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Post by Panda on Jul 15, 2020 19:54:16 GMT 1
Just three years to go this decade and there were some shifts in trends as the 90s drew closer. Electro pop was starting to be replaced by more "traditional" sounding pop music, rap and hip hop was starting to become mainstream, house music was about to become huge and we'd also see the first real uses of sampling in major hits. Madonna was now one of the world's top stars and her success continued in 1987 with the soundtrack from Who's That Girl. George Michael launched his solo career in earnest after Wham's split and Michael Jackson returned with his "Bad" album, four years after "Thriller" became the world's biggest-selling album of all-time. Oh, and Stock, Aitken and f***ing Waterman. A reminder of the points system: 1 point for no.40 in the singles chart, 2 points for no.39, all the way up to 37 points for no.4, then it's 40 points for no.3, 45 points for no.2 and 50 points for no.1. Before the countdown, here are some of the songs that didn't make the top 40: (as ever, position in the end-of-year sales chart is in brackets) 48(42) PET SHOP BOYS & DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - What Have I Done To Deserve This? (236 points) I don't usually feature acts in this section who appear in the top 40 but I'm making some exceptions here for some great tracks. For me, this is one of the Pet Shop Boys' best and saw them team up with the legendary Dusty Springfield, who hadn't had a top 40 hit since 1970. 236 points would've been enough to make the top 40 in some years. 53(45) U2 - With Or Without You (226 points) The first single from their album "The Joshua Tree" and one of three top 10 hits they would have during 1987. 55(47) T'PAU - Heart And Soul (219 points) The band's breakthrough hit - it failed to chart when first released in the UK but became a hit in the US after being used in a jeans ad and was re-released over here, eventually reaching no.4. A much better song than the one they would have a big hit with later in the year. Random thought: given when this song was released, does it mean that Carol Decker was, for a short time, Britain's most successful rapper? 57(29) GEORGE MICHAEL - Faith (216 points) Kept off the top spot by a song that features quite highly in the chart, it's a bit surprising that this doesn't make the 40, given it remains one of his most famous solo singles but it only spent seven weeks in the top 40. His solo career seemed to take off faster in the States with this track being one of three no.1s from his debut album. Also surprisingly, his second solo album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1", for which he did no promotional activity, actually outsold "Faith" in the UK, though its worldwide sales were much lower. 67(60) NEW ORDER - True Faith (202 points) The group's first top 10 hit since "Blue Monday" in 1983. The distinctive video won Best Video at the 1988 Brit Awards. The song returned to the top 10 when re-released in 1994. 92(86) DEF LEPPARD - Animal (172 points) One of the comeback stories of the decade. The Sheffield band had enjoyed some success with their first three albums, particularly in the US, where "Pyromania" was only kept off the top spot by "Thriller". But when drummer Rick Allen lost an arm in a car crash on New Year's Eve 1984, it could've spelled the end for the band. Instead, Allen committed himself to continuing with the band, using a specially created drum kit that enabled him to use his feet more. This was the first single from their "Hysteria" album and reached no.6 in the UK and no.5 in the US. The subsequent album sold over 25 million copies worldwide. 98(-) BLACK - Wonderful Life (163 points) Black was the alias of Colin Vearncombe and this criminally-underrated masterpiece was the second of two top 10 singles he would have during 1987 (the other being "Sweetest Smile"). Originally released in 1985 on a minor label, it still made the top 75. It was later used on a chocolate commercial in the mid 90s and released for a third time, just missing the top 40. Vearncombe died following a car crash in Ireland in 2016. 108(-) PRINCE - Sign O' The Times (159 points) A groundbreaking track that pointed out how s*** everything is. Things haven't improved much in 33 years. The video was also groundbreaking, giving us a forerunner of the modern "lyric video" that we see on YouTube these days when an act can't be arsed making a video for their latest single. I liked a lot of chart stuff when I was 6 but this really stood out as something special. I'm very proud of 6-year-old me.
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Post by Smurfie on Jul 15, 2020 20:16:49 GMT 1
Thank you Panda - here for Respectable.
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Post by smokeyb on Jul 15, 2020 20:24:38 GMT 1
Wow,every one of those you highlighted is class,really like them all especially The Pet Shop Boys & Dusty
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Post by Panda on Jul 15, 2020 20:47:16 GMT 1
Part 1 (40-36): 40(35) FAT BOYS & BEACH BOYS - Wipeout (242 points) Top 40 run: 19-3-2-3-7-12-18-32 This track saw the Fat Boys team up with the Beach Boys for a cover of the 1960s surf rock instrumental. Whilst they didn't have the credibility of some of the other hip hop acts that broke through at the time, they were among the first to use beatboxing on their tracks. They repeated the trick the following year when teaming up with Chubby Checker for a version of "The Twist", which was just as successful. 39(26) RICK ASTLEY - Whenever You Need Somebody (243 points) Top 40 run: 11-3-4-3-3-8-24-35 The follow-up to the year's biggest selling single, this reached no.3 in November and sounds suspiciously like its predecessor as Stock, Aitken and Waterman abandoned creativity in favour of a production line/sausage factory method of making hits. 38(46) TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY - Wishing Well (244 points) Top 40 run: 31-14-5-4-4-8-11-21-27 The second hit for the former US soldier after "If You Let Me Stay", which just misses out on the top 40. This one reached no.4 in July and he would have an even bigger hit in 1988. He continues to write and perform today but has since changed his name to Sananda Maitreya. 37(51) COMMUNARDS - Never Can Say Goodbye (245 points) Top 40 run: 15-6-4-4-5-14-18-26-32 After topping the 1986 list with their cover of "Don't Leave Me This Way", they followed it up with the self-penned "So Cold The Night" before reverting to the tried and tested formula with this cover of Gloria Gaynor's cover of the Jackson 5 song. This was the lead single from their second and final album "Red", with singer Jimmy Somerville later going solo. The video is worth watching purely for Richard Coles' eye roll. 36(71) LABI SIFFRE - (Something Inside) So Strong (249 points) Top 40 run: 31-18-6-7-4-4-9-15-26 Siffre had several hits in the early 70s (including the original version of the Madness hit "It Must Be Love") but this return to the charts after a 15-year absence gave him by far his biggest hit. It would later be covered by Rik Waller and found a whole new (captive) audience when Barry from EastEnders performed it at the bowls.
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Post by Panda on Jul 15, 2020 20:49:17 GMT 1
Wow,every one of those you highlighted is class,really like them all especially The Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Thanks. It's pretty much what as I was aiming for as by now it was becoming less common for truly great tracks to go on to be big sellers.
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Post by Panda on Jul 15, 2020 22:00:42 GMT 1
Part 2 (35-31): 35(30) MICHAEL JACKSON & SIEDAH GARRETT - I Just Can't Stop Loving You (249 points) Top 40 run: 5-1-1-3-7-17-30-37 This slushy ballad with a crescendo chorus was a slightly strange choice as the lead single from "Bad" rather than the title track as it really didn't sound like anything else on the album. But then the same formula worked with "Thriller", when "The Girl Is Mine" was the first single. One wonders how the single release of "Bad" would've performed if it had been released before the album. Although it reached no.3, it quickly disappeared from the charts and only comes in at no.70 on this list. Garrett was primarily a songwriter and session singer prior to Jackson asking her to perform on this track. She would later have a spell as host of America's Top 10 and performed as lead singer of the Brand New Heavies for one album. 34(28) JACKIE WILSON - I Get The Sweetest Feeling (251 points) Top 40 run: 23-10-3-3-3-9-12-24-37 After the 1986 Christmas no.1 "Reet Petite", this was the next Wilson classic to get a re-release, reaching no.3 in March. 33(31) MENTAL AS ANYTHING - Live It Up (257 points) Top 40 run: 39-19-8-3-5-5-8-14-21-33 Originally released in 1985 in the band's native Australia, it became a worldwide hit two years later when it was used on the Crocodile Dundee soundtrack. The band remained popular down under and continues today but this was their only UK hit. The song's writer and vocalist Greedy Smith died in December last year after suffering a heart attack 32(21) BOY GEORGE - Everything I Own (258 points) Top 40 run: 7-1-1-2-6-13-28-38 The first solo single from the Culture Club front man, this cover of Bread's 1972 track saw George adopt a new image, that seemed to be a mix of David Bowie and Annie Lennox. The track shot to no.1 but his solo career soon faltered amid his continued personal issues. 31(40) MAN 2 MAN MEETS MAN PARRISH - Male Stripper (259 points) Top 40 run: 25-9-6-4-4-9-13-20-28-33 While Pete Waterman was starting to dominate the charts through his day job, this track wouldn't have been out of place on his weekend job, presenting The Hitman And Her with Michaela Strachan. Man 2 Man were brothers Miki and Paul Zone. This track first reached the top 75 in 1986. Miki Zone died of an AIDS-related illness at the end of the year, months before this track became a no.4 hit.
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Post by Panda on Jul 16, 2020 1:05:03 GMT 1
Part 3 (30-26): 30(36) SPAGNA - Call Me (261 points) Top 40 run: 28-8-3-2-5-6-14-21-29 This was the first UK hit for Italian singer Ivana Spagna. She would have another top 40 hit in 1988 with "Every Girl And Boy". The video for this track was shot in Nottingham - far less glamourous than the video for another hit by an Italian singer the following year... 29(41) CLUB NOUVEAU - Lean On Me (263 points) Top 40 run: 24-7-6-3-3-5-11-17-34 This cover of the Bill Withers song couldn't be more 80s if it tried, containing every little trick and effect available at the time. This reached no.1 in the US and no.3 in the UK. They never had another UK hit but continued to appear in the US R&B chart into the early 90s. 28(43) CLIFF RICHARD - Some People (265 points) Top 40 run: 22-15-7-6-3-4-8-14-27 A rather modern-sounding (at the time) track written by Cliff's long-time collaborator Alan Tarney. This was the follow-up to the awful "My Pretty One" and was the second single from his "Always Guaranteed" album, which would become his most successful studio album. This track featured in an out-take on It'll Be Alright On The Night, with Cliff ending up completely shrouded by dry ice during a studio performance on a TV show. 27(38) STEVE 'SILK' HURLEY - Jack Your Body (268 points) Top 40 run: 18-2-1-1-3-8-20-35 Even though house music originated in the US, it was the UK where it hit the mainstream first and this became the first house track to reach no.1. It provided a bit of justice for Hurley, who claimed his former housemate Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk effectively stole his idea to rework Isaac Hayes' "I Can't Turn Around" and had a hit with it himself instead. "Jack Your Body" was the first UK no.1 for which the 12" was the biggest-selling format and it managed to reach the top without being played on Radio 1, other than on the chart show itself. 26(24) PEPSI AND SHIRLIE - Heartache (269 points) Top 40 run: 22-7-2-2-4-6-15-27-27 Following Wham's split, backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie started out on their own with this track, produced by Galaxy singer Phil Fearon. It reached no.2, only kept off the top by their buddy George Michael's duet with Aretha Franklin. "Goodbye Stranger" became their second top 10 hit later in the year but they never reached the top 40 again. Pepsi (real name Helen DeMacque) now lives in St Lucia, where her parents were born. Shirlie (Hollman) married Martin Kemp and later worked for George Michael's company Aegean.
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Post by Earl Purple on Jul 16, 2020 9:14:29 GMT 1
Call Me by Spagna was that "holiday" song, the one you heard when you went on a holiday. I very rarely went on one of those but thought I deserved one in 1987 after finishing my degree so I was about 2 weeks in Spain at a resort, and that song was played in clubs all the time.
Not surprising it was a big hit then.
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Post by Panda on Jul 16, 2020 20:50:12 GMT 1
Part 4 (25-21): 25(11) GEORGE MICHAEL & ARETHA FRANKLIN - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (269 points) Top 40 run: 2-1-1-2-5-17-28-35 Unusually for a George Michael track, he didn't write it himself. He had been asked to write a song for Aretha Franklin but struggled with the idea of something good enough for one of his musical idols. Instead, this track was written by Dennis Morgan and Simon Climie (who would go on to have his own success in 1988 as one half of Climie Fisher). The track was included on Franklin's album "Aretha" but wasn't included on George Michael's "Faith". 24(19) JOHNNY LOGAN - Hold Me Now (270 points) Top 40 run: 25-3-3-2-4-6-13-20-33 Johnny Logan's second Eurovision winner for Ireland and almost a second UK no.1 but it was kept off the top by a song we'll see later. The cheap production on the track means it hasn't aged particularly well. 23(34) HEART - Alone (272 points) Top 40 run: 28-15-9-6-5-3-5-14-24-31 This powerful rock anthem was the first and biggest top 40 hit for Heart, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. They would have two further top 10 hits in the UK, including "These Dreams", which had reached the top 75 in 1986. 22(18) LOS LOBOS - La Bamba (278 points) Top 40 run: 32-5-1-1-2-7-15-23-31 This version of the Mexican folk song was taken from the film of the same name which saw Lou Diamond Phillips play Ritchie Valens, who made this song popular in 1958, aged just 17. The Los Lobos version topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. 21(54) LIVING IN A BOX - Living In A Box (280 points) Top 40 run: 23-10-6-6-6-5-7-14-20-33 Much higher on this list than on the sales chart, thanks to its six-week run in the top 10. The group would have two more top 10 hits before the end of the decade before lead singer Richard Darbyshire pursued an utimately unsuccessful solo career. He would subsequently go into songwriting and producing, becoming a regular collaborator with Lisa Stansfield, among others.
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Post by Panda on Jul 16, 2020 22:48:45 GMT 1
Part 5 (20-16): 20(20) MADONNA - Who's That Girl? (283 points) Top 40 run: 3-1-2-2-8-15-20-26-33 Madonna's fifth UK no.1, coming just three months after her fourth. This was taken from the film of the same name and while that was a flop the single, album and subsequent tour were a success. 19(44) TOM JONES - A Boy From Nowhere (289 points) Top 40 run: 32-12-7-4-3-2-4-9-20-36 With chart success having dried up, the Welsh star had spent most of the decade performing in Vegas when he was asked to sing on a concept album called "Matador", with the plan that he would also star in the subsequent stage musical. The album produced this single, which gave Jones a surprise no.2 hit - his first top 10 appearance since 1972. Funding problems meant the musical was delayed by four years with the lead role eventually taken by a young John Barrowman. Jones only had to wait a year for his next top 10 hit, covering Prince's "Kiss" with Art Of Noise. 18(9) THE FIRM - Star Trekkin' (289 points) Top 40 run: 13-1-1-2-3-10-14-29-35 It seems you couldn't get through a year in the 1980s without a novelty single reaching no.1. The Firm was a group that specialised in writing novelty tracks, and ended up performing them themselves when they couldn't get anyone else to record them. They reached no.14 in 1982 with "Arthur Daley (E's Alright)" but it was this track that brought them international success, helped by its video. Both of The Firm's hits featured vocals by Tony Thorpe of the Rubettes. It should be the worst song in this top 40 but it isn't. 17(27) SINITTA - Toy Boy (292 points) Top 40 run: 33-22-10-4-4-4-6-10-14-20-32 After the huge hit that was "So Macho", SAW pooped this one out of the sausage factory to give Sinitta a second top 10 hit. 16(33) JAN HAMMER - Crockett's Theme (296 points) Top 40 run: 36-19-6-5-4-2-4-9-17-22-37 A second top 10 hit from the Miami Vice TV series for Jan Hammer, coming two years after the show's main theme had reached no.5. This track came from the second of three soundtrack albums released during the show's run, each including a selection of songs by other acts that featured in the show, as well as Hammer's original compositions.
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Post by Smurfie on Jul 16, 2020 23:12:28 GMT 1
Living In A Box! Jan Hammer I had completely forgotten about let alone to see higher than the anthemic Sinitta in her fabulous elastic band dress. Obviously Toy Boy is a 10 out of 10 for me.
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Post by Smurfie on Jul 16, 2020 23:30:41 GMT 1
I wonder why they changed the end of Star Trekkin for no apparent reason. The original had another chorus (the radio and 7 inch version), then they went with the worse video fade out and different sleeve version.
Anyway, I bought it. I’m not ashamed to admit.
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Post by Panda on Jul 16, 2020 23:57:41 GMT 1
I wonder why they changed the end of Star Trekkin for no apparent reason. The original had another chorus (the radio and 7 inch version), then they went with the worse video fade out and different sleeve version. Anyway, I bought it. I’m not ashamed to admit. I don't think I've ever heard another version. I think the version on the video was the same as the one that was on my "Greatest Hits of 1987" tape.
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Post by Panda on Jul 17, 2020 0:50:38 GMT 1
Part 6 (15-11): 15(7) BEN E KING - Stand By Me (301 points) Top 40 run: 19-1-1-1-2-6-14-23-37 Originally a hit in 1961, it hit the top spot 26 years later when it was used in the film of the same name. King (still only 49 at the time) returned to feature in the video alongside two of the film's young stars, River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton. 14(22) CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT - Down To Earth (305 points) Top 40 run: 32-15-8-5-3-3-3-8-15-23-37 Released at the end of 1986, this climbed into the top 40 early in 1987 and eventually spent three weeks at no.3. The group was fronted by beret-wearing singer Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot. The group attracted the attention of Andy Warhol, who directed and appeared in the video for "Misfit", which also reached the top 10. After disappearing for a few years, the group shortened their name to Curiosity and had another no.3 hit with a cover of the Johnny Bristol song "Hang On In There Baby". 13(25) ATLANTIC STARR - Always (307 points) Top 40 run: 39-25-16-7-5-3-3-4-7-17-27-36 This vomit-inducing number was the group's second top 10 hit in the UK after "Secret Lovers" the previous year. It reached no.1 in the US. 12(8) PET SHOP BOYS - It's A Sin (323 points) Top 40 run: 5-1-1-1-2-4-11-19-38 Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe were on fire during 1987, with this song giving them their second no.1. It was followed by the previously-mentioned "What Have I Done To Deserve This?", "Rent" and the Christmas no.1 "Always On My Mind", which, like most Christmas no.1s, was released too late to make this list. 11(15) GEORGE HARRISON - Got My Mind Set On You (341 points) Top 40 run: 22-7-2-2-2-2-7-13-18-18 This cover of a song first recorded by James Ray in the early 60s gave the former Beatle his first top 10 hit since 1973 and spent a month at no.2, remaining inside the top 20 at the end of the year. A key part of the song's success was the production of ELO's Jeff Lynne, who also helped revive Tom Petty's career towards the end of the decade. It topped the US chart, making Harrison the most successful former Beatle in the States in terms of solo no.1 singles.
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Post by Earl Purple on Jul 17, 2020 11:21:58 GMT 1
I don't know which song you think is worst than Startrekkin' but actually that's a fun novelty song. Maybe you meant Atlantic Starr. Whilst I wasn't a fan of "Secret Lovers", I actually think "Always" is a lovely ballad.
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Post by Earl Purple on Jul 17, 2020 11:23:13 GMT 1
We're already seeing the Travellin' Wilburys work together as a unit even though they are not recording under that name yet.
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Post by Whitneyfan on Jul 17, 2020 14:51:24 GMT 1
I don't know which song you think is worst than Startrekkin' but actually that's a fun novelty song. Maybe you meant Atlantic Starr. Whilst I wasn't a fan of "Secret Lovers", I actually think "Always" is a lovely ballad. I really like them both, I'm not ashamed to admit!
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Post by Panda on Jul 17, 2020 21:33:24 GMT 1
I don't know which song you think is worst than Startrekkin' but actually that's a fun novelty song. Maybe you meant Atlantic Starr. Whilst I wasn't a fan of "Secret Lovers", I actually think "Always" is a lovely ballad. There's probably at least a handful to be honest.
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Post by Panda on Jul 17, 2020 22:43:39 GMT 1
Part 7 (10-6): 10(17) MADONNA - La Isla Bonita (342 points) Top 40 run: 5-3-2-1-1-3-7-17-24-35 The final single from "True Blue", it showed just how Madonna's popularity had grown that she was still able to reach no.1. She didn't release any new music in 1988 but made a triumphant and controversial return in 1989. 9(10) M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (352 points) Top 40 run: 35-11-2-2-1-1-3-6-16-25-35-37 A watershed moment in music history as a track made entirely of samples hit the top spot for the first time, much to the annoyance of Pete Waterman (partly because the original version sampled SAW's "Roadblock" and had to be removed to avoid legal action). The project came about after two acts on the 4AD label were thrown together by the boss to collaborate. One was electronic act Colourbox, the other was the more experimental pop-based AR Kane. Both parties quickly realised working together wasn't going to go well and so they decided to create separate tracks. Colourbox came up with "Pump Up The Volume" while AR Kane's effort was called "Anitina (The First Time I See She Dance". Both acts then added some additional touches to each other's track. Officially, the single was a double A-side though the latter received very little airplay. Colourbox would soon split but AR Kane continued recording into the 90s and influenced numerous acts including My Bloody Valentine and Dubstar. 8(12) BRUCE WILLIS - Under The Boardwalk (361 points) Top 40 run: 36-17-6-3-3-2-2-4-6-13-20-36-40 Oh Christ. It seemed in the mid-to-late 80s, any kind of TV appearance was a sure fire recipe for pop success. After becoming a star through the US series Moonlighting, Bruce Willis was next in line in the pop cash-in stakes. The strings arrangement is quite nice, to be fair. 7(4) BEE GEES - You Win Again (367 points) Top 40 run: 22-6-1-1-1-1-3-7-15-28 After helping Diana Ross' comeback the previous year the Bee Gees launched their own in 1987, having been ignored for much of the decade. It was their first hit since 1980 and first no.1 since "Tragedy" in 1979, making them the first group to have a UK no.1 in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I didn't particularly like the song at the time but looking back it's a "banger" (as the kids say these days). The video was a few years ahead of its time as well in terms of its style. While the Gibb brothers didn't exactly become chart regulars again going forward, they would enjoy several more top 10 hits during the 1990s, including "For Whom The Bell Tolls" (subsequently covered by Metallica ). 6(16) JUDY BOUCHER - Can't Be With You Tonight (371 points) Top 40 run: 37-14-4-2-2-2-2-3-8-14-24-35 Another song I didn't like at the time. And I still don't. This musical general anaesthetic managed to spend four weeks at no.2 - two weeks behind "La Isla Bonita" and two behind a song we're yet to see. The follow-up "You Caught My Eye" also reached the top 20 for Boucher, who may be the only UK Top 40 act from Saint Vincent. (St. Vincent AKA Annie Clark, is from Oklahoma, and sadly, has never had a top 40 hit).
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Post by Panda on Jul 18, 2020 0:09:30 GMT 1
Part 8 (5-1):
5(6) MEL AND KIM - Respectable (377 points) Top 40 run: 25-7-2-1-2-2-6-5-11-18-25-40-40
An excellent pop record and a deserved no.1 single for the Appleby sisters. Up there with "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" in terms of the best things SAW ever did before they started taking the "factory" part of their Hit Factory tag too literally.
4(5) T'PAU - China In Your Hand (408 points) Top 40 run: 19-5-1-1-1-1-1-5-9-9
A massive hit late in the year, topping the chart for five weeks in November and December. It was still in the top 10 at the end of the year and certainly would've been in the top 3 on this list if released sooner - possibly even higher. After the excellent "Heart And Soul", this was their second hit and they would complete a top 10 hat-trick with "Valentine" in 1988 but never managed another top 10 hit after that. This was the third year in a row that a female-sung power ballad was among the biggest hits of the year after Jennifer Rush in 1985 and Berlin in 1986.
3(3) WHITNEY HOUSTON - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (416 points) Top 40 run: 10-2-1-1-2-2-4-8-12-18-21-33
For much of Whitney's career, the pattern seemed to go ballad-fast one-ballad-fast one, etc and this followed the sequence perfectly, albeit released a year after "The Greatest Love Of All" as the lead single from her second album "Whitney". It became her second UK no.1 and fourth (of 11) in the States.
2(1) RICK ASTLEY - Never Gonna Give You Up (476 points) Top 40 run: 32-14-3-1-1-1-1-1-2-4-10-22-28-37 / 40
The biggest-seller of the year falls agonisingly short of the top spot on this list. The overnight sensation from Lancashire looked set to overhaul the leaders but this song suffered a quick slide down the charts in October as SAW looked to squeeze in not one but two more singles before the end of the year. Astley became a global phenomenon and even contributed some of his own songs to his debut album (none of which were picked as singles). After two albums, Astley decided he wanted to pursue greater creative freedom and parted company with SAW. Eventually, he retired from music altogether at the age of 27 to focus on family life but returned to recording and performing in 2001 and his 2016 album "50" topped the album chart, 29 years after he first shot to fame.
1(2) STARSHIP - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (483 points) Top 40 run: 29-15-3-1-1-1-1-2-3-5-10-15-28-30-38
Written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, this was another big 80s movie hit, taken from the slightly creepy rom-com Mannequin. The song topped the US chart as well and was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars but lost out to "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life" from Dirty Dancing. This was the second and final UK hit for Starship after "We Built This City", though they'd also charted in their previous incarnation as Jefferson Starship. More recently, the song was covered by a bunch of annoying kids on a lockdown TV ad.
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