60 Years of the UK Charts, What is your Favourite No1?

[Paul@HiFi-Lounge]

Hi Guys,

Just heard on the radio that today marks the 60th anniversary of the first recording of single sales in the UK which got me thinking what my favourite UK number one in that period was and what others thought and what stories you have related to it.

Apparently there have been 1200 Number ones in the last 60 years so we have loads of choice, although I probably couldn't name anything in the last 20 years if I'm honest, I guess really I would love to say something like Bowies 'Space Oddity' or Queens 'Bohemian Rhapsody' but they were a little before my time. When I was 9 I remember the impact Elvis's death had on the world and 'Way Down' going to number one which sparked my love of music and my first vinyl purchase but if I'm totally honest being an teenager in the 80's was a great time, especially the first half of the decade so I have to admit, although I'm sure there will be far cooler songs mentioned the No1 that I will always remember and the excitement it caused is -

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (1984)

I'll never forget the day it was knocked of the No1 spot by Nena's '99 Red Balloons' what a travesty, But Relax really seemed to get people excited, it didn't hurt with Mike Reid banning it I guess which seems crazy today, and I became a big Frankie fan collecting all their vinyl from around the world, even today I can't resist yet another greatest hits release purchase.

I found this website that lists all the No1's if anyone would like a look, is anyone going to mention Benny Hills 'Ernie'

http://www.onlineweb.com/theones/

 

[Xanderzdad]

Hi Paul

It's rare that a No 1 song is enjoyed by me as they are normally a lot of 'mass market' blandness but I have to confess to loving FGTH and Relax. As you said, Mike Reid gave them a massive boost! An excellent choice for one of the more memorable No 1's.

I'm off to look at http://www.onlineweb.com/theones/ for any others. :cheers:

 

[The_Lhc]

It's rare that a No 1 song is enjoyed by me as they are normally a lot of 'mass market' blandness but I have to confess to loving FGTH and Relax. As you said, Mike Reid gave them a massive boost!

Was this before or after he was in Eastenders, I can never remember?

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

 

[plastic penguin]

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

Although why anyone would want to write a song about Rigsby's cat is beyond me... "Miss Jones!"

The Jam's 'Beat Surrender' was their third and last single to enter the charts at #1. It was grim time for me musically, after hearing, on 'The Tube' with Jools and Paula, that Weller was splitting up the band. They performed 'Precious', the AA single with 'Town Called Malice'. Other than that my favourite number one is erm...erm...erm...

 

[Andrew Everard]

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

This means nothing to me...

 

[The_Lhc]

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

This means nothing to me...

Aaaah...

 

[MajorFubar]

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

Ah yes, one of those famous "number 1s which never happened", well not in the UK anyway. The highest it ever got in the UK was no. 2, being kept off the top spot by John Lennon (Woman) and Joe Dolce (Shaddap You Face).

 

[The_Lhc]

My favourite Number 1 is probably Vienna by Ultravox...

Ah yes, one of those famous "number 1s which never happened", well not in the UK anyway. The highest it ever got in the UK was no. 2, being kept off the top spot by John Lennon (Woman) and Joe Dolce (Shaddap You Face).

Wadda mistak-a to make-a! You'd really think I'd have known that already wouldn't you...?

 

[MajorFubar]

biggest irony is it went on to sell more singles than the pair of them and was the 5th best-selling single of 1981. I bought three singles from the same branch of Woolworths one cold winter weekend in January 1981: In The Air Tonight, Vienna and Shaddap You Face. So they can't blame me for keeping it off the number 1 spot.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Wadda mistak-a to make-a! You'd really think I'd have known that already wouldn't you...?

Are you channeling

or

?

 

[The_Lhc]

Wadda mistak-a to make-a! You'd really think I'd have known that already wouldn't you...?

Are you channeling

or

?

The latter, comedy gold, it says here...

 

[DIB]

Though not a number 1, everyone knows that in reality God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was the top selling single at that time. The powers that be made damn sure it never officially reached the top spot in Jubilee week to save embarrassment etc.

Thats my pick.

.

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Though not a number 1, everyone knows that in reality God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was the top selling single at that time. The powers that be made damn sure it never officially reached the top spot in Jubilee week to save embarrassment etc.

Thats my pick.

I had you down for a "Whiter Shade of Pale" man.

 

[chebby]

"My Boy Lollipop" Millie Small.

 

[DIB]

Though not a number 1, everyone knows that in reality God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was the top selling single at that time. The powers that be made damn sure it never officially reached the top spot in Jubilee week to save embarrassment etc.

Thats my pick.

I had you down for a "Whiter Shade of Pale" man.

Thats No 2 on my list

No when the Pistols came out I got caught up in all the punk/new wave scene as a spotty 19 year old and had a ball for a couple of years, only listening to my Tull albums in secret

.

 

[simonlewis]

I can't decide at the moment it's a choice between break your heart & Dynamite, by taio cruz,

 

[Anonymous]

All or Nothing.

 

[KiwiMoto]

LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem for me,there's no lead in their Zeppelin ;-)

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Though not a number 1, everyone knows that in reality God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was the top selling single at that time. The powers that be made damn sure it never officially reached the top spot in Jubilee week to save embarrassment etc.

Thats my pick.

I had you down for a "Whiter Shade of Pale" man.

Thats No 2 on my list

No when the Pistols came out I got caught up in all the punk/new wave scene as a spotty 19 year old and had a ball for a couple of years, only listening to my Tull albums in secret

Never mind the balls...

 

[Anonymous]

Mines gotta be MADNESS - One Step Beyond

 

[Sizzers]

I don’t necessarily know about it being my favourite, but the first number one which had the biggest impact in my life is “The Legend of Xanadu” by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

Oooh, those whips! (and I was nine at the time!!), and I’ve just discovered it’s on Spotify…..mmmm, memories.

 

[toyota man]

Sylvia Focus + Hocus Pocus though not sure if that was a no 1:rockout: :rockout:

 

[chip47]

Joe Dolce (Shaddap You Face)

Not one of our best exports to the Uk nearly as a bad as Fosters!!!!

 

[Paul.]

Christmas number 1 in 2009

 

[Ravey Gravey Davy]

Sylvia Focus + Hocus Pocus though not sure if that was a no 1:rockout: :rockout:

Neither singles were but they are still touring. (Saw them last year at the Stables).