I am glad both KLF and Queen got their chance at #1.

Hippychick is a nice song, with an interesting performance on TOTP. It sounds quite British indie scene so a bit surprising it was a big US hit, probably because of the 60s psychadelic nostalgia in the song!

The EMF is song is very lively, a good mix of dance and indie.

Yay KLF, classic. Hippychick is a good track, doesnt get a lot of radio plays these days but throbs nicely and is fairly unique sounding. Rick Astley's, I appreciated the attempt, but I just found it dull. EMF's a proper banger but they were largely a one-hit-pony with soundalikes. The Simpsons were ground-breaking for that first decade, and timeless - as a TV phenomenon. Do The Bartman was Jacko having a laugh. Nice to know he even had a sense of humour - there was little evidence beyond that and his incognito star-turn in the show, supposedly, as someone who thinks he is Michael Jackson. Bartman got annoying after a short while.

9TH FEBRUARY

The KLF increase sales to 66,608, and they had to in order to retain the top spot from the fast climbing Simpsons who were chomping at their heels, “Do The Bartman” ending up just 5,000 copies behind “3AM Eternal” once the dust had settled. The two tracks are now way ahead of the rest of the field so much so that 2 In A Room continue to climb 4-3 (33,744) but are further away from the top than they were last week.

Climbing 14-4 (32,176) this week are duo Nomad which is Damon spelt backwards reflected one of the members Damon Rochefort along with Steve McCutcheon, they’ve enlisted Sharon D Clarke into the mix whom you might recall as the vocalist on FPI Project’s “Going Back To My Roots” last year, and Mc Mikee Freedom for “(I Wanna Give You) Devotion”. It’s already a sizeable dance hit and continues to provide evidence that 1991 is turning into the year that Dance becomes the predominate force in the singles chart.

Making an even bigger climb of 19-5 (30,128) are Praise, a trio whose new single “Only You” will already sound very familiar to most as it features in the current ad for Fiat Tempra being aired. Vocalist Miriam Stockley is a pretty busy backing vocalist having already featured on many top 10 singles produced by S/A/W including some chart toppers by Kylie and Jason, could she grab another for her band?

Speaking of Kylie she’s back with her 12th single and a 12th Top 10 hit “What Do I Have To Do”, it's another S/A/W written and produced composition and pounces 11-7 (26,672) which must come as a relieve to the ailing producers who have lost their deft touch of previous times. It was originally intended as the second single from “Rhythm Of Love” until bypassed by “Step Back In Time” but is certainly evidence that S/A/W are trying to adapt their sound to the changing market. The video features her little sister Dannii, who is already a popstar herself down under and will be hitting our shores shortly though you can already see her in “Home And Away” nightly, and model Zane O’Donell who is popularly rumoured to be her new boyfriend!

Pushed in the US as his first single “Play That Funky Music” was eventually flipped to its B-side “Ice Ice Baby” for Vanilla Ice and well the rest is now pop history. His cover of the Wild Cherry 1976 No 9 hit springs 17-10 (20,512) to prove those that thought he was a one hit wonder wrong. Curiously Ice’s version of the song doesn’t credit Robert Parissi as a writer and yet it’s a cover……a mystery rectified on its new release. The track is now a hit in the US in it's own right currently at No 4.

Last week’s new tracks all seem to struggle slightly, EMF move 9-6 (27,520) but Soho are stuck at No 8 (25,536) whilst Rick Astley surprisingly falls 7-9 (23,792) though he does increase at retail!


1- 3 AM ETERNAL- The KLF (66,608)
2- DO THE BARTMAN- The Simpsons (61,536)
3- WIGGLE IT- 2 In A Room (33,744)
4- (I WANNA GIVE YOU) DEVOTION- Nomad (32,176)
5- ONLY YOU- Praise (30,128)
6- I BELIEVE- E.M.F (27,520)
7- WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO- Kylie Minogue (26,672)
8- HIPPYCHICK- Soho (25,536)
9- CRY FOR HELP- Rick Astley (23,792)
10- PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC- Vanilla Ice (20,512)

Nomad is very good, some rave vibes with the synth bit and euphoric female vocal.

Praise - Only You definitely following the New Age trend popularised by Enigma.

The Kylie song is good enough but yes the S/A/W era was ending.

Edited October 22, 2025Oct 22 by TheSnake

3AM is an epic number 1!

Nice rise for Kylie too.

Nomad is a bop, still rate that one but not quite as much as Kylie's, SAW could do great stuff with Kylie during this period. Praise, Only You is lovely, and Vanilla Ice not a patch on the fabulous Wild Cherry original.

16TH FEBRUARY





Even the very cold weather conditions (which see an overall 23% reduction in sales this week) cannot dampen demand for The Simpsons single “Do The Bartman” which romps 2-1 and sells 50,256 in the process, a 17% decrease in sales. It’s the first instance of an animated act hitting the top since The Archies back in 1969. The KLF dip 1-2 (44,112) but “3 AM Eternal” has now sold 225,088 copies and is the best seller of the year thus far.

A US single for composer Brenda Russell (better known for her single “Piano In The Dark” over here) the song “Get Here” has been covered by Oleta Adams which has gained added significance given the events in the Middle East at present. Her version is co-produced by Tears For Fears member Roland Orzabal and is building up interest in the re-issue of her debut international album “Circle Of One” which only made No 49 last year, the single powers 15-7 (20,032)

It’s been almost 3 years since Aswad were last in the top 10 when “Don’t Turn Around” made it to the top, but lead vocalist Brinsley Forde performs the rap on Kim Appleby’s second solo single “G.L.A.D” which this week manoeuvres 21- 10 (14,352). The single is once again co-penned by former Bros guitarist Craig Logan but also features the penmanship of her late sister Mel though that doesn’t seem to be salvaging the album which sinks to a new low of No 65 this week.

Nomad rise 4-3 (29,328) this week and carry Praise with them 5-4 (25,120) as both move above the falling 2 In A Room 3-5 (24,880). Kylie seems to be struggling with “What Do I Have To Do” inching 7-6 (20,048) but it loses sales and could be her first single to miss the top 5, meanwhile EMF retire 6-8 (18,240) and Soho lose ground 8-9 (16,016).


1- DO THE BARTMAN- The Simpsons (50,256)
2- 3 AM ETERNAL- The KLF (44,112)
3- (I WANNA GIVE YOU) DEVOTION- Nomad (29,328)
4- ONLY YOU- Praise (25,120)
5- WIGGLE IT- 2 In A Room (24,880)
6- WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO- Kylie Minogue (20,048)
7- GET HERE- Oleta Adams (20,032)
8- I BELIEVE- EMF (18,240)
9- HIPPYCHICK- Soho (16,016)
10- G.L.A.D- Kim Appleby (14,352)

G L A D definetely influenced by F L M!

The Oleta Adams ballad is serious but good.

Edited October 23, 2025Oct 23 by TheSnake

A good Kim single there, a shame her solo career petered out, and I preferred both Brenda Russell's Piano In The Dark, and Oleta's Tears For Fears duet Woman In Chains to Get Here.

23RD FEBRUARY





No doubt this week who was going to be the country’s No 1, The Simpsons were out in front from the off and created a 1991 record sale of 79,072, a whole 37,000 clear of Nomad who do progress 3-2 (41,344) but are way too far behind to pose anything approaching a challenge.

Here’s a convoluted story, The Source were originally an amalgamation of writers (Anthony B. Stephens, Arnecia Michelle Harris and John Bellamy) who composed the song “You Got The Love” in 1986 and got Candi Staton to record the track. Three years later London DJ Eren mixed the track with the Jamie Principle dance track “Your Love” and the record was put out commercially by another DJ, John Truelove. Truelove then adopted the name The Source and the current version of “You Got The Love” was born, the song moves 12-8 (23,408) to become Staton’s third top 10 single and first in 14 years.

808 State’s new album “Ex:El” can now boast two top ten singles with “In Yer Face” moving 16-9 (22,896) this week. A strike rate of four top tenners in just 18 months is enviable and a good answer to critics of faceless dance acts that can’t form a career albeit that the song is in part a remix of their first hit “Pacific”.

The KLF drop 2-3 (38,224) outstripping a climbing Oleta Adams 7-4 (28,944) with three fallers immediately beneath her, Praise (4-5, 26,672), 2 In A Room (5-6, 25,472) and Kylie Minogue (6-7, 23,408). Kim Appleby holds down anchor place at No 10 (21,168) but next week sees a new Madonna single which is an old one……….


1- DO THE BARTMAN- The Simpsons (79,072)
2- (I WANNA GIVE YOU) DEVOTION- Nomad (41,344)
3- 3 AM ETERNAL- The KLF (38,224)
4- GET HERE- Oleta Adams (28,944)
5- ONLY YOU- Praise (26,672)
6- WIGGLE IT- 2 In A Room (25,472)
7- WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO- Kylie Minogue (23,536)
8- YOU GOT THE LOVE- The Source Ft Candi Staton (23,408)
9- IN YER FACE- 808 State (22,896)
10- G.L.A.D- Kim Appleby (21,168)

You Got The Love is a great song and record in any Candi Staton version, but my fave is the 1997 monster dance remix.

2ND MARCH





“Do The Bartman” continues to thrill buyers enough to part with their money though it definitely cools to 69,120, but that’s 320,544 overall which means it rises to No 1 on the YTD list as well. It powers past The KLF who themselves drop 3-7 (24,416) and have sold 287,728 by way of comparison.

Officially it’s a remix though the casual listener may struggle to tell any difference but hey its Madonna so the new version of her 1985 hit “Crazy For You” debuts at No 2 (39,216) instantly matching its previous peak. It’s been re-issued to help promote “The Immaculate Collection” not that the album really needs it as it has already sold 1.5 million and hasn’t left the top 10 since its release in November though it actually falls 7-10 this week, its lowest position to date. Singlewise it also matches the debut of “Like A Prayer” as her most instant hit.

Another re-issue enters at No 5, much higher than its No 17 peak in 1982, The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Go” has gone better than any of their previous 19 singles entries and given them a top ten hit. No act has had as many chart entries before finally getting into the big ten, and of course it’s all thanks to that new Levi Ad which yet again provides the springboard needed to turn an old track into a modern smash. It arrives at No 5 with a sale of 27,824 and was originally intended as a double A-Side with Big Audio Dynamite II’s “Rush” but that idea seems to have fallen by the wayside in the end.

Another oldie getting a remix and a re-issue is Free’s 1970’s No 2 hit “All Right Now” which got stuck behind Mungo Jerry and Elvis Presley during its 5 week tenure at the runner up spot. It’s now been used on an advert for Wrigley’s chewing gum and bingo it rockets up the chart 11-8 (19,536), a new best of album also debuts at No 16 which could detract sales from the single but overall a strong return for the rockers.

Xpansions are the newest dance act to score a top ten hit as “Move Your Body (Elevation)” flies 28-10 (18,400) much better than its No 49 peak last October. The group’s female vocalist is Sally Ann Marsh who was formerly in girl group Faith Hope & Charity along with Dani Behr who is currently co-fronting “The Word” on Channel 4. It seems that finally a member of the band has got a hit on their hands.

Creating a spot of chart history this week Oleta Adams becomes the first act to place a re-issued album straight at the No 1 spot with “Circle Of One” impacting big time and condemning “Get Here” to a 4-6 (27,248) drop. Nomad slip 2-3 (33,216) while The Source and Candi Staton power 8-4 (28,400) and 808 State linger at No 9 (19,488).


1- DO THE BARTMAN- The Simpsons (69,120)
2- CRAZY FOR YOU (REMIX)- Madonna (39,216)
3- (I WANNA GIVE YOU) DEVOTION- Nomad (33,216)
4- YOU GOT THE LOVE- The Source Ft Candi Staton (28,400)
5- SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO- The Clash (27,824)
6- GET HERE- Oleta Adams (27,248)
7- 3 AM ETERNAL- The KLF (24,416)
8- ALL RIGHT NOW- Free (19,536)
9- IN YA FACE- 808 State (19,488)
10- MOVE YOUR BODY (ELEVATION)- Xpansions (18,400)

Not a good #1 :(

Crazy For You is good but still best appreciated in a 1985 hits playlist, I guess that sort of synthpop ballad was still relevant in the early 90s though so it doesn't sound too dated.

The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go sounds very 70s rock retro inspired anyway so it and Free - All Right Now fit in well and I assume a lot of people at the time bought the two singles together. Still much prefer to see new songs in the chart and 3 old songs top 10 simultaneously is a bit much.

That version of You've Got The Love is probably the best.

I guess that 808 State song is a bit more aligned towards the 1991-2 hardcore rave sound that would come over from Belgium a bit later in the year with the likes of Quadrophonia. Still sounds quite 1990 though!

Edited October 25, 2025Oct 25 by TheSnake

I don't actually mind Do The Bartman. As far as 'novelty' songs go, I think it's pretty decent. It's genuinely quite catchy and you can hear the Michael Jackson influence on it.

I actually quite like most of the songs that have featured since I last commented... the Kylie one I didn't like at the time but now I think it's one of her best early era singles. Only You was a great track from Praise, loved the influx of new age style stuff that followed whenever Enigma charted well. Liked the style of dance music charting with 808 State and Xpansions both delivering decent tracks... and of course the future classic from the Source which is great in every version tbh, I always loved the Rob Dougan inspired 97 version but I so really love the Frankie Knuckles inspired original bootleg version too. Oleta Adams' track is pretty lovely, I wouldn't listen to it particularly through choice but it's a good example of an early 90s ballad.

X-pansions I forgot to comment on but its good and energetic but not one of my favourite 1991 dance hits, its a bit too repetitive. It also has a very acid house bassline to it - a bit of a revival for the genre which was most popular in 1988-1989.

Edited October 25, 2025Oct 25 by TheSnake

Xpansions is a great dance track I agree.

Not sure on Do The Bartman. Liked it at the time, but I find it quite annoying now.

I prefer the 1997 Breeze remix of You’ve Got The Love.

Dont recall the Xpansions track much, didnt make too much of an impact on me. Crazy For You an unnecessary remix (the whole album was remixes, so that was hardly a reason to buy the single, which I never thought much of in the first place) and that applies to Free too, A Bob Clearmountain remix refreshened it slightly but frankly it was the final straw for All Right Now, I reached saturation point after being hits in 1970, 1073, 1978 and yet another run for the 78 EP in the 80's. It's one of those I turn off now. Wishing Well, OTOH is brilliant, that came out as the Clearmountain follow-up - spoiler, it wasnt a hit!

So Clash, that was always under-rated, and fun, and hadnt been played to death like the other 2 oldies, so it was nice to see The Clash get a very unexpected top 10 hit finally.

9TH MARCH



Six years ago Madonna’s “Crazy For You” topped the midweek charts before surrendering on the Sunday to Sister Sledge’s “Frankie”. Fast forward to 1991 and the song gets a re-issue and again tops the midweek charts and again it cedes the top before the chart week ends, this time The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” storms 5-1 (56,688) to give Levi’s a third No 1 after their backing of Ben E King and The Steve Miller Band. Madonna is meanwhile left out in the cold on 54,640 with what looks like her 5th No 2 (depending on your view of this remix) but certainly her third on the trot following “Hanky Panky” and “Justify My Love” meanwhile “The Immaculate Collection” reverses 10-4 so I suppose job done., she does have the "honour" of having the only single (that I know of) to have lost the midweek crown on two occasions during separate chart runs.

A four week chart topper in the US at the end of last year, Stevie B’s “The Postman Song (Because I Love You)” launches 18-6 (24,752). He’s more known in the US for his dance music but it is this song which has broken him on the international stage though some find it a bit too syrupy.

Red nose day falls on the 15th this year and the record this year is co-written by comedy duo Hale & Pace who also perform the song. “The Stonk” dutifully debuts at No 10 (22,288) and is produced by Queen’s Brian May, it features a promo utilising several TV stars and is officially, a double A-Side with “The Smile Song” by Victoria Wood.

The Simpsons tumble 1-3 (51,008) which means that even despite a sales increase The Source & Candi Staton remain at a distant No 4 (32,880), well ahead of Nomad who drop 3-5 (25,344). Xpansions improve 10-7 (24,336) while Free hold at No 8 (23,936) and Oleta Adams drops 6-9 (22,288).



1- SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?- The Clash (56,688)
2- CRAZY FOR YOU (REMIX)- Madonna (54,640)
3- DO THE BARTMAN- The Simpsons (51,008)
4- YOU GOT THE LOVE- The Source Ft Candi Staton (32,880)
5- (I WANNA GIVE YOU) DEVOTION- Nomad (25,344)
6- BECAUSE I LOVE YOU (THE POSTMAN SONG)- Stevie B (24,752)
7- MOVE YOUR BODY- Xpansions (24,336)
8- ALL RIGHT NOW- Free (23,936)
9- GET HERE- Oleta Adams (22,960)
10- THE STONK- Hale & Pace (22,288)

The Victoria Wood song is definitely the best of the Comic Relief double A side with its pastiche of different music genres eg, Kylie and Jason, Beatles - Penny Lane, stadium rock and the hip house of 1990 like Snap!

The Postman Song I actually like, its interesting melodically in the verses.

Edited October 26, 2025Oct 26 by TheSnake

The Postman Song I quite liked for a few weeks, but not so much these days. I never heard that Victoria side (sadly) as that bloody Stonk thing hoovered up the airplay, and I really did not like it! I dont know if Bobby Goldsboro ever threatened the number one spot even once, but he did peak at 2 in 1968 and 1975 with Honey, so he might be in with a shot - but it seems unlikely with Young Girl holding at 1, and ditto the Bay City Rollers!