I've only just caught up with this thread (oops). In his excellent series of books marking 70 years of the singles chart Lonnie Readioff (kingofskiffle here) has an explanation for the revised charts in 1994 and '95. In both weeks it was discovered after the chart had been published that Woolworth's had managed to send data for one sales day twice. The revised charts reflect the positions after the duplicate data was removed.

I do agree 'Jungle' deserved to chart higher but tbf it was pretty cool just to see him getting a solo top 100 hit at all, and even better that he got a couple more top 40 hits later in the year!

#79

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #79

Earth People - Dance (1990)

Powell Family - No Problem (1983)

Rockwell - (Obsence) Phone Caller (1984)

UB40 - I'm Not Fooled / The Pillow (1985)

(1985)

06/07/1985: 86-79-79

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #79

Tom Robinson - Back In The Old Country (1984)

(2021)

11/02/2021: 87-79-84-84; 25/03/2021: 82-82-79-83-97

(2017)

05/10/2017: 81-79-84-82-83-79-84-81-88

 

Another song today that sounds like it should have been a much bigger hit - the Latin rhythms of Conga and that chorus from Gloria Estefan are simply infectious.

 

James Hype's songs have either made the Top 10 or missed the Top 75 altogether, but Afraid came close to breaking into that middle ground and certainly wouldn't have been out of place there.

 

Finally for today is the first of a trilogy of hits for Macklemore with "Days" in the title - the next one charted considerably higher - and also Kesha's last appearance in the singles chart to date.

 

I've only just caught up with this thread (oops). In his excellent series of books marking 70 years of the singles chart Lonnie Readioff (kingofskiffle here) has an explanation for the revised charts in 1994 and '95. In both weeks it was discovered after the chart had been published that Woolworth's had managed to send data for one sales day twice. The revised charts reflect the positions after the duplicate data was removed.

Thanks, that makes sense. In the case of the week mentioned earlier in the thread (11/06/1994), it's maybe a little surprising that the records whose places have been revised down tended to be those for which it seems less likely that Woolworths would have stocked, but perhaps they did.

Today I learned 'Conga' peaked that low :o that definitely deserved better. Can't say the same for any of the other songs from that list that I've heard though.

#80

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #80

Clannad - (Almost Seems) Too Late To Turn (1985)

(1983)

26/03/1983: 80-80-82

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #80

(2022)

28/04/2022: 93; 09/06/2022: 97; 23/06/2022: 90-80-90; 21/07/2022: 87-80

 

The Maisonettes are another example of an act who had one major hit (the #7 Heartache Avenue, as extensively sampled on Roll Deep - The Avenue from 2005) and only one other minor hit.

 

After Fred again.. two days ago, another of the collaborators from Turn On The Lights again.. appear with another superior song to that one from earlier this year which also became the first ever to visit its peak position twice. Heaven Takes You Home is possibly my favourite song I've heard from SHM since their hiatus, although I did also like Moth To A Flame.

Although if you believe the OCC database 'Heaven Takes You Home' was actually 2 different #80 hits as they randomly split its chart run without explanation after the 5th week :lol: (with Connie being removed from the credits after the split).

 

That was actually my least favourite song on their album but unpopular opinion.

#81

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #81

Black Sabbath - Devil And Daughter (1989)

Information Society - What’s On Your Mind (1988)

Rod Argent and Peter van Hooke - Titti Al Mondo (ITV World Cup '90 Theme) (1990)

Teddy Riley feat. Guy - My Fantasy (1989)

Tracey Ullman - Terry (1985)

(1994)

11/06/1994: 81-81

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #81

(2000)

22/01/2000: 81-86-81-85-86

 

From the chart of w/e 11/06/1994 which the OCC appear to have revised in the last few years as mentioned at #67 in this countdown (and above), here is another of the 'victims' of those changes. According to Polyhex and many published sources, A Tribe Called Quest entered and peaked at #68 that week, however it has now been ruled that in fact they were spending the first of 2 weeks at #81 instead. The hook of Oh My God is delivered by none other than Busta Rhymes, two years before his breakthrough hit. Elsewhere, the Tracey Ullman song is another Kirsty MacColl cover, following on from her #2 hit version of They Don't Know.

 

We also have our final import single in this countdown, as it is the only form of any song to double-peak at #81. I've linked the first version of the song from early pressings of Christina Aguilera's eponymous album, before its remix for the version on the full single release, and possibly this import, but it seems fitting nevertheless.

#82

 

3 consecutive weeks at a peak of #82

(1988)

22/10/1988: 82-82-82

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #82

(2014: 1+2)

25/10/2014: 82-87-82-82-89-96-96

(1988)

16/01/1988: 92-88-82-88-86; 28/05/1988: 93-93-87-82-94; 05/05/2012: 89

 

The Adventures had only one Top 40 hit, Broken Land, which is a big late 80s favourite of mine. From the same album, the song here managed an improbable run of 3 weeks at its low peak.

 

Also managing 3 weeks at an #82, albeit with a break in the middle, was Avicii's song which preceded the similarly named The Nights. I'm not entirely sure why it had such a low-key release, but its lyrical theme is just as strong.

 

The only song to have had just two separate weeks at this peak is another huge song - the 137th most streamed non-Christmas song from the 70s, 80s or 90s no less. From the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, it placed higher on that list than even (I've Had) The Time Of My Life. Eric Carmen's only higher charting song, All By Myself, is almost as ubiquitous - helped by Celine Dion's cover version.

#83

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #83

Chris Rea - That's What They Always Say (1989)

Danse Society - Say It Again (1985)

Higsons - Music To Watch Girls By (1984)

Julia Fordham - Woman Of The 80s (1988)

Vow Wow - Don't Leave Me Now (1987)

(2022)

11/08/2022: 100-99-88-83-83; 22/09/2022: 93-97

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #83

(2022)

12/05/2022: 83-97-90-100; 23/06/2022: 98-83; 21/07/2022: 90

(1990, 1991)

22/12/1990: 89-83-87-83-86

 

A couple of songs from this year come up today. The first from Kordhell is another of my favourites of the year - apparently the first 'phonk' chart hit, the distortion adds to the frenetic nature of it all.

 

From a somewhat surprise hit to one that never quite took off as may have been hoped for, leaving The Motto as Ava's token one slow-climbing Top 20 hit for this year. So what was the problem with this one? Maybe it was the way she pronounced "timebomb", or maybe it just wasn't quite as catchy as those aforementioned slow-climbing Top 20 hits of hers.

 

The other double-peaking song from PKA is another slice of early 90s dance in the transition between acid house and rave - several elements in this song are reminiscent of much bigger hits in the coming years.

I think it would be good to include both consecutive and non consecutive for higher positions. I believe both Mariah Carey All I want for Xmas is you and Wham! Last Christmas have spent 9 weeks in total at number 2. In fact with Mariah heading for no 1 this week and Wham! at 2 it looks the latter should be the first to spend 10 weeks at number 2.

This thread got me thinking about Mr Brightside by The Killers. I think you’ll find it’s spent most weeks in every position lower than about 75. Not had time to check by over 10 weeks at No 100. Will try and let you know each position when I’ve a moment to kill(ers)!

I bought the Adventures album, The Sea Of Love, that had both Broken Land and One Step From Heaven on it. The latter is a great song and should have gone higher than number 82.

#84

 

3 consecutive weeks at a peak of #84

(1988)

03/09/1988: 84-84-84

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #84

(2010)

20/02/2010: 84-92-84

(2019: 2+1)

11/04/2019: 87-84-84; 09/05/2019: 93-84-89-99-100

 

The configuration of record holders for an #84 peak is the same as for #82. The one which got 3 weeks in a row is another version of the tune made famous by Hot Butter in the 1970s, and then Crazy Frog in the 2000s.

 

The one which had 2 separate weeks at #84 is from the original soundtrack of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory from 1971. I'm not quite sure why it charted in 2010, although I remember it being on some advert around that time.

 

The one which had 3 weeks at #84 across 2 spells is the only chart hit for YK Osiris - other than some slightly rough vocals, it sounded decent on first listen.

 

This thread got me thinking about Mr Brightside by The Killers. I think you’ll find it’s spent most weeks in every position lower than about 75. Not had time to check by over 10 weeks at No 100. Will try and let you know each position when I’ve a moment to kill(ers)!

This thread only covers positions where the songs peaked, however there are another couple of threads which cover most consecutive weeks and most weeks in total at each position:

Most consecutive weeks at each position in the UK Singles Chart

Most weeks in total at each position in the UK Singles Chart

The first of these threads is mine; the second wasn't started by me but I've posted some updates on the final page. The Christmas songs by Mariah and Wham! currently share the joint record of 9 weeks at #2 with Jo Stafford - You Belong To Me, but at least one of them should get to 10 weeks very soon. Mr Brightside now holds the record outright for most weeks at every position from 76-100, except for #76 which it shares with Tom Odell - Another Love (5 weeks), and #83 where the record of 8 weeks is still held by Take That - Rule The World including 5 weeks in a row - the most for any song at any position outside the Top 40.

#85

 

4 consecutive weeks at a peak of #85

(1985)

02/02/1985: 96-85-85-85-85-94

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #85

(1990)

12/05/1990: 85-87-85

(1989)

15/04/1989: 85-89-85

 

Three songs tonight which were the only chart hits for the artists in question. First it's the second of two songs in this 41-100 countdown which spent 4 weeks at its peak, but the only one to do so over 4 consecutive weeks. To look at it another way, Billie Eilish - TV recently became the 10th song to spend 4 weeks in a row at any one Top 100 position outside the Top 40 (including Take That - Rule The World which managed 5, as mentioned yesterday), but only On The Air Tonight did so at its peak. The song which achieved this unprecedented feat sounds reminiscent of Paul Young with a few more synths.

 

The next song, Kaos, is another slice of old school dance. The song seems to warn of the 'chaos' coming from war, pollution, drugs and terrorism. It also has some creditable female rapping, samples and a bassline which wouldn't be out of place on a record by Technotronic or Snap!

 

The last one is from a vocal group of four sisters who went by their surname, Perri. I'm The One is nothing to do with the DJ Khaled song, instead it bears more than a passing resemblance to Rufus and Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody, but that in itself isn't a bad thing.

#86

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #86

(1985)

16/03/1985: 86-86

(1983)

01/10/1983: 100-86-86

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #86

[NONE]

 

After some impressive feats in the last few days, we're down to a new low of two songs sharing a record of just 2 weeks at #86, with both of them in consecutive weeks. The first one from Dionne Warwick and Barry Manilow sounds like you might expect it to - it's a ballad, competently sung but not particularly great. The other one from Fixx is much better, reminiscent of Hall & Oates with a looping guitar riff and catchy hook - they had a few other minor hits but never cracked the Top 40.

I remember One Thing Leads To Another. The Fixx were one of a few British groups from the mid 80s who did much better in the US. That song got to number 4 over there.

#87

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #87

Balaam & The Angel - Slow Down (1986)

Deluxe - I've Got A Feeling (1988)

Heavy Pettin' - In And Out Of Love (1983)

Max Q - Way Of The World (1989)

Terrahawks - Theme From 'Terrahawks' (1983)

(1984)

25/08/1984: 96-87-87; 22/09/1984: 91

(1987)

28/02/1987: 87-87-89

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #87

[NONE]

 

The Blue Nile are a band I'd heard mentioned many times in the 90s when I started reading the likes of Q Magazine where their albums were critically acclaimed, but I hadn't actually heard anything by them until recently. Tinseltown In The Rain was their first minor hit - they went on to crack the Top 75 a few times without going higher than #50, but it remains their best known song with triple the streams of their next highest song on Spotify.

 

The other song I've chosen from today's list is Iggy Pop's follow-up to Real Wild Child (Wild One) which became his only Top 10 hit earlier in 1987. This one has a more understated vocal and, like the Blue Nile song, reminds me somewhat of David Bowie - although many good songs do. Iggy's two most streamed songs on Spotify are both from the 70s but didn't chart until the 90s - Lust For Life and The Passenger.

 

I remember One Thing Leads To Another. The Fixx were one of a few British groups from the mid 80s who did much better in the US. That song got to number 4 over there.

Good point, it did sound quite familiar when I heard it, but I hadn't thought to delve much further.

#88

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #88

(2019)

28/03/2019: 95-88-88-98

(1991)

02/02/1991: 88-88

(1984)

27/10/1984: 90-88-88-89

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #88

(1983)

27/08/1983: 88-95-96-91-88

 

Four songs today and I've showcased them all. Buzzjack's second favourite Jess or Jessie made the Top 10 with her first three singles from the Always In Between album, but then No One suffered the post-album curse and stalled at #88. She's had only two other hits since, assisted by Jax Jones and Alexa respectively.

 

Spacemen 3 are described on Wikipedia as a "neo-psychedelia space rock" band - they had only two minor hits, including Big City which came after they had already split up, and founder member Jason Pierce had formed and had a first Top 75 hit with his new band Spiritualized.

 

Sylvester is best known for his 1978 #8 hit You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). He continued to chart with generally diminishing returns through the 1980s, including Rock The Box which has traded disco for some impressive synth-fuelled electro.

 

Gang Of Four were a hugely influential band from Leeds whose debut album Entertainment! is one of my top 5 albums of the 1970s - it contained their highest charting single, At Home He's A Tourist, and my favourite song of theirs, Damaged Goods, which missed the Top 75. By 1983, the chart was a Top 100 and Is It Love became their longest running chart hit. I hadn't actually heard it before - it sounds more like Heaven 17 than the post-punk sound of their debut, but the elements of funk are still present.

#89

 

2 consecutive weeks at a peak of #89

David Guetta & Martin Solveig - Thing For You (2019)

(1989)

08/04/1989: 89-89

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #89

(2019: 1+2)

25/07/2019: 89; 15/08/2019: 90-93-89-89

(1983)

19/11/1983: 89-95-89

 

For every position so far, there have been at least two songs which had at least 2 weeks peaking there, whether consecutive or not - I'll come back to the couple of positions where I haven't yet given at least two examples somewhere in this thread.

 

That run continues with #89, however there is only one song to have spent exactly 2 consecutive weeks and no more at this peak. Blue Magic were a new jack swing group - Romeo And Juliet was their only UK chart hit and is nothing to do with the Dire Straits song of that name.

 

Another song did spend 2 consecutive weeks at #89 after it had peaked there once already. Thing For You was the third of five David Guetta chart hits in a row to miss the Top 40 - it features uncredited vocals by Sasha Sloan.

 

There was also another song to spend 2 weeks at an #89 peak in total. Hot Chocolate had at least one new Top 75 hit every year from 1970 to 1984, but I'm Sorry wasn't one of them. It has nothing to do with the Brenda Lee song of that name which has the distinction of having visited its #12 peak 3 times, and is also her second most streamed song in the UK (behind the obvious).

#90

 

3 consecutive weeks at a peak of #90

(1984)

23/06/1984: 90-90-90

 

2 non-consecutive runs at a peak of #90

David Grant - Organize / Wrap Yourself Around Me (1984)

11/02/1984: 98-90-99-90-94

(2021)

08/07/2021: 90; 22/07/2021: 90-94

 

Thomas Dolby's biggest UK hit was the #17 Hyperactive!, though She Blinded Me With Science was a bigger hit worldwide including #5 in the US. Another of his hits, Windpower, was entered in Buzzjack's inaugural Best Song Contest In the World... Ever! - and that's not the last we'll hear of that contest in this countdown. Dissidents was one of his smallest hits, but it has the honour of being the lowest peaking song in the Top 100, and therefore this countdown, to have spent 3 weeks at its peak.

 

David Grant had Top 10 success as one half of soul/funk group Linx before scaling those heights twice as a solo artist - in between those latter two came this double A-side, and the link takes you to a vinyl play of both tracks with the gap in the middle (thank me later). He went on to work alongside his wife Carrie Grant as a vocal coach on Pop Idol and Fame Academy.

 

OneRepublic had been suffering diminshing returns in chart terms, with Run their lowest peaking hit last summer, despite being given a bogus-looking midweek position of #23 the week before it entered the chart. Then of course they got a song that sounded like Feel It Still with added whistling into a movie soundtrack and landed themselves a massive hit once again.

 

So we have 10 positions left in this countdown, and nothing has spent more than 2 weeks peaking at any of them. #53 and #57 are the only spots where, so far in this thread, I'd only given one song to have spent at least 2 weeks at those peaks, whether consecutive or in total, since one song held the record for each with 3 weeks and nothing double-peaked at either. For completion's sake, I can confirm that Swan Lake - In The Name Of Love (1988), for one, had 2 weeks at a #53 peak and Bucks Fizz - Magical (1985) had 2 weeks peaking at #57. Therefore we have a full house of #1 to #90 with at least two songs spending 2 or more weeks peaking at each position. Will that continue to the end, with at least two songs a day for the final 10?