OK, I've always wondered what might have happened to the list of number ones if the records which actually got to number one had delayed release weeks or months. Getting on top of the pile is often to do with timing and what the actual opposition is in any given week. So, imagine if all the number ones had been delayed (but still existed) then these would have been the hits that got the kudos. Not necessarily all number 2's, cos sometimes the entire top4 is comprised of number one tracks, for example, and obviously the list of number ones could never have actually looked like this with delayed releases because Monster Hits would just have stopped some other records getting on top at a later date.

 

But if for one week and one week only the numbers ones in the top 10 had been delayed a suitable length of time, then these are the records that would have had a shining moment, and weeks on top are listed. starting with the first chart in 1960 that didn't use the NME charts:

 

1960

 

Delaware Perry Como 1

Theme From A Summer Place Percy Faith 2

Fall In Love With You Cliff Richard & The Shadows 2

Stuck On You Elvis Presley 1

Someone Else’s Baby Adam Faith 3

Cradle Of Love Johnny Preston 3

Handy Man Jimmy Jones 1

Mama/Robot Man Connie Francis 4

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Tommy Bruce 1

If She Should Come To You Anthony Newley 1

Because They’re Young Duane Eddy 2

A Mess Of Blues Elvis Presley 7

Nine Times Out Of Ten Cliff Richard & The Shadows 2

As Long As He Needs Me Shirley Bassey 6

Save The Last Dance For Me The Drifters 6

Strawberry Fair Anthony Newley 1

 

 

1961

 

Portrait Of My Love Matt Monroe 2

Pepe Duane Eddy 1

You’re Sixteen Johnny Burnette 3

Are You Sure? The Allisons 8

Lazy River Bobby Darin 1

Gee Whiz It’s You Cliff Richard & The Shadows 1

Don’t Treat Me Like A Child Helen Shapiro 1

More Than I Can Say Bobby Vee 1

The Frightened City The Shadows 4

But I Do Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry 1

Hello Mary Lou Ricky Nelson 3

A Girl Like You Cliff Richard & The Shadows 2

Halfway To Paradise Billy Fury 4

Romeo Petula Clark 2

Wild In The Country/Feel So Bad Elvis Presley 3

Jealousy Billy Fury 3

Wild Wind John Leyton 2

When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart Cliff Richard 1

Big Bad John Jimmy Dean 4

Take Good Care Of My Baby Bobby Vee 2

Midnight In Moscow Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen 2

 

So, unlucky Allisons who could reigned for 8 weeks, Billy Fury gets 2 chart-toppers instead of none, and is a more accurate reflection of his actual popularity at the time. Cliff and The Shads and Elvis get some more, assuming delayed releases for their actual number ones still got to number one and they didn't clash with themselves. And a few classic singles get some kudos too, notably Theme From A Summer Place, amongst some still-obscure tracks.

 

 

More to follow as and when....

This is a very good idea.