Many people (over the years) have been going on, about what is the actual top 100 of best selling singles in the 1970s, without sales, being added from re-issues in the 1980s & beyond.

 

There was a chart printed in Music Week in 1980 (compiled by the British Market Research Bureau) but it was based on Chart Panel sales & not over the counter sales. A huge difference becomes apparent.

 

I was looking through some of my old stuff the other day & I managed to find a printout of a list (from BMRB) that actually did use over the counter sales.

 

Here it is (for interest with a few sales nicked from our buddy, Colin & also a re-creation of everything that sold 500,000 or more):

 

[1] MULL OF KINTYRE/GIRLS' SCHOOL - Wings (1977) 2,050,000

[2] RIVERS OF BABYLON/BROWN GIRL IN THE RING - Boney M (1978) 1,985,000

[3] YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978) 1,855,000

[4] MARY'S BOY CHILD/OH MY LORD - Boney M (1978) 1,799,000

[5] SUMMER NIGHTS - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978) 1,520,000

[6] YMCA - Village People (1978) 1,380,000

[7] BRIGHT EYES - Art Garfunkel (1979) 1,200,000

[8] BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - Queen (1975) 1,190,000

[9] HEART OF GLASS - Blondie (1979) 1,180,000

[10] DON'T GIVE UP ON US - David Soul (1977) 1,145,000

[11] I LOVE YOU LOVE ME LOVE - Gary Glitter (1973) 1,140,000

[12] SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME - Brotherhood Of Man (1976) 1,007,000

[13] EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra (1972) 1,005,500

[14] LONG HAIRED LOVER FROM LIVERPOOL - Little Jimmy Osmond (1972) 998,000

[15] DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA - Julie Covington (1977) 993,000

[16] I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING - New Seekers (1972) 990,000

[17] TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE OLE OAK TREE - Dawn (1973) 988,000

[18] MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY - Slade (1973)

[19] SAILING - Rod Stewart (1975/1976)

[20] UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE - Showaddywaddy (1976) 985,000

[21] HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK - Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1979) 979,500

[22] AMAZING GRACE - Pipes, Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (1972) 962,000

[23] MISSISSIPPI - Pussycat (1976) 947,000

[24] WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE - Cliff Richard (1979) 900,000+

[25] THREE TIMES A LADY - Commodores (1978) 900,000

[26] I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS - Boomtown Rats (1979)

[27] THE FLORAL DANCE - Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band (1977) 865,000 ***

[28] ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - Pink Floyd (1979)

[29] YOU WON’T FIND ANOTHER FOOL LIKE ME - New Seekers (1973) 855,000

[30] WHEN A CHILD IS BORN (SOLEADO) - Johnny Mathis (1976) 850,000

[31] WHEN I NEED YOU - Leo Sayer (1977)

[32] MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lieutenant Pigeon (1972)

[33] DANCING QUEEN - ABBA (1976)

[34] WITHOUT YOU - Nilsson (1972/1976) 840,000

[35] DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - Elton John & Kiki Dee (1976) 835,000

[36] MY SWEET LORD - George Harrison (1971) 830,000

[37] WELCOME HOME - Peters & Lee (1973)

[38] ARE FRIENDS ELECTRIC - Tubeway Army (1979) 820,000

[39] THE SMURF SONG - Father Abraham & The Smurfs (1978) ***

[40] I WILL SURVIVE - Gloria Gaynor (1979) 810,000

[41] WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN - Dr Hook (1979) 805,000

[42] SILVER LADY - David Soul (1977)

[43] KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU - ABBA (1977)

[44] I FEEL LOVE - Donna Summer (1977)

[45] BYE BYE BABY - Bay City Rollers (1975)

[46] WAY DOWN - Elvis Presley (1977)

[47] IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW - CHICAGO (1976) 790,000

[48] HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE - Bee Gees (1977) *** (No.3)

[49] BLOCKBUSTER - The Sweet (1973)

[50] PUPPY LOVE - Donny Osmond (1972) 785,000

[51] MY DING-A-LING - Chuck Berry (1972) 780,000

[52] MY COO CA CHOO - Alvin Stardust (1973) ***

[53] ERNIE (THE FASTEST MILKMAN IN THE WEST) - Benny Hill (1971)

[54] NIGHT FEVER - Bee Gees (1978)

[55] DANCE AWAY - Roxy Music (1979) 760,000 ***

[56] SUNDAY GIRL - Blondie (1979)

[57] TIGER FEET - Mud (1974)

[58] A LITTLE BIT MORE - Dr Hook (1976) ***

[59] FERNANDO - ABBA (1976)

[60] GRANDAD - Clive Dunn (1970) 750,000

[61] LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS - Mud (1974) 750,000

[62] RAT TRAP - Boomtown Rats (1978)

[63] BILLY DON'T BE A HERO - Paper Lace (1974)

[64] GONNA MAKE YOU A STAR - David Essex (1974)

[65] I'M THE LEADER OF THE GANG (I AM) - Gary Glitter (1973)

[66] SEE MY BABY JIVE - Wizzard (1973) 740,000

[67] SO YOU WIN AGAIN - Hot Chocolate (1977)

[68] TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - ABBA (1978)

[69] MAGGIE MAY/REASON TO BELIEVE - Rod Stewart (1971/1976) 735,000

[70] CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP - Middle Of The Road (1971)

[71] I HEAR YOU KNOCKING - Dave Edmunds (1970)

[72] THE WONDER OF YOU - Elvis Presley (1970)

[73] IN THE SUMMERTIME - Mungo Jerry (1970)

[74] YES SIR I CAN BOOGIE - Baccara (1977)

[75] ANGELO - Brotherhood Of Man (1977) 725,000

[76] CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds (1972) ***

[77] LOVE ME FOR A REASON - The Osmonds (1974)

[78] CHANSON D'AMOUR - Manhattan Transfer (1977) 720,000

[79] ROCKING ALL OVER THE WORLD - Status Quo (1977) 715,000 *** (No.3)

[80] SEASONS IN THE SUN - Terry Jacks (1974)

[81] CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Slade (1973)

[82] BAND OF GOLD - Freda Payne (1970)

[83] HOT LOVE - T.Rex (1971)

[84] BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - Simon & Garfunkel (1970) 710,000

[85] BLACK IS BLACK - La Belle Epoque (1977) 700,000 ***

[86] LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) - Edison Lighthouse (1970)

[87] KNOCK THREE TIMES - Dawn (1971)

[88] AMAZING GRACE - Judy Collins (1970) 690,000 *** (No.5)

[89] CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING (BUT MY LOVE) - The Stylistics (1975)

[90] ONE DAY AT A TIME - Lena Martell (1979)

[91] I LOVE TO LOVE - Tina Charles (1976)

[92] MA BAKER - Boney M (1977) 680,000 ***

[93] THE NAME OF THE GAME - ABBA (1977) 660,000

[94] FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN - Emerson Lake & Palmer (1977) 650,000 ***

[95] WHISPERING GRASS - Don Estelle & Windsor Davies (1975) 650,000

[96] GET IT ON - T. Rex (1971) 650,000

[97] MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - The Police (1979) 650,000

[98] WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS - Queen (1977) 630,000 ***

[99] STAND BY YOUR MAN - Tammy Wynette (1975) 630,000

[100] WAND’RIN’ STAR - Lee Marvin (1970) 610,000

 

[101] SPIRIT IN THE SKY - Norman Greenbaum (1970)

[102] METAL GURU - T. Rex (1972)

[103] SIDE SHOW - Barry Biggs (1976) 600,000 *** (No.3)

[104] LOVE THEME FROM ‘A STAR IS BORN’ (EVERGREEN) - Barbra Streisand (1977) 600,000 *** (No.3)

[105] POP MUZIK - M (1979) 590,000 ***

[106] THE ROUSSOS PHENOMENON EP - Demis Roussos (1976) 580,000

[107] SON OF MY FATHER - Chicory Tip (1972) 570,000

[108] MATCHSTALK ME & MATCHSTALK CATS & DOGS - Brian & Michael (1978) 570,000

[109] MOTHER OF MINE - Neil Reid (1972) 560,000 ***

[110] ROCK YOUR BABY - George McCrae (1974) 560,000

[111] THE PUSHBIKE SONG - Mixtures (1971) 550,000 ***

[112] LUCILLE - Kenny Rogers (1977) 540,000

[113] WUTHERING HEIGHTS - Kate Bush (1978) 540,000

[114] KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas (1974) 540,000

[115] MAGIC FLY - Space (1977) 530,000 ***

[116] DECEMBER ‘63 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) - The Four Seasons (1976) 530,000

[117] OLIVER’S ARMY - Elvis Costello (1979) 530,000 ***

[118] TRAGEDY - The Bee Gees (1979) 520,000

[119] CHIQUITITA - ABBA (1979) 500,000 ***

[120] GIVE A LITTLE LOVE - Bay City Rollers (1975) 500,000

[121] DENIS - Blondie (1978) 500,000 ***

[122] NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE - New Seekers (1971) 500,000 ***

 

This one is the chart from Capital Radio complied by Record Business Magazine in 1979 & presented by Alan Freeman. Some differencies here, but mainly because totals were left off, when records ran into the following years e.g. Christmas & New Year. Also, no artist was allowed to appear in this chart twice (for some inexplanitary reason):

 

Pick of the Pops - Top 40 of the 1970s (1971-79)

40. Sweet - Block Buster!

39. Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love?

38. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band - Amazing Grace

37. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now

36. Elvis Presley - Way Down

35. Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore

34. Bay City Rollers - Bye Bye Baby

33. Donna Summer - I Feel Love

32. Peters and Lee - Welcome Home

31. George Harrison - My Sweet Lord

30. Nilsson - Without You

29. ABBA - Dancing Queen

28. Lieutenant Pigeon - Mouldy Old Dough

27. Leo Sayer - When I Need You

26. Johnny Mathis - When a Child is Born (Soleado)

25. Pussycat - Mississippi

24. Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band - Floral Dance

23. Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays

22. Elton John and Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

21. Ian Dury and the Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick

20. Julie Covington - Don't Cry for Me Argentina

19. Dawn featuring Tony Orlando - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree

18. Little Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Lover from Liverpool

17. Showaddywaddy - Under the Moon of Love

16. New Seekers - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing

15. Rod Stewart - Sailing

14. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody

13. Simon Park Orchestra - Eye Level

12. Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses for Me

11. David Soul - Don't Give Up on Us

10. Gary Glitter - I Love You Love Me Love

9. Blondie - Heart of Glass

8. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

7. Village People - YMCA

6. Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes

5. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John - Summer Nights

4. Boney M - Mary's Boy Child-Oh My Lord

3. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John - You're the One That I Want

2. Boney M - Rivers of Babylon

1. Wings - Mull of Kintyre

 

 

Here's somethng counted down in early 1977 & featured the top 100 of 1959 to 1976, but strangely also featured "Jailhouse Rock" the 1958 hit! These courtesy of SimonW (another Buzzjack poster).

 

UK Top Selling Singles 1959 to 1976

Compiled by BMRB, broadcast on local radio in 1977

 

Title / Artist / Year

1 She Loves You The Beatles 1963

2 I Want To Hold Your Hand The Beatles 1963

3 Tears Ken Dodd 1965

4 Can’t Buy Me Love The Beatles 1964

5 Save Your Kisses For Me Brotherhood Of Man 1976

6 I Feel Fine The Beatles 1964

7 Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out The Beatles 1965

8 Release Me Engelbert Humperdinck 1967

9 Bohemian Rhapsody Queen 1975

10 The Green Green Grass Of Home Tom Jones 1966

11 The Last Waltz Engelbert Humperdinck 1967

12 The Carnival Is Over The Seekers 1965

13 Stranger On The Shore Acker Bilk 1961

14 I Remember You Frank Ifield 1962

15 I Love You Love Me Love Gary Glitter 1973

16 Long Haired Lover From Liverpool Little Jimmy Osmond 1972

17 The Young Ones Cliff Richard 1962

18 Eye Level Simon Park Orchestra 1972

19 I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing The New Seekers 1971

20 Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree Dawn featuring Tony Orlando 1973

21 Under The Moon Of Love Showaddywaddy 1976

22 Sugar Sugar Archies 1969

23 The Next Time / Bachelor Boy Cliff Richard 1962

24 Merry Xmas Everybody Slade 1973

25 Sailing Rod Stewart 1975

26 Telstar Tornados 1962

27 Mississippi Pussycat 1976

28 Two Little Boys Rolf Harris 1969

29 Help! The Beatles 1965

30 Glad All Over The Dave Clark Five 1963

31 You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me The New Seekers 1973

32 Needles And Pins The Searchers 1964

33 When A Child Is Born (Soleado) Johnny Mathis 1976

34 Anyone Who Had A Heart Cilla Black 1964

35 Don’t Go Breaking My Heart Elton John and Kiki Dee 1976

36 Lovesick Blues Frank Ifield 1962

37 Without You Nilsson 1972

38 Welcome Home Peters and Lee 1973

39 Dancing Queen ABBA 1976

40 My Sweet Lord George Harrison 1971

41 You’ll Never Walk Alone Gerry and the Pacemakers 1963

42 Bye Bye Baby Bay City Rollers 1975

43 Hey Jude The Beatles 1968

44 If You Leave Me Now Chicago 1976

45 Jailhouse Rock Elvis Presley 1958

46 Amazing Grace Royal Scots Dragoon Guards 1972

47 The Last Time The Rolling Stones 1965

48 A Hard Day’s Night The Beatles 1964

49 I’ll Never Find Another You The Seekers 1965

50 Are You Sure Allisons 1961

51 Blockbuster Sweet 1973

52 Puppy Love Donny Osmond 1972

53 My Ding-A-Ling Chuck Berry 1972

54 Distant Drums Jim Reeves 1966

55 My Coo-Ca-Choo Alvin Stardust 1973

56 Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) Benny Hill 1971

57 From Me To You The Beatles 1963

58 Tiger Feet Mud 1974

59 Hello Goodbye The Beatles 1967

60 I’m A Believer The Monkees 1967

61 A Little Bit More Dr. Hook 1976

62 Those Were The Days Mary Hopkin 1968

63 Fernando ABBA 1976

64 Return To Sender Elvis Presley 1962

65 Grandad Clive Dunn 1970

66 Rock-A-Hula Baby / Can’t Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley 1962

67 Space Oddity David Bowie 1969

68 I Got You Babe Sonny and Cher 1965

69 Lonely This Christmas Mud 1974

70 What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For Emil Ford and the Checkmates 1959

71 Lily The Pink Scaffold 1968

72 Oh Pretty Woman Roy Orbison 1964

73 A Whiter Shade Of Pale Procol Harum 1967

74 Billy Don’t Be A Hero Paper Lace 1974

75 Bobby’s Girl Susan Maughan 1962

76 Gonna Make You A Star David Essex 1974

77 Little Children Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas 1964

78 I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am!) Gary Glitter 1973

79 See My Baby Jive Wizzard 1973

80 Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep Middle of the Road 1971

81 You’re My World Cilla Black 1964

82 I Hear You Knocking Dave Edmunds 1970

83 The Wonder Of You Elvis Presley 1970

84 Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town Kenny Rogers and First Edition 1969

85 In the Summertime Mungo Jerry 1970

86 Crazy Horses Osmonds 1972

87 Ticket To Ride The Beatles 1965

88 My Way Frank Sinatra 1969

89 (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction The Rolling Stones 1965

90 Strangers In The Night Frank Sinatra 1966

91 Love Me For A Reason The Osmonds 1974

92 All You Need Is Love The Beatles 1967

93 Puppet On A String Sandie Shaw 1967

94 Have I The Right The Honeycombs 1964

95 Get Back The Beatles with Billy Preston 1969

96 Seasons In The Sun Terry Jacks 1974

97 What A Wonderful World / Cabaret Louis Armstrong 1968

98 Cum On Feel The Noize Slade 1973

99 Wonderful Land The Shadows 1962

100 A World Without Love Peter and Gordon 1964

Edited May 8, 201213 yr by davetaylor

I would love to see yearly best sellers during the 70s with sales or even estimated sales if anyone has them?

I'm not sure what difference there is meant to be between "chart panel sales" and "over the counter sales". Panel sales were the units in which the sales of each record were presented to the industry and were calculated from a sample of sales made over-the-counter to the likes of us.

 

The BPI printed the following BMRB figures in their 1977 Yearbook, the sales period being the first 49 sales weeks of 1976, and the figures are panel sales x 17.

 

1. SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME - Brotherhood Of Man 1,005,000

2. DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - Elton John & Kiki Dee 890,000

3. MISSISSIPPI - Pussycat 870,000

4. DANCING QUEEN - ABBA 770,000

5. A LITTLE BIT MORE - Dr Hook 750,000

6. IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW - CHICAGO 740,000

7. FERNANDO - ABBA 670,000

8. I LOVE TO LOVE - Tina Charles 550,000

9. THE ROUSSOS PHENOMENON EP - Demis Roussos 520,000

10. DECEMBER ‘63 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) - The Four Seasons 500,000

I'm not sure what difference there is meant to be between "chart panel sales" and "over the counter sales". Panel sales were the units in which the sales of each record were presented to the industry and were calculated from a sample of sales made over-the-counter to the likes of us.

 

The BPI printed the following BMRB figures in their 1977 Yearbook, the sales period being the first 49 sales weeks of 1976, and the figures are panel sales x 17.

 

1. SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME - Brotherhood Of Man 1,005,000

2. DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - Elton John & Kiki Dee 890,000

3. MISSISSIPPI - Pussycat 870,000

4. DANCING QUEEN - ABBA 770,000

5. A LITTLE BIT MORE - Dr Hook 750,000

6. IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW - CHICAGO 740,000

7. FERNANDO - ABBA 670,000

8. I LOVE TO LOVE - Tina Charles 550,000

9. THE ROUSSOS PHENOMENON EP - Demis Roussos 520,000

10. DECEMBER ‘63 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) - The Four Seasons 500,000

I can never get my head around these types of figures. So, I'm thinking this printout of mine, may not be BMRB. It's definately not Record Business, I don't think.

If we stick in those BPI figures, we get this turn around from #26 downwards to #150 (by calculation)

 

It's probably good to note, that the so called "Best Selling Singles by Year, didn't start until 1972. The 1969/70/71 Charts Of The Year were points based only. But that doesn't affect this chart & neither 76, of course.

 

[1] MULL OF KINTYRE/GIRLS' SCHOOL - Wings (1977) 2,050,000

[2] RIVERS OF BABYLON/BROWN GIRL IN THE RING - Boney M (1978) 1,985,000

[3] YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978) 1,855,000

[4] MARY'S BOY CHILD/OH MY LORD - Boney M (1978) 1,799,000

[5] SUMMER NIGHTS - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978) 1,520,000

[6] YMCA - Village People (1978) 1,380,000

[7] BRIGHT EYES - Art Garfunkel (1979) 1,200,000

[8] BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - Queen (1975) 1,190,000

[9] HEART OF GLASS - Blondie (1979) 1,180,000

[10] DON'T GIVE UP ON US - David Soul (1977) 1,145,000

[11] I LOVE YOU LOVE ME LOVE - Gary Glitter (1973) 1,140,000

[12] SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME - Brotherhood Of Man (1976) 1,005,000

[13] EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra (1972) 1,005,000

[14] LONG HAIRED LOVER FROM LIVERPOOL - Little Jimmy Osmond (1972) 998,000

[15] DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA - Julie Covington (1977) 993,000

[16] I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING - New Seekers (1972) 990,000

[17] TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE OLE OAK TREE - Dawn (1973) 988,000

[18] MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY - SLADE (1973)

[19] SAILING - Rod Stewart (1975/1976)

[20] UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE - Showaddywaddy (1976) 985,000

[21] HIT ME WITH YOUR RHYTHM STICK - Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1979) 979,500

[22] AMAZING GRACE - Pipes, Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (1972) 962,000

[23] MISSISSIPPI - Pussycat (1976) 947,000

[24] WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE - Cliff Richard (1979) 900,000+

[25] DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART - Elton John & Kiki Dee (1976) 890,000

[26] THREE TIMES A LADY - Commodores (1978)

[27] I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS - Boomtown Rats (1979)

[28] THE FLORAL DANCE - Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band (1977) 865,000 ***

[29] ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - Pink Floyd (1979)

[30] YOU WON’T FIND ANOTHER FOOL LIKE ME - New Seekers (1973) 855,000

[31] WHEN A CHILD IS BORN (SOLEADO) - Johnny Mathis (1976) 850,000

[32] WHEN I NEED YOU - Leo Sayer (1977)

[33] MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lieutenant Pigeon (1972)

[34] DANCING QUEEN - ABBA (1976) 820,000+ (including weeks 50-52 of 1976 & early 77)

[35] WITHOUT YOU - Nilsson (1972/1976)

[36] MY SWEET LORD - George Harrison (1971)

[37] WELCOME HOME - Peters & Lee (1973)

[38] ARE FRIENDS ELECTRIC - Tubeway Army (1979)

[39] THE SMURF SONG - Father Abraham & The Smurfs (1978) ***

[40] I WILL SURVIVE - Gloria Gaynor (1979)

[41] WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN - Dr Hook (1979)

[42] SILVER LADY - David Soul (1977)

[43] KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU - ABBA (1977)

[44] I FEEL LOVE - Donna Summer (1977)

[45] BYE BYE BABY - Bay City Rollers (1975)

[46] WAY DOWN - Elvis Presley (1977)

[47] IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW - CHICAGO (1976) 800,000+

[48] HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE - Bee Gees (1977) *** (No.3)

[49] BLOCKBUSTER - The Sweet (1973) 790,000

[50] PUPPY LOVE - Donny Osmond (1972) 785,000

[51] MY DING-A-LING - Chuck Berry (1972) 780,000

[52] MY COO CA CHOO - Alvin Stardust (1973) ***

[53] ERNIE (THE FASTEST MILKMAN IN THE WEST) - Benny Hill (1971)

[54] NIGHT FEVER - Bee Gees (1978)

[55] DANCE AWAY - Roxy Music (1979) 760,000 ***

[56] SUNDAY GIRL - Blondie (1979)

[57] TIGER FEET - Mud (1974)

[58] A LITTLE BIT MORE - Dr Hook (1976) *** 750,000

[59] GRANDAD - Clive Dunn (1970)

[60] LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS - Mud (1974) 750,000

[61] RAT TRAP - Boomtown Rats (1978)

[62] BILLY DON'T BE A HERO - Paper Lace (1974)

[63] GONNA MAKE YOU A STAR - David Essex (1974)

[64] I'M THE LEADER OF THE GANG (I AM) - Gary Glitter (1973)

[65] SEE MY BABY JIVE - Wizzard (1973) 740,000

[66] SO YOU WIN AGAIN - Hot Chocolate (1977)

[67] TAKE A CHANCE ON ME - ABBA (1978)

[68] MAGGIE MAY/REASON TO BELIEVE - Rod Stewart (1971/1976) 735,000

[69] CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP - Middle Of The Road (1971)

[70] I HEAR YOU KNOCKING - Dave Edmunds (1970)

[71] THE WONDER OF YOU - Elvis Presley (1970)

[72] IN THE SUMMERTIME - Mungo Jerry (1970)

[73] YES SIR I CAN BOOGIE - Baccara (1977)

[74] ANGELO - Brotherhood Of Man (1977) 725,000

[75] CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds (1972) ***

[76] LOVE ME FOR A REASON - The Osmonds (1974)

[77] CHANSON D'AMOUR - Manhattan Transfer (1977) 720,000

[78] ROCKING ALL OVER THE WORLD - Status Quo (1977) 715,000 *** (No.3)

[79] SEASONS IN THE SUN - Terry Jacks (1974)

[80] CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE - Slade (1973)

[81] BAND OF GOLD - Freda Payne (1970)

[82] HOT LOVE - T.Rex (1971)

[83] BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - Simon & Garfunkel (1970) 710,000

[84] BLACK IS BLACK - La Belle Epoque (1977) 700,000 ***

[85] LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) - Edison Lighthouse (1970)

[86] KNOCK THREE TIMES - Dawn (1971)

[87] AMAZING GRACE - Judy Collins (1970) 690,000 *** (No.5)

[88] CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING (BUT MY LOVE) - The Stylistics (1975)

[89] ONE DAY AT A TIME - Lena Martell (1979)

[90] MA BAKER - Boney M (1977) 680,000 ***

[91] FERNANDO - ABBA (1976) 670,000

[92] THE NAME OF THE GAME - ABBA (1977) 660,000

[93] FANFARE FOR THE COMMON MAN - Emerson Lake & Palmer (1977) 650,000 ***

[94] WHISPERING GRASS - Don Estelle & Windsor Davies (1975) 650,000

[95] GET IT ON - T. Rex (1971) 650,000

[96] MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - The Police (1979) 650,000

[97] WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS - Queen (1977) 630,000 ***

[98] STAND BY YOUR MAN - Tammy Wynette (1975) 630,000

[99] WAND’RIN’ STAR - Lee Marvin (1970) 610,000

[100] SPIRIT IN THE SKY - Norman Greenbaum (1970)

 

[101] METAL GURU - T. Rex (1972)

[102] SIDE SHOW - Barry Biggs (1976) 600,000 *** (No.3)

[103] LOVE THEME FROM ‘A STAR IS BORN’ (EVERGREEN) - Barbra Streisand (1977) 600,000 *** (No.3)

[104] POP MUZIK - M (1979) 590,000 ***

[105] SON OF MY FATHER - Chicory Tip (1972) 570,000

[106] MATCHSTALK ME & MATCHSTALK CATS & DOGS - Brian & Michael (1978) 570,000

[107] MOTHER OF MINE - Neil Reid (1972) 560,000 ***

[108] ROCK YOUR BABY - George McCrae (1974) 560,000

[109] I LOVE TO LOVE - Tina Charles (1976) 550,000

[110] THE PUSHBIKE SONG - Mixtures (1971) 550,000 ***

[111] LUCILLE - Kenny Rogers (1977) 540,000

[112] WUTHERING HEIGHTS - Kate Bush (1978) 540,000

[113] KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas (1974) 540,000

[114] MAGIC FLY - Space (1977) 530,000 ***

[115] OLIVER’S ARMY - Elvis Costello (1979) 530,000 ***

[116] TRAGEDY - The Bee Gees (1979) 520,000

[117] THE ROUSOS PHENOMENEM E.P. - Demis Rousos (1976) 520,000

[118] DECEMBER 63 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) - Four Seasons (1976) 500,000

[119] CHIQUITITA - ABBA (1979) 500,000 ***

[120] GIVE A LITTLE LOVE - Bay City Rollers (1975) 500,000

[121] DENIS - Blondie (1978) 500,000 ***

[122] NEVER ENDING SONG OF LOVE - New Seekers (1971) 500,000 ***

[123] THE TWELTH OF NEVER - Donny Osmond (1973) 490,000

[124] SHE - Charles Aznavour (1974) 490,000

[125] HOLD ME CLOSE - DAVID ESSEX (1975) 490,000

[126] TELEGRAM SAM - T. Rex (1972) 480,000

[127] WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - Three Degrees (1974) 480,000

[128] HAVE YOU SEEN HER - Chi-lites (1972/1975) 480,000 *** (No.3/No.5)

[129] DREADLOCK HOLIDAY - 10cc (1978) 470,000

[130] RASPUTIN - Boney M (1978) 460,000 ***

[131] MONEY MONEY MONEY - ABBA (1976) 460,000 *** (No.3)

[132] I’M STILL WAITING - Diana Ross (1971) 460,000

[133] SOMETHING - Shirley Bassey (1970) 460,000 *** (No.4)

[134] THE SHOW MUST GO ON - Leo Sayer (1973) 460,000 ***

[135] DO YA THINK I’M SEXY - Rod Stewart (1978) 460,000

[136] SANDY - John Travolta (1978) 460,000 ***

[137] Y VIVA ESPANA - Sylvia (1974) 460,000 *** (No.4)

[138] BACK HOME - England Football Squad (1970) 450,000

[139] COZ I LOVE YOU - Slade (1971) 450,000

[140] ROCK & ROLL PART II - Gary Glitter (1972) 450,000 ***

[141] RIDE A WHITE SWAN - T. Rex (1970) 450,000 ***

[142] SPANISH EYES - Al Martino (1973) 450,000 *** (No.5)

[143] BOOGIE NIGHTS - Heatwave (1977) 450,000 ***

[144] EVERYTHING I OWN - Ken Boothe (1974) 450,000

[145] THE LAST FAREWELL - Roger Whittaker (1975) 450,000 ***

[146] TOO MUCH HEAVEN - Bee Gees (1978) 450,000 *** (No.3)

[147] SUGAR BABY LOVE - The Rubettes (1974) 450,000

[148] AMERICAN PIE - Don McClean (1972) 440,000 ***

[149] I’M NOT IN LOVE - 10cc (1975) 440,000

[150] YOU TO ME ARE EVERYTHING - Real Thing (1976) 440,000

[151] SUBSTITUTE - Clout (1978) 440,000 ***

 

I've also got my reservations on Edison Lighthouse & also Freda Payne here. I don't reckon that they should appear in the top 100. Love Grows, even more so.

Edited May 9, 201213 yr by davetaylor

[113] WUTHERING HEIGHTS - Kate Bush (1978) 540,000

 

[119] CHIQUITITA - ABBA (1979) 500,000 ***

 

My two faves

nice to see this. interesting to compare the sale levels at different positions to other decades especially recent ones. havent paid attention to the difference between panel and over the counter sales but the lists looked similar to me - does it make much difference really?

Over the counter sales are sales made by shops to the public. But what people may mean is the total number of copies sold.

 

Panel sales were the way that sales to the public were presented to the record industry. They were calculated from the chart sample. So panel sales always related to the charts. But the 'panel' was a small but constant (in terms of number of shops) subset of the whole market.

 

Total sales were calculated from the panel sales by multiplying them up by whatever number (the 'multiplier') was thought to give the best approximation to the total number of records sold in the whole UK market. For singles this was usually 17, but it did go as low as 15 in the later Gallup years. To understand sales estimates from before 1997 you need to know that they were derived using panel sales and a multiplier. In other words, the figures we see, and which people estimate, were not in the original sales reports. They are an interpretation of the figures in the reports.

http://www.dingsme.info/avatar13.jpgI was looking through some of my old stuff the other day & I managed to find a printout of a list (from BMRB) that actually did use over the counter sales.