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Posted by: Gezza 5th January 2024, 05:59 PM

It's 1987 in this thread and the 80s are in their full pomp. We'll count down all the sounds of the year and hopefully generate a few "almost forgotten gems" along the way. As always thanks go to MFR, Vas tariner, Youtube, Wikipedia, MW, popscene, and a few other sources who have helped over the years. Here's the links to previous threads if this isn't your year!

http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=261144
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=263270
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=264908&st=0&start=0
http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=266664&st=0&start=0

In doing this I've tried to take into account TOTP performances and other factors which may have effected sales and chart positions throughout the decade.

Actual weekly sales have recently come to light and are now presented to you in the same vein as the current 1995 thread. My thanks go to Robbie and kobyhadrain for sourcing the information and presenting it. So sit back and enjoy every top 10 hit of the 80s (eventually), before spring you'll have your mind set on

Posted by: Colm 5th January 2024, 08:39 PM

Yay!

Posted by: dandy* 5th January 2024, 10:43 PM

Both WOO and HOO

Posted by: Jade 5th January 2024, 10:51 PM

Hype as always *.*

Posted by: jimwatts 5th January 2024, 10:54 PM

This thread has always been on my mind

Posted by: dandy* 5th January 2024, 11:04 PM

Bravo squire!

It'll be a fairytale of new talk.

Posted by: Gezza 6th January 2024, 05:20 PM

17TH JANUARY



Jackie Wilson clings onto the No 1 spot for a fourth week though it sold just 60,044, that’s the lowest in 5 weeks. “Reet Petite” has now sold 523,974 so has to be deemed a success, its old foe “Caravan Of Love (far from being a surprise No 1 this week as per my prediction last week) falls away 2-7 (16,609) with total sales of 402,322 and should at least clear the 450,000 mark at the end of the day, doubtless its ultimately festive feel is now working against it.





Wilson was heavily challenged toward the end of the week by Steve “Silk” Hurley whose “Jack Your Body” introduces us to the concept of “Jack” a type of house music which is currently emerging from the Chicago dance scene. You may recall mention of Hurley last September as the flatmate of Farley “Jackmaster” Funk whose No 8 hit “Love Can’t Turn Around” was based around Hurley’s “I Can’t Turn Around” which in turn was a US dance No 1 and when released here under the moniker JM Silk peaking at No 62 last autumn. Now “Jack Your Body” Powers 18-2 (41,293) and failing some miracle will be No 1 next week after way outstripping Wilson on Saturday.





Spending 8 weeks in the chart already, Elkie Brooks finds herself in the UK top 10 for the first time in 10 years with “No More The Fool”. She’s been a chart regular on both the singles and albums chart for the past decade and has come a long way from supporting The Beatles in the mid 60’s, her album “Pearls” was once the biggest selling album ever by a UK female until overtaken by Alison Moyet’s debut “Alf” in 1985, but she’s taken until this week to have her biggest hit as the current single accelerates 11-5 (19,057). A nice present for her after moving to a new label last year and giving birth just last month, and not bad for a song that first saw life designed an uptempo track for Kim Wilde!





Currently sitting at No 2 stateside behind Gregory Abbott, Robbie Nevil wrote “C’est La Vie” back in 1985 giving it to Beau Williams to record on his album “Bodacious” but that never made it to single status so Nevil thought he’d make it a hit himself and sees it fly 32-6 (18,224) in a particularly packed top 10 which sees No 3 and No 10 separated by just 15,000 copies with not much selling at all.





For the first time in 7 years The Pretenders score back to back top 10 singles as “Hymn To Her” soars 19-8 (14,705). The album “Get Close” peaked at No 10 and this week return’s 35-13 as sales rapidly approach the 100,000 mark.





Swing Out Sister are currently very busy recording their debut album, but in the interim they have a second top 10 single on their hands as “Surrender” looks promising for a massive hit as it rockets 38-10 (14,297) in just its second week. However you will probably note that the tallies for 3-8 are the lowest required to be in the top 10 as single sales continue to contract, many have commented that with the rise of a new format (namely the CD which is increasingly being produced for singles now and increasing its market share) it may be taking its time to bed in and hitting sales hard. We can only hope that as the year kicks in sales will rise!



Elsewhere Alison Moyet holds at No 3 (29,121) with a sales increase after a nadir sales wise last week for the decade, but at least the Gap Band climb 9-4 (25,993) to have their highest placed single ever, when “Oops Upside Your Head” peaked at No 6 back in 1980 it sold a frankly very impressive now, 57,000 how times have changed. Erasure complete the top 10 with “Sometimes” dipping 7-9 (14,501)


1- REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)- Jackie Wilson (60,044)
2- JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley (41,293)
3- IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet (29,121)
4- BIG FUN- Gap Band (25,993)
5- NO MORE THE FOOL- Elkie Brookes (19,057)
6- C’EST LA VIE- Robbie Nevil (18,224)
7- CARAVAN OF LOVE- The Housemartins (16,609)
8- HYMN TO HER- The Pretenders (14,705)
9- SOMETIMES- Erasure (14,501)
10- SURRENDER- Swing Out Sister (14,297)

Posted by: TheSnake 6th January 2024, 05:34 PM

I prefer 'Love Can't Turn Around' to 'Jack Your Body' but both are iconic.

For Robbie Nevil I much prefer 'Dominoes' to 'C'est la Vie'.

'No More The Fool' production wise is like Berlin's 'Take My Breath Away' but not anywhere as good sadly.

'Surrender' I find much less cheesy than 'Breakout'.

Posted by: Colm 6th January 2024, 11:51 PM

Jack Your Body is easily the pick of the top 10. Although, I do like Is This Love? and Sometimes also

Posted by: Dotty New Year 7th January 2024, 01:50 AM

Jack Your Body really is head and shoulders above the pack there.

Posted by: Bjork 7th January 2024, 08:13 AM

Surrender is the bestest in that top 10 <3 Swing Out Sister were so good, their sound was so lush
also like C'est la Vie... the pretenders one I didn't know, bit weird lyrically to me
Jack Your Body does not much to me on 1st listen

Posted by: Steve201 7th January 2024, 10:11 AM

Looking forward to the next weeks write up!

Posted by: Gezza 7th January 2024, 11:34 AM

On that note forgot to say no spoilers please. If I don't mention something which you think should be mentioned then please wait until the song has left the top 10 to mention it, just because I try to say things in the appropriate week that it happened.

Posted by: Jester 7th January 2024, 12:14 PM

Jack Your Body should be appreciated as it would have sounded at the time - totally fresh and new. I do prefer Love Can’t Turn Around however.

Posted by: Steve201 7th January 2024, 12:51 PM

I agree people need to realise how different Jack Your Body would have sounded in Jan 87!

Posted by: Colm 7th January 2024, 02:20 PM

Absolutely. The hand claps, the bassline, the samples.

Posted by: Gezza 7th January 2024, 03:45 PM

24TH JANUARY



Britain has its first house No 1 in the form of “Jack Your Body” which rises 2-1 on a sale of 50,762, that's lower than any No 1 single sold in 37 weeks since Falco last May, it finally shook off Jackie Wilson who trips 1-2 (44,353) as the weekend came round. Hurley has been invited to do UK promo including TOTP but has so far refused to play the game, perhaps now he’s No 1 he’ll have a rethink. Truly remarkable is that the record has had next to no support from Radio 1 or mainstream radio for that matter proving that, contrary to popular opinion, it isn't always needed!





After last week’s splurge of new entries it’s a more conservative show this week, the highest new track to enter the top 10 comes from The Style Council with a 7th top 10 smash “It Didn’t Matter”. The song is in practice a duet between Weller and his new wife Dee C Lee. It’s a welcome return for Lee who has seen her own career flounder since the success of “See The Day” a few years ago, this single is the first to be cut from the band’s third studio album “The Cost Of Loving” which is out in 3 weeks, and moves 15-9 (17,476) this week and if it climbs again this week it will be the first Style Council ever to climb for a second week on the trot.





One of pop’s survivors, Iggy Pop has battled with drug addiction for the majority of the last 20 years throughout which time he was part of the critically revered group The Stooges as well as becoming a close friend of David Bowie. Together they wrote “China Girl” and “Tonight” which became singles successes for Bowie and helped to raise Pop’s profile, he’s now recorded a version of Johnny O’Keefe’s 1958 single “Wild One” which was astonishingly (for such a well known song) never a hit in the UK for anyone until Iggy Pop’s current version which he’s retitled “Real Wild One”, it glides 18-10 (14,008) to make that long wait all worthwhile.



Sales in general are up week on week which means that though some tracks fall or are stuck they actually increase in sales , well most anyway, those tracks include Alison Moyet at No 3 (35,428), Elkie Brookes 5-5 (29,852), and The Pretenders 8-8 (19,856). Those fortunate enough to get a climb are Robbie Nevil 6-4 (33,099) and Swing Out Sister 10-7 (21,148) whilst the Gap band lose position and sales 4-6 (24,174)



1- JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley (50,762)
2- REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)- Jackie Wilson (44,353)
3- IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet (35,428)
4- C’EST LA VIE- Robbie Nevil (33,099)
5- NO MORE THE FOOL- Elkie Brookes (29,852)
6- BIG FUN- Gap Band (24,174)
7- SURRENDER- Swing Out Sister (21,148)
8- HYMN TO HER- The Pretenders (19,856)
9- IT DIDN’T MATTER- Style Council (17,476)
10- REAL WILD CHILD (WILD ONE)- Iggy Pop (14,008)

Posted by: TheSnake 7th January 2024, 07:11 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Jan 7 2024, 12:51 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 8th January 2024, 07:18 AM

Was thinking C’est la Vie would explode and move to @1
But its moving quite slow so probably not

Posted by: Gezza 8th January 2024, 07:56 PM

31ST JANUARY



Well if you’ve been following the charts this week then you may be aware that there was considerable friction within the industry when it was pointed out to Gallup that the current No 1 “Jack Your Body” has a running time of over 25 minutes in its 12” vinyl version which is against Gallup rules and so, technically, sales of that format should have been moved to the album charts. The single is selling a significant proportion of its sales (this week’s tally is 66,334 made up of 55.4% 12" sales) on that format and had it been stripped of those “ineligible” sales would have been demoted all the way to No 7 (and indeed No 8 last week), in the end Gallup decided that the error was spotted too late and so Steve “Silk” Hurley keeps the top spot for a second week. Gallup have promised to automate the running times in their database in future so that formats which exceed the allowed limits are automatically transferred to the album charts instead of relying on human input to allocate it.



Funnily enough had the 12" been moved to the album charts then it would have been No 2 last week and No 1 week so it is in fact an example (the only one) of a song which was a No 1 hit when it shouldn't have been but also a No 1 album when it wasn't!



That decision is especially harsh on George Michael and Aretha Franklin who see their duet “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” fall at the last hurdle and enter at No 2 on a sale of 49,419. Indeed until Friday it was in the lead by a narrow margin with TOTP giving Hurley that vital lift which sees him clear but it seems a temporary reprieve, it’s only Franklin’s fourth top 10 single but already her biggest, her previous best was 1968’s “I Say A Little Prayer” (No 4) Whilst for Michael it’s three out of three in terms of his solo output the previous two of course topped the charts. The gripe could also be extended to The Housemartins whom you may recall were stripped of sales of special "singles pack" just a few weeks ago because it exceeded maximum playing time and was moved to the album charts though it is unclear if it cost the track the Christmas No 1, at any rate it is a rule inconsistently applied.





With George Michael returning to the top 10 it’s appropriate that his former Wham! backing vocalists Pepsi & Shirlie also turn up with their first single “Heartache” which is produced by another popstar, Phil Fearon! Sadly The Style Council revert to form and tumble 9-19 and therefore Dee C Lee can’t quite manage to join the Wham! reunion. The girls shoot 22-7 (31,195) and have a hit on their hands.





Generating a fair amount of press interest already Curiosity Killed The Cat finally arrive with their second single “Down To Earth” which has rambled around the charts 70-64-61-50-49-32-15 so far. Their debut release “Misfit” narrowly missed out on being a hit when it peaked at No 76 but it will now be getting a re-release as their next single and the group are busy recording their first LP. 31,144 buyers bought their current single as it climbs to No 8.







Randy Crawford has been missing from the top 40 for 6 years now but she’s back with “Almaz” which was written about Crawford’s neighbours and at the behest of the man in the relationship as a love song to his wife. It’s actually been around for longer than the Curiosity record having moved 72-57-58-56-50-60-56-35-20 before this week’s surge to No 10 (25,857) as January turns into a month which sees several strugglers in the Christmas market get a deserved boost. “Almaz” incidentally means diamond in a few languages in case you wondered.



Robbie Nevil continues to inch nearer the top though “C’est La Vie” sold 38,284 as it moved 4-3, and Elkie Brookes holds at No 5 for a third week selling 33,014. Three fallers to report, Alison Moyet dips 3-4 (33,609) a higher sale than when it sat at No 3 ironically, Jackie Wilson hurtles 2-6 (32,181) and Swing Out Sister slip 7-9 (30,107)


1- JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley (66,334)
2- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin (49,419)
3- C’EST LA VIE- Robbie Nevil (38,284)
4- IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet (33,609)
5- NO MORE THE FOOL- Elkie Brookes (33,014)
6- REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)- Jackie Wilson (32,181)
7- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (31,195)
8- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (31,144)
9- SURRENDER- Swing Out Sister (30,107)
10- ALMAZ- Randy Crawford (25,857)

Posted by: TheSnake 8th January 2024, 08:17 PM

'Down To Earth' is quite good but there are a few way better sophisti-pop songs imo on the way in 1987.

Posted by: Jester 8th January 2024, 08:26 PM

Down To Earth and I Knew You Were Waiting are both classy additions to the top 10.

Posted by: Steve201 8th January 2024, 09:45 PM

Made that Aretha got so few top 10 hits by this stage!

Was it really just around Christmas that some songs were slow to take off?

Posted by: Jessie Where 8th January 2024, 11:04 PM

I Knew You Were Waiting

I'll have something to say about this one in due course... !

Posted by: Bjork 9th January 2024, 11:15 AM

I know it's cheesy pop but as a kid I was beyond obsessed with Pepsi & Shirlie and Heartache was like my fav song of 1987 <3

I Knew You Were Waiting is a classic, great track written by Simon Climie of Climie Fisher fame.

I also was a big fan of Curiosity Killed the Cat and this is a solid first hit from them

Posted by: Gezza 9th January 2024, 05:10 PM

7TH FEBRUARY



To the surprise of no-one George Michael secures his third No 1 this week with Aretha Franklin in toe on “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, in a fashion he equals the record set by Gerry & The Pacemakers and later equalled by Frankie Goes To Hollywood as he’s now placed his first three solo releases at the top of the charts. His total (including Wham! tracks) is now 7 making him by far the most successful artist of the 80s based on that statistic, sling in his stint on Band Aid and he’s featured on 8 chart toppers in the last 3 years, he’s also in the studio in the next few months recording his debut solo album due for Christmas and finally, he becomes the first act ever to top the charts with two different dueting partners if we count Andrew Ridgely as his first. For Franklin it is of course her very first No 1 after 20 years of asking.



Their ascendancy to the top is especially cruel on his former Wham! backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie who see their debut single “Heartache” shoot 7-2 but in reality there’s an ocean between them as George & Aretha triumph with 94,588 to Pepsi & Shirlie’s 54,519, both figures are however the best for 1987 so far and are well clear of the rest of the field.



Released first in 1985 Taffy’s “I Love My Radio” was a top 5 smash in Italy and a reasonable hit in some other European countries whilst passing us by. Katherine Quaye (Taffy’s real name) stuck with the song however and in a remixed form it finally makes it across the English Channel and into our top 10 shifting 15-7 (26,724).



Randy Crawford springs 10-4 (42,024) leaping over a still advancing Curiosity Killed The Cat who climb 8-5 (38,131). Steve “Silk” Hurley ends his reign by sliding 1-3 (47,685) and others fallers include Robbie Nevil 3-6 (29,342), Elkie Brookes 5-8 (23,426) but can celebrate having two albums in the top 10 this week, and Alison Moyet ebbs 4-10 (20,944),Swing Out Sister hold at No 9 (21,284) and cling onto a top 10 space for another week.


1- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin (94,588)
2- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (54,519)
3- JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley (47,685)
4- ALMAZ- Randy Crawford (42,024)
5- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (38,131)
6- C’EST LA VIE- Robbie Nevil (29,342)
7- I LOVE MY RADIO- Taffy (26,724)
8- NO MORE THE FOOL- Elkie Brookes (23,426)
9- SURRENDER- Swing Out Sister (21,284)
10- IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet (20,944)

Posted by: TheSnake 9th January 2024, 05:40 PM

I Knew You Were Waiting is a very good #1 song.

The Taffy song is a bit cheesy; there were better Italo-disco songs.

Posted by: Gezza 10th January 2024, 06:32 PM

14TH FEBRUARY



Cruising to an easy second week on top, and making a third week look a pretty easy task too, George Michael & Aretha Franklin are clear winners this week as “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” sold another 102,425 to bring its three week tally to 246,432 allowing the song to top the YTD chart early.






Forming part of the “Red Wedge” tour recently announced in support of the Labour Party, Blow Monkeys are already on their third album “She Was Only A Grocer’s Daughter” due in April with a hit single “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way” climbing 11-5 (28,492) this week. The band are fronted by Robert Howard otherwise known as Dr Robert and are the latest import from north of the border, their previous best was last year’s “Digging Your Scene” which made No 12.





“The Phantom Of The Opera” opened last October to almost universal praise and a string of sell out performances, it also continues to manage to garner top 10 singles released from its soundtrack. Already “The Phantom Of The Opera” (No 7), and “All I Ask Of You” (No 3) have attracted sales and now “The Music Of The Night” is doing the trick for Sarah Brightman, who has been credited on all three hits, and Michael Crawford as it moves 19-7 (27,625) this week. The Soundtrack is out this week and is widely tipped to top the charts.





Formed from the remnants of New York protopunk band The Fast, Man 2 Man were brothers Paul and Miki Zone who produced several 12” dance vinyl’s over the last few years including “Male Stripper” which made No 64 last September. The record remained a club favourite thanks to the working over the track got from Man Parish, one of the survivors from Andy Warhol’s Studio 54 days, it returned to the charts briefly at No 63 at Christmas but has recently had a full new release and is finally a hit powering 25-9 (22,916) this week, a fitting testament to Miki Zone who died in December.






Hot Chocolate produced 25 top 40 singles between 1970 and 1984 before the hits dried up with the band disbanding last year. Seems like it could have been slightly premature, buoyed by the success of the Real Thing re-issues last year EMI have given the song another whirl getting Dutch producer Ben Liebrand in to remix the track and this week the song surges 14-10 (21,097) just in time for Valentine’s day. The original peaked at No 2 behind Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in late November 1975, the current re-issue will be accompanied by a new “Best Of” out this week to give you all your Hot Chocolate requirements.



Getting revenge for leaping over them last week, Curiosity Killed The Cat slink past Randy Crawford this week floating 5-3 (43,945) and increasing sales thanks to a TOTP performance in part, Crawford is left stranded at No 4 (41,276), Taffy also rises 7-6 (27,795). Pepsi & Shirlie hold at No 2 (68,238) as they reduce the deficit slightly on Michael & Franklin, Steve “Silk” Hurley however is definitely out of fashion retreating 3-8 (23,086) and may have trouble even hitting the 300,000 mark with hefty sales losses week on week and has sales so far of 236,589


1- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin (102,425)
2- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (68,238)
3- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (43,945)
4- ALMAZ- Randy Crawford (41,276)
5- IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY- Blow Monkeys (28,492)
6- I LOVE MY RADIO- Taffy (27,795)
7- THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT- Michael Crawford & Sarah Brightman (27,625)
8- JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley (23,086)
9- MALE STRIPPER- Man 2 Man Meets Parish (22,916)
10- YOU SEXY THING- Hot Chocolate (21,097)

Posted by: Jessie Where 10th January 2024, 07:04 PM

This is the week I was born!

What a fab birth #1 I had

Posted by: TheSnake 10th January 2024, 07:26 PM

'Male Stripper' along with 'Jack Your Body' really shows how underground dance music was starting to become popular. I don't like the lyrics of 'Male Stripper' but the production is great.

'It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way' I don't really know but reminds me of Erasure's very similarly titled 'It Doesn't Have To Be' which charted a month after at #12.

Posted by: Bjork 10th January 2024, 08:29 PM

Fantastic top 3, love all 3 songs, I Knew You Were Waiting-Pepsi & Shirlie-Curiosity Killed The Cat
The rest not so much

Posted by: Roba. 11th January 2024, 12:53 AM

'I Knew You Were Waiting' is a fab duet between George and Aretha!

Posted by: Dotty New Year 11th January 2024, 03:30 AM

Fantastic #1 from George and Aretha.

Male Stripper also a good addition.

Posted by: Gezza 11th January 2024, 07:46 PM

21ST FEBRUARY



The second record to top the charts in the last few months which dates back in excess of 25 years happens today, and quite unexpectedly too with the industry expecting George Michael & Aretha Franklin to make a third week at the top. It wasn’t to be with “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” falling 1-2 (82,501) but has at least sold almost 330,000 copies which is something to shout about.

The new No 1 is “Stand By Me” a song which has been top 30 on three occasions, Ben E King in 1961 (No 27), Kenny Lynch in 1964 (No 39) and John Lennon in 1975 (No 30), it was co-written by King himself for The Drifters who passed on recording it leaving the way for King’s original which made No 4 in the US in 1961 and then No 9 last year when it was reissued to tie in with the film of the same name based on a story by Stephen King which was released over there last summer and gets its UK release next month. It entered the charts at No 19 last week and now shoots 19-1 thanks in part to the use of the song on the new Levi 501 advert, it’s also the biggest climb to No 1 since Musical Youth back in 1982 and sold 82,960 copies going stratospheric post TOTP though it was tracking George & Aretha long before then. The winning margin of just 459 copies is the closest in the Gallup era to date.





Indeed the use by Levi of classic 60s tracks doesn’t end with Ben E King, they also have another TV advert airing currently using Percy Sledge’s 1966 UK No 4 single “When A Man Loves A Woman” which also gets a re-issue and flies 28-5 (42,449) this week to almost repeak. It’s one of only two tracks ever to made the charts for Sledge and he must be thankful to Levi for their current adverts utilising 60s Americana to propel him, King, Cooke, and Gaye to the top 10 over the last year.





Five Star start 1987 the way they spent 1986- with top ten hits. Their last single “If I Say Yes” broke their string of 4 top 10 hits when it halted at No 15 but that didn’t stop them plundering the “Silk & Steel” album for more singles and so “Stay Out Of My Life” which is written by Denise Pearson. The album celebrates its 6 month anniversary this week and hasn’t dropped out of the top 20 in that time with sales currently at the 700,000 mark, the single inches 11-9 (30,022).





Level 42’s seventh album “Running In The Family” hits the shops next month and the title track becomes the band’s fourth top 10 single rising 18-10 (29,155). The first single from the album “Lessons In Love” was released way back last May and became their most successful selling 332,000 copies and reaching No 3, in between the band have been busy touring both here and the US.



Curiosity Killed The Cat hold at No 3 (58,599) and continue to improve at retail, meaning that Pepsi & Shirlie slide 2-4 (55,369), Man 2 Man Meets Man Parrish improve 9-6 (36,227) as Randy Crawford ebbs 4-7 (32,691) just ahead of the Blow Monkeys 5-8 (31,076).


1- STAND BY ME- Ben E King (82,960)
2- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin (82,501)
3- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (58,599)
4- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (55,369)
5- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (42,449)
6- MALE STRIPPER- Man 2 Man Meets Parrish (36,227)
7- ALMAZ- Randy Crawford (32,691)
8- IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY- Blow Monkeys (31,076)
9- STAY OUT OF MY LIFE- Five Star (30,022)
10- RUNNING IN THE FAMILY- Level 42 (29,155)

Posted by: TheSnake 11th January 2024, 09:10 PM

Wow that went very retro very suddenly with the two highest entries! Both very good songs, didn't know Ben E King and Stephen King were any way connected before I read your write-up! The backing track of 'When A Man Loves A Woman' reminds me of Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', but the Percy Sledge song was first of course!

'Running In The Family' is another good Level 42 song.

Posted by: Bjork 12th January 2024, 10:03 AM

very retro but love both songs particularly Percy Sledge
also love the Level 42 song and parent album, one of the first albums I bought as a kid, never realised it was their 7th album tough
love that about the 80s how it took ages for some bands to become popular but never gave up

Posted by: Jade 12th January 2024, 10:26 AM

'Stand By Me' is an all-time great the instrumental break alone gives me chills before even factoring in the gorgeous vocals elsewhere.

Happy it got a big moment to shine as its initial peak was far too low

Posted by: Gezza 12th January 2024, 06:09 PM

28TH FEBRUARY



Levi’s appropriation of Americana rules the chart this week and has the top 2 on lockdown with “Stand By Me” ruling the roost for a second week on a best for 1987 so far of 139,621 copies whilst Percy Sledge moves 5-2 with “When A Man Loves A Woman” with sales of 75,565, both tracks feature in the current Levi adverts and both reach new chart peaks over 20 years after they first charted. I can’t find a previous instance where one brand’s advert has been responsible for such chart domination, Levi must have record labels queuing round the block to be next in line.





Mental As Anything have been plugging away with hit singles in their native Australia for 8 years without much international recognition, one of those singles was called “Live It Up” which hit No 2 in the Aussie charts in May 1985 and was one of the reasons that it was picked up for use in the film “Crocodile Dundee” which has been a big hit in the cinema’s over the last month and it gives the band a debut here with the track shifting 19-8 (28,594) this week after flopping on first release last year.





The Woolfgramm family are up next, well 8 of them that form the band The Jets who come to us from Tonga via the US where they have already amassed a couple of top 10 singles and indeed they currently sit at No 5 over there with “You Got It All”. It’s their previous hit “Crush On You” which is making waves over here though as it flies 18-9 (25,398), it was a US top 3 smash back in July 86 and has certainly taken it’s time to make indents here.







Carly Simon has unbelievably only charted 5 times so far in her UK career, but when she does she normally scores big with 3 of those tracks being top 10 singles, she’s now got her 6th chart hit and 4th top 10er. “Coming Around Again” samples the children’s nursery rhyme “Itsy Bitsy Spider” which is actually segued on the 12” version of the single, it also features in the new Jack Nicholson/ Meryl Streep film “Heartburn”. In the interim since her last hit in 1982 she’s changed record labels and got divorced from fellow singer James Taylor, the hits keep coming though, “Coming Around Again” jumps 14-10 (23,494).



Curiosity Killed The Cat hold at No 3 for a third week though they’re on the decline at 45,271 just holding off Man 2 Man Meets Man Parrish who climb again 6-4 (39,644) and further down Level 42 also are in the pink moving 10-7 (28,747). George & Aretha slide 2-4 (36,856) but move over the 360,000 mark in terms of total sales, former associates Pepsi & Shirlie also slip 4-6 (33,133) completing the top 10.


1- STAND BY ME- Ben E King (139,621)
2- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (75,565)
3- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (45,271)
4- MALE STRIPPER- Man 2 Man Meets Parrish (39,644)
5- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin (36,856)
6- HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie (33,133)
7- RUNNING IN THE FAMILY- Level 42 (28,747)
8- LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything (28,594)
9- CRUSH ON YOU- The Jets (25,398)
10- COMING AROUND AGAIN- Carly Simon (23,494)

Posted by: TheSnake 12th January 2024, 06:36 PM

'Crush On You' is a good song, from the genre of 'freestyle', had no idea that The Jets were from Tonga must be one of the only UK chart acts from there! I remember the (shall we say interesting) Nero cover of 'Crush on You' in 2012!

'Mental As Anything' - you wouldn't get away with that band name now.

'Live It Up', which is a good song, is associated with a certain Scottish football team now apparently as I remember it returned to the itunes and/or streaming chart a few years ago!

Posted by: dandy* 12th January 2024, 06:42 PM

What a bizarre top 2!!!

I do like both but I can’t immediately think of another time when the top 2 were both old songs experiencing a resurgence

Posted by: TheSnake 12th January 2024, 06:43 PM

I prefer the Percy Sledge song of the two but both are good.

Posted by: Steve201 12th January 2024, 07:49 PM

2 great songs in the top 2!

Mental as Anything as Snake says I associate with football!

Love how the TOTP studio is a lot more controlled in terms of the crowd behind the singers by this stage of the 80s. No more dancers either!

Posted by: Steve201 12th January 2024, 09:55 PM

Also didn’t know Five Stars album was top 20 for 6 months 😬

Posted by: Bjork 13th January 2024, 12:15 PM

crazy how When a Man Loves a Woman only peaked at #4 originally

Posted by: Gezza 13th January 2024, 12:44 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Jan 13 2024, 12:15 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 13th January 2024, 01:01 PM

7TH MARCH



“Stand By Me” has now sold 349,282 copies during its four week chart journey so far, that includes 112,863 sold last week, its clearly cooling now but should be good for another week at least and should go unchallenged by Percy Sledge who does hold at No 2 but on a reduced sales himself of 73,576.





A major challenger to King’s supremacy could be Boy George who has embarked on his solo career after disbanding Culture Club last year and spending more time in court, prison cells, and rehabilitation after his drug habit became a news event. He puts that all behind him with the release of Bread’s “Everything I Own”, a song penned by David Gates as a tribute to his father which is more famous in this country at least thanks to a reggae version by Ken Boothe which beat the No 32 of the original and topped the charts in 1974 and it’s the latter version that George’s version draws on. His debut solo album is expected in the Summer but to tide his fans over his new single debuts at No 7 this week with 37,689 sales.





Another frontman heading out on his own is Freddie Mercury, with Queen on Hiatus at present Mercury is busy recording a second studio album which should include his cover of the Platters hit “The Great Pretender”. The song was a US hit for them in 1955 but as was often the case in the 50s the song was leased to other acts and the first time it hit the top 10 was in a version by Jimmy Parkinson (No 9) before the Platters version itself went to No 5 here later in 1956, however Mercury’s version is off to a flying start and becomes our second new entry in the top 10 as it crashes in at No 9 (37,196)





Jackie Wilson is also returning to the charts this week, his last single was of course the Christmas No 1 and the record company have gone with another re-issue this time of his 1972 hit “I Get The Sweetest Feeling” which was, “Reet Petite” aside, his biggest UK hit when it made No 9. Initial signs are looking good as the song explodes 23-10 (34,782)- that figure is the most required for the top 10 since Christmas 1985.



Mental As Anything power 8-3 (53,839) and have an outside chance at No 1 next week as they slip in above Man 2 Man Meets Man Parrish who hold at No 4 (43,486) ahead of the Jets who move 9-5 (41,395) and Level 42 7-6 (40,018), and farewell to Curiosity Killed The Cat as they collapse 3-8 (37,621)


1- STAND BY ME- Ben E King (112,863)
2- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (73,576)
3- LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything (53,839)
4- MALE STRIPPER- Man 2 man Meets Parrish (43,486)
5- CRUSH ON YOU- The Jets (41,395)
6- RUNNING IN THE FAMILY- Level 42 (40,018)
7- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George (37,689)
8- DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat (37,621)
9- THE GREAT PRETENDER- Freddie Mercury (37,196)
10- I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson (34,782)

Posted by: dandy* 13th January 2024, 01:08 PM

I don’t personally mind the ‘spoilers’ when they’re following on from conversation points that naturally occur in the thread, none of them have even slightly reduced my enjoyment of these threads. I think it’s difficult to class such things as spoilers exactly when we’re discussing things that have already happened such a long time ago.

I wouldn’t want to see people ruining what you’re putting in the next posts etc though as I appreciate it must take a lot of effort to put this together for everyone

Posted by: dandy* 13th January 2024, 01:12 PM

Another old one in the top 10 this week then. I think I probably prefer Sweetest Feeling to his #1.

Don’t like either of the new ones from Boy George or Mr Mercury though, the former is particularly boring imo.

Posted by: Jester 13th January 2024, 01:31 PM

I agree on the Boy George song, dull and bland.

Posted by: Gezza 13th January 2024, 01:36 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Jan 13 2024, 01:08 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 13th January 2024, 01:42 PM

QUOTE(Jester @ Jan 13 2024, 01:31 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 13th January 2024, 04:15 PM

I'll edit my post, I actually thought this was the 1996 thread and what I was mentioning was past
but was a vague comment about charts in general

not a fan of any of the newbies... or rather oldies that Boy George track is so bad, that's all kinds of UB40 bad reggae cover bad

Posted by: Jester 13th January 2024, 04:39 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Jan 13 2024, 01:42 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 13th January 2024, 10:15 PM

Not a popular opinion but ‘Running In The Family’ is fantastic!

Posted by: Brer 14th January 2024, 12:07 AM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Jan 12 2024, 06:42 PM)

Posted by: Dotty New Year 14th January 2024, 05:51 AM

34k for #10, impressive stuff.

The Boy George cover song is w*nk.

Posted by: Bjork 14th January 2024, 08:20 AM

bizarre chart when you think about it
3 oldies from the past, 2 covers of oldies
a hit in AU from 85, a US hit from 86, a flop from 86
so basically only 2 proper 87 hits, Level 42 and Curiosity!

Posted by: Steve201 14th January 2024, 10:10 AM

I don’t think it was that unusual for songs from 1986 from different countries to finally chart in 87 in the UK to be fair!

Posted by: Gezza 14th January 2024, 01:45 PM

14TH MARCH



Even as late as Friday it all looked good for Ben E King’s chances of holding onto the top with “Stand By Me”, indeed the song ended up selling a respectable 67,813 copies, bringing its total to 417,095 as it rises to the top of the YTD list as well. However it was overtaken late in the week by Boy George who takes his debut solo single to No 1 enabling “Everything I Own” to become one of those rare tunes that has topped the charts in different decades. George scurries 7-1 selling 69,870 copies in the process, perhaps there is no such thing as bad publicity, it also marks George’s first appearance at the top since his stint on Band Aid though of course he did provide uncredited backing vocals on Feargal Sharkey's "A Good Heart" since then.





Surging 25-7 (45,356) is the second release from Mel & Kim who made the top 3 last time out with “Showin Out”, this time around “Respectable” is making much shorter work of becoming a hit as it makes the top 10 after a fortnight and is again penned by Stock Aitken & Waterman who are turning into something of Jolley & Swain for the late 80s.



Not much else new to report but the lull allows Jackie Wilson to power 10-3 (60,537) with Freddie Mercury chasing 9-4 (60,282) and Mental As Anything dip 3-5 (53,907) despite a sales increase. These are the best sales for the top 5 since Christmas 1985- perhaps the decline in sales has ended?

Four fallers further down, Percy Sledge falls 2-6 (52,326), The Jets descend 5-8 (38,573), Man 2 Man Meets Man Parish fall 4-9 (28,475) and Level 42 recede 6-10 (28,458).


1- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George (69,870)
2- STAND BY ME- Ben E King (67,813)
3- I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson (60,537)
4- THE GREAT PRETENDER- Freddie Mercury (60,282)
5- LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything (53,907)
6- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (52,326)
7- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (45,356)
8- CRUSH ON YOU- The Jets (38,573)
9- MALE STRIPPER- Man 2 Man Meets Parrish (28,475)
10- RUNNING IN THE FAMILY- Level 42 (28,458)

Posted by: Brer 14th January 2024, 02:57 PM

I did not know that Jackie Wilson had a second big oldie hit after 'Reet Petite'!

Posted by: Steve201 14th January 2024, 07:20 PM

QUOTE(Brer @ Jan 14 2024, 02:57 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 15th January 2024, 08:37 AM

oh love Respectable such an 80s classic, I did buy it on 12" <3

Posted by: Jessie Where 15th January 2024, 11:57 AM

Respectable

Posted by: Gezza 15th January 2024, 05:28 PM

21ST MARCH



Boy George makes it a fortnight at the top, “Everything I Own” was out in front from the off and strengthened its gip on No 1 with 86,173 sales in victory, he was however being pressed hard toward the end of the week by Mel & Kim whose “Respectable” charges 7-2 and sold 78,710 copies nabbing the runner up spot from Jackie Wilson’s “I Get The Sweetest Feeling” which ended with 67,830 sales. You’ll note that singles are selling particularly well at the moment which some have remarked as being down to the large number of cover versions/ re-issues/ film/TV tie in’s currently in the top 10 meaning that songs are already familiar at pre release, indeed 8 of the top 10 fall into such classification. Rounding off the top 5 are two non movers, Freddie Mercury at No 4 (56,899) and Mental As Anything at No 5 (38,624).





Alison Moyet will be releasing “Raindancing” her second album next month and the second single from it “Weak In The Presence Of Beauty” does the business for her becoming her 5th solo top 10 single from 6 releases. It’s a cover of a Floy Joy single from last year which fizzled out at No 85 but obviously caught the attention of Moyet who takes it new heights leaping 16-7 (28,764) this week.





With “Moonlighting” currently collecting millions of viewers on TV, Jazz star Al Jarreau now scores his first top 20 single with its theme. His previous best came in the form of “Mornin” in 1983 which made No 28 but he hitches a ride on the back of the TV show and moves 11-8 (25,942), it isn’t quite his biggest hit though as he was one of the acts on the USA for Africa chart topper “We Are The World”.



Ben E King drops 2-6 (36,584), Percy Sledge sips 6-9 (25,908) and The Jets land 8-10 (23,953) but all should be out in 7 day’s time.


1- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George (86,173)
2- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (78,710)
3- I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson (67,830)
4- THE GREAT PRETENDER- Freddie Mercury (56,899)
5- LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything (38,624)
6- STAND BY ME- Ben E King (36,584)
7- WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY- Alison Moyet (28,764)
8- “MOONLIGHTING” THEME- Al Jarreau (25,942)
9- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge (25,908)
10- CRUSH ON YOU- The Jets (23,953)

Posted by: dandy* 15th January 2024, 06:23 PM

Another solid enough single from Alison Moyet there, not her absolute best but certainly nice enough.

Posted by: Bjork 16th January 2024, 08:13 AM

two great ones in a row for Alison Moyet, didn't know Weak was a cover
would much have preferred Mel & Kim at #1 than Boy George

Posted by: Gezza 16th January 2024, 06:16 PM

28TH MARCH



Boy George is dumped from the No 1 spot, if only for one week, with “Everything I Own”, the title sold 55,930 copies last week to take its monthly total to 249,662 as it slides 1-2. His involvement with Ferry Aid ensures that in all likelihood he’ll back there next week, and for one week at least Mel & Kim sit pretty at No 1 with “Respectable” lifting 2-1 on a sale of 83,776, it also provides Stock Aitken & Waterman with a second production chart topper coming two years after Dead Or Alive gave them their first.





Ferry Aid may have trouble next week if it’s thinking it will have smooth passage to the top, not only from Mel & Kim but also from this week’s highest new entry which arrives at No 4. U2 released their fifth album “The Joshua Tree” two weeks ago and effortlessly sped to the top of the charts on a sale of 235,000 copies, the biggest opening week of any album ever, it holds the top spot this week as lead single “With Or Without You” debuts at No 4 (40,120) and could be No 1 next week with only the success of the album holding it back. Lyrically it is apparently about Bono dealing with the conflicts of pop stardom with his family duties, in an event it’s the band’s third top 10 on the trot but is their highest ever debuting release.





Unknown when he was cast in “Moonlighting” Bruce Willis has quickly become a star on both sides of the Atlantic and capitalises on the success with his stab at being a popstar. Debut single “Respect Yourself” has already been a top 5 hit stateside and now it rises 11-7 (31,144) here, it’s a cover (Willis only co-writes one of the songs on his debut album) of a Staple Singers track from 1971 which did nothing here though peaked at No 12 in the US, shame that Al Jerreau dips to No 13 with the theme to “Moonlighting” so they just miss out having simultaneous top 10 hits, now where’s that Cybill Shepherd record?





Fifth release and third top 10 single from “Control” for Janet Jackson is up next. For all the success she’s had in the UK singles wise the album is still only a moderate hit never reaching higher than No 15 throughout 1986, it’s back this week climbing 44-25 as fifth single from it “Let’s Wait Awhile” shoots 31-9 (27,115) to become Jackson’s second highest peaking single to date in part due to the fact it is remixed from the album version. In the US it has already hit No 2 in the US where all five releases have gone top 5- an incredible feat.





Prince’s 9th album is out in a fortnight and the lead single is finally the track that restores him to the top 10 for the first time since “Kiss”, almost a year ago. “Sign O’ The Times” sees Prince deal with some of the big issues of the day lyrically and it’s also his sixth top 10 single moving 18-10 (22,066), rumours that it’s Prince in drag on the cover of the single are apparently false.



Jackie Wilson’s chances of getting a second posthumous No 1 are now slim as he holds at No 3 (42,517) and Freddie Mercury dips 4-5 (36,720) ahead of a still improving Alison Moyet 7-6 (32,844) and finally Mental As Anything drop 5-8 (27,506).


1- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (83,776)
2- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George (55,930)
3- I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson (42,517)
4- WITH OR WITHOUT YOU- U2 (40,120)
5- THE GREAT PRETENDER- Freddie Mercury (36,720)
6- WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY- Alison Moyet (32,844)
7- RESPECT YOURSELF- Bruce Willis (31,144)
8- LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything (27,506)
9- LET’S WAIT AWHILE- Janet Jackson (27,115)
10- SIGN O THE TIMES- Prince (22,066)

Posted by: dandy* 16th January 2024, 06:26 PM

MUCH better this week with a decent #1 and some great new ones from U2, Janet and Prince. Didn't realise that The Joshua Tree was already out when With Or Without You was released, that definitely must have damaged the latter's sales.

Oh and then there's Bruce Willis. :/

Posted by: jimwatts 16th January 2024, 06:36 PM

'With Or Without You' love that song so much. And with 'Sign O' The Times' that's two of my top 100 singles of the century (last time I did one of those) entering the Top 10 in the same week!

Posted by: TheSnake 16th January 2024, 06:58 PM

'With Or Without You' is good and 'Respectable' is a good #1. “Let’s Wait Awhile” is a nice ballad.

Don't remember hearing that Prince song before - its an interesting song lyrically. The Bruce Willis song is quite good.

Posted by: Steve201 16th January 2024, 07:02 PM

Did U2 just become HUGELY popular due to Live Aid or did they build so much since 1980? Obviously the strength of the lead single was immense but it was a post album release?

Posted by: Gezza 16th January 2024, 07:37 PM

U2 were on of the main beneficiaries from Live Aid- Wiki says "On 13 July 1985, the group performed at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium for Ethiopian famine relief, before a crowd of 72,000 fans and a worldwide television audience of 1.5 billion people. During a 12-minute performance of "Bad", Bono climbed down from the stage to embrace and dance with a female fan he had picked out of the crowd, showing a television audience the personal connection that he could make with fans. The performance was regarded as a pivotal event in the band's career; The Guardian cited Live Aid as the moment that made stars of U2, and it included their performance on a list of 50 key events in rock history"

Posted by: Steve201 16th January 2024, 10:02 PM

They also performed Bloody Sunday which was class!

Posted by: Jessie Where 16th January 2024, 10:48 PM

Some absolute classics in that top 10!

Posted by: Gezza 17th January 2024, 06:05 PM

4TH APRIL



Becoming the 7th instant No 1 of the decade, Ferry Aid duly brushed all aside this week to sell an impressive 165,529 (a new record for the year) in support of the Zeebrugge disaster of March 6th. Featuring a plethora of stars of varying quality it includes Boy George, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, and Mel & Kim (who in effect replace themselves at No 1- a feat not done since John Lennon in 1981), contrast that with Linda Lusardi, Su Pollard, Ruth Madoc and The Nolans and it’s not quite so stellar, however it’s all for a good cause. Organised and instigated by The Sun newspaper and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman who, like Mel & Kim, replace themselves at the top, the original version famously “only” peaked at No 2 behind Lee Marvin’s “Wanderin’ Star” but here it finally gives Lennon/ McCartney a 23rd song writing credit on a UK No 1 single. The five “non” Beatles recordings that made No 1 come from Billy J Kramer & The Dakota’s,“Bad To Me” Peter & Gordon’s “World Without Love” Marmalade's "obla di obla da" The Overlanders "Michelle" and Joe Cocker's "With a little help from my friends" in case you wondered.





The arrival of Ferry Aid puts Madonna’s new single entry at No 5 look less impressive than it is. It’s her 5th single from “True Blue” and already her 5th top 5 single from it, her 14th overall which as you might know now puts her equal with Madness in terms of top 10 hits in the 80s. The “True Blue” album spent its first 32 weeks in the top 10 en-route to becoming the biggest selling album of last year, it’s since slipped but revives this week 17-16. The song was offered (as an instrumental composed by Bruce Gaitsch) to Michael Jackson for his forthcoming album but was rejected at which point Madonna picked it up and co-wrote the lyrics, it enters with a sale of 38,709. With her first world tour about to be announced including in the UK there appears no let up in the Madonna domination.





Original a No 18 hit in 1972 for composer Bill Withers, “Lean On Me” has become a radio staple over the years and has returned to the top 10 in cover versions for Mud (No 7, 1976) and now US act Club Nouveau. Their version, just like Withers’, topped the US chart, indeed it falls 1-2 there this week, and darts 24-7 (33,626) here to equal the highest position the song ever attained. The group were formed by Jay King who is the man behind Timex Social Club and one of the leading exponents of “New Jack Swing” a new form of music mixing soul/ pop/ R N B.



Janet Jackson has an outstanding week with “Let’s Wait Awhile” forging 10-3 (63,308) and “Control” also reaches a new peak of No 14, in doing so it shoots past U2 who, after their high new entry last week, can only hold at No 4 (59,007). Boy George falls 2-6 (35,717), Alison Moyet dips 6-8 (32,436), Jackie Wilson hurtles 3-9 (34,000) and Freddie Mercury gets a dose of real life 4-10 (28,968).

Mel and Kim dip 1-2 but sell 107,848 in the process, a 30% increase week on week and, outside Christmas, the highest sale for the runner up position since Madonna's "True Blue" last October. It moves them into the top 10 YTD’s as it becomes the 5th song to sell 300,000 copies this year, here’s how the first quarter of 1987 shaped up:

1.STAND BY ME- Ben E King 482,766
2. I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME- George Michael & Aretha Franklin 410,975
3. RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim 329,052
4. DOWN TO EARTH- Curiosity Killed The Cat 312,035
5. HEARTACHE- Pepsi & Shirlie 304,878
6. WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Percy Sledge 299,557
7. EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George 285,379
8. JACK YOUR BODY- Steve “Silk” Hurley 258,298
9. I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson 250,631
10. LIVE IT UP- Mental As Anything 249,237

This week's top 10

1- LET IT BE- Ferry Aid (165,529)
2- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (107,848)
3- LET’S WAIT AWHILE (REMIX)- Janet Jackson (63,308)
4- WITH OR WITHOUT YOU- U2 (59,007)
5- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (38,709)
6- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George (35,717)
7- LEAN ON ME- Club Nouveau (33,626)
8- WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY- Alison Moyet (32,436)
9- I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING- Jackie Wilson (29,631)
10- THE GREAT PRETENDER- Freddie Mercury (28,968)

Posted by: Steve201 17th January 2024, 09:55 PM

Hate all these silly charity hits after Band Aid all just jumping on the band wagon! ‘Respectable’ showing it deserved a second week with that increase!

Posted by: Bjork 17th January 2024, 10:00 PM

incredible top 5, #2, #3, #4, #5 all classics
I was absolutely in love with Let's wait a while back in the day and even bought the Control album cos of that, one of my fav ballads of the 80s and definitely Janet's best sogn ever <3

Of course With or Without You was fantastic, U2 at their best, if they had released before the album it would have been a massive #1 single

La Isla Bonita is of course increidible <3 also Madonna at her best. I also bought this on both on 7" and 12", think it was a remixed version, right? Love how an instrumental version of it was offered to Jacko

I also love the Lean on Me one, was a great track back then, haven't heard it since though...

Posted by: TheSnake 17th January 2024, 10:01 PM

I didn't know that the original 'Let It Be' didn't get to #1.

'La Isla Bonita' is such a great upbeat holiday song.

I used to get Club Nouveau confused with Classix Nouveaux! Good version of 'Lean On Me', yes definitely the 'new jack swing' era was on the way!

Posted by: Jester 17th January 2024, 10:18 PM

2, 4 and 5 are all very much top tier.

Posted by: Gezza 18th January 2024, 08:48 PM

11TH APRIL



To no-one’s surprise Ferry Aid holds the top spot but perhaps more surprisingly it starts to lose sales immediately selling 106,199 in its last frame and 271,728 copies in a fortnight, the 8th biggest single of the year in just 14 days- still not bad going. Mel & Kim play bridesmaids for a second week yet they too are in decline selling 66,164 copies. Madonna climbs 5-3 selling 62,288 copies and could yet make No 1 if both singles above it continue to decrease at their current rate.





Former Boxer and US soldier Terence Trent D’arby sees himself made into a popstar with his very first release “If You Let Me Stay”. Born Terence Trent Howard the 25 yr old has been fortunate in being heaped with praise for his single and is busy producing his debut album due in the summer, the single moves 15-7 (21,301) this week.





With St Patrick’s day just passed “The Irish Rover” seems to have captured our imagination, an Irish folk song dating back to sometime in the early part of this century, it’s never been a hit single until now. The Pogues and The Dubliners have teamed up together to produce their version and it’s turned into a top 10 single. For the Pogues it far outpaces their previous best, that being last year’s “Poguetry In Motion ep” (No 29), but the Dubliners have been as high as No 7 albeit 20 years ago when “Seven Drunken Nights” made the grade. Their collaboration moves 21—8 (19,652) this week to extend those drinking celebrations a little longer.





Another cover version joins the top 10 in the form of the new Fine Young Cannibals single “Ever Fallen In Love” a cover of the No 12 hit for the Buzzcocks in 1978, it’s taken from the film “Something Wild” which got its UK release last week. The group appear in the film as the resident nightclub band and it seems that the group are more interested in being film stars as they will collectively or separately be in more films this year including “Tin Men” and “Sammy and Rosie get laid” which are in various stages of completion, which has all in all put a hold on the recording of a second album. This single is therefore a film tie in and a stand alone single it would appear which has already outpeaked the original as it moves 17-10 (19,601).



Club Nouveau rise 7-6 (41,939) but they are the only act to rise within the top 10 apart from Madonna, Janet Jackson and U2 dip a spot to make way for the material girl selling 59,313 and 43,588 respectively, and Alison Moyet falls 8-9 (19,652) as her second solo album “Raindancing” finally gets its release this week.



1- LET IT BE- Ferry Aid (106,199)
2- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (66,164)
3- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (62,288)
4- LET’S WAIT AWHILE- Janet Jackson (59,313)
5- WITH OR WITHOUT YOU- U2 (43,588)
6- LEAN ON ME- Club Nouveau (41,939)
7- IF YOU LET ME STAY- Terence Trent D’Arby (21,301)
8- IRISH ROVER- The Pogues & The Dubliners (19,856)
9- WEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY- Alison Moyet (19,652)
10- EVER FALLEN IN LOVE- Fine Young Cannibals (19,601)

Posted by: TheSnake 18th January 2024, 08:57 PM

I like most of FYC's songs but I don't really like their cover of 'Ever Fallen In Love', I just don't think that style of vocal goes that well with the song.

Never heard 'Irish Rover' much but it sounds good on listening there.

'If You Let Me Stay' has a very good chorus and is a bit of an 80s classic.

Posted by: dandy* 18th January 2024, 09:48 PM

Love the songs from Terence Trent D'arby, Janet Jackson and Madonna, all from great 80s albums too

Posted by: Bjork 19th January 2024, 06:38 AM

oh love that Terence Trent D'arby song
I remember I was convinced he was gonna be bigger than Prince and MJ
actually he could have been if he really have wanted I reckon but alas... his ego won :/
his debut is one of the best albums of the 80s

the Pogues one is also great, good to them finally having a hit

Posted by: Steve201 19th January 2024, 06:27 PM

I’d pay a pretty penny for the Irish Rover single, basically played at the end of every night in every pub in Ireland!

If it wasn’t for them hitting the top 10 with Irish Rover in April 87 who knows whether FONY would have been a top 10 hit in December?

Posted by: Gezza 19th January 2024, 07:40 PM

18TH APRIL



“Let It Be” remains at the No 1 position for a third week, but it takes a sales hit of 46% week on week and sold just 57,120 copies last week (the second lowest weekly tally of the year), that makes a total of 328,848 copies sold in just three weeks marking the song as the 6th biggest of the year. Its rate of decline would indicate that the song may trouble to make it a month at the top, but if it is deposed then it’s unlikely to be by Madonna who rises 3-2 but is losing sales with just 52,428 being convinced to buy it this week, it is however Madonna’s 5th No 2 hit, an impressive tally in just under 2 years.





There are therefore two main contenders for the top slot next week, Club Nouveau climb 6-3 (42,653) though it barely registers a sales increase, or Judy Boucher who darts 14-4 (42,364) with “Can’t Be With You Tonight”. Her first single “Dreaming Of A Little Island” became a reggae hit and is used as the official theme of the Jamaican tourist board though it didn’t become a hit, indeed follow up hits also failed to dent the charts but a chance play of her current single on radio was heard by Lizzie Webb of “TV-AM” who then used the song on her show which generated considerable interest in the track and saw its issue here. The singer comes from St Vincent and The Grenadines and is, as far as I can establish, the first popstar to hit the UK top 10 to hail from there.






Sheffield’s Living In A Box are one of the few bands to have a hit with the same title as the group, their debut release has made an instant splash advancing 23-10 (22,253) in its third week on the survey. Lead singer Richard Darbyshire was formerly in Zu Zu Sharks with former Adam & The Ants bassist Gary Tibbs, the group scored a Spanish chart topper with “Love Tumbles Down” though that failed to impress here and the group disbanded shortly after.



Terence Trent D’Arby holds at No 7 (33,592) as Fine Young Cannibals glide 10-9 (22,423), going the wrong way are Janet Jackson 4-5 (49,000), Mel & Kim 2-6 (39,117) and U2 5-8 (28,407). For Mel & Kim they rise to No 2 on the YTD.


1- LET IT BE- Ferry Aid (57,120)
2- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (52,428)
3- LEAN ON ME- Club Nouveau (42,653)
4- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (42,364)
5- LET’S WAIT AWHILE- Janet Jackson (39,321)
6- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (39,117)
7- IF YOU LET ME STAY- Terence Trent D’Arby (33,592)
8- WITH OR WITHOUT YOU- U2 (28,407)
9- EVER FALLEN IN LOVE- Fine Young Cannibals (22,423)
10- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (22,253)

Posted by: dandy* 19th January 2024, 07:46 PM

Surprised how quickly the sales of Respectable fell away, considering that just two or three weeks ago it was clearing 100K

Posted by: TheSnake 19th January 2024, 07:56 PM

'Living In A Box's production is brilliant, late 80s production at its best, can tell its produced by the same producer as Colonel Abrams' Trapped.

Posted by: Brer 19th January 2024, 10:23 PM

'The Irish Rover' and 'Living In A Box' *.* (the latter I know via Todd in the Shadows' One Hit Wonderland series on YouTube which I recommend watching x)

Posted by: dandy* 19th January 2024, 10:47 PM

Is it based somewhere other than the UK?

Posted by: Brer 19th January 2024, 10:50 PM

Yes he is American (so the series has covered some artists that are definitely odd to think of as one hit wonders from a UK perspective e.g. S Club 7 lol). Living In A Box was a bit of an obscure choice for the series as it wasn't even a particularly big hit in the US actually!

Posted by: dandy* 19th January 2024, 10:58 PM

I don’t know if I’m more amazed that S Club 7 actually had a hit in the US or the results of my quick google search that show said hit was Never Had a Dream Come True

Posted by: Jade 19th January 2024, 11:03 PM

'La Isla Bonita' is my second favourite 80s Madonna single only behind 'Like A Prayer'

I always forget how much I enjoy 'Sign O' The Times' until I listen to it, as most of my Prince love goes to the Purple Rain era, but what a tune.

Posted by: Steve201 19th January 2024, 11:40 PM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Jan 19 2024, 07:56 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 20th January 2024, 07:37 AM

love Living in a Box, great single! You gotta love a self-titled hit, guess there's not many of those

the Judy Butcher song I recall it being very very very very dull, not sure how it became such a big hit

Posted by: Steve201 20th January 2024, 09:18 AM

Yeh the Judy one is very early 80s late 70s isn’t it!

Posted by: Gezza 20th January 2024, 12:56 PM

25TH APRIL



Recording the second lowest sales tally of the year, Madonna emerged from the scrum to claim her Fourth No 1 single, in doing so she creates chart history as the first female solo act to get to claim the magical 4th chart topper, she’s also the first act to pull three UK No 1 singles from one studio album, and the first woman to co-write four chart toppers. That’s the good news, the fact that “La Isla Bonita” ascends to the No 1 spot with just 49,742 copies isn’t great (it's the lowest tally since Falco 50 weeks ago) impacted by a day lost to a bank holiday which it will face again next week, it was helped however by her concert tickets going on sale and selling out in just hours, and also a TOTP showing of the video which saw the material girl overturn a slight deficit to Judy Boucher who ended up moving 4-2 on a sale of 40,868 (itself surprisingly down at retail week on week). With both songs on TOTP this week the outcome next week is anyone’s call.





Five Star meanwhile are equalling other records set. Michael Jackson pulled five top 10 singles from “Thriller” and now the Essex fivesome do the same with “The Slightest Touch” which is remixed by Shep Pettibone for single release and this week jets 14-8 (27,336) to become the fifth top 10 single from “Silk & Steel” and the sixth release in total. The group have confirmed that it will also be the final release as they are busy working on their third album which is scheduled for this autumn.



Lots of other action this week, Club Nouveau hold at three (40,630) and were unlucky not to overtake Boucher at the death, whilst Ferry Aid drop 1-4 (39,049) a further sales loss of 43% but should clear 400,000 copies before it exits the chart, and Mel & Kim rise 6-5 (33,966) despite a big downturn in sales, their album “FLM” also debuts at No 3. Living In A Box fly 10-6 (29,937) climbing above Terence Trent D’arby who holds a third week at No 7 (27,574), and Janet Jackson and Fine Young Cannibals both slip into reverse 5-9 (26,809) and 9-10 (22,219).


1- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (49,742)
2- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (40,868)
3- LEAN ON ME- Club Nouveau (40,630)
4- LET IT BE- Ferry Aid (39,049)
5- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim (33,966)
6- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (29,937)
7- IF YOU LET ME STAY- Terence Trent D’Arby (27,574)
8- THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH- Five Star (27,336)
9- LET’S WAIT AWHILE- Janet Jackson (26,809)
10- EVER FALLEN IN LOVE- Fine Young Cannibals (22,219)

Posted by: dandy* 20th January 2024, 01:17 PM

Incredibly impressive to claim a third number one single from an album that has already sold so well, Madonna really was at the very top of her game in 1986/87.

Posted by: Jester 20th January 2024, 01:47 PM

La Isla Bonita is a fab number 1.

Posted by: Gezza 20th January 2024, 02:22 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Jan 20 2024, 01:17 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 21st January 2024, 07:46 AM

so 14 top 5 in a row for Madonna including 5 from Like a Virgin, 5 from True Blue, 2 re-releases from her debut and 2 from that Sound Quest soundtrack:

Like a Virgin/3
Material Girl/3
Crazy for you/2
Into the Groove/1
Holiday/2 (re-issue)
Angel/5
Gambler/4
Dress you Up/5
Borderline/2 (re-issue)
Live to Tell/2
Papa don’t Preach/1
True Blue/1
Open Your Heart/4
La Isla Bonita/1

Posted by: Gezza 21st January 2024, 12:28 PM

2ND MAY



The Island of San Pedro continues to live a charmed life and provide Madonna another week at No 1, however sales slip further to 47,107. The track has actually lost sales every week since W/E 11/4/87 despite moving 3-2-1-1 since that week, its total is now a rather poor 250,274, whilst unspectacular for a chart topper it’s a fifth single from an already million selling album. Judy Boucher languishes at No 2 and loses sales, slightly at 40,613.







Continuing 1987’s fixation with film hits, Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” appears in the recent flick “Mannequin” which has helped pull the song to be an American No 1 single already. Starship are of course a continuation of Jefferson Starship (itself a continuation of Jefferson Airplane). When the final founding member Paul Katner left in 1984 he launched legal action to prevent the continued use of either “jefferson or Starship Airplane” so the remaining members formed Starship who scored a No 12 hit last year with their debut single “We Build This City”. Their current single comes with a high pedigree, penned by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren and is produced by Narada Michael Walden and is now easily the biggest hit they’ve had in any formation, it leaps 15-3 (29,971) and looks a dead cert for the top next week.





Scoring his 14th top 10 single, but his first in 15 years, Tom Jones is back! Seemingly in a terminal world of cabaret shows in Las Vegas, Jones gave it all up to return to the UK earlier this year to be a lead in a musical called “Matador” recording some songs for the concept album of which “A Boy From Nowhere” is one of them. The musical is yet to get the financing but Jones finds a good bargaining tool in the form of a hit song, this week he jumps 12-7 (22,100) the musical’s story of the rise and fall of a matador is naturally set in Spain which ties in with his last top 10 single, 1972’s “The Young New Mexican Puppeteer”.





Co-written by the woman herself Kim Wilde scores only her fourth top 10 hit in duet with Junior on “Another Step (Closer To You)”. The song was also written by Steve Byrd who was the original duet partner but a more soulful voice was felt to be required and so Junior was chosen, his previous best was on 1982’s “Mama Used To Say” (No 7), and now the song has been substantively remixed for the single by her brother Rick and here we are. It’s the second single pulled from Wilde’s “Another Step” album which is already home to the massive “You Keep Me Hanging On”, the current single soars 14-9 (20,230)





Remember when The Smiths were the future of music? For a brief time in 1983/84 ever improving chart positions indicated they were about to become a major force in music then somehow, at least commercially, it never quite happened. The group have amassed 13 hits now but until now only one track (1984’s “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”) managed to break the top 10, at least they now can boast a second No 10 track with “Sheila Take A Bow”. Originally conceived as a track to be recorded with former collaborator Sandie Shaw she did actually record a version which was scrapped and re-recorded in its present form, as per usual the group’s single comes with a cover star (Candy Darling in this instance) and became their fourth single to debut straight into the top 20 last week, it’s move 13-10 (19,227) would seem to indicate it will go no higher as all their last 7 releases peaked in either their first or second week- that sale the lowest needed for the top 10 since January.



Five Star get their third top 5 single unexpectedly with “The Slightest Touch” rocketing 8-4 (29,495) and Living In A Box hold at No 6 (27,421) just a few hundred copies behind Club Nouveau who fall 3-5 (27,676), Terence Trent D’Arby finally gives up the ghost as he dips 7-8 (21,148).


1- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (47,107)
2- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (40,613)
3- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW – Starship (29,971)
4- THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH- Five Star (29,495)
5- LEAN ON ME- Club Nouveau (27,676)
6- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (27,421)
7- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (22,100)
8- IF YOU LET ME STAY- Terence Trent D’Arby (21,148)
9- ANOTHER STEP (CLOSER TO YOU)- Kim Wilde & Junior (20,230)
10- SHEILA TAKE A BOW- The Smiths (19,227)

Posted by: dandy* 21st January 2024, 12:38 PM

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now is one of the better examples of that big US power ballad sound, difficult to deny how catchy it is.

Posted by: Bjork 21st January 2024, 03:10 PM

Oh I used to love that Kim Wilde song and also bought the single <3

yes the Starship song is undeniably catchy

also really loved Sheila Take a Bow, the Smiths deserved bigger hits

Posted by: Jester 21st January 2024, 03:40 PM

I adore Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now

Posted by: Steve201 21st January 2024, 09:04 PM

Love the two Starship hits although the first one will always be tainted by the sausage roll stuff now 😕

Why didn’t the Smiths become any bigger, I mean they were undeniably important in the mid 80s but as Gezzas commentary says they did quite fade away and their singles peaked as fanbase songs a lot of the time.

Very low sales in that top 10!

Posted by: Gezza 21st January 2024, 09:46 PM

re: low sales- it's amazing to see how much Easter affects the sales. A day's lost trading has given us very low sellers in 85, 86 and 87 and seems to affect sales more than one might think, bank holidays generally play havoc with sales giving us poor totals

1985
Easy Lover Phil Bailey & Phil Collins 60,724
We Are The World USA For Africa 58,582

1986
10-May Rock Me Amadeus Falco 44,778


1987
25-Apr La Isla Bonita Madonna 49,742
02-May La Isla Bonita Madonna 47,107

but not always.....odd

Posted by: Steve201 21st January 2024, 09:49 PM

A very late Easter in 1987!

Posted by: Bjork 22nd January 2024, 09:18 AM

I can see why The Smiths became a fanbase act rather than a massive band for the masses
sure Morrissey being a bit of a dickhead didn't help much

This is their discography up to Sheila take a Bow, not bad but not spectacular either...

This Charming Man/25
What difference does it Make/12
Heaven knows I’m Miserable Now/10
William It was really nothing/17
How Soon is Now/24
Shakespeare’s sister/26
That joke isn’t funny anymore/49
The boy with the thorn in his side/23
Bigmouth strikes again/26
Panic/11
Ask/14
Shoplifters of the world unite/12
Sheila take a bow/10

Posted by: jimwatts 22nd January 2024, 01:13 PM

I think lack of mainstream airplay and being on a small label (Rough Trade) was the main reason most of those Smiths songs didn't gain much traction beyond the first couple of weeks. The two which reached the Top 10 are fine although I'd have preferred 'Panic', and probably the two most revered in retrospect ('This Charming Man' and 'How Soon Is Now') didn't even go Top 20 while they were active.

Interesting to see Madonna reach and hold #1 on a declining sales trajectory, very similar to Falco the previous year.

Posted by: Bjork 22nd January 2024, 03:46 PM

weren't depeche mode and erasure also on an indie label (Mute)?

Posted by: dandy* 22nd January 2024, 04:26 PM

Yes… and you could argue that Depeche Mode didn’t have the singles success they deserved too. Certainly lots of them fell short of the top 10. I don’t think this is a spoiler as such but we’ve seen the last of DM for the 80s threads, only 5 of their 23 singles made the top 10 in this decade.

Posted by: Gezza 22nd January 2024, 05:30 PM

9TH MAY



Starship make their expected move to the top of the charts this week but it was a struggle as Judy Boucher put up an unexpected fight to lead much of the way for the second time in its chart life. TOTP helped once again with the direction of the top slot giving airtime to Starship and not Boucher which resulted in a victory for the former by 67,898 to 64,396, well clear of the rest of the field. Could Boucher yet do it? Madonna drifts 1-3 (37,672) and was never in with a shout of retaining the No 1 slot. In a year in which debuting inside the Top 40 is a prerequisite for making No 1, Starship are the first act since Jackie Wilson to buck the trend!



TOTP also helped Tom Jones climb 7-4 (33,473), it nudged Five Star down a spot to No 5 (29,835) and kept Living In A Box at No 6 for a third week with 26,384 copies.



Labi Siffre was retired from the music business for 9 years before 1984 when he penned “(Something Inside) So Strong” in response to a TV program broadcast about Apartheid. In his brief spell as a popstar he was of course responsible for “It Must Be Love” which was later a bigger hit for Madness (Siffre made a cameo appearance in the video), and during his years of non recording he came fifth in the 1978 song for Europe campaign, but you can’t keep a good popstar down and he returns with this emotionally charged track which is on the up 16-7 (21,930) to be his biggest hit.





Few groups over the last few years have had the notoriety of Jesus & Mary Chain, a band famed for their short sets and live appearances which end in violence. Arrested for drug possession, dubbed the “New Sex Pistols”, their last single “Some Candy Talking” getting banned by radio 1 after a campaign by DJ Mike Reid (we’ve heard that story before), the band have had an eventful two years so far even though they didn’t have a big hit single to their credit. The band are putting the finishing touches to their second album due in the summer and lead single “April Skies” marks a change in musical direction a more commercial field and they get rewarded with a 19-8 (21,267) move this week.





Level 42’s last album “Running In The Family” disappointingly only made No 2 unable to overcome U2’s “Joshua Tree” but has remained in the top 10 since moving 5-3 this week thanks in part to the success of the third single to be culled from it “To Be With You Again” which sneaks in 14-10 (19,601) just behind Kim Wilde & Junior who hold at No 9 (20,281).



1- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (67,898)
2- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (64,396)
3- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (37,672)
4- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (33,473)
5- THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH- Five Star (29,835)
6- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (26,384)
7- (SOMETHING INSIDE) SO STRONG- Labi Siffre (21,930)
8- APRIL SKIES- Jesus & Mary Chain (21,267)
9- ANOTHER STEP (CLOSER TO YOU)- Kim Wilde & Junior (20,281)
10- TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN- Level 42 (19,601)

Posted by: Brer 22nd January 2024, 05:57 PM

Sorry to be annoying but just noting it's kind of impressive you misspelt 'Siffre' in 3 different ways in that post

Posted by: Gezza 22nd January 2024, 06:22 PM

QUOTE(Brer @ Jan 22 2024, 05:57 PM)

Sorry to be annoying but just noting it's kind of impressive you misspelt 'Siffre' in 3 different ways in that post

Posted by: TheSnake 22nd January 2024, 06:52 PM

'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' is a good #1. Its one of the big power ballads of the 80s, there are a few more to come in 1987.

Something Inside (So Strong) is a very good song, also of course iconic.

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Jan 21 2024, 09:04 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 22nd January 2024, 07:05 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Jan 22 2024, 09:18 AM)

I can see why The Smiths became a fanbase act rather than a massive band for the masses
sure Morrissey being a bit of a dickhead didn't help much

This is their discography up to Sheila take a Bow, not bad but not spectacular either...

This Charming Man/25
What difference does it Make/12
Heaven knows I’m Miserable Now/10
William It was really nothing/17
How Soon is Now/24
Shakespeare’s sister/26
That joke isn’t funny anymore/49
The boy with the thorn in his side/23
Bigmouth strikes again/26
Panic/11
Ask/14
Shoplifters of the world unite/12
Sheila take a bow/10

Posted by: jimwatts 22nd January 2024, 07:09 PM

Awesome for The Jesus and Mary Chain to get a Top 10 hit, 'April Skies' is a great song too, even if I like a few of their earlier songs a little more.

Bank holidays notwithstanding, that's quite a jump in sales for Judy Boucher, although she may have had one of the more forgotten #1s of the era if it had grabbed a week there.

Posted by: dandy* 22nd January 2024, 07:26 PM

I've never really listened to Jesus and Mary Chain before but I quite like April Skies on first play, may have to take a listen to some of their others

Posted by: Jade 22nd January 2024, 07:29 PM

I checked out their 90s album Honey's Dead when listening through Mercury Prize nominated records before and it was great, need to give their 80s material a go

Posted by: jimwatts 22nd January 2024, 07:40 PM

Psychocandy is well worth a listen!

Posted by: Steve201 22nd January 2024, 09:33 PM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Jan 22 2024, 06:52 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 23rd January 2024, 08:04 AM

The first 2 Jesus & Mary Chain albums are amazing, kinda uncommercial, so it's surprising to see April Skies top 10
big fav of mine is Just Like Honey from their debut Psychocandy, which sadly stalled at #45. one of the best flops of the 80s

the new Level 42 is great too, great they finally could get easy top 10 after so many flops in their early days

Posted by: Gezza 23rd January 2024, 06:33 PM

16TH MAY



Starship go into hyperspace this week as “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” sold a sturdy 99,280 copies last week bringing its total to 227,715 and should also enable the song to enter the top 10 YTD next week.



The strength of the single is of course bad news to all its competitors who were all well beaten, Judy Boucher holds at No 2 for a fourth week (36,601) but is in decline and has the rest of the top 6 snapping at her heels with all of them climbing. Tom Jones moves 4-3 (33,422), Labi Siffre jumps 7-4 (21,573), Living In A Box rise 6-5 (21,505) and Kim Wilde & Junior advance 9-6 (19,822). It’s a great week for Wilde though as “You Keep Me Hangin On” becomes a US chart topper. Make no mistake however as sales below the top 3 are awful and new lows for the year (since 11/1/86 in fact), another measure is that Kim Wilde and Junior lose sales in their 3 place climb! That is explained partly due to a bank holiday being in the mix.



The only new track to discuss comes from the rejuvenated Fleetwood Mac who have of course just lost Lindsey Buckingham from their line up after he announced his departure. Their 14th album “Tango In The Night” advances 8-5 to reach a new peak this week and contains many songs written by Buckingham for what was going to be a solo album but ended up becoming Fleetwood Mac tracks including the first single from the album “Big Love” which arrives 13-9 (18,360). It’s only the group’s 7th top 10 single over the course of their 18 year history and their first release in 5 years.



Three fallers to cover briefly, Madonna dips 3-7 (19,601), Five Star implode 5-8 (18,938) and Jesus & Mary Chain reverse 8-10 (17,391)


1- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (99,280)
2- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (36,601)
3- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (33,422)
4- (SOMETHING INSIDE) SO STRONG- Labi Siffre (21,573)
5- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (21,505)
6- ANOTHER STEP (CLOSER TO YOU)- Kim Wilde & Junior (19,822)
7- LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna (19,601)
8- THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH- Five Star (18,938)
9- BIG LOVE- Fleetwood Mac (18,360)
10- APRIL SKIES- Jesus & Mary Chain (17,391)

Posted by: dandy* 23rd January 2024, 06:43 PM

Ooooo we've hit Tango in the Night era for Fleetwood Mac. I've sadly never heard the album but I think I like all the singles from it so Big Love is a welcome addition to the top 10

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2024, 06:43 PM

'Big Love' is brilliant! Way better than their other singles from that album!

Posted by: Bjork 23rd January 2024, 07:03 PM

don't think I've herd the album in full either but the singles from it where all fantastic

Posted by: Bjork 23rd January 2024, 07:05 PM

oh didn't know Labi Siffre had written It Must Be Love, always imagined it was a Madness original
too good to be one of theirs actually when I think about it

Posted by: Steve201 23rd January 2024, 07:18 PM

Yeh the Madness version is the version though to be fair to them!

‘Everywhere’ is just simply pop perfection!

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2024, 07:51 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Jan 23 2024, 07:18 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 23rd January 2024, 08:25 PM

Out of the songs I know, for me the best song is Little Lies, then Big Love, then Seven Wonders
and the one I like the least least least is Everywhere

Posted by: dandy* 23rd January 2024, 09:05 PM

I think that's probably my order of choice too, Little Lies is definitely my favourite.

Posted by: Gezza 23rd January 2024, 09:26 PM

Two main things of interest for me here is just how big that Judy Boucher is (a month at No 2) and how forgotten it is now given that fact, and how poor sales are, only the top 5 selling over 20k and only the No 1 selling more than 40k. These are sales more popularly thought to be around the 88/89 period but they happened long before we get to those years.

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2024, 09:33 PM

Have never really heard that Judy Boucher song and on listening there, it wasn't the most interesting song for me sadly.

Posted by: Jade 23rd January 2024, 09:34 PM

I've never listened to Tango In The Night in full either (need to change that) but also really like the singles and the title track, which was used on Strictly (for an Argentine Tango no less) and lead me to search out the original I think 'Big Love' is actually my favourite of the singles so nice to see that showing up here now!

Posted by: Steve201 23rd January 2024, 10:40 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Jan 23 2024, 09:26 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 23rd January 2024, 11:25 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Jan 23 2024, 10:40 PM)

Posted by: Dotty New Year 24th January 2024, 12:17 AM

Big Love is a great addition to the top 10.

Can't say i'm surprised the Judy Boucher thing isn't remembered, I will probably forget it again after listening to it. Not much to offer.

Posted by: Bjork 24th January 2024, 07:22 AM

I think the transition period from vinyl to CD was very long and slow
some like me never wanted to accept CDs I didn't give up on vinyls and get a CD player until 92!

Posted by: Steve201 24th January 2024, 08:28 AM

I can imagine I would have wanted vinyls ahead of cds as they look a lot better but that’s rose tinted glasses and all that!

Posted by: Gezza 24th January 2024, 07:10 PM

23RD MAY



No sign of the pace slackening for Starship who remain the nation’s No 1 raising their total to 338,453 after selling 110,738 copies last week. It now puts “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” at No 5 on the YTD list with a slight chance of overtaking current leaders Mel & Kim in under a month unless a dramatic collapse occurs.





Their first single on RAK “Me And My Foolish Heart” may have failed to chart (No 112) but it certainly raised interest in the music business for Johnny Hates Jazz, a trio formed a couple of years ago and containing Clark Datchler son of Fred Datchler a member of former chart topping band The Stargazers back in the 50s. The band were signed to Virgin after the release of their first single and a showcase at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and here the first fruits of their signing with a major label are clear to see with “Shattered Dreams” becoming a hit 18-5 (24,871).





Out next month is Marillion’s Fourth album “Clutching At Straws” and a precursor to that the band’s first single in 2 years “Incommunicado” crashes straight into the charts at No 6 (23,545). In doing so it is by far the highest debut for Fish and the boys, both the sleeve for the single, the promo and the lyrics play homage to the legendary club “The Marquee” which helped give Marillion exposure in the early part of the career and also featured in the Wham! video for “I’m Your Man” a few years ago. After its sterling start could it be No 1 next week?





But wait! There’s another brand new entry in the top 10, this time from the returning Whitney Houston who is also off to the best start of her career as “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” smashes straight into No 10 (18,139). It’s produced by Narada Michael Walden (meaning that he bookends the top 10 this week) and is written by the same team behind Houston’s “How Will I Know” and is the first release from Houston’s second album “Whitney” which hits the shops next month.



“A Boy From Nowhere” becomes Tom Jones’s fifth No 2 smash (but first in 16 years) as it glides 3-2 (38,148) and finally overcomes Judy Boucher who slips 2-3 (35,360) ahead of the holding Labi Siffre at No 4 (34,221). Fleetwood Mac hold at No 9 (19,210) propping up Living In A Box 5-7 (20,859) and Kim Wilde & Junior 6-8 (19,533) who both start to descend the charts.


1- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (110,738)
2- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (38,148)
3- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (35,360)
4- (SOMETHING INSIDE) SO STRONG- Labi Siffre (34,221)
5- SHATTERED DREAMS- Johnny Hates Jazz (24,871)
6- INCOMMUNICADO- Marillion (23,545)
7- LIVING IN A BOX- Living In A Box (20,859)
8- ANOTHER STEP (CLOSER TO YOU)- Kim Wilde & Junior (19,533)
9- BIG LOVE- Fleetwood Mac (19,210)
10- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (18,139)

Posted by: TheSnake 24th January 2024, 07:30 PM

'Shattered Dreams' is a good song, although not one of my favourites from 1987.

'Incommunicado' is great, brilliant stadium rock sound. Better than 'Kayleigh' imo.

Posted by: Bjork 24th January 2024, 07:48 PM

oh was a big big fan of Johnny Hates Jazz and Shattered Dreams is a fab single one of the best sogns of the year <3
was also huge in the US, a #2 if I recall it well

why sophisticated pop died?? was such a fantastic genre, I was a kid but loved all those sophistipop bands like Sade, Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz...

also love I Wanna Dance, what a fresh breath of air Whitney was when she returned in 87! Thats hoe you make a countdown...

always hated Fish/Marillion and Incommunicado i never got :/

Posted by: Jester 24th January 2024, 07:48 PM

Love love Shattered Dreams and I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Classics!

Posted by: Steve201 25th January 2024, 06:42 PM

Great new entries as 1987 lifts up a gear with Whitney, Johnny Hates Jazz and Marrillion!

Always find music by 1987 was too perfect or pop there was t enough fresh sounding indie or pop like in the early decade like Tears For Fears or The Human League!

Posted by: Gezza 25th January 2024, 08:55 PM

30TH MAY



It’s not an enormously interesting chart week however last week’s machinations have set up the charts to be very interesting next week. Starship hold the No 1 spot for a fourth week and they continue to improve at retail to a mighty 116,144 making it now the third biggest selling single of the year behind Mel & Kim and Ben E King, and is also now the longest running chart topper of the year so far, the trouble on the horizon comes in the form of Whitney Houston. She jetted in from the US this week to do her first TOTP and sees “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” rocket 10-2 (84,490) a 372% increase week on week bringing it to within striking distance of Starship if trajectories continue in that manner.





Just to spice things up even further Johnny Logan’s Eurovision winning track “Hold Me Now” which romped home to an easy victory back on May 9th in Brussels and should earn more money as he wrote it. Made available the following Monday the song entered the charts at No 25 last week and now accelerates to No 3 (61,761), it is of course the track that put Logan in the record books as the first act to win Eurovision twice following his 1980 victory with “What’s Another Year”. That song topped the charts for Logan and remained his sole hit in the UK until his recent victory, will it topple Starship next week?







Nigel Wright is a producer most noted for his work with Shakatak, but he’s also adapt at making a medley, he demonstrated this back in 1981 when he capitalised on the fashion for medley’s in that year using the moniker Enigma scoring a No 11 hit with “Ain’t No Stopping”. Fast forward 6 years and he’s once again cashing in on a fade this time under a new name of Mirage and using the recent explosion in dance/ jack music to launch his “Jack Mix”’s, the first of which gained some success in clubs though not the charts, now “Jack Mix II/III” returns him to the charts as popstar as it sprints 21-7 (30,906). It fuses together hits such as “Jack Your Body” “Showin Out” and “Axel F” and proves popular at radio as well. Albums are promised.





With their origins dating Back to their school days in 1982 Glasgow’s Wet Wet Wet finally strike it big with their debut release “Wishing I Was Lucky” a song which essentially tells the story of the group’s beginning and the struggle for work in Scotland. The track has certainly taken it’s time to climb moving 75-51-50-39-29-21-14 so far but it now makes the move to No 10 (22,270) though it may be running out of steam now.



Tom Jones relaxes 2-4 (37,009) nestling above the static Johnny Hates Jazz at No 5 (36,295) and Marillion at No 6 (33,983), Whilst Johnny didn’t have TOTP to support them, Marillion certainly did and would have expected more for “Incommunicado” which may be in danger now of getting no higher. Two dippers to take care of, Judy Boucher falls 3-8 (30,464) and Libi Siffre dips 4-9 (27,999) in what must be their last week.


1- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US- Starship (116,144)
2- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (84,490)
3- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (61,761)
4- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (37,009)
5- SHATTERED DREAMS- Johnny Hates Jazz (36,295)
6- INCOMMUNICADO- Marillion (33,983)
7- JACK MIX II/III- Mirage (30,906)
8- CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher (30,464)
9- (SOMETHING INSIDE) SO STRONG- Labi Siffre (27,999)
10- WISHING I WAS LUCKY- Wet, wet, wet (22,270)

Posted by: TheSnake 25th January 2024, 09:13 PM

Just as we were talking about sophistipop, 'Wishing I was Lucky' is a brilliant sophistipop debut, such a unique pop song, Wet Wet Wet never came close in quality again, in my opinion.

The Jack Mix is great fun, I like how they put Man2Man 'Male Stripper' in the mix as it may be Hi-NRG, not house but its definitely dance by today's standards! Also 'Axel F' in the mix too.

'Hold Me Now' is OK, if a bit boring.

Posted by: Dotty New Year 25th January 2024, 11:14 PM

Love Shattered Dreams.

Posted by: Bjork 26th January 2024, 08:07 AM

I'm not the biggest Wet Wet Wet fan, I do like some, but hate some too
but Wishing is a great song, really like it

the Johnny Logan one.... not so much...

Posted by: Gezza 26th January 2024, 07:26 PM

6TH JUNE



Conventional wisdom would have decreed that either Starship or Johnny Logan would be sitting at No 1 given that both had TOTP exposure but instead it’s the only song in last week’s top 3 that wasn’t on the show that triumphs and indeed was out in front from the start. Whitney Houston celebrates her second No 1 single this week as “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” ascends 2-1 after selling 96,254 copies and bringing the tracks total to 198,883 after three weeks. Starship fall a slot 1-2 (86,071) and Jonny Logan can only hold at No 3 (82,824), for Starship the fall from the top is softened by their move 3-1 on the YTD list with 540,668 copies sold to date, at its current rate 700,000 shouldn’t be a stretch for the track. Congratulations to Michael Narada Walden as well who replaces himself at No 1 in the production credits.





Erasure’s second album “The Circus” continues to generate hits, it peaked at No 6 on release back in April and contains their breakthrough hit “Sometimes” (No 2) and “It Doesn’t Have To Be” (No 12) and now “Victim Of Love” joins the hits as it jumps 23-7 (20,927) in just its second week thanks in part to the group currently being on tour to promote the single. The album revives slightly 20-18 in its wake.





Formerly a backing singer with Gloria Estefan, Donna Allen emerges from the shadows to score herself a UK hit with “Serious”. The song has already been a hit on the US dance scene but has certainly dragged its heels over here as it moves 15-8 (20,383) in its 8th week on the survey.





Second release and second top 10 single, things are going great For Pepsi & Shirlie as “Goodbye Stranger” shoots 27-10 (19,703) pushes those doubters aside who thought they would be one hit wonders. It’s produced by the studio of Stock Aitken & Waterman though not by the men themselves, the girls are in the studio at present working on their debut album due in the Autumn.



Mirage climb 7-4 (42,160) slipping past a static Johnny Hates Jazz at No 5 (36,567), which is something Wet Wet Wet can’t do but they can’t complain though they are improving 10-6 (22,644), Tom Jones rounds us off falling 4-9 (19,907). Next week sees the most controversial George Michael record arrive, expect a top 10 entry and a whole load of hullabaloo.


1- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (96,254)
2- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (86,071)
3- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (82,824)
4- JACK MIX II/III- Mirage (42,160)
5- SHATTERED DREAMS- Johnny Hates Jazz (36,567)
6- WISHING I WAS LUCKY- Wet, wet, wet (22,644)
7- VICTIM OF LOVE- Erasure (20,927)
8- SERIOUS- Donna Allen (20,383)
9- A BOY FROM NOWHERE- Tom Jones (19,907)
10- GOODBYE STRANGER- Pepsi & Shirlie (19,703)

Posted by: TheSnake 26th January 2024, 07:46 PM

'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' is another very good #1 although it the production is a bit cheesy.

'Serious' is good, another early new jack swing hit. And that iconic part that was sampled by Strike!

The Erasure song is good although they have better songs in my opinion. I am sure few in 1987 could have guessed Erasure and Wet Wet Wet's chart career longevity!

I wasn't that familiar with the Pepsi and Shirley song, it is very good actually, like Five Star but not as cheesy and with a better chorus!

Posted by: Jester 26th January 2024, 08:53 PM

My favourite number 1 of the 80s!

Posted by: dandy* 26th January 2024, 09:29 PM

I don't think I would have ever guessed that would be your favourite 80s #1 single Jester. I mean it's a good pop song and all but I just hadn't associated it with your typical taste in music.

Posted by: Jester 27th January 2024, 08:23 AM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Jan 26 2024, 09:29 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 27th January 2024, 11:52 AM

great for Whitney <3 it was a bit meh that her first #1 was the borefest Saving All My Love instead of How Will I Know

oh love the new Pepsi & Shirlie too and bought it on 12" for some reason <3 two pure bubblegum pop singles from them

weird that Erasure's follow-up to Sometimes stalled at #12, one of their very best for me and that deserved top 10 status more than Victim of Love, which is not that special imo

Posted by: Gezza 27th January 2024, 03:44 PM

13TH JUNE



Whitney Houston grabs the double this week with her second album “Whitney” smashing in at the top on the album charts and lead single “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” claiming a second week at No 1 on the singles chart. Far from being dented by the impact of the album the single still increased its sales to 102,408 copies in 7 days with major radio support (It was the most played song on the air last week) and to top it all it also goes into the record books as the first No 1 single to be issued on CD, or more accurately to have its CD sales included in its sales tally as the format is now chart eligible as of now.



Directly below Whitney Starship and Johnny Logan swap places with the former selling 51,935 as it moves ever closer to platinum, whilst Logan sold an impressive 61,455 copies as his appeal seems to have reached beyond the hardcore Eurovision fan.



So onto the first of two new hits in the top 10 and as predicted it comes from George Michael who has already run foul of the censor with his new single “I Want Your Sex” which features in the new Eddie Murphy film “Beverley Hills Cop II” which has an Autumn release here though already out in the US. The video features model Kathy Jeung Michael’’s current girlfriend and has already been refused a play before 9pm by the BBC, nevertheless it debuts at No 4 this week after selling 46,767 copies, over the next few weeks we’ll see if that ban impacts on the song though it all fairness Houston is so strong at present this will have to go some to become Michael’s fourth chart topper. If it does it will make him the first act in pop history to have his first 4 releases hit the top.





The other new track is just 2 places lower than Michael, and it’s from U2 who pluck a second hit from “The Joshua Tree”, the album celebrates its first 13 weeks of release during which time it has never left the top 10 and is currently the biggest selling album of the year by a long chalk, they also recently placed their last single “With Or Without You” at the top spot in America. Back here their new single “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” climbs 13-6 (36,924), the track was originally called “The Weather Girls” but then went under the name of “Desert Of Our Love” before it was finished and retitled, indeed the group’s original choice for the second single was “Red Hills Mining Town” U2 even filmed a video for it, but they were unhappy with it and decided to go with this song.



Pepsi & Shirlie inch 10-9 (26,112) this week despite a TOTP performance but they’re mired down by four fallers, Mirage 4-5 (37,955), Johnny Hates Jazz ebb 5-7 (27,081), Erasure falter 7-8 (27,064) with a sales increase, and Wet Wet Wet are unlucky to drop 6-10 (24,276) as they improve at retail over the past week.


1- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (102,408)
2- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (61,455)
3- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (51,935)
4- I WANT YOUR SEX- George Michael (46,767)
5- JACK MIX II/III- Mirage (37,955)
6- I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR- U2 (36,924)
7- SHATTERED DREAMS- Johnny Hates Jazz (27,081)
8- VICTIM OF LOVE- Erasure (27,064)
9- GOODBYE STRANGER- Pepsi & Shirlie (26,112)
10- WISHING I WAS LUCKY- Wet, wet, wet (24,276)

Posted by: jimwatts 27th January 2024, 11:55 PM

'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' what an opening trilogy of singles The Joshua Tree had (with one still to come). I didn't know 'Red Hill Mining Town' was almost the second single - I read somewhere that they've never played it live. Great to see Whitney with 6 figure sales too.

Posted by: Bjork 28th January 2024, 09:22 AM

Red Hill is not half bad but not single material either
Running to Stand Still, In God's Country, Bullet the Blue Sky all could have been singles imo but not Red Hill Mining Town

hated the GM song :/ if you wanna play the controversial card, at least have. decent song behind it, but IWYS is crap :/

Posted by: Bjork 28th January 2024, 09:23 AM

@Gezza, do you know how much did Whitney the album sell on week 1?

Posted by: Gezza 28th January 2024, 11:07 AM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Jan 28 2024, 09:23 AM)

Posted by: Bjork 28th January 2024, 11:46 AM

Oh wow very good <3

Posted by: Jade 28th January 2024, 12:08 PM

'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' is one of U2's very best singles for me <3 also liking 'Victim of Love' in that current top 10.

Not a Johnny Logan fan (my favourite of Ireland's Eurovision winners was Eimear Quinn in the 90s) but impressive that he managed victory twice in the contest - of course there would be a wait of 36 years for that to happen again with Loreen! It's fun that their parallels stretch further with two top 3 hits each and no other top 40 entries, at least so far.

Posted by: Gezza 28th January 2024, 01:09 PM

20TH JUNE



With sales of 102,408 and being clear of the rest of the field by over 40,000 copies last week, few would have bet against Whitney Houston being No 1 for a third week, but to the surprise of everyone and even with 91,613 buyers this week Whitney Houston retreats 1-2 to make way for a climber from 13-1 from The Firm. The group are a front for producer and writer John O’Connor and guitarist Grahame Lister who team up for the occasional novelty record and previously hit the charts in 1982 with “Arthur Daley (‘E’s Alright)” which peaked at No 14. Now they’ve done a “tribute” to the “Star Trek” TV series called “Star Trekkin” which O’Connor and Lister sent to radio stations as every label they sent it to was uninterested, those 500 copies they initially pressed did the trick as the song was picked up some radio stations and even promoted by Simon Bates on Radio 1 which saw it get picked up finally and has flown up the charts 74-13-1 with 105,060 copies sold last week. By way of trivia it is also the 20th track to rise to No 1 from outside the top 10 and the second this year after "Stand By Me".





Originally a 1964 single for The Drifters “Under The Boardwalk” only made No 45 on the UK Charts though a top 5 single stateside, it now serves as a second single for Bruce Willis who gets his celebrity pals The Temptations in to provide backing vocals on his version. The song shoots 17-6 (34,000) this week and enables his album “The Return Of Bruno” to climb to No 18, it’s first time in the top 20.





Samantha Fox has turned to Stock Aitken & Waterman for her first single from that difficult second album and the result is “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” which sees her storm 11-8 (28,679) and restore the former page 3 star to the top 10 for the third time. Her second album is out next month proving that she’s already exceeded many pundits predictions for her, the video is set in Marbella by way of trivia and makes ample mileage of her assets.







From teen star back in the 60s John Farnham has been a successful act in his native Australia for three decades now becoming the only act to top the Aussie charts in three decades (60s-80s) and now he finally gets some UK success with his Australian No 1 from last year “You’re The Voice”. In its 9th week on the chart it rises 15-9 (28,645) this week, is it on its way to repeat its native success?



After George Michael’s sensational debut last week he’s clearly struggling without the aid of Radio 1 and TOTP as he moves 4-3 (49,113) but on that sale he won’t be troubling the top 2 anytime soon. He does however push Johnny Logan down 2-4 (48,926) who nearly caught Michael at the death, and Starship who tumble 3-5 (35,139) but sell their 600,000 copy.


U2 dip 6-7 (30,396) and Erasure move 8-10 (23,987) to complete our recap though of course we must mention the launch of “The Roxy” on ITV last week as a rival of TOTP and airs at the earlier slot of a Tuesday using the Network charts instead of Gallup- could it spell the end of the TOTP effect?


1- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm (105,060)
2- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (91,613)
3- I WANT YOUR SEX- George Michael (49,113)
4- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (48,926)
5- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (35,139)
6- UNDER THE BROADWALK- Bruce Willis (34,000)
7- I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR- U2 (30,396)
8- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP ME NOW- Sam Fox (28,679)
9- YOU’RE THE VOICE- John Farnham (28,645)
10- VICTIM OF LOVE- Erasure (23,987)

Posted by: Gezza 28th January 2024, 01:13 PM

Just for nostalgia- the first episode of "The Roxy"- ITV's brief rival to TOTP

Posted by: jimwatts 28th January 2024, 01:37 PM

'Star Trekkin' one of my favourite novelty songs ever, smashing into the Top 10 with huge sales!

Posted by: Bjork 28th January 2024, 02:16 PM

after so many weeks with great debuts, a pretty shitty week

Posted by: TheSnake 28th January 2024, 04:42 PM

'Star Trekkin' is iconic, watched Star Trek at Christmas and had to listen to the song.

I see it as the first part of a two part science fiction novelty near the top of the charts.

The John Farnham song is an epic, and I have liked that song for a long time, it outdoes other 80s rock power ballads from the likes of Starship and Foreigner I think. Also bagpipes!

Posted by: Brer 29th January 2024, 02:51 AM

'Star Trekkin'' and 'You're The Voice'

Posted by: Gezza 29th January 2024, 06:34 PM

27TH JUNE



It seems that as soon as “Star Trekkin” hit the top the joke has started to wear thin with the UK public, it holds the top spot but sales are up only 16% to 121,261 but it is still well clear of the opposition which remains Whitney Houston who sold 58,531 copies but holds the No 1 album for a third week.





Continuing with their ability to make each single debut higher than the prior one, Pet Shop Boys are putting the final touches to their second album and to tease us the lead single “It’s A Sin” debuts at No 5 (28,815). The song dates back to 1984 when the boys demoed it with Bobby Orlando though it is now substantively remixed for single release, and lyrically it deals with the repression of Catholicism which Tennant grew up with. It may have an outside chance at No 1 depending on how well The Firm hold up.





Fresh from the success of scoring a chart topping album Curiosity Killed The Cat have re-issued their debut release “Misfit” along with its Dylan aping video which first got the group noticed last year and was one of the last things Andy Warhol did before he passed away. It was pencilled in for re-issue after “Down To Earth” which made No 3 back in February but the group went with “Ordinary Day” in the end which narrowly missed out on the top 10 but this puts them back on track as it scorches 21-9 (24,123)



Elsewhere Bruce Willis climbs 6-3 (47,583) with his biggest hit and the highest peaking version of “Under The Boardwalk”, he notches George Michael down 3-4 (32,708) and Johnny Logan also declines 4-6 (28,152). Incidentally that's the first George Michael release (including Wham! releases) to miss the top 2 since 1983! John Farnham floats 9-7 (27,642) and slinks past Samantha Fox who is stuck in the groove at No 8 (26,639) whilst the year’s biggest seller from Starship falls 5-10 (22,780)


1- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm (121,261)
2- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (58,531)
3- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (47,583)
4- I WANT YOUR SEX- George Michael (32,708)
5- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (28,815)
6- HOLD ME NOW- Johnny Logan (28,152)
7- YOU’RE THE VOICE- John Farnham (27,642)
8- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP ME NOW- Sam Fox (26,639)
9- MISFIT- Curiosity Killed The Cat (24,123)
10- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship (22,780)

Posted by: Jester 29th January 2024, 06:43 PM

It’s A Sin and Misfit are both superb new entries in the top 10!

Posted by: TheSnake 29th January 2024, 06:49 PM

'Its a Sin' is a bit of an epic.

Posted by: dandy* 29th January 2024, 07:14 PM

It's a Sin Definitely one of the most iconic songs of the 80s, Neil is at his best with those lyrics and Chris made a synth line that is just so unbelievably distinctive

Posted by: jimwatts 29th January 2024, 07:35 PM

'It's A Sin' for me it's the best Pet Shop Boys song bar none - lyrically it pushed boundaries while the dramatic production is the epitome of what Neil Tennant would describe as "ice rink music" that could fill a huge room.

Posted by: Jade 29th January 2024, 08:43 PM

Got to add to the 'It's A Sin' appreciation, of course! Definitely my favourite hit of the year so far, not sure it'll be beaten

Incredible lyrics and production - the intro is so commanding, it immediately came to mind when we had a 'Best intros' thread in The Lounge before.

Posted by: Colm 29th January 2024, 08:47 PM

My thoughts on It's A Sin are well known. The 12" version is gargantuan.

Posted by: Bjork 30th January 2024, 09:07 AM

not sure if been mentioned but kinda funny to have Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
and Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now simultaneously in the top 10

It's a Sin is great but not really my thing

was quite the fan of Curiosity Killed the Cat back then... it's a pity Ordinary Day peaked outside the top 10 cos that was a great 2nd single and deserved top 10... funnily it's the same exact situation as Erasure with It Doesn't Have to Be...

Posted by: Gezza 30th January 2024, 05:27 PM

4TH JULY




Neck and neck all the way there was an almighty struggle for the No 1 position last week which ended up with just 3,000 copies separating the top 2 but Pet Shop Boys emerge as the new chart toppers after shifting 84,983 copies of “It’s A Sin”. It’s the duo’s second No 1 after “West End Girls” which went on to sell 434,900 copies and remains their best seller, the duo have dropped a hint that their next single will involve a 60s icon, place your bets. This song was originally written with Divine in mind (of all people) then Miquel Brown but neither project came to pass and a good thing too.



The firm thusly trip 1-2 (82,569) which puts sales of the song at 331,007 and enters the YTD top 10, it was just ahead of Bruce Willis who holds at No 3 (73,287) with a nice sales boost from TOTP, enough anyway to overhaul Whitney Houston who dips 2-4 (40,528) but she is however No 4 for the YTD which, as we’re half way through the year looks like this:

1-NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship 666,791
2-RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim 528,020
3-STAND BY ME- Ben E King 499,001
4-I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston 491,963
5-I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin 416,279
6-LET IT BE- Ferry Aid 397,290
7-CAN’T BE WITH YOU TONIGHT- Judy Boucher 356,524
8-LA ISLA BONITA- Madonna 345,899
9- STAR TREKKIN -The Firm 331,007
10- EVERYTHING I OWN- Boy George 321,640



The first of three new intake this week rockets 14-5 (34,765) for Terence Trent D’Arby who is gearing up for the release of his first album in three week’s time and he can now boast two top 10 singles to promote it with “Wishing Well” doing the business for him. It’s co-produced by Heaven 17’s Martyn Ware and D’Arby is, for now anyway, living up to his own hype though he might ultimately live to regret making some of his more extravagant claims.





Formed 9 years ago when lead singer David Coverdale left Deep Purple, Whitesnake have so far scored 12 hit singles never progressing higher than No 13 with 1980’s “Fool For Your Loving” but that nine year wait is finally over. “Is This Love?” was penned with Tina Turner in mind but Coverdale thought it was too good to give away, the right decision it seems as it slides 11-9 (23,511) to become their first top 10 single, the video features real life girlfriend and actress Tawny Kitaen.





1986 was an odd year for Cliff Richard during which he kept the songs coming but only released three hits, all duets. He, of course, scored two top 3 hits with the Young Ones (No 1) and Sarah Brightman (No 3) but he finally returns in earnest with his first album in 3 years “Always Guaranteed” which is due in the Autumn, and this single “My Pretty One” which reunites the singer with his main songwriter Alan Tarmey. Richard has been busy with starring in the west end “Time” and was involved in a near fatal car crash last year but he’s back in the charts this week rising 26-10 (23,477). The track is actually a cover of a track by Jamie Rae from 1985 which flopped at No 117 trivia fans!



John Farnham isn’t done climbing yet as he inches 7-6 (32,759) just ahead of Curiosity Killed The Cat 9-7 (26,911) but it all proves too much for George Michael who hurtles 4-8 (24,667).


1- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (84,983)
2- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm (82,569)
3- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (73,287)
4- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston (40,528)
5- WISHING WELL- Terence Trent D’Arby (34,765)
6- YOU’RE THE VOICE- John Farnham (32,759)
7- MISFIT- Curiosity Killed The Cat (26,911)
8- I WANT YOUR SEX- George Michael (24,667)
9- IS THIS LOVE?- Whitesnake (23,511)
10- MY PRETTY ONE- Cliff Richard (23,477)

Posted by: TheSnake 30th January 2024, 05:35 PM

That's a great #1.

'Wishing Well' is quite good. 'Is This Love' is certainly an 80s rock classic.

Posted by: Jester 30th January 2024, 07:24 PM

My 2 favourite number 1s of the 80s almost back to back (with the Firm separating them)!

Posted by: dandy* 30th January 2024, 07:25 PM

We all know that really it's all 3 of your favourite 80s number ones in a row

Posted by: Jester 30th January 2024, 08:22 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Jan 30 2024, 07:25 PM)

We all know that really it's all 3 of your favourite 80s number ones in a row

Posted by: Steve201 30th January 2024, 09:01 PM

Didn’t realise Whitney’s song was the first with cd sales added, loving the stats!

When were cds available from or the cd player?

Some absolute classic no1s in the last few months and I thought the best of the 80s was 81-84, maybe I was being harsh. I always thought 1987 was dominated by house but other than January it’s not really been?

Posted by: Colm 31st January 2024, 07:19 AM

It was 1988 that was dominated by house.

Posted by: Bjork 31st January 2024, 07:52 AM

love that TTD track, he was really on fire

also love love love the Whitesnake song, one of the best ballads of the 80s, in my top 3 probably
I was obsessed with the song back in the day

Posted by: Steve201 31st January 2024, 10:09 AM

‘I Still Bavent Found’ is classic U2, always reminds me of Sing 2 now 😅

Posted by: Jessie Where 31st January 2024, 12:04 PM

'It's A Sin' really is an all-time great

Posted by: Colm 31st January 2024, 12:25 PM

Neil Tennant is 70 this year

Posted by: Bjork 31st January 2024, 01:13 PM

oh my and they just announced a new album

Posted by: dandy* 31st January 2024, 01:49 PM

QUOTE(Colm @ Jan 31 2024, 12:25 PM)

Neil Tennant is 70 this year

Posted by: Roba. 31st January 2024, 02:32 PM

'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' one of U2's best. Also a fan of 'Respectable, 'It's A Sin', 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', 'You're The Voice', 'Stand By Me', I Knew You Were Waiting', La Isla Bonita', 'Everything I Own' and 'Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now' from the last several top 10's here. 'Is This Love' is alright but much prefer 'Here I Go Again' from Whitesnake!

Posted by: Bjork 31st January 2024, 03:26 PM

I like both Here I Go Again and Is This Love but prefer the latter. It might actually my 2nd fav rock ballad behind Heart-Alone. Is this Love was also a US #2!

Posted by: Gezza 31st January 2024, 09:05 PM

11TH JULY



The Pet Shop Boys easily retain the top slot for a second week on a healthy sale of 90,661 up a mere 8% week on week and look like they could be there for some time with Bruce Willis advancing 3-2 behind them but on a sale of just 52,598, some 38,000 short of what was required of him, he does however nudge ahead of the fast decreasing Firm who slip 2-3 (39,644). “It’s A Sin” was involved in a minor bit of drama this week when Jonathan King claimed in “The Sun” that the song was basically a rip off of Cat Stevens’ song “Wild World” which the boys have denied and threatened legal action.





There was a new bond film released last week in case you’d been living under a rock and that naturally means a new bond theme, and following in the footsteps of Duran Duran last time around are A-ha who get the honour of producing “The Living Daylights” with legendary producer and composer John Barry. That’s how the headline reads however it’s emerged over the weeks that all was not well in the studio with A-ha stating that Barry was not involved in the creative process and didn’t deserve his writing credit, and Barry stating that he found the group impossible to work with. A-ha were apparently adamant that their version would be the single but the record label have gone with John Barry’s remix and the single flies 17-5 (34,697) this week to give the group their 7th top 10 single. Their last single “Manhattan Skyline” only made No 13 in February becoming the first A-ha “failure” so I suppose that the success of the Barry version might give them some solace in returning the Norwegians to the big time. They'll also be hoping that history repeats- the last time Pet Shop Boys were at No 1 they were knocked off by....these boys of course!





Last year’s “Secret Lovers” became the first top 10 single for Atlantic Starr but so far 1987 is turning into an even greater year for the Americans. Their new single “Always” topped the US charts last month deposing Kim Wilde and now it starts to make waves over here moving 16-7 (25,687) to register their biggest hit.



Terence Trent D’Arby climbs 5-4 (36,023) but he’s way too far behind to advance further, and Cliff Richard rises 10-6 (27,863). The bottom of the top 10 are filled with fallers though, Whitney’s former No 1 trips 4-8 (24,718), John Farnham dips 6-9 (24,055) and Curiosity Killed The Cat ebb 7-10 (20,808).


1- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (90,661)
2- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (52,598)
3- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm (39,644)
4- WISHING WELL- Terence Trent D’Arby (36,023)
5- THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS- A-Ha (34,697)
6- MY PRETTY ONE- Cliff Richard (27,863)
7- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (25,687)
8- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME) –Whitney Houston (24,718)
9- YOU’RE THE VOICE- John Farnham (24,055)
10- MISFIT- Curiosity Killed The Cat (20,808)

Posted by: Bjork 31st January 2024, 09:29 PM

that Always song is such a snoozefest

Living Daylights is great but actually much much prefer Manhattan Skyline which was their first top 10-miss

Posted by: TheSnake 31st January 2024, 09:32 PM

'The Living Daylights' is another good a-ha song.

The Atlantic Starr song is quite a nice one.

Posted by: dandy* 31st January 2024, 09:33 PM

I love Manhattan Skyline too, I can see why it may not have appealed to their more pop leaning fans though.

Posted by: Colm 1st February 2024, 10:55 AM

Should I be ashamed that I love Cliff's 2 hits from 1987?

Posted by: Gezza 1st February 2024, 12:29 PM

I remember when I found out that MPO was a cover. No idea. He's done a lot of dross but in general 80s Cliff is great

Posted by: Jessie Where 1st February 2024, 12:57 PM

I really love that A-Ha Bond theme song, it's really underrated I think!

I don't actually know 'Manhattan Skyline' so I'm gonna give it a listen.

Posted by: Colm 1st February 2024, 03:53 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 1 2024, 12:29 PM)

Posted by: JackJones 1st February 2024, 05:16 PM

NGSMN is a great Sam Fox song. NGSUN by Starship is also great. And, obviously, IAS is fantastic song from Pet Shop Boys.

Posted by: Bjork 1st February 2024, 06:40 PM

please stop using acronyms people :/

Posted by: JackJones 1st February 2024, 08:33 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 1 2024, 06:40 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 1st February 2024, 08:51 PM

18TH JULY



The top 2 refuse to budge this week with the Pet Shop Boys grabbing a third week on top and only seeing their lead cut marginally by Bruce Willis to 30,000 as they sold 76,347 copies to Willis’ 46,257, both are now in noticeable decline though which sets up an interesting battle for next week given what’s occurring at No 3 this week.





Yes she’s back with a new film hitting the cinema in September called “Who’s That Girl?”, a tour which sees her arrive in the UK for the first time (to tour anyway) in August and now a new single “Who’s That Girl?” which debuts at No 3 (44,846) for Madonna. It’s her fourth single in a row to debut straight into the top 10, her 7th to do the feat in total and Madonna’s 15th Top 10 single which of course means that she now has more top 10 singles in the 80s than any other act, and has sold more singles than anyone else in the decade bar the mighty Shakin’ Stevens who advances 26-13 this week and could pull one back again as soon as next week. The soundtrack is out in a fortnight and contains tracks not only by Madonna but also from Scritti Politti and Club Nouveau. In debuting at No 3 she now holds another record- that of highest debut by a female soloist in chart history!





On the rise again 17-11 this week, Mel and Kim’s album is now home to a third top 10 single, the single and title track from “F.L.M” (which stands for fun love & money incidentally) is their fastest starter debuting at No 16 last week and shooting to No 6 this week with 34,340 sales. It comes with a puppet video as the girls are apparently suffering a little fatigue from their flat out schedule.





Here’s most definitely a case of playing the long game, Black is, in reality, 26 year old singer Colin Vearncombe who has been attempted to break through for 6 years and can claim previous highlights of supporting the Thompson Twins on tour. He’s been through a couple of labels but his signing to A & M has finally generated a major hit in the form of “Sweetest Smile” which is his second song to chart and moves 12-8 (32,861).





Written by the team behind “True Colours” and “Like A Virgin” (Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly) “Alone” was written for the band I-Ten and later surfaced on the soundtrack to US series “Dreams” but neither version brushed the UK charts. Much like Black, Heart had just one minor hit to their credit (“These Dreams” No 62) before the release of their version of “Alone” which jets in 15-9 (30,056) and is currently at No 1 stateside having knocked Whitney Houston from the top. The group first found fame with a folkier output in the mid 70s before slipping into decline and re-launching themselves as a rock band which gave them more US hits and has ultimately seen that success cross the Atlantic.



Terence Trent D’Arby holds at No 4 (43,809) thanks to TOTP but his attention will shift to his album out this week, Atlantic Starr progress 7-5 (38,607) at the cost of A-ha who surprisingly fall back 5-6 (34,833), and finally the Firm drop 3-10 (23,885) as the joke wears thin.


1- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (76,347)
2- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (46,257)
3- WHO’S THAT GIRL- Madonna (44,846)
4- WISHING WELL- Terence Trent D’Arby (43,809)
5- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (38,607)
6- THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS- A-Ha (34,833)
7- F.L.M- Mel & Kim (34,340)
8- SWEETEST SMILE- Black (32,861)
9- ALONE- Heart (30,056)
10- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm (23,885)

Posted by: TheSnake 1st February 2024, 08:58 PM

Another classic power ballad in 'Alone'. I went off it from overhearing it but I haven't listened to it recently so I really like it again. Although I prefer 'These Dreams' by Heart.

Lol at the big single cover hearts for Atlantic Starr, that from a distance might have confused people into thinking it was Heart.

'F.L.M' is good, the production is still very much house influenced like their previous tracks.

'Who's That Girl' is another very good Madonna single, similar holiday vibe to 'La Isla Bonita'.

Posted by: Steve201 1st February 2024, 10:18 PM

I see ‘It’s a Sin’ entered the top 10 on the 25th June but was performed on ‘Wogan’ on the 1/6, how long was the promo before the release for it? I always thought songs were oaos in this era!

Posted by: Gezza 1st February 2024, 11:36 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 1 2024, 10:18 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 2nd February 2024, 10:23 AM

Oh my 1987 is the best year ever, ok maybe I'm biased cos it's when I started following music but these 4 newbies are all fantastic and just bought them all, Madonna and Heart as 7", FLM as 12" and then I bought the Black album when it came out

Heart is my #1 rock ballad in the history of music so welcome addition to the top 10. I was absolutely obsessed with the band Heart back then, but have to admit the parent album Bad Animals was not great besides Alone and There's The Girl... but then I re-discovered their previous album, cannot recall the title, but that was incredible and much better and had These Dreams, Never, What About Love...

Who's that Girl is a cute simple by Madonna, she was unbeatable back then in 87, but for me it's a bit like La Isla Bonita's little sister, a bit too similar with the Spanish elements but not as good

I kinda remember liking FLM a lot but recently heard it a few times and don't love it that much, I actually thought it had charted lower, it's good but not as great as the first 2 hits from them

Sweetest Smile is an incredible single and one of the best of the year, Colin/Black totally deserved a hit and the parent album was fantastic. I was thinking the other day of great 80s sophisticated pop bands and was thinking Sade, Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz but totally forgot about Black, but they were at the top of the genre.

Posted by: Jester 2nd February 2024, 11:22 AM

Not a fan of Who’s That Girl, feels like a weak single but given how huge Madonna is at this time I can see why it’s an instant top 3 hit.

Posted by: TheSnake 2nd February 2024, 01:30 PM

QUOTE(JackJones @ Feb 1 2024, 08:33 PM)

Posted by: Jessie Where 2nd February 2024, 02:04 PM

Can't help but agree on 'Who's That Girl', it's a really pointless non-entity single in her discography for me. Shame it's a #1 when so many much much better ones missed out.

Posted by: Gezza 2nd February 2024, 03:01 PM

#spoilers

Posted by: Gezza 2nd February 2024, 03:01 PM

Christmas emoji's are still a thing?

Posted by: Gezza 2nd February 2024, 04:34 PM

25TH JULY



It wasn’t an easy ride for her but Madonna claims her fifth chart topper this week with “Who’s That Girl” which follows in the same Hispanic vein as her last single (and No 1) “La Isla Bonita”, it pulled clear of The Pet Shop Boys, eventually, selling 75,922 to “It’s A Sin”’s 64,872. The latter song has sold 345,678 copies to date and is on course to become their biggest seller in a matter of weeks.





In cinema’s next month “La Bamba” is the biopic of the late Richie Valens and features the title song from the flick by the little known group Los Lobos (Spanish for “The Wolves”). The group did hit No 57 a few years ago with “Don’t Worry Baby” from their first album proper, but they’ve been more or less gigging across the USA to not much acclaim, but now their version of Valens’ “La Bamba” is doing business at the tills where lesser versions have failed, rising 32-5 (38,794) in just its second week- watch out Madonna. The song was never a UK hit for Valens though a UK version did make No 21 in 1964 for the Crickets (the song, it should be noted, is a 19th Century folk tune in its origin), Los Lobos climb despite not being on TOTP, they were booked to perform but were unable to travel after a visa mix-up.





If you’ve heard the current Boogie Box High cover of the Bee Gees “Jive Talkin” then you might recognise the vocals, though that’s all unconfirmed and non official. Boogie Box High are one Andros Georgiou who is the cousin of George Michael and recorded his version with former Haircut 100 member Nick Heyward and Style Council Mick Talbot before giving it to the mysterious vocalist. Michael is of course currently with Epic and so wouldn’t be moonlighting on other records….would he. The Bee Gees made No 5 back in 1975 and this looks like it could do better shooting 14-10 (26,911).



Atlantic Starr power 5-3 (41,871) but will need something major to go any higher, it’s enough to overpower poor Bruce Willis who dips 2-4 (41,514), Heart advance 9-6 (37,604) to slip past Mel & Kim who are left stranded at No 7 (35,513). Terence Trent D’Arby dives 4-8 (35,411) as his album dutifully arrives at No 1, and Black can’t maintain their rise and fall 8-9 (28,305).


1- WHO’S THAT GIRL- Madonna (75,922)
2- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (64,872)
3- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (41,871)
4- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (41,514)
5- LA BAMBA- Los Lobos (38,794)
6- ALONE- Heart (37,604)
7- F.L.M- Mel & Kim (35,513)
8- WISHING WELL- Terence Trent D’Arby (35,411)
9- SWEETEST SMILE- Black (28,305)
10- JIVE TALKIN- Boogie Box High (26,911)

Posted by: Brer 2nd February 2024, 05:22 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 2 2024, 03:01 PM)

Posted by: TheSnake 2nd February 2024, 05:41 PM

Another good number one, surprised by the lukewarm reaction on here for 'Who's That Girl' as I think its a great upbeat pop song.

Jive Talking is the first of two interesting covers of disco songs in 1987. I don't like it much though I prefer the original Bee Gees' version, although the Bee Gees had many better songs.

Posted by: dandy* 2nd February 2024, 07:28 PM

I don't mind Who's That Girl - it's just not up there with her best singles from the 80s, probably doesn't help that it follows on from the superior La Isla Bonita but is quite similar to it

Posted by: Bjork 2nd February 2024, 07:55 PM

oh forgot La Bamba was coming! so the Spanish domination continues!
Still know all the lyrics of La Bamba by heart <3

Posted by: TheSnake 2nd February 2024, 07:58 PM

Not really a fan of La Bamba, its been overplayed in media as a 'novelty holiday song' in the UK at least.

Posted by: Steve201 2nd February 2024, 09:02 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 1 2024, 11:36 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 2nd February 2024, 09:13 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 2 2024, 10:23 AM)

Posted by: Jade 2nd February 2024, 09:52 PM

I have such a soft spot for 'La Bamba' <3 that Spanish domination exactly 30 years before 'Despacito' and friends

Posted by: TheSnake 2nd February 2024, 10:48 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 2 2024, 09:13 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 3rd February 2024, 07:09 AM

Gezza, do you know how the Terence trent D'Arby did in week 1? Big sales or average? Thanks

Posted by: Steve201 3rd February 2024, 08:01 AM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Feb 2 2024, 10:48 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 3rd February 2024, 11:58 AM

1ST AUGUST



After just one week Madonna is bounced off the top slot as “Who’s That Girl” slips 1-2 with a reduction at retail of just 4% to 72,709 as the parent soundtrack debuts at No 4. The album release proved fatal to the ongoing dominance of the single and it makes way for Los Lobos who were never far behind Madonna from the off but overtook with relative ease post TOTP and ended up selling 73,780 copies of “La Bamba” as it jumps 5-1. It is 1987’s 13th chart topper putting the year one ahead of the same point in 1986 and bringing the total No 1’s since 1952 at 595 so at the current rate the year will see the 600th chart topper at some point. It’s also the first time in 24 years that we’ve had back to back chart toppers from movies. I omitted to mention last week that with 5 chart toppers Madonna is now out in front in terms of chart toppers in the 80s!





Jamaican Freddie McGregor sees his reggae hit “Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely” climb 12-9 (25,772) as he scores his first hit in a career that stretches back to the mid 60s. It appears to be a revival in lover’s rock which seemed to have quietly been dropped from the charts sometime earlier this year but clearly there is still a market, you may also note the backing vocals from Lorraine McIntosh and Heather Austin of the group The Cool Notes.





From punk to hip hop, the transition of the Beastie Boys is now complete. They supported Madonna on her “Like A Virgin” tour a few years ago before they starred (along with other hip hop acts Run DMC, Fat Boys and more) in the film “Krush Groove” which was the film version of the history of the Def Jam label. They’re more famous here for the recent Liverpool gig which erupted into violence back in May only 10 minutes after the group took to the stage and abused the crowd causing something approaching notoriety with the press. Featuring on the film soundtrack was a track called “She’s On It” which isn’t on their debut album “Licence to Ill”, that became the first rap album to top the US Billboard charts. Here the album hasn’t done quite as well peaking at No 7 in the wake of that infamous concert and currently lifts 19-13 generated 2 top 20 singles, now “She’s On It” goes even further 20-10 (24,021) in part due to its absence on the album.



Atlantic Starr get enough of a boost from TOTP to hold No 3 (45,730) Heart advance 6-5 (35,666), Bruce Willis recedes 4-6 (30,770) as Boogie Box High float 10-7 (30,447) and Mel & Kim slip a spot at No 8 (28,645)

Pet Shop Boys ebb 2-4 (39,355) with sales of “It’s A Sin” now just 50,000 short of “West End Girls” meaning they should have a new personal best seller in the next few weeks.


1- LA BAMBA- Los Lobos (73,780)
2- WHO’S THAT GIRL- Madonna (72,709)
3- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (45,730)
4- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys (39,355)
5- ALONE- Heart (35,666)
6- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis (30,770)
7- JIVE TALKIN- Boogie Box High (30,447)
8- F.L.M- Mel & Kim (28,645)
9- JUST DON’T WANNA BE LONELY- Freddie McGregor (25,772)
10- SHE’S ON IT- Beastie Boys (24,021)

Posted by: Bjork 3rd February 2024, 12:23 PM

not a fan of those 2 newbies, never got Beastie Boys
Alone taking a slow climb up

Posted by: Jessie Where 3rd February 2024, 12:29 PM

How do I get you a loan?

Posted by: TheSnake 3rd February 2024, 12:36 PM

The Beastie Boys and Freddie McGregor songs sound quite good, I don't really know them that well.

Posted by: Steve201 4th February 2024, 01:57 AM

Great to see the legends Al that are the Beastie Boys in the top 10, the ingredients for a new era is upon us!!

Posted by: dandy* 4th February 2024, 11:02 AM

Beastie Boys! Not huge on that particular track but did like them once they got to the likes of Sure Shot - albeit I don’t think any of those got anywhere near top 10

Posted by: Colm 4th February 2024, 11:08 AM

I've never liked any Beastie Boys song.

Posted by: Bjork 4th February 2024, 12:40 PM

agree

Posted by: Gezza 4th February 2024, 02:44 PM

8TH AUGUST



“La Bamba” triumphed by a mere thousand copies last week but this week is much more secure after improving to 80,223. It certainly won’t be in danger from the rest of the top 3 however who either fade or are increasing in sales too slowly, Madonna holds in the runner up slot selling 41,327 copies down 43% whilst Heart fly 5-3 (39,508) up 12%.





For an artist popularly credited with redefining the limits of pop video it is an odd decision that Michael Jackson has returned the charts this week with his first single from the new album “Bad” and not made a promo for it. I suppose he’s already generated enough excitement about his return for it to sell itself and true to form “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” debuts at No 5 (33,235) this week to register his 17th top 10 single, but it’s the first for his duet partner Siedah Garrett whose previous best came in duet with Dennis Edwards on “Don’t Look Any Further” which was re-released a few months ago but couldn’t do better than its original No 45 peak in 1984. In truth however Garrett has already been at No 1 three times thanks to being one of the backing singers on Madonna’s “True Blue” album which means that she is a thrice chart topper of sorts, Jackson has 4 chart toppers counted in a similar vein including his appearance on The Jackson’s “Show You The Way To Go” and USA For Africa’s “We Are The World”. Interestingly Garrett was not the first choice of duet partner for Jackson, apparently it was offered to both Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand who both declined. The Jackson camp are promising an “Epic” promo for the next single and title track for “Bad” but already this single has done something no previous Jackson has done- debuting straight into the top 10, watch out for this next week.





Hue & Cry are the product of two Brothers Greg and Pat Kane who recover from the disappointment of two flops with “Labour Of Love”. There aren’t many songs in the chart which offer even slight praise of the Thatcher government but this track does, if only in a retrospective angle, it’s written from the view of a disillusioned Conservative voter who has grown weary of government policy, of course the fact that the pair called the song “Labour Of Love” and contains lyrics including the word “Strike” indicate the tongue in cheek nature of the song. In any event it moves 13-6 (29,223)





Foreshadowing a new greatest hits collection of their 12” mixes “Substance” New Order are back in the top 10 for only the second time with new track “True Faith”, their only previous experience of the top flight came with 1983’s “Blue Monday” which remains the biggest selling 12” of all time and current sales of the track stand at just over 500,000 copies, incredible for a track that never made it higher than No 9. Back to 1987 though and “True Faith” leaps 19-7 (28,101) as it takes just a fortnight to become the band’s highest charting single. The album is out in three weeks.





Releasing her first single when she was just 15 back in 1971 Ivana Spagna soon left the charts and took to writing songs for other people in her native Italy. Fast forward 15 years and she decided to return to the limelight with continental hit “Easy Lady” which did nothing here but her second release from her debut album “Dedicated To The Moon” is having the desired effect, “Call Me” has already been a hit over most of Europe over the last few months and finally makes it across the English Channel and is on the up 28-8 (27,710). The video was filmed in our own backyard, Nottingham in fact with Belvoir castle featuring prominently.



Atlantic Starr can’t keep up with the pace and fall 3-4 (38,488) with Boogie Box High dipping 7-9 (23,256) and The Beastie Boys clinging to the No 10 spot (23,120)


1- LA BAMBA- Los Lobos (80,223)
2- WHO’S THAT GIRL- Madonna (41,327)
3- ALONE- Heart (39,508)
4- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (38,488)
5- I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU- Michael Jackson With Siedah Garrett (33,235)
6- LABOUR OF LOVE- Hue & Cry (29,223)
7- TRUE FAITH- New Order (28,101)
8- CALL ME- Spagna (27,710)
9- JIVE TALKIN- Boogie Box High (23,256)
10- SHE’S ON IT- Beastie Boys (23,120)

Posted by: Gezza 4th February 2024, 02:54 PM

Incidentally the female vocalist standing in for Siedah in the clip is Sheryl Crow- Wonder if she'll end up making it herself a popstar?....

Posted by: TheSnake 4th February 2024, 03:02 PM

True Faith is the best song of the year for me.

Really like that Hue and Cry song though too, great sophistipop.

The Spagna song is rather cheesy but the instrumental 'drop' in place of the chorus makes it a bit modern and relevant.

'I Can't Stop Loving You' is a very understated first single from the album 'Bad', a nice enough song but a bit boring.

Posted by: dandy* 4th February 2024, 03:16 PM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Feb 4 2024, 03:02 PM)

Posted by: Jessie Where 4th February 2024, 04:00 PM

True Faith

'Call Me' is a classic but yes, total cheese. A bit of a humdrum, forgettable MJ single there.

Posted by: Bjork 4th February 2024, 04:18 PM

I know it's cheesy but I really liked I Just Can't Stop Loving You, always like a classy ballad

True Faith is just fantastic, the best New Order song, as I never got Blue Monday

Also quite liked Call Me even if it's cheesy Italodance

Posted by: Jester 4th February 2024, 04:21 PM

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You is superb, one of my fave Jacko songs.

True Faith is obviously all kinds of amazing.

Posted by: TheSnake 4th February 2024, 04:27 PM

True Faith I much prefer to Blue Monday too.

QUOTE(Jessie Where @ Feb 4 2024, 04:00 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 4th February 2024, 11:37 PM

Wow came on here to give the unpopular opinion that ‘True Faith’ is my favourite New Order song but seems a lot of others feel the same. I had heard it before when I was younger but was blown away by their appearence when watching TOTP 87 as I thought it sounded like a Brit pop song and didn’t realise it was released this early, absolute classic!

Also love the Hue & Cry song I mean what pop star these days would wear a grey suit like that on a tv promo so 80s 🤣

Posted by: Gezza 5th February 2024, 05:27 PM

15TH AUGUST



Though it was out in front from the off Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett’s lead was never commanding and indeed shortened toward the weekend with “La Bamba” get the usual No 1 boost from TOTP and in the end only triumphed by 5,000 copies. A victory is however a victory and this week Jackson can celebrate his third No 1 single and the perfect start to his “Bad” campaign, of course proof that you can still make No 1 without a promo vid or TOTP in fact, it sold 63,631 copies last week to Los Lobos’ 58,854. Further trouble could be brewing for Jackson in the form of Spagna who flies 8-3 (47,906) in her bid to become the first Italian to top the UK singles chart, the only Italian to chart higher is Ennio Morricone who made No 2 in 1981. New Order also advance 7-4 (41,242) but are too far off the pace to worry Jackson.





Already a major rock act in the US after their last album “Pyromania” sold in its millions and made No 2 there whilst being roundly ignored by the UK, Def Leppard finally have something to show for their efforts in their own country. Leppard started out in Sheffield in the late 70s but didn’t enamour themselves to the UK public by choosing a more American feel to their music when British Rock music was sounding very British indeed (Iron Maiden, Gillan, Motorhead) which led to a rather hostile performance at Reading 80 which resulted in them being pelted by bottles. Now that the charts are much more accepting of US Rock Def Leppard find themselves with a hit on their hands in “Animal” and should improve albums wise when “Hysteria”, their fourth album, is out in a fortnight and will seek to top the No 18 peak of “Pyromania”. The single moves 16-9 (25,959) to become a top 10 single, the first time they’ve ever been in the top 40.





After hitting the heights of No 2 with last year’s “So Macho/ Cruising” Sinitta’s chart career had faltered with follow up “Feels Like The First Time” bottoming out at No 45, but like Bananarama, Dead Or Alive, and Sam Fox, she’s turned to hot producers Stock Aitken & Waterman to put her back on track and they pulled it out of the bag with “Toy Boy” which now rockets 22-10 (24,956) in part thanks to a memorable TOTP performance.



Heart rock out at No 5 (33,643) while Hue & Cry are static at No 6 (30,124) and there are more fallers, Atlantic Starr 4-7 (27,540) and Madonna 2-8 (26,554) as she climbs to No 2 in the US.


1- I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU- Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett (63,631)
2- LA BAMBA- Los Lobos (58,854)
3- CALL ME- Spagna (47,906)
4- TRUE FAITH- New Order (41,242)
5- ALONE- Heart (33,643)
6- LABOUR OF LOVE- Hue & Cry (30,124)
7- ALWAYS- Atlantic Starr (27,540)
8- WHO’S THAT GIRL- Madonna (26,554)
9- ANIMAL- Def Leppard (25,959)
10-TOY BOY- Sinitta (24,956)

Posted by: TheSnake 5th February 2024, 05:38 PM

Toy Boy is even cheesier than the classic Stock Aitken Waterman sound but yes with that and, a few weeks back, Sam Fox's Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now, the classic SAW sound has arrived, love it or hate it.

'Animal' is quite a good rock track.

Posted by: Bjork 6th February 2024, 08:08 AM

Toy Boy is such a guilty pleasure never a big fan of Def Leppard even their rock ballads were not as good as Heart or Whitesnake

Posted by: dandy* 6th February 2024, 08:16 AM

That’s less than I expected for MJ, especially for the lead single following the Thriller album

Posted by: Bjork 6th February 2024, 08:35 AM

I think the no video thing affected seriously its sales, managed #1 but not with flying colours
also being a ballad and not an upbeat track ala Beat it/Billie Jean

Posted by: TheSnake 6th February 2024, 05:49 PM

'I Just Cant Stop Loving You' I remember as a child as one of the songs I listened to sped up with an audio program for a laugh, that was way before speeded up versions of songs became popular on TikTok!

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 6 2024, 08:08 AM)

Toy Boy is such a guilty pleasure never a big fan of Def Leppard even their rock ballads were not as good as Heart or Whitesnake

Posted by: dandy* 6th February 2024, 06:22 PM

I don’t want to spoiler… but… it won’t.

Posted by: Gezza 6th February 2024, 06:45 PM

22ND AUGUST



Michael Jackson just can’t stop loving the top slot as he moved a further 66,215 to being his three week tally to 163,081 (129,846 whilst at No 1) which is less than impressive for a No 1 single whose sales are already peaking it seems. The obvious explanation is that the lack of a promo video is affecting the single, its total whilst at No 1 is the lowest tally for a miultiweek No 1 since Madonna sold 96,849 in her fortnight on top, odd that these rather low sales accompany two of the biggest stars of the 80s though both are easily explained, Jackson enters the top 10 in the US in the bottom position while Madonna sits at the top so no need to write either off just yet. With no promo going to be made the track is the first chart topper never to be played by TOTP (trivia fans) as on previous occasions when a promo/ artist not available the show used Go-Jo's/ Pan's People/ Legs & Co/ Ruby Flipper/Zoo but with these gone there isn't an option!





Jackson’s main opposition this week came from Spagna who rises 3-2 (47,821) despite posting a sales loss of roughly 100 copies and only just clung onto the No 2 position against Rick Astley who is the newest star in the charts. The Lancashire 21 yr old was spotted singing by Pete Waterman and asked to come to the Stock Aitken & Waterman studios to be the “tea boy” as Waterman has revealed but his voice was too good. First single “When You Gonna” with Lisa Carter failed to do any business but a further stab with “Never Gonna Give You Up” proves a triumph as it flies 14-3 (47,243) to become the 12th S/A/W production to make the top flight.





Yielding its first hit the hit single the animated film “An American Tail” is in cinema’s now and helping to promote the Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram duet “Somewhere Out There” from 11-8 (31,773). It is already the biggest hit by either act beating Ronstadt’s No 35 and Ingram’s No 11 best who must be thankful to Steven Spielberg who only wanted a few songs for the film but thought this one had hit potential, in the film itself the track is actually sung by Phillip Glasser and Betsy Cathcart and has already hit US No 2 back in March behind Bon Jovi.





Proving rather a hit with the teenage girls of the UK Wet Wet Wet continue their lucky streak with a second top 10 single in just a few months. The rather infectious “Sweet Little Mystery” lifts 12-9 (31,637) to illustrate that the Glasgow boys are no one hit wonder, with a promo filmed in Ghana to remind us just how awful this summer has been it brings a little sunshine into the top 10 and should help shift those albums when their debut set “Popped In Souled Out” gets its release next month. It's helped of course by the boys supporting Madonna on her world tour (UK leg) this week though they've also stumbled into a row with some who suggest that this sails too close to Van Morrison's "Sense Of Wonder".





If anything can stop the ascendancy of Rick Astley next week then it’s the record that debuts at No 10 this week. One of the more unusual collaborations of 1987 The Pet Shop Boys have managed to coax Dusty Springfield back into the studio to record a new song “What Have I Done To Deserve This”, it’s been 19 years since Springfield was last in the top 10 with “Son Of A Preacher Man” though rather shorter for PSB who were only at No 1 2 months ago for a second time with “It’s A Sin”. All of this is of course gearing up to the release of the boys second LP “Actually” next month, though they’ve chosen the same release week as the new Jackson album causing an interesting chart battle! At any rate the new single sold 29,002 to announce its arrival.



Stock Aitken & Waterman can claim production rights over two of the top 5 records of the week with Sinitta powering 10-4 (38,862) with her “Toy Boy” which pushes New Order down a slot to No 5 (38,624). Two animals are back to back next, Def Leppard are on the prowl 9-6 (34,391) with “Animal” whilst those wolves Los Lobos limp 2-7 (33,439).


1- I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU- Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett (66,215)
2- CALL ME- Spagna (47,821)
3- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (47,243)
4- TOY BOY- Sinitta (38,862)
5- TRUE FAITH- New Order (38,624)
6- ANIMAL- Def Leppard (34,391)
7- LA BAMBA- Los Lobos (33,439)
8- SOMEWHERE OUT THERE- James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt (31,773)
9- SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY- Wet, wet, wet (31,637)
10- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield (29,002)

Posted by: dandy* 6th February 2024, 06:59 PM

PSBs and Dusty <3

Rick Astley is a good addition too, it’s a shame we turned the forum’s auto play off or I’d have been editing your post to Rick roll everyone!

Posted by: Colm 6th February 2024, 06:59 PM

True Faith is the best song of the decade.

Posted by: jimwatts 6th February 2024, 07:49 PM

'True Faith' and 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' in the same Top 10

Posted by: Steve201 6th February 2024, 08:05 PM

Sinitta and Spagna the only non classics in that top 10!

Posted by: TheSnake 6th February 2024, 08:07 PM

'Never Gonna Give You Up' is a cheesy track that we have to thank (the much cooler) Colonel Abrams - Trapped for as it apparently was influenced by it. 'Living In A Box' (also much cooler) also owed a lot to 'Trapped', same producer.

I much prefer Rick Astley's other songs to 'Never Gonna Give You Up' because of the overplaying and Rick Rolling over the years!

'Sweet Little Mystery' is a very nice song and obviously has become a classic but nowhere near as good or as cool as 'Wishing I Was Lucky'!

'What Have I Done To Deserve This' is another good PSB track.

Posted by: Jester 6th February 2024, 08:42 PM

What Have I Done To Deserve This my favourite PSB song!

Great new top 10 entries for Rick Astley and Wet Wet Wet.

Posted by: Jessie Where 6th February 2024, 09:23 PM

What Have I Done to Deserve This?

I do like a bit of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' despite how overdone it is.

Posted by: Jade 6th February 2024, 09:58 PM

Oh 'True Faith' is easily my favourite addition to the top 10 since I last popped in (I actually do prefer 'Blue Monday' though but both are all-time greats)

Posted by: Bjork 6th February 2024, 10:54 PM

what a top 10, the only song that's kinda meh is Somewhere Out There, always found it too AOR

Never Gonna Give You Up is SAW at their best when they were still good, and love to have Spagna and Sinitta in the top 5, bought both, they're classics in a way too

the 2nd Wet Wet Wet single was great too, much more poppy than their 1st

and of course the PSB & Dusty duet is just fantastic, I do prefer it much much more than It's a Sin

Posted by: Bjork 6th February 2024, 10:58 PM

Oh I just realised that around the same time, Bananarama released their best song ever and also incidentally SAW best song ever aka I Heard a Rumour, and the song went top 20 but missed the top 10 peaking at #14 I think

That's one of the biggest chart tragedies of the 80s to be honest will never understand how this missed when less good material from SAW made the top 10, ie Samantha Fox a few weeks earlier :/



only redeeming factor is it was huge in he US, #4 I think

Posted by: Gezza 7th February 2024, 05:27 PM

29TH AUGUST



A bit of a summer slump this week with only one new song entering the top 10 but right at the top there’s more than enough to satisfy chart fans with Rick Astley blitzing all opposition before him and romping home to an easy victory increasing sales by a whopping 68% to 78,574, almost double that posting by pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield who despite leaping 10-2 are left eating dust on just 50,694 copies. The connection is that the Boys revealed this week that their previous single "It's A Sin" was originally offered to S/A/W to produce but they declined as they weren't too keen on the track- ad decision the trio must regret.



Elsewhere in the top 5 Sinitta holds up well thanks to a reprise on TOTP at No 4 (46,801) which is more than can be said for either Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett (1-3, 47,940) and Spagna who falls (2-5, 43,146).



Number one in Australia for 7 weeks over December/ January and now finally here is Pseudo Echo’s version of Lipps Inc’s “Funky Town” which features in the film “Revenge of The Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise” a fact that helped in breaking the song in the US where it made No 6 in July. The group cite their influences as the New romantic movement and include Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, and they are, at least in the confines of 1987, proving more popular than either of those acts are. The track sold 26,146 last week.



Wet Wet Wet prove the only success story outside the other acts not mentioned already as they surge 9-6 (30,974) to equal the peak of their last single “Wishing I Was Lucky” otherwise tracks are falling, New Order demise 5-7 (26,384), Def Leppard slink 6-9 (25,364) and James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt are lost 8-10 (23,018). Two of those acts, Def Leppard and New Order, went head to head in the album charts with Leppard coming out trumps and entering at No 1 two places higher than New Order.


1- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (78,574)
2- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield (50,694)
3- I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU- Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett (47,940)
4- TOY BOY- Sinitta (46,801)
5- CALL ME- Spagna (43,146)
6- SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY- Wet, wet, wet (30,974)
7- TRUE FAITH- New Order (26,384)
8- FUNKY TOWN- Pseudo Echo (26,146)
9- ANIMAL- Def Leppard (25,364)
10- SOMEWHERE OUT THERE- James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt (23,018)

Posted by: TheSnake 7th February 2024, 05:36 PM

Another cover of an old song in the charts in 1987, this version of Funky Town is way better than the contemporary Lean On Me and Jive Talking covers.

I really like that version of Funky Town it reminds me of Incommunicado by Marillion from earlier in the year, as both tracks are lively synth rock which is great.

Posted by: Bjork 8th February 2024, 06:36 AM

The Smiths were lucky last time to go top 10, but this time Girlfriend in a Coma peaks at #13
It's one of my favourites from them


also further down the charts in the low top 30, The Jesus & Mary Chain follow up their top 10 April Skies with the fantastic Happy When it Rains but fails to repeat the trick sadly peaking at #25

Posted by: TheSnake 8th February 2024, 03:13 PM

Girlfriend In A Coma is a very sad song , good song melodically.

Also in the chart at #12 was Wax Bridge to Your Heart - a good sophistipop song, Graham Gouldman of 10cc fame was in the band.



And peaking at #13 a few weeks before, a Stock Aitken Waterman produced, and unusually self credited, song, largely instrumental sophistipop.

Posted by: Bjork 8th February 2024, 04:57 PM

also very surprising, Whitney's follow-up to I Wanna Dance, the ballad Didn't We Almost Had It All
kinda flopped at only made it to #14 in the UK, that's pretty surprising as I Wanna Dance was massive
and this is a decent ballad, was of course a #1 in the US but only #14 in the UK looks low
and her albums from album 1 did well so it's not that...

Posted by: Bjork 8th February 2024, 05:00 PM

and looking back a few weeks, I was convinced this had been top 10 but peaked at #11
ABC's return to form with the fab and sophisticated When Smokey Sings

Posted by: TheSnake 8th February 2024, 05:05 PM

ABC kind of started 80s sophisti-pop originally indeed with the 'Lexicon of Love' album. 'When Smokey Sings' is a good song but I prefer their 1982 songs.

Posted by: Steve201 8th February 2024, 07:33 PM

‘When Smokey Sings’ is a fab comeback but kinda flopped as they were on TOTP flat out and it still couldn’t go top 10! The Wax songs is great, is it a cover??

Posted by: Gezza 8th February 2024, 07:59 PM

5TH SEPTEMBER



The SAW tea boy turned good does it again this week, and smashes through the 100,000 mark for only the 11th time in 1987 ending up with a mighty 135,354 in the last 7 days. Rick Astley reigns supreme and has sold a healthy 289,255 since release and is shaping up nicely as one of the singles of the year. It is Stock Aitken & Waterman’s 4th No 1 single but their third of this year and they are now probably the hottest producers in the land as we speak, for a third week they also produce two of the top 5 tracks with Sinitta holding at No 4 (46,529) though she is starting to cool.





If you’re looking for potential challengers to “Never Gonna Give You Up” then simply there aren’t. Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield play token runner up but they are over 70,000 copies behind Astley on 57,613, the last time there was such a gap between the top 2 was all the way back in October 1986 when Madonna was beaten by Nick Berry by almost 140,000 copies. You might be better off putting your hopes on The Fat Boys whose version of the Surfari’s 1963 No 5 hit “Wipeout” has already exceeded the original as it storms 19-3 (47,056) to give a glimmer of hope. The US rap trio comprise among others Darren Robinson, a pioneer of “Beatboxing”, and have been around for roughly 3 years getting major exposure (along with the Beastie Boys) on the film “Krush Groove”, for this track they have recruited The Beach Boys for whom this is their 13th top 10 single but first in 8 years and it’s been 19 years since they were in the top 3 when “Do It Again” went all the way.





When first released last year it only made No 72 but in the wake of the No 8 hit “Sweetest Smile” Black have re-issued “Wonderful Life” and have a much bigger hit this time around as it flies 18-8 (28,815) to match the former hit’s peak. In three weeks time Vearncombe releases his debut album which will also be called “Wonderful Life” and should benefit from the hit singles, the promo for the title track is filmed at New Brighton near Vearncombe’s home.





Another song getting a re-issue and a far better reception is T’Pau’s “Heart And Soul”. The group hail from Shropshire, formed last year, and had this single featured on a Pepe Jeans advert in the states which gained the song national recognition and saw it peak at No 4 last month, that then caused a re-issued here and now the song can’t be stopped as it strides 28-9 (24,820). Their unusual name comes from a character in the Star Trek series which was cruelly forgotten about when the firm named a few in their recent chart topper.



Wet, wet, wet have their biggest chart hit on their hands as “Sweet Little Mystery” inches 6-5 (33,932) and moves above a couple of fallers, Spagna 5-6 (30,277) and Michael Jackson & Siedah Garrett 3-7 (30,158), Pseudo Echo also recede 8-10 (24,395).


1- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (135,354)
2- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield (57,613)
3- WIPEOUT- Beach Boys & Fat Boys (47,056)
4- TOY BOY- Sinitta (46,529)
5- SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY- Wet, wet, wet (33,932)
6- CALL ME- Spagna (30,277)
7- I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU- Michael Jackson with Siedah Garrett (30,158)
8- WONDERFUL LIFE- Black (28,815)
9- HEART AND SOUL- T’Pau (24,820)
10- FUNKY TOWN- Pseudo Echo (24,395)

Posted by: TheSnake 8th February 2024, 09:24 PM

I genuinely thought until recently that T'Pau debuted with, you know, the song most people know them for.

Heart and Soul is a good song anyway, but not as good as their other one, the spoken word verses reminds me of both Pet Shop Boys and PM Dawn!

'Wonderful Life' is a bit of a classic, very nice song, his voice is similar to Furniture of 'Brilliant Mind' fame.

I also think Black was influenced by Double of 'Captain Of Her Heart' fame.

'Wipeout' is good fun, yes rap was becoming more popular by this stage of the 80s.

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 8 2024, 07:59 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 8th February 2024, 10:00 PM

Wonderful Life is an absolute classic and many prob forget it’s by Black!

Posted by: Jessie Where 8th February 2024, 10:16 PM

'What Have I Done to Deserve This?' so deserves #1 but I can't begrudge it being behind an absolute juggernaut.

Posted by: TheSnake 8th February 2024, 10:28 PM

Didn't know the Rick Astley song was that big at the time, thought it might have been just a one week #1 but no.

Spagna and the Wets held up well. Glad Psuedo Echo got another week top 10 too.

Posted by: Steve201 8th February 2024, 10:45 PM

Meant to ask why the huge jump for Rick in week 3?

Posted by: Gezza 8th February 2024, 11:47 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 8 2024, 10:45 PM)

Posted by: Brer 9th February 2024, 12:41 AM

King Rick

Posted by: Bjork 9th February 2024, 08:12 AM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 8 2024, 08:33 PM)

Posted by: Colm 9th February 2024, 03:48 PM

Neve Gonna Give You Up was good but i never seem to enjoy it as much as most other people.

Posted by: Gezza 9th February 2024, 04:46 PM

12TH SEPTEMBER



Another week of Rick Astley domination results in another 111,639 copies of “Never Gonna Give You Up” being sold, that’s a 18% loss week on week but this week's figure does include a day's less sales given it was a bank holiday on the Monday. Its total of 400,894 is easily enough to place it in the top 10 YTD which we’ll update in three weeks time, also keep an eye on its sales next week as it is about 130,000 away from overtaking Mel & Kim to become S/A/W’s best selling single ever!



The Fat Boys & The Beach Boys move the expected move 3-2 (53,414) with a nice sales boost of 13% thanks to TOTP but it still lags too far to threaten and the Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield sag 2-3 (41,140) as they gear up for the album release this week. That provides a 60s look to the top of the charts and contributes to the overall feeling of what a “retro” year 1987 has been.



Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album enters the charts at No 1 this week after selling a phenomenal 350,000 copies (a new chart record) as it pushes the opening tally for “The Joshua Tree” down to second on the list of biggest opening weeks, but U2 still claim the biggest selling album of the year so far as it celebrates 6 months on the charts without leaving the top 10 though it dips 6-9 this week. Third single from the album “Where The Streets Have No Name” debuts at No 4 (36,550), ordinarily a track entering into the top 5 must be fancied to hit the No 1 spot next week but U2 have proved to be something of a high debuting act who find it difficult to make that final step to the top so we’ll see if it can follow their norm. The title incidentally is taken from the concept in Belfast that you can tell someone’s religion and income based on their street name and Bono imaging a place where that doesn’t happen- he’s a good soul.





A truly amazing 54th Top 10 single (yes it’s true) for Cliff Richard this week with the Alan Tarney penned “Some People” which is another release from his “Always Guaranteed” album which is released in a fortnight and goes head to head with releases by Black, Five Star, and Chris Rea in a very busy week. The single powers 15-7 (30,345) to hint that it may become a bigger seller than “My Pretty One” which sold just over 136,000 copies.





US trio LeVert contain two sons of Eddie Levert a co-founder of the O’Jays and his star genes pay off with the group scoring a first hit with “Casanova” a track which features on the new Robert Downey Jr/ Molly Ringwald film “The Pick Up Artist” which is out in the US now but not here until Christmas when it won’t help its promotion on the UK charts. The song still seems to have legs though flying 20-10 (22,491) this week.



T’pau show spirit climbing 9-5 (33,779) as they sneak past Sinitta who dips 4-6 (32,232), further down Wet, Wet, Wet also ebb 5-8 (26,265) and Black just can’t get past the No 8 position as their second hit slips 8-9 (25,500).


1- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (111,639)
2- WIPEOUT- Fat Boys & Beach Boys (53,414)
3- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS – Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield (41,140)
4- WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME- U2 (36,550)
5- HEART AND SOUL- T’Pau (32,779)
6- TOY BOY- Sinitta (32,232)
7- SOME PEOPLE- Cliff Richard (30,345)
8- SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY- Wet, wet , wet (26,265)
9- WONDERFUL LIFE- Black (25,500)
10- CASANOVA- Levert (22,491)

Posted by: TheSnake 9th February 2024, 05:01 PM

'Where The Streets Have No Name' is another good U2 song.

'Casanova' is a good new jack swing type song, the melody sounds influenced by Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing.

Posted by: jimwatts 9th February 2024, 07:36 PM

'Where The Streets Have No Name' assuming that's where it peaked, that's three huge favourites of mine peaking at #4 in 1987 alongside 'With Or Without You' and 'True Faith'!

Posted by: Bjork 9th February 2024, 07:41 PM

U2 released 3 absolute classics in a row in 87

Posted by: Gezza 10th February 2024, 02:53 PM

19TH SEPTEMBER



A further sales heamorrhage of 12% for Astley would indicate that “Never Gonna Give You Up” is now a sitting duck at No 1 but its sales decline is slow by modern standards and it is still well ahead of the pack to make it 4 weeks at the top, making it the longest running chart topper of the year along with Starship, all reasons to call the track a success. Its sales of 97,699 means it was the victor by 45,000.





The new challenger to Astley and potential chart topper next week is M/A/R/R/S, they have produced one of the hottest records around at present with the sampling “Pump Up The Volume” which is being hailed as the breakthrough moment of the genre though of course some tracks have used sampling and been hits it seems could be the moment it enters the public consciousness. The “group” are not in fact a group but a collaboration between two acts Colourbox and A R Kane who were put together by 4AD label owner Watts-Russell to make a track, and although the groups found that they didn’t gel in the studio they produced two songs “Pump Up The Volume” (Colourbox) and “Anitina” (A R Kane) separately and then remixed each other’s tune hence we have the current double A-Side. It’s fair to say that “Pump Up The Volume” is getting all the airplay and generating most of the sales, when the tracks were released on 12” only the song entered at No 35 last week thanks to club exposure, but when the 7” remix (and it is a remix not just the 12” mix edited) was released it really started to garner sales sailing 35-11 with all the additional samples thrown into the mix. The title hook is lifted from Eric B & Rakim’s “Paid In Full” which is due for release here next month and gets a nice spot of promo. Its move 11-2 (52,887) signals that this will be number one next week failing some kind of major intervention.





Normally a new Madonna single means a contender for the top slot and “Causing A Commotion” certainly starts off brightly as it smashes straight in at No 7 (27,693). It’s another cut from the “Who’s That Girl” soundtrack and has been helped by her first tour of the UK last month and the accompanying media circus which pretty much blitzed the news coupled with persistent rumours that her marriage may be on the rocks. It’s her 16th consecutive top 10 hit and her 5th to debut inside the big 10 as she goes for her third consecutive chart topper.



The rise of M/A/R/R/S is bad news for The Fat Boys & The Beach Boys who dip 2-3 (50,354) in their wake and T’Pau whose climb is stemmed 5-4 (44,421). U2 surprisingly dip 4-5 (38,947) though they increased sales and are comfortably ahead of Cliff Richard who continues to improve 7-6 (28,169), meanwhile at the bottom of the top 10 LeVert only manage a 10-9 (25,449) climb whilst Sinitta collapses 6-10 (24,922). The Pet Shop Boys moved the release of their second album “Actually” back a week so as to not clash with Michael Jackson’s “Bad” but it didn’t matter in the end as they couldn’t overthrow Jacko, he keeps the No 1 spot by some margin and the Pet Shop Boys single with Dusty Springfield deflates 3-8 (27,149) in response.


Next week sees the release of the single of the moment, Jackson's "Bad", how high can it enter?


1- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (97,699)
2- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (52,887)
3- WIPEOUT- Fat Boys & Beach Boys (50,354)
4- HEART AND SOUL- T’Pau (44,421)
5- WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME- U2 (38,947)
6- SOME PEOPLE- Cliff Richard (28,169)
7- CAUSING A COMMOTION- Madonna (27,693)
8- WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS- Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield (27,149)
9- CASANOVA- Levert (25,449)
10- TOY BOY- Sinitta (24,922)

Posted by: Bjork 10th February 2024, 03:32 PM

oh nice to see the arrival of Pump of the Volume, don't think I liked it much as a kid but of course it became a classic
back then I remember being much more obsessed with Causin' a Commotion, a much better single than Who's That Girl, and I bought it as 7".

poor PSB being blocked by Bad week 2 but they kinda could have imagined it and moved it further away

Posted by: Bjork 10th February 2024, 03:36 PM

just realised the week before Prince peaked at #11 with the fabulous U Got the Look
featuring an uncredited Sheena Easton (for the occ)

Posted by: jimwatts 10th February 2024, 03:36 PM

'Pump Up The Volume' I didn't know M/A/R/R/S were effectively two different acts who remixed each other's songs! It's a shame the Pet Shop Boys' Actually ran into Bad

Posted by: Steve201 10th February 2024, 08:38 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 8 2024, 11:47 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 10th February 2024, 09:23 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 9 2024, 08:12 AM)

Lol at ABC being #11 and being called a flop
It was 100% the other way around, their last 2 albums failed to produce a proper hit
so this was definitely a return to form

love Heart and Soul, what a fantastic debut for T'Pau, one of the best bands of the 80s
bizarre that i flopped first time in the UK but got top 5 in the US, also it doesn't sound like something that would be a hit in the US
I can see why Whitesnake or Def Leppard were huge there, but T'Pau not so much

also love Wonderful Life, second amazing song from Black. And so many songs that flopped first time, luckily labels didn't have a problem re-releasing

Posted by: TheSnake 10th February 2024, 09:42 PM

I didn't really like Pump Up The Volume the first time I heard it but I really like it now. Its a good track to do karaoke to!

I assume Pump Up The Volume didn't get much radio airplay at the time and became a hit because of airplay in clubs/early raves instead. I read that before about most of the early house hits.

'Causing a Commotion' is a song I am not that familiar with, sounds catchy and good on first listen.

Posted by: Gezza 11th February 2024, 12:22 PM

26TH SEPTEMBER



Well it turned into the most interesting of weeks so far in 1987 and for all the wrong reasons. The headline will read that Rick Astley holds the top spot and “Never Gonna Give You Up” is the first record to be No 1 for five weeks since Jennifer Rush in late 1985. The song sold just 80,189 copies taking its total to 578,782 meaning it is already the third biggest seller of the year behind Whitney Houston (595,000) and Starship (699,000).



But it all kicked off last week when Pete Waterman of SAW wrote an open letter to the Sun claiming that M/A/R/R/S had used a sample of their single “Roadblock” without asking and called it “wholesale theft”, this resulted in a response from M/A/R/R/S that Waterman was doing the same thing on the current No 1 from Rick Astley by using the bassline from Colonel Abrams “Trapped”. It all resulted in a court hearing on Monday which ended with a distribution ban on copies of “Pump Up The Volume” for five days so that fresh stock did not arrive in the shops until Saturday and made the 7” track harder and harder to find through the week. Indeed M/A/R/R/S were down at No 4 based on sales between Monday and Thursday with only 12” sales being available as that mix does not include the aforementioned sample.

With stock newly available “Pump Up The Volume” was by some stretch the biggest seller on Saturday and the track clawed its way back to No 2 after selling 75,650 copies ultimately but the legal shenanigans undoubtedly cost M/A/R/R/S a No 1.

Spare a thought for Cliff Richard (6-3, 49,538) and Madonna (7-4, 45,747) who looked like securing the other top 3 positions until the death. Both acts now have albums which contain the singles, Cliff is new at No 5 and the “Who’s That Girl” soundtrack dips 15-16.



Furthermore that delay imposed on M/A/R/R/S may also have cost it its window of opportunity as not only are Cliff and Madonna lining up behind them but Michael Jackson enters the chart at No 5 this week with the title track to the current No 1 album “Bad”. The song was written and intended as a duet between Jackson and Prince but touring commitments meant that the duet was ultimately doomed but no matter as it easily becomes a top 10 single. The 18 minute Martin Scorsese lensed promo has won applaud from critics and certainly cemented his place music video history, the video of course got a special airing on Channel 4 all to itself and was watched by around 4 million, only 36,108 of those actually purchased the song this week. Could it be Jackson’s fourth chart topper next week?





You might be wondering just who House Master Boyz Featuring Rude Boy Of House actually are- well it’s none other than Farley “Jackmaster” Funk who had a top 10 hit last year with “Love Can’t Turn Around”. His growing reputation as the main chart exponent of “house” music means he can now boast one more top 10 hit than former flatmate Steve “Silk” Hurley who can claim his hit was a No 1 (controversy aside). “House Nation” originally peaked at No 48 in May this year but after continental success it becomes a hit in this country on re-issue climbing 12-8 (31,348).





Remember Karel Fialka? Touted very briefly as the next big thing by some quarters of the music press back in 1980 his sole hit “The Eyes Have It” ended up at No 52 though he did get a TOTP performance out of it but then nothing. 7 years on and Fialka pulls the biggest hit of his career out of the back with “Hey Matthew” a song in which the father questions his son on what he sees on TV and what he wants to be when he’s older, it’s an unusual subject for a track and proves to be a surprise hit as it jets 20-9 (23,137) after his second TOTP performance of the decade.





Level 42’s 6th top 10 single “It’s Over” is one of the first to be accompanied by the promo video on the CD version of the single, a gimmick which may have helped in its rise 11-10 (20,655). The group have now pulled 4 top 10 singles from the “Running In The Family” album which is fast approaching its half millionth sale.



T’Pau slide 4-6 (35,683) and The Fat Boys & The Beach Boys continue to decline 3-7 (34,323).


1- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (80,189)
2- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (75,650)
3- SOME PEOPLE- Cliff Richard (49,538)
4- CAUSING A COMMOTION- Madonna (45,747)
5- BAD- Michael Jackson (36,108)
6- HEART AND SOUL- T’Pau (35,683)
7- WIPEOUT- Fat Boys & Beach Boys (34,323)
8- HOUSE NATION- House Master Boyz Ft Rude Boy Of House (31,348)
9- HEY MATTHEW- Karel Fialka (23,137)
10- IT’S OVER- Level 42 (20,655)

Posted by: Bjork 11th February 2024, 12:38 PM

oh very interesting read about the SAW shenanigans

my fav song in the top 10 is Level 42- It's over, and one of my fav of the year, incredible that L42 managed 4 top 10s from the same album

never knew Bad was actually a post-album single, sure it would have been #1 if released ahead, but guess it's the same strategy as U2 with The Joshua Tree/With or ithout you

Posted by: Bjork 11th February 2024, 12:41 PM

Shout out to the 2nd Johnny Hates Jazz, I don't want to be a hero, the follow-up to Shattered dreams
and which for some reason I bought as 12"
Fantastic song that sadly peaked at #11 this week

Posted by: Jester 11th February 2024, 01:13 PM

As a Matthew (well, officially anyway) I always had a soft spot for Hey Matthew.

Posted by: Steve201 11th February 2024, 03:38 PM

Ridiculous from Waterman, all to keep Rick at the top or was he serious about the sample? Assume the attention probably helped both in the end.

What was the strategy regarding ‘Bad’ being released after the album? Amazing that it got premiered on Ch4 but only sold 39k, assume the album sold a lot more following?

Posted by: TheSnake 12th February 2024, 12:31 AM

Interesting production for that Karel Fialka track almost Ace of Base reminiscent.

'House Nation' is a good track too.

Posted by: dandy* 12th February 2024, 06:02 PM

I don't think Bad is that great a single really, it's decent and all but I'm surprised that this and I Just Can't Stop Loving You generated so many sales so quickly for the album. There were definitely much better to come that I'd have thought may have done better as early singles - even as a child I can remember loving Smooth Criminal and The Way You Make Me Feel more than any of the others, definitely felt like the more iconic songs.

Posted by: Gezza 12th February 2024, 06:05 PM

3RD OCTOBER



Following the settlement of the injunction filed by S/A/W which saw international releases of “Pump Up The Volume” being made available without the sample in question, M/A/R/R/S made hard work of overcoming Astley and actually saw a reduced sale of 70,992 copies which lifts the total to 227,817 proving it still has some way to go to make the YE top 10. No such problem for Rick Astley who’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” finally concedes the top spot after 5 weeks there and dips 1-2 (65,229) which swells the tally to 644,011 and as it is now ¾ of the way through the year it’s fittingly time for our final interim report on how that YTD top 10 is shaping up.



1- NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW- Starship 698,938
2- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley 644,011
3- I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)- Whitney Houston 592,960
4- RESPECTABLE- Mel & Kim 532,151
5- STAND BY ME- Ben E King 499,528
6- STAR TREKKIN- The Firm 444,890
7- IT’S A SIN- Pet Shop Boys 442,850
8- I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME)- George Michael & Aretha Franklin 416,500
9- UNDER THE BOARDWALK- Bruce Willis 405,365
10- LET IT BE- Ferry Aid 398,038

Astley has, as you can see, only Starship ahead of him now, but in around 2-3 weeks he should be able to claim the biggest hit of the year so far! You’ll also note that he already has the accolade of the biggest S/A/W produced track, the producers themselves claim 3of the top 10 themselves, and that the Pet Shop Boys have a new personal best seller in “It’s A Sin”.



Any fears that M/A/R/R/S might have missed their window of opportunity at the top thanks to the new Michael Jackson single were misplaced, “Bad” accelerates 5-3 (58,293) this week but he’s too busy shifting albums (where he spends a fourth week at the top) to generate sufficient single sales, and you might have been expecting more from the Madonna single “Causing A Commotion” which goes into reverse 4-5 (39,236) it therefore spends the least time in the top 4 since “Dress You Up” failed to make the mark almost two years ago- has overexposure finally caught up with her? Cliff Richard sandwiches the two US superstars with the falling “Some People” 3-4 (39,627).

There’s two strugglers in the bottom half of the top 10 this week, House Master Boyz hold at No 8 (28,305) and Karel Fialka delves 9-10 (25,381) but the remaining three songs are all new to the top flight.



Jan Hammer was previously in the top 10 with “Miami Vice Theme” two years ago, well the TV show may be struggling ratings wise in the US now but he still pulls a hit from it here with “Crockett’s Theme”. Crockett is of course the surname of one of the lead characters played by Don Johnson in the series and may be the last track that Hammer can link with the series having announced that he will no longer be providing the compositions for the fourth season which has just started to air in the US, here of course we’re still on Season 3 so can enjoy him for slightly longer, the track escalates 19-6 (32,419) this week.





Daughter of actress Christiane and Film Director Stanley Kubrick, Abigail Mead is also an alias of Vivian Kubrick which in part helps to explain how she wrote the score for her father’s new film “Full Metal Jacket” which is getting rave reviews in cinema’s at present. Her duet partner Nigel Goulding is an actor in the film and the track “Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Inspector)” also uses samples from the flick which all contribute to a whopping 33-7 (30,141) climb this week. Interestingly it’s the first time that an Abigail or a Nigel have ever charted in the UK as popstars.





Being billed as the first ever rap love song LL Cool J follows in the steps of Run DMC and The Beastie Boys as rap acts who now have a top 10 single to their credit in the UK, fitting as Cool J opened for those two acts on the 1986 “Raisin Hell” tour. “I Need Love” sees the New Yorker float 16-9 (27,217) thanks in part to a performance on TOTP live.



1- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (70,992)
2- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (65,229)
3- BAD- Michael Jackson (58,293)
4- SOME PEOPLE- Cliff Richard (39,627)
5- CAUSING A COMMOTION- Madonna (39,236)
6- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (32,419)
7- FULL METAL JACKET ( I WANNA BE YOUR DRILL INSTRUCTOR)- Abigail Mead & Nigel Gouding (30,141)
8- HOUSE NATION- House Master Boyz Ft Rude Boy Of House (28,305)
9- I NEED LOVE- LL Cool J (27,217)
10- HEY MATTHEW- Karel Fialka (25,381)

Posted by: Steve201 12th February 2024, 09:20 PM

Always remember being quite shocked how early LL Cool J charted in the Uk!

Posted by: Jade 12th February 2024, 09:29 PM

Absolutely love 'Crockett's Theme' what a dreamy instrumental.

'Full Metal Jacket (I Wanna Be Your Drill Instructor)' is a pretty idiosyncratic addition lol at the "it’s the first time that an Abigail or a Nigel have ever charted in the UK as popstars." fact, looks like it's been over 20 years since we had a Nigel credited on a top 40 hit ('Follow Da Leader' *_*) and 19 years since an Abigail (Abigail Bailey) - not polyhex searches I expected to do today!

Posted by: TheSnake 12th February 2024, 09:36 PM

I remember danG on here saying that Crockett's Theme was like an early form of tropical house, can hear why he said that!

Posted by: Bjork 13th February 2024, 08:19 AM

I remember hating that Full Metal Jacket song back in the day
Crockett's theme is great

Posted by: Jester 13th February 2024, 08:58 AM

Crockett’s Theme is wonderful

Posted by: Gezza 13th February 2024, 05:31 PM

10TH OCTOBER



With pent up demand for “Pump Up The Volume” satiated it loses 4% sales wise as it still holds the top spot with relative ease though with that kind of loss it could be in serious danger next week. Michael Jackson is unlikely to be the main threat however, “Bad” holds at No 3 (41,021) with a 29% loss in sales as the album makes it 5 straight weeks at No 1, but Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding hold more promise spiraling 7-2 (46,563) with a 55% sales burst and may be able to topple M/A/R/R/S in seven days time. Of course the way the charts are broadcast was changed this week with Bruno Brooks unveiling the charts for the first time on a Sunday afternoon instead of Tuesday afternoon, a move which brings the charts fully up to speed with the computerisation process that commenced under Gallup four years ago.





After a pretty amazing second half of the 70s when The Bee Gees became the biggest group in the world thanks to the “Saturday Night Fever” film and the associated disco hits, the 80s have proved to be troublesome for the Gibb brothers. They’ve only had two charting hits and neither of them top 10 songs, the fall from favour mirrored the demise of Disco as a phenomenon and the brothers retreated to penning hits for other hits including Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers which proved they could still pop tunes that would top the charts. Their first album in 6 years “ESP” climbs 46-22 month and their first release in 4 years seems to illustrate that we’ve missed them with “You Win Again” fly 22-6 (37,026) in just its third week making it their 14th top 10 single and their first since “Tragedy”.





They’ve disbanded twice and reformed again with only frontman Andrew Eldrich as the only constant of Sisters Of Mercy, but after ten years as a “group” the band finally arrive in the top 10 with “This Corrosion”. Former member Wayne Hussey was in the band between 1983-1985 before he left (as indeed many of the former members do) citing difficulty working with Eldrich, Hussey’s new band The Mission reached No 11 earlier this year with “Wasteland” but had to rename themselves when they started out as they were called “The Sisterhood” which was deemed to trade too closely on his association with Eldrich’s group causing the latter to get a settlement of £25,000 to add the acrimony, he gets some bragging rights with the band’s new hit rising 13-7 (30,209).



Elsewhere Jan Hammer improves 6-5 (37,706) and LL Cool J holds at No 9 (24,310) with the fallers including Rick Astley 2-4 (41,021) which means he’s now about 13,000 away from hitting the YTD top slot, Cliff Richard drifts 4-8 (30,022) and Madonna drops 5-10 (24,021).


1- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (66,674)
2- FULL METAL JACKET (I WANNA BE YOUR DRILL INSTRUCTOR)- Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding (46,563)
3- BAD- Michael Jackson (41,021)
4- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (41,021)
5- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (37,706)
6- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (37,026)
7- THIS CORROSION- Sisters Of Mercy (30,209)
8- SOME PEOPLE- Cliff Richard (30,022)
9- I NEED LOVE- LL Cool J (24,310)
10- CAUSING A COMMOTION- Madonna (24,021)

Posted by: TheSnake 13th February 2024, 05:37 PM

That's a very leftfield top 2.

Omg This Corrosion - probably for me the second best song of 1987 after True Faith! Such a great gothic dance rock bop.

Although You Win Again runs it close, it is a great and iconic late 80s anthem.

Didn't know there was a live performance of Pump Up The Volume!

Posted by: Jester 13th February 2024, 05:53 PM

You Win Again is peak Bee Gees!

Posted by: Steve201 13th February 2024, 07:34 PM

You Win Again, what an iconic comeback although wish they had been credited on Chain Reaction the previous year! It kind of sounds like a slowed down version of Depeche Mode with the production!

Posted by: Bjork 13th February 2024, 08:58 PM

never liked The BeeGees, too much falsetto, but You Win Again is ok

talking of Depeche Mode, the fantastic Never et Me Down Again peaked at a low #22!!!

Posted by: Steve201 13th February 2024, 09:07 PM

We would have to wait for 1990 before some more iconic DM returned although Never let me down again is fantastic!

Posted by: Gezza 14th February 2024, 07:19 PM

17TH OCTOBER



Few saw it coming but this week The Bee Gees claim their fifth No 1 and the only act apart from Cliff Richard to be able to claim a No 1 song in the 60s, 70s and now the 80s (honourable mention to Paul McCartney), “You Win Again” overcame a small disadvantage to Abigail Mean and Nigel Goulding to score an easy victory in the end of 60,274 copies to “Drill Instructor”’s 52,139. It’s nothing short of an amazing comeback for the brothers who truly are evergreen when it comes to pulling chart toppers out of the back this coming 8 years after the last one and in total they are just the third act after Elvis and Cliff to have chart toppers covering a 20 year period. Former chart topper “Pump Up The Volume” was never in with a shout lapsing 1-3 (45,254) despite a minor surge late in the week, the Bee Gees are the 599th UK No 1 single meaning the hunt is now on for the 600th with most money on the new George Michael single out next week!





Jan Hammer continues to surprise some by moving up again 5-4 (41,072) and right behind that are Kiss. Long a major touring act in the US where their performances drew mainstream publicity for their propensity to wear heavy make-up, their pyrotechnics, and their outrageous stage performances, the band have almost passed by the UK entirely since their formation in 1973 without ever scoring a top 30 hit. That’s rectified this week with “Crazy Crazy Nights” leaping 12-5 (30,753) and shows the group appear to have called it right when they turned their look around losing the make up and rebranding themselves as a modern rock band with a stadium rock sound. Their 14th album “Crazy Nights” is available in 3 weeks.






A No 49 hit in 1984 “I Found Lovin” appears in the top 10 in two versions this week, the original flies 15-7 (26,741) whilst the cover by BBC London DJ Steve Walsh surges 22-9 (23,630). The story is that the song was pioneered and revived almost by Walsh on his radio show which prompted the record label to re-issue the track in 1986 when it peaked at No 55, and this year he decided to record his own more “interactive” version with his audience when he DJ’ed in nightclubs which really took off.





His version seemed to peak at No 74 but got a boost when he started doing the track live in clubs, the original meanwhile has so far spent 29 weeks on the chart this year between No’s 76-100 proving longstanding appeal and has followed the Walsh version up the charts being ahead of it for just the last 3 weeks since the two have been in competition. It’s the Fatback Band’s second top 10 single following “(Do The) Spanish Hustle” 11 years ago!



LL Cool J inches 9-8 (24,072) when many had thought the track didn’t have further legs, and Michael Jackson finally relinquishes his top 3 position 3-6 (26,741) and he’s also knocked off the top spot of the album charts by Bruce Springsteen- all good things have to come to an end! Rick Astley is out in the cold 4-10 (23,596) as it becomes the biggest selling single of the year and the first to cross the 700,000 mark since Jennifer Rush.


1- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (60,724)
2- FULL METAL JACKET- Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding (52,139)
3- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (45,254)
4- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (41,072)
5- CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS- Kiss (30,753)
6- BAD- Michael Jackson (26,911)
7- I FOUND LOVIN- Fatback Band (26,741)
8- I NEED LOVE- LL Cool J (24,072)
9- I FOUND LOVIN- Steve Walsh (23,630)
10- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Rick Astley (23,596)

Posted by: Roba. 14th February 2024, 07:43 PM

'You Win Again' such an epic track. Am generally a fan of KISS but that's not one of their best for me. 'Bad' is of course a classic.

Posted by: TheSnake 14th February 2024, 07:46 PM

With 'I Found Lovin', I didn't know there were two versions of the same song in the top 10. 'I Found Lovin' represents the former post-disco dance music which will soon be overtaken by house in the charts. Although the post-disco sound evolves at the same time to become new jack swing and R&B.

'Crazy Crazy Nights' is a 80s rock classic certainly and a great upbeat track.

Posted by: Jester 14th February 2024, 07:51 PM

Wonderful number 1! Great year for number 1 classics

Posted by: TheSnake 14th February 2024, 08:02 PM

Very sad what happened to Steve Walsh, he died in 1988.

Posted by: Bjork 14th February 2024, 08:32 PM

oh I Found Lovin' x twice!

Posted by: Jade 14th February 2024, 08:47 PM

'You Win Again' it means a lot to me, my grandad who I adore is a massive Bee Gees fan and explained to me once that the song came out when he was going through a really bad bout of depression; he'd play it over and over again as something to hold on to during that time. Great to see it at #1 and during the late 80s at that, such longevity for them after debuting in the 60s.

Sisters of Mercy too <3

Posted by: Bjork 14th February 2024, 09:56 PM

oh was listening to some old TOTP on Youtube with T'Pau performing
and was surprised it's pronounced "Té Pau" not "Ti Pau", always thought (maybe imagined) it was the latter

Posted by: dandy* 14th February 2024, 10:00 PM

My favourite Bee Gees song, and by some distance. Really love the production on it

Posted by: Gezza 15th February 2024, 08:58 PM

24TH OCTOBER



The country may have taken a battering last week in the great storm but last week’s victory for the Bee Gees is compounded this week with “You Win Again” dominated the field and selling 109,123 copies, over 70,000 clear of the No 2 track in a top 10 where the No 2 track and the No 10 are just 11,000 copies apart. Not that that matters to the Brothers Gibb who look set for another couple of weeks at the top at least, the parent album moves 15-5 making it their highest placed album of the decade.



As noted the Storm of last Thursday night/ Friday Morning cut many power lines and made trading for some stores especially in London and the South East especially difficult and may have impacted on sales in addition to the return of kids to school after the half term break, but whatever the reason the No 2 track this week comes from Jan Hammer who lifts 4-2 but only sold 36,754 copies- that’s the second lowest of the year. Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding slide 2-3 (35,275) and were only just outpaced.



The highest new track in the top 10 comes from a returning Bananarama who seem to have ditched Jolley & Swain on a more permanent basis in favour of S/A/W a move which has already reaped US success with “Venus” topping the charts over there and more recently “I Heard A Rumour” making No 4 a few weeks ago though it missed out here making No 14. Their fourth album “Wow” is produced entirely by S/A/W but only made No 61 when released last month though it returns to the charts this week at No 78 thanks to the success of “Love In The First Degree” which is officially a double A Side with “Mr Sleaze” credited to the producers themselves which is in the “Roadblock” vein. The track flies 22-5 (29,104) to become their 8th top 10 single and biggest since “Robert De Nero’s Waiting” three years ago.





Erasure’s second album “The Circus” has shifted 250,000 already since its April release and is now home to a third top 10 single with the title track getting its moment in the sunshine. The group are preparing an album of remixes for the Christmas market called “Two Ring Circus” which will serve as an accompanying album as a treat to fans. The title track takes on a more socially aware subject matter than we’re used to from Erasure as it deals with the loss of industry and the disenfranchising of some sections of community, regardless of that they see the track rise 12-7 (28,951) and is their third top 10 single. A new album is promised next year from the duo.





Billy Idol has missed the top 10 with his last three singles, perhaps the reason why he’s done a cover, but it’s worked! His version of the Tommy James and The Shondells 1968 No 1 single “Mony Mony” was first recorded by Idol back in 1981 on the “Don’t Stop” EP but is released this time as a live version and strides 17-8 (28,526) on its way to rivalling the No 6 peaks of both “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell”.





George Michael’s first solo album is just three weeks away and will now contain at least two top 10 singles as the title song “Faith” debuts straight in at No 10 (27,897) this week, it’s the fourth solo Michael record to turn the trick though it is also his lowest debut since “Careless Whisper” arrived at No 12 back in 1984. The promo features both “I Want Your Sex” and Wham!’s “Freedom” at its start- presumably to evidence his new found independence from the “teen scream” tag that accompanied his “Smash Hits” days, we’ll see how this departure from his normal style plays with the public next week.



Kiss lift 5-4 (31,620) with a bump in sales, M/A/R/R/S slip 3-6 (29,087) and Fatback Band reverse 7-9 (28,033).

1- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (109,123)
2- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (36,754)
3- FULL METAL JACKET (I WANNA BE YOUR DRILL INSTRUCTOR)- Abigail Mead & Nigel Goulding (35,275)
4- CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS- Kiss (31,620)
5- LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE/ MR SLEAZE- Bananarama/ S/A/W (29,104)
6- PUMP UP THE VOLUME- M/A/R/R/S (29,087)
7- THE CIRCUS- Erasure (28,951)
8- MONY MONY- Billy Idol (28,526)
9- I FOUND LOVIN- Fatback band (28,033)
10- FAITH- George Michael (27,897)

Posted by: Steve201 15th February 2024, 09:30 PM

Fantastic sales for The Bee Gees!

Was the Bananarama song actually credited to SAW like it is here?

Posted by: Gezza 15th February 2024, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 15 2024, 09:30 PM)

Posted by: Jester 16th February 2024, 08:46 AM

I never realised Crockett’s Theme got to number 2

Posted by: Bjork 16th February 2024, 12:19 PM

Fantastic for Bananarama to be back in the top 5
at least it kinda compensates for I Heard a Rumour missing the top 10
Love in the First Degree is just amazing, and the video is pretty funny with the prisoner costumes and all

Faith is not half bad, but was not 100% convinced by his latest output so never bought Faith the album, although I loaned it from the library those were the days

surprised Victim of Love and The Circus went top 10 when the much much better It Doesn't Have to Be Like This missed.

Billy Idol I kinda disliked back them, never liked him/any songs from him

Posted by: Dotty New Year 16th February 2024, 03:32 PM

Crazy Crazy Nights is a good one and Faith a classic of course.

Posted by: Gezza 16th February 2024, 06:11 PM

31ST OCTOBER



A blistering increase in sales of 148% accompanies George Michael’s climb 10-2 (66,980) but “Faith” still has a little way to go to catch up with the Bee Gees who claim a third week at the top but on a slightly reduced sale of 101,745 copies. “You Win Again” has now sold 326,281 copies easily becoming their biggest seller since “Tragedy” but only one other of their five No 1’s lasted more than three weeks and that was 1967’s “Massachusetts” which racked up a month before surrendering, their bank balance certainly won’t be affected by Black Monday last week!





It’s taken 28 weeks but Fleetwood Mac’s “Tango In The Night” finally tops the album charts spurred on by the third single “Little Lies” which this week becomes the group’s 8th top single rising 11-5 (31,756). The video features Lyndsey Buckingham who has now left the group as you probably know, but the success of the single is surprising given the group’s second single from the album “Seven Wonders” bombed at No 56.






A fourth top 10 hit on the trot for Pet Shop Boys occurs this week with “Rent” shifting 17-8 (28,543) which makes up slightly for the fact that their second album “Actually” narrowly failed to hit No 1. The promo features actress Margi Clarke and the Marquess Of Bath, now there’s a random pairing for you but it seems to have worked.






For a song about nuclear Armageddon Was (Not Was)’s “Walk The Dinosaur” comes in a rather upbeat package and proves their most popular song yet beating the No 51 peak of their previous single “Spy In The House Of Love”. The group have been trying to break through since 1979 so though they may lament the incorrect way the song has been interpreted they will be thankful at least that the song floats 12-10 (26,163)



Bananarama equal their previous highest peak of No 3 attained by “Robert De Nero’s Waiting” with their current single “Love In The First Degree” as it climbs 5-3 (55,165), climbing also are Erasure 7-6 (30,294) and Billy Idol 8-7 (30,107). Two hits moving the other way are Jan Hammer 2-4 (38,301) who sells more than last week! and Kiss 4-9 (27,776).


1- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (101,745)
2- FAITH- George Michael (66,980)
3- LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE/ MR SLEAZE- Bananarama/ S/A/W (55,165)
4- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (38,301)
5- LITTLE LIES- Fleetwood Mac (31,756)
6- THE CIRCUS- Erasure (30,294)
7- MONY MONY- Billy Idol (30,107)
8- RENT- Pet Shop Boys (28,543)
9- CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS- Kiss (27,778)
10- WALK THE DINOSAUR- Was Not Was (26,163)

Posted by: TheSnake 16th February 2024, 06:30 PM

A good top 3, all classics.

Rent is the best of the top 10 new entries. Another very good song from PSBs, one of my favourites from them.

I like the deep backing vocals in the chorus of 'Little Lies' but overall I prefer 'Big Love'.

'Walk The Dinosaur' is interesting, like 1987's equivalent of 'Uptown Funk' (and yes as I look online others have made that comparison too).

Also 'Walk The Dinosaur' might have been inspired by 'Walk Like An Egyptian'.

Posted by: dandy* 16th February 2024, 07:02 PM

Rent my favourite PSB track changes regularly but Rent is definitely up there, Neil’s lyrics are just so good

Posted by: Jester 16th February 2024, 07:03 PM

Little Lies and Rent are both amazing. PSBs were on fire with this era.

Posted by: jimwatts 16th February 2024, 08:39 PM

'It's A Sin', 'What Have I Done To Deserve This' and 'Rent' on the same album

Posted by: Dotty New Year 16th February 2024, 09:42 PM

Little Lies and Rent are both fantastic additions to elevate that top 10 further.

Posted by: Steve201 17th February 2024, 08:24 AM

Two fantastic additions to the top 10 with Rent and Little Lies! What happened to Fleetwood Max after this hugely successful era, did they split up? Don’t think they had anymore top 40 singles?

Posted by: Gezza 17th February 2024, 08:53 AM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 17 2024, 08:24 AM)

Posted by: Steve201 17th February 2024, 09:11 AM

Sad to see as they were so talented and a comeback following this era could have been huge!

Posted by: Gezza 17th February 2024, 12:00 PM

7TH NOVEMBER



I was expecting to be writing about the 600th UK No 1 single this week but as it turned out George Michael’s slender early week advantage was well overturned by Saturday with the Bee Gees topping the charts for a fourth week selling 87,108 to “Faith”’s 74,630. With Michael’s album out this week it may impact on his ability to finally get there, but then again it hasn’t really affected the Gibb brothers whose “ESP” album has been available throughout the run of “You Win Again” and this week drops 5-8.





Instead of Michael next week’s chart topper could once again belong to Rick Astley and S/A/W with his new single “Whenever You Need Somebody” which was originally recorded by O’Chi Brown last year peaking at the dizzy heights of No 97. The track will also be the title track from Astley’s debut album which is released in three weeks and is already tipped to be one of the big sellers over the Christmas season, the single debuted at No 11 last week and now shoots to No 3 (69,581), nudging narrowly above a still improving, on sales at least, Bananarama who fall 3-4 (65,756) to once again allow S/A/W two records in the top 5.





Reaching a new high at No 2 on the album charts behind Fleetwood Mac, T’pau’s debut album “Bridge Of Spies” yields a second top 5 single “China In Your Hand” which is creating waves with its 19-5 (51,306) jump. The single is edited in its single form to erase many of the references to the book “Frankenstein” which are clearer on the album version but it’s certainly one of the more unusual themes for a top 10 track though it still reads as a “careful what you wish for” coda.





Whilst both Paul McCartney and John Lennon have both been shifting singles in the 80s (though not always for the best of reasons) George Harrison has had quite a quiet decade so far with just one single released, 1981’s “All Those Years Ago” (No 13), but the Harrison revival is on. “Got My Mind Set On You” has taken just three weeks to move 44-22-7 (35,275). It’s Harrison cover of a James Ray track from 1962 and is only his 4th top 10 single since the break up of the Beatles.



Fleetwood Mac dip 5-6 (44,795), Billy Idol falls 7-8 (30,753) and Was (Not Was) hold down anchor position with 27,778 copies sold.


1- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (87,108)
2- FAITH- George Michael (74,630)
3- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (69,581)
4- LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE/ MR SLEAZE- Bananarama/ S/A/W (65,756)
5- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (51,306)
6- LITTLE LIES- Fleetwood Mac (44,795)
7- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (35,275)
8- MONY MONY- Billy Idol (30,753)
9- CROCKETT’S THEME- Jan Hammer (30,005)
10- WALK THE DINOSAUR- Was Not Was (27,778)

Posted by: Gezza 17th February 2024, 12:06 PM

The search for a 600th Number one was relatively well publicised at the time. George Michael cut the lead from 34k to 12k in a week but now has his album out, Rick Astley moves 11-3 with his second single, T'pau lift 19-5 with a single which is already on the album which sits at No 2, George Harrison soars 22-7 but doesn't have an album to detract sales. Outside the top 10 Freddie Mercury debuts at No 12 and The Communards go in at No 15- all shaping up nicely for a scrappy affair next week!

Surely the Bee Gees can't make it a 5th week?

Posted by: Bjork 17th February 2024, 01:07 PM

Oh my so many classics in the last 2 updates!

Rent is easily my #1 PSB track, of course it's their less successful in the actually era but deserved much better, it's almost too good for the charts

Little Lies is easily the best song from FM's entire discography, I'm generally not the biggest fan but Little Lies is just incredible

also really liked the Was not Was song, very catchy

then T'Pau-China in Your Hand one of the best ballads in the history of music. Love it to pieces and was a huge T'Pau fan back then.

the Rick Astley song is also good, decent enough to go top 3 but don't think it's #1 material either

the George Harrison song is also great, always thought it was an original

rooting for T'Pau <3

Posted by: jimwatts 17th February 2024, 01:20 PM

The days when a milestone #1 such as the 600th was without caveats (George Harrison's later posthumous #1 providing one of those!)

Posted by: TheSnake 17th February 2024, 02:26 PM

'Whenever You Need Somebody' I prefer to 'Never Gonna Give You Up', less overplayed in media.

China In Your Hand is one of the best power ballads, just brilliantly epic, I didn't used to like it much but do now.

Posted by: Bjork 17th February 2024, 02:28 PM

couple of great great singles peaking low

The Cure-Just Like Heaven, easily their best song ever but only making #29, guess it was the 3rd single from the album


similarly Terence Trent D'Arby-Dance Little Sister only peaking at #20 but again it was a post-album single

Posted by: dandy* 17th February 2024, 02:31 PM

Jan Hammer in 9th selling not that much less than when when it was at #2

Both T’Pau and George Harrison are great, I used to really like the video for the latter as a child. It hasn’t aged that well but it seemed so fun at the time

Posted by: Brer 17th February 2024, 06:22 PM

'Walk The Dinosaur'

Posted by: TheSnake 17th February 2024, 07:03 PM

Whenever You Need Somebody's verses seem melodically very much influenced by Paul Hardcastle - Don't Waste My Time!

And aww Steve Wright at the end of the TOTP video there!

Posted by: Bjork 17th February 2024, 07:26 PM

one of the many reasons I hate Gary Barlow, that comment about Carol Decker :/

Posted by: Gezza 17th February 2024, 07:44 PM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Feb 17 2024, 07:03 PM)

Posted by: TheSnake 17th February 2024, 07:56 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 17 2024, 07:44 PM)

Well if that's true then it's the other way around- the original of WYNS charted in December 1985 and Paul Hardcastle was April 86

Posted by: Gezza 17th February 2024, 08:12 PM

QUOTE(TheSnake @ Feb 17 2024, 07:56 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 18th February 2024, 12:19 PM

14TH NOVEMBER




The first UK chart topper was Al Martino in 1952, the 100th Anthony Newley in 1960, the 200th The Beatles in 1965, 300th Dawn in 1971, 400th Julie Covington in 1977, 500th Nicole in 1982, and now the UK has its 600th chart topper and right up until the death it was in doubt with Rick Astley leading early in the week but faded badly post TOTP (he was the only act in the top 4 not to get a push from the show) and in the end drops 3-4 (58,480)

The outgoing chart topper from the Bee Gees slides 1-3 (60,996) and only rallied at the end of the week to nearly make it five weeks at the top, it sales loss of 30% however proved fatal to it. It was both T’Pau and George Harrison who were the main gainers from TOTP both experiencing strong sales surges of 30% and 75% respectively to run each other neck and neck as they both overtook Astley and register 66,453 and 61,761 as they move 5-1 and 7-2 and so “China In Your Hand” is duly crowned as the 600th chart topper this week. For Harrison it was the curse of timing with his album “Cloud Nine” which detracted from his singles sales by debuting at No 10 this week far behind fellow Beatles member Paul McCartney whose greatest hits compilation “All The Best” arrives behind another act with a current top 5 single.



The rush to the top means there is no room for some former favourites, George Michael falls 2-5 (48,858) though he consoles himself as the album “Faith” debuts at No 1 this week, Bananarama dip 4-7 (39,950) and Fleetwood Mac ebb 6-9 (32,895).



Penned as a hit for the Supremes “Never Can Say Goodbye” was given to the Jackson 5 who scored a No 33 hit with it in 1971 but became a much bigger hit for Gloria Gaynor three years later when it was only denied the top spot by The Tymes. “Ms Grace” and now becomes a hit for The Communards who seem to have a knack of taking disco classics and remaking them for the 80s. Last year they scored the best selling single of the year with their version of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” but their second album “Red” (an indication of their political leanings) was released last week and made No 4 after lead track “Tomorrow” disappointed at No 23, but they’ve turned around the era with this single which rises 15-6 (40,715) in its second week.





Finally achieving one of his dreams, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has teamed up with Opera singer Montserrat Caballe to record a new album whilst he has some down time from his band duties. First fruits are “Barcelona” a song composed to be enter into the competition to be the official song for the Olympic Games which are to be held in the city in 1992, the decision in this respect will be taken next year, but the UK public seem to have decided already rewarding the song with a 12-8 (38,811).





“Dirty Dancing” has proved a hit in the cinemas over the past month and has started to generate hits, firstly in the form of Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley’s “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My life”, a song that started out life destined to be sung by Joe Esposito and Donna Summer but was turned down by the pair. Already a top 3 hit in the US it rockets 24-10 (29,495) here to become Warnes’ second top 10 single following 1983’s “Up Where We Belong” but the first hit ever for Medley though of course he has been at the No 1 spot in the 60s as one half of the Righteous Brothers.




1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (66,453)
2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (61,761)
3- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (60,996)
4- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (58,480)
5- FAITH- George Michael (48,858)
6- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (40,715)
7- LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE/ MR SLEAZE- Bananarama/ S/A/W (39,950)
8- BARCELONA- Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe (38,811)
9- LITTLE LIES- Fleetwood Mac (32,895)
10- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (29,495)

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 02:57 PM

yay for T'Pau, and really surprised Rick Astley didn't progress further

from the newbies I really liked the Dirty Dancing song back then even though it's super cheesey

the Communards songs I hated, as I hated the band and Jimmi Sommerville's falsetto and them always having big hits with covers

despite being from Barcelona myself originally, I don't like the song that much, never been a Montserrat Caballé fan, personally or musically, and same fro Freddie Mercury...

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 02:57 PM

Gezza do you know how much did Faith the album open with?

Posted by: Gezza 18th February 2024, 03:27 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 18 2024, 02:57 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 18th February 2024, 07:05 PM

Quite underwhelmed by the start for Faith always thought it was absolutely massive like a 300k start!

Posted by: TheSnake 18th February 2024, 07:28 PM

Another excellent #1, the quality of #1s was great in late 1987.

Communards' 'Never Can Say Goodbye' is another great upbeat track. And personally I think the Communards influenced the sound of 1988's biggest hit!

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 18 2024, 02:57 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 07:37 PM

Ed Sheeran has the best song about Barcelona
Said no one ever

112k does not seem a lot for Faith, compared to Jacko, U2 or Whitney
What a massive year for albums too

Posted by: TheSnake 18th February 2024, 08:07 PM

'(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life' is cheesy but a very good song and obviously a classic! I didn't know the film 'Dirty Dancing' was released this late in the 80s! IHTTOML does sound more late 80s than early 80s admittedly!

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 08:16 PM

the soundtrack also had She's like the Wind, sung by Patrick Swayze (RIP)
a great ballad from the soundtrack

Posted by: Smint 18th February 2024, 09:34 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 18 2024, 07:37 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 09:57 PM

Oh yes that's true,
incidentally once I told Tori Amos at a meet'n'greet I was from Barcelona and requested Toast and she did play it at the concert <3

sorry for going off topic

Posted by: Steve201 18th February 2024, 10:02 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 18 2024, 08:16 PM)

Posted by: Bjork 18th February 2024, 10:31 PM

I didn't wanna spoil... not a hit by Dec 87, hopefully they release it as single in 88

Posted by: Dotty New Year 18th February 2024, 11:36 PM

Fantastic top two. Didn't realise George Harrison was relatively close behind that week.

Great new addition from the Communards too.

Posted by: Gezza 19th February 2024, 04:51 PM

21ST NOVEMBER



It hardly explodes at retail but “China In Your Hand” is Britain’s biggest seller for a second week shifting 96,322 (up 46% week on week) the reason for a relatively small increase may be found on the album charts where parent album “Bridge Of Spies” records a far healthier increase as it moves 4-1 to give them the chart double, the first time that’s happened since Whitney Houston pulled it off back in June this year.



Without TOTP exposure both of the other tracks in the top 3 struggle to keep up, George Harrison holds at No 2 (71,808 +17%) and Rick Astley bounces back up 4-3 (55,199) despite selling 20% less than when he was there a fortnight ago and therefore posed less a threat to T’pau this week than last week.



Despite selling more or less the same as last week The Communards advance 6-4 (44,608) just rising above our first new tune “My Baby Just Cares For Me” which moves 11-5 (39,372) for Nina Simone. The song was written for the film “Whoopie” back in 1930 with Simone’s version dating back to 1958, its current appearance in the chart is of course thanks to an advert for “Chanel No 5” currently showing on TV. It’s only Simone’s fifth charting single for the Blues legend, her previously high being 1968’s “Ain’t Got No- I Got Life” which peaked at No 2 but she’s already scored her biggest hit with her current single in 18 years.





Mirage are back with, well, more of the same really that gave them a hit with “Jack Mix II/III” earlier this year, a string of already successful 1987 tunes re-recorded by session singers and put into a medley. The single comes off the back of the No 42 hit “Serious Mix” which followed the same formula with a more “urban” feel, its failure to emulate its predecessor’s top 10 status may have thrown the outfit to the poppier hits of the day, it climbs 13-8 (33,116).





Whitney’s last single mysteriously missed the top 10 (“Didn’t We Almost Have It All” peaked at No 14) but that’s not dampened her spirit as it became her 5th consecutive US chart topper. A third single to be lifted from “Whitney” reverses the trend though, “So Emotional” flying 20-9 (31,552) to restore her to the top flight as it should coming from the pen of Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly who wrote “Alone” “Like A Virgin” and “True Colours”.



Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes climb 10-6 (38,845) as they leap over the falling Bee Gees 3-7 (33,949) and Montserrat Caballe & Freddie Mercury reverse as quickly as they arrives 8-10 (31,382)


1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (96,322)
2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (71,808)
3- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (55,199)
4- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (44,608)
5- MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME- Nina Simone (39,372)
6- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (38,845)
7- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (33,949)
8- JACK MIX IV- Mirage (33,116)
9- SO EMOTIONAL- Whitney Houston (31,552)
10- BARCELONA- Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe (31,382)





Christmas is just a month away which means that it is time to preview some of the favourites destined for the festive No 1 spot:

THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson

Third Jacko single from “Bad” already has a fantastic video doing the rounds and this looks like it could round off a perfect 1987 for him, the album is still shifting in its tens of thousands weekly.

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl

Bringing the Gaelic charm this year, 1987 may be the year of unlikely pairings and this is no different, MacColl sweetens the usual McGown sneer enough to warm the cockles of your heart on Christmas day.

LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet

With some help from French & Saunders this has enough novelty value to propel this stand alone Moyet track into the contenders and give her that illusive No 1 single.

ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde

For Comic Relief you can’t go wrong with a comedy record and this works surprisingly well together, odder records have pulled off the trick of getting to the top for the big day- Renee & Renato anyone?

WHEN I FALL IN LOVE- Rick Astley

Man of the moment Astley has recorded the Nat King Cole standard as a third release from his No 1 album, and with the best selling single of the year under his belt he’s certainly more than capable of getting the festive No 1 and is currently the favourite with the bookies.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR?- Shakin’ Stevens

Christmas chart topper of 1985 Shaky is always capable of drawing something out of the bag and this cover of the Emile Ford & The Checkmates track will doubtless be a hit with the office party lot

KING’S CROSS- Pet Shop Boys

After a triumphant return to the No 1 position with “It’s A Sin” the boys have scored a further two top 10 singles and this should make it four out of four for one of the year’ biggest acts. There can’t be many hits named after major London rail terminus stations?

THE LOOK OF LOVE- Madonna

With two No 1 singles this year Madonna has dominated the pop music scene again. She’s also been in the festive top 10 every year for the last 3 years but never in the top 3, could she do it this year with another cut from the “Who’s That Girl?” soundtrack.

ESP- Bee Gees

Follow up to the chart topping “You Win Again” this could prove a surprise hit with the Christmas punters.

Posted by: dandy* 19th February 2024, 07:22 PM

My Baby Just Cares For Me is absolutely wonderful

Posted by: TheSnake 19th February 2024, 07:45 PM

'My Baby Just Cares For Me' is very good with its bouncy piano melody.

'So Emotional' is a good uptempo Whitney song.

The Mirage mixes are interesting, it kind of brings Chic's song Le Freak back to the top 10, in autumn 1987 Chic - Jack Le Freak peaked at #19. Also the keyboard riff from Spagna making an appearance, along with parts of Mel and Kim songs and Sinitta songs.

Posted by: Bjork 20th February 2024, 07:31 AM

So PSB had Kings cross planned as the next single?!?

Love So emotional!!

Posted by: Steve201 20th February 2024, 07:32 AM

The song your thinking of came from a Elvis special in Sept of 87!

Posted by: Gezza 20th February 2024, 07:53 AM

Yes at this point in time "Kings cross" was going to be the Christmas single.

Posted by: jimwatts 20th February 2024, 08:38 AM

'King's Cross' is probably my second favourite Pet Shop Boys song after 'It's A Sin' - would have been intriguing to see how it would have done although I couldn't really see it as a Christmas #1, but any impact on the chart is insignificant compared to the deaths of 31 people in a fire at King's Cross station on 18 Nov which meant the single release had to be changed.

Posted by: Bjork 20th February 2024, 09:57 AM

but couldn't they have done the opposite and release it and give all profits to charity for the victims etc

Posted by: Gezza 20th February 2024, 10:07 AM

All will be explained in forthcoming posts

Posted by: Gezza 20th February 2024, 06:18 PM

28TH NOVEMBER



“China In Your Hand” spends a third week at the top this week but it's past its peak at retail as it loses 26% to 71,978 copies and 306,102 in total which allows it to sail past “Heart And Soul” as their personal best seller. George Harrison again holds at No 2 for a third week though again his sales are in retreat 27% to just 51,204, and Rick Astley holds at No 3 but his sales are off 35% to 35,020 though he debuts at the No 1 position on the album charts with over 100,000 copies sold which explains part of the decrease.





Alexander O’Neal has been struggling since the success of “Saturday Love” in early 1986 with his next three singles all missing the top 10, his second album “Hearsay” is beginning to yield the goods though with second single “Criticize” returning him to the big time. Produced the hottest US producers of the year Jam/ Lewis it comes with backing vocals from Lisa Keith who provided backing vocals on Human League’s “Human” last year, the single rises 14-8 (27,931). The album peaked at No 10 on release in August but now revives a little 32-26 its highest position since it dropped out of the top 20 after 6 weeks.





Whitesnake are currently the biggest UK rock group in the US with a recent No 1 single in “Here I Go Again” a re-recording of their 1982 UK No 34 track and an album which has made No 2. It gets a release here now in the remixed form and becomes the group’s second top 10 single on the trot as it moves 11-9 (27,368) with a promo that again features Coverdale’s Girlfriend Tawny Kitaen.





Twins Charlie & Craig Reid hail from Edinburgh and formed the Proclaimers in 1983 garnering a cult fanbase until a fan sent a demo to The Housemartins in 1986 which resulted in the group being invited to support them on tour last year and in turn led to a performance on “The Tube” earlier this year. They’ve now got themselves a record deal and first single “Throw The R Away” missed the charts but second single “Letter From America” finds fans of their broad Scottish accent as it powers 25-10 (24,038). The main version is co-produced by Gerry Rafferty but on the 12” version there are two versions of the track (a Band version and an orchestral version) which are interwoven and which version you get depends on where you place the stylus- record companies are ever inventive, lyrically the track reflects on the history of Scottish emigration in the face of economic depression drawing comparisons with the current Thatcher government.



The Communards hold steady at No 4 (33,779) but are clearly on the wane, Whitney Houston darts 9-5 (30,838) passing a static Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley at No 6 (29,971). Nina Simone rounds us off dipping 5-7 (29,954), finally this week sees the release of many of the Christmas No 1 contenders, it’s about to get rather festive.

1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (71,978)
2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (51,204)
3- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (35,020)
4- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (33,779)
5- SO EMOTIONAL- Whitney Houston (30,838)
6- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (29,971)
7- MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME- Nina Simone (29,954)
8- CRITICIZE- Alexander O’Neal (27,931)
9- HERE I GO AGAIN- Whitesnake (27,268)
10- LETTER FROM AMERICA- The Proclaimers (24,038)

Posted by: dandy* 20th February 2024, 06:29 PM

It's very of its time but Criticize is probably my favourite this week, it's a really catchy soul track

Posted by: Jester 20th February 2024, 06:46 PM

Criticize is a really good song, not usually my sort of thing but it’s ace!

Posted by: Jessie Where 20th February 2024, 07:27 PM

Absolutely love 'Criticize'

One I listen to regularly, I love that wobbly bassline.

Posted by: Bjork 20th February 2024, 07:54 PM

love Critizise too
also big fan of Whitesnake and Here I Go Again
Proclaimers I'm less of a fan but this is ok

Posted by: jimwatts 20th February 2024, 08:02 PM

'Letter From America' a really well-written song

Posted by: TheSnake 20th February 2024, 08:06 PM

'Criticize' is a brilliant 80s anthem, perhaps another song that like Living In A Box and Never Gonna Give You Up before it owes a lot to Colonel Abrams - Trapped.

Posted by: Steve201 21st February 2024, 01:13 PM

Trapped seems to have been very influential!

My fav this week is probably ‘Letter from America’ classic Proclaimers. Also love ‘Criticise’ love the full wedding suit Alexander wears of TOTP, very 80s!

Posted by: Gezza 21st February 2024, 07:28 PM

5TH DECEMBER



T’pau prove harder to shift than many thought with “China In Your Hand”, it’s now in its fourth week at the top though it continues to fade sales wise to 61,693, it should pass the 400,000 mark next week but it’s already into the top 20 for the YTD.





Only one new song in the top 10 this week and it’s from the act with the most singles sold in the 80s. Yes it’s Shaky with his 14th top 10 single, a tally which pulls him level with Madness and two behind Madonna in terms of the most top 10 singles in the 80s and no surprises it’s a cover, this time of Emile Ford & The Checkmates 1959 UK No 1 single “What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?” the final chart topper of the 50s. It dates back to 1917 in composition but Shaky must be thanking his lucky stars that it seems to have done the trick for him, he’s been missing the top 10 with his last 4 singles, by far his worst spell since he broke through in 1980, it’s helped by an EP version which includes previous Christmas success’s “Merry Christmas Everyone” and “Blue Christmas”. It should also rekindle the album “Let’s Boogie” which contains his last four singles (including this one) but only spent a week in the charts at No 66 when released in October, it resurfaces at No 92 this week! The single meanwhile zooms 27-7 (24,769)- could it steal the march on the festive No 1 spot?



Elsewhere George Harrison really rides his luck as he spends a fourth week playing second fiddle to T’pau but he loses 10% to sell 46,801 last week. Next week’s chart topper may come from either The Proclaimers who manoeuvre 10-3 (30,685) or Alexander O’Neal who climbs 8-4 (28,016) if they can continue to improve but they are still way off target as the charts feel like they are holding their breath before the Christmas onslaught! Moving away from the action are The Communards 4-5 (27,268), Whitney Houston 5-6 (26,282), Rick Astley 3-8 (22,474), Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes 6-9 (22,270) and Whitesnake 9-10 (20,808). Next week we may very well be discussed new entries by Madonna, Rick Astley and Pet Shop Boys- it’s all hotting up with the biggest chart week of the year so far!


1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (61,693)
2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (46,801)
3- LETTER FROM AMERICA- The Proclaimers (30,685)
4- CRITICIZE- Alexander O’Neal (28,016)
5- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (27,268)
6- SO EMOTIONAL- Whitney Houston (26,282)
7- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR- Shakin Stevens (24,769)
8- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (22,474)
9- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (22,270)
10- HERE I GO AGAIN- Whitesnake (20,808)

Posted by: Bjork 21st February 2024, 08:23 PM

is Madonna really a contender? Thought there was barely any promo for The Look of Love, no video, nothing

Posted by: Steve201 21st February 2024, 08:37 PM

Kinda thought ‘Time of Your Life’ sounded like a huge no1 but just did ok on this release!

Posted by: Steve201 21st February 2024, 08:38 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 21 2024, 08:23 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 21st February 2024, 09:10 PM

It's a soft week- Proclaiimers increase sales by just 6k and rocket 10-3!

Posted by: Gezza 22nd February 2024, 09:07 PM

12TH DECEMBER



Perry Como once sang “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” and that sums up this week’s top 10 with five new tracks to discuss after the relative stasis of last week. The headline is that T’Pau become the second act of the year after Rick Astley to spent five weeks at the top of the charts in 1987, the only threat this week came from the man himself, but more on that in a minute. “China In Your Hand” left it late to top the charts running in second place all week until after TOTP which gave it enough of a lift to sell 50,813 copies raising its tally to 418,608 copies in total, it’s now the 11th biggest seller of the year with 4 chart weeks left, parent album “Bridge Of Spies” meanwhile crosses the half million mark in tribute.





The song that was out front from the beginning was indeed Rick Astley, his cover of Nat “King” Cole’s “When I Fall In Love” is officially a double A-Side with “My Arms Keep Missing You” a non album track with S/A/W at the helm trying to recreate the commercial gold of Wham! in 1984 who pulled much the same trick. It was unlucky not to enter at No 1 after selling 46,682 copies last week and ahead in midweek flashes, you may recall that Astley’s last single “Whenever You Need Somebody” also topped midweek chart flashes before seeding the place to T’pau last month so this is in fact the second Astley single to be beaten by the Shropshire band.





Astley’s version of Nat “King” Cole’s track is on RCA which is part of the BMG group, you may also note that Cole’s original version charts this week at No 51 and is on the Capitol label which is owned by EMI and which has, as one of its other subsidiaries, Parlophone and they are responsible for the Pet Shop Boys single “Always On My Mind” which also debuts this week at No 4 (40,715), it’s a fact that hasn’t passed by Pete Waterman who is already crying foul play but that’s the potential downfall of a cover version. Of course The Pet Shop Boys song is also a cover of an Elvis song from 1972 (No 9) and is co-penned by singer Brenda Lee, the boys were asked to cover a Presley track for a TV show “Love Me Tender” marking the 10th anniversary of the singer’s death and recorded their version as an uptempo dance track. It was never intended to be a single as the duo had pencilled in “Kings Cross” as their next single until the tragic fire at the station on 18th November an incident which saw “The Sun” campaign for the song’s release but a hasty remix for single purposes and the boys see their version of “Always On My Mind” become their highest debuting single ever.





In between the new entries of Astley and The Pet Shop Boys there’s a huge climber for Michael Jackson with a third cut from “Bad”. “The Way You Make Me Feel” debuted at No 16 last week but flies to No 3 (42,449) this week thanks to a TOTP showing of the promo which itself clocks in at 7 minutes in its “short” version! In doing so it means that all 3 singles from the album have hit the top 3, a better start than even “Thriller” could boast with its first three singles. Talking of the album it moves back into the top ten, 12-6 in fact, and has already sold 1.3 million as it fast approaches U2’s “The Joshua Tree” as the year’s biggest seller.





Victor Young’s a name you probably haven’t heard of but he’s the man behind two top 10 hits this week being the writer of both “When I Fall In Love” and “Love Letters” which drives 30-9 (25,979) this week for Alison Moyet. The coincidences keep coming as although the song was first a hit for Kitty Lester in 1962 (No 4) it was also a hit for Elvis Presley in 1966 (No 6) giving it links to two other new tracks in the top 10 this week. For Moyet it’s her 6th top 10 single from 8 releases and makes up for the disappointment of her last single “Ordinary Girl” which failed to hit the top 40, it’s also not on her recent LP “Raindancing” which regardless re-enters the chart at No 34 this week and has so far sold over 500,000 copies.





Produced by Phil Ramone, Paul McCartney is back with his 11th top 10 single (excluding his work on The Beatles and Wings) but his first in 3 years. Following on from George Harrison’s recent success it forms a golden patch for former Beatles members which may lure Ringo Starr back into the studios!, “Once Upon A Long Ago” was written for the “Princess Bride” film but were eventually rejected and the song found its way onto “All The Best” his recent greatest hits album which made No 2 behind George Michael and then T’Pau and looks like being a strong Christmas seller, the single moves 14-10 (22,814).



In view of all the new tracks Shaky is struggling moving 7-5 (39,576) whilst three tracks are falling, The Proclaimers 3-6 (37,298) Alexander O’Neal 4-8 (32,997) and George Harrison 2-7 (34,034, it’s the first time since January 1984 that two former Beatles were in the top 10 simultaneously. You'll also note that the Proclaimers and Alexander O'Neal both post healthy sales increases despite doubling their positions week on week- rather unfortunate!


1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (50,813)
2- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (46,682)
3- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson (42,449)
4- ALWAYS ON MY MIND- Pet Shop Boys (40,715)
5- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR- Shakin Stevens (39,576)
6- LETTER FROM AMERICA- The Proclaimers (37,298)
7- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (34,034)
8- CRITICIZE- Alexander O’Neal (32,997)
9- LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet (25,976)
10- ONCE UPON A LONG AGO- Paul McCartney (22,814)

Posted by: TheSnake 22nd February 2024, 09:28 PM

That Rick Astley Nat King Cole cover is a bit of pre-rock and roll era nostalgia aimed at an older market than Rick's other songs!

PSB's version of Always On My Mind is still very Hi-NRG but distinctive from both SAW and Communards interpretations of the genre.

Posted by: Steve201 22nd February 2024, 09:52 PM

Singles seemed to come and go quite quickly in this era with Astley just leaving the top 10 to be replaced by his Xmas single, no wonder stars tended to fade quite quickly. Is this the last solo McCatney top 10 hit?

Also noted the TOTP studio was changing!!

Always loved that China In Your Hand Christmas performance with the big snowman falling forward - real 80s commercial feel at this time.

Posted by: Bjork 23rd February 2024, 09:42 AM

Amazing that T’pau blocked Rick twice!
His debut is a classic but those two are just ok

Always on my mind is the best thing PSB ever did
Just pure brilliant, taking an oldie and making it modern
Thats how you do a cover unlike Rick or Alison Moyet
Which are just too straightforward

Also love the Jacko track, Bad is his best era by miles

I notice Madonna debuts out of the t10 but understandable due to
The heavy competition, lack of video promo etc

Posted by: Jessie Where 23rd February 2024, 11:23 AM

I never actually knew this story behind 'King's Cross' cancellation as a single, so that's been pretty fascinating to learn about!

Posted by: Bjork 23rd February 2024, 02:46 PM

was When I Fall in Love officially a double A side with My Arms... cos the OCC has it just as When I Fall in Love but guess it's them being morons cos the full title wouldn't fit or something

Posted by: Gezza 23rd February 2024, 02:50 PM

Yes it's an official double a side

Posted by: Gezza 23rd February 2024, 05:08 PM

19TH DECEMBER



If Rick Astley has one Christmas wish it would be that he hold on to a midweek No 1 slot, for a third week in his short career he looked like he was heading to the top and for a third time it proved not to be the case with “When I Fall In Love/ My Arms Keep Missing You” falling at the final hurdle, and once again it was (arguably) TOTP that worked against the boy this time sending Pet Shop Boys flying past him by a margin of 87,669 to 73,797, the two tracks increasing sales by 118% and 60% respectively. For Neil & Chris it’s their third No 1 single in under two years and crowns an amazing year for the duo in which they’ve scored chart topping singles as well as starting filming their first movie for which clips have been used for the promo in case you wondered, they must now be favourites to be the Christmas No 1 next week though their winning margin is precarious at present.



Two extra factors worked against Astley, his album contains the main A Side and holds at No 3 whilst “Always On My Mind” is a non album track, and Nat “King” Cole’s version of “When I Fall In Love” expands 51-20 on a sale itself of 13,974, how many sales they jointly drained from the Astley single is debatable but it must form part of the explanation.



Plenty of last minute contenders enter the top 10 in case either of the top two can’t pass muster next week. Firstly a seasonal Comic Relief single rockets 13-6 (43,367) for the unusual pairing of Mel Smith and Kim Wilde, it’s a fifth top 10 single for Wilde but a first for Smith who is naturally more famed for being half of comedy duo “Alas Smith & Jones” with Griff Rhys Jones. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was originally recorded and released by Brenda Lee (herself a recorder of “Always On My Mind”) which peaked at No 6 in 1962 and becoming one of 7 top 10ers for Lee, this version comes with the appropriately comedic video and features Curiosity Killed The Cat as carol singers!





Titled after J. P. Donleavy’s 1973 novel of the same name “Fairytale Of New York”, The Pogues are back in the top 10 with a Christmas tale of drink, arguing, and crushed dreams. Cheery! The single was written back in 1985 with the female part of the track performed by bassist Cait O’Riordan, she left in 1986 to become Mrs Elvis Costello meaning that when the group finally recorded the track this summer they needed a female vocalist. Cue producer Steve Lillywhite who was working on the track and got his wife Kirsty MacColl to put down a demo which the band loved. The end product accelerates 19-8 (33,796) and is the second straight top 10 single for both acts but only MacColl’s “A New England” has peaked higher making No 7 in 1985. Naturally the video is filmed in the city itself and features a cameo from actor Matt Dillon.





Her 17th top 10 single on the trot Madonna may be back in the top 10 but some are surprised by the fact that “The Look Of Love” seems to be struggling after it only debuted at No 15 last week, her first single in 6 releases to miss a debut in the top flight. Fears over anyway as the song rises to No 9 (30,991) however if it progresses no further it will be her lowest peaking singles since “Lucky Star” three years ago, it is a third single to be culled from the “Who’s That Girl” soundtrack.





Madonna’s former boyfriend and DJ/ producer Jellybean is up next, he became a popstar in his own right back in 1986 when he produced the Madonna penned “Sidewalk Talk” which made No 47 in part thanks to the uncredited vocal of the lady herself. His second album “Just Visiting This Planet” has already produced the No 13 hit “The Real Thing” featuring Steven Dante and now has given John “Jellybean” Benitez an even bigger hit with “Who Found Who” which features Elisa Fiorillo which this week inches 11-10 (27,557). She was discovered via a US talent show “Starsearch” in 1985 which bought her to the attention of Jellybean.



Michael Jackson may hold at No 3 (50,269) but he is struggling to make a bigger impact and is almost caught by Alison Moyet who strides 9-4 (49,402) thanks to a TOTP performance. The race for the festive spot is certainly over for two tracks, former chart topper “China In Your Hand” delves 1-5 (46,257) and Shaky won’t be repeating his 1985 success as he drops 5-7 (36,329).


1- ALWAYS ON MY MIND- Pet Shop Boys (87,669)
2- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (73,797)
3- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson (50,269)
4- LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet (49,402)
5- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (46,257)
6- ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde (43,367)
7- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR- Shakin Stevens (36,329)
8- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl (33,796)
9- THE LOOK OF LOVE- Madonna (30,991)
10- WHO FOUND WHO- Jellybean Ft Elisa Fiorillo (27,557)




Next week is the big one with the festive No 1 revealed!

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd February 2024, 06:24 PM

Another great #1.

That's a funny idea to use another Mel and Kim for the comic relief single. It's sad though what was happening with the other Mel and Kim at this time

Jellybean was one of the most popular pre-house era DJ/producers but Who Found Who is a bit dated sounding for the time I think. His other song in the charts, Jingo made #12 in December 1987 and its more house sounding

Posted by: Steve201 23rd February 2024, 10:44 PM

The first of many top 10 appearances for the legendary FONY!

Posted by: Bjork 24th February 2024, 07:32 AM

glad Always on my Mind beat Rick, the former is the better cover

big fan of Fairytale, and always liked Who Found Who

also The Look of Love is such and under-rated gem for Madonna, beautiful ballad

Posted by: dandy* 24th February 2024, 09:12 AM

That cover to the look of love feels like it’s from the Bedtime Stories era.

Yes for PSBs, it is easily the best track and I’m glad it won out

Posted by: Gezza 24th February 2024, 10:40 AM

26TH DECEMBER



And the Christmas No 1 for 1987 is………The Pet Shop Boys. With the Christmas chart being announced on 20th December and covering the time frame 14-19th December (in other words about as far away from the big day as possible) it is perhaps not surprising the winning tally of “Always On My Mind” is 112,217 copies, good in terms of chart topping sales for 1987 (it’s the seventh highest) but not great in terms of 80s Christmas No 1 weeks, I’m sure that won’t particularly bother the duo who claim the biggest prize the charts have to offer.



They may ultimately thank the timing as it at least meant that the more obviously festive themed tracks haven’t had a chance to get into their stride, The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl rush 8-2 (71,808) whilst Mel Smith & Kim Wilde are up 6-3 (58,293) and are the two obvious contenders.



Rick Astley collapses 2-4 (54,281) as the original Nat “King” Cole version of “When I Fall In Love” powers 20- 7 (45,033) indicating that if it was an obvious ploy by EMI to split sales of the Astley version then it has certainly worked a treat. Alison Moyet slides 4-5 (49,759) and Michael Jackson ebbs 3-6 (57,787) as they don’t prove strong enough, and the other new track in the top 10 arrives 19-8 (42,755) for former Go-Go singer Belinda Carlisle.





When the Go-Go's split in 1985 Carlisle embarked on a solo career most notably scoring a No 3 hit with “Mad About You” in her native US though nothing translated to UK Success, come her second album coupled with an image change and “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” topped the US chart last month. It comes with high credentials, Thomas Dolby on Keyboards, Michelle Phillips of the Mama’s & Papa’s on backing vocals and a promo directed by actress Diane Keaton, this could do well post Christmas.



T’Pau continue to slide 5-9 (36,635) and Shaky is down and almost out 7-10 (28,798).


1- ALWAYS ON MY MIND- Pet Shop Boys (112,217)
2- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl (71,808)
3- ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde (58,293)
4- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (54,281)
5- LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet (49,759)
6- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson (47,787)
7- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE- Nat “King” Cole (45,033)
8- HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH- Belinda Carlisle (42,755)
9- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (36,635)
10- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR- Shakin Stevens (28,798)

Posted by: Steve201 24th February 2024, 10:55 AM

I imagine next weeks top 10 sales will be as good if not better than these given the dates!

Posted by: Bjork 24th February 2024, 11:49 AM

One of the best top 2 ever <3

Oh I loved Belinda Carlisle and Heaven is a Place back in the day, If I remember it well, it was written by Rick Nowles, who later wrote with Lana del Rey some of her biggest hits

Posted by: Jessie Where 24th February 2024, 12:00 PM

Wow, 1987 really was PSB's year wasn't it!

Bel Car Adore 'Heaven is a Place On Earth's but she has some absolute belters in her discography.

Shame 'The Look Of Love' couldn't get any higher but I suppose the time of year coupled with being a 3rd soundtrack single, at least it made the top 10.

Posted by: Jester 24th February 2024, 02:38 PM

Wonderful number 1, well deserved victory over the awful number 2.

Posted by: Steve201 24th February 2024, 08:10 PM

Now now even if you dislike FONY it’s hard to say it’s awful, it’s performed beautifully by Kirsty and Shane, probably overplayed now though!

Posted by: Jester 24th February 2024, 08:21 PM

QUOTE(Steve201 @ Feb 24 2024, 08:10 PM)

Posted by: Colm 25th February 2024, 08:52 AM

This was my first year of loving pop music so this period was an exciting for me. And I thought that fact may have caused me to see this period through rose tinted glasses but it appears that there's huge support here for a lot of the songs that charted and were top 3 from September until the end of 1987.

What Have I Done To Deserve this?
I was sure this would overtake Never Gonna Give You Up at some point but it wasn't to be. Still one of my favourite duets of all time (there will be others later in the year).

Call Me
Always loved this even though it doesn't sound great now.

Girlfriend in a Coma
I didn't really know who or what The Smiths were back then but the song did register with me. I remember being confused when I started getting into indie music in the 90s and found out they were hailed as the greatest indie band ever, because I only had this song to go on and it never seemed the work of a guitar genius but more along the lines of The Housemartins - Morrissey does sound like Paul Heaton on Girlfriend in a Coma.

Wonderful Life
Similarly dark was this wonderful song. That baritone, the melancholy, the hooks.

Some People
Really good follow up to My Pretty One, which is also great.

Pump Up the Volume
The new ground being broken here passed me by at the time because of how recently I had got into pop music but this must have seemed exciting and revolutionary to others, at the time.

Crockett's Theme
Beautiful synthpop classic

You Win Again
Delighted to see the support for this song here. I've said in other places on BuzzJack but it's so light and fresh and full of hooks - the intro and the brass. One of my favourite songs of the 1980s.

Love in the First Degree
My favourite Bananarama song. The intro guitar always struck me as similar to that of Spagna's Call Me - I wonder if there was any "inspiration" involved here. The verses are stronger than the chorus.

Rent
One of the most compelling lyrics of all time and Neil's best - which is quite the achievement.

China in Your Hand
Also slightly surprised by the love for this in this thread. Unusual lyrics for a power ballad. Magnificent and seemingly timeless - even the sax solo.

Got My Mind Set On You
What a song! The impact of those drums and the unexpected lift of the post-chorus. The harmonies of "set on you".

Barcelona
I overuse this word but "magnificent" was made for this song.

So Emotional
She made it look so easy - didn't she. She may not have been the equal of Madonna and Michael Jackson in 1987 but she was on their tails.

Always on My Mind
Loved it at the time but got bored of it for a few years for some reason. Now I love it again. They also make it look so easy in 1987.

Fairytale of New York
Offensive or not this taps into a strange sort of love that rarely gets mentioned in song.

Posted by: Bjork 25th February 2024, 11:39 AM

Weird that Heart and Soul was a top 5 in the US but China did nothing there

Posted by: Gezza 25th February 2024, 01:24 PM

2ND JANUARY



This week’s chart rests on sales of just four days, and for that The Pet Shop Boys have to be truly thankful. “Always On My Mind” was the clear leader on Monday to Wednesday thanks to the publicity over grabbing the festive No 1, but on Christmas Eve The Pogues and Kirsty McColl’s “Fairytale Of New York” outstripped the boys and reduce a healthy 23,000 advantage down to 18,000 by close of play, the end tallies being 97,189 to 79,084. There is little doubt that had Christmas Day fallen on a Sunday then the UK would have a new No 1 today. The sales collapse of 13% for the Pet Shop Boys despite the run into Christmas may in part have something to do with the less festive “feel” for the song coupled with the fact that this is not the “Christmas Chart”. In short the boys must have been very thankful indeed when the last record shop closed its doors for the holidays.



Anyway it is what it is and Pet Shop Boys grab a third week at the top and had the Christmas edition of TOTP to assist its sales next week, though it doesn’t contain the single the boys album “Actually” re-enters the top 10 shifting 14-9 and sells its 600,000th copy into the bargain.

Kim Wilde & Mel Smith hold at No 3 (54,094) fending off Nat “King”Cole who seems unstoppable as he moves 7-4 (52,122) outpacing Rick Astley’s version which is in decline 4-7 (34,476). Astley’s version is officially “flipped” this week to promote “My Arms Keep Missing You” this week with new mixes so we’ll see if it can push it back up.



There are two tracks in between them, Belinda Carlisle jumps 8-5 (50,830) and Alison Moyet dips 5-6 (39,780).



Michael Jackson continues to drift 6-8 (39,780), T’pau also hold at No 9 (26,707) and just below them is the sole new track in the top 10. Wet Wet Wet have had a pretty amazing 1987 with two top 10 singles and a No 2 album with “Popped In Souled Out”, and just before the year is out they get a third smash with “Angel Eyes”. Originally a demo which helped get them signed, the track was called “Home And Away” which is kept as in parenthesis for this single, before being re-written and re-recorded in its current form. The song rises 13-10 (25,279) and should continue to climb with the impending falling festive hits over the next few weeks.




We’re not quite done with 1987 yet…..


1- ALWAYS ON MY MIND- Pet Shop Boys (97,189)
2- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl (79,084)
3- ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde (54,094)
4- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE- Nat King Cole (52,122)
5- HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH- Belinda Carlisle (50,830)
6- LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet (39,780)
7- WHEN I FALL IN LOVE/ MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU- Rick Astley (34,476)
8- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson (32,861)
9- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (26,707)
10- ANGEL EYES (HOME AND AWAY)- Wet, wet, wet (25,279)

Posted by: Bjork 25th February 2024, 02:04 PM

keep climbing Belinda <3

3 good ones in a row for Wet Wet Wet

Posted by: Bjork 25th February 2024, 02:05 PM

and why didn't PSB re-release Actually with Always on my mind added?
guess same as why Alison Moyet didn't add Love Letters to Raindancing

but Madonna did add Into the Groove to the Like a Virgin album so it's not unprecedented

Posted by: dandy* 25th February 2024, 02:06 PM

I’m a bit biased because I prefer the PSBs song but I’m not sure I buy the narrative that the Pogues and Kirsty would have been #1. If they closed the gap by 5K on Christmas Eve then they would have needed three extra days at the same rate to end up victorious. It just came up against a more popular song and I think I could read into the stats there that there was possibly only one day throughout their respective chart runs when PSBs didn’t outsell Pogues.

Posted by: Gezza 25th February 2024, 02:20 PM

QUOTE(dandy* @ Feb 25 2024, 02:06 PM)

Posted by: dandy* 25th February 2024, 02:56 PM

Yeah I guess it is possible. I'm surprised by how low the sales for FONY have been, it hasn't really shifted that much in 1987 and I assume the sales nosedive after this week for it. Although I guess these sales are higher than any of the acts involved would usually obtain.

Posted by: Jester 25th February 2024, 04:31 PM

Good to see a third great track from Wet Wet Wet in a row.

Got their debut album at a charity shop the other day!

Posted by: Gezza 26th February 2024, 05:48 PM

9TH JANUARY



So 1987 comes to an end with Pet Shop Boys scoring a fourth week at the top, it means that each PSB chart topper has now clung on for one week longer than the previous one, “West End Girls” spent a fortnight at the top and “It’s A Sin” spent 3 weeks there in July. Sales of “Always On My Mind” are off 43% to 55,947 copies last week bringing the song’s 1987 sales to 393,737 making it the 14th biggest single of the year, it’s also under 60,000 copies away from becoming the duo’s biggest seller.



It was actually their closest call at the top with Belinda Carlisle breathing down the boys necks, she pushes 5-2 (47,175) despite a 10% sales decrease, her ability to go one step further may depend on the speed of decrease shown by the current No 1 single. Predictably sales are well down on last week, so much so that Michael Jackson suddenly reverses his chart trajectory powering 8-3 (23,086) in the face of a 26% sales drop and a figure which is the lowest needed for a top 3 single in the 80s to date, but the biggest drop in sales terms is predictably reserved for “Fairytale Of New York” which only dips 2-4 (22,423) but is accompanied by a 71% slide week on week in copies sold.



British House music may turn out to be one of the success stories in the charts of 1988, Krush are riding on the back of the trend with the song “House Arrest” overcoming Christmas opposition and flying 20-7 (17,306). The song contains a sample of “White Lines” among other tracks and is already a club favourite.





Created by comedians Tony Hawkes, Paul Boross, and Phil Judge, Morris Minor and the Majors are the self styled UK answer to the Beastie Boys, their first “single” is a parody of the Beastie’s “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” called “Stutter Rap (No Sleep Until Bedtime)” and boasts a promo which features John Deacon of Queen and is produced by Grandmaster Jelly Tot (real name comedian Jakko Jaksyzyk. It rises 23-8 (15,929).





Though it failed to chart here “I Found Someone” was a single by Laura Branigan in 1986 which was a minor US chart hit, now it forms the backbone for the comeback of Cher. She’s been away from the music scene for the past 5 years concentrating on a rather successful film career but she’s back now and her version of the Branigan single which moves 21-9 (15,827) to become her 7th top 10 including her output with Sonny and her first chart hit in 13 years, the promo features her real life boyfriend Rob Camilletti, 17 years her junior. Comeback album “Cher” is out this week.



Wet Wet Wet improve 10-5 (21,386) which equals their previous best, Alison Moyet holds at No 6 (17,680) and Mel Smith & Kim Wilde are put out to pasture 3-10 (15,385).


1- ALWAYS ON MY MIND- Pet Shop Boys (55,947)
2- HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH- Belinda Carlisle (47,175)
3- THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson (23,086)
4- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl (22,423)
5- ANGEL EYES (HOME AND AWAY)- Wet, wet, wet (21,386)
6- LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet (17,680)
7- HOUSE ARREST- Krush (17,306)
8- STUTTER RAP (NO SLEEP TIL BEDTIME)- Morris Minor & The Majors (15,929)
9- I FOUND SOMEONE- Cher (15,827)
10- ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde (15,385)

Posted by: Gezza 26th February 2024, 05:50 PM

And there we have it peeps- 1987. I think we can sum it up as the first half largely uninspiring and the second half rather good! Thanks to all who contributed!

Posted by: dandy* 26th February 2024, 05:55 PM

1987 has absolutely flown by!

Thanks as always Gezza

Posted by: Jessie Where 26th February 2024, 06:12 PM

House Arrest - what a BANGER!

Posted by: Jester 26th February 2024, 06:15 PM

Another great year and thread, thanks Gezza!

Posted by: Jade 26th February 2024, 06:15 PM

Glad Pet Shop Boys won the battle (and stuck around further!), one of my favourite Christmas #1s

Thanks again Gezza

Posted by: Colm 26th February 2024, 06:35 PM

HOUSE ARREST- Krush is the first dance song I ever loved. I got it on double vinyl in a second hand record shop in Belfast a few years ago.

Posted by: Bjork 26th February 2024, 07:08 PM

me too love love love House Arrest and was obsessed with it as a kid, don't think I ever liked any dance songs before

also love the Cher one

Posted by: TheSnake 26th February 2024, 07:31 PM

I wonder were Krush named after that 'Krush Groove' film mentioned in the Fat Boys and Beach Boys entry mentioned on page 14 of this thread.

Anyway, 'House Arrest' is a very good track, doesn't sound very dated at all and also sounds big, like the start of a new musical era.

Thanks Gezza for this thread

Posted by: Bjork 26th February 2024, 07:34 PM

thanks for this gezza, easily the best thread around

one question, is there a thread in here with the 1st week sales for albums in 87 or the 80s in general?

Posted by: Gezza 26th February 2024, 08:01 PM

QUOTE(Bjork @ Feb 26 2024, 07:34 PM)

Posted by: jimwatts 26th February 2024, 08:48 PM

The year ending with 'Fairytale Of New York' and 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' in the Top 10, surely that could only be a one-off...

Brilliant thread again Gezza, thanks for taking us through 1987!

Posted by: Jessie Where 26th February 2024, 11:19 PM

Thank you for this Gezza, it's been fascinating to look at my birth year so indepth!

Posted by: Steve201 26th February 2024, 11:39 PM

Thanks as always for the best thread on BJ!

Is it springtime already?

Posted by: Steve201 27th February 2024, 09:41 PM

Sad not to come in here this evening and have another week to read up on!

Posted by: Bjork 28th February 2024, 08:35 PM

1987 has to be the biggest year of the 80s for albums, with MJ-Bad and U2-Joshua Tree breaking all records,
first U2 with 235K and then Michael with 350K, unprecedented sales at the time.Also fantastic for Whitney.

350,000 Michael Jackson-Bad
235,000 U2 - The Joshua Tree
200,000 Whitney
112,000 George Michael - Faith
100,000 Rick Astley

Posted by: TheSnake 28th February 2024, 10:07 PM

Hopefully the Buzzjack Presents.... project can do 1987 soon!

Posted by: dandy* 28th February 2024, 11:10 PM

It’s already on Spotify under the title ‘Actually / Further Listening’

Posted by: Gezza 16th March 2024, 06:35 PM

So we have 3 options on what we can do here.


1) carry on with the gallup years 1988- 1994 in order

OR

2) Cover 1980-1982 next then return to 1988 and move forward

OR

3) Cover 1988 and 1989 then return to do 1980-1982 then move into the 90s..

Which would people prefer?

Posted by: jimwatts 16th March 2024, 06:44 PM

Delighted to hear of the 1980-82 addition I vote 2)!

Posted by: Jester 16th March 2024, 06:51 PM

I think go back 80-82, then 88 to 94.

Nice and tidy then (plus a good interlude before 1988 starts!)

Posted by: TheSnake 16th March 2024, 07:08 PM

QUOTE(Gezza @ Mar 16 2024, 06:35 PM)

Posted by: Gezza 16th March 2024, 08:03 PM

Thanks Everyone- i'll leave it open for responses until Thursday and then go with the majority- new thread to start next weekend!

Posted by: Steve201 16th March 2024, 09:41 PM

80-82 please

Posted by: dandy* 16th March 2024, 09:53 PM

I don't mind really but I guess 80-82 makes sense

Posted by: Bjork 16th March 2024, 09:56 PM

agree 80-82 is the more logical even though I loooove 88 and was so looking forward to it

Posted by: Smint 16th March 2024, 10:22 PM

I want to start replying to these - I would love it if we did 78 and 79 as they had amazing tracks (78 especially) but guess 80 makes sense. Lots of great tracks from 80-82 to comment on - some very adventurous! Thanks

Posted by: Gezza 17th March 2024, 10:49 AM

QUOTE(Smint @ Mar 16 2024, 10:22 PM)

Posted by: JackJones 17th March 2024, 06:28 PM

Definitely 1988-89. Logical choice after 1987.

Posted by: Gezza 21st March 2024, 05:11 PM

Thanks for feedback everyone so by popular opinion it's 1980 next!

Posted by: TheSnake 21st March 2024, 05:25 PM

-

Posted by: TheSnake 21st March 2024, 05:28 PM

Looking forward to 1980's rundown. I think this is apt to be posted again:

QUOTE(Gezza @ Feb 7 2024, 05:27 PM)

Posted by: Steve201 21st March 2024, 06:15 PM

Class can’t wait, how did we end up with pre Gallup single sales? Have they always been around?

Posted by: Gezza 21st March 2024, 06:34 PM

No, I'll explain all in the 1980 thread later

Posted by: Steve201 22nd March 2024, 01:07 AM

Cool thanks