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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 10, 2016 6:27:53 GMT -5
March 11, 1972 - This sunshine pop release was a runner up twice. It peaked at #2 on the UK charts for three weeks behind Nilsson's "Without You". It also took second place in the 1972 Eurovision song contest. Beg, Steal Or Borrow - The New Seekers March 12, 1977 - Though it only appeared on the AC charts in the US, it topped the UK charts for three weeks. This unique American vocal group covers a pop standard that was also released by the Lettermen in the mid-60s. Chanson D'Amour - Manhattan TransferActually I prefer this version. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOlcngLMW48 March 12, 1983 - We'll keep it in lighthearted vein with this UK #5 cover of a 1969 #1 US hit by this female pop trio. The Nylons would score a Top 20 hit in the US with their version in 1987. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Bananarama
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Post by bobbyglovescasey on Mar 13, 2016 13:37:46 GMT -5
Hi. I have started coming to this board again recently, and I came across this thread, which is kind of similar to the direction my blog has been going lately. Although I'm going to be covering randomly selected British charts from 1971 to now, so it won't always line up with this thread. But most of the first ones have. So far I've done '71, '76, '79, 82, '87, and '91, and I'm halfway through 1978. If you'd like to check it out: bobbyglovescasey.blogspot.ca/
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 17, 2016 5:35:02 GMT -5
Also looking fwd to this thread. There are so many UK biggies that cause me to shake my head and say "how could this NOT have been a smash over here?". One that springs straight to mind is Pilot's "January", an extraordinary UK #1 that only made #87 US. I guess one could call this the "Mull of Kintyre" thread--although that did sort of hit the US top 40, albeit briefly and barely, as the 'B' side of "Girl's School". Yes, I do remember "January". Surprised that was not bigger over here as it followed "Magic", so the group was not unknown. March 15, 1975 - The above mentioned Pilot UK hit was finishing its 10 week chart run, having spent three weeks at #1 on the UK charts. Like "Magic", it was also produced by Alan Parsons. January - Pilot March 15, 1980 - Though it peaked at a disappointing #58 in the states, this great FM staple was a Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at #8. Made its debut this week at #35. Turn It On Again - Genesis March 16, 1985 - Produced by Pete (Eighteen With A Bullet) Wingfield, her beautiful cover of a Billie Holiday recording debuted at #11. It would spend two weeks at #2 during her 10 week chart run. That Ole Devil Called Love - Alison Moyet
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 24, 2016 5:32:05 GMT -5
March 23, 1974 - As they were preparing to embark on their first concert tour of the US, their first UK charting single leaped 30-15 in its third week. It would stay on the UK charts for 10 weeks, peaking at #10. Seven Seas Of Rhye - Queen March 24, 1984 - It barely made the Hot 100 in the US (#95), but jumped 22-8 in its fourth week on the UK Charts. Their fifth Top 10 hit would be the highest charting to date, peaking at #3. Robert De Niro's Waiting - Bananarama March 22, 1986 - He debuted this week at #4. The next week it would become his tenth #1 single, staying at the top for 3 weeks. A remake of his first #1 UK and first US Top 40 hit from 1959. Living Doll - Cliff Richard & the Young Ones
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 30, 2016 21:51:56 GMT -5
April 2, 1977 - His fourth UK hit would peak at #2, seven-and-a-half years before he would shake the one hit wonder tag in the US. When he would finally break through in the US, he would reach the Top 10 seven times. Three of those would peak at #1. Red Light Spells Danger - Billy Ocean April 3, 1982 - Their only UK hit was a big one. It was rapidly climbing the charts on its way to peaking at #3 over a 14 week run. Lead singer and co-writer Jim Diamond would top the UK charts in 1984 as a solo artist with "I Should Have Known Better". He passed away in October, 2015. I Won't Let You Down - PHD April 2, 1988 - Though he never charted in the US, UK musician and producer Tim Simenon would chart four Top 10 hits as this musical act. The first one was his largest hit, peaking at #2. Beat Dis - Bomb The Bass
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Post by 1finemrg on Apr 7, 2016 21:26:05 GMT -5
April 14, 1973 - Not released as a single in the US, this Jackson Browne cover was toward the end of its chart run having peaked at #9. Who better to do a Jackson Browne cover than a group of Jacksons? Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Five April 12, 1980 - Two years before they became one hit wonders in the US, they topped the UK charts for 2 weeks with their second UK single. Geno - Dexy's Midnight Runners April 9, 1983 - Great duet from two stars that date back to the early rock era. Peaked at #9 during a 9 week chart run. She Means Nothing To Me - Phil Everly & Cliff Richard
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Post by 1finemrg on Apr 14, 2016 21:44:22 GMT -5
April 17, 1976 - The last of three Hot 100 singles in the US, it would peak at #49 and chart for 9 weeks. In the UK, it would peak at #9 for 2 weeks and chart for 11. Falling Apart At The Seams - Marmalade April 11, 1981 - In the wake of John Lennon's death, their version of a Lennon classic topped the UK charts for 2 weeks during an 11 week chart run. Jealous Guy - Roxy Music April 19, 1986 - Like the other two, this one also had an 11 week chart run. It was on its way toward a #3 peak. It also has an 11 week chart run in the US, but could get no higher than #42. A Kind Of Magic - Queen
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Post by 1finemrg on Apr 21, 2016 21:45:01 GMT -5
April 24, 1971 - Great novelty song that reached #50 in the US, but stayed at #2 for 3 weeks in the UK. Bridget The Midget (The Queen Of The Blues) - Ray Stevens April 23, 1977 - It was the band's first album since their split with Kevin Godley and Lol Crème. Actually their second single peaked one notch higher than "The Things We Do For Love" in the UK, reaching #5. This pop-rocker would peak at #69 in the US. Good Morning Judge - 10cc April 24, 1982 - They reached the Top 40 once in the US. "Love Plus One" would make its Hot 100 chart run to #37 in a couple of weeks. In the UK "Love Plus One" had just finished its successful #3 peaking chart run, and the follow-up was already at #12 after 3 chart weeks. It would peak at #9 and chart for 9 weeks. Fantastic Day - Haircut 100 April 25, 1987 - RIP Prince. His "Sign O' The Times" was on its way off the charts in the UK after peaking at #10. A reggae-fied cover of a Bread song had peaked at #1 for two weeks. It was this former front man's first charting single, and would be his only Top 10. Everything I Own - Boy George
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Post by 1finemrg on Apr 26, 2016 21:13:49 GMT -5
April 29, 1972 - A UK chart oddity of sorts: At #13 Johnny Nash's cover of Bob Marley's "Stir It Up" was at its peak position. The #14 song leaped from #28 on its way to a #4 peak during a 13 week UK chart run. It was a week where Johnny Nash was followed by... A Thing Called Love - Johnny Cash April 29, 1978 - A lost 70s classic in the US, it was his biggest hit in the UK. It would peak at #5 during the 12 weeks it appeared on the UK charts. A song supposedly about his girlfriend at the time, Saturday Night Live alum Laraine Newman, it features uncredited harmony vocals from Freddie Mercury. Never Let Her Slip Away - Andrew Gold April 26, 1980 - Featured on the birthday thread last Saturday, he debuted at #35 on the week of his 28th birthday. This lost 80s classic had peaked at #66 in the US several weeks before, but charted for 9 weeks and peaked at #8 in the UK. I Shoulda Loved Ya - Narada Michael Walden May 4, 1985 - His first hit was a great cover of a Top 40 Rose Royce hit in the US. The Rose Royce original was their biggest UK hit, peaking at #2. His version fell one notch short during an 11 week stay on the UK charts. It would be another 7 years before he charted again, but when he did "Ain't No Doubt" would become his only #1 hit. Love Don't Live Here Anymore - Jimmy Nail
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Post by 1finemrg on May 5, 2016 22:20:02 GMT -5
May 5, 1973 - Given the popularity of this band in the UK, you would think that a #4 debut on 5/5/73 would guarantee a perch at #1 for several weeks. It would jump to #2 the following week and sit at its peak for an additional 2 weeks. By week seven, it fell from 8-21 and would chart another 4 weeks before falling off. Are you ready Steve?...Andy?...Mick?...Brian? Hellraiser - Sweet May 5, 1979 - Speaking of hell raisers...this band covered an Eddie Cochran lost 50s??? classic. Eddie's original reached #22 in the UK, but only peaked at #58 in the US in the summer of 1959. The cover was at the end of its chart run, having peaked at #3. Somethin' Else - Sex Pistols May 5, 1984 - A lost 80s classic in the US, it just missed the Top 40 with a #44 peak. In its 9 weeks on the UK charts, it stalled one notch below the top for a week. You Take Me Up - Thompson Twins
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Post by 1finemrg on May 13, 2016 15:30:28 GMT -5
May 18, 1974 - Though the sessions were marred by arguments between this superstar duet, their only collaboration did yield two top 20 hits in the US. Their cover of a Stylistics Top 10 hit wasn't released as a single in the US, but did peak at #5 in the UK. You Are Everything - Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye May 16, 1981 - Only peaked at #77 on the Hot 100, but this good dance tune had just fallen out of the Top 10 in the UK after peaking at #6. Charted for 15 weeks. Can You Feel It - Jacksons May 14, 1988 - To date, this is the last #1 single in the UK for this pop duo spending 3 weeks at the top. Did not chart in the US. Heart - Pet Shop Boys
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Post by 1finemrg on May 20, 2016 17:28:05 GMT -5
May 20, 1978 - They debuted at #70 on the way to a #6 peak. It spent 12 weeks on the UK charts, and was co-written by Robbie Robertson. A non-charter in the US. Davy's On The Road Again - Manfred Mann's Earth Band May 21, 1983 - It was the only single of significance for this Tunisian born French singer. He had recently peaked at #2 and would spend 13 weeks on the UK charts. He would reach #62 on the Hot 100 when it charted in July 1983. It sold 8 million copies worldwide and reached #1 on over a dozen charts including the Eurochart Hot 100. Words - F. R. David
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Post by 1finemrg on May 27, 2016 21:25:53 GMT -5
May 29, 1976 - It was completing its run in the UK 50 after peaking at #10. Title track to an instrumental album that sold moderately well in the US. Disco Connection - Isaac Hayes Movement May 29, 1982 - Making its debut at #16, it would jump to #3 the following week. It fell short of the top, peaking at #2 in its fourth week. Spending 9 weeks on the UK single charts, it never charted in the US where they were a one hit wonder. Of course that one hit made Hot 100 history at the time, spending a record 43 weeks on the charts. Torch - Soft Cell
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Post by 1finemrg on Jun 3, 2016 23:17:40 GMT -5
June 2, 1973 - This is the original, written by band members Errol Brown and Tony Wilson. It had peaked at #7 and would chart for 10 weeks. The cover version by Stories would top the Hot 100 later in the year. Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate June 7, 1980 - Actually picked up a promo 45 of this song a couple of months ago. It was a non-charter in the US in 1970 when the movie was released. On this date it was in the midst of a three week run atop the UK charts. Theme From Mash (Suicide Is Painless)- MASH June 7, 1986 - His only Top 40 single, this Marshall Crenshaw cover jumped 65-43 in its second week on the UK charts. It would end up spending 14 weeks while peaking at #3. My Favourite Waste Of Time - Owen Paul
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Post by 1finemrg on Jun 10, 2016 20:44:10 GMT -5
June 10, 1978 - Debuting at #54, it would peak at #6 and spend four weeks in the Top 10. Don't believe it was released as a single in the US. Wild West Hero - Electric Light Orchestra June 13, 1981 - Peaking at #55 in the Hot 100, it leaped 12-3 in it 4th week on the UK charts. It would become the first of seven solo #1 singles for this legend, staying on top for 2 weeks. Originally recorded in 1975, Motown released it as part of a compilation in an attempt to capitalize on his success he was experiencing after his move to Epic. One Day In Your Life - Michael Jackson June 15, 1985 - One of his last recordings was a memorable one, a critically acclaimed commentary about the religious warring in Ireland. It would be the highest charting single for either of these ex-Thin Lizzy members in their solo careers, peaking at #5 and staying on for 10 weeks. Unfortunately Phil's expiration date was a mere four days into the following year. Gary left us in 2011. Out In The Fields - Gary Moore and Phil Lynott
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