Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

Kate Bush wrote the song 'Cloudbusting' after she read the book 'A book of dreams', published in 1973. The book was written by Peter Reich, son of psychologist Wilhelm Reich, about his father's arrest and imprisonment through the eyes of himself as a young boy. Wilhelm Reich is the inventor of the 'cloudbuster', a rain machine that looks very much like the machine that is pictured on the cover of this single. It's an extraordinary book, which was re-released as a result of the success of this song. I bought it, and I still recommend it to everyone who loves this song.

The music video, in which Kate plays Peter and Donald Sutherland plays Wilhelm, retells the story in short and made quite an impression at the time. The single fared pretty well as a result: it reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 11 in the Dutch Top 40. The American single, released in 1986 in conjunction with the greatest hits compilation 'The whole story', has a different B-side. I bought it four years after its release.

My collection: 7" single no. 370 / no. 1344
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985 / London, October 18, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders / 2 pounds
Tracks (no. 370): 'Cloudbusting' / 'Burning bridge'
Tracks (no. 1344): 'Cloudbusting' / 'The man with the child in his eyes'

Tell me where it hurts - Garbage

I don't have a lot of Garbage singles, and that's partly because most of their singles were not released on 7" vinyl. And when they were, they are often exceedingly expensive. But I got lucky: I found this 2007 single at a bargain price.

'Tell me where it hurts' was released on white vinyl in 2007. It was a new track on the compilation album 'Absolute Garbage', released while the band were on hiatus. This song was recorded after the band hadn't worked together for eighteen months. It was written around a string arrangement by the band coupled with newly written lyrics and a title that vocalist Manson had come up with a few years prior. Released as a single, it reached number 50 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4820
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Tell me where it hurts' / 'Bad boyfriend (Sting like a bee remix)'

I wish u heaven - Prince

'I wish u heaven' was released as the third single from Prince's 1988 album 'Lovesexy'. It reached number 19 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 24 in the UK singles chart.

The B-side, 'Scarlet pussy' is a sexually charged track, using metaphors of cats and dogs for sexual organs. The track is credited to Camille, a feminine alter ego of Prince.

My collection: 7" single no. 1754
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 19, 1992
Cost: 50p
Tracks: 'I wish u heaven' / 'Scarlet pussy (edit)'

Touché d'amour - Chris Rea

The third single from Chris Rea's 1984 album 'Wired to the moon' was 'Touché d'amour'. Somewhat surprisingly, it was a reggae-oriented track.

The single reached number 86 in the UK singles chart and number 46 in Germany. In other territories, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4798
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Touché d'amour (special remix)' / 'Touché d'amour (instrumental)'

Heel alleen - Clouseau

'Heel alleen' ('Lonely') was the first single from Clouseau's second album, 'Of zo' ('Or something'). It featured a slightly rougher sound, something that would also be true for the album.

The fans were undeterred: the single was again a big hit for the band. In Belgium, the single reached number 3 and in the Dutch Top 40 it reached number 13.

My collection: 7" single no. 1358
Found: Den Haag, December 5, 1990
Cost: - (present)
Tracks: 'Heel alleen' / 'Verlangen'

Non so che darei - Alan Sorrenti

Alan Sorrenti was born in Naples, Italy on December 9, 1950. His mother was Welsh, and he was raised in Aberystwyth, Wales for much of his childhood. He started his singing career in the early Seventies. His work consisted mainly of progressive rock and experimental music.

In 1980, he represented Italy during the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Non so che darei' ('I don't know what I would give'). The song finished sixth in a field of 19 competitors. This single features both an Italian and English version of the song.

My collection: 7" single no. 4802
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'No so che darei' / 'If you need me now'

Two people - Tina Turner

'Two people' was released as the second single from Tina Turner's 1986 album 'Break every rule'. Contrary to most of her singles, this was a midtempo ballad, which for the most part she performed pretty well. Turner's voice can become pretty grating, especially in the higher registers, but on this single she starts off low enough - and that actually sounds good.

The single reached number 1 in Spain, number 22 in the Dutch Top 40, number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 in Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

My collection: 7" single no. 484
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Two people' / 'Havin' a party'

Who were you with in the moonlight - Dollar

'Who were you with in the moonlight' was the second single by the duo Dollar, releasedin April 1979 and produced by Christopher Neil.

Their debut single 'Shooting star' had been a big hit in several European countries, but this single did less well in comparison: it only charted in the UK, Ireland and Australia, peaking at number 14, 17 and 39 respectively.

My collection: 7" single no. 4805
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Who were you with in the moonlight' / 'Star control'

Innuendo - Queen

The track 'Innuendo' was pieced together 'like a jigsaw puzzle'. The recurring theme started off as a jam session between Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor. Freddie Mercury then added the melody and some of the lyrics, which were then completed by Taylor. At six and a half minutes, it is one of Queen's longest songs, and their longest ever released as a single, exceeding 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by 35 seconds.

Like 'Bohemian Rhapsody', it was released as the first single from its parent album, despite its length and complexity, going straight to number 1 in the UK singles chart. In the Dutch Top 40, the single reached number 4.

My collection: 7" single no. 1379
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 9, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Innuendo' / 'Bijou'

Don't go - Future World Orchestra

Yet another addition to my collection of Future World Orchestra singles. 'Don't go' was released in 1985, just before Robert Pot and Gerto Heupink decided to break up after differences of opinion about the musical direction they were heading.

Future World Orchestra still exists, with Pot as the sole original member.

My collection: 7" single no. 4819
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't go (part 1)' / 'Don't go (part 2)'

Fighting for our queen - Maarten Peters

'Fighting for our queen' was Maarten Peters' last solo single to be released on 7" vinyl - and his last solo single overall (not counting a track in Dutch he recorded over a decade later). His solo career came to a sudden halt after this single failed to chart. He released no further albums, but focused on songwriting instead, and worked as a musician with his partner Margriet Eshuys.

As a song, 'Fighting for our queen' is not his best effort. It plays on the imagery of fairy tales but the lyric is not very accomplished.

My collection: 7" single no. 1443
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 24, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Fighting for our queen' / 'Surrender'

Ole ole - Izhar Cohen

Last year I bought two copies of 'Ole ole!', and I thought that would pretty much complete my collection of Izhar Cohen singles. But I was wrong. While this single features the English version of the track and this single features the original Hebrew version, I found another single that features a third version of the track.

Izhar Cohen also recorded 'Ole ole!' in French, as proved on this version of the single, a German pressing released by Teldec. So do I have all the versions now? Who knows...

My collection: 7" single no. 4781
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ole ole (English version)' / 'Ole ole (French version)'

Walking in my shoes - Depeche Mode

'Walking in my shoes' was the second single taken from Depeche Mode's 1993 album 'Songs of faith and devotion'. The single version of the song was a remixed version of the album version. The sound has been made more noisy and dirty, especially the drums in the verse, and the intro has been shortened.

The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 69 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing of the single was made in Germany. 'Walking in my shoes' was the first Depeche Mode single not to have a commercial 7" release in the UK.

My collection: 7" single no. 1932
Found: Vienna, July 6, 1993
Cost: 55 Schilling
Tracks: 'Walking in my shoes' / 'My joy'

Don't walk away - Electric Light Orchestra

'Don't walk away' was released in 1980 as the fourth single from the soundtrack of the movie 'Xanadu'. Electric Light Orchestra may have been the only party to really profit from this movie, as it was not a commercial success, but the singles did fare reasonably well in the charts.

At least, the previous singles 'I'm alive', 'Xanadu' and 'All over the world' were top 10 hits in varying countries. 'Don't walk away' only reached number 7 in Ireland, reaching a more modest number 21 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4808
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't walk away' / 'Across the border'

You're a big girl now - Black

'You're a big girl now' was released as the second single from Black's 1988 album 'Comedy'. This limited edition version features a gatefold sleeve and a booklet with photographs and the song lyric in innovative typography.

The single did not reach the chart in any territory, a first sign that the commercial success of Black might not last forever - although the album was still a millionseller.

My collection: 7" single no. 689
Found: Record Exchange, October 1989
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'You're a big girl now' / 'Enough is enough'

Dancing in the city 1987 - Marshall Hain

In 1987, Dutch DJ Ben Liebrand remixed Marshall Hain's 1978 hit 'Dancing in the city'. It wasn't just a straightforward remix, as singer Kit Hain contributed new vocals to the track, adding a new verse. Gerbrand Westveen played the saxophone on this new version.

The single was released in the summer of 1987, but failed to chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4800
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dancing in the city (Summer city '87)' / 'Dancing in the alley'

Goudzoekers (remix) - Frank Boeijen Groep

Most of the albums of the Frank Boeijen Groep yielded three singles, but the 1986 album 'In natura' brought forth a fourth single. 'Goudzoekers' was released as the fourth single from the album in April 1987 in a special single remix. Adding backing vocals and new lead vocals, the single version was very different from the album version.

The single release was prompted by the chart success of previous single 'De verzoening', but this single failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 517
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, April 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Goudzoekers (remix)' / 'Mantel der liefde'

When you gonna - Rick and Lisa

In 1987, Rick Astley recorded his debut single, a duet with Lisa Carter called 'When you gonna'. Produced by Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, the single sunk without a trace. However, shortly after that, Astley recorded 'Never gonna give you up', the song that propelled him to international stardom.

When 'Never gonna give you up' became a big hit, the record company decided to re-release 'When you gonna'. And despite the fact that it sounded quite different from his Stock/Aitken/Waterman-produced hit, it still managed to become a hit in some countries. In the Dutch Top 40, 'When you gonna' reached number 17.

My collection: 7" single no. 4782
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'When you gonna' / 'When you gonna (dub mix)'

Sweet dreams (are made of this) '91 - Eurythmics

In 1991, the Eurythmics decided to take a break from working together to concentrate on solo efforts. Annie Lennox recorded the awardwinning album 'Diva', David A. Stewart formed the Spiritual Cowboys, releasing two albums with the group.

The record company took the opportunity to release a greatest hits album. In order to promote the album, a remix of 'Sweet dream (are made of this)' was made and released as a single. The remix didn't really change much from the original song, but simply added some sounds and beats to what was already a pretty perfect popsong. It reached number 48 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2201
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, October 8, 1994
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Sweet dreams (are made of this) '91' / 'The king & queen of America'

Some things are better left unsaid - Daryl Hall and John Oates

'Some things are better left unsaid' was the third single from Daryl Hall & John Oates' 1984 album 'Big bam boom'. Although the first two singles from the album were top 5 hits in the USA, this single couldn't match that level of success, peaking at number 18 instead. In Europe, the single did not chart at all.

My copy of the single was made in Germany. It features a standard label with the text 'Ungeprüftes Muster' on it, meaning that this single was made for promotional purposes only.

My collection: 7" single no. 4778
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Some things are better left unsaid' / 'All American girl'

Wil niet dat je weggaat - Clouseau

The Belgian band Clouseau was still riding the wave of popularity when they released the last single from their debut album in the summer of 1990. 'Wil niet dat je weggaat' ('Don't want you to leave') was re-recorded for this single version, adding much melodrama to the original, more relaxed version.

The single reached number 12 in Belgium and number 8 in the Dutch Top 40. The band, meanwhile, was starting work on their second album, while also touring in the two countries.

My collection: 7" single no. 1283
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, August 23, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Wil niet dat je weggaat' / 'Brandweer'

Rock me Amadeus - Falco

The history of the track 'Rock me Amadeus' has been badly documented on the web. A remix version of the track was a big hit around the world, but this single is the original version, released in early 1985. On this single, the track has the lengthy title 'Rock me Amadeus (Ihn liebten alle Frauen)', the subtitle of which means 'All the women loved him'.

The track was produced by the Dutch brothers Bolland and was going to be included on the forthcoming album 'Falco 3' later on in 1985. Of course, the remix version of this single was a number 1 hit all over the world, but this single didn't cause much of a stir.

My collection: 7" single no. 4799
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Rock me Amadeus (Ihn liebten alle Frauen)' / 'Urban tropical'

Cold in my heart - Frank Boeijen

Although none of the singles from Frank Boeijen's debut solo album charted in the Netherlands, the record company still thought it might be good to try and launch his career abroad. Two songs, 'Koud in mijn hart' and 'Vaarwel' were translated in English by J. Balin and released on this single. It was released in some European countries, but not in the Netherlands.

This, of course, instantly turned it into a sort of collector's item for Boeijen fans. I have to say I never even saw this single until I bought it last week. The single, of course, had no commercial success. It is next to impossible to locate a copy, unless you meet a German dealer who doesn't know what he's selling...

My collection: 7" single no. 4783
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Cold in my heart' / 'Farewell'

Sugar walls - Sheena Easton

Alexander Nevermind was credited for composing and producing Sheena Easton's 1984 single 'Sugar walls'. It was a pseudonym of Prince, marking the first time the purple midget from Minneapolis worked with the innocent Scottish girl.

'Sugar walls' was a suggestive song, for its repeating innuendo about a woman's private parts where the listener should 'come inside', adding 'Take advantage, it's all right' just to be sure. The single was not a hit in Europe, but reached number 9 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4807
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Sugar walls' / 'Straight talking'

Love in the natural way - Kim Wilde

Such was the success of Kim Wilde's sixth album 'Close', that the record company decided to release a fifth single in early 1989. 'Love in the natural way' was released in Germany, Ireland and the UK only, but failed to chart in Germany. In the UK singles chart, the single reached number 32, whereas in Ireland it reached number 26.

This was Kim's final single release of the Eighties, the decade in which she had become the biggest selling British female solo singer.

My collection: 7" single no. 764
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Love in the natural way' / 'You'll be the one who'll lose'

Food for thought - UB40

'Food for thought' was the first single release by British reggae band UB40. The song was an attempt to publicize and condemn the Ethiopian famine in Africa, comparing it with the Western over-indulgent celebration of Christmas, a full five years before Band Aid brought the subject to widespread attention.

It was released as a double A side along with 'King', which was a song written about the late Martin Luther King, questioning the lost direction of his followers and the state of mourning of a nation after his death. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart early in 1980 and number 1 in New Zealand a few months later.

My collection: 7" single no. 4813
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Food for thought' / 'King'

Playing the blues - Maarten Peters

In early 1991, Maarten Peters came up with the follow-up to his successful 1989 album 'White horses in the snow'. Entitled 'A scary tale', it was a collection of songs mainly inspired by fairytales.

The first single 'Playing the blues', however, was not one of them. This one sounded like a poppy version of a blues track. It probably didn't sound that believable coming from a white Dutch man, because the single failed to chart even in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 1397
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, March 9, 1991
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Playing the blues' / 'Merlin'

Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum) - Severine

In 1971, Severine won the Eurovision Song Contest for Monaco with the song 'Un banc, un arbre, une rue'. She recorded three alternative versions of the song: 'Chance in time' (English version), 'Il posto' (Italian) and 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)'.

This German version was released in German-speaking countries. It reached number 23 in the German singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4771
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Mach die Augen zu (und wünsch dir einen Traum)' / 'Ich denke oft noch an dich'

Angel - Eurythmics

'Angel' was written by Eurythmics band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. It was the fourth single taken from their album 'We too are one'.

The single reached number 23 in the UK singles chart, but failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1233
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, May 8, 1990
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Angel' / 'Angel (Choir version)'

Whatever happened to Benny Santini? - Chris Rea

When Chris Rea signed his first record deal with Magnet Records in 1978, they suggested he use the stage name Benny Santini. He refused, but it did inspire him to write the song 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?'. What's more, his debut album was named after this song.

And the song in turn was released as the second single from the album. Although this single flopped all over Europe, it did manage to reach number 71 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Even more remarkable: only 'Fool (if you think it's over)' (1978) and 'Diamonds' (1979) were bigger single hits for Rea in the USA.

My collection: 7" single no. 4794
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Whatever happened to Benny Santini?' / 'Three angels'

De verzoening - Frank Boeijen Groep

There was always something quite embarrassing about 'De verzoening' ('The reconsiliation') by the Frank Boeijen Groep. Frontman Frank Boeijen wrote the song with a very personal lyric, leading to a chorus that proclaimed 'Heb me lief' ('Love me'). During live concerts and television performances this led to hysterical audiences singing along to those lines, something that always struck me as something otherworldly.

Anyway, the song struck a chord with many people, which led to it becoming a modest hit: it reached number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. The response endures to this day: whenever Boeijen sings this song, audiences sing along as if their lives depend on it. I just chuckle whenever I notice that.

My collection: 7" single no. 487
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'De verzoening' / 'Niemand heeft gelijk'

Only for love - Limahl

'Only for love' is the debut single by former Kajagoogoo singer Limahl, who was fired from the group by his bandmates in 1983. The song was later included on Limahl's 1984 debut solo album, 'Don't suppose'. The song became his first solo hit, peaking at number 16 in the UK singles chart.

It also played a part in the singer meeting producer Giorgio Moroder, while he was performing the song at a rock festival in Tokyo the following year. Moroder would help Limahl reach greater international success later in his career.

My collection: 7" single no. 4790
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Only for love' / 'OTT (Over the top)'

Running up that hill - Kate Bush

During many televised interviews and in dozens of magazine articles, Kate Bush has had to explain the meaning behind her 1985 single 'Running up that hill' while she was promoting her album 'Hounds of love'. I'm sure this is one of the reasons why she did so little promotion ever since. She commented: 'I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman, can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised!'

The single was released in August 1985 and was basically Kate's comeback single after an absence of over two years from the pop scene. Many people thought this was an extremely long time. (Little did they know about what Kate would do later on in her career...). She was welcomed back in many countries with one of the biggest hits of her career. 'Running up that hill' reached number 3 in the UK, number 6 in the Netherlands and number 30 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 316
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, August 1985
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Running up that hill' / 'Under the ivy'

You and your heart so blue - Bucks Fizz

'You and your heart so blue' was released when band member Jay Aston announced she was leaving Bucks Fizz .Halfway through promoting the single, the group recruited a new female singer, Shelley Preston. More publicity went towards a TV special that was filmed in Mauritius, but remained unscreened as the production company went bankrupt midway through filming.

The single became overshadowed in all the publicity and failed to reach the UK top 40, stalling at number 43.

My collection: 7" single no. 4784
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'You and your heart so blue' / 'Now those days are gone'

Both sides of the story - Phil Collins

'Both sides of the story' was the first single from Phil Collins' 1994 album 'Both sides'. It was one of his socially conscious lyrics, trying to make a case for listening to both sides of a story before making a judgement.

The single reached number 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2008
Found: Virgin Megastore, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Both sides of the story' / 'Always (live)'

The wizard - Paul Hardcastle

'Top of the Pops' was the most popular television chart programme in the history of television. Broadcast by the BBC in the UK between 1964 and 2006, it had a weekly audience of millions, tuning in to see studio performances of the biggest chart hits by all the artists and bands that mattered.

This show also had a theme tune, which changed from time to time. Between April 1986 and October 1991, Paul Hardcastle's 'The wizard' was the tune that was used. It was released as a single in 1986, just after the success of Hardcastle's '19'. This single reached number 15 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4809
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'The wizard (part 1)' / 'The wizard (part 2)'

Louise - Clouseau

Released as the follow-up to their biggest hit up until then, 'Daar gaat ze', 'Louise' was the second single by Clouseau with a girl's name as the title. And just like 1989's 'Anne', 'Louise', released in May 1990, was a song about a girl that is adored by the protagonist.

The band had no complaints about popularity: the single reached number 9 in the Belgian chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1464
Found: Record fair, June 29, 1991
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Louise' / 'Zij is van mij'

Year of the cat - Al Stewart

Al Stewart and Peter Wood wrote 'Year of the cat', the title track of Stewart's 1976 album. The lyric tells the story of a tourist who meets a hippie girl in an exotic market, stays the night with her, and thus misses his tour bus. The album version of the track includes many instrumental passages and clocks in at 6 minutes and 37 seconds. This single version is edited down to 3 minutes and 25 seconds, which is way too short in my opinion.

The single reached number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 31 in the UK singles chart and number 6 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4818
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Year of the cat' / 'Broadway Hotel'

Let me be yours - Five Star

'Let me be yours' was released in November 1988 as the fourth and final single from Five Star's fourth album 'Rock the world'.

The album wasn't the band's biggest success, and the single was just as unfortunate: it stalled at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 2575
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, December 16, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Let me be yours' / 'Rare groove'

Das Model - Kraftwerk

Hard to believe, but although Kraftwerk's 'The model' has become some sort of Eighties classic, the track was actually released in 1978. It just goes to show how ahead of their time the German perfectionists were even in the beginning of their career. The German version of 'The model' was called 'Das Model', and was released in Germany with the English version on the B-side.

When radio DJ's started playing the B-side, EMI re-issued the single in December 1981 – apparently against the band's wishes – with 'The model' as the A-side. That single reached number 1 in February 1982 and spent a total of 21 weeks in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4788
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Das Model' / 'The model'

It's a hard life - Queen

'It's a hard life' was written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. A track on their 1984 album 'The works', it was released as the third single from that album. It reached number 6 in the UK singles chart.

The song is a continuation of the theme presented in earlier single 'Play the game': Mercury writes from the same lover's perspective at a later stage in their search for true love. The opening lyric of 'It's a hard life' is based on the line 'Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!' ('Laugh, Pagliaccio, at your broken love!') from 'Vesti la giubba', an aria from Ruggiero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci.

My collection: 7" single no. 585
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, February 6, 1988
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'It's a hard life' / 'Is this the world we created?'

Blue Peter - Mike Oldfield

Mike Oldfield recorded a rendition of the theme tune of the BBC Television programme 'Blue Peter' in 1979. It was used by the show between 1979 and 1989. A single was also released, the royalties of which went to the Cambodia appeal launched by the show. The single peaked at number 19 in the UK singles chart.

Traditionally, the debut of a new version of the famous theme tune 'Barnacle Bill' is accompanied with an introduction by the presenters at the time explaining the reasons behind the new rendition. Mike Oldfield's version had its genesis in his appearance on the programme in 1979 to demonstrate how modern pop music was created using multi-track recording techniques. Oldfield also recorded a new version of the programme's closing music, which runs for just 20 seconds and has never been commercially released.

My collection: 7" single no. 4804
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Blue Peter' / 'Woodhenge'

One night affair - Spargo

The current amount of singles in my collection has been counted on arrival since the early Eighties. The last revision of these numbers took place sometime in 1984, when I decided I needed to ditch number 114. It was a terrible single from a Dutch singer who shall not be named here. The problem was, I needed to find a single to replace that one. All I had was a disc by Spargo that I had always kept despite the fact that it was half broken and the sleeve had gone missing. The name: 'One night affair'. Yesterday, I decided to fix the situation forever by buying a new (and complete) copy of that very single.

'One night affair' was a hit for the Dutch band Spargo in April 1981. It reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 114
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'One night affair' / 'Running from your lovin''

Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime) - Morris Minor and the Majors

British comedian Tony Hawks formed Morris Minor and the Majors together with Paul Boross and Phil Judge. Taking on the names Morris Minor, Rusty Wing and Phil Errup, they recorded 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)', a style parody of the Beastie Boys. The subtitle plays on their single 'No sleep till Brooklyn'.

The single also features the song 'Another boring 'B' side', which became something of a cult classic, particularly for its memorable chorus, which simply repeated the line: 'Very very very very very very boring'. The single reached number 4 in the UK singles chart, number 14 in Canada and number 2 in Australia.

My collection: 7" single no. 4815
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Stutter rap (No sleep til bedtime)' / 'Another boring 'B' side'

Verslaafd aan jou - Frank Boeijen Groep

'Verslaafd aan jou' ('Addicted to you') was the second single from the Frank Boeijen Groep's 1986 album 'In natura'. Released in September 1986, it reached number 34 in the Dutch Top 40.

The single version was slightly shorter than the album version of the track. There were no signs yet that the next single would become the big hit it would be.

My collection: 7" single no. 449
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, September 3, 1986
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Verslaafd aan jou' / 'Op zoek naar de verloren tijd'

Leipzig - Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin

'Leipzig' was originally recorded by Thomas Dolby. Originally appearing as a B-side to an early Dolby single produced by Andy Partridge, 'Leipzig' - according to Stewart and Gaskin - sounded like a great song in embryo. The backing was minimal, the overall mood dark and introspective.

Dave & Barbara's version of the song is, by contrast, expansive and technicoloured, with a big, rolling beat, embellished with electronic percussion, keyboards, and cartoony sound effects.

My collection: 7" single no. 4786
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Leipzig' / 'Rich for a day'

I feel you - Depeche Mode

Was this Depeche Mode, or a heavy metal band? This was the question that bothered many listeners when the first single from their Depeche Mode's album 'Songs of faith and devotion' was released in early 1993. 'I feel you' sounded rough and tough, with a tormented Dave Gahan screaming his lungs out. He still had some drug-fuelled nightmares to go, but on this single, it sounded like he was already going through them.

On the cover of this single, there are four symbols, each representing a member. To tell which member it is, there's a number on the right-corner of each symbol, which is that band member's birthdate, or you can match the symbols up with the symbols on the cover of the album, which overlap a picture of that band member.

My collection: 7" single no. 1936
Found: Musik Box, Vienna, July 12, 1993
Cost: 30 Schilling
Tracks: 'I feel you' / 'One carress'

Heart of glass - Blondie

Almost immediately after its release, 'Heart of glass' became the subject of controversy because of its disco sound. At the time, Blondie was one of the bands at the forefront of New York's growing New Wave musical scene and were accused of 'selling out' for releasing a disco song. There was also the issue of the use of the expression 'pain in the ass' within the lyrics which, at the time, did not sit easily with the BBC. The radio version changed it to 'Heart of glass'.

This Dutch pressing of the single uses an edited version of the 'disco version' that was released on the 12" single. It reached number 5 in the Dutch Top 40. In several other European countries and the UK, 'Heart of glass' reached number 1.

My collection: 7" single no. 4795
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Heart of glass' / 'Heart of glass (instrumental)'