25 Years Since....February 1992

After my post a month ago of records in the charts I was enjoying 25 years ago, the Voice of the Beehive video managed to get more views this month than the 10 months prior. More to the point though, it reminded me what a vintage year 1992 was for music, so I've decided to make this a monthly feature this year. So here are a few tunes I was enjoying this time 25 years ago:

The Temptations - My Girl

So you're probably thinking wait a minute, even in 1992 this was surely more than 25 years old. You're right, it was. However when this was first released in the UK in 1965 it failed to reach the top 40. It wasn't until 1992 when a film of the same name came out that this finally got a taste of the top 40 reaching number 2 and giving The Temptations their biggest UK hit.

Sadly 2 of the 5 members on this record had passed away by the time this happened and another member died just months later.

Several years later I would buy one of their greatest hits albums and I've now seen them in concert 4 times, but this is where it all began.

Shanice - I Love Your Smile

I just had to include this one, not too many tunes get me into the 90s spirit better than this one. Like "My Girl" this was also a number two, but it was also a Motown record.

It would be the only UK top 40 hit for Shanice, though she would have another UK singles that missed out on the top 40 including "Saving Forever For You" which I actually prefer to this record. However, I never heard it until several years later, so this is the one that gets onto the list.

DJ Seduction - Hardcore Heaven

This is one of those record I don't think I knew what it was at the time but I liked it. I'd certainly forgot what it was not too long after.

When I became a raver in the mid 90s I bought a DJ Seduction tape. The first track on it was a remix of this which I recognised. On discovering what it was, I looked in my British Hit Singles book which confirmed this was a top 40 hit in 1992.

Instead of being glad of being reminded of a tune I liked but since forgot about, I was actually annoyed the Seduction had ever had a top 40 hit as I liked to think of the music I listened to as being underground.


Sonz Of A Loop Da Loop Era - Far Out

Got to love the scratching on this record. My young self found this record very bizarre, I was yet to know about the concept of rave music. It was something my parents thought was dreadful which was a bonus.

I would buy this on vinyl several years later. One time whilst a student, me and my housemates invited a few people back for a few drinks and I got behind the decks. When mixing this tune in I pretended it was actually me scratching the intro, whether they fell for it or not I don't know, more likely they didn't even notice.

Inspiral Carpets - Dragging Me Down

Even though they sound quite different, I used to get the Inspiral Carpets and the Wedding Present mixed up, I think because of the quite bizarre band names they had.

By 1992 though it became more clear, the Wedding Present were the band who had a new record out each month and the Inspiral Carpets were the band who didn't. More importantly though, the Inspiral Carpets were the band that did "Dragging Me Down", with a catchy sing a long chorus.

It made quite an impact on my little sister too, she would always sing a long to this when it came on. When I reminded her several years later though she had no recollection of it.

Record of the Year 1971: The Congregation - Softly Whispering I Love You

My record of the year for 1971 has its roots in the 60s. Originally by David & Jonathan aka songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenway, they put together a music ensemble appropriately called The Congregation to record a version of this song.

The result is a song which is far better than the original in my opinion. I love the way it begins with the choir singing and then in comes a man with a powerful voice (Brian Keith) and completely takes over the song.

They were known as the English Congregation in America because of an existing act over there called The Mike Curb Congregation who also did a version of the song.

There would be no further chart hits from The Congregation, though they did release a few more singles including a version of perhaps David & Jonathans best known song "Lovers of the World Unite"

UK Singles Chart: 1971

So now the Beatles have called it a day, we now get the inevitable - their solo careers. John Lennon had already begun his post Beatles career in 1969, but 1971 was the year the other 3 members began theirs. First up in January was George Harrison who scored a number one with his debut "My Sweet Lord". Then in February came Paul McCartney reaching number two with his debut "Another Day". Finally in April we had Ringo Starr reach number four with "It Don't Come Easy".

Elvis continued his run of a hit every year since 1956 with 5 further hits this year bringing his total to 78. Cliff Richard continued his run bringing his total to 58. Lonnie Donegan remained third but was now joined by Frank Sinatra who had a hit with "I Will Drink the Wine" bringing his total to 30. This also meant he was another act to have had hits in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

After an absence of 9 years, Perry Como returned to the charts this year with the hits "It's Impossible" and "I Think Of You". We also see Petula Clark return after 4 years with her final hit "The Song Of My Life". Both acts therefore also join the 50s, 60s and 70s club.

This year would mark the end of Jim Reeves run of hits every year since 1960, quite an achievement when you consider he died in 1964. Also bidding farewell to the charts this year are the Tremeloes who only failed to chart one year since they debuted in 1963.

Elton John made his debut at the start of the year with "Your Song". This would be his only hit of the year and quite surprisingly for someone who has had so many hits, there would be a 15 month wait until his second single would be released.

In September we saw the debut of Rod Stewart with "Reason To Believe" and two weeks later he released his follow up "Maggie May" which would be his first number one. Then in December, his band The Faces make their debut with "Stay With Me". The Faces would only have a further three hits, but as we know Rod Stewart as a solo artist would have many many more.

Curtis Mayfield and James Taylor would both debut this year with "Move On Up" and "You've Got A Friend" respectively. Aside from being featured vocalists, these would be the only UK hits for these acts.

Isaac Hayes most famous hit "Theme From Shaft" charted this year, he would only have one further hit 5 years later.

The Motown sound was still alive and well with Four Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5 and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles all continuing to have hits. Martha Reeves & the Vandellas also charted with their 1968 record "Forget Me Not" and we also had charts debuts for the Elgins and San Remo Strings both with records from the mid 60s. This was down to the Northern Soul movement where the music of choice was old American soul records.

The biggest success story from a chart perspective for Northern Soul was the record "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" by the Tams which was a 7 year old record which reached number one. Other acts to score hits courtesy of the Northern Soul movements included The Fascinations, The Formations, Newbeats, Tami Lynn and The Velvelettes.

It was a good year for T Rex who had number ones with "Hot Love" and "Get It On" and also had a number two with "Jeepster". We had Slade debut this year with "Get Down And Get With It" and followed up with the number one single "Coz I Luv You".

Another band known for their glam rock music making their debut this year was Sweet with "Funny Funny", though this along with their other hits this year were more pop music rather than the glam rock music they would make later on.

For the teen idol market came the debut of Bay City Rollers with "Keep On Dancing". It would however be another 3 years until they had their next hit. There was also the debut of The Partridge Family with "I Think I Love You".

There were two new nationalities on the charts this year. From Argentina came Waldo De Los Rios with "Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G Minor" and from Norway came Titanic with "Sultana". These were both acts only hits.

So 1971 was a year of new music of which some would be considered old. The Northern Soul music which was new from a chart perspective but old in reality, the former Beatles beginning their solo careers having started their chart careers nearly a decade earlier and Elvis and Cliff still hanging around the charts after many years. But this was with future chart heavyweights Elton John and Rod Stewart debuting plus some glam rock bands and teen idols which defined part of the 70s which could only be described as new at the time.

Question is will 1972 be out with the old in with the new, or will the old and new remain side by side?

Top of the Pops: 23/02/2017

Here is the Top 40 Countdown

So once again Ed Sheeran is number one, now the sixth week so once again he is on the show with "Shape Of You". He is however no longer number two, meaning the Smurfs and Right Said Fred hold onto their joint record of most weeks at number two.

The honour of being number two this week goes to Rag n Bone Man with "Human" pushing Ed Sheeran down to number three. However there is no room on the show for him to perform this song as he already peaked at number two with this back in December. He does however make an appearance with "Skin" which is up to 25 having been on the show two weeks ago.

There are two more songs from two weeks ago on tonight's show coming from Zayn ft Taylor Swift and Migos.

As there are just 6 eligible records this week, this means two thirds of the show tonight is the same as it was two weeks ago. The remaining third comes in the form of two new entries this week from Katy Perry ft Skip Marley and Anne-Marie.


New (40) Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios
⬆ (5) Zayn ft Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
New (8) Katy Perry ft Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm
⬆ (30) Migos - Bad And Boujee
⬆ (25) Rag n Bone Man - Skin
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Divine Comedy @ The Palladium

The last time I went to see the Divine Comedy play was an open air concert in Greenwich back in 2011. I had a great night that night and would never have thought it would be another 6 years until I saw the Divine Comedy again, but it was.

Although not the first time I've been to a gig at The Palladium, it does seem somewhat a strange venue to go to a gig in with it being best known for its plays. It was all the way back in May last year when I bought tickets, and proved so popular that they added another two dates.

Arriving on stage dressed as Napoleon, one would expect him to open with "Napoleon Complex" the opening track on his latest album. But no, he begins with "Sweden" from the "Fin de siècle" album. He follows it up with the hilarious "How Can You Leave Me On My Own" from his new album and then came "Napoleon Complex". Next up was "Frog Princess" which he dedicated to the people who didn't buy a ticket.

After a few more tunes and a few more jokes, he played "Certainty Of Chance". During the quite lengthy outro, Neil Hannon left the stage. At the end of the song he reappeared dressed as a banker complete with hat and umbrella so naturally the next song was the excellent "The Complete Banker" which he said was still dedicated to the financial services workers. This was followed up by a track he said was what bankers get up to in their spare time, the title track of his last album "Bang Goes the Knighthood".

After this, his guitarist put his guitar down before Neil reminded him they needed to play "Generation Sex" before he was to do that. This was followed by a drinks break on stage which ended with two seats in front of the microphone and two drinks in Neil's hand. Out came Lisa O'Neil who was the support act to duet with new album track "Funny Peculiar".

The rest of the gig was filled with the better known songs, beginning with "Songs Of Love" (the Father Ted theme tune). Just before he played "Something For the Weekend" everybody had been seated up till that point, but the Neil said that if they know how to get up and party in Switzerland then surely we do in London.

There were still a few people sat down during the next few tunes, but once he started playing "National Express" everybody got up. This was the last song before the encore which began with "Assume the Perpendicular" and then "A Drinking Song" for which Neil observed a number of people weren't drinking so told them to hold an imaginary glass. The final song was "Tonight We Fly".

An excellent performance which I enjoyed every moment of. My only complaint was the he didn't play "Come Home Billy Bird" which is probably my favourite song of his, but being on his eleventh album now there is no shortage of good music to fill a gig. Lets hope the next time I see him play is sooner than 6 years away.

Record of the Year 1970: Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues

This was a USA number one in 1969 but didn't chart in the UK until January 1970.

It's a song about a woman wondering when she is ever going to marry a man named Bill. As it happened, the lead singer Marilyn McCoo was engaged to fellow band member Billy Davis Jr at the time. By the time this was released in the UK they were married and are still married now.

However, it was not originally a Fifth Dimension tune. It was originally by Laura Nyro in 1966, though it is this cover which is the better known version.

It was Fifth Dimensions second and final hit in the UK, with their first being the perhaps better known "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" which was also a number one in America. They managed several other hits in America including "Up Up and Away" which had been a hit for Johnny Mann Singers in the UK in 1967.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr both left the band in 1975 and had a UK hit in 1977 as a duo with "You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show)".

The band continues to play today but Florence LaRue is the only original member left.

UK Singles Chart: 1970

When looking at 1960, it seemed like we were still in the 50s and the 60s were yet to begin. The question is then, does 1970 seem more like the 60s or the 70s?

It was the year The Beatles broke up and they had one final hit before they split with "Let It Be" reaching number 2 and therefore keeping them at 17 number ones. It wasn't the last we'd see of them on the charts though, they would return with reissues and previously uncharted material.

Elvis Presley managed to add to his tally of number ones with "The Wonder Of You" bringing his total to 16. He had a further 3 hits bringing his total number of hits to 73. Cliff Richard had a further 3 hits bring his total to 54. Still no change in 3rd with Lonnie Donegan on 30, and still Nat 'King' Cole, Everly Brothers, Frankie Vaughan and Frank Sinatra tied in fourth with none of these acts adding to their total hits this year.

Whilst Elvis currently held the longest run of hits in consecutive years, having had a hit every year since 1956, he was not the earliest charting act in the charts this year. That honour went to 1953 debutant Dorothy Squires who would have her final two hits with "Till" and "My Way". After a couple of years out the charts, 1957 debutant Shirley Bassey returned to the charts with her cover of "Something" by the Beatles. Another 1957 debutant still on the charts was Andy Williams who had 3 hits this year. So Elvis, Cliff, Dorothy Squires, Shirley Bassey and Andy Williams became the only acts so far to have had a top 40 hit in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Despite it being 6 years since his death, Jim Reeves kept his run of hits every year since 1960 going having hits with "Nobody's Fool" and "Angels Don't Lie", and he wasn't finished yet. Only missing one year since 1960 was Ken Dodd who had a hit with "Broken Hearted". Keeping a run of hits every year since 1961 was Gene Pitney who charted with "A Street Called Hope" and "Shady Lady", though this run would end this year.

Dave Clark Five would bid farewell to the charts this year with their final two hits "Everybody Get Together" and "More Good Old Rock n Roll". Also bidding farewell were Herman's Hermits who's final hit would be "Lady Barbara". Meanwhile Dusty Springfield would have her last hit for 17 years with "How Can I Be Sure" and the Beach Boys would end their run of hits every year since 1963 with "Cottonfields" and would only have the occasional hit from now on.

It was the first year since their 1963 debut that the Rolling Stones had no hits. We did however have Mick Jagger score his first solo hit with "Memo To Turner".

Having split up the previous year, the Bee Gees reunited in 1970 and were back in the charts with "Lonely Days".

Motown would continue to have a strong presence on the charts with the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Ruffin and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles all having hits this year, the latter getting to number one with "Tears Of A Clown". It was also the year that The Contours scored their only UK hit is "Just A Little Misunderstanding".

There were two Motown debutants this year though which in my opinion is a sign they were moving into the 70s. First was the Jackson Five who debuted with "I Want You Back" and followed up with three further hits this year. Then there was the solo debut of Diana Ross who had a minor hit with "Reach Out And Touch" and then followed up with a top 10 with her cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

Joni Mitchell had her only top 40 hit this year with "Big Yellow Taxi". It was also the most prolific year for a man known for being several one hit wonders, Tony Burrows, who would chart as part of Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood Of Man, White Plains and Pipkins. He had the first number one of the years with "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse which was a one hit wonder. The line up of Brotherhood Of Man this year was an entirely different line up to the one which enjoyed greater success later on in the decade.

Having already enjoyed chart success as a songwriter, this year saw the debut of Neil Diamond as an artist who had a hit with "Cracklin Rosie".

We were also seeing rock music get heavier this year with Deep Purple debuting with "Black Night" and Black Sabbath debuting with "Paranoid".

T Rex were back in the charts this year and were now sounding like the T Rex most people remember, scoring a number two with "Ride A White Swan" which also marked the beginning of glam rock in the charts.

There were several other notable acts debuting this year which showed we were now in the 70s. There was Free debuting with "All Right Now", Bread with "Make It With You", the Carpenters with "(They Long To Be Close) To You", Hot Chocolate with "Life Is Life" and Gilbert O'Sullivan with "Nothing Rhymed". There was also a one hit wonder called "Neanderthal Man" by Hotlegs, a band who would go on to be known as 10CC.

The year saw the first Dutch act on the charts, with Shocking Blue having their only top 40 hit with "Venus".

So 1970 very much seemed like a year of transition and there were many signs that the 70s had now begun. At the same time though, it didn't seem like the 60s were quite done yet. Will 1971 put an end to that? We'll see next time.

Top of the Pops: 16/02/2017

Here is the Top 40 Countdown

Its now the fifth week that Ed Sheeran is at number one and number two, therefore the fifth week in a row he appears on the show with "Shape Of You". The top four has also remained the same for the last three weeks. It's also the third week in a row we have Dua Lipa on the show, back with "Be The One" which was on two weeks ago, and also her fifth performance in 5 shows making this seem more and more like the Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa show.

We do have 8 eligible this week, still short of the 9 required to fill the show but an improvement on recent weeks. As well as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, from 2 weeks ago we have Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe back on with "Text From Your Ex". From 3 weeks ago we have Sage the Gemini back on with "Now and Later" and from 4 weeks ago we have Snakehips ft MO with "Don't Leave".

There are 3 new entries on the charts. There is a return to Top of the Pops for the first time in 16 years for Train, proving they are no one hit wonder like many people think they are. In fact they have had two more hits since, it took them 9 years to chart with their second whilst their third was 5 years ago, so not exactly prolific on the charts. The other new entries come from James Arthur and Stormzy.

New (25) Train - Play That Song
⬆ (29) Snakehips ft MO - Don't Leave
New (34) James Arthur - Safe Inside
⬆ (24) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
⬆ (17) Sage the Gemini - Now And Later
New (8) Stormzy - Big For Your Boots
⬆ (10) Dua Lipa - Be The One
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Top of the Pops: 09/02/2017

Here is the Top 40 Countdown

After last weeks show being the shortest so far, we are back up to 7 songs, an improvement but still not the 9 songs required for a full show.

Ed Sheeran once again is number one and number two. So once again we hear his number one, but the last time we had his number two is starting to become a distant memory.

Also from last weeks show we welcome back Dua Lipa with yet another new entry in the top 40. From two weeks ago we have Chainsmokers and Migos both on after climbing the charts. After entering the charts back in December we have Zayn ft Taylor Swift climbing the charts above its previous peak of 16, giving them a place on the show.

As well as Dua Lipa, we have two more new entries from Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj and from Rag n Bone Man.


New (20) Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj - Run Up
⬆ (13) Zayn ft Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
New (23) Martin Garrix ft Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely
⬆ (7) Chainsmokers - Paris
New (35) Rag n Bone Man - Skin
⬆ (31) Migos - Bad And Boujee
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

90s/00s Pop Australia Tour

Several months ago came the news that some 90s/00s pop groups were doing a tour of Australia. It was quite laughable given the make shift nature of the groups on the tour.

To recap, we had the full line up of B*Witched, East 17 minus Brian and Tony and plus UK Garage singer Robbie Craig, Atomic Kitten the Kerry Katona version but without Liz due to her fear of flying with Michelle of Liberty X standing in, and S Club 3 (not a typo).

Now the tour has began, it has become even more laughable. Added to the tour is Liberty X, but just the female members. To be fair I can actually name the female members but couldn't name the male members without looking it up, plus the not having the full band seems to be the theme of the tour. This becomes apparent when the only band with the full line up, B*Witched are now a member down. To top this off, S Club 3 have become S Club 2, which burns the question did they ever need 7 members in the first place?

Now today came the news that Kerry Katona has had to pull out of the latest gig due to illness, so Atomic Kitten has been reduced to a duo which includes a member not actually in the group.

The words Trigger and Broom spring to mind...

Top of the Pops: 02/02/2017

Here is the Top 40 Countdown

This is the shortest episode since the unofficial Top of the Pops comeback started, with just 5 singles eligible.

Once again Ed Sheeran is number one so he appears for the third week in a row and still preventing his number two single from getting another showing. The two climbers featured on the show from two weeks ago.

For the second time in three weeks, we have the same person perform twice on the show. This week its Dua Lipa, who has a new entry as well as her collaboration with Sean Paul climbing the charts. So if you don't like Dua Lipa then this episode is guaranteed to be at least 40% crap.


⬆ (28) Sean Paul ft Dua Lipa - No Lie
(New) Dua Lipa - Be The One
⬆ (32) Robin Schulz & David Guetta ft Cheat Codes - Shed A Light
(New) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
- (1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You