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NO 3- 403 POINTS

 

Tainted Love Soft Cell (Voter: JulianT- 21 points, Rabbitfurcoat- 22 points, Jade- 26 points, Doctor Blind- 20 points, Fiesta- 8 points, West- 14 points, Dot Branning- 20 points, Steve201- 25 points, Riser- 22 points, Chez Wombat- 11 points, Dircadirca- 28 points, Jimwatts- 4 points, Danvember- 21 points, King Rollo- 12 points, n4yr- 25 points, …Ready for it- 24 points, *Dandy- 28 points, Bjork- 21 points, Popchartfreak- 20 points, Shoat- 6 points, Jester- 25 points)- No 1 for 2 weeks in September 1981

 

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Only 10 voters missed this one off their list and despite bronze place it is only the second most popular No 1 of 1981! It is the highest placed track to not receive any maximum points but was in the top 10 for 12 voters.

 

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Love that these 1981 songs are smashing so hard - a really standout year for me chart-wise *.* I saw that the OCC recently revised 'Tainted Love's status as EOY #1 for 1981 and now think it's 'Don't You Want Me'. Well, both are excellent. Intrigued to find out if the Human League have done enough to topple Madonna :o

It's A Sin missing out on 3rd place by a tiebreak then! :deadbanana:

 

Tainted Love is as effervescent as always, even if these days I prefer Gloria Jones' Northen soul original and Soft Cell's own Say Hello Wave Goodbye.

I genuinely didn't know Tainted Love was a cover until recently....great version Soft Cell do and in September 1981 it reaching number 1 really signified the start of synthpop's domination.

 

It's A Sin I only first discovered about 12 years ago when it came on the radio, I liked it first time I heard it, epic song.

 

An absolute stormer of a track. Not only was it present from the beginning of 80s synth pop but it also was so influential in the rise of the extended 12” remix that was such a staple in 80s clubs (apparently!)

love Tainted Love, the lyrics re brutal!

 

kinda like the Like a Prayer vs Don't You Want Me final, both incredible songs

classic. Say Hello Wave Goodbye and Torch also great. It's A Sin is better, though, if only I'd dropped TL one place :lol:
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NO 2- 411 POINTS

 

Don't You Want Me Human League (Voter: JulianT- 29 points, Rabbitfurcoat- 21 points, Jade- 28 points, Doctor Blind- 15 points, West- 28 points, Dot Branning- 13 points, Steve201- 30 points, Donnahjaneymack- 29 points, Chez Wombat- 14 points, AH Gold- 29 points, Jimwatts- 5 points, Danvember- 23 points, King Rollo- 17 points, n4yr- 29 points, Nina West- 24 points, *Dandy- 19 points, Bjork- 22 points, Leonardo- 10 points, Gezza- 7 points, Popchartfreak- 11 points, Shoat- 8 points)- No 1 for 5 weeks in December/January 1981/2

 

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The Christmas No1 for 1981 is the year’s most popular with again just 10 of us missing it off the list. 11 of us put it in our top 10 but only Steve201 gave it maximum points.

 

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NO 1- 446 POINTS

 

Like A Prayer Madonna (Voter: Rabbitfurcoat- 20 points, Jade- 25 points, Doctor Blind- 17 points, Fiesta- 11 points, West- 12 points, Jackjones- 3 points, Riser- 11 points, Donnahjaneymack- 26 points, Chez Wombat- 15 points, Jimwatts- 10 points, Danvember- 15 points, King Rollo- 22 points, Colm- 21 points, n4yr- 30 points, Nina West- 26 points, Gooddelta- 29 points, *Dandy- 30 points, Bjork- 26 points, Leonardo- 21 points, Gezza- 8 points, Popchartfreak- 6 points, Shoat- 18 points, Last Dreamer- 17 points, Jester- 27 points)- No 1 for 3 weeks in March/April 1989

 

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Was this ever in doubt? Well yes, there were times it wasn’t in the lead and it’s victory is on nowhere near the scale of “Frozen”’s in the 90s, but only 7 voters didn’t throw any points at it and it therefore ends the rate as the most popular chart topper of 1989 and in the eyes of n4yr and *Dandy as well as the overall winner of the rate! Congrats (again) to Madonna!

 

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The Full list:

 

NO 1- Like A Prayer Madonna- 446 pts

NO 2- Don't You Want Me Human League- 411 pts

NO 3- Tainted Love Soft Cell- 403 pts

NO 4- It's A Sin Pet Shop Boys- 403 pts

NO 5- Billie Jean Michael Jackson- 380 pts

NO 6- Always On My Mind Pet Shop Boys- 335 pts

NO 7- The Winner Takes It All Abba- 328 pts

NO 8- The Sun Always Shines On TV A-Ha- 310 pts

NO 9- West End Girls Pet Shop Boys- 303 pts

NO 10- Heaven Is A Place On Earth Belinda Carlise- 290 pts

 

NO 11- Ride On Time Black Box- 283 pts

NO 12- 99 Red Balloons Nena- 269 pts

NO 13- Total Eclipse Of The Heart Bonnie Tyler- 262 pts

NO 14- Atomic Blondie- 258 pts

NO 15- Call Me Blondie- 243pts

NO 16- Ghost Town The Specials- 241 pts

NO 17- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) Whitney Houston- 238 pts

NO 18- Careless Whisper George Michael- 235 pts

NO 19- Under Pressure Queen & David Bowie- 234 pts

NO 20- Ashes To Ashes David Bowie- 219 pts

 

NO 21- Into The Groove Madonna- 219 pts

NO 22- Relax Frankie Goes To Hollywood- 205 pts

NO 23- The Model Kraftwerk- 201 pts

NO 24- You Win Again Bee Gees- 200 pts

NO 25- Papa Don't Preach Madonna- 183 pts

NO 26- Let's Dance David Bowie- 176 pts

NO 27- Going Underground The Jam- 174 pts

NO 28- You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) Dead Or Alive- 172 pts

NO 29- A Town Called Malice The Jam- 169 pts

NO 30- Don't Leave Me This Way Communards- 166 pts

 

NO 31- Take My Breath Away Berlin- 158 pts

NO 32- Every Breath You Take The Police- 157 pts

NO 33- Come On Eileen Dexy's Midnight Runners- 150 pts

NO 34- China In Your Hand T'Pau- 147 pts

NO 35- Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Starship- 143 pts

NO 36- Orinoco Flow Enya- 138 pts

NO 37- Pump Up The Volume M/A/R/R/S- 125 pts

NO 38- Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) Soul II Soul- 122 pts

NO 39- Down Under Men At Work- 119 pts

NO 40- The Power Of Love Frankie Goes To Hollywood- 118 pts

 

NO 41- Heart Pet Shop Boys- 116 pts

NO 42- I Should Be So Lucky Kylie Minogue- 115 pts

NO 43- I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) George Michael & Aretha Franklin- 114 pts

NO 44- I Think We're Alone Now Tiffany- 113 pts

NO 45- Caravan of Love Housemartins- 110 pts

NO 46- Eternal Flame The Bangles- 107 pts

NO 47- There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) Eurythmics- 104 pts

NO 48- The Reflex Duran Duran- 103 pts

NO 49- Two Tribes Frankie Goes To Hollywood- 101 pts

NO 50- Karma Chameleon Culture Club- 100 Pts

 

NO 51- Super Trooper Abba- 99 pts

NO 52- 19 Paul Hardcastle- 96 pts

NO 53- La Isla Bonita Madonna- 92 pts

NO 54- A Different Corner George Michael- 92 pts

NO 55- The Final Countdown Europe- 86 pts

NO 56- The Only Way Is Up Yazz- 86 pts

NO 57- Imagine John Lennon- 85 pts

NO 58- Easy Lover Phil Bailey & Phil Collins- 82 pts

NO 59- Uptown Girl Billy Joel- 81 pts

NO 60- True Spandau Ballet- 80 pts

 

NO 61- Eye Of The Tiger Survivor- 78 pts

NO 62- Brass In Pocket The Pretenders- 77 pts

NO 63- Stand And Deliver Adam & The Ants- 73 pts

NO 64- Xanadu Olivia Newton John & ELO- 72 pts

NO 65- Hand On Your Heart Kylie Minogue- 71 pts

NO 66- Theme From S Express S Express- 66 pts

NO 67- I Just Can't Stop Loving You Michael Jackson- 66 pts

NO 68- He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother Hollies- 65 pts

NO 69- The Land Of Make Believe Bucks Fizz- 65 pts

NO 70- Freedom Wham!- 65 pts

 

NO 71- Merry Christmas Everyone Shakin Stevens- 64 pts

NO 72- Do They Know It's Christmas Band Aid- 64 pts

NO 73- Stand By Me Ben E King- 63 pts

NO 74- If I Was Midge Ure- 62 pts

NO 75- You Can't Hurry love Phil Collins- 61 pts

NO 76- Give It Up KC & The Sunshine Band- 59 pts

NO 77- Who's That Girl Madonna- 57 pts

NO 78- Chain Reaction Diana Ross- 57 pts

NO 79- My Camera Never Lies Bucks Fizz- 56 pts

NO 80- Never Gonna Give You Up Rick Astley- 52 pts

 

NO 81- Red Red Wine UB40- 51 pts

NO 82- Especially For You Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan- 50 pts

NO 83- I Want To Know What Love Is Foreigner- 49 pts

NO 84- Jack Your Body Steve Silk Hurley- 49 pts

NO 85- Perfect Fairground Attraction- 48 pts

NO 86- Only You Flying Pickets- 47 pts

NO 87- Beat Surrender The Jam- 46 pts

NO 88- House Of Fun Madness- 45 pts

NO 89- Too Much Too Young The Specials- 45 pts

NO 90- Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart Marc Almond & Gene Pitney- 44 pts

 

NO 91- Respectable Mel & Kim- 43 pts

NO 92- One Moment In Time Whitney Houston- 43 pts

NO 93- Too Shy Kajagoogoo- 42 pts

NO 94- Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Wham!- 42 pts

NO 95- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic The Police- 40 pts

NO 96- Making Your Mind Up Bucks Fizz- 40 pts

NO 97- Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? Culture Club- 39 pts

NO 98- Rock Me Amadeus Falco- 39pts

NO 99- Geno Dexy's Midnight Runners- 38 pts

NO 100- True Blue Madonna- 35 pts

 

NO 101- 32 POINTS

 

The Power Of Love Jennifer Rush

 

NO 102- 31 POINTS

 

La Bamba Los Lobos

 

NO 103- 30 POINTS

 

Hello Lionel Richie

 

NO 104- 29 POINTS

 

A Little Peace Nicole

Goody Two Shoes Adam Ant

Save Your Love Renee & Renato

 

NO 107- 28 POINTS

 

Woman In Love Barbara Streisand

The Lion Sleeps Tonight Tight Fit

Too Many Broken Hearts Jason Donovan

 

NO 110- 27 POINTS

 

All Around The World Lisa Stansfield

 

NO 111- 26 POINTS

 

Working My Way Back To You- Forgive Me Girl Detroit Spinners

 

NO 112- 25 POINTS

 

Doctorin The Tardis Timelords

You Got It (The Right Stuff) New Kids On The Block

 

NO 114- 23 POINTS

 

Japanese Boy Aneka

I Just Called To Say I Love You Stevie Wonder

Lady In Red Chris De Burgh

You'll Never Stop Me Loving You Sonia

 

NO 118- 22 POINTS

 

Prince Charming Adam & The Ants

I Know Him So Well Barbara Dickson & Elaine Paige

Move Closer Phyllis Nelson

 

NO 121- 21 POINTS

 

The Tide Is High Blondie

Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) Jackie Wilson

Desire U2

 

NO 124- 20 POINTS

 

It's My Party Barbara Gaskin & Dave Stewart

I Feel For You Chaka Khan

 

NO 126- 19 POINTS

 

Computer Love Kraftwerk

I Don't Wanna Dance Eddy Grant

We Are The World USA For Africa

A Good Heart Feargal Sharkey

 

NO 130- 18 POINTS

 

Fame Irene Cara

 

NO 131- 17 POINTS

 

I've Never Been To Me Charlene

 

NO 132- 16 POINTS

 

(Just Like) Starting Over John Lennon

 

NO 133- 15 POINTS

 

Baby Jane Rod Stewart

 

NO 134- 14 POINTS

 

Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houston

Belfast Child Simple Minds

 

NO 136- 13 POINTS

 

Use It Up Wear It Out Odyssey

Star Trekkin The Firm

 

NO 138- 12 POINTS

 

I'm Your Man Wham!

 

NO 139- 11 POINTS

 

Don't Stand So Close To Me The Police

Jealous Guy Roxy Music

This Ole House Shakin Stevens

Pipes Of Peace Paul McCartney

I Owe You Nothing Bros

 

NO 144- 9 POINTS

 

What's Another Year Johnny Logan

 

NO 145- 8 POINTS

 

Together We Are Beautiful Fern Kinney

 

NO 146- 7 POINTS

 

Shuddup Ya Face Joe Dolce Music Theatre

Is There Something I Should Know Duran Duran

 

NO 148- 6 POINTS

 

Happy Talk Captain Sensible

Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) Paul Young

 

NO 150- 5 POINTS

 

Mistletoe & Wine Cliff Richard

 

NO 151- 4 POINTS

 

Oh Julie Shakin Stevens

Edge Of Heaven Wham!

Do They Know It's Christmas? Band Aid II

 

NO 154- 3 POINTS

 

Crying Don McLean

 

NO 155- 1 POINT

 

Feels Like I'm In Love Kelly Marie

Seven Tears Goombay Dance Band

Sealed With A Kiss Jason Donovan

Swing The Mood Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers

 

NO 159- ZERO POINTS

 

Coward Of The County Kenny Rogers

Dreams Of Children The Jam

Theme From MASH MASH

Start The Jam

There's No-One Quite Like Grandma St Winifred's Choir

Woman John Lennon

Being With You Smokey Robinson

One Day In Your Life Michael Jackson

Green Door Shakin Stevens

Begin The Beguine Julio Iglesias

Precious The Jam

Ebony & Ivory Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder

Pass The Dutchie Musical Youth

Candy Girl New Edition

I Should Have Known Better Jim Diamond

You'll Never Walk Alone The Crowd

Frankie Sister Sledge

I Got You Babe UB40 & Chrissie Hynde

Dancing In The Street David Bowie & Mick Jagger

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going Billy Ocean

Living Doll Cliff Richard & The Young Ones

The Chicken Song Spitting Image

Spirit In The Sky Dr & The Medics

I Want To Wake Up With You Boris Gardiner

Every Loser Wins Nick Berry

Everything I Own Boy George

Let It Be Ferry Aid

Anitina (The First Time I See She Dance) M/A/R/R/S

Don't Turn Around Aswad

With A Little Help From My Friends Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg

She's Leaving Home Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey

Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You Glenn Medeiros

A Groovy Kind Of Love Phil Collins

The First Time Robin Beck

Ferry Cross The Mersey Scouse Aid

That's What I Like Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers

Let's Party Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers

 

  • Author
All that remains is to thank you all for voting and commenting!

Before this began I did think the most likely winner would be 'Like A Prayer', because it did win the #1s poll in the chart forum and 'Frozen' just won the 90s poll here, but not complaining because as noted above - I gave it 25 points, what an epic moment in Madonna's discography and totally worthy winner. It has actually got better and better for me over the years!

 

'Don't You Want Me' was my bronze medal and I approve of it achieving a silver medal here! Simple but effective story-telling with a dark edge and crazily addictive synths. Mad that it was released as late as single #4 with its hit potential, even crossing over to the States. I remember reading that Philip Oakey thought it was the weakest song on the album, though. *_*

 

Thanks so much for running this Gezza :wub: great timing for me after indulging in a lot of 80s music during lockdown.

Yay great for Madonna

I rate both Into the groove and Papa dont preach Higher

But Like a Prayer is a classic ans well deserved winner

 

Thanks x running this Gezza, gigantic task

I think it was the Eurovision 2019 interval act performance that slightly put me off Like A Prayer. It’s a long story but I was involved with the backing choir for it and it definitely wasn’t her finest moment. Still a great song and deserved winner really though.

 

Pleased that my 29 secured the runner up position for Don’t You Want Me; definitely up there with my favourite songs ever.

 

Thanks so much for doing this Gezza: it’s been like a little present to look forward to every day during the winter!

  • Author
I think it was the Eurovision 2019 interval act performance that slightly put me off Like A Prayer. It’s a long story but I was involved with the backing choir for it and it definitely wasn’t her finest moment. Still a great song and deserved winner really though.

 

Pleased that my 29 secured the runner up position for Don’t You Want Me; definitely up there with my favourite songs ever.

 

Thanks so much for doing this Gezza: it’s been like a little present to look forward to every day during the winter!

You're welcome- in fact it was your votes that pushed IAS from No 2 to No 4 and DYWM from 4 to 2 as yours was the final set of votes I got! :D

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