Here is the Top 40 Countdown
Sam Smith stays at number one for a second week, do we have an early contender for Christmas number one?
Eight eligible records this week, three climbers which featured two weeks ago and four new entries. Amongst the new entries is Craig David who appeared on Top of the Pops when it was actually on.
New (24) Niall Horan - Too Much To Ask
⬆ (12) Chris Brown - Questions
New (35) Craig David - Heartline
⬆ (7) Camila Cabello ft Young Thug - Havana
New (39) XXXtentacion - Jocelyn Flores
⬆ (29) Marshmello ft Khalid - Silence
New (5) Post Malone ft 21 Savage - Rockstar
(1) Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes
Thursday 28 September 2017
Tuesday 26 September 2017
UK Singles Chart: The 1980s
For me the 80s has always been a decade of 2 halves, the half I remember and the half I don't. However, it would seem these are the 2 halves of the 80s from a music perspective as well.
The so called big four began their chart careers at various points between 1980-82 but their time of glory all finished in 1986 with Wham! and Culture Club splitting, Spandau Ballet having just one minor hit left in them and a Duran Duran in decline which no longer had the classic lineup.
The synth pop sound started to gradually build from the start of the decade with new acts establishing themselves year after year without the older ones still relevant, but then in 1986 along come Pet Shop Boys and Erasure and its very much out with the old and in with the new.
It's well documented how Stock Aitken & Waterman dominated the charts in the late 80s and does take some credit for killing off pop music from the earlier part of the decade. The difference though was it was no longer about the names, it was more to do with the fact they were from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp.
This was somewhat reflected in the house music which possibly had something to do with the decline of synth pop. The artists behind these tracks were mainly faceless, MARRS had a number one with "Pump Up the Volume" but how many people could name a single member or recognise any of them down the street. Also, how many people knew that Black Box, Starlight and Mixmaster were all the same people.
Interestingly the three acts who scored a hit every year in the 80s were acts that didn't really fit in with any 80s scene. There was Cliff Richard who started out in the 50s, Shakin Stevens who was essentially a 50s act in the 80s and UB40 a reggae group not from Jamaica.
The same could be said of the older acts that had a good chart run in the 80s such as David Bowie, Elton John, Status Quo, Queen and Rod Stewart who all had over 30 hits to their name by the end of the decade. None of the 60s acts managed to do this in the 70s with Frank Sinatra and Lonnie Donegan being third and fourth in terms of most hits despite their chart careers being as good as over.
What is surprising is the lack of Hip Hop we had in the charts throughout the decade. It was clearly an established genre give the likes of Blondie and Adam & the Ants were getting in on the act, not to mention the novelty records. When the number of Hip Hop records did increase towards the end of the decade it seemed somewhat overshadowed by Hip House.
So its the 90s next, a decade we know the quantity of hits went up and a decade I can remember in it's entirety.
The so called big four began their chart careers at various points between 1980-82 but their time of glory all finished in 1986 with Wham! and Culture Club splitting, Spandau Ballet having just one minor hit left in them and a Duran Duran in decline which no longer had the classic lineup.
The synth pop sound started to gradually build from the start of the decade with new acts establishing themselves year after year without the older ones still relevant, but then in 1986 along come Pet Shop Boys and Erasure and its very much out with the old and in with the new.
It's well documented how Stock Aitken & Waterman dominated the charts in the late 80s and does take some credit for killing off pop music from the earlier part of the decade. The difference though was it was no longer about the names, it was more to do with the fact they were from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp.
This was somewhat reflected in the house music which possibly had something to do with the decline of synth pop. The artists behind these tracks were mainly faceless, MARRS had a number one with "Pump Up the Volume" but how many people could name a single member or recognise any of them down the street. Also, how many people knew that Black Box, Starlight and Mixmaster were all the same people.
Interestingly the three acts who scored a hit every year in the 80s were acts that didn't really fit in with any 80s scene. There was Cliff Richard who started out in the 50s, Shakin Stevens who was essentially a 50s act in the 80s and UB40 a reggae group not from Jamaica.
The same could be said of the older acts that had a good chart run in the 80s such as David Bowie, Elton John, Status Quo, Queen and Rod Stewart who all had over 30 hits to their name by the end of the decade. None of the 60s acts managed to do this in the 70s with Frank Sinatra and Lonnie Donegan being third and fourth in terms of most hits despite their chart careers being as good as over.
What is surprising is the lack of Hip Hop we had in the charts throughout the decade. It was clearly an established genre give the likes of Blondie and Adam & the Ants were getting in on the act, not to mention the novelty records. When the number of Hip Hop records did increase towards the end of the decade it seemed somewhat overshadowed by Hip House.
So its the 90s next, a decade we know the quantity of hits went up and a decade I can remember in it's entirety.
Saturday 23 September 2017
LCD Soundsystem @ Alexandra Palace
For some reason I never saw LCD Soundsystem in concert the first time round. After they called it a day I went to my local cinema to watch "Shut Up and Play the Hits", the film centred around their final gig at Madison Square Garden I realised how good they were live and regretted not going to see them in concert.
However the beginning of last year saw the return of LCD Soundsystem and last night was their first gig in London aside from festivals since the comeback.
A few days prior to the gig I was sent the set times and saw Shit Robot was playing when the doors opened at 18:30 and again at 20:30, someone I'd quite like to see. It wasn't logistically possible for me to get there at 18:30 but I aimed to get there for around 20:00 so I could see him at 20:30.
Unfortunately Ally Pally is quite possibly the worst gig venue in London to get to. Alexandra Palace station isn't served by the tube, only trains and it's then a never ending walk up a long hill to get to the venue itself. On arrival we were greeted by a huge queue, the reason apparently because they were doing ID checks, but when I got to the door they didn't even properly look at my ID. Then came the huge queue for the toilet and huge queue for the bar, so not only did I miss Shit Robot but I also missed the start of LCD Soundsystem.
Needless to say I wasn't in the best of moods at this point, but LCD Soundsystem playing "I Can Change" soon changed that. It's almost inevitable that when a band of a certain age plays a gig the crowd will generally favour the old stuff over the new, particularly when the new album hasn't been out long enough for people to be too familiar with yet. This was evident when "Tribulations" from the first album was played.
Just like the album, next up came "Movement" and when that began I thought it would be the moment the crowd would erupt but surprisingly they didn't. They did gain some momentum though when "Yeah", also from the first album came was played.
Around an hour in James Murphy said they would play three songs, go for a pee, then play another three songs. It didn't sound a lot, but their songs are quite long so I could easily see it being another hour.
The first two came from the new album and then they played "Home" from the third album which I think is around 10 minutes long. After returning from their toilet break they did "Losing My Edge" and then James Murphy said they actually have time to fit another song in so they did one from the new album. Then came "Dance Yrself Clean" and they finished with "All My Friends".
As the only direct train from Alexandra Palace to Kings Cross between 23:00 - 0:00 was at 23:12 we left at 22:55 which was around half way through "All My Friends". They had blocked the station entrance nearest the venue so we had to go round the other side and only made the train because it was a minute late, that's how long it takes to get from the station to the venue alone. I dread to think how long it would have taken me to get home had I not ducked out early.
Overall, a great performance from LCD Soundsystem and I'm glad I finally got to see them play, but a terrible venue and the atmosphere was a bit flat, but you can't fault the band for that
However the beginning of last year saw the return of LCD Soundsystem and last night was their first gig in London aside from festivals since the comeback.
A few days prior to the gig I was sent the set times and saw Shit Robot was playing when the doors opened at 18:30 and again at 20:30, someone I'd quite like to see. It wasn't logistically possible for me to get there at 18:30 but I aimed to get there for around 20:00 so I could see him at 20:30.
Unfortunately Ally Pally is quite possibly the worst gig venue in London to get to. Alexandra Palace station isn't served by the tube, only trains and it's then a never ending walk up a long hill to get to the venue itself. On arrival we were greeted by a huge queue, the reason apparently because they were doing ID checks, but when I got to the door they didn't even properly look at my ID. Then came the huge queue for the toilet and huge queue for the bar, so not only did I miss Shit Robot but I also missed the start of LCD Soundsystem.
Needless to say I wasn't in the best of moods at this point, but LCD Soundsystem playing "I Can Change" soon changed that. It's almost inevitable that when a band of a certain age plays a gig the crowd will generally favour the old stuff over the new, particularly when the new album hasn't been out long enough for people to be too familiar with yet. This was evident when "Tribulations" from the first album was played.
Just like the album, next up came "Movement" and when that began I thought it would be the moment the crowd would erupt but surprisingly they didn't. They did gain some momentum though when "Yeah", also from the first album came was played.
Around an hour in James Murphy said they would play three songs, go for a pee, then play another three songs. It didn't sound a lot, but their songs are quite long so I could easily see it being another hour.
The first two came from the new album and then they played "Home" from the third album which I think is around 10 minutes long. After returning from their toilet break they did "Losing My Edge" and then James Murphy said they actually have time to fit another song in so they did one from the new album. Then came "Dance Yrself Clean" and they finished with "All My Friends".
As the only direct train from Alexandra Palace to Kings Cross between 23:00 - 0:00 was at 23:12 we left at 22:55 which was around half way through "All My Friends". They had blocked the station entrance nearest the venue so we had to go round the other side and only made the train because it was a minute late, that's how long it takes to get from the station to the venue alone. I dread to think how long it would have taken me to get home had I not ducked out early.
Overall, a great performance from LCD Soundsystem and I'm glad I finally got to see them play, but a terrible venue and the atmosphere was a bit flat, but you can't fault the band for that
Thursday 21 September 2017
Top of the Pops: 21/09/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
We have a new number one from Sam Smith with a new entry. This means we have now had more number ones this year than last and the year hasn't finished. Quite surprising given how it seemed Ed Sheeran would remain number one forever earlier this year and more recently is seemed "Despacito" would.
We have another four new entries, one which comes from Kelly Clarkson who failed to reach the Top 40 with it last year. We have two climbers eligible this week so have a total of 7 eligible records.
New (28) Stefflon Don ft French Montana - Hurtin Me
New (27) Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece
⬆ (21) Avicii ft Rita Ora - Lonely Together
New (16) Logic ft Alessia Cara & Khalid - 1-800-273-8255
⬆ (17) Yungen ft Yxng Bane - Bestie
New (5) Zayn ft Sia - Dusk Till Dawn
New (1) Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes
We have a new number one from Sam Smith with a new entry. This means we have now had more number ones this year than last and the year hasn't finished. Quite surprising given how it seemed Ed Sheeran would remain number one forever earlier this year and more recently is seemed "Despacito" would.
We have another four new entries, one which comes from Kelly Clarkson who failed to reach the Top 40 with it last year. We have two climbers eligible this week so have a total of 7 eligible records.
New (28) Stefflon Don ft French Montana - Hurtin Me
New (27) Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece
⬆ (21) Avicii ft Rita Ora - Lonely Together
New (16) Logic ft Alessia Cara & Khalid - 1-800-273-8255
⬆ (17) Yungen ft Yxng Bane - Bestie
New (5) Zayn ft Sia - Dusk Till Dawn
New (1) Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes
Sunday 17 September 2017
Chart Update
Last week I reached the end of the eighties with my yearly chart reviews. It would be an understatement to say its been rather time consuming.
The 50s was the decade I knew the least about, but it was made easier by lack of records in the charts i.e. it began as a Top 12 and was still just a Top 30 at the end of the decade. We also had many instances of the same song being recorded by different artists that made it easier.
When it became a Top 40 in the 60s it became more time consuming, it was still an era I didn't live through and more records were charting.
I could breath a sigh of relief once I got to 1976 thanks to the repeats of Top of the Pops giving me a good idea about what was going on in the charts at the time. I managed to get through the 80s quite quickly and the fact I've now reached years I actually remember is helping too.
However, the 90s is going to bring me a new challenge. Despite it being a decade I remember from beginning to end I can see it will be more time consuming for one reason, the number of records in the Top 40 goes through the roof this decade.
The above chart shows the number of Top 40 hits each year. I have coloured the 90s in red so you can see just how much it goes up by. By the end of 1957, the sixth year of the singles chart, the total number of records which had ever charted was less than the total number of Top 40 hits in 1997 alone.
Needless to say my 90s chart reviews will not be appearing every week, even every fortnight might be pushing it. It will be the same for the early 00s too, maybe by the time we get to 2008 where the number of record per year gets to the same level as the 80s I could potentially do it weekly.
By 2016 though we will be below 50s levels in terms of number of hits despite it still being a Top 40.
My next chart review post though will be a review of the 80s which I'll put up in around a week or so, but the 90s will come even if it takes a while.
The 50s was the decade I knew the least about, but it was made easier by lack of records in the charts i.e. it began as a Top 12 and was still just a Top 30 at the end of the decade. We also had many instances of the same song being recorded by different artists that made it easier.
When it became a Top 40 in the 60s it became more time consuming, it was still an era I didn't live through and more records were charting.
I could breath a sigh of relief once I got to 1976 thanks to the repeats of Top of the Pops giving me a good idea about what was going on in the charts at the time. I managed to get through the 80s quite quickly and the fact I've now reached years I actually remember is helping too.
However, the 90s is going to bring me a new challenge. Despite it being a decade I remember from beginning to end I can see it will be more time consuming for one reason, the number of records in the Top 40 goes through the roof this decade.
The above chart shows the number of Top 40 hits each year. I have coloured the 90s in red so you can see just how much it goes up by. By the end of 1957, the sixth year of the singles chart, the total number of records which had ever charted was less than the total number of Top 40 hits in 1997 alone.
Needless to say my 90s chart reviews will not be appearing every week, even every fortnight might be pushing it. It will be the same for the early 00s too, maybe by the time we get to 2008 where the number of record per year gets to the same level as the 80s I could potentially do it weekly.
By 2016 though we will be below 50s levels in terms of number of hits despite it still being a Top 40.
My next chart review post though will be a review of the 80s which I'll put up in around a week or so, but the 90s will come even if it takes a while.
Thursday 14 September 2017
Top of the Pops: 14/09/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
Taylor Swift is at number one for a second week and we have 10 eligible records. There is also a new entry for Taylor Swift this week which under normal circumstances would be the record I eliminate because of her number one and appearing on the show twice.
However, because it's the highest new entry I have to include it. The record I've excluded is number 15 for no reason at all.
⬆ (31) Charli XCX - Boys
New (23) Maroon 5 ft SZA - What Lovers Do
⬆ (16) Chris Brown - Questions
New (32) Jason Derulo - If I'm Lucky
⬆ (11) Camila Cabello ft Young Thug - Havana
New (7) Taylor Swift - Ready For It
⬆ (5) J Balvin ft Willy William - Mi Gente
New (38) Marshmello ft Khalid - Silence
(1) Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do
Taylor Swift is at number one for a second week and we have 10 eligible records. There is also a new entry for Taylor Swift this week which under normal circumstances would be the record I eliminate because of her number one and appearing on the show twice.
However, because it's the highest new entry I have to include it. The record I've excluded is number 15 for no reason at all.
⬆ (31) Charli XCX - Boys
New (23) Maroon 5 ft SZA - What Lovers Do
⬆ (16) Chris Brown - Questions
New (32) Jason Derulo - If I'm Lucky
⬆ (11) Camila Cabello ft Young Thug - Havana
New (7) Taylor Swift - Ready For It
⬆ (5) J Balvin ft Willy William - Mi Gente
New (38) Marshmello ft Khalid - Silence
(1) Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do
Monday 11 September 2017
Record of the Year: Ten City - That's the Way Love Is
If I was writing this post back in 1989 then my record of the year would have quite possibly been "Ride On Time" by Black Box, I absolutely loved that record at the time. However, I've gone for a record which probably didn't stand a chance at the time.
Around a decade or so ago I was in Virgin Megastore and saw an Old Skool Rave compilation with quite a typical tracklist across 3 CDs. I thought I may as well own at least one of the compilations and this particular one was on offer so I bought it. At the same time I bought "Hits & Mixes" by Black Box also on offer.
At the time I was finding very little in the way of new dance music I liked and buying these CDs was my way of saying it was much better back in the day. However, a few listens to Black Box actually made me realise that music could be just as cheesy back then with the likes of "Strike It Up" and "I Don't Know Anybody Else" making me cringe despite my young self loving them.
The rave compilation had some tunes I forgot how good they were and this was one of them. Ten City had one more Top 40 hit with "Devotion" but had several non charting records into the 90s.
Singer Byron Stingily returned as a solo act in the late 90s and did an updated version of this, but nothing beats the original. He has since become a school headmaster, quite a change in career. Still he's in a good position to teach the kids about house music being much better back in the day!
Sunday 10 September 2017
UK Singles Chart: 1989
As mentioned in my 1988 post, "Especially For You" by Kylie & Jason came out late 1988 and was the first number one of 1989. This was the start of what proved to be the most successful year for Stock Aitken & Waterman with them scoring seven number ones this year.
It was February when one hit wonders the Reynolds Girls had their hit with "I'd Rather Jack". We also saw Donna Summer back in the charts with her first Stock Aitken & Waterman produced hit "This Time I Know It's For Real". Her time with Stock Aitken & Waterman was brief though with just two more Top 40 hits with them which were both this year. There was also the Comic Relief single "Help!" by Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo that reached number 3 and was the last Top 10 hit for Bananarama.
The second Stock Aitken & Waterman number one of the year came in March which was "Too Many Broken Hearts" by Jason Donovan. In the same month Pat & Mick returned with their second hit with a cover of "I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet".
The third Stock Aitken & Waterman number one of the year came in May which was "Hand On Your Heart" by Kylie Minogue. This was knocked off the top by their fourth number one, "Ferry Cross the Mersey" featuring several Liverpudlian artists including original singer Gerry Marsden for the Hillsborough Disaster.
The next number one also came from Stock Aitken & Waterman, Jason Donovan's cover of "Sealed With A Kiss". This went straight in at number one denying Cliff Richard with what was official his 100th single with "Best Of Me" which went straight in at number two.
Ending Stock Aitken & Waterman's run of number ones was Soul ii Soul who hit the top spot with their second single "Back to Life", there debut being "Keep On Movin" in March this year.
Stock Aitken & Waterman got their revenge though knocking Soul ii Soul off the top with the debut hit for Sonia "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You". In August yet another new act from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp debuted, Big Fun with a cover of "Blame It On the Boogie".
It was also a case of if you can't beat them join them for Cliff Richard when he had a Stock Aitken & Waterman hit with "I Just Don't Have the Heart".
The seventh and final number one for Stock Aitken & Waterman of the year was the Christmas number one, a remake of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II.
A notable absentee from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp this year was Rick Astley. He did have one hit in February with "Hold Me In Your Arms" but this was not produced by them and we would not see him back in the charts until 1991 by which point they had gone their separate ways.
Artist wise though, the success story of the year was Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers. They became the fourth act to reach number one with their first three Top 40 hits. They began by knocking Sonia off the top with "Swing the Mood". Their follow up was "That's What I Like" and then they scored the penultimate number one of the year with "Let's Party".
It was another solid year for Bros who were now a duo with three top ten hits, but this would mark the end of their period of success with no further top tens beyond this year. This coincided with the debut of American boy band New Kids On the Block who reached number one with their debut hit "You Got It (The Right Stuff)".
Kylie and Jason weren't the only ones from Neighbours having hits this year. Stefan Dennis had his only hit with "Don't It Make You Feel Good".
Cliff Richards 100th single was actually his 92nd Top 40 hit and he had a further three hits this year bringing his total to 95, now just 6 behind Elvis. He also became the act to have the longest current streak of hits every year with Siouxsie & the Banshees not charting this year. His run dated back to 1979 and there were two more acts to have had a hit every year in the 80s, Shakin Stevens and UB40.
It's as you were from third to sixth in terms of most hits with David Bowie (44), Elton John (39), Status Quo (38) and Stevie Wonder (37) all not having hits this year. Paul McCartney had three hits this year and stayed in seventh with 36.
Queen had five Top 40 hits this year putting them in eighth with 35. Frank Sinatra was now ninth with 32 and Rod Stewart tenth with 31 with neither act charting this year. Lonnie Donegan was now joined in eleventh with 30 by Diana Ross who had a hit with "Workin Overtime" and the Rolling Stones who had a hit with "Mixed Emotions".
There was just one Motown record in the charts this year, "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy. This was because it was on the soundtrack to the film "Do the Right Thing" which was on Motown.
Hip Hop was taking a back seat to Hip House this year, but there were a couple of Hip Hop acts of note to debut this year. Tone Loc had his only Top 40 hits, both double a sides with "Wild Thing / Loc'ed After Dark" and "Funky Cold Medina / On Fire". We also had De La Soul debut with "Me Myself And I" and they had a further three hits this year.
House music had a huge presence in the charts with records such as "Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald, "French Kiss" by Lil' Louis and "Pacific" by 808 State all charting this year. We also had the likes of ABC and the Blow Monkeys making House records with "One Better World" and "Choice?" respectively.
We also had Italo House make its way into the charts with Cappella debuting with "Helyom Halib" and 49ers debut with "Touch Me". Most notable though was the debut of Black Box with "Ride On Time" which reached number one. A week after the release of "Ride On Time", Black Box went under the name Starlight and released "Numero Uno". Then later on in the year the released "Grand Piano" under the name Mixmaster.
In the world of Funk and Soul music it was all about the New Jack Swing. There were five hits for Bobby Brown, the highest charting one being "On Our Own". We also had the first singles from Janet Jacksons "Rhythm Nation 1814" album which were "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation".
Aretha Franklin had a New Jack Swing record collaborating with Whitney Houston on "It Isn't It Wasn't It Ain't Never Gonna Be". Former Motown acts Diana Ross and the Jacksons also got in on the New Jack Swing sound with "Workin Overtime" and "Nothin' (That Compares 2 U)" respectively. It was also the year we saw former Motown act the Four Tops in the charts with their final hit "Indestructable".
There were some notable debutants to the Top 40 this year who had already been around for some time. REM made their debut with "Orange Crush" which made number 28. Van Morrison made his debut collaborating with Cliff Richard on "Whenever God Shines His Light". BB King made his only Top 40 appearance collaborating with U2 on "When Love Comes To Town". It was also the first official appearance of Aerosmith with "Love In An Elevator".
Returning to the charts after a 15 year absence was Alice Cooper with the number two record "Poison". Also in the hard rock world we had the debuts of Gun with "Better Days" and the Quireboys with "7 O'Clock". There was also the charity single "Smoke On the Water" by Rock Aid Armenia, a collective of rock musicians.
Heavy Metal was kept going by Iron Maiden and WASP and the only Thrash Metal record of the year was "One" by Metallica. In the Glam Metal world we had the debut of Vixen with "Cryin".
A new sound was making it's way into the charts this year, Baggy. The first band from that scene to chart was the Stone Roses with "She Bangs The Drum" and they followed up later in the year with "What The World Is Waiting For / Fool's Gold". There was also the debut of the Happy Mondays with "Madchester Rave On EP".
That was 1989, very different to the start of the decade yet still seems very 80s.
It was February when one hit wonders the Reynolds Girls had their hit with "I'd Rather Jack". We also saw Donna Summer back in the charts with her first Stock Aitken & Waterman produced hit "This Time I Know It's For Real". Her time with Stock Aitken & Waterman was brief though with just two more Top 40 hits with them which were both this year. There was also the Comic Relief single "Help!" by Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo that reached number 3 and was the last Top 10 hit for Bananarama.
The second Stock Aitken & Waterman number one of the year came in March which was "Too Many Broken Hearts" by Jason Donovan. In the same month Pat & Mick returned with their second hit with a cover of "I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet".
The third Stock Aitken & Waterman number one of the year came in May which was "Hand On Your Heart" by Kylie Minogue. This was knocked off the top by their fourth number one, "Ferry Cross the Mersey" featuring several Liverpudlian artists including original singer Gerry Marsden for the Hillsborough Disaster.
The next number one also came from Stock Aitken & Waterman, Jason Donovan's cover of "Sealed With A Kiss". This went straight in at number one denying Cliff Richard with what was official his 100th single with "Best Of Me" which went straight in at number two.
Ending Stock Aitken & Waterman's run of number ones was Soul ii Soul who hit the top spot with their second single "Back to Life", there debut being "Keep On Movin" in March this year.
Stock Aitken & Waterman got their revenge though knocking Soul ii Soul off the top with the debut hit for Sonia "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You". In August yet another new act from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp debuted, Big Fun with a cover of "Blame It On the Boogie".
It was also a case of if you can't beat them join them for Cliff Richard when he had a Stock Aitken & Waterman hit with "I Just Don't Have the Heart".
The seventh and final number one for Stock Aitken & Waterman of the year was the Christmas number one, a remake of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II.
A notable absentee from the Stock Aitken & Waterman camp this year was Rick Astley. He did have one hit in February with "Hold Me In Your Arms" but this was not produced by them and we would not see him back in the charts until 1991 by which point they had gone their separate ways.
Artist wise though, the success story of the year was Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers. They became the fourth act to reach number one with their first three Top 40 hits. They began by knocking Sonia off the top with "Swing the Mood". Their follow up was "That's What I Like" and then they scored the penultimate number one of the year with "Let's Party".
It was another solid year for Bros who were now a duo with three top ten hits, but this would mark the end of their period of success with no further top tens beyond this year. This coincided with the debut of American boy band New Kids On the Block who reached number one with their debut hit "You Got It (The Right Stuff)".
Kylie and Jason weren't the only ones from Neighbours having hits this year. Stefan Dennis had his only hit with "Don't It Make You Feel Good".
Cliff Richards 100th single was actually his 92nd Top 40 hit and he had a further three hits this year bringing his total to 95, now just 6 behind Elvis. He also became the act to have the longest current streak of hits every year with Siouxsie & the Banshees not charting this year. His run dated back to 1979 and there were two more acts to have had a hit every year in the 80s, Shakin Stevens and UB40.
It's as you were from third to sixth in terms of most hits with David Bowie (44), Elton John (39), Status Quo (38) and Stevie Wonder (37) all not having hits this year. Paul McCartney had three hits this year and stayed in seventh with 36.
Queen had five Top 40 hits this year putting them in eighth with 35. Frank Sinatra was now ninth with 32 and Rod Stewart tenth with 31 with neither act charting this year. Lonnie Donegan was now joined in eleventh with 30 by Diana Ross who had a hit with "Workin Overtime" and the Rolling Stones who had a hit with "Mixed Emotions".
There was just one Motown record in the charts this year, "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy. This was because it was on the soundtrack to the film "Do the Right Thing" which was on Motown.
Hip Hop was taking a back seat to Hip House this year, but there were a couple of Hip Hop acts of note to debut this year. Tone Loc had his only Top 40 hits, both double a sides with "Wild Thing / Loc'ed After Dark" and "Funky Cold Medina / On Fire". We also had De La Soul debut with "Me Myself And I" and they had a further three hits this year.
House music had a huge presence in the charts with records such as "Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald, "French Kiss" by Lil' Louis and "Pacific" by 808 State all charting this year. We also had the likes of ABC and the Blow Monkeys making House records with "One Better World" and "Choice?" respectively.
We also had Italo House make its way into the charts with Cappella debuting with "Helyom Halib" and 49ers debut with "Touch Me". Most notable though was the debut of Black Box with "Ride On Time" which reached number one. A week after the release of "Ride On Time", Black Box went under the name Starlight and released "Numero Uno". Then later on in the year the released "Grand Piano" under the name Mixmaster.
In the world of Funk and Soul music it was all about the New Jack Swing. There were five hits for Bobby Brown, the highest charting one being "On Our Own". We also had the first singles from Janet Jacksons "Rhythm Nation 1814" album which were "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation".
Aretha Franklin had a New Jack Swing record collaborating with Whitney Houston on "It Isn't It Wasn't It Ain't Never Gonna Be". Former Motown acts Diana Ross and the Jacksons also got in on the New Jack Swing sound with "Workin Overtime" and "Nothin' (That Compares 2 U)" respectively. It was also the year we saw former Motown act the Four Tops in the charts with their final hit "Indestructable".
There were some notable debutants to the Top 40 this year who had already been around for some time. REM made their debut with "Orange Crush" which made number 28. Van Morrison made his debut collaborating with Cliff Richard on "Whenever God Shines His Light". BB King made his only Top 40 appearance collaborating with U2 on "When Love Comes To Town". It was also the first official appearance of Aerosmith with "Love In An Elevator".
Returning to the charts after a 15 year absence was Alice Cooper with the number two record "Poison". Also in the hard rock world we had the debuts of Gun with "Better Days" and the Quireboys with "7 O'Clock". There was also the charity single "Smoke On the Water" by Rock Aid Armenia, a collective of rock musicians.
Heavy Metal was kept going by Iron Maiden and WASP and the only Thrash Metal record of the year was "One" by Metallica. In the Glam Metal world we had the debut of Vixen with "Cryin".
A new sound was making it's way into the charts this year, Baggy. The first band from that scene to chart was the Stone Roses with "She Bangs The Drum" and they followed up later in the year with "What The World Is Waiting For / Fool's Gold". There was also the debut of the Happy Mondays with "Madchester Rave On EP".
That was 1989, very different to the start of the decade yet still seems very 80s.
Thursday 7 September 2017
Top of the Pops: 07/09/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
A full show which picks itself this week with 9 eligible records. We have a new number one which is a new entry from Taylor Swift with her first number one "Look What You Made Me Do". In a teeny bopper music does gangsta rap type twist, her nemesis Katy Perry returns to the charts with her "Taylor Swift diss" record "Swish Swish" at 29.
We have further two new entries including one from retired DJ Avicii who's enjoying his retirement by making music. The rest are climbers with the highest coming from Pink.
⬆ (30) Axwell & Ingrosso - More Than You Know
Re (29) Katy Perry ft Nicki Minaj - Swish Swish
⬆ (25) Lil Uzi Vert - Xo Tour Llif3
New (37) Avicii ft Rita Ora - Lonely Together
⬆ (12) Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry
New (38) J Hus - Spirit
⬆ (8) James Hype ft Kelli-Leigh - More Than Friends
⬆ (3) Pink - What About Us
New (1) Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do
A full show which picks itself this week with 9 eligible records. We have a new number one which is a new entry from Taylor Swift with her first number one "Look What You Made Me Do". In a teeny bopper music does gangsta rap type twist, her nemesis Katy Perry returns to the charts with her "Taylor Swift diss" record "Swish Swish" at 29.
We have further two new entries including one from retired DJ Avicii who's enjoying his retirement by making music. The rest are climbers with the highest coming from Pink.
⬆ (30) Axwell & Ingrosso - More Than You Know
Re (29) Katy Perry ft Nicki Minaj - Swish Swish
⬆ (25) Lil Uzi Vert - Xo Tour Llif3
New (37) Avicii ft Rita Ora - Lonely Together
⬆ (12) Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry
New (38) J Hus - Spirit
⬆ (8) James Hype ft Kelli-Leigh - More Than Friends
⬆ (3) Pink - What About Us
New (1) Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do
Friday 1 September 2017
25 Years Since....August 1992
Ok 25 years and 1 day to be exact, I think even the Barcelona Olympics seemed to last longer than 2017 has so far. Here is what I was enjoying back then:
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona
We began with the song of the Barcelona Olympics called Barcelona. 1992 was my year as a Queen fan and that included solo material such as this.
It originally came out in 1987 but was released again in 1992 for the Olympics. I don't think I've ever followed an Olympics as closely as I followed this one and watched it on an almost daily basis. As such I think it's safe to say this was the song I heard the most during August 1992 but I don't recall ever getting sick of it.
Later on in life I thought this would be the perfect song to send to Man United fans after they lost in the Champions League final to Barcelona!
Jon Secada - Just Another Day
In 1991, Jon Secada co-wrote and sang backing vocals on Gloria Estefan's "Coming Out of the Dark". Then in 1992 that's exactly what he did with this record.
I love the way the record begins with the piano and sounds like its going to be a happy tune, then he starts singing and you realise it isn't. There's no build up in his singing, he comes straight out with it but somehow manages to give it more welly in the chorus, genius.
He is incorrectly remembered as a one hit wonder, but he had a further four singles including "Angel" which I like just as much as this and yes it's not a happy song either.
Undercover - Baker Street
Yet another cover I heard before the original, a record from a group who's Top 40 hits are all covers.
At the time I do recall thinking it was a bit strange seeing a group on Top of the Pops with a saxophone player, but I liked it.
They managed a further two hits and I just assumed they went back to the day job after that. However it turns out they had several less successful covers and were still going as late as 2004.
Even more remarkable is that band member Steve Mac has written and produced many many pop hits since the 90s and still continues to this very day including being one of the writers on Ed Sheerans "Shape Of You" this year. Look at the list on his Wikipedia page, it's huge. Not bad for someone who was in a covers band.
Felix - Don't You Want Me
A record that I loved at the time and still like it now, although I am a bit sick of it now due to it's "anthem" status.
Like Jon Secada, people remember Felix to be a one hit wonder but he actually had a further two Top 40 hits with "It Will Make Me Crazy" and "Stars".
Thunder - Low Life In High Places
Thunder, the band all rock fans of a certain age seem to love and that everyone else say's who the hell are they? there are some exceptions to that rule including myself.
They do however have 18 Top 40 hits to their name, though none of them reached the Top 10. I think this record caught my attention at the time because I interpreted the singer moving the microphone around on it's stand was him attempting to do a Freddie Mercury with it but it was too big for him to successfully do it.
I did like the song itself too and have grown fonder of it from getting older and understanding the lyrical content of it and it's particularly relevant in this day and age.
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona
It originally came out in 1987 but was released again in 1992 for the Olympics. I don't think I've ever followed an Olympics as closely as I followed this one and watched it on an almost daily basis. As such I think it's safe to say this was the song I heard the most during August 1992 but I don't recall ever getting sick of it.
Later on in life I thought this would be the perfect song to send to Man United fans after they lost in the Champions League final to Barcelona!
Jon Secada - Just Another Day
I love the way the record begins with the piano and sounds like its going to be a happy tune, then he starts singing and you realise it isn't. There's no build up in his singing, he comes straight out with it but somehow manages to give it more welly in the chorus, genius.
He is incorrectly remembered as a one hit wonder, but he had a further four singles including "Angel" which I like just as much as this and yes it's not a happy song either.
Undercover - Baker Street
At the time I do recall thinking it was a bit strange seeing a group on Top of the Pops with a saxophone player, but I liked it.
They managed a further two hits and I just assumed they went back to the day job after that. However it turns out they had several less successful covers and were still going as late as 2004.
Even more remarkable is that band member Steve Mac has written and produced many many pop hits since the 90s and still continues to this very day including being one of the writers on Ed Sheerans "Shape Of You" this year. Look at the list on his Wikipedia page, it's huge. Not bad for someone who was in a covers band.
Felix - Don't You Want Me
Like Jon Secada, people remember Felix to be a one hit wonder but he actually had a further two Top 40 hits with "It Will Make Me Crazy" and "Stars".
Thunder - Low Life In High Places
They do however have 18 Top 40 hits to their name, though none of them reached the Top 10. I think this record caught my attention at the time because I interpreted the singer moving the microphone around on it's stand was him attempting to do a Freddie Mercury with it but it was too big for him to successfully do it.
I did like the song itself too and have grown fonder of it from getting older and understanding the lyrical content of it and it's particularly relevant in this day and age.
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