Singles

Of the hundred and fifty or so 7" singles I’ve accumulated over the past decade, a disproportionate number of them date back to the tail end of the ’70s and the early part of the ’80s. In other circumstances, these could have been my peak single-buying years - I was between the ages of nine and fifteen - but I had other priorities at the time, and, in any case, not very much money. It’s been a pleasure to acquire now some of the records I might have bought then had things been different.

Shown above are a select half-dozen such 45s which happen to have picture sleeves:

• ‘(I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence Dear’ by Blondie (1978)
• ‘Making Plans for Nigel’ by XTC (1979)
• ‘Echo Beach’ by Martha and the Muffins (1980)
• ‘Reward’ by The Teardrop Explodes (1981)
• ‘Beat Surrender’ by The Jam (1982)
• ‘Nobody’s Diary’ by Yazoo (1983)