This week's Official UK Singles Chart
PREAMBLE:
On Saturday 14th November 1992, the newly-established music newspaper New Musical Express published for the first time a list of the 12 10" 75rpm gramophone discs that, according to its research, represented the best selling records in the UK that week. A new era in musical tabulations in the United Kingdom had been born. Thus this week's chart represents the 40th anniversary of that first listing. On the chart this week there are 13 new entries, 7 records go up and there is 1 non-mover.
No. 40: NEW ENTRY. TC 1992 - Funky Guitar.
And so the dance boom manifests itself once more with another entry from a faceless unknown dance act that has crossed over from the clubs with little or no radio airplay. Little really I can say about this aside from noting it is the longest single in the chart this week, clocking in at well over 7 minutes. [Although it is now worth noting that it is one of the most famous Acid Jazz singles of its era and a genuine acknowledged classic. But for all that only ever a minor UK chart hit.]
No. 38: NEW ENTRY. Faith No More - Everything's Ruined.
Third chart entry of the year for them and the first single from their new album. Faith No More do not have a concentrated following over here and their records chart according to how they are marketed. [I was obsessed with marketing and promotion back then for some reason. It took me a while to clue into the significance of radio airplay as well. Which for a wannabe DJ was odd.] Their last single 'Midlife Crisis' achieved the somewhat bizarre achievement of occupying Nos 67 and 68 on one chart last September due to the rule that prevents remixes of a record being included in its chart tabulations.
No. 36: NEW ENTRY. Neil Diamond - Morning Has Broken.
I kid you not. Neil Diamond continues his return to public prominence this year with this, his first UK hit since 'Heartlight' peaked at 47 in November 1982. It follows his series of sell out concerts back in July and a Greatest Hits Album which topped the LP charts around the same time. 'Morning Has Broken' was of course a No.9 hit for cat Stevens in January 1972. This version is unlikely to beat that though, given the current musical climate.
No. 32: NEW ENTRY. EMF - It's You.
How are the mighty fallen. The band that took America by storm in the summer of 1991 find themselves struggling back home to regain their lost momentum. With a teen fan base gone all they can hope is to sell to the
dance/rock crossover market. This track has gone down well in the clubs, hence its entry here but sales are unlikely to improve. EMF are simply not cool any more.
No. 31: FALLER. Rotterdam Termination Source - Poing.
The record that drove the Dutch up the wall fails to catch the public imagination over here. Strange really considering the British penchant for obscure novelty hits [or hardcore Dutch gabba, at least not until 1995]. Nothing in the charts is predictable though.
No. 29: NEW ENTRY. Enya - The Celts.
Probably the only Irish New Age artist to have an alt.* group named after her. [it was a usenet thing, ask your parents] This is the follow-up to 'Book Of Days' which made the Top 10 earlier this year, following its inclusion in the film 'Far and Away'.
No. 28: HIGHEST CLIMBER. East 17 - Gold.
The successors to EMF's mantle climb 11 this week. By the standards of this chart that is a pretty small leap. I have not seen the exact figures but I would guess that it does not represent a significant increase in sales. The record may gain further momentum with a Top of the Pops performance this week so do not write it off yet.
No. 26: NEW ENTRY. Cathy Dennis - How Does It Feel.
She has never had the success over here like she has in the states where she is seen as a modern-day Sheena Easton. Second single from her latest Shep Pettibone produced album finds Cathy in a very poppy feeling - almost sounding like an early Madonna track and may possibly fare better than 'You Lied To Me' which surprised many people by stalling outside the Top 20.
No. 24: NEW ENTRY. Pasadenas - Let's Stay Together.
The song that made Al Green a legend and made Tina Turner's comeback is given a startlingly faithful treatment by the London soul group. Their decision to record an album of covers this year paid off at first when 'I'm Doing Fine Now' became a Top 3 hit in March and one of the biggest sellers of the year. Later singles fared less well, this being the first to venture into the Top. 30
No. 14: NEW ENTRY. Prodigy - Out Of Space.
Whereas a few months ago most dance acts were one hit wonders, recent months have seen many establish long lasting chart careers. None more so that hardcore rave group Prodigy who first rose to prominence with
the track 'Charly' which went Top 3 in the summer of 1991. This track is by far their most commerical yet. It may not progress much further but is their 4th Top 20 entry this year, not a feat to be sniffed at.
No. 12: NEW ENTRY. Yesterdays - Guns N' Roses.
Now here is a surprise. GnR songs always enter high yet this one is the first of the 'Use Your Illusion' single releases to enter outside the Top 10. The chances of it emulating the Top 5 success of all the others thus look pretty slim. Interestingly though the title may sound common, aside from the Beatles song only the Four Tops, Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde and Madness have sung about Yesterday's Dreams, Yesterday's Gone and Yesterday's Men before...
No. 11: NEW ENTRY. Simply Red - Montreaux EP.
Proof I suppose that if the name is big enough people will buy whatever comes out with it on. Many said it was commercial suicide to release a live EP of Jazz songs but that is what Mick Hucknall's band have done. This may well go Top 10 next week to become Simply Red's 3rd of the year.
No. 9: NEW ENTRY. Heaven 17 - Temptation (Brothers in Rhythm Remix).
Now here is an oddity. In advance, I assume of their Greatest Hits, [correct] Heaven 17 enter with a remix of their biggest ever hit. The original made No.2 in April 1983 and the strong debut of this means it may well go Top 3. Purists will be relieved that the remix is not that drastic and some would say goes a long way to proving that the influence of the early 80s generation of British synth bands has yet to go away.
No. 7: NEW ENTRY. Genesis - Invisible Touch (Live).
The highest honours this week go to Genesis. IT is the first track off their new live album 'The Way We Walk' recorded at their concerts this summer. One of Genesis' most well-known hits, this live version becomes their highest chart entry to date eclipsing the No.9 entry of 'No Son of Mine' almost exactly a year ago. Expect both this and the album to sell well even if it does feature one of the most lacklustre vocal performances from Phil Collins heard in a while. I would not like to suggest people only bought it due to a live version of ABACAB on the flip. [that was actually noted to be the big selling point of the single. This version of Invisible Touch also featured Phil's lyrical adjustment whereby the lady in question will now "fuck up your life". It was muted on the single, but not when he did the song at Live 8 in 2005 in the middle of the afternoon to the consternation of all.]
No. 4: CLIMBER. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You.
So much for what I said last week then [yeah fool, what do you know anyway?]. An 8 place climb gives Whitney her biggest UK hit since 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' back in 1987. Small statistical point: The first singles of her first two albums both made No.1. 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' bucked the trend by peaking at 5. Which pattern will this follow? [I wonder]
No. 2: DOWN. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road.
Their spell of glory was brief (3 weeks) but enough to make them a name to watch over the next year. Like so many other groups and artists though, the achievement of this track may well overshadow many followups.
No. 1: FIRST WEEK AT NO.1. Charles and Eddie - Would I Lie To You.
Few would have doubted in and it goes. Midweek it was clear that this record would sweep all opposition aside. Thus it is that two consecutive No.1 records have been soul ballads in the classic mould with the previous one (Tasmin Archer's 'Sleeping Satellite') being a classy ballad from a new singer-songwriter. The shape of things to come perhaps. Incidentally this is the 683rd UK No.1 since 1952 but only the 10th this year for reasons which I will recount next week.
Finally, now is the time of year when the record industry in Britain starts to play its annual game of guessing who will have the Christma No.1. Although it is early days yet, speculation has begun with Lionel Richie's "Love Oh Love" looking strong. I'll keep you informed. [yes, that really was a thing. One of Lionel Richie's biggest flops was at one stage touted as the Christmas Number One favourite]
