1982 Points Chart

[Panda]

So we move on to 1982. Same premise as last time. Songs score points for each week they appeared in the UK Top 40 singles chart across the calendar year. No.40 = 1 point, 39 = 2, etc up to 37 points for no.4. No.3 scores 40, no.2 scores 45 and no.1 scores 50 points.

Position in the end-of-year sales chart is shown in brackets.


The countdown will begin shortly but first, here are a few songs that missed the top 40:

43(71) KOOL AND THE GANG - Get Down On It (237 points)



"Hey, I've just come across this cool effect on the video editing software!" "Great! Use it for THE WHOLE VIDEO!"


46(38) NICOLE - A Little Peace (226 points)



Winning Eurovision is by no means a guarantee of chart success in the UK but this was the 3rd year in a row that the winner topped the UK chart. It hasn't happened since though Johnny Logan (for a second time), Katrina & The Waves and Loreen all came close.


56(65) TRIO - Da Da Da (208 points)



One of my favourites from the 1982 list. In particular, I love the singer's facial expressions in the video. This song would later be covered by Elastica on their second album "The Menace".


57(30) J GEILS BAND - Centerfold (208 points)



Another of those songs nearly everyone knows but they may not remember who performed it. I'd forgotten just how big a hit this was.


65(69) MARVIN GAYE - (Sexual) Healing (201 points)



Where do you even start with Marvin Gaye? An amazing talent whose career was blighted by personal tragedy, drug problems, depression and tax issues, the latter leading him to retreat to Belgium, where he wrote and recorded what would turn out to be his biggest hit and his last UK top 10 hit during his lifetime.


105(-) GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE - The Message (171 points)



An early rap hit and one of the first to use social commentary as a base rather than simply being a party soundtrack. The subject matter remains as relevant today as it did almost 40 years ago.


122(82) IRON MAIDEN - Run To The Hills (160 points)



The breakthrough hit for the UK's most enduring heavy metal band. They charted consistently throughout the 80s and would achieve a run of 7 consecutive top 10 hits beginning in 1988 and scored an early year no.1 with "Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter" in 1991.

[Earl Purple]

I wouldn't say Sexual Healing was Marvin Gaye's biggest hit given he got to #1 with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".

Maybe it was the biggest of his hits that he wrote himself, but he also co-wrote a #1 single "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" (co-written with Whitfield and Strong)

[coolchristie2]

Nicole brings back many memories.

On the night of Eurovision it was the winner all the way - got an import version of the record in German.

[Earl Purple]

As well as Nicole there are at least 2 other number ones I would expect not to be there. One was in the final chart, the other in the middle of the year but came and went very fast.

Ok, I haven't added the points.

The Land Of Make Believe - did you say this didn't make the cut? Maybe because it had some weeks in 1981 too.
A Town Called Malice. Quite a fast run but probably just scraped in.
Happy Talk - won't be in the top 40
Beat Surrender - doubt this will be in the top 40.

All the rest of the number ones will be present other than Nicole which we know isn't because you told us.

[Panda]

Part 1 (40-36): (top 40 runs shown are for 1982 only)

40(18) DIONNE WARWICK - Heartbreaker (241 points)
Top 40 run: 29-5-2-2-3-8-15-37



Her first top 10 hit in 14 years. The follow-up, "All The Love In The World", would also reach the top 10 in early 1983.


39(43) MEAT LOAF - Dead Ringer For Love (242 points)
Top 40 run: 30-26-7-9-5-5-9-15-21



Despite the success of the "Bat Out Of Hell" album, this was Meat Loaf's first UK top 10 single and his only one until the mega hit "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)". It was released at the back end of 1981 and started to climb up the chart after Christmas. Despite co-writing the song (which was a re-worked version of the theme tune Jim Steinman wrote for the US sitcom "Delta House"), Cher has always remained uncredited.


38(33) ORCHESTRAL MANEOUVRES IN THE DARK - Maid Of New Orleans (The Waltz Of Joan Of Arc) (242 points)
Top 40 run: 31-17-6-6-4-7-10-19-27



The latest in a string of top 10 hits but after this, they would have only one more during the 80s.


37(35) CHAS AND DAVE - Ain't No Pleasing You (242 points)
Top 40 run: 31-14-7-4-2-5-12-22-36



Their 2nd top 10 hit after "Rabbit" and a bit of a change from their usual fayre. Their only other top 40 appearance after this would be 1986's "Snooker Loopy" with the Matchroom Mob.


36(10) THE JAM - Town Called Malice/Precious (243 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-1-3-11-20-39



The Jam were the biggest band in the UK in 1982, as evidenced by this double A-side going straight in at no.1. They even had the rare honour of performing both A-sides on TOTP. "The Bitterest Pill" reached no.2 in September (no.88 on this list), then shortly afterwards, Paul Weller decided to walk away (much to the surprise of Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler), citing a desire to pursue new challenges and end The Jam while they were still at their peak. "Beat Surrender" (no.58 on this list) was released as a farewell single, again going straight in at no.1. Weller formed the Style Council in early 1983 and The Jam's later work certainly joins the dots between their earlier output and Weller's new band.

[Panda]

Jun 4, 2020 21:12:51 GMT 1 Earl Purple said:

As well as Nicole there are at least 2 other number ones I would expect not to be there. One was in the final chart, the other in the middle of the year but came and went very fast.

Ok, I haven't added the points.

The Land Of Make Believe - did you say this didn't make the cut? Maybe because it had some weeks in 1981 too.
A Town Called Malice. Quite a fast run but probably just scraped in.
Happy Talk - won't be in the top 40
Beat Surrender - doubt this will be in the top 40.

All the rest of the number ones will be present other than Nicole which we know isn't because you told us.

"The Land Of Make Believe" is in comfortably but "My Camera Never Lies" misses out at no.45. "Don't You Want Me" isn't in, not earning enough points in either 1981 or 82 but should feature prominently in the 80s list with its points total.

"Happy Talk" missed out by a long way (no.85) but I didn't post it as I couldn't bring myself to listen to it again.

There are also 9 no.2 hits that missed out.

[Panda]

Part 2 (35-31):

35(26) KIDS FROM "FAME" - Starmaker (245 points)
Top 40 run: 38-14-4-3-3-4-7-19-36



This song appeared in the show as a tribute to Mr. Crandall whose job was under threat in the storyline. In reality, he was being written out because the actor who played him, Michael Thoma, had cancer and he passed away after season 1 had been broadcast. The show's cast had a summer top 10 hit with "Hi-Fidelity", and this was the follow-up, released just weeks after Thoma had died.


34(22) FAT LARRY'S BAND - Zoom (247 points)
Top 40 run: 40-17-3-2-3-4-8-16-39



This was their second and last top 40 hit, coming 5 years after their first. Fat Larry was the drummer.


33(34) WHAM! - Young Guns (Go For It) (251 points)
Top 40 run: 24-10-4-3-4-8-13-13



The duo's debut hit and George Michael's hello to the world. Wham! were only around 4 for years but every single would reach the top 10 (if you don't count the cheap cash-in megamix). This was a hit a few weeks before Christmas and remained in the top 20 at the end of the year.


32(42) TIGHT FIT - Fantasy Island (252 points)
Top 40 run: 32-15-11-5-6-5-8-15-27-34



The follow-up to a much bigger hit that we'll see later, this was a cover of a Dutch Eurovision reject and as a blatant ABBA rip-off, it's actually better than anything Steps would ever do. In addition, the group's members actually sang on this track, unlike their biggest hit...


31(24) PhD - I Won't Let You Down (254 points)
Top 40 run: 34-13-3-3-3-7-9-15-34



PhD was led by Scottish singer/songwriter Jim Diamond. This was their first and only hit and would disband due to Diamond suffering health issues. He would return several years later and a score a no.1 hit with "I Should Have Known Better".

[Smurfie]

I LOVE I Won’t Let You Down.

[Panda]

Jun 4, 2020 22:38:41 GMT 1 Smurfie said:

I LOVE I Won’t Let You Down.

It's another of those I remember hearing when I was very young but never knew who it was by.

[Smurfie]

Jun 4, 2020 22:41:12 GMT 1 Panda said:

Jun 4, 2020 22:38:41 GMT 1 Smurfie said:

I LOVE I Won’t Let You Down.

It's another of those I remember hearing when I was very young but never knew who it was by.

A bit like Godley & Creme for me - then I listened to it 30 years later and hated it.

[Earl Purple]

The week "A Town Called Malice" entered at #1 was a longer chart survey week and I think in particular counted two Saturdays which was at the time the highest selling day for music.

So its sales were particularly high that week, and possibly in general for the year reflecting why it was the 10th biggest seller, but that is often the case with number ones even if their run at the top was quite short.

[Panda]

Part 3 (30-26):

30(44) ODYSSEY - Inside Out (255 points)
Top 40 run: 18-7-3-3-4-10-13-23-37



A 5th top 10 hit in the space of 5 years but this would be their last appearance in the top 40.


29(39) DURAN DURAN - Hungry Like The Wolf (257 points)
Top 40 run: 35-20-22-8-6-6-5-8-16-27



Their second top 10 hit after "Girls On Film" the previous year. This makes the list despite only peaking at no.5, while no.2 hit "Save A Prayer" misses out, coming in at 42. This was the first of 10 top 10 hits in a row, including two no.1 singles. During this century the song has been used as the walk-on music for darts player Martin "Wolfie" Adams.


28(25) IMAGINATION - Just An Illusion (258 points)
Top 40 run: 40-18-8-4-2-3-8-15-21



A second top 10 hit for Leee John's outfit, peaking at no.2. "Music And Lights" reached no.5 later in the year but their success started to diminish after that. John would later go into acting and also appeared as a contestant on ITV's "Re-Born In The USA", in which faded 80s and 90s stars toured the States and were voted off by the public, one-by-one. He finished a respectable 5th.


27(29) MADNESS - House Of Fun (258 points)
Top 40 run: 8-1-1-2-5-14-24



Everyone probably has a favourite Madness song and while they could be a bit hit and miss in terms of quality, for me, this was their finest moment. It was their only UK chart-topper but was part of a rich vein of success that saw them produce hit after hit. In fact, had "Cardiac Arrest" not stalled at no.14 earlier in the year, they would've had a run of 16 consecutive top 10 hits between 1979 and 1983. "Our House" was a top 5 Christmas hit at the end of the year but released too late to even make the top 100 on this list.


26(49) HUMAN LEAGUE - Mirror Man (259 points)
Top 40 run: 9-2-2-2-7-12-12



Firmly established as one of the country's top acts after the runaway success of "Don't You Want Me", this track shot to no.2 towards the end of the year, kept off the top for a week by a song we'll see later and for 2 weeks by The Jam's farewell single "Beat Surrender". This was still inside the top 20 at the end of the year so may have been even higher on the this list had it been released a week or two earlier (though it does benefit from the chart being frozen between Christmas and New Year). "Being Boiled" reached no.6 earlier in the year and this was the 5th of 6 top 10 hits in a row.

[smokeyb]

I got my first video recorder in 1982, and the first music video I ever recorded was Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf.

[Panda]

Part 4 (25-21):

25(31) ABC - The Look Of Love (264 points)
Top 40 run: 26-13-6-5-4-4-6-18-23



The second of three top 10 hits they would have during 1982. "Poison Arrow" reached no.6 (no.67 on this list) and "All Of My Heart" no.5 (no.78). All were taken from their acclaimed album "The Lexicon Of Love". The group never managed to match the success of their debut but ABC still exists today, recording and performing, though Martin Fry is the only permanent member.


24(13) TONI BASIL - Mickey (264 points)
Top 40 run: 39-24-11-2-2-3-5-13-26-35



The only UK top 40 hit for Antonia Basilotta though she had a little more success in the US. She is also a talented film-maker and directed the video for "Mickey" herself, as well as Talking Heads' "Once In A Lifetime".


23(21) ROCKERS REVENGE ft DONNIE CALVIN - Walking On Sunshine (265 points)
Top 40 run: 37-19-7-5-4-4-6-12-17-34



Originally released by Eddy Grant in 1979, this version was the brainchild of producer Arthur Baker with vocals from reggae singer Donnie Calvin. John "Jellybean" Benitez, who mixed the track, would later release the album "Just Visiting This Planet", which spawned four top 20 singles in 1987/88.


22(12) TEARS FOR FEARS - Mad World (265 points)
Top 40 run: 38-16-6-3-3-3-6-15-23-38



The debut hit for Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith that would pave the way for them to become one of the decade's most successful acts. After three albums, the pair split acrimoniously and wouldn't speak again for almost a decade. Orzabal continued to record under the Tears For Fears name though didn't enjoy anything like the success the group had in the 80s. The pair would later reconcile and returned to the top 40 in 2005 with "Closest Thing To Heaven". The pair continue to perform live together around the world today.


21(48) CHARLENE - I've Never Been To Me (265 points)
Top 40 run: 40-30-15-9-3-1-2-7-22-34



An unlikely no.1 hit that slowly climbed the charts. It was originally released in the US five years earlier, when it only reached no.97. Recorded by several artists in the intervening years, Charlene's version started gaining airplay in the US during 1982 and kept on growing, becoming a worldwide hit. She never had another UK hit, though "Used To Be", a duet with Stevie Wonder did chart in the US. It was banned in the UK due to its controversial lyrics.

[o]

Some classic songs there, Mad world, brilliant! And I loved Mickey by Toni Basel, sad to see Centrefold miss out and the message is excellent, cant wait to see how White Lines does when it comes around, and of course Blue monday next year

[Whitneyfan]

'I've never been to me' is a fantastic song. I never knew it was banned though, and I can't imagine what for.

[Panda]

Jun 6, 2020 10:48:18 GMT 1 Whitneyfan said:

'I've never been to me' is a fantastic song. I never knew it was banned though, and I can't imagine what for.

It was the follow-up "Used To Be" that was banned. There's a bit about it in this interview.

[Panda]

Part 5 (20-16):

20(41) HOT CHOCOLATE - It Started With A Kiss (268 points)
Top 40 run: 36-12-8-7-5-5-5-12-17-35



Prolific hit-makers during the 70s, Hot Chocolate actually managed to have at least one top 75 single every year between 1970 and 1984. Singer Errol Brown left in 1986 to pursue a solo career and the band broke up though their bigger hits made several reappearances in the charts. Brown died in 2015 after battling liver cancer. The rest of the band reformed in the early 90s and continues to this day with Kennie Simon as lead vocalist.


19(14) HAIRCUT 100 - Love Plus One (270 points)
Top 40 run: 36-36-12-11-4-4-3-4-10-23-40



The second of four consecutive top 10 hits but their success would be short-lived as frontman Nick Heyward fell out with the rest of the band and went solo. The group carried on without him but the second album flopped and broke up soon after. Heyward eventually buried the hatchet with his former bandmates, inviting them to join him on stage at one of his solo gigs and more live performances followed, though as yet, no new material.


18(20) YAZOO - Don't Go (273 points)
Top 40 run: 24-5-3-3-3-4-8-22-30



The follow-up to "Only You"...


17(28) STEVE MILLER BAND - Abracadabra (274 points)
Top 40 run: 38-12-4-2-2-3-8-12-28



A band that didn't enjoy the same level of success in the UK as they did in the US, this was only their second hit over here, six years after their first. They wouldn't reach the top 40 again until 1990 when "The Joker" reached no.1 on the back of a jeans ad. In the States, they'd enjoyed consistent success during the 1970s and had a top 40 album as recently as 2010.


16(19) YAZOO - Only You (278 points)
Top 40: 31-14-7-2-3-4-8-13-21-37



The first hit for the combination of Alison Moyet (real first name Genevieve) and former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke (real last name Martin). The pair would split acrimoniously after the release of their second album and would only speak once in the next 25 years. During that time, Moyet enjoyed a successful solo career, while Clarke formed a highly successful partnership with Andy Bell as Erasure. Moyet and Clarke would later re-unite for a one-off tour in 2008. The b-side to this track, "Situation" was released as a single in the US and is their best known track over there, and would be an influence on a number of electronic acts. It was later remixed and released as a single in the UK in 1990, reaching no.14.

[Panda]

Part 6 (15-11):

15(16) SHAKIN' STEVENS - Oh Julie (278 points)
Top 40 run: 13-3-1-2-3-7-14-29-39



Shakymania was still running wild at the start of the year and while the big hits would be less of a certainty going forward, he still enjoyed considerable success. The "Shakin' Stevens EP" would be Christmas no.2 behind our next song...


14(23) RENEE & RENATO - Save Your Love (278 points)
Top 40 run: 38-24-9-5-3-1-1-1



The Christmas no.1 and only top 40 hit for this unlikely duo. Renee was British singer Hilary Lester while Renato (his real name) was an Italian living in Birmingham. Renato continued to perform, mainly on cruise ships, but sadly died in 2009 at the age of 69.


13(6) MUSICAL YOUTH - Pass The Dutchie (280 points)
Top 40 run: 26-1-1-1-2-5-14-34



Another Birmingham act who became an overnight success when this track flew to no.1, just 3 months after Captain Sensible had also jumped to the top from outside the top 20. The song was based on the Mighty Diamonds track "Pass The Koutchie", with the title and lyrics changed to make it suitable for airplay. "Youth Of Today" (from the album of the same name) and "Never Gonna Give You Up" gave them further hits but the band split in 1985. Bass player Patrick Waite died of heart condition in 1993, aged just 24. The group reformed in 2001, now consisting of just vocalist Dennis Seaton and keyboard player Michael Grant and continue to perform live today.


12(32) BUCKS FIZZ - The Land Of Make Believe (291 points)
Top 40 run: 2-1-1-2-4-9-19-31



The chart success that came from their Eurovision win could easily have been a one-off that saw them fade back into obscurity so they did very well to remain in the spotlight and this track was a big factor in that. Released towards the end of 1981, it climbed up the chart to reach the top 5 at Christmas before eventually climbing to no.1 at the start of 1982. The follow-up "My Camera Never Lies" also topped the charts but fell 12 points short of the top 40 on this list.


11(11) STRANGLERS - Golden Brown (295 points)
Top 40 run: 25-16-4-3-2-2-6-9-23-39



A song that's gone down as an 80s crossover classic, this was the band's biggest hit by some distance and their first top 10 appearance since "No More Heroes" in 1977. It was a radical departure from their usual punk sound and would signal a change in musical direction as the decade went on. Singer Hugh Cornwell quit in 1990 but the band continued through numerous line-up changes, even returning to the top 40 in 2004. Keyboard player David Greenfield, who had been with the band since 1975, died earlier this year after contracting Covid-19 whilst in hospital.

[Panda]

Part 7 (10-6):

10(15) KRAFTWERK - The Model/Computer Love (301 points)
Top 40 run: 21-10-2-3-1-4-5-13-27



Originally released in the summer of 1981, it returned to the chart at Christmas, then climbed rapidly in the New Year, eventually topping the chart. By far the biggest UK hit for the pioneering German electronic act but they've enjoyed sporadic top 40 appearances throughout a 50-year lifespan. Frontman Ralf Hutter has been with the band from the start with two other members of the current line-up also enjoying multi-decade stints.


9(9) PAUL McCARTNEY & STEVIE WONDER - Ebony And Ivory (306 points)
Top 40 run: 19-3-1-1-1-2-9-25-40



Acclaimed and derided in equal measure, this McCartney-written racial harmony anthem quickly shot to no.1 in the UK and spent seven weeks at the top in the US. It was his second post-Beatles no.1 after the Wings mega-hit "Mull Of Kintyre" in 1977. McCartney and Wonder recorded their vocals together in the studio but were never actually together during the recording of the video due to scheduling conflicts. Some computer-trickery (actually not bad for 1982) made it look like they were in the same room.


8(8) GOOMBAY DANCE BAND - Seven Tears (313 points)
Top 40 run: 39-8-2-1-1-1-4-13-23



Spearheading the German calypso movement (which probably consisted solely of themselves) this generally did well across Europe but was massive in the UK for some reason. They never reached the top 40 again.


7(17) ADAM ANT - Goody Two Shoes (316 points)
Top 40 run: 5-2-2-1-1-2-9-28



His first solo single after ditching the Ants, though he did retain former bandmate Marco Pirroni as his co-writer. The song was a predictable instant success given the popularity of his former band but he was never able to keep that momentum going.


6(7) EDDY GRANT - I Don't Wanna Dance (344 points)
Top 40 run: 30-11-2-1-1-1-4-8-25-30-30



Originally from Guyana, Eddy Grant moved to the UK at the age of 12 and started playing music while still at school. He'd already had four top 40 hits when this became a big hit towards the end of the year, spending 3 weeks at no.1 and was still in the chart at the end of the year. "Electric Avenue" reached no.2 in 1983 and he'd have a further top 10 hit later in the decade with "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna". A remixed version of "Electric Avenue" returned Grant to the top 40 (and indeed the top 5) after a 13-year absence in 2001.