Change by Tears For Fears is the best of the new songs.

 

There was a question about Wham Rap on today's Popmaster.

Wham, bam, I am a man....

Change by Tears For Fears is the best of the new songs.

 

There was a question about Wham Rap on today's Popmaster.

These were my two exact same thoughts when reading today's batch as well :lol:

'Change' is a very good atmospheric song.

 

I forgot that Wham! started off as a hip hop influenced act, I guess to be edgy - parallels with East 17's debut in 1992.

 

'Up Where We Belong' is certainly one of the first quintessentially 80s sounding power ballads.

 

'Oh Diane' is a good song, very late 50s/early 60s influenced I think. It's rather unfairly forgotten about in Fleetwood Mac's discography.

Edited February 24, 20232 yr by TheSnake

19TH FEBRUARY

 

 

Never in with a shot of keeping the No 1 spot, Men At Work relinquish the top spot today with "Down Under" though they keep the best selling album for a fourth week. They sold a further 56,474 copies to bring their total to 519,095 making it easily the biggest selling of the year so far, yet they yield the No 1 single to new teen pin-ups Kajagoogoo thusly providing Nick Rhodes with a No 1 single before Duran Duran manage to get one, a quirk not looked over by the band themselves. "Too Shy" climbs 2-1 on a sale of 76,738, just up 5% in sales terms, the success is certainly not expected as the band have not even finished writing the album which the label are apparently pushing for.

 

 

 

The plight of the female groupie is explored in the new Michael Jackson single "Billie Jean" which announces its arrival 17-5 (46,716). It's the second single from the "Thriller" which has failed to set the charts alive peaking at No 15 on release, but with the current single (and an eye catching promo) it is rejuvenated climbing 11-5 this week to mark its first time in the top flight. It's Jackson's 11th top 10 single of his solo career and whilst some claim the tale is autobiographical Jackson insists it is just about groupies he has met over the years.

 

 

 

In the US it deposed Men At Work but it won't be doing the same here as Toto's "Africa" arrives too late to the top 10 jetting in 19-6 (46,716) this week as Men At Work drop from the top. It's the group's second hit single here after "Hold The Line" made No 14 back in 1979 from their debut self titled album, they're up to "Toto IV" now which is out in a fortnight.

 

 

Three other singles climb this week, firstly Tears For Fears sneak a place 5-4 (54,910) as do Wham! (9-8 31,875) and Fleetwood Mac 10-9 (31,773), the latter two loose sales, whilst Belle Stars hold at No 3 (56,321) after a hefty 15% sales dip but only 1,500 copies separated No 2 and No 4 and they could have ended up in any order, while Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker remain static at No 7 (44,064). Eddy Grant meanwhile dives 4-10 (28,356) halving its sales in a week- not promising!

 

 

 

1- TOO SHY- Kajagoogoo (76,738)

2- DOWN UNDER- Men At Work (56,474)

3- SIGN OF THE TIMES- Belle Stars (56,321)

4- CHANGE- Tears For Fears (54,910)

5- BILLIE JEAN- Michael Jackson (46,716)

6- AFRICA- Toto (46,580)

7- UP WHERE WE BELONG- Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (44,064)

8- WHAM RAP! (ENJOY WHAT YOU DO)- Wham! (31,875)

9- OH DIANE- Fleetwood Mac (31,773)

10- ELECTRIC AVENUE- Eddy Grant (28,356)

 

Oh wow, 'Billie Jean' :wub: an all-time classic song and music video that would break down barriers for other artists and establish MTV further. I think it's my favourite of his.

 

'Africa' of course an enduring smash too!

I had forgotten that the Thriller album took a few months before it started to sell in large amounts. The Girl Is Mine was the wrong choice for the lead single.

 

Africa is a classic.

I also had no idea 'Thriller' got off to such a slow start :o that's crazy in retrospect with how much of a titan it would go on to become.

 

'Africa' one of my favourite songs of all time :heart: (and 'Billie Jean' too tbh, a stacked week with both entering the top 10 for the first time!)

That's a really strong top 10 :o

 

Africa is probably the best one in there but Down Under, Billie Jean, Change and Electric Avenue are all also top tier stuff.

I like 'Africa' but it's one of those really perennially overplayed songs. Kind of like 'Livin' on a Prayer'

Africa is brilliant. One of the best songs of all time.

 

And Billie Jean arriving in the Top 10 at the same time!!

I like 'Africa' but it's one of those really perennially overplayed songs. Kind of like 'Livin' on a Prayer'

 

Indeed, I also prefer 'Hold The Line' from Toto.

Edited February 25, 20232 yr by TheSnake

26TH FEBRUARY

 

http://img.youtube.com/vi/Qjakoc8RGWw/0.jpg

 

Kajagoogoo are still at No 1 but the single is really struggling to accelerate clear of the field increasing sales by a mere 3% selling 78,472 copies last week, the track has now sold 322,677 still an unimpressive total for a No 1 single which is already in reverse sales wise, perhaps the notoriously fickle teenage girl market has had enough?

 

 

The band were under pressure from Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" which continues to impress 5-2 (69,666), its sales hike of 50% also suggests that he could be heading for No 1 given that that performance was in spite of no TOTP not because of it. Matters aren't quite so clear however given that Toto continue to chase Jackson as for a third week the two tracks are inseparable position wise as "Africa" moves 6-3 on a sales increase of 19% to 54,099- both should see some TOTP action this week so it's anyone's call. Tears For Fears sold 46,257 to hold at No 4 but they lose sales so pose no threat to the top 3.

 

 

Joining Culture Club and Duran Duran in the US top 10 this week (in something amounting to the famed second British Invasion) Musical Youth are back in the UK top 10 too thanks to "Never Gonna Give You Up" which heads 16-8 (33,439). Their follow up to the chart topping "Pass The Dutchie" was of course "Youth Of Today" which disappointed at No 13 at the end of last year but they seem to have their chart fortunes back on the right course.

 

 

 

The best selling band of the decade are back with their 13th top 10 smash from 15 releases, yes you can't hold back Madness. Double A-Side "Tomorrow's Just Another Day/ Madness Is All In The Mind" flies 24-9 (32,368), a second top 10 single from the album "Rise & Fall", additional sales have come from a 12" version which features a certain Elvis Costello on vocals on "Madness"!

 

 

 

 

Elsewhere Jennifer Warnes and Joe Cocker spend a third week at No 7 (35,088) as they cool at retail, while three tracks head south, Belle Stars 3-5 (40,375), Men At Work 2-6 (36,414) and Wham! recede 8-10 (31,093)

 

 

 

1- TOO SHY- Kajagoogoo (78,472)

2- BILLIE JEAN- Michael Jackson (69,666)

3- AFRICA- Toto (54,099)

4- CHANGE- Tears For Fears (46,257)

5- SIGN OF THE TIMES- Belle Stars (40,375)

6- DOWN UNDER- Men At Work (36,414)

7- UP WHERE WE BELONG- Jennifer Warnes & Joe Cocker (35,088)

8- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Musical Youth (33,439)

9- TOMORROW’S JUST ANOTHER DAY/ MADNESS IS ALL IN THE MIND- Madness (32,368)

10- WHAM RAP! (ENJOY WHAT YOU DO)- Wham! (31,093)

 

5TH MARCH

 

 

Only last month Men At Work became the first act in 12 years to hold the No 1 spot on singles and album chart on both sides of the Atlantic simultaneously, we don't have to wait another 12 years for it to happen however as this week Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" ascends to the top spot on both sides of the pond whilst "Thriller" finally makes No 1 here to match its US peak. As one might expect with the album doing so well "Billie Jean" sells a modest but healthy 97,580 copies last week to become his second chart topper of the decade following 1981's "One Day In Your Life".

 

 

 

All isn't plain sailing for the forthcoming weeks for Jackson however thanks to Bonnie Tyler who rockets 14-2 (89,352) this week with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart", once you listen to it you'll be immediately aware that it is written by Meat Loaf's usual accomplice Jim Steinman. Tyler's biggest hit previously was 1977's "It's A Heartache" which bottomed out at No 4 so this is uncharted territory for her- next week it could even go further!

 

 

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Those with good memories may recall a group called the Tourists who had two top 10 hits back in 1980 with "So Good To Be Back Home Again" and a cover of "I Only Want To Be With You", the band dissolved later that year and two members Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox formed a new group, Eurythmics, who have taken a while to hit the big time (their first single "Never ever Gonna Cry" made No 63) but album 2 seems to be more promising. The first three singles from the album have all failed to make much impression though their last effort "Love Is A Stranger" did at least chart at No 54, but a fourth release "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" is the title track to the album and marks the big time for them as it rises 21-5 (46,478)

 

 

 

Formed back in 1977 and featuring a host of line up changes the Thompson Twins (named after characters in the Tin Tin cartoon strips) finally arrive with the onset on album No 3. The group are now a trio and only have one hit "Lies" (No 67) to their credit before 1983 arrived but this week they not only have the No 2 album "Quick Step & Sidekick" but also a top 10 single in "Love On Your Side" which stumbles 12-9 ( 31,790). The group have made a name for themselves in the US where they have now scored a couple of Billboard dance No 1 singles which is starting to convert into mainstream success- another British success story over there.

 

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGRyZNYI7ws/UrIiYKV6ekI/AAAAAAAAFKI/qyeLHMQwbVw/s1600/Fun%20Boy%20Three%20Fun_Boy_Three_1.jpg

 

Second album "Waiting" holds firm at No 14 this week, it's a bit of a surprise given that the first single lifted from it "The More I See (The Less I Believe)" bombed at No 68, but the Fun Boy Three seem to have pulled it back with a new hit "Tunnel Of Love" which gives them their third top 10 single in 18 months. The group are off to the US to tour this summer and promote the new album but here in the UK the single climbs 11-10 (31,229) can it go any further?

 

 

Two other climbers this week, Musical Youth rally 8-6 (40,868) whilst Madness inch 9-8 (35,887) but it's bad news all round for Kajagoogoo as they are bounced off No 1 to No 3 (73,423) and Toto feel the effects of their album debuting at No 4 as the single similarly moves 3-4 (60,484) but continue to expand in sales, and Tears For Fears are defeated and fall 4-7 (37,417) but their album is out in a fortnight!

 

 

 

1- BILLIE JEAN- Michael Jackson (97,580)

2- TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART- Bonnie Tyler (89,352)

3- TOO SHY- Kajagoogoo (73,423)

4- AFRICA- Toto (60,484)

5- SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS)- Eurythmics (46,478)

6- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Musical Youth (40,868)

7- CHANGE- Tears For Fears (37,417)

8- TOMORROW’S JUST ANOTHER DAY/ MADNESS IS ALL IN THE MIND- Madness (35,887)

9- LOVE ON YOUR SIDE- Thompson Twins (31,790)

10- TUNNEL OF LOVE- Fun Boy Three (31,229)

 

'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' :wub: 1983 is not letting up with the classics so far!

What a Top 5 that is *.* only Too Shy is in the "quite good" bracket for me, the others are absolute classics.

All four of the new songs are good but Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Sweet Dreams stand out.

Total Eclipse of the Heart and Sweet Dreams in the Top 10 on the same week and the introduction of Thompson Twins. Great stuff.

 

I didn't know Billie Jean made No.1

I didn't know there was an extended version of Total Eclipse... that video is spooky. When the kid in the white gown and lit-up eyes starts flying towards her...

'Sweet Dreams' is another one of those perennially overplayed songs I'd be glad to never hear again.

12TH MARCH

 

 

No-one really doubted that Michael Jackson would keep the No 1 spot but the charts throw up a genuine surprise today as his reign at the top is restricted to just a week, the first one week chart topper since Charlene back last June. Jackson was behind Bonnie Tyler from the off though a late surge saw him sell 109,922 copies as the total for "Billie Jean" rises to 367,761, that's a 13% sales increase week on week. All of which wasn't enough to outpace Tyler who had built up a considerable lead with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" but ended up just 11,237 ahead on 121,159 and is writer Jim Steinman's first UK No 1 single as well as Tyler's, it's also the first chart topper by a Welsh artist since Shakin Stevens topped the charts just over a year ago.

 

 

 

A No 6 hit in 1974 for the Hues Corporation "Rock The Boat" makes its return to the top 10 this week as a cover by Forrest M Thomas Jnr or Forrest as he's known professionally. The song rises 12-4 (46,597) and in only its third week on the survey outperforms the original though of course Forrest is by birth American and he will have a much higher benchmark to match in his homeland where the Hues Corporation topped the charts.

 

 

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The debut Bananarama album arrives this week "Deep Sea Skiving" and contains all their singles minus the Fun Boy Three collaboration "It Ain't What You Do" and should be a big seller. It also contains their cover of Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" (which like the already discussed "Rock The Boat") was a US chart topper but a No 9 hit here, and like Forrest, now becomes a bigger hit in a cover by the girl group, it's also a marked improvement on the girls last single "Cheers Then" which got lost in the Christmas rush and finished at No 45 becoming their first single since their debut release to fail to make the top 10.

 

 

 

The Eurythmics continue to threaten as they rise 5-3 (94,197) meaning that the top 3 threshold is the highest for the year so far as a testament to their strength, Madness hold at No 8 (30,175) and Thompson Twins are locked one place below at No 9 (28,305). On the way out are Toto (4-5 42,075) Kajagoogoo (3-6 36,227) and Musical Youth 6-10 (26,197)

 

 

 

1- TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART- Bonnie Tyler (121,159)

2- BILLIE JEAN- Michael Jackson (109,922)

3- SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS)- Eurythmics (94,197)

4- ROCK THE BOAT- Forrest (46,597)

5- AFRICA- Toto (42,075)

6- TOO SHY- Kajagoogoo (36,227)

7- NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE- Bananarama (33,966)

8- TOMORROW’S JUST ANOTHER DAY/ MADNESS IS ALL IN THE MIND- Madness (30,175)

9- LOVE ON YOUR SIDE- Thompson Twins (28,305)

10- NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP- Musical Youth (26,197)