Nothing of note in that top 10 :(

That's a pretty dire top 10 really. Only Peter Gabriel, Level 42 and Robert Palmer saving it

 

And Jaki Graham! Set Me Free is a very good upbeat Whitney-esque bop!

 

Holding Back the Years is a classic for me too!

 

I prefer their version of 'Money's Too Tight To Mention' (#13, July 1985) as it sounds quite a bit like piano house ahead of time!

Edited November 5, 20231 yr by TheSnake

'Sledgehammer', 'Holding Back The Years' & 'Addicted To Love' are all great from that top 10. The guy in the video for 'Spirit In The Sky' is pretty creepy looking to me lol!

would never ever understand the appeal of Mick Hucknall/Simply Red :/

 

Addicted to Love is great, crazy how he was so much popular in the US

7TH JUNE

 

 

Unsurprisingly, given its lead last week, Spitting Image were never in the running for a fourth week at No 1 with Simply Red and Dr & The Medics neck and neck for most of the week, TOTP again played the deciding hand in deciding where the No 1 position ended up going. Dr & The Medics ended up surging 3-1 (58,276) some 9,000 clear of Simply Red (49,929) and Spitting Image finishing third on 45,050, “Spirit In The Sky” has now topped the charts in two different versions and follows hot on the heels of “Living Doll” in that respect, it is in fact the 10th song to top the charts in two different versions.

 

 

 

Last week saw the first “Sport Aid” which was another charity event organised by Bob Geldof in part and it naturally comes with a charity single to support it, this time it’s Tears For Fears who have re-recorded their 1985 No 2 single “Everybody Wants to Rule The World” as “Everybody Wants To Run The World” and it becomes their 6th top 10 single flying 13-5 (40,018), one has to suspect that with the event over now the single has run its course (no pun intended).

 

 

 

Husband and Wife team Nu Shooz arrive 21-10 (22,015) with their track “I Can’t Wait” which currently stands at No 4 stateside, it was originally released in 1985 but without attracting a national label to distribute it the single failed to become a hit. A copy of the track made its way to Holland where it was remixed by Peter Slaghuis and found its way back to the US where the song finally secured a contract for the duo and the song became the hit it is, the twelve inch incidentally features a sample from Madonna’s “Into The Groove”, Madonna also currently resides at No 1 in the US becoming one of the songs to block Nu Shooz’s ascent.

 

 

Performing well this week include Peter Gabriel spending a third week at No 4 (43,741), Robert Palmer improving 10-8 (27,404) and Jaki Graham holding at No 9 (25,387), not doing so well are Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald who bomb 2-6 (35,615) and Level 42 who slide 5-7 (33,762).

 

 

1- SPIRIT IN THE SKY- Dr & The Medics (58,276)

2- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (49,929)

3- THE CHICKEN SONG- Spitting Image (45,050)

4- SLEDGEHAMMER- Peter Gabriel (43,741)

5- EVERYBODY WANTS TO RUN THE WORLD- Tears For Fears (40,018)

6- ON MY OWN- Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald (35,615)

7- LESSONS IN LOVE- Level 42 (33,762)

8- ADDICTED TO LOVE- Robert Palmer (27,404)

9- SET ME FREE- Jaki Graham (25,381)

10- I CAN’T WAIT- Nu Shooz (22,015)

 

Nu Shooz is a classic sample these days great pop song.

 

Always thought ‘Addicted to Love was a huge top 3 hit but only rising slowly! It still has time I guess.

Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait - the second best music video of 1986 after Sledgehammer!

 

 

Interesting how most dance music aimed at the clubs at this time was still relatively slow paced with this and Jaki Graham, hi-NRG hits weren't that frequent.

Edited November 6, 20231 yr by TheSnake

And yet a lot more dancefloor friendly than the 1985 original

 

14TH JUNE

 

 

An easy second week at the top for “Spirit In The Sky” as it accelerated away from the field to a sale of 81,923, a result they must be happy with. Simply Red's “Holding Back The Years” improved at retail to 59,313 as it is once again runner up but it looks like its chance of making No 1 has passed. To compound that, their album “Picture Book” is top 3 at the moment and detracting sales whilst those wanting “Spirit In The Sky” had to buy the single. The medics do release their album this week but that may be a week too late to help the reds.

 

 

The remainder of the top 5 are too far away to pose a threat, Nu Shooz zoom 10-3 (36,312) whilst “Sledgehammer” holds at No 4 for a fourth week on 34,748 and Gabriel also loses the top slot on the album charts to Queen, and Robert Palmer climbs 8-5 (28,730).

 

 

New hits this week, and first up, are The Real Thing who were back in the top 10 earlier this year with the “Decade Remix” of “You To Me Are Everything” and now prove that they more firepower in their catalogue with a similar overhaul of the follow up to that single “Can’t Get By Without You”. The original peaked at No 2 behind Abba’s “Dancing Queen” in 1976 and the remix now follows suit rising 11-6 (25,806), a new “best of” will be out next month which will contain further remixes of old hits to those interested.

 

 

 

Following up a No 1 single is never easy, especially when you’re singing in another language the chances of getting a second top 10 hit are somewhat slim, but Falco has done it, “Vienna Calling” sprints 19-10 (22,661) to slip into the bottom rung and comes in an “86 edit” as it was first issued last year and flopped. His album “Falco 3” also reaches a new peak moving 61-55 this week but can at least now boast a second hit to sell it.

 

 

Rounding us off Jaki Graham lifts 9-7 (25,092) whilst Tears For Fears dip 5-8 (24,123) and Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald drift 6-9 (24,089)

 

 

1- SPIRIT IN THE SKY- Dr & The Medics (81,923)

2- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (59,313)

3- I CAN’T WAIT- Nu Shooz (36,312)

4- SLEDGEHAMMER- Peter Gabriel (34,748)

5- ADDICTED TO LOVE- Robert Palmer (28,730)

6- I CAN’T GET BY WITHOUT YOU- The Real Thing (25,806)

7- SET ME FREE- Jaki Graham (25,092)

8- EVERYBODY WANTS TO RUN THE WORLD- Tears For Fears (24,123)

9- ON MY OWN- Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald (24,089)

10- VIENNA CALLING (86 EDIT)- Falco (22,661)

 

I think I definitely prefer 'Vienna Calling' to 'Rock Me Amadeus'! Very good song!

 

Listened to 'Set Me Free' a few more times, it is a more lively dancefloor song than 'I Can't Wait' and definitely unfairly forgotten.

Edited November 7, 20231 yr by TheSnake

I listened to Set Me Free after your last comment Snake but I'm afraid I still wasn't too fond :(

 

 

I'd never heard the original of I Can't Wait before Gezza, can definitely see why it wasn't a hit first time around - the remixed version basically added the hook which arguably is the main reason for its success - it's certainly the main part I like in the track anyway.

cannot recall Vienna Calling but I remember loving a song of Falco called Jeannie, think it's from the same era/album

but flopped in the UK sadly

21ST JUNE

 

 

It could have been a sensational week and a sensational end to a pop group who have dominated the charts for the last few years but it wasn’t to be in the end. Dr & The Medics hold the top slot for a third week but again their sales slacken to a mere 54,621 and were behind in initial flashes to a high new entry which we’ll discuss shortly, it may very well have been TOTP that salvaged success for “Spirit In The Sky”, the group’s album arrives at No 25 which must be better than they expected.

 

 

 

Now that new entry, what we’re witnessing this week is the death of a pop group, announced back in March it appears that George Michael decided to call time on Wham! after a phenomenal 4 years which saw the group score three UK & three US chart toppers plus a million seller here with “Last Christmas”. Media speculation over the contribution of Andrew Ridgeley has of course not helped but the group clearly took over Duran Duran as the nation’s biggest teen screams back in 1984 and surpassed the sales tally acquired by Culture Club, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet, they’re now the 3rd biggest act of the decade behind Shaky and Madness. A best of album follows next month coupled with a farewell concert in a few weeks and the final single “Edge Of Heaven” made early running for the No 1 position but settled in the end for runner up spot on 42,177, it features a piano guest spot from Elton John and they’ll certainly be hoping that they can bow out with a final chart topper.

 

 

 

A-ha pull a fourth single from their debut album “Hunting High And Low” and it’s the title track which is once again remixed by Alan Tarney for the single version and comes with the now obligatory special effects video which sees body morphing by Morten Harket. It became their most instant hit debuting at No 16 and now flies to No 5 (30,430), the album has remained top 20 all year and lies behind “Brothers In Arms” in the YTD list.

 

 

 

 

Now essentially a trio Amazulu have been threatening the top 10 for a while now after two top 20 hits last year, their last single “The Things The Lonely Do” missed out at No 43, not to worry they’re back on track with “Too Good To Be Forgotten”. Adding a bit to spice to the charts the tracks summer sound sees it rise 21-9 (22,542) as the girl’s debut album is scheduled for next month.

 

 

Nu Shooz hold at No 3 after being pushed down by the arrival of Wham! but still improved sales to 40,205 and with TOTP this week should increase again, with Falco remaining anchored to the bottom of the top 10 (21,284) they buck the trend of the rest of the fallers. Simply Red tumble 2-4 (38,879), Robert Palmer slips 5-6 (29,883), the disco is over for The Real Thing 6-7 (28,886) and Peter Gabriel finally surrenders 4-8 (23,953).

 

 

1- SPIRIT IN THE SKY- Dr & The Medics (54,621)

2- THE EDGE OF HEAVEN- Wham! (42,177)

3- I CAN’T WAIT- Nu Shooz (40,205)

4- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (38,879)

5- HUNTING HIGH AND LOW (REMIX)- A-Ha (30,430)

6- ADDICTED TO LOVE- Robert Palmer (29,883)

7- I CAN’T GET BY WITHOUT YOU- The Real Thing (28,866)

8- SLEDGEHAMMER- Peter Gabriel (23,953)

9- TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN- Amazulu (22,542)

10- VIENNA CALLING (86 EDIT)- Falco (21,284)

 

Ironic that title to the Amazulu track as that song is rather forgotten!

 

Edge of Heaven is very upbeat and good fun, just what is needed in a bit of an energy-lacking top 10!

 

'Hunting High and Low' is quite good.

Edge of Heaven and Hunting High and Low massively improving the top 10!

The best A-ha song ever, another incredible video too <3

I also love Hunting High and Low, easily my favourite in that chart :wub:

28TH JUNE

 

 

Equalling a record set by the Everly Brothers, Wham! score a fourth UK chart topper as a duo today, they’re unlikely to break it as you know this is the final Wham! release before the pair go their separate ways next month. The ascension of “The Edge Of Heaven” means that the group will be No 1 as they play their final concert on Saturday Evening at Wembley Stadium, the track itself sold 61,132 thanks in part to the issue of a gatefold sleeve version featuring four tracks which enticed fans to buy another copy, but with the only 7" version being the gatefold one it means the package becomes the first double pack to top the chart. They also become the fourth act in the 80s to score a quartet of chart toppers after The Jam, David Bowie and Shakin’ Stevens who now share the accolade of the most UK No 1 singles of the 80s.

 

 

 

 

Causing some stir in the indie press recently The Housemartins have been steadily improving in their chart fortunes, “Flag Day” failed to make the top 100, second single “Sheep” went to No 56 and now third single “Happy Hour” shoots 12-3 (43,809) and must fancy an outside chance at a smash and grab chart topper once the Wham! mourning subsides? The group’s debut album “London 0 Hull 4” is finally released this week and if it can overturn Genesis it will have done even better than indie giants The Smiths who debuted at No 2 last week behind Phil Collins and chums.

 

 

 

There’s a new heart throb on the scene as Smash Hits will tell you, the rather photogenic Paul Owen hails from Glasgow and has covered a 1982 b-side from Marshall Crenshaw “My Favourite Waste Of Time” which he’s polished down for a hit which floats 14-7 (32,776).

 

 

 

Like a phoenix from the flame Bucks Fizz have been through the ringer since we last saw them in the top 10 three years ago, the group scored 9 top 20 singles between winning Eurovision in 1981 and 1983 yet only 1 of their last 7 releases have achieved the same level of success. Over the course of the last 18 months the group were involved in a coach crash which almost cost the life of Mike Nolan, the departure of Jay Aston amidst revelations of her affair with their songwriter/ producer Andy Hill, the subsequent management law suit against Aston and her replacement with Shelly Preston, and finally the signing of new record contract with Polydor. Somehow in between all of that they managed to make a new record “New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)” which has won applause from critics as their most sophisticated work to date and this week it becomes their first top 10 single in three years as it flies 11-8 (32,708), it was first recorded by a group called Force 8 (an assumed name by The Dooleys) last year but flopped when released though it should be noted that the fizz version is significantly different. Bucks Fizz have only climbed higher than No 8 on three occasions- and in all of those they went to No 1- watch this space.

 

 

Nu Shooz inch 3-2 (49,606) and Amazulu also head north 9-5 (40,171), not so good for Dr & The Medics who lose their grip on the top spot and dive 1-4 (43,112), A-ha fade 5-6 (37,043), Simply Red age 4-9 (26,367) and Robert Palmer anchors 6-10 (23,375)

 

 

 

1- THE EDGE OF HEAVEN- Wham! (61,132)

2- I CAN’T WAIT- Nu Shooz (49,606)

3- HAPPY HOUR- The Housemartins (43,809)

4- SPIRIT IN THE SKY- Dr & The Medics (43,112)

5- TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN- Amazulu (40,171)

6- HUNTING HIGH AND LOW (REMIX)- A-Ha (37,043)

7- MY FAVOURITE WASTE OF TIME- Owen Paul (32,776)

8- NEW BEGINNING- Bucks Fizz (32,708)

9- HOLDING BACK THE YEARS- Simply Red (26,367)

10- ADDICTED TO LOVE- Robert Palmer (23,375)

 

Oh my! I remember hearing about 'My Favourite Waste of Time' on 'It'll be Alright On The Night' or some similar programme for an infamous live performance fail on TV show Pebble Mill! Apparently he was meant to mime to "My Favourite Waste of Time" but missed his cue due to a technician's mistake. Ironic that it turned to be a literal waste of time!

 

 

I like the song, its certainly an interesting love song lyrically!

 

Yep guitar indie is definitely undergoing a revival with the Housemartins track, a nice upbeat track.

Equalling a record set by the Everly Brothers, Wham! score a fourth UK chart topper as a duo today, they’re unlikely to break it as you know this is the final Wham! release before the pair go their separate ways next month.

If only they'd had an eternally popular seasonal song that in the right market could eventually give them that record-breaking 5th #1...