Dasher

21ST DECEMBER It set a blistering pace from the off and the re-issue of “Bohemian Rhapsody” does exactly what everyone thought it would, debut instantly at the top. The song was of course No 1 for Christmas 1975 spending 9 weeks at the top and selling a million as well as launching the concept of the pop promo as we know it. Its re-release is of course thanks to the untimely death of Freddie Mercury last month which has seen “Greatest Hits II” shift incredible numbers at No 1 in the album charts, and in making the top it becomes the first song to make No 1 twice for the same act. Officially it is a double A-Side with new song “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” which appears on the groups “Innuendo” album, the video for which is done mostly in black and white to partly hide the extent of Mercury’s failing health. All told the package sold over 100,000 in its first day alone and an amazing total of 330,800 copies in 6 days, the last single to sell at that rate? Band Aid of course. It is also either the 5th or 6th song to debut at No 1 in 1991 depending on how you view Iron Maiden’s “Bring Your Daughter” which hit the top on 30th December 1990 but with an official chart date of 5th January 1991- either way it puts 1991 in the record books for entries at No 1. Finally it also becomes the first song to re-enter the charts at the top and also the 11th biggest seller of the year after just a week! Also arriving this week but with a less emphatic sales tally is the new Guns N Roses single “Live And Let Die”, their version of the 1973 No 9 Wings classic. The band have been performing the song live for a few years now and put their version on “Use Your Illusion I”, interestingly both I & II are side by side this week just outside the top 50. It’s a 6th top 10 for the band in the last 2 years as they continue to be one of the biggest groups around, this is new at No 5 (34,896). Those who thought that “I’m Too Sexy” was a one off are proved entirely wrong with the new Right Said Fred single “Don’t Talk Just Kiss” which once again feature the vocals of Jocelyn Brown who is getting spoiled with all these official credits these days. The single fires 17-9 (25,280) with an album coming in spring! Cliff topped the Christmas charts in 1988 and 1990 and was also part of Band Aid II in 1989 but it looks like he won’t be getting a fourth year in 1991, his attempt at the big one is “We Should Be Together” which is a cut from his “Together With Cliff” album currently residing at No 10 on the album charts. It jumps 19-10 (22,656) this week to become his 60th top 10 single- an amazing achievement by anyone’s standards even if it doesn’t make the top. George Michael and Elton John can do nothing to stop losing the pole position this week and fall back 1-2 (65,536) a whole 265,000 behind Queen, again the biggest gap between the top 2 since Band Aid and Wham! seven years ago. The KLF and Tammy Wynette hold steady at No 3 (50,176) managing to outpace Diana Ross who falls back 2-4 (49,552), further down Michael Jackson is also falling 4-8 (27,584) but with “Dangerous” still top 5 and selling a million I doubt he’ll care. Two records stuck in groove are side by side, Brian May at No 6 (31,280) and Kym Sims at No 7 (30,944). Next week it’s Christmas- can anything dislodge Queen? 1- BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY/ THESE ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES- Queen (330,800) 2- DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME- George Michael & Elton John (65,536) 3- JUSTIFIED AND ANCIENT- The KLF/ Tammy Wynette (50,176) 4- WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME- Diana Ross (49,552) 5- LIVE AND LET DIE- Guns N Roses (34,896) 6- DRIVEN BY YOU- Brian May (31,280) 7- TOO BLIND TO SEE IT- Kym Sims (30,944) 8- BLACK OR WHITE- Michael Jackson (27,584) 9- DON’T TALK JUST KISS- Right Said Fred/ Jocelyn Brown (25,280) 10- WE SHOULD BE TOGETHER- Cliff Richard (22,656)

14TH DECEMBER The runners and riders for the big sellers over the festive period are starting to line up but George Michael and Elton John remain at the top of the roost boosting sales to 82,960 and may prove harder to dislodge next week than many had thought. It’s the second chart topper for both in duet, George of course took Aretha Franklin with him to the top in 1987 and Elton duetted with Kiki way back in 1976. The new challenger to their throne is Diana Ross who ascends 4-2 (54,816) just edging ahead of The KLF Featuring Tammy Wynette who glide 5-3 (50,288), the appearance of the re-issue of Ross’s album (which debuts at No 14) seems to have not affected the single. Freddie Mercury’s death on 24th November marked a great surge in Queen’s sales which sees 4 of their albums in the top 75 with both “Greatest Hits” packages doing a roaring trade at No’s 1 & 8, by sheer co-incidence Brian May has been hard at work recording a solo album due next year and the first single “Driven By You” had the promotion of an ad campaign behind it to get it lodged into the public’s mind. Yes Ford is the culprit, but it’s worked as the single revs 14-6 (26,512), it’s not May’s first solo credit after he made No 65 in 1983 with “Star Fleet” so it’s certainly his highest solo effort but the real show of public mourning for Mercury should be evident next week. Leaping up the charts 22-7 (22,064) is “Too Blind To See It” by US dance diva Kym Sims. It’s her first UK single and comes with the production of Steve “Silk” Hurley who is no stranger to the No 1 himself having taken “Jack Your Body” to the top in January 1987. Already a million seller just 10 weeks into its chart life, Simply Red’s fourth album “Stars” has produced its second hit single after lead track “Something Got Me Started” stalled at No 11. The title track from the album lifts 11-8 (20,864) to give the group only their 3rd top 10 single, both the others went to No 2 so watch out for this, though maybe once Christmas is out of the way! The highest new entry of the week isn’t from U2 who can only make a splash at No 13 but from New Kids On The Block. When “Games” peaked at No 14 back in February many wrote them off as yesterday’s teen favourites but they’ve come back from the edge with “Call It What You Want” making No 12 and now new single “If You Go Away” debuting at No 9 (19,792). It’s their 9th top 10 single in only 2 years but the first not to be produced by Maurice Starr who parted ways with the group, it’s co-written by John Bettis who also co-wrote the current Diana Ross single. A greatest hits album is out this week and the boys remain the 3rd biggest selling singles act of the decade behind only Madonna and leader Bryan Adams. Michael Jackson slides 2-4 (36,928) but he does sell his 200,000 copy of “Black Or White”, he keeps above East Side Beat who also fall 3-5 (31,840), and Nirvana drop 7-10 (19,216) as “Nevermind” also falls for the first time in 7 weeks as it blips 33-36. Next week sees the re-release of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and if pre orders are anything to go by we’ll be in 6 figures for week 1! 1- DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME- George Michael & Elton John (82,960) 2- WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME- Diana Ross (54,816) 3- JUSTIFIED AND ANCIENT- The KLF/ Tammy Wynette (50,288) 4- BLACK OR WHITE- Michael Jackson (36,928) 5- RIDE LIKE THE WIND- East Side Beat (31,840) 6- DRIVEN BY YOU- Brian May (26,512) 7- TOO BLIND TO SEE IT- Kym Sims (22,064) 8- STARS- Simply Red (20,864) 9- IF YOU GO AWAY- New Kids On The Block (19,792) 10- SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT- Nirvana (19,216)

7TH DECEMBER It’s Elton John’s 19th top 10 single and George Michael’s 8th solo top tenner, and fittingly on world AIDS day their version of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” smashes straight into the top spot on a sale of 55,072 the proceeds of which go to the charity. The song was of course originally an Elton solo single making No 16 in 1974 with George and Elton first performing the track together at Live Aid 6 years ago, Michael added the song to his “Cover To Cover” tour earlier this year and filmed the video with a surprise spot from Elton back in March. Of course Michael has fallen out with his record label this year and sworn only to release charity records whilst it’s resolved. Its chances of being No 1 at Christmas are next to nothing if you believe the bookies who immediately placed the re-issue of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in a fortnight as a certainty which makes the rundown of potential festive chart toppers last week redundant. In other news Elton John becomes the first act to have two chart toppers in the 90s, this is also the first "live" single to hit the top since the Specials 11 years ago, and finally this is the first chart topper to sell more on CD than in any other format whilst at No 1! Former favourites of the bookies for the festive No 1, The KLF team up with Tammy Wynette on the track “Justified And Ancient” which debuts at No 5 (31,984) this week. Like all their hits this year they were all available previously in substantively different versions, the origins of song first appeared in 1987 on the duo’s first album but has now been worked into a full track with vocals by Country Singer Tammy Wynette. She had three UK hits in the mid 70s most famously on “Stand By Your Man” which hit the top spot, she’s also been absent from chart action for 15 years and this must count as one of the more unusual returns to the top 10 in recent years. With a fourth album due early next year James are back with lead single “Sound” which powers 15-9 (21,904). It is of course the follow up to “Sit Down” which shifted over 240,000 and is one of the top 20 singles of the year so far, this cements their arrival on the main stage of pop. Michael Jackson is deposed from the top on both the singles and albums chart slumping 1-2 (50,624) on the singles chart but still way ahead of East Side Beat who do rise 6-3 (37,328) nonetheless. More promising for Diana Ross who jets 10-4 (36,320) leapfrogging a still climbing Nirvana 9-7 (24,896) who generated much publicity following a memorable TOTP performance on Thursday! Heading south are Altern-8 3-6 (26,752- that's their best sales week yet), Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff collapse 2-8 (24,192) and Bizarre Inc fall back 4-10 (20,992). 1- DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME- George Michael & Elton John (55,072) 2- BLACK OR WHITE- Michael Jackson (50,624) 3- RIDE LIKE THE WIND- East Side Beat (37,328) 4- WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME- Diana Ross (36,320) 5- JUSTIFIED AND ANCIENT- The KLF/ Tammy Wynette (31,984) 6- ACTIV 8 (COME WITH ME)- Altern 8 (26,752) 7- SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT- Nirvana (24,896) 8- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (24,192) 9- SOUND- James (21,904) 10- PLAYING WITH KNIVES- Bizarre Inc. (20,992)

30TH NOVEMBER With the album “Dangerous” in shops from Thursday “Black Or White” had a decent proportion of the sales week to itself and indeed the single easily retains the top spot on the singles chart after 76,544 copies changed hands. It was really the side show for the inevitable Jackson Vs U2 showdown on the album charts, “Achtung Baby” was released on Monday and had sold around 115,000 Monday- Wednesday an insurmountable tally under normal conditions, but somehow “Dangerous” did it after it sold just over 200,000 in three days, a testament of how Jackson’s star status remains ever present. It’s a Jackson double then in the end then, the second of 1991 and the 90s after Bryan Adams. For the first time ever there are three new entries in the top 10 as the race for the Christmas No 1 starts to crank up, the highest of which comes from Italian dance act East Side Beat and their version of the Christopher Cross No 69 1980 track “Ride Like The Wind”. It debuts at No 6 (20,992) and is already a substantial hit over Europe even though it has no official promo yet. Grunge is the latest sub genre to reach prominence in the UK music press and leading pioneers of the movement are US band Nirvana, their first album “Bleach” failed to garner any success with the UK audience but second album “Nevermind” did enter at No 36 nine weeks ago and has improved position wise for the last 5 weeks moving 73-68-66-54-43-40 as first single from it “Smells Like Teen Spirit” arrives at No 9 (16,960). It has radio support from Radio 1 which has helped break them along with a European tour this year and MTV onside. An 18th solo credited hit for Diana Ross debuts at No 10 (16,176) this week. It’s the first cut from her new album “Force Behind The Power” and it also becomes the first time she’s ever crashed straight into the top flight. The CD single includes her 1986 No 1 hit “Chain Reaction” which is also incidentally the last time she was in the top 10. Welcome back. Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff get another week at No 2 though they are off 32% in sales down to 31,840 but its sales tally 292,816 now and should be on course for the Y/E top 10 at this rate. Altern-8 inch 4-3 (25,648) keeping marginally ahead of fellow Stafforders Bizarre Inc as they lunge 9-4 (24,448), that means no room for 2 Unlimited who dive 3-5 (24,432) and Bassheads who drop 5-7 (20,144). 1- BLACK OR WHITE- Michael Jackson (76,544) 2- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (31,840) 3- ACTIV 8 (COME WITH ME)- Altern 8 (25,648) 4- PLAYING WITH KNIVES- Bizarre Inc (24,448) 5- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (24,432) 6- RIDE LIKE THE WIND- East Side Beat (20,992) 7- IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE- Bassheads (20,144) 8- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Michael Bolton (17,776) 9- SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT- Nirvana (16,960) 10- WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME- Diana Ross (16,176) A month to Christmas which means it’s time to assess the runners and riders for the big day: ERASURE- Am I Right? Their last two singles both entered straight into the top 10, could this surprise us all? GUNS N ROSES- Live And Let Die Another band who’ve had a great 1991, this cover will probably chime with many a bond film over the festive period. THE KLF/ TAMMY WYNETTE- Justified And Ancient Currently the bookies favourite, an unusual teaming of one of 1991’s hottest with a 70s country star, sounds like gold! NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK- If You Go Away Not the force they were last year admittedly, but they’ve split with mentor Maurice Starr and this is the first fruits. THE RED CAR AND THE BLUE CAR- Home For Christmas Day You might not recognise the group or the title but you’ll know the tune from “Milky way” adverts over the years- could kiddie power take this all the way? VIC REEVES- Abide With Me Hot off the back of a chart topper, Reeves’s take on the traditional hymn could get the right mix of novelty and festivity to hit the top. CLIFF RICHARD- We Should Be Together It’s Christmas so we must have a Cliff single. He’s had a much quieter year in 1991 but that always changes at Christmas as he goes for another festive No 1 MEL SMITH- Another Bloomin’ Christmas His only other single made No 3 four years ago, he doesn’t have Kim Wilde by his side but he’ll be summing up many people’s thoughts on December 25th SHAKIN STEVENS- I’ll Be Home This Christmas As with Cliff, at Christmas time we all expect a Shaky single and he’s not let us down. His last top 20 single was last Christmas which bucked the trend of his recent chart positions- can he do it again? U2- Mysterious Ways Another act who recently topped the charts, U2 will be hoping lightning can strike twice, their top 10 strike rate dates back to 1984!

23RD NOVEMBER It’s been four years in the making but the new Michael Jackson album is almost with us and that of course means an epic video. The 11 minute promo for “Black Or White” was premiered in the UK on TOTP in its entirety this week the same day that the single was available (Thursday) but in just 3 days the song sold 77,456 to effortlessly become Jackson’s fourth solo chart topper but his first to arrive instantly at the top. Indeed Jackson is the first US artist to do that since Elvis in 1960, his lead was so great that he should easily retain the top spot for a few weeks, and in terms of debuts at No 1, 1991 has now had three tracks to turn the trick, just 1 behind 1973. The arrival of two new tracks into the top 10 also marks the first time in chart history (or at least since the charts became a top 20) that there has been a new entry in the top flight for five consecutive weeks! The promo incidentally caused calls to the BBC and complaints about the violence it contained within, all of which naturally generated headlines and sales so either way it was all good for sales, “Dangerous” the album is available this Thursday and will have to go some to do battle with the U2 album “Achtung Baby” which is also expected to be a massive seller and will have the advantage of three days sales over the Jackson LP. With the arrival of such an eagerly anticipated single, last week’s best seller stood little chance and sure enough Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff retreat 1-2 (46,464) and similarly force 2 Unlimited down 2-3 (27,888). Shelley’s Laserdome club in Stoke On Trent is an unlikely spot to be on the national map as significant but that club is currently benefiting from the close of the Hacienda in Manchester last year and is now the epicentre of the British rave scene. If you’ve never been there then you can at least see the car park in the video for Altern-8’s “Active-8 (Come With Me)” which bounds 11-4 (24,784), the rave duo have garnered a reputation for themselves turning up at outdoor rave events and playing, it all seems to have paid off for them, first single “Infiltrate 202” made No 28 but can this go all the way? Seal’s had a fantastic year with “Crazy” making no 2 in January and two other top 20 singles coupled with the chart topping eponymous album in June. The album has already shifted 300,000 and rockets 42-20 this week as the fourth track is culled from it “Killer”. It is of course Seal’s solo version of the Adamski song which topped the charts for 4 weeks last year and introduced us all to his voice though Seal was uncredited on it. It’s actually an EP entitled “Killer….On The Loose” and contains his version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hey Joe” among its other tracks, it climbs 14-8 (16,496) to round off a great year. It also comes with a 3D video which was recently premiered on “Going Live” a few weeks ago and must have helped here. Talking of the west midlands, this week we have not only Altern-8 new in the top 10 but also Bizarre Inc, a three piece from Stafford who used to include Mark Archer, he’s now a producer and co-produced the Altern 8 track! You may have heard of them thanks to their last single “Such A Feeling” making No 13 in September, but before that they released three singles which failed before “Playing With Knives” made No 43, clearly buoyed by the success of their last single they’ve re-released the track and now debuts instantly at No 9 (14,688). The song samples a 1990 club hit by Circuit called “Shelter Me” in case you wondered where the vocals came from. The current US No 1 single trundles 31-10 (12,864) and marks a return to favour for Michael Bolton, his first UK hit “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” went to No 3 and became his first US chart topper but his second UK album “Time Love & Tenderness had failed to give the singer a UK top 20 single until now though it has itself been certified platinum after peaking at No 2. His version of Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman” should continue to climb now, it’ll be hoping to at least match the No 2 of the original on re-issue in 1987 thanks to a Levi advert. Bassheads progress 8-5 (23,824) as labelmates K-Klass fall back 3-6 (23,312) and Kylie & Keith falter 4-7 (17,840). For the first time in 21 weeks we have no Bryan Adams who slips 6-12 ending a 21 week residency- the longest since the Beatles did a similar amount with "She Loves You". Finally, as an aside, a piece of chart history was created this week with 12" singles becoming the dominant chart format for the first time over the 7" equivalent. It took 29.5% of the market to 28.1% for 7". 1- BLACK OR WHITE- Michael Jackson (77,456) 2- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (46,464) 3- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (27,888) 4- ACTIV 8 (COME WITH ME)- Altern 8 (24,784) 5- IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE- Bassheads (23,824) 6- RHYTHM IS A MYSTERY- K Klass (23,312) 7- IF YOU WERE WITH ME NOW- Kylie Minogue & Keith Washington (17,840) 8- KILLER...EP- Seal (16,496) 9- PLAYING WITH KNIVES- Bizarre Inc (14,688) 10- WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN- Michael Bolton (12,864)

16TH NOVEMBER Into decline already, “Dizzy” still remains very healthily in front of the field with another 57,488 buyers last week, that makes 214,512 in its first month, not bad in terms of the year. His album arrives at No 16 as Reeves announces that he will be issuing a Christmas single, talking of which we’ll do our annual review of the runners and riders in a few weeks Circulating in clubland for many months and featuring a raft of uncleared samples The Basshead’s are the latest dance act on Deconstruction to hit it big as “Is There Anybody Out There” debuts at No 8 (15,712) just one week after the fifth top 40 hit for the label did exactly the same for K-Klass. “Rhythm Is A Mystery” surges 8-3 (26,000) which is exactly what the Bassheads will be hoping for next week, their song features samples from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and The Osmonds which all makes it rather eclectic to say the least. It is the 32nd track to debut in the top 10, yes that’s a new record folks! The KLF are back, well under a pseudonym “Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu” or the JAMM’s with a song “It’s Grim Up North” which was originally released in a limited 12” form last December with Pete Wylie on vocals. Now re-worked with Drummond on the mic the song takes its inspiration from the inscription on a bridge over the M1 and proceeds to list many northern towns before sliding into an orchestrated version of “Jerusalem”. It marks the first time that the same group has made the top 10 under three different guises, it rises 18-10 (15,040). 2 Unlimited rebound 3-2 (32,896) though they lose considerable ground on Reeves & The Wonder Stuff, Kylie & Keith float 7-4 (18,304) making it her biggest single of 1991 though that sales figure is the lowest needed for a track at No 4 since the 70s at least. A couple of falling chart toppers up next, U2 drop 2-5 (17,264) and with the single now deleted it should hurtle south, and Bryan Adams also descends 4-6 (16,592)- the figure for U2 joins Minogue/Washington in the record books as the lowest needed for the top 5 in the gallip era. Kiri Te Kanawa ebbs 5-7 (16,384) with Genesis bounding back 6-9 (15,216) as their album “We Can’t Dance” is in the shops this week. Next week sees the return of Michael Jackson! 1- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (57,488) 2- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (32,896) 3- RHYTHM IS A MYSTERY- K Klass (26,000) 4- IF YOU WERE WITH ME NOW- Kylie Minogue & Keith Washington (18,304) 5- THE FLY- U2 (17,264) 6- (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU- Bryan Adams (16,592) 7- WORLD IN UNION- Kiri Te Kanawa (16,384) 8- IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?- Bassheads (15,712) 9- NO SON OF MINE- Genesis (15,216) 10- IT’S GRIM UP NORTH- Justified Ancients Of MuMu (15,040)

BTW BBC4 are only showing 1 episode tonight and 3 next week so you're a week ahead of the programme!

21ST NOVEMBER Head and shoulders above the competition for another week Cher’s “Believe” completes its month at No 1 shifting another 164,642 in the last week which puts its total at almost 750,000 enough for No 5 on the YTD chart. Runners up this week are Steps who grab their 4th hit and second No 2 peaker with double A-Side “Heartbeat/ Tragedy”. The former is on their “Step One” album and comes with a festive video which sees the group rescue H from the snow queen whilst “Tragedy” is another track to be lifted from the same Bee Gees tribute album as 911’s “More Than A Woman”. It has a promo which features Pete Waterman as a wedding DJ spinning the discs after the boys sabotage the girls wedding days- not quite so festive. It sold 66,567 last week to be comprehensively deprived of their first No 1. If you’re a fan of the film “Apocalpse Now” then check out the new promo for the Stereophonics single “The Bartender And The Thief” which is the first single from an as yet unnamed new album. The band scored 4 top 40 singles from their debut era “Word Gets Around” helped by picking up a BRIT award in February for best new group and a critically applauded tour which ultimately results in this crashing in at No 3 (59,000) for the Welsh boys. James’ “Best Of” topped the charts back in April and at the end of a year spend touring their greatest hits it’s only fitting that they release one of their biggest hits “Sit Down”. The original missed the charts in 1989 but two years later was remixed into a No 2 single and an indie classic ever since, now the song gets a second remix at the hands of Apollo 440 who steer it back into the top 10 at No 7 (39,000). The Tamperer Featuring Maya dip 3-4 (52,000) still an exact mirror of their last singles chart run- top 3 again next week? No way back for E-17 though who dive 2-5 (46,000) and who at least stay above Touch & Go 4-6 (43,000). Further down Aerosmith refuse to leave the top flight re-climbing 9-8 (37,000) and swapping places with Eagle Eye Cherry 8-9 (36,000), Queen & Wyclef Jean complete the top 10 doubling their position 5-10 (34,000). Next week with the festive season upon us we’ll review those Christmas No 1 contenders! 1- BELIEVE- Cher (164,642) 2- TRAGEDY/ HEARTBEAT- Steps (66,567) 3- THE BARTENDER AND THE THIEF- The Stereophonics (59,000) 4- IF YOU BUY THIS RECORD YOUR LIFE WILL BE BETTER- Tamperer (52,000) 5- EACH TIME- E-17 (46,000) 6- WOULD YOU?- Touch and Go (43,000) 7- SIT DOWN (REMIX)- James (39,000) 8- I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING- Aerosmith (37,000) 9- FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN- Eagle Eye Cherry (36,000) 10- ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST- Queen/ Wyclef Jean (34,000)

14TH NOVEMBER “Believe” appears to be turning into a major hit as it scores an easy third week at No 1 though sales do relent albeit by 9% to a still mighty 186,768 bringing its 21 day haul to 559,755, that makes it already Cher’s biggest selling solo single ever as it leaps over “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s His Kiss)”. That title spent 5 weeks at the top in 1991 so “Believe” still has some legwork to put in to overtake it in terms of weeks at No 1. Who can forget the spectacular way that East 17 fell apart in early 1997 after Brian Harvey’s drugs outburst. Well shortly after he quit the band (or got fired) main songwriter Tony Mortimer also decided he’d had enough and not long after that Harvey was back in the fold. The band have re-marketed themselves now as E-17 and with sufficient time passed we get a comeback single “Each Time”. Seems like the UK public were missing them as it debuts at No 2 (72,000)- their 12th top 10 single but funnily enough their 17th hit from 17 releases coming 17 months after their last single left the charts. A statistician’s dream. The album “Resurrection” is out in a fortnight which will be the real test. It’s not the catchiest of titles but The Tamperer Featuring Maya’s follow up to the No 1 “Feel It” wastes no time in smashing in at No 3 (64,000). It borrows the melody of Madonna’s “Material Girl” this time around and before you write it off remember this is the same position that “Feel It” entered the charts. Last week we got Pras’ new single “Blue Angels” which falls out of the top 10, this week it’s Wyclef’s turn. “Another One Bites The Dust” is his take on the Queen 1980 #7 UK hit and features a rap by Pras himself, the song appears in the new film “Small Soldiers” which is currently in cinema’s and helps to explain why his US single “Cheated (To All The Girls)” gets pulled here in its favour. It beats the peak of the original by entering at No 5 (46,000) and indeed such is the use of the original track that Queen get equal billing with Wyclef. Incidentally Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” debuts at No 1 in the US so all in all they’re all doing well outside the Fugees umbrella. Former co-star with Will Smith on “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” Tatyana Ali played Ashley Banks on the show and once filming had shut down she turned her eye chartward. First track “Daydreamin’” cruises in at No 6 (43,000) matching exactly its US peak back in September. Eagle Eye Cherry is back in the top 10 too just a few months after “Save Tonight” made No 6. New single “Falling In Love Again” slips in at No 8 (37,000) though it can’t prevent the parent album “Desireless” falling 48-51, it’s sold over 100,000 since it was released 16 weeks ago. Touch And Go slide 3-4 (48,000) while George Michael gives up his challenge 2-7 (41,000), Aerosmith dip a notch 8-9 (34,000) but go gold with “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”. U2 tumble 4-10 (31,000) explained by the fact that their greatest hits set (“The Best Of 1980-1990 & B-Sides”) debuts atop the album charts beating albums by M People, Alanis Morissette, and Oasis. 1- BELIEVE- Cher (186,768) 2- EACH TIME- E-17 (72,000) 3- IF YOU BUY THIS RECORD YOUR LIFE WILL BE BETTER- Tamperer (64,000) 4- WOULD YOU- Touch And Go (48,000) 5- ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST- Queen/ Wyclef Jean (46,000) 6- DAYDREAMIN- Tatyana Ali (43,000) 7- OUTSIDE- George Michael (41,000) 8- FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN- Eagle Eye Cherry (37,000) 9- I DON’T WANNA MISS A THING- Aerosmith (34,000) 10- SWEETEST THING- U2 (31,000)

Aww I don't mind IYWWMN, I mean it's not top tier Minogue I agree but not bad, at least it put her back in the top 10 and I feared for her after the chart flop of WIO, doubtless it was released with indecent haste in order to have a top 10 single to promote the album in the run up to Christmas.

9TH NOVEMBER We waited 16 weeks for a new number one and then in the space of three weeks we have three different chart toppers. U2 are bounced off the top 1-2 (53,344) and in being demoted it becomes just the third track ever (and second this year) to debut at No 1 and spend just 7 days there. The new chart topper is the 15th track to hit the top in two different versions, Tommy Roe in 1969 and now Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff take “Dizzy” all the way to the top. Selling 64,800 last week it only increases sales by a fraction but that’s easily enough to see it outpace the opposition but it will face a test this week with Reeves’ album “I Will Cure You” in shops now. With half term over sales are in a general slump, 2 Unlimited hold at No 3 (46,768) and even Bryan Adams sticks at No 4 (32,400) meanwhile Kiri Te Kanawa digs in at No 5 (31,216) but all are receding in sales week on week and indeed the latter must be fancied to fade fast with the Rugby world cup now over. When it debuted at No 19 last week “If You Were With Me Now” became the lowest debuting Kylie Minogue single since her introductory single “I Should Be So Lucky” in 1988. Coupled with the No 16 peak of her last single “Word Is Out” it all pointed to a career in trouble and ever diminishing chart returns, but her new single zooms 19-7 (20,960) to become a 14th top 10 single from 15 attempts, it’s actually a duet with US singer Keith Washington who has his first hit but clearly it’s Kylie selling this song, she doesn’t appear to be able to sell albums any longer with her fourth LP “Let’s Get To It” peaking at No 15 and slumping 18-27 this week. When first released in April this year “Rhythm Is A Mystery” peaked at a meagre No 61 on independent label Creed, it’s now been picked up by Deconstruction and makes a much more impressive splash by debuting at No 8 (20,416). The group met at the Hacienda club in 1988 before supporting 808 State en-route to the charts. Genesis improve 9-6 (22,224) whilst both Monty Python and The Scorpions are heading out of the top flight as they fall 7-9 (17,328) and 6-10 (17,232) respectively. 1- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (64,800) 2- THE FLY- U2 (53,344) 3- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (46,768) 4- (EVERYTHING I DO)- I DO IT FOR YOU- Bryan Adams (32,400) 5- WORLD IN UNION- Kiri Te Kanawa (31,216) 6- NO SON OF MINE- Genesis (22,224) 7- IF YOU WERE WITH ME NOW- Kylie Minogue & Keith Washington (20,960) 8- RHYTHM IS A MYSTERY- K Klass (20,416) 9- ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE- Monty Python (17,328) 10- WIND OF CHANGE- The Scorpions (17,232)

The "recent" change of TOTP rules to allow and focus on forthcoming big releases rather than slavish follow the top 40 allowed the promo for "The Fly" to be shown on the previous week as an "exclusive" while Vic Reeves was also shown as a new entry at No 6- Historically TOTP would have worked against U2 and that could have been the difference in the No 1 spot this week...we'll never know.

2ND NOVEMBER After 16 long weeks Bryan Adams finally surrenders the top slot, and in some style bombing 1-4 (48,480) though you will note that the sale figure is actually up on last week! One easy explanation is that it was the half term break which resulted in a general upsurge in sales. So the new No 1 is a new entry for only the second time in 1991 following Queen’s “Innuendo” in January. U2 are new chart champions with “The Fly” selling 66,160 to enter on top of the pile, they rushed into an unsurmountable lead early in the week and though Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff fought back admirably then ended up coming up short on 63,936- maybe next week? It’s U2’s 11th straight top 10 hit (“In God’s Country” only made No 48 in late 1987 yet was an import only) but their first to debut at the top and their second chart topper in total coming 3 years after “Desire”. It’s also the lead single from their new album “Achtung Baby” out in four weeks and is only available for three weeks according to the record label which perhaps also accounts for the single’s high debut, that decision was apparently made to ensure that the album had two singles to promote it for the Christmas rush. Another debut this week is the return of Genesis with a new album “We Can’t Dance” due imminently and lead single “No Son Of Mine” which smashes in at No 9 (20,016). It’s only the 6th top 10 hit for the trio and the first to arrive there immediately, thematically the song deals with an abusive relationship though the exact nature of it is not known, the Christmas market is going to be busy. Incidentally we've had 36 tracks debut in the top 10 so far this year- more than the 24 for the whole of 1990 and the 30 songs that entered the top tier in 1989 which was the record!. Last Year US DJ Moby released a record called “Mobility”, it failed to chart but it contained a song called “Go” on the B-side. Moby has now remixed it including placing a sample of “Laura Palmer’s Theme” from the TV Series “Twin Peaks” to give the song a more atmospheric feel and also that woman Jocelyn Brown again, “Love’s Gonna Get You” providing the “yeah”’s on the single. All in all it’s now a much more commercial proposition and rises 11-10 (19,072). The track made No 46 over the summer but didn't ignite the charts, it was pulled and issued with remixes to DJ's as a white label who made it a much sought after track and has been rewarded (finally) with success. Poor 2 Unlimited sold an impressive 57,168 last week, enough for No 1 the week before, yet they see “Get Ready For This” slip 2-3. Kiri Te Kanawa starts to fall at No 5 (42,512) but is getting a nice sales push with the team advancing to the final on Saturday, this could still go all the way. All over for The Scorpions though who drop 4-6 (29,616) and Monty Python who slip 5-7 (26,592), Oceanic are happily now over the 300,000 mark but again recede 7-8 (20,784). 1- THE FLY- U2 (66,160) 2- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (63,936) 3- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (57,168) 4- (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU- Bryan Adams (48,480) 5- WORLD IN UNION- Kiri Te Kanawa (42,512) 6- WIND OF CHANGE- The Scorpions (29,616) 7- ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE- Monty Python (26,592) 8- INSANITY- Oceanic (20,784) 9- NO SON OF MINE- Genesis (20,016) 10- GO- Moby (19,072)

26TH OCTOBER Triumphing for a 16th week on the trot the Bryan Adams success story continues. The next record he’s eyeing up is the most weeks at the top by a single, that’s held by Frankie Lane’s “I Believe” with 18 weeks in 1953. “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” sold a mere 45,728 copies last week as it dips below the 50,000 mark for only the second time in its chart life and the lowest tally for the No 1 in 20 weeks, total sales are now 1,399,440 making it the 5th biggest seller since 1980, can it do 17 weeks at the top? Supposed challengers to the throne were in the end quite ineffectual, The Scorpions drop 2-3 (39,712), Kiri Te Kanawa stalls at No 4 (38,816) and Monty Python fall back 3-5 (37,616), all of that allowed 2 Unlimited to surge 6-2 with 41,312 copies shifted. If that 42% sales increase indicates where it is heading next week then Adams will finally be demoted! But we've been here before........ Or maybe you’d be better putting a few bob on the song that debuts at No 6 this week, Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff’s cover of Tommy Roe’s “Dizzy”. You may have seen the promo with Reeves and the band performing in front of a few washing machines taking the meaning rather literally! Naturally it’s all rather fun and light hearted and certainly it seems to be popular at retail with 28,288 copies being purchased, Reeves’ album is out next month, just in time for Christmas! It instantly it matches the best ever debut for The Wonder Stuff and the peak of Reeves only single "Born Free". Another act with a new album out next month is Lisa Stansfield. Her first LP “Affection” made No 2 in the run up to Christmas 1989 and contained by that stage the No 1 single “All Around The World”, she’s hoping she can launch her second album with a similar chart topper and “Change” is the first single which rises 14-10 (18,144). Oceanic continue their gentle descent 5-7 (23,280), the track will pass the 300,000 mark next week, Julian Lennon retreats 7-8 (18,544) and Salt N Pepa dip 8-9 (18,144) 1- (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU- Bryan Adams (45,728) 2- GET READY FOR THIS- 2 Unlimited (41,312) 3- WIND OF CHANGE- The Scorpions (39,712) 4- WORLD IN UNION- Kiri Te Kanawa (38,816) 5- ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE- Monty Python (37,616) 6- DIZZY- Vic Reeves/ Wonder Stuff (28,288) 7- INSANITY- Oceanic (23,280) 8- SALTWATER- Julian Lennon (18,544) 9- LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX- Salt N Pepa (18,288) 10- CHANGE- Lisa Stansfield (18,144)

I'm back early so you get another week tonight