Pting Rollo

Great to see Germany lose a penalty shoot out at last.

11. The Lady In Red - Chris de Burgh Born in Argentina to British parents, Chris de Burgh eventually made his way to the UK where he signed his first record contract in 1974. The following year, his single 'Flying' spent 17 weeks at number 1 in Brazil. Later that same year, his Christmas song 'A Spaceman Came Travelling' got to number 1 in Ireland but failed to make an impression in the UK. It's now better known in Britain but is not one of the regular Christmas songs that move into the top 40 each December. By 1986, a UK top 40 hit still eluded him until The Lady In Red climbed from 76 to 40 and then to number 10 before reaching number 1 two weeks later and staying there for three weeks in August. Chris had only one more top 10 single, 'Missing You', in 1988 but has eight top 10 albums to his name. Many of you will be relieved that this has finally appeared. When I first heard it, I immediately noticed the backing track had a resemblance to the wonderful two minute intro to 'Duchess' by Genesis on the full album version from 1980. They both use a Roland drum machine. If you ignore the vocals, you have a relaxing piece of chillout music and that keyboard effect in the chorus that sounds like a voice stands out in particular. As for the vocals and the lyrics, I don't mind them. It's a love song he wrote about the first time he met his future wife, there's nothing too unpleasant to my ears. It may have regularly appeared in polls for worst number 1 or worst song of the 80s but I'm sticking up for it.

Round 1: 33 The Chi-Lites Round 2: 27 Undercover, The Thorn In His Side 3 in 10: 2 Sexual Healing, I Heard It Through The Grapevine

These would be my top 40 from the year: 1. Genesis - Mama 2. New Order - Blue Monday 3. Depeche Mode - Everything Counts 4. The Lotus Eaters - The First Picture Of You 5. Ultravox - Visions In Blue 6. Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart 7. Howard Jones - New Song 8. Robert Plant - Big Log 9. Tears For Fears - Pale Shelter 10. Wah! - The Story Of The Blues 11. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart 12. Ultravox - Hymn 13. David Sylvian & Riuichi Sakamoto - Forbidden Colours 14. Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly - Moonlight Shadow 15. Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance 16. New Order - Confusion 17. Echo & The Bunnymen - The Cutter 18. Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals 19. Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding 20. Flash And The Pan - Waiting For A Train 21. Toto - Africa 22. Kissing The Pink - The Last Film 23. Blancmange - Waves 24. Bucks Fizz - When We Were Young 25. Aztec Camera - Oblivious 26. David Bowie - Let's Dance 27. OMD - Genetic Engineering 28. The Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now 29. Freeez - IOU 30. The Kinks - Come Dancing 31. ABC - That Was Then But This Is Now 32. Marillion - Garden Party 33. Yazoo - Nobody's Diary 34. Heaven 17 - Come Live With Me 35. Paul Young - Love Of The Common People 36. Heaven 17 - Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry 37. Tears For Fears - Change 38. Paul McCartney - Pipes Of Peace 39. Culture Club - Victims 40. ELO - Rock'n'Roll Is King

Yes, there were so many songs in contention this week. The Police - King Of Pain Eurythmics - Here Comes The Rain Again Queen - Radio Ga Ga Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good Ultravox - One Small Day

I'm sad to see him leave, what a great all rounder he's been for the England test team. Meanwhile Ireland beat world champions India for the second time this week to take the T20 series 2-0. Great bowling from them in both matches to defend relatively low scores batting first.

12. True Blue - Madonna True Blue was Madonna's twelfth top 10 hit and the third to reach number 1, spending one week there in October. It was written as a declaration of love for her husband Sean Penn. True Blue is lighter and simpler than most of Madonna's 80s singles. It's a throwback to the 60s girl group sound and is pleasant enough to listen to. Apart from the excellent 'Like A Prayer' and 'Frozen' and one or two other good songs, I'd rate the rest of her singles from average to awful and this one is average. Madonna's people really need to improve the sound quality on this youtube video and the picture as well.

Round 1: 27 Deacon Blue, Don't Give Up, Bob and Marcia Round 2: 27 The year, Dance The Night Away, Blur 3 in 10: 3 I Have A Dream, Mandy, Uptown Girl

23rd - 29th June 1966 19. Bus Stop - The Hollies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9AYPtFtMzU I think this is the best Hollies song so far and it's unlucky to miss out on the ROTW award. Written by Graham Gouldman, it's a romantic tale of meeting a future partner at a bus stop and sharing an umbrella in the rain, many years before Rihanna came up with something similar. 28. Get Away - Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZKrYVTGDYE After his last three singles missed the top 20, Georgie has his second number 1 with this one which is less remembered than 'Yeh, Yeh' and was originally written for a petrol advert but was considered to be good enough to be a single. There's some good use of brass instruments and it's a fun tune to listen to. 31. No One Will Ever Know - Frank Ifield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8YUNw8dK6U We may be in 1966 now but Frank is not going to change his sound and this is pleasant enough with the strings and backing singers behind Frank's familiar voice. 34. The More I See You - Joy Marshall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUxCqFUPSf8 A song from 1945 done by many artists and this is a good version from the English jazz singer who delivers a fine vocal. Even OMD had a go at this in 1980, in their own synth pop style. 37. This Door Swings Both Ways - Herman's Hermits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRdkN56rjJs A nice little song about dealing with joy and sorrow in your life. Record of the week : 36. Out Of Time - Chris Farlowe Chris Farlowe follows up his minor hit from earlier in the year with this marvellous cover of one of the tracks from the current Rolling Stones album 'Aftermath'. The string arrangement at the start draws you in before the song opens up with a powerful vocal from Chris, a big drum sound and the Beach Boys style "whoo ooh"s. Produced by Mick Jagger, the single will top the chart for one week.

Fantastic to see Ireland beat India for the first time and they won by a big margin as well, 34 runs.

You'll Never Walk Alone has been a number 1 four times for Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Crowd, Robson & Jerome and Michael Ball & Captain Tom Moore.

The top two from my vote ended up as the top two overall, just the other way around, so I'm pleased with that result. Congratulations to Jim. Thanks to everyone who voted for Eggstone and thanks to Dan for a great job hosting this spinoff.

I've been knocked out already! ☹️

I agree with those who said the first half was stronger so I'm not surprised that most of these have qualified so far.

13. Spirit In The Sky - Doctor and the Medics I always think of Norman Greenbaum's original being a 70s record but it was released in December 1969. It reached number 1 in May 1970 and was his only top 75 hit. Doctor and the Medics were formed in 1981 in Ken Dodd's part of Liverpool, Knotty Ash, by their singer Clive Jackson. Their cover of Spirit In The Sky was their first hit single, spending three weeks at number 1 in June. They came close to emulating Norman Greenbaum's one hit wonder status with just one more top 40 hit, 'Burn', which got to number 29 and a cover of Abba's 'Waterloo' which stalled at number 45 despite one of their glam rock influences, Roy Wood, playing the saxophone, singing backing vocals and appearing in the video. Proving that one number 1 single is enough to sustain a career, the group are still touring and have a new album coming out this year. I like the original version of the song and while this cover is decent enough, it's not much different in sound and adds very little that's new to it. The Doctor's flamboyant image and charisma probably played some part in the single climbing to number 1. A further version by Gareth Gates and the Kumars also reached the top of the chart in 2003 for Comic Relief meaning that we have now had three songs so far with a connection to that charity.

Well done both for those 39s. Wednesday: Round 1: 39 💥 Round 2: 33 Closest Thing To Crazy 3 in 10: 2 Toy Boy, So Macho Today: Round 1: 30 Natalie, Music In Me Round 2: 33 Desert, Whitney Houston 3 in 10: 2 Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart, 24 Hours From Tulsa (I've already forgotten the one I listened to last week)

Well done John for today's double 39. Round 1: 39 💥 Round 2: 33 Heatwave, the year 3 in 10: 3 Lessons In Love, Children Say, Running In The Family

14. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris Don't Leave Me This Way was first recorded by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes featuring Theodore Pendergrass in 1975 but their version wasn't a UK hit until January 1977. In February of the same year, Thelma Houston's cover also reached the UK chart and the two singles were in the top 20 at the same time. Harold Melvins's original peaked at number 5 while Thelma's version reached number 13 while also topping the Billboard chart. After leaving Bronski Beat, Jimmy Somerville formed The Communards with Richard Coles. They had two minor hits with 'You Are My World' and 'Disenchanted' before hitting the jackpot with their version of Don't Leave Me This Way. It spent four weeks at number 1 in September and October and was the best selling single of the year. The British singer Sarah Jane Morris joined Jimmy on vocals. The Communards had two more top 10 singles before splitting up in 1988. Richard Coles became a priest and well known TV and radio personality. This version of the song has a hi-NRG beat with some brass instrumentation. Jimmy Somerville has a distinct vocal style and while I don't mind it on 'Smalltown Boy', it does become a bit annoying on this record. Sarah Jane Morris sings in a deeper range and the two of them had a bit of fun on one of their Top Of The Pops performances by miming to each other's vocals. I have now reached the part of my rankings where the songs are OK but not ones I would choose to listen to and this is one that falls into that category.

Rolloland has voted. 10 out of the 12 groups were represented in our vote.

Congratulations to jimwatts who has joined the 20th Century Retro mod team. We are delighted to welcome you onboard.

Thanks. Round 1: 36 Lighthouse Family Round 2: 30 Got To Get You In My Life, Roll To Me 3 in 10: 3 November Rain, Paradise City, Live And Let Die

15. When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going - Billy Ocean Billy Ocean was born in Trinidad and Tobago but moved to the UK with his family at the age of 10. After starting out as a singer in the late 60s, he finally had his first hit single in 1976 with 'Love Really Hurts Without You' which got as high as number 2. Another number 2 hit, 'Red Light Spells Danger', followed in 1977. He had no further top 40 hits until a mid 80s revival with 'Caribbean Queen' (number 6) and Suddenly (number 4). This success led to him being chosen to record the theme song for the film 'The Jewel Of The Nile'. The song was inspired by a line spoken by Kathleen Turner's character in the film, "When the going gets tough, the tough...I don't know what the tough do". It spent four weeks at number 1 in February. The stars of the film, Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito, all appear in the video. Billy Ocean ended up with three US number 1 singles but this isn't one of them, being kept from the top of the chart by Whitney Houston's 'How Will I Know'. By the end of the 80s, his run of top 40 hits came to an end. After having a few near misses, this was a well deserved number 1 for Billy Ocean but it's not a song I've ever liked that much. He sings it well and it has a memorable chorus but it has that rather bland, safe, mid 80s production sound that can be found on many film soundtrack songs. A cover version by Boyzone also reached number 1 in 1999 and that's predictably even worse.

16. Every Loser Wins - Nick Berry Nick Berry joined the cast of Eastenders eight months after its first episode in 1985 playing the part of Simon Wicks, the son of Pete Beale and Pat Butcher (who was yet to appear). In 1986, his character was part of a storyline in which he formed a band with other teenagers, including long running characters Ian Beale and Sharon Watts. After being thrown out of the Queen Vic pub following a gig that caused the electricity supply to be lost and Den Watts to tell them "you're banned", they called themselves The Banned. After quitting the group, Simon Wicks writes a solo song called Every Loser Wins which he performs in the pub. A cassette recording of the song is later played endlessly by Lofty after being jilted at the wedding altar by Michelle Fowler. With Eastenders having millions of viewers, the song was recorded by Nick Berry and swept its way to the top of the chart, spending three weeks at number 1 in October and November, becoming the second best selling single of the year and winning an Ivor Norvello award. Its climb from number 66 to number 4 held a chart record until 2001 when 'It's The Way You Make Me Feel' by Steps climbed from number 72 to number 2. Another song performed by The Banned on the soap, 'Something Outa Nothing', was a number 12 hit for Letitia Dean and Paul J Medford. After moving on to the ITV police drama series Heartbeat, Nick Berry reached number 2 in 1992 with the theme song. He retired from acting and has kept a low profile since then. I think many on here would put this in last place but it's a well written song with an understated vocal performance from Nick. Yes, it's a bit cheesy but I don't mind listening to it and being old enough to have watched Eastenders from its opening episode, there is some nostalgia attached to it. Simon May uses the same electronic drum sound towards the end as he did for the show's theme tune.

16th - 22nd June 1966 28. I Am A Rock - Simon & Garfunkel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlSVNxLB-A Originally a Paul Simon solo track, this has been recorded again with Art Garfunkel. It's an anthem for those of us who prefer to stay in our own homes rather than go out socialising. Musically, there's also lots to like so this is another good song from the duo. 30. It's A Man's Man's Man's World - James Brown and the Famous Flames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H77fRz1rybs Like the previous single, 'I Got You', this failed to make the top 10 but is well known in the 21st Century. The string section is the best part of the song for me. 31. Lana - Roy Orbison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5KhQN600h8 This is a bit lighter than most of his songs, quite a fun tune with that tuba riff and the backing vocals. 32. Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiesKIOSO1g The Chiffons' first hit since 1963 is a well produced pop song with excellent vocal harmonies. It will only get to number 31 but the 1972 re-issue will do much better, reaching number 4. 34. To Make A Big Man Cry - P J Proby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNiQ-6pBzY Another well sung ballad from PJ with big orchestration and female backing vocals. 35. Lady Jane - David Garrick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7CF5nv7Kps A cover of a track from the current Rolling Stones album. He sings it with a posh voice as if he's in a Shakespeare play. The girls in the audience here try not to laugh when he approaches them. The last one he sings to looks more assured so might have been planted there. 38. Sittin' On A Fence - Twice As Much https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElrHUR1kEi4 This is another Rolling Stones cover although this time their version hasn't yet been released. It's very pleasant with the harpsichord, guitars and woodwind instruments backing the duo's vocals. Record of the week : 2. Paperback Writer - The Beatles There hasn't been a Beatles single or album released since Christmas so this would have been long awaited. It's not one of their best songs but still nudges ahead of Sweet Talkin' Guy this week. I like the guitar playing and the vocal effects which include the echo after "writer". Paul McCartney's aunt wanted him to write a song that wasn't about love so here we have the story of an aspiring author sending his book to a publisher. The single will spend two weeks at number 1 but only five in the top 10 and will be the group's lowest selling in the UK since 'Love Me Do'.

17. The Edge Of Heaven - Wham! After nine top 10 singles from 1982 to 1985 including three number 1s, Wham! decided to go their separate ways as George Michael wanted to target a more grown up audience with his solo records. The Edge Of Heaven was their final single, spending two weeks at the top of the chart in July. Wham have come up with some decent pop songs, most notably Young Guns (Go For It), Club Tropicana and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go but this one is a bit of a mess. There's nothing to like here, whether it's George's vocals, the horns or that terrible guitar solo and there are too many "yeah,yeah,yeah"s and "la da da da da"s. It was the right time for them to bring the group to a close.