It probably doesn't help that I haven't seen Spitting Image or The Young Ones before (the context in the commentaries is much appreciated) but no qualms with this bottom two! Both are quite annoying.

An anarchic version of a Cliff Richard song sounds like a fun juxtaposition on paper, but I agree with others that 'Living Doll' isn't the greatest source material in the first place, plus the messy blend of the two acts does become a bit headache-inducing quite quickly. Still, an influential idea as the music artist x comedy act collaborative template lived on into several 21st Century Comic Relief singles

18. I Wanna Wake Up With You - Boris Gardiner

Boris Gardiner's career in music started in Jamaica in 1960 when he joined The Rhythm Aces. He was part of other bands in the 60s before having a solo instrumental hit with 'Elizabethan Reggae' which reached number 14 on the UK chart in 1970. He failed to follow this up with any more hits and made a living as a session musician which included playing bass guitar on the top 40 single 'Police And Thieves' by Junior Murvin in 1980. Then, out of the blue, came this single which spent three weeks at number 1 in August and September and was the third best selling single of the year. It was a cover of a ballad by the country singer Mac Davis from 1980, written by Ben Peters.

Boris followed this up with the number 11 hit, 'You're Everything To Me' and 'The Meaning Of Christmas' which only got as far as number 69. He then returned to obscurity but is still going at the age of 83.

The song launches straight into the first chorus and doesn't have any verses. I would call the second melody to be the middle eight. The reggae beat in the background prevents any changes of pace so the whole song just meanders along and could easily finish after two minutes. The remaining two minutes are just the same thing again and that's why I'm ranking it as the worst of the number 1s that are not novelty songs.

I think I may actually dislike that more than the two others featured, it’s just so dull. Cliff is at least memorable (although rightly towards the bottom)… I’d probably say that Spitting Image is my favourite so far, at least it is kinda fun.

The song I have last hadn’t been revealed yet - eek!

I’m deliberately not spoiling it for myself so we’ll see if there’s another still to come that I’d rank lower

Just needed a re-listen of "I Wanna Wake Up With You". It doesn't hurt anyone and it is quite relaxing. However, it is nothing too special. A solid 6/10.

39 minutes ago, Jester said:

The song I have last hadn’t been revealed yet - eek!

I think this could be one of two songs, I'm not sure which of them you would hate the most.

49 minutes ago, Jester said:

The song I have last hadn’t been revealed yet - eek!

Blimey, I’m now wondering what on earth could be worse than these three🤣 (cause I haven’t checked what’s yet to come)

It is a nice enough song but a bit slushy and cheesy and I prefer more upbeat reggae.

Still would rather listen to Boris than than many of the late 80s cheesy love ballads like 'Hungry Eyes' or 'Waiting For A Star to Fall'.

Edited June 19Jun 19 by TheSnake

I agree I Wanna Wake Up With You is incredibly boring, just meandering along aimlessly. Definitely near the bottom!

15 minutes ago, King Rollo said:

I think this could be one of two songs, I'm not sure which of them you would hate the most.

It’s a close run thing between the two you think it might be, they would be my bottom 2!

I didn't really know the Boris Gardiner track until now and that'll be the only time I'll choose to as it's an dull track, especially for being in the reggae genre. Would certainly put it below the two novelty tracks which understandably aren't great or anything but I found them both pretty harmless.

Aww I like Boris Gardiner, and this was a pleasant example of what had morphed into Lover's Rock - laid-back reggae vibes aimed more at women than roots fans - see Maxi Priest and others. It's not exciting, but does music have to be exciting? Late-night winding-down niceness is fine by me. Elizabethan Reggae is his hit instrumental reggae version of the Mantovani/Ronald Neame song from the 50's, Elizabethan Serenade. Sounds like a Middle Ages melodic tune, written for Elizabeth II's coronation. I loved that tune as a kid. Especially The Gunter-Kallman Choir version, German language vocal version. I have said that before, but it's worth mentioning again till I squeeze one into a music competition (If I havent already and just forgotten - quite likely!) 😄

17. The Edge Of Heaven - Wham!

After nine top 10 singles from 1982 to 1985 including three number 1s, Wham! decided to go their separate ways as George Michael wanted to target a more grown up audience with his solo records. The Edge Of Heaven was their final single, spending two weeks at the top of the chart in July.

Wham have come up with some decent pop songs, most notably Young Guns (Go For It), Club Tropicana and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go but this one is a bit of a mess. There's nothing to like here, whether it's George's vocals, the horns or that terrible guitar solo and there are too many "yeah,yeah,yeah"s and "la da da da da"s. It was the right time for them to bring the group to a close.

Yeah it certainly felt that, by this stage, George was keeping his best songs back for his impending solo career. Edge of Heaven was a bit meh.

Still like "Edge Of Heaven", but the 2 Unlimited cover version is more fun.

Edge of Heaven is decent, I’d have it higher.

Oops I quite like that one. They do have better though I do agree.

There he is..Boris Gardiner…my birth #1! For song about want to wake up with someone it isn’t half sleepy!

Edge Of Heaven was an EP I think (limited edition double pack on top of the single version) so that will have helped with sales, and track Where Did Your Heart Go more of a solo record really. I still like it a lot and the naughty lyrics an odd farewell choice, but it's not quite up to I'm Your Man in the Motown pastiche style, but better than Freedom and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. Wham! only really did the 4 singles in that vein and this one had a bit more edge than the singalong Go Go and Freedom, for me, as the excitement levels are notched up, so likely this would rate a bit higher if I could remember what hasnt come up yet - just checked and oh yes indeed still some real pet hates to come, and a bunch I'd place lower oops! 😄