I'm having so much fun with this on MB I'm gonna do it here too. For those who don't know, what I do is take a random hit from the current chart (top 40) and then listen to and write a little about it. I then go back in time fifty years, in ten year chunks - so 2023/2013/2003/1993/1983/1973 - and check out what was at that spot in each of those years, around the same time. I then write about those too. I also then come back and do the number one for this week (or some week in this current year) and go fifty years back on that to see how different the chart was then.
Anyway, my RNG has given me the number 5, so what is currently, as I write, at number five? N.B. these are the official UK charts only. This one: https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/
So let's go.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/Venbee_and_Goddard_-_Messy_in_Heaven.png)
Title: "Messy in Heaven"
Artist: Venbee and Goddard
Nationality: English
Genre: Drum and Bass
Written by: Andrew Goddard, Dan Fable, Erin Doyle, Matteo Cinti
Original release date: September 23 2022
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 3
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status (at time of writing): Falling
Chart Progress: Entered the top forty at number 38 on October 13, moved to number 14 the next week, held steady there for another week, then on what would have been its fourth week inside the top 40 it scraped the top 10, reaching the number 11 spot on November 10. The following week it entered the top 10 at number 9, climbing to 5 the next week and holding there for two, before reaching its highest point, number 3 on December 8. The following week it fell to 8, then 10, until exiting the top 40 on Dec 29. It then fell to 65 the following week but inexplicably, to me anyway, had a sudden resurgence as the new year hit and on January 12 it shot back to the number 3 slot, since when it has been falling, back to 5 last week and remaining there this week (at time of writing; January 23.
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Nothing at all.
What do I think of this single? Meh, it's all right I suppose. Stupid autotune again, and it's very repetitive. Wouldn't be my thing now at all. Doubt I'd be bothered listening to it again. Would I turn it off if I heard it again? You know, I just might. It's not terrible, mind, but it's nothing that makes me want to hear it a second time.
What have I learned about this single? Apparently written by Venbee, who I assume is the Erin Doyle in the credits above, since she's the only woman, about a dream she had in which Jesus was walking down the streets drunk or high or maybe both. Sounds like it might have been controversial, but it doesn't say that it was. A drum and bass track, which isn't great for me, but the song did well in the UK, even topping the dance charts and getting to number 3 in the regular ones. Venbee says it's to be seen as an anti-drug anthem. Okay. The Goddard in the credits is Andrew Goddard, a music producer, so it's sort of a collaboration between them. And two other people, neither of whom I know anything about.
My rating: B
Going back ten years then to 2013, at number five we find this.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Calvin_Harris_Featuring_Tinie_Tempah_-_Drinking_From_The_Bottle.jpg)
Title: "Drinking from the Bottle"
Artist: Calvin Harris feat. Tinie Tempah
Nationality: Scottish/English
Genre: Hip House (?)
Written by: Calvin Harris, Patrick Okogwu, James F. Reynolds, Mark Knight
Original release date: January 27 2013
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 5
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status at time of writing: Static
Chart Progress: Entered the top 40 on Jan 12 at 15, jumped to 5 the next week then spent the next three bouncing from 6 back to 5 and then back to 6 before beginning its slow descent on Feb 16, falling to 7 and then over the next eight weeks sliding slowly from 8 to 15 to 20 and then 26 to 28, 33; slight bounce for some reason on April 6 when it clawed its way back to 30 before falling again, this time to 35, and then finally exiting on April 20 as it hit number 43.
From the album: 18 MonthsWhat do I know about this artist? Harris: Just the little I've heard about him being a DJ and producer and having hits with various people as well as on his own. Tempah: know the name; was not even sure if they were male or female. They're male, apparently.
What do I think of this single? You know, I really expected to hate it, and I don't. It's got a lot of energy, a lot of that kind of fuck-the-world-let's-have-fun vibe, a live for today kind of thing, and the music from Harris is pumping and resonating. The rap is good (what does he know about rap, you say, and you're right) and overall I'm pretty impressed. I'd listen to it again.
What have I learned about this single? Most of the information centres around its video, which reportedly had a lot of "bad stuff" in it - scantily-clad women, boozing, drugs, conversations with the Devil - you know, the usual thing, and came with a Parental Advisory, which no doubt helped its sales no end. When will they learn? The more you ban something or say it's bad, the more people want it.
My rating: A
So back to 2003 we go, as we prepare to greet again the tail-end of the twentieth century. But not quite yet. What was at number 5 twenty years ago? Glad you asked.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/The_Way_cover_art.jpg)
Title: "The Way (Put Your Hand in My Hand)"
Artist: Divine Inspiration
Nationality: English
Genre: Dance/Electronica/Pop
Written by: Lee Robinson, Paul Crawley, Dave Lewin, Sarah-Jane Scott
Original release date: January 6 2003
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 5
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status at time of writing: Static
Chart Progress: Entered at number 5 on January 18 and quickly slid down the chart, going from 14 to 15 to 23 to 28 over the next four weeks, exiting the top forty the following week.
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Nuffin
What do I think of this single? It's pretty okay really. Standard uptempo dancey electronic thingy, maybe like, I don't know, Steps maybe? Not that familiar with this genre, whatever it is. Pleasant enough. Nothing ground-breaking, but good no doubt to dance to and nice to listen to. Not bad at all.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing really.
My rating: A
That takes us back to the twentieth century, as we check out the number five single in the charts during January in 1993. It was this.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/Michael_Jackson_-_Heal_the_World.png)
Title: "Heal the World"
Artist: Michael Jackson
Nationality: American
Genre: Pop Ballad
Written by: Michael Jackson
Original release date: November 23 1992
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 2
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status at time of writing: Descending
Chart Progress: Entered at number 3 on December 5 and quickly rose to number 2 the following week, where it remained for five weeks before dropping to number 5 on January 16. After this it began a pretty rapid drop, falling to 12 the next week, then 28 and then 38, and finally falling out of the top forty just before Valentine's Day.
From the album: DangerousWhat do I know about this artist? Never 'eard of 'im mate! :shycouch:
What do I think of this single? Yeah it's a very touching ballad without I think too much sugar or empty sentiment. It hangs tight onto the coat-tails of "We Are the World", certainly, as noted below, but so what? A worthy goal indeed, to heal the world. Not sure it can be accomplished with a bit of sticking plaster though.
What have I learned about this single? Notwithstanding the charges against him of interfering with children (which he was cleared of, but you know, mud sticks and all that) and not particularly wishing to denigrate his memory, it must be allowed that Jackson donated this song to the James Bulger Trust, in honour of the poor little kid tortured and killed by those animals who called themselves children, and he also set up the Heal the World Foundation to help children worldwide. Now, there could be ulterior motives behind that, I'm not saying there weren't, but it was still a decent thing to do, and I imagine many children have had a better chance of a decent life thanks to that foundation. Reviews were mixed, with many critics pointing to its similarity to his answer to Band Aid's "Do They Know it's Christmas?", the USA for Africa let's-jump-on-this-bandwagon-before-someone-asks-why-we-didn't, "We Are the World", and you can hear it, sure, but it's hard to deny the simple and honest - and, one would have to assume, heartfelt and sincere - message in the song. There's nothing wrong with music that tries to change the world for the better. Just a pity this wasn't seen as his legacy after he passed on, with other, less salubrious elements of his character displacing it.
My rating: A++
Yellow warning bar with red writing noted, SCD system. It has indeed been more than 120 days since a reply was posted in this thread. Much more. In fact, let's see... 440 days, or in other words, over a year later, we return to the charts as viewed through my RNG and we're at
Ten years prior, and January 1983.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/45/Kajagoogoo_Too_Shy.jpg)
Title: "Too Shy"
Artist: Kajagoogoo
Nationality: English
Genre: Pop
Written by: Steve Askew, Nick Beggs, Stuart Neale, Jez Strode, Christopher Hamill
Original release date: January 1993
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 1
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status at time of writing: Rising
Chart Progress: Entered the top 40 at 38 at the end of January, swiftly rose to number 10 the next week, then 5 (which is where we are at this point) and on to 2 the following week, to number one where it remained for two weeks. After that it was a slow fall, from 3 to 6 to 14 to 29, until it finally left the top forty in April.
From the album: White FeathersWhat do I know about this artist? Not much until I wrote about them in
Trollheart's Music Detective Agency to be honest. Now I know more than I ever wanted to.
What do I think of this single? It's bland, pointless pop from a band who couldn't even be bothered to think up a proper name for their band and instead took the sound babies make. Yeah. Success came too soon and spoiled them. Can you see my tears?
What have I learned about this single? Again, it's all in that thread, though I do point out that Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes helped get Kajagoogoo their recording contract, produced this song and their album, and although it doesn't say it, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand writing the single too.
My rating: A
And back, finally, to 1973, to find out what was at number 5 in January of that year? Ah Jaysus! It's Bowie!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6b/JeanGenie7.jpg)
Title: "The Jean Genie"
Artist: David Bowie
Nationality: English
Genre: Glam Rock
Written by: David Bowie
Original release date: November 24 1972
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 2
Chart position (at time of writing): 5
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: Not as meteoric or impressive as you might think. Entered the top forty at 33 at the beginning of December 1972, made some small gains the next week, getting to 31 but then by the day before Christmas Eve had moved into the top twenty, taking the number 16 spot which it held over Christmas. In the first days of the new year it moved to the number 4 spot and thence to its highest position of number 2 the following week. A relatively slow decline then over seven weeks as it fell to 3, a position it held for two weeks, then 5, 13, 28 and finally leaving the top forty at the beginning of March.
From the album: Aladdin SaneWhat do I know about this artist? Duh
What do I think of this single? Double duh
What have I learned about this single? That it began as a sort of jam during the
Ziggy Stardust tour, and that Bowie sort of confirmed the title refers to Jean Genet, French author, playwright and political activist. Oh, and it's about Iggy. Sort of.
My rating: A+++
New section then. Here, instead of choosing a random positional number from the chart, I want to look at what is currently (at the time the article was originally written, which right now means I'm a year behind, so as a good friend of mine used to say, suck it) at number
(https://as1.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/00/52/64/26/500_F_52642632_FsldNwrgxujeU2ugpfwtUnDFvaWmwjF1.jpg)
And then of course we start going back ten years at a time to see what was at the top then.
So, despite the fact that we're talking now about 2023, let's go.
And what indeed was at the top around this time*, let's say January 6* or thereabouts? Well, that's only two months ago* so it was this.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Raye_-_Escapism.png)
Title: "Escapism"
Artist: Raye featuring 070 Shake
Nationality: English/American
Genre: R&B, electropop, Hip-hop
Written by: Rachel Keen, Mike Sabath, Danielle Balbuena
Original release date: October 12 2022
Progress to the top: A slow rise, and a slow fall. Entered at 31 beginning of December, then jumped to 6 the next week, then to 2 the week after that but oddly then fell to 3 the following week, to 6 the week after that and to 13 but then even more weirdly stormed back to number one on January 12. Spent one week at the top but then six consecutive ones at number 2 before falling to number 10 March 6 with a steady decline each week. It currently* rests at number 18.
Weeks spent at number one: 1
From the album: My 21st Century BluesWhat do I know about this artist? Not a thing. I didn't even know if they were male or female. (They're female)
What do I think of this single? Meh it's all right. I'm no fan of R&B (
quelle surprise!) and the way she sings is that kind of slurry, moody, sulky sort of thing I really don't like. Lyrically, it's basically "Back to Black", innit? Another song about someone feeling sorry for themselves. You know, I listened to the Eagles (shut up) earlier and they had good advice: get over it.
What have I learned about this single? Went viral on TikTok and became her first number one single in the UK. Again I ask, what is so great about it? Don't answer that; I don't care.
My rating: B+
*
At, let me repeat, time of writing. Send your death threats to someone who cares.
Going back ten years we have an X-Factor finalist at number one. How very 2010's of you.
Oh, and it's a cover.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/James_Arthur_-_Impossible.png)
Title: "Impossible"
Artist: James Arthur
Nationality: English
Genre: Pop
Written by: Arnthor Birgisson, Ina Wroldsen
Original release date: December 9 2012
Progress to the top: A strange one indeed. Came right in at number one two days before Christmas, slipped to number 2 over Christmas week then recovered to take and hold the top spot for two more weeks, before beginning a very slow descent out of the top twenty over two months, the top thirty in one week and the top forty in three, exiting at the end of March.
Weeks spent at number one: 3 (non-consecutive)
From the album: James ArthurWhat do I know about this artist? Not a thing. I've heard his name, but that's it. Now I know he was a winner of the X-Factor. Lord help me.
What do I think of this single? I can't compare this to the original as I don't know it, and no I'm not going to listen to it. I just don't care. So I'm going to have to judge this on its own merits, if it has them. An overwrought ballad from the sound of it. Again I say meh, it's okay but it ain't nothin' special and I assume the reason it got to number one has a lot to do with something that begins with the twenty-third letter of the alphabet.
What have I learned about this single? It's a cover, and a recent one too: apparently did well for Shontelle (whomever she may be) in 2010, so it's not like he went for one of the classics or anything. Possibly gambling on the song still being well-known and riding on its recent popularity? In fairness, all proceeds - okay, some proceeds - from the sales of the single went to a deserving charity (is there an undeserving one? You know what I mean: kids and all that) so that's something to praise. It is, apparently, the biggest-selling single by an X-Factor winner. It says here.
My rating: A
Our last stop in this century on our journey back, then, takes us to 2003. Two years after the Towers fell, two years after the world had changed forever, and thirteen years from the horror of a Donald Trump presidency, what were record-buyers pushing to the top?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/Soundoftheunderground1.jpg)
Title: "Sound of the Underground"
Artist: Girls Aloud
Nationality: English/Irish
Genre: Pop
Written by: Miranda Cooper. Niara Scarlett, Brian Higgins
Original release date: December 16 2002
Progress to the top: Straight in at number one just days after Christmas and held the top spot for four weeks, so into the new year, after which it slid to number 3 then 5 then 9 over three weeks, exiting the top ten in the middle of February. It then clung on by its fingernails to the edge of the top twenty for two weeks, remaining at number 19, after which it slipped further each subsequent week until almost exactly three months after it had taken the top spot it fell out of the top forty.
Weeks spent at number one: 4
From the album: Sound of the UndergroundWhat do I know about this artist? I know they were another one who came up through the ranks of reality TV popstar shows, these via
Popstars: The Rivals. I also know one of them died young, tragically falling prey to breast cancer and passing away in 2021 at the tender age of 39. It says the remaining members all did charity work, which is good.
What do I think of this single? I was surprised when I heard it first, as it's kind of more something I might associate with maybe "Footloose" or something like that, not your standard pop or disco style song. A lot more guitar in it and it has a real sharp punchy beat.
What have I learned about this single? It had been around for over a year before Girls Aloud recorded it, and had originally been intended as the comeback single for Samantha Mumba. Credited with reshaping British pop music for the 2000s, so I'm told.
My rating: A
So it;s off to the twentieth century, to a time before Y2K and Al Quaeda, before the bloody X-Factor and before the US had its first black president. Welcome to 1993, and the top of the chart.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/I_Will_Always_Love_You_by_Whitney_Houston_US_CD_single.jpg)
Title: "I Will Always Love You"
Artist: Whitney Houston
Nationality: American
Genre: R&B
Written by: Dolly Parton
Original release date: November 3 1992
Progress to the top: Came in at number 12 in the middle of November and swiftly moved to 4 and then 2 the following weeks before hitting the number one spot December 5 and maintaining that position for a staggering ten weeks (!), making it not only the Christmas number one but the new year one as well. Its fall was then quite slow, moving to number 2 on February 13 and taking a full two months to exit the top forty, which it did at the beginning of April.
Weeks spent at number one: 10
From the album: The Bodyguard: OSTWhat do I know about this artist? Eh, yeah, right.
What do I think of this single? I bloody hate it! Dolly's version was soft, gentle, yet still with aching passion. Whitney decided what it needed was a Mariah Careyesque bombast, a big wailing howl at the end and a huge production. Ruined the fucking thing. Bitch. And yes I realise I'm in the minority here. It's a place I'm very familiar with, and comfortable too.
What have I learned about this single? That Houston had originally intended to record "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" but when it was used for another film Kevin Costner (her co-star in the movie) played her Linda Ronstadt's version and she decided to re-record it. When Dolly Parton heard she was doing this, she contacted producer David "Digital Piano Ballad" Foster to offer him the last verse of the song, which was not in the Ronstadt version.
My rating: A -
If there's one thing the early 1980s were known for, it's novelty songs. And this is about as novelty as it gets. Still got to number one though. Makes you wonder...
(https://i.scdn.co/image/ab67616d0000b27349e165053699d67286325ae1)
Title: "Save Your Love"
Artist: Renee and Renato
Nationality: English
Genre: Pop
Written by: Johnny Edward, Sue Edward
Original release date: October 1982
Progress to the top: Slow enough. Entered the top 40 on November 13 and took five weeks to get to the number one spot, just in time for Christmas, successfully holding off Phil Collins' cover of "You Can't Hurry Love" until the new year. On January 15 it slipped to number 3 as Phil took its place, and then within another four weeks it was gone.
Weeks spent at number one: 4
From the album: Just One...What do I know about this artist? I know he wasn't Italian. Well, he was, but living in the UK and Renata was in reality Hilary Lester, the two brought together in what might possibly have been the first pre-packaged pop group by songwriter Johnny Edward, who had seen Renato on the talent show
New Faces in the 1970s.
What do I think of this single? it's a bit of a joke but it could be worse. Very over-the-top-trying-to-make-it-sound-as-Italian-as-possible.
What have I learned about this single?Pretty much a novelty song, it nevertheless held the top slot for a month, and though Renato still recorded until his death in 2009, Renee sodded back off to her own life and the title of their album was indeed a prediction that came true.
My rating: A-
And finally, rather like Sam Tyler, back in 1973.
Oh dear god no! No! NOOOOOOO! 1970s, how could you?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Long-haired-lover-from-liverpool.jpg)
Title: "Long-haired Lover from Liverpool"
Artist: Little Jimmy Osmond
Nationality: American
Genre: Pop
Written by: Christopher Kingsley
Original release date: March 25 1972
Progress to the top: Entered the top 40 December 2, climbed rapidly in three weeks to the number one spot, which it held over Christmas and the new year, for five weeks total. After that it slowly fell out of the top forty, fourteen fucking weeks before it finally slipped out at the end of April.
Weeks spent at number one: 5
From the album: Killer Joe
What do I know about this artist? That he should have been aborted at birth
What do I think of this single? Absolutely hate it with every fibre of my being. I mean, what the fuck was wrong with people?? A song which is essentially about a nine-year-old kid seducing an adult American woman and they didn't think there was anything wrong with that? Can you imagine this happening today? It would be basically seen as encouraging pedophiles! He was nine years old AND a cocky little cunt into the bargain. Jesus on a surfboard rounding the rings of Saturn! Oh seventies, you were a great time for music but sometimes your head was just firmly planted up your arse. Should be on one of those unexplained mysteries shows how this was ever a hit. And his MOTHER agreed with it! Fucking Mormons!
What have I learned about this single? That if it hadn't been for fucking Osmond-mania sweeping the UK this could never have happened.
My rating: C, lower if I could. I refuse to taint this thread with a video. Fuck this. What a horrible way to end this section. I need a shower.
Though it was over 5 months ago now, the sour taste of Little Jimmy Osmond is still in my mouth, so let's try to wash it out by returning to, well, now it's 2024, almost 2025, and I wanted to start with the current chart, so we have to move two years on, and next month three, but for now we'll return to this year, and roll the dice to see where we end up.
Well it's right at the arse-end of the chart, if you'll excuse my Irish. We end up at number 39.
So what is there this week? Let's see. Well, rather annoyingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, given the season that's in it, more than half the chart is stuffed with fucking Christmas songs! And of course, it's one of those that's clinging on like a limpet at the very edge of the top 40, and which we must then pick. Gaahh! Where's the Grinch when you need him?
(https://anythinghorror.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/banner22.jpg?w=1200)
Stick this in your stocking!(https://upcomingvinyl.com/pics/covers/l/laufey-christmas-magic-from-red-one-amazon-exclusive.jpg)
Title: "Christmas Magic"
Artist: Laufey
Nationality: Icelandic
Genre: Jazz/Pop/Easy Listening/Holiday Music
Written by: Laufey/Spencer Stuart
Original release date: Dec 1 2024
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 39
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Rising
Chart Progress: Entered the chart at no. 67 last week
From the album: Red One OSTWhat do I know about this artist? Nothing
What have I learned about this artist? That she's from Iceland and is of Chinese extraction, writes her own songs so far as I can see, for the most part at least, was a finalist on two bloody talent shows, and was a cellist in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at 15, which is at least something.
What do I think of this single? It's a fucking Christmas song, it's jazzy, it sounds like a bit of a rip-off of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year". What can I say? I fucking hate it. Grinch me, boys. At least I had only to suffer a minute of it, as that, apparently, is all YouTube think a human stomach can stand. They're right: it's sixty seconds too long actually. Is there a reason why perfectly sensible people write drivel like this around Christmas? Oh yeah of course there is: money.
What have I learned about this single? That it's from a Christmas movie that looks like it would make me gouge out my own eyes before watching it; starring some of my least favourite people, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Chris Evans and Lucy Liu.
My rating: C. Merry fucking Christmas!
Let's hopefully take a few steps away from Christmas songs and head back into the past, ten years back, to 2014, and see what was at number 39 around this time then.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9e/The_Script_-_Superheroes.jpg)
Title: "Superheroes"
Artist: The Script
Nationality: Irish
Genre: Pop
Written by: Danny O'Donoghue/Mark Sheehan/James Barry
Original release date: July 22 2014
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 3
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: From what I can gather, it looks to have come in at No. 3 on Sept 13, spent one week there and then slid down the top 10 over 2 weeks and then taken a further 8 weeks to exit the top 30. Two weeks after that it had left the top 40.
From the album: No Sound Without SilenceWhat do I know about this artist? I've heard some of their albums
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? Thought it would be a ballad, as it started on piano, but then burst into a fairly exuberant uptempo pop song. Interesting military-style drumming, and it's definitely catchy, with a sort of half-rap in the chorus. It's okay; wouldn't make me a fan of the band (I'm not one at the moment) but it's not bad.
What have I learned about this single? That it's dedicated to the "unsung heroes". Nice.
My rating: 5/10
And back another 10 years, which takes us to 2004, a time when we realised we were stuck with a second term of the Bush presidency. What was just hanging onto the edges of the top 40 back then? This.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c3/Deep_Dish_-_Flashdance.png)
Title: "Flashdance"
Artist: Deep Dish
Nationality: Iranian-American
Genre: Dance
Written by: Shandi Sinnamon/Ronald Magness
Original release date: July 4 2004
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 3
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: Pretty spectacular. Came in at no. 90 on Sept 25. By the
next week it had jumped all the way to no. 3, where it remained for one week before taking three more weeks to fall out of the top 10, three to fall out of the top 30 and four to exit the top 40, just before Christmas.
From the album: George is OnWhat do I know about this artist? Nothing; thought it was a type of pizza
What have I learned about this artist? That they're a duo, basically record producers who specialise in remixing and re-recording hit songs.
What do I think of this single? Well I thought it was going to be a cover of "Flashdance(What a Feeling!)" by Irene Cara. Turns out it's not. It's from that movie all right, but another song called "He's a Dream." Don't think I know that one. No, I don't. It's all right I guess if you're into that sort of thing. Not really for me. Very dancy, bouncy, very techno or whatever. Meh.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing really
My rating: 5/10
And so we leave the 21st century behind and travel back to the 20th, to a time before 9/11, ipods or Spotify, a year when Nelson Mandela, released from his long imprisonment and but four years a free man, became South Africa's president. Meanwhile, what was creeping up - or down - the UK charts at that time?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5e/ThirstyWork_StatusQup.jpg)
Title: "Restless"
Artist: Status Quo
Nationality: English
Genre: Rock
Written by: Jennifer Warnes
Original release date: November 1994
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 39
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Entry
Chart Progress: Peeked into the chart on Dec 3, wondering if anyone fancied some twelve-bar boogie? Nobody did, and it slid back down out of the top 40 the very next week.
From the album: Thirsty WorkWhat do I know about this artist? Ah who doesn't know the Quo? If you wanted rock and roll when I were a lad, these were the boys you came to. Sure, they only knew three chords (not really) but all their hits are classics. Who doesn't know "Caroline" (not that one), "Rockin' All Over the World" or "Down, Down"?
What have I learned about this artist? Nothing I didn't already know.
What do I think of this single? Oh dear. With a title like that I was expecting a boogie rocker, hair (or what remains of it) flying everywhere, but no, they chose to cover a really insipid ballad, complete with digital piano. Firmly stuck in the 80s boys. No wonder the charts kicked you out as soon as you stuck your nose in. This is dire.
What have I learned about this single? That it's a cover of a song by Jennifer Warnes. I only ever associate her with Joe Cocker, and they're up where they belong. Eagles may, or may not cry, so don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure the mountains are high. On what, I don't know.
My rating: 2/10
(https://i.gifer.com/1BhJ.gif)
Back, back, ever further back, putting as much distance as possible between ourselves and that limp-wristed ballad from the men who used to rock all over the world. Back to the year darkly prophesied by George Orwell as being the age of Big Brother, when I was only two years in my job, unaware I would be there for another twenty-seven, and had much more and longer hair.
And a happier tune it is indeed that we find moving up from number 39. Remember, remember, the fifth of November. Who doesn't remember this?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Paul_McCartney_-_We_All_Stand_Together.jpg)
Title: "We All Stand Together" aka "The Frog Chorus"
Artist: Paul McCartney
Nationality: English
Genre: Pop/Soundtrack
Written by: Paul McCartney
Original release date: November 5 1984
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 3
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Rising
Chart Progress: Entered the top 40 Nov 24, three weeks later it was at number 3, where it spent 3 weeks, then took another five to slide back out of the top 40.
From the album: Rupert and the Frog Song OSTWhat do I know about this artist? Now, come on!
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? I think I kind of hated it when I heard it first, but like probably all of us I've grown to love its innate silliness, its return to childhood and its frankly fantastic video, even if it is from a movie about an upper-crust teddy bear who wears a tartan scarf. Speaking of Scarf(e)s, I do think though that those frogs have a very Geraldness about them.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing new.
My rating: 7.5/10
Our final stop takes us to 1974. I was eleven years old, still at school and 17 years away from the tragic loss of my mother, nearly 50 from the even worse loss of my sister. Life was, generally, good, even if across the water the miners were striking and we were probably experiencing rolling power cuts of some sort. Karen was four years old and we had just moved to our new home. And at number 39, not that I would have cared, was this.
(https://i.discogs.com/K6fNm1VmM2-ec5UUdXpMxBmsp2Cl3WMfZsPuwIIgAHI/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:536/w:535/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE3MTQ1/MzgtMTM3MjIwNjY5/NC01ODY2LmpwZWc.jpeg)
Title: "Blue Angel"
Artist: Gene Pitney
Nationality: American
Genre: Chanson
Written by: Roger Cook
Original release date: No idea; sometime in 1974
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 39
Chart position (at time of writing): 39
Status at time of writing: Rising
Chart Progress: Came in at number 49 on November 2, rose to number 39 the next week and then dropped out of the top 40 the next week.
From the album: Not a clue mate
What do I know about this artist? Look all I know about him is two songs: "24 Hours from Tulsa" and "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart", the latter of which was covered by Marc Almond, with him, decades later.
What have I learned about this artist? Nothing I can be bothered to.
What do I think of this single? Oh dear lord. A typical country/showband piece of crap. Let me out of here. I want to go back to my own time... my
own time... my own....What have I learned about this single? That it's shit and that the 1970s weren't always as good as I remember.
My rating: 1/10
Before I choose another number and start time-travelling back to the past again, let's see what is currently at the top, and then check back 50 years to see how it's changed. So, this week, or as close to it as we can get, what's at number
(https://as1.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/00/52/64/26/500_F_52642632_FsldNwrgxujeU2ugpfwtUnDFvaWmwjF1.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6d/Gracie_Abrams_That%27s_So_True.png)
Title: "That's So True"
Artist: Gracie Abrams
Nationality: American
Genre: Folk-Pop
Written by: Gracie Abrams/Audrey Hobart
Original release date: November 6 2024
Progress to the top: Entered the top twenty on Halloween at no. 19, progressed the next week to no. 3 and the week after that to number 1, where it has so far spent five weeks.
Weeks spent at number one: 5 (at time of writing)
From the album: The Secret of UsWhat do I know about this artist? Nothing
What have I learned about this artist? Well, she's been around for decades, hasn't she? No she has not. Only released her first album last year. Okay, in fairness, her first single came out in 2019. She's the daughter of J.J. "I can remake
Star Trek and
Star Wars" Abrams, has been writing songs since she was eight years old, and is on tour with Taylor Swift, which surely can only help raise her profile. She's also one of the dwindling number of artists who use their music to say something, being politically active and realising she has a huge platform from which to express her views and perhaps influence those of others. Can't fault that.
What do I think of this single? It's okay I guess; kind of typical what you hear from these sort of artists, but I wonder if the influence of Taylor Swift on her is showing more than she realises? Sounds like it could be one of her songs. It's catchy and bouncy but personally I don't see anything special about it, certainly nothing that would keep it over a month at the top (so far). But then, what does this old codger know?
What have I learned about this single? Nothing, other than it was a hit both sides of the big water. They even dug it in Lebanon!
My rating: 5/10
Ten years ago, it was a different story.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/Do_They_Know_It%27s_Christmas_single_cover_-_1984.jpg)
Title: "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Artist: Band Aid
Nationality: Multi
Genre: Pop
Written by: Bob Geldof/Midge Ure
Original release date: November 17 2014
Progress to the top: Straight in on the week of release, fell to number 2 the next week, number 12 the week after that, then rallied just before Christmas, returning to the number 3 slot, but fell the next week to number 17 and exited the top 40 the following week.
Weeks spent at number one: 1
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Although using the same name and generally the same song, it was mostly different artists recording a new version of the song. Only Bono and Chris Martin reprised their roles, with new Band Aid members including Paloma Faith, Guy Garvey, Sinead O'Connor (RIP), Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran (spit) and Seal. The lyric was changed to reflect the Ebola crisis in Africa.
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? It's the same old song, being changed subtly and trotted out on this occasion for the fourth time. It wasn't the last time; they did it again this year. I think everyone is sick to the back teeth of it now. It just smacks of self-congratulatory indulgence at this point.
What have I learned about this single? N/A
My rating: N/A - You can listen to it if you want; I refuse to. I
am the Grinch.
Was 2004 any better, or did the record buyers flock to itunes and into soon-to-be-closed record shops to help prop up the ailing bank balance of yet another singer who had had the foresight to record a Christmas single, the gift that, literally, keeps giving, even when the songwriter is dead?
Ah. A charity single. Almost as bad.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Illstandbyyou.jpg)
Title: "I'll Stand By You"
Artist: Girls Aloud
Nationality: British/Irish
Genre: Pop ballad
Written by: Chrissie Hynde/Tom Kelly/Billy Steinberg
Original release date: November 14 2004
Progress to the top: Came right in at number one November 27 (no surprise, being a charity single and probably coinciding with the Children in Need week), spent two weeks there and then fell out of the top 10 over five weeks, taking two more to exit the top 30, and leaving the top 40 by the end of January.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: What Will the Neighbours Say?What do I know about this artist? Another creation of Simon Cowell, and of course an offshoot of the "Girl Power" era championed by The Spice Girls.
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? I preferred the original by The Pretenders, though the song does gain added poignancy and meaning when applied to kids who may be in need of someone to stand by, and up for them.
What have I learned about this single? That it was released for charity, in this case Children in Need.
My rating: 5/10 (9/10 for the original)
Another time-hop backwards, into the past another century. What was in pole position in 1994?
(https://e.snmc.io/i/600/w/de0a9386179bede824cfe0b3c6598996/1486236/baby-d-let-me-be-your-fantasy-Cover-Art.jpg)
Title: "Let Me Be Your Fantasy"
Artist: Baby D
Nationality: English
Genre: Breakbeat/Hardcore/Italo-House/House
Written by: Floyd Dyce
Original release date: 1992?
Progress to the top: I don't know if this is a re-release (but I imagine it must be) but this version anyway came in on November 19 at number 3, moved to number 1 the next week and spent 2 weeks at the top. It then slowly fell out of the top 20 over six weeks, and two weeks later was gone.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Nothing
What have I learned about this artist? Nothing
What do I think of this single? It's dancy and catchy. Would I listen to it again? Doubt it.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing, other than it apparently was released originally in 1992 and so must have been re-released two years later.
My rating: 5/10
And back to the era of Big Brother, as we approached the Christmas season, what was holding court at the top? A band synonymous with tongue-in-cheek risque lyrics and t-shirts that advised people to relax.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Power_of_love_single.jpg)
Title: "The Power of Love"
Artist: Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Nationality: English
Genre: Pop ballad
Written by: Holly Johnson/Peter Gill/Mark O'Toole/Brian Nash
Original release date: November 19 1984
Progress to the top: As Dcember began it arrived at number 3 and quickly moved to the top spot the next week, however even though it featured an incongruous nativity/Christmas-themed video, the single was not able to hold on to the top slot for Christmas, falling back to its entry point the next week and over five weeks exiting the top 20. The following week it was gone from the top 40. As a matter of interest, on Christmas week it had fallen to number 6.
Weeks spent at number one: 1
From the album: Welcome to the PleasuredomeWhat do I know about this artist? Famous for "Relax" and "Two Tribes", this was their third hit single and more or less spelled the end of them as a force in the pop world. In-fighting tore the band apart and these days they're only remembered really for those two, maybe three singles.
What have I learned about this artist? Nothing I didn't know already.
What do I think of this single? It's a departure for them, a move away from their upbeat, dancy pop fare which had got them to where they were and filled dancefloors as well as their coffers, and to my mind it closely parallels Pink Floyd's classic "Comfortably Numb" in the synth outro. Yeah.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing, other than it's at least the third single, and hit, to be so titled, the two others coming to mind being that by Jennifer Rush and the other by Huey Lewis and the News.
My rating: 5/10
(https://media.tenor.com/LvCe9abfhbQAAAAM/hot-stuff.gif)
Our final jaunt back in time takes us to 1974, when men with long hair and platform boots were not at all glanced at oddly, and you could wear glasses as large and as colourful as you wanted. Ah, the seventies! Topping the chart as 1974 approached a close was this. They literally do not write them like this anymore.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/Youre_the_first_the_last_my_everything_Irish_single_side-A.png/440px-Youre_the_first_the_last_my_everything_Irish_single_side-A.png)
Title: "You're the First, The Last, My Everything"
Artist: Barry White
Nationality: American
Genre: Philadelphia Soul
Written by: Peter Radcliffe/Tony Sepe/Barry White
Original release date: October 25 1974
Progress to the top: Barry didn't like to rush things. The single entered (ooer) the charts at 38 on November 2, then slowly slid up (shut it) the top 20 till it was at number 2 by the end of the month. It then spent two weeks at number 1, but Barry knows it's always good to leave them wanting more, and slipped away after that, teasing us with a slow withdrawal (oh now really stop) over three weeks, and then finally said "See ya baby" three weeks later as he headed out of the top 40. What a class act. We shall not see his like again.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: Can't Get EnoughWhat do I know about this artist? Ah Jaysus who doesn't know Baz? The man with the deepest, sexiest voice in pop, who often began his songs with a deep, bass paean of love to his lady, and who made pop sexy again. How many women swooned to his seductive voice declaring his intention to make love, and then rising (pun intended) to a climax (again, pun intended) as he launched into the singing part with a "Whoa, whoa, whoa-ooohhhh!"?
What have I learned about this artist? He's unassailable.
What do I think of this single? Ah ya got to love it. Pure class.
What have I learned about this single? Quite surprisingly, it had been around for two decades before it became a hit. Peter Radcliffe originally wrote it as a country song but called it something else - "You're My First, You're My Last, My In-between" - then Barry got a hold of it and showed it what a song should be, and remade it in his image, adding that throaty drawled oh-so-sexy intro, and music history was made.
My rating: 10/10
And so, on the day the new year begins, we up the year and begin at 2025. Now, the only way I can do that, with this being January 1, is to take the chart for the last week in the previous year, i.e., one week ago, but I will treat that as 2025, which means I'll then be going back to 2015, 2005 etc.
But first: time to roll the dice, or, in these enlightened days of computerisation when the internet tells us what to do, hit the Random Number Generator and see what the gods bestow upon us on this, the first day of 2025.
And we have 17. So what's at 17 this week? Sorry, but that lands me in a world of Christmas songs, and I have had those up to here! So let's trip back a month or so, and try again. Any better? I'll let you know. But this, anyway, is what was at number 17 on the first week of November last.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Lady_Gaga_and_Bruno_Mars_-_Die_with_a_Smile.png)
Title: "Die With a Smile"
Artist: Lady Gaga featuring Bruno Mars
Nationality: American
Genre: Soft rock
Written by: Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars/James Fauntleroy/Dernst Emille II/Andrew Watt
Original release date: August 16 2024
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 2
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: Very very strange. It had a slow journey to almost the top, entering at number 7 on August 23 and spending three weeks there, moving to number 6 after that, then one week later to 5, then to 4, again spending two weeks there, then to number 3 on October 11, the next week taking the number 2 spot, its highest position, where it spent one week before falling back to number 3, then a pretty dramatic fall to 17 (where we catch up with it) after that one week later it made a surprising recovery and took the number 14 spot for two weeks, then fell to number 18, then 23 and finally on December 6 exited the top 40. Only to make a brief resurgence as it climbed to number 37 the next week, then 32 the week after that, and finally falling all the way down to 64 this week. What a ride!
From the album: I don't know; it says it was (to be) included on her 8th album, but as far as I can see she has only had six to date?
What do I know about this artist? What everyone knows. I may have heard one or two songs, and I know about her controversial dress choices. Mars I know virtually nothing about, nor I think do I wish to.
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? You know, it's a hell of a lot better than I had expected. Sort of an acoustic ballad with a sense of 70s soul blended with Bryan Adams-style AOR/Pop rock. Not too bad at all.
What have I learned about this single? That she and Mars collaborated on it, it being one of his unfinished works, and that they finished it in a night.
My rating: :3.5stars:
(From now on I'm using the stars rating. Get used to it).
And so we leave the freshly-minted new year behind and head for 2015. Yes, I know the last one was technically 2024 but that's how I'm doing it. So what was at number 17 10 years ago?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Calvin_Harris_and_Disciples_-_How_Deep_Is_Your_Love.png/440px-Calvin_Harris_and_Disciples_-_How_Deep_Is_Your_Love.png)
Title: "How Deep is Your Love?"
Artist: Calvin Harris & Disciples
Nationality: Scottish/English
Genre: Deep House
Written by: Calvin Harris/Nathan Duvall/Gavin Koolmon/Luke McDermott/Ina Wroldsen/Marvin White
Original release date: July 17 2015
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 2
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: If I thought the chart progress of the previous song was odd, this is off the wall. 12 weeks in total spent in the top ten, but 34 spent in the top 40! Came in at number 7 on July 24 and moved to 6 the next week, then to number 2 where it spent two weeks before falling very slowly out of the top ten as I said: number 3 then three weeks at number 4, then back to 3 for one week and back to four for one, then a week each at 7, 9, 11 and 14 before we catch up with it at the end of October, whereafter it spent another week there (so two in all), and I'm not going to go into forensic detail on what places it slid to and how long it remained there, but it took a further 11 weeks to move out of the top 30 (with some bouncing back up a few places before falling back) and then spent three fucking weeks at 44 on its way out! Crazy.
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? I've already noted all I know when he cropped up last in this chart thread.
What have I learned about this artist? Nothing new
What do I think of this single? Yeah I can see them dancing in clubs in Ibiza, off their faces on ecstasy or whatever, but to me a lot of these house tunes sound very similar. Probably just not my thing. For what it is, I guess it gets the job done. I prefer the Brothers Gibb, personally.
What have I learned about this single? That it is not, as I had originally thought, a cover of the old Bee Gees hit. That it was originally written by Disciples and the Norwegian singer Ira Wroldsen, that he (Harris) was sent it as part of the system his production company uses to check out new stuff by their artists or some damn thing, he liked it and decided to collaborate on it with them. Good for him: he ended up taking first name credits of course. Poor old Ira wasn't even credited even though she sang on it. Git.
My rating: :3stars:
Back then to close to the beginning of the 21st century, as we end up in 2005, where we find this at number 17.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/Bad_Day_single.jpg)
Title: "Bad Day"
Artist: Daniel Powter
Nationality: Canadian
Genre: Pop/Pop Rock
Written by: Daniel Powter
Original release date: January 9 2005
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 2
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: Another weird one. Came in at number 2 on July 31 and spent three weeks there before moving down to number 3, where it also spent three weeks, then two weeks each at 5, 6, one at 10 and two at 8 (yes, in that order: what's happened to the chart?) then one at 13 before we meet it at 17, dropping out of the top 20 three weeks later and then taking another six to leave the top 30 before finally exiting the top 40 two weeks later.
From the album: Daniel PowterWhat do I know about this artist? Virtually nothing
What have I learned about this artist? That he began writing songs at 13, was bullied by the kids in his school because he played the violin, they smashed it and he changed to the piano.
What do I think of this single? You know, I like(d) it, but during one of my many depressions the fucking thing would not stop playing in my head, and it drove me around the twist. I still like it, but I'm not so sure I can stand to hear it again. I'd just about got it out of my mind when of course it would come up here! But you have to respect someone who writes their own music in this age of multi-songwriters and producers, so fair play to him. Even so, was it the curse of the big hit? Can you name a single other Daniel Powter song since? Hey, maybe you're just having a bad day.
What have I learned about this single? That it was his first ever release, that he wrote it himself, and that it was used on
American Idol and also for a
Coca-Cola advert.
My rating: :4stars:
That takes us over the line that separates the past from the, um, more recent past, and the centuries from each other, as we head back to 1995. At number 17 around that week we find these ladies, singing about the
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Eternal_Power_of_a_Woman_CD_Single_Cover.jpg)
Title: "Power of a Woman"
Artist: Eternal
Nationality: English
Genre: R&B
Written by: Carl Sturken/Evan Rogers
Original release date: October 9 1995
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 5
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Falling
Chart Progress: At least this one had a more conventional journey. Arrived at number 5 on October 15 and a week later dropped to 6, then 9, then hooks up with us at 17 before dropping to 25 and then leaving the top 40 almost a month later.
From the album: Power of a WomanWhat do I know about this artist? Just "Waterfalls". Oh no, that's TLC isn't it? Well, in that case, nothing.
What have I learned about this artist? That they were English - assumed they were American - and are no more. Oh, and that Louise Redknapp was in their band. But not for this single; she'd left by now to pursue a solo career. And very well she did, too. Hey wait a minute! They're all black, and Louise, well, isn't. How did that work then? Token white girl?
What do I think of this single? Meh. Sounds like the Spice Girls if they did R&B. Maybe they should have tried writing themselves. This is generic pap.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing, other than, despite the title, it was written by two men!
My rating: :2.5stars:
10 years further back brings us to my favourite decade, when I was growing up. Well, grown up. If I ever did. I always consider the 80s the best decade for music - well, maybe the 70s too - but then, who doesn't rate the years they were young(ish) as the best? Nevertheless, I am right.
And in 1985 we had this little gem making its way up to number 17, more or less at the height of their commercial fame, when suddenly everyone - including very much me - suddenly became aware of their existence, and tried to pretend they had always been a fan.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Talking_Heads_-_Road_to_Nowhere.jpg)
Title: "Road to Nowhere"
Artist: Talking Heads
Nationality: American
Genre: Pop-Rock/New Wave
Written by: David Byrne
Original release date: September 30 1985
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 6
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Rising
Chart Progress: A lot more conventional. Made an unobtrusive entrance at the beginning of October at 66, then the next week advanced to 48, then 41 the next week and 26 the week after that, after which we meet it at 17 before it moves to 12 and then into the top 10, taking its highest position at 6 on November 24, then falling the next week to 8th place, exiting the top 20 two weeks later and the top 30 two weeks after that, finally leaving the top 40 after two more weeks.
From the album: Little CreaturesWhat do I know about this artist? Who doesn't know Dave and the lads?
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? Love it. I'm not a big fan of Talking Heads but this song is so infectious, especially the
a capella ending, the marching drum beat rhythm, the gospel intro, and, um, everything about it.
What have I learned about this single? Nothing much, other than the fact that David Byrne was embarrassed that it consists only of two chords (he says) and so wrote the gospel introduction. Hey, it works.
My rating: :5stars:
Our final recession through time takes us back to the good old days of the seventies, and having said that, no doubt I'm going to end up having to listen to a right turd (and believe me, like any decade, there were plenty of them in the seventies!) but hopefully it'll be a rock or pop classic. Hell, I'll settle for it not being Renee and Renato or Clive Dunn! If that means nothing to you, then consider yourselves lucky.
Oh no it's not. It's this guy. Remember "Music"? He wishes you didn't.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/59/Johnmilesrebel.jpg)
Title: "Highfly"
Artist: John Miles
Nationality: English
Genre: Rock
Written by: John Miles/Bob Marshall
Original release date: Unknown, but we can work it out. The album was released in March and the single entered the charts in October, so realistically speaking, it must have been released somewhere around the beginning of October 1975.
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 17
Chart position (at time of writing): 17
Status at time of writing: Highest position
Chart Progress: Not much really. Came in at number 42 October 12 and moved to 25 the next week, 18 the next and then hit 17, which is where we meet it, and after which it began to fall, back to 18 and then to 24 as it exited the top 40.
From the album: RebelWhat do I know about this artist? Nothing other than that one hit he had.
What have I learned about this artist? That after leaving school he had a job making signs for toilets (!), that he went to Jarrow Grammar School, the town from which began a big march to protest unemployment, and the town itself was so decimated by the Great Depression that it was described as "cursed". Nice. It's always good to learn something, even if there's not always a lot there to learn. You find these titbits of information, these nuggets of interest if you look.
As for Miles? Well, you know, given the fact that "Music" was such a huge hit, I always assumed he was in one of the bigger bands, but it doesn't appear so. In fact, that was his only hit, so rather like poor Daniel Powter, he's only ever remembered, and occasionally commemorated on hits albums for that one song. Seems to have had pretty poor luck. Despite opening for Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith and The Stones, among others, his lack of success and general recognition led one critic to lament
In the world of Rock music, there can be no greater travesty than the way John Miles' music has been ignored, especially by the weekly music press. Musical skill has never been high on their list of pre-requisites for stardom and as soon as John's fifteen minutes of fame had terminated in the mid-Seventies, the shutters came down with a resounding bang. 'Passe' and 'old-fashioned' were the usual glib diatribes flung insultingly in Mr. Miles' direction with every subsequent record release, yet to those prepared to listen, each and every album contained material that consolidated his status as an exceptional songwriting talent.And you can understand that. How can you put yourself out there, have a big hit, associate with all these bands and yet not really ever make it? Miles died in 2021, still more or less only known, if at all, for that one song. At least Alan Parsons appreciated him, saying after his death
I am hugely saddened by the news that my good friend and musical genius John has passed. I am so very proud to have worked with him on some of the greatest vocal performances ever recorded, including of course 'Music', which as well as being a big hit internationally, became an anthem for the hugely popular "Night of the Proms" concerts. Whenever I invited John to sing on the Alan Parsons Project albums he always delivered magical and sensitive renditions. He will be greatly missed not only by his many friends and associates but also by the millions of fans who recognize his amazing talent. What do I think of this single? You know, I think I've heard this before. It's certainly familiar. I hear his work with the Alan Parsons Project here, certainly. Decent rock song. Don't see any reason why it wasn't a hit really. Quite catchy, with a bit of Queen and T-Rex about it, maybe some Bowie too. Good stuff.
What have I learned about this single? Not a damn thing.
My rating: :3.5stars:
(I would source another copy, but I think this is ironically a metaphor for poor John's lack of musical appreciation by the general public)
So that's the number 17 done with, which means it's time to check out the top hit from each of the last six decades, and we begin with what is, or was, currently sitting at number
(https://as1.ftcdn.net/v2/jpg/00/52/64/26/500_F_52642632_FsldNwrgxujeU2ugpfwtUnDFvaWmwjF1.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dd/Gigi_Perez_-_Sailor_Song.jpg)
Title: "Sailor Song"
Artist: Gigi Perez
Nationality: American
Genre: Indie Folk
Written by: Gianna (Gigi) Perez
Original release date: July 26 2024
Progress to the top: Not an instant hit by any means, it came into the charts at 53 in August and fell right back out the next week, but the week after that rallied and made it into the top 40, where it spent two weeks, then one week at number 25 got it into the top 30, after which it climbed to number 13, staying there for two weeks, then moving to 11 for another two weeks before getting into the top ten as it made number 6, then 3, then 2 and finally hit the top on November 1st.
Weeks spent at number one: 1
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Nada
What have I learned about this artist? That she suffered bereavement and loss, and uploaded videos of her songs to TikTok to pass the time, whereby she was discovered. She has supported Coldplay on tour, and seems to have had a pretty meteoric rise to fame, only having been signed in 2021.
What do I think of this single? Lord save me, not indie folk! I haven't had the best luck with this genre, but we'll see. It's a nice simple tune, but the production is - probably intentionally - bad, which makes it sound like she's playing it in a car park or something. Better production would help. Nice enough though. Number one material? Ah, you're asking the wrong old guy there!
What have I learned about this single? That it's a lesbian love song, and that she upset fundamentalist Christians with it. For that alone, she has my vote! Also that she composed it in the shower, which is a real old-school way of writing music. It's also acoustic which is nice.
My rating: :3.5stars:
Ten years prior, what were the kids buying, and what had they pushed to the apex of the chart? Well, this.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/Adele_-_Hello_%28Official_Single_Cover%29.png)
Title: "Hello"
Artist: Adele
Nationality: English
Genre: Soul
Written by: Adele Adkins/Greg Kurstin
Original release date: October 25 2015
Progress to the top: Straight in at number one.
Weeks spent at number one: 3
From the album: 25What do I know about this artist? More than I want to know.
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? I've heard it before, one of the very few Adele songs I've ever heard. I guess I'll address that in yet another new thread this year. Piano ballad, which certainly highlights the strength of her voice, very emotional. I imagine a very personal song to her.
What have I learned about this single? Despite what I thought, it's not (she says) about a broken love affair, but a sort of explanation or apology to all the people she has lost contact with, including her family and friends.
My rating: :4stars:
Back another ten years and we're at 2005. I wasn't particularly paying attention to the charts (have not done since the 1980s) as Karen would have been getting close to being unable to come down from her bedroom at this point. Bush had won/stolen his second term, and in another four years I'd be leaving my job of almost 30 years to look after my sister. As for the charts? Here's what was at the top.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/40/Westlife_-_You_Raise_Me_Up_%28single_cover%29.jpg)
Title: "You Raise Me Up"
Artist: Westlife
Nationality: Irish, god help me!
Genre: Ballad/Pop/Gospel
Written by: Rolf Lovland/Brendan Graham
Original release date: October 24 2005
Progress to the top: Straight in at number one.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: Face to FaceWhat do I know about this artist? Oh they're the scourge of Ireland, so they are! I learned more about them years ago in my "Stranger in a Strange Land" feature than I ever want to know.
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? Love it, though I prefer Josh Groban's version. Westlife "gospel it up" too much for my tastes, make it a big epic, whereas I feel it should be a more humble, understated ballad. Meh, what do I know? It got to number one, but then, it was Westlife. They could have farted and recorded it and it would have broken the top of the charts.
What have I learned about this single? Apparently the boys didn't want to record the song, feeling it was a "church song", but Louis said, "Yiz'll do what ye're told, so ye will, or I'll fight every one o' ye out in the car park, so help me god I will!" * Knows what he's talking about, that man. It was the only version of the song to hit number one, and Westlife believe it revitalised their career. God damn it.
A lot of interesting stuff here. Brendan Graham, the songwriter who put lyrics to Lovland's music (it was originally written by him as an instrumental entitled "Silent Story") is Irish, and originally Johnny Logan, our twice-winner of the Eurovision, was supposed to sing it, but in the end it fell to Brian Kennedy, our once-loser of the Eurovision to do so, and therefore in a way you could call "You Raise Me Up" an Irish song, and say it sort of came home and full circle when Westlife covered it, four years after it had been written. Also, Icelandic composer Johann Helgason claimed it was so similar to his song, "Söknuður", written in 1977, that it was obvious that Lovland had heard it and copied it. So enraged was he, and so certain of the plagiarism, that he took a court case against Lovland, which, bizarrely to me, he lost. "You Raise Me Up" has been recorded by over 100 artists since it was written, and below, if I can find it, I'll post the Icelandic song too, so you can make up your own mind as to who should get credit for it. For my money, the Icelander was done up like a kipper!
My rating: :5stars: (for the song, not necessarily their version, which is all right I suppose)
* With apologies to Roy Keane
Back once more we go, ever back, another ten years, another decade, another century, to 1995, when this was sitting top of the charts.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Gangsta%27s_paradise.jpg)
Title: "Gangsta's Paradise"
Artist: Coolio featuring L.V.
Nationality: American
Genre: West Coast Hip-hop/Gangsta Rap/Pop Rap/G-Funk
Written by: Artis Ivey Jr./Larry Sanders/Doug Rasheed/Stevie Wonder
Original release date: August 1 1995
Progress to the top: Another straight in at number one.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: Gangsta's Paradise (also
I Am L.V. and
Dangerous Minds OST)
What do I know about this artist? Nothing much
What have I learned about this artist? That his real name was Artis Ivey Jr. (no wonder he changed it!) and that he is credited with bringing rap into the mainstream via this single. He also had a cooking show (no, seriously) and wrote a cookbook. He had asthma as a child and was an avid reader. He moved with his mother to Compton (so I guess you could say he came Straight Outta Compton, huh? Yeah I know: stay in your lane, TH) and he got his name by being called Coolio Iglesias, in reference to Spanish smoothie superstar Julio Iglesias. He did time for taking a weapon to school and larceny, got addicted to crack and then found God, and became a volunteer member of the fire department. He is also credited as being the first to bring a "lighter" form of gangsta rap to the genre, not being so serious and tough all the time. He died in 2022 due to an accidental overdose. Very sad, but pretty cool(io) for me, one of his very last performances was to record lines for a
Futurama Christmas episode.
What do I think of this single? Love it. I've heard Stevie Wonder's version and it's a good song, but this blows it out of the water. Sorry Stevie. The sense of threat and ominous foreboding in it is perfect, and the choir-like chorus just tops it off.
What have I learned about this single? That it was the first rap single to go straight to number one, that it crossed all the genres chartwise and that it was the first rap single to sell over a million copies. It's also interesting to see that it may be one of the few songs released on three separate albums, as above - on Coolio's album, on that released by L.V., and then later on the soundtrack to the movie
Dangerous Minds.
My rating: :5stars:
And so back to my favourite decade, as we look to see what was top of the charts in 1985. Ah look! Tis herself!
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Jennifer_rush_the_power_of_love.jpg)
Title: "The Power of Love"
Artist: Jennifer Rush
Nationality: American
Genre: Pop
Written by: Candy de Rouge/Gunther Mende/Mary Susan Applegate/Jennifer Rush
Original release date: December 1984
Progress to the top: By no means an instant hit, it crept inside the top 100, entering at 96 on June 16, and slowly made its way up the lower end of the charts, taking no less than thirteen weeks to get into the top 40, after which it quickly jumped to number 15 on September 22, making it into the top 10 the next week and number one after that. So in all, a total of (counting from its earliest entry) 17 weeks making it up the chart, though only three to get through the top 40 and to number one.
Weeks spent at number one: 5
From the album: Jennifer RushWhat do I know about this artist? Very little
What have I learned about this artist? That her real name is not Jennifer Rush, for a start: it's Heidi Stern, or it was, until she changed it legally. In fact, her debut album was released under her original name, then she changed it and released this one, so confusingly she actually had
two debut albums! She lived for a while in Germany, which explains the slight trace of accent on this, and she's not just a pretty face, having studied economics while considering a change of career. Her most successful album was 1987's
Heart Over Mind, a fantastic album, on which she duets with Elton John, showing how her profile had risen, but sadly she's only going to ever be known for this song.
What do I think of this single? You know, I loved it when I heard it first, but it's worn on me a little now. Her voice is undeniably powerful, and the song is still great, but I could live without hearing it again before I die.
What have I learned about this single? That it was released without success in 1984 in Germany, where she was living at the time, and that it wasn't the first released in the UK from her debut album, but the fifth, which shows how I guess it just caught the
zeitgeist of the time. It became the biggest-selling single of 1985, and one of the biggest-selling singles of the entire decade. It also became a number one hit for Celine Dion, ten years later. It's also, of course, one of three major hit singles with that name, the other two being by Huey Lewis and The News, released the same year but getting to the top in the US a few months before Jennifer, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, which hit number one the previous year.
My rating: :4.5stars: (only because of the I'm-sick-of-it factor)
That leaves us back in the 1970s, our final stop along this chronological chart cruise through the centuries. And at this time, in 1975, if you switched on
Top of the Pops this is what the DJ would tell you was at number one.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/Bowie_SpaceOdditySingle.jpg)
Title: "Space Oddity"
Artist: David Bowie
Nationality: English
Genre: Psychedelic Pop/Folk Rock
Written by: David Bowie
Original release date: September 26 1975 (re-release; one of many - original release date was July 11 1969)
Progress to the top: Again, even though it was a re-re-re-release, not an instant hit, entering at 23 on October 5 and then moving to number 11 the next week, then number 4 the week after that, number 2 the following week and finally number one.
Weeks spent at number one: 2
From the album: David Bowie (originally) and then released in 1975 as a maxi-single with "Changes" on the other side.
What do I know about this artist? You're kidding, right?
What have I learned about this artist? N/A
What do I think of this single? Again, you are kidding?
What have I learned about this single? That up to this, (talking about 1969 now) Bowie had been unsuccessful, and this was originally his first hit single, and his first number one. Interestingly, it was turned down by both George Martin and Tony Visconti, both of whom saw it as a novelty record. Don't know how. Also that it was composed on a stylophone, marketed more to children as a toy in the 1960s. It was also originally released to capitalise on the NASA moon landing. I see Gus Dudgeon, who took up the offer to produce it in 1969, later sued Bowie for royalties he said he had not received. Like, seriously? Over 35 years later? He sued in 2002, but the case never got to court as he died in a car accident.
My rating: :5stars:
Time to plunder my MB thread! Obviously, the main year will be a few years out here, but hey ho!
This random spin gave me number 33, so what's there this week and what was there this week up to fifty years ago? Well, this week (or as close to it as I can get anyway) we have this:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0f/Nicki_Minaj_-_Super_Freaky_Girl.png)
Title: "Super Freaky Girl"
Artist: Nicki Minaj
Nationality: Trinidadian
Genre: Hip-hop, Pop Rap
Written by: Rick James, Alonzo Miller, Lukasz Gottwald, Aaron Joseph, Lauren Miller, Vaughan Oliver (Lyrics by Onilka Maraj/Nicki Minaj and Gamal Lewis/LunchMoney Lewis)
Original release date: August 22 2022
Highest chart position (at time of writing): 5
Chart position (at time of writing): 33
Status at time of writing: Descending
Chart progress; Came in at number 15 August 22, moved to 10 the next week, then for some reason dropped to 11 the next week, moved on to 6 the week after that, and arrived at its highest placing, number 5, on September 19, where it spent two weeks before falling to number 6 again. In a three-week period after that, it fell to 7, back to 6 (?) and then to 10, then plummeted to 33 and the week after that exited the top 40.
From the album: N/A
What do I know about this artist? Very little; I know her name and that she's a rapper/pop artist and usually has pink hair, but other than that, nada.
What have I learned about this artist? Wasn't bothered enough to look honestly.
What do I think of this single? Okay, hands up anyone who thought I liked it? Huh? Oh, right. You just joined today. Well, you'll learn once you get to know me. Look, it wasn't as terrible as I had expected it to be, but let's be honest here: the main thrust (ooer) or if you prefer the meat (double ooer) of the song is in the original: that instantly recognisable keyboard riff, the beat, it's all James and then she's spouting sexual not-quite-innuendos all over it. Yeah it's okay and I can see how it was so popular, and you can't fault the video (not that that should really factor into my decision, but this is the age of MTV, sort of). But really the only thing this song showed me was that I do actually know "Super Freak", and it's a cool song. This is okay but you know, meh.
What have I learned about this single? Seems to have been very successful, taking her to number one in the US, in fact debuting at number one, though it didn't do quite as well over here, as you can see. Still made the top ten. Just. It's not from any album, as seems to be increasingly the norm these days with pop artists - probably due to the popularity of streaming sites: indeed, this was the highest-charting debut for a female solo rap singer (well, it says biggest debut, but I assume that's what it means) on Spotify. It liberally samples Rick James's 1981 hit "Super Freak" (which then proves she didn't exactly go outof her way to title it, just adding a "y" and "girl" to the song) but I'm no fan of James so could not tell you how, if at all, it compares to the original.
Some controversy apparently, if you care, about her being annoyed it was chosen as a pop rather than a rap single, which kind of seems like splitting hairs to me, but there you go. Then some sort of "Twitter battle" between her and some other rapper, Latte or Ladder or, no, Latto, that's the one. As if I care.
My rating: :3stars: