25 Years Since....April 1996

Time once again to turn the clock back 25 years and take a look at some of the records I was enjoying at the time:

Gat Decor - Passion

I had a jungle compilation in 1994 and one of the tunes had the "everyday you teach me more and more" sample in it. 

That made this tune grab my attention. It's a remix of a 1992 record and those lyrics can also be found in "Do You Want It Right Now" by Degrees of Motion.

Ken Doh - Nakasaki (I Need A Lover Tonight)

This tune appeared in what seemed like every other essential mix in 1995. Then in 1996 some vocals were put on it and it made the Top 40.

If you've read this blog enough times you'll probably know I'm not a fan of vocals in dance music and think they often turn a decent tune shit.

Whilst I do prefer this as an instrumental I think this is nearly as good with the vocals.

Baby D - Take Me To Heaven

This was the final original Top 40 hit for Baby D. Admittedly this is my least favourite of them, but that's more to do with how good the other Baby D tunes are.

Things in the rave scene moved so fast in the 90s that this record sounded really out of date when it charted. The scene had split into hardcore and drum & bass and the music had sped up a lot which made this record seem very slow.

But old skool was the roots of what we were listening to so that was no bad thing.

Interactive - Forever Young

A tune from 1994 that didn't chart until 1996. Like with every Happy Hardcore record that made the Top 40 in the 90s that wasn't by Technohead, this was German, the same nationality of Alphaville who's record of the same title provided the sample for this.

Around the same time there was another happy hardcore tune called "Forever Young" by Antisocial but that's a completely different tune.

Technohead - Happy Birthday

The obscure other Technohead Top 40 hit. I didn't know this one myself until it charted and don't think I heard it on any of my rave tapes.

Since then it's been my alternative way of wishing someone a happy birthday.

The Top 40 Leaderboard: April 2021

What's this all about?

Last years winner and runner up, Drake and Justin Bieber sit joint top alongside Fredo. Just behind them is 2019 winner Dave and we also have Olivia Rodrigo and Polo G both of whom hadn't been in the Top 40 prior to the new year.

Rap music edges up slightly with 37/83 or 45% records so far this year falling under that genre.

UK Charts Best Year Search: 1975

What's this all about?

Top 40

Best Song: The Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her

This was my record of the year for 1972 which was re-issued as a double a-side with "Oh Girl". It was a close contest though with "Autobahn" by Kraftwerk which I remembered being my record of the year for 1975, but I looked at my old posts and it turns out it wasn't. 

Worst Song: Typically Tropical - Barbados

I've always considered this song to be a bit crap, the only good thing about it is that it's better than "Summer Holiday" by Cliff Richard. Over the years though it's started to irritate me more, firstly because of that god awful Vengaboys cover that was reworded to be about Ibiza and secondly because when it comes to Barbados and music you can't help but think of Rihanna, which is never a good thing.

Top 40 Review

No Motown this week. We do have former Motown act Gladys Knight And The Pips with "The Way We Were", not my cup of tea though. We have Philly soul group The Stylistics with "Sing Baby Sing" that gets the thumbs up, the other soul record is "Walking In Rhythm" by Blackbyrds which is ok.

A couple of decent disco records in "The Hustle" by Van McCoy and "Mama Never Told Me" by Sister Sledge which is one of their more obscure records. Once again none of the glam rock records are to my liking.

One of the best 70s records is the number one record "I'm Not In Love" by 10cc and could have been the best song contender if I hadn't heard it so many times in my life. 

The surprise song that I like comes from The Osmond's with "The Proud One". Pretty much everything else I've heard from any Osmond has been crap, but there's something about this one.

The obligatory old record re-entering the charts comes from Brian Hyland with "Sealed With A Kiss", a record I like. Tammy Wynette has 2 records in the Top 40 with "Stand By Your Man" and "DIVORCE" which were both 7 year old records, but they hadn't charted previously. Neither are to my liking though.

I think the best way to describe this Top 40 is there's some genuinely good records in there but you have to sift through the crap to get to them. It's a slight improvement on 1974, but the notable different is that there's 2 re-issued records that get full marks from me this time vs just 1 re-issued record with full marks in 1974. The result is 1975 gets 1 more point.

Score: 13.5

Table

1975 is tied with 1964 and slightly better than 1963:

UK Number 40s: Billy Joel - All For Leyna (1980)

 

I feel like every other number 40 hit I'm saying this, but yet again we have an act who's had both a number 1 and a number 40. We are onto the 86th number 40 and this is the 32nd act with this claim.

Billy Joel is one of those acts who's chart record perhaps doesn't reflect his true popularity. For example, "Piano Man" never made the Top 40 and "She's Always A Woman" didn't make the Top 40 until people downloaded it following a Fyfe Dangerfield cover on the John Lewis advert in 2010.

His Top 40 debut came in 1978 with "Just The Way You Are" which made number 19. A year later a Barry White cover of that song did better peaking at 12 a couple of weeks before Billy Joel did the same with his 3rd hit "My Life", his highest charting of the 70s.

This was his 4th Top 40 single which was the first off his "Glass Houses" album. It's perhaps a heavier sounding record than your average Billy Joel song. It was never released in America though making it the only Billy Joel Top 40 hit not to make the Billboard 100.

Although follow up "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" only made number 14 in the UK, it gave him his first American number one. Then his next UK hit "Uptown Girl" gave him his only UK number one to date.

Top 30 in 1991 Reviewed - Week 17

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1991 with my verdict on each record:

30. Bananarama - Long Train Running (New)

This Doobie Brothers cover would be the final Top 40 hit for Banararama as a trio. I think most people thought they were finished by this point, but they still had further Top 40 hits as a duo. Can't say I think much of this one.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Monie Love Vs Adeva - Ring My Bell

One of those records where the vocals are far too irritating for it to be good. It's not a bad backing track and Adeva is a decent singer, but I've always found Monie Love to be annoying. 

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Pete Wylie And The Farm - Sinful! (Scary Jiggin' With Doctor Love)

It's Pete Wylie doing a cover of his own song but this time joined by The Farm. This updated version has more of a 'baggy' sound to bring it into the 90s. It's not a bad record but nothing to write home about.

Verdict - OK

27. Feargal Sharkey - I've Got News For You

I remember this appearing on Top of the Pops. Feargal Sharkey's hair was mostly covering his face during the intro so I found it hilarious that the first line of the song was "I can see clearly". Then when I heard there was a TV show called "Have I Got News For You" this song sprang to mind. It was shortly after this that Feargal Sharkey retired from singing completely. It's not the best if I'm completely honest, but the fond memories I have of said Top of the Pops appearance means I can just about declare this ok.

Verdict - OK

26. Gloria Estefan - Seal Our Fate (New)

One of many of Gloria Estefan's 90s hits I have no recollection of. This one has more of a rock vibe and includes a guitar solo. It does sound like the sort of song you'd expect to hear on "Saved By The Bell", I could almost imagine Zack Attack doing this. Which is never a good thing.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Black Box - Strike It Up

I used to like this until I bought their greatest hits when I realised just how annoying the singing is on Black Box tunes in general, but particularly on this one. Also the rapping is cringeworthily bad. We all know the singer we saw in Black Box was different to the singer who actually sang and the more I think about that the more I think why?

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Quadrophonia - Quadrophonia (New)

Technotronic had been flying the flag for Belgium in the UK charts throughout 1990 but despite their name it's not really techno music. Fellow Belgians Quadrophonia were techno music though and this was their 1st of 2 Top 40 hits, though the 2nd won't be featuring as it only made 40. This is a classic that hasn't fallen victim to anthem bashing so great to hear.

Verdict - Good

23. The Bee Gees - Secret Love 

The first time I remember hearing the Bee Gees was in 1989 when I saw "One" on The Chart Show. That record only made number 71. I also remember seeing "When He's Gone" on The Chart Show in 1991, but that never made the charts at all. They did have a solitary Top 40 hit around this time though with this record. It sounds like "Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross, but there was no chance of them getting sued for copyright as the Gibb brothers wrote that. I'm not keen on "Chain Reaction" so therefore I'm not keen on this. 

Verdict - Rubbish

22. EMF - Children (New)

I wonder if lead singer James Atkin was already preparing for life as a teacher as he is now when he wrote this song. This ones got a nice flow to it.

Verdict - Good

21. Roxette - Joyride

The lead single from their album of the same name. One thing that stood out to me from this video was Marie Frederiksson playing the guitar. I did wonder whether she was really playing the guitar so looked this up and it doesn't look like she did. It also looks like Per Gessle didn't play guitar on the song either, it was Jonas Isacsson playing it. I don't think I really liked this at the time, but like most Roxette songs I got to like it with age.

Verdict - Good

20. Blur - There's No Other Way (New)

The Top 40 debut for Blur. I think this was one of those songs I knew without knowing who it was, I certainly never made the connection when I first came across them as a band a couple of years later. It very much sounds like a Madchester song by someone that doesn't come from Manchester, just doesn't quite live up to it in my opinion.

Verdict - OK

19. Mike And The Mechanics - Word Of Mouth

When I first heard this I thought this was a melody I'd had going round my head for a long time. Not sure if that was because I'd heard a song with a similar melody before or whether I'd come up with the same melody in my head. As I'm still yet to hear a song with a similar melody I suspect its the latter. 

Verdict - Good

18. Mock Turtles - Can You Dig It?

I loved this record at the time and me and a friend at school used to sing it all the time. It was the only Top 40 hit for the Mock Turtles. I did however get pretty sick of it years later when it was used as the holding music for Vodafone and I was on hold for a long time listening to this over and over. 

Verdict - Good

17. The Clash - Rock The Casbah

This originally made number 30 in 1982. This was rereleased following the chart topping rerelease of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go". Another factor could have been because it was the first song to be played on the Armed Forces Radio during the recent Gulf War. Good choice.

Verdict - Good

16. De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) (New)

This sample made such an impact that few seem to remember it was originally sung by Curiosity Killed the Cat around 18 months earlier. It would be the last Top 10 hit for De La Soul, but that doesn't really surprise me as I know De La Soul more for their albums than singles. 

Verdict - Good

15. Vic Reeves And The Roman Numerals - Born Free (New)

This one completely passed me by at the time as I have no recollection of Vic Reeves as a singer until he did "Dizzy" later on in the year. Put it this way, I can understand why "Dizzy" got to number one but this didn't.

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Electronic - Get The Message (New)

This was the 2nd Top 40 hit for Electronic and their first Top 10. I find it ironic that Bernard Sumner would call his side project Electronic when this song seems much less electronic than your average New Order song. But its good to hear something a bit different rather than a New Order mark 2.

Verdict - Good

13. Rod Stewart - Rhythm Of My Heart

I was aware that Rod Stewart had a song called "Sailing" and at the time I thought this was it given it was the last word of the chorus. Like "Sailing" though, this is also a cover and like every Rod Stewart cover I've heard, its shit.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. N-Joi - Anthem 

This was originally released in 1990 but didn't make the Top 40 until it was reissued in 1991. Not sure whether anthem bashing was a thing at the time, but a title like that is almost pleading for it to be played in the many anthem bashing sets that would come later on. Still a decent tune though.

Verdict - Good

11. Dannii Minogue - Love And Kisses

First we had Kylie Minogue appear on Neighbours before becoming a singer. Then her sister Dannii Minogue starting appearing on Home & Away so it seemed almost inevitable that she'd end up being and singer too and here she is with her Top 40 debut. It was also inevitable that her music would be crap, which it is.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Gary Clail On-U Sound System - Human Nature

I've not heard this one for a very long time. What strikes me hearing it again after all this time is how slow it is, I remember it being quicker than this. Fortunately I no longer have that mindset that a record must be fast in order to be good so therefore I like it. I still think it would be better if it was a bit quicker though.

Verdict - Good

9. Zucchero ft Paul Young - Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman)

I originally thought they were singing "sense of Madonna". It was the Top 40 debut for Zucchero and the final Top 10 hit for Paul Young. This was originally by Zucchero on his own and all in Italian. I regarded this as music for old people at the time, but now I'm probably as old as these old people were back then so I have no shame in liking it.

Verdict - Good

8. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Sailing On The Seven Seas

This was the first OMD record to hit the Top 40 for 5 years. By now it was just Andy McCluskey on his own. On paper this should be 80s band trying to squeeze the last bit of life out of them in the 90s, but this was actually their joint highest charting hit. At the same time, because their last hit prior this came before my music memories began, I had no idea they were even around in the 80s at the time. 

Verdict - Good

7. Simpsons - Deep Deep Trouble

The 2nd Top 40 hit from the Simpsons which entered the Top 40 before "Do the Bartman" had dropped out. My memories of this record was thinking great video but rubbish song. I've since discovered this was written by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince which explains a lot.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow

This song partly reminds me of 1991 and partly reminds me of discovering YouTube for the first time as this was a song I'd listen to quite regularly at the time. The line "you know that I've been drunk a thousand times" made me question whether I'd been drunk a thousand times. At the time I'm not sure I had, but 15 years later I'm pretty sure I've been drunk over a thousand times now.

Verdict - Good

5. Madonna - Rescue Me

This was taken from "The Immaculate Collection", her first greatest hits album. I remember this record but don't think I've heard it for 30 years so listening to it now, it's not quite the same as I remember it. I think its pretty boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. The Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon

This originally came out in 1985 but was rereleased in 1991 ahead of their upcoming greatest hits album and ended up being their biggest hit. This is one of those records I've heard plenty of times without really taking any notice, but listening to it just now I realise that I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

3. James - Sit Down

At the time I thought the band Hello James had shortened their name to just James. Turns out I was thinking of Halo James who were a completely different band. This is one of those records everybody seems to like except me. To me it manages to be both annoying and boring at the same time.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. Cher - The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)

The most recent Top 40 hit for Cher prior to this was "Just Like Jesse James", a song I liked. Therefore my impression of Cher at the time was quite positive. Then this came out and I thought what the fuck is this. It's a cover and I'm not overly keen on the original but it's tolerable. This version just makes me angry though, absolutely awful.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only 

Believe it or not, I've actually seen Chesney Hawkes in concert. He played at the students union at university one Saturday night. The set consisted of a bunch of covers, then he announced he was going to play his last single, not this one though, one that never made the charts. After a few more covers he played this at the end of the set to a massive cheer. It is a bit crap though, but it found it's place at many cheese nights. 

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 15.5/30, or 52%. Same as last week.

UK Charts Best Year Search: 1974

What's this all about?

Top 40

Best Song: The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze

In the 70s so far we seem to have soul music and older acts keeping the scores up. Well here's one that fits both categories with The Isley Brothers being around for 20 years by this point. There are group who always kept up with the times though, even in the 21st century their records didn't sound out of place amongst the more modern R&B music.

Worst Song: Ray Stevens - The Streak

No shortage of dreadful records to pick from, but this novelty record was a transatlantic number one which I find baffling. It's a country style record about reports of streaking, it really is a terrible record.

Top 40 Review

Just the one Motown record this time, a Northern Soul record from R Dean Taylor with "There's A Ghost In My House" which gets full marks. The more modern soul records come from The Drifters with "Kissin' In The Back Row" and Main Ingredient with "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" which both get half marks.

We have several glam rock records in there, but again none of them get full marks. Disco wise we have "Rock Your Baby" by George McCrae which is ok. 

One has to look to art rock for the good records in this chart in "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" by Sparks and "Wall Street Shuffle" by 10cc. 

The surprise record that I like comes from Roy Wood with "Going Down The Road". Generally Roy Wood or Wizzard songs to me sound like "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" with different lyrics, so I didn't have high hopes for this one but fortunately it sounds completely different.

We have the obligatory old record re-entering the charts in "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett And The Union Gap, a record I like. There's also a hit for 1950s debutant Neil Sedaka with "Laughter In The Rain", again a good record.

A lot of what I see in this chart though is just generic pop which is either irritating or has no substance. It's like they've forgotten The Beatles & co existed and picked up from the early 60s. That's also understandable, an 18 year old from when The Beatles first charted in 1962 would be 30 by this point so the teens of this era would probably want something that rebels against 30 year old's. 

Whatever the reasons, there is a lot of crap in this chart and a lack of decent soul music to keep up the score this time.

Score: 12.5

Table

A poor showing from 1974 with only the pre-Beatles years below it:

UK Number 40s: The Chords - Maybe Tomorrow (1980)

 

The mod revival sound of the late 70s is something that definitely has it's place in the history books. From a chart perspective though there was little of it except for The Jam who even themselves didn't score a Top 10 hit until the very end of the decade.

We've already had one number 40 from a mod revival band that wasn't The Jam with "You Need Wheels" by the Merton Parkas. Now here's another, this time from The Chords.

It was the only Top 40 hit for The Chords, though they did have a further 4 singles outside the Top 40 that made the Top 75. They were a short lived band who released their only album "So Far Away" later on in the year. By 1981 they were finished, though like many other bands from yesteryear they reunited many years later.

If I was writing this back in 1980 then this would have been the 3rd mod revival hit to peak at 40 because The Jams debut hit "In The City" also reached number 40 when first released. However it charted higher when re-issued at a later date and therefore does not feature.

Top 30 in 1991 Reviewed - Week 16

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1991 with my verdict on each record:

30. Transvision Vamp - (I Just Wanna) B With U (New)

Who knew that Transvision Vamp were still having Top 40 hits in the 90s? I have no recollection of this song whatsoever. I would be their final Top 40 hit and only one of the 90s which got no higher than 30. Normally a bands latter hits that nobody remembers are either an illustration of why they are no longer popular or some of the best work they've ever done. This one fits the latter, but it's still Transvision Vamp so still rubbish without being as annoying as their better known hits.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. The Shamen - Hyperreal

The Top 40 debut for The Shamen which was a William Orbit remix. The singer on this is Plavka who would go on to sing for Jam & Spoon. A pretty solid debut.

Verdict - Good

28. Pete Wylie And The Farm - Sinful! (Scary Jiggin' With Doctor Love) (New)

It's Pete Wylie doing a cover of his own song but this time joined by The Farm. This updated version has more of a 'baggy' sound to bring it into the 90s. It's not a bad record but nothing to write home about.

Verdict - OK

27. Alison Limerick - Where Love Lives (Come On In)

The Top 40 debut for Alison Limerick. I always thought she was American but it turns out she's English. The involvement of America DJs David Morales and Frankie Knuckles is probably why I thought that. I've heard this far too many times in my life now, but I still like it.

Verdict - Good

26. Simple Minds - Let There Be Love

Not the best known Simple Minds song but it was their second biggest hit. The fact Simple Minds were a big name and this was the lead single from their yet to be released the album no doubt helped. I remember Simple Minds having hits around this time without really remember the songs themselves. I was therefore ready to write this one off as being boring, but listening to it now it's actually not bad.

Verdict - OK

25. Snap! - Snap! Megamix

After what seemed like loads of Snap! hits in 1990 (for the record there were 4), in 1991 they give us a megamix. It would be over a year until we'd see them back in the Top 40 so I guess this was a farewell for now type record. Not for me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Definition Of Sound - Wear Your Love Like Heaven

The first of 3 Top 40 hits for Definition Of Sound. You can hear a lot of De La Soul influence in this one but they have enough of their own stamp on it to not sound like a De La Soul clone. 

Verdict - Good

23. Cher - The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) (New)

The most recent Top 40 hit for Cher prior to this was "Just Like Jesse James", a song I liked. Therefore my impression of Cher at the time was quite positive. Then this came out and I thought what the fuck is this. It's a cover and I'm not overly keen on the original but it's tolerable. This version just makes me angry though, absolutely awful.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Zucchero ft Paul Young - Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman) (New)

I originally thought they were singing "sense of Madonna". It was the Top 40 debut for Zucchero and the final Top 10 hit for Paul Young. This was originally by Zucchero on his own and all in Italian. I regarded this as music for old people at the time, but now I'm probably as old as these old people were back then so I have no shame in liking it.

Verdict - Good

21. C&C Music Factory ft Freedom Williams - Here We Go

This is the classic music act has a big hit and then follow it up with a record that sounds pretty much the same. You really could just sing "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" over the top of this.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Monie Love Vs Adeva - Ring My Bell

One of those records where the vocals are far too irritating for it to be good. It's not a bad backing track and Adeva is a decent singer, but I've always found Monie Love to be annoying. 

Verdict - Rubbish

19. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Sailing On The Seven Seas (New)

This was the first OMD record to hit the Top 40 for 5 years. By now it was just Andy McCluskey on his own. On paper this should be 80s band trying to squeeze the last bit of life out of them in the 90s, but this was actually their joint highest charting hit. At the same time, because their last hit prior this came before my music memories began, I had no idea they were even around in the 80s at the time. 

Verdict - Good

18. Mock Turtles - Can You Dig It?

I loved this record at the time and me and a friend at school used to sing it all the time. It was the only Top 40 hit for the Mock Turtles. I did however get pretty sick of it years later when it was used as the holding music for Vodafone and I was on hold for a long time listening to this over and over. 

Verdict - Good

17. Quartz ft Dina Carroll - It's Too Late

A cover of the Carole King song and the first version that I heard. On that basis this one seems more like the original to me. I've not heard it many years and remember it being a lot more uplifting than it actually is, but I still like it.

Verdict - Good

16. Black Box - Strike It Upe

I used to like this until I bought their greatest hits when I realised just how annoying the singing is on Black Box tunes in general, but particularly on this one. Also the rapping is cringeworthily bad. We all know the singer we saw in Black Box was different to the singer who actually sang and the more I think about that the more I think why?

Verdict - Rubbish

15. The Clash - Rock The Casbah (New)

This originally made number 30 in 1982. This was rereleased following the chart topping rerelease of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go". Another factor could have been because it was the first song to be played on the Armed Forces Radio during the recent Gulf War. Good choice.

Verdict - Good

14. Feargal Sharkey - I've Got News For You

I remember this appearing on Top of the Pops. Feargal Sharkey's hair was mostly covering his face during the intro so I found it hilarious that the first line of the song was "I can see clearly". Then when I heard there was a TV show called "Have I Got News For You" this song sprang to mind. It was shortly after this that Feargal Sharkey retired from singing completely. It's not the best if I'm completely honest, but the fond memories I have of said Top of the Pops appearance means I can just about declare this ok.

Verdict - OK

13. Mike And The Mechanics - Word Of Mouth

When I first heard this I thought this was a melody I'd had going round my head for a long time. Not sure if that was because I'd heard a song with a similar melody before or whether I'd come up with the same melody in my head. As I'm still yet to hear a song with a similar melody I suspect its the latter. 

Verdict - Good

12. The Bee Gees - Secret Love 

The first time I remember hearing the Bee Gees was in 1989 when I saw "One" on The Chart Show. That record only made number 71. I also remember seeing "When He's Gone" on The Chart Show in 1991, but that never made the charts at all. They did have a solitary Top 40 hit around this time though with this record. It sounds like "Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross, but there was no chance of them getting sued for copyright as the Gibb brothers wrote that. I'm not keen on "Chain Reaction" so therefore I'm not keen on this. 

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Gary Clail On-U Sound System - Human Nature

I've not heard this one for a very long time. What strikes me hearing it again after all this time is how slow it is, I remember it being quicker than this. Fortunately I no longer have that mindset that a record must be fast in order to be good so therefore I like it. I still think it would be better if it was a bit quicker though.

Verdict - Good

10. Roxette - Joyride

The lead single from their album of the same name. One thing that stood out to me from this video was Marie Frederiksson playing the guitar. I did wonder whether she was really playing the guitar so looked this up and it doesn't look like she did. It also looks like Per Gessle didn't play guitar on the song either, it was Jonas Isacsson playing it. I don't think I really liked this at the time, but like most Roxette songs I got to like it with age.

Verdict - Good

9. N-Joi - Anthem

This was originally released in 1990 but didn't make the Top 40 until it was reissued in 1991. Not sure whether anthem bashing was a thing at the time, but a title like that is almost pleading for it to be played in the many anthem bashing sets that would come later on. Still a decent tune though.

Verdict - Good

8. Dannii Minogue - Love And Kisses

First we had Kylie Minogue appear on Neighbours before becoming a singer. Then her sister Dannii Minogue starting appearing on Home & Away so it seemed almost inevitable that she'd end up being and singer too and here she is with her Top 40 debut. It was also inevitable that her music would be crap, which it is.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Simpsons - Deep Deep Trouble

The 2nd Top 40 hit from the Simpsons which entered the Top 40 before "Do the Bartman" had dropped out. My memories of this record was thinking great video but rubbish song. I've since discovered this was written by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince which explains a lot.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Rod Stewart - Rhythm Of My Heart

I was aware that Rod Stewart had a song called "Sailing" and at the time I thought this was it given it was the last word of the chorus. Like "Sailing" though, this is also a cover and like every Rod Stewart cover I've heard, its shit.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow

This song partly reminds me of 1991 and partly reminds me of discovering YouTube for the first time as this was a song I'd listen to quite regularly at the time. The line "you know that I've been drunk a thousand times" made me question whether I'd been drunk a thousand times. At the time I'm not sure I had, but 15 years later I'm pretty sure I've been drunk over a thousand times now.

Verdict - Good

4. The Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon

This originally came out in 1985 but was rereleased in 1991 ahead of their upcoming greatest hits album and ended up being their biggest hit. This is one of those records I've heard plenty of times without really taking any notice, but listening to it just now I realise that I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

3. Madonna - Rescue Me

This was taken from "The Immaculate Collection", her first greatest hits album. I remember this record but don't think I've heard it for 30 years so listening to it now, it's not quite the same as I remember it. I think its pretty boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. James - Sit Down

At the time I thought the band Hello James had shortened their name to just James. Turns out I was thinking of Halo James who were a completely different band. This is one of those records everybody seems to like except me. To me it manages to be both annoying and boring at the same time.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only 

Believe it or not, I've actually seen Chesney Hawkes in concert. He played at the students union at university one Saturday night. The set consisted of a bunch of covers, then he announced he was going to play his last single, not this one though, one that never made the charts. After a few more covers he played this at the end of the set to a massive cheer. It is a bit crap though, but it found it's place at many cheese nights. 

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 15.5/30, or 52%. Just about keeping above 50%.

UK Charts Best Year Search: 1973

What's this all about?

Top 40

Best Song: Linda Lewis - Rock-A-Doodle-Doo

When I was picking a record of the year for each year, this was my pick for 1973. I've not changed my mind, so clearly this has to be the best song in this Top 40. The main difference between this and most of the other soul records we've seen so far is that it's British. 

Worst Song: Peters And Lee - Welcome Home

In the early days of YouTube I got out my British Hit Singles book and played every number one I'd never heard before. There were some good ones in the 60s but it got a bit crap in the 70s. When I reached this song I recalled they had a 60s number one which was quite good so this may be too. I was bitterly disappointed, then I realised I was getting them mixed up with Peter & Gordon. For that reason, this stands out a little.

Top 40 Review

A mixed bag from Motown in this Top 40, we have good records in "Way Back Home" by Junior Walker And The All Stars and "Hallelujah Day" by The Jackson 5, but I don't like "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder. There's more Philly soul from The Stylistics with "Peek-A-Boo" and other good soul records in "Step By Step" by Joe Simon and "Pillow Talk" by Sylvia. 

Two former Beatles are in this chart, George Harrison with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" and Paul McCartney And Wings with "Live And Let Die". There's also former Marmalade singer Junior Campbell in the chart with "Sweet Illusion". Albert Hammond, a member of Family Dogg who did the best song in the 1969 chart, is also in there with "The Free Electric Band". All good records in my opinion.

Sticking with the 60s connection, Fleetwood Mac are back in the charts with a re-issue of "Albatross". This one also gets the thumbs up from me.

Glam rock rules the charts this week with Slade at number one and former number ones by Suzi Quatro and Wizzard in there amongst several other glam rock songs. None of them get full marks from me but some get half.

Disco music is another genre associated with the 70s, one that spawned some decent tunes and some really dreadful tunes. The two records in this Top 40, "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More Baby" by Barry White and "Armed And Extremely Dangerous" by First Choice. Neither are dreadful but I can't say I particularly like them either.

The only record I'm yet to mention that gets full marks is "Frankenstein" by The Edgar Winter Group. Add a few half mark records to that and we get a now familiar looking score. Soul music and 60s connections make up a large proportion of it, but that's what was in the charts.

Score: 14

Table

1970 remains the best year of the 70s so far whilst there's nothing between the rest of the 70s years:

UK Number 40s: Dexy's Midnight Runners - Dance Stance (1980)

 

Once again we have a number 40 from an act who also had a number 1. Their chart topper was yet to come at this point though.

This was the Top 40 debut for Dexy's Midnight Runners which was original was released in November 1979 and had climbed its way into the Top 40 by February.

In May they would score their first number one with the follow up "Geno". Another number one would come in 1982 with "Come On Eileen" with many changes in personnel. 

Their final Top 40 hit to date came in 1986 after a 3 year gap with "Because Of You" with Kevin Rowland being the only constant member throughout. Despite that fact, this is the only Dexy's Midnight Runners Top 40 hit he wrote by himself.

Top 30 in 1991 Reviewed - Week 15

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1991 with my verdict on each record:

30. The Shamen - Hyperreal (New)

The Top 40 debut for The Shamen which was a William Orbit remix. The singer on this is Plavka who would go on to sing for Jam & Spoon. A pretty solid debut.

Verdict - Good

29. Alison Limerick - Where Love Lives (Come On In) (New)

The Top 40 debut for Alison Limerick. I always thought she was American but it turns out she's English. The involvement of America DJs David Morales and Frankie Knuckles is probably why I thought that. I've heard this far too many times in my life now, but I still like it.

Verdict - Good

28. REM - Losing My Religion

REM were more than a decade into their existence by this point, but their only UK Top 40 hit to date had been "Orange Crush" which was a minor hit 2 years earlier. They would have 6 Top 40 hits in 1991 though, some old and some new. This was the first of these which was a new one. I don't mind this record but its not one to get excited about. 

Verdict - OK

27. Monie Love Vs Adeva - Ring My Bell (New)

One of those records where the vocals are far too irritating for it to be good. It's not a bad backing track and Adeva is a decent singer, but I've always found Monie Love to be annoying. 

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Hale And Pace And The Stonkers - The Stonk

A novelty record made for Comic Relief which is predictably crap. As it's for charity though it can be any old rubbish and people will buy it.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Banderas - This Is Your Life

This has nothing to do with the TV show of the same name. Banderas were backing singers in the Communards and this was their only Top 40 hit. It's one of those records I could take or leave at the time, but listening to it now for the first time in 30 years I can appreciate it a lot more. It's good advice that I should probably take myself at times.

Verdict - Good

24. The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go

The Clash had never had a Top 10 hit prior to this, but then thanks to the Levi's advert they managed to score a number one. It was also up against Madonna in the battle of re-released old singles which it would eventually win. It's definitely the better out of the two in my opinion.

Verdict - Good

23. Mike And The Mechanics - Word Of Mouth (New)

When I first heard this I thought this was a melody I'd had going round my head for a long time. Not sure if that was because I'd heard a song with a similar melody before or whether I'd come up with the same melody in my head. As I'm still yet to hear a song with a similar melody I suspect its the latter. 

Verdict - Good

22. Mock Turtles - Can You Dig It? (New)

I loved this record at the time and me and a friend at school used to sing it all the time. It was the only Top 40 hit for the Mock Turtles. I did however get pretty sick of it years later when it was used as the holding music for Vodafone and I was on hold for a long time listening to this over and over. 

Verdict - Good

21. Scritti Politti ft Shabba Ranks - She's A Woman

This Beatles cover completely passed me by at the time. To me, 1991 seems too late for Scritti Politti and too early for Shabba Ranks. It just so happens this was the last Top 40 hit for Scritti Politti and the Top 40 debut for Shabba Ranks. Seems a bit of an odd collaboration but I actually quite like it.

Verdict - Good

20. C&C Music Factory ft Freedom Williams - Here We Go

This is the classic music act has a big hit and then follow it up with a record that sounds pretty much the same. You really could just sing "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" over the top of this.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. Definition Of Sound - Wear Your Love Like Heaven

The first of 3 Top 40 hits for Definition Of Sound. You can hear a lot of De La Soul influence in this one but they have enough of their own stamp on it to not sound like a De La Soul clone. 

Verdict - Good

18. Black Box - Strike It Up

I used to like this until I bought their greatest hits when I realised just how annoying the singing is on Black Box tunes in general, but particularly on this one. Also the rapping is cringeworthily bad. We all know the singer we saw in Black Box was different to the singer who actually sang and the more I think about that the more I think why?

Verdict - Rubbish

17. Pet Shop Boys - Where The Streets Have No Name/Can't Take My Eyes Off You / How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?

This is a double a-side, the first being a mash up of the 2 songs listed. Regular readers of this blog will know that Pet Shop Boys are one of my all time favourites. I also consider them one of the best in the business at doing covers. It may therefore surprise you to see that I consider the mash up to be rubbish. It just doesn't work for me and is probably my least favourite Pet Shop Boys single. It is however redeemed by "How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?" which is much more like it.

Verdict - Rubbish / Good

16. Quartz ft Dina Carroll - It's Too Late

A cover of the Carole King song and the first version that I heard. On that basis this one seems more like the original to me. I've not heard it many years and remember it being a lot more uplifting than it actually is, but I still like it.

Verdict - Good

15. Simple Minds - Let There Be Love

Not the best known Simple Minds song but it was their second biggest hit. The fact Simple Minds were a big name and this was the lead single from their yet to be released the album no doubt helped. I remember Simple Minds having hits around this time without really remember the songs themselves. I was therefore ready to write this one off as being boring, but listening to it now it's actually not bad.

Verdict - OK

14. Snap! - Snap! Megamix

After what seemed like loads of Snap! hits in 1990 (for the record there were 4), in 1991 they give us a megamix. It would be over a year until we'd see them back in the Top 40 so I guess this was a farewell for now type record. Not for me though.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Feargal Sharkey - I've Got News For You

I remember this appearing on Top of the Pops. Feargal Sharkey's hair was mostly covering his face during the intro so I found it hilarious that the first line of the song was "I can see clearly". Then when I heard there was a TV show called "Have I Got News For You" this song sprang to mind. It was shortly after this that Feargal Sharkey retired from singing completely. It's not the best if I'm completely honest, but the fond memories I have of said Top of the Pops appearance means I can just about declare this ok.

Verdict - OK

12. Gary Clail On-U Sound System - Human Nature

I've not heard this one for a very long time. What strikes me hearing it again after all this time is how slow it is, I remember it being quicker than this. Fortunately I no longer have that mindset that a record must be fast in order to be good so therefore I like it. I still think it would be better if it was a bit quicker though.

Verdict - Good

11. The Bee Gees - Secret Love 

The first time I remember hearing the Bee Gees was in 1989 when I saw "One" on The Chart Show. That record only made number 71. I also remember seeing "When He's Gone" on The Chart Show in 1991, but that never made the charts at all. They did have a solitary Top 40 hit around this time though with this record. It sounds like "Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross, but there was no chance of them getting sued for copyright as the Gibb brothers wrote that. I'm not keen on "Chain Reaction" so therefore I'm not keen on this. 

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Dannii Minogue - Love And Kisses

First we had Kylie Minogue appear on Neighbours before becoming a singer. Then her sister Dannii Minogue starting appearing on Home & Away so it seemed almost inevitable that she'd end up being and singer too and here she is with her Top 40 debut. It was also inevitable that her music would be crap, which it is.

Verdict - Rubbish

9. Simpsons - Deep Deep Trouble

The 2nd Top 40 hit from the Simpsons which entered the Top 40 before "Do the Bartman" had dropped out. My memories of this record was thinking great video but rubbish song. I've since discovered this was written by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince which explains a lot.

Verdict - Rubbish

8. N-Joi - Anthem

This was originally released in 1990 but didn't make the Top 40 until it was reissued in 1991. Not sure whether anthem bashing was a thing at the time, but a title like that is almost pleading for it to be played in the many anthem bashing sets that would come later on. Still a decent tune though.

Verdict - Good

7. Roxette - Joyride

The lead single from their album of the same name. One thing that stood out to me from this video was Marie Frederiksson playing the guitar. I did wonder whether she was really playing the guitar so looked this up and it doesn't look like she did. It also looks like Per Gessle didn't play guitar on the song either, it was Jonas Isacsson playing it. I don't think I really liked this at the time, but like most Roxette songs I got to like it with age.

Verdict - Good

6. The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow (New)

This song partly reminds me of 1991 and partly reminds me of discovering YouTube for the first time as this was a song I'd listen to quite regularly at the time. The line "you know that I've been drunk a thousand times" made me question whether I'd been drunk a thousand times. At the time I'm not sure I had, but 15 years later I'm pretty sure I've been drunk over a thousand times now.

Verdict - Good

5. Rod Stewart - Rhythm Of My Heart

I was aware that Rod Stewart had a song called "Sailing" and at the time I thought this was it given it was the last word of the chorus. Like "Sailing" though, this is also a cover and like every Rod Stewart cover I've heard, its shit.

Verdict - Rubbish

4. Madonna - Rescue Me (New)

This was taken from "The Immaculate Collection", her first greatest hits album. I remember this record but don't think I've heard it for 30 years so listening to it now, it's not quite the same as I remember it. I think its pretty boring.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. The Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon

This originally came out in 1985 but was rereleased in 1991 ahead of their upcoming greatest hits album and ended up being their biggest hit. This is one of those records I've heard plenty of times without really taking any notice, but listening to it just now I realise that I quite like it.

Verdict - Good

2. James - Sit Down

At the time I thought the band Hello James had shortened their name to just James. Turns out I was thinking of Halo James who were a completely different band. This is one of those records everybody seems to like except me. To me it manages to be both annoying and boring at the same time.

Verdict - Rubbish

1. Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only 

Believe it or not, I've actually seen Chesney Hawkes in concert. He played at the students union at university one Saturday night. The set consisted of a bunch of covers, then he announced he was going to play his last single, not this one though, one that never made the charts. After a few more covers he played this at the end of the set to a massive cheer. It is a bit crap though, but it found it's place at many cheese nights. 

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 16.5/30, or 55%. An improvement on last week.

UK Charts Best Year Search: 1972

What's this all about?

Top 40

Best Song: Dr Hook And The Medicine Show - Sylvia's Mother

It's a tough one this week, but this record pips it. When I decided to broaden my horizons outside of dance music in the late 90s Dr Hook were the first band I started listening to. What's great about this record is that it's a sad love song that doesn't take itself too seriously. End each verse with the operator wanting 40 cents more for the next 3 minutes is genius. 

Worst Song: Michael Jackson - Rockin' Robin

Picking the worst song has been equally tough, plenty of songs which are bad in their own different ways. What's disappointing about this one though is it being a Motown record. This is the label I've praised a lot so far, but this to me is just a cheesy cover version out to rival Donny Osmond and David Cassidy with their cheesy cover version songs.

Top 40 Review

Fortunately I like the other Motown record in this Top 40, "Doobedood'Ndoobe Doobedood'Ndoobe" by Diana Ross. We also have some Philly soul in "Betcha By Golly Wow" by The Stylistics which was a contender for best song. Another contender was "Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love" by Love Unlimited. Other soul records I like are "Oh Girl" by The Chi-Lites and "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers.

This is looking more like a stereotypical 70s chart. Those Donny Osmond and David Cassidy songs I mentioned are in it. We also have glam rock from Slade, Gary Glitter and T Rex whilst The Sweet are edging in that direction. Unfortunately that does not translate into good music, "Metal Guru" by T Rex is ok but I don't like any of the others mentioned.

A 49 year old Hurricane Smith is in the Top 40 again, this time with "Oh Babe What Would You Say" which also gets the thumbs up from me.

The surprisingly good record comes from Lindisfarne with "Lady Eleanor". When I think Lindisfarne I think that Gazza collaboration, but I know they did proper music too. I just never really paid much attention to them, probably because of the Gazza song.

There are two versions of "Amazing Grace" in the Top 40. One comes from Pipes And Drums And The Military Band Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guard which had previously been number one. The other is from Judy Collins, which had been in and out of the Top 40 since 1970. Neither record is to my liking.

Two of the records I like are re-issues of records which had charted previously.  They're "Nut Rocker" by B Bumble And The Stingers, my favourite song in the 1962 charts and "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum. There's also "At the Club" by The Drifters which is part of a double a-side with "Saturday Night At The Movies" which hadn't charted previously but was an older record and gets half a mark.

If it wasn't for these older records the score may have gone down again, but instead we've stayed the same. 

Score: 14

Table

Much like the previous year, 1972 is better than the early 60s but not as good as the late 60s: