Everything I Do is a classic and I’m very fond of it. It’s not fantastic by any means but it’s infamous and iconic.

6 hours ago, jimwatts said:

If Bryan Adams' version isn't so much to your taste, there's a cover version by Fatima Mansions which made UK #7 the following year as the lesser known half of the double A-side with Manic Street Preachers - Theme From M*A*S*H, since both songs had been recorded for a compilation CD of covers of UK #1s, Ruby Trax, to mark the 40 years of the UK charts, with proceeds going to charity. Their version has a rather unhinged lounge vibe, slightly disturbing but an entertaining listen:

As he also appears in this countdown, the same CD includes Vic Reeves with his version of 'Vienna' by Ultravox (yes, I know it sadly wasn't a UK #1), which soon goes off-piste

Ah I love that Ruby Trax compilation and the songs you mention from it, I especially love the Manics version of the M*A*S*H theme. I believe it was curated by the NME, who of course produced the very first UK charts, and that’s why Vienna is there, because it did make number one on the NME chart though not the official one of the time (BMRB?). Thanks for reminding me of it though, I need to go dig it out of my CD collection now!

Edited Saturday at 21:551 day by Jaz13music

You make a good case for it: I’m still putting Bryan 9th I think. It is rather schmaltzy and lurically obvious, but the intstrumental parts are very good and intense, and the changes of mood are done very well.

This is the other song I very vividly remember from the time, despite only being 4 when it was at No.1. Everywhere I went, it was playing. The cinema, the shops, at home, even on the bus, it was my earliest memory of a song being everywhere, which made sense when I later realised how long it was No.1. I do like it though too and would rank it at least similarly, the intro and verses are particularly lovely. Not an undeserving long running No.1.

5 Enigma - Sadeness Part I

1 week in January 1991: 27-6-4-4-2-{1}-3-6-13-20-27-48->12

Kept off #1: Seal - Crazy

#37 in EOY 1991 [#80 in EOY 1990]

Weekly sales at #1: 41k

The top 5 begins with the first of the previously touted triple whammy of #1s, which were also the first new #1s of the year! Enigma (not to be confused with a British band of this name who had a couple of hits in 1981) are led by Romanian-German musician and producer Michael Cretu. This, the first single from the project, had been climbing the chart in December 1990, and when Iron Maiden fell away in January it found itself in pole position. The song begins with a recording of Gregorian chanting, before the beats come in, of which the main one is sampled from the album version of Soul II Soul - Keep On Movin' which had been a 1989 UK #5 hit. The main hook, which is accompanied by synthesised pan pipes, is a whispered refrain in French, delivered by German singer Sandra (who was then married to Cretu), using "Sade" as a reference to French writer Marquis de Sade. The parent album MCMXC a.D. would spend over 100 weeks in the UK chart, however Enigma would have only one more UK Top 20 hit from their next album in 1994.

And it was that hit, the UK #3 'Return To Innocence' which was my introduction to Enigma, as its 8 week run in the Top 10 coincided with some of the earliest Top 40 chart shows I listened to. As a result, I've found it hard to shake the feeling of that being their signature song. There's only one song remaining in this countdown that I recall occasionally hearing at the time, but 'Sadeness' is one that has crept up over the years, as its ambient sound world envelops the beats and the various vocals shift into focus. Following the refrain, a male voice in French goes on question desires, as the lyric translates to: "What are you going to seek? Good through evil? Virtue through vice? Why the gospel of evil? What is your religion? Where are your faithful? If you are against God, you are against humanity." This heavier subject matter is a subtle counterpoint to the gently uplifting feel of the music. Looking back, it was such a unique #1, but also one that sounds unquestionably 90s, whereas most of 1990's #1s wouldn't have sounded out of place in the 80s.

However, one of the #1s of 1990 which absolutely did sound like it belonged in the 90s was Adamski's 'Killer', and it was that song's uncredited singer Seal whose subsequent first solo single completed the Top 2 behind Enigma, to start 1991 on a high. 'Killer' is an insanely high bar for me, but this is my favourite song that Seal put out solo, with its resonant message taking its cue from the fall of the Berlin wall at the end of the 80s.

What a song! Would be my contender for the top I think.

Sadeness is great, a very unique number one, especially love the chanting. Crazy is probably even better, but I agree it’s topped by Killer, one of the very best number ones of the 90s.

My top 3 are also still to come, I’m interested to see how it all turns out!

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Jaz13music

Sadeness Part 1 is such a unique number 1, I was so taken aback that something like that could top the charts when I first heard it. It was great that something of that experimental early 90s new wave scene managed to break through.

I quite like Everything I Do... too, I think I wouldn't have liked it at the time and it's definitely not 16 weeks at number 1 worthy, but I'll take it over One Dance and Rein Me In. His raspy voice works quite well and the instrumental is suitably cinematic and epic.

I've never been as big a fan of the Queen song as the other side and their one still to come is better, but it is a fitting one in the wake of Freddie's death.

I love These Are The Days of Our Lives.

I love Sadness too. I think I have it on 7" somewhere.

Sadeness would be top 2 for me, possibly #1

I bought the single at the time and was mesmerised by how different it was to everything else I'd heard in the charts up to that point. I can still remember being so chuffed the week it finally ascended to the top of the charts, just a shame it didn't stay there for longer. I then persuaded my parents to buy me the album as well and it went on to be one of my most listened to albums of all time, such a relaxing a dreamy experience.

I think these days I'd say that their second album is a stronger album though <3

Sadeness is amazing the ethereal sound and parts in French spoken lyrics remind me of Visage - Fade To Grey. It is like the 90s equivalent to that track in being so successful in the chart for its unpoppy sound.

Sadeness is awesome. I always have this on my list for 1990 as this took some time to take off in the UK. For me this is battling for #1 with another tune still to come.

I do like These Are The Days Of Our Lives but there are better songs on the Innuendo album, whether they are singles or tracks that were not put out as singles. Sadeness Part 1 would certainly be in my top 5 from the year.

Enigma my likely my number one of the year, just brilliant in every way, and my new then-fave song with Sandra involved after the fab Maria Magdalena.

15 hours ago, dandy* said:

Sadeness would be top 2 for me, possibly #1

I bought the single at the time and was mesmerised by how different it was to everything else I'd heard in the charts up to that point. I can still remember being so chuffed the week it finally ascended to the top of the charts, just a shame it didn't stay there for longer. I then persuaded my parents to buy me the album as well and it went on to be one of my most listened to albums of all time, such a relaxing a dreamy experience.

I think these days I'd say that their second album is a stronger album though <3

Ditto, their best track is this one, but the next album was excellent!

I initially dismissed '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' but it's grown on me over the years. I actually prefer it to all of the songs it blocked from the top now! It doesn't really seem like something I would enjoy on paper but I agree the instrumental really lifts it. Perhaps it helps that I wasn't around to experience that colossal run in real time too.

'Sadeness Part I' is a gorgeous start to the top 5 and a definite contender for my own #1 this year the Iron Maiden -> Engima transition at the top may have been the sonic whiplash I was referring to earlier what a unique #1 with its new age sound. 'Crazy' is an amazing #2 as well.