Gezza

18TH FEBRUARY On course to be sensationally dumped from the No 1 spot until the last moment, it took a TOTP performance to prevent that happening and thusly Marc Almond & Gene Pitney cling on to the top spot for a fourth week though it would certainly appear to be its final week. The track sold 65,416 copies last week to bring its total to 341,537 copies, not altogether impressive for a record which spent a month on top but still enough to lead the way for the year, after lamenting the lack of the album last week it duly re-enters at the dizzy heights of No 64. So onto that new entry and only the second Scottish act to debut inside the top 10 are Simple Minds who have been absent from the charts for two years and haven’t released an original album since 1986 after which the band toured extensively to promote the album, built their own studio and appeared at last year’s Nelson Mandela Concert, so they’ve been far from idle. They’ve also recorded some new music and an album due this spring, “The Ballad Of The Streets EP”, to give it its official title, enters at No 2 this week (54,927) the lead track from it in terms of promotion is “Belfast Child” which is essentially a re-write of the traditional folk song “She Moved Through The Fair” with lyrics to reflect the current troubles in Northern Ireland, its teamed with “Biko” and “Mandela Day” which were both performed at last year’s concert. The song wasn’t available on 7” last week (that format is out this week) a fact that certainly cost it the top spot this week at least. A new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical these days means hit singles after the success of both “Requiem” and “Phantom Of The Opera”, and so it proves with “Aspects Of Love” which is due to open in the west end in a few months. Its lead male part will be played by Michael Ball who sings the current hit “Love Changes Everything”, he’s already a big west end star having starred in “Phantom” and “Les Miserables” since his debut three years ago, his place as a pop star seems to be a happy one as he jumps 12-3 (48,620). One of 1988’s biggest stars, Yazz had three top 10 singles including the five week chart topper “The Only Way Is Up”, she now plucks a third single from her “Wanted” album and it’s her first ballad. “Fine Time” follows in the footsteps of all her former singles bouncing 11-9 (31,603) to become another top 10 hit for the star. Bobby Brown bucks the trend of the remainder of the top 10 in climbing 9-6 (39,814) but the game is up for some big hits including Mike + The Mechanics who dive 2-4 (46,886), Holly Johnson slips 4-5 (42,534), Roy Orbison falls 3-7 (37,077), Morrissey surprisingly cedes 6-8 (33,507) despite a small sales increase, and Robert Howard and Kim Mazelle dip 7-10 (27,234) 1- SOMETHING’S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART- Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (65,416) 2- BALLAD OF THE STREETS EP- Simple Minds (54,927) 3- LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING- Michael Ball (48,620) 4- THE LIVING YEARS- Mike & The Mechanics (46,886) 5- LOVE TRAIN- Holly Johnson (42,534) 6- MY PREROGATIVE- Bobby Brown (39,814) 7- YOU GOT IT- Roy Orbison (37,077) 8- THE LAST OF THE FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOYS- Morrissey (33,507) 9- FINE TIME- Yazz (31,603) 10- WAIT- Robert Howard & Kym Mazelle (27,234)

11TH FEBRUARY The top 3 remain static this week but all are well in retreat in terms of sales posting reductions of 11% (Marc Almond & Gene Pitney) 18% (Mike + The Mechanics) and 5% (Roy Orbison) to give tallies of 84,235, 54,366 and 49,266 respectively. “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” has now shifted 276,121 copies as it overtakes “Especially For You” to become 1989’s best seller though obviously the year is only 5 weeks old. The album charts may give a hint as to what’s going on as well, “Mystery Girl” debuts at No 2 behind New order for Roy Orbison, draining sales away from “You Got It”, and Mike + The Mechanics slide 2-4 with their album whilst Almond’s album “Stars We Are” remains conspicuous by its absence, buyers clearly preferring to purchase the Almond/ Pitney single version helping to keep it afloat. Incidentally Orbison has two albums in the top 3- the first time any act has pulled this feat since Kids From Fame 7 years ago! Behind them Holly Johnson and Roachford swap places at No’s 4 & 5 with Johnstons still improving to 46,954 with an eye on the top 2 but Roachford dip at retail to 38,641, again the newly available “Roachford” album debuting at No 18 helps to explain why. The Smiths are back! Well almost, a new Morrissey single sees Mozza team up with Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce and Craig Cannon on “The Last Of The Famous International Playboys” which has the added incentive of being a new single not available on his debut album “Viva Hate”. Naturally the single attracted an initial rush of buyers appearing as high as No 3 on midweek flashes before falling back through the week to enter at No 6 (31,518) in the end, the cover of the single incidentally features a 6 year old Morrissey on it and it matches the impressive debut of his debut solo single “Suedehead” last year and marks his third straight Top 10 single in a row, one more than the Smiths ever managed. The track is also the best selling 12”, CD, and Cassingle this week. Written in reaction to his departure from New Edition, Bobby Brown branched out on his own in 1986 with an album “King Of The Stage” which failed to ignite the charts anywhere but a rethink and a change in style has led to rewards with “My Prerogative” already hitting the No 1 spot in the US last month and now jetting in 18-9 (27,149) here. The song is already in its 9th week on the chart having been released well before Christmas and spending its first 5 weeks locked outside the top 40, it looked destined to miss out like his first UK release “Don’t Be Cruel” which peaked at No 42 last summer but it’s all worked out for the ex teeny bopper. Indeed Brown is still a teenager, incredible when you think he was topping the charts here 6 years ago, his second album “Don’t Be Cruel” has already peaked at No 50 on imports but gets a full UK release in a fortnight. Kym Mazelle & Robert Howard rise 10-7 (28,917) and Ten City hold at No 8 (28,135) and Fine Young Cannibals drop 6-10 (27,064) to complete the review. 1- SOMETHING’S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART- Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (84,235) 2- THE LIVING YEARS- Mike & The Mechanics (54,366) 3- YOU GOT IT- Roy Orbison (49,266) 4- LOVE TRAIN- Holly Johnson (46,954) 5- CUDDLY TOY- Roachford (38,641) 6- THE LAST OF THE FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOYS- Morrissey (31,518) 7- WAIT- Robert Howard & Kym Mazelle (28,917) 8- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE IS- 10 City (28,135) 9- MY PREROGATIVE- Bobby Brown (27,149) 10- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY- Fine Young Cannibals (27,064)

BBC news report on sales of "Candle In The Wind"

4TH FEBRUARY Last week its hold was tenuous but this week Marc Almond & Gene Pitney take the top spot by an almost 30,000 copies as it created a 1989 record to date of 95,659 units into the bargain. “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” looks assured for another week at least with “The Living Years” a distant second on just 67,575 which is itself still improving sales wise but will not now top the charts it seems especially given as the album of the same name is selling well at No 2 on the album charts as well, keep an eye on Roy Orbison’s “You Got It” too which inches 4-3 (52,275) but was matching Mike + The Mechanics towards the end of the week though the album “Mystery Girl” is now in shops which may hamper its rise. Roachford improves 7-4 (38,709) as does Holly Johnson 10-5 (38,403) but both are in reality so far from the top that their charge is rather illusionary. Creating a bit of the furore on the US dance scene Ten City are a Chicago based trio whose second release “That’s The Way Love Is” comes with the dance guru Steve “Silk” Hurley on production and is already a firm club favourite here in the UK at the moment. It climbs 17-8 (24,344) and foreshadows their debut album “Foundation” in a fortnight’s time. Talking about Chicago based house acts, Kym Mazelle grew up in the same street as the Jacksons but first came to attention on the No 53 hit last year “Useless (I Don’t Need You Now)” but that “Wait” for a top 10 single is over as she teams up with the Blow Monkey’s front man Robert Howard on the hit “Wait”. The pairing rises 13-10 (22,559). Fine Young Cannibals slip 5-6 (36,142), Kylie & Jason fall even harder 3-6 (28,985) and will sell its 800,000th copy this week and becomes S/A/W's biggest seller, finally Erasure continue to descend 6-9 (23,545). 1- SOMETHING’S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART- Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (95,659) 2- THE LIVING YEARS- Mike & The Mechanics (67,575) 3- YOU GOT IT- Roy Orbison (52,275) 4- CUDDLY TOY- Roachford (38,709) 5- LOVE TRAIN- Holly Johnson (38,403) 6- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY- Fine Young Cannibals (36,142) 7- ESPECIALLY FOR YOU- Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (28,985) 8- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE IS- 10 City (24,344) 9- CRACKERS INTERNATIONAL EP- Erasure (23,545) 10- WAIT- Robert Howard & Kym Mazelle (22,559)

27TH SEPTEMBER With tales all week of stock running out, of people buying up to 40 copies a time and phone ins about the problem on “This Morning” it should surprise no-one that Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind 97/ Something About The Way You Look Tonight” continues at No 1 for a second week. The scale of the victory is however unprecedented with the single shifting 1,546,688 copies in the last 7 days, no that’s not a typo it is simply astonishing and beats the record it set last week by just under 900,000 copies! Its total sales of over 2.2 million already make it not only the best selling single of the year but of the decade after just 8 days on sale. 58% of all singles sold last week were Elton’s and he outpaced the No 2 track by 18:1- another record, and gives George Martin his 28th No 1 production credit breaking the tie with Norrie Paramour for the record of most chart toppers by producer. It has seen Elton’s 90s singles sales swell from over 2 million to over 4.2 million as he becomes one of only 5 acts so far to sell four million in the current decade. That No 2 record was a new entry from Dario G a trio from Cheshire and take their name from the manager of Crewe Alexandra (Dario Gradi) with an added G as a tribute to saxophonist Kenny G. “Sunchyme” features a sample of “Life In A Northern Town” by Dream Academy (1985) which took some time to clear but has made it in a much anticipated release. 86,000 buyers were found last week to send it well clear of the opposition but it still goes into the history books on the receiving end of the biggest gap between the top two and not a record which will be beaten in a hurry- probably. It’s taken 6 months but Blackstreet finally release a follow up to “Don’t Leave”. “Fix” is a third top 10 single for the group and features uncredited help from Ol Dirty b*st*rd and Slash and contains a sample of Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” (1982) on the album version though this is stripped out for single release, it still manages No 7 (39,000) regardless. Latin beats have suddenly become all the rage, Ricky Martin falls 6-10 (32,000) just as Bellini’s “Samba De Janiro” arrives at No 8 (37,000). The outfit consists of three girls from Germany and this, their debut single, samples “Celebration Suite” by Airto Moreira, resulting in a pan European hit over the summer and now a hit here. Chumbawamba rebound 5-3 (53,000) despite losing sales, “Tubthumping” now having sold 490,000 copies in total. The Verve dip 3-4 (49,000) whilst former chart topper “Men In Black” slides 4-5 (46,000) and George Michael relaxes 2-6 (41,000). Tina Moore is back in the top 10 rising again having so far moved 7-11-9-12-9 and selling 35,000 in its last frame. For a record to show such tenacity in the current chart climate is noteworthy. This week sees Elton’s first “Challenge” though even the mighty Oasis will struggle to overturn him in his current sales form. 1- CANDLE IN THE WIND 97/ SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT- Elton John (1,546,688) 2- SUNCHYME- Dario G (86,000) 3- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (53,000) 4- THE DRUGS DON’T WORK- The Verve (49,000) 5- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (46,000) 6- YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED- George Michael (41,000) 7- FIX- Blackstreet (39,000) 8- SAMBA DE JANIRO- Bellini (37,000) 9- NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO- Tina Moore (35,000) 10- (UN DOS TRES) MARIA- Ricky Martin (32,000)

20TH SEPTEMBER We all knew it was going to be big, we all knew it would enter at No 1, and we all knew nothing would come near it but sales of Elton John’s Diana tribute “Candle In The Wind 1997” has smashed every record in the book despite only being released on Saturday! Yes on just one day on sale the single sold a record 658,000 copies beating the previous best opening weekly tally from the mighty Band Aid in 1984 (574,464), with lyrics altered to reflect the recent death of the princess and produced by George Martin the song was premiered at the funeral with all proceeds from the single going to charity. Those sales incidentally are enough for 8th on the YTD already. Officially it is teamed with “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” which is the lead single to his new album “The Big Picture” and comes with a promo rammed with guest appearances from models (Kate Moss, Sophie Dahl) and TV actors from “This Life”. This is Elton’s 4th chart topper in a 27 year chart career but his first time in the top 10 as a soloist since 1992’s “The One”. Polygram had to ration copies it sent to suppliers to ensure that all stores had stock on Saturday after it registered "unprecedented" pre-orders and have stated that it will take a week or two to see supply meet demand! Spare a thought then for George Michael who was leading the charge all week with “You Have Been Loved” which itself picked up major airplay in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death. All six singles from the “Older” album have gone top 3, the only other act to have managed this feat are Take That who did it with the “Everything Changes” campaign though the inclusion of “Why Can’t I Wake Up With You” is debateable in that run. His 10th top 10 hit in a row and 17th overall the “Older” album has sold over 1.5 million and shoots 24-14 this week whilst the single sold a healthy 89,000 copies even though it was a third release from the album to lose a midweek No 1 position following both “Spinning The Wheel” and “Star People 97”. Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin (real name Enrique Morales) first found singing fame as a member of boy band Menudo in the 80s in the Spanish world but had left by the end of the decade. In between acting and producing Spanish language albums he’s managed to score himself his first international hit with “(Un Dos Tres) Maria” which has been a hit all over Europe this summer. We of course get the “Spanglish” version but nevertheless it enters at No 6 (53,000). It’s fair to say that Portishead were met near universal critical acclaim and awards for their first album “Dummy” a few years ago winning the Mercury Music prize and garnering BRITS nominations along the way. It gave us two singles “Glory Box” and “Sour Times” both of which peaked at unlucky No 13, but as is often the case, a first single from a second album does the business. “All Mine” comes in at No 8 (42,000) to become their biggest hit yet, the second album is just a fortnight away too. Boyz II Men’s erratic UK chart history continues with “4 Seasons Of Loneliness” which is their 4th top 10 hit entering at anchor position on a sale of 39,000. Jam & Lewis are back on production duties and it’s the lead single from their third album “Evolution”, their first album in 3 years. Last week’s No 1 from The Verve naturally makes way at the top 1-3 (64,000) and pushes former favourites from Will Smith and Chumbawamba down 2-4 (62,000) and 3-5 (58,000). Hanson tip 4-7 (48,000) and All Saints relent 6-9 (41,000). 1- CANDLE IN THE WIND 97/ SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT- Elton John (658,000) 2- YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED- George Michael (89,000) 3- THE DRUGS DON’T WORK- The Verve (64,000) 4- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (62,000) 5- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (58,000) 6- (UN DOS TRES) MARIA- Ricky Martin (53,000) 7- WHERE’S THE LOVE- Hanson (48,000) 8- ALL MINE- Portishead (42,000) 9- I KNOW WHERE IT’S AT- All Saints (41,000) 10- 4 SEASONS OF LONELINESS- Boyz II Men (39,000)

28TH JANUARY The nation does have a new number one, in fact through the week three different songs all topped the charts with “Especially For You” giving way to “The Living Years” by Thursday then, in the end, Marc Almond & Gene Pitney came out on top by a narrow margin thanks to a performance on “Wogan” which saw the track become the biggest seller on Thursday, Friday and Saturday by some margin. Kylie & Jason drop 1-3 (50,949) and have now sold 753,270 copies in total and should, at some point, become S/A/W’s biggest seller over the next few weeks. It was surpassed by “The Living Years” which still climbs 4-2 (56,950) but was 4,029 short of Almond & Pitney in the end count, Almond thusly becomes the second act after George Michael to top the charts with two different duetting partners if one counts Dave Ball of Soft Cell, for Pitney his wait of 28 years from debut to first No 1 hit is dwarfed only by Jackie Wilson’s 29 year wait in 1986. Taking their name from lead vocalist Andrew Roachford, “Cuddly Toy” was first released last summer and bombed out at No 61 but as is the increasing trend over the last decade January sees a soft sales period and a chance for previous flops to be re-issued and succeed. It is actually their third hit after “Find Me Another Love” just made No 100 but touring with both Terence Trent D’Arby and The Christians during 1988 certainly helped raise their profile and “Cuddly Toy” finds admirers moving 11-7 (37,315) and is the nation’s best selling 12” inch this week by way of trivia. Finally free of the restrictions imposed on him by ZTT records Holly Johnson shakes off the memory of Frankie Goes To Hollywood to release his first solo single almost a year after the matter was decided by the courts (though it should be noted ZTT have appealed the decision and we await the outcome of that). “Love Train” contains a certain Brian May on guitar and is the lead track from his first solo album which is pencilled in for spring but it certainly seems as though the UK public has missed him sending this song 21-10 (27,659). Roy Orbison continues to march to his posthumous chart topper as he shifts 7-4 (50,082) leaving Fine Young Cannibals stranded at No 5 (40,409) but it’s bad news for three hits as Erasure tumble hard 2-6 (37,791), Neneh Cherry falls 3-8 (31,433) and Will To Power reverse 6-9 (28,118) as time is up for all three. 1- SOMETHING’S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART- Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (60,979) 2- THE LIVING YEARS- Mike & The Mechanics (56,950) 3- ESPECIALLY FOR YOU- Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (50,949) 4- YOU GOT IT- Roy Orbison (50,082) 5- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY- Fine Young Cannibals (40,409) 6- CRACKERS INTERNATIONAL EP- Erasure (37,791) 7- CUDDLY TOY- Roachford (37,315) 8- BUFFALO STANCE- Neneh Cherry (31,433) 9- BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY- Will To Power (28,118) 10- LOVE TRAIN- Holly Johnson (27,659)

Interestingly "The Chart show" had Erasure at No 1 for both these weeks

21ST JANUARY Not many predicted that “Especially For You” still had legs on it but it is still the UK’s No 1 single though on the wain saleswise to 69,071 this week with total sales at 702,321, that means it is Kylie’s best seller and the second biggest S/A/W produced track with only “Never Gonna Give You Up” ahead of it, though it is well ahead with sales of 774,000 copies sold thus far. The whole top 3 in fact stick with Erasure spending a third week at the runner up spot on 42,534, and Neneh Cherry resting in the groove at No 3 (38,165) both with increased sales and the former also becomes the duo's biggest seller. Just behind the static gate keepers we start to see new blood, and most likely the next chart topper in the form of “The Living Years” which is already the biggest chart hit for Mike + The Mechanics, previous best “Silent Running” floundered at No 21 three years ago. The song is written by Mike Rutherford and BA Robertson who was last in the top 10 as a co-writer on Scotland Football Squad’s “We Have A Dream” 7 years ago, it is actually written by Robertson from a personal perspective as it details the dysfunctional relationship between father and son seen through the eyes of the son who himself becomes a father within weeks of his own father’s death, It charges 17-4 (35,632) and must be odds on to become the best seller in 7 days. Meanwhile over on the album charts Roy Orbison takes over from Erasure at the top and he finds himself powering 24-7 (31,399) with a new track “You Got It”, his stock is particularly high at present of course following his sad death last month, a fact which has boosted both the single and the album. This is his 11th top 10 single, and the first in 23 years a new record for gaps between top tenners, and is taken from his final album he recorded before his death ” Mystery Girl” which is out next month and features his fellow Travelling Wilbury’s Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty on co-writing, backing vocals, and production duties. The video incidentally was filmed at a Belgium awards ceremony just two weeks before his death. American duo Shannon Rubicam and George Merill are established songwriters having written Whitney’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and “How Will I Know” which became massive hits for the singer. They also offered her “Waiting For A Star To Fall” back in 1986 but it didn’t make the grade for Houston and it was then offered to, and recorded by, Belinda Carlisle but again it didn’t make it to the “Heaven On Earth” album and so it ends up becoming a hit for themselves under the moniker Boy Meets Girl. It was written, allegedly, after the duo saw an actual falling star at a Houston concert, it’s certainly not falling at present rising 12-9 (28,152). Over the last 6 months you’d be forgiven for thinking the 60s have returned with the Hollies, Chubby Checker, Roy Orbison, Petula Clark, and Tom Jones all in the top 10, add now Gene Pitney who was asked by Almond to record the track “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” with him for single release though it is available as an Almond solo track on his current “Stars We Are” album. Of course it was originally a No 5 hit for Pitney back in 1967, one of 10 top ten hits for him between 1963-67, it charges 19-10 (27,982) to also become only Almond’s 2nd solo top 10 hit, his only other excursion being a duet partner on Bronski Beat’s “I Feel Love Medley”. Fine Young Cannibals have the biggest hit of their career on their hands with “She Drives Me Crazy” swerving 8-5 (34,221) Will To Power chase them 10-6 (31,688), and Inner City finally head south 4-8 (29,291). 1- ESPECIALLY FOR YOU- Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (69,071) 2- CRACKERS INTERATIONAL EP- Erasure (42,534) 3- BUFFALO STANCE- Neneh Cherry (38,165) 4- THE LIVING YEARS- Mike & The Mechanics (35,632) 5- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY- Fine Young Cannibals (34,221) 6- BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY- FREEBIRD- Will To Power (31,688) 7- YOU GOT IT- Roy Orbison (31,399) 8- GOOD LIFE- Inner City (29,921) 9- WAITING FOR A STAR TO FALL- Boy Meets Girl (28,152) 10- SOMETHING’S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART- Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (27,982)

I don't mind a spot of Duran Duran at all. There's some duds in their 80s discography for sure but on the whole I like them.

I quite like "All She Wants Is", it's quite Depeche mode-esque in mood.

14TH JANUARY 1989 starts off quietly with not much to report at the top of the charts, Kylie & Jason continue to remain the nation’s sweethearts, “Especially For You” selling another 78,047 copies as they increase sales from last week and cross the 600,000 mark. It should become Kylie’s biggest seller by next week. Erasure are once again playing second fiddle with “Crackers International EP” lying in wait and selling 42,245 as it becomes just the second track by the duo to sell over 300,000 copies (312,018 to be exact), only their debut Top 40 smash “Sometimes” remains ahead it’s total sales a fraction over 348,000, full revenge is gained on the album charts though as “The Innocents” bounds 10-1 with “Kylie” holding at No 2. Neneh Cherry rises 6-3 (30,736) and could yet prove a surprise chart topper should the top 2 slip. Fine Young Cannibals have been quiet for the last two years with Cox & Steele forming the group Two Men, A Drum Machine, And A Trumpet scoring the No 18 hit with “Tired Of Being Pushed Around” last year whilst vocalist Gift has been busy starting an acting career. They’ve reformed now and the first fruits of the group “She Drives Me Crazy” sees them score a fourth top 10 single as it soars 29-8 (12,988), it comes with a promo directed by Philipe Decoufle who was also responsible for New Order’s “True Faith” which you might have guessed. Scoring 11 top 10 singles between 1981 and 1986 Duran Duran are undoubtedly one of the biggest groups of the decade, they’ve not been scoring the big hits they’re used to over the past 3 years, their most recent album “Big Thing” peaked at No 15 spending just 3 weeks in the chart last October and was deemed a failure by many, lead single “I Don’t Want Your Love” also missed the top 10 making No 14 though it did go top 5 in the US. Their new single “All She Wants Is” seems to have got them back on track as it powers 25-9 (12,903) taking advantage of the post Christmas lull, you'll note no doubt the inclusion of new members Sterling Campbell and Warren Cuccurullo. Essentially a recording name for singer songwriter Bob Rosenburg and Suzi Carr, Will To Power scored a few middling US singles last year which passed us by but when they released their medley “Baby I Love Your Way- Freebird” suddenly things started to happen and the song made No 1 in the US last month. It is of course a mish mash of two covers, “Baby I Love Your Way” originally by Peter Frampton and Lynyard Skynyrd’s “FreeBird” which was the far bigger hit here in its original form making No 21 in 1982. This version shoots 39-10 (12,342). Inner City hold at No 4 (30,124) managing to keep ahead of a falling Angry Anderson 3-5 (23,205), Kim Wilde moves 9—6 (18,938) and Four Tops hold at No 7 (17,901). As a side note you’ve probably noticed over the decade that record sales have been on the decline from a high of 89 million in 1979 to a mere 60 million last year. As a result BPI have lowered the sales threshold required for certifications so now the levels are Gold 200,000 (from 250,000) Silver 400,000 (from 500,000) and Platinum 600,000 (from 1 million) for all releases from this week onwards which won't help “Especially For You” as it meets the required sales this week for Platinum and is second in total sales to only “I Should Be So Lucky” in her discography. The other thing to note on the low sales front is that sales of No 8, 9, and 10 are the lowest of the decade to date! 1- ESPECIALLY FOR YOU- Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan (78,047) 2- CRACKERS INTERNATIONAL EP- Erasure (42,245) 3- BUFFALO STANCE- Neneh Cherry (30,736) 4- GOOD LIFE- Inner City (30,124) 5- SUDDENLY- Angry Anderson (23,205) 6- FOUR LETTER WORD- Kim Wilde (18,938) 7- LOCO IN ACAPULCO- Four Tops (17,901) 8- SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY- Fine Young Cannibals (12,988) 9- ALL SHE WANTS IS- Duran Duran (12,903) 10- BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY/ FREEBIRD- Will To Power (12,342)

Which is a good time to ask for No spoilers in the thread please! First post will be this afternoon!

It's 1989 in this thread and the 80s are in their full pomp. 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 80s (eventually), before the summer you'll agree that you are burning an eternal flame for:

I'll start the new thread this evening so we can put everything in the right place for 1989

I guess you'd rather Jack then.....

Oh I guess 1989 must almost be here then........

13TH SEPTEMBER Most chart watchers got it right this week with the predicted new Verve single easily deposing Will Smith after 4 weeks. The song has somewhat fitted in with the general mood of the nation at present with the funeral of Princess Diana last weekend and sold 105,000 copies to take the chart throne. It did at least not repeat the path of “Bittersweet Symphony” in losing the midweek chart lead and sets the group nicely for the release of the album “Urban Hymns” next month. The song incidentally deals with lead singer Richard Ashcroft’s relationship with drugs and dates back in composition to 1995- these things take time! The Will Smith/ Chumbawamba duel continues both singles slip a place to accommodate The Verve, both tracks are still selling well Smith on 87,000 and “Tubthumping” on 79,000 though their album also debuts in the top 20 to detract sales. In terms of total sales “Men In Black” is now on 629,000 whilst Chumbawamba are on 379,000- both should end up high on the year end chart in 4 months. Also on that list and currently No 3 on the YTD is Hanson’s “MMMBop”- that difficult follow up arrives and it’s more of the uplifting pop that made them famous. “Where’s The Love” is straight in at No 4 (73,000) with the No 1 looking beyond them especially with Elton John out on Saturday! There’s no stopping Cast it seems, eight singles in and they’ve yet to miss the top 20 and now they have six of them making the top 10. “Live The Dream” is the most recent offering and the fanbase is enough to send it to No 7 (38,000), their last single plummeted 9-24 so all eyes on this for next week. The son of a jazz musician and coming from a musical family gave Finlay Quaye a good backing in the industry, being related to Tricky hasn’t done him any harm at all either. First single “Sunday Shining” saw him make No 16 but second release “Even After All” does much better as it cruises in at No 10 (31,000), his debut album “Maverick A Strike” is out in 3 weeks if you like the sound of the single. Back at the top in airplay was the appropriately titled “I’ll Be Missing You” which some thought may surge back to No 1, in the end it did rise but only 6-5 (61,000) despite a 46% sales increase, its tally is now an impressive 1,257,000. All Saints fall 4-6 (47,000) and Mariah Carey tumbles 3-8 (37,000) but does debut at No 1 stateside to give her a 12th No 1 there and moves her ahead of Madonna and Whitney Houston in chart topping status. Tina Moore returns 11-9 (34,000) proving the strength of the track. This week sees the release of two of Diana’s favourite acts George Michael and Elton John- expect massive sales! 1- DRUGS DON’T WORK- The Verve (105,000) 2- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (87,000) 3- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (79,000) 4- WHERE’S THE LOVE- Hanson (73,000) 5- I’LL BE MISSING YOU- Puff Daddy & Faith Evans (61,000) 6- I KNOW WHERE’S ITS AT- All Saints (47,000) 7- LIVE THE DREAM- Cast (38,000) 8- HONEY- Mariah Carey (37,000) 9- NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO- Tina Moore (34,000) 10- EVEN AFTER ALL- Finlay Quaye (31,000)

6TH SEPTEMBER The tragic events in Paris on Sunday morning meant that there was no chart show as usual on Radio 1 understandably. Far less dramatic events on the singles chart with Will Smith’s “Men In Black” completing its month on top and selling 105,000 in the process. It will cross the half million mark sometime this week but it may not be No 1 as “Tubthumping” increased its sales last week to 95,000 and continues to embed itself into the nation’s hearts. Incidentally “Men In Black” becomes the first record in a year to score 4 consecutive weeks at the top though of course the record it took over from, “I’ll Be Missing You”, spent six non consecutive weeks there and this week drops 4-6 (42,000) itself. Talking of Puff Daddy he’s back as producer on the new Mariah Carey single, “Honey” marks a departure for Carey into more urban music, although previous remixes of her tracks have been made in the genre but never the main version of a single. It comes at a time when Carey’s marriage to Tommy Mottola is heading to divorce caused in some part by her new much more overly sexual image as you can witness in the promo for this single. There are actually two official videos the second one features the “bad boy” remix and comes with raps by The Lox and Ma$e for those inclined to prefer the genre of music. Debuting at No 3 (81,000) it becomes Carey’s 12th consecutive top 10 single in a run dating back to 1992 and the only women to piece together longer runs were Kylie Minogue (13) and Madonna (32). They aren’t the same as The Spice Girls! If you’ve seen any interviews with new all girl group All Saints then you’ll know they certainly don’t believe they are Spice clones and indeed the foursome were formed in 1993 pre dating the Spices. Originally called All Saints 1.9.7.5 they were a trio who were signed to ZTT without success (a No 92 hit), when one of the girls left the duo of Shazney Lewis and Melanie Blatt were dropped by ZTT but in 1996 found sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton and got picked up by London records, we now get “I Know Where’s It’s At”. The song samples Steely Dan’s “The Fez” and gets them off to an impressive start crashing in at No 4 (48,000). Expect an album before Christmas. Only a few weeks away is the release of Ocean Colour Scene’s third album “Marchin’ Already” which is widely tipped to make the top. As a prelude “Travellers Tune” becomes their 5th straight top flight hit arriving at No 5 (46,000). DJ Quicksilver’s “Bellissima” turned into a major hit earlier this year shifting over 430,000 copies. Follow up “Free” gets off to a bright start at No 7 (39,000) only time will tell if it can turn into a similar sized seller. 11 weeks after release Radiohead’s “OK Computer” has still to drop out of the top 5 and is well on its way to sales of 500,000. Second single from it “Karma Police” comes with a memorable promo and wastes no time in becoming their third top 10 on the trot entering at No 8 (37,000). The latest US R&B sensation Ginuwine is up lastly on the new entries this week. Real name Elgin Lumpkin (you can see why the name change was necessary), his first two hits both peaked at No 16 here but re-working Prince’s “When Doves Cry” was all he needed to have a top 10 single. It comes in at No 10 (29,000) and is produced by Timbaland. Gala completes our rundown falling 5-9 (32,000). 1- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (105,000) 2- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (95,000) 3- HONEY- Mariah Carey (81,000) 4- I KNOW WHERE IT’S AT- All Saints (48,000) 5- TRAVELLER’S TUNE- Ocean Colour Scene (46,000) 6- I’LL BE MISSING YOU- Puff Daddy & Faith Evans (42,000) 7- FREE- DJ Quicksilver (39,000) 8- KARMA POLICE- Radiohead (37,000) 9- FREED FROM DESIRE- Gala (32,000) 10- WHEN DOVES CRY- Ginuwine (29,000)

Jayne Middlemiss, Zoe Ball, Mark Lamar, Jo Whiley, Mary Ann Hobbs, and the first episode presented by Jamie Theakston make up the rest of 1997 presenter wise.

@Jester Agree on Dannii- bought it at the time. I'd have preferred "Chemistry between Us" as a 5th single though I guess that may have had trouble with airplay given the subject.

30TH AUGUST The main news this week was of course on the album charts where Oasis’ “Be Here Now” sold almost 700,000 in just three days to make No 1. Suffering a mere 8% sales decrease week on week to 122,000 means that “Men In Black” retains its top billing this week enabling a total of 437,000 in just three weeks. Already that means it has outsold “Boom Shake The Room” to become Will Smith’s biggest hit ever and will move past “Fastlove” next week to be the biggest hit that Patrice Rushen has featured on. Chumbawamba remain the nearest challenger but “Tubthumping” is faltering at retail down 18% to 92,000. Shola Ama builds on the success of “You Might Need Somebody” by re-issuing her first single “You’re The One I Love” originally a No 81 hit last year. New mixes have been added to the CD to help it sell and instantly beats the No 4 of her last single by entering at No 3 (55,000), her first album “Much Love” is out in a fortnight. A minor US RNB hit in 1995 Tina Moore’s “Never Gonna Let You Go” was picked up by producer Kelly G and re-worked into quite possibly the first garage top 10 hit. Arriving at No 7 (37,000) this week it was featured on the flip side of the white label copies of Rosie Gaines “Closer Than Close” but has taken a little longer to finally become a hit. Jon Bon Jovi has teamed up with David A Stewart again and what do you know he’s got another solo top 10 hit out of it. “Queen Of New Orleans” is new at No 10 (31,000) Puff Daddy & Faith Evans continue their slow descent 3-4 (49,000) lodging just above a static Gala at No 5 (46,000). Dannii Minogue dives 4-6 (39,000), Backstreet Boys suffer 6-8 (34,000) and Notorious B.I.G/ Puff Daddy drop 7-9 (32,000) but “Mo Money, No Problems” finally replaces “I’ll Be Missing You” at No 1 in the US. 1- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (122,000) 2- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (92,000) 3- YOU’RE THE ONE I LOVE- Shola Ama (55,000) 4- I'LL BE MISSING YOU- Puff Daddy & Faith Evans (49,000) 5- FREED FROM DESIRE- Gala (46,000) 6- ALL I WANNA DO- Dannii Minogue (39,000) 7- NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO- Tina Moore (37,000) 8- EVERYBODY (BACKSTREET’S BACK)- Backstreet Boys (34,000) 9- MO MONEY MO PROBLEMS- Notorious B.I.G. (32,000) 10- QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS- Jon Bon Jovi (31,000)

23RD AUGUST Will Smith remains ensconced at the top of the charts for a second week, “Men In Black” doing the business required and bringing in sales of 133,000 copies. The third movie related No 1 of the year (after LL Cool J and R Kelly) it puts 1997 behind just 1991’s tally of 4 movie connected chart toppers. Highest new entry of the week comes in at No 2 (113,000) and was briefly only slightly behind Smith at the beginning of the week. Punk anarchists Chumbawamba have been around 12 years producing music for a small dedicated fanbase with only two minor Top 75 hits in 1993 to show for it, but a move to EMI earlier this year has transformed them into a chart bound force with the commercial “Tubtumping”. Dropping their usual politicised lyrics and going mainstream has been commented on as selling out by some but no doubt it has brought the money in with their new found fame and success. Kylie Minogue will be back with a new single next month but pipping her to the post is sister Dannii who has gone blonde, turned to dance music and come back with a decidedly sexier image including a feature in Playboy, it’s certainly worked. Out of the top 10 for 4 years now “All I Wanna Do” returns her in style at No 4 (72,000) to give her the biggest hit in her 6 year career. Talking about career revivals Suede must look back at the “Coming Up” era with a smile. It has now provided them with 5 top 10 singles or 100% of the singles lifted from it, “Filmstar” the most recent cut comes in at No 9 (36,000). The real draw here (for some) is the appearance of Neil Tennant providing vocals on “Saturday Night” and “Rent” on CD2 of the single reflecting a guest spot he performed last year. Puff Daddy & Faith Evans drop 2-3 (74,000) and Gala falls 3-5 (63,000). Notorious B.I.G/ Puff Daddy remain at No 7 (44,000) and Coolio drops 9-10 (33,000), both Backstreet Boys and Meredith Brooks had albums out this week with the former making the bigger splash at No 2 as the single dips 5-6 (56,000) with a nice sales increase, whilst Brookes makes No 6 on the album front and No 8 (38,000) on the singles chart. 1- MEN IN BLACK- Will Smith (133,000) 2- TUBTHUMPING- Chumbawamba (113,000) 3- I’LL BE MISSING YOU- Puff Daddy & Faith Evans (74,000) 4- ALL I WANNA DO- Dannii Minogue (72,000) 5- FREED FROM DESIRE- Gala (63,000) 6- EVERYBODY (BACKSTREET’S BACK)- Backstreet Boys (56,000) 7- MO MONEY MO PROBLEMS- Notorious B.I.G. (44,000) 8- BITCH- Meredith Brooks (38,000) 9- FILMSTAR- Suede (36,000) 10- C U WHEN U GET THERE- Coolio Featuring 40 Thevz (33,000)

I recall its release at the time, there was nothing like it around and the song pretty much made Madonna my favourite artist (taking over from Kylie). Showing some love for the single mix which you don't hear much these days

And we've finally caught up with the re-runs!