Gezza

ztslBPX3Kxw The original "I Want you back" but only in demo version- you get the idea of how it sounded pre the finished production

23RD APRIL A wholesale clear out of the top 10 this week sees half the songs from last week drop out, none of that affects the top two tracks with The Pet Shop Boys holding the top spot for a third week but their sales are well off dropping by 12% to a mere 48,399 with total sales of "Heart at just 174,097 in its first 4 weeks and will be lucky to break the 250,000 mark on its current trajectory, a truly lamentable sign of the times. Climie Fisher creep 3-2 (35,938) and will be eyeing up pole position next week! w0gEKVtxpsU The new hits start off at No 3 which rises 22 places and must be odds on for the next chart topper. Rhythm King are back with a third top 10 hit of the year for the new label in the form of S-Express and “Theme From S-Express”. The outfit centre around DJ Mark Moore and utilise the sampling scene coupling with the emerging acid house music phenomenon, this song samples Rose Royce’s “Is It love You’re After” extensively to provide the backbone of the song and layer it with other samples including a bit of Yazoo in there for good measure. With 33,014 copies sold last week is it just a matter of time before it hits the top? OMhyvqGoLI8 You may recall (if you’re a certain age) Natalie Cole’s emergence into the pop market in the mid 70s, since then she’s dropped off the radar as much as the daughter of Nat “King” Cole ever can, and had a much publicised battle with drug addiction. She’s now signed a new record deal and recorded a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” which was b-side to his “Dancing In The Dark” single, the song dates back to 1981 when Springsteen wrote it as “Love Is A Dangerous Thing”, a few lyrical tweaks over the years and this song was done, he refused to allow a version by Bette Midler to be released stating that he didn’t think it was a “woman’s song”, he was clearly much happier with this version, it climbs 11-5 (29,699) and is Cole’s first top 10 single. CPmXzrJC6yQ A ninth top 10 single for Bananarama happens this week, “I Want You Back” is co-penned by the girls and S/A/W and if you’re wondering what involvement they had in writing, well it was pretty substantial. The song was originally called “Reason For Living” but the girls disliked the chorus so much they changed the words and “I Want You Back” was born. Now that Fahey has left the trio this is the first release with the new line up and the first to feature the vocals of Jacquie O’Sullivan, she’s a long time friend of the girls and appeared in the “Who’s That Girl” video for Eurythmics along with the group, her career gets off to an excellent start as the song fires 14-7 (27,353) qzOOob_UcYw Currently No 5 in the US Pebbles, real name Perri McKissack, is the latest female soloist who is racking up US press inches, she’s now scored herself a top 10 here with “Girlfriend” which climbs 13-8 (21,777), the song is produced by Babyface and LA Reid who are already hotly tipped producers in US R N B circles, of course it helps that her boyfriend is LA Reid. w5stvLpv5Ts Michael Jackson’s latest single “Man In The Mirror” might have surprised some by only making No 21 but brand Jackson is still alive and well albeit in remixed form as the 1988 remix of “I Want You Back” charges 31-10 (20,349). It’s credited to “Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5” it is actually quite a coup for Pete Waterman who has long professed a love for Motown and an aspiration to make S/A/W an 80s version of the 60s powerhouse, he managed to negotiate a deal with the label whereby the PWL studios get to remix their old hits, Ian Curnow and Phil Harding are on production duties here. In being credited separately it gives Michael Jackson his 14th top 10 single of the 80s pulling him level with Shakin Stevens and Madness in that respect. D6LzJ32RssQ Elsewhere Fleetwood Mac lift 5-4 (30,311), Hazell Dean climbs 9-6 (27,353) and Bros take a big dip 2-9 (20,757) though they lost only 5,000 copies week on week. 1- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (48,399) 2- LOVE CHANGES (EVERYTHING)—Climie Fisher (35,938) 3- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (33,014) 4- EVERYWHERE- Fleetwood Mac (30,311) 5- PINK CADILLAC- Natalie Cole (29,699) 6- WHO’S LEAVING WHO- Hazell Dean (27,353) 7- I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (26,826) 8- GIRLFRIEND- Pebbles (21,777) 9- DROP THE BOY- Bros (20,757) 10- I WANT YOU BACK 88- Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson (20,349)

16TH APRIL Though their grip was slight last week it’s a much more confident hold on the No 1 this week for the Pet Shop Boys this week, “Heart” is their fourth UK No 1 single and draws them level with The Everly Brothers and Wham! for the most No 1’s by a duo, and enables them to tie with Wham!, The Jam, and Shakin’ Stevens with the second most chart toppers in the 80s with only Madonna ahead of them with 5. The song sold a better 55,301 last week though hardly an outstanding tally it was more than double that of the runner up! wTkfK2g4pKI The unusual chart performance of singles from “Tango In The Night” continues unabated with singles released peaking at No’s 9, 56, 5, 54, and now with “Everywhere” they’ve got a third top 10 single as the song climbs 13-5 (20,230). Written and sung by McVie the song comes with two different promo’s featuring different levels of group performance but the promos retell the story of “The Highwayman”, a poem by Alfred Moyes from 1906, album “Tango In The Night” rises 7-5 to mark its first occasion in the top 5 since last November, it has already sold over a million copies. Indeed such is the length of time the album has been around for, this is not the first version of the song to be made into a single, a reggae cover by Marcia Griffiths came out a few months ago though it missed the charts. dEfCZmkzsTY It may be lurking just outside the US Top 10 but the UK has taken a more instant like to Taylor Dayne’s second single “Prove Your Love” which moves 15-8 (17,714), the album shoots 36-24 this week to reach a new peak but sales have been lacklustre and are yet to break the 50,000 mark. ytYxgkI-dQg Hazell Dean hasn’t been a name to grace the top 40 now for 4 years with a career which has sadly been flop after flop, but with the hit factory that S/A/W currently are they’ve plucked an obscure Anne Murray single from 1986 and given it their traditional makeover and hey presto she’s got another hit, “Who’s Leaving Who” leaps 20-9 (17,374) to become her third top 10 hit. 7CkIfQbDI2Y Bros hold at No 2 on both the singles and albums chart, “Drop The Boy” fades to 25,840 (the lowest figure needed for No 2 this decade), the song has sold just 175,117 a poor tally for a song that spent the last four weeks at No 2, Climie Fisher move 7-3 (23,987), Tiffany spends a fourth week at No 4 (22,593) and Sinitta spends a third week at No 6 (18,360) all tracks showing remarkable staying power. Eighth Wonder continue to rise 9-7 (18,003) and Aswad are down and out 3-10 (17,136). Sales all around depressed with a bank holiday not helping the situation at all! 1- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (55,301) 2- DROP THE BOY- Bros (25,840) 3- LOVE CHANGES (EVERYTHING)- Climie Fisher (23,987) 4- COULD’VE BEEN- Tiffany (22,593) 5- EVERYWHERE- Fleetwood Mac (20,230) 6- CROSS MY BROKEN HEART (REMIX)- Sinitta (18,360) 7- I’M NOT SCARED- Eighth Wonder (18,003) 8- PROVE YOUR LOVE- Taylor Dayne (17,714) 9- WHO’S LEAVING WHO- Hazell Dean (17,374) 10- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad (17,136)

Easter

9TH APRIL The Pet Shop Boys a fourth chart topper this week as “Heart” leaps 7-1 selling 44,863 copies into the bargain, yes that’s right a new low for a No 1 in 1988 and the lowest since Falco back in 1986! Indeed the boys only managed to sneak into the top slot past midweek leaders Bros who’s “Drop The Boy” holds at No 2 for a third week on a fading sale of 40,528, helped by a publicity blitz this week by the band who are promoting their debut album “Push” which enters at No 2 itself behind “Now 11”. Talking of “Now 11” it features the last Pet Shop Boys single “Always On My Mind” a decision that the boys aren’t happy with their record label about, so much so in fact that an album of their extended mixes provisionally titled “Disco 2” has been shelved by the duo in protest, the rise of “Heart” also makes the boys equal with the Everly Brothers and Wham! as the most successful duo in chart history with 4 chart toppers a piece. hy0f3RwAQnE The only new track in the top 10 comes from Climie Fisher who were of course in the top 10 last back in January with “Rise To The Occasion”, they’ve taken the decision to re-issue their 1987 release “Love Changes (Everything)” in a remixed form. It originally peaked at No 67 last September and the duo have confirmed that they wrote it with Rod Stewart in mind though he rejected it, the song climbs 11-7 (24,242) to become their biggest hit to date. TRMLP2n1tqQ Eighth Wonder inch another spot 10-9 (22,117) with the Pet Shop Boys penned “I’m Not Scared” whilst both Tiffany at No 4 (34,408) and Sinitta at No 6 (26,707) remain static. Heading the wrong way are Aswad who surrender the top slot 1-3 (40,290) but do see their new album arrive at No 10 and “Don’t Turn Around” sneaks into the same position on the YTD chart, Iron Maiden reverse 3-5 (28,339), A-ha drop as quickly as they arrive 5-8 (22,984) and Kylie Minogue drops 8-10 (18,768) but has now sold 576,164 copies in total, and as it is the end of the first quarter here’s the YTD for 1988: 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue 576,164 2- I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW- Tiffany 491,929 3- HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH- Belinda Carlisle 296,259 4- TELL IT TO MY HEART- Taylor Dayne 265,557 5- GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean 252,195 6- SIGN YOUR NAME- Terence Trent D’Arby 228,871 7- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass 221,136 8- WHEN WILL I BE FAMOUS- Bros 220,218 9- HOUSE ARREST- Krush 212,721 10- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad 205,768 As you can see the year is hardly setting records except for the wrong reasons! We also bid farewell to “The Roxy” with the last episode being aired this week, an irregular time slot (depending on region) and being located in Newcastle are both cited as reasons as to why the show failed to challenge the TOTP stranglehold. 1- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (44,863) 2- DROP THE BOY- Bros (40,528) 3- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad (40,290) 4- COULD’VE BEEN- Tiffany (34,408) 5- CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS- Iron Maiden (28,339) 6- CROSS MY BROKEN HEART (REMIX)- Sinitta (26,707) 7- LOVE CHANGES (EVERYTHING)- Climie Fisher (24,242) 8- STAY ON THESE ROADS- A-Ha (22,984) 9- I’M NOT SCARED- Eighth Wonder (22,117) 10- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (18,768)

TOTP and the publicity of being the highest new entry i suppose increased its sales

2ND APRIL Well few, including me, predicted a second week for Aswad and so it proves that in the absence of anything stronger “Don’t Turn Around” triumphs again on a sale of 63,665, a marked 32% increase week on week but far from a stellar seller, a worrying trend in a lacklustre year thus far. Their album “Distant Thunder” hits the shops this week where it will coincidentally go up against the debut album by Bros, the group that occupy the No 2 slot this week for a second week. After leaping 17-2 last week I can only assume that those ardent female fans are waiting for the album to get a copy of “Drop The Boy”, it sold an exactly similar 32% more week on week to register 52,377 but the gap between the two expanded to to over 11k it doesn’t look as though it will be a chart topper after all. xhkNb3XXats The return of A-ha is trumpeted this week by the new single “Stay On These Roads” manoeuvring 18-5 (26,333) to become their 8th top 10 hit from 9 releases, it also serves as the title track from their third album which is out in May. It is the top selling CD this week with a little over 3,000 copies sold and also tops a list that sees the format sell over 50,000 for the first time ever in total. Pg3NyypcIy4 Her last single disappointed at No 15 (“G.T.O”) but Sinitta is back in the top 10 with the S/A/W penned “Cross My Broken Heart”, it is cut from her debut self titled album which is home to all five of her hits and must be drawing its last breath in terms of singles culled from it. It is released in a remixed form, its LP version being deemed not good enough, and advances 14-6 (25,738) following another lycra clad TOTP performance from her. S/A/W’s other top 10 single is the falling “I Should Be So lucky” which hurtles 3-8 (22,576) RIyyzJx76Mg Between those two singles is the week’s highest new entry and it’s from those Pet Shop Boys who score their 6th top 10 single on the trot. “Heart” has been plucked from the album “Actually” and remixed for single purposes (an increasing trend for 4th singles + from an album), the tracks video features famous luvee actor Ian McKellen and spoofs the film “Nosferatu” to add a gothic flair to the production. It was allegedly penned with Hazell Dean and Madonna in mind but the boys decided to keep it for themselves in the end. It debuts at No 7 this week selling 25,534 into the bargain. Q_4aa-Wovqs In other news "Heart" is officially the 100th single of the 80s to debut inside the top 10, 73.5 from UK acts, 20.5 from US acts, 4 from Ireland, 1 Swedish, and 1 German (George Michael and Aretha Franklin providing the .5 split). Artist wise Paul Weller has the most with 11 (between the Jam and the Style Council), George Michael has done it 10 times between his solo work and Wham! and Madonna is the leading lady on this list with 8 debuts in the top rung. One song that they did write and decide to give away is “I’m Not Scared” and that was picked up by Eighth Wonder which contains actress Patsy Kensit who plans to marry Dan Donovan of Big Audio Dynamite this year. In truth Eight Wonder have struggled to make chart inroads so far with just one of their three singles making the top 75 (“Stay With Me” No 65) meaning that Kensit’s main claim to fame remains her starring role in 1986’s “Absolute Beginners”. However all they needed was the right song and now “I’m Not Scared” has motored 13-10 (20,213) to become a sizeable hit though some noted that the TOTP appearance featured just Kensit herself, the band seemingly shy or sidelined one of the two. 2ThK6POaz8I Iron Maiden prove they aren’t one week wonders as “Can I Play With Madness” climbs 4-3 (46,325) just keeping ahead of Tiffany who similarly moves up one spot 5-4 (41,225), Heart meanwhile move a spot in the opposite direction 8-9 (20,264) 1- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad (63,665) 2- DROP THE BOY- Bros (52,377) 3- CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS- Iron Maiden (46,325) 4- COULD’VE BEEN- Tiffany (41,225) 5- STAY ON THESE ROADS- A-Ha (26,333) 6- CROSS MY BROKEN HEART (REMIX)- Sinitta (25,738) 7- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (25,534) 8- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (22,576) 9- NEVER/ THESE DREAMS- Heart (20,264) 10- I’M NOT SCARED- Eighth Wonder (20,213)

Ah fair enough!

Looking at the history no it hadn't. Seems odd to update randomly 20 years after it happened though.

"Kylie" was over 2.1 million back in 2006 according to the OCC so something seems off here.

Am I missing something? "Kylie" was on over 2.1 million back in 2006!

15TH FEBRUARY It’s an historic chart week all around! The headline is that U2 get their third chart topper but the top 10 features a record 6 new entries! U2’s “Discotheque” may be the first song to be leaked on the internet and was available to the tech savvy before Christmas causing the single to be brought forward by a few months. It is the lead track from their new album “Pop” out in a few weeks and comes with a promo which pays homage to the Village People, why not! The single sold 125,000 copies which is the best start to any U2 track ever. hb09y9zW15U For the 6th week on the trot we also have a different record at the top, a turnaround which is now in the record books. By contrast No Mercy hold at No 2 (77,000) and are still increasing at retail weekly, “Where Do You Go” has now sold 281,000 in 5 weeks to become the biggest selling single of the year so far, and it hasn’t even made No 1….yet. Mark Owen was the first ex-Take Thater to release an album but “Green Man” failed to deliver peaking at a lowly No 33, it has since revived moving 43-37 this week as second single “Clementine” tries to convince more buyers. The single however replicates the success of first hit “Child” by smashing straight in at No 3 (55,400) well below the 62,000 that “Child” sold, regardless of that Owen is the first of his former band mates to make it to a second single with both Barlow and Williams hard at work getting that first album just right, Owen proves however that he can write solo hits at least. riJHM7Xaoj0 A lot has happened to Depeche Mode since we last saw them in the charts three years ago. Alan Wilder left the band, Dave Gahan was hospitalised after an attempted suicide attempt and other members of the band suffered from alcoholism and depression. But they’ve made it through and are back recording as a trio with a new album “Ultra” ready for release and the dark “Barrel Of A Gun” now becoming their biggest hit since “People Are People” also made No 4 thirteen years ago. For all their success and hits this is only their 10th top 10 single in 16 years but we must have missed them as this sold 52,000 copies last week, for trivia fans this is produced by Tim Simenon or Bomb The Bass as he’s also known. XiMNBOuSzSg Dance music continues to use rock and re-invents the genre and there’s no finer example at the moment than Apollo 440’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Dub” which is of course a pun on the track it uses as its base, namely Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”. The group are about to release their second album and are clearly getting bigger and bigger as this debuts at No 7 (42,000). 5CWA7dnTjmA Another one of those bands who are just getting bigger and bigger are Mansun, they’re approaching the release of their first album “Attack Of The Grey Lantern” will now house five singles before it hits the shelves (the album’s title refers to the band’s original name in case you wondered). All five singles have peaked higher than the previous one culminating in “She Makes My Nose Bleed” appearing at No 9 (36,000). Whilst some have read the song as being about cocaine the band assure us that it is not but controversy never hurts a record. aNRt9TJG93o US band Eels are hotly tipped to be big in 1997 with a string of articles raving about them and support from Radio 1 for their debut single “Novocaine For The Soul” which now becomes the record breaking 6th top 10 new entry in the top 10 this week at anchor position (35,000). wDwO1hECw9M LL Cool J is last week’s news as he dives 1-5 (48,000) pushing En Vogue down 5-6 (47,000) but you’ll notice it is still increasing at retail, and Blue Boy do an about face with “Remember Me” which rebounds 13-8 (39,000) reaching a new peak. 1- DISCOTHEQUE- U2 (125,000) 2- WHERE DO YOU GO- No Mercy (77,000) 3- CLEMENTINE- Mark Owen (55,400) 4- BARREL OF A GUN- Depeche Mode (52,000) 5-AIN’T NOBODY- LL Cool J (48,000) 6- DON’T LET GO (LOVE)- En Vogue ( 47,000) 7- AIN’ T TALKIN ‘BOUT DUB- Apollo 440 (42,000) 8- REMEMBER ME- Blueboy (39,000) 9- SHE MAKES MY NOSE BLEED- Mansun (36,000) 10- NOVOCAINE FOR THE SOUL- Eels (35,000)

8TH FEBRUARY There aren’t many acts that wait 9 years after their debut to grab themselves a chart topper but that’s what James Todd Smith does this week. Otherwise known as LL Cool J his previous best was last year’s “Loungin” (No 7) but his re-interpretation of Chaka Khan & Rufus’s “Ain’t Nobody” sweeps all opposition aside to hit No 1 after selling 80,000 copies last week, it features in the yet to be released (here) film “Beavis & Butt-head Do America” and is the 5th version of the song to chart with the original making the top 10 twice, once in 1984 and then five years later. v5bSFf0mC0k Next up is the return of The Orb, one of the leading lights in the ambient music genre of the early 90s they’ve been rather quite of late but they were asked by Jean Michel Jarre’s to provide a remix of his track “Oxygene 8” which features on his new album. Reportedly when Jarre heard the remix he was less than impressed as it was more or less unrecognisable from his track so he passed on it meaning that the band were free to issue the track themselves. So we get “Toxygene” which instantly becomes their biggest hit as it crashes in at No 4 (46,000) and is their 3rd top 10 single. f9bFdETDLcg Second album time for Michelle Gayle who has surely shrugged off the “her from Eastenders” tag by now. Her first album generated her biggest hit “Sweetness” (#4) along with 4 other top 30 singles so she has high expectations for this new album. First single “Do You Know” gets her off to a racing start being new at No 6 (38,000) and as a co-writer she should be generating a fair bit of cash for her, the second album is due in the spring. rHOcP80Vi1I It’s been 17 years since Barbra Streisand has been in the top flight but her duet with Bryan Adams on “I Finally Found Someone” has sent her back there. It is taken from her current film “The Mirror Has Two Faces” and was released with the movie last month when this made No 85 but it has been a slow burner at the flicks and is now re-issued to capture the fact that it is now more widely known- it arrives at No 10 (27,000). G8xR-8Hac3k No Mercy sell at best yet 68,000 and power 5-2 and may yet prove a surprise No 1 next week if U2 can’t make it, White Town slip 2-3 (56,000) but En Vogue climb 10-5 (43,000). It is worth noting that despite “Don’t Let Go (Love)” chart form so far 5-5-9-10-5 it has improved in sales week after week. Blur fall 1-7 (34,000) replacing the Spice Girls as the biggest fall from the summit in the last 5 years. Texas slide 6-8 (32,000) and Placebo slip 4-9 (29,000). 1-AIN’T NOBODY- LL Cool J (80,000) 2- WHERE DO YOU GO- No Mercy (68,000) 3- YOUR TOWN- White Town (56,000) 4- TOXYGENE- The Orb (46,000) 5- DON’T LET GO (LOVE)- En Vogue (43,000) 6- DO YOU KNOW- Michelle Gayle (38,000) 7- BEETLEBUM- Blur (34,000) 8- SAY WHAT YOU WANT- Texas (32,000) 9- NANCY BOY- Placebo (29,000) 10- I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE- Bryan Adams & Barbra Streisand (27,000)

26TH MARCH A huge tidy out this week after the lull of 7 days ago. Aswad make their expected rise to No 1 this week and in the process sold 48,807 copies, not exactly a show that it intends to stay for a long time! As noted before it is the second Hammond/ Warren composition to make No 1 in just 10 months, Aswad were lagging behind the highest new entry of the week until Friday before they finally gained some authority over the top slot, it is the first reggae No 1 since UB40 & Chrissie Hynde, depending on how you view Boy George’s “Everything I Own” from last year. vsoauqrGG08 Making a late challenge to their authority however were Bros who are quickly turning into the teen sensation of 1988 with a publicity machine that continues to pump out stories about the trio to the press encouraging scenes of female adoration wherever the boys go. For now it’s working a dream, second single “Drop The Boy” debuted at No 17 last week and now slices through the competition 17-2 (40,341) to equal the peak of their last single “When Will I Be Famous” a couple of months ago. On this form one has to suspect that the boys will be celebrating their first No 1 next week, their debut album “Push” is out in three weeks and should similarly be a chart topper but more immediately they have a half hour special on ITV this Friday which should ensure a tough battle for Aswad next week. 4U4PZl68AFQ Kylie falls 1-3 (37,128) after 5 weeks as the nation’s favourite which brings the tracks total sales to 534,820, S/A/W are clearly hoping to have produced the best seller of the year for a second year on the trot as this track ascends to the top of the listings for 1988 and lifts above the half million mark. Just below Kylie are the highest new entry of the week and for a time the song that was looking good to enter at the top in the midweek sales flashes. Iron Maiden have so far scored 16 hits in their long career but their previous best was 1982’s “Run To The Hills” which made No 7, they now go instantly better with “Can I Play With Madness?” enters at No 4 (27,047) showing how badly it faded as the week progressed. The song was originally called “On The Wings Of Eagles” and comes with a promo filmed at Tintern Abbey. d-WPwrSuTc4 “Could’ve Been” has already topped the US charts for Tiffany and it’s making short work here in the UK. Her last single “I Think We’re Alone Now” finally leaves the top 40 this week but she’s wasting no time on following up the No 1 single as this single catapults 22-5 (24,242) and could be in with an outside chance of making No 1 next week if Bros/ Aswad should falter, her album shows little sign of being revived by the single though as it falls out of the top 20 after just 5 weeks 20-23 after peaking at No 5. oUHAUCzouGg Taking rather longer to become a hit here after making the top in the US, Heart have struggled to follow up “Alone”, it became their first top 40 single and made it all the way to No 3, “Who Will You Run To?” (No 30) and “There’s The Girl” (No 34) both failed to impress. The group have clearly decided to return to former glories and give the song “These Dreams” another lease of life. It made No 1 in the US two years ago but only No 62 here, they’ve teamed it with “Never” as a double A Side, a song that failed to chart here but Made No 4 in America. “These Dreams” was originally offered to Stevie Nicks who turned it down and must regret it now, the coupling rises 12-8 (22,151) to see the rockers return to the top flight. zWzy5q_M5Ho 41P8UxneDJE Not content with co-writing the current No 1 single Diane Warren is also responsible for the track at the other end of the top 10, Belinda Carlisle’s “I Get Weak”. The song falls 2-6 in the US this week unable to dislodge Rick Astley, but has surprisingly struggled here moving 39-17-13-11-10 thus far selling 21,607 copies in its latest frame actually losing sales as it rises! b6w9TI6aTIQ Three further fallers to cover briefly, Vanessa Paradis taxi’s south 3-6 (23,834), the Primitives crash out 5-7 (23,715) and Erasure sink 6-9 (22,083). 1- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad (48,807) 2- DROP THE BOY- Bros (40,341) 3- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (37,128) 4- CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS- Iron Maiden (27.047) 5- COULD’VE BEEN- Tiffany (24,242) 6- JOE LE TAXI- Vanessa Paradis (23,834) 7- CRASH- The Primitives (23,715) 8- NEVER/ THESE DREAMS- Heart (22,151) 9- SHIP OF FOOLS- Erasure (22,083) 10- I GET WEAK- Belinda Carlisle (21,607)

Only 1.2k between numbers 6 and 10. Could have ended up in any order

19TH MARCH On paper not an awful lot happened last week in the top 3, Kylie hung on for a 5th week at the top (the longest chart topper by a female since Jennifer Rush in 1985) while Rick Astley held at No 2 and Vanessa Paradis crawled 4-3 but the fact beneath that is that all three tracks are now in sales decline to varying degrees. Kylie slumped 26% to post a sale of just 48,280 which is the lowest tally since Madonna last May, Astley shed 13% to sell 35,496 (the lowest sale for No 2 since “Caravan Of Love" last year) and Vanessa Paradis lost 15% to clock in at 28,815, all in all that makes a pretty soft top 3. G4ispn5ohQ0 All the better for Aswad who this week leap 22-4 (27,455) to give UK Reggae a much needed spot of advertising. “Don’t Turn Around” was penned by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond (they also wrote Starship’s No 1 from last year) and was given to Tina Turner to record in 1986, her version ended up as a b-side to “Typical Male” but was covered last year by TV presenter Kim Goody (of “No 73” fame) but that failed to chart. It was also covered and became a US R N B top 20 single for Luther Ingram and that’s the version that Aswad heard and decided to give it a whirl, the band have been around for 13 years with only two chart hits to their credit, neither of which pierced the top 50. Hdi3zA1PgIY Erasure’s third album “The Innocents” is released next month and lead single “Ship Of Fools” is doing the trick of promoting it with some ease as it flies 12-6 (23,494). The duo have chosen Pet Shop Boys producer Stephen Hague to oversee the album and he steers this song to become the group’s 4th top 10 single in just over a year. f4sEXrhAu_8 A product of Prince’s Paisley Park label, Taja Sevelle (real name Nancy Richardson) is the new name on the block with “Love Is Contagious”. Unlike Debbie Gibson and Tiffany, Sevelle doesn’t come to the UK with a US top 10 hit to promote, this track fizzled out at No 62 Stateside but has done much better over here as the song bounces 17-7 (22,933) after a stunning TOTP performance. Uh1v83hFo8U The Primitives move 9-5 (25,449) with a minimal sales increase, and three songs are back to back and falling, Bomb The Bass slump 3-8 (22,865), Coldcut & Yazz slip 6-9 (22,678) and Billy Ocean dips 5-10 (22,287), his album “Tear Down These Walls” does however debut at No 3 to compensate. 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (48,280) 2- TOGETHER FOREVER- Rick Astley (35,496) 3- JOE LE TAXI- Vanessa Paradis (28,815) 4- DON’T TURN AROUND- Aswad (27,455) 5- CRASH- The Primitives (25,449) 6- SHIP OF FOOLS- Erasure (23,494) 7- LOVE IS CONTAGIOUS- Taja Sevelle (22,933) 8- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass (22,865) 9- DOCTORIN HOUSE- Coldcut Featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population (22,678) 10- GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean (22,287)

12TH MARCH With sales off by 25% Kylie Minogue remains the nation’s biggest seller for a fourth week but it’s really touch and go for a fifth week for the Neighbours star, regardless it is now the longest chart topper of 1988. “I Should Be So Lucky” sold 65,841 copies last week but still had a relatively easy week as she defended herself against the still improving Rick Astley whose “Together Forever” rose 4-2 (41,616) to emerge as her main challenger, that of course gives Stock Aitken & Waterman a stranglehold on the top 2 replicating their high point as producers (April 1987 was the first time they held the top 2 spots), they also book end the top 10 with a new track at No 10, but more on that in a moment. Astley also finally makes No 1 in the US with “Never Gonna Give You Up”, that’s the production trio’s second US chart topper after Bananarama’s “Venus” turned the trick for them last year. 3_TvpBwSZDM Currently being championed by the NME and the indie press, Coventry’s The Primitives have their first hit on their hands in the form of “Crash”. The song is the first release since the group sold their own label Lazy records to RCA, and with the push of a major label they hit it big, of course getting Morrissey to wear a T-Shirt advertising your band helped as well, certainly in indie circles. The song climbs 15-9 (22,406) this week. -CQ3TQbTtP8 So onto S/A/W’s newest top 10 and the return of Mel & Kim, Mel of course recently revealed that she has been fighting spine cancer during the course of last year which explains the duo’s absence from the charts since August 1987. “That’s The Way It Is” is a new recording which Mel discharged herself from hospital in order to record the vocals and comes with a new b-side which sounds like an amalgamation of Rick Astley singles! Anyway the song becomes the fourth top 10 single from the girls as it shoots 16-10 (21,828) and with the news Mel is well on the road to recovery there should be a second album sometime next year. LIj4e4BdpGc Celebrating this week are Vanessa Paradis who drives 7-4 (33,476) and Coldcut & Yazz who move 9-6 (27,982) with a TOTP boost and Eddy Grant is ever hopeful 8-7 (23,392). Bomb The Bass see their moment of opportunity pass as they dip 2-3 (34,476), Billy Ocean is caught daydreaming 3-5 (31,348) and Morrissey fans can’t lift their hero any higher as he tumbles 5-8 (22,678) his debut album “Viva Hate” is out in a fortnight. 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (65,841) 2- TOGETHER FOREVER- Rick Astley (41,616) 3- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass (34,476) 4- JOE LE TAXI- Vanessa Paradis (33,439) 5- GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean (31,348) 6- DOCTORIN IN THE HOUSE- Coldcut Featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population (27,982) 7- GIMME HOPE JOANNA- Eddy Grant (23,392) 8- SUEDEHEAD- Morrissey (22,678) 9- CRASH- The Primitives (22,406) 10- THAT’S THE WAY IT IS- Mel & Kim (21,828)

5TH MARCH “I Should Be So Lucky” cools at retail sliding 22% to 87,975 as overall sales expand to 383,571 enough to see it rank only behind Tiffany for the year thus far. Again it was untouchable by the chasers and outpaced Bomb The Bass by almost 2: 1 with the latter selling 49,504 copies in the runner up spot as it itself similarly lost support. DHWVOiz9DIg Only one new entry to discuss and once again it is from a female teenage vocalist, we’ve already had Tiffany, Debbie and Kylie and now 1988 gives us Vanessa Paradis who is the youngest of them all at just 15. “Joe Le Taxi” was issued her native France last year and topped the charts there for 11 weeks making her into a native sensation, much more unusually it makes the transition across the channel to us here as it climbs 14-7 (32,266) to become the first top 10 single to be sung entirely in a foreign language since Los Lobos last year- can the song repeat “La Bamba”’s success? Much like “I Should Be So Lucky” it also comes with two promo’s one featuring Paradis being driven around in a car (this time in Martinique) which promoted the original French release and one which has been filmed for international release. KtSGmeoNwiM Billy Ocean holds firm at No 3 (43,214) though sales are down and he certainly felt the pressure from both Astley 9-4 (40,188) and Morrissey 6-5 (33,133) who both improve upon their debut positions of last week but will have to put in some serious effort to climb further. Astley can at least be excused as he is currently in the US promoting his debut hit which is now No 2 with a real shot at the top! Taylor Dayne is still heading out of the top 10 as she drifts 4-6 (32,351) whilst Eddy Grant remains at No 8 (31,790) and Coldcut & Yazz climb 10-9 (25,891) and poor Tiffany slides 5-10 (24,157) but has sold 458,031 but must suspect her time at the top of the YTD charts is coming to an end! 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (87,975) 2- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass (49,504) 3- GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean (43,214) 4- TOGETHER FOREVER- Rick Astley (40,188) 5- SUEDEHEAD- Morrissey (33,133) 6- TELL IT TO MY HEART- Taylor Dayne (32,351) 7- JOE LE TAXI- Vanessa Paradis (32,266) 8- GIMME HOPE JOANNA- Eddy Grant (31,790) 9- DOCTORIN THE HOUSE- Coldcut Featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population. (25,891) 10- I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW- Tiffany (24,157)

There was good SAW and bad SAW just like every other pop phase, their distinctive sound is what made them stand out and be so instantly recognisable, and they ought to be more celebrated for being probably the last British production team that really dominated the charts, everything after was either US or Swedish based (unless I'm overlooking something). We have that odd thing in Britain of always turning against something which is home grown, I think the nearest anything, production team wise, came close to their level of domination in the charts subsequently was probably Cheiron in the late 90s. Let's not forget that the big labels (and by extension the corporate music industry) was against them in the main simply because they were independent and not one of the big 4 companies and basically showed them how it was done for a few years at least. Plus it was old fashioned music snobbery in part- "serious" music vs pop music etc

27TH FEBRUARY Nothing short of a miracle would have prevented “I Should Be So Lucky” from topping the charts this week- and that miracle never happened, it sold a new 1988 high of 110,007 copies, the highest tally since Pet Shop Boys at Christmas as they stopped Rick Astley, it seems we can’t get enough of this particular Aussie at present. 8dfMtaZ3Ewo The suspected challenge of Bomb The Bass never quite materialised though “Beat Dis” does power 5-2 (57,664) to provide a new peak for the Rhythm King label, it was also well clear of Billy Ocean who despite rising 4-3 (46,733) lagged well behind all week. Two massive and much anticipated singles make their debut in the top 10 this week, first up the first solo single from former Smiths frontman Morrissey. “Suedehead” continues the singers seeming obsession with James Dean with a promo filmed in Dean’s hometown of Fairmount, Indiana, and of course he’s again courted slight controversy with the title alluding to skinhead culture though this may be more conjecture by some journalists. From a chart point of view he’s already bettered anything he’s done with the Smiths who only managed to peak at No 10 with any of their singles whilst this smashes in at No 6 (29,750)- a shock No 1 in store? rjeMWCa716E Further down at No 9 (20,910) we see the entry of a certain, and already mentioned, Rick Astley. Fourth single to be plucked from his debut album “Whenever You Need Somebody” is “Together Forever”. Astley has become a bit of a hit in the US with his first single there “Never Gonna Give You Up” climbing into the top 5 there this week, over here all previous singles from the album have gone top 3 so odds on this is set for a nice climb next week, Kylie should be worried even though some journalists have speculated that “I Should Be So Lucky” is just a sped up Rick Astley vocal! ohHFTTQX8-U Few would have given you good odds on seeing Eddy Grant back in the top 10, he was last seen 4 years on “Romancing The Stone” which could only make No 52 and hasn’t had a top 10 single in over 5 years. However his anti-apartheid single “Gimme Hope Jo’anna” proves there is life in the old dog yet as he climbs 12-8 (27,625) to have his 4th top 10 single. 4Pc-mVD5qTc You might not have heard of Coldcut but you’ve already heard their work, the duo formed in 1986 and produced a single called “Say Kids What Time Is It?” which was later sampled by M/A/R/R/S for their No 1 “Pump Up The Volume” last year, they then remixed Erik B & Rakim’s “Paid On Time” for the UK release (which included the sampled title for “Pump Up The Volume”) which helped the track become a hit on both sides of the pond. They finally get their own name into the charts on “Doctorin The House” which features former model and George Michael’s hairdresser Yazz. The song sold 20,689 copies last week as it lifts 25-10. PlNB-aGUj-w Jermaine Stewart is the only other climber as he creeps 8-7 (28,186), further up the charts and there are 2 fallers, Taylor Dayne dips 3-4 (46,495) and Tiffany slides 2-5 (44,608). 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (110,007) 2- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass (57,664) 3- GET OUT OF MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean (46,733) 4- TELL IT TO MY HEART- Taylor Dayne (46,495) 5- I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW- Tiffany (44,608) 6- SUEDEHEAD- Morrissey (29,750) 7- SAY IT AGAIN- Jermaine Stewart (28,186) 8- GIMME HOPE JOANNA- Eddy Grant (27,625) 9- TOGETHER FOREVER- Rick Astley (20,910) 10- DOCTORIN’ THE HOUSE- Coldcut Featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population (20,689)

In other memories, I recall going to my first under 13 disco the week above, it was a Monday so therefore 15th feb, and the DJ was playing Tiffany and at the end said" I thought this was no 1 at the moment but I'm told it's actually this" and launched into ISBSL. odd the things you recall.

Well i bought all the singles and the album and the video collection so clearly 12 year old me is in full agreement with you.

I think JNSPP is quite good for the period and HOYH is also great.

I think this might be true of the first few singles, ISBSL was written as you note very quickly, GTBC was already recorded by another artist and was given to Kylie as a follow up as they hadn't had time to think about it and "Locomotion" was a rehash of her 87 Australian debut. But I do actually think that later singles in 88 and 89 were very good. They certainly "sounded of their time" and therefore may not have aged as well as the more clubbier hits of 90/91 but I think they have their own charm.

20TH FEBRUARY Despite a late surge by Tiffany she loses her crown this week with “I Think We’re Alone Now” falling 1-2 (61,608), It is replaced by a song which creates chart history. Before now there has never been a hat-trick of successive No 1 singles by female solo vocalists but with the rise of “I Should Be So Lucky” by Kylie Minogue to the top today it finally happens and simultaneously it becomes the first time the entire top 3 consist of female soloists. The song proved too strong for the opposition and becomes the 5th No 1 to be produced by Stock/Aitken/ Waterman though the song appears to be dividing audiences between those that love and those that hate the song. Curiously, though the promo was filmed late last year, it wasn’t, and hasn’t, been played on TOTP, they’ve promoting the song with a “live” version of Minogue riding around Sydney in the back of a car which was actually filmed for a Noel Edmunds Christmas special and seems to be the BBC’s preferred version. The track sold 92,701 copies this week and perhaps it is appropriate for both Neighbours and Kylie to be dominating at present as Australia celebrates its bicentennial this year, Minogue is also the 4th Aussie to hit No 1 here after Rolf Harris, Johnny Logan, and Men At Work. 3_TvpBwSZDM DJ Tim Simenon is responsible for Bomb The Bass and his new hit “Beat Dis” which debuts at No 5 (32,555) this week, that equals the record set by Neil 4 years ago for the highest new entry by a debut act. It’s another Rhythm King act and replaces both “Rok Da House” and “The House That Jack Built” which both fall out of the big 10 to make room. The song features an estimated 26 samples and has been one of the hottest dance records of the year so far prompting many to predict that this will be the next No 1! Not bad for a track reputedly recorded for just £500. tsO0-4DJ7DM Following up a massive chart topper is always a tough ask and T’pau’s stab at recreating the magic of “China In Your Hand” is “Valentine which finally creeps 15-9 (24,412) just in time for the big day itself. Debut album “Bridge Of Spies” topped the charts back in November off the back of their No 1 and has now sold over 850,000 copies, it charges 4-2 this week languishing behind only Terence Trent D’Arby. “Valentine” gives the band a 100% success rate with three top 10 singles out of three! NObj0EE0pX0 Taylor Dayne inches 4-3 (55,879) keeping ahead of a bullish Billy Ocean who leaps 8-4 (44,098) and Jermaine Stewart also improves 10-8 (26,860). Bros continue their descent 3-6 (29,529), Elton recedes 5-7 (29,019) and Debbie Gibson is spent 7-10 (24,378). 1- I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY- Kylie Minogue (92,701) 2- I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW- Tiffany (61,608) 3- TELL IT TO MY HEART- Taylor Dayne (55,879) 4- GET OUTTA MY DREAMS, GET INTO MY CAR- Billy Ocean (44,098) 5- BEAT DIS- Bomb The Bass (32,555) 6- WHEN WILL I BE FAMOUS- Bros (29,529) 7- CANDLE IN THE WIND (LIVE)- Elton John (29,019) 8- SAY IT AGAIN- Jermaine Stewart (26,860) 9- VALENTINE- T’pau (24,412) 10- SHAKE YOUR LOVE- Debbie Gibson (24,378)