jaynesangel

Did think it was on the low side! My general rule of thumb for rumours ... in a tabloid, approach with caution; in a broadsheet, more plausible. Is this the inner snob in me coming out?

How good would it be for record companies to have a Saturday early evening show to highlight music ... people hear a song on Saturday evening and download it on Sunday. Oh, for Top of the Pops to back on TV! I remember reading in 1996 how valuable a slot on the BBC lottery show was ... think it was The Times who highlighted the performance of MeatLoaf's single (can't remember it) and Suggs' Cecilia. After performing these songs on the lottery show both soared up the charts. As for itunes ... from personal experience I buy from itunes because my wife buys me vouchers (which are easily and readily available in supermarkets) for presents. Perhaps amazon needs something similar?

Rooney, funny you should mention that ... Real are offering Robben to tempt Liverpool into selling Alonso. Barcelona are offering Eto'o for Mascherano and according to the Mail and the Star Liverpool are going to step up their pursuit of Glen Johnson. And I have seen Liverpool preparing to buy Crouch for 4 million. Of course these are all rumours ... take with a liberal dose of sodium chloride ... gotta love the silly summer season <_<

Have read in various papers that Liverpool are going to sign Distin, Tuncay and Gary O'Neil. Don't exactly set the pulse racing ... though neither did Agger and Skertel when Liverpool signed them and I think they're good players.

The BBC football website has a page with the tabloid rumours - a great read. My rule of thumb is if it involves my club (Liverpool) buying a player I like I believe it; if it involves Liverpool selling a player I like I take it with a pinch of salt. I'll be annoyed if the rumour that Xabi Alonso is leaving for Real Madrid for 23 million if Perez is elected president, is true. He had a great season. Glad we didn't sell him to Arsenal. The Sun had a story (reported on Radio 1's Newsbeat as a rumour) that Liverpool would sign Tevez for 50 million. Surely not?

To me, as a Liverpool fan, the season seemed to be in two parts. The first part saw Liverpool play with a fairly cautious approach which resulted in a number of frustrating draws. The second half, from the 1-0 victory in Madrid, saw Liverpool play with the bit between their teeth, control games, worked hard and seemed to have a positive approach. Will Rafa revert to the cautious approach or approach every game like they have since their 4-1 defeat of Man Utd?

Thanks for all the columns, Good delta - was one of my first ports of call on a Sunday night. Love the idea of a end of the year review ... I remember James Masterton did a top 30 of the year's best sellers - I have a hard copy of his 1997 edition.

Just a few random thoughts re: TOTP. I don't think TOTP is dead, merely sleeping. Take a look at the second highest rated tv programme of the day (Dr Who). Cancelled in 1989 due to poor ratings (amongst other reasons) and brought back in 2005. I doubt many fans would've predicted that it would return to such a critical and ratings success. TOTP can return with the correct format and presenters who really connect with the audience. The music industry needs and wants TOTP. One of the only places to get music on primetime is X-Factor but you're not likely to hear Bloc Party's latest single on it. While people knocked TOTP for being naff it was a great leveller - songs appeared because of their position in the charts irrelevant of genre. People made fun of TOTP for years -it was uncool, played novelty tunes and certain acts wouldn't appear and yet most within the music industry would give their arm and leg to have a music show on primetime in 2008. As Bart Simpson said 'The ironing is delicious'. The BBC should not be driven by ratings - it is funded by the licence fee and is not reliant on ratings and commercial revenue as other stations are. Slightly off topic - I believe last year's Dr Who Christmas special scored a 13.2million rating which starred Kylie Minogue. Obviously Kylie was responsible for the extra viewers last year. Someone on Buzzjack will appreciate that ...

I think Geraldine and Take That will record a track for Comic Relief - Relight my fire? Also, Band Aid 25 to have the Christmas number one ... chances of that happening - slim and none and slim left town.

It's easy to remember the biggest hits/ number ones but which songs on the Now series to you think are long forgotten by most people but still sound pretty darn. good? Here's three to start. Phixx - Hold on me (Now 56) Still sounds a great, overlooked pop record. I alawys thought this record came a few years too late ... 2003 wasn't the time for a boyband to release a chart topping number one. Got to number 10 if memory seves me. They had three follow up hits including a cover of Duran Duran's 'Wild Boys'. Ainslie Henderson - Keep me a secret (Now 54) Ainslie was part of BBC's Fame Academy and this was his only hit, reaching number 5 in 2003. Reminds me of a song which should be played on a summer's day. if you're going to be a one hit wonder it might as well be as good as this. Scarlet - Independent Love Song (Now 30) Just checked Polyhex about this group. I wasn't really into chart watching at this time. Didn't realise this only reached number 12 (would've guessed Top Ten) and also didn't realise they had 4 singles (never heard the other three). Anyone know anything about this group (think it was a female duet...) So there's three to start ... any others which should be brought back to our attention?

To celebrate the silver anniversary of the greatest compilation series ... which one is your favourite? Mine is Now 39 (released Spring 1998). Contained million selling singles Never Ever, Perfect Day, It's like that and Barbie Girl. Also had number one from Cornershop. Other memorable singles: Angels, Torn, Let me entertain you, Mulder and Scully and Kiss the rain. That's my favourite ... what's yours?

Great read as always. I know this is incredibly pedantic but Enya has had two number ones ... as well as the one you mentioned she received a featured credit on Mario Winans 2004 number one 'i don't wanna know'.

Great read, as always, Good Delta. Don't know if this has been said on Buzzjack but Pink also records the biggest climb within The Top 40. Previous record holder was Embrace's official World Cup Song, World at your feet (2006).It jumped 38-3. Before that it was Shakin' Stevens 'You drive me crazy' which moved 39-5 (1981). I remember this chart fact from Music Week in 2006. I used Polyhex to check Shakin' Stevens single.

Think McFly topped the download charts when they released 'Dont' stop me now'. Just noticed Elvis Presley lower down the charts - was this a physical release?

Fantastic read - as always! It's now my first stop on a Sunday night.

Dance with me was used on Strictly Come Dancing ... not sure who danced to it!