Kill or Save: UK No.1-hits of the 80s

[Book 3,557]

38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

38 George Michael – Careless Whisper

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   +4

30 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Sister Sledge – Frankie

18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  -6

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

7 Paul McCartney – Pipes of Peace

5 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well

[theoldlady 2,306]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper +4
38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   

30 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Sister Sledge – Frankie

18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

6 Paul McCartney – Pipes of Peace -1

 

0 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well -5

•  
•  
• Quote

[Paul Bearer 6,102]

 

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart +4

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Sister Sledge – Frankie

18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

00 Paul McCartney – Pipes of Peace -6 (Peace off).

[Great Uncle Bulgaria 1,287]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart +4

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better +2

20 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone +1

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

17 Wham – Wake me up before you go go +1

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

12  Sister Sledge – Frankie -6

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

 

[msc 18,478]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Wham - Wake me up before you go go +4

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 

20 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone 

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

12  Sister Sledge – Frankie 

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

5 Lionel Richie - Hello -6

 

Stuck in a position of not knowing which Wham song to boost. 

[Grim Up North 3,726]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
42 Nena – 99 Red Balloons +4

37 Madonna – Into The Groove   

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

26 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Wham - Wake me up before you go go

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone -1

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

12  Sister Sledge – Frankie 

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

 

0 Lionel Richie - Goodbye -5

[TQR 14,400]

1 hour ago, msc said:

21 Wham - Wake me up before you go go +4

Stuck in a position of not knowing which Wham song to boost. 

Not that one. Try a different one.

[prussianblue 1,038]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
42 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

39 Madonna – Into The Groove +2  

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

24 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) +1

23 Midge Ure – If I Was

23 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer -3

22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes +1

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Wham - Wake me up before you go go

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Wham – Freedom

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19  

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

9  Sister Sledge – Frankie -3

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

[prussianblue 1,038]

The tastes of the mid-80s record-buying public were nothing if not diverse. Into the Groove, an upbeat, enduring classic was (rightfully) no.1 for four weeks, but that achievement was equalled by the dreary, utterly forgettable Frankie.

[Youth in Asia 1,087]

I thought Into the Groove was rubbish, but Frankie was catchy.

But there are some real stinkers on this list that should be ejected asap.

[Sir Creep 7,070]

38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

38 George Michael – Careless Whisper

33 Madonna – Into The Groove 

30 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

25 Midge Ure – If I Was +2

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

20 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer -6

19 Wham – Freedom +2

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Sister Sledge – Frankie

18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Paul Hardcastle – 19

16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

7 Paul McCartney – Pipes of Peace

 5 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well

 

Move Closer…toward zero.  

[time 8,618]

6 minutes ago, Sir Creep said:

38 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

38 George Michael – Careless Whisper

33 Madonna – Into The Groove 

30 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

26 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)

25 Midge Ure – If I Was +2

23 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record)

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

20 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer -6

19 Wham – Freedom +2

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

18 Sister Sledge – Frankie

18 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Paul Hardcastle – 19

16 Wham – Wake me up before you go go

15 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe

11 Lionel Richie – Hello

11 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

7 Paul McCartney – Pipes of Peace

 5 Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – I know him so well

 

Move Closer…toward zero.  

wtf is this? pipes of peace got eliminated five hours ago. Are you on EST?

[Death Impends 7,979]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
42 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

39 Madonna – Into The Groove

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

27 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

27 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) +1

27 Midge Ure – If I Was +2

25 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) +1

22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

21 Wham - Wake me up before you go go

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

19 Wham – Freedom

18 Wham – I`m your man

17 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer

12 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe -3

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

9  Sister Sledge – Frankie

8 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you -3

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

 

Bringing Hello back from the dead is a horror story on par with any zombie apocalypse film, so duly remedied. Along with all the other updates SC missed out on.

[Sir Creep 7,070]

‘Move Closer’

Egad!  
While Brits were busy purchasing that song so much that y’all made it the 7th largest selling U.K. single of the year, it simply NEVER got airplay in the States. I gave it a cursory YouTube listen.  We Americans were correct (as usual) you tin-eared islanders.

To sum: What the Sam Hill is wrong with you people?  What is it about that slow melancholy sap is attractive to your ear or emotions?  WHAT (I want an answer, YOU made it #1 ffs).  Go listen to Midnight Train to Georgia, a song with a similar story line, and come back and tell Sir Creep how they are in the same league.  Go on, git!  Does what I tells ya. Homework assigned.

I expect tails tucked and the next four voters from the U.K. to dismantle this shite song into oblivion.

 

I think it’s fair to say no song should be considered worthy of voting if BOTH sides of The Pond haven’t heard it.  It would be the same if some L.A. hairband achieved #1 here and you’d never heard it.  It musta been shite if it couldn’t cross a wee bit o water.

 

So I went and looked at 1984-85 in America.

WHERE THE FUCK IS PRINCE you deaf sons-of-bitches?  No #1 songs, I mean it’s just Prince after all.  When Doves Cry was #1 here for five weeks!  Ever heard of him? I see 1999 made it #2, bravo (though somehow linked to Little Red Corvette).

Madonna’s Like A Virgin I would expect to have topped your charts easily. Nope. It’s apex, like the aforementioned Prince offering, was #3 (though I can only find Prince at #4). What topped the charts you might ask?  Well NOSTALGIA songs of course (what is it with Brits and nostalgia songs). Photos attached below.
Then there’s your homegrown acts: I don’t care so much that Simple Minds (Don’t you forget about me) is missing (us Yanks like a good movie soundtrack the way Brits live nostalgia tunes). However, the most egregious is Tears for Fears.  WHERE THE FUCK IS SHOUT?!  (Shout was #1 for three weeks, Everybody Wants to Rule the World for two more.  Maybe MTV had a lot to do with that, and you’re not having access to MTV would also explain your overall retardation vis-a-vis good music.  Videos were influential, but you’d have no clue would you?).  Goddamn, your charts suck!  I’ll take no advice nor carry on a conversation with any of you (not named Harry Mac) based on that single omission alone. You’ve proven that the entire oeuvre of recorded music is beyond the U.K.‘a comprehension. What is easily one of the top 10 songs in the best ten years of music, and it never topped your OCC charts.  

Egad!

Sir Creep

[TQR 14,400]

@Sir Creep you can’t even copy and paste a scoreboard properly without nausing it right up. Now sit your insecure, flag-shagging, saggy old arse the fuck down.

[Youth in Asia 1,087]

Good point about Tears for Fears.

But why did Shakin' Stevens never make it stateside? I think I read somewhere he was the biggest selling artist of the 1980s in the UK.

[msc 18,478]

Head over Heels didn't even make the top 10 if we're talking Tears for Fears discrimination.

 

That's the issue with voting via the public tastes of the time. The public usually have collectively terrible taste.

[En Passant 3,741]

10 minutes ago, msc said:

That's the issue with voting via the public tastes of the time.

 

It's not even about public taste though really is it? It's a very specific subset - those who bought 7" singles.

 

I have loads of albums on vinyl (now in the loft) that includes tears for fears, pretenders, prince (stick that up yer arse creepy), simple minds and so on. Zero singles, not one.

[msc 18,478]

2 minutes ago, En Passant said:

 

It's not even about public taste though really is it? It's a very specific subset - those who bought 7" singles.

 

I have loads of albums on vinyl (now in the loft) that includes tears for fears, pretenders, prince (stick that up yer arse creepy), simple minds and so on. Zero singles, not one.

 

I bought one single in my life. The Mr Blobby Christmas song.

 

I was a kid at the time!!!!

[En Passant 3,741]

3 hours ago, msc said:

 

I bought one single in my life. The Mr Blobby Christmas song.

 

I was a kid at the time!!!!

 

Which (I'm not sn-iggering [oi, spellcheck that's not the feckin n-word, sheesh], not at all) simply proves the point.

 

If anything a chart based on single sales reflects the tastes of the young or even very young.

An adult would just buy the album other than in cases such as novelty and (ha!) charity singles where either the album would be too much to bear or there simply isn't one.

 

 

[justonecornetto 954]

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 
42 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

39 Madonna – Into The Groove

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

31 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax +4

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

27 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 

27 Midge Ure – If I Was 

25 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) 

22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

20 Jim Diamond – I should have known better 

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

19 Wham – Freedom

19 Wham - Wake me up before you go go -2

18 Wham – I`m your man

15 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer -2

12 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe 

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

8 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you 

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

7  Sister Sledge – Frankie -2

 

[time 8,618]

46 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

42 George Michael — Careless Whisper 

39 Madonna – Into The Groove

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

31 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

27 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 

27 Midge Ure – If I Was 

25 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) 

22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

21 Foreigner – I want to know what love is

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

19 Wham – Freedom

19 Wham - Wake me up before you go go 

17 Jim Diamond – I should have known better -3

18 Wham – I`m your man

15 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer 

12 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe 

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

7  Sister Sledge – Frankie 

5 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you -3

[prussianblue 1,038]

1 hour ago, msc said:

 

I bought one single in my life. The Mr Blobby Christmas song.

 

I was a kid at the time!!!!

 

A child with exquisite taste.

[Drewsky1211 4,756]

46 Nena – 99 Red Balloons

45 George Michael — Careless Whisper +3

39 Madonna – Into The Groove

34 Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart 

31 Frankie goes to Hollywood – Relax

27 Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – Easy Lover

27 Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 

27 Midge Ure – If I Was 

26 Dead or Alive – You spin me round (like a record) +1

22 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Two Tribes

21 Frankie goes to Hollywood – The power of love 

21 Duran Duran – The Reflex

21 Chaka Khan – I feel for you

19 Shakin´ Stevens – Merry Christmas everyone

19 Wham – Freedom

19 Wham - Wake me up before you go go 

18 Foreigner – I want to know what love is -3

17 Jim Diamond – I should have known better

18 Wham – I`m your man

15 Phyllis Nelson – Move Closer 

12 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe 

11 Paul Hardcastle – 19

9 Jennifer Rush – The power of love

7 David Bowie & Mick Jagger – Dancing in the street

5 Whitney Houston – Saving all my love for you

4  Sister Sledge – Frankie -3

[Bibliogryphon 9,588]

2 hours ago, msc said:

Head over Heels didn't even make the top 10 if we're talking Tears for Fears discrimination.

 

That's the issue with voting via the public tastes of the time. The public usually have collectively terrible taste.

 

Also the metric of a single week makes it very faddy. 

 

Serious music fans bought the albums