'Enjoy The Silence' is an all-time great. Considering how massive and well-known a song it is for them, I'm always surprised it wasn't bigger. Although I know they were never really massive hitters in the singles department.

At lest this time they went top 10, it's insane Personal Jesus only peaked at #13

3RD MARCH





Well it was a close run thing in the end but Beats International did just enough to hold Sinead O’Connor from the top, the two titles shifting 72,029 and 70,873 respectively. “Nothing Compares 2 U” has now sold 527,459 and should help propel her second album “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” to the top of the charts later this month. For Beats International it marks a notable achievement for Norman Cook who beats his former Housemartins bandmates to the top and for the writers of Dub Be Good To Me” (Jimmy Harris & Terry Lewis) it gives them revenge for being fired by Prince as they replace him at the top writer wise.

Michael Bolton continues to threaten the top 2 moving 5-3 (52,326) with Technotronic (3-4, 39,661) and Black Box 4-5 (39,525) moving down to make way for him. Depeche Mode can only hold at No 6 (34,340) just above the influx of new comers.




It was BRITS week and this year’s show was put together by Jonathan King who has also pioneered the idea of putting out this megamix of tracks to showcase the dance music of 1989 (and 1988 for that matter) and to publicise the ceremony itself. “BRITS 1990” is officially credited to Various Artists, itself an unusual step in this day and age, was performed on the night itself and debuts now at No 7 after selling 24,276 copies.

The Stone Roses have rapidly become both NME darlings and flavour of the month in the music press which of course means that their back catalogue is primed for re-issue in wake of their breakthrough “Fools Gold/ What The World Is Waiting For” which made the top 10 late last year. “Sally Cinnamon” has already made No 46 and now a No 146 hit from 1988 “Elephant Stone” gets a re-issue and crashes straight into the top 10 at No 8 (24,072). The single was originally produced by New Order member Peter Hook but has subsequently been reworked for the debut album, an album which sold a little over 100,000 and only peaked at No 19 despite all the admiration!

Released on the small infinity label in 1989 “Infinity” failed to chart for US musician Guru Josh though it attracted a following in dance clubs causing it to be picked up by BMG and get a full issue in 1990 with the suffix “1990 Time For The Guru”. It seems that’s what we needed and the song flies 27-9 (22,049) to finally become a top 10 single.

Also seeing a BRITS boost is Rod Stewart whose “Downtown Train” pulls in at No 10 (21,165) to become his first transatlantic top 10 single since 1978’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy”. The song was originally by Tom Waits and appeared on his 1985 album “Rain Dogs” but did nothing when issued as a single, it’s now in much safer hands with Rod Stewart who scores his 19th top 10 single but his first in 4 years.

1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (72,029)
2- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (70,873)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (52,326)
4- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (39,661)
5- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (39,525)
6- ENJOY THE SILENCE- Depeche Mode (34,340)
7- THE BRITS 1990 MEDLEY- Various (24,276)
8- ELEPHANT STONE- The Stone Roses (24,072)
9- INFINITY (1990 TIME FOR THE GURU)- Guru Josh (22,049)
10- DOWNTOWN TRAIN- Rod Stewart (21,165)

'Elephant Stone' is great, I think I've given it more plays than 'Fools Gold' over time and it still sounds fresh. I bought those two singles and 'Sally Cinnamon' in a 3 for £10 deal in 1997 and thought I'd got a bargain, as none of them were on the copy of their debut I got the same year.

Enjoy The Silence was topping my charts when I went on my first Florida holiday and I bought the CD single and maxi-cd-single of Personal jesus from Peaches record store (RIP) on Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, one of my regular holiday haunts. Two classics there, Depeche peaking at their absolute best. Michael Bolton, OTOH, was always a bit of a foghorn singer, though he bunged out the odd good song, subtlety was not on his palette and this one just annoyed me. It was all over Florida pop radio. He got points for saying David Cassidy was an under-rated singer in an interview though, I always thought so too. A few years back Michael appeared at Upton Country Park, just 5 mins walk from me, and I had a dream about him singing along the coast to keep shipping from getting stuck on rocks....😇

love Elephant Stone, but it was a one-off single, it's not on their debut. I was a big Stone Roses since day 1 and bought the album in 89. I was already a bit bored of the album and singles by 90 when most people were catching up and they re-released all their early singles.

too bad Enjoy the Silence didn't move higher, for some reason I thought it had peaked at #4. In perspective, this should have been up there fighting for #1, not outside the top 5.

the rest of newbies I don't mind but not crazy about them. Downtown train is less annoying than most Rod Stewart covers. The Guru song I never got it, but never got dance music as a kid in general.

I'll never not get Michael Bolton and Michael Ball mixed up with each other!

10TH MARCH

After last week’s splurge of new entries it’s a quieter affair this week with “Dub Be Good To Me” holding firm at the top on an increased sale of 84,133. It opens up a commanding lead over the rest of the field and though the “BRITS 1990” medley charges 7-2 it only sold 57,307 and is well off the pace required, it does however nip past a static Michael Bolton who holds at No 3 despite playing second fiddle for most of the week, he sold 55,301. Former Chart topper “Nothing Compares 2 U” completes the list of the top 4 for this week as it falls 2-4 (48,161) and should go Platinum this week when it could also become the biggest selling Prince cover into the bargain as it overtakes Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You”.

The only new entry in the top 10 is the 22-8 (27,353) climber from JT & The Big Family. The project is the brain child of DJ Christian Hornbostal and the track “Moments In Soul” samples a range of tracks from Soul II Soul and Milli Vanilli to the O’Jays with a large slice of Art Of Noise’s “Moments In Love” to form its backbone.

Guru Josh rises 9-5 (30,413) which means that Depeche Mode spend a third week at No 6 (29,529) though they are starting to fade now, Black Box tumble 5-7 (29,087) and Stone Roses fall 8-10 (22,049) after that high debut last week. Technotronic dip 4-9 (26,945) but do see their debut album rise 3-2, that’s the 8th week on the trot it has climbed though once again Phil Collins bars entry to the top slot, “But Seriously” in charge for a 14th week out of its 15 on release.

Next week however sees the release of the 4th Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers single- can it arrive at No 1 and create chart history? We also get a new single from New Kids On The Block who will be chasing a third No 1 single- it’s all about to get very interesting- See you in 7 days.


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (84,133)
2- BRITS 1990 MEDLEY- Various (57,307)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (55,301)
4- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (48,161)
5- INFINITY (1990s: TIME FOR THE GURU)- Guru Josh (30,413)
6- ENJOY THE SILENCE- Depeche Mode (29,529)
7- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (29,087)
8- MOMENTS IN SOUL- JT & The Big Family (27,353)
9- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (26,945)
10- ELEPHANT STONE- The Stone Roses (22,049)

Kinda likedMoments in Soul

Silly comment but always found it funny Sinead appearing almost bald in her video in contrast with Bolton with his overblown hairdo 😝🥳

17TH MARCH





For those expecting the top 2 to be new entries, and there were a few, the charts look rather serene and calm at the moment with the entire top 3 not moving at all. That belies the fact that all three are now in retreat sales wise with “Dub Be Good To Me” at No 1 (Down 25%) at 62,968, Brits 1990 at No 2 (Down 25%) on 42,568, and Michael Bolton in third place (Down 32%) at 37,332. His album does arrive at No 8 however in mitigation.

Cook revealed this week that his original mix of "Dub Be Good To Me" actually features on the B-side to his 1989 #48 hit "For Spacious Lies" minus the vocals from Layton who contacted him proposing she sing over the beat. The title is "Invasion Of The Estate Agent" if you want to listen!

Onto the big news of the week then, that’s the new Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers single “That Sounds Good To Me” which uses the Blues Brothers “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” as its base before launching into a few more Rock N Roll classics from the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, and the Kalin Twins among others. It debuts at No 4 (35,751) and with everything above it collapsing sales wise we have to brace ourselves that this should climb to the top next week and create chart history, no act has seen their first 4 singles make No 1, and only three (including the bunny) have done it with their first 3 those being Gerry & The Pacemakers and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. They have already proved they can sell albums with their eponymous debut album peaking at No 2 and having sold 750,000 copies so far.

US new wave act The B-52’s have been going strong for over a decade garnering critical acclaim if not sales and chart positions with only “Rock Lobster” (No 37) and a re-recorded “Rock Lobster/ Claire” (No 12) being their sole top 40 entries. “Love Shack” therefore becomes their first top 10 single this week as it darts 12-6 (32,232) having peaked at No 3 Stateside at the end of last year, the shack in question is a cabin in Georgia where singer Cindy Wilson of the band lived in the 70s and where “Rock Lobster” was written in case you wondered.

After the surprise shock of “You Surround Me” (it only made No 15 last December becoming their lowest peaking single in 3 years) it seems that Erasure are back on form with an 8th top 10 single with “Blue Savannah” bolting 12-8 (30,209)

Commissioned for the Dutch film “De Kassiere” the track “Lily Was Here” was composed by Eurythmics Dave Stewart who invited Candy Dulfer to play saxophone on the track. The song got a release in the Netherlands and ended up spending 5 weeks at No 1 last December which prompted a UK release and here it is moving 17-10 (28,356) and thusly outperforming all Eurythmics singles for the last 4 years.

Guru Josh holds at No 5 (32,912) fending off the B-52’s and also a rising JT & The Big Family who climb 8-7 (30,498). Former chart topper “Nothing Compares 2 U” drops 4-9 (29,376) and has now passed the 600,000 mark.


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (62,968)
2- THE BRITS 1990- Various (42,568)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (37,332)
4- THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME- Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (35,751)
5- INFINITY- Guru Josh (32,912)
6- LOVE SHACK- The B-52’s (32,232)
7- MOMENTS IN SOUL- JT & The Big Family (30,498)
8- BLUE SAVANNAH- Erasure (30,209)
9- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (29,376)
10- LILY WAS HERE- David A Stewart Ft Candy Dulfer (28,356)

=

Jive Bunny legend

('Love Shack' and 'Blue Savannah' both entering the top 10 in the same week though *.*)

I find 'Love Shack' irritating if I'm honest, although that might be partly because I associate it with memories of my uncle singing it on karaoke!

for me also the B52s are borderline annoying

my fav track has to be Lily was here, love that instrumental and the combination with the sax

also love Blue Savannah, I actually find Wild to be a pretty poor album, with Blue Savannah the only great track

glad Jive Bunny didn't make it straight at #1 as I was fearing, #4 is a bit of a flop there :D

I wouldn't say entering at No 4 was a flop, after all "That's what I like" also debuted there before spending three weeks at No 1. The issue is that the songs it uses aren't generally as well known as the previous ones plus the video tries to make the track seem more contemporary where the appeal of their records must surely be nostalgic. In any eventuality with sales of the top 3 all declining it has a good chance of making No 1 though the b52's are also placed to hit the top

I know i know was joking but a 35k debut doesnt seem extraordinary considering they were going after that record

24TH MARCH

Beats International claim a fourth week at No 1 equalling the longest stint of the year with Sinead O’Connor, saleswise there isn’t much competition with the former selling a total of 382,619 to the latter’s 623,781. “Dub Be Good To Me” sold a miserly 44,982 copies last week in the end under 300 copies in front of the B52’s “Love Shack” which springs 6-2 (44,727) and must be on course for the top spot next week. The expected arrival of Jive Bunny at the top of charts failed to materialise with the track actually losing sales (34,782) though it held the No 4 spot being overtaken by Erasure’s “Blue Savannah” which leaps 8-3 (35,802), that’s Erasure’s third top 3 hit though they’ve yet to make No 1 (with 8 top 10 singles and no chart toppers that makes them the most successful duo never to get the gold), and for Jive Bunny it looks like the bubble may have burst and that fourth chart topper in a row won’t be happening. A further bit of history however for Sinead O'Connor who does indeed now have the biggest selling Prince penned hit in the UK, but also is the first Irish female to grab herself a No 1 album as she lands there this week.

New Kids On The Block could only debut at No 11 last week with “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” but it advances this week to No 5 (33,830) and could yet become their third chart topper enabling them to join Jive Bunny, FGTH, and Gerry & The Pacemakers in the record books. The song topped the US charts back in June last year so is already almost a year old but they can’t currently do anything wrong.

Already a hit on the Manchester rave scene Candy Flip’s take on the Beatles Classic “Strawberry Fields Forever” achieves national interest as it flies 18-6 (33,711). It features the famous “Funky Drummer” loop which continues to be the sample of choice at present.

David A Stewart and Candy Dulfer continue to move north 10-7 (28,339) but there are three fallers at the foot of the big 10, Michael Bolton tumbles 3-8 (27,982), Various Artists BRITS melody falls 2-9 (27,676) and Guru Josh proves his time is up dipping 5-10 (25,398).


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (44,982)
2- LOVE SHACK- The B-52’s (44,727)
3- BLUE SAVANNAH- Erasure (35,802)
4- THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME- Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (34,782)
5- I’LL BE LOVING YOU (FOREVER)- New Kids On The Block (33,830)
6- STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER- Candy Flip (33,711)
7- LILY WAS HERE- David A Stewart Ft Candy Dulfer (28,339)
8- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (27,982)
9- THE BRITS 1990- Various (27,676)
10- INFINITY- Guru Josh (25,398)

Interestingly in terms of pure sales, Erasure far closer to No 1 in this week than they ever were with either "Sometimes" or "Stop".

glad Sinead got a UK #1 album. Her debut deserved too. But albums are incredible.

also glad it ended for Jive Bunny, one of the worst things that happened to music...

along with NKOTB ballads, that one is diabolical

funny I mis-remembered this week so much, for some reason I thought Love Shack had climbed to #1 and Jive Bunny to #2

that Candy Flip cover I always liked

Oooooh so close there for the B-52s, I never knew that!

I wish that Love Shack had dethroned Dub Be Good To Me this week, at the time Love Shack was my favourite thing (and indeed became the first single I bought myself this coming week)