Gezza

11TH DECEMBER After 7 weeks at the top Meat Loaf is finally bounded off the top spot and by someone even larger than himself! Mr Blobby scurries 3-1 with a sale of 70,035, the track becomes the first non-human chart topper (depending on how you view the character) since the Simpsons two years ago and the from eponymous chart topper ever (honorable mention to "Theme From S'Express"). Meat Loaf remains at the top of the album charts though his single “I’d Do Anything For Love” is down 1-2 (47,895) and the expected take over by Elton John & Kiki Dee falters 2-3 (44,340). Prince issued his “Hits 1”, “Hits 2” and “Hits/ B-sides” back in August when they all made the top 10 simultaneously, and the latter two packages contained the song “Controversy” which is now released here as a single and debuts at No 5 (26,325). The song has already been on a UK top 10 single in sampled form, namely on Prince’s own track “My Name Is Prince” from last year, this is his 13th top 10 smash and his joint second highest new entry of his long career with only 1989’s “Batdance” arriving higher. Its sales are helped by the b-sides being singles which aren’t available on the “Hits” album. The Bee Gees 20th album “Size Isn’t Everything” hasn’t exactly set the charts alight spending a fortnight in the charts and peaking at No 33, it also generated the No 23 single “Paying The Price Of Love”. Second single “For Whom The Bells Tolls” has really ignited the campaign though as it shoots 13-6 (25,785), as per usual it is written and produced by the brothers themselves and is their 17th top 10 single, the album is being re-issued this week to capitalise on the success of the single and should be a healthy seller over the Christmas period. Like Prince the Bee Gees are augmenting their new hit with some remixes of old tracks to help it along. Emerging throughout 1993 as the only real competition to Take That in the teenage girl stakes, East 17 are onto single No 6 from their debut album “Walthamstow” and so far the album has a 50% success rate in terms of singles going top 10. Their new single “It’s Alright” storms 19-9 (23,160) in just its second week and could yet be there or thereabouts on the big day in a fortnight, it is substantially remixed from the album in case you're wondering why it's doing so well despite being a sixth track lifted from it. U2 & Frank Sinatra rise 6-4 (35,085) and surpass a couple of fallers which have turned into major sellers, Bryan Adams (4-7, 24,300) and Dina Carroll (5-8, 23,325), total sales of the two tracks now stand at 274,080 and 234,975 respectively and could find themselves in the top 20 for the year in 4 weeks time. Janet Jackson completes the top 10 falling 8-10 (21,195) but does knock Meat Loaf off the top in the US becoming her 7th No 1 over there. Next week sees a new Take That single? Can it make chart history? 1- MR BLOBBY- Mr Blobby (70,035) 2- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (47,895) 3- TRUE LOVE – Elton John & Kiki Dee (44,340) 4- STAY (FARAWAY, SO CLOSE)/ I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN- U2/ Frank Sinatra (35,085) 5- CONTROVERSY- Prince (26,325) 6- FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS- Bee Gees (25,785) 7- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (24,300) 8- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (23,325) 9- IT’S ALRIGHT- East 17 (23,160) 10- AGAIN- Janet Jackson (21,195)

I don't recall that ever being mentioned in relation to the Christmas No 1 at the time?

4TH DECEMBER A close run thing this week but Elton John & Kiki Dee narrowly fail to overhaul Meat Loaf and score their second chart topper as a duo. “True Love” improved to 44,295 whilst “I’d Do Anything For Love” registered 48,270 and thusly makes it 7 weeks at No 1, Meat Loaf also keeps the top spot on the album chart meaning he’s now topped both charts simultaneously for 5 weeks in total a feat not seen since the Beatles back in 1965. Loaf also trundles 5-4 on the YTD and is now under 80,000 away from deposing Ace Of Base at the biggest song of the year, however it is only the best seller on the cassingle format having lost control of the 3 other format charts. Played by Barry Killerby in real life and originating on the BBC 1 Saturday night prime time show “Noel Edmond’s House Party”, Mr Blobby has become a star in his own right over the past year which has now lead to his own novelty song “Mr Blobby”. It’s primed at the Christmas market and makes an immediate impression at No 3 (33,660) and the voices you hear on the record come courtesy of the King’s College School Choir and the promo contains guest appearances by the likes of Jeremy Clarkson and Carol Vorderman including others, expect it to sell well until Boxing Day! U2 have had a very busy 1993 completing a world tour and giving us the “Zooropa” album but they’re yet to have a hit single despite promo’s being made for both “Numb” and “Lemon” they’ve only been used at radio and to help promote the album and tour without having general public release. They do finally give us a single in “Stay (Faraway, So Close)” which they’ve coupled with a version of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” a duet between Frank Sinatra and Bono and features on Sinatra’s “Duets” album which is in the top 20 at present. It is now U2’s 14th top 10 single and Sinatra’s 12th as it debuts at No 6 (23,580). The new entries continue down at No 9 (19,035) for M People who have emerged as one of the acts of the year and now score a fourth big hit in the year. Originally the song dates back to 1984 when it was released by Dennis Edwards and Siedah Garrett when it peaked at No 45, it then made No 55 when re-issued three years later and No 52 when released by the Kane Gang in 1988 therefore making the current version by far the most successful. Interestingly Small takes on Edwards part in the original whilst Garrett’s parts are sung by Mark Bell, the album remains outside the top 20 at present. Bryan Adams continues a very gradual descent 3-4 (27,825) and in tandem Dina Carroll drops 4-5 (25,485), better news for the Doobie Brothers who chug 10-7 (22,035) but disappointment for Janet Jackson who slides 6-8 (21,915) despite a sales bump and Soul Asylum who hit the buffers 7-10 (17,565). 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (48,270) 2- TRUE LOVE- Elton John & Kiki Dee (44,295) 3- MR BLOBBY- Mr Blobby (33,660) 4- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (27,825) 5- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (25,485) 6- STAY (FARAWAY, SO CLOSE)/ I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN- U2/ Frank Sinatra (23,580) 7- LONG TRAIN RUNNIN (SURE IS PURE REMIX)- Doobie Brothers (22,035) 8- AGAIN- Janet Jackson (21,915) 9- DON’T LOOK ANY FURTHER- M People (19,035) 10- RUNAWAY TRAIN- Soul Asylum (17,565)

Which one?

27TH NOVEMBER He’s still clinging on! Registering only a small 7% decrease week on week Meat Loaf makes it six weeks at No 1 and becomes the longest running No 1 single of 1993, a title he now can’t lose. “I’d Do Anything For Love” sold 60,840 and may come under pressure from “True Love” next week, it rockets 8-2 (36,960) increasing sales by a healthy 75%, given that, it’s shame that his album “Duets” is out this week and may hamper his and Kiki’s chances. Total sales of the Meat loaf track are now 478,980 as it lifts 8-5 on the YTD and will pass the half million mark this week. The Loaf is also No 1 in the US where this week he holds off the new Janet Jackson single “Again”, it’s her third release from the album “Janet” and has already improved on the No 14 peak of her last offering “If” by moving 12-6 (20,940) this week and becoming her 6th top 10 hit in part due to a 2nd CD featuring Hank & Keith remix of "That's The Way Love Goes" which has been a big club hit this year. It’s written for her forthcoming film debut in “Poetic Justice” and features a promo directed by her husband Elizondo Jnr, the album also re-enters at No 59 spurned on by interest in the single. Though it flopped in the UK on release the Doobie Brothers “Long Train Runnin” made No 8 stateside and has become a radio staple over the years finally becoming a UK hit in the hands of Bananarama two years ago. The song was remixed by Ben Liebrand and made No 76 in May this year, it’s now been given a new remix by Sure Is Pure who recently made over Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” into a top 10 hit again, it’s these new mixes that debut at No 10 (16,125) the first time they’ve ever charted this highly! The rise of Kiki Dee & Elton John has meant that the remaining tracks in the top 4 last week shove a notch down, Bryan Adams dips 2-3 (36,510) at the last moment and to make matters worse he sees his “So Far So Good” unable to dislodge Meat Loaf at the top of the album charts making a double defeat at his hands. Dina Carroll also falls a place 3-4 (32,280) and Culture Beat ebb 4-5 (21,090). Further down Soul Asylum are stationed at No 7 (20,400), Urban Cookie Collective relax 5-8 (19,800) and Mariah Carey returns to the big sellers 11-9 (16,890) by virtue of the fact that she loses sales at a slower rate than those around. 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (60,840) 2- TRUE LOVE- Elton John & Kiki Dee (36,960) 3- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (36,510) 4- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (32,280) 5- GOT TO GET IT- Culture Beat (21,090) 6- AGAIN- Janet Jackson (20,940) 7- RUNAWAY TRAIN- Soul Asylum (20,400) 8- FEELS LIKE HEAVEN- Urban Cookie Collective (19,800) 9- HERO- Mariah Carey (16,890) 10- LONG TRAIN RUNNIN (SURE IS PURE REMIX)- Doobie Brothers (16,125) With Christmas a month away it’s that time that we review the potential Festive chart toppers! TAKE THAT- Babe- Starting off with the bookies favourites these are the teen heart throbs that do no wrong this year and now they’ve done a ballad- how could it fail? MEAT LOAF- Bat Out Of Hell- A re-issue of Meat Loaf’s classic and follow up to the current chart topper- should be there or thereabouts. DINA CARROLL- The Perfect Year- Not too many odes to a new year but watch out for this one as Carroll’s on a roll at present and this could be a surprise chart topper. KIKI DEE & ELTON JOHN- True Love- one time bookie hot shot until Take That came along, it already has a chance at being No 1 next week but has it gone too soon? MR BLOBBY- Mr Blobby- another one of 1993’s biggest stars, ratings of “Noel’s House Party” are currently around 15 million per episode and it of course gave birth to Mr Blobby- it is the silly season so this could be a major hit! CLIFF RICHARD- Healing Love- You’d be a fool to dismiss Cliff’s chances at a Christmas No 1 and here’s this year’s offering! WHITNEY HOUSTON- I Will Always Love You- Last year’s Crimbo chart topper is getting another whirl, topping the charts for 10 weeks could it once again sweep all opposition aside? PET SHOP BOYS- I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind Of Thing- Experiencing something of an upturn in fortunes, the duo almost bagged themselves a No 1 last out with “Go West”- could they go one better now? EXETER BRANDEEN BOYS CHOIR- Remembering Christmas- Something a bit more traditional at Christmas? Well try this little track full of angelic voices! U2 & FRANK SINATRA- Stay/ I’ve Got You Under My Skin- A quiet year for U2 on the singles chart but could they end with a smash and grab of the festive chart topper with some help from Ole Blue Eyes himself?

Here's the UK version of the soul asylum promo- some of the missing persons were much later discovered to be the victims of the serial killer Peter Tobin so is not really shown on UK channels anymore.

20TH NOVEMBER He may have been bounded off the No 1 spot on the album charts by Phil Collins but Meat Loaf continues to rule supreme on the singles front for a fifth week. Another 64,935 copies passed over the counter causing the song to saunter 12-8 on the YTD chart (and moves over the 400,000 mark) with its sights set firmly on the current leader Ace Of Base which will probably lose the crown to UB40 in a few weeks at any rate. “I’d Do Anything For Love” is also the joint longest running No 1 of 1993 along with 2 Unlimited. His victory was a stroll and even though the rest of the top 3 all remain static both are in decline saleswise, Bryan Adams sold 45,150 (-10%) and Dina Carroll 32,505 (-4%) and should be unsettled next week. Most likely the unsettling will come from a duo that are being tipped as a possible Christmas chart topper (we’ll run down the runners and riders next week), it’s also an instance of a duo taking a whopping 17 years to follow a chart topper! That song was 1976’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and the duo are obviously Elton John & Kiki Dee, their second single as an outfit is a cover of the Cole Porter penned song “True Love” originally recorded by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly and featured in the film “High Society”. It’s Elton’s 21st top 10 single but only Dee’s 2nd, and will feature on the forthcoming Elton album “Duets” out in a fortnight. The song debuts at No 8 (21,675). You’ll probably already be aware of the Soul Asylum song “Runaway Train”, it was a No 37 in the summer staying in the charts for two months, it’s since gone on to become a top 10 hit stateside and throughout Europe prompting the record label to give it another whirl and it’s paid off. It moves 11-7 (21,705) to finally make it in the UK, keep an eye out for the promo which highlights the cause of depression and homelessness. It is actually region specific with photographs of young missing people from various countries depending on where you are in the world- that includes a "UK Version". Another new entry and another cover, this time it’s a new Guns N Roses single which is a version of the Dead Boys track “Ain’t It Fun” which will feature on the new album “The Spaghetti Incident” out in a few weeks. The project is an album of covers of punk and hard rock tracks which the band recorded in between dates on their “Use Your Illusion” tour which ended in the summer. The single debuts at No 9 (20,970). Culture Beat hold at No 4 (23,895) but certainly won’t be threatening the top of the charts on current form, Urban Cookie Collective rise 9-5 (23,190) and Cappella continue their descent 5-6 (21,945) with the Goodmen completed the recap 6-10 (20,385) as the top 10 all clear 20,000, a first since June. 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (64,935) 2- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (45,150) 3- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (32,505) 4- GOT TO GET IT- Culture Beat (23,895) 5- FEELS LIKE HEAVEN- Urban Cookie Collective (23,190) 6- U GOT 2 LET THE MUSIC- Cappella (21,945) 7- RUNAWAY TRAIN- Soul Asylum (21,705) 8- TRUE LOVE- Elton John & Kiki Dee (21,675) 9- AIN’T IT FUN- Guns N Roses (20,970) 10- GIVE IT UP- Goodmen (20,385)

13TH NOVEMBER Meat Loaf makes it four weeks at the top and suffers his first sales decrease albeit a mere 22% to 73,905 but he continues at No 1 with ease on the album front. Sales of “I’d Do Anything” now stand at 353,205 making it the 12th biggest seller of the year so far- an impressive tally. He’s only there as Bryan Adams, though sticking at No 2, lost 14% week on week to come in at 51,435 and with his album out this week his chance at the top must surely be over now? Dina Carroll completes the top 3 as she climbs 4-3 (34,545) as she too declines at retail, but even better the album is back in the top 5! “Real Love” was the debut release from Scottish dance outfit Time Frequency and made No 60 last year, since then they’ve gone on to garner critical acclaim in the field and score increasingly bigger hits. A new remix of the debut hit finally now becomes their first top ten hit lifting 11-8 (18,225) Highest new entry of the week comes from Urban Cookie Collective and their follow up to “The Key: The Secret” which has sold 280,000 in its run to No 2 in August. “Feels Like Heaven” is a much more immediate hit debuting at No 9 (16,830) Just like the Time Frequency single there’s another track getting a second whirl, this time the Orb’s “Little Fluffy Clouds” a song which samples an interview with US musician Rickie Lee Jones and originally made No 87 three years ago. It now arrives at No 10 (16,380) which makes it the 60th track to debut in the top flight this year and equals the record set last year! Culture Beat rise 7-4 (31,905) and Mariah Carey surges 8-7 (21,315) but the dream is over for Cappella who fall 3-5 (29,820) and Goodmen dip 5-6 (29,775). 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (73,905) 2- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (51,435) 3- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (34,545) 4- GOT TO GET IT- Culture Beat (31,905) 5- U GOT 2 LET THE MUSIC- Cappella (29,820) 6- GIVE IT UP- Goodmen (29,775) 7- HERO- Mariah Carey (21,315) 8- REAL LOVE 93- Time Frequency (18,225) 9- FEELS LIKE HEAVEN- Urban Cookie Collective (16,830) 10- LITTLE FLUFFY CLOUDS- The Orb (16,380)

It's only just entered at No 8 give it a chance..

6TH NOVEMBER Appropriately in the week of Halloween Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out Of Hell II” remains atop the album chart and his single “I’d Do Anything For Love” scores a third week at No 1, its sales swelling again to 94,590 (third highest of the year to date), and just to be triply sure the song also climbs to No 1 in the States. The traditional idea that a new album drains sales from a single seems not to ring true for the Loaf at present as he’s going from strength to strength. The half term holiday is a boost to sales and gives hope for those who want to see Meat Loaf replaced at the top, Bryan Adams lifts 3-2 but that’s accompanied by a sale of 60,915, an increase of 125% week on week and it could challenge if not overtake “I’d Do Anything For Love” if it keeps that trajectory again. Other tracks getting significant boosts in the arm are Cappella 2-3 (44,100 +26%), Dina Carroll 4-4 (37,500 +71%) and Goodmen 9-5 (37,470 + 119%). Even though they drop 5-6 (20,880) even the former chart topper for DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince see their sales up (+3%). “Mr Vain” is one of the biggest hits of the year after spending a month at the top in August, Culture Beat’s new hit “Got To Get It” is even quicker out of the starting blocks debuting with aplomb at No 7 (19,515). The record company must be hoping that it revives interest in the album “Serenity” which disappeared from the charts after just a solitary week at No 56. No such trouble for Mariah Carey who has sold a very healthy 200,000 of her “Music Box” album in its first 9 weeks slipping out of the top 20 for just one week. Second single from it “Hero” was written initially for Gloria Estefan but Carey kept it in the end and this week gets her highest ever debut at No 8 (19,110) Eternal “stay” in the top 10 falling 6-9 (17,340) and Phil Collins takes a surprise dive 7-10 (16,410) suggesting that he may struggle with his new album due in a fortnight. Interestingly Eternal's "Stay" has never sold more than 20,000 in any week in the top 10 (and always within a 3k variance) despite moving 10-7-4-6-9 in that time. 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)-Meat Loaf (94,590) 2- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (60,915) 3- U GOT 2 LET THE MUSIC- Capella (44,100) 4- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (37,500) 5- GIVE IT UP- Goodmen (37,470) 6- BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM- DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince (20,880) 7- GOT TO GET IT- Culture Beat (19,515) 8- HERO- Mariah Carey (19,110) 9- STAY- Eternal (17,340) 10- BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY- Phil Collins (16,410)

13TH NOVEMBER The race for No 1 again grabbed the nation’s attention as it does from time to time, this time around it centered round former bandmates Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton and their respective attempts to beat each other to the top. It was decided, pretty decisively, in favour of ginger Spice, “Lift Me Up” becomes Halliwell’s second No 1 single from 3 releases, it was helped considerably by the “are they/ aren’t they dating” relationship between Halliwell and Chris Evans which has been in the papers all week, though conveniently it was revealed on Monday and they split on Friday. Regardless it helps the single to a sale of 139,000, a better opening tally than “Mi Chico Latino”. Halliwell’s victory put paid to the hopes of Emma Bunton who lest we forget is only a guest vocalist on Tin Tin Out’s “What I Am”. The song is a cover of the Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians #31 hit from 1989 and features on the Tin Tin Out album “Eleven To Fly” which is out next week. Sales of 106,300 aren’t shabby at all but proved far too little to overhaul Halliwell who extended her slender lead as the week rolled on, it does mean however that four of the five members of the Spice Girls have now had solo top 5 singles something matched only by the Beatles. Smashing in at No 5 (62,000) is the second single from Jennifer Lopez, “Waiting For Tonight” was originally recorded by flop girl group 3rd Party in 1997 for their debut album “Alive” but is turned into a hit by the far more high profile Jennifer Lopez whose relationship with Puff Daddy has helped keep her in the headlines. Rapidly acquiring the hits, Another Level’s new single “Bomb Diggy” becomes their 7th top 10 hit in under 2 years. A third cut from “Nexus” the album has been a disappointment so far despite entering at No 7 it slumps 30-36 this week and has yet to breach the 100,000 mark. Nonetheless the single debuts at No 6 (48,000) The #16 peak of their last single “The Animal Song” must have caused worry in the Savage Garden camp but with second album “Affirmation” hitting the shops this week it has been helped by the new single “I Knew I Loved You” arriving at No 10 (38,000). It’s a third top 10 hit for the Aussies. The arrival of the solo Spices pushes last week’s top 2 down a couple so Five fall 1-3 (83,000) and R Kelly drops 2-4 (69,000), further down former chart toppers Westlife and Christina Aguilera remain in battle sliding 4-8 (41,000) and 3-9 (39,000) respectively, incidentally Westlife’s album debuts at No 2 unable to unseat Steps despite a midweek lead. Macy Gray seems finally to have peaked, “I Try” remains at No 7 but only sold 44,400, the first time its sales have fallen. 1- LIFT ME UP- Geri Halliwell (139,500) 2- WHAT I AM- Tin Tin Out Ft Emma Bunton (106,300) 3- KEEP ON MOVIN- Five (83,000) 4- IF I COULD TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME- R Kelly (69,000) 5- WAITING FOR TONIGHT- Jennifer Lopez (62,000) 6- BOMB DIGGY- Another Level (48,000) 7- I TRY- Macy Gray (44,400) 8- FLYING WITHOUT WINGS- Westlife (41,000) 9- GENIE IN A BOTTLE- Christina Aguilera (39,000) 10- I KNEW I LOVED YOU- Savage Garden (38,000)

6TH NOVEMBER 1998 had 30 UK No 1 hits, this week the country gets its 31st chart topper of 1999 putting the year in the record books. As expected Westlife get dethroned 1-4 (63,000) and just like they did with their debut “Swear It Again” they get replaced by another boyband at the top! Congratulations to Five who finally get a UK No 1 at the 7th time of asking and completes the cycle for the band of every single equaling or bettering their previous peak, so far their discography reads 10-4-3-2-2-2-1 with “Keep On Movin’” their crowning moment. The CD single features the group’s interpretation of the “Inspector Gadget” theme from the forthcoming film of the same name out at Christmas which has some novelty value for those of us old enough. Sales of 137,000 last week is their biggest opening tally beating the 114,000 opening of “Got The Feelin” and means that their second album “Invincible” (out in a fortnight) should be a big seller for Christmas. It also gives RCA three chart toppers in a row- the first time any label has done that since PWL back in 1989. R Kelly fought back from a midweek slump to become Five’s nearest challenger 3-2 (82,000), whilst Christina Aguilera continues a slow descent 2-3 (68,000). The remaining two new entries in the top 10 are from long standing US female hitmakers who rank 2nd and third in the all time list of most UK top 10 singles by female acts. First up is Mariah Carey with “Heartbreaker” a lead singer from her 7th studio album “Rainbow” which is out this week, and was co-written and features a rap from Jay Z and a sample from Stacy Lattisaw’s “Attack Of The Name Game”. Incredibly this has already become Carey’s 14th US chart topper and spent a fortnight at the top spot, here it slides in at No 5 (61,000) to register her 16th top 10 hit. Following on from Backstreet Boys $2.1 million video the promo for this song allegedly cost $2.5 million- yes we are in the age of the mega buck video kids. Which women have had more top tenners than Carey?- Obviously Madonna leads the list with 45, and in second place is a certain Diana Ross who scores her 20th top 10 hit with “Not Over You Yet” (that tally only includes tracks on which she is specifically credited). Last week it was Tina Turner getting a “Cher” makeover and this week it is Ross with the track being her most obvious attempt at positioning her on the dancefloor, it’s her first top 10 single in 7 years and will be helped by the forthcoming “An Audience with….” next month. The song sold 51,000 to arrive at No 9. Ann Lee drifts 4-6 (58,000) just above the still climbing Macy Gray who has so far moved 10-10-9-8-7 selling 57,900 in the latest frame, a best yet, and her album leaps 6-3 to get a new peak. Eiffel 65 fall 5-8 (53,000) but sell their 800,000th copy and move to No 3 on the YTD, and Backstreet Boys relax 5-10 (41,000). So we’ve reached the big week then who will win the battle of the former Spice Girls- Baby or Ginger? 1- KEEP ON MOVIN- Five (137,000) 2- IF I COULD TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME- R Kelly (82,000) 3- GENIE IN A BOTTLE- Christina Aguilera (68,000) 4- FLYING WITHOUT WINGS- Westlife (63,000) 5- HEARTBREAKER- Mariah Carey (61,000) 6- 2 TIMES- Ann Lee (58,000) 7- I TRY- Macy Gray (57,900) 8- BLUE (DA BA DEE)- Eiffel 65 (53,000) 9- NOT OVER YOU YET- Diana Ross (51,000) 10- LARGER THAN LIFE- Backstreet Boys (41,000)

30TH OCTOBER Having the No 1 single and album in the same week isn’t as common as you may think and was last achieved in April 1992 when Right Said Fred did the double, this week you can add Meat Loaf to that list. “Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell” returns to the top spot for a fourth non-consecutive week selling 400,000 copies already, in part that is to do with the success of lead single “I’d Do Anything For Love” which is No 1 for a second week selling a mightily improved 77,760 copies bringing its total to 184,710 copies. Cappella rise 7-2 (35,145) but they aren’t currently in the same league as Meat Loaf and won’t be catching him anytime soon. That leaves the way clear for our highest new entry which is straight into No 3 (27,945) and is best start ever for Bryan Adams who only has two previous top 10 singles in his long career. “Please Forgive Me” was recorded as a new track for inclusion on his forthcoming greatest hits album “So Far So Good” due next month. Another act with a long chart history but getting his highest ever debut position is a certain Mr Phil Collins. His last album “But Seriously” sold over 2.5 million in the UK alone to date giving his new album “Both Sides” a lot to live up to, the first single “Both Sides Of The Story” debuts at No 7 (18,525) outdoing his No 9 debut of “Groovy Kind Of Love” five years ago, and is lyrically about the troubles in Northern Ireland. It’s Collins’ 10th or 11th top 10 hit depending on how you view the remix of “In The Air Tonight” in 1988. A slice of Dutch dance up next with duo Zki & Dobre who have sampled Sergio Mendes “Fanfarra” and “Maglenha” along with Sinnamon’s “I Need You Now” to give us the hit “Give It Up”. It made No 23 in August this year but continued to sell well after it left the charts and got a full re-issue just a month after it departed the charts this time shooting 21-9 (17,010) after finally being picked up by commercial radio. Dina Carroll scorches 10-4 (22,230) as the only other climber to mention whilst her album also improves 23-15. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince fall 3-5 (20,250) but they stay above Eternal who retreat 4-6 (19,950) though conversely their sales increase, Take That & Lulu hurtle 2-8 (17,385) and The Prodigy ebb 8-10 (16,245). 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (77,760) 2- U GOT 2 LET THE MUSIC- Cappella (35,145) 3- PLEASE FORGIVE ME- Bryan Adams (27,945) 4- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (22,230) 5- BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM- DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince (20,250) 6- STAY- Eternal (19,950) 7- BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY- Phil Collins (18,525) 8- RELIGHT MY FIRE- Take That & Lulu (17,385) 9- GIVE IT UP- Goodmen (17,010) 10- ONE LOVE- The Prodigy (16,245)

I agree it's really good and I'm loving it all so far. Every episode has you chomping at the bit for the next one

I can't find any source for Prince being anything other than hetero though?

Long John baldry in the 60s, one of the new kids on the block, ferry aid, scouse aid, band aid II i thought Whitney was practically confirmed, S Express, Freddie Mercury in 1993 is missing

Oops sorry corrected!

As mentioned before the rest of the thread will continue next Friday!

23RD OCTOBER It’s the Take That and Meat Loaf show this week with the two acts tussling for dominance on the single and album charts. Take That won the album battle, “Everything Changes” triumphing by some margin, whilst on the single charts Meat Loaf takes over. “I’d Do Anything For Love” climbs 2-1 (45,360) and was out in front from the off even if it has to really take off in the shops yet, for “Relight My Fire” it suffered another 54% sales slash in the wake of the album arriving to sell just 28,680, only the second time in 1993 that only one song in any particular week breached the 30,000 mark. In fact just 7,000 copies separated No 3 and No 10 to illustrate the poor state of the singles market this week. By way of Trivia Meat Loaf’s single becomes the longest single to make No 1 thanks to its almost 8 minute duration in its “short” form and takes the title from The Beatles “Hey Jude”. Scoring a No 6 hit last time out with “U Got 2 Know” Capella see their new single “U Got 2 Let The Music” debut at No 7 (18,645). It contains sample of Alphaville’s “Sounds Like A Melody” and JM Silk’s “Let The Music Take Control” among others and will feature on their forthcoming album due early next year. The new Prodigy single “One Love” was first released as a white label with the title “Earthbound” without their name as a response to criticism that they had sold out commercially. Allegedly once the dance fraternity discovered it was the group behind the track it stopped getting play but in any case it jumps 12-8 (17,220) to give them a fourth top 10 single and a good start to their second album campaign. We first encountered Dina Carroll as a vocalist on the 1991 Quarts No 8 cover of Carol King’s “It’s Too Late”, she’s gone to have a solo career so far generating 5 top 30 singles though nothing made the top flight. Incredibly it looks like the sixth single from her debut solo album “So Close” entitled “Don’t Be A Stranger” will be the biggest hit from the set as it climbs 19-10 (16,275), it’s a cover of a track by Chyna and has been re-recorded with the London Session Orchestra for its single release but it will help to sell tickets for Carroll’s tour next month with Eternal supporting her. Carroll’s album has sold half a million since it peaked at No 2 on release in January this year and is back in the charts 38-23 this week. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince hold at No 3 (23,160) whilst Carroll’s tour mates Eternal continue to climb 7-4 (19,395)- though it sold less than last week! overtaking M People who are stuck at No 5 (19,245). Chaka Demus & Pliers fall back 4-6 (18,875) and Haddaway dips 6-9 (16,290) as his album arrives at No 19. 1- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT) – Meat Loaf (45,360) 2- RELIGHT MY FIRE- Take That & Lulu (28,680) 3- BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM- DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince (23,160) 4- STAY- Eternal (19,395) 5- MOVING ON UP- M People (19,245) 6- SHE DON’T LET NOBODY- Chaka Demus & Pliers (18,675) 7- U GOT 2 LET THE MUSIC- Cappella (18,645) 8- ONE LOVE- The Prodigy (17,220) 9- LIFE- Haddaway (16,290) 10- DON’T BE A STRANGER- Dina Carroll (16,275)

30TH OCTOBER It didn’t quite turn into the battle we expected but a Boyband certainly won and to Westlife the spoils. “Flying Without Wings” becomes the band’s third No 1 single from 3 releases and was according to rumours earmarked for a Stephen Gately solo track but instead it become the perfect Launchpad for Westlife’s debut album in a fortnight. 92,000 copies flew out of stores last week, just 5,000 more than the outgoing “Genie In A Bottle” which rallied toward the end of the week almost catching them up in a re-run of the Alice Deejay situation last August when “If I Let You Go” won by under 500 copies for the band. Interestingly in only 8 weeks so far in the year has the sale of the No 1 dropped below the 100,000 mark and Westlife singles have been responsible for three of them which illustrates the fact that they have been very lucky with their release weeks thus far! Strong airplay has helped the new R Kelly single “If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time” become his 7th top 10 hit as it debuts at No 3 (80,000). The song is also a 7th hit to be plucked from his “R” album which has itself yet to sell 200,000 and has progressed no further than No 27 despite all the singles going top 20. It seems however we have a soft spot for his ballads with only “She’s Got That Vibe” in his collection of top drawer hits not to be classified as such, naturally this charted on imports too pre release (#57). Backstreet Boys have been splashing the dosh on their new promo for single for “Larger Than Life”- a cool $2.1 million reportedly, and it gives them a No 5 hit and 56,000 buyers in week one. Of course it is the follow up to their first No 1 “I Want It That Way” and a ninth top 10 hit on the trot, if it progresses no further however it will be their smallest hit in over 3 years. Destiny’s Child are starting to become top 10 regulars here in the UK scoring back to back top tier hits for the first time in their career with new single “Bug A Boo” arriving at No 9 (41,000). A second single from the “Writing’s On The Wall” album it proves a worthy follow up to “Bills, Bills, Bills” and contains a sample of Toto’s “Child’s Anthem” but it’s doing better here than in the US where it failed to make the top 30. What’s the connection between Tina Turner and The Nightcrawlers (they of the “Push The Feeling On” fame)? The answer is John Reid, the mastermind behind the Nightcrawlers and the co-writer of Tina Turner’s new single “When The Heartache Is Over” which is new at No 10 (37,000). It’s produced by Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling who produced Cher’s “Believe” and now attempt to reinvent Turner into the dance diva they managed with Cher, it’s done its immediate job returning her to the top 10 for the first time in four years and gives her an 11th top 10 single if you include her credits with Ike. Her new album “Twenty Four Seven” is out in a fortnight. Ann Lee recedes 2-4 (76,000) and former chart topper “Blue” takes a slip 4-6 (53,000) selling over ¾ of a million over the last 6 weeks, ATB fall back 3-7 (49,000) and once again Macy Gray continues to surprise inching 9-8 (42,100) to see new heights- at this rate it may be the Christmas No 1! 1- FLYING WITHOUT WINGS- Westlife (92,000) 2- GENIE IN A BOTTLE- Christina Aguilera (87,000) 3- IF I COULD TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME- R Kelly (80,000) 4- 2 TIMES- Ann Lee (76,000) 5- LARGER THAN LIFE- Backstreet Boys (56,000) 6- BLUE (DA BA DEE)- Eiffel 65 (53,000) 7- DON’T STOP- ATB (49,000) 8- I TRY- Macy Gray (42,100) 9- BUG A BOO- Destiny’s Child (41,000) 10- WHEN THE HEARTACHE IS OVER- Tina Turner (37,000)

23RD OCTOBER Christina Aguilera and Ann Lee form an unexpectedly strong force as they create a lockdown on the top two this week though both fade at retail 28% and 27% to post new totals of 123,000 and 110,000 respectively. Their success deprives us of a new No 1 by acts who might have expected more. Include in that description the new single from ATB which uses a sample of the same track they used in their previous No 1 single “9PM (Til I Come)” which sold almost 800,000 copies and is currently the 2nd biggest selling single of 1999. That sample was of course Ricky Rich & Julio Posadas featuring Yolanda Riviera’s “The Way You Make Me Feel”, but it can’t pull the same trick twice as “Don’t Stop” arrives at No 3 (91,000) and that despite charting at no 61 on imports. Steps last four singles have all entered at No 2 so the No 5 berth of “After The Love Has Gone” has raised some eyebrows who might suggest that the appeal of the fivesome is now in decline. 59,000 buyers purchased the track last week a notable decline in opening tallies of their singles and may be worrying for the release of their second album “Steptacular” in a fortnight. On the positive side it is however a 6th top 10 single from 7 releases. As last year’s “A Message To You” album, the idea of a covers album where various acts interpret the songs of one act can yield commercial gold with both Steps and 911 getting top 2 singles out of it. This time around it is The Jam who are in the spotlight and some of the acts involved are Everything But The Girl, Garbage, Gene and Noel Gallagher but first release from it is a double A-Side “Going Underground/ Carnation” performed by Buffalo Tom (GU) and Steve Craddock and Liam Gallagher (C). Naturally the main draw is Liam Gallagher from whom this marks his first appearance outside of the Oasis work, Steve Cradock is the guitarist from Ocean Colour Scene in case you wondered, the entire set debuts at No 6 (53,000). The Honeyz have done a Bananarama! Yes they’ve lost original member Heavenli Denton and have replaced her with ex Solid HarmoniE member Mariama Goodman, we’re promised a re-recorded debut album and the new single “Never Let You Down” has similarly been re-recorded in the new set up. It charges straight in at No 7 (50,000) to maintain their 100% strike rate of top ten smashes from their singles of which this is their fourth. Eiffel 65 continue to ebb 3-4 (74,000) but “Blue” is already the 7th biggest single of the year with sales of 710,000. Further down B*Witched must be disappointed to drop 4-8 (47,000) and Shania Twain hurtles 6-10 (34,000) but still has the No 1 album in the land. Macy Gray bucks the trend inching 10-9 (35,000) and her album also heads to No 6- a new peak. Next week we get the battle of the Boybands as Westlife go head to head with the Backstreet Boys! 1- GENIE IN A BOTTLE- Christina Aguilera (123,000) 2- 2 TIMES- Ann Lee (110,000) 3- DON’T STOP- ATB (91,000) 4- BLUE (DA BA DEE)- Eiffel 65 (74,000) 5- AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE- Steps (59,000) 6- GOING UNDERGROUND/ CARNATION- Buffalo Tom/ Liam Gallagher & Steve Cradock (53,000) 7- NEVER LET YOU DOWN- Honeyz (50,000) 8- JESSE HOLD ON- B*Witched (47,000) 9- I TRY- Macy Gray (35,000) 10- MAN I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN- Shania Twain (34,000)

Thread will take a small break after tomorrow's chart as I'm away for a bit so will resume on Friday 22nd May.

16TH OCTOBER To no-one’s surprise Take That & Lulu continue at No 1 but its sales are already in decline sharply as it loses 26% week on week to pull in 64,950 sales, attention and promotion shifting almost immediately to the album which is out this week. Not that that will necessarily deter sales and proof of that lies with Meat Loaf, his album “Bat Out Of Hell II” returns to No 1 for a third week in as many stints whilst his single “I’d Do Anything For Love” powers 8-2 (38,895) and almost doubles its sales, it is now the loaf’s biggest single. Former chart topper “Boom! Shake The Room” completes the top 3 as it continues its gentle decline 2-3 (35,475). The only new single in the top 10 comes from Iron Maiden and a live version of the song “Hallowed Be Thy Name” which featured on their 1982 album “The Number Of The Beast” becoming a firm fan favourite. Earlier this year the group released an album “A Real Live One” covering their work from 1986 to present, now they’re gearing up to release “A Real Dead One” which covers the pre 86 period via live recordings of the tracks during their tour in 92/93 and this cut is taken from that. It enters at No 9 (15,540) and is their 9th top 10 single in the last 5 years and 10th overall and marks the final appearance of lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson who is now leaving the band. Chaka Demus & Pliers spend a third frustrating week at No 4 (27,540) increasing sales marginally, M People drop 3-5 (25,890) and also see their second album debut at No 2 behind Meat Loaf, Haddaway meanwhile holds at No 6 (22,110). A good week for Eternal who move 10-7 (19,920) while Frankie Goes To Hollywood drop 5-8 (19,605), Pet Shop Boys fall 7-10 (14,985). 1- RELIGHT MY FIRE- Take That & Lulu (64,950) 2- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (38,895) 3- BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM- DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince (35,475) 4- SHE DON’T LET NOBODY- Chaka Demus & Pliers (27,540) 5- MOVING ON UP- M People (25,890) 6- LIFE- Haddaway (22,110) 7- STAY- Eternal (19,920) 8- RELAX- Frankie Goes To Hollywood (19,605) 9- HALLOWED BE THY NAME- Iron Maiden (15,540) 10- GO WEST- Pet Shop Boys (14,985)

Luckily Rayner's tax issues got "cleared up" just in time to enter it too. A stroke of good fortune.......

9TH OCTOBER Well they did it! Becoming the first act in 20 years to enter the charts at No 1 with consecutive singles and only the second act ever to pull the feat off, Take That debut at No 1 with “Relight My Fire”. It features vocals from Lulu (reprising a role originally performed by Loleatta Holloway) who has never had a chart topper until now (surprisingly) making her wait for a chart topper of 29 years and 148 days from debut the longest ever, and is of course a cover of the 1979 Dan Hartman song which failed to chart in the UK though it became something of a disco classic. It’s the second Hartman cover to be a top 10 in the last 3 years after Yell! took “Instant Replay” into the big hitters back in 1990. For Take That it marks an exceptional year with 3 top 2 singles and a No 2 album, their new LP “Everything Changes” is in shops in a fortnight and should confirm their positions as the biggest band in the UK at the moment. In case you’re wondering the only other group to score consecutive No 1 hits at debut were Slade. “Relight My Fire shifted 87,975 copies in the last week a new highest weekly tally for the group, it comfortably outsold DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince as “Boom! Shake The Room” trailed in with just 56,235 copies to its credit (a slight increase week on week), and M People had a best yet weekly sale of 34,470 even though it drops 2-3. Indeed sales are up generally with the following tracks all sharing the bonanza: Chaka Demus & Pliers at No 4 (32,355 + 19%), Frankie Goes To Hollywood at No 5 (30,030 + 25%), and Haddaway at No 6 (24,555 + 6%). Meat Loaf has had quite a comeback this year with “Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell”, it’s been out for a month and has so far sold 200,000 as it moved 1-2-1-2. Naming the album as a sequel to one of the biggest selling albums of all time helped no doubt but even he has admitted that the two albums have nothing to do with each other! No matter it’s a success and now spawns a top 10 single with “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” which enters at No 8 (22,695) ending a 12 year wait for the star as he’s searched for a top flight hit in the UK. The female part here is performed by Lorraine Crosby though the promo features Dana Patrick as the female lead, and like the majority of his most successful work is penned by Jim Steinman, it runs to almost 12 minutes in the album version though the single edit comes in at just 7:52 thankfully. Marketed as the UK answer to En Vogue, Eternal are an all female four piece from London who have chosen an obscure Glenn Jones 1990 flop single “Stay” as their first release. They seem to prove there’s worth in the single as it climbs 16-10 (17,880) and if you like what you hear then there is an album planned for Christmas. Culture Beat fall 5-9 (19,500) as The Pet Shop Boys fall 3-7 (23,520) but they do score their first ever album chart topper with “Very” debuting at the top today, before that they were the act with the most No 1 singles without a No 1 album- odd but true. For Culture Beat their single has done its purpose as it ranks as one of the top 10 hits of the year and as we’re ¾ of the way through it here’s the YTD top 10: 1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base 602,850 2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE- UB40 601,260 3- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited 531,120 4- DREAMS- Gabrielle 509,580 5- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy 454,650 6- WHAT IS LOVE- Haddaway 432,075 7- MR VAIN- Culture Beat 390,600 8- FIVE LIVE EP- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield 377,070 9- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells 374,400 10- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU- Whitney Houston 365,340 The top 2 are in an ongoing duel with both still trickle selling. Weekly sales 1- RELIGHT MY FIRE- Take That & Lulu (87,975) 2- BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM- DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince (56,235) 3- MOVING ON UP- M People (34,470) 4- SHE DON’T LET NOBODY- Chaka Demus & Pliers (32,355) 5- RELAX- Frankie Goes To Hollywood (30,030) 6- LIFE- Haddaway (24,555) 7- GO WEST- Pet Shop Boys (23,520) 8- I’D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON’T DO THAT)- Meat Loaf (22,695) 9- MR VAIN- Culture Beat (19,500) 10- STAY- Eternal (17,880)