1991 Points Chart

[Panda]

We move onto 1991 and if you know your chart history, you already know what is at no.1. However, there's an interesting battle for the no.2 spot...

The dance revolution continued with the top 10 regularly featuring dance acts, including one who had their debut hit this year and would become one of the biggest acts of the decade.

Rock started to make a bit of a comeback with American bands like leading the way. By the end of the year, Nirvana would explode as one of the world's biggest bands. Over here, UK critics were swooning over Primal Scream's "Screamadelica", which was released the same week as "Nevermind". Singles chart success was still hard to come by indie/rock acts but one British band would upset the formbook with a huge no.2 hit.

With SAW having run out of ideas and NKOTB's star already beginning to fade, there was very little manufactured pop around in the charts, giving us a very diverse top 40, even if it's not exactly filled with "classics".


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:

(position in end-of-year sales chart in brackets)


41(31) CRYSTAL WATERS - Gypsy Woman (230 points)



This debut hit for the US singer reached no.2 in the UK and no.8 in the States. She would have several more hits throughout the 90s and returned to the top 5 in 2007 as the featured vocalist on Alex Gaudino's "Destination Calabria".


46(16) GEORGE MICHAEL & ELTON JOHN - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (222 points)



A rare live track at number one, this version of Elton's 1974 single was recorded at Wembley Arena in March on the final night of the UK leg of George Michael's Cover To Cover tour. The video was recorded in Chicago in October once the single released had been confirmed. Released at the end of November, it went straight in at no.1, topping the chart for two weeks before it was knocked off by Queen's double a-side of "Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are The Days Of Our Lives". It would also reach no.1 in the US in February 1992. All proceeds from the release were divided between numerous charities.


52(51) ERASURE - Chorus (217 points)



This oustanding electro-pop track was the lead single from the duo's fifth album, also called "Chorus". It stormed into the chart at no.3 and spent four weeks inside the top 5 but only three further weeks in the top 40, hence its appearance in this portion of the thread.


54(69) REM - Shiny Happy People (210 points)



Arguably the band's best-known track, even though they effectively disowned it in later years. It was the first of 10 UK top 10 hits for the band from Athens, Georgia. Michael Stipe was joined on vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52s (who were also from Athens), who provided backing vocals on several tracks on the "Out Of Time" album from which this track was taken, and bass player Mike Mills, who sang lead vocals on the band's follow-up single "Near Wild Heaven". Somewhat surprisingly, "Shiny Happy People" was the last REM track to reach the US top 10.


83(-) BLUR - There's No Other Way (163 points)



Not a classic by any means, but this no.8 hit was a watershed moment as it was the first top 40 appearance for one of Britain's most successful bands. Blur would become masters of reinvention as the years went by, moving on from the baggy influence of this track, adopting an even more uniquely British sound, laden with brass and social commentary, at a time when the world had become obsessed with grunge. Then, when Britpop had taken over the country and "Cool Britannia" was in full swing, Blur completely flipped the coin and released an album highly influenced by lo-fi American music.


85(90) DIVINYLS - I Touch Myself (160 points)



Whilst the group had regular hits in their native Australia, this was their only hit in the UK and deserved better than no.10.


89(-) THE WONDER STUFF - The Size Of A Cow (156 points)



One of those pleasant surprise hits as there was nothing else like this doing that well at the time. The band broke up in 1994, just at the start of the Britpop explosion, though they later reformed in 2000. You do wonder what might have been if they'd been around to ride that incredible wave during the mid-to-late 90s.


103(54) U2 - The Fly (145 points)



The song that knocked the song that tops this list off the no.1 spot in the singles chart. The first new music from the Irish band for three years, this was the first single from their acclaimed album "Achtung Baby" and saw a radical departure in sound from their critically panned blues-based album "Rattle & Hum". The single and subsequent tour saw Bono adopt an alter-ego called The Fly, remaining in character for almost every public appearance over the following five years.


109(-) NIRVANA - Smells Like Teen Spirit (138 points)



One of the most important songs ever recorded. And Kurt Cobain said he was just trying to rip off the Pixies... This was the first single off the band's second album "Nevermind". It reached no.7 in the UK, no.6 in the US and topped the charts in France and Spain.


114(70) QUEEN - Innuendo (134 points)



For me, the band's greatest ever track. This epic was the first single from the album of the same name and went straight in at no.1 in January, though it only spent four weeks inside the top 40. The mostly animated video sparked renewed speculation about Freddie Mercury's health after years of rumours and denials. He hadn't been seen in public in almost a year and Queen hadn't performed live since 1986. In November, he issued a statement confirming he had AIDS and died less than two days later, aged just 45. Following his death "Bohemian Rhapsody" was re-released as a double a-side with "These Are The Days Of Our Lives". The single was Christmas no.1 and the latter won Best Single at the 1992 Brit Awards.

[Whitneyfan]

It's a shame 'Losing my religion' won't be in here, because that really is one of the very best songs of the year.

[Earl Purple]

We've seen several number ones (and Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter which crosses 1990-91 but had a very poor run) that are worse points-wise than anything in the 90s, but all of these so far will be above "Beetlebum" and a few others that are later in the 90s, where number ones disappeared so fast.

And yes it's so obvious what number one will be, I guess it's really just a matter of seeing what else is going to be in here.

[Whitneyfan]

I'm struggling with the fact that it's nearly 30 years since 'that' #1 song dominated the summer!

[Panda]

Part 1 (40-35):

40(58) SALT-N-PEPA - Do You Want Me? (233 points)
Top 40 run: 37-25-13-6-5-6-11-11-22



The first of two appearances for the hip hop trio, this Ben Liebrand remix was a major factor in it reaching no.5 in the UK.


39(59) ZUCCHERO & PAUL YOUNG - Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman) (233 points)
Top 40 run: 34-22-9-7-4-7-10-15-28



Originally recorded by the Italian singer in 1987, this track was re-recorded as a duet with Paul Young, giving the former his first UK hit and the latter his first top 10 hit since 1985 (and last, as it stands). Zucchero had a second top 40 hit in 1992 when "Miserere", a duet with Pavarotti, reached no.15.


38(37) ENIGMA - Sadness (Part 1) (233 points)
Top 40 run: 2-1-3-6-13-20-27



Enigma was the project of Romanian-born German Michael Cretu. He'd had the idea of using Gregorian chants on a song a few years earlier when producing his wife Sandra's album, and ultimately decided to make an album of his own around the concept. Thes unique combination resulted in this track (which spelled 'Sadness' as 'Sadeness' outside the UK) becoming a worldwide hit. It was released towards the end of 1990 and had reached no.4 by the end of the year, climbing to no.1 in early 1991. Its combined points total across both years would have put it at no.12 on this list. It also probably paved the way for those dodgy panpipe compilation albums that would constantly be advertised on TV in the early 90s. The other tracks from the album failed to reach the top 40 in the UK but the act would pick up another big hit in 1994 with "Return To Innocence", which saw the Gregorian chants replaced with Amis singing.


37(28) DIANA ROSS - When You Tell Me That You Love Me (235 points)
Top 40 run: 10-4-2-4-2-3



A big hit at the end of the year (and another huge hit co-written by Albert Hammond), this was the Christmas no.2 behind Queen, coming very close to pulling off an upset.


36(26) KIRI TE KANAWA - World In Union (238 points)
Top 40 run: 35-11-4-4-5-5-7-19



Based on the hymn "I Vow To Thee My Country", which in turn was based on a movement from Holst's "The Planets", this song was written as the official anthem for the Rugby World Cup, which was held in England that year (Australia beat England in the final). New Zealand opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was chosen to sing the song, which has been re-recorded multiple times since to coincide with each tournament. Subsequent artists performing the song include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shirley Bassey & Bryn Terfel, Hayley Westenra, Paloma Faith and most recently, Japanese singer Kiyoe Yoshioka (though ITV's coverage featured a version by Emeli Sande). The Bassey/Terfel duet is the only subsequent version to reach the UK top 40.

[rubcale]

Not that it affects the points but do you not use the same year end date as Gallup?

They used to issue an interim year-end chart a week or two early so that TV and Radio could produce countdown programmes at Christmas and the new Year - in this chart Diana Ross was #28, however in the official 1991 end-of-year chart she was #17.

Somebody - probably a rabid Diana Ross fan - put out the rumour that she had only missed being the Christmas #1 by a very small margin and this was seemingly accepted as fact as I've seen it mentioned over and over again.

In fact Christmas week Queen sold 289k while Diana sold 65k - so what is close?!

[Panda]

Nov 9, 2020 13:14:18 GMT 1 rubcale said:

Not that it affects the points but do you not use the same year end date as Gallup?

They used to issue an interim year-end chart a week or two early so that TV and Radio could produce countdown programmes at Christmas and the new Year - in this chart Diana Ross was #28, however in the official 1991 end-of-year chart she was #17.

Somebody - probably a rabid Diana Ross fan - put out the rumour that she had only missed being the Christmas #1 by a very small margin and this was seemingly accepted as fact as I've seen it mentioned over and over again.

In fact Christmas week Queen sold 289k while Diana sold 65k - so what is close?!

I use whatever's in the end of year chart section here at Haven. There were two charts for this year but one was only a top 50.

The Christmas no.1 thing did seem a little odd. I was trying to find the figures to back up the claim.

[Panda]

Part 2 (35-31):

35(48) OLETA ADAMS - Get Here (241 points)
Top 40 run: 34-27-20-15-7-4-6-9-16-31



This Brenda Russell cover was the first solo top 40 hit for the former Tears For Fears backing singer (who'd shared lead vocals on their single "Woman In Chains"). The album it was taken from "Circle Of One" was released in 1990 to a muted response but the success of this single, which was co-produced by Roland Orzabal and became something of a military wives' anthem during the Gulf War, helped it reach no.1 when it was re-released.


34(39) SHAMEN - Move Any Mountain (241 points)
Top 40 run: 9-4-4-4-6-16-20-24



The Shamen were a Scottish guitar band who hadn't enjoyed chart success until moving in a more dance-based direction and adding Londoner Mr. C to the line-up. After a few minor hits, this track saw them reach the top 10 for the first time and they would go on to have four more in the space of five months in 1992, including a huge no.1 single.


33(53) C+C MUSIC FACTORY - Things That Make You Go 'Hmmm'... (244 points)
Top 40 run: 33-18-7-4-5-8-12-16-27-36



After 'Gonna Make You Sweat' reached no.3 at the start of the year (its points total across '90 and '91 would have put it in the top 40 on this list), the US dance act followed it up with this track, which worked its way up to no.4 in July. The driving force behind the act was production duo David Cole and Robert Civilles. Cole died in 1995, aged just 32 and C+C stopped recording. Civilles later brought C+C back in 2010 but the rights to the name are now owned by vocalist Freedom Williams, who featured on both top 10 hits as well as other tracks.


32(50) GUNS 'N ROSES - You Could Be Mine (245 points)
Top 40 run: 3-3-5-9-17-16-18-23-34



The band's biggest hit at the time, this was the lead single from the "Use Your Illusion II" album, which was released on the same day as "Use Your Illusion I" in September. Its success was helped further by its use in the Terminator 2: Judgement Day film (on the trailer, in one scene in the film, and on the end credits) which allowed it to find an audience beyond GnR's existing fanbase. As a result, it spent seven weeks in the top 20, a highly impressive feat for such a hard rock track.


31(56) PAULA ABDUL - Rush Rush (249 points)
Top 40 run: 22-14-7-7-6-6-11-18-29



Ms Abdul finds herself on the list for the third year in a row with this track, which had a solid, if unspectacular chart run. She still couldn't sing very well. The video features a young Keanu Reeves, who'd already become a household name starring in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. I remember Simon Mayo joking on TOTP that this track was a tribute to footballer Ian Rush, which shows how appallingly bad his craic was when he was away from the radio - something that would later become known as "Chris Evans Syndrome".

[Panda]

Part 3 (30-26):

30(25) PRODIGY - Charly (249 points)
Top 40 run: 9-4-3-3-6-9-18-31



The chart debut for the group that would go on to be the UK's most successful dance act. This track, which sampled a 1980s public information film, was one of the first big rave hits. It's hard to believe the success they would go on to have over the following three decades. Over time, the group, led by Liam Howlett would experiment with a number of different styles and find a whole new level of success when dancer Keith Flint became the group's main vocalist, with "Firestarter" going straight to no.1 in 1996. With the exception of their debut album "The Prodigy Experience", all the group's studio albums topped the chart, as did as their singles compilation "Their Law". Flint took his own life in 2019, aged 49, but Howlett has indicated he will continue to release new music under the Prodigy name.


29(38) SEAL - Crazy (250 points)
Top 40 run: 4-2-4-5-11-15-16-27



Seal's first single after the megahit "Killer", it was released at the end of 1990 and climbed into the top 10 at the start of 1991, already surpassing anything former partner Adamski would do in the rest of his career. Seal would go on to become the first act to win three Brit awards at the same ceremony in 1992, winning Best Britsh Male, Album and Video (for the re-recorded version of "Killer").


28(47) ROXETTE - Joyride (257 points)
Top 40 run: 18-8-4-5-4-7-10-21-35



The duo's fourth top 10 hit in less than two years, it would be their second-biggest hit after the previous year's "It Must Have Been Love".


27(18) THE CLASH - Should I Stay Or Should I Go? (258 points)
Top 40 run: 5-1-1-2-9-13-24



The latest in a long line of tracks becoming hits again after being used in a jeans ad, this was originally a top 20 hit in 1982. Its re-release gave the punk legends their only no.1 (and indeed, only top 10 hit), five years after they'd split up.


26(29) KLF - Last Train To Trancentral (259 points)
Top 40 run: 3-2-2-4-7-9-18-38



The group's third consecutive top 5 hit and the follow-up to a no.1 single we'll see later.

[Panda]

Part 4 (25-21):

25(42) ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK - Sailing On The Seven Seas (268 points)
Top 40 run: 36-19-8-5-3-4-8-13-19-29



The band's first top 40 hit for four and a half years and their first top 10 hit since "Locomotion" in 1984. The follow-up "Pandora's Box" also reached the top 10 but that would be their last and by the late 90s Andy McCluskey had focused on putting together Atomic Kitten and becoming their main songwriter.


24(21) SCORPIONS - Wind Of Change (270 points)
Top 40 run: 19-5-2-2-3-6-10-25



The German rock band was formed in 1964 and started enjoying commercial success towards the late 70s, including a top 40 hit in the UK. Although they had several top 75 appearances after that, they wouldn't reach the top 40 again until this track, which hit no.2 in October, a few months after it originally peaked at no.53. The song was inspired by a visit to Moscow in 1990, where they performed at a peace festival. It also reached the top 5 in the US and remains the biggest selling single worldwide by a German act.


23(33) ROD STEWART - Rhythm Of My Heart (274 points)
Top 40 run: 20-3-3-3-5-6-13-20-28



Having spent the late 80s in the wilderness, this track was part of an early 90s hot streak for the world's second favourite plastic Scot (after Rowdy Roddy Piper). It was his third top 10 hit in a row (the previous two being Tom Waits cover "Downtown Train" and a cover of "It Takes Two" with Tina Turner that was featured on a Pepsi ad) and "The Motown Song" later in the year would make it four.


22(13) MICHAEL JACKSON - Black Or White (275 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-4-8-11-11



Jackson's first new music in four years, this was the first single from his "Dangerous" album and gave him his fourth no.1 single. Like some of his other big single releases, it came with a longform video, directed by John Landis, who'd also directed the video for "Thriller", and weighed in at 11 minutes (two and a half shorter than "Thriller" and seven shorter than "Bad"). It received a simultaneous premiere across numerous US channels as well as on Top of The Pops in the UK (taking up half of the show, due to its length). The long version features a four-minute sequence after the song in which Jackson morphs between his own form and that of a panther, goes a rampage of dancing and violence and finishes with a cameo from The Simpsons.


21(30) THE SOURCE & CANDI STATON - You Got The Love (279 points)
Top 40 run: 32-22-12-8-4-4-5-9-12-23



Originally released in 1986 as a pop/gospel track, it was remixed and re-released in 1991 and became a dance classic. It was given another remix and re-release in 1997 and reached no.3 and it is that version that is more widely known today (particularly with those under a certain age), thanks in part to Florence & The Machine's cover being based on it. However, for many over a certain age, the 1991 version is the definitive version of the track. It gave Staton her first top 10 hit since 1977.

[Whitneyfan]

I love so many of these songs. Rod Stewart's 'Rhythm Of My Heart' is one of his anthemic hits that still gets my pulse rating

[Panda]

Right, I'm back after a little break.

Part 5 (20-16):

20(27) BEVERLEY CRAVEN - Promise Me (288 points)
Top 40 run: 33-15-6-3-4-4-4-8-19-28



After a stuttering start to her pop career, things finally started to take off for Beverley Craven in Europe, leading to this track being re-released in the UK after it had initially failed to chart. She won the much-cursed Best British Newcomer award at the 1992 Brits, performing this song at the ceremony while eight months pregnant. After taking time out, to focus on motherhood, she never enjoyed the same level of success but continues to write and perform live. She also beat breast cancer in 2018, returning to performing last year.


19(22) NOMAD & MC MIKEE FREEDOM - (I Wanna Give You) Devotion (293 points)
Top 40 run: 14-4-3-2-3-5-10-18-27



I remember my dad hearing this on the radio when he was taking me to school and saying it was the worst song he'd ever heard. I shudder to think what he'd say about the state of today's charts. To be fair, this might've been a passable dance track were it not for the ramblings of the utterly useless Mikee Freedom. Nomad managed a top 20 follow-up with "Just A Groove".


18(17) ZOE - Sunshine On A Rainy Day (295 points)
Top 40 run: 14-8-6-4-5-6-9-12-20-31



Another song that became a hit at the second time of asking. It reached no.53 when first released in 1990 but after receiving a remix and a new video, it became a huge summer hit, spending six weeks inside the top 10. Given Zoe's songwriting talent and highly photogenic look, this should've been the start of big things. The follow-up "Lightning" reached the top 40 but album sales were very poor and she never troubled the top 40 again.


17(24) AMY GRANT - Baby Baby (305 points)
Top 40 run: 34-26-9-5-3-2-3-7-13-22-32



The first UK hit for the US Christian pop star who crossed into the mainstream with her album "Heart In Motion", from which this track was taken. "Baby Baby" reached no.2 in the UK (kept off the top by a track we're yet to see) and no.1 in the US. The follow-up "Every Heartbeat" also reached the top 40 but her only other UK top 40 appearance was her cover of "Big Yellow Taxi", which spent eight weeks in the top 40 in 1995, despite only peaking at no.20.


16(19) JAMES - Sit Down (306 points)
Top 40 run: 7-2-2-2-3-4-9-19-35



An indie classic that was very nearly a chart-topper. Originally released in 1989, it was re-recorded and re-released in 1991 on the back of the band's three top 40 hits in 1990 and rapidly growing popularity as a live act. It stormed straight into the top 10 and spent three weeks at no.2 behind a long-running chart topper (not THAT one). The Manchester band, led by Tim Booth, would continue to have regular hits throughout the decade, including a remix of this track which reached the top 10 in 1998. The group split in 2001 but reformed a few years later and continue to release music. They are due to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2022.

[Panda]

Part 6 (15-11):

15(32) KENNY THOMAS - Thinking About Your Love (309 points)
Top 40 run: 36-22-10-5-4-5-5-8-12-16-21-39



This was the second of eight top 40 hits for the London soul singer, though the only one to reach the top 10. Thomas was nominated for Best British Male and Newcomer at the 1992 Brits but lost out to Seal and Beverley Craven, respectively. He later appeared on the ITV show Hit Me Baby One More Time and is now the lead singer of Living In A Box, replacing original frontman Richard Darbyshire.


14(23) HEAVY D & THE BOYZ - Now That We Found Love (310 points)
Top 40 run: 30-9-4-2-3-6-8-10-19-23-35



Heavy D was Jamaican-born rapper Dwight Myers. After a couple of minor hits this was his breakthrough in the UK, reaching no.2 in July (one of many songs kept off the top by the no.1 on this list). He only had one more top 40 appearance in the UK but had regular hits in the US throughout the 90s. He died in 2011, aged 44, after suffering a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis after taking a flight from Wales to the US.


13(15) EXTREME - More Than Words (312 points)
Top 40 run: 8-2-2-3-4-7-11-15-26-34



This acoustic ballad was the second UK hit for the US rock band, taken from their second album "Pornograffiti". The album saw them fill the void left by Bon Jovi's three-year absence and for a while they looked set to take a seat at the top table of rock. This track reached no.2 in the UK and no.1 in the US, and they had a further UK top 20 hits from the album with "Hole Hearted" and "Song For Love". The follow-up "III Sides To Every Story" saw them take a more serious, political tone and while sales were reasonable and they enjoyed two more UK top 20 hits, they never quite pushed on to that next level, probably not helped by Bon Jovi's big return in 1992 that saw them re-establish themselves as one of the world's most popular bands. The band went on hiatus for a while but later reformed and continues today with three of the four members from their heyday: singer Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and bass player Pat Badger.


12(11) KLF - 3AM Eternal (345 points)
Top 40 run: 5-2-1-1-2-3-7-11-27-40



The second no.1 single for Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty and the first under the KLF name. The Anglo-Scottish duo had a knack for making infectious pop records and even wrote a book about it called "The Manual". After emerging as the KLF in 1990, they established themselves as one of the country's most popular acts in 1991, following up this hit with two more no.2s, the second of which was Christmas hit "Justified And Ancient" featuring country legend Tammy Wynette. Their amazing success culminated in them winning Best British Group at the 1992 Brits, where they performed a thrash metal version of this track with the band Extreme Noise Terror, much to the shock of the old farts in suits at the ceremony (the Brits were still a strictly formal affair back then) who were then shocked even further when Drummond grabbed a machine gun and fired blanks into the stunned audience. The performance ended with their manager announcing "The KLF have now left the music business." They also left a dead sheep at the Brits afterparty, having originally planned to disembowel it on stage and throw buckets of blood over the audience but were prevented from doing so by the BBC. At one point, Drummond even considered chopping his own hand off with an axe. After releasing a reworked version of "What Time Is Love?", they deleted their entire back catalogue and never released another record under the KLF name. In 1994, they travelled to the Scottish island of Jura and set fire to £1 million of their own money, filming the whole spectacle and later touring the film, which was entitled "Watch The K Foundation Burn A Million Quid".


11(14) SALT-N-PEPA - Let's Talk About Sex (358 points)
Top 40 run: 24-13-7-3-2-2-4-8-9-14-21



The second UK no.2 hit for the hip hop trio, kept off the top by you know who. The group still hadn't quite caught fire in the US in the same way they had in the UK, with this track only reaching no.13 in the States but by the mid 90s they had a 5-times platinum album under their belts in the States and were well on their way to becoming rap legends.

[Panda]

Part 7 (10-6):

10(6) JASON DONOVAN - Any Dream Will Do (379 points)
Top 40 run: 2-1-1-2-2-3-6-12-15-27



With Jason landing the lead role in the new version of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, this version of the show's most famous song got a single release and spent two weeks at no.1, just before you know who came along. Considering he couldn't sing to save his life when he had his first hit, the fact he landed the lead in a West End musical shows how much he improved in a relatively short space of time.


9(9) VIC REEVES & THE WONDER STUFF - Dizzy (383 points)
Top 40 run: 6-2-1-1-2-2-8-14-22-22-26



Having had a top 10 hit earlier in the year with a cover of "Born Free", comedian Vic Reeves teamed up with The Wonder Stuff for this version of "Dizzy", which topped the charts towards the end of the year. It was very nearly the song that knocked you know who off the top after 16 weeks but had to wait another week while U2 took the glory. Reeves' only other hit would be a cover of "I'm A Believer", which reached no.3 in 1995, alongside comedy partner Bob Mortimer and EMF.


8(5) SIMPSONS - Do The Bartman (384 points)
Top 40 run: 3-2-1-1-1-3-3-11-18-25



In the space of a couple of years, The Simpsons had gone from a short interlude in the Tracey Ullman Show to a global phenomenon and money-printing machine thanks to the huge array of merchandise that became available. One of those items was an album "The Simpsons Sing The Blues", from which this track was taken. The album featured numerous characters performing tracks but unsurprisingly for the time, Bart's songs (voiced by Nancy Cartwright) were chosen as the single releases, with the follow-up "Deep Deep Trouble" also reaching the top 10.


7(12) 2 UNLIMITED - Get Ready For This (388 points)
Top 40 run: 36-19-6-2-3-3-2-3-5-12-21-34-31-27



The first hit for the Dutch duo of Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth (nee Dels), though the creative force behind the name were Belgian producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde. This would be the first of eight top 10 hits they would have between 1991 and 1994, including the massive "No Limit" in 1993. A vocal mix of this track was produced but it was the (mostly) instrumental version shown above that received airplay in the UK. It reached no.2 towards the end of year, with the Christmas/New Year party season helping it stick around in the top 40 into 1992.


6(10) COLOR ME BADD - I Wanna Sex You Up (409 points)
Top 40 run: 27-7-2-1-1-1-2-4-10-14-25-31



Crap name, dodgy facial hair and generally rather annoying. And they weren't as good at singing as they clearly thought they were. This track reached no.1 in the UK and no.2 in the US. They would go on to have two chart toppers in the States but follow-up "All 4 Love" would be their only other top 40 hit in the UK.

[Earl Purple]

I saw Joseph and Jason Donovan was performing in it at the time. His voice was never particularly good but it was good enough really for his two songs, this one and Close Every Door.

It appeared to me that for some characters the primary thing is acting with a bit of singing, and that is where Jason fitted in. For others it was primarily singing and for others it was mostly dancing. The brothers of Joseph and many side parts fitted the last of those. The narrator and Pharaoh were the best singers in the show - however I think Jason Donovan was later cast as Pharoah? (because he's older now). Which surprises me unless he's greatly improved to sound like an Elvis impersonator, which Pharaoh is in the show.

[Panda]

Part 8 (5-1):

5(8) OCEANIC - Insanity (426 points)
Top 40 run: 21-11-8-5-4-3-3-3-5-7-8-14-21



There always seems to be a surprise or a forgotten hit in the top 10 on these lists and here's this year's. Oceanic were a techno-pop group from the Wirral and this track managed to spend six weeks inside the top 5. They managed two more top 40 hits but nothing ever matched the success of "Insanity".


4(7) CHESNEY HAWKES - The One And Only (445 points)
Top 40 run: 32-18-5-1-1-1-1-1-2-5-11-25



This Nik Kershaw-penned track spent five weeks at no.1 and made a teen heart-throb of Chesney Hawkes. The song was taken from the film Buddy's Song in which Hawkes starred alongside Roger Daltrey. It also reached the top 10 in the US after being used on the opening titles of the Michael J Fox film Doc Hollywood. The follow-up "I'm A Man Not A Boy" reached the UK top 40 but all of Hawkes' subsequent singles fell short.


3(3) CHER - The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) (493 points)
Top 40 run: 23-2-1-1-1-1-1-2-3-4-9-18-38



Another huge movie hit, this time from Mermaids, in which Cher starred alongside Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder and a debuting Christina Ricci. This was a cover of a 60s song first recorded by Merry Clayton but made popular by Betty Everett. It shot to no.1 in the UK in April, giving Cher her first chart-topper for 26 years.


2(4) RIGHT SAID FRED - I'm Too Sexy (500 points)
Top 40 run: 37-12-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-5-7-9-13-24-31



So the no.2 song on this list is one that didn't reach the top of the UK chart. Instead, it spent six weeks at no.2, kept off the top by the song that tops this list. Unashamedly camp and outrageously silly, this track introduced the trio of Richard and Fred Fairbrass and Rob Manzioli to the world. The song was a massive worldwide hit, topping the US chart (the first act to top the Billboard chart with their debut single since the Beatles). The follow-up "Don't Talk Just Kiss", which featured Jocelyn Brown, reached the top 5 at Christmas before climbing to no.3 in the New Year. They would then finally have a UK no.1 in 1992 with "Deeply Dippy". They were chosen to perform the Comic Relief single "Stick It Out" in 1993 before the hits started to dry up, though they did make a surprise return to the top 20 in 2001 with "You're My Mate". The group continues today with the Fairbrass brothers, with Richard also having some success as a TV presenter, having hosted Gaytime TV and Channel 5 gameshow Desert Forges.


1(1) BRYAN ADAMS - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (1021 points)
Top 40 run: 8-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-4-4-6-12-36



And so we reach our inevitable chart-topper and in keeping with many of the year's big hits, it was taken from a blockbuster film, namely Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner. The original video included scenes from the film and had Adams performing in a woodland setting but it's this rather tepid live version that is available on YouTube. The song broke chart records in the UK, spending 16 long weeks at no.1, its run at the top lasting from 7th July until 27th October. The record was challenged on several occasions but never matched in the pre-streaming era. Such was its success that the follow-up "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" had its entire top 40 run while this song was still no.1. In later years, Adams would seem somewhat disgruntled that this is the song he's best remembered for (in this country at least) but more recently has seemed to warm to it after the death of co-writer and composer Michael Kamen. It remains the Canadian's only solo no.1, though he did reach the top again in 2000, providing vocals on Chicane's "Don't Give Up".

[Panda]

Top 100:

1(1) Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
2(4) Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
3(3) Cher - The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)
4(7) Chesney Hawkes - The One And Only
5(8) Oceanic - Insanity
6(10) Color Me Badd - I Wanna Sex You Up
7(12) 2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This
8(5) Simpsons - Do The Bartman
9(9) Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff - Dizzy
10(6) Jason Donovan - Any Dream Will Do
11(14) Salt-N-Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex
12(11) KLF - 3AM Eternal
13(15) Extreme - More Than Words
14(23) Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We've Found Love
15(32) Kenny Thomas - Thinking About Your Love
16(19) James - Sit Down
17(24) Amy Grant - Baby Baby
18(17) Zoe - Sunshine On A Rainy Day
19(22) Nomad & MC Mikee Freedom - (I Wanna Give You) Devotion
20(27) Beverley Craven - Promise Me
21(30) The Source & Candi Staton - You Got The Love
22(13) Michael Jackson - Black Or White
23(33) Rod Stewart - Rhythm Of My Heart
24(21) Scorpions - Wind Of Change
25(42) Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Sailing On The Seven Seas
26(29) KLF - Last Train To Trancentral
27(18) The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
28(47) Roxette - Joyride
29(38) Seal - Crazy
30(25) Prodigy - Charly
31(56) Paula Abdul - Rush Rush
32(50) Guns 'N Roses - You Could Be Mine
33(53) C+C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go 'Hmmmmm'
34(39) Shamen - Move Any Mountain
35(48) Oleta Adams - Get Here
36(26) Kiri Te Kanawa - World In Union
37(28) Diana Ross - When You Tell Me That You Love Me
38(37) Enigma - Sadness Part 1
39(59) Zucchero & Paul Young - Senza Una Donna (Without A Woman)
40(58) Salt-N-Pepa - Do You Want Me?
41(31) Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman
42(52) Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon
43(43) 2 In A Room - Wiggle It
44(40) Rozalla - Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)
45(60) Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long)
46(16) George Michael & Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
47(65) Altern 8 - Activ8 (Come With Me)
48(44) Color Me Badd - All 4 Love
49(55) Utah Saints - What Can You Do For Me?
50(20) Hale & Pace - The Stonk
51(41) Julian Lennon - Saltwater
52(51) Erasure - Chorus
53(35) Erasure - Love To Hate You
54(69) REM - Shiny Happy People
55(34) PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
56(69) Quartz & Dina Carroll - It's Too Late
57(46) Monty Python's Flying Circus - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
58(72) C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat
59(63) Bee Gees - Secret Love
60(36) KLF & Tammy Wynette - Justified And Ancient
61(64) Bomb The Bass - Winter In July
62(62) East Side Beat - Ride Like The Wind
63(61) Sabrina Johnston - Peace
64(67) Martika - Love... Thy Will Be Done
65(68) Stevie B - Because I Love You (The Postman Song)
66(81) Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Pandora's Box
67(66) Xpansions - Move Your Body (Elevation)
68(94) Gary Clail On U-Sound System - Human Nature
69(49) Prince - Gett Off
70(45) Madonna - Crazy For You
71(77) Soho - Hippy Chick
72(82) Soft Cell - Tainted Love
73(74) Kylie Minogue - What Do I Have To Do?
74(98) Incognito - Always There
75(79) Madonna - Rescue Me
76(87) Bette Midler - From A Distance
77(97) Simpsons - Deep Deep Trouble
78(89) Simply Red - Stars
79(78) Free - All Right Now
80(99) Dannii Minogue - Love And Kisses
81(83) DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
82(75) Praise - Only You
83(-) Blur - There's No Other Way
84(73) Brian May - Driven By You
85(90) Divinyls - I Touch Myself
86(85) Bizarre Inc - Such A Feeling
87(86) K-Klass - Rhythm Is A Mystery
88(-) Sonia - Only Fools (Never Fall In Love)
89(-) The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow
90(96) Deacon Blue - Twist And Shout
91(91) Living Color - Love Rears Its Ugly Head
92(76) Kym Sims - Too Blind To See It
93(93) Kenny Thomas - Outstanding
94(71) Arnee & The Terminaters - I'll Be Back
95(-) Kylie Minogue & Keith Washington - If You Were With Me Now
96(-) Electronic - Get The Message
97(2) Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are The Days Of Our Lives
98(95) Rick Astley - Cry For Help
99(-) N-Joi - Anthem
100(-) Robert Palmer - Mercy Mercy Me/I Want You