Gezza

I was only joking, "Unchained Melody" was a double A-Side which is what I'm referring to, but I wouldn't want you to give the other side a listen or promo of ranking it 😁 Hard to argue with anything that has gone so far- all varying degrees of awful!

You haven't ranked the other a side? Sad times....

The song that started my obsession with Jay from Five.......................

20TH JUNE As predicted the country goes football mad this week. When the FA asked for song submissions for the official England World Cup theme a proposal to remake “Three Lions” with new lyrics was rejected by them and they instead went for the England United track which falls 9-19 this week. Not to be outdone Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds re-recorded the track anyway and “Three Lions 98” debuts atop of the charts this week after selling a mighty 232,075. The lyrics have been updated to include references to the Euro 96 tournament along with samples of the crowd chanting the song and clearly enough of the British public love the song enough to resend it to No 1, the 18th song to top the charts in multiple versions. Another unofficial World Cup anthem for the England Team comes from Fat Les, a conglomeration of famous faces including Alex James from Blur, the artist Damian Hurst and spearheaded by actor Keith Allen. Allen was of course co-writer of “World In Motion” by Englandneworder (#1, 1990) and “England’s Irie” (#6, 1996) and so has flair for the genre and his current title “Vindaloo” lodges in at No 2 (186,537). The promo (which is a parody of the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”) features comedians Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Rowland Rivron, and Paul Kaye. If it wasn’t for the World Cup then who would be No 1? Well that would be Five, their third single beats the peak of “Slam Dunk” (#10) and “When The Lights Go Out” (#4) to debut at No 3 (114,000). That strong sale should indicate that the group have quickly amassed a considerable following, they’ve turned to Swedish production house Cheiron to give them their sound, they also help out Backstreet Boys and Robyn and it certainly worked. The lads will release their debut album in a fortnight- expect a chart topper! Getting in on the World Cup action too are Dario G who finally follow up “Sunchyme” with new single “Carnival De Paris”. The song is inspired by a football chant which started in Holland and was bought back by fans of Sheffield Wednesday then quickly spread, it’s an appropriation of the song “Oh My Darling Clementine” and is deemed good enough to arrive at No 5 (80,000). It debuts at No 1 north of the boarder by a margin of 3:1 by way of trivia. Norman Cook is certainly something of a musical chameleon having scored hits as part of The Housemartins, Beats International, Freak Power, Pizzaman, Mighty Dub Katz, and has now gone solo under the name Fatboy Slim. In addition to this work he’s remixed Wildchild and Cornershop this year giving them both top 3 hits and finally finds himself in the top 10 as a solo act for the first time. Comprised of several samples with the vocal hook lifted from Lord Finesse’s “Vinyl Dog Vibe” the single “Rockerfella Skank” is new at No 6 (67,000) and will feature on the second album from Slim due before Christmas. Des’ree has always been one of those artists whose hits have always been more popular at radio than in shops. In part it explains why many of her hits have been bigger chart events the second time around as radio refuses to let them die. First single “Feel So High” (#51, 1991) made No 13 in early 1992 and then “You Gotta Be” (#20, 1994) made No 14 a year later after becoming a hit in the US. Third album “Supernatural” is out in a few weeks and first single is called “Life” which instantly becomes her biggest single at No 8 (44,000), the single has drawn fire from some over its rather banal lyrics and rhyming ghost and toast together rather pointlessly- but any publicity is good publicity it seems. B*Witched increase sales as they fall 1-4 (102,000) and mark the first time in over 16 years that the top four records in any week each sold six digits outside of the Christmas period, we’re in a golden period for sales it would appear. Mousse T Vs Hot N Juicy hurtle 2-7 (53,000) but stay ahead of Brandy & Monica who fall 3-9 (41,000) and the Mavericks who are down 6-10 (31,000). A reminder that the Tamperer made No 1 just 3 weeks ago on a sale which would have placed them just 8th this week! 1- 3 LIONS 98- Baddiel/ Skinner/ Lightning Seeds (232,075) 2- VINDALOO- Fat Les (186,537) 3- GOT THE FEELING- Five (114,000) 4- C’EST LA VIE- B*Witched (102,300) 5- CARNIVAL DE PARIS- Dario G (80,000) 6- THE ROCKAFELLA SKANK- Fatboy Slim (67,000) 7- HORNY- Mousse T vs Hot N Juicy (53,000) 8- LIFE- Des’ree (44,000) 9- THE BOY IS MINE- Brandy & Monica (41,000) 10- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (31,000)

13TH JUNE After the furore of last week’s new releases the charts settle slightly this week allowing B*Witched to consolidate their position at the top in the face of a 39% sales decrease to 93,000. A slight increase to 76,000 sees Mousse T Vs Hot N Juicy rise 3-2 and Brandy & Monica get squeezed out 2-3 (61,000). Mariah Carey’s last single “Butterfly” disappointed at No 22 breaking her run of 12 consecutive top 10 hits and caused the plug to be pulled on the “Butterfly” album here which has underperformed with just 220,000 copies sold. Subsequent singles weren’t released here but a strong club reaction to the David Morales remix of the song has convinced the record label to give “My All” a UK release and bang- a new entry at No 4 (49,000). The song has already been a US chart topper- her 13th there where the original version and the so-so def remix being the prominent mixes there. It’s a 14th top 10 hit here and all of them in the 90s, only Michael Jackson (15) and Madonna (23) are ahead of her in that respect. Proving that N-trance and Clock don’t have the monopoly over taking 70s tracks adding a dance beat and some rap lyrics, British quartet Bus Stop have sampled Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting” and got themselves a top ten debut hit. The original made No 1 in 1974 but don’t discount this version progressing, it has so far moved 13-12-11-8 selling 28,000 in its latest frame. The World Cup starts in a few days and that of course means an influx of football related singles, Chumbawamba at #21, Del Amitri at #15 and the biggest of them all England United at No 9 (26,000). The collective are comprised of members of Space, Spice Girls, Ocean Colour Scene and Echo & The Bunnymen, the latter being significant as the song was written by Ian McCulloch. The track, which went unreleased by The Bunnymen, won the backing of the FA as the “Official” song of the England team this time around. As to whether it will be the biggest hit generated by the event we’ll see very shortly, but it does give you an interesting quiz question- the last promo shot by the Spice Girls that included Geri? The Tamperer fall 4-5 (45,000) as it moves over the 400,000 mark after 8 weeks in the top 5. Both The Mavericks and Lutricia McNeal lose sales but improve in chart placings the former 7-6 (31,000) and the latter 8-7 (29,000), and All Saints finish us off 5-10 (24,000). Next week we go football crazy! 1- C’EST LA VIE- B”Witched (93,000) 2- HORNY- Mousse T Vs Hot N Juicy (76,000) 3- THE BOY IS MINE- Brandy & Monica (61,000) 4- MY ALL- Mariah Carey (49,000) 5- FEEL IT- Tamperer Featuring Maya (45,000) 6- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (31,000) 7- STRANDED- Lutricia McNeal (29,000) 8- KUNG FU FIGHTING- Bus Stop Featuring Carl Douglas (28,000) 9- (HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE) ON TOP OF THE WORLD- England United (26,000) 10- UNDER THE BRIDGE/ LADY MARMALADE- All Saints (24,000)

Robson and Jerome for the top 4?

I don't think it could have been May as Geri left on 31/5 (although it was a week or so before in reality) which would have meant that a May release would have seen the promo filmed for the single before she left?!

If memory serves "Viva Forever" was originally intended for a mid June release but Geri leaving put the whole thing back so the screening wasn't, at the time, particularly far ahead of the intended release for the single. it was definitely put back that I recall.

6TH JUNE If last week was a dull chart week then this week is explosive as for only the second time in history the entire top 3 are new! It’s a great week for the Irish, on the album charts Boyzone storm to No 1 and The Corrs hit a new peak at No 3 whilst on the singles chart the Irish answer to The Spice Girls, B*Witched, debut at No 1 with their first single “C’est La Vie”. The foursome only got signed last year and at 25,19, and 18 years old they are the youngest girl group to ever make the No 1 spot, the group contains twins Keavy and Edele Lynch sisters of Boyzone member Shane Lynch and now follow their brother to the top of the charts. With Boyzone at No 1 in the album charts it marks only the second time in chart history where siblings in different groups have topped each chart simultaneously, the other time was way back in 1968 when the Beatles were No 1 on the album front (“The White Album”) whilst The Scaffold had the biggest single in the land (“Lily The Pink”) allowing brothers Paul McCartney and Mike McGee to claim the double. The song has been a staple on “The Box” and other music channels for the past month and debuts strongly on sales of 153,000 copies, almost as much as the No 2 and No 3 combined, and in a week which saw Geri leave the Spice Girls and put the future of the group in doubt could we have their successors ready and waiting? it's also the first French titled chart topper since 1977 ("Chanson D'Amour"). So for just the second time in chart history the whole top 3 are new entries and entering at No 2 is a song which this week surges 23-1 in the US for singers Brandy & Monica (the 2nd highest climb to the top ever). Brandy’s previous best was “Sittin Up In My Room” (#30, 1996) whilst Monica only made No 22 with “Before You Walk Out Of Life” (1996) but both acts now do far better with “The Boy Is Mine” which sold 83,000 copies last week. Partially inspired by Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney’s 1982 #8 hit “The Girl Is Mine” it’s a tale of the girls fighting over the same man and was conceived while Brandy watched an episode of “Jerry Springer”. Recorded as a solo track the singer thought it might work better as a duet and cue a call to Monica who (if you believe the press) had a rivalry with her and this is the result. Originally released last year by Mousse T, “Horny” was a minor club hit but didn’t dent the singles chart in part due to never being released here but just his native Germany, it’s now been remixed and credited to Mousse T Vs Hot N Juicy and crashes in at No 3 (72,000). Mousse is really DJ Mustafa Gundogdu and Hot N Juicy are duo Emma Langford and Nadine Richardson although the chorus is sung by Inaya Day. The next Oasis? Well if you believe some in the press then Embrace are just that, fourth single “Come Back To What You Know” continues their ever bettering chart fortunes by debuting at No 6 (36,000). It will feature on the forthcoming debut album “”The Good Will Out” which is in shops in a few weeks. With a sales increase of a whopping 40% to 68,000 last weeks No 1 from The Tamperer retreats 1-4 and must count itself very unlucky indeed, and the other former chart topper in the top 10 from All Saints dips 2-5 (38,000) and crosses the 300,000 mark at the same time. The Mavericks drop 4-7 (32,000) narrowly ahead of Lutricia NcNeal 3-8 (31,000) and Steps 6-9 (29,000). LeAnn Rimes rounds us off falling 9-10 (25,000) with her album debuting at No 11 which is actually the follow up LP to the one that contains the single! 1- C’EST LA VIE- B*Witched (153,000) 2- THE BOY IS MINE- Brandy & Monica (83,000) 3- HORNY- Mousse T Vs Hot N Juicy (72,000) 4- FEEL IT- The Tamperer Featuring Maya (68,000) 5- UNDER THE BRIDGE/ LADY MARMALADE- All Saints (38,000) 6- COME BACK TO WHAT YOU KNOW- Embrace (36,000) 7- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (32,000) 8- STRANDED- Lutricia McNeal (31,000) 9- LAST THING ON MY MIND- Steps (29,000) 10- HOW DO I LIVE- LeAnn Rimes (25,000)

30TH MAY An incredible week on the charts which results in no new entries in the top 10- practically unheard of outside of the Christmas/ New Year period, indeed you have to go back to W/E 11/02/1995 to find the last one, the highest new entry comes in at No 11 for Smashing pumpkins who had been in third place until Friday! So the deckchairs rearrange themselves but the surprise to everyone is that the new No 1 is the Tamperer Featuring Maya! “Feel It” has so far moved 3-4-3-5-2-1 and has sold an impressive 304,000 as it makes the top after shifting just 49,500 last week- a new low for the year. To find a track that hit the top spot for the first time after 6 weeks or more in the top 10 and dropped positions during that run, you’d have to go back to All saints at the beginning of the year. However it is the first song to have held every other position in the top 5 before making No 1 since Kenny Rogers "Lucille" in 1977. The only other track to break the 40,000 mark was last week’s chart topping All Saints disc (appropriately enough) which slips 1-2 (46,000). So it is that a few singles lose popularity at retail but move up the charts, they include Lutricia McNeal 5-3 (38,000), The Mavericks who fly 8-4 (35,000) selling less than they did when they were at No 10 a fortnight ago, Steps 7-6 (31,000) to equal their best placement, The Corrs 10-8 (27,000) and LeAnn Rimes who is back in the top ten 12-9 (26,000) after 13 weeks of mowing between No 7 and No 12- it’s sold just over 400,000 in that time- remarkable. The remainder of the top ten consist of fallers from Wyclef Jean 4-5 (34,000), Aqua 3-7 (29,000), and Cleopatra 6-10 (25,000). 1- FEEL IT- Tamperer Featuring Maya (49,500) 2- UNDER THE BRIDGE/ LADY MARMALADE- All Saints (46,000) 3- STRANDED- Lutricia McNeal (38,000) 4- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (35,000) 5- GONE TIL NOVEMBER- Wyclef Jean (34,000) 6- LAST THING ON MY MIND- Steps (31,000) 7- TURN BACK TIME- Aqua (29,000) 8- DREAMS- The Corrs (27,000) 9- HOW DO I LIVE- LeAnn Rimes (26,000) 10- LIFE AIN’T EASY- Cleopatra (25,000) ]

Surely the point is that whatever the intention was behind the shooting it won't fulfil that purpose. It won't silence the MAGA crowd, it will only inflame them It will probably only mythologise and elevate the reputation of Kirk for the movement It will encourage the MAGA movement to hit back in (maybe) the same fashion It helps to continue the doom loop which deepens the rift in US society So even if you feel no sympathy for Kirk on a personal level, what it represents can't be good news for either side in the long run.

Exactly. For me the participle is the more important issue. Do we allow or turn a blind eye to someone being shot because of their beliefs on either side of the political spectrum. If we are saying that we don't care because his views don't align with ours then we are also condoning by implication the reverse, others can shoot people we agree with if they don't agree. The irony of the gun quote is noted though. It's all emblematic of the fact that increasingly the two sides of the culture war are no longer talking to each other and becoming more entrenched and we have lost the ability to agree to disagree or to play with ideas. The result is that we resort to other methods of dealing with those we don't agree with. As far as I'm aware this guy never advocated physical harm to any other party but I may be wrong.

And that's it for 1990- it's been a blast! Thanks to all who commented as per usual. We'll be back with 1991 next month.

5TH JANUARY Britain sneaks in its 17th No 1 single of 1990 right at the death and it isn’t, as many predicted, The Righteous Brothers or Enigma but a rather sensational new entry! Iron Maiden become the one and only act to debut at No 1 in the course of the year with “Bring Your Daughter….To The Slaughter”, a song written by Bruce Dickinson whilst on hiatus from the group and used on the soundtrack to “Nightmare On Elm Street 5” last year. The group decided they liked it so much they re-recorded it for their most recent album “No Prayer For The Dying” and released it on Christmas Eve as its second single. Of course the band are no strangers to entering straight into the top 10, this is now their 4th single to do so but they’ve never debuted nor been in the top 2 throughout their decade long career, that all changes as this single smashes into No 1 with 41,599 sales, yes the second lowest tally of the year beating only “Hangin Tough”’s sales of 28,067 to make the grade in January. it was helped by a limited release 7" hinge sleeve which gives the illusion that the single emerges from a skull head.....novel at least. It was an unusual week sales wise with Cliff Richard the best seller by some margin on Christmas Eve, but predictable its sales tailed off thereafter and was overtaken on Saturday by both Iron Maiden and Vanilla Ice. Maiden's victory though was minimal to say the least, Vanilla Ice clung onto the No 2 position selling 39,440 copies to be denied the opportunity of becoming the first song in 21 years to return to the top after it is dethroned in its initial chart run. Outgoing No 1 from Cliff Richard eventually dipped 1-3 losing 63% saleswise (a phenomenal loss normally speaking) as it limped home with 37,621 sales. Everything in the top 10 is on the slide in terms of sales (surprise surprise so let’s see the numbers), Enigma hold at No 4 (34,578 – 48%), also holding are Olivia Newton John & John Travolta at No 5 (31,994- 50%), Righteous Brothers down 3-6 (31,399 – 55%), The Farm droop 6-7 (26,809- 50%), Madonna 7-8 (21,029 -52%) Snap! slip 8-9 (20,910- 45%) and MC Hammer falls 9-10 (20,298- 37%) 1- BRING YOUR DAUGHTER TO THE SLAUGHTER- Iron Maiden (41,599) 2- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (39,440) 3- SAVIOUR’S DAY- Cliff Richard (37,621) 4- SADNESS PART ONE- Enigma (34,578) 5- THE GREASE MEGAMIX- John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (31,994) 6- YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING/ EBB TIDE- Righteous Brothers (31,399) 7- ALL TOGETHER NOW- The Farm (26,809) 8- JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna (21,029) 9- MARY HAD A LITTLE BOY- Snap! (20,910) 10- PRAY- MC Hammer (20,298)

29TH DECEMBER So the big day arrives and its congratulations to……….Cliff Richard who sees “Saviour’s Day” move 2-1 right on queue with 100,946 copies to make sure of it. It’s Cliff’s third festive chart topper on the trot if we include his appearance on Band Aid II last year (the re-issue of that failed to make the chart which tells you just how much the S/A/W name has diminished in the course of the year- it's actually at No 101 this week). With Christmas Eve falling into next week for chart purposes we shouldn’t expect too dramatic a fall for Cliff in 7 days time but he certainly left it late closing the gap day by day until overtaking on Saturday! It also sets a record for longevity for Cliff- his chart topping career now stands at 31 years, and he's had chart toppers in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and now 90s- incredible! Outgoing No 1 from Vanilla Ice dropped just a spot 1-2 (96,101) as it increased sales as it led to almost the bitter end! It now stands at 542,776 and moves to 4th in the YTD but is unlikely to get any further with just a week left. The Righteous Brothers climb 4-3 (70,924) and Enigma float 6-4 (66,011) and both could be in with a shout next week depending on how badly Cliff sinks. Moving 14-5 (63,444) is “The Grease Megamix” a medley of hits from the movie of the same name which have been licenced by Polydor to PWL to remix, it includes “You’re The One That I Want” Greased Lightning” and “Summer Nights” which collectively spent 16 weeks at No 1 in 1978. PWL (or more specifically Harding and Curnow) have proved that they can turn this kind of thing into hits before, see 1988’s “I Want You Back” for Jackson 5 or the Four Tops “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and this will doubtless prove popular at office parties and New Year’s celebrations even if it doesn’t exactly enhance their reputation. Elsewhere only one climber, MC Hammer 10-9 (33,947) and Snap! hold ground at No 8 (38,947) but heading down are The Farm 5-6 (54,043), Madonna 3-7 (44,948) and EMF 7-10 (29,325) in a very healthy week for sales for all, especially for Madonna who sees “The Immaculate Collection” spend its 6th week at the top and selling 340,000 copies in 6 days as those Christmas buyers went crazy- it now passes the million mark. 1- SAVIOUR’S DAY- Cliff Richard (100,946) 2- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (96,101) 3- YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING/ EBB TIDE- Righteous Brothers (70,924) 4- SADNESS PART ONE- Enigma (66,011) 5- THE GREASE MEGAMIX- John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (63,444) 6- ALL TOGETHER NOW- The Farm (54,043) 7- JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna (44,948) 8- MARY HAD A LITTLE BOY- Snap! (38,947) 9- PRAY- MC Hammer (33,947) 10- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (29,325)

I imagine it was released after so that the single would be high on the charts over the festive period thereby getting more sales and more importantly promoting the album over Christmas.

no they didn't.

22ND DECEMBER The chart before the big one arrives and throws up some interesting movements but no alteration in the popular opinion that Cliff Richard will top the charts next week, but for this week at least he’s held at bay by Vanilla Ice. “Ice Ice Baby” makes it 4 weeks at the top and sells a mere 306 copies less than last week (89,539) to become the 6th biggest hit of the year with sales of over 446,675 so far. By way of contrast Cliff Richard has sold just 142,868 copies but has increased week on week every week since release 3 weeks ago including a 75% sales increase last week to 72,845. Madonna looks unstoppable on the album charts scoring a 5th week at No 1 as it reaches the 750,000 mark, not so good on the singles chart as “Justify My Love” goes into reverse 2-3 (58,531) to become her 6th single to falter at the final hurdle despite selling more than last week! Watch out for the Righteous Brothers though, their re-issue of the 1965 No 1 single “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” has been teamed with “Ebb Tide” and scorches 13-4 (55,454) and could yet spoil the Cliff Richard party. It famously went head to head in the charts with a rival cover by Cilla Black which saw Black’s version stall at No 2 whilst they went all the way, it also made No 10 on re-issue in 1969, and coupled with its performance this week means that it becomes the first song to be a top 10 hit on three separate occasions for the same act. As “Unchained Melody” sinks 5-9 (27,438) it also means the brothers are only the second act this year to score simultaneous top 10 single following NKOTB in January. Incidentally this song appeared on both the UK CD and 12" version of "Unchained Melody" still in the top 10- wonder how many people ended up buying it twice? Unusually all the top 4 are also available on albums in the top 20, Madonna at No 1, Cliff at No 5, Vanilla Ice at No 11, and The Righteous Brothers at No 16. German dance project Enigma are up next with the unusual “Sadness Part One” which flies 27-6 (31,858) this week, the man behind the outfit is Michael Cretu whose wife provides the whispered female vocals on the track, and who also happens to be the popstar Sandra. She’s only scored one hit in the UK, the No 45 1988 release “Everlasting Love” which benefited from a S/A/W remix but is big on the continent as they say with 8 German top 10 hits to her credit. The title of the European version of this Enigma hit reads “Sadeness” but has been renamed for the UK market due to links with the controversial writer Marquis De Sade which could be too much for us it seems. Snap! have had a great year and can now round it off with a fourth straight top 10 single with “Mary Had A Little Boy” which climbs 12-8 (28,696). Eyebrows have been raised that the group seem to be scrapping some kind of barrel having to resort to nursery rhymes to get a hit but many acts would kill for Snap!’s chart record this year, and surely Christmas is all about kids? Taking a sample from Prince’s “When Doves Cry”, MC Hammer’s new single “Pray” has already peaked at No 2 in the US at the beginning of this month and helps the album bounce 36-25 this week. Indeed the album has never left the top 40 in its 22 week life, not bad for a rap album in the UK, “Pray” meanwhile becomes a top 10 single moving 11-10 (27,217) as I suppose it has tenuous festive links. The Farm are another festive contender which failed to fulfill promise as it slides 4-5 (49,742) even with a healthy 40% boost and EMF fall 6-7 (29,223) but are holding up well with the Christmas influx. So next week is the big one! Can Ice hold off Richard? 1- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (89,539) 2- SAVIOUR’S DAY- Cliff Richard (72,845) 3- JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna (58,531) 4- YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN FEELING/ EBB TIDE- Righteous Brothers (55,454) 5- ALL TOGETHER NOW- The Farm (49,742) 6- SADNESS PART ONE- Enigma (31,858) 7- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (29,223) 8- MARY HAD A LITTLE BOY- Snap! (28,696) 9- UNCHAINED MELODY- Righteous Brothers (27,438) 10- PRAY- MC Hammer (27,217)

15TH DECEMBER Vanilla Ice continues to reign unopposed with a further 89,845 copies flying off the shelves, that brings “Ice Ice Baby” to total sales of 357,136 after its first month on sale enabling it rank as the 11th biggest single of the year with 3 weeks left of 1990. “To The Extreme” debuts at No 11 this week and has clearly eaten into sales of the single but there is little doubt he’s started off very brightly so far. “Justify My Love” gets a full release on all formats and powers 9-2 (58,446) but with initial demand satisfied, “The Immaculate Collection” shifting over 500,000 so far and increasing each week, it must be fancied to go no further especially starved of airplay and MTV exposure. Waiting in the wings is Cliff who also climbs 6-3 (41,922) and could capitalise on any slip by Vanilla Ice. The events of Christmas Day 1914 and the famous day’s truce between soldiers on the western front forms the lyrical inspiration behind “All Together Now” by The Farm which has been married to Pachelbel’s “Canon” to give them a new hit which rises 12-4 (35,819) and could easily prove a surprise Christmas chart topper. It’s produced by Suggs and gives the band a second top 10 on the trot, the debut album is expected in Spring so you’ve got a wait, but then the original version of this single entitled “No Man’s Land” appeared on a 1985 EP by the group but didn’t contain the chorus and had 6 verses so is significantly different in its current form. Debuting at No 13 on the album charts this week is “Merry Merry Christmas” by the New Kids On The Block, an album of festive treats which surfaced in the US last year and produced the single “This One’s For The Children” which made No 7 there. The UK is clearly still catching up as the boys now have a hit with that song here climbing 13-9 (25,925), it doesn’t look like it’s going to be the festive chart topper they hoped but it is their 7th top 10 single of the year. It should also see the boys clear the 1 million singles sold in 1990 mark, a real achievement. Julee Cruise’s “Falling” drops 8-16 but is replaced in the top 10 by another song which owes some debt to David Lynch, his most recent film is “Wild At Heart” which includes the track “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak which this week nudges 11-10 (23,460). Isaak has been around for 5 years and had a few tracks from his second album featured on Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” film which has been a rich source for hits in the last few months, the instrumental for “Wicked Game” appears in his “Wild At Heart” movie though the song was first released on Isaak’s “Heart Shaped World” album at the end of last year, and released as a single earlier this year without garnering sufficient interest. Picked up by a DJ in the US after it was used in the film the track comes with two videos, the first using supermodel Helena Christensen which seems to be the preferred version and the other directed by Lynch featuring excerpts from the film, either way it’s now a hit. The Righteous Brothers slide 2-5 (33,524) but has now sold 775,608 copies as their “next” hit “you’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” arrives at No 13. EMF drop 3-6 (31,246) and Kim Appleby ebbs 4-7 (27,982), outside bets for the festive top spot Honor Blackman & Patrick McNee fall back 5-8 (26,639) surprisingly as they round off the recap. Shakin Stevens (No 34) and Orchestra On A Half Shell (No 39) enter the race but have they waited too long? 1- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (89,845) 2- JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna (58,446) 3- SAVIOUR’S DAY- Cliff Richard (41,922) 4- ALL TOGETHER NOW- The Farm (35,819) 5- UNCHAINED MELODY- Righteous Brothers (33,524) 6- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (31,246) 7- DON’T WORRY- Kim Appleby (27,982) 8- KINKY BOOTS- Patrick McNee & Honor Blackman (26,639) 9- THIS ONE’S FOR THE CHILDREN- New Kids On The Block (25,925) 10- WICKED GAME- Chris Isaak (23,460)

For those who weren't there- when a music promo made national TV news

8TH DECEMBER “Ice Ice Baby” has an easy week at the top last week shifting 113,560 copies as it captures the imagination of the UK public, it just outsells the best week the original “Under Pressure” had 9 years ago (102,000). His debut album “To The Extreme” is issued this week so this could well dampen the sales of the track but it has certainly done its job. The entire top 4 are indeed static but The Righteous Brothers at No 2, EMF at No 3 and Kim Appleby at No 4 are all dropping off in sales to 48,943, 42,041 and 37,774 respectively, for the former track it should be selling its ¾ of a millionth copy this week as it continues to impress. Used initially in the TV show “That Was The Week That Was”, “Kinky Boots” was first recorded by Honor Blackman & Patrick McNee in 1964 before getting a 1983 re-issue, it failed to chart on both occasions. It has now been discovered in the archives by Radio 1 DJ Simon Mayo who promoted it as a contender for Christmas No 1 and suddenly it becomes an unexpected hit driving 14-5 (29,155) this week to look like a contender at least. First presented to Cliff Richard at a Christmas Party last year “Saviour’s Day” is already the bookies current favourite for the Festive chart topper and duly arrives at No 6 (28,101) this week to become Cliff’s 59th top 10 single. The promo was shot on a warm September day so isn’t quite the cold crisp day it may appear in the video and the location is Durdle Door in Dorset, the same location as parts of Tears For Fear’s “Shout” promo in case you wanted to compare. It’s also his equal fourth highest ever debut behind “Young Ones” (#1), “The Best Of Me” (#2), and “Living Doll 86” (#4) and Cliff even gets a co-producer credit. Sadomasochism, Bisexuality, Voyeurism? Must be a new Madonna video, and indeed she’s been creating waves with the censor’s over “Justify My Love” which has already been banned before 9pm on MTV with TOTP refusing to show the video at all, have no fear- if you want to see the video then it will be released on VHS in a few weeks in time for Christmas! All of which works wonder for her as usual, her first greatest hits album “The Immaculate Collection” sits at No 1 with over 300,000 copies sold in its first 3 weeks and this new single debuts at No 9 (23,443). Its initial splash was dampened not only as it is available on the album but also that it was released on only 7” and Cassingle last week with the 12” and CD to follow this week so expect it to rise further. The track is co-written by Madonna and Lenny Kravitz (the latter also provides backing vocals on it), the latter recently scored his first top 40 single with “Let Love Rule” which sneaked to No 39, “Justify My Love” meanwhile uses the drum beat from Public Enemy’s “Security Of The First World” which is in turn sampled from the must use record of 1990 James Brown “Funky Drummer”. Rod Stewart & Tina Turner drop 5-7 (25,347), Julee Cruise takes her song title literally receding 7-8 (23,681) and Black Box are almost out 6-10 (22,729) The Farm arrive at No 12, just one place above the new NKOTB single- next week could be very interesting indeed! 1- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (113,560) 2- UNCHAINED MELODY- Righteous Brothers (48,943) 3- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (42,041) 4- DON’T WORRY- Kim Appleby (37,774) 5- KINKY BOOTS- Patrick McNee & Honor Blackman (29,155) 6- SAVIOUR’S DAY- Cliff Richard (28,101) 7- IT TAKES TWO- Rod Stewart & Tina Turner (25,347) 8- FALLING- Julee Cruise (23,681) 9- JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna (23,443) 10- FANTASY- Black Box (22,729)

1ST DECEMBER All change this week, in the world of politics Britain sees the end of the Thatcher era after 11 and a half years and a reminder that back in 1979 Art Garfunkel’s “Bright Eyes” was sitting a No 1 when the era began- seems a lifetime ago! In between Garfunkel and Vanilla Ice there were a massive 218 chart toppers! To end it all nothing, it seems, could stop the record of the moment “Ice Ice Baby” from screeching to No 1 this week on a very nice sale of 100,759, easily enough to move past The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” which slides to No 2 (78,033) but as compensation it does now become the biggest selling single of the year and should pass the 700,000 mark this week. One of the early bets on the Christmas No 1 which seems to have petered out as the track gets released slightly too early, is Rod Stewart & Tina Turner’s cover of “It Takes Two” which is currently being used on the new Pepsi ad in case you hadn’t caught it. The original was of course done by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston who only made No 16, a peak which was instantly beaten by this version when it entered at No 12 last week and now advances to No 5 (29,121), it’s Stewart’s twentieth top 10 single and Turner’s 8th and is produced by Chic’s Bernard Edward. Julee Cruise first came to attention when she sung “Mysteries Of Love” on the “Blue Velvet”, David Lynch’s film which helped the title track make No 2 a few months’ ago. She’s now teamed up on the producer’s new TV series “Twin Peaks” to provide what is in effect its theme “Falling”, indeed Lynch co-writes and co produces the track which gallops 11-7 (27,404). The Top 10 is in fact awash with covers or re-issues of old hits, in addition to The Righteous Brothers at No 2 (and arguably Vanilla Ice at No 1), we also have Rod & Tina at No 5, Black Box holding at No 6 (28,475) UB40 & Robert Palmer down 7-8 (26,146) and Jimmy Somerville dipping 8-10 (23,154) and now the Proclaimers climbing 17-9 (23,715) with their version of Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road”. Technically it’s an EP but it’s “King Of The Road” getting the airplay and promo and becomes only the group’s second top 10 after “Letter To America” went to No 3 almost exactly 3 years ago, this version features in the Australian film “The Crossing” which is out next month. EMF climb 5-3 (47,226) as they inch ever nearer the top spot but they need to really start shifting units if they want to climb further, and Kim Appleby falls 2-4 (43,758) as her challenge fades. Next week will see high new entries from Madonna, New Kids On The Block, The Farm and Cliff Richard as the Christmas chart race gets into full swing. 1- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (100,759) 2- UNCHAINED MELODY- Righteous Brothers (79,033) 3- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (47,226) 4- DON’T WORRY- Kim Appleby (43,758) 5- IT TAKES TWO- Rod Stewart & Tina Turner (29,121) 6- FANTASY- Black Box (28,475) 7- FALLING- Julee Cruise (27,404) 8- I’LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT- UB40 & Robert Palmer (26,146) 9- KING OF THE ROAD EP- The Proclaimers (23,715) 10- TO LOVE SOMEBODY- Jimmy Sommerville (23,154)

9TH MAY The All Saints are on top of the charts this week with a pair of covers. Red Hot Chilli Peppers “Under The Bridge” (#13, 1994) and Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade” (#17, 1975) are the songs in question and both are available on their album which is also up 12-10 this week having sales of almost a million itself. Proceeds from the single are going to breast cancer charities which helped to contribute to 106,956 copies being sold last week, more than double the tally of “Never Ever” when it occupied the top slot in January though of course that single went on to sell 1,250,000 and exits the chart this week. The promos are designed to viewed sequentially “Lady Marmalade” first then “Under The Bridge”, and were shown before screenings of the film “Jackie Brown” in cinema’s last month- an usual strategy which has clearly reaped rewards. Madonna scores back to back top 2 singles for the first time in 8 years with her 41st top 10 single and title track from her current album “Ray Of Light”. Starting out life as a 1971 track called “Sepheryn” by folk duo Curtiss Moldoon, it has been substantially altered with some new lyrics in places to give the material girl a No 2 hit with a sale of 76,000. Naturally being Madonna it comes with a new image and this time the “earth mother” look gets an airing and assists the album bouncing 9-4. The return of Garbage has been much heralded by the indie press over the last few months and the new single “Push It” finally arrives at No 9 (30,000) as the lead single from their second album “Version 2.0”. Featuring an interpolation of the Beach Boys “Don’t Worry Baby” becomes their third top 10 single but somewhat incredibly was as high as No 3 in the midweeks. And whilst Garbage were at three Massive Attack were just a place behind when the first sales flashes were released but again they end up just securing themselves a No 10 single with “Teardrop”. Featuring the vocals of Cocteau Twins lead singer Elizabeth Fraser who got the gig by a vote within the trio who went 2-1 in favour of her over Madonna who was apparently keen to record it after working with Massive Attack on “I Want You” a few years ago. This is the group’s first top 10 single after moving 28,000 copies, and that despite the parent LP “Mezzanine” spending a second week at No 1 on the album charts. The Tamperer Featuring Maya move back up 4-3 (53,000) overtaking last weeks No 1 Boyzone who fall 1-4 (49,000) and the other big former No 1 from Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins which depletes 2-5 (43,000). You can’t deny the consistency of the Savage Garden single “Truly, Madly, Deeply” which has spent 11 weeks in the top ten having sold 456,000 copies including 36,000 this week. Steps slip 6-7 (34,000) and The Mavericks climb 9-8 (31,000) but lost sales. We’ll see if next week if Aqua can grab their third No 1 from as many releases! 1- UNDER THE BRIDGE/ LADY MARMALADE- All Saints (106,956) 2- RAY OF LIGHT- Madonna (76,000) 3- FEEL IT- Tamperer Featuring Maya (53,000) 4- ALL THAT I NEED- Boyzone (49,000) 5- IT’S LIKE THAT- Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins (43,000) 6- TRULY MADLY DEEPLY- Savage Garden (36,000) 7- LAST THING ON MY MIND- Steps (34,000) 8- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (31,000) 9- PUSH IT- Garbage (30,000) 10- TEARDROP- Massive Attack (28,000)

2ND MAY Their third album is now just weeks away from release and in preparation Boyzone crash straight into the No 1 spot this week with “All That I Need”. It becomes the band’s third chart topper but more importantly means that all 11 of their singles have gone top 5, they therefore equal the best start to any chart career established by Kylie Minogue. The boys are undoubtedly the biggest boyband in the land at present and sold 80,049 to prove it but one word of warning, that’s the lowest opening tally for any Boyzone single since “Coming Home Now” back in 1996- and it didn’t even have an album to hamper it…… Boyzone’s rocket to No 1 was helped considerably by the tired legs of “It’s Like That” which limps 1-2 (61,000) after 6 weeks at the top spot, with total sales of 939,000 it should easily cross the million mark this month. The return of Kula Shaker has been notable for several reasons. The band have refused to make a promo for the single and this is the first single since lead singer Crispian Mills extolled the virtues of the Swastika and generated negative publicity for the group last year. It appears not to have dented their bankability so far with new single “Sound Of Drums” crashing straight in at No 3 (57,000), it’s their 5th consecutive top 10 single. Catatonia, or rather Cerys Matthews, have had a great 1998 so far, their single “Mulder & Skully” proved a major breakthrough making No 3 in January and was followed by Matthews moonlighting on Space’s “Ballad Of Tom Jones” (No 4). Time then for a new Catatonia single and “Road Rage” makes a pleasing sequential new entry at No 5 (44,000), it takes its title and theme from the murder of Lee Harvey by his fiancé back in December 1996. It pushes parent album “International Velvet” 13-5, its highest placing yet. The Steps success story continues apace, debut single “5,6,7,8” only made No 14 but sold an amazing 300,000 to boot. The group take their name from a marketing ploy whereby each of their singles had a planned dance routine to accompany the song which would be easy to learn. They are managed and overseen by Pete Waterman who has already stated that he wants to make a modern day ABBA out of the group, indeed the Waterman connection explains why their second single is a cover of a Bananarama track written in part by Waterman. “Last Thing On My Mind” proved a No 71 hit in 1992 for the duo but does much better now entering at No 6 (39,000) to keep up the group’s momentum. Reaping the rewards of the National Lottery Live show, The Mavericks prove that 1998 might just be a great year for country with LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain already scoring top 10 hits and now they add to it with “Dance The Night Away”. The single do-se-do’s in at No 9 (33,000) to bring some sunshine to the top 10, the band have been recording for 7 years without much success outside of the country circuit but their attempt to cross into mainstream pop has gone well. The Tamperer Featuring Maya drop 3-4 (54,000) even though it increased sales, and Savage Garden slip back 5-7 (36,000). A couple of big fallers round off the top 10, Busta Rhymes tumbles 2-8 (34,000) and Celine Dion’s massive “My Heart Will Go On” finally docks 4-10 (31,000) 1- ALL THAT I NEED- Boyzone (80,049) 2- IT’S LIKE THAT- Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins (61,000) 3- SOUND OF DRUMS- Kula Shaker (57,000) 4- FEEL IT- Tamperer Featuring Maya (54,000) 5- ROAD RAGE- Catatonia (44,000) 6- LAST THING ON MY MIND- Steps (39,000) 7- TRULY MADLY DEEPLY- Savage Garden (36,000) 8- TURN IT UP/ FIRE IT UP- Busta Rhymes (34,000) 9- DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY- Mavericks (33,000) 10- MY HEART WILL GO ON- Celine Dion (31,000)

24TH NOVEMBER Much more action in this week’s top 10 but no change at the top as “Unchained Melody” makes it four weeks as the nation’s favourite song though its sales are off 22% to 98,430, still impressive by 1990 standards but it may struggle next week to make a fifth week and the million mark may be beyond it, it’s total sales are now 614,108 enough to place it third on the YTD and only around 60,000 short of Sinead O’Connor, the current leader. The next chart topper is not likely to be Kim Appleby however, although she climbs 3-2 (53,907) she’s not gaining sales rapidly enough to challenge for the top. Instead it will probably fall to a new entry at No 3, Vanilla Ice creates chart history this week as he sees his debut single crash straight into the top 3, the first time that a debut act has ever gone in so high (charity conglomerations aside). “Ice Ice Baby” has been much anticipated in the UK after it topped the US singles chart last month and samples David Bowie & Queen’s “Under Pressure” extensively throughout the track, it first saw life as a b-side to his US single “Play That Funky Music” but when a DJ accidentally flipped it the song started to gain popularity causing the record company to give it a main release and bingo it was a hit. 52,972 copies were bought last week as it fell behind Appleby at the death, expect this to challenge for the top next week given the hype, helped considerably by the rapper's appearance at the Smash Hits Winners Party earlier this month and now replicates the boost that New Kids On The Block got last year. Vanilla Ice’s real name is Robert Van Winkle incidentally, clearly a name change was essential. Gloucestershire lads EMF (Epsom Mad Funkers) are another much touted British Band who come good with their debut release “Unbelievable”. Featuring samples of comedian Andrew Dice Clay in the track plus a splash of Ya Kid K the song has attracted considerable airplay as it surges 15-5 (38,607) Debuting at No 6 on the album charts this week is the “Singles Collection 1984-1990” covering the career of Bronski Beat, The Communards, and Jimmy Somerville’s solo career. To promote it Somerville has released his version of the Bee Gees “To Love Somebody” a track originally written for Otis Redding before his untimely death prevented that ever happening. It’s the third version of the track to make the charts after the Brothers Gibb original made only a lowly No 41 before Nina Simone’s cover went all the way to No 5 two years later in 1969 so Jimmy’s version still has a little way to go to become the highest charting rendition however he does climb 12-8 (24,361) to be in with a shot. 808 State would dearly love to climb next week. They’ve had two hits peak at No 10 already, “Pacific State” (1989) and “The Only Rhyme That Bites” earlier this year and now “Cubik/ Olympic” inches 11-10 (22,525) to join them. It’s a first release from a forthcoming album “Ex:El” which is due in the spring. Gazza & Lindisfarne surprisingly reverse 2-4 (39,950) and Black Box also fall 5-6 (37,162) just above UB40 & Robert Palmer who are also down 6-7 (35,496) whilst The Beautiful South dip 4-9 (23,851). 1- UNCHAINED MELODY- Righteous Brothers (98,430) 2- DON’T WORRY- Kim Appleby (53,907) 3- ICE ICE BABY- Vanilla Ice (52,972) 4- FOG ON THE TYNE (REVISITED)- Gazza & Lindisfarne (39,950) 5- UNBELIEVABLE- E.M.F (38,607) 6- FANTASY- Black Box (37,162) 7- I’LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT- UB40 & Robert Palmer (35,496) 8- TO LOVE SOMEBODY- Jimmy Somerville (24,361) 9- A LITTLE TIME- Beautiful South (23,851) 10- CUBIK/OLYMPIC- 808 State (22,525) So with one month to go here’s the rundown of this year’s possible Christmas chart toppers! ALL TOGETHER NOW- The Farm- A heart warming tale of soldiers declaring peace on Christmas Day could turn the trick for this Scouse bunch next month. TURTLE RHAPSODY- Orchestra On The Half Shell- So the sensation of 1990 round it off with another cut from the movie of those turtles, Partners In Kryme proved it could be done and the bookies think the same! JUSTIFY MY LOVE- Madonna- Another hugely successful year for Madonna, could it be rounded off with an 8th No 1, naturally already generating controversy. CRAZY PARTY MIXES- Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers- Not the chart force they were last December but it’s the festive season so don’t discount this from being a big hit! THE BEST CHRISTMAS OF THEM ALL- Shakin Stevens- Much like Cliff Richard, a Christmas Shaky record is almost a tradition in itself- could he repeat 1985? SAVIOUR’S DAY- Clilff Richard- Talking of Cliff he’s been on top of the festive pile (in some form or other) for the last two years- can this year’s effort go all the way? DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?- Band Aid II- And talking of his other guises, here’s last year’s Christmas No 1 getting a re-release YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING- Righteous Brothers- “Unchained Melody” has done wonders for them and so their first No 1 is getting another shot THIS ONE’S FOR THE CHILDREN- New Kids On The Block- Undoubtedly the act of the year can they round it off with the ultimate prize and a third chart topper in a year?