8TH MAY




The charts have been relatively quiet of late but this week we see a trio of new entries inside the top 10 and a big climber- lots to get excited about but first we need to deal with the chart topper. As expected George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield hold the top spot with ease and increase their sales to 96,750 a new record for 1993 with radio picking up three tracks to give regular airplay to it seems that there are multiple reasons to pick up a copy.

Giving the charity disc some competition, at least initially, was the new Janet Jackson single “That’s The Way Loves Goes”. You may recall back in 1991 Jackson signed a record breaking contract with Virgin and her new album “Janet” is the first fruits for her new record label, the track is based around a sample from James Brown’s “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” and currently occupies the No 2 spot in the US which is exactly where this song enters the chart this week on sales of 38,610. That equals her previous best which she achieved last year with “Best Things In Life Are Free” and is her 5th top 10 single.

2 Unlimited have been busy finishing that second album “No Limits” which is out in a fortnight, their last single “No Limit” topped the charts for 5 weeks and is currently the best seller of the year, it debuted at No 4 which is incidentally where the follow up single “Tribal Dance” arrives this week after shifting 28,755 copies. The group have now scored five top 10 singles from six releases, an enviable rate and there’s even a sample of dialogue from “Back To Future” in there for good measure!

Already a hit in most European countries Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants” finally makes it across the channel to the UK charts and debuts at No 5 (28,200). It started out life being influenced by a track by Swedish singer Kayo called “Another Mother” which the group liked so much they wanted to recreate the sound of the track so pursued the producer of that song Denniz Pop until he agreed to produce “All That She Wants”. Doubtless the fact that they are a quartet of two males and two females and come from Sweden will draw ABBA comparisons and they certainly have started off on the right foot.

Continuing the great year for reggae that 1993 has become we have Inner Circle who were originally together between 1968 and 1980 before going their separate ways after the death of lead singer Jacob Miller. Reformed in 1986 the band had yet to score a bigger hit than their 1979 single “Everything Is Great” and when released last year “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” only made No 43, but it’s been given a second shot in the arm after making the top 20 stateside. It now shoots 20-6 (27,150) having already made No 1 in Germany, Switzerland and Holland last year.

Janet Jackson’s arrival means that Whitney Houston is left stranded at No 3 (31,485) but giving up the ghost are Sub Sub 4-7 (25,830), The Bluebells 2-8 (25,665), and Snow 5-10 (21,960). R.E.M hold at No 9 (22,920) but the album returns to No 1 for a third stint.  That sale for No 10 incidentally is the highest needed for the top 10 since December 1991 (or September 1991 if you want to exclude the festive period)- a sure sign that sales are on the up.



1- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (96,750)
2- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (38,610)
3- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (31,485)
4- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (28,755)
5- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (28,200)
6- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (27,150)
7- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (25,830)
8- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (25,665)
9- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (22,920)
10- INFORMER- Snow (21,960)

Absolute tunes from Janet Jackson, 2 Unlimited and Ace Of Base. Although admittedly I prefer many other tracks from all three.

'All That She Wants' is very good.

'Tribal Dance' is good it almost sounds like rave never went away at the end of 1992.

Peter Andre so copied the 'And if you cry out' pre-chorus melody from Sweat (A la la long) for Mysterious Girl! Good song anyway.

15TH MAY





“Five Live EP” continues to dominate the field though its own sales tumble by 41% week on week to 56,430 which point to the end of its reign next week. It won’t be last week’s new entry at No 2 that will challenge it though, Janet Jackson is the record in question and it tumbles 2-3 (35,280) losing sales instantly, nor 2 Unlimited who can only remain in 4th position with 34,455 sales but instead Ace of Base rush past the opposition 5-2 (53,445) and will have a clear shot at the top in 7 days time being already the best selling 7", 12" and cassingle last week and cut the lead of "Five Live" daily from Wednesday on.

The only new song in the top 10 comes from Utah Saints who seem to be in the habit of releasing one single a year and having a top 10 hit with it too. The latest single is “Believe In Me” which in keeping with their previous hits uses samples extensively, this time around Human League’s “Love Action”, Crown Heights Affair “You Gave Me Love” and Sylvester’s “Do You Wanna Funk” and the single will appear on the first Utah Saints album out in three weeks.

Inner Circle advance 6-5 (31,995) keeping ahead of an improving R.E.M who themselves travel 9-7 (17,835) despite a sales loss in part due to the bank holiday. Not such a good week for Whitney as she falls 3-6 (19,410), Sub Sub trip 7-9 (16,080) and Snow holds down the anchor position with a reduced sale of 15,090.



Furthermore the new compilers of the charts were announced this week after Millward Brown won the contract and will take over in February 1994 therby ending a decade in charge of chart compilation for Gallup- exciting times!


1- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (56,430)
2- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (53,445)
3- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (35,280)
4- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (34,455)
5- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (31,995)
6- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (19,410)
7- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (17,835)
8- BELIEVE IN ME- Utah Saints (16,500)
9- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (16,080)
10- INFORMER- Snow (15,090)

Utah Saints Believe In Me is good - good to see a rave track still make top 10, the genre had declined a bit at the end of 1992.

22ND MAY

Its sales rose by 90% a fortnight ago and now it posts a further increase of 54% to take the top spot, yes Ace Of Base are the country’s new No 1 as “All That She Wants” takes the prize with 81,825 copies sold over the counter. The group are just the third Swedes to be able to boast a UK No 1 single after, of course, ABBA, and Europe, and can now consider their conquest of the European charts complete.

Their ascension means that George Michael/ Queen/ and Lisa Stansfield slide 1-2 (50,640) but can claim total sales of 283,980 in its first month enough to place it in the YTD top 10 easily, and keep an eye out for Inner Circle who move 5-3 (47,910) but are selling in healthy amounts as well.

A 1962 chart topper for Elvis Presley, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” has since been a top 5 smash for Andy Williams and then the Stylistics in the 70s, and now in the 90s for UB40. Re-titled “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” the track has been given the usual UB40 makeover and currently features in the new Sharon Stone film “Sliver” and will also feature on the forthcoming “Promises and Lies” album from the band. It registers the 15th time in the top 10 for the band but the first time they’ve ever debuted in the top flight as it pushes in at No 4 (44,100).

Striking whilst the iron is hot (“Mr Loverman” is currently still charting) Shabba Ranks has re-released another of his recent “almost” hits “Housecall” which made No 31 in the summer of 1991 and features a certain Maxi Priest. It improved immediately on remix (thanks to David Morales) debuting at No 15 and now rises 11-8 (16,980), for Priest it marks his third appearance in the top 10 having last been there in 1990.

Bon Jovi’s “Keep The Faith” album yields a third top 20 single and the second to go top 10, “In These Arms” lifts 24-9 (16,020) following the release of a 7” and second CD containing live versions of this track and “Keep The Faith”. The album itself halves its position 32-16 in response and also ties in with their current UK tour which leaves our shores this week.

2 Unlimited dip 4-5 (31,095) as their second album “No Limits” arrives at No 2 on the album charts unable to stop R.E.M for returning to the top with “Automatic For The People”. Their single “Everybody Hurts” stays at No 7 (19,215) with Janet Jackson sandwiched between them as she falls back 3-6 (31,005), meanwhile Utah Saints drop 8-10 (15,495).



1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (81,825)
2- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen & Lisa Stansfield (50,640)
3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (47,910)
4- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (44,100)
5- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (31,095)
6- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (31,005)
7- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (19,215)
8- HOUSECALL (REMIX)- Shabba Ranks/ Maxi Priest (16,980)
9- IN THESE ARMS- Bon Jovi (16,020)
10- BELIEVE IN ME- Utah Saints (15,495)

29TH MAY





The Swedes rule again with Ace Of Base claiming the top spot and in some style with sales of “All That She Wants” powering to 97,425 copies last week in the process, a new high for 1993! It left little hope for the rest with UB40 climbing 4-2 (73,800) but their challenge is on paper only (despite that figure being the highest for the runner up spot this year), they were however well clear of the rest of the field, Inner Circle hold in third on 45,165, George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield drop 2-4 (31,065) and 2 Unlimited hold at No 5 (23,970) all selling less than half of the number one.

Co- Written by Lulu and offered to Sade “I Don’t Wanna Fight” was eventually picked up by Tina Turner who recorded it to be included in her new album “What’s Love Got To Do With It” which ties in, and will be the soundtrack to, her biopic of that name due in cinema’s this September. It is Turner’s 9th top 10 single if you include her recordings with Ike and it climbs 15-7 (17,955) this week.

A No 32 hit last October House Of Pain’s “Jump Around/ Top O The Morning To Ya” went on to become a US top 3 hit late last year and now gets a re-issue here where it becomes a more substantive hit moving 16-8 (17,820) in its second week. The song contains samples from Bob & Earl (Harlem Shuffle), Junior Walker & The All Stars (Shoot Your Shot) and Chubby Checker (Popeye) all of which combine on this rather unusual track, the group take their name from the HG Wells novel “The Island of Dr Moreau” in case you wondered.

Janet Jackson holds at No 6 (22,035) but does bag herself her first UK No 1 album with “Janet” as compensation, she knocks off R.E.M who themselves also fall 7-10 (17,205) and Bon Jovi hold at No 9 (17,430) as their tour leaves the UK.


1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (97,425)
2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (73,800)
3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (45,165)
4- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (31,065)
5- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (23,970)
6- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (22,035)
7- I DON’T WANNA FIGHT- Tina Turner (17,955)
8- JUMP AROUND- House Of Pain (17,820)
9- IN THESE ARMS- Bon Jovi (17,430)
10- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (17,205)

Sybil's vocals from a 1993 song are back in the chart now because of Prospa! Sadly uncredited though.

The UB40 cover is a dreary slog to listen to imo, sorry.

Jump Around is great fun. Tribal Dance is OK and I like the tribal intro albeit it doesn't last long enough but I prefer their previous tracks.

19 minutes ago, TheSnake said:

Sybil's vocals from a 1993 song are back in the chart now because of Prospa! Sadly uncredited though.

She's really not happy about this!

1 hour ago, Jessie Where said:

She's really not happy about this!

She will be when she's good and ready!

Love the janet jackson and ace of base tracks. Ub40s is one of their best covers and house of pain is a goodie though to this day im still disappointed its not Harlem Shuffle after the intro. The human league and crown heights affair samples are top notch for Utah Saints and its great to see lulu and her brother write a hit song for tina turner!

5TH JUNE



Suffering an 7% sales dip “All That She Wants” continues to outpace the field though with UB40 increasing its sales by only 16% it means that the Swedish foursome’s fall from grace is not entirely assured next week. For the statistically minded of you you’ll have already worked out what those percentages translate into but for everyone else it means that Ace Of Base sold 90,465 to UB40’s 84,705. Rregardless it is UB40's biggest hit in 8 years.

The top 2 remain well clear of the opposition and though Inner Circle hold at No 3 they sold just 41,115 by comparison.




US foursome Spin Doctors have hit it big internationally with “Two Princes” a song which has already made No 7 in their homeland and now powers 12-4 (27,495) here. Parent album “Pocket Full Of Kryptonite” debuted back in March at No 61 before promptly disappearing but as radio picked up this song it has been re-invigorated and has so far shot 54-34-18-9 since re-entering.

For only the 10th time since the charts started 41 years ago a new entry by a new act spends its first week on the charts in the top 5, and for the first time ever it’s a rock group. Formed in 1981 and called Green Jello the band went unnoticed for many years before being signed in 1991 by Zoo Entertainment on the premise they were a “video only band” i.e they only made music in the video format. Though that was a lie they did make a video album in 1992 consisting of a promo for each track and “Three Little Pigs” was picked up in the Seattle area which played it as a joke at first before demand grew and it became a regional hit and led to MTV picking up the video. The song has now become something of a cult hit here under their current name Green Jelly with its Claymation promo and debuts at No 5 (22,080).

Louchie Lou & Michie One (real names Louise Gold & Michelle Charles) are two London girls who met at a Rebel MC gig and decided to form a band producing the song “Shout (It Out)” which is a mash up of the classic Lulu hit and the Art Of Noise’s “Peter Gunn”. Originally a limited release it quickly sold out and was picked up by Radio 1 who have spurned on a major release and now it floats 16-7 (20,595).

George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield drop 4-6 (20,715) and 2 Unlimited are also down 5-8 (19,530), Tina Turner reverses 7-9 (19,515) and current album No 1 act Janet Jackson continues her descent 6-10 (18,165).



1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (90,465)
2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (84,705)
3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (41,115)
4- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (27,495)
5- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (22,080)
6- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (20,715)
7- SHOUT (IT OUT)- Louchie Lou & Michie One (20,595)
8- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (19,530)
9- I DON’T WANNA FIGHT- Tina Turner (19,515)
10- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (18,165)

On 22/04/2026 at 22:56, Jessie Where said:

Absolute tunes from Janet Jackson, 2 Unlimited and Ace Of Base. Although admittedly I prefer many other tracks from all three.

Same here but it was such a great time for all three acts.

12TH JUNE

The bottom half of the top 10 is full of new tunes but the top 5 are the same as last week albeit with a bit of movement. Most notable of all is that UB40 score their third chart topper with “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You”, it follows eight years on from their last “I Got You Babe” and 10 years since “Red Red Wine”, you’ll note that all their chart toppers have been covers. For the writers Peretti, Creatore, and Weiss it marks a fourth chart topper all in a different decade, The Elvis original in the 60s, The Stylistics in the 70s, Tight Fit in the 80s and now UB40 in the 90s. Sales of the track stand at 274,800 including 72,195 last week, a slight 14% dip week on week which might suggest a short stay at the top, its total sales trail the outgoing No 1 by Ace Of Bass which dips 1-2 (67,980) and which has sold 419,340 and is chasing 2 Unlimited hard for the honour of best seller of the year so far.

Spin Doctors sneak 4-3 (32,145) as they swap places with Inner Circle (29,775) while Green Jelly can’t improve on their spectacular debut last week and stick at No 5 (29,415). In the bottom half only Louchie Lou & Michie One retain their place though even they are down 7-8 (21,885) despite a sales increase.

Already a major hit and chart topper across Europe Haddaway is a Trinidadian singer who moved to Germany in 1987 when he became a bar man before being plucked for stardom. His debut single “What Is Love” has been popular with radio and now at retail as it explodes 18-6 (24,450), it’s on the logic label which has already imported continental hits from Snap! and Doctor Alban over the last year.

Back with a new interesting image to boot, The Pet Shop Boys have been absent for 18 months during which they’ve written a new album whilst Neil Tennant featured on the No 6 hit by Electronic “Disappointed”. Back in the fold “Can You Forgive Her?” debuts at No 7 (22,710) and is their 13th top 10 single, expect an album in the autumn.

Bringing in the money at the box office at present is “Indecent Proposal” which naturally spawns a hit single as all big releases seem to these days. Lisa Stansfield is the recipient of the honours on this occasion, “In All The Right Places” was co-written by John Barry who has written much of the soundtrack, it gives Stansfield her 6th top 10 single though only two have made it higher than this current hit and both of those were chart toppers!   it lifts 13-9 (18,015)

Previously available on the B-side of last year’s “Rhythm Is A Dancer” (with a rap by Turbo B) Snap!’s “Do You See The Light (Looking For)” has now had a makeover, a lyrical re-write and new vocals courtesy of Niki Harris, it keeps their chart record of just one single to fail to make the top 10 (1991’s “Colour Of Love”) with this song debuting at No 10 (16,905). Their tally of 8 top 10 hits in the 90s is beaten only by Madonna with 12 so far.

1- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (72,195)
2- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (67,980)
3- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (32,145)
4- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (29,775)
5- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (29,415)
6- WHAT IS LOVE- Haddaway (24,450)
7- CAN YOU FORGIVE HER?- Pet Shop Boys (22,710)
8- SHOUT (IT OUT)- Louchie Lou & Michie One (21,885)
9- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (18,015)
10- DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT (LOOKING FOR)- Snap! (16,905)

Pet Shop Boys pure class as always, and easily my fave of the latest entries, though Lisa Stansfield is lush, Haddaway a dance banger classic, and Snap! not bad either.

Probably one of my favourite Pet Shop Boys songs, lyrical genius.

Love Haddaway and Spin Doctors too.

What Is Love I never used to like due to overplay on radio but I really like it now great synth dance song.

I prefer the Do You See The Light Plaything remix from 2002 but the original is a good Donna Summer - I Feel Love tribute in terms of production.

I always really liked 'Two Princes' great upbeat indie track.

Pity about the dreary #1.

Edited Monday at 23:282 days by TheSnake

19TH JUNE





A piece of pop history was created this week but the headline still belongs to UB40 who make it a fortnight at the top, they increased sales of “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” to 83,070 to do it. It should sell its 400,000th copy next week which isn’t bad going and the track is already their personal 4th best seller behind both former chart toppers and 1980’s “King/ Food For Thought”.

Now onto that bit of history, in 1984 Neil became the highest act to ever debut in the chart when “Hole In My Shoe” arrived at No 5, fast forward to July 1990 and Partners In Kryme arrived at No 4, then Vanilla Ice went one better in November of that year and whilst that achievement has been equalled since it’s never been surpassed- until this week. Hackney resident Louise Gabrielle Bob goes under just her middle name for chart purposes and her underground hit “Dreams” gained airplay in late 91/ early 92 helped by the inclusion of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” in sampled form. Available in limited copies and bootleg’s it entered at No 181 last May but has been a consistent seller peaking at No 136 just this January. It did enough to attract Chapman’s lawyers who made Gabrielle remove the sample leading to the deletion of the original version and causing a minor spot of re-arranging to come up with a new version of “Dreams” which debuts at No 2 (72,690) to enable her place in chart history. It’s been accompanied by a swathe of promotion by the singer and is clearly lining up to be a chart topper- we’ll see soon!

Deciding to combine their already established music careers DJ Chaka Demus & singer Pliers teamed up in 1991 and have now hit it big internationally with “Tease Me”. It has taken only a fortnight from release to fly 13-6 (29,940) and points to further evidence that 1993 is going to be the year of Reggae with this Jamaican duo tearing up the charts.

Haddaway rises 6-3 (50,865) and could yet be in the mix for No 1 next week, his good fortune means that both Ace Of Base and Spin Doctors drop two spots to accommodate. “Two Princes” sold a best yet of 42,765 whilst “All That She Wants” shifted 50,355 meaning it should move over the half million mark next week, their album “Happy Nation” is also new at No 21.

Pet Shop Boys can only hold at No 7 (26,310) but Inner Circle 4-8 (25,380), Green Jelly 5-9 (25,185) and Lisa Stansfield 9-10 (24,765) all weaken this week- but you have to go back to November 1990 to find the No 10 selling more than Lisa Stansfield this week (festive weeks aside).


1- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (83,070)
2- DREAMS- Gabrielle (72,690)
3- WHAT IS LOVE?- Haddaway (50,865)
4- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (50,355)
5- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (42,765)
6- TEASE ME- Chaka Demus & Pliers (29,940)
7- CAN YOU FORGIVE HER- Pet Shop Boys (26,310)
8- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (25,380)
9- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (25,185)
10- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (24,765)

'Dreams' is like an early held back release. Lovely soul pop song.

#6 to #2 are all good classics! Pet Shop Boys song at #7 I dont know well but it sounds pretty good.

Edited Tuesday at 13:171 day by TheSnake