This old chart from 1983 is not my rival

Post by Chris Brown
35 years ago this week, Shostakovich is about to have his first hit
single, and it's the Top 100 debut of an act whose singer later became
much more famous for doing something else.
Also in this chart are two groups formed by the drummers of earlier
chart-topping acts, one band named after their drummer and one fronted by
their drummer. There's also a single produced by Geoff Emerick who died
recently.
I did have to make an educated guess which Bauhaus EP this was.
Playlists are here. David Bowie appears on Spotify in the 2018 remastered
version that was only released two days ago.
https://open.spotify.com/user/nowthats/playlist/0A9vRw4cyWaxi1dC9n5nwk?si=Yt7OsKkbQM2Awy78ns1h2w
http://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Vivid memory of seeing this on tv, and my grandfather turning to my parents
and commenting - you bloody let him watch this?! He was always in trouble
for sweating in front of me. Apparently for some time I was convinced the
tool was called 'buddyscrewdriver' having been asked to 'pass me that bloody
screwdriver our James' more than once. They lived 4hrs drive away, I bet
that was a tough trip home for him after that...

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

Remember the video, as a train mad little boy how could I not like her after
that... Re-watched it a while ago when it was on ToTP BBC4 and got all the
poignancy of it. A lovely track, even if she couldn't hit the top note.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

Probably my favourite Bowie track, which I think puts me into a very very
small minority.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

Huge selling track with various entries across the 80s. Funnily enough been
watching the DVD of Mrs Merton show, he features in the first couple of
series. Great bassist but lacking on vocals, it isn't until the new band
re-record it that I understood all the theme tune lyrics.

Post by Chris Brown
37. (39) Bucks Fizz London Town

I remember seeing the video for this on a Sat morning tv show I'd been
plonked in front of, weird what we remember from young childhood. Probably
couldn't tell you what I got for Xmas in 1983 but remember that, and
remember getting so mucky on the beach on holiday that I got taken to the
communal showers to clean up, rather than leave a clean up job in our own
static! And the queues for the phones at the caravan site. Kids now, don't
know they're born...

Post by Chris Brown
40. (NE) Elton John Kiss The Bride

It was somewhere around this time that he did.

Post by Chris Brown
54. (94) Billy Joel Uptown Girl

Massive track and iconic video. His big retro phase.

Post by Chris Brown
60. (77) The Kinks You Really Got Me {1983 reissue}

Was this before or after Come Dancing was a big retro style hit?

Post by Chris Brown
79. (NE) Seona Dancing Bitter Heart

Isn't this the bloke who played David Brent? I know he was in a band with
limited success.

Post by Chris Brown
96. (NE) Fat Larry's Band Don't Let It Go To Your Head

Don't think this one zooms up the charts...

James

Chris Brown

2018-10-14 21:47:53 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
35 years ago this week, Shostakovich is about to have his first hit
single, and it's the Top 100 debut of an act whose singer later became
much more famous for doing something else.
Also in this chart are two groups formed by the drummers of earlier
chart-topping acts, one band named after their drummer and one fronted
by their drummer. There's also a single produced by Geoff Emerick who
died recently.
I did have to make an educated guess which Bauhaus EP this was.
Playlists are here. David Bowie appears on Spotify in the 2018
remastered version that was only released two days ago.
https://open.spotify.com/user/nowthats/playlist/0A9vRw4cyWaxi1dC9n5nwk?si=Yt7OsKkbQM2Awy78ns1h2w
http://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Vivid memory of seeing this on tv, and my grandfather turning to my
parents and commenting - you bloody let him watch this?! He was always
in trouble for sweating in front of me.

If that's not a typo it seems very harsh.

Post by James Heaton
Apparently for some time I was
convinced the tool was called 'buddyscrewdriver' having been asked to
'pass me that bloody screwdriver our James' more than once. They lived
4hrs drive away, I bet that was a tough trip home for him after that...

Ouch.

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

Remember the video, as a train mad little boy how could I not like her
after that... Re-watched it a while ago when it was on ToTP BBC4 and
got all the poignancy of it. A lovely track, even if she couldn't hit
the top note.

I think that actually helps it.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

Probably my favourite Bowie track, which I think puts me into a very
very small minority.

I think it does. I like the song a lot but I don't think I could say I
liked it more than Ashes To Ashes, Golden Years or Sound & Vision.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

Huge selling track with various entries across the 80s.

I think this was the highest position of the original mix.

Post by James Heaton
Funnily enough
been watching the DVD of Mrs Merton show, he features in the first
couple of series.

Until they got divorced, presumably.

Post by James Heaton
Great bassist but lacking on vocals, it isn't until
the new band re-record it that I understood all the theme tune lyrics.

I don't remember that bit, I must have stopped watching it by then.

Post by Chris Brown
40. (NE) Elton John Kiss The Bride

It was somewhere around this time that he did.

Probably not very often though.

Post by Chris Brown
54. (94) Billy Joel Uptown Girl

Massive track and iconic video. His big retro phase.

The cars in this video were to me what the trains in the Ullman video
were to you.

Post by Chris Brown
60. (77) The Kinks You Really Got Me {1983 reissue}

Was this before or after Come Dancing was a big retro style hit?

After, hence this cash-in.

Post by Chris Brown
79. (NE) Seona Dancing Bitter Heart

Isn't this the bloke who played David Brent?

Yes. Well, him and another bloke.

Post by James Heaton
I know he was in a band
with limited success.

Presumably the inspiration for all the David Brent musical storylines.

Post by Chris Brown
96. (NE) Fat Larry's Band Don't Let It Go To Your Head

Don't think this one zooms up the charts...

No, oddly after their biggest hit they never troubled the Top 75 again.

Chris

James Heaton

2018-10-15 16:40:18 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
35 years ago this week, Shostakovich is about to have his first hit
single, and it's the Top 100 debut of an act whose singer later became
much more famous for doing something else.
Also in this chart are two groups formed by the drummers of earlier
chart-topping acts, one band named after their drummer and one fronted
by their drummer. There's also a single produced by Geoff Emerick who
died recently.
I did have to make an educated guess which Bauhaus EP this was.
Playlists are here. David Bowie appears on Spotify in the 2018
remastered version that was only released two days ago.
https://open.spotify.com/user/nowthats/playlist/0A9vRw4cyWaxi1dC9n5nwk?si=Yt7OsKkbQM2Awy78ns1h2w
http://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Vivid memory of seeing this on tv, and my grandfather turning to my
parents and commenting - you bloody let him watch this?! He was always
in trouble for sweating in front of me.

If that's not a typo it seems very harsh.

Yes typo. Swearing. Well spotted...

Post by James Heaton
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday
Huge selling track with various entries across the 80s.

I think this was the highest position of the original mix.

Post by James Heaton
Funnily enough been watching the DVD of Mrs Merton show, he features in
the first couple of series.

Until they got divorced, presumably.

Yes they dumped 'Hooky and the boys' at that point and replaced with 'The
Patrick Trio' - same words and tune just a new version with much clearer
lyrics. Patrick Trio also did the revised lyrics for Mrs. Merton in Las
Vegas.

James

Chris Brown

2018-10-15 23:13:56 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
35 years ago this week, Shostakovich is about to have his first hit
single, and it's the Top 100 debut of an act whose singer later
became much more famous for doing something else.
Also in this chart are two groups formed by the drummers of earlier
chart-topping acts, one band named after their drummer and one
fronted by their drummer. There's also a single produced by Geoff
Emerick who died recently.
I did have to make an educated guess which Bauhaus EP this was.
Playlists are here. David Bowie appears on Spotify in the 2018
remastered version that was only released two days ago.
https://open.spotify.com/user/nowthats/playlist/0A9vRw4cyWaxi1dC9n5nwk?si=Yt7OsKkbQM2Awy78ns1h2w
http://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Vivid memory of seeing this on tv, and my grandfather turning to my
parents and commenting - you bloody let him watch this?! He was
always in trouble for sweating in front of me.

If that's not a typo it seems very harsh.

Yes typo. Swearing. Well spotted...

Good, because if you were worried about getting into trouble you'd swaet
more, probably.

Post by James Heaton
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday
Huge selling track with various entries across the 80s.

I think this was the highest position of the original mix.

Post by James Heaton
Funnily enough been watching the DVD of Mrs Merton show, he features
in the first couple of series.

Until they got divorced, presumably.

Yes they dumped 'Hooky and the boys' at that point and replaced with
'The Patrick Trio' - same words and tune just a new version with much
clearer lyrics. Patrick Trio also did the revised lyrics for Mrs.
Merton in Las Vegas.

I must have stopped watching by then.
Looking at the list of guests they had, I don't think the full run run
is ever going to get repeated.

Chris

Mark Goodge

2018-10-19 22:00:58 UTC

On Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:10:20 +0100, Chris Brown

Post by Chris Brown
Playlists are here. David Bowie appears on Spotify in the 2018
remastered version that was only released two days ago.
https://open.spotify.com/user/nowthats/playlist/0A9vRw4cyWaxi1dC9n5nwk?si=Yt7OsKkbQM2Awy78ns1h2w
http://youtu.be/JmcA9LIIXWw
Chart dated 15th October 1983

As is to be expected of a chart from this era, it's generally a very
good one, with a fair sprinkling of classics. Although there are, of
course, enough tracks in here to demonstrate that not everything in
the 80s garden was glorious.

It's very much a late Phase-1 80s chart, though. There's still plenty
of new wave, new romantic and synth pop in here, but it's also showing
early signs of the styles that would predominate in Phase-2 80s.

I've seen four acts in this chart play live, and one member of one act
play live as a member of another act. And one of these days I will get
round to seeing a fifth act in this chart who only lives a few miles
from me and plays my local venues quite regularly.

Post by Chris Brown
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Classic 80s track. The video opens with a subtitle proclaiming it to
be the Mississippi in 1870, which is presumably an attempt to try and
gaslight those who, correctly, recognise it as the Thames in 1983.

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

Not quite a classic track. It's a good song, but the Kirsty MacColl
original - cruelly denied a chart entry by either a strike at the
distributors or (depending who you believe) a deliberate decision not
to promote it by the label following a falling-out with MacColl - is
far better. Although MacColl does actually sing one word on the Tracey
Ullman version.

Post by Chris Brown
3. (4) Siouxsie And The Banshees Dear Prudence

This, on the other hand, is an example of a cover that's better than
the original. Even though the original is by The Beatles. While there
are several cases where a cover version becomes, effectively, the
definitive version of a song (Soft Cell's version of 'Tainted Love',
and Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' being two of the best known),
there can't be many instances where a cover artist has upstaged the
Fab Four.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

The third single from the absolutely massive "Let's Dance" album. At
the time, it suffered a bit by comparison with the first two, and was
the least successful overall of the three. But, in retrospect, it's
aged better than the others.

Post by Chris Brown
5. (13) Howard Jones New Song

Not the most original of titles. The song is quite good, though. One
of my favourites at the time.

Post by Chris Brown
6. (5) Public Image Ltd This Is Not A Love Song

Considered a classic now, although at the time it split opinion. But
it was John Lydon's work with Public Image Ltd which demonstrated his
genuine creative genius, and in retrospect raised the Sex Pistols from
being just a Malcom McLaren manufactured shock band.

Post by Chris Brown
7. (15) George Benson In Your Eyes

Bland pap. Although listening to it now raises a bit of a smile,
because of the instrumentation - it's got a very prominent electric
piano in the mix, which, at the time, was quite modish. But the
keyboard I use now when playing live with our band has a preset of
precisely the same sound, labelled "Classic electric piano". Which I
throw in every now and then when I want to give a song an 80s vibe.

Post by Chris Brown
8. (3) UB40 Red Red Wine

Oddly enough, this is probably another example of a song where a cover
has become the definitive version. Although in this case it's a cover
of a cover, because the UB40 version is based on Tony Tribe's version
of Neil Diamond's original.

This was one of my favourites at the time, and is still probably the
song from this chart that I listen to the most often. Although,
possily a little ironically, I didn't like wine at the time. I do now,
though. I happen to have a glass of red wine with me as I write this.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

Classic of the era.

Post by Chris Brown
10. (8) David Essex Tahiti

Not a classic of any era.

Post by Chris Brown
12. (16) Black Lace Superman (Gioca Jouer)

I suppose some people found it amusing at the time.

Post by Chris Brown
14. (7) Peabo Bryson And Roberta Flack Tonight I Celebrate My Love

It's that classic electric piano again.

Post by Chris Brown
17. (19) The Alarm 68 Guns

Very much of its era.

Post by Chris Brown
19. (11) Genesis Mama

Good song. One of my favourites at the time.

Post by Chris Brown
36. (68) Men Without Hats The Safety Dance

Great song. There's a blog post which goes into the detail of where
the video was filmed; even now, it's still recognisable on Google
street view.

https://guanolad.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-can-dance-if-you-want-to.html

Post by Chris Brown
54. (94) Billy Joel Uptown Girl

Classic song. I do quite like this version of the video:

Mark

Chris Brown

2018-10-21 00:05:03 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:10:20 +0100, Chris Brown

As is to be expected of a chart from this era, it's generally a very
good one, with a fair sprinkling of classics. Although there are, of
course, enough tracks in here to demonstrate that not everything in
the 80s garden was glorious.
It's very much a late Phase-1 80s chart, though. There's still plenty
of new wave, new romantic and synth pop in here, but it's also showing
early signs of the styles that would predominate in Phase-2 80s.
I've seen four acts in this chart play live, and one member of one act
play live as a member of another act. And one of these days I will get
round to seeing a fifth act in this chart who only lives a few miles
from me and plays my local venues quite regularly.

So that's Bowie, Cliff, Genesis...
Nick Beggs and Toyah

Post by Chris Brown
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

It's a long time since I've seen it, I can't really remember how
accurate it is.
At the time I didn't even know where Mississippi was (although they
probably cut that intro on TotP)

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

I think that depends what you're looking for.

Post by Mark Goodge
Although MacColl does actually sing one word on the Tracey
Ullman version.

One word of lead vocal, at least - I believe she also provides a harmony
vocal elsewhere on the track.
Presumably she'd buried the hatchet with Stiff by this point (and did
indeed record further solo material there).

Post by Chris Brown
3. (4) Siouxsie And The Banshees Dear Prudence

This, on the other hand, is an example of a cover that's better than
the original. Even though the original is by The Beatles.

It's a pretty B-list Beatles song to start with but #unpopularopinion
I've never cared for this version which I've always found monotonous.

Post by Mark Goodge
While there
are several cases where a cover version becomes, effectively, the
definitive version of a song (Soft Cell's version of 'Tainted Love',
and Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' being two of the best known),
there can't be many instances where a cover artist has upstaged the
Fab Four.

'Do You Want To Know A Secret' possibly? Not my favourite Beatles cover
but definitely better than their own version.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

The third single from the absolutely massive "Let's Dance" album. At
the time, it suffered a bit by comparison with the first two, and was
the least successful overall of the three.

Only marginally, it has the same peak position and Top 75 week as 'China
Girl'. Doubtless it did suffer from the number of people who'd already
bought the album by now, although there was an exclusive (at the time)
live B-side to tempt the fans.

Post by Mark Goodge
But, in retrospect, it's
aged better than the others.

Certainly more so than 'China Girl', and it's slightly less familiar
than 'Let's Dance' itself.

Post by Chris Brown
5. (13) Howard Jones New Song

Not the most original of titles.

Well not the most imaginative anyway. can't think of any earlier songs
released under the title.

Post by Chris Brown
6. (5) Public Image Ltd This Is Not A Love Song

Considered a classic now, although at the time it split opinion.

I'm pretty sure it still does. As of course do many other generally
accepted classics.

I'm not sure why this particular song ended up as their biggest hit.

But

Post by Mark Goodge
it was John Lydon's work with Public Image Ltd which demonstrated his
genuine creative genius, and in retrospect raised the Sex Pistols from
being just a Malcom McLaren manufactured shock band.

I think the Pistols had already been given their place in history.

Post by Chris Brown
7. (15) George Benson In Your Eyes

Bland pap. Although listening to it now raises a bit of a smile,
because of the instrumentation - it's got a very prominent electric
piano in the mix, which, at the time, was quite modish.

I suppose that's interesting in the context of George Benson starting
out as a jazz musician.

Post by Mark Goodge
But the
keyboard I use now when playing live with our band has a preset of
precisely the same sound, labelled "Classic electric piano". Which I
throw in every now and then when I want to give a song an 80s vibe.

I remember when we had synths at school in the 90s I was disappointed
that the "piano" setting sounded like an actual piano and not the Billy
Preston sound I was looking for.
Not that I could play them anyway.

Post by Chris Brown
8. (3) UB40 Red Red Wine

Unless it turns out Tony Tribe learnt it from some intervening version.

I was amused to find this UB40 "tribute" album on Spotify a while ago,
since it consists almost entirely of covers:

https://open.spotify.com/album/76j2HEiwHFbRb8pR655OUd?si=aMVHttKsSvuoehrTyETEZA
(Ironically, one of the few songs written by UB40 is Sing Our Own Song).

Post by Mark Goodge
This was one of my favourites at the time, and is still probably the
song from this chart that I listen to the most often. Although,
possily a little ironically, I didn't like wine at the time. I do now,
though. I happen to have a glass of red wine with me as I write this.

I find it hard to imagine circumstances where anyone would feel the need
to play a copy of this record voluntarily, as if they hadn't heard it
enough already.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

Classic of the era.

And beyond?

Post by Chris Brown
10. (8) David Essex Tahiti

Not a classic of any era.

Wasn't it from a musical?

Post by Chris Brown
12. (16) Black Lace Superman (Gioca Jouer)

I suppose some people found it amusing at the time.

The rude version is definitely less amusing.

Post by Chris Brown
14. (7) Peabo Bryson And Roberta Flack Tonight I Celebrate My Love

It's that classic electric piano again.

If you can stay awake long enough to hear it.

Post by Chris Brown
17. (19) The Alarm 68 Guns

Very much of its era.

Even though it clearly wants to be from about five years earlier.

Post by Chris Brown
19. (11) Genesis Mama

Good song. One of my favourites at the time.

A very unlikely song to be their biggest hit.

Post by Chris Brown
36. (68) Men Without Hats The Safety Dance

Great song. There's a blog post which goes into the detail of where
the video was filmed; even now, it's still recognisable on Google
street view.
https://guanolad.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-can-dance-if-you-want-to.html

And didn't one the extras end up being a magazine editor?

Chris

Rink

2021-07-12 20:13:21 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:10:20 +0100, Chris Brown

Great song. There's a blog post which goes into the detail of where
the video was filmed; even now, it's still recognisable on Google
street view.
https://guanolad.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-can-dance-if-you-want-to.html
Mark

Well thank you for the link to this very nice blog!
After 11 years stil nice to read.

Rink

Robbie

2018-10-21 12:41:52 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

I bought the 12" and loved the song at the time. I literally can't stand
it now.

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

Decent enough cover but I never cared for Tracey's vocal style.

Post by Chris Brown
3. (4) Siouxsie And The Banshees Dear Prudence

Decentish song but by far not one of their best. Their most successful
of course though.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

The singles really were by far the best tracks on the album.

Post by Chris Brown
5. (13) Howard Jones New Song

Catchy song.

Post by Chris Brown
6. (5) Public Image Ltd This Is Not A Love Song

Another I bought on 12". And another I no longer can listen to.

Post by Chris Brown
7. (15) George Benson In Your Eyes

Dreary song.

Post by Chris Brown
8. (3) UB40 Red Red Wine

Another I loved at the time. I don't hate it but could do with never
hearing it again.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

A classic single and another I owned on 12". Still gets played at least
once a week on Radio X.

Post by Chris Brown
10. (8) David Essex Tahiti

His last top 10 single. Not very good.

Post by Chris Brown
11. (29) Rocksteady Crew (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew

Seen as something of a novelty at the time but it was one of the singles
at the fore of the electro scene.

Post by Chris Brown
12. (16) Black Lace Superman (Gioca Jouer)

Silly song, silly dance, awful record.

Post by Chris Brown
13. (6) Paul Young Come Back And Stay

I think I prefer this to his number 1 hit these days.

Post by Chris Brown
14. (7) Peabo Bryson And Roberta Flack Tonight I Celebrate My
Love

Sappy.

Post by Chris Brown
15. (24) Nick Heyward Blue Hat For A Blue Day

A bit of a Nick by numbers type song but I didn't mind it - he always
sounds cheerful whatever he's singing.

Post by Chris Brown
16. (31) Lionel Richie All Night Long (All Night)

Another I bought on 12". A massive dancefloor hit as well as pop hit.

Post by Chris Brown
17. (19) The Alarm 68 Guns

They always seemed like they were trying a little too hard to be
"punky". But they were 6 years too late.

Post by Chris Brown
18. (12) Kajagoogoo Big Apple

I think this may have been their first single without Limahl? A poor
song that was charting on their name alone.

Post by Chris Brown
19. (11) Genesis Mama

A creepy, spooky song that I quite liked.

Post by Chris Brown
20. (17) Ryan Paris Dolce Vita

A big Euro holiday hit. The singer's attempts at singing in English is
quite amusing but I did quite like this one.

Post by Chris Brown
28. (33) Freeez Pop Goes My Love

I'd bought the album on cassette. Apart from I.O.U. all the other
tracks, including this one, were rubbish.

Post by Chris Brown
41. (44) Olympic Orchestra Reilly

TV theme from Reilly, Ace Of Spies.

Post by Chris Brown
52. (67) Gary Low I Want You

Another Italian Euro hit, like ryan Paris. And I quite liked this one too.

Post by Chris Brown
54. (94) Billy Joel Uptown Girl

Would soon be number 1 and would mark the start of Billy's most
successful period on the UK charts.

Post by Chris Brown
65. (63) Time UK The Cabaret

Rick Buckler's post-Jam band. Not a great song and his post Jam career
soon fizzled out.

Post by Chris Brown
100. (NE) This Mortal Coil 16 Days

'Sixteen Days' was the A side of the 12". The A side of the 7" was the
haunting and brilliant 'Song To The Siren'.

--
------
Robbie

Chris Brown

2018-10-21 21:11:23 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
Chart dated 15th October 1983
1. (1) Culture Club Karma Chameleon

I bought the 12" and loved the song at the time. I literally can't stand
it now.

I can but it took a while.

Post by Chris Brown
2. (9) Tracey Ullman They Don't Know

Decent enough cover but I never cared for Tracey's vocal style.

I think it suited this particular song.

Post by Chris Brown
3. (4) Siouxsie And The Banshees Dear Prudence

Decentish song but by far not one of their best. Their most successful
of course though.

They did do a lot of cover versions.

Post by Chris Brown
4. (2) David Bowie Modern Love

The singles really were by far the best tracks on the album.

Having now acquired the album I do tend to agree. I think 'Ricochet' is
the best non-single track.

Post by Chris Brown
5. (13) Howard Jones New Song

Catchy song.

Although it is a little bit like Solsbury Hill.

Post by Chris Brown
6. (5) Public Image Ltd This Is Not A Love Song

Another I bought on 12". And another I no longer can listen to.

Too shouty.

Post by Chris Brown
7. (15) George Benson In Your Eyes

Dreary song.

I think at the time I thought this was the sort of music grown-ups were
supposed to like. I'm in my forties now, and I still don't.

Post by Chris Brown
8. (3) UB40 Red Red Wine

Another I loved at the time. I don't hate it but could do with never
hearing it again.

I think it seems worse than it is because of the ubiquity.

Post by Chris Brown
9. (10) New Order Blue Monday

A classic single and another I owned on 12". Still gets played at least
once a week on Radio X.

I think Radio 2 prefer to play the 88 version.

Post by Chris Brown
11. (29) Rocksteady Crew (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew

Seen as something of a novelty at the time but it was one of the singles
at the fore of the electro scene.

When did they start calling it "electro"?
I watched a Dutch TV report about this song on YouTube where they
interviewed the woman from this song as she is now (well, a couple of
years ago).

Post by Chris Brown
12. (16) Black Lace Superman (Gioca Jouer)

Silly song, silly dance, awful record.

Even at school this seemed naff.

Post by Chris Brown
13. (6) Paul Young Come Back And Stay

I think I prefer this to his number 1 hit these days.

It does have more interesting backing vocals.

Post by Chris Brown
15. (24) Nick Heyward Blue Hat For A Blue Day

A bit of a Nick by numbers type song but I didn't mind it - he always
sounds cheerful whatever he's singing.

Even though it's about being dumped, I sort of agree.

Post by Chris Brown
16. (31) Lionel Richie All Night Long (All Night)

Another I bought on 12". A massive dancefloor hit as well as pop hit.

Deservedly so, notably un-sappy for solo Lionel.

Post by Chris Brown
17. (19) The Alarm 68 Guns

They always seemed like they were trying a little too hard to be
"punky". But they were 6 years too late.

And always really over-produced.

Post by Chris Brown
18. (12) Kajagoogoo Big Apple

I think this may have been their first single without Limahl?

I think it was.

Post by Robbie
A poor
song that was charting on their name alone.

Still it did get onto the first Now album in a show of balance.

Post by Chris Brown
19. (11) Genesis Mama

A creepy, spooky song that I quite liked.

"Hahaha.. Oh....."
People who think Genesis went too commercial after Peter Gabriel don't
seem to notice this one.

Post by Chris Brown
20. (17) Ryan Paris Dolce Vita

A big Euro holiday hit. The singer's attempts at singing in English is
quite amusing but I did quite like this one.

Confusing that he was called "Paris".

Post by Chris Brown
28. (33) Freeez Pop Goes My Love

I'd bought the album on cassette. Apart from I.O.U. all the other
tracks, including this one, were rubbish.

I didn't think they were a natural album act.

Post by Chris Brown
41. (44) Olympic Orchestra Reilly

TV theme from Reilly, Ace Of Spies.

Originally composed by Shostakovich as part of the score for the film
The Gadfly.

Post by Chris Brown
52. (67) Gary Low I Want You

Another Italian Euro hit, like ryan Paris. And I quite liked this one too.

Dodgy singing though.

Post by Chris Brown
54. (94) Billy Joel Uptown Girl

Would soon be number 1 and would mark the start of Billy's most
successful period on the UK charts.

Well, I liked it.

Post by Chris Brown
65. (63) Time UK The Cabaret

Rick Buckler's post-Jam band. Not a great song and his post Jam career
soon fizzled out.

He was (presumably still is) a good drummer but that's not much to build
a career on. At least Bruce Foxton can write songs.

Post by Chris Brown
100. (NE) This Mortal Coil 16 Days

'Sixteen Days' was the A side of the 12". The A side of the 7" was the
haunting and brilliant 'Song To The Siren'.
http://youtu.be/HFWKJ2FUiAQ

Yeah, I noticed they had separate chart runs, and I wasn't sure why.

Chris

Robbie

2018-10-21 22:52:41 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
11. (29) Rocksteady Crew (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew

Seen as something of a novelty at the time but it was one of the
singles at the fore of the electro scene.

When did they start calling it "electro"?

This single or the music genre? If the former it was tagged as being
such at the time. If the latter, around 1983. The fuller genre
description is usually electro / hip-hop. The UK compilation label
Street Sounds released the first two Street Sounds Electro albums in
1983 (volume 2 contains 'White Lines' which is more rap / hip-hop to me).

Post by Chris Brown
100. (NE) This Mortal Coil 16 Days

'Sixteen Days' was the A side of the 12". The A side of the 7" was the
haunting and brilliant 'Song To The Siren'.
http://youtu.be/HFWKJ2FUiAQ

Yeah, I noticed they had separate chart runs, and I wasn't sure why.

Record Mirror have '16 Days' listed for this chart week then 'Song To
The Siren' from the following week as a climber from 100 to 66 (though
the magazine struggled with the title at first, listing it as 'Song Of A
Siren' and 'Song Of The Siren' at times. The catalogue number is that of
the 7" version from the week it entered the chart at number 100. The OCC
use the Record Mirror chart for the 1980s hence the separate listings
for '16 Days' (as it was listed also in Record Mirror, not the correct
'Sixteen Days') and 'Song To The Siren' for the rest of its chart run
(and at least they list the title consistently correctly) though the
catalogue number for '16 Days' on the OCC website is not something I
recognise.

Post by Chris Brown
Chris

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Robbie

Chris Brown

2018-10-23 22:04:15 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
11. (29) Rocksteady Crew (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew

Seen as something of a novelty at the time but it was one of the
singles at the fore of the electro scene.

When did they start calling it "electro"?

Ah, I don't remember hearing the term until later, but to be fair I
wasn't hanging around the cool clubs when I was 5. Or at any other time.

Post by Chris Brown
100. (NE) This Mortal Coil 16 Days

'Sixteen Days' was the A side of the 12". The A side of the 7" was
the haunting and brilliant 'Song To The Siren'.
http://youtu.be/HFWKJ2FUiAQ

Yeah, I noticed they had separate chart runs, and I wasn't sure why.

That is very fiddly. Still, I suppose 4ad liked a bit of mystique.

Chris

Robbie

2018-10-23 23:33:32 UTC

Post by Chris Brown
11. (29) Rocksteady Crew (Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew

Seen as something of a novelty at the time but it was one of the
singles at the fore of the electro scene.

When did they start calling it "electro"?

Ah, I don't remember hearing the term until later, but to be fair I
wasn't hanging around the cool clubs when I was 5. Or at any other time.

Sadly - or maybe thankfully - the clubs I was going to at the time
weren't cool (they all played mainly commercial dance music that was in
the charts along with the more danceable big pop hits.). I relied on the
James Hamilton Disco / Club pages in Record Mirror to keep up with the
latest trends.

Post by Chris Brown
Chris

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Robbie

vidcapper

2021-07-22 05:47:04 UTC