Falling' / 'Twin Peaks theme'

Die Zeit ist einsam - Timna Brauer

This is one of the hidden gems of the Eurovision Song Contest. It can be compared to the likes of 'Rapsodia' by Mia Martini (Italy 1992) and 'Sama' by Justyna Steczkowska (Poland 1995) as one of those songs that make you suicidal upon hearing it. Not because of the quality, mind, but because it's so moody and beautiful.

Timna Brauer was born on May 1, 1961 in Vienna, Austria and represented her country in 1996 with 'Die Zeit ist einsam' ('Time is lonely'). The international juries were not impressed and she ended up in 18th place in a field of 20 participants. They were obviously looking for something with more depth and substance - the winning song was 'J'aime la vie' ('I love life').

My collection: 7" single no. 2974
Found: Bea Records, March 1, 1998
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Die Zeit ist einsam' / 'And when the night comes'

Trojan horse - Luv'

Released in the autumn of 1978, 'Trojan horse' was the fifth single by Luv'. Heavy on bagpipes, this third hit single for the group reached number 1 in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Poland. Thanks to this success, Luv' established itself as one of the most popular Dutch pop acts of the late Seventies.

The song was used in the soundtrack of the Dutch movie 'Spetters', directed by Paul Verhoeven. When Luv' played a cameo role in the 1979 German movie 'Cola, Candy, Chocolate' they performed this song.

My collection: 7" single no. 32
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1979
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Trojan horse' / 'Life is on my side'

Mated - David Grant and Jaki Graham

Jaki Graham (born September 15, 1956 in Birmingham, UK) and David Grant (born August 8, 1956, Hackney, London, UK) recorded a duet called 'Could it be I'm falling in love' in Early 1985. The success of this duet led to a further recording together, 'Mated', released in autumn of that same year.

Written by Todd Rundgren, this duet was less successful, peaking at number 20 in the UK and number 15 in the Netherlands. But it's a glossy Eighties production and worth a spin or two.

My collection: 7" single no. 3865
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Mated' / 'The facts of love'

Whose side are you on - Matt Bianco

'Whose side are you on' was the title track from Matt Bianco's debut album. The single was released in the summer of 1984, and was promoted with a music video which still sticks in my head despite the fact that I haven't seen it for two decades.

The single was a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 23. It was not released in the UK and America.

My collection: 7" single no. 3866
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whose side are you on' / 'The other side'

Jimmy Mack - Risqué

'Jimmy Mack' was written by Lamont Dozier and Brian and Edward Holland in 1964 and recorded by Martha and the Vandellas that same year. The song was shelved because the Motown Quality Control team felt the recording was not suitable for release with the Vietnam War going on. It was pulled from the vault two years later and released as a single in early 1967. By that time, the Vietnam War had become a highly debated issue among the American public. Thus, Reeves' sentiment that her 'Jimmy Mack' return took on a different meaning for many listeners, particularly those stationed overseas.

The Dutch girl group Risqué recorded a cover version of the song in 1984, but it didn't find success. The song did not reach the chart despite some airplay.

My collection: 7" single no. 3858
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Jimmy Mack' / 'Love supply'

Muscles - Diana Ross

Why Diana Ross wants muscles has always been a mystery to me. I wouldn't know what she would need them for. But anyway, 'Muscles' was the title of her 1982 hit single taken from the album 'Silk electric', written and produced by Michael Jackson. The song, which was named after Jackson's pet snake and was written for Ross and her 'desire' for a muscle-bound lover, also gave Ross her twelfth and final Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

The single reached number 10 on the Dutch Top 40 and number 15 on the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3863
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Muscles' / 'I am me'

Windsurfin' - The Surfers

In 1978, Windsurfing was the world's new big thing. Dutch producer Jaap Eggermont decided to write a song about it. It was to be performed by members of the group Catapult, who just started a side project Rubberen Robbie. The song was not suitable for that group, and so The Surfers were thought up. Nico Fontijn, Paul Braaksma, Iwan Groeneveld, Patrick Elalouf and backing singers Esther Overbeek, Marijke Meyer and Cathy Leonupun were brought together to perform the song during TV programmes and live performances, while the studio version was recorded by members of Breeze and The Internationals.

The song became a number 2 hit in Belgium and the Netherlands. The success of the group proved to be short-lived. Esther Overbeek continued as a member of the Dolly Dots, other members disappeared into obscurity after The Surfers folded in 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 3864
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Windsurfin'' / 'Nite at the beach'

Shadow of your heart - Risqué

I don't know exactly what the 'shadow of your heart' is, but Risqué made a nice popsong with this title. It was not a hit for the girl group, one of many chart-missers.

The B-side featured a 'scratching version', essentially an extended mix with some scratching sounds in it. Scratching was the new sound of 1983, flown in from the black neighbourhoods from America.

My collection: 7"single no. 3860
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Shadow of your heart' / 'Shadow of your heart (Scratching version)'

Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had - Het Goede Doel

'Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had' ('If I was built like Arnold Schwarzenegger') was a new single by het Goede Doel to coincide with the release of a compilation album in 1991. It was the last single by the band before they broke up. Unfortunately, it wasn't a hit.

Having acquired a stack of singles by this band a few weeks ago (some of which have already featured on this blog), this was the only one still missing from my collection. It was great to finally get this one - even if I didn't know it was released on 7" vinyl! I wonder if the bodybuilding Californian politician knows about this song. I bet he'd feel flattered to be mentioned to be in a Dutch track.

My collection: 7" single no. 3861
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Als ik de bouw van Arnold Schwarzenegger had' / 'De muren zijn te dun'

Yé ké yé ké - Mory Kante

Mory Kanté was born on March 29, 1950 in Kissidougou, Guinea. He was brought up in the Mandinka griot tradition in Guinea and sent to Mali at the age of 7, where he learned to play the kora harp. In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band, in which Salif Keïta was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.

Several years later he started a solo career. His biggest success was 'Yé ké yé ké', a single released in 1987. It became an international hit in 1988, reaching number 1 in the Netherlands and reaching the top 5 in several European countries. It became the first ever African single to sell over one million copies.

My collection: 7" single no. 3862
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Yé ké yé ké' / 'Akwaba beach'

Hold on tight - Electric Light Orchestra

'Hold on tight' was the first single to be released from ELO's 1981 album 'Time' and was their last top 10 hit in the UK, reaching number 4 in the summer of 1981. In the Netherlands, where the single reached number 5, they would have one more top 10 hit single with 'Rock and roll is king' in 1983.

The song is quite unique for an English band, because it contains a verse sung in French. The words are a direct translation of the English verse sung earlier on in the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 3859
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Hold on tight' / 'When time stood still'

Annie I'm not your daddy - Kid Creole and the Coconuts

Kid Creole and the Coconuts enjoyed the biggest hit of their career in the autumn of 1982, when 'Annie I'm not your daddy' reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40. It became the signature song for the band.

Thomas August Darnell Browder, who renamed himself Kid Creole in 1980, described his persona as 'inspired by Cab Calloway and the Hollywood films of the Thirties and Fourties. The Kid fills out his colorful zoot suits with style and grace, dancing onstage with his inimitable, relentless and self-proclaimed cool'. Well, a line like 'If I was in your blood, then you wouldn't be so ugly' is decidedly icy.

My collection: 7" single no. 3857
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Annie I'm not your daddy' / 'You had no intention'

(You is) A guarantee for love - Smithereens

Smithereens was a short-lived Dutch rock band who enjoyed no chart success at all. Their single '(You is) A guarantee for love' was released in December 1985 and was played on the radio for a while, but without any commercial success. The band should not be confused with the American rock band the Smithereens.

My collection: 7" single no. 3867
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: '(You is) A guarantee for love' / 'Promiscuous'

Sketches of Spain - The Nits

The single 'Sketches of Spain' was a gripping tale of the Spanish civil war, taken from the Nits' 1983 album 'Kilo'. The single was the third hit single for the band, reaching number 24 in the Dutch Top 40.

I recorded the song - like many others - from the radio in 1983, but I never realised that I didn't have this single until I bought it today. Well, that's one error corrected then!

My collection: 7" single no. 3855
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sketches of Spain' / 'Bild am Sontag (As usual)'

UFO (We are not alone) - Bolland and Bolland

The brothers Rob and Ferdi Bolland enjoyed a handful of hit singles in the Netherlands during the Seventies, but this single, 'UFO (We are not alone)' was the beginning of a tough time for them. It was the first of many singles that wouldn't reach the charts. In fact, only one more single would do that - and that was in 1990.

This single was released in 1978, around the time when Jeff Wayne was enjoying lots of success with his 'War of the worlds' epic. The brothers could not profit from that success with this release.

My collection: 7" single no. 3856
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, July 18, 2009
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'UFO (We are not alone)' / 'Funkadelic man'

Fragile - Sting

'Fragile' was released as a single from Sting's 1987 album 'Nothing like the sun'. It was released as a limited edition with a poster sleeve and a standard edition with a beautiful glossy cardboard sleeve, both of which I have. It is a perfect song to play on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.

According to Wikipedia, the song is a tribute to Ben Linder, an American civil engineer who was killed by the Contras in 1987 while working on a hydroelectric project in Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Sting was touring the world with some indian with a frisbee in his lip to promote the problems of the South African rainforests. It's this kind of blathering that made Sting such a bore during the second half of the Eighties. The single, meanwhile, was a number 10 hit in the Netherlands, while in the UK it only made number 70.

My collection: 7" single no. 614 (1 & 2)
Found: Free Record Shop, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders + 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Fragile' / 'Frágil (Portuguese)'

Who is it - Michael Jackson

'Who is it', to me, is one of the standout tracks on Michael Jackson's 1991 album 'Dangerous'. Michael Jackson sang it a cappella during his 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and the positive reaction to this prompted Sony to issue it as a single in the U.S. instead of the planned 'Give in to me'. The single peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 10 on the UK singles chart and number 15 on the Dutch Top 40.

Vinyl pressings exist from various countries, but this limited edition from the UK is by far the most interesting. It contains a free-standing cutout portrait of Michael, like it says on the sleeve. In the days after Michael's death, the price of this item shot up to 20 pounds, so I was very relieved to find a more reasonably priced copy in an online shop.

My collection: 7" single no. 3852
Found: Disc Covery records, received July 15, 2009
Cost: 4 pounds
Tracks: 'Who is it' / 'Rock with you (Masters at Work remix)'

The first picture of you - The Lotus Eaters

'The first picture of you' was the debut single by the Lotus Eaters. The song was first recorded during a John Peel Radio 1 session in 1982 and when aired, stimulated a bidding war between major UK record labels. It took some time for the band to find the right producer for this delicate, acoustic sound, but they eventually teamed up with Nigel Gray, who had previously produced The Police and Siouxsie & the Banshees.

The song, after its release, received more UK radio plays in 1983 than any other song. It becpeaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart after the band had appeared on 'Top of the Pops' twice.

My collection: 7" single no. 2169
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 26, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'The first picture of you' / 'The lotus eaters'

I call your name - A-ha

'I call your name' was released as the second single from A-ha's fourth album 'East of the sun west of the moon'. As a single release, it was another disappointing one for the fans because it only contained two album tracks. At this point in the band's career, they were very greedy with bonus tracks and remixes.

Maybe this is why the sales were disappointing: the single only charted in France, Germany in the UK, reaching number 45, 37 and 44 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 1367
Found: Melody Maker, December 29, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'I call your name' / 'The way we talk'

Boogie nights - Heatwave

'Boogie nights' was released in 1976 as the debut single by British band Heatwave. The band consiseted of Americans Johnnie Wilder and Keith Wilder, Spaniard Mario Mantese, Czechoslovakian Ernest Berger, Jamaican Eric Johns plus British members Rod Temperton and Roy Carter.

The song became their signature song, peaking at number 2 in the UK and America, and number 17 in the Neherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 960
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Boogie nights' / 'All you do is dial'

See the day - Dee C. Lee

Dee C. Lee was born as Diane Catherine Sealey in Balham, South London on June 6, 1961. She was a backing vocalist for Wham! in the early Eighties, but left the group when she joined Paul Weller's new band the Style Council. At the same time, she launched a solo career. She later married Weller (although they have already divorced again by now), and they have two children, Nathaniel and Leah.

The self-penned ballad 'See the day' was released in 1985 and peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart, the first and biggest hit of her solo career. The song was covered in 2005 by Girls Aloud.

My collection: 7" single no. 381
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'See the day' / 'The Paris match'

Only the rain - Dolly Dots

Angela Groothuizen, Angéla Kramers, Anita Heilker, Esther Oosterbeek, Patty Zomer and Ria Brieffies were brought together by a producer who had witnessed the success of Luv', and thought he could improve on the formula by putting six instead of three women on stage. In a way, he was right, although artistically it didn't really get any better.

'Only the rain' was released at a time when the band was still going strong in 1985. The single was released in a limited edition pressed on white vinyl, which became the main reason for me to buy it - albeit seven years later. The single peaked at number 13 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1635
Found: April 20, 1992
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Only the rain' / 'Loverboy'

Hands to heaven - Breathe

'Hands to heaven' was the breakthrough hit single by Breathe, released in 1988. The song was written by group members David Glasper and Marcus Lillington. Ian Spice and Michael Delahunty completed the line-up.

The single reached number 4 on the UK singles chart, while in the USA the single even made number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same month This song was one of a number of singles, many by British and Australian bands, that helped to shape the smooth jazz radio format in the US in the mid to late 1980s. Other associated artists include Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz, Icehouse and Sade.

My collection: 7"single no. 1049
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 17, 1989
Cost: 80p
Tracks: 'Hands to heaven' / 'Life & times'