Roxette is my favourite in the top 10 right now, their early singles were great :wub:

7TH JULY

 

 

Elton’s third week at the top is accomplished with some ease and barely a dent in his sales, down slightly to 94,000 as “Sacrifice/ Healing Hands” flies over the 300,000 mark and is now his biggest hit in 5 years. His album “Sleeping With The Past” gets a full re-issue and charges 54-2 as a result. As it’s half way through the year it’s time to see where that places the track on the current YTD:

 

1- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor 671,000

2- KILLER- Adamski 505,000

3- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International 475,000

4- VOGUE- Madonna 435,000

5- THE POWER- Snap! 421,000

6- WORLD IN MOTION- EnglandNewOrder 350,000

7- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic Featuring Ya Kid K 320,000

8- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John 313,000

9- BLACK VELVET- Alannah Myles 306,000

10- DIRTY CASH- Adventures Of Stevie V 297,000

 

EnglandNewOrder sink 4-6 (36,000) to keep ahead of Elton on the YTD for a week at least, but they don’t show any signs of reversing their downward trajectory despite England making it to the semi finals this week.

 

 

The entire top 3 are all static with Elton at the top while Luciano Pavarotti closes the gap at No 2 (81,000) and Roxette clinging onto No 3 (54,000) though they at least are losing sales. With the World Cup final next Sunday there is still scope for Pavarotti to steal a week at the top, especially if England can make an appearance there! But he does get some revenge on Elton as Pavarotti holds him off the top spot on the album charts.

 

Craig McLachlan rises 7-4 (51,000) leaving Snap! locked at No 5 (47,000) and Maxi Priest lifts 8-7 (36,000) while Wilson Phillips drop 6-8 (25,000).

 

 

MC Hammer (real name Stanley Burrell) got his nickname from looking like a baseball player called Hank Aaron apparently and has become something of a sensation Stateside. His first release here in the UK was as a feature rapper on Glen Goldsmith’s single “You’ve Got Me Dancing” last year which failed to chart, now onto his second album Hammer has a hit on his hands which has already made No 8 in the US. “U Can’t Touch This” samples Rick James’ “Super Freak” as its backbone, a song which surprisingly has never charted here, expect “Stop…Hammertime” to be a catchphrase of the year. The track meanwhile powers 13-9 (19,000)

 

 

 

And now some UK rapping courtesy of MC Tunes (real name Nicholas Lockett) who’s teamed up with dance act 808 state to give us “The Only Rhyme That Bites” which looked like it was trouble as it moved 47-31-18-12-11 in recent weeks but finally inches 11-10 (18,000) this week. It contains a sample of “The Big Country” by The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in the chorus and has now equaled the peak of “Pacific” from 1989 for 808 state though of course it is MC Tunes first hit.

 

 

 

1- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (94,000)

2- NESSUN DORMA- Luciano Pavarotti (81,000)

3- IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE- Roxette (54,000)

4- MONA- Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 (51,000)

5- OOPS UP- Snap! (47,000)

6- WORLD IN MOTION- Englandneworder (36,000)

7- CLOSE TO YOU- Maxi Priest (36,000)

8- HOLD ON- Wilson Phillips (25,000)

9- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (19,000)

10- THE ONLY RHYME THAT BITES- MC Tunes Vs 808 State (18,000)

 

loved the 808/MC Tunes song, MC Hammer not so much :D

I noticed the previous week, NKOTB charted at #1 in albums with Step by Step?

Did they have big sales?

I noticed the previous week, NKOTB charted at #1 in albums with Step by Step?

Did they have big sales?

93k

14TH JULY

 

 

West Germany’s Victory over Argentina yesterday saw the climax of the World Cup 1990 and in the process provided the final boost to Luciano Pavarotti’s chances of overhauling Elton John on the charts. His “Essential Pavarotti” holds at No 1 depriving Elton again of his first No 1 album in 16 years, but on the singles chart it’s Elton’s victory as “Sacrifice/ Healing Hands” grabs a 4th week at the top with sales only slightly dipping to 92,000 as it becomes the 6th biggest single of the year and sees its total sales move over the 400,000 mark. “Nessun Dorma” spends a third week at No 2 but it’s already faltering with 77,000 buyers last week, the gap between the two tracks therefore widens from 13,000 to 15,000.

 

 

 

Tipped by many to be a No 1 The Stone Roses new single “One Love” is the first release from an as yet unnamed second album and becomes the highest new entry on this week’s chart at No 4 (43,000). Rumours are of course rife with their current issues with record label Silvertone which doesn’t seem to be improving but they remain current indie darlings and leaders of the “Madchester” movement, and certainly the biggest sellers of the genre at the moment.

 

 

 

So you take a TV theme to a classic Kids TV show and update for the modern dance market- sounds like commercial gold. Well it certainly is, the group is called F.A.B featuring MC Parker, used in the series of course to denote “fully acknowledged and briefed”, and the dance outfit have given us the current hit “Thunderbirds Are Go” with the help of Gerry Anderson’s puppets in the promo it seems to have hit a cord with a rise 12-7 (24,000)

 

 

Craig McLachlan seeps in at No 3 (46,000) despite a sales dip overcoming Stone Roses at the death whilst Roxette drop 3-5 (41,000), they do keep above MC Hammer however who himself moves ominously 9-6 (33,000). EnglandNewOrder dop 6-8 (22,000) keeping the neat symmetry of their descent nicely 2-4-6-8, Maxi Priest drops 7-9 (22,000) and Snap! hurtle 5-10 (22,000). Next week a new Madonna single!

 

1- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (92,000)

2- NESSUN DORMA- Luciano Pavarotti (77,000)

3- MONA- Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 (46,000)

4- ONE LOVE- The Stone Roses (43,000)

5- IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE- Roxette (41,000)

6- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (33,000)

7- THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO- F.A.B Ft MC Parker (24,000)

8- WORLD IN MOTION- Englandneworder (22,000)

9- CLOSE TO YOU- Maxi Priest (22,000)

10- OOPS UP- Snap! (22,000)

 

 

I remember how disappointed everyone was with One Love, I certainly was

Not much going on, Roxette saving the top 5

21ST JULY

 

 

Elton makes it 5 weeks on top with “Sacrifice/ Healing Hands” and is still not showing any signs of fatigue moving a further 82,000 last week as it fast approaches its half millionth sale. It becomes the longest chart topper of 1990 and indeed the longest reigning No 1 since Black Box last September. As predicted the end of the world cup sees Pavarotti trip 2-3 (48,000) just enough for Craig McLachlan to slip by him as he climbs 3-2 (48,000) but he is so far from Elton that he poses little threat in reality.

 

 

 

A bit of chart history happened this week, previously the highest debuting track by a new act occurred when both Neil and Bomb The Bass debuted at No 5, but today Partners In Kryme arrive one spot higher at No 4 (40,000) with “Turtle Power”, a song featured in the new “Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles” film due here in the Winter. The duo formed in 1983 and once opened for Grandmaster Flash, their name, well the Kryme bit at any rate stands for “Keeping Rhythm Your Motivating Energy” apparently. Of course the turtles are THE phenomenon with today’s kids so they will have the power of our youngsters on their side which could prove important as we move into school holiday time, expect this to be top 2 at least next week.

 

 

Nothing else new in the top 10 as the summer slump really sets in, F.A.B. rise 7-5 (38,000) but everything else is on the wane, Roxette 5-6 (31,000), MC Hammer 6-7 (24,000), Stone Roses 4-8 (20,000) and EnglandNewOrder 8-10 (16,000). Snap! do rise 10-9 but only sold 17,000, a 20% decrease week on week saleswise.

 

 

1- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (82,000)

2- MONA- Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 (48,000)

3- NESSUN DORMA- Luciano Pavarotti (48,000)

4- TURTLE POWER- Partners In Kryme (40,000)

5- THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO- F.A.B Ft MC Parker (38,000)

6- IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE- Roxette (31,000)

7- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (30,000)

8- ONE LOVE- The Stone Roses (20,000)

9- OOPS UP- Snap! (17,000)

10- WORLD IN MOTION- Englandneworder (16,000)

 

T U R T L E POWER! T U R T L E POWER! T U R T L E POWER!

That was an awful film!

28TH JULY

 

 

It wasn’t at all clear whether or not Elton could muster 6 weeks as the nation’s favourite song and ultimately it proved too big an ask as “Sacrifice/ Healing Hands” makes its graceful descent 1-2 (63,000) after a month at the top. He’s consoled however by his album “Sleeping With The Past” finally making it past Pavarotti to the top of the album charts ending a 16 year wait, that’s longest wait between No 1 albums ever. The new No 1 is from Partners In Kryme who inch 4-1 (67,000) this week to bring some “Turtle Power” to the nation. It is therefore, arguably, the UK’s first predominately rap No 1 though I wonder if the genre would be proud of that?

 

 

 

Madonna’s been in the country on tour this week, did you notice? Well chances are that you have with the usual media circus that she always generates, and a new tour generates a new single normally and for Madonna that is “Hanky Panky” another cut from “I’m Breathless” which itself feels the boost 11-5. The song is a light hearted innuendo laden track which has some none too impressed but it gives her a 23rd top 10 single on the trot, in doing so she equals the record set by Cliff Richard back in the 60s, it debuted rather alarmingly (for her) at No 14 last week but this week accelerates to No 4 (30,000) keeping the run in order.

 

 

 

Former bassist in Killing Joke before going on to form the band Brilliant, Martin Glover has now ventured into dance music under the pseudonym Youth and teamed up with singer Durge McBroom to form Blue Pearl. Their first release “Naked In The Rain” is proving popular in the clubs as it scorches 17-8 (23,000) this week.

 

 

 

Also feeling the benefits of the Madonna tour are the support act for the lady herself, Technotronic. Their last single “This Beat Is Technotronic” limped to No 14 without the help of Ya Kid K. She’s back in the fray now and “Rockin’ Over The Beat” puts the group back in the top flight as it flies 15-9 (21,000), the parent album “Pump Up The Jam” rebounds 44-30 in its 30 week though a remix album is apparently due for Christmas. The 12” version contains a remix by Bernard Sumner of New Order by way of curiosity.

 

 

 

Named after a character in the “Clangers” Scots outfit Soup Dragons have covered the 1965 album track “I’m Free” by the Rolling Stones to give them their first Top 40 single. The group formed in 1985 and had two minor top 75 tracks back in 1987 but did become regulars on the Indie chart in the interim, here they rope in Junior Reid to add his musings on the song which climbs 13-10 (20,000) and seems to be on course to become one of the sounds of the summer of 1990.

 

 

Craig McLachlan drops 2-3 (40,000) as his album climbs 23-19 in its second week and next single “Amanda” hits the shops already! MC Hammer sees his sales drop again but climbs 7-5 (27,000), his unusual chart trajectory in the top 10 belies that fact! And F.A.B drop 5-6 (27,000) but keep above Roxette (6-7, 24,000) in a tightly packed top 10 in terms of sales. Next week we have another NKOTB single! They’re coming quick and fast!

 

 

1- TURTLE POWER- Partners In Kryme (67,000)

2- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (63,000)

3- MONA- Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 (40,000)

4- HANKY PANKY- Madonna (30,000)

5- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (27,000)

6- THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO- F.A.B Ft MC Parker (27,000)

7- IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE- Roxette (24,000)

8- NAKED IN THE RAIN- Blue Pearl (23,000)

9- ROCKIN OVER THE BEAT- Technotronic (21,000)

10- I’M FREE- Soup Dragons (20,000)

 

not the best couple of weeks in the charts

hated that Turtle Power song

and Hanky Panky might be my least favourite Madonna song ever

 

Blue Pearl and Soup Dragons are not half bad I guess

Finally caught up on this thread after being behind on TOTP for weeks! Agreed that 'Hanky Panky' was a low point for Madonna oops.

Hanky Panky is dreadful. I think I erased the memory of it from my mind!

I didn't really like Naked in The Rain back then. I love it now. The breakdown is great.

4TH AUGUST

 

 

“Turtle Power” consolidates its place at No 1 this week even though it’s actually on the wane selling 59,000 copies a decrease of 11% week on week, ironically however its winning margin increases from just 3,000 last week to 10,000 this week with Madonna’s “Hanky Panky” becoming the new challenger as it climbs 4-2 (49,000). With her “Blond Ambition” tour now rolling onto the European mainland it must be fancied that its chances of improving are dampened, it is however her 5th No 2 hit though her first in 4 years.

 

 

 

So if not Madonna then who can topple Partners In Kryme? Look no further than the song that rushes 13-3 (40,000) for DNA. Their dance version of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner”, a 1987 #58 single which actually dates, composition wise, back to 1982. Vega’s previous best was the No 21 single “Marlene On The Wall” so this does mark her biggest hit by some stretch but in truth the track was conceived and released originally to clubs without permission of Vega, instead of suing Vega’s label bought the remix, added her name to the credit, and gave it a full release. A wise move by the looks of it as she could be heading all the way to the top!

 

 

Again it’s a slow chart otherwise with the new NKOTB single failing to trouble the big 10, Elton drops 2-4 (35,000) with its sales now totalling 585,000 copies making it the second best seller of the year though it may struggle to challenge Sinead O’Connor who is still just under 100,000 ahead of it. MC Hammer holds at No 5 (32,000) but is at least up on his sales, parent album “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em” also moves into the top 10 for the first time and further down Technotronic are also stuck in the groove at No 9 (18,000). Blue Pearl advance 8-6 (32,000) and the Soup Dragons drive 10-8 (20,000), meanwhile Craig McLachlan falls 3-7 (22,000) as his new single arrives straight into the top 40! And Roxette fall 7-10 (17,000)

 

 

1- TURTLE POWER- Partners In Kryme (59,000)

2- HANKY PANKY- Madonna (49,000)

3- TOM’S DINER- DNA Ft Suzanne Vega (40,000)

4- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (35,000)

5- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (32,000)

6- NAKED IN THE RAIN- Blue Pearl (32,000)

7- MONA- Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 (22,000)

8- I’M FREE- Soup Dragons (20,000)

9- ROCKIN OVER THE BEAT- Technotronic (18,000)

10- IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE- Roxette (17,000)

 

Tom's Diner :wub:

 

That song introduced me to Suzanne Vega and I assumed she was a dance act, I was a bit surprised when her greatest hits didn't really contain the same style! Although I did really warm to it a few years later.

Tom’s Diner is indeed fantastic. First had the song on Now! 18.

I was a big fan of Tom's Diner, I already knew the original, and DNA did an amazing job with the remix.

The lyrics are so sweet, I still remember them by heart.

11TH AUGUST

 

 

Partners In Kryme prove they have sticking power as “Turtle Power” continues to bounce off its competitors and claims a third week in command but it oddly sold more last week (65,000) as it continues to defy expectations. Must be the start of the school holidays! Madonna collapses 2-6 (35,000) leaving the way clear for DNA Featuring Suzanne Vega to lift 3-2 (53,000) meaning of course that for a third week the difference between the top 2 increases, it seems to be getting easier for the half shell heroes.

 

 

Don’t look for any challengers in the rest of the top 10 with MC Hammer climbing 5-3 (39,000) showing he has some legs left, Blue Pearl continue northward 6-4 (38,000) and the Soup Dragons improve 8-5 (38,000) but all are nowhere near piercing the top 2.

 

 

Two of last week’s biggest new entries do enter the big 10, Prince and New Kids On The Block, First up Prince who returns with a new film “Graffiti Bridge” a kind of sequel to “Purple Rain”, that of course means a new album (out in 3 weeks) and a new single “Thieves In The Temple”. It contains a sample of “Batdance” the lead single from his last album which took him to No 2, he’ll be hoping for the same but “Thieves” looks to be struggling as it climbs 11-7 (25,000) to become his 9th top 10 single.

 

 

 

Now scoring a 6th top 10 single in just 9 months New Kids On The Block arrive 17-8 (22,000) with their Beatles pastiche “Tonight”. It name checks several of their previous hits in the verses and is being popularly touted as their best effort yet, it’s also their first release to be a top 10 hit here before their native US where it’s still climbing. The “Step by Step” album is still in the top 10 six weeks after release in the UK though it drops to anchor position on that chart, they remain the biggest selling singles act of the year though.

 

 

Elton drops 4-9 (19,000) as it moves over the 600,000 mark to become platinum, and Technotronic drop 9-10 (16,000) as the summer slump hits the charts badly.

 

1- TURTLE POWER- Partners In Kryme (65,000)

2- TOM’S DINER- DNA Ft Suzanne Vega (53,000)

3- U CAN’T TOUCH THIS- MC Hammer (39,000)

4- NAKED IN THE RAIN- Blue Pearl (38,000)

5- I’M FREE- Soup Dragons (38,000)

6- HANKY PANKY- Madonna (35,000)

7- THIEVES IN THE TEMPLE- Prince (25,000)

8- TONIGHT- New Kids On The Block (22,000)

9- SACRIFICE/ HEALING HANDS- Elton John (19,000)

10- ROCKIN OVER THE BEAT- Technotronic (16,000)