Gezza

18TH JUNE The week started off with Wet Wet Wet looking like maintaining the top spot but they gave way to the new Bros single which looking like it could be a sensational debut at No 1 but, post TOTP, lost the lead conclusively to the Timelords! Phew! “Doctorin The Tardis” therefore climbs 4-1 (43,605) benefiting from an idiosyncratic performance on the BBC flagship show, it marks the first time in chart history when a Scottish act has replaced Scots at the top spot, Wet, Wet, Wet tumble 1-3 (34,136) though the track is now the 3rd biggest of the year with 367,268 sales. By Contrast The Timelords sale this week is the lowest needed for No 1 since the Pet Shop Boys made No 1 in January 1986 on a sale of 34,697 but at least that had the January sales slump as an explanation. zKQhB9Z5Jxg So onto the “new entry” which of course isn’t really, “I Owe You Nothing” was the first Bros single and peaked at No 80 last year but has now been remixed and debuts at No 2 on a strong sale of 34,850, the best start to any of their singles. Of course it matches the peak of both their previous hits “When Will I Be Famous” and “Drop The Boy” and also their album “Push”, the group are in danger of being the perennial runner ups of the year, though in terms of press they certainly can’t be beaten, “Smash Hits” seem to love them! We’ll see if they can finally grab a chart topper next week though in part its high new entry this week is thanks to a limited edition of the 7" which was available in three variants each with a different member of the band on the cover. mOkgLIsm_iU Another “big” act bounces 24-4 (31,059) which benefitted from another TOTP “moment” when someone at the show didn’t quite view the entire video before airing it and didn’t spot that the singers breasts appear to almost pop out in the promo- at 7.15 on BBC 1! The artist in question is 20 year old Sabrina Salerno who comes from Italy and has had an international hit with “Boys (Summertime Love)” which has already topped charts in France and Switzerland earlier this year though it flopped here making No 60 in February. With warmer climes upon us it now finds favour and results in a top 5 for the singer, the writer is a certain Claudio Cecchetto who also wrote Taffy’s “I Love My Radio” a top 10 hit last year. hdxn1qqKxp0 A US #11 hit in 1970 for Cat Stevens, “Wild World” has been a radio staple over the years though he never released the song here, that honour falling to Jimmy Cliff who took it to No 8 in the same year. That was the only version to be a hit until Maxi Priest released his current single, it grows 15-7 (23,596) to become his biggest hit and first top 10 single. The song was of course released as a cover Jonathan King last year in attempt to prove that the Pet Shop Boys “It’s A Sin” was essentially the same song, a claim that resulted in the boys taking King to Court, the case to be heard at some point this year. OLhNlgweuU0 The Smiths scored two top 10 hits from 17 releases, Morrissey has now scored two top 10 singles from his first two releases! He must presumably be happy that the band split as he’s had nothing but success this year with “Suedehead” making No 5 and his debut solo album “Viva Hate” topped the chart, now second single “Everyday Is Like Sunday” comes in 12-9 (21,403). Its call for a nuclear bomb to drop on a seaside town is apparently inspired by a trip the singer made to Borth in Wales, I doubt they’ll be impressed. nxMvJNBGwBg Elsewhere Desireless hold at No 5 (26,367) but it’s bad news for Kylie who slides 2-6 (25,806), Aztec Camera who tumble 3-8 (21,539) and Tiffany who reverses 8-10 (20,791). 1- DOCTORIN IN THE TARDIS- The Timelords (43,605) 2- I OWE YOU NOTHING- Bros (34,850) 3- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (34,136) 4- BOYS (SUMMERTIME LOVE)- Sabrina (31,059) 5- VOYAGE VOYAGE (REMIX)- Desireless (26,367) 6- GOT TO BE CERTAIN- Kylie Minogue (25,806) 7- WILD WORLD- Maxi Priest (23,596) 8- SOMEWHERE IN MY HEART- Aztec Camera (21,539) 9- EVERYDAY IS LIKE SUNDAY- Morrissey (21,403) 10- I SAW HIM STANDING THERE- Tiffany (20,791)

11TH JUNE A Fortnight ago the Childline record “With A Little Help From My Friends” triumphed by a whopping 48,000 copies, this week it was just under 7,000 with a brave Kylie clinging on for a third week in the runner up spot and actually managing to outsell the Wets on some days through the week, the Glasgow boys running out 47,328 to 40,409 winners. QHyjXEuyqX4 Neither act is likely to be No 1 next week however, nor is Aztec Camera who despite a 5-3 move sold 25,585 copies a mere 20% increase despite TOTP to assist it. No, the next No 1 will probably come from the Timelords who power 22-4 (25,143) with their unique take on the Dr Who theme mashed in with Gary Glitter’s “Rock N Roll (Part 2)” and Sweet’s “Blockbuster”. The Timelords are Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, two maverick musicians who don’t normally venture into the mainstream but this novelty track certainly seems to have hit a nerve with the UK Public. The pair also go by the name of The Justified Ancients Of MuMu producing three singles which used samples by Sam Fox, Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton and which attracted critical acclaim if not sales. DsAVx0u9Cw4 Soaring 14-5 (23,256) is the best selling single of 1987 in both Germany and Switzerland, and a chart topper in Norway and Austria though only a No 2 in France, it comes from Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop who goes by the name of Desireless and the track “Voyage Voyage” becomes the second top 10 single of 1988 to be sung entirely in French after Vanessa Paradis’ “Joe La Taxi” back in March. The song only made No 57 last November but has now been remixed for the UK market by Pete Hammond and Pete Waterman and it now finds favour with us- we’re a fickle lot. 1QjxBiGt6jI For the first time ever two Lennon/ McCartney covers are in the top 10 simultaneously (three depending on how you count the current No 1) as Tiffany’s cover of “I Saw Him Standing There” arrives 23-8 (16,881). As with all her previous singles here it has already been a top 10 single in the US (making No 7 there), the album responds by flying 77-49 but has performed disappointingly for an LP containing three top 10 singles, selling just over 150,000 copies so far. pJ7X0inKxbo Mica Paris continues to win fans 8-7 (17,680) as she nestles in behind a falling Belinda Carlisle 4-6 (21,743), LA Mix slide 6-9 (16,286) and Fairground Attraction finally lose public support moving 3-10 (16,218) but "Perfect" now moves over 300,000 copies in total. 1- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (47,328) 2- GOT TO BE CERTAIN- Kylie Minogue (40,409) 3- SOMEWHERE IN MY HEART- Aztec Camera (25,585) 4- DOCTORIN THE TARDIS- The Timelords (25,143) 5- VOYAGE VOYAGE (REMIX)- Desireless (23,256) 6- CIRCLE IN THE SAND- Belinda Carlisle (21,743) 7- MY ONE TEMPTATION- Mica Paris (17,680) 8- I SAW HIM STANDING THERE- Tiffany (16,881) 9- CHECK THIS OUT- LA Mix (16,286) 10- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (16,218)

Don't get me wrong- I think things like that can be seen as precursor to new jack but they were considered (in the late 80s) as just pop/RNB crossovers, or US style pop

You're way ahead of yourself :D New Jack wasn't something that was ever heard until around 1991 as an expression or genre of its own, Chicago house was definitely something that was happening in clubs along with acieeeed but more on that later in 88. Whitney's track was on the album which came out in Mid 87 and was probably recorded in late 86ish.

4TH JUNE After last week’s flurry of sales perhaps predictably Wet Wet Wet/ Billy Bragg can’t maintain the pace, although the scale of the reverse, some 40%, might hint that the tenure of “With A Little Help From My Friends/ She’s Leaving Home” might not be that long. The song sold 64,923 last week to bring its haul to 258,804 after four weeks and is already the 5th biggest hit of 1988 but it’s a long way off “I Should Be So Lucky” which is really the only bit of good news for Kylie who is left high and dry at No 2 for a second week, her sales actually slightly down at 51,782, Fairground Attraction complete the top 3 but "Perfect" sold a miserly 26,809 which was enough to keep it slightly ahead of Wet wet wet on the ytd survey- just. nhfvpjfRa_M Husband and wife team Les Adams and Emma Freilich comprise 2/3rd of LA Mix who are the latest dance act to take sampling into the top 10. “Check This Out” is their second single and follows hot on the heels of “Don’t Stop (Jammin)” which fizzled out at No 47 at the end of last year but placed the group in trouble with an uncleared sample. Their new single shoots 13-6 (19,533) and comes with a promo featuring actress Claire King. EoI8YPytyyg One of the hottest tipped new singers of 1988 is Mica Paris, a london based 19 year old who has been creating waves in the UK press over the last few months and justifies the hype with her debut single “My One Temptation”. The track rushes 17-8 (16,643) and previews her album “So Good” which should be out next month. FAY5_zlNcm4 A fifth single from the million selling “Whitney” album, “Love Will Save The Day” is produced by Jellybean and sees Houston in dance mode in an attempt to pull off an eighth US No 1 single on the trot! In the UK her tally still stands at two currently with three of the five singles from the album reaching the top 10 here (“I Wanna Dance With Somebody #1, and “So Emotional” #5) and the other two releases peaking at No 14. The album incidentally celebrates its 1 year anniversary this week and is lodged at No 9, it’s never left the top 40 during that time selling 1.5 million copies thus far. The single meanwhile climbs 27-10 (15,657), her 6th top 10 single and ties in with her recent 13 date tour in Birmingham and Wembley and is commemorated by the 7" being available in a "Birmingham" and "Wembley" sleeve in a new twist on marketing! rdFyLKVXmZw Belinda Carlisle washes in 6-4 (22,865) but Aztec Camera are snapping at her heels 8-5 (21,267) and leave Prefab Sprout lingering at No 7 (18,666), New Order dip 5-9 (16,422) to conclude our round up. 1- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (64,923) 2- GOT TO BE CERTAIN- Kylie Minogue (51,782) 3- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (26,809) 4- CIRCLE IN THE SAND- Belinda Carlisle (22,865) 5- SOMEWHERE IN MY HEART- Aztec Camera (21,267) 6- CHECK THIS OUT- LA Mix (19,533) 7- THE KING OF ROCK N ROLL- Prefab Sprout (18,666) 8- MY ONE TEMPTATION- Mica Paris (16,643) 9- BLUE MONDAY 88- New Order (16,422) 10- LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY- Whitney Houston (15,657)

28TH MAY With a little help from the UK Public sales of “With A Little Help From My Friends” explode at retail selling 107,083 copies, that’s an increase of 22% and only the second time in 1988 that the chart topper has recorded a six figure weekly figure- the first was Kylie Minogue back in February! And speaking of Kylie- that’s also bad news for her as she climbs 4-2 (58,276) to play a distant second fiddle to the wets. Fairground Attraction Continue a gentle decline, “Perfect” slipping 2-3 (40,885), their album “First Of A Million Kisses” arrives at No 7 this week which would also have helped Kylie to steal the runner up spot. KaNXbiOvYDg With more than a little help from Mike + The Mechanics “Silent Running” Belinda Carlisle racks up her third top 10 single of 1988 with “Circle In The Sand” moving north 12-6 (21,896) Thomas Dolby is back on Keyboard duty on the track. It’s a third cut from the “Heaven On Earth” album which returns to the top 10 this week for the first time in 4 months, she’s certainly emerged as one of the biggest stars of the year so far. hgpXSoWBAVA Talking of Dolby he’s back again producing on Prefab Sprout’s “King Of Rock N Roll” which has become by far their biggest single as it floats 14-7 (20,060). Lyrically the song concerns itself with a 50’s popstar who is only recalled for a novelty single (sung in the chorus) and is the second single to be lifted from the album “From Langley Park To Memphis”, first single “Cars and Girls” only made No 44 which didn’t stop the album crashing in at No 5 upon release in March, it rallies slightly 24-23 this week. pe4_3EazskA Producing their debut album one year before Prefab Sprout (1983) Aztec Camera have struggled with, at best, middling success chart wise thus far in their career so much be thankful for finally bagging themselves a top 10 single with “Somewhere In My Heart”. 1983’s “Oblivious” was their only prior top 20 single and again, like Prefab Sprout, this single is a second track from an album, and the first single (in this case “How Men Are”) stopped at No 25, their current single however expands 17-8 (17,510). x_p643lLDeo Liverpool FC surprisingly only fall 3-4 (28,662) perhaps softened by TOTP exposure whilst New Order hold at No 5 (24,885), at the bottom of the big 10 Narada falls 8-9 (17,017) and S-Express dip 7-10 (16,966) but have at least sold over 200,000 before they exit. 1- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (107,083) 2- GOT TO BE CERTAIN- Kylie Minogue (58,276) 3- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (40,885) 4- ANFIELD RAP (RED MACHINE IN FULL EFFECT)- Liverpool FC (28,662) 5- BLUE MONDAY 88- New Order (24,548) 6- CIRCLE IN THE SAND- Belinda Carlisle (21,896) 7- THE KING OF ROCK N ROLL- Prefab Sprout (20,060) 8- SOMEWHERE IN MY HEART- Aztec Camera (17,510) 9- DIVINE EMOTIONS- Narada (17,017) 10- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (16,966)

21ST MAY Wet Wet,Wet, Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey claim the UK’s 8th No 1 single of 1988 as “With A Little Help From My Friends/ She’s Leaving Home” powers 5-1 (88,587) proving just too strong for a still improving (sales wise at any rate) Fairground Attraction who despite dipping 1-2 (78,574) had a sales injection of 20% week on week but seems like our first 1 week chart topper since Madonna back in July. For Lennon/ McCartney it marks the tenth act to top the charts with versions of their hits and brings to 24 the total of No 1 tracks they have written. The last Scottish act to make No 1? Midge Ure way back in 1985. The single is not available on 12"- the first No 1 not available on the format since Ferry Aid last year. hQ1vdoA8Phg Surprisingly beaten in the FA Cup Final at the weekend it’s doubtful how much further “Anfield Rap (Red Machine In Full Effect)” can climb but for now it becomes the highest peaking single in the history of Liverpool FC. Penned in part By Liverpool midfielder Craig Johnston along with rapper Derik B it vastly improves on the Club’s previous best “We Can Do It” in 1977, at this rate they should be on for at least a No 2 single in 1999, it rockets 13-3 (41,871) this week and it throws in a bit of “Twist and Shout” for good measure and, along with being named in “Loadsamoney” (which falls this week 4-6, 26,129), it marks a very good week for Lennon/ McCartney. IUMXQgy0sas And one place below Liverpool FC is Kylie Minogue who herself jets in 15-4 (41,616) with her second single “Got To Be Certain” the follow up to the song that remains thus far the biggest seller of the year “I Should Be So Lucky”. Naturally it comes from the hands of S/A/W who originally gave this song to Mandy Smith to record but it seems to have ended up with Kylie, they are currently writing songs her debut album due in the summer sometime. The promo comes in three edits allegedly stemming from a difference in opinion between PWL and Mushroom records (Kylie's Australian Label) over which was best. b0Jf9YsSMmo Better known now as a producer, Narada Michael Walden returns to being a popstar now with “Divine Emotions” which is his first hit in 8 years, in the interim he’s produced No 1 singles for Whitney Houston, George Michael & Aretha Franklin, and Starship so he’s been a busy man even if his solo work seems to have fallen by the wayside. “Divine Emotions” reminds us however that he can generate hits in his own name, it moves 16-8 (16,745) this week equalling his previous best "I Shoulda Loved Ya" back in 1980. 055D8KujIV0 New Order fall back 3-5 (39,083) but sales still improved helped by the CD single which sold an unprecedented 8,000 copies last week, the highest weekly tally for any song on that format!, former chart topper S-Express dip 2-7 (25,058), Bananarama hit the skids 6-9 (16,320) and Danny Wilson are without a prayer 7-10 (15,283). 1- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (88,587) 2- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (78,574) 3- ANFIELD RAP (RED MACHINE IN FULL EFFECT)- Liverpool FC (41,871) 4- GOT TO BE CERTAIN- Kylie Minogue (41,616) 5- BLUE MONDAY 88- New Order (39,083) 6- LOADSAMONEY (DOIN UP THE HOUSE)- Harry Enfield (26,129) 7- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (25,058) 8- DIVINE EMOTIONS- Narada (16,745) 9- I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (16,320) 10- MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (15,283)

I strongly suspect sale haha

They are excluded formats (From memory I think only 3 formats could contribute to a chart position and most record labels chose 2 CD's and cassettes at that point) so any 12" release would have charted seperately.

1ST MARCH The revolving door at the top of the charts finally comes to a halt this week as No Doubt prove too strong for the competition despite a 28% sales dip week on week. That means that 140,000 copies got sold last week raising the total to 335,000 in a fortnight as it moves to No 1 on the airplay chart and also No 2 on the YTD behind No Mercy’s “Where Do You Go” which fades itself 3-4 (48,000) as it sells its 400,000th copy. The No Doubt album advances 9-5 to a new peak and is doubtless diverting sales from the single despite the singles impressive numbers. TR3Vdo5etCQ German dance music time and DJ/production trio Sash! are now the nearest challengers for the throne with the Euro wide hit “Encore Une Fois”. It features lyrics in French from German singer Sabine Ohmes, a truly continental affair and sells an impressive 98,000 copies to land at No 2. K8eoGVVtKuo Are we due a revival of early 90s dance? Well the proof may rest at No 3 where The Source Featuring Candi Staton land with “You Got The Love” a track which made No 4 back in 1991. It has been remixed by an outfit called Now Voyager which, as it transpires, is none other than John Rush an alias of John Truelove AKA The Source! Anyway the disc sold 61,000 to instantly outdo the “Original”. 5YFOnWJVGyM The reputation and standing of the Gibb Brothers has been helped considerably over the last few years by the use of their songs as covers for both Boyzone and Take That, and both of which were chart toppers last year, and of course N-Trance in 1995. Proving you can’t beat the real thing the brothers are back with a new album and lead single “Alone” which is now their 17th top 10 hit and in at No 5 (45,000)- their highest debut ever almost 30 years to the week since they had their first hit. An incredible feat in this day and age and helped by their recent BRITS award for outstanding contribution to music! eFYU2z4wnDc Bush are so far noteworthy in this country for two reasons, firstly they are a British band who are big in the US yet relatively unknown here, and secondly for lead singer Gavin Rossdale’s current relationship with No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani and former relationships with Courtney Love and (allegedly) with singer Marilyn in the 80s (Peter Robinson). They can finally back that up with a hit single after their first album “Sixteen Stone” gave them only the No 48 single “Machinehead” last year, second album “Razorblade Suitcase” is out in a few weeks and first single “Swallowed” is off to a flying start and is new at No 7 (38,000). PpTx0GA07H8 En Vogue finally post a sales loss (43,000) and retreat 5-6 in the process, Warren G flies past them on the way down 2-8 (37,000). Blue Boy lose sales but still move up 10-9 (33,000) and 911 scuttle 4-10 (29,000). Next week sees big releases from Peter Andre, Eternal and Kula Shaker- can any of them knock No Doubt from the top? 1- DON’T SPEAK- No Doubt (140,000) 2- ENCORE UNE FOIS- Sash! (98,000) 3- YOU GOT THE LOVE- Source Featuring Candi Staton (61,000) 4- WHERE DO YOU GO?- No Mercy (48,000) 5- ALONE- Bee Gees (45,000) 6- DON’T LET GO (LOVE)- En Vogue (43,000) 7- SWALLOWED- Bush (38,000) 8- I SHOT THE SHERIFF- Warren G (37,000) 9- REMEMBER ME- Blueboy (33,000) 10- THE DAY WE FIND LOVE- 911 (29,000)

22ND FEBRUARY The merry-go-round at the top of the charts continues to whirl with No Doubt this week’s victors. “Don’t Speak” has been on the radio for weeks now placing at No 3 presently and that was before it had charted- an unusual step to be so high without a chart placing! The confidence is justified though as it arrives with 195,000 copies sold- a best yet for the year in terms of weekly totals. The band formed way back in 1986 but only released their first album in 1992 and it has been a slow but steady climb to fame since then with their third album “Tragic Kingdom” becoming the real breakthrough. Charting in the last 6 weeks it moves 10-9 to equal its peak position and gave us No Doubt’s first UK hit when “Just A Girl” made No 38 late last year. DLrg_kGDJFI “Don’t Speak” is about the failed relationship between band members Gwen Stefani (lead vocals) and Tony Kanal (bassist) and is produced by 80s popstar Matthew Wilder. As it is the 5th week in a row that the No 1 single is debuting there it helps to create another chart record! Warren G has done to Bob Marley what he did to Tina Turner 4 months ago, kept the chorus but made his own raps for the verses and so “I Shot The Sheriff” follows “What’s Love Got To Do With It” all the way to No 2 for him selling 87,000. That’s a mere 5,000 less than his former single started out with but is faced with much stiffer competition in the form of No Doubt, female vocals come courtesy of Nancy Fletcher. Interestingly Marley’s version has never been a hit in the UK leaving Eric Clapton’s version as the standard and the version sampled in this interpretation. zI1AkyNtgF8 The race to fill the Take That void remains hot and furious with 911 staking their claim, their fourth hit “The Day We Find Love” is their biggest yet as it charges in at No 4 (59,000). Debut album “The Journey” is out in a matter of weeks and will give a clearer idea of the size of their fanbase but the hits are certainly mounting for these boys. 1gLVqkZ_t0E Subject to a record label bidding last year French house duo Daft Punk signed with Virgin last September who have helped to create one of the hippest bands on the dance scene at present. Debut UK release “Da Funk/ Musique” comes with a memorable video featuring a man in a dog costume which does it job in pushing the single in at No 7 (44,000). mmi60Bd4jSs Already a top 40 hit stateside and a dancefloor hit on both sides of the Atlantic DJ Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat” finally makes its appearance over here at No 8 (39,000). The song samples both The 45 Kings and Kool & The Gang and gives the Washington born DJ John Bowman Jnr (DJ Kool’s real name) a bona fide hit here. gnsqvz9iIlA It’s been 6 years since James were at the height of their commercial appeal as demonstrated by “Sit Down”’s 3 weeks at No 2 behind Chesney Hawkes. Since then they’ve made two studio albums and had middling success with the singles taken from it but a rest of three years has done them good and return single “She’s A Star” restores them to the top 10 at No 9 (36,000)- new album “Whiplash” follows in a few weeks. Incidentally the promo features actress Keely Hawes who was also in Suede’s “Saturday Night”- busy girl. ZPqwEXlzX2M That means that just a week after we got a record 6 new entries in the top 10 we’ve done it all over again! The remainders include the seemingly immune No Mercy who drift 2-3 (77,000) but seem to have peaked saleswise unlike En Vogue who inch 6-5 (53,000) who have a best week yet at retail and equal their best ever chart position with “Don’t Let Go (Love)”. Last week’s chart topper from U2 tumbles 1-6 (48,000), it’s the third week in 1997 that the previous week’s No 1 has fallen out of the top 5 with Blur and The Spice Girls also recording big dips. Finally Blue Boy ebb 8-10 (35,000). 1- DON’T SPEAK- No Doubt (195,000) 2- I SHOT THE SHERIFF- Warren G (87,000) 3- WHERE DO YOU GO- No Mercy (77,000) 4-THE DAY WE FIND LOVE- 911 (59,000) 5- DON’T LET GO (LOVE)- En Vogue (53,000) 6- DISCOTHEQUE- U2 (48,000) 7- DA FUNK/ MUSIQUE- Daft Punk (44,000) 8- LET ME CLEAR MY THROAT- DJ Kool (39,000) 9- SHE’S A STAR- James (36,000) 10- REMEMBER ME- Blueboy (35,000)

Spoilers!

14TH MAY It didn’t have, or indeed need, TOTP exposure this week for it’s been a “Perfect” week for Fairground Attraction who rise 2-1 (65,739) to give themselves the ideal start to their chart career. Praised almost universally their album is out in a fortnight and must be fancied to repeat the fate of the single. That means bad news for S Express who concede 1-2 (39,712) and has now sold 192,270 copies, not an amazing improvement on the previous No 1 from the Pet Shop Boys as sales at present are very much in the doldrums. VaMb9H1D8OE “Blue Monday” was already New Order’s biggest selling single by a country mile but this week it advances 10-3 (38,420) to also become their highest peaking track, congrats all around, it also sells its 600,000 copy to further the celebrations. Its rise this week was spurned on by the CD single being released- the first time on the format (much like the 7" last week)- but now they've run out of formats you have to wonder if it can go further? That format contributed some 8,000 copies to the total, more than any other single sold in a week in that format. Onto those new hits and we start with comedian Harry Enfield who has been garnering press attention thanks to his stints on “Saturday Live” over the last year and now one of his most popular characters has made it onto Vinyl in the form of “Loadsamoney (Doin’ Up The House)”. The single has only be made available for a month and already springs 17-4 (26,027) there are no plans for an album apparently! iwjKeKXhA_8 The Enfield track name check’s Lennon & McCartney who are also responsible for our highest new entry this week at No 5 (25,211) for Wet Wet, Wet, I say that but the single is officially a double A-Side we’ll deal with the AA side in a moment. The Wet’s last single “Temptation” narrowly missed the top 10 when it peaked at No 12 in March but their cover of “With A Little Help From My Friends” becomes their highest debuting which is no surprise as the song has good form having already been a UK chart topper for Joe Cocker in 1968. The AA side comes from Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey (who is a pianist currently working on Bragg’s new album) they cover “She’s Leaving Home” which is the first time the song has made it to a single, Bragg’s previous best was with “Between The Wars EP” which made No 15 three years ago. Both tracks are recorded in aid of Childline charity and available on the album “Sgt Pepper Knew My Father” which consists of covers of tracks available on the Classic Beatles album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, an album that also features other big names like the Christians, and Hue & Cry, it debuts at No 59 this week and is a project co-ordinated by NME. yxT7wPZ2b4c His album “Lovesexy” is in shops this week and lead single “Alphabet Street” becomes Prince’s 7th top 10 single as it flies 18-9 (16,490). The song was originally conceived as an acoustic song but the end version ends up considerably souped up including a rap from Cat Glover, it is also the first Prince single to be issued on CD trivia fans. vP1kZLGG5gw Bananarama fall back 5-6 (23,664), Danny Wilson collapse 3-7 (22,967), Hazell Dean slips 4-8 (18,190) and Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 dip 8-10 (15,351- those sales the lowest needed for the top 10 since January 1987, and reflecting the bank holiday. 1- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (65,739) 2- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (39,712) 3- BLUE MONDAY 88- New Order (38,420) 4- LOADSAMONEY (DOIN UP THE HOUSE)- Harry Enfield (26,027) 5- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/ SHE’S LEAVING HOME- Wet, wet, wet/ Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey (25,211) 6- I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (23,664) 7- MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (22,967) 8- WHO’S LEAVING WHO- Hazell Dean (18,190) 9- ALPHABET STREET- Prince (16,490) 10- I WANT YOU BACK 88- Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson (15,351)

7TH MAY S Express pluck a relatively easy second week at the top and increase sales by only 6% into the bargain. They sold 61,183 which, though it’s obviously better than last week, may not be enough to grant them a third week. BNxfgGGUjDw That’s because of the record at No 2 which is in a hurry moving 12-2 (49,810) to put real pressure on S Express at the top, it comes from Fairground Attraction whose striking frontwoman Eddi Reader is already the focal point of the group. “Perfect” is taken from their debut album “First Of A Million Kisses” which is in shops in just 3 weeks and is already a favourite at radio. txapREGWHp0 Quincy Jones is the man behind the remix of New Order’s “Blue Monday” which sees a new entry at No 10 (20,621) this week. The song of course peaked at No 8 back in 1983 and has been in the top 500 best selling singles of every year since, in part due to being continually available in its 12” format, it’s now officially the biggest selling 12” of all time with total sales of almost 600,000 to date. It is released for the first time in 7” format last week and in CD single this week. 9GMjH1nR0ds Fairground Attraction’s quick sprint to the top means that three records at stuck in the groove, Danny Wilson hold at No 3 (36,822) despite a 10% increase in sales, Hazell Dean declines at retail to 32,487, and even Bananarama decrease sales wise to 31,297 despite not moving. Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 nudge 9-8 (22,712) but they’re, conversely, losing sales now, and Natalie Cole remains at No 6 (24,242) but heading out are Pet Shop Boys 2-7 (22,729) and George Michael 8-9 (22,644). 1- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (61,183) 2- PERFECT- Fairground Attraction (49,810) 3- MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (36,822) 4- WHO’S LEAVING WHO- Hazell Dean (32,487) 5- I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (31,297) 6- PINK CADILLAC- Natalie Cole (24,242) 7- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (22,729) 8- I WANT YOU BACK 88- Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson (22,712) 9- ONE MORE TRY- George Michael (22,644) 10- BLUE MONDAY 88- New Order (20,621)

Oh doubtless it didn't help but it can't just be that. " wanna be startin' somethin" similarly has no video, but went top 10 after other singles with very famous videos ( " Billie Jean " and "Beat it")

No video didn't stop "I just can't stop loving you" nor some of the "Thriller" singles going top 10. I agree on "Father Figure" hardly being a flop, but certainly everything he has released since "Wake me up" in 1984 was top 3 so No 11 was a downturn only because he was so successful prior to that.

Early 88 was odd time for other acts who were normally safe bets. "Man In The Mirror" stands out as another example, a No 21 hit when everything MJ had released (as a proper single) since 1982 had gone top 10. Probably wise that Madonna took the year off!

30TH APRIL Beatmasters and Bomb The Bass almost did it, but finally Rhythm King has its first chart topper with S-Express, “Theme From S Express” which moves 3-1 (58,361) to depose the Pet shop boys who dip 1-2 (34,714) but at least the latter track moves over the 200,000 mark. IpeRShWMdYM Dundee trio Danny Wilson could very well be challenging for the No 1 slot next week with “Mary’s Prayer” after leaping 15-3 (33,150). The band take their name from a 1952 Frank Sinatra film and have been going since 1986 releasing their debut album and four singles last year including “Mary’s Prayer” which got two releases peaking at No 86 in March 87 then No 42 on re-issue in August so why try a third time? Well the song became a US top 30 single at the end of last year which obviously convinced the group that maybe a third time was lucky. QOWCnePk3kQ George Michael’s “Faith” spawns a third top 10 hit single as “One More Time” flies 14-8 (30,906) to compensate for the frustration his last single “Father Figure” created when it peaked at No 11 back in January. That was effectively Michael’s first commercial misstep since he started his career with Wham!, his US career continues unabated after both the latter single and title track “Faith” both topped the charts there, the album “Faith” topped the charts back in November here and has sold around 600,000 copies thus far. WYmzudMsVjE Hazell Dean replicates the peak of her biggest hit “Whatever I Do” by moving 6-4 (33,082), she’s followed closely by Bananarama who creep 7-5 (32,096) to give S/A/W a double presence in the top 5 for the second time this year, PWL are also linked to Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 who improve 10-9 (28,203). Moving south are Natalie Cole 5-6 (31,739), Climie Fisher 2-7 (31,229) and Fleetwood Mac 4-10 (24,871). Only under 3,800 copies separated numbers 2 and No 8 in a very tightly packed chart so the Pet Shop Boys fall could have been spectacular indeed! 1- THEME FROM S EXPRESS- S Express (58,361) 2- HEART- Pet Shop Boys (34,714) 3- MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (33,150) 4- WHO’S LEAVING WHO- Hazell Dean (33,082) 5- I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (32,096) 6- PINK CADILLAC- Natalie Cole (31,739) 7- LOVE CHANGES (EVERYTHING)- Climie Fisher (31,229) 8- ONE MORE TRY- George Michael (30,906) 9- I WANT YOU BACK 88- Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson (28,203) 10- EVERYWHERE- Fleetwood Mac (24,871)

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)