15TH NOVEMBER

 

 

Berlin's grip on the top spot tightens this week as the track accelerated away to sales of 107,627. It appears that the “Top Gun” soundtrack moving 6-4 isn't detracting from sales! Nevertheless a huge congratulations to Kim Wilde who sprints 6-2 (44,217) to equal her biggest hit ever with “Kids In America” which got stuck behind Shakin’ Stevens, she must be pleased that whilst she now sits at No 2 Shaky’s new hit “Because I Love You” struggles 24-18 and is looking doubtful for the top 10.

 

 

In the end there was an almighty battle for the mid top 10 places with just a mere 5,000 copies separating No’s 5 and No 9, thus Nick Berry’s “Every Loser Wins” drops 2-7 (27,710) though he can count himself very unlucky, however it is clearly running out of steam quickly with a 61% sales loss so that whilst it moves 4-3 on the YTD with 635,528 copies sold it appears to pose little threat to The Communards at the top of that list despite being within 100,000 copies of “Don’t Leave Me This Way”.

 

 

The Bangles inch 4-3 (39,746) a few hundred copies ahead of Mel & Kim (8-4, 39,491) and Status Quo drop 3-6 (29,631) and in amongst all that activity rest Swing Out Sister with their debut hit “Breakout”. The trio hail from Manchester and this single is just the second release after debut release “Blue Mood” flopped here, the band’s name is taken from the 1945 film of the same name and was apparently the only thing all members of the band agreed on- agreed they hated at any rate! The song rises 17-5 (31,807) this week and must fancy it chances on top 2 next week. Their rise also means that for the first time in chart history all of the top 5 singles have lead female vocalists!

 

 

 

We’ve had some pretty underwhelming returns for previous big names so far in 1986 including Culture Club, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Human League, Duran Duran, and it looks like Spandau Ballet may be adding to the list. Their first single from their current album was “Fight For Ourselves” which failed to ignite at No 15 in August, now “Through The Barricades” stumbled into the charts at No 20 last week but does at least now race to No 8 (27,268) to score them a 10th top ten single, there’s some hope though as the band didn’t appear on TOTP last week meaning that their boost from the show will come this week. The album of the same title is released in a fortnight and is tipped to be one of the big festive sellers, on that subject we’ll take our traditional review of the runners and riders next week for the Christmas chart topper! Thematically Spandau take on the troubles in Northern Ireland.

 

 

 

Dolly Parton should be next up for us to discuss, Parton however turned down the opportunity to record “Don’t Give Up” with Peter Gabriel so it is that instead we have Gabriel in duet with Kate Bush on the track which moves 16-9 (26,163) this week. It is taken from Gabriel’s “So” album which is back in the top 20 for the first time since it dropped out in mid August and is Gabriel’s 3rd top 10 single and Bush’s 6th, and, though not featured on it, Kate Bush’s greatest hits album “The Whole Story” is out this week proving a bit of fortuitous promotion for her into the bargain. It isn’t the first time they’ve worked together with Bush proving an uncredited backing vocal on Gabriel’s “Games Without Frontiers” back in 1980.

 

 

Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard round us off dropping 5-10 (24,803).

 

1- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY- Berlin (107,627)

2- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (44,217)

3- WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN- The Bangles (39,746)

4- SHOWING OUT (GET FRESH AT THE WEEKEND)- Mel & Kim (39,491)

5- BREAKOUT- Swing Out Sister (31,807)

6- IN THE ARMY NOW- Status Quo (29,631)

7- EVERY LOSER WINS- Nick Berry (27,710)

8- THROUGH THE BARRICADES- Spandau Ballet (27,268)

9- DON’T GIVE UP- Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush (26,163)

10- ALL I ASK OF YOU- Sarah Brightman & Cliff Richard (24,803)

 

Breakout is so classy!

Duran Duran's 'Notorious' sounds like Peter Gabriels Sledgehammer in style.

 

'Breakout' is rather cheesy but an 80s classic.

 

'Through the Barricades' and 'Don't Give Up' are so melancholy, good songs too.

what a a top 5 <3 until now 1986 has been pretty underwhelming

but now I see why I had this perception of 86 being great

that has to be one of my fav top 5 ever, love all 5 songs, all are a 10/10 for me

 

Breakout is just fantastic, loved Swing Out Sister, what an incredible band with a perfect mix of jazz, soul and pop

 

and Don't Give Up is also great, never heard Dolly Parton was the expected partner, really cannot see it,

works perfect with Kate Bush

Breakout :wub:

things I never knew that I learned today, Breakout was a #6. US hit! that's impressive

 

our current top 3 were all US chart #1s (Berlin, Kim Wilde, Bangles)

22ND NOVEMBER

 

 

“Top Gun” soundtrack may dip 4-8 but “Take My Breath Away” stubbornly refuses to budge at the top registering its third week at No 1 though sales decline now to 84,286 but total sales of the Berlin track do however stand at 298,826 and should now stick around for Christmas enabling the half million mark to be within reach at least. Last week’s runner up Kim Wilde only just managed to beat off the competition you may recall, this week she holds the No 2 position on an improved sale of 56,780 and create a gap between herself and the third placed track which sold 51,884, that position this week going to an improving Mel & Kim who inch 4-3 but increasing enough to threaten Berlin yet.

 

 

 

We’ve got Berlin at No 1 and we currently have Europe at No 5 this week. The Swedish rock group are up to their third album already and have a big following in Japan, but they’ve struggled to make any impact here until “The Final Countdown” started to get some spins. The lyrics are apparently inspired by “Space Oddity” and this track became the band’s first Swedish No 1 in May this year when it was at the top for 6 weeks. It sold 41,786 copies last week.

 

 

 

Indeed Rock music has an excellent week this week, in addition to Europe we also have Bon Jovi arriving 11-7 (32,997) with “Livin’’ On A Prayer”. The band were formed in 1983 and though their first two albums did little commercially they acquired a strong fan base through touring, it laid the foundation for their third album “Slippery When Wet” which already gave them their first top 40 single in “You Give Love A Bad Name” which made No 14 in September this year. The album debuted at No 8 a few weeks later but repeaked at No 7 last week though it slips to No 10 now.

 

 

 

 

It’s taken 10 months for Red Box to follow up the No 3 hit “Lean On Me” but here it is, written by the duo in a response to their record label’s request to write a song to appeal to US radio it is called, appropriately enough “For America” and sneaks 13-10 (25,364) to give them a second top 10 smash.

 

 

Swing Out Sister continue to climb 5-4 (44,761) , ditto for Spandau Ballet who climb 8-6 (38,352) as they release their new album this week hoping to outdo fellow rivals Frankie Goes To Hollywood who made No 6 with “Liverpool” last month. The Bangles crash 3-8 (31,535) but Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush hold at No 9 (27,081) as Kate Bush’s solo GH set “The Whole Story” smashes in at No 3.

 

 

1- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY- Berlin (84,286)

2- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (56,780)

3- SHOWING OUT (GET FRESH AT THE WEEKEND)- Mel & Kim (51,884)

4- BREAKOUT- Swing Out Sister (44,761)

5- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (41,786)

6- THROUGH THE BARRICADES- Spandau Ballet (38,352)

7- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (32,997)

8- WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN- The Bangles (31,535)

9- DON’T GIVE UP- Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush (27,081)

10- FOR AMERICA- Red Box (25,364)

 

 

So what about that festive chart topper then? Well here’s our review with just 5 weeks left:

 

 

CRY WOLF- A-Ha

 

All five releases from the Norwegian heartthrobs have made the top 10 and new single “Cry Wolf” is expected to follow suit with the normal hi-tech video we’ve come to expect from them. This should be there or thereabouts for the boys.

 

 

OPEN YOUR HEART- Madonna

 

1986 has once again been a fantastic year for Madonna. Her last 2 singles have both hit No 1 and this track from “True Blue” is one of the favourites to be your festive chart topper, only sales of the album might stand in the way of this getting there.

 

CARAVAN OF LOVE- The Housemartins

 

Rapidly rising in the bookies eyes this is a cover of the Isley- Jasper-Isley release from last Christmas which made No 52. The Housemartins version is an a cappella version of the track as they attempt to pull a “Flying Pickets” surge to the summit.

 

 

SO COLD THE NIGHT- The Communards

 

Following up the biggest song of the year isn’t an easy feat and the Communards have chosen the Christmas market to do so! “So Cold The Night” is remixed from the album version and out this week.

 

IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet

 

Some say this is the dark horse in the race, Moyet reached No 2 with her last single and this is from her new album due next year- probably worth putting a few bob on this!

 

 

DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?/ LAST CHRISTMAS/ MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE- Band Aid/ Wham!/ Shakin’ Stevens- The usual hits are getting a re-airing if you fancy an outside bet but you have to wonder how much life is left in these. For those with an older memory Wizzard and Slade will also be available.

 

SANTA CLAUS IS ON THE DOLE- Spitting Image

 

Another follow up track to a No 1 single this is of course the new single from the ITV series and will come, I’m sure, with another rib tickling video, can it repeat the success of “The Chicken Song”?

 

DISTANT STAR- Anthony Hopkins

 

Early favourite for with the bookies this is cooling now, actor Anthony Hopkins takes the unusual step of committing his voice to vinyl, odd enough to perhaps soar past chart regulars?

 

O MY FATHER HAD A RABBIT- Ray Moore

 

Radio 2 DJ Ray Moore is backed here by fellow DJ’s Ken Bruce, Derik Jameson and Colin Berry in aid of “Children In Need”, the song is a reworking of a child’s nonsense poem, and the aim is the festive No 1 spot. Who’s to say it won’t make it.

 

Find out who triumphs next month.

Yeah with Bon Jovi and Europe stadium rock was popular at this time!

 

Warriors (of The Wasteland) by Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Land of Confusion by Genesis also making the top 20 at around this time too with a stadium rock/dancerock sound - I love both tracks.

the Europe song was everywhere at the time but find it rather cheesy

much prefer Bon Jovi, the Uk was kinda slow catching up with them, with You Give Love a Bad Name only making it to #15

Livin'on a Prayer is a great rock track

Wow 'The Final Countdown' and 'Livin' On A Prayer' both entering the top 10 in the same week - two of the most overplayed songs of all time but still both great imo.

Bon Jovi, Europe, Spandaue Ballet and my personal fav Gabriel & Bush - a fantastic end to 1986. Also have to say I live Notorious!

^haha we're 100% opposite, that's what I like the very very very least in that top 10 :D

Notorious is a classic!!

I don’t much like Notorious, but I’m interested in why Bjork thinks it was them running out of ideas? I think it’s quite different to their previous material and always assumed it was them trying a more US focused direction. Quality wise the DD singles definitely take a slump now until the 90s.

 

Out of the others, I really like Bon Jovi (easily their best song), Peter & Kate, Mel & Kim and Swing Out Sister…. Don’t mind Kim Wilde, Europe or Berlin but wouldn’t go out of my way to hear them.

I guess what I meant is drop in quality, rather than running out of ideas

but for me Duran Duran were a bit like Oasis, repeating the same song again and again and again only slightly worst each time

Edited December 2, 20231 yr by Bjork

'The Final Countdown' makes me cringe so much

29TH NOVEMBER

 

 

Berlin make it 4 weeks at the top but “Take My Breath Away” is now clinging on with its finger nails after it shifted a mere 64,532 copies last week (the lowest weekly tally for a no 1 since Wham! 21 weeks ago) and was being outsold by Europe by the time Saturday came round. In the end “The Final Countdown” sold 52,224 copies and seems certain to become the next UK chart topper next week failing a big surprise. In the meantime the song becomes the equal longest chart topper of 1986 along with Billy Ocean and The Communards.

 

 

 

Vince Clarke has helmed Depeche Mode, Yazoo and Assembly to the top 10 with relative ease, but he’s not had the immediate success with his current outfit Erasure a group comprising of himself and vocalist Andy Bell. The duo’s first three singles have all made the top 100 but “Who Needs Love (Like That)” remains their biggest hit peaking at the giddy heights of No 55 with parent album “Wonderland” only making No 71 and disappearing after 3 weeks. The group put all that behind them with the first single from a new album due next year, and “Sometimes” proves to be the hit they waited so long for, it moves 16-7 (34,986) to become the 6th Clarke penned top 10 single (seven if you count the Flying Pickets separately), his only real failure has now come from his single with Paul Quinn which peaked at No 99 and prompted his advertisement for a regular vocalist.

 

 

 

Plucked from relative obscurity by Ray Petri and placed on the cover of “The Face” magazine in 1984, Nick Kamen is better remembered for starting in that Levi 501 jeans advert from earlier this year which saw him stripped to his underpants in the laundrette. His first single “Each Time You Break My Heart” is written by Stephen Bray and a little unknown lady called Madonna who recorded it for her “True Blue” album but obviously didn’t like it enough for it to make the cut and so its passed on to Kamen though she does do backing vocals here, the song powers 12-8 (30,532) fuelled by rumours that Madonna is rather smitten by the young star, what would Sean say?

 

 

 

Debbie Harry’s first solo project “KooKoo” disappointed here in the UK despite being produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, it only yielded the No 32 hit “Backfired” before Harry returned to her Blondie duties. With the group splitting in late 1982 Harry released a couple of unsuccessful singles before striking on the right track in the form of “French Kissin In The USA” which notches 11-9 (28,254) this week, Harry’s second album “Rockbird” also debuts at No 31.

 

 

The rise of Europe spells bad news for the rest of the top 5 who slip a place to accommodate, Kim Wilde 2-3 (47,498), Mel & Kim 3-4 (43,078) and Swing Out Sister 4-5 (39,372) all tumble in position and at retail. Better news for Bon Jovi who still improve 7-6 (38,743) but Red Box can only hold art anchor position 10 (28,084).

 

1- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY- Berlin (64,532)

2- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (52,224)

3- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (47,498)

4- SHOWING OUT (GET FRESH AT THE WEEKEND)- Mel & Kim (43,078)

5- BREAKOUT- Swing Out Sister (39,372)

6- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (38,743)

7- SOMETIMES- Erasure (34,986)

8- EACH TIME YOU BREAK MY HEART- Nick Kamen (30,532)

9- FRENCH KISSIN IN THE USA- Debbie Harry (28,254)

10- FOR AMERICA- Red Box (28,084)

 

yes finally Erasure arriving, Sometimes is a classic, surprisingly their early material was pretty weak

I really like 'Sometimes', it is a very good chart debut for Erasure.

 

The Nick Kamen and Debbie Harry songs are quite good.

Absolutely adore 'Sometimes' :wub: