Ghoulian

Glad Sienna has overtaken “Boston” which is terribly pedestrian for me.

Nope. One caller said they knew it couldn’t last for ever but dodn’t expect it to happen via such a big drop.

“Jolene” is my favourite of the Dolly hits; shame it couldn’t quite go top 5 for the first time.

Not a huge fan of “Islands…” but looks like we’re in for 2 nice new peaks for 2 truly great Dolly songs. ❤️

Not a bad hold for “Marianne” at all. Enjoying “Stop The Wedding” - hope it can keep climbing. “My Body Isn’t Ready” has grown on me so glad it’s having some legs.

My notes on Cyprus: Year Artist Song Language Final Points Semi Points 1981 Island "Monika" (Μόνικα) Greek 6 69 No semi-finals Sounds a bit like an early ABBA number from this mixed group: sweet but twee 1982 Anna Vissi "Mono i agapi" (Μόνο η αγάπη) Greek 5 85 Top 10 1983 Stavros and Constantina "I agapi akoma zi" (Η αγάπη ακόμα ζει) Greek 16 26 A duet plus backing singers creating a rich vocal sound on this rather unremarkable jolly number 1984 Andy Paul "Anna Mari-Elena" (Άννα Μαρί-Έλενα) Greek 15 31 An old fashioned romantic ballad performed quite sweetly 1985 Lia Vissi "To katalava arga" (Το κατάλαβα αργά) Greek 16 15 Again a very nicely performed but distinctly dated and forgettable song 1986 Elpida "Tora zo" (Τώρα ζω) Greek 20 4 Their only last place: I like the drumming and chanting but the rest is less memorable 1987 Alexia "Aspro mavro" (Άσπρο μαύρο) Greek 7 80 A more energetic and well written song that got them back into the top 10 1989 Fanny Polymeri and Yiannis Savvidakis "Apopse as vrethoume" (Απόψε ας βρεθούμε) Greek 11 51 Another more old fashioned and twee number presented as a duet 1990 Anastazio "Milas poli" (Μιλάς πολύ) Greek 14 36 This sounds rather like a SAW production: it's fairly cheesy 1991 Elena Patroklou "S.O.S." Greek 9 60 A grand orchestral accompaniment and I quite enjoy the song but it's fairly standard 1992 Evridiki "Teriazoume" (Ταιριάζουμε) Greek 11 57 Top 10 1993 Zymboulakis and Van Beke "Mi stamatas" (Μη σταματάς) Greek 19 17 This feels like it's trying too hard, with all the singers belting, and the song isn't anything special 1994 Evridiki "Ime anthropos ki ego" (Είμαι άνθρωπος κι εγώ) Greek 11 51 Top 10 1995 Alexandros Panayi "Sti fotia" (Στη φωτιά) Greek 9 79 Top 10 1996 Constantinos "Mono gia mas" (Μόνο για μας) Greek 9 72 15 42 Quite a charming performance from a future boyband member but a fairly dull song 1997 Hara and Andreas Konstantinou "Mana mou" (Μάνα μου) Greek 5 98 No semi-finals Top 10 1998 Michael Hajiyanni "Genesis" (Γένεσις) Greek 11 37 An atmospheric accompaniment and big dramatic performance of an ordinary power ballad 1999 Marlain "Tha'ne erotas" (Θα'ναι έρωτας) Greek 22 2 I like the dreamy instrumental but it's unremarkable dance pop 2000 Voice "Nomiza" (Νόμιζα) Greek, Italian 21 8 Another that seems to be trying too hard, and it becomes a little shouty 2002 One "Gimme" English 6 85 A very vigorous boyband performance, but not an exciting song 2003 Stelios Constantas "Feeling Alive" English 20 15 This feels very early 2000s with its slightly formulaic chorus 2004 Lisa Andreas "Stronger Every Minute" English 5 170 5 149 This did extremely well: it's a very well performed ballad but it doesn't do very much for me 2005 Constantinos Christoforou "Ela Ela" English 18 46 Top 12 in 2004 final[a] Top 10 2006 Annet Artani "Why Angels Cry" English Failed to qualify 15 57 A rather clichéd and slightly oversung Mariah style track 2007 Evridiki "Comme ci, comme ça" French 15 65 A pop dance track that again sounds a little formulaic 2008 Evdokia Kadi "Femme Fatale" Greek 15 36 Top 10 2009 Christina Metaxa "Firefly" English 14 32 Quite sweet and I enjoy the twinkling of the fireflies, but a little Disney 2010 Jon Lilygreen and the Islanders "Life Looks Better in Spring" English 21 27 10 67 A rather mundane guitar led song that at least ended their DNQ run 2011 Christos Mylordos "San aggelos s'agapisa" (Σαν άγγελος σ'αγάπησα) Greek Failed to qualify 18 16 I quite enjoy the wailing lady but that part and what the boyband is doing don't seem to fit together 2012 Ivi Adamou "La La Love" English 16 65 7 91 Top 10 2013 Despina Olympiou "An me thimasai" (Aν με θυμάσαι) Greek Failed to qualify 15 11 A nicely done and sweet but not very distinctive ballad 2015 John Karayiannis "One Thing I Should Have Done" English 22 11 6 87 A slightly saccharine and drippy number that isn't my thing 2016 Minus One "Alter Ego" English 21 96 8 164 I quite like the rocky accompaniment and the performance but the poppy chorus ruins the intensity 2017 Hovig "Gravity" English 21 68 5 164 Quite a slick and well executed pop song, but not one that stands out 2018 Eleni Foureira "Fuego" English 2 436 2 262 Top 10 2019 Tamta "Replay" English 13 109 9 149 This had the same producer as "Fuego" and it's quite good but definitely a lesser version of that 2020 Sandro "Running" English Contest cancelled This doesn't really come to life and it sounds very late 2010s 2021 Elena Tsagrinou "El Diablo" English 16 94 6 170 Giving your heart to the devil is a decent song but the execution is rather bland 2022 Andromache "Ela" (Έλα) English, Greek Failed to qualify 12 63 This has a Balkan feel to it 2023 Andrew Lambrou "Break a Broken Heart" English 12 126 7 94 Actually their 2nd best result in the last 20 years: quite good but too much falsetto 2024 Silia Kapsis "Liar" English 15 78 6 67 Another that feels suspiciously like it's trying to recreate "Fuego", and it doesn't pop for me 2025 Theo Evan "Shh" English Failed to qualify 11 44 Top 10 2026 Antigoni "Jalla" (Κι άλλα) English, Greek 19 75 10 122 A catchy song but the vocals aren't great and overall there isn't a whole lot to it

Yeah they’re probably just re-stating last week’s top 2 and assuming it will be beteeen them with no advance knowledge at all.

I did a top 40 of ‘60s top 40 hits when I came to the end of reviewing them all, more than 2 years ago now gah! I imagine some of my preferences will have changed slightly since. 1 Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues 2 God Only Knows - The Beach Boys 3 Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles 4 Telstar - The Tornadoes 5 I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - Dusty Springfield 6 Theme From 'A Summer Place'- Percy Faith 7 Stand By Me - Ben E King 8 (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones 9 In Dreams - Roy Orbison 10 I Say A Little Prayer For You - Aretha Franklin 11 Something / Come Together - The Beatles 12 Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out - The Beatles 13 The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel 14 These Boots Were Made For Walking - Nancy Sinatra 15 Downtown - Petula Clark 16 Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison 17 California Dreamin’ - The Mamas And The Papas 18 Space Oddity - David Bowie 19 (Sitting On )The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding 20 Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto 21 The Carnival Is Over - The Seekers 22 Reach Out I’ll Be There - The Four Tops 23 You Really Got Me - The Kinks 24 Runaway - Del Shannon 25 Wonderful Land - The Shadows 26 Daydream Believer - The Monkees 27 End Of The World - Skeeter Davis 28 Be My Baby - The Ronettes 29 Paint It, Black - The Rolling Stones 30 Nut Rocker - B Bumble And The Stingers 31 Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan 32 All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience 33 It’s Over - Roy Orbison 34 True Love Ways - Buddy Holly 35 Dedicated To The One I Love - The Mamas And The Papas 36 I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield 37 Wonderful World - Sam Cooke 38 Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet 39 Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles 40 You Can’t Hurry Love - The Supremes

I do like both “I Could Be The One” and “Counting Stars” actually, but I can see why they’re low at the same time. The former I like the sound of the vocals and the song has a sweet and sincere vibe to it. The latter I like the lyrics and the rhythmic flow. They’re both towards the poppier end of my taste though.

I also don’t mind “Do The Bartman”. As novelty goes it’s quite well done and not boring or cringeworthy. Not sure how much higher I’d have it as I can’t immediately recall the whole list. I do know there’s one of my favourite ever triple back to backs which I hope all finish high.

One of my favourite songs of all time.

“Venus In Furs” is the surprise for me. I’m not very familiar with that track or album and clearly should be. Otherwise it’s pretty much what I already knew you loved!

I had a listen to this one randomly as I was intrigued by it coming last and it’s a beautiful track. 😢

Guess “Jolene” and “9 To 5” will probably land at #5 and #6 respectively, so 2 nice new peaks at least. I do like “Choosin’ Texas” so fine with it getting #1 if it does, though I prefer “Great Expectation”. Seems the latter might get there next week anyway. Happy for those 2 to do a tag team in blocking the other 2 contenders.

Taylor watch Album 2024 2025 2026 to Week 35 The Life Of A Showgirl N/A 1 23 The Tortured Poets Department 1 26 79 1989 (Taylor's Version) 15 79 - Lover 17 62 - Folklore 19 44 91 Midnights 22 72 - Reputation 27 54 - Evermore 49 - - Red (Taylor's Version) 63 - - 1989 75 - - Speak Now (Taylor's Version) 88 - -

Jessica for me - imagine coming out with spangling so dull as your flagship lead single.

I can only assume that Jim is including the better hidden second A side in his ranking of a certain song to come, which is surely otherwise one of the worst #1s of all time. Not that “I Wanna Sex You Up” deserves any praise either; it’s bad in all respects. Edit: ah yes the OP confirms the double A inclusion.

Week 35: 1 1 Michael Jackson The Essential 467,000 2,570,000 2 2 Olivia Dean The Art Of Loving 463,000 740,000 3 3 Harry Styles Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. 381,000 4 4 Fleetwood Mac 50 Years: Don't Stop 281,000 2,110,000 5 5 Olivia Rodrigo You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love 265,000 6 6 The Weeknd Highlights 241,000 1,830,000 7 7 Ed Sheeran +-=÷x (Tour Collection) 223,000 740,000 8 8 Alex Warren You'll Be Alright Kid (Chapter 1) 199,000 500,000 9 9 Noah Kahan The Great Divide 195,000 10 10 Sabrina Carpenter Man's Best Friend 193,000 500,000 11 11 Oasis Time Flies... 1994-2009 186,000 2,600,000 12 12 Linkin Park Papercuts 179,000 570,000 13 13 Noah Kahan Stick Season 169,000 890,000 14 14 ABBA Gold 165,000 6,310,000 15 15 Elton John Diamonds 164,000 2,090,000 16 16 Michael Jackson Thriller 161,000 4,910,000 17 17 Sabrina Carpenter Short n' Sweet 160,000 1,050,000 18 18 Fleetwood Mac Rumours 158,000 3,710,000 19 19 Oasis (What's The Story) Morning Glory 150,000 5,770,000 20 20 BTS Arirang 144,000 21 21 Drake Iceman 142,000 22 22 Michael Jackson Bad 142,000 4,590,000 23 23 Taylor Swift The Life Of A Showgirl 136,000 780,000 24 25 Arctic Monkeys AM 134,000 2,460,000 25 24 Raye This Music May Contain Hope 133,000 26 26 Tate McRae So Close To What 131,000 390,000 27 27 Eminem Curtain Call: The Hits 130,000 3,660,000 28 28 Olivia Rodrigo Sour 128,000 1,380,000 29 29 Pitbull Greatest Hits 126,000 750,000 30 30 Olivia Rodrigo Guts 126,000 820,000 31 31 Sombr I Barely Know Her 119,000 210,000 32 32 Maroon 5 Singles 119,000 1,110,000 33 33 50 Cent Best Of 50 Cent 117,000 880,000 34 34 Calvin Harris 96 Months 110,000 340,000 35 35 Queen Greatest Hits 108,000 3,320,000 36 36 Katy Perry Teenage Dream 107,000 2,140,000 37 37 Red Hot Chili Peppers Greatest Hits 106,000 2,420,000 38 40 Katy Perry The Ones That Got The Plays 103,000 39 38 Bruno Mars Doo-Wops & Hooligans 102,000 2,530,000 40 39 Oasis Definitely Maybe 101,000 3,120,000 54 55 Bob Marley And The Wailers Legend 88,000 3,500,000 63 76 Sienna Spiro Visitor 83,000 76 86 Ariana Grande Petal 77,000 93 96 Ella Langley Dandelion 69,000 100 - Nirvana Nirvana 65,000 1,620,000 - 100 Taylor Swift Lover 65,000 1,070,000

Think Jim and I are comfortably top 2 in the Bop Idol league but haven’t worked it out.

I like James Arthur’s voice too, and the “Impossible” cover isn’t bad as those things go. At least it has some character unlike Sam Bailey’s. “The Monster” is actually really drab.

Week 35: 1 1 Olivia Dean Man I Need 1,693,000 2,790,000 2 2 Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Rein Me In 1,616,000 2,300,000 3 3 Alex Warren Ordinary 1,062,000 3,240,000 4 4 Raye Where Is My Husband! 1,042,000 1,650,000 5 5 Dave featuring Tems Raindance 1,007,000 1,240,000 6 6 Olivia Dean So Easy (To Fall In Love) 948,000 1,320,000 7 7 Bella Kay Iloveitiloveitiloveit 927,000 8 8 Zara Larsson Lush Life 896,000 3,940,000 9 9 Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast Golden 891,000 2,220,000 10 10 Taylor Swift The Fate Of Ophelia 869,000 1,620,000 11 11 PinkPantheress Stateside 784,000 910,000 12 12 Olivia Dean Nice To Each Other 763,000 1,540,000 13 13 Djo End Of Beginning 751,000 1,930,000 14 14 Tame Impala Dracula 737,000 870,000 15 15 Sombr Homewrecker 726,000 16 16 Bruno Mars I Just Might 704,000 17 17 Sombr 12 To 12 690,000 1,220,000 18 18 Zara Larsson Midnight Sun 682,000 780,000 19 19 Sienna Spiro Die On This Hill 654,000 820,000 20 20 Harry Styles American Girls 634,000 21 21 Alex Warren Fever Dream 632,000 22 23 Ella Langley Choosin' Texas 628,000 660,000 23 22 Michael Jackson Billie Jean 620,000 4,140,000 24 24 The Killers Mr Brightside 599,000 7,400,000 25 26 Dominic Fike Babydoll 578,000 1,320,000 26 25 Taylor Swift Opalite 577,000 990,000 27 27 Sombr Back To Friends 561,000 1,470,000 28 29 Disco Lines and Tinashe No Broke Boys 556,000 1,280,000 29 28 Harry Styles Aperture 554,000 30 30 Milky Just The Way You Are 532,000 640,000 31 31 Fleetwood Mac Dreams 521,000 4,460,000 32 32 Goo Goo Dolls Iris 517,000 5,080,000 33 33 Benson Boone Beautiful Things 506,000 3,440,000 34 34 Sabrina Carpenter Manchild 502,000 1,310,000 35 36 Olivia Rodrigo Drop Dead 502,000 36 35 Ravyn Lenae Love Me Not 499,000 1,640,000 37 38 Chappell Roan Pink Pony Club 486,000 2,290,000 38 37 Dominic Fike White Keys 484,000 490,000 39 39 Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj Beauty And A Beat 479,000 1,720,000 40 40 Justin Bieber Daisies 474,000 980,000 49 52 ANOTR featuring 54 Ultra Talk To You 408,000 51 53 Prospa & Cloonee Free Your Mind 405,000 58 59 Vance Joy Riptide 387,000 5,130,000 66 67 Malcolm Todd Earrings 366,000 390,000 67 74 Ariana Grande Hate That I Made You Love Me 365,000 91 - Shakira & Burna Boy Dai Dai 327,000 96 98 Taylor Swift I Knew It, I Knew You 322,000 100 - Olivia Rodrigo Stupid Song 318,000 - 99 Journey Don't Stop Believin' 313,000 4,610,000 - 100 Stereophonics Dakota 309,000 3,060,000

3/9: 1 1 Rein me in (1) 2 2 Man I need (1) 3 3 Dai dai (2) 4 5 Movin’ to the sun (4) 5 4 Choosin’ Texas (4) 6 8 Boston (6) 7 12 Great expectation (7) 8 6 Stupid song (2) 9 7 Ordinary (1) 10 9 Hate that I made you love me (1) 11 11 Free your mind (8) 12 10 Talk to you (5) 13 13 The cure (3) 14 17 Midnight sun (8) 15 14 Where is my husband! (3) 16 18 Mr Brightside (10) 17 20 So easy (5) 18 - Jolene (7) 19 15 On 2nite (15) 20 23 Homewrecker (10) 21 16 Billie Jean (1) 22 19 Loser (19) 23 22 Lush life (3) 24 21 Material lover (21) 25 24 Iloveitiloveitiloveit (2) 26 - 9 to 5 (26) 27 26 Golden (1) 28 - Islands in the stream (7) 29 35 Die on this hill (12) 30 32 Earrings (26) 31 29 Raindance (2) 32 27 Drop dead (1) 33 25 Animal (25) 34 33 Iris (3) 35 31 Nice to each other (5) 36 39 12 to 12 (8) 37 34 The fate of Ophelia (1) 38 38 Dreams (22) 39 30 Dracula (4) 40 45 Bloodsream (40) 41 42 Beautiful things (1) 42 41 Fever dream (4) 43 37 Wonderwall (2) 44 43 I knew it, I knew you (1) 45 40 American girls (1) 46 44 Beauty and a beat (5) 47 - Marianne (47) 48 48 Everywhere (4) 49 28 Petal (5) 50 50 I just might (7)

“The Riddle” just has such a timeless sound to it and has to win this group. “Blasphemous Rumours” would be up there too though it’s twin, while also excellent, makes the overall package an 8. 9 Nik Kershaw The Riddle An incredibly well constructed song and his best I think: interestingly he has said that the lyrics are nonsense 8 Depeche Mode Blasphemous Rumours/Somebody A wonderful double A: "Blasphemous Rumours" is brilliantly dark, and the other side is an excellent ballad 8 The Pointer Sisters I'm So Excited This song is an adrenaline rush and their most streamed and best for me: amazing that it missed the Top 10 8 Heaven 17 This Is Mine Their last Top 40 this decade and I found this a grower and a track with a very warm and sincere feeling to it 7 Duran Duran Wild Boys Yet another huge hit for them: this doesn't reinvent their sound at all but it's a dramatic track all the same 7 Gary Numan Berserker The lead from his 6th album and rather an underperformance, but it's a very strong and striking synth track 7 Eurythmics Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four) From their "1984" film soundtrack album: an interesting track that uses sampling techniques and works well 6 Matt Bianco Half A Minute Another enjoyable and classy though not hugely memorable track from them, with a lovely jazzy sound to it 6 Jim Diamond I Should Have Known Better 541st #1: debut solo hit for this Scottish singer and an emotive, slightly clunky song that has grown on me 6 The Human League Louise All their singles this year have missed the Top 10: I love the storytelling on this one but musically it's ordinary 5 The Dazz Band Let It All Blow Only hit for this US funk band: this is one where I find the production stands out more than the song itself 5 Iron Maiden Aces High This is from the point of view of an RAF pilot in the war: it's a pretty good track but very much their usual fare 4 Chicago Hard Habit To Break Their 5th Top 10 hit in their usual soft rock style: this is fine for its style but not something I would revisit 3 Alvin Stardust I Won't Run Away His 7th Top 10: it has quite a nice tune but it really does feel limp and soppy and like it belongs in the '70s 2 Slade All Join Hands Their last '80s hit: a similar style to "My Oh My" here and it's trying to be anthemic but ends up being turgid 2 The Temptations Treat Her Like A Lady Their last new Top 40 on their own and unfortunately very passé and not enjoyable lyrically or sonically 1984 Group 19: #1540 10/11/1984 Murray Head One Night In Bangkok 12 53-39-27-17-16-{12}-14-15-15-16-30-43-53-74R(2)->14 #1541 27/10/1984 Huey Lewis And The News If This Is It 39 62-45-45-40-{39}-50->6 #1542 24/11/1984 Shakin' Stevens Teardrops 5 24-7-{5}-7-11-16-20-27-71->9 #1543 17/11/1984 Tina Turner Private Dancer 26 56-32-31-{26}-30-35-37-42-50->9 17/11/1984 Sister Sledge We Are Family {1984} 33 41-{33}-38-55->4 #1544 03/11/1984 Nick Heyward Warning Sign 25 65-47-45-34-{25}-27-46-64-72R(2)->9 #1545 24/11/1984 Kool And The Gang Fresh 11 35-19-12-{11}-12-13-14-12-24-39-50-74->12 #1546 17/11/1984 Madonna Like A Virgin 3 51-36-27-8-5-4-5-4-{3}-4-7-9-15-23-31-38-53-68->18 #1547 10/11/1984 The Kane Gang Respect Yourself 21 54-44-38-24-{21}-26-28-38-31-41-75R(2)->11 #1548 01/12/1984 Frankie Goes To Hollywood The Power Of Love 1 3-{1}-3-5-6-7-10-20-35-45-64-64R(2)->12 #1549 24/11/1984 Black Lace Do The Conga 10 48-26-15-13-{10}-14-13-18-53->9 #1550 01/12/1984 Big Country Where The Rose Is Sown 29 35-{29}-34-40-50-48-47->7 #1551 01/12/1984 Culture Club The Medal Song 32 37-{32}-42-62-74R(2)->5 #1552 24/11/1984 Paul McCartney And The Frog Chorus We All Stand Together 3 50-39-9-4-{3}-3-3-5-11-27-33-42-61->13 #1553 01/12/1984 Alison Moyet Invisible 21 40-24-25-23-26-25-{21}-25-37-54->10 #1554 08/12/1984 Spandau Ballet Round And Round 18 23-19-19-22-{18}-20-33-48->8 #1555 08/12/1984 Thompson Twins Lay Your Hands On Me 13 30-20-20-19-16-{13}-23-42-68->9

Think he’s already labelled you 8th though in the 9th row! Thanks dandy* and congrats Jim. A really enjoyable edition.

Well I’ve come last in this contest twice before already so why not to the hatrick? 😃 Definitely rooting for Leonard of the contenders - it might have even got my 12 if I hadn’t already known it from my mum’s collection!