Gezza

28TH FEBRUARY

Norman Cook is turning into quite the star of the year, the ex-Housemartin first remixed Wildchild’s “Renegade Master” into a No 3 hit last month and now he works his magic on Cornershop’s “Brimful Of Asha” and voila a No 1 single results! A very minor hit last year (#60) it clearly didn’t pass Cook by who allegedly got in touch with the record company offering his services to remix it and they duly obliged thankfully. Lyrically an homage to Indian film culture and actress Asha Bhosle it marks the official coming of age for Cornershop who have garnered much critical acclaim over the last few years without much sales to back it up.

Parent album “When I Was Born For The Seventh Time” also goes top 20 even though it doesn’t contain the current mix.

With most money on an easy second week for Dion but in the end she was easily defeated selling 176,000 as she slid to No 2 but Cornershop romp home on a sale of 208,321. She can console herself with the US No 1 spot which she debuts this week.





One of the most anticipated records of 1998 finally arrives at No 4 (59,000) for Savage Garden. The song hit the headlines last month when it became the song to dislodge Elton John at the top of the US charts after 14 weeks and already been a No 1 last April in their native Australia! The group had a false dawn here last year when their single “I Want You” made No 11 but follow up “To The Moon And Back” flopped at No 55 so it was back to the drawing board with this plaintive ballad.

You may know him better as Jambo in Hollyoaks but now actor Will Mellor is a popstar as well. His version of Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You” (No 1, 1977) comes straight in at No 5 (47,000) and comes with the announcement that Mellor will be leaving the soap this year.

New boyband alert! Another Level are a UK quartet who sent their demo tape to Jay Z who in turn passed it onto his UK label Northwestside who promptly signed them up, first single “Be Alone No More” proves the investment as it arrives at No 6 (42,000).

The UK isn’t normally too receptive to country music as it proved for Shania Twain who’s first international release “Woman In Me” generated no hit singles here and failed to chart despite making her a US star. She appears now to have made an impact here with a new single “You’re Still The One” which is new at No 10 (28,000) thanks in part to a slot on the National Lottery Show, the song is written by Twain and husband producer Robert “Mutt” Lange about their own relationship.

Aqua drop 2-3 (73,000) as “Aquarium” reaches a new peak of No 6, All Saints drop back 3-7 (38,000) and Will Smith glides 7-8 (33,000). Robbie Williams also dips 4-9 (29,000).


1- BRIMFUL OF ASHA- Cornershop (208,321)
2- MY HEART WILL GO ON- Celine Dion (176,000)
3- DOCTOR JONES- Aqua (73,000)
4- TRULY MADLY DEEPLY- Savage Garden (59,000)
5- WHEN I NEED YOU- Will Melor (47,000)
6- BE ALONE NO MORE- Another Level (42,000)
7- NEVER EVER- All Saints (38,000)
8- GETTIN JIGGY WIT IT- Will Smith (33,000)
9- ANGELS- Robbie Williams (29,000)
10- YOU’RE STILL THE ONE Shania Twain (28,000)

21ST FEBRUARY

Celine Dion sails effortlessly to No 1 this week with the “Titanic” love theme “My Heart Will Go On”. The film is of course currently No 1 and rapidly becoming something of a sensation as the must see film in the land and so naturally the single rushed to the top on a 1998 best yet sale of 234,685, in debuting at the top it means that Dion has both the fastest chart topper of all time (which admittedly she shares with over 90 other singles) but also the slowest No 1 of all time (with “Think Twice”), the two songs remain Dion’s only UK chart toppers thus far. That sale incidentally beats the 220,000 sold by Whigfield’s “Saturday Night” to become the biggest weekly sale by a female solo act ever.

Paul Newman is up next, he is normally known as DJ Tall Paul who scored a #12 hit last year with “Rock Da House” and is a much sought after DJ. He’s adopted another alias now as Casmira and the first release under this moniker is “Let Me Show You” which is itself a mish mash of samples from 4 tracks most notably Sandy B’s “Make The World Go Round”. It crashes in at No 5 (50,000).

The Bluetones are back, lead single to a new album “Solomon Bites The Worm” debuts easily at No 10 (26,000) to become their fourth top 10 single in a row. You only have to wait a month for the album.

We got the BRITS last week which as per usual affects the album charts much more than the singles chart but there are a couple of benefactors namely All Saints and Robbie Williams who both performed. “Never Ever” won two awards (Best British single and video) and lifts 5-3 (64,000) whilst Robbie ended up going home without an award but “Angels” responds 7-4 (56,000). That’s a new peak for the track 11 weeks into its run, an unusual feat in 1998 and it also becomes Williams’ first platinum seller with sales of 629,000 to date.

Will Smith slides 6-7 (43,000) whilst increasing sales, Cleopatra fade 3-8 (34,000) and Lighthouse Family fall 8-9 (28,000).


1- MY HEART WILL GO ON- Celine Dion (234,685)
2- DOCTOR JONES- Aqua (112,000)
3- NEVER EVER- All Saints (64,000)
4- ANGELS- Robbie Williams (56,000)
5- LET ME SHOW YOU- Camisra (50,000)
6- ALL I HAVE TO GIVE- Backstreet Boys (47,000)
7- GETTIN JIGGY WIT IT- Will Smith (43,000)
8- CLEOPATRA’S THEME- Cleopatra (34,000)
9- HIGH- Lighthouse Family (28,000)
10- SOLOMON BITES THE WORM- The Bluetones (26,000)

Interestingly in terms of pure sales, Erasure far closer to No 1 in this week than they ever were with either "Sometimes" or "Stop".

24TH MARCH

Beats International claim a fourth week at No 1 equalling the longest stint of the year with Sinead O’Connor, saleswise there isn’t much competition with the former selling a total of 382,619 to the latter’s 623,781. “Dub Be Good To Me” sold a miserly 44,982 copies last week in the end under 300 copies in front of the B52’s “Love Shack” which springs 6-2 (44,727) and must be on course for the top spot next week. The expected arrival of Jive Bunny at the top of charts failed to materialise with the track actually losing sales (34,782) though it held the No 4 spot being overtaken by Erasure’s “Blue Savannah” which leaps 8-3 (35,802), that’s Erasure’s third top 3 hit though they’ve yet to make No 1 (with 8 top 10 singles and no chart toppers that makes them the most successful duo never to get the gold), and for Jive Bunny it looks like the bubble may have burst and that fourth chart topper in a row won’t be happening. A further bit of history however for Sinead O'Connor who does indeed now have the biggest selling Prince penned hit in the UK, but also is the first Irish female to grab herself a No 1 album as she lands there this week.

New Kids On The Block could only debut at No 11 last week with “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” but it advances this week to No 5 (33,830) and could yet become their third chart topper enabling them to join Jive Bunny, FGTH, and Gerry & The Pacemakers in the record books. The song topped the US charts back in June last year so is already almost a year old but they can’t currently do anything wrong.

Already a hit on the Manchester rave scene Candy Flip’s take on the Beatles Classic “Strawberry Fields Forever” achieves national interest as it flies 18-6 (33,711). It features the famous “Funky Drummer” loop which continues to be the sample of choice at present.

David A Stewart and Candy Dulfer continue to move north 10-7 (28,339) but there are three fallers at the foot of the big 10, Michael Bolton tumbles 3-8 (27,982), Various Artists BRITS melody falls 2-9 (27,676) and Guru Josh proves his time is up dipping 5-10 (25,398).


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (44,982)
2- LOVE SHACK- The B-52’s (44,727)
3- BLUE SAVANNAH- Erasure (35,802)
4- THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME- Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (34,782)
5- I’LL BE LOVING YOU (FOREVER)- New Kids On The Block (33,830)
6- STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER- Candy Flip (33,711)
7- LILY WAS HERE- David A Stewart Ft Candy Dulfer (28,339)
8- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (27,982)
9- THE BRITS 1990- Various (27,676)
10- INFINITY- Guru Josh (25,398)

I wouldn't say entering at No 4 was a flop, after all "That's what I like" also debuted there before spending three weeks at No 1. The issue is that the songs it uses aren't generally as well known as the previous ones plus the video tries to make the track seem more contemporary where the appeal of their records must surely be nostalgic. In any eventuality with sales of the top 3 all declining it has a good chance of making No 1 though the b52's are also placed to hit the top

17TH MARCH





For those expecting the top 2 to be new entries, and there were a few, the charts look rather serene and calm at the moment with the entire top 3 not moving at all. That belies the fact that all three are now in retreat sales wise with “Dub Be Good To Me” at No 1 (Down 25%) at 62,968, Brits 1990 at No 2 (Down 25%) on 42,568, and Michael Bolton in third place (Down 32%) at 37,332. His album does arrive at No 8 however in mitigation.

Cook revealed this week that his original mix of "Dub Be Good To Me" actually features on the B-side to his 1989 #48 hit "For Spacious Lies" minus the vocals from Layton who contacted him proposing she sing over the beat. The title is "Invasion Of The Estate Agent" if you want to listen!

Onto the big news of the week then, that’s the new Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers single “That Sounds Good To Me” which uses the Blues Brothers “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” as its base before launching into a few more Rock N Roll classics from the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, and the Kalin Twins among others. It debuts at No 4 (35,751) and with everything above it collapsing sales wise we have to brace ourselves that this should climb to the top next week and create chart history, no act has seen their first 4 singles make No 1, and only three (including the bunny) have done it with their first 3 those being Gerry & The Pacemakers and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. They have already proved they can sell albums with their eponymous debut album peaking at No 2 and having sold 750,000 copies so far.

US new wave act The B-52’s have been going strong for over a decade garnering critical acclaim if not sales and chart positions with only “Rock Lobster” (No 37) and a re-recorded “Rock Lobster/ Claire” (No 12) being their sole top 40 entries. “Love Shack” therefore becomes their first top 10 single this week as it darts 12-6 (32,232) having peaked at No 3 Stateside at the end of last year, the shack in question is a cabin in Georgia where singer Cindy Wilson of the band lived in the 70s and where “Rock Lobster” was written in case you wondered.

After the surprise shock of “You Surround Me” (it only made No 15 last December becoming their lowest peaking single in 3 years) it seems that Erasure are back on form with an 8th top 10 single with “Blue Savannah” bolting 12-8 (30,209)

Commissioned for the Dutch film “De Kassiere” the track “Lily Was Here” was composed by Eurythmics Dave Stewart who invited Candy Dulfer to play saxophone on the track. The song got a release in the Netherlands and ended up spending 5 weeks at No 1 last December which prompted a UK release and here it is moving 17-10 (28,356) and thusly outperforming all Eurythmics singles for the last 4 years.

Guru Josh holds at No 5 (32,912) fending off the B-52’s and also a rising JT & The Big Family who climb 8-7 (30,498). Former chart topper “Nothing Compares 2 U” drops 4-9 (29,376) and has now passed the 600,000 mark.


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (62,968)
2- THE BRITS 1990- Various (42,568)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (37,332)
4- THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO ME- Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers (35,751)
5- INFINITY- Guru Josh (32,912)
6- LOVE SHACK- The B-52’s (32,232)
7- MOMENTS IN SOUL- JT & The Big Family (30,498)
8- BLUE SAVANNAH- Erasure (30,209)
9- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (29,376)
10- LILY WAS HERE- David A Stewart Ft Candy Dulfer (28,356)

=

10TH MARCH

After last week’s splurge of new entries it’s a quieter affair this week with “Dub Be Good To Me” holding firm at the top on an increased sale of 84,133. It opens up a commanding lead over the rest of the field and though the “BRITS 1990” medley charges 7-2 it only sold 57,307 and is well off the pace required, it does however nip past a static Michael Bolton who holds at No 3 despite playing second fiddle for most of the week, he sold 55,301. Former Chart topper “Nothing Compares 2 U” completes the list of the top 4 for this week as it falls 2-4 (48,161) and should go Platinum this week when it could also become the biggest selling Prince cover into the bargain as it overtakes Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You”.

The only new entry in the top 10 is the 22-8 (27,353) climber from JT & The Big Family. The project is the brain child of DJ Christian Hornbostal and the track “Moments In Soul” samples a range of tracks from Soul II Soul and Milli Vanilli to the O’Jays with a large slice of Art Of Noise’s “Moments In Love” to form its backbone.

Guru Josh rises 9-5 (30,413) which means that Depeche Mode spend a third week at No 6 (29,529) though they are starting to fade now, Black Box tumble 5-7 (29,087) and Stone Roses fall 8-10 (22,049) after that high debut last week. Technotronic dip 4-9 (26,945) but do see their debut album rise 3-2, that’s the 8th week on the trot it has climbed though once again Phil Collins bars entry to the top slot, “But Seriously” in charge for a 14th week out of its 15 on release.

Next week however sees the release of the 4th Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers single- can it arrive at No 1 and create chart history? We also get a new single from New Kids On The Block who will be chasing a third No 1 single- it’s all about to get very interesting- See you in 7 days.


1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (84,133)
2- BRITS 1990 MEDLEY- Various (57,307)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (55,301)
4- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (48,161)
5- INFINITY (1990s: TIME FOR THE GURU)- Guru Josh (30,413)
6- ENJOY THE SILENCE- Depeche Mode (29,529)
7- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (29,087)
8- MOMENTS IN SOUL- JT & The Big Family (27,353)
9- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (26,945)
10- ELEPHANT STONE- The Stone Roses (22,049)

3RD MARCH





Well it was a close run thing in the end but Beats International did just enough to hold Sinead O’Connor from the top, the two titles shifting 72,029 and 70,873 respectively. “Nothing Compares 2 U” has now sold 527,459 and should help propel her second album “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” to the top of the charts later this month. For Beats International it marks a notable achievement for Norman Cook who beats his former Housemartins bandmates to the top and for the writers of Dub Be Good To Me” (Jimmy Harris & Terry Lewis) it gives them revenge for being fired by Prince as they replace him at the top writer wise.

Michael Bolton continues to threaten the top 2 moving 5-3 (52,326) with Technotronic (3-4, 39,661) and Black Box 4-5 (39,525) moving down to make way for him. Depeche Mode can only hold at No 6 (34,340) just above the influx of new comers.




It was BRITS week and this year’s show was put together by Jonathan King who has also pioneered the idea of putting out this megamix of tracks to showcase the dance music of 1989 (and 1988 for that matter) and to publicise the ceremony itself. “BRITS 1990” is officially credited to Various Artists, itself an unusual step in this day and age, was performed on the night itself and debuts now at No 7 after selling 24,276 copies.

The Stone Roses have rapidly become both NME darlings and flavour of the month in the music press which of course means that their back catalogue is primed for re-issue in wake of their breakthrough “Fools Gold/ What The World Is Waiting For” which made the top 10 late last year. “Sally Cinnamon” has already made No 46 and now a No 146 hit from 1988 “Elephant Stone” gets a re-issue and crashes straight into the top 10 at No 8 (24,072). The single was originally produced by New Order member Peter Hook but has subsequently been reworked for the debut album, an album which sold a little over 100,000 and only peaked at No 19 despite all the admiration!

Released on the small infinity label in 1989 “Infinity” failed to chart for US musician Guru Josh though it attracted a following in dance clubs causing it to be picked up by BMG and get a full issue in 1990 with the suffix “1990 Time For The Guru”. It seems that’s what we needed and the song flies 27-9 (22,049) to finally become a top 10 single.

Also seeing a BRITS boost is Rod Stewart whose “Downtown Train” pulls in at No 10 (21,165) to become his first transatlantic top 10 single since 1978’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy”. The song was originally by Tom Waits and appeared on his 1985 album “Rain Dogs” but did nothing when issued as a single, it’s now in much safer hands with Rod Stewart who scores his 19th top 10 single but his first in 4 years.

1- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (72,029)
2- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (70,873)
3- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (52,326)
4- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (39,661)
5- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (39,525)
6- ENJOY THE SILENCE- Depeche Mode (34,340)
7- THE BRITS 1990 MEDLEY- Various (24,276)
8- ELEPHANT STONE- The Stone Roses (24,072)
9- INFINITY (1990 TIME FOR THE GURU)- Guru Josh (22,049)
10- DOWNTOWN TRAIN- Rod Stewart (21,165)

24TH FEBRUARY

Sinead O’Connor is once again the nation’s favourite singer with “Nothing Compares 2 U” spending a fourth week at the top of the pile, its sales cool to 107,083 but it is holding up amazingly having now sold an impressive 456,586 copies, a tally only beaten by 3 records in the whole of 1989. Beats International rise 3-2 to pose a threat on paper but “Dub Be Good To Me” sold just 61,880 copies in making that move, enough to finally demote Technotronic 2-3 (50,643)

Most eyes on the next chart topper seem to be fixed on Michael Bolton whose recent US chart topper “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” storms 22-5 (32,538) this week. It’s Bolton’s first UK hit in his own name though he did co-pen Cher’s 1988 No 5 hit “I Found Someone” so has some form, indeed that track and this one were originally released by Laura Branigan with her version “Supposed” making No 12 in the US in 1983. The song was originally performed on the soap “Knots Landing” with Air Supply originally in the frame to record it for release but after Clive Davis was refused permission to change some of the lyrics it was passed to Branigan. Bolton’s version has however proved the bigger hit.

It might be their 23rd release (including an import) but Depeche Mode have only scored five top 10 hits since their debut in 1981, this week however “Enjoy The Silence” flies 17-6 (29,308) to become their equal 2nd highest peaker (after being their first single to debut in the top 20 last week), only 1984’’s “People Are People” went better making No 4. The group’s 7th album “Violator” is due next month and will feature this track along with last year’s “Personal Jesus”.

Elsewhere Black Box have a surge in sales of 110% to 46,682 yet only move a slot 5-4 though if they replicate that again then they could be looking at the No 1 spot next week however they are once again in trouble about vocalists.  This time it appears that a certain Martha Wash (of the Weather Girls) provides the vocals after she was drafted in as a session singer to record the song but when it got released there was no credit, legal action is now threatened again!- they never learn it seems. Lonnie Gordon tumbles 4-7 (28,390) Sybil strolls 6-8 (22,780) Phil Collins soaks 6-9 (17,187) and Lisa Stansfield holds down anchor place with 16,473 buyers.



1- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (107,083)
2- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (61,880)
3- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER- Technotronic (50,643)
4- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (46,682)
5- HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU- Michael Bolton (32,538)
6- ENJOY THE SILENCE- Depeche Mode (29,308)
7- HAPPENIN ALL OVER AGAIN- Lonnie Gordon (28,390)
8- WALK ON BY- Sybil (22,780)
9- I WISH IT WOULD RAIN DOWN- Phil Collins (17,187)
10- LIVE TOGETHER- Lisa Stansfield (16,473)

Lindy Layton in the Spaghetti advert in case anyone wondered

17TH FEBRUARY

The charts have been set up for a very interesting battle next week, but this week at least “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains unassailable moving a further 108,375 copies over the last 7 days cooling ever so slightly, Technotronic remain in the runner up spot but they do reduce the deficit albeit slightly by a mere 800, posting a sale of 60,469.

What do you get when you mash The Clash, Ennio Morricone, and the S.O.S band together? Well the answer is “Dub Be Good To Me” which is essentially a rework of the S.O.S band’s 1984 No 13 hit “Just Be Good To Me” coupled with the bassline from the Clash’s “Guns Of Brixton” by Beats International. Proving what a hotbed of creativity The Housemartins were, this outfit contains Norman Cook who is clearly hoping to beat ex-bandmates outfit The Beautiful South to claim the first chart topper outside the outfit. The song powers 15-3 (42,313) and features the vocals of Lindy Layton who was one time actress in “Grange Hill” and more recently in an advert for spaghetti on TV last year!

Before Beats International get too excited about trying to catch Sinead O’Connor at the top here’s Black Box with the follow up to last year’s “Ride On Time” which was the best selling single of the year shifting 850,000 copies. The vocalist on the track is subject to speculation though many have again pointed to “Love Sensation” as the inspiration for their new single “I Don’t Know Anybody Else”, it duly arrives with a bang straight in at No 5 (22,627) and deprived Technotronic last time around- can they do so next week?

Speaking of following up chart toppers Lisa Stansfield is back with “Live Together”, another track from her “Affection” album which hasn’t left the top 10 since its release 12 weeks ago and rebounds 10-3 this week but still has Phil Collins ahead of it, the album which held it off the top in December. Current single rises 19-10 (18,904).

In other news Lonnie Gordon sticks at No 4 (34,969) whilst Sybil climbs 9-6 (21,811) to make her version of “Walk On By” the highest charting one, that rise leaves Phil Collins stranded at No 7 (21,233). Mantronix tumble 5-8 (19,958) whilst Kylie Minogue doesn’t have a soft landing as she slumps 3-9 (19,669)


1- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (108,375)
2- GET UP! (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (60,469)
3- DUB BE GOOD TO ME- Beats International Ft Lindy Layton (42,313)
4- HAPPENIN ALL OVER AGAIN- Lonnie Gordon (34,969)
5- I DON’T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE- Black Box (22,627)
6- WALK ON BY- Sybil (21,811)
7- I WISH IT WOULD RAIN DOWN- Phil Collins (21,233)
8- GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE- Mantronix (19,958)
9- TEARS ON MY PILLOW- Kylie Minogue (19,669)
10- LIVE TOGETHER- Lisa Stansfield (18,904)

I think the controversy pretty much sunk them after the first single

10TH FEBRUARY






“Nothing Compares 2 U” beds in at the top of the charts this week shifting an impressive 114,155 copies giving it a new total of 241,128 and allowing it to lead the pack in the YTD chart. Its victory over the new No 2 (Technotronic’s “Get Up”) was conclusive as it sold a mere 65,484 to move 3-2, the band’s last hit “Pump Up The Jam” also peaked at No 2 but was only 8,000 copies off the top spot at one time, this time around it looks like they are going to be further off the pace.  In only 6 weeks last year did the chart topper's weekly tally move into 6 figures so it's encouraging to see that tally so early in the year!

Two new entries to the top 10 this week, and both covers. First up is Sybil who climbs 19-9 (18,785) with her version of Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By”, it’s the fifth time the song has been a hit but Sybil’s recording has already equalled the peak of Warwick’s 26 years ago, it’s also the first song to be a chart single in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Sybil has scored four previous hits but the only track to break the top 20 was last year’s “Don’t Make Me Over” which peaked at No 19 and was, you guessed it a cover of a Dionne Warwick single! The single is produced by Tony King who is on the PWL b-team and with this track being issued on PWL records which leads us nicely onto the other new entry.

Inching 11-10 (18,428) are the newest act to get some hit factory help- Yell! With a version of the Dan Hartman track “Instant Replay” a No 8 hit 12 years ago. Being pushed as the next Bros in “Smash Hits” land, this track has earned the boys a strong female following and it’s Pete Hammond’s production you can hear steering this into the top 10 (61st for PWL), an album is promised in the summer.  Therefore, along with Lonnie Gordon, Kylie Minogue, and Sybil there are currently 4 tracks in the top 10 from the PWL stable- a new high!

More S/A/W related hits dominate the top 5 with the men themselves seeing Lonnie Gordon sprint 9-4 (32,572) to compensate for Kylie’s continued descent 2-3 (32,674). Phil Collins rises 10-7 (21,284) as everything else heads south, that includes Mantronix 4-5 (27,489), 49ers 5-6 (23,426) and Halo James flop 6-8 (20,536).


1- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (114,155)
2- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (65,484)
3- TEARS ON MY PILLOW- Kylie Minogue (32,674)
4- HAPPENIN ALL OVER AGAIN- Lonnie Gordon (32,572)
5- GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE- Mantronix (27,489)
6- TOUCH ME- 49ers (23,426)
7- I WISH IT WOULD RAIN DOWN- Phil Collins (21,284)
8- COULD HAVE TOLD YOU SO- Halo James (20,536)
9- WALK ON BY- Sybil (18,785)
10- INSTANT REPLAY- Yell! (18,428)

14TH FEBRUARY

Surprising many by holding the top spot Aqua breaks the curse of one week No 1’s that 1998 has so far given us. The run doesn’t quite match the record set in early 1997 but Aqua had to work hard to do it and indeed increase their sales albeit by a modest 15% to 117,000 and they can celebrate for another reason too, the “Aquarium” album rises 13-10 to break into the top flight for the first time!

Their challengers came in the form of Backstreet Boys who were never far behind all week with “All I Have To Give”. The boys last two singles “Everybody” and “As Long As You Love Me” seem to have propelled them up the teen stakes and can now validly claim to be the only really challengers to Boyzone’s current crown as the biggest boyband around. Parent album “Backstreet’s Back” has moved over half a million here and now boasts three top 3 singles with the latest debuting at No 2 (103,000) itself the highest opening tally for a BSB single. For all that they remain to have a chart topping single yet, this their 7th straight top 10 single and 5th top 3 appearance. Nick Carter therefore replaces brother Aaron in the top 10!

Girl groups which consist entirely of sisters are a rare commodity with only three groups ever having made the top 3, Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge and The Nolans. Add a fourth now with Manchester trio Cleopatra, aged just 17,15, and 13 they’re certainly the youngest, and “Cleopatra’s Theme” announces their intentions to be major stars as it arrives at No 3 (84,000). In doing so it equals the peak of The Nolans “I’m In The Mood For Dancing” with only Pointer sisters "Automatic" and Sister Sledge’s “Frankie” ahead of the pair- maybe Cleopatra can replicate their chart topping ways later in the year?

Usher drops 2-4 (52,000) but keeps ahead of All Saints 4-5 (41,000) and Will Smith 3-6 (40,000), incidentally Usher rises to No 1 stateside with the follow up “Nice & Slow”. Lighthouse Family drop 5-8 (31,000) but the song has now sold 250,000 copies in all, and Catatonia slip 8-9 (27,000) as their album “International Velvet” cruises in at No 11. Janet Jackson is down 9-10 (23,000) and Robbie Williams slips 6-7 (35,000) both songs have now spent 10 weeks in the top flight.


1- DOCTOR JONES- Aqua (117,000)
2- ALL I HAVE TO GIVE- Backstreet Boys (103,000)
3- CLEOPATRA’S THEME- Cleopatra (84,000)
4- YOU MAKE ME WANNA- Usher (52,000)
5- NEVER EVER- All Saints (41,000)
6- GETTIN JIGGY WIT IT- Will Smith (40,000)
7- ANGELS- Robbie Williams (35,000)
8- HIGH- Lighthouse Family (31,000)
9- MULDER AND SCULLY- Catatonia (27,000)
10- TOGETHER AGAIN- Janet Jackson (23,000)

7TH FEBRUARY

1998 continues to produce a new No 1 every week, this week Aqua become the 16th act in UK chart history to start their chart career with a couple of No 1 singles as “Doctor Jones” takes the top spot on sales of 102,000. It trailed all the way through to the week to the outgoing No 1 from Usher “You Make Me Wanna” but came through at the death outstripping the latter by 6,000 when all was said and done. The group’s album “Aquarium” is yet to make the top 10 but gets a best position yet rising to No 13 this week, and they thought “Barbie Girl” was a one hit wonder! That single is still in the top 40 (No 34) in its 16th week!

Will Smith’s last single “Just Cruising” proved a surprising miss before Christmas when it only made No 23 so there was a lot riding on his new single “Getting’ Jiggy Wit It”. With samples of The Bar-Kays “Sang & Dance” and Sister Sledge’s “He’s The Greatest Dancer” he now enters at No 3 (64,000) to put his solo career back on track and even manages to push his album “Big Willie Style” 51-40, its highest position yet.

Aaron Carter finds success with his second single “Crazy Little Party Girl” which as you might expect is more of the pre teen pop which has supported his star. It enters at No 7 (34,000) and sets up his debut album nicely for when it is released in three weeks’ time.

All Saints drop 2-4 (48,000) but that sales drive the total to 1,007,000, the third million selling single by a girl group after “Wannabe” and “2 Become 1”- it took just 12 weeks to do it as well. “Angels” and “Together Again” both entered the charts 9 weeks ago and both are still there, the former at No 6 (37,000) and the latter at No 9 (29,000) both are big sellers with totals of 538,000 and 568,000 and they should both go platinum in the near future.



Lighthouse Family ebb again 4-5 (39,000) and Catatonia hurtle 3-8 (32,000) with Bamboo rounding out of the top tier 6-10 (26,000).


1- DOCTOR JONES- Aqua (102,000)
2- YOU MAKE ME WANNA- Usher (96,000)
3- GETTIN JIGGY WIT IT- Will Smith (64,000)
4- NEVER EVER- All Saints (48,000)
5- HIGH- Lighthouse Family (39,000)
6- ANGELS- Robbie Williams (37,000)
7- CRAZY LITTLE PARTY GIRL- Aaron Carter (34,000)
8- MULDER AND SCULLY- Catatonia (32,000)
9- TOGETHER AGAIN- Janet Jackson (29,000)
10- BAMBOOGIE- Bamboo (26,000)

3RD FEBRUARY

Nothing Compares 2 Sinead O’Connor this week as copies of her single flew off the shelves after a live TOTP performance of the song saw 81,192 copies change hands this week. It climbs 3-1 to easily become the third chart topper of the 90s as the turnaround rate at the top is quite ferocious. That’s bad news for Kylie Minogue who slumps 1-2 (53,856) after losing just 9% saleswise.

The highest new entry of the week comes straight in at No 3 for Belgian dance act Technotronic who finally give Ya Kid K the singing credit she should have had on their first single “Pump Up The Jam”. “Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)” gets off to a much more immediate start than that song after selling 31,450 copies but it will have some way to go to top the near 430,000 copies that Jam sold.

Those S/A/W boys strike lucky again with the new Lonnie Gordon single “Happenin All Over Again” lifting 32-9 (17,612), it’s the 59th hit factory production to make the top 10 as the pounds keep rolling in. Gordon’s first release “It’s Not Over” missed the charts but all she needed was the production team behind her to score a hit, this track was originally penned by S/A/W for Gordon and not (as the rumour goes) for Donna Summer.

Another act who’s just sitting back watching the bank balance swell is Phil Collins. “But Seriously” spent its first 8 weeks at No 1 before being deposed by the Christians who in turn are replaced by Collins again this week, all that to accompany sales of over 1.25 million thus far and breaking records to get the million mark in just 5 weeks. Second single “I Wish It Would Rain Down” features a guest guitar spot from Eric Clapton and bass from Pino Palladino (more famous for his work on Paul Young’s “Whenever I Lay My Hat”). It’s Collins’s 11th top 10 single and 6th on the trot in a sequence dating back to 1985, as it smashes 26-10 (17,510).

Mantronix’s chart movement over the last few weeks 4-5-4 has belied the fact that it actually had it's peak sales week so far last week at No 5! it sold 28,730 in its latest frame, 49ers slip 4-5 (28,492) just above Halo James who hold firm at No 6 (26,605). Behind them New Kids On The Block soften 2-7 (25,466) and Jimmy Somerville continues to descend graciously 7-8 (18,802)


1- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (81,192)
2- TEARS ON MY PILLOW- Kylie Minogue (53,856)
3- GET UP (BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER)- Technotronic (31,450)
4- GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE- Mantronix (28,730)
5- TOUCH ME- 49ers (28,492)
6- COULD HAVE TOLD YOU SO- Halo James (26,605)
7- HANGIN TOUGH- New Kids On The Block (25,466)
8- YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)- Jimmy Somerville (18,802)
9- HAPPENIN ALL OVER AGAIN- Lonnie Gordon (17,612)
10- I WISH IT WOULD RAIN DOWN ON ME- Phil Collins (17,510)

27TH JANUARY





There was no fight back for New Kids On The Block this week as they get roundly defeated and fall 1-2 (40,426) though it does move over 100,000 in total sales at least! Instead nothing could prevent a fourth chart topper for Kylie Minogue and “Tears On My Pillow” as she becomes only the second female act to score as many chart toppers, the only lady ahead of her? Madonna of course on 6 No 1’s so far. It is also S/A/W’s 13th chart topper with a change of decade not appearing to hamper their ability to score big hits, this production bumps 2-1 (59,262), and at 2 minutes 28 seconds it’s also the shortest chart topper since the Specials ten years ago.

A big hit with critics back in 1988 Sinead O’Connor’s debut set “The Lion And The Cobra” yielded only one hit “Mandika” which made No 17 but with her second due in March she’s found the perfect cover, a version of the Family’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” which was written by a certain Prince. Much has been made of the promo and a teary O’Connor which has affected many with O’Connor reflecting on her own mother’s death during the filming. It’s certainly a hit on radio and at retail as it powers 30-3 (38,930) with an eye on the top slot next week.

First single “Wanted” petered out at No 45 but second release “Could Have Told You So” marks the arrival of Halo James in the UK consciousness. Fronted by the photogenic Christian James (already a hit with “Smash Hits”) the group also contains Ray St.John who co-wrote “Smooth Operator” for Sade back in 1984 so this isn’t quite his first brush with fame. The song bounds 13-6 (25,908) after a strong TOTP performance.

FPI Project nudge 10-9 (16,677) with a sales drop but no good news to be had anywhere else, 49ers and Mantronix both slide to make way for O’Connor dipping 3-4 (35,496) and 4-5 (31,603) respectively. Jimmy Somerville disco’s 5-7 (25,500) with increased sales, D.Mob slip 7-8 (19,159)- sales exactly the same as last week!, and Rob N Raz Ft Leila K don’t get it as they fall 8-10 (16,575)



1- TEARS ON MY PILLOW- Kylie Minogue (59,262)
2- HANGIN TOUGH- New Kids On The Block (40,426)
3- NOTHING COMPARES 2 U- Sinead O’Connor (38,930)
4- TOUCH ME- 49ers (35,496)
5- GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE- Mantronix (31,603)
6- COULD HAVE TOLD YOU SO- Halo James (25,908)
7- YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)- Jimmy Somerville (25,500)
8- PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER- D.Mob (19,159)
9- GOING BACK TO MY ROOTS- FPI Project (16,677)
10- GOT TO GET- Rob N Raz Ft Leila K (16,575)

Top 10 in pics


 

18 minutes ago, vibe said:

Is that the same Dancin Danny D that remixed Dannii Minogue’s first era singles?

indeed so

Whilst I remember, a polite reminder to ask not to mention where songs are peaking before they peak please.

20TH JANUARY

For a second week in a row a S/A/W production led midweek flashes and for a second week in a row that track just missed out on the money, more on that in a minute. What that also means is that New Kids On The Block fought back again with “Hangin Tough” and overcame stiff competition, it improved saleswise to 50,320 and it certainly needed to in order to keep pole position. In total the boys have spent 5 weeks at No 1 in the last 2 months and in three of those weeks they had to come from behind. Incidentally their album bounds 6-2 to reach a new peak with only Phil Collins “But Seriously” now ahead of it.

This week the challenger was predictably the new Kylie Minogue single “Tears On My Pillow”, a cover of 1958 Little Anthony & The Imperials No 4 US hit which failed to chart here. It features not only on Minogue’s last album “Enjoy Yourself” but also on the soundtrack to her first feature film “The Delinquents” which opened here on Boxing Day to moderate success. The film was originally set to be released in October and the delay meant that S/A/W went with "Never Too Late" as her 3rd single from "Enjoy Yourself" instead.  It’s Kylie’s 9th single and a ninth top 5 hit to boot as it debuts at No 2 with sales of 43,588, the album has spent its first 14 weeks in the top 6 amassing sales of 900,000 so far!  This is also S/A/W's 50th top 10 hit production wise, the last 25 have come in just 17 months!

Consisting of a varied line up but always with Kurtis Mantronix at the helm, the group that bears his surname arrive 12-4 (26,707) this week with “Got To Have Your Love” which features Wondress Hutchinson on vocals. The outfit have been influential in dance circles since their 1985 debut and hit a previous best with “Bassline” a No 34 hit in 1986.

Finally braving it truly alone, Jimmy Somerville’s new single “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” is obviously a cover of the Sylvester classic from 1978 which turned into a gay disco classic. Here it’s been remade by the former Bronski Beat/ Communards frontman who is rewarded with a 24-5 (20,128) move surpassing the No 8 peak of the original, his debut solo album “Read My Lips” has struggling in the Christmas slog moving 62-50 this week to mark a new high.  Catch the promo if you can which features a clip of Sylvester himself who died just over a year ago.

Dancin Danny D is back under the D Mob moniker with a new featured artist (Nuff Juice) and a fourth single in the form of “Put Your Hands Together”, their last single “C’Mon And Get My Love” became their first "failure" peaking at Just No 15 though a sizeable club hit. This time around they’ve slung in a bit of the O’Jays 1983 track “Put Our Heads Together” to come up with a hit to return them to favour moving 16-7 (19,159).

Featuring the now ubiquitous “Yeah! Woo!” drum loop borrowed from James Brown, another Italo House track makes the UK top 10, and yes it’s a cover again this time by the FPI Project who have taken Lamont Dozier’s “Going Back To My Roots” and revamped it for the 90s. The song was finally a hit in the UK in 1981 for Odyssey (No 4) but this version takes its cue from Richie Havens 1980 version with a slicing of Honesty 69’s club hit “Rich In Paradise” and T99’s “Too Nice To Be Real” and it’s another song that has been floating around since pre Christmas making slow progress 48-40-30-28-25-14 selling 17,714 in its latest frame to climb to No 10.  It was helped by the introduction of a vocal version of the single a few weeks ago (with a different vocalist) which has propelled up quickly and Gallup (who have history in making different versions of a track chart separately) have decided to combine both versions of the remix and the original on this occasion.

The 49’ers progress nicely 6-3 (27,234) but the festivities are truly over for Soul II Soul who slip 3-6 (20.043), Rob N Raz hold at No 8 (18,955) and Jason Donovan dives 2-9 (18,326).


1- HANGIN TOUGH- New Kids On The Block (50,320)
2- TEARS ON MY PILLOW- Kylie Minogue (43,588)
3- TOUCH ME- 49ers (27,234)
4- GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE- Mantronix (26,707)
5- YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL)- Jimmy Somerville (20,128)
6- GET A LIFE- Soul II Soul (20,043)
7- PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER- D.Mob (20,043)
8- GOT TO GET- Rob N Raz Featuring Leila K (19,159)
9- WHEN YOU COME BACK TO ME- Jason Donovan (18,326)
10- GOING BACK TO MY ROOTS/ RICH IN PARADISE- FPI Project (17,714)

Top 10 in pics


 

1 hour ago, Bjork said:

oh 1990 has started, not my fav chart year I have to admit, besides a few exceptions

oh my but very low sales, that's really the Jan lull, hope they pick up

NKOTB were really popular, at least the UK #1s were the upbeat numbers, which were just fine. Their ballads were diabolical.

I kinda liked that Rob n Rab ft Leila K song, wow, it took its time to reach the top 10, a very 2025 chart run :D

Don't mind the Sonia one or the 49ers but nothing incredible.

I recall at the time that smash hits ran an article on NKOTB sales and said that if it had sold the same amount in the same week in 1989 and 1988 then it would have been No 5 and No 10 respectively. A quick look at the other threads and that is entirely correct. A rare revelation of weekly sales back in 1990.

13TH JANUARY

It’s a new year, a new decade, and we have a new No 1 single to celebrate. New Kids On The Block confirm their position as the newest teen heart throbs in the charts with the re-issued “Hangin Tough” springing 9-1 this week just 6 weeks after their previous single “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” vacated the top slot, the shortest gap between chart toppers by the same act since John Lennon 9 years ago. That’s the good news, sadly its move to the top is accompanied by a sale of 28,067, that’s the lowest tally since Gallup took over compilation of the charts in 1983 beating the Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls" which sold just 34,597 in 1986, the parent album of the same name (which serves as their debut UK release) lifts 8-6 in recognition of the fact that it now holds two UK chart toppers, that’s a new peak for it.

More Italo house for you up next, Vocalist Ann-Marie Smith was the 49th vocalist to audition for the group and gave them their name though it should be noted that Dawn Mitchell has been recruited to front the group and thusly appears in the video for the 49ers. “Touch Me” features two samples, Alysha’s Warren’s “Touch Me” and Aretha Franklin’s “Rock-A-Lott” which have been meshed together to give us “Touch Me” which accelerates 23-6 (16,031) now that the Christmas period has passed. The project is the brain child of Gianfranco Bortolotti the man behind Capella who scored a No 11 hit last year with “Helyom Halib”.

Swedish producers Robert Wåtz and Rasmus Lindwall first spotted singer Laila El Khalifi in a singing competition in 1988 and decided to work with her, abbreviations all around happened as they became Rob N Raz Featuring Leila K and “Got To Get” became a European hit at the end of 1989. It’s certainly taken its time here as it’s moved 57-32-14-13-14-11-11 since its November release to finally enter the upper reaches as it hits No 8 (15,317).

Meanwhile it’s relief all round for Sonia whose third single “Listen To Your Heart” puts her back on track after last single “Can’t Forget You”’s underperformance. The latter track only made No 17 after the chart topping “You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You” in the summer, she now climbs 20-10 (12,308). The video features some neat moves from fellow S/A/W produced act Big Fun which, seems to be helping her, expect that debut album in Spring apparently.

Elsewhere it’s tough on Jason Donovan who led for most of the week with “When You Come Back To Me”, its chances were scuppered by TOTP giving it no air time, and now the prospect of it topping the charts must be behind it as it trailed in with 24,140 sales marking its third week in the runner up spot. S/A/W still have 2 of the top 5 records, last week’s chart topper from Band Aid slumps 1-4 (19,023) losing 50% saleswise week on week and at that rate it will be lucky to be top 20 next week however it is now the 33rd week in a three year period where PWL/SAW have helmed at least two of the top 5 singles in a week. In between them are two non movers who both lose sales as well, Soul II Soul at No 3 (20,366) and Madonna at No 5 (18,377), De La Soul improve 8-7 (15,487) and Kaoma dip 7-9 (13,617).  The terrible sales all round see record lows required (in the Gallup era) not only for the Chart topper, but also No's 2, 3, 4, and 10.  Bleak.



1- HANGIN TOUGH- New Kids On The Block (28,067)
2- WHEN YOU COME BACK TO ME- Jason Donovan (24,140)
3- GET A LIFE- Soul II Soul (20,366)
4- DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS- Band Aid II (19,023)
5- DEAR JESSIE- Madonna (18,377)
6- TOUCH ME- 49ers (16,031)
7- THE MAGIC NUMBER/ BUDDY- De La Soul (15,487)
8- GOT TO GET- Rob N Raz Ft Leila K (15,317)
9- LAMBADA- Kaoma (13,617)
10- LISTEN TO YOUR HEART- Sonia (12,308)

We'll kick off tonight!

On 03/07/2025 at 00:13, Jerald said:

I have a question, was 'The Holiday Collection' the 'Holiday' single that was re-released in '91 or were they two separate things and if so what chart did 'The Holiday Collection' chart on?

Two separate things. "Holiday" made No 5 whilst the "Holiday Collection" made No 98. It was released on CD (I have it on CD at any rate though I suppose it may be an import).

It's 1990 in this thread and a new decade has begun. We'll count down all the sounds of the year and hopefully generate a few "almost forgotten gems" along the way. As always thanks go to MFR, Vas tariner, Youtube, Wikipedia, MW, popscene, James Masterton and a few other sources who have helped over the years. Here's the links to previous threads if this isn't your year!

https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/270540-gezzas-yearly-sales-threads/

Actual weekly sales have recently come to light, my thanks go to Robbie and kobyhadrain for sourcing the information and presenting it. So sit back and enjoy every top 10 hit of the year (eventually), before the autumn you'll see that you really can't touch: