Whenever You Need Somebody's verses seem melodically very much influenced by Paul Hardcastle - Don't Waste My Time!

Well if that's true then it's the other way around- the original of WYNS charted in December 1985 and Paul Hardcastle was April 86 :D

Well if that's true then it's the other way around- the original of WYNS charted in December 1985 and Paul Hardcastle was April 86 :D

 

Indeed, I should have read what you wrote, didn't know WYNS was a cover. That explains why the verses don't sound very S/A/W.

Indeed, I should have read what you wrote, didn't know WYNS was a cover. That explains why the verses don't sound very S/A/W.

It is a S/A/W original. Brown did it first and they then gave it to Astley 2 years later who had a hit with it. :D

14TH NOVEMBER

 

 

The first UK chart topper was Al Martino in 1952, the 100th Anthony Newley in 1960, the 200th The Beatles in 1965, 300th Dawn in 1971, 400th Julie Covington in 1977, 500th Nicole in 1982, and now the UK has its 600th chart topper and right up until the death it was in doubt with Rick Astley leading early in the week but faded badly post TOTP (he was the only act in the top 4 not to get a push from the show) and in the end drops 3-4 (58,480)

 

The outgoing chart topper from the Bee Gees slides 1-3 (60,996) and only rallied at the end of the week to nearly make it five weeks at the top, it sales loss of 30% however proved fatal to it. It was both T’Pau and George Harrison who were the main gainers from TOTP both experiencing strong sales surges of 30% and 75% respectively to run each other neck and neck as they both overtook Astley and register 66,453 and 61,761 as they move 5-1 and 7-2 and so “China In Your Hand” is duly crowned as the 600th chart topper this week. For Harrison it was the curse of timing with his album “Cloud Nine” which detracted from his singles sales by debuting at No 10 this week far behind fellow Beatles member Paul McCartney whose greatest hits compilation “All The Best” arrives behind another act with a current top 5 single.

 

 

The rush to the top means there is no room for some former favourites, George Michael falls 2-5 (48,858) though he consoles himself as the album “Faith” debuts at No 1 this week, Bananarama dip 4-7 (39,950) and Fleetwood Mac ebb 6-9 (32,895).

 

 

Penned as a hit for the Supremes “Never Can Say Goodbye” was given to the Jackson 5 who scored a No 33 hit with it in 1971 but became a much bigger hit for Gloria Gaynor three years later when it was only denied the top spot by The Tymes. “Ms Grace” and now becomes a hit for The Communards who seem to have a knack of taking disco classics and remaking them for the 80s. Last year they scored the best selling single of the year with their version of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” but their second album “Red” (an indication of their political leanings) was released last week and made No 4 after lead track “Tomorrow” disappointed at No 23, but they’ve turned around the era with this single which rises 15-6 (40,715) in its second week.

 

 

 

Finally achieving one of his dreams, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has teamed up with Opera singer Montserrat Caballe to record a new album whilst he has some down time from his band duties. First fruits are “Barcelona” a song composed to be enter into the competition to be the official song for the Olympic Games which are to be held in the city in 1992, the decision in this respect will be taken next year, but the UK public seem to have decided already rewarding the song with a 12-8 (38,811).

 

 

 

“Dirty Dancing” has proved a hit in the cinemas over the past month and has started to generate hits, firstly in the form of Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley’s “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My life”, a song that started out life destined to be sung by Joe Esposito and Donna Summer but was turned down by the pair. Already a top 3 hit in the US it rockets 24-10 (29,495) here to become Warnes’ second top 10 single following 1983’s “Up Where We Belong” but the first hit ever for Medley though of course he has been at the No 1 spot in the 60s as one half of the Righteous Brothers.

 

 

 

1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (66,453)

2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (61,761)

3- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (60,996)

4- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (58,480)

5- FAITH- George Michael (48,858)

6- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (40,715)

7- LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE/ MR SLEAZE- Bananarama/ S/A/W (39,950)

8- BARCELONA- Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe (38,811)

9- LITTLE LIES- Fleetwood Mac (32,895)

10- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (29,495)

 

yay for T'Pau, and really surprised Rick Astley didn't progress further

 

from the newbies I really liked the Dirty Dancing song back then even though it's super cheesey

 

the Communards songs I hated, as I hated the band and Jimmi Sommerville's falsetto and them always having big hits with covers

 

despite being from Barcelona myself originally, I don't like the song that much, never been a Montserrat Caballé fan, personally or musically, and same fro Freddie Mercury...

Gezza do you know how much did Faith the album open with?

Gezza do you know how much did Faith the album open with?

112k

Quite underwhelmed by the start for Faith always thought it was absolutely massive like a 300k start!

Another excellent #1, the quality of #1s was great in late 1987.

 

Communards' 'Never Can Say Goodbye' is another great upbeat track. And personally I think the Communards influenced the sound of 1988's biggest hit!

 

despite being from Barcelona myself originally, I don't like the song that much, never been a Montserrat Caballé fan, personally or musically, and same fro Freddie Mercury...

 

You must prefer Stamina MC's Barcelona?!

Edited February 18, 20241 yr by TheSnake

Ed Sheeran has the best song about Barcelona

Said no one ever

 

112k does not seem a lot for Faith, compared to Jacko, U2 or Whitney

What a massive year for albums too

'(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life' is cheesy but a very good song and obviously a classic! I didn't know the film 'Dirty Dancing' was released this late in the 80s! IHTTOML does sound more late 80s than early 80s admittedly!

Edited February 18, 20241 yr by TheSnake

the soundtrack also had She's like the Wind, sung by Patrick Swayze (RIP)

a great ballad from the soundtrack

Ed Sheeran has the best song about Barcelona

Said no one ever

 

Agreed - that'd be Tori Amos - Toast

 

Oh yes that's true,

incidentally once I told Tori Amos at a meet'n'greet I was from Barcelona and requested Toast and she did play it at the concert <3

 

sorry for going off topic :D

the soundtrack also had She's like the Wind, sung by Patrick Swayze (RIP)

a great ballad from the soundtrack

 

Was it not a hit as well?

I didn't wanna spoil... not a hit by Dec 87, hopefully they release it as single in 88 :)

Fantastic top two. Didn't realise George Harrison was relatively close behind that week.

 

Great new addition from the Communards too.

21ST NOVEMBER

 

 

It hardly explodes at retail but “China In Your Hand” is Britain’s biggest seller for a second week shifting 96,322 (up 46% week on week) the reason for a relatively small increase may be found on the album charts where parent album “Bridge Of Spies” records a far healthier increase as it moves 4-1 to give them the chart double, the first time that’s happened since Whitney Houston pulled it off back in June this year.

 

 

Without TOTP exposure both of the other tracks in the top 3 struggle to keep up, George Harrison holds at No 2 (71,808 +17%) and Rick Astley bounces back up 4-3 (55,199) despite selling 20% less than when he was there a fortnight ago and therefore posed less a threat to T’pau this week than last week.

 

 

Despite selling more or less the same as last week The Communards advance 6-4 (44,608) just rising above our first new tune “My Baby Just Cares For Me” which moves 11-5 (39,372) for Nina Simone. The song was written for the film “Whoopie” back in 1930 with Simone’s version dating back to 1958, its current appearance in the chart is of course thanks to an advert for “Chanel No 5” currently showing on TV. It’s only Simone’s fifth charting single for the Blues legend, her previously high being 1968’s “Ain’t Got No- I Got Life” which peaked at No 2 but she’s already scored her biggest hit with her current single in 18 years.

 

 

 

Mirage are back with, well, more of the same really that gave them a hit with “Jack Mix II/III” earlier this year, a string of already successful 1987 tunes re-recorded by session singers and put into a medley. The single comes off the back of the No 42 hit “Serious Mix” which followed the same formula with a more “urban” feel, its failure to emulate its predecessor’s top 10 status may have thrown the outfit to the poppier hits of the day, it climbs 13-8 (33,116).

 

 

 

Whitney’s last single mysteriously missed the top 10 (“Didn’t We Almost Have It All” peaked at No 14) but that’s not dampened her spirit as it became her 5th consecutive US chart topper. A third single to be lifted from “Whitney” reverses the trend though, “So Emotional” flying 20-9 (31,552) to restore her to the top flight as it should coming from the pen of Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly who wrote “Alone” “Like A Virgin” and “True Colours”.

 

 

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes climb 10-6 (38,845) as they leap over the falling Bee Gees 3-7 (33,949) and Montserrat Caballe & Freddie Mercury reverse as quickly as they arrives 8-10 (31,382)

 

 

1- CHINA IN YOUR HAND- T’Pau (96,322)

2- GOT MY MIND SET ON YOU- George Harrison (71,808)

3- WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY- Rick Astley (55,199)

4- NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- The Communards (44,608)

5- MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME- Nina Simone (39,372)

6- (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE- Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (38,845)

7- YOU WIN AGAIN- Bee Gees (33,949)

8- JACK MIX IV- Mirage (33,116)

9- SO EMOTIONAL- Whitney Houston (31,552)

10- BARCELONA- Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe (31,382)

 

 

 

Christmas is just a month away which means that it is time to preview some of the favourites destined for the festive No 1 spot:

 

THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL- Michael Jackson

 

Third Jacko single from “Bad” already has a fantastic video doing the rounds and this looks like it could round off a perfect 1987 for him, the album is still shifting in its tens of thousands weekly.

 

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK- The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl

 

Bringing the Gaelic charm this year, 1987 may be the year of unlikely pairings and this is no different, MacColl sweetens the usual McGown sneer enough to warm the cockles of your heart on Christmas day.

 

LOVE LETTERS- Alison Moyet

 

With some help from French & Saunders this has enough novelty value to propel this stand alone Moyet track into the contenders and give her that illusive No 1 single.

 

ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE- Mel Smith & Kim Wilde

 

For Comic Relief you can’t go wrong with a comedy record and this works surprisingly well together, odder records have pulled off the trick of getting to the top for the big day- Renee & Renato anyone?

 

WHEN I FALL IN LOVE- Rick Astley

 

Man of the moment Astley has recorded the Nat King Cole standard as a third release from his No 1 album, and with the best selling single of the year under his belt he’s certainly more than capable of getting the festive No 1 and is currently the favourite with the bookies.

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR?- Shakin’ Stevens

 

Christmas chart topper of 1985 Shaky is always capable of drawing something out of the bag and this cover of the Emile Ford & The Checkmates track will doubtless be a hit with the office party lot

 

KING’S CROSS- Pet Shop Boys

 

After a triumphant return to the No 1 position with “It’s A Sin” the boys have scored a further two top 10 singles and this should make it four out of four for one of the year’ biggest acts. There can’t be many hits named after major London rail terminus stations?

 

THE LOOK OF LOVE- Madonna

 

With two No 1 singles this year Madonna has dominated the pop music scene again. She’s also been in the festive top 10 every year for the last 3 years but never in the top 3, could she do it this year with another cut from the “Who’s That Girl?” soundtrack.

 

ESP- Bee Gees

 

Follow up to the chart topping “You Win Again” this could prove a surprise hit with the Christmas punters.

My Baby Just Cares For Me is absolutely wonderful :wub:

'My Baby Just Cares For Me' is very good with its bouncy piano melody.

 

'So Emotional' is a good uptempo Whitney song.

 

The Mirage mixes are interesting, it kind of brings Chic's song Le Freak back to the top 10, in autumn 1987 Chic - Jack Le Freak peaked at #19. Also the keyboard riff from Spagna making an appearance, along with parts of Mel and Kim songs and Sinitta songs.

Edited February 19, 20241 yr by TheSnake