Sorry but I definitely don't agree with either of these.

 

?

 

you think that 'dont you want me' was the human leagues best track? :unsure:

Because they were the first singles released off respective albums. Once the album is out indie fans traditionally don't buy the singles in such numbers. The other reason, of course, is that those three singles are all really, really horrible!

 

The main reason for this phenomenon I think is that the band grow in popularity due to a really good single just before the release of their first and often only number one single. The number it reaches is not really the issue...the preceding single may often just reach the top 10 but hangs around the chart for up to five times longer (as it has a longer climb and a longer fall) thus selling more copies. When a band is riding on hype they will often go straight in at number one and be out of the charts within two months.

 

I know WHY lead singles tend to get to #1 but it doesn't explain why "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", released two weeks before its parent album couldn't get to #1 when "The Hindu Times" could. They were both technically lead singles and the general consensus is that SCYHO is vastly superior, it's (barring "The Importance of Being Idle") the band's most acclaimed single this century while "The Hindu Times" is a bit average.

Kraftwerk

This entirely depends on whether you consider the lead track of this double A-side to be Computer Love (the actual A-side) or The Model (the 2nd A-side and the re-issued track).

 

Although I don't think The Model is their best it isn't bad at all (if you consider that the lead track then I say no) however Computer Love is weak for them and in that case I'd agree.

The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode... Fukkin' APPALLING rubbish in comparison to their great tunes like "Move Any Mountain", "Boss Drum", etc...

 

Rage Against the Machine - Killing In The Name... Dunno if this would be okay to mention, but it IS a retro track (from '91 originally..). Personally, I dont rate it nearly as highly as "Bullet In The Head", "Bombtrack" or "Know Your Enemy", any one of those would have been a far better re-release IMO...

 

Human League's - Dont You Want Me is a perfectly good pop song, nowt wrong with it.. I have very fond childhood memories of that, so I wont diss it... Rather that than their really sh!t stuff like "Lebanon" (which I never could take seriously :lol: )....

 

i agree with euro music, imho 'dont you want me' (the only song that was #1 when i was at a gig by the band) is their poorest track from their early years. ok, it could be argued that it is a great pop song, and it is, but it was very simple, cheesy track . they did much better, in fact id suggest dywm is the worst track on 'dare'.

 

In regards to that album, I would normally play "The Sound of the Crowd", "Love Action (I Believe in Love)” or “Things That Dreams Are Made Of" and would skip over “Don’t You Want Me” and "Open Your Heart". I do not know any of the other tracks on “Dare” as well as those which would be featured upon an album such as “Crash”, as I obtained “Dare” on CD many years after receiving “Crash” on vinyl.

 

I remember that Christmas 1986, the year “Crash” was released, was the first time I received a substantial amount of albums for Christmas, because that was the year when I become more aware of the pop scene, as I started to get Smash Hits and Q saved at my local newsagent. Before then I would receive about two albums per year each Christmas, which were usually made up of an artist album on cassette like Madness or UB40 and a compilation on either the Ronco or K-tel label [though as these albums always came stuck together with a buy one get one free claim, maybe this was seen as giving three presents away for Christmas].

 

One of the earliest compilations that I have got in my collection is a ‘best of the year’ album from 1981, which was released by K-Tel, though unlike Ronco’s “Raiders Of The Pop Chart” or “Close Encounters Of The Chart Kind” I think the album was simply titled “Hits Of ‘81” . This album features “Open Your Heart” by The Human League on one of the tapes, but is surrounded by too many disco medleys such as “Stars On 45” and “Hooked On Classics”, as well a couple of versions of “The Birdy Song”. Due to this tracklisting I think I have formulated a very negative association when it comes to “Open Your Heart”, though I do not mind seeing “The Birdy Song” on TV these days, as I regard The Tweets as a funny act like the ones that you would find featured on ‘Eurotrash’ or on one of Clive James’s old TV shows.

 

Loz

 

In regards to that album, I would normally play "The Sound of the Crowd", "Love Action (I Believe in Love)” or “Things That Dreams Are Made Of" and would skip over “Don’t You Want Me” and "Open Your Heart". I do not know any of the other tracks on “Dare” as well as those which would be featured upon an album such as “Crash”, as I obtained “Dare” on CD many years after receiving “Crash” on vinyl.

 

I remember that Christmas 1986, the year “Crash” was released, was the first time I received a substantial amount of albums for Christmas, because that was the year when I become more aware of the pop scene, as I started to get Smash Hits and Q saved at my local newsagent. Before then I would receive about two albums per year each Christmas, which were usually made up of an artist album on cassette like Madness or UB40 and a compilation on either the Ronco or K-tel label [though as these albums always came stuck together with a buy one get one free claim, maybe this was seen as giving three presents away for Christmas].

 

One of the earliest compilations that I have got in my collection is a ‘best of the year’ album from 1981, which was released by K-Tel, though unlike Ronco’s “Raiders Of The Pop Chart” or “Close Encounters Of The Chart Kind” I think the album was simply titled “Hits Of ‘81” . This album features “Open Your Heart” by The Human League on one of the tapes, but is surrounded by too many disco medleys such as “Stars On 45” and “Hooked On Classics”, as well a couple of versions of “The Birdy Song”. Due to this tracklisting I think I have formulated a very negative association when it comes to “Open Your Heart”, though I do not mind seeing “The Birdy Song” on TV these days, as I regard The Tweets as a funny act like the ones that you would find featured on ‘Eurotrash’ or on one of Clive James’s old TV shows.

 

Loz

 

tbh id find it hard to defend 'open your heart'... it is weak, along with dywm i might skip them too in favour of the other tracks.

?

 

you think that 'dont you want me' was the human leagues best track? :unsure:

 

No, but I do think it's a great song that deserved to get to number one. It's just a shame that their other singles missed out.

So I don't think the wrong song got to no. 1

tbh id find it hard to defend 'open your heart'... it is weak, along with dywm i might skip them too in favour of the other tracks.

 

I think the problem I have with “Open Your Heart” is the sound of the synths. I remember when I was a boy, my father had many musical instruments around the house and this included a couple of Casio keyboards. Even though I was a fan of synthpop, I never wanted to learn how to play the keyboards as the sounds created by my dad’s machines never resembled the sounds that I heard on many of the synthpop records of the time.

 

Even though I do not remember the sound of the Casio keyboard being as bad as that of the Bontempi organ [especially when the Bossa Nova setting was selected], I still found the sound produced to be ‘tinny’ and akin to a high pitched squeak. In regards to the recordings of The Human League, I always felt that with an upgrade to the next model in the Casio range, my father could have recreated “Open Your Heart” quite perfectly at home and this association would be another reason why I would tend to skip that track now.

 

On the other hand, I thought “Don’t You Want Me” was great when I first heard it by The Human League but it is one of those songs that I do not think can be covered by another artist. I have never heard a good version of it, whether it would be by an act like Alcazar or a band like The Farm [i cannot remember the S/A/W version that they did for Mandy Smith, but I suppose anyone could have a very good guess to how it would have sounded].

 

In addition to these versions, I think it was that car advert from about five or six years ago [i think it was advertising a Fiat Punto] which turned me against that song as it was a very annoying advert, especially when it looked like it was being broadcast in every commercial break that I saw on TV.

 

In addition to the tracks from “Dare” that were mentioned in an earlier correspondence and the ones produced by Jam & Lewis, I think many of the other Human League tracks that I select to play actually sound more like Heaven 17, even when Martyn Ware & Ian Craig-Marsh are not involved in their production [“Tell Me When”].

 

I do not know if anybody else has been watching the 1980s season on BBC 2 recently, but there were a couple of shows featuring Heaven 17 last week including a live session and another one where the duo [Gregory/Ware] went back to visit their old homes in Sheffield. I have not watched all of this show yet, but generally the show was about the recording of “Penthouse & Pavement”, an album which was performed in full during the previous live show broadcast on TV.

 

Hopefully this weekend I will get chance to watch the Culture Club drama about Boy George and Jon Moss that was also recorded from the 1980s season. Before I leave for my lunch I would just like to say, in relation to the initial query posed at the start of this thread, does anybody else agree that “Karma Chameleon” should have not been their second Number One, with perhaps a further replacement for George’s solo Number One as well?

 

Loz

 

heaven 17 are a group that i largely overlooked. i dont think ive missed much tbh.... whilst yes they were good and produced some great tracks, personally they didnt tickle my fancy.

Hopefully this weekend I will get chance to watch the Culture Club drama about Boy George and Jon Moss that was also recorded from the 1980s season. Before I leave for my lunch I would just like to say, in relation to the initial query posed at the start of this thread, does anybody else agree that “Karma Chameleon” should have not been their second Number One, with perhaps a further replacement for George’s solo Number One as well?

 

Loz

 

I watched that show last weekend - and it was nothing short of abysmal - factually incorrect throughout, poorly acted by all and just generally one of the weakest TV biogs I've ever seen.

 

For the definitive story, there's only one thing you need - the George autobiography 'Take It Like a Man' which is probably the finest music biography I've ever read - both hilarious, revealing and sad and written with his trademark acerbic wit (let's be honest, George would be the ultimate XFactor judge - who could possibly know more than he does about the business? And who could be as funny and honest as him, too?) Then again, would he ever lower himself to those depths?

I know WHY lead singles tend to get to #1 but it doesn't explain why "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", released two weeks before its parent album couldn't get to #1 when "The Hindu Times" could. They were both technically lead singles and the general consensus is that SCYHO is vastly superior, it's (barring "The Importance of Being Idle") the band's most acclaimed single this century while "The Hindu Times" is a bit average.

 

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' was unlucky because it was released when Elvis Vs JXL was no. 1 and 'A Little Less Conversation' was a massive popular track with the buzz of World Cup 2002 surrounding it. A lot if it was down to hype but Oasis were never going to outsell Elvis Vs JXL. Iirc, 'SCYHO' spent two weeks at no. 2 which is very good for an Oasis track. Even 'The Hindu Times' tailed off faster despite topping the UK chart.

 

Looking at my UK no. 1 sales, Oasis could've been no. 1 the week before 'A Little Less Conversation' was released. I'm sure it sold more than 62k in its first week of release.

 

09.06.02 Will Young Light My Fire 62,000

16.06.02 Elvis Vs JXL A Little Less Conversation 243,301

Edited May 24, 201015 yr by Hitstastic

29/06/2002 Oasis Stop Crying Your Heart Out {2}-4-13-23-28-39-48-56-62-75-71R(376)->11

 

It only spent one week at no.2 (during Elvis's second week at the top)

Edited May 25, 201015 yr by fiesta

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' was unlucky because it was released when Elvis Vs JXL was no. 1 and 'A Little Less Conversation' was a massive popular track with the buzz of World Cup 2002 surrounding it. A lot if it was down to hype but Oasis were never going to outsell Elvis Vs JXL. Iirc, 'SCYHO' spent two weeks at no. 2 which is very good for an Oasis track. Even 'The Hindu Times' tailed off faster despite topping the UK chart.

 

Looking at my UK no. 1 sales, Oasis could've been no. 1 the week before 'A Little Less Conversation' was released. I'm sure it sold more than 62k in its first week of release.

 

09.06.02 Will Young Light My Fire 62,000

16.06.02 Elvis Vs JXL A Little Less Conversation 243,301

SCYHO by Oasis sold 85,500 copies the week it entered at #2 (the only week it spent at #2, it fell to #4 the following week), some 48,000 short of EP at #1 but had the single been delayed for a week and sold the same amount it would have been #1 as EP sold less than 82,000 copies.

 

I watched that show last weekend - and it was nothing short of abysmal - factually incorrect throughout, poorly acted by all and just generally one of the weakest TV biogs I've ever seen.

 

For the definitive story, there's only one thing you need - the George autobiography 'Take It Like a Man' which is probably the finest music biography I've ever read - both hilarious, revealing and sad and written with his trademark acerbic wit (let's be honest, George would be the ultimate XFactor judge - who could possibly know more than he does about the business? And who could be as funny and honest as him, too?) Then again, would he ever lower himself to those depths?

 

 

I have got both the books by Boy George [“Take It Like a Man” and “Straight”] but I have never got around to reading them all yet. As with my Kenny Everett book I have just glanced through the chapters, though I did listen to the free CD that came with “Straight” the first time I got the book.

 

I did make time to watch the show and I was also disappointed with what I saw. I thought the beginning was promising but ultimately the show did not hold my attention. After about 20 minutes I got bored with what I was watching and ended up reading the latest issue of The Word magazine instead. I kept the show on in the background just in case there was something interesting happening, glancing at various parts when new characters were introduced onto the screen.

 

I think the main problem that I had with the show, was that it was hyped in the press as the story of Culture Club and particular the O’Dowd - Moss relationship. In reality, it seemed that the band were only in the last 10 minutes of the show with the character of Mikey Craig only turning up for a brief comic moment [an unfunny jazz-funk joke].

 

As the show seemed to be dealing mostly with the story of ‘The Blitz Kids’ I think it would have been better if the producers had just stuck to that era. I am guessing that, as a lot of this period would have been before David Bowie’s “Ashes To Ashes” was released [as this would have been half-way through the show when ‘Bowie’ was ‘featured’], most of the events that were being portrayed here at ‘The Blitz’, would have happened in 1979. I suppose if the later Culture Club and solo parts had been completely dropped from the show, then the Radio Times may have got lots of complaints from pedants asking why the show was part of the ‘1980s season’, where in fact, most criticism was directed at the ‘Grumpy Guide’ instead.

 

I did not think that the footage from within the walls of the singer’s Hampstead home had much relevance to the parts shown from within The Blitz Club, as the middle of the story that connected the two eras was missing [the famous ‘tea-drinking’ years of massive celebrity]. I suppose that most people on here will be old enough to know what happened in those missing years, but I think that these parts might be a bit ‘random’ for people who are just getting to know the story.

 

I thought the lead actor managed to get across certain traits of George’s personality, but yes, the wit was missing. I think that it was good that he was not just portrayed as a camp character in drag, as his personality was never as ‘girly’ as some people may think. During the later years, in the mansion when George had short hair, I actually thought the actor playing him looked more like Adam Ant, a singer whose life may have suited a half hour biopic better than George [i suppose the early years of George’s life would have been better suited to a mini-series].

 

Another character who should have had a show of his own was Steve Strange. I thought his character in the show was funny, though this representation may have been wrong for this type of serious drama as some of the mannerisms ‘clashed’ with what else was going on. At times he was almost like a panto villain or like a character you should find in Royston Vasey. Now I have mentioned ‘The League Of Gentleman’, I would just like to say that I thought Mark Gatiss provided the best performance of the show [as Malcolm McLaren], though I would like to keep my attention focused on Strange for now, as I move back to the original question stated at the beginning of this thread.

 

I do not know if we can select collaborations or former group links as the replacement Number Ones, though if this is possible, I think “Fade To Gray” by Visage would be a good selection.

 

“Fade To Gray” is a better record than both of [Visage band member] Midge Ure’s official Number Ones [“If I Was” and “Forever & Ever”] and I personally think it is a better record than “Vienna” too. Actually, I remember that “Vienna” was a Number One hit as well on the NME chart [the ‘original’ singles chart that started in 1952, but was replaced by the forerunner to the Gallup chart] as in 1992 it was included on a covers album, of Number One hits, released by the NME to celebrate the anniversary of their chart [i think the album was called “Ruby Trax” and featured Vic Reeves singing “Vienna”]

 

Loz

 

“Fade To Gray” is a better record than both of [Visage band member] Midge Ure’s official Number Ones [“If I Was” and “Forever & Ever”] and I personally think it is a better record than “Vienna” too. Actually, I remember that “Vienna” was a Number One hit as well on the NME chart [the ‘original’ singles chart that started in 1952, but was replaced by the forerunner to the Gallup chart] as in 1992 it was included on a covers album, of Number One hits, released by the NME to celebrate the anniversary of their chart [i think the album was called “Ruby Trax” and featured Vic Reeves singing “Vienna”]

 

Loz

 

gotta fully agree... 'fade to grey' was much better then 'if i was' 'forever and ever' and 'vienna'.

“Fade To Gray” is a better record than both of [Visage band member] Midge Ure’s official Number Ones [“If I Was” and “Forever & Ever”] and I personally think it is a better record than “Vienna” too. Actually, I remember that “Vienna” was a Number One hit as well on the NME chart [the ‘original’ singles chart that started in 1952, but was replaced by the forerunner to the Gallup chart] as in 1992 it was included on a covers album, of Number One hits, released by the NME to celebrate the anniversary of their chart [i think the album was called “Ruby Trax” and featured Vic Reeves singing “Vienna”]

 

Loz

Yes, it was called Ruby Trax - I've got a copy :D The reason for allowing Vienna given at the time wasn't that it was number one on the NME chart. It was supposedly allowed because the compilers thought it was too good to be turned down. Reeves, of course, went on to have a number one of his own with Dizzy in collaboration with The Wonder Stuff.

Reeves, of course, went on to have a number one of his own with Dizzy in collaboration with The Wonder Stuff.

 

... which was a cover of tommy roes original which also got to #1 in 1969!

 

apart from this and 'spirit in the sky' i wonder it any other tracks have got to #1 by 2 different artists?

... which was a cover of tommy roes original which also got to #1 in 1969!

 

apart from this and 'spirit in the sky' i wonder it any other tracks have got to #1 by 2 different artists?

Unchained Melody (4)

With A Little Help From My Friends (3)

Edited May 29, 201015 yr by Severin

Unchained Melody (4)

With A Little Help From My Friends (3)

 

yeah...

 

any more?

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White (2) - at around the same time

Do They Know It's Christmas (3)

Singing The Blues (2) - at around the same time

Mary's Boy Child (2)

 

I think there are several more - these are just from memory