Danny89

Not in the UK it didn't. The only time it had a proper chance against Yazz was it's first week. Although Kylie's sales did increase the week later, it was too late to catch up with Yazz. The following week "The only way is up" exploded in sales: Kylie spent four weeks behind Yazz at #2. Here are the sales for two hits. Yazz... #1... 54,000... #1... 98,000... #1... 149,000... #1... 126,000... #1... 91,000 Kylie...#2... 52,000... #2... 79,000... #2... 68,000... #2... 54,000... #3... 38,000... #9... 23,000

At the end of TOTP - The Story of 1987, there was a teaser for 1988 which included Yazz and Kylie. When BBC4 get to The story of 1988, I hope that they mention the chart battle between them and how Kylie almost made chart history by nearly becoming the first female soloist to enter at No.1 with "The Loco - Motion". It was very close that week: On the WK Ending 6 August 1988: Kylie was on course to enter in at No.1 with "The Loco - Motion" and of course make chart history. She was pipped to the post by Yazz and the population's "The only way is up". Yazz was at No.10 the previous week, and leapfrogged Kylie at the last minute, jumping nine places to the top spot, selling 54,000 copies. Kylie sold 52,000 copies that week, losing to 2K. So so close! Poor Kylie.

The Simpsons "Do the Bartman" hit the top spot of the U.K. Charts in February 1991. Although the music video for "Do the Bartman" was screened on TOTP, a full episode of the Simpsons would not air on BBC1 until the 23rd November 1996 at 5.30pm. This was the first time that a full episode of "The Simpsons" had aired on terrestrial television. The only way UK viewers could watch it would be on satellite/cable (Sky One), or on home video, which usually consisted of two episodes released by Fox television. The first episode screened on BBC1 was "There's no disgrace like home". It faced competition from ITV which had started showing the new hit show "Sabrina the teenage witch". Sabrina narrowly defeated it in the ratings.

Here's a few more: 'Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers' surprisingly became the 3rd act in chart history to have their first 3 singles go to No.1 after 'Gerry and the pacemakers' and 'Frankie goes to Hollywood'. Fronted by a cartoon rabbit, they also managed to have 3 UK No.1 singles in the shortest space of time, between August - December 1989. That's not all, they were also the biggest selling singles act of 1989! Madonna's "Who's that girl" was (at the time in 1987) the highest debut by a female soloist in UK chart history when it entered at No.3. It went to No.1 the week after. Kylie Minogue did even better the next year in 1988. On the WK Ending 6 August 1988, "The Locomotion" debuted at No.2 after selling 52,000 copies. Kylie was on course to make chart history and become the first female soloist to enter in at No.1. It was pipped to the post by Yazz and the plastic populatation's " The only way is up". Yazz was at No.10 the previous week, and leapfrogged Kylie at the last minute to grab the top spot selling 54,000 copies, 2k more than Kylie. So so close that week. She suffered a similar fate in 1989 because of a cock-up from S/A/W. On the WK Ending 6 May 1989, "Hand on your heart" had 'technically' sold 78,000 copies, but 11,000 sales were discounted because PWL had the cassingle retail price lower than BPI rules, so it's sales were decreased to 67,000 that week. Kylie had debuted at No.2 yet again and failed to make chart history. The Bangles were on their 4th and final week at No.1 with "Eternal Flame" selling 69,000 copies that week. The issue was resolved the following week and Kylie climbed to No.1 selling 103,000 copies.

... Baby one more time was released in the UK on 15th February 1999. The video was played ENDLESSLY on 'The Box' music channel. It seemed to come on every half an hour. I still can't get over those mammoth first week sales.

"Stay out of my life" is criminally underrated, Denise Pearson doesn't get enough credit as a great vocalist. Also the middle-8 from "The Slighest touch" is just pop heaven!

The Xmas chart was kind of flat that year, but there are still classics from Europe, Madonna, The housemartins, Erasure. Here's the top 10 in sales: WK Ending: 27 December 1986 PO: LW: 1. (2) Jackie Wilson... Reet Petite... 122,000 2. (1) The Housemartins... Caravan of love... 108,000 3. (3) Europe... The final countdown... 54,000 4. (4) Madonna... Open your heart... 44,000 5. (5) Erasure... Sometimes... 42,000 6. (6) Oran 'Juice' Jones... The rain... 38,000 7. (10) A-ha... Cry Wolf... 38,000 8. (12) Alison Moyet... Is this love?... 37,000 9. (7) Gregory Abbott... Shake you down... 37,000 10. (9) Bon Jovi... Livin' on a prayer... 34,000

I wonder how they will be deal with Jive Bunny's "Let's Party" from 1989. It was Xmas No.2 after being No.1 for a week. Band Aid 2 dethroned it. Gary Glitter's "Another rock and roll Christmas" features in the song I think.

The enjoyable part was the build-up during the week. It wasn't even about the song itself. 1998, 2000, 2003 & 2009 stick out when I remember HUGE chart battles. Xmas 2003 in general was amazing after a fall in physical sales from 2002. Off the top of my head we had: Ozzy/Kelly osbourne, sugababes, atomic kitten, evanescence, Christina aguilera, Blue/Stevie wonder, Cheeky girls, The darkness, Michael Andrews/Gary jules, Bo selecta etc and many more I've probably forgotten. Oh yes, the idols were favourites at first to be Xmas No.1, and then quickly we realised that was not going to happen. They eventually peaked at No.5. The battle between The Darkness & Michael Andrews is one of my favourite charts ever. The daily reports seemed anything could happen, with both songs swapping places, and so so close between the two. Michael Andrews ultimately won by 227,500 a 5K victory over The Darkness.

I've enjoyed most of his singles surprisingly. 'Dear darlin' is easily my favourite. The middle-8 just elevates the song even more. 'Seasons' is criminally underrated, it should've performed a lot better. 'Please don't let me go' was awful though. I was so pissed it beat 'Teenage dream' by Katy Perry to the top spot!

Viva Forever >>>>> 2 Become 1 >>>>> Goodbye. I like their ballads a lot more. Wannabe has aged badly. I still have strong memories of it though. 'The Box' music channel played this literally ever half an hour. They also pushed back the release of 'Spice up your life' to make sure it stood a chance against 'Candle in the wind'. 1997/98 were both classic years in terms of music and sales.

I'll never forget the first time watching the video on The Box music channel, in the days you needed to call to request videos. It seemed to be on that channel every 30 minutes. It must be one of the most requested video ever, there was so much hype before it's release, which resulted into that MAMMOTH first week sale.

What an amazing week. It is one of my all-time favourite charts, and one of the best No.1 Singles ever. I remember Cher on the national lottery performing it, THAT song was just a monster! It was everywhere, 1998 was a classic year anyway. It's interesting that "... Baby one more time" and "Believe" were released in the UK four months apart and both became massive sellers. I'll never forget seeing Britney Spears on The Box music channel for the first time, it must be one of the most requested videos ever. There was so much hype leading up to it before it's release, which resulted in that mammoth first week sale.

I loathe that Calum Scott version with a passion! Why it sold so well I'll never know? I'm glad that "Be Mine" is high on the list, it's such an overlooked classic.

'Like a Prayer' >>>>>> Everything else. I have a soft spot for 'Who's that girl' even though it's not one of my favourites. It remindes me of an unfinished demo version of 'La Isla bonita.' The middle- 8 elevates the song, I suppose Madonna could release anything at that stage and get to No.1.

With Mutya Buena now appearing on 'Celebs go dating', it's reminded me that 'Hole in the head' hit No.1 15 years ago this week! I loved the 'Three' era. How time flies by...

I remember this week very well, a great chart! I'm sure in the early midweeks, Rachel was leading early on but B.E.P quickly caught up. 2003 was a fantastic year anyway, shame sales were so low overall. After 2002 single sales just collapsed. I loved "Sweet dreams" and "So good" was amazing too, peaked at #11! What a shame :( I've forgotten how big Rachel Stevens was initially, the papers were always reporting various feuds she was involved in and celebs slagging her off!! :lol:

I don't know where to post this, but I have an old chart question. On the W/K Ending: 30 November 1991- Michael Jackson entered in at No. 1 with "Dangerous" Album after being on sale for only 3 days ( it was released in UK on 21 November 1991). Does anyone know how much it sold that week, and also how much U2 "Achtung Baby" sold that week when it entered in at No.2

I'm still pissed that "Anywhere" didn't go to No.1. Easily her best since " I will never let you down". It was so close aswell, if only ITunes had reduced the price. "Havana" was so overrated!

It's funny you mentioned that about The Box, I've suspected that labels would call the selection numbers. No they don't do this anymore, I noticed around 2005 this was phased out. An unknown act at the time that would be played on the box, then debut in the top 10/20 then drop rapidly the next week. Many video requests were made as the numbers would show on the screen. I would also try and count but I could never keep up. :lol:

I still enjoy Xmas chart battles, Spice girls vs Chef (South Park), Bob the Builder vs Westlife, Michael Andrews/Gary Jules vs Darkness & Rage vs Joe Mcelderry all great weeks. In the streaming era this will decrease. I do think though one day Mariah Carey could finally get to No.1. One thing that has not been mentioned is how music channels were beneficial for chart success. The Box (music channel) played a huge importance for a song doing well. Each Friday new videos were added to the playlist selection at least 6 weeks before release.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS! Also pretty random I know but Cineworld cinema will be re-releasing Halloween (1978) for 40th anniversary. A special showing will be on Wednesday 10th October, check website and type it should be there.

I can't stand the prick personally, but 'Jacob Rees Mogg' would be TV Gold if he ever went in.

There is an old forgotten show that nobody seems to remember called 'Eerie Indiana'. The lead male actor was in 'Hocus Pocus'. I loved this when I was younger, it was first shown on Channel 4 in 1993 on a Tuesday ( I think?). It was repeated ENDLESSLY throughout the 90s mostly popping up in the school holidays/Easter/Summer/Xmas. I think it was last shown around 99/2000. It could easily be updated now.

Unpopular opinion, but the answer is NO. I miss the days when chart battles were common and many new entries arrived, not just the top 10 but the in the whole Top 40 Chart. My favourite chart era will always be 1996-2003. One of my favs was in 1998, when Cher went to NO.1 with Believe, many new entries & Comebacks from older artists. That would NEVER happen now. :( :(