Erasure :wub:

 

I'm always surprised that Oh L'amour never managed to give them their first proper hit, but then there have been other instances in this thread where big hits have taken two or three attempts to actually make it so clearly not everything always worked without the stars aligning. Sometimes is a perfectly acceptable first big hit for them though, it's not top tier Erasure for me but it's still very good.

I never loved Sometimes but I have grown to like it a lot more than I did. The music is the star and not really the vocal melody. The genius of Vince Clarke is he could make a synth melody from almost nothing.

6TH DECEMBER

 

 

All change at the top of the charts as expected with Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” drops 1-2 with just 51,612 takers last week, it has now sold 414,970 though and should make the Y/E top 10 all told. It is replaced by the equally foreign sounding Europe, they’re the first Swedish act to hit the top since ABBA’s “Super Trouper” six years ago and they do so with a small increase of just a thousand more than last week when it was No 2 (53,210), if you want more Europe you can buy the album of the same title which is struggling having so far charted 50-37-35. That total is however the lowest tally for a No 1 in 30 weeks, since Falco in May to be exact, and the third lowest of the year so far.

 

 

 

 

Famed for his whistling abilities Roger Whittaker’s biggest single was 1975’s “The Last Farewell” which almost went all the way to the top though it proved his farewell to the charts, until now. Des O’Connor of course had a very lucrative chart career himself with 7 top 30 hits in three years including the No 1 track “I Pretend” before he gave up the charts in 1970 for an equally successful career in the TV. They’ve now teamed up to bring Christmas early to the charts with their cover of the traditional Scottish Folk song “The Skye Boat Song” which shoots 17-10 (25,551) this week, neither act was born in Scotland so the choice is perhaps a little odd but the UK public seem not to mind.

 

 

They’re the only new entrants to the top 10 this week as all the big names hold back for that charge to the top at Christmas which allows some nice rises within the top 10, benefiters are Erasure 7-3 (42,245), Bon Jovi 6-4 (34,629), Nick Kamen 8-5 (34,578) and Debbie Harry 9-8 (29,036). Making room for those rises are a brace of fallers, Swing Out Sister 5-6 (32,385), Kim Wilde 3-7 (31,263) and Mel & Kim 4-9 (26,979). This week sees the release of some big Christmas contenders including Madonna!

 

1- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (53,210)

2- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY- Berlin (51,612)

3- SOMETIMES- Erasure (42,245)

4- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (34,629)

5- EACH TIME YOU BREAK MY HEART- Nick Kamen (34,578)

6- BREAKOUT- Swing Out Sister (32,385)

7- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN ON- Kim Wilde (31,263)

8- FRENCH KISSIN IN THE USA- Debbie Harry (29,036)

9- SHOWING OUT (GET FRESH AT THE WEEKEND)- Mel & Kim (26,979)

10- THE SKYE BOAT SONG- Roger Whittaker & Des O’Connor (25,551)

 

'The Skye Boat Song' I surprisingly know well, its like 'Mull Of Kintyre' part 2, 9 years on and at the same time of year.

oh surprised you guys don't love Sometimes so much, for me it's one of Erasure's best

13TH DECEMBER

 

 

Swedish rock still remains at the top of the charts and “The Final Countdown” put in a better show this week increasing sales by a modest 27% to 67,779 buyers interested enough to purchase the song, it was head to head with Erasure’s “Sometimes” early in the week but it fails to provide Vince Clarke with his first No 1 as performer, that track trailed in with 46,614 copies sold this week as it faded badly against Europe. He did of course score a chart topper as a writer when The Flying Pickets cover of Yazoo’s “Only You” became a Christmas smash, it seems that someone else was paying attention to their trick……

 

 

 

The Housemartins may be about to rain on the parade of Erasure as their acappella version of Isley-Jasper-Isley’s “Caravan Of Love” accelerates 23-3 (43,792) and is now the bookies favourite to take the crown for the big day. The group’s previous best performing song was “Happy Hour” which also made No 3 in June of this year but this single has the added bonus of not being available on their last album “London 0 Hull 4” and the band have confirmed that it will be a stand alone single. It’s quasi- religious theme seems to inject just enough festive spirit without being saccharine and is rewarded now by looking like a chart topper.

 

 

 

New Yorker Oran “Juice” Jones is the newest name in US R N B, his debut release “The Rain” has already hit No 9 in the US and is now big news over here as it climbs 12-4 (34,204) and were it not for the Housemartins, and that we’re fast approaching Christmas, then it may very well be in with a shot at the top next week. It’s tale of a cheating girlfriend might provide some relief for those not up for revelry this year around.

 

 

 

The new entries come thick and fast this week with Gregory Abbott who co-incidentally currently sits at No 9 stateside with “Shake You Down”. Part Venezuelan part antiguan Abbott grew up in the US and was once married to Freda Payne (she of “Band Of Gold” fame) but now he’s become a popstar at the grand old age of 32 after formerly being a university lecturer! The single has now outstripped its US performance as it leaps 15-6 (33,439)

 

 

 

Originally called “Follow Your Heart” and written with Cyndi Lauper in mind, the song which enters the chart at No 8 this week was snapped up by team Madonna for her current album. Lyrics changed by the woman herself it morphed into “Open Your Heart” and sold 26,928 copies last week to become her 13th top 10 single and the fourth to be lifted from “True Blue”. That album has never left the top 10 since release 23 weeks ago and has now sold just over 900,000 and stands an outside chance of overtaking Dire Straits’ “Brothers In Arms” as the year’s best seller. The video is predictably memorable and is a kind of homage to Marlene Dietrich/ Liza Minelli and Rita Heyworth among others proposed, it was initially intended to be directed by Sean Penn but Jean Baptiste Mondino got the final honours.

 

 

 

Here’s a record that has struggled more than most thought, the Communards last single “Don’t Leave Me This Way” is the best seller of the year, a title it looks like it will keep now, and much was expected of the follow up “So Cold The Night” which finally makes the top 10 shifting 14-10 (25,262).

 

 

Three fallers to cover briefly in between the melee of new entries, Berlin accede 2-5 (33,490), Bon Jovi finally surrender 4-7 (32,283) and Nick Kamen is asked to leave 5-9 (266,809).

 

 

1- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (67,779)

2- SOMETIMES- Erasure (46,614)

3- CARAVAN OF LOVE- The Housemartins (43,792)

4- THE RAIN (SHORT VERSION)- Oran “Juice” Jones (34,204)

5- TAKE MY BREATH AWAY- Berlin (33,490)

6- SHAKE YOU DOWN- Gregory Abbott (33,439)

7- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (32,283)

8- OPEN YOUR HEART (REMIX)- Madonna (26,928)

9- EACH TIME YOU BREAK MY HEART- Nick Kamen (26,809)

10- SO COLD THE NIGHT- The Communards (25,262)

 

'Open Your Heart' truly is god-tier Madonna :wub: :wub:

Agreed!

 

I never used to like it for some reason - I didn't actually know it before buying the Immaculate Collection but it was one of the ones I'd sometimes skip... god knows why though, it's top 10 of hers for me now and the best song from the album

Catching up on the past week of posts - 'Take My Breath Away' and 'Sometimes' are my ultimate highlights here for sure :wub: finally ticked off watching Top Gun last year :kink:

Of the two big acapella 80s hits I prefer 'Caravan of Love' to 'Only You' as a song.

 

'So Cold The Night' is not as dancey as Don't Leave Me This Way' but its a great seasonal themed song sounds like its from a musical or opera too with the falsetto vocal.

 

'Open Your Heart' is quite good but not one of my favourite 80s Madonna hits. Its chorus melody reminds me a bit of Maria Vidal - Body Rock (#11 hit in September 1985) but I don't think the Madonna song is as cheesy as it!

 

'The Rain' is a good track.

 

'Shake You Down' reminds me of 'Cherish' by Kool and Gang and like it, its a bit boring and dated in my opinion.

Edited December 4, 20231 yr by TheSnake

Love Caravan of Love!

Caravan of Love is great, bit a copycat of what Flying Pickets did but it worked again, anyway Housemartins was a great band with lots of great singles

 

Shake you Down and The Rain are also great r'n'b/soul records

 

and of course Open Your Heart is just fantastic, True Blue really was infested with hit singles. Love it but still is probably my 4th fav from the album behind Live to tell, Papa and La Isla Bonita.

Bit late, but I echo the Open Your Heart love. One of my Madonna faves!

20TH DECEMBER

 

 

Well just when we thought the destiny of the Christmas No 1 was all set along comes an outsider. More of that in a moment but for now The Housemartins make their expected move 3-1 with the cover of “Caravan Of Love”. They were well out in front from the off attracting 78,115 buyers, a shoe in for next week? Well maybe not……

 

 

 

When BBC 2 show “Arena” showed a documentary on animators “Giblets” and the creation of a Claymation video to the Jackie Wilson track “Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In The Town)” little did anyone think that it would cause the media interest it did. Originally a No 6 hit in 1957 it remained his highest charting track of his lifetime (Wilson died in 1984) and now it becomes a hit all over again thanks to the video. A TOTP play plus the reshowing of the “Arena” show this week help the song 14-2 (68,085) meaning it outsold “Caravan Of Love” on the last three days of the week- next week is going to be exciting!

 

 

 

Arriving just in time is the new A-Ha single “Cry Wolf” a second single release from “Scoundrel Days” which frustratingly became the band’s second album to peak at No 2 (so far). It keeps intact their faultless top 10 rate as it glides 16-10 (24,293), it had been singled out as a potential contender for the Christmas No 1 but its performance thus far would seem to indicate it will fall well short, still they’ve had a great year with 5 top 10 singles!

 

 

Two climbers this week, Madonna rises 8-4 (50,677) and The Communards move 10-8 (27,166) but both don’t look like following their chart toppers with another. Fallers this week number Europe 1-3 (63,240), Erasure 2-5 (44,540), Oran “juice” Jones 4-6 (42,245), Gregory Abbott 6-7 (39,406) both despite a sales increase, and Bon Jovi 7-9 (26,996). Next week is the big one!

 

1- CARAVAN OF LOVE- The Housemartins (78,115)

2- REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)- Jackie Wilson (68,085)

3- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (63,240)

4- OPEN YOUR HEART (REMIX)- Madonna (50,677)

5- SOMETIMES- Erasure (44,540)

6- THE RAIN (SHORT VERSION)- Oran “Juice” Jones (42,245)

7- SHAKE YOU DOWN- Gregory Abbott (39,406)

8- SO COLD THE NIGHT- The Communards (27,166)

9- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (26,996)

10- CRY WOLF- A-Ha (24,293)

 

In true cliff hanger style- the Christmas chart will be posted on Thursday!

I think 'Cry Wolf' might be my favourite from A-Ha, I've been playing it so regularly for about 15 years that it's such a prominent fixture in my life and it never gets old.

not a fan of Reet petite, hope its Caravan

A-ha were a bit unlucky in albums with so many #2s, Cry Wolf is another great single from them

27TH DECEMBER

 

 

In a situation that few foresaw as recently as last month Jackie Wilson storms to the top of the charts just in time to rob the Housemartins of the Christmas No 1 spot, in doing so he creates a bit of chart history, the longest wait from debut to get a chart topper, a total of 29 years in his case. “Reet petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town)” advances 2-1 with a whopping sales increase of 90% compare that to the Housemartins who still gain sales but a more modest 60% to 124,100 resulting in a 5,000 deficit to Wilson. Both tracks were the only two songs to break the 60,000 mark this week though the Christmas chart was about as far away from the big day as is possible which helps account for it, they were locked in a neck and neck battle for most of the week with bizarrely more of a boost for Jackie Wilson than the Housemartins post TOTP. "Reet Petite" sold an impressive 129,931 all told.

 

As a side note Go Discs issued a special "Housemartins Christmas Box" which contained their other singles for this year along with "Caravan" in a last minute attempt to keep the No 1 spot but the package overran the 25 minute rule for a single so sales were not added to the current hit, and instead the product debuts at No 84 on the album charts- should have checked the running time!

 

 

 

The only new song in the top 10 is from Alison Moyet who sneaks in just in time with “Is This Love?” the first release from her second album “Raindancing” which is out next month. It also means that she is top 10 simultaneously with former Yazoo partner Vince Clark, it’s a shame that Depeche Mode have nothing currently charting so we can complete the reunion. This track is co-written by Eurythmic Dave Stewart under the pseudonym Jean Guiot and is Moyet’s 4th top 10 hit as it moves 12-8 (31,280).

 

 

Europe hold at No 3 (57,154) with a gentle sales decrease as indeed does Madonna at No 4 (43,384), Erasure (5-5, 36,839) and Oran “Juice” Jones (6-6, 34,918). Improving in chart position and at retail are A-Ha who climb 10-7 (33,932) but must still be relatively disappointed with the performance so far given the hopes, Gregory Abbott falls 7-9 (30,634) and Bon Jovi also dip 9-10 (28,764) though they do at least get a sales boost. All in all a rather disappointing sales week for Christmas 1986 outside the top 2.

 

 

1- REET PETITE (SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)- Jackie Wilson (129,931)

2- CARAVAN OF LOVE- The Housemartins (124,100)

3- THE FINAL COUNTDOWN- Europe (57,154)

4- OPEN YOUR HEART (REMIX)- Madonna (43,384)

5- SOMETIMES- Erasure (36,839)

6- THE RAIN (SHORT VERSION)- Oran “Juice” Jones (34,918)

7- CRY WOLF- A-Ha (33,932)

8- IS THIS LOVE- Alison Moyet (31,280)

9- SHAKE YOU DOWN- Gregory Abbott (30,634)

10- LIVIN ON A PRAYER- Bon Jovi (28,764)

 

Oh wow, the Housemartins were much closer than I expected :o Great sales for them really. Can't grumble at Rest Petite though, it's a classic and I can remember the video as a kid

The hair on Alison and Europe is quite similar 🤣