REMEMBER WHEN - 5TH DECEMBER1981

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1981
Week 49
WEEK ENDING 5TH DECEMBER 1981

TOP 40 SINGLES

TW	.......	LW	.......		.......
1		2		Julio Iglesias		Begin The Beguine
2		1		Queen & David Bowie		Under Pressure
3		3		Earth Wind And Fire		Let's Groove
4		5		Soft Cell		Bedsitter
5		7		Diana Ross		Why Do Fools Fall In Love
6		15		Cliff Richard		Daddy's Home
7		10		Pretenders		I Go To Sleep
8		4		Haircut 100		Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
9		NEW		Human League		Don't You Want Me
10		12		Modern Romance		Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
11		8		Olivia Newton John		Physical
12		14		Kool And The Gang		Steppin' Out
13		6		O.M.D.		Joan Of Arc
14		23		Toyah		Four More From Toyah
15		11		Rod Stewart		Tonight I'm Yours
16		18		Ultravox		The Voice
17		9		Police		Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
18		24		Kim Wilde		Cambodia
19		19		ABC		Tears Are Not Enough
20		21		Fun Boy Three		The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)
21		26		Godley And Creme		Wedding Bells
22		13		Four Tops		When She Was My Girl
23		28		Imagination		Flashback
24		NEW		Madness		It Must Be Love
25		25		Jets		Yes Tonight Josephine
26		37		Duran Duran		My Own Way
27		NEW		Status Quo		Rock 'N' Roll
28		NEW		David Bowie		Wild Is The Wind
29		31		George Benson		Turn Your Love Around
30		27		Trevor Walters		Love Me Tonight
31		22		Tweets		Birdie Song
32		20		Fureys And Davey Arthur		When You Were Sweet Sixteen
33		NEW		Gary Numan & Dramatis		Love Needs No Disguise
34		36		Bad Manners		Buona Sera (Don't Be Angry)
35		NEW		Bucks Fizz		Land Of Make Believe
36		NEW		Meat Loaf		Dead Ringer For Love
37		NEW		Dollar		Mirror Mirror
38		NEW		Showaddywaddy		Footsteps
39		39		Boney M		We Kill The World (Don't Kill The World)
40		16		Altered Images		Happy Birthday

Julio Iglesias

Begin The Beguine

At the time this entered the chart I was shocked to hear that Julio was CBS-Columbia Records' biggest selling artist in the World at that time (I'd never heard of the bloke !). After hearing it a few times, this single grew on me and I think it was yet another fully deserved number one single (whatever it all meant). Julio's success in the singles chart then tapered off with just the odd hit here and there, but I believe he still sells a colossal amount of albums now.
I don't like his son's music much though.

Queen & David Bowie

Under Pressure

I think I expected something better from a collaboration by two of my favourite acts. After all these two acts had been responsible for "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Ashes To Ashes", so naturally I expected the best song ever recorded to hit the top of the chart and stay there until the following Easter at the very least. The problem is all mine for having impossible expectations, as this was in fact a very good single that fully deserved it's two week stay at number one.
This song was the victim of one of the worst crimes in the history of music, when in 1990 Vanilla Ice not only copied/sampled it, but also had the audacity to spend four weeks at number one with a shower of sh*te entitled "Ice Ice Baby". Not only that, he denied that it sounds anything like "Under Pressure", something to do with a "ding" being in a different place.

Earth Wind And Fire

Let's Groove

Ironic that the biggest hit in the career of Earth Wind And Fire should also be their last major hit. It even looked as though it was going to make number one at one point. But Julio and Queen/Bowie kept it at bay the following week and it then started it's chart decline. It peaked at number three on both sides of the Atlantic.

Soft Cell

Bedsitter

The follow up to the best selling single of the year and a worthy successor it was (better in my opinion). It only attained a week at number four, but managed an eleven week run in the top 40.

Diana Ross

Why Do Fools Fall In Love

The 1980-82 period was a good one for Diana. The preceding four years had not produced a top twenty single for her, but suddenly she never seemed to be away from the chart. This was her first single on 'Capitol Records' having just left 'Motown', and in reaching number four became the third highest charting single of her solo career. It was of course a cover of the 'Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers' number one from 1956 that had also been a hit for Alma Cogan. In the US chart it peaked at number seven.

Cliff Richard

Daddy's Home

This single had flopped when recorded by 'Jermaine Jackson' in 1973, just as it had when recorded by 'Shep And The Limelites' 12 years before that (though both hit the US top ten). So it hardly had the pedigree to become a hit by Cliff or anyone else. But it was an enormous hit that was only kept from the top by the 'Human League' during it's four week stay at number two.

Pretenders

I Go To Sleep

After the failure of "Day After Day" to make the top 40, the Pretenders released this great ballad that eventually peaked at number seven. This was the last Pretenders single to feature James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon who both died from heroin overdoses shortly afterwards.

Haircut 100

Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)

Like many others, Haircut 100/Nick Heyward were a victim of the 'Little Girl Syndrome'. Despite recording some great singles they would never be taken seriously, and once the teen fans had moved on to other heartthrobs, there was no-one left to buy their records. This was their first hit and it spent two weeks at number four at the peak of it's short chart run of just eight weeks.

Human League

Don't You Want Me

Funny that the fourth single to be lifted from an album was the most successful, it spent five weeks at number one. Also, I didn't think that this sounded as 'modern' as their previous hits. I'd even go so far as to say that this had a Seventies feel about it. Then again, I've never been convinced that the Eighties happened as far as music is concerned. The Seventies seemed to carry over until around the end of '79, then the Nineties began. You're probably confused, but at least I know what I mean (honest).

Modern Romance

Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey

The second hit in quick succession for Modern Romance became their first top ten hit when it reached number ten. Their music wasn't to everyone's taste, but what they did, they did well.

Olivia Newton John

Physical

This spent Ten weeks at number one in the States, but had to settle for number seven over here. On this track and particularly the video, Olivia seemed to be trying to portray some kind of sexy image. Instead she came across as being about as exciting as February. The song itself was one that drilled into the mind, wouldn't go away and made you feel like cutting your ears off to avoid hearing it again. I can't begin to imagine how much our American friends suffered. The rest of the album was quite good though (my sister bought it).

Kool And The Gang

Steppin' Out

Another one off the production line for Kool And The Gang. Nothing special, just an average disco song that reached number 12.

OMD

Joan Of Arc

Not to be confused with their later single "Maid Of Orleans (The Waltz Joan Of Arc)", this third top ten hit in a year for 'OMD' peaked at number four. If you're still not sure of the difference (as this single is often overlooked), this is the one that starts with the line "Little Catholic Girl Has Fallen In Love", and not "Joan Of Arc Had A Heart".

Toyah

Four More From Toyah

After three good top ten hits Toyah came up with this single, with the featured track being the poor "Good Morning Universe". It rose to number 14 the week after entering at 23, but climbed no higher. As it transpired it was also Toyah's last top twenty hit, and she is now a presenter on 'VH1' as well as being a regular guest on Quiz shows. She also presents a sex guide show.

Rod Stewart

Tonight I'm Yours

Rod's chart positions had been disappointing during the previous three years, but he returned to chart form with this magnificent number eight peaking single. It was accompanied by a 'Look everyone's having fun' video, a video that had a fair few mentions in national newspapers before it was even broadcast on TV.

Ultravox

The Voice

After the slight disappointment of "The Thin Wall", this was Ultravox back on form. This second of two singles from the 'Rage In Eden' album was their fifth top 40 hit of the year, but unfortunately only stayed on the chart for six weeks and peaked at number 16. For me this was the best out of the five hits, but most would disagree and choose "Vienna".

Police

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

In reaching number one for one week, this single peaked one place higher than the much superior "Invisible Sun". It was taken from the disappointing 'Ghost In The Machine' album and it almost seemed as though they were deliberately trying to make a happy song in direct contrast to most of their previous offerings. In America it peaked at number three

Kim Wilde

Cambodia

Kim's fourth hit of the year and, for me at least, her best so far. It boasted a promo where Kim had snakes crawling over her in a jungle and reached number 12.

ABC

Tears Are Not Enough

I love ABC, and even like their three 1997 flopped singles more than I do most of the big hits from that year. But, there are two ABC singles that I detest, and this first hit is one of those two. To me, it was nothing more than a terrible noise in the same vein as the hits by the 'Associates' that would shortly follow. Still, I didn't have to suffer it for long as it climbed no higher than number 19 and spent just six weeks in the 40.
The other one I dislike is "That Was Then, This Is Now", also known as the "Apple Crumble Song".

Fun Boy Three

The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)

This first hit for the former members of the 'Specials' peaked at number twenty. The title of course referred to the ruling Conservative Part. If they were to have reformed and re-recorded this song in the late '90s, they could call it "A Slightly Different Set Of Lunatics Have Now Kicked The Other Lunatics Into Touch".

Godley And Creme

Wedding Bells

Kevin Godley and Lol Creme had left '10CC' in 1976 and as well as pursuing a not too successful recording career, had a parallel career as very successful video directors. In September of 1981 they had a shock number three hit with "Under Your Thumb", and it was that much of a shock that they had ironically not produced a video for it. This time around they had a video, and it helped the song to number seven during a nine week chart run.

Four Tops

When She Was My Girl

This was their first top ten hit since "Simple Game" had reached number three in 1971. It also peaked at number three and was their first hit for 'Casablanca Records'. I thought that it was similar not only in title but also in sound, to the O'Jays hit "Use Ta Be My Girl" from 1978. Over in the States it peaked at number eleven.

Imagination

Flashback

Many bands release uptempo tracks as their first two singles followed by a slow smoochy song for the third. Imagination did things the opposite way around. After having hits with "Body Talk" and "In And Out Of Love", they ventured into disco territory for their third hit. It reached number 16 and spent 10 weeks inside the 40.

Madness

It Must Be Love

The Ninth successive top ten hit for Madness was a cover version of Labi Siffre's 1971 number 14 hit. They even persuaded Labi to appear in the video. Unfortunately, TOTP refused to play the video on account of it featuring members of the band playing electric guitars in a swimming pool. Apparently, it may have influenced children so much that they may have taken to swimming with a toaster or something. It reached number four this time around, and then number six ten years later.

Jets

Yes Tonight Josephine

I'm no fan of this type of music, but there were enough fans to take it to a number 25 peak. The original by 'Johnny Ray' had been a number one in 1956

Duran Duran

My Own Way

The Fourth hit of the year for Duran Duran wasn't as instantly appealing as the previous three, and could only climb as high as number 14. They needn't have worried though, as they were about to have ten consecutive top ten hits and become one of the top bands of the decade. A different version of this track appeared on their album 'Rio', but it was inferior to the single version.

Status Quo

Rock 'N' Roll

This was a strange state of affairs. Over a year previous, the Quo had released "What You're Proposing" followed by "Lies", both from the "Just Supposin' " album. They had since released another album "Never Too Late" and it's offspring single "Something 'Bout You Baby I Like". But now, they had lifted another single from the one year old album "Just Supposin' ". It was a good choice though, this was the best Status Quo single for some time and peaked at number eight.

David Bowie

Wild Is The Wind

Not a very good single. It was originally on David's mediocre 1976 album "Station To Station", and was now also on his 'Changestwobowie' compilation. It struggled to number 24.

George Benson

Turn Your Love Around

George had released a couple of classic disco singles in 1980 ("Give Me The Night" & "Love X Love"), but this was one of the 'production line' efforts that was starting to become all too evident as the '80s kicked in. Happily, it only got a little more than it deserved and peaked at number 29. In the US, it peaked at number five.

Trevor Walters

Love Me Tonight

OK-ish lover's rock thing, lyrics were a little corny in places (I thought). It took five weeks to reach it's peak of number 27, and he then had to wait until the Summer of 1984 for his second hit, a reggae rendition of Lionel Richie's awful "Stuck On You".

Tweets

Birdie Song

If you know someone who bought the 1997 hit "Tubthumping" by 'Chumbawamba', look at their parents (or maybe their older brother/sister). You are now looking at someone who probably bought this single, helping it to spend two weeks at number two and a total of twenty weeks in the top 40. They probably spent their Summer holiday in Spain that year and did the stupid dance to this record every night of their holiday. They probably woke up every morning and spent time practicing the said dance, so that they would be sure of getting it right that evening. They probably spent the following six months forcing people to view their holiday snaps. They probably got nowhere in life.

Fureys and Davey Arthur

When You Were Sweet Sixteeny

I even surprised myself in liking this single. The Fureys were an Irish folk group and I believe (but I'm not certain) that Davey is Scottish. It spent two weeks at number 14 and although they didn't have any further hits, they paved the way for 'Foster and Allen' to have a few hits with the same style of music.

Gary Numan & Dramatis

Love Needs No Disguise

Better than Gary's last couple of solo singles, but not that good really. Two weeks at number 33, then out.

Bad Manners

Buona Sera (Don't Be Angry)

This was Bad Manners' eighth consecutive top 40 hit, and they had all come since March 1980. The run was about to end though, as this very weak single could only climb to number 34, and then the follow up didn't chart at all. There was one further hit in the Summer of '82, but that was with a song that appealed to children more than die-hard fans (did Bad Manners have die hard fans ?).

Bucks Fizz

Land Of Make Believe

Yes it was a low new entry at 35, but I knew that this was going to be big. It was number five over Christmas, and had made it to the top by the middle of January, spending two weeks there. Good single, deserved it's success.

Meat Loaf

Dead Ringer For Love

Meat Loaf had little success in the singles chart before this was released. We all know about the huge success of the 'Bat Out Of Hell' album. His follow up was supposed to be 'Bad For Good', but he lost his voice and Jim Steinman recorded that instead. Then Jim came up with a new (not quite as good) set of songs and Meat recorded the 'Dead Ringer' album. A few weeks after the album release, the first track to be lifted as a single was "I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us". I wasn't convinced of it's pedigree, neither were the public, it only reached number 62. Then, come November, Tiswas showed a short clip of Meat Loaf and Cher performing this one. I was surprised because I'd not previously read anywhere that it was to be released.
So, it entered the chart in the first week of December at 36, but didn't move the following week. Two weeks after that, it had only got as far as number 30 for Christmas, and after seven weeks in the forty, it stood at number 26. Then came the the big climb to number seven, followed by a drop to nine and another climb to five in it's tenth week on the chart. It eventually dropped out in the middle of March after 14 weeks in the forty.
Incidentally, the drop from 7-9 followed by the climb to 5 can be attributed to a change in the sample period used by BMRB in compiling the chart. They began using the period Saturday-Friday, instead of Monday-Saturday. This meant that most of the sales generated by TOTP appearances did not figure until the chart two weeks later. Many singles had strange chart movements in early 1982 because of this. BMRB soon reverted back to the old way of doing things, but lost the chart contract to Gallup at the end of the year after 14 years of compiling it.

Dollar

Mirror Mirror

Good single, but I didn't rate it as highly as "Hand Held In Black And White". In fact I was quite surprised when it peaked at number four in the middle of January.

Showaddywaddy

Footsteps

Horrible. Reached number 31.

Boney M

We Kill The World (Don't Kill The World)

One of the outstanding singles of the decade for me. Unfortunately as it had been recorded by unfashionable Boney M, it had no chance of being the massive hit it deserved to be. Instead, it spent three weeks in the chart peaking at number 39. The B. side of the 12 inch boasted a great megamix/medley thing of all their hits.

Altered Images

Happy Birthday

Cute little Claire and her band had the second single with the title "Happy Birthday" to peak at number two in 1981. This one spent thrice as long as Stevie Wonder's one week and was the biggest hit that the band ever had. They had an image that was geared towards appealing to children which was unfortunate as their music not only got classier later on in their career, but they had a fantastic 'punky' single titled "Dead Pop Stars" released before this one. It was a Siouxsie & The Banshees type of song, but that wasn't too surprising, as the band were protoges of Steve Severin. John Peel was also a huge fan.
Claire is now a presenter on Satellite channel 'VH1' and is as childishly cute as she always was.

In the top 50 this week, but failing to reach the top 40.

Damned

Friday 13th EP

"Disco Man" was the lead track, not that good really. Reached number fifty.

The Clash

This Is Radio Clash

This is an entirely different matter, this is a great single, one of my favourite Clash tracks. It's disappointing that it only reached number 47.
The thing I most associate this with is something that occured in August 1983. BBC 2 were doing the first of two 'Rock Around The Clock' things. It was music all the way from 3:00pm Saturday afternoon until around 6:00am the following morning. I fell asleep sometime after 3:00am, and awoke at something past five to the sound of this. It sounded very strange, almost frightening even, to hear it like that.

Some 1981 MP3s

Tony Capstick - Capstick Comes Home
Freeez - Flying High
Roger Taylor - Future Management

Some More MP3s

Disclaimer All comments concerning the quality of the songs in this and any other chart, are purely my opinion and not a statement of fact. I believe that we are all equal when it comes to deciding what makes a good song. I do not believe that good songs have to be serious or dull. I am of the opinion that if a single sells many copies, then many people like it, so it must be good whether I like it or not. Good music is everything YOU like, and it's also everything I like.

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BACK TO THE 1981 INDEX
THE REMEMBER WHEN ARCHIVES
GOLDEN DAYS INDEX

Email: nige@innotts.co.uk

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