In today’s show we counted down from 80 to 61. We took a look at some of the events of 1982 and 1983 and relived a couple of the top TV moments of the Eighties. Along with a mix of some of Prince’s biggest hits the music was –
[61] TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART – Bonnie Tyler (705,000)
[62] TRUE – Spandau Ballet (705,000) The song was a huge worldwide hit, peaking at number one in the UK for four weeks in the spring of 1983, becoming the sixth biggest selling single of the year, and charting highly in 20 other countries.
[63] CHAIN REACTION – Diana Ross (705,000)
[64] WE ALL STAND TOGETHER – Paul McCartney & The Frog Chorus (700,000)
[65] THE ONLY WAY IS UP – Yazz & the Plastic Population (700,000) In 1988, it became a chart-topping single for Yazz and the Plastic Population. The song became the official theme tune for ITV2 series The Only Way Is Essex.
[66] LIVING DOLL – Cliff Richard & The Young Ones (700,000)
[67] EBONY AND IVORY – Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder (695,000)
[68] ONLY YOU – Flying Pickets (695,000) The group chose the name The Flying Pickets as band members had played a part in the UK miners strikes of 1972 and 1974.They had a Christmas number one hit in 1983 in the UK Singles Chart with their cover of Yazoo’s track “Only You”.
[69] YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY – Shakin’ Stevens (690,000)
[70] WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO – Wham! (690,000)
[71] LADY IN RED – Chris De Burgh (685,000)
[72] GENO – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (685,000) The song is a tribute to soul singer Geno Washington, and performed in the style of Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band. The “Geno! Geno! Geno!” chant at the beginning and end of the song is reminiscent of Washington’s 1960s performances, whereby the shows’ compères would excite the audience before Washington took to the stage.
[73] DOWN UNDER – Men At Work (680,000)
[74] DANCING IN THE STREET – David Bowie & Mick Jagger (680,000) Produced as part of the Live Aid campaign, the video was shown twice at the Live Aid event. Soon afterwards the track was issued as a single, with all profits going to the charity. “Dancing in the Street” topped the UK charts for four weeks, and reached number seven in the United States
[75] A TOWN CALLED MALICE – The Jam (675,000) Entered the chart at number one on the British music charts, staying at the top for three weeks, and preventing “Golden Brown” by The Stranglers from reaching number one. It was the band’s third number-one single in the UK. Paul Weller has said that it was written about his hometown Woking as a result of his teenage experiences there.
[76] I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY – Kylie Minogue (670,000)
[77] TOGETHER WE ARE BEAUTIFUL – Fern Kinney (670,000) was the first and only #1 single in the UK for Fern Kinney. The song reached #1 on the UK singles chart for a single week in March 1980.
[78] COWARD OF THE COUNTY – Kenny Rogers (670,000)
[79] I FEEL FOR YOU – Chaka Khan (665,000) written by Prince and originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. Recorded by Chaka Khan, appearing on her 1984 album, I Feel for You. Prince, as songwriter, won the 1985 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
Harmonica playing by Stevie Wonder. The song also uses vocal samples from Wonder’s “Fingertips”. The repetition of Khan’s name by rapper Melle Mel at the beginning of the song was originally a mistake made by producer Arif Mardin who then decided to keep it.
[80] GHOST TOWN – Specials (665,000)
Sales figures in brackets.
Tune in next week when we’ll continue from number 60…