My Random Music

I'm not sure this will work for WHSmith. I used to buy music and videos from WHSmith back in the day and it was widely viewed as a place to buy that sort of thing. Nowadays it's the sort of place you buy a newspaper and a few snacks from at the train station.

I have around 700 CDs at a guess. I probably had a similar number around 10 years ago but got rid of a few, mostly CD singles. I also used to have over 300 tapes, mostly tape packs from raves but converted most to MP3 and managed to sell them on eBay when I first moved to London and had a lot less space. I have multiple CD drawers/towers/racks and I also keep them in alphabetical order otherwise it would take me forever to find one.

Just voted. I don't know about others, but I don't know every record from 1957 and I'm not going to have time to listen to the entire playlist. What I have found though is more than 15 records that I consider good enough for a vote and have had to narrow it down. It's possible that I may let 1 or 2 good ones slip through the net because I don't know them, but I do think the chances of me considering a record I've never heard before to be better than a record I've liked for many years after one listen are pretty slim. It's a good thing that all chart hits are eligible, it means anyone's genuine favourite won't get left out. I wouldn't worry too much about not knowing them all, it would take some ridiculously good music knowledge to know all of them.

Some of the early 90s rave tunes such as "Sesames Treet" by Smart E's and "Raving I'm Raving" by Shut Up and Dance. Written for fun, played out at raves, gained a following in the rave scene and then crossed over into the charts. That's why they had uncleared samples, they were only supposed to be played at a handful of raves.

I was fully expecting to be the only one to vote for my top record "That's Right" because it's pretty obscure, I'd never heard it myself until a couple of years ago. It's also one of those records you either love or hate. I am however surprised to be the only one to vote for my number 2, "Rip It Up". I'll be even more surprised if the inferior Elvis version gets any votes in 1957, though me mentioning it may prompt somebody to do just that. There are some similarities I have with others though with my 3rd and 4th choices finishing in the Top 2.

It's true that his post-trance career has been more commercial, but he was definitely considered commercial as a trance DJ. He was making gabber in the 90s and then jumped on the trance bandwagon when it got popular and he was one of the commercial trance DJs being ridiculed at the time.

I gather you intended to put "DJ Tiesto Urban Train" against "1st Top 40 for this Dutch DJ who will have a long career: a lovely twinkly track with Kirsty Hawkshaw's ethereal vocals" rather than "Faithless Muhammad Ali". I find it amusing that Kirsty Hawkshaw left Opus III because she thought they were becoming too commercial, then she collaborates with Tiesto who is as commercial as it gets when it comes to dance music.

My first clear memories of pop music and the charts, Top of the Pops etc. are from 1987 so Wham! would have broken up by then, but only just. I cannot remember a time when I wasn't aware of those 5 records listed in the above post. I'd definitely put "Last Christmas" as most popular, not much in it between the other 4, perhaps "Edge Of Heaven" doesn't have such an obvious title but many people will know it from hearing it. I didn't hear "Club Tropicana" until well into the 90s when it was on a TV show about Ibiza because of its video being filmed at Pikes Hotel. I would say it enjoyed a resurgence as Ibiza got more popular in the mainstream in the 90s and introduced it to a new audience such as myself. On that basis it does feel like one of their more famous songs now, but still not anywhere near as famous as "Last Christmas".

A lot of 90s number ones got there for non-music reasons like this. The 3 longest running number ones were all in films, Bryan Adams in Robin Hood, Wet Wet Wet in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. Then there were all the advert songs, most notably the Levi's advert. We also had 3 number ones from Robson & Jerome who started off singing on the TV show "Soldier Soldier".

Only the Mary J Blige version was a Top 40 hit.

Oh, sorry to hear that. Have sent my votes.

Only just come across these posts. Would be something I'd like to take part in. Why has it stopped all of a sudden?

Well spotted. I missed "Ever Fallen In Love" because the Fine Young Cannibals version doesn't have the bit in brackets and "Lady Marmalade" because the All Saints version was a double a-side with "Under the Bridge". There's probably others I've missed for similar reasons.

I thought "Follow Me" by Uncle Kracker was about drugs "all I know is when I'm with you I make you free and swim through your veins like a fish in the sea", sounds like someone getting hooked on drugs to me. What people may not have known about Uncle Kracker was that he was Kid Rock's DJ and the rest of his album was a similar sound to Kid Rock, so if someone unaware bought the album on this song alone they'd of been in for a shock.

Luther Vandross. Don't get me wrong, he's had some classics such as "Never Too Much" but if you've been watching the Top of the Pops reruns you'll find he had quite a few bland records too. He's one of the best singers ever and his voice was so good it actually made some of the bland records listenable.

These are all the ones I could find: A Blossom Fell Dickie Valentine (1955) Nat 'King' Cole (1955) Ronnie Hilton (1955) A Groovy Kind Of Love Mindbenders (1966) Les Gray (1977) Phil Collins (1988) A Teenager In Love Marty Wilde (1959) Craig Douglas (1959) Dion & The Belmonts (1959) Ain't Nobody Rufus & Chaka Khan (1984) Diana King (1995) LL Cool J (1997) Course (1997) Jasmine Thompson (2013) Ain't That A Shame Pat Boone (1955) Fats Domino (1957) Four Seasons (1963) All I Wanna Do Sheryl Crow (1994) Joanne Farrell (1995) Amy Studt (2004) All Out Of Love Air Supply (1980) OTT (1997) Foundation featuring Natalie Rossi (2003) Alone Petula Clark (1957) Shepherd Sisters (1957) Southlanders (1957) American Pie Don McLean (1972) Just Luis (1995) Madonna (2000) Another Day In Paradise Phil Collins (1989) Jam Tronik (1990) Brandy & Ray J (2001) Another One Bites The Dust Queen (1980) Queen with Wyclef Jean featuring Pras Michel & Free (1998) Queen vs The Miami Project (2006) Answer Me David Whitfield (1953) Frankie Laine (1953) Barbara Dickson (1976) Around The World Bing Crosby (1957) Ronnie Hilton (1957) Gracie Fields with Tony Osborne & His Orchestra & Chorus (1957) Mantovani & His Orchestra (1957) Baby Face Little Richard (1959) Bobby Darin (1962) Wing And A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps (1976) Baby I Love You Ronettes (1964) Dave Edmunds (1973) Ramones (1980) Ballad Of Davy Crockett Bill Hayes (1956) Tennessee Ernie Ford (1956) Max Bygraves (1956) Banana Boat Song Shirley Bassey (1957) Harry Belafonte with Tony Scott's Orchestra & Chorus & Millard Thomas, guitar (1957) Tarriers (1957) Because The Night Patti Smith Group (1978) Jan Wayne (2002) Cascada (2008) Beggin' Timebox (1968) Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (2007) Madcon (2008) Best Of My Love Emotions (1977) C J Lewis (1994) Javine (2004) Big Yellow Taxi Joni Mitchell (1970) Amy Grant (1995) Counting Crows featuring Vanessa Carlton (2003) Blame It On The Boogie Jacksons (1978) Mick Jackson (1978) Big Fun (1989) Clock (1998) Blue Moon Elvis Presley (1956) Marcels (1961) Showaddywaddy (1980) John Alford (1996) Blue Star (The Medic Theme) Charlie Applewhite (1955) Cyril Stapleton Orchestra (1955) Ron Goodwin Orchestra (1955) Bohemian Rhapsody Queen (1975) Braids (1996) G4 (2005) Queen & The Muppets (2009) Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon & Garfunkel (1970) Linda Clifford (1979) PJB featuring Hannah & Her Sisters (1991) Artists For Grenfell (2017) Broken Wings Art & Dotty Todd (1953) Stargazers (1953) Dickie Valentine (1953) Buona Sera Louis Prima (1958) Mr Acker Bilk & The Paramount Jazz Band (1960) Bad Manners (1981) Can't Get Used To Losing You Andy Williams (1963) Beat (1983) Colour Girl (2000) Can't Take My Eyes Off You Andy Williams (1968) Boystown Gang (1982) Andy Williams & Denise Van Outen (2002) Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White Perez 'Prez' Prado & His Orchestra (The King Of The Mambo) (1955) Eddie Calvert (1955) Modern Romance (1982) Cindy Oh Cindy Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra & Chorus (1956) Tony Brent (1956) Vince Martin & The Tarriers (1956) Come Softly To Me Fleetwoods (1959) Frankie Vaughan & The Kaye Sisters (1959) New Seekers (1972) Could It Be I'm Falling In Love Detroit Spinners (1973) David Grant & Jaki Graham (1985) Worlds Apart (1994) Could It Be Magic Donna Summer (1976) Barry Manilow (1978) Take That (1992) Cry Me A River Julie London (1957) Mari Wilson (1983) Michael Buble (2009) D.I.S.C.O. Ottawan (1980) N-Trance (1997) Chico (2006) Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? Rod Stewart (1978) N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart (1997) Girls Of FHM (2004) Deep Purple Billy Ward & His Dominoes (1957) Nino Tempo & April Stevens (1963) Donny & Marie Osmond (1976) Do They Know It's Christmas Band Aid (1984) Band Aid II (1989) Band Aid 20 (2004) Band Aid 30 (2014) Do You Love Me Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (1963) Dave Clark Five (1963) Deep Feeling (1970) Don't Cry For Me Argentina Julie Covington (1976) Shadows (1978) Madonna (1996) Mike Flowers Pops (1996) Don't Leave Me This Way Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes (1977) Thelma Houston (1977) Communards (1986) Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Elton John (1974) Oleta Adams (1991) George Michael with Elton John (1991) Dreams Fleetwood Mac (1977) Wild Colour (1995) Corrs (1998) Deep Dish featuring Stevie Nicks (2006) Everlasting Love Love Affair (1968) Robert Knight (1968) Rex Smith & Rachel Sweet (1981) Worlds Apart (1993) Gloria Estefan (1995) Cast From Casualty (1998) Jamie Cullum (2004) Everything I Own Bread (1972) Ken Boothe (1974) Boy George (1987) Everywhere Fleetwood Mac (1988) LNM Prokjekt featuring Bonnie Bailey (2005) Anne-Marie & Niall Horan (2021) Faith Can Move Mountains Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads (1952) Nat 'King' Cole (1953) Jimmy Young (1953) Family Affair Sly & The Family Stone (1972) BEF featuring Lalah Hathaway (1991) Shabba Ranks featuring Patra and Terry & Monica (1993) Fast Car Tracy Chapman (1988) Jonas Blue & Dakota (2016) Luke Combs (2023) Feel The Need In Me Detroit Emeralds (1973) Forrest (1983) Shakin' Stevens (1988) Fever Peggy Lee with Jack Marshall's Music (1958) Helen Shapiro (1964) Madonna (1993) Footsteps Ronnie Carroll (1960) Steve Lawrence (1960) Showaddywaddy (1981) Freak Like Me Adina Howard (1995) Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy (2000) Sugababes (2002) Garden Of Eden Dick James (1957) Frankie Vaughan (1957) Gary Miller (1957) Joe Valino (1957) Golden Brown Stranglers (1982) Kaleef (1996) Omar (1997) Good Golly Miss Molly Little Richard (1958) Jerry Lee Lewis (1963) Swinging Blue Jeans (1964) Green Door Jim Lowe (1956) Frankie Vaughan (1956) Glen Mason (1956) Shakin' Stevens (1981) Hallelujah Jeff Buckley (2008) Alexandra Burke (2008) Leonard Cohen (2008) Happy Days And Lonely Nights Suzi Miller & The Johnston Brothers (1955) Frankie Vaughan (1955) Ruby Murray (1955) Happy Xmas (War Is Over) John Lennon, Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir (1972) Idols (2003) John Legend (2019) Hard To Say I'm Sorry Chicago (1982) Az Yet featuring Peter Cetera (1997) Aquagen (2003) He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother Hollies (1969) Bill Medley (1988) Justice Collective (2012) Heartbeat Buddy Holly (1959) England Sisters (1960) Showaddywaddy (1975) Nick Berry (1992) Hello Dolly Frankie Vaughan (1964) Louis Armstrong (1964) Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen (1964) Bachelors (1966) Hey There Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & his Orchestra (1955) Lita Roza (1955) Sammy Davis Jr (1955) Johnnie Ray (1955) Higher Love Steve Winwood (1986) James Vincent Mcmorrow (2012) Tyler James (2012) Kygo & Whitney Houston (2019) Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) Perry Como (1956) Stargazers (1956) Michael Holliday (1956) How Long Ace (1974) Yazz & Aswad (1993) Paul Carrack (1996) I Believe Frankie Laine (1953) Bachelors (1964) Robson & Jerome (1995) I Can See Clearly Now Johnny Nash (1972) Hothouse Flowers (1990) Jimmy Cliff (1994) I Dreamed A Dream Susan Boyle (2009) Glee Cast (2010) Anne Hathaway (2013) I Got You Babe Sonny & Cher (1965) UB40 featuring Chrissie Hynde (1985) Cher with Beavis & Butt-Head (1994) I Love How You Love Me Jimmy Crawford (1961) Maureen Evans (1964) Paul & Barry Ryan (1966) I May Never Pass This Way Again Ronnie Hilton (1958) Robert Earl (1958) Perry Como (1958) I Only Want To Be With You Dusty Springfield (1963) Tourists (1979) Bay City Rollers (1976) Samantha Fox (1979) I Put A Spell On You Alan Price Set (1966) Nina Simone (1969) Bryan Ferry (1993) Sonique (1998) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Beverley Sisters (1953) Jimmy Boyd (1953) Billy Cotton & His Band (1953) I Second That Emotion Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967) Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations (1969) Japan (1982) I Shot The Sheriff Eric Clapton (1974) Light Of The World (1981) Warren G (1997) I Think I Love You Partridge Family starring Shirley Jones featuring David Cassidy (1971) Voice Of The Beehive (1991) Kaci (2002) I Think We're Alone Now Tiffany (1988) Pascal featuring Karen Parry (2002) Girls Aloud (2006) I Want Candy Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (1965) Bow Wow Wow (1982) Candy Girls (1996) Aaron Carter (2000) Melanie C (2007) I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston (1992) Sarah Washington (1993) Rik Waller (2002) I Will Survive Gloria Gaynor (1979) Diana Ross (1996) Chantay Savage (1996) Cake (1997) Leah Mcfall (2013) I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Wizzard (1973) Big Reunion Cast 2013 (2013) Creator Universe (2023) I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing New Seekers (1971) No Way Sis (1996) Demi Holborn (2002) If Telly Savalas (1975) Yin & Yan (1975) John Alford (1996) Iko Iko Dixie Cups (1965) Belle Stars (1982) Natasha (1982) I'm A Believer Monkees (1967) Robert Wyatt (1974) EMF & Reeves & Mortimer (1995) I'm Your Man Wham! (1985) Lisa Moorish (1995) Shane Richie (2003) In The Middle Of The House Alma Cogan (1956) Jimmy Parkinson (1956) Johnston Brothers (1956) Indian Love Call Slim Whitman (1955) Karl Denver (1963) Ray Stevens (1975) It's Only Make Believe Conway Twitty (1958) Billy Fury (1964) Glen Campbell (1970) Child (1978) Jingle Bell Rock Max Bygraves (1959) Chubby Checker & Bobby Rydell (1962) Bobby Helms (2019) Just Can't Get Enough Depeche Mode (1981) Saturdays (2009) Good Child Foundation (2011) Keep On Jumpin' Lisa Marie Experience (1996) Todd Terry featuring Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown (1996) Corenell vs The Lisa Marie Experience (2007) Knock On Wood Eddie Floyd (1967) Otis Redding & Carla Thomas (1967) David Bowie (1974) Amii Stewart (1979) Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Indeep (1983) Sylk 130 (1998) Seamus Haji featuring KayJay (2007) Lean On Me Bill Withers (1972) Mud (1976) Club Nouveau (1987) Michael Bolton (1994) Let Me Go Lover Teresa Brewer with The Lancers (1955) Joan Weber (1955) Dean Martin (1955) Ruby Murray (1955) Kathy Kirby (1964) Let's Hang On Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon (1969) Darts (1980) Barry Manilow (1981) Let's Stay Together Al Green (1972) Tina Turner (1983) Pasadenas (1992) Light My Fire Jose Feliciano (1968) Doors (1991) Will Young (2002) Like A Prayer Madonna (1989) Madhouse (2002) Glee Cast (2010) Little Donkey Gracie Fields with The Rita Williams Singers (1959) Beverley Sisters (1959) Nina & Frederick (1960) Little Drummer Boy Beverley Sisters (1959) Harry Simeone Chorale (1959) Michael Flanders (1959) Pipes & Drums & Military Band Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (1972) Love Don't Live Here Anymore Rose Royce (1978) Jimmy Nail (1985) Double Trouble (1990) Love Letters Ketty Lester (1962) Elvis Presley (1966) Alison Moyet (1987) Love Me Forever Eydie Gorme (1958) Marion Ryan (1958) Four Esquires (1958) Love Me Tender Elvis Presley (1956) Richard Chamberlain (1962) Roland Rat Superstar (1984) Mack The Knife Bobby Darin (1959) Louis Armstrong with his All-Stars (1959) Ella Fitzgerald (1960) Make It With You Bread (1970) Pasadenas (1992) Let Loose (1996) Universal (1997) Mambo Italiano Rosemary Clooney & The Mellomen (1954) Dean Martin (1955) Shaft (2000) Mas Que Nada Tamba Trio (1998) Echobeatz (1998) Sergio Mendes / Black Eyed Peas (2006) Memories Are Made Of This Dean Martin (1956) Dave King featuring The Keynotes (1956) Val Doonican (1967) Mony Mony Tommy James & The Shondells (1968) Billy Idol (1987) Amazulu (1987) More More More Andrea True Connection (1976) Bananarama (1993) Rachel Stevens (2004) Morning Has Broken Cat Stevens (1972) Neil Diamond (1992) Daniel O'Donnell (2000) Mr Sandman Chordettes (1954) Dickie Valentine (1954) Four Aces featuring Al Alberts (1955) Max Bygraves (1955) My Girl Otis Redding (1965) Whispers (1980) Temptations (1992) My Way Frank Sinatra (1969) Dorothy Squires (1970) Elvis Presley (1977) Shane MacGowan (1996) Sex Pistols (1978) Nature Boy Bobby Darin (1961) George Benson (1977) Central Line (1983) Never Can Say Goodbye Jackson 5 (1971) Gloria Gaynor (1974) Communards (1987) Never On Sunday Don Costa (1960) Manuel & His Music Of The Mountains (1960) Lynn Cornell (1960) New Orleans Gary US Bonds (1961) Bern Elliott & The Fenmen (1964) Harley Quinne (1972) Gillan (1981) Nights In White Satin Moody Blues (1967) Dickies (1979) Elkie Brooks (1982) No Other Love Johnston Brothers (1956) Ronnie Hilton (1956) Edmund Hockridge (1956) Oh No Not My Baby Manfred Mann (1965) Rod Stewart (1973) Cher (1992) Only Sixteen Craig Douglas (1959) Sam Cooke (1959) Al Saxon (1959) Only You Platters (1956) Hilltoppers (1956) Mark Wynter (1964) Jeff Collins (1972) Ringo Starr (1974) Paper Roses Maureen Evans (1960) Kaye Sisters (1960) Anita Bryant (1960) Marie Osmond (1973) Personality Anthony Newley (1959) Lloyd Price (1959) Lena Zavaroni (1974) Play That Funky Music Wild Cherry (1976) Vanilla Ice (1991) Thunder (1998) Poison Ivy Coasters (1959) Paramounts (1964) Lambrettas (1980) Reach Out I'll Be There Four Tops (1966) Gloria Gaynor (1975) Michael Bolton (1993) Rip It Up Bill Haley & His Comets (1956) Little Richard (1956) Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires (1957) Rubber Ball Bobby Vee (1961) Avons (1961) Marty Wilde (1961) Runaround Sue Dion (1961) Doug Sheldon (1961) Racey (1980) Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat Avons (1959) Paul Evans (1959) Bombalurina featuring Timmy Mallett (1990) She's Not There Zombies (1964) Neil MacArthur (1969) Santana (1977) Show Me Heaven Maria McKee (1990) Tina Arena (1995) Saint featuring Suzanna Dee (2003) Show Me Love Robin S (1993) Steve Angello & Laidback Luke featuring Robin S (2009) Sam Feldt Ft Kimberly Anne (2015) Singing The Blues Guy Mitchell (1956) Tommy Steele (1956) Dave Edmunds (1980) Daniel O'Donnell (1994) Cliff Richard & The Shadows (2009) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Platters (1959) Blue Haze (1972) Bryan Ferry (1974) John Alford (1996) Some Guys Have All The Luck Robert Palmer (1982) Rod Stewart (1984) Maxi Priest (1987) Somethin' Stupid Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra (1967) Ali & Kibibi Campbell (1995) Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman (2001) Spanish Harlem Jimmy Justice (1962) Sounds Incorporated (1964) Aretha Franklin (1971) Spirit In The Sky Norman Greenbaum (1970) Dr & The Medics (1986) Gareth Gates featuring The Kumars (2003) Stand By Me Ben E King (1961) Kenny Lynch (1964) John Lennon (1975) 4 The Cause (1998) Stay Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (1961) Hollies (1963) Jackson Browne (1978) Stop Crying Your Heart Out Oasis (2002) Leona Lewis (2009) BBC Children In Need (2020) Stranger In Paradise Tony Bennett (1955) Don Cornell (1955) Tony Martin (1955) Bing Crosby (1955) Eddie Calvert (1955) Four Aces featuring Al Alberts (1955) Sucu Sucu Laurie Johnson (1961) Nina & Frederick (1961) Ted Heath Orchestra (1961) Suddenly There's A Valley Petula Clark (1955) Lee Lawrence (1955) Jo Stafford (1955) Sugar Sugar Archies (1969) Sakkarin (1971) Duke Baysee (1994) Sugartime Alma Cogan (1958) McGuire Sisters (1958) Jim Dale (1958) Sunny Bobby Hebb (1966) Cher (1966) Georgie Fame (1966) Boney M (1977) Boogie Pimps (2004) Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley (1969) Candi Staton (1982) Fine Young Cannibals (1986) Sweet Child O' Mine Guns 'N' Roses (1988) Sheryl Crow (1999) Taken By Trees (2009) Swingin' Shepherd Blues Ted Heath Orchestra (1958) Moe Koffman Quartette (1958) Ella Fitzgerald & her Shepherds (1958) Tell Him Billie Davis (1963) Hello (1974) Quentin & Ash (1996) Tell It To My Heart Taylor Dayne (1988) Q-Club (1996) Kelly Llorenna (2002) That's The Way (I Like It) KC & The Sunshine Band (1975) Dead Or Alive (1984) Clock (1998) The Power Of Love Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984) Gabrielle Aplin (2012) Dalton Harris Ft James Arthur (2018) The Story Of My Life Gary Miller (1958) Michael Holliday (1958) Dave King (1958) Alma Cogan (1958) The Three Bells Browns (1959) Compagnons De La Chanson (1959) Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (1965) The Twelfth Of Never Cliff Richard (1964) Donny Osmond (1973) Elvis Presley (1995) The Wonder Of You Ronnie Hilton (1959) Ray Peterson (1959) Elvis Presley (1970) The World Outside Ronnie Hilton (1959) Four Aces (1959) Russ Conway (1959) Theme From The Threepenny Opera Dick Hyman Trio (1956) Billy Vaughan & his orchestra (1956) Louis Armstrong with his All-Stars (1956) Thinking Of You Sister Sledge (1984) Maureen (1990) Paul Weller (2004) This Ole House Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & his Orchestra (1954) Billie Anthony with Eric Jupp & His Orchestra (1954) Shakin' Stevens (1981) Till Tony Bennett (1961) Dorothy Squires (1970) Tom Jones (1971) Time After Time Cyndi Lauper (1984) Changing Faces (1998) Distant Soundz (2002) Novaspace (2003) To Love Somebody Nina Simone (1969) Jimmy Somerville (1990) Michael Bolton (1992) Tom Hark Elias & His Zigzag Jive Flutes (1958) Ted Heath Orchestra (1958) Piranhas (1980) Total Eclipse Of The Heart Bonnie Tyler (1983) Nicki French (1995) Jan Wayne (2003) Glee Cast (2010) Toxic Britney Spears (2004) Glee Cast (2011) Songer (2024) True Colors Cyndi Lauper (1986) Phil Collins (1998) Glee Cast (2010) True Love Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly (1956) Terry Lightfoot & The New Orleans Jazzmen (1961) Richard Chamberlain (1963) Shakin' Stevens (1988) Elton John - duet with Kiki Dee (1993) True Love Ways Buddy Holly (1960) Peter & Gordon (1965) Cliff Richard with The London Philharmonic Orchestra (1983) David Essex & Catherine Zeta Jones (1994) Tweedle Dee Frankie Vaughan (1955) Georgia Gibbs (1955) Little Jimmy Osmond (1973) Twenty Tiny Fingers Stargazers (1955) Coronets (1955) Alma Cogan (1955) Twist And Shout Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (1963) Salt-N-Pepa (1988) Chaka Demus & Pliers (1993) Unchained Melody Jimmy Young (1955) Al Hibbler (1955) Les Baxter (1955) Liberace (1955) Righteous Brothers (1965) Robson & Jerome (1995) Gareth Gates (2002) Venus Shocking Blue (1970) Bananarama (1986) Don Pablo's Animals (1990) Volare Dean Martin (1958) Domenico Modungo (1958) Marino Marini & His Quartet (1958) Charlie Drake (1958) Bobby Rydell (1960) Wake Me Up Spark Productions (2013) Avicii (2013) Gareth Malone'S All Star Choir (2014) Walk Hand In Hand Tony Martin (1956) Ronnie Carroll (1956) Jimmy Parkinson (1956) Gerry & Pacemakers (1965) Walk On By Dionne Warwick (1964) Stranglers (1978) Sybil (1990) Gabrielle (1997) War Edwin Starr (1970) Bruce Springsteen (1986) Ugly Rumours (2007) Wayward Wind Jimmy Young (1956) Tex Ritter (1956) Gogi Grant (1956) Frank Ifield (1963) We've Got Tonight Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton (1983) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (1995) Ronan Keating featuring Lulu (2002) What's Love Got To Do With It Tina Turner (1984) Warren G featuring Adina Howard (1996) Kygo & Tina Turner (2020) When I Fall In Love Nat 'King' Cole (1957) Donny Osmond (1973) Rick Astley (1987) When My Little Girl Is Smiling Craig Douglas (1962) Jimmy Justice (1962) Drifters (1962) When You Walk In The Room Searchers (1964) Child (1978) Status Quo (1995) Agnetha Faltskog (2004) White Christmas Mantovani & His Orchestra (1952) Pat Boone (1957) Bing Crosby (1977) Keith Harris & Orville (1985) Whole Lotta Love CCS (1970) Goldbug (1996) Led Zeppelin (1997) Why Anthony Newley (1960) Frankie Avalon (1960) Donny Osmond (1972) Why Do Fools Fall In Love Frankie Lymon & Teenagers (1956) Alma Cogan (1956) Diana Ross (1981) Will You Love Me Tomorrow Shirelles (1961) Melanie (1974) Bryan Ferry (1993) Wind Beneath My Wings Bette Midler (1989) Bill Tarmey (1994) Steven Houghton (1997) Wishing On A Star Rose Royce (1978) Fresh 4 featuring Lizz E (1989) Cover Girls (1992) Jay-Z featuring Gwen Dickey (1998) Paul Weller (2004) X Factor Finalists 2011 (2011) Witch Doctor David Seville (1958) Don Lang & His Frantic Five (1958) Cartoons (1999) With A Little Help From My Friends Young Idea (1967) Joe Brown (1967) Joe Cocker (1968) Wet Wet Wet (1988) Wonderwall Oasis (1995) Mike Flowers Pops (1995) Ryan Adams (2004) Word Up Cameo (1986) Gun (1994) Melanie G (1999) Little Mix (2014) Words Bee Gees (1968) Rita Coolidge (1978) Boyzone (1996) Yellow Rose Of Texas Mitch Miller (1955) Gary Miller (1955) Ronnie Hilton (1955) Yesterday Matt Monro (1965) Marianne Faithfull (1965) Beatles (1976) Wet Wet Wet (1997) You Don't Have To Say You Love Me Dusty Springfield (1966) Elvis Presley (1971) Guys & Dolls (1976) You Got What It Takes Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (1960) Marv Johnson (1960) Dave Clark Five (1967) Showaddywaddy (1977) You Keep Me Hangin' On Supremes (1966) Vanilla Fudge (1967) Kim Wilde (1986) You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) Sylvester (1978) Jimmy Somerville (1990) Byron Stingily (1998) You To Me Are Everything Real Thing (1976) Sonia (1991) Sean Maguire (1995) You'll Never Walk Alone Gerry & Pacemakers (1963) Crowd (1985) José Carreras, Placido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti with Mehta (1998) Michael Ball/Captain Tom Moore (2020) Young And Foolish Ronnie Hilton (1956) Edmund Hockridge (1956) Dean Martin (1956) Young Love Sonny James (1957) Tab Hunter (1957) Donny Osmond (1973) Your Song Elton John (1971) Billy Paul (1977) Elton John & Alessandro Safina (2002) Ellie Goulding (2010) You're The One That I Want John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (1978) Hylda Baker & Arthur Mullard (1978) Craig McLachlan&/ Debbie Gibson (1993) You've Got A Friend James Taylor (1971) Big Fun & Sonia featuring Gary Barnacle (1990) Brand New Heavies (1997) Zambesi Lou Busch (1956) Eddie Calvert (1956) Piranhas (1982)

No, I gave examples in my first post of why even the existing age of 18 could be considered too young to vote. As that's the age you become an adult though the voting age of 18 is fair enough. What I'm saying is the biggest argument I've seen for allowing 16/17 year old's to vote is they are more likely to agree with their point of view than the older voters who have ruined their future and will be dead soon. There are examples of this in this thread. That to me is not a reason to change it, had those same people had a different point of view to what 16/17 year old's are said to have they would probably be speaking against their right to vote. I agree that extending it won't necessarily mean the outcome will drastically change, I said something to that effect in my first post when I said young people get older and change their point of view. I never said you get more right wing as you age. I said that a significant number of people change their political views on certain things over time. You saying you've gone from Lib Dem to more economically left wing is an example of this.

I'm not saying young people shouldn't vote because they might change their mind when they're older. I do think those who are 18+ should have the right to vote even if some don't take it very seriously. However it seems like a lot of people who think 16/17 year old's should vote think that because they're more likely to vote different to the older voters they don't agree with. Yes not all people change their views when they get older but from my own personal experience I know that many do.

I don't usually post about anything that's not related to music, but I had an interesting conversation today with someone in their 20s which is relevant to this topic. They told me they were at university during the last general election and neither they nor their friends had idea who to vote for so just ticked a random box. They say their better informed this time around. I suspect the younger you go, the more you get of that sort of thing. When I was at school we had mock elections at the time of a general election and it was always the novelty parties that won them. The oldest of those at school would have been 18 and old enough to vote in the real thing. I'm not going to give my own political opinions on here, but what I will say is that now I'm in my forties they've changed quite considerably in some respects compared to those I had when I was 18. It would be naive to think all the youngsters who strongly disagree with the views of older people aren't going to change their mind when they get older themselves. When I was young, people spoke of dinosaurs with outdated views who would be dead soon and the world would be a much better place once us youngsters took it over. Now we still have dinosaurs with outdated views, the only difference is these dinosaurs are now people my age.

I don't remember anything about the charts as a whole but there was a perception that successful chart acts were cheesy commercial rubbish and the lower reaches, or music that didn't make the charts at all was more credible. There was outrage in 1993 at Mr. Blobby getting Christmas number one ahead of Take That. We had an end of term school disco and the DJ gave a prize to the best dancer to a couple of songs, the prize being the Mr. Blobby single and the same was probably happening at school discos across the country.

Going back to that point in 1993 that I spoke of, The Bluebells was a re-issue of a 1984 single that was used on the Golf advert and the Queen record that knocked it off the top was George Michael singing "Somebody To Love" at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert was was a charity record, so yes very much so. In 1993 I was very much into music but I never bought any singles that year and most of my collection was copied tapes. The same could be said of many of my friends too. Nirvana were the most popular band at school but they never had a number one. At the same time the popular bands were at least in the Top 40 and there did seem to be something for everyone in there. These days there doesn't appear to be much rock music at all in the charts. Dance music wise in the 90s there were numerous records that gained a following in the raves/clubs which led to mainstream success but the record remained credible. These days it appears a dance records chart success is down to how popular the DJ is on Instagram or whatever the latest social media thing is and the record is the modern equivalent of 2 Unlimited who no genuine dance music fan liked in the 90s.

You're right that we do have the odd legacy act have chart success. I didn't think we'd see The Beatles and Rolling Stones in the Top 40 again let alone both have Top 40 hits in the same year but it happened last year. I thought neither were at their best but were better than the rest of the rubbish that was in the Top 40 last year. I would say the fact that Beyonce is at number one proves that record labels still have the power. She's the wife of a record label boss after all. By the time I was at university me and my friends had different music tastes but we could all agree on how much we hated Destiny's Child. I find it baffling how successful Beyonce has been as a solo artist but maybe the answer is starring at me right in my face. I know I'm too old to speak for the youth of today but the music in the charts these days doesn't strike me as the type of music teenage boys would listen to. I had a conversation with a work colleague in his early 20s about music recently and his music taste was in his own words "angry rappers". He named a few rappers he liked and I hadn't heard of any of them. I asked whether he liked Drake (I'm well aware of his chart success) and he was offended I even considered that a possibility. We had Eminem in my day, but he thought that Eminem was too old. I've known for many years that it's the lowest common denominator worm fodder that comes out on top. Maybe todays youngsters realise that earlier than I did.

I remember being sat in a school assembly in 1993. The headmaster was trying to think of something us students could relate to when making his point so he asked one of the younger teachers who was currently number one in the charts. The younger teacher said The Bluebells which sparked a big reaction from us students because we all knew that Queen had just knocked The Bluebells off the top of the charts. Now we're all in our 40s if you were to ask use all who is currently number one I would expect 99% of us wouldn't have a clue. I know it's Beyonce because I have my own chart spreadsheet that I update each week, but I've never knowingly heard the song and I'm happy with that fact given how dreadful Beyonce is. The point is that most of us 40 somethings were going to lose interest anyway given that in the good old days of 1993 our 50 something headmaster had no clue and the maybe 30 year old teacher had a vague idea. I also think the question of whether the charts reflect what's currently popular has always been questionable. Again going back to school in 1993, most of the boys were into Nirvana and some of the girls were too. The rest of the girls were divided between Take That and East 17 with a couple who liked Bad Boys Inc instead. On that basis you would expect Nirvana to be dominating the charts but they weren't. Their final single "Rape Me/All Apologies" only made number 32 that year. I do however thing something does need to change and I think a good starting point is only making singles eligible given it's supposed to be a singles chart. Also whilst it was tedious having Bryan Adams at number one for 16 weeks, the fact the rules mean there's little chance of that record being beaten makes it less interesting. Even from discussion I've read on here where people almost know how a records going to do in the charts before it's even released almost makes the chart seem pointless. For example there was an Ed Sheeran single recently that didn't chart very high at all, people on here predicted it wouldn't and I personally have no idea why because I would have thought the fact it was by Ed Sheeran would make it a contender for number one. Then there's artists from yesteryear who don't seem to have a hope in hell of making the Top 40 with their new record. In the 90s we still had the likes of Cliff Richard having hits, not my cup of tea but it made the charts more interesting.

I only really bought the singles if I didn't think I was likely to buy the album they were on. Last CD single was "I Am" by 3rd Wish in 2005 which never made the Top 40. They disappeared off the face of the earth after that and I don't think there was ever an album. Last cassette single I think was "Salva Mea" by Faithless. I no longer have my cassettes and did end up buying the Faithless album.

Cassius - Cassius Romeo - Romeo Dunn