'Size of a Cow' is great , definitely sounds like early Britpop I think at its most upbeat.

I am not a massive fan of piano house but N-Joi - Anthem is good. N-Joi the first of the 90s N- bands, there was also N-Trance, N-Sync and N-Tyce and probably more!

'The Whole of the Moon' you can kind of tell is by a Scottish band, its similar to the style of Deacon Blue and Big Country.

'Love and Kisses' production still sounds very turn of the decade and very S/A/W.

Edited October 31, 2025Oct 31 by TheSnake

20TH APRIL



After last week’s glut of new entries there’s nothing new in the top 10 this week at all!

Again it was a two horse race for the top spot with Chesney Hawkes once again managing to hold off James though the gap is now down to just 10,000 copies but both are, once again, in retreat salewise. “The One And Only” sold 46,048 copies (-8%) with “Sit Down” posting 35,856 (-4%) but in all fairness nothing looks like it will seriously challenge them, Madonna climbs 4-3 (32,064) and The Wonder Stuff 6-5 (25,216) both move in the right direction but they aren’t gaining substantively enough to be evident future chart toppers.

The Waterboys fall 3-4 (31,264) despite registering a sales increase and may I suppose stand an outside chance at best, but further down both The Simpsons 9-7 (21,408) and Dannii Minogue 10-8 (19,136) are on the way up but way too far away to threaten.

Heading south this week are Rod Stewart 5-6 (22,704), N-Joi 8-9 (17,680) and Roxette 7-10 (15,648)

1- THE ONE AND ONLY- Chesney Hawkes (46,048)
2- SIT DOWN- James (35,856)
3- RESCUE ME- Madonna (32,064)
4- THE WHOLE OF THE MOON- Waterboys (31,264)
5- THE SIZE OF A COW- Wonder Stuff (25,216)
6- RHYTHM OF MY HEART- Rod Stewart (22,704)
7- DEEP DEEP TROUBLE- The Simpsons (21,408)
8- LOVE AND KISSES- Dannii Minogue (19,136)
9- ANTHEM- N-Joi (17,680)
10- JOYRIDE- Roxette (15,648)

Ah The Whole Of The Moon an under-rated 80's classic at the time, I heard it in a record store in Burlington, Vermont - a hip student town - in 1989, which was unexpected for such a minor UK hit, so this was sort of a belated holiday hit for me and duly topped my charts. Rescue Me, ditto, it was too good to lose on a hits album and get bunged out after revamped oldies as a single. Both would be great UK chart-toppers. I even didnt mind The Simpsons follow-up, it was much cooler than Bartman, and The Size Of A Cow was pretty good too. I dont recall the Dannii track from this far in the future, though I know I quite liked it. I couldnt sing any section of it off the top of my head, unlike the other 4. Just checked it out and I could just about sing the title having heard it again, but not that memorable. Anthem is coming back to me now I played a bit, and is a better track.

27TH APRIL

Chesney does it again- but only just, “The One And Only” is flagging badly selling just 33,008 copies in its latest frame to top the charts for a fifth week- though that figure is the second lowest of the year so far. In total the track has now done 292,240 copies, a poor showing for a No 1 for that length of time, in fact we are now 16 weeks into the year and no track has topped the 100,000 copy mark on a weekly basis, the record on that front remains 1989 when we waited until the 18th chart week to see a six figure No 1- can 1991 outdo that? Regardless it is the 3rd biggest single of the year so far trailing both The KLF and The Simpsons in the rankings, and at least the song now shares the honour of being the longest running No 1 of the 90s with Elton John’s “Sacrifice/ Healing Hands” and all that despite topping only 1 format chart last week- the cassingle.  De La Soul had the biggest 12" single, Electronic the biggest CD single, and the track which was the best 7"....well that's up next.

Hope is in sight though from a song which jets 23-2 this week, and it’s the biggest solo hit ever for Cher! “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)” is taken from her new film “Mermaids” and is s song that dates back to 1963 when it was recorded by Merry Clayton after it was turned down by the Shirelles. That version bombed but was picked up by Betty Everett a year later and made into a US No 6 hit but only made No 34 here when re-issued in 1968, the only version to be a substantial hit in the UK was by Linda Lewis in 1975 which peaked at No 6 in a disco version. The single is only Cher’s 6th solo top 10 single though it’s a 9th if you include the hits with Sonny whom she of course topped the charts with on “I Got You Babe” in 1965, her current single shifted 30,688 last week and surely must be the next chart topper?! However that sale is the lowest needed for No 2 outside of the post Christmas slump since Bros in 1988.

It’s been 7 years since Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark were in the top 10 but they make an unlikely return to the fray this week with “Sailing On The Seven Seas” which is an homage to both the The Who and Velvet Underground. Eighth studio album “Sugar Tax” is out next month and looks like making it a successful comeback for the outfit (now essentially Andy McCluskey as a solo act) with the single bolstering 19-8 (18,144) to become their 6th top 10 hit.

Unless you’re very familiar with the Italian Charts then chances are you haven’t heard of Zucchero Fornaciari but he’s certainly news over there with million selling albums and a devoted fanbase. He’s taken the decision to expand into other markets and started recording in English which is where Paul Young comes in to perform on the duet “Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman)” to re-record one of his 1987 tracks and give him that international hit. The song floats 22-9 (15,808) to become Young’s 7th top 10 single but the first in 6 years, it’s certainly been a good week for 80s comebacks.

He was a roofer in Bristol until a few months ago but now Gary Clail has a top 10 hit, the unusual “Human Nature” which inches 11-10 (15,120). It was lucky to make it given its sales, only in one week of 1991 were less sales required and that was the first week of the year! An album will follow next month for those interested.

A little re-arranging in the remaining positions, James are shunted down 2-3 (29,776) whilst The Waterboys hold at No 4 (23,984) forcing Madonna down 3-5 (20,000), The Wonder Stuff drop 5-6 (19,488) and The Simpsons manage to hold at No 7 (19,040) but all singles are down in sales.


1- THE ONE AND ONLY- Chesney Hawkes (33,008)
2- THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (IT’S IN HIS KISS)- Cher (30,688)
3- SIT DOWN- James (29,776)
4- THE WHOLE OF THE MOON- Waterboys (23,984)
5- RESCUE ME- Madonna (20,000)
6- THE SIZE OF THE COW- Wonder stuff (19,488)
7- DEEP DEEP TROUBLE- The Simpsons (19,040)
8- SAILING ON THE SEVEN SEAS- O.M.D (18,144)
9- SENZA UNA DONNA (WITHOUT A WOMAN)- Zucchero & Paul Young (15,808)
10- HUMAN NATURE- Gary Clail On U Sound System (15,120)

I remember 'The Shoop Shoop Song' on my childminder's jukebox in the mid 90s when I was a child - I did really like the song but didn't know it was a 60s cover until more recently.

'Sailing on the Seven Seas' is catchy, also it seems very 70s glam rock revivalist. It's not one of my favourite OMD songs though.

There were a lot of Italian acts making the charts in the 90s but mostly dance acts, Zucchero is a rare balladeer.

'Human Nature' is a good song, and quite different to most house songs in the chart at the time. 'Let the carnival begin'!

Edited November 2, 2025Nov 2 by TheSnake

I always forget about "human nature" but I quite like it when I hear it.

I discovered it on @Colm and @Doctor Blind 's excellent '90s dance number ones thread' on buzzjack! They seemed to like it on there and said it was a precursor to the sound of The Shamen.

Edited November 2, 2025Nov 2 by TheSnake

Human Nature is a great dance track, unusual and powerful, glad that scraped into the 10. OMD was a great comeback from Andy, the album was fab and I caught him on tour that year, recorded a bit on cassette under my coat. Nothing to get excited about though as the sound quality is muffled rubbish - the recording, not the gig! Given how everyone records everything on their phones these days, I feel much less guilty about doing something illegal just as a memento.

I really liked that Zuchero, Paul Young duet, classy, which just leaves Cher. Big fan since day one as a 7-year-old, loved Linda Lewis' disco banger hit version...and this was fun for about 3 weeks before it got a bit worn-out. If only (pause for breath) Bang Bang, Baby Don't Go, Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, All I Ever Need Is You, Dark Lady, Just Like Jesse James or some others had been threatening the top spot from number 2.

4TH MAY





Cher celebrates her first solo No 1 this week as “The Shoop Shoop Song” becomes the 8th chart topper of 1991 and now dominates the chart selling a very healthy 70,544 copies last week, that’s more than double the 32,400 sold by Chesney Hawkes as he slips 1-2, but that track has sold over 300,000 copies at least.  The track is not available on 12"- the first instance since Band Aid II of a single making the top without the format.

Is trouble on the horizon for Cher already? Well The KLF are back with their new single “Last Train To Trancentral” debuts at No 3 (28,208) and is the follow up to “3AM Eternal” which was of course a chart topper and the second biggest seller of the year so far. Like their last two big hits this is a reworking of a previously issued 12” single this time dating back to early last year (it appears that sequentially speaking they’ve overlooked “Kylie Said To Jason”) with added vocals and a more poppier feel. Indeed though the song is also found the KLF album “The White Room” it is refined further for the single release ensuring sales it seems. It should provoke an interesting battle next week for the top spot

Pretty much everyone is familiar with the song “Born Free”, featuring in the 1966 film of the same name with lyrics by Don Black and music from John Barry it was never a hit single until now. It’s been recorded by comic Vic Reeves who is more famous for his Channel 4 series “Big Night Out” which has become a cult hit but he was a singer first back in the mid 80s albeit unsuccessfully, he’s now running these two careers simultaneously as “Born Free” expands 16-6 (24,352). You may also recall him from the Shakin Stevens promo for "What Do You Want To Make Those At Me For?".

Formed by New Order’s Bernard Sumner and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr when Sumner took a break from his band to record music with a more dance orientation, Electronic's first fruits resulted in the No 12 hit “Getting Away With It” featuring Neil Tennant on vocals. 18 months later and here’s single number two “Get The Message” which features Sumner on lead with some vocals by Primal Scream’s Denise Johnson at the end, the album is ready to go next month and can at least boast a top ten single as “Message” moves 14-9 (19,520).

De La Soul attracted considerable critical appreciation for their first album and they’ll be hoping for more of the same when second LP “De La Soul Is Dead” is released in a few weeks, first single “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Ha Hey)” shimmy’s 16-10 (19,216) to become just their second top 10 hit. It samples various tracks and lifts its chorus from Curiosity Killed The Cat’s “Name & Number” a No 14 hit in 1989, a more unlikely combo is hard to imagine but it seems to work.  The number quoted at the start of the track is a real number though it appears permanently attached to an answerphone!

James continue their slow descent 3-4 (24,896) as they move comfortably over the 200,000 mark, the parent album “Gold Mother” gets a re-issued new entry at No 2 becoming another victim of The Eurythmics , OMD climb 8-5 (24,624), Zucchero & Paul Young rise 9-7 (21,104) as the Waterboys collapse 4-8 (19,760)

1- THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (IT’S IN HIS KISS)- Cher (70,544)
2- THE ONE AND ONLY- Chesney Hawkes (32,400)
3- LAST TRAIN TO TRANCENTRAL- The KLF (28,208)
4- SIT DOWN- James (24,896)
5- SAILING ON THE SEVEN SEAS- OMD (24,624)
6- BORN FREE- Vic Reeves (24,352)
7- SENZA UNA DONNA (WITHOUT A WOMAN)- Zucchero & Paul Young (21,104)
8- THE WHOLE OF THE MOON- Waterboys (19,760)
9- GET THE MESSAGE- Electronic (19,520)
10- RING RING RING (HA HA HEY)- De La Soul (19,216)

Love a bit of Shoop Shoop!

some great new entrie here, KLF a number one for me, they could do no wrong in 1991, and Get The Message was fab, bought that CD in French edition in Paris, oooerr get me. De La Soul were always chart under-rated so it's nice they got a slot, and Vic Reeves I went to see the 1991 tour, which featured some of the hits among the comedy with Bob Mortimer. It's incredible such a famous song wasnt a hit so seeing Born Free in the charts was a pleasure. I remember a 70's skit from the USA of a comic singing "Born Free, cos your father's a doctor". That gag still doesn't work in the UK for some happy reason I still appreciate....

British ESC song Samantha Janus - A Message To Your Heart will debut on the next week.

11TH MAY





Cher cements her position at No 1 this week selling 88,384 copies, whilst that is the biggest weekly tally of the year, it does put 1991 in the record books no track has sold over 100,000 in its first 18 weeks- how long will we wait- all eyes on Cher to see if she has peaked saleswise next week! The film “Mermaids” is only just released which means it must be doing it on the strength of the song alone. The expected battle with The KLF never materialised in part because the album “White Room” advanced 16-5 to steal sales away, the single does rise 3-2 but sold just 45,024 copies in doing so, half the total (approx) of Cher. As for OMD who climb 5-3 (30,144) they are so far away from the top that it’s barely worth noting though it’s a spectacular comeback for them and matches the highest peak of any of their singles (“Souvenir”).

Currently No 5 in the US Cathy Dennis is a name you may recall for her feature on the D.Mob single “Come On And Get My Love” back in 1989, she’s gone solo and her Second UK single is a cover of a 1984 release by Fonda Rae which featured in “Nightmare On Elm Street 2” but did nothing when released. Dennis has done some additional lyrics and updated the sound to find her version hurtle 25-7 (19,216) ahead of her debut album due this summer.

Blur’s first single “She’s So High” faltered at No 48 last year but they’ve struck gold with second single “There’s no Other Way” which finds itself climbing 11-10 (16,880). The band have teamed with producer Stephen Street to produce their debut album and “Leisure” sees its release this year.

Elsewhere Zucchero & Paul Young aren’t done yet as they move 7-4 (25,120) and lower down Electronic nudge 9-8 (18,912) while losing sales. Vic Reeves holds at No 6 (22,608) but old adversaries Chesney Hawkes and James are both falling this week, Hawkes drops 2-5 (22,784) as it approaches the 350,000 and overtakes The KLF in the process to become the year’s second biggest hit. James meanwhile drop 4-9 (17,168).


1- THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (IT’S IN HIS KISS)- Cher (88,384)
2- LAST TRAIN TO TRANCENTRAL- The KLF (45,024)
3- SAILING ON THE SEVEN SEAS- OMD (30,144)
4- SENZA UNA DONNA (WITHOUT A WOMAN)- Zucchero & Paul Young (25,120)
5- THE ONE AND ONLY- Chesney Hawkes (22,784)
6- BORN FREE- Vic Reeves (22,608)
7- TOUCH ME (ALL NIGHT LONG)- Cathy Dennis (19,216)
8- GET THE MESSAGE- Electronic (18,912)
9- SIT DOWN- James (17,168)
10- THERE’S NO OTHER WAY- Blur (16,880)

Trancentral is epic, Get The Message and Ring Ring Ring are quite good too.

The Blur song is good too.

The Vic Reeves crooner vocal influenced cover of Born Free is interesting.

Touch Me is quite Stock Aiken Waterman sounding and a bit dated for 1991 I think.

12 hours ago, TheSnake said:

Touch Me is quite Stock Aiken Waterman sounding and a bit dated for 1991 I think.

I'm not sure I 100% agree, it's got that bounciness that was present in early 90s pop/dance songs and sounds a bit more advanced than an 80s SAW production.

18TH MAY

Cher is No 1 again though she takes a big hit in sales of 26% to 65,664, but if you think that means she’s in imminent danger then think again, The KLF hold at the runner up spot on 39,008 so unlikely to threaten as it retreats at retail too.

Instead the great threat comes from the song that enters at No 3 and it equals the record for the highest entry by a debut act currently held by Vanilla Ice in November last year. Crystal Waters is a 27 year old American vocalist who wrote “Gypsy Woman” for another dance act Ultra Nate but her demo was so good that the record company gave her a contract instead and her portrayal of a homeless woman's plight was born. It debuts on sales of 34,688 and should seriously challenge Cher next week with its catchy “la da dee” refrain which seems already to be a bit of a marmite track with consumers.

It finally seems to be happening for Beverley Craven, her two releases last year both missed the charts and her album went by unnoticed. In 1991 however she’s re-released “Holding On” making No 95, her album finally charted at No 53 and now another re-issue “Promise Me” is a major hit moving in 15-6 (21,520). The self titled album is getting another push and is being re-issued in a fortnight with a view to breaking her properly.

A new forthcoming greatest hits collection is the impetus for a new mix of Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” by Julian Mendelson which debuts at No 10 (13,072) this week. The song of course made No 1 ten years ago and went on to sell a million copies in the course of the decade, it also comes with a new promo featuring a solo Almond as Dave Ball doesn’t seem on board with the comeback efforts.

OMD’s new album “Sugar Tax” enters at No 5 as the single dips 3-4 (25,056) in response, and Cathy Dennis rises 7-5 (22,752), Blur improve 10-8 (15,040) and Electronic slip into reverse 8-9 (15,024). Paul Young and Zucchero fall 4-7 (21,232) amid news that Young will be releasing a greatest hits album this year, Zucchero’s album also debuts at No 29 this week.  The poor sales all round in part explained by another bank holiday.


1- THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG (IT’S IN HIS KISS)- Cher (65,664)
2- LAST TRAIN TO TRANCENTRAL- The KLF (39,008)
3- GYPSY WOMAN (LA DA DEE)- Crystal Waters (34,688)
4- SAILING ON THE SEVEN SEAS- OMD (25,056)
5- TOUCH ME (ALL NIGHT LONG)- Cathy Dennis (22,752)
6- PROMISE ME- Beverley Craven (21,520)
7- SENZA UNA DONNA (WITHOUT A WOMAN)- Zucchero & Paul Young (21,232)
8- THERE’S NO OTHER WAY- Blur (15,040)
9- GET THE MESSAGE- Electronic (15,024)
10- TAINTED LOVE- Soft Cell/ Marc Almond (13,072)

Promise Me <3 My favourite early 90s ballad, really lovely

Agreed. It's amazing.

The last two #2 hits 'Sit Down' and 'Last Train To Trancentral' have been the highlight of the thread so far for me - the latter was the first KLF song I heard and my mind was blown.

2 hours ago, Colm said:

Agreed. It's amazing.

Brilliant song.