Gezza

3RD JULY Her dreams continue to come true as Gabrielle makes it a fortnight at the top slot and was never really troubled despite having peaked saleswise, she was off 9% to 78,210. Her new challenger is Haddaway who is still hoping to recreate his No 1 status across Europe by inching 3-2 (58,980) though he too is fading 8% week on week, UB40 complete the top 3 by dropping 2-3 (44,370), we’ll see next week where they place in the YTD top 10. A Phil Kelsey remix of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is the only new entry in the Top 10. Now hailed as a disco classic, it originally appeared only as the B‑side to her cover of the Righteous Brothers’ “Substitute” — a song that later became a No. 2 hit for Clout in 1978. DJs began flipping the single, and “I Will Survive” exploded, spending four weeks at No. 1 in 1979. A “Best Of” is due in a few weeks to capitalise on the remix’s club success. For now, the single jumps 11–6 on sales of 31,965. Three other climbers with reasons to be cheerful, Chaka Demus & Pliers advance 6-4 (38,175), Rod Stewart improves 7-5 (32,595) and M People surge 9-7 (24,525) to score their biggest hit yet. To make way for them there are three fallers, Spin Doctors spiral 5-8 (24,420), Ace Of Base are unwanted 4-9 (23,865) and Lisa Stansfield is in the wrong place 8-10 (18,420). 1- DREAMS- Gabrielle (78,210) 2- WHAT IS LOVE?- Haddaway (58,980) 3- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (44,370) 4- TEASE ME- Chaka Demus & Pliers (38,175) 5- HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY- Rod Stewart (32,595) 6- I WILL SURVIVE- Gloria Gaynor (31,965) 7- ONE NIGHT IN HEAVEN- M People (24,526) 8- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (24,420) 9- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (23,865) 10- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (18,420)

26TH JUNE Gabrielle makes her expected take over at the top of the charts this week, “Dreams” sold 85,980 last week after her debut at No 2. It overtakes UB40 who fall 1-2 (73,455), their attention will doubtless be on the release of their album “Promises And Lies” next month. "Dreams" increase was only 19% which may suggest that demand is not as big as the initial splash may have suggested. In a solo career stretching back over 20 years Rod Stewart has never debuted higher than No 8 but now his cover of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately” is new at No 7 (23,055). The song featured on Morrison’s 1989 album “Avalon Sunset” and was first covered by Stewart on his 1991 album “Vagabond Heart” before recording a live version for his MTV Unplugged session back in February, the accompanying album has already been available for a month and rises to a new peak of No 4 this week whilst the single becomes his 24th top 10 hit. It’s time for that notoriously difficult second album for M People, introductory single “One Night In Heaven” proves that their last outing into the top 10 was no fluke by debuting at No 9 (18,225). The track comes with a promo set in Barcelona and has been picked up with gusto by radio who are certainly supporting this single. Outside of UB40 and Gabrielle swapping places the rest of the top 6 hold, Haddaway at No 3 (64,020), Ace Of Base at No 4 (34,965), Spin Doctors at No 5 (33,525) and Chaka Demus & Pliers at six (32,340). Lisa Stansfield is back up 10-8 (22,080) despite losing sales and Inner Circle are almost out 8-10 (17,790) 1- DREAMS- Gabrielle (85,980) 2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (73,455) 3- WHAT IS LOVE?- Haddaway (64,020) 4- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (34,965) 5- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (33,525) 6- TEASE ME- Chaka Demus & Pliers (32,340) 7- HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY- Rod Stewart (23,055) 8- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (22,080) 9- ONE NIGHT IN HEAVEN- M People (18,225) 10- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (17,790)

19TH JUNE A piece of pop history was created this week but the headline still belongs to UB40 who make it a fortnight at the top, they increased sales of “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” to 83,070 to do it. It should sell its 400,000th copy next week which isn’t bad going and the track is already their personal 4th best seller behind both former chart toppers and 1980’s “King/ Food For Thought”. Now onto that bit of history, in 1984 Neil became the highest act to ever debut in the chart when “Hole In My Shoe” arrived at No 5, fast forward to July 1990 and Partners In Kryme arrived at No 4, then Vanilla Ice went one better in November of that year and whilst that achievement has been equalled since it’s never been surpassed- until this week. Hackney resident Louise Gabrielle Bob goes under just her middle name for chart purposes and her underground hit “Dreams” gained airplay in late 91/ early 92 helped by the inclusion of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” in sampled form. Available in limited copies and bootleg’s it entered at No 181 last May but has been a consistent seller peaking at No 136 just this January. It did enough to attract Chapman’s lawyers who made Gabrielle remove the sample leading to the deletion of the original version and causing a minor spot of re-arranging to come up with a new version of “Dreams” which debuts at No 2 (72,690) to enable her place in chart history. It’s been accompanied by a swathe of promotion by the singer and is clearly lining up to be a chart topper- we’ll see soon! Deciding to combine their already established music careers DJ Chaka Demus & singer Pliers teamed up in 1991 and have now hit it big internationally with “Tease Me”. It has taken only a fortnight from release to fly 13-6 (29,940) and points to further evidence that 1993 is going to be the year of Reggae with this Jamaican duo tearing up the charts. Haddaway rises 6-3 (50,865) and could yet be in the mix for No 1 next week, his good fortune means that both Ace Of Base and Spin Doctors drop two spots to accommodate. “Two Princes” sold a best yet of 42,765 whilst “All That She Wants” shifted 50,355 meaning it should move over the half million mark next week, their album “Happy Nation” is also new at No 21. Pet Shop Boys can only hold at No 7 (26,310) but Inner Circle 4-8 (25,380), Green Jelly 5-9 (25,185) and Lisa Stansfield 9-10 (24,765) all weaken this week- but you have to go back to November 1990 to find the No 10 selling more than Lisa Stansfield this week (festive weeks aside). 1- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (83,070) 2- DREAMS- Gabrielle (72,690) 3- WHAT IS LOVE?- Haddaway (50,865) 4- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (50,355) 5- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (42,765) 6- TEASE ME- Chaka Demus & Pliers (29,940) 7- CAN YOU FORGIVE HER- Pet Shop Boys (26,310) 8- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (25,380) 9- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (25,185) 10- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (24,765)

12TH JUNE The bottom half of the top 10 is full of new tunes but the top 5 are the same as last week albeit with a bit of movement. Most notable of all is that UB40 score their third chart topper with “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You”, it follows eight years on from their last “I Got You Babe” and 10 years since “Red Red Wine”, you’ll note that all their chart toppers have been covers. For the writers Peretti, Creatore, and Weiss it marks a fourth chart topper all in a different decade, The Elvis original in the 60s, The Stylistics in the 70s, Tight Fit in the 80s and now UB40 in the 90s. Sales of the track stand at 274,800 including 72,195 last week, a slight 14% dip week on week which might suggest a short stay at the top, its total sales trail the outgoing No 1 by Ace Of Bass which dips 1-2 (67,980) and which has sold 419,340 and is chasing 2 Unlimited hard for the honour of best seller of the year so far. Spin Doctors sneak 4-3 (32,145) as they swap places with Inner Circle (29,775) while Green Jelly can’t improve on their spectacular debut last week and stick at No 5 (29,415). In the bottom half only Louchie Lou & Michie One retain their place though even they are down 7-8 (21,885) despite a sales increase. Already a major hit and chart topper across Europe Haddaway is a Trinidadian singer who moved to Germany in 1987 when he became a bar man before being plucked for stardom. His debut single “What Is Love” has been popular with radio and now at retail as it explodes 18-6 (24,450), it’s on the logic label which has already imported continental hits from Snap! and Doctor Alban over the last year. Back with a new interesting image to boot, The Pet Shop Boys have been absent for 18 months during which they’ve written a new album whilst Neil Tennant featured on the No 6 hit by Electronic “Disappointed”. Back in the fold “Can You Forgive Her?” debuts at No 7 (22,710) and is their 13th top 10 single, expect an album in the autumn. Bringing in the money at the box office at present is “Indecent Proposal” which naturally spawns a hit single as all big releases seem to these days. Lisa Stansfield is the recipient of the honours on this occasion, “In All The Right Places” was co-written by John Barry who has written much of the soundtrack, it gives Stansfield her 6th top 10 single though only two have made it higher than this current hit and both of those were chart toppers! it lifts 13-9 (18,015) Previously available on the B-side of last year’s “Rhythm Is A Dancer” (with a rap by Turbo B) Snap!’s “Do You See The Light (Looking For)” has now had a makeover, a lyrical re-write and new vocals courtesy of Niki Harris, it keeps their chart record of just one single to fail to make the top 10 (1991’s “Colour Of Love”) with this song debuting at No 10 (16,905). Their tally of 8 top 10 hits in the 90s is beaten only by Madonna with 12 so far. 1- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (72,195) 2- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (67,980) 3- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (32,145) 4- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (29,775) 5- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (29,415) 6- WHAT IS LOVE- Haddaway (24,450) 7- CAN YOU FORGIVE HER?- Pet Shop Boys (22,710) 8- SHOUT (IT OUT)- Louchie Lou & Michie One (21,885) 9- IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES- Lisa Stansfield (18,015) 10- DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT (LOOKING FOR)- Snap! (16,905)

5TH JUNE Suffering an 7% sales dip “All That She Wants” continues to outpace the field though with UB40 increasing its sales by only 16% it means that the Swedish foursome’s fall from grace is not entirely assured next week. For the statistically minded of you you’ll have already worked out what those percentages translate into but for everyone else it means that Ace Of Base sold 90,465 to UB40’s 84,705. Rregardless it is UB40's biggest hit in 8 years. The top 2 remain well clear of the opposition and though Inner Circle hold at No 3 they sold just 41,115 by comparison. US foursome Spin Doctors have hit it big internationally with “Two Princes” a song which has already made No 7 in their homeland and now powers 12-4 (27,495) here. Parent album “Pocket Full Of Kryptonite” debuted back in March at No 61 before promptly disappearing but as radio picked up this song it has been re-invigorated and has so far shot 54-34-18-9 since re-entering. For only the 10th time since the charts started 41 years ago a new entry by a new act spends its first week on the charts in the top 5, and for the first time ever it’s a rock group. Formed in 1981 and called Green Jello the band went unnoticed for many years before being signed in 1991 by Zoo Entertainment on the premise they were a “video only band” i.e they only made music in the video format. Though that was a lie they did make a video album in 1992 consisting of a promo for each track and “Three Little Pigs” was picked up in the Seattle area which played it as a joke at first before demand grew and it became a regional hit and led to MTV picking up the video. The song has now become something of a cult hit here under their current name Green Jelly with its Claymation promo and debuts at No 5 (22,080). Louchie Lou & Michie One (real names Louise Gold & Michelle Charles) are two London girls who met at a Rebel MC gig and decided to form a band producing the song “Shout (It Out)” which is a mash up of the classic Lulu hit and the Art Of Noise’s “Peter Gunn”. Originally a limited release it quickly sold out and was picked up by Radio 1 who have spurned on a major release and now it floats 16-7 (20,595). George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield drop 4-6 (20,715) and 2 Unlimited are also down 5-8 (19,530), Tina Turner reverses 7-9 (19,515) and current album No 1 act Janet Jackson continues her descent 6-10 (18,165). 1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (90,465) 2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (84,705) 3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (41,115) 4- TWO PRINCES- Spin Doctors (27,495) 5- THREE LITTLE PIGS- Green Jelly (22,080) 6- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (20,715) 7- SHOUT (IT OUT)- Louchie Lou & Michie One (20,595) 8- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (19,530) 9- I DON’T WANNA FIGHT- Tina Turner (19,515) 10- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (18,165)

She will be when she's good and ready!

29TH MAY The Swedes rule again with Ace Of Base claiming the top spot and in some style with sales of “All That She Wants” powering to 97,425 copies last week in the process, a new high for 1993! It left little hope for the rest with UB40 climbing 4-2 (73,800) but their challenge is on paper only (despite that figure being the highest for the runner up spot this year), they were however well clear of the rest of the field, Inner Circle hold in third on 45,165, George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield drop 2-4 (31,065) and 2 Unlimited hold at No 5 (23,970) all selling less than half of the number one. Co- Written by Lulu and offered to Sade “I Don’t Wanna Fight” was eventually picked up by Tina Turner who recorded it to be included in her new album “What’s Love Got To Do With It” which ties in, and will be the soundtrack to, her biopic of that name due in cinema’s this September. It is Turner’s 9th top 10 single if you include her recordings with Ike and it climbs 15-7 (17,955) this week. A No 32 hit last October House Of Pain’s “Jump Around/ Top O The Morning To Ya” went on to become a US top 3 hit late last year and now gets a re-issue here where it becomes a more substantive hit moving 16-8 (17,820) in its second week. The song contains samples from Bob & Earl (Harlem Shuffle), Junior Walker & The All Stars (Shoot Your Shot) and Chubby Checker (Popeye) all of which combine on this rather unusual track, the group take their name from the HG Wells novel “The Island of Dr Moreau” in case you wondered. Janet Jackson holds at No 6 (22,035) but does bag herself her first UK No 1 album with “Janet” as compensation, she knocks off R.E.M who themselves also fall 7-10 (17,205) and Bon Jovi hold at No 9 (17,430) as their tour leaves the UK. 1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (97,425) 2- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (73,800) 3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (45,165) 4- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (31,065) 5- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (23,970) 6- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (22,035) 7- I DON’T WANNA FIGHT- Tina Turner (17,955) 8- JUMP AROUND- House Of Pain (17,820) 9- IN THESE ARMS- Bon Jovi (17,430) 10- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (17,205)

22ND MAY Its sales rose by 90% a fortnight ago and now it posts a further increase of 54% to take the top spot, yes Ace Of Base are the country’s new No 1 as “All That She Wants” takes the prize with 81,825 copies sold over the counter. The group are just the third Swedes to be able to boast a UK No 1 single after, of course, ABBA, and Europe, and can now consider their conquest of the European charts complete. Their ascension means that George Michael/ Queen/ and Lisa Stansfield slide 1-2 (50,640) but can claim total sales of 283,980 in its first month enough to place it in the YTD top 10 easily, and keep an eye out for Inner Circle who move 5-3 (47,910) but are selling in healthy amounts as well. A 1962 chart topper for Elvis Presley, “Can’t Help Falling In Love” has since been a top 5 smash for Andy Williams and then the Stylistics in the 70s, and now in the 90s for UB40. Re-titled “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” the track has been given the usual UB40 makeover and currently features in the new Sharon Stone film “Sliver” and will also feature on the forthcoming “Promises and Lies” album from the band. It registers the 15th time in the top 10 for the band but the first time they’ve ever debuted in the top flight as it pushes in at No 4 (44,100). Striking whilst the iron is hot (“Mr Loverman” is currently still charting) Shabba Ranks has re-released another of his recent “almost” hits “Housecall” which made No 31 in the summer of 1991 and features a certain Maxi Priest. It improved immediately on remix (thanks to David Morales) debuting at No 15 and now rises 11-8 (16,980), for Priest it marks his third appearance in the top 10 having last been there in 1990. Bon Jovi’s “Keep The Faith” album yields a third top 20 single and the second to go top 10, “In These Arms” lifts 24-9 (16,020) following the release of a 7” and second CD containing live versions of this track and “Keep The Faith”. The album itself halves its position 32-16 in response and also ties in with their current UK tour which leaves our shores this week. 2 Unlimited dip 4-5 (31,095) as their second album “No Limits” arrives at No 2 on the album charts unable to stop R.E.M for returning to the top with “Automatic For The People”. Their single “Everybody Hurts” stays at No 7 (19,215) with Janet Jackson sandwiched between them as she falls back 3-6 (31,005), meanwhile Utah Saints drop 8-10 (15,495). 1- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (81,825) 2- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen & Lisa Stansfield (50,640) 3- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (47,910) 4- (I CAN’T HELP) FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU- UB40 (44,100) 5- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (31,095) 6- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (31,005) 7- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (19,215) 8- HOUSECALL (REMIX)- Shabba Ranks/ Maxi Priest (16,980) 9- IN THESE ARMS- Bon Jovi (16,020) 10- BELIEVE IN ME- Utah Saints (15,495)

15TH MAY “Five Live EP” continues to dominate the field though its own sales tumble by 41% week on week to 56,430 which point to the end of its reign next week. It won’t be last week’s new entry at No 2 that will challenge it though, Janet Jackson is the record in question and it tumbles 2-3 (35,280) losing sales instantly, nor 2 Unlimited who can only remain in 4th position with 34,455 sales but instead Ace of Base rush past the opposition 5-2 (53,445) and will have a clear shot at the top in 7 days time being already the best selling 7", 12" and cassingle last week and cut the lead of "Five Live" daily from Wednesday on. The only new song in the top 10 comes from Utah Saints who seem to be in the habit of releasing one single a year and having a top 10 hit with it too. The latest single is “Believe In Me” which in keeping with their previous hits uses samples extensively, this time around Human League’s “Love Action”, Crown Heights Affair “You Gave Me Love” and Sylvester’s “Do You Wanna Funk” and the single will appear on the first Utah Saints album out in three weeks. Inner Circle advance 6-5 (31,995) keeping ahead of an improving R.E.M who themselves travel 9-7 (17,835) despite a sales loss in part due to the bank holiday. Not such a good week for Whitney as she falls 3-6 (19,410), Sub Sub trip 7-9 (16,080) and Snow holds down the anchor position with a reduced sale of 15,090. Furthermore the new compilers of the charts were announced this week after Millward Brown won the contract and will take over in February 1994 therby ending a decade in charge of chart compilation for Gallup- exciting times! 1- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (56,430) 2- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (53,445) 3- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (35,280) 4- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (34,455) 5- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (31,995) 6- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (19,410) 7- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (17,835) 8- BELIEVE IN ME- Utah Saints (16,500) 9- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (16,080) 10- INFORMER- Snow (15,090)

8TH MAY The charts have been relatively quiet of late but this week we see a trio of new entries inside the top 10 and a big climber- lots to get excited about but first we need to deal with the chart topper. As expected George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield hold the top spot with ease and increase their sales to 96,750 a new record for 1993 with radio picking up three tracks to give regular airplay to it seems that there are multiple reasons to pick up a copy. Giving the charity disc some competition, at least initially, was the new Janet Jackson single “That’s The Way Loves Goes”. You may recall back in 1991 Jackson signed a record breaking contract with Virgin and her new album “Janet” is the first fruits for her new record label, the track is based around a sample from James Brown’s “Papa Don’t Take No Mess” and currently occupies the No 2 spot in the US which is exactly where this song enters the chart this week on sales of 38,610. That equals her previous best which she achieved last year with “Best Things In Life Are Free” and is her 5th top 10 single. 2 Unlimited have been busy finishing that second album “No Limits” which is out in a fortnight, their last single “No Limit” topped the charts for 5 weeks and is currently the best seller of the year, it debuted at No 4 which is incidentally where the follow up single “Tribal Dance” arrives this week after shifting 28,755 copies. The group have now scored five top 10 singles from six releases, an enviable rate and there’s even a sample of dialogue from “Back To Future” in there for good measure! Already a hit in most European countries Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants” finally makes it across the channel to the UK charts and debuts at No 5 (28,200). It started out life being influenced by a track by Swedish singer Kayo called “Another Mother” which the group liked so much they wanted to recreate the sound of the track so pursued the producer of that song Denniz Pop until he agreed to produce “All That She Wants”. Doubtless the fact that they are a quartet of two males and two females and come from Sweden will draw ABBA comparisons and they certainly have started off on the right foot. Continuing the great year for reggae that 1993 has become we have Inner Circle who were originally together between 1968 and 1980 before going their separate ways after the death of lead singer Jacob Miller. Reformed in 1986 the band had yet to score a bigger hit than their 1979 single “Everything Is Great” and when released last year “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” only made No 43, but it’s been given a second shot in the arm after making the top 20 stateside. It now shoots 20-6 (27,150) having already made No 1 in Germany, Switzerland and Holland last year. Janet Jackson’s arrival means that Whitney Houston is left stranded at No 3 (31,485) but giving up the ghost are Sub Sub 4-7 (25,830), The Bluebells 2-8 (25,665), and Snow 5-10 (21,960). R.E.M hold at No 9 (22,920) but the album returns to No 1 for a third stint. That sale for No 10 incidentally is the highest needed for the top 10 since December 1991 (or September 1991 if you want to exclude the festive period)- a sure sign that sales are on the up. 1- FIVE LIVE E.P- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (96,750) 2- THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES- Janet Jackson (38,610) 3- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (31,485) 4- TRIBAL DANCE- 2 Unlimited (28,755) 5- ALL THAT SHE WANTS- Ace Of Base (28,200) 6- SWEAT (A LA LA LA LONG)- Inner Circle (27,150) 7- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (25,830) 8- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (25,665) 9- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (22,920) 10- INFORMER- Snow (21,960)

Even as a GM fan i have to confess I find it boring. I know his performance at the concert is popularly thought to be the standout one of the evening and he does do a great job on it with fantastic vocals but the song itself just doesn't do much for me.

1ST MAY The last two charity releases that made No 1 (and indeed debuted there) involved George Michael (in Dec 91) and Queen (again in Dec 91) so it stands to reason that if the two combined forces for charity then it would probably make the top, and this week that’s exactly what happens. With proceeds going to the Mercury Phoenix Trust and recorded live at last year’s Freddie Mercury tribute concert and some other dates, Queen and George Michael have released the “Five Live EP” contained their versions of “Somebody To Love”, “Killer/ Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, Calling You”, “Dear Friends” and “These Are The Days Of Our Lives”, the final track includes Lisa Stansfield which also gives her a credit on the track. Collectively it sold 80,160 to debut at No 1 giving Queen and George Michael a fifth, and Lisa Stansfield a second chart topper. It’s the first song to debut at the top since Erasure’s “Abba-Esque EP” last June and the 7th of the 90s in total, but it also means that Queen become the first act in the 90s to score a hat-trick of chart toppers. We should be thankful for the EP’s arrival, were it not for “Five Live” we would have The Bluebells at No 1 but “Young At Heart” sold just 39,045 as it descends 1-2 which would have been the lowest tally for a chart topper in over 7 months. Whitney Houston completes the top 3 with “I Have Nothing” which rockets 9-3 (31,920) and should at least make No 2 next week. Celebrating its 30th week in the charts and featuring a run which has seen it top the charts for 2 weeks and never having dropped out of the top 15, “Automatic For The People” has turned into a major seller for R.E.M. It has already generated three top 20 singles “Drive” (No 11), “Man on the Moon” (No 18), and “Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight” (No 17), but the fourth cut “Everybody Hurts” unexpected becomes the biggest hit from it as it cruises 15-9 (17,055) and is already the second highest charting single by the group after “Shiny Happy People” in 1991 made No 6. Sub Sub Featuring Melanie Williams drop 3-4 (30,810) despite a small sales increase, Snow drops 2-5 (28,155), Sybil reverses 5-7 (21,705) as New Order surprisingly fold 4-8 (19,035). Two non movers in among that action, Capella at No 6 (24,135) and Robin S at No 10 (16,290). 1- FIVE LIVE EP- George Michael/ Queen/ Lisa Stansfield (80,160) 2- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (39,045) 3- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (31,920) 4- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (30,810) 5- INFORMER- Snow (28,155) 6- U GOT 2 KNOW- Cappella (24,135) 7- WHEN I’M GOOD AND READY- Sybil (21,705) 8- REGRET- New Order (19,035) 9- EVERYBODY HURTS- R.E.M (17,055) 10- SHOW ME LOVE- Robin S (16,290)

The first 4 months of 1993 see Britpop start to form properly. In addition to the success of Suede, Pulp score their first top 100 single as "Razzamatazz" makes No 80 and this week (in 1993) Blur release "For Tomorrow" which is arguably their first "Britpop" single!

24TH APRIL Post Easter sales take a slight slump all around with only two tracks in the top 10 recording a sales increase. The Bluebells are still the nation’s favourite however as “Young At Heart” took a sales dip of 36% week on week to sell just 43,020 copies and could be in real trouble next week though its replacement is hard to identify. It is also the lowest tally for a No 1 this year giving the track the accolades of both the highest and lowest sale for the top spot in 1993 to date, but this week's sales is still better than 17 weeks in 1992- worth bearing in mind! The track also sails into the No 4 position on the YTD behind Whitney, Shaggy, and 2 Unlimited meaning that all 4 of 1993's chart toppers are also the top 4 best sellers of the year! A future chart topper could be New Order, their new single “Regret” jets in 11-4 (25,920) to register only the bands third (or fourth depending how you view Blue Monday 88) top ten hit. It was helped by a live TOTP from Venice Beach California on the Baywatch set pre release and is the first single from the forthcoming “Republic” album out in 3 weeks. Whitney’s back, new single “I Have Nothing” is a third release by the singer from the “Bodyguard” album and scorches straight in at No 9 (20,280), her 11th top 10 hit but the first time she’s had back to back releases debut in the top 10. It is written by David Foster (who has also written top 10 singles for Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Peter Cetera, Cliff Richard) and wife Linda Thompson. Snow remains No 1 in the US for a 7th week and No 2 in the UK for a 3rd week but its sales are off at 30,630 the second lowest tally for the runner up spot so far this year and Sub Sub Featuring Melanie Williams inch 4-3 (26,460) though again sales are down. Sybil also spends a third week at No 5 (23,895) doing just enough to hold off Cappella who are on the move 9-6 (21,405) and Jade who strut 8-7 (21,405). Heading down are Shaggy 3-8 (21,330) and is within a thousand copies of hitting the 400,000 mark, Robin S drifts 6-10 (19,650) to conclude. 1- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (43,020) 2- INFORMER- Snow (30,630) 3- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (26,460) 4- REGRET- New Order (25,920) 5- WHEN I’M GOOD AND READY- Sybil (23,895) 6- U GOT 2 KNOW- Cappella (23,190) 7- DON’T WALK AWAY- Jade (21,405) 8- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy (21,330) 9- I HAVE NOTHING- Whitney Houston (20,280) 10- SHOW ME LOVE- Robin S (19,650)

To the best of my knowledge there was never an official video made for the single (which accounts for why you can't find it). I've already stated my thoughts on this, to be clear I don't dislike it, it's just rather pedestrian to my ears

17TH APRIL Impacted by both a bank holiday and the release of their singles collection LP, “Young At Heart” loses 14% of its sales week on week but still easily retains the title for a third week with 68,175 buyers as it cruises to sales of 225,915- already more than it sold in 1984. The album debuted at No 27, that’s 18 places above the new Snow album but the promo seems to have helped the single more with “Informer” losing only 10% of its sales this week to lodge a tally of 38,445, it lost sales at a much slower rate than Shaggy and thus rises 3-2 whilst Shaggy’s tally of 37,380 means he slips 2-3 with the 400,000 mark ahead of it this week..... probably. If you’re looking for the next chart topper you’d do worse than consider Sub Sub Featuring Melanie Williams who power 10-4 (29,025) almost doubling its sales and blasting past Sybil (29,010) who gets stuck in the groove, so too Robin S at No 6 (26,055). Shabba Ranks finally collapses 4-7 (23,670) as Jade rise 9-8 (22,455) and 2 Unlimited are down 8-10 (18,225). The only new song comes from the Italian dance outfit Cappella who are in reality producer Gianfranco Bortolotti and they scored a No 11 hit 4 years with “Helyom Halib” and has since gone on to produce and co-write the 49ers hits but is now back under the Cappella umbrella with “U Got 2 Know” which is based on the guitar riff from Siouxsie & The Banshees “Happy House” (of all things). The track is now the biggest hit for cappella as it rises 12-9 (19,680) and you may note that different vocalists now front the outfit including Kelly Overett formerly a dancer with SL2. 1- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (68,175) 2- INFORMER- Snow (38,445) 3- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy (37,380) 4- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (29,025) 5- WHEN I’M GOOD AND READY- Sybil (29,010) 6- SHOW ME LOVE- Robin S (26,055) 7- MR LOVERMAN- Shabba Ranks (23,670) 8- DON’T WALK AWAY- Jade (22,455) 9- U GOT 2 KNOW- Cappella (19,680) 10- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited (18,225)

A great song (maybe in my top 5 for the year) and certainly a wiser choice that the original intended 4th single from "Actually". It was, to some extent, fortunate to make No 1 after EMI sabotaged the Astley track with the Nat King Cole re-issue but I suspect it would have got there anyway ultimately.

10TH APRIL A curiously slow week in the top 10 this week with lots of stasis, no more so than right at the top where the top 4 all remain as they were but only the chart topper increases its sales. “Young At Heart” sold an impressive 80,385 a new record for the year so far buoyed by a TOTP performance, major play on radio and of course daily exposure on the car ad, it will top the 200,000 mark next week but is already in the top 10 YTD. Another song in there is Shaggy who holds at No 2 (45,195) as he again fends off Snow (43,395) at No 3 and Shabba Ranks remains well adrift at No 4 (28,095). Total sales of the three tracks are 340,425, 159,390, and 136,965, and signifies that dancehall/ Reggae has certainly had a good chart year so far with Shaggy doubtless becoming the second biggest seller of the year next week and Snow in the top 10 YTD which as we're 1/4 of the way through looks like this: 1- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited 477,630 2- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU- Whitney Houston 354,405 3- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy 340,425 4- LITTLE BIRD/ LOVE SONG FOR A VAMPIRE- Annie Lennox 243,240 5- THE LOVE I LOST- West End Featuring Sybil 225,765 6- EXTERMINATE!- Snap! Featuring Niki Harris 193,860 7- DEEP- East 17 191,640 8- ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY- Lenny Kravitz 163,455 9- INFORMER- Snow 159.390 10- WHY CAN’T I WAKE UP WITH YOU- Take That 157,935 The Bluebells already sit at No 11! Below that stubborn top 4 there is activity with Sybil climbing 8-5 (23,895) and Robin S improves 10-6 (22,125) while Madonna tumbles immediately 6-7 (20,625) though it does improve in sales terms, and 2 Unlimited fall 5-8 (19,950), sales of “No Limit” will in all probability move over the 500,000 in the next month. Currently sitting in the top 5 Stateside Jade are a trio of ladies whose first single “I Wanna Love You” was a top 20 hit over there though it failed here, follow up “Don’t Walk Away” is doing much better though and climbs 11-9 (18,000) to mark their arrival. Sub Sub are a northern based dance trio who have thus far released two singles without chart success though they have garnered something of a club following and by roping on their friend Melanie Williams they finally have a hit on their hands. “Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)” debuts straight into the charts at No 10 (17,910). 1- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (80,385) 2- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy (45,195) 3- INFORMER- Snow (43,395) 4- MR LOVERMAN- Shabba Ranks (28,095) 5- WHEN I’M GOOD AND READY- Sybil (23,895) 6- SHOW ME LOVE- Robin S (22,125) 7- FEVER- Madonna (20,625) 8- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited (19,950) 9- DON’T WALK AWAY- Jade (18,000) 10- AIN’T NO LOVE (AIN’T NO USE)- Sub Sub Ft Melanie Williams (17,910)

I'm willing this to be as amazing as part 1- don't mess this up Madonna!

Yes the promo wasn't shot until May 93.

18TH SEPTEMBER Summer may be coming to an end but we can still shoehorn in a few last minute tunes. 1999 may well be remembered as the year of the Vengaboys, all four of their singles have gone top 4 with the latest “We’re Going To Ibiza” charging straight to No 1, their 2nd chart topper all told. The single was another that charted on imports (#69) pre-release (another of the year’s trends) and is essentially a slightly re-worded version of Typically Tropical’s “Barbados” (#1, 1975), it opens with a sale of 142,809, a best yet 7 day tally for them, and brings their sales to 1.2 million this year. The parent album “Party Album” leaves the top 10 after a ten week tenure peaking at No 6 disproving those that thought they couldn’t shift the medium, it has sold 250,000 copies thus far. The remainder of the top 3 consist of Lou Bega 1-2 (126,000) and DJ Jean 2-3 (85,000) meaning that, for the first time in history, the entire top three consist of acts from Continental Europe driving home just what a great year it has been for European acts. Other fallers in the top flight are Shaft 3-6 (58,000), Enrique Iglesias 4-8 (53,000) and Martine McCutcheon 6-10 (44,000), incidentally her album is new at No 2, 48 places higher than Lou Bega’s LP arrives at! Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is back in the charts, this time performed by Lolly who’s last single “Viva La Radio” peaked at No 6 in July. The CD comes with a karaoke version, the video and a guide to the dance routine- what have Steps started? It can’t quite match the #2 peak of the original from 1982 but does do better than her first hit making no 4 (77,000) this week. Her debut album will be called “My First Album” appropriately and is out in a fortnight. The newest girl group on the circuit are the four piece Thunderbugs who have even co-wrote their debut single “Friends Forever” which lands at No 5 (64,000). The girls have been heavily hyped used the premise that these were girls who could actually play instruments, on this they’ve had help from Trevor Steel who helped Louise and Boyzone to some of their biggest hits. Leftfield were originally inspired by Afrika Bambaataa (amongst others) and now get round to work with their inspiration on new single “Afrika Shox”. It serves as a first release from a much anticipated second album which has been 4 years in the making, their first album “Leftism” achieved great critical acclaim and a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize as well as five hit singles the best of which was the No 13 peak of both “Open Up” and “Release The Pressure”. That’s immediately bettered by the new single which rushes in at No 7 (55,000) helped no doubt by the CD containing a track called “Phat Planet” which has featured on the Guinness Advert for the better part of a year- yes the one with the horses! Supergrass are bucking the trend of Britpop bands who have found the going tough of late. Their last two singles “Late In The Day” and “Pumping On Your Stereo” peaked at No’s 18 & 11 but their current singles again improves their fortune by entering at No 9 (49,000). “Moving” deals with the monotony of touring FYI. 1- WE’RE GOING TO IBIZA- Vengaboys (142,809) 2- MAMBO NO 5- Lou Bega (126,000) 3- THE LAUNCH- DJ Jean (85,000) 4- MICKEY- Lolly (77,000) 5- FRIENDS FOREVER- Thunderbugs (64,000) 6- (MUCH MAMBO) SWAY- Shaft (58,000) 7- AFRIKA SHOX- Leftfield (55,000) 8- BAILAMOS- Enrique Iglesias (53,000) 9- MOVING- Supergrass (49,000) 10- I’VE GOT YOU- Martine McCutcheon (44,000)

11TH SEPTEMBER After last week’s stellar opening Lou Bega has no trouble at all keeping the top spot warm shifting another 175,000 copies and raising his tally to almost 400,000 after just two weeks. Bega has a new challenger however, Dutch DJ Jan Engelaar records under the name DJ Jean and scored a major hit in his native country with “The Launch”. Word spread through Europe over the summer and now those returning holiday makers have made the song a No 2 here convincing 113,000 buyers after reaching No 86 on imports. The surname Iglesias will bring to mind the crooner Julio Iglesias to those of a certain age, well we’ve now got his son Enrique as well, the 24 year old first released material in Spanish but after 4 years of conquering the Latin market Enrique has moved into the English market (and there’s no better time than 1999!). After attending one of his concerts earlier this year Will Smith asked Iglesias to submit a song for his new film “Wild Wild West” and “Bailamos” was the result. Written by Paul Barry and Mark Taylor (the team behind Cher’s “Believe”) it has become a substantial hit for Iglesias debuting at No 4 (65,000) here to mark his debut and also remains No 1 in the US this week! His father Julio of course topped the charts in 1981 but his elder brother made No 78 just last month so Enrique can claim bragging rights at the moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxium3-XxKM&list=RDhxium3-XxKM&start_radio=1 A1 prove they aren’t a one hit wonder, second single “Summertime Of Our Lives” debuts at No 5 (59,000), that’s a one spot improvement on the peak of debut “Be The First To Believe”. The boys are recording that album in time for Christmas we are assured, and what do you know we even get a spot of the flamenco guitar in this track just to be “on trend”. Martine McCutcheon also proves she has more than one hit in her, new single “I’ve Got You” will doubtless disappoint those expecting or wanting “Perfect Moment” Pt 2 but nonetheless got 56,000 sales last week. Her first album “You, Me & Us” is out this week and will be the real test of her popularity. Shaft drop back 2-3 (74,000) and more Latin inspired fun at No 7 with Geri Halliwell falling 4 spots (52,000). DJ Jurgen dips 5-8 (43,000) reaching the golden half million mark, Moloko tumble 4-9 (42,000) and TLC hold up well 9-10 (35,000) also climbing to No 2 in the US ready to overhaul Enrique. 1- MAMBO NO 5- Lou Bega (175,000) 2- THE LAUNCH- DJ Jean (113,000) 3- (MUCH MAMBO) SWAY- Shaft (74,000) 4- BAILAMOS- Enrique Iglesias (65,000) 5- SUMMERTIME OF OUR LIVES- A1 (59,000) 6- I’VE GOT YOU- Martine McCutcheon (56,000) 7- MI CHICO LATINO- Geri Halliwell (52,000) 8- BETTER OFF ALONE- DJ Jurgen Presents Alice Deejay (43,000) 9- SING IT BACK- Moloko (42,000) 10- UNPRETTY- TLC (35,000)

The length of a single was capped at 25 minutes if it had different tracks on it (b-sides etc)- it was set at 40 minutes if it just contained remixes of the same song. This naturally helped dance singles considerably.

3RD APRIL There was a great tussle at the top of the charts this week with Snow the early chart leader though he was never comfortably free with the re-issued Bluebells track and Shaggy always within striking distance. Only 5,000 copies the three by the time the shops shut on Saturday and it was The Bluebells who triumphed as they rose 5-1 (58,335) benefiting from a reformed band playing TOTP, “Young At Heart” was co-written by Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey who was also at No 1 this time last year with Shakespears Sister and so will get another boost for her bank balance with this. The winning margin of 300 copies is the slimmest since last April when (funnily enough Shakespears sister triumphed over Right Said Fred. Shaggy dips 1-2 (58,035) as he overtook Snow at the death and topped the 300,000 mark, indeed TOTP proved that it can still, on occasion, decide the direction of the No 1 single as only Snow failed to feature on the show and thusly lost his lead trailing in at No 3 (53,520) even though he had a 52% sales increase week on week, and of course now that he actually falls down the chart he won’t get further exposure on the program! The rest of the top 5 were way behind, Shabba Ranks drifts 3-4 (36,375) and 2 Unlimited descend 4-5 (24,285) but it is now well ensconced at the No 1 position on the YTD which we'll review next week “Fever” is the first Madonna cover to make it to single status (in the UK at any rate), it was originally recorded by Little Willy John in 1956 before becoming a UK chart hit for Helen Shapiro, The McCoys and most notably Peggy Lee in 1958 for whom it became her signature hit. It becomes Madonna’s 29th top 10 single as it appears at No 6 (19,920) only a month after her last single “Bad Girl” made No 10 which is surely an admittance that that single underperformed as it falls 30-44 this week. It is the fourth top 10 hit to be lifted from “Erotica” which has yet to cross the half million mark and revives only 63-60 this week. Stock and Waterman continue to have a revival in the charts with Sybil’s “When I’m Good And Ready” becoming their third production in as many months to make the top flight. It also marks Sybil’s third top 10 single coming hot on the heels of “The Love I Lost” which has sold 226,000 to date and is still charting, and 1990’s “Walk On By” which is still the highest ranking version of the track. The new single flies 16-8 (17,385) and will feature on her forthcoming album due in the summer. it is a 73rd top 10 single for PWL dating back to 1984, though only the 62nd to officially bear the Stock and Waterman names. One of the hottest dance records of the year finally makes its presence felt in the top 10, that belongs to Robin Stone who records as Robin S, her debut single “Show Me Love” dates back to 1990 when it was released under her full name and failed to chart. It now comes remixed by Stonebridge and Nick Nice for 1993 and was an instant club hit which translated into a chart hit as it rises 22-10 (15,735). Ugly Kid Joe hold steady at No 7 (19,110) and David Bowie climbs 10-9 (16,605). 1- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (58,335) 2- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy (58,035) 3- INFORMER- Snow (53,520) 4- MR LOVERMAN- Shabba Ranks (36,375) 5- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited (24,285) 6- FEVER- Madonna (19,920) 7- CAT’S IN THE CRADLE- Ugly Kid Joe (19,110) 8- WHEN I’M GOOD AND READY- Sybil (17,385) 9- JUMP THEY SAY- David Bowie (16,605) 10- SHOW ME LOVE- Robin S (15,735)

27TH MARCH Reggae/ Dancehall takes unprecedented charge of the top of the charts this week with the first top 3 domination ever seen. It’s spearheaded by Shaggy who takes a second week at No 1 with “Oh Carolina” (68,265), a slight improvement week on week. Snow flies 8-2 (35,535) and Shabba Ranks holds at No 3 (32,985) both improve in terms of sales by 95% and 25% respectively and if they can repeat that then Shaggy could yet be in trouble! The power of the television commercial is proved again this time resurrecting The Bluebells 1984 #8 hit “Young At Heart” from the record loft and pushing it straight into the charts three places higher than its previous peak at No 5 (19,020), the band have long since split up so we’ll have to see if they can reunite for TOTP! The song was of course originally performed by Bananarama, it comes to us now after being used on the current Volkswagon advert. Despite being a US chart topper in 1974 “Cat’s In The Cradle” failed to chart here, until now that is, Ugly Kid Joe have covered the track and find themselves with a second top 10 hit as the song jumps 13-7 (16,410). It started out as a poem by Harry Chapin’s wife about Chapin’s relationship with his father but was completed by the singer himself as he reflected on his own relationship with his son. Another US hit which bombed here gets a much more successful cover this time from Cliff Richard, “Peace In Our Time” made No 11 in the states for Eddie Money in 1990 but now smashes straight into No 8 (15,540) as Cliff registers his 62nd top 10 single- well clear of the opposition, a new album is available next month. The song was written by Andy Hill and Pete Sinfield who you may recall wrote many a Bucks Fizz record back in the day. Grabbing a slightly less impressive 23rd top 10 single is David Bowie who has now moved to Arista records and scores his first top tenner in 7 years with “Jump They Say”. The song deals with the death of Bowie’s half brother Terry back in 1985 and is produced by Bowie’s old friend Nile Rodgers, it previews Bowie’s new album “Black Tie, White Noise” which will be his first solo studio album in six years so expect big sales. The single sold 14,685 to debut at No 10, it’s the 147th song to debut in the top 10 in the 90s which is one more than in the whole of the 80s and gives you an idea of how fast the charts have become over the last few years. 2 Unlimited drop 2-4 (32,910) while Lenny Kravitz holds at No 6 (16,515) and Michael Jackson loses traction 5-9 (15,090). 1- OH CAROLINA- Shaggy (68,265) 2- INFORMER- Snow (35,535) 3- MR LOVERMAN- Shabba Ranks (32,985) 4- NO LIMIT- 2 Unlimited (32,910) 5- YOUNG AT HEART- The Bluebells (19,020) 6- ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY- Lenny Kravitz (16,515) 7- CAT’S IN THE CRADLE- Ugly Kid Joe (16,410) 8- PEACE IN OUR TIME- Cliff Richard (15,540) 9- GIVE IN TO ME- Michael Jackson (15,090) 10- JUMP THEY SAY- David Bowie (14,685)