1979
Week 43
WEEK ENDING 27TH OCTOBER 1979
TOP 40 SINGLES
1979
Week 43
WEEK ENDING 27TH OCTOBER 1979
TOP 40 SINGLES
| TW | ....... | LW | ....... | ....... | ||
| 1 | 5 | Lena Martell | One Day At A Time | |||
| 2 | 1 | Buggles | Video Killed The Radio Star | |||
| 3 | 9 | Dr. Hook | When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman | |||
| 4 | 3 | Michael Jackson | Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough | |||
| 5 | 6 | Sad Cafe | Every Day Hurts | |||
| 6 | 30 | Abba | Gimme Gimme Gimme | |||
| 7 | 10 | Dooleys | Chosen Few | |||
| 8 | 2 | Police | Message In A Bottle | |||
| 9 | 18 | Fleetwood Mac | Tusk | |||
| 10 | 4 | Blondie | Dreaming | |||
| 11 | 12 | Erroll Dunkley | Ok Fred | |||
| 12 | 7 | Rainbow | Since You've Been Gone | |||
| 13 | 8 | Status Quo | Whatever You Want | |||
| 14 | 11 | Dave Edmunds | Queen Of Hearts | |||
| 15 | 20 | Charlie Daniels Band | The Devil Went Down To Georgia | |||
| 16 | 27 | Viola Wills | Gonna Get Along Without You Now | |||
| 17 | 28 | XTC | Making Plans For Nigel | |||
| 18 | 23 | Chic | My Forbidden Lover | |||
| 19 | 15 | Al Hudson & The Soul Partners | You Can Do It | |||
| 20 | 17 | Jags | Back Of My Hand | |||
| 21 | 33 | Queen | Crazy Little Thing Called Love | |||
| 22 | NEW | Suzi Quatro | She's In Love With You | |||
| 23 | 21 | Sex Pistols | The Great Rock And Roll Swindle / Rock Around The Clock | |||
| 24 | 29 | Cats UK | Luton Airport | |||
| 25 | 13 | Kate Bush | Live On Stage | |||
| 26 | NEW | Selecter | On My Radio | |||
| 27 | 25 | Earth Wind And Fire | Star | |||
| 28 | 22 | Madness | The Prince | |||
| 29 | NEW | Ramblers | The Sparrow | |||
| 30 | 16 | Bellamy Brothers | If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me | |||
| 31 | 19 | Nick Lowe | Cruel To Be Kind | |||
| 32 | 37 | Gloria Gaynor | Let Me Know (I Have A Right) | |||
| 33 | NEW | Herb Alpert | Rise | |||
| 34 | 35 | Nolan Sisters | Spirit Body And Soul | |||
| 35 | NEW | Damned | Smash It Up | |||
| 36 | 40 | Stranglers | Nuclear Device (Wizard Of Aus) | |||
| 37 | 14 | Gary Numan | Cars | |||
| 38 | 26 | Dollar | Love's Gotta Hold On Me | |||
| 39 | NEW | Undertones | You've Got My Number | |||
| 40 | NEW | Eagles | Heartache Tonight |
| 1 | Lena Martell |
One Day At A Time |
| Three weeks at number one for Lena with this Kris Kristofferson song. Lena had been around for a number of years without ever entering the chart before now, and has been around since then without having any further hits. A true one hit wonder our Lena. Lena must be respected as a decent singer and she sure deserved at least one big hit in her life (just a pity that it was this one). |
| 2 | Buggles |
Video Killed The Radio Star |
| The Buggles spent a week at number one with this very prophetic song. The Buggles were Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, both of whom were in the re-formed 'Yes' a year later. Geoff went on to be a member of 'Asia' and released at least one solo album, while Trevor went on to some great production work with 'Dollar', 'ABC', 'Art Of Noise' and 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood' amongst many others. Video hadn't killed the radio star at that point, but the video to this single was the first to be shown on 'MTV' and so ironically was part of the process. |
| 3 | Dr. Hook |
When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman |
| This single by Dr. Hook had been around for about six months before finally becoming a hit over here. I remember hearing it every week on Paul Gambaccini's US chart show, and wondering why it had done nothing here. It finally got released and hit the top for a three week stay making it the band's biggest ever hit. It also launched the bands most successful spell in the UK. |
| 4 | Michael Jackson | Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough |
| Michael's first solo hit for over seven years and it went all the way to number three. Michael had been considered a novelty act after his first four solo hits and all later singles by him had completely bombed. So naturally everyone thought that we'd seen the last of Michael's solo recordings. He returned to solo work with his single "You Can't Win" in the late spring of 1979, but again encountered failure. But from the release of "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", there was no looking back for him. Whatever he may (or may not) get up to in his personal life (and business life as far as Mr McCartney is concerned), there's no denying the huge talent of this man. |
| 5 | Sad Cafe |
Every Day Hurts |
| This
was the first picture disc I ever bought, and it was by a
band who'd been championed by many Radio One D.J.s for
quite a few years prior to them getting this first hit.
They didn't get any higher than number three, and never
climbed into the top ten again. In fact, just over a year
later they would be spending their last ever week in the
chart. Check out the album from which came this and their
next two hits, it's called 'Facades' and it's excellent. Lead vocalist Paul Young (not THAT one) was later a member of Mike & The Mechanics, but sadly died of a heart attack in July 2000 at the age of 53. |
| 6 | Abba |
Gimme Gimme Gimme |
| Abba were in disco territory again with one of their few singles that I rate highly. Were it not for the release of their second Greatest Hits album this very month, this would probably have been their eighth number one single, instead of stalling at number three. It also included one of their best B.sides "The King Has Lost His Crown". |
| 7 | Dooleys |
Chosen Few |
| The last top ten hit for 'The Dooleys' peaked at number seven. I wouldn't say it was anything special, but a pleasant enough song that sounds better now than it did at the time. |
| 8 | Police |
Message In A Bottle |
| The Police delved into Reggae quite a lot on their first two albums. It was still there on later albums but not as much. This was the first single from the 'Regatta De' Blanc' album, which of course translated as 'White Reggae'. The Police had managed two hits earlier in the year, but it was still a shock to many people when this single entered the chart at such a high position as number eight. It naturally went to number one the following week (as entries so high in the chart usually did when charts made sense) and stayed there for three weeks. |
| 9 | Fleetwood Mac |
Tusk |
| A welcome return to the top ten for 'Fleetwood Mac' after a gap of six years. Their last single to get as far up the chart as this had been the re-issue of "Albatross" in 1973, so we would have to go back to the middle of 1970 for their last 'new' top ten hit. "Tusk" was the title track of their new album which was the follow up to one of the top albums of all time 'Rumours'. The single peaked at number six. |
| 10 | Blondie |
Dreaming |
| A week after the 'Police' had entered the chart at number eight, Blondie entered at number seven. But this surprised no one, as Blondie had hit the top with their two previous singles. We all assumed that Blondie would keep the 'Police' to just one week at the top, but after moving up to number two they started to slowly slide down the chart. When I updated the commentary for this hit in the Autumn of 1998, Blondie had recently reformed and were about to play the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall. I enquired about tickets, but was informed that only a few tickets remained. They were up in the gods at 18 pounds each. Call me old fashioned but I think that's disgustingly expensive for a band who'd released their last album in 1982. Especially when the said album (The Hunter) is less enjoyable than watching that divvy woman who was always in a white room on MTV UK (was it Sara Cox ?). So we didn't go |
| 11 | Erroll Dunkley |
Ok Fred |
| I've
never been a huge fan of reggae, especially this type.
"Ok Fred, now we're yabba, yabba, yabba". What
the hell is that all about ? Erroll thankfully climbed no higher than 11. |
| 12 | Rainbow |
Since You've Been Gone |
| This
'Russ Ballard' song had previously been recorded by South
African band 'Clout' on their 1978 album, and that was in
my opinion much better than this version. I'm not trying
to say that this didn't deserve to reach number six
because it did. In fact, this single was seemingly the
one that started the '80s heavy/hard rock revival in the
UK. After this, Rainbow hit the upper reaches of the
chart with regularity for a while, AC/DC Judas Priest and
Whitesnake broke through big time, Saxon had a few hits
as did a few other bands who'd been trying for some time.
And to think, it all started with a song previously on a
very 'poppy' album ! This song was also played by Brian May on his 1998 tour as part of his tribute to Cozy Powell, who of course was the drummer on this track. |
| 13 | Status Quo |
Whatever You Want |
| Another one of The classic Quo tracks. This number four hit was the title track from their 1979 album, which had a fair amount of tracks that were worthy of being released as singles. But as was normally the custom with pop star types in those days, they didn't rip the fans off (too much), and pulled just two singles from albums before giving us some new material the following year. |
| 14 | Dave Edmunds |
Queen Of Hearts |
| Dave Edmunds was another singer going through his most successful period. He had had a very stop/start career before 1979 with only four hit singles in a nine year period. But, from the middle of this year (when "Girls Talk" climbed to number four) until the middle of 1981, Dave had another four chart hits plus two near misses. This song was later covered by Juice Newton and was a US hit, but she failed to chart in the UK. |
| 15 | Charlie Daniels Band |
The Devil Went Down To Georgia |
| I'm no fan of Country music either, but I do like quite a few that have crossed over and become chart hits. Unlike many country songs, this one didn't have anyone's pet dog being put to sleep, or anything tragic happening to a child. Instead, it was an enthralling tale of the Devil going down to Georgia (namechecking Georgia usually guarantees a hit for any single) where he challenges Johnny to a fiddle duel. It rose no higher than number 14 and like most artists associated with country music, Charlie had no further hits. He did release a single called "The Devil Went Back To Georgia" (I think it was called that) in the early '90s, but due to Radio One's (by then ridiculous) music policy it didn't get the airplay. |
| 16 | Viola Wills |
Gonna Get Along Without You Now |
| An
old song given the disco treatment. The song had
originally reached number 22 for 'Patience And Prudence'
in 1957, and a cover by 'Trini Lopez' had fallen just
short of the 40, ten years later. Viola had the biggest
hit with the song by reaching number eight, and I was
quite surprised to see her performing the song on Channel
Five's 'Night Fever' in the late '90s. Viola returned to
the chart when a cover of "Both Sides Now"
reached number 35 in 1986. The estranged wife of footballer Dean Holdsworth tried to launch a singing career with a cover of this song, but failed miserably on both counts. No success with the song, and unable to get along without Dean, she took him back. |
| 17 | XTC | Making Plans For Nigel |
| Yes,
I would walk into a room and people would sing it to me.
Now we've got that out of the way, I can continue. This was XTC's sixth single but very first hit. It was taken from their third album 'Drums And Wires'. Initial copies of the single included a free board game apparently inspired by 'Snakes And Ladders'. It was enough to help them secure a number 17 chart position. The song has since been covered by Robbie Williams and he didn't do too bad with it at all. XTC were never consistent in terms of hit records. They released many records right up into the nineties including "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead" (later revived by 'Crash Test Dummies'). They also released two albums and two singles under the pseudonym of 'Dukes Of Stratosphear' which was a kind of 'Beatles' parody band in much the same vein as 'The Rutles' (or should that be 'Oasis' ? ). |
| 18 | Chic |
My Forbidden Lover |
| This was the sixth of Chic's seven hits, but though I loved the band and most of the rest of "Chic" productions, I found this a little disappointing. As it turned out, it was their lowest charting to date, and had to settle for a number 15 peak. After this, they didn't appear in the top twenty ever again apart from spending a week at number 19 with a remix of "Le Freak" entitled "Jack Le Freak" in 1987. |
| 19 | Al Hudson & The Soul Partners | You Can Do It |
| A great disco record, but nothing special for the armchair listener. It peaked at number 15, then Al never made the 40 again either with the partners, or with 'One Way featuring Al Hudson'. |
| 20 | Jags |
Back Of My Hand |
| The biggest surprise about this was when I discovered that it wasn't 'Elvis Costello' because it sure sounded like him. This peaked at number 17 and that may surprise a lot of people as it is quite a well known song. I certainly can't imagine many of todays number 17 peaking hits being remembered in two years time, never mind Twenty plus years. The Jags failed to make the top 40 with their follow up "Woman's World" and then disappeared forever. |
| 21 | Queen |
Crazy Little Thing Called Love |
| This was Queen's first top five hit for two years, and the fourth of six singles by Queen to peak at number two. It was a slight change of style for the band with a song that wouldn't have seemed out of place in the '50s. It was a good single but all the same, I'm glad that it wasn't a sign of things to come. A nice coincidence is that I saw Brian May at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall the night before I updated this commentary in 1998, and got more than I bargained for. Being such a big Queen fan, I was terrified of being disappointed with Brian out on his own. But I had no need to worry at all, he was ten times better than I expected. Not only did he perform a great selection from the Queen back catalogue, some of his solo stuff, a tribute to Cozy Powell (including the playing of "Dance With The Devil" as he came out on stage), but he's still one of the greatest guitarists in the world. |
| 22 | Suzi Quatro |
She's In Love With You |
| Suzi's last major hit was this number 11 peaking single. Suzi's sound had got much softer since the rocking sound of the mid 70's, and this had enabled her to have a couple of late '70s hits. After this single she went back to her harder sound for a while, but never rose above number 34 again. |
| 23 | Sex Pistols |
The Great Rock And Roll Swindle / Rock Around The Clock |
| Even though John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) had left the band almost two years previous and Sid Vicious had died at the beginning of the year, 1979 was the most successful chart year for the Sex Pistols. They had already had two number three singles as well as a number six, when this double A side single was released. In truth, "Rock Around The Clock" with vocals by 'Ten Pole Tudor' was much worse than the original version, while "The Great Rock And Roll Swindle" seemed ok to me, but failed to get airplay due to a couple of lines of strong language. There was a great fuss made about the sleeve of this record too. One side featured a credit card that looked very similar to an 'American Express' one, while the other featured a clock. But instead of numbers, dead rock stars were featured in the appropiate places with syringes instead of clock hands. Apparently, the sleeve was withdrawn a couple of weeks after release, but not before I got my hands on a copy. The single peaked at number 21. |
| 24 | Cats UK |
Luton Airport |
| More sillyness, this time inspired by a T.V. commercial for 'Campari' that featured the annoying 'Lorraine Chase'. This was the only hit for Cats UK and only reached number 22. The inspiration went on to star as a dolly peg (or something like that) in 'Wurzel Gummige' which suited her wooden acting. |
| 25 | Kate Bush | Live On Stage EP |
| The lead track on this was "Them Heavy People", originally a track on Kate's 1978 debut album 'The Kick Inside'. This live EP was recorded on the only tour that Kate has ever done. It was apparently a very good show, but Kate didn't like doing it at all, and so promptly retired from live performance (save for the odd guest spot in charity shows). This EP reached number ten. |
| 26 | Selecter |
On My Radio |
| The
third hit for the 'Two Tone' label was by the band who'd
featured on the b.side of the first
("Gangsters" by the 'Specials'). It finally
climbed to number eight and was the biggest hit they ever
had. A year later 'Selecter' had completed their chart
career. In 2000, lead singer Pauline Black e-mailed me to say that I have an Eclectic taste in music. |
| 27 | Earth Wind And Fire |
Star |
| This
was the most successful year for the band who also
released their most successful album this year ('I Am').
This was the third hit single from the album (the other
two being "Boogie Wonderland" & "After
The Love Has Gone"), but unlike the previous two
didn't make the top five and dropped after reaching
number 16. I remember attending a disco at the Wynnstay
Arms Hotel one night when this was charting. I was
chatting to a girl named Mandy who was the girlfriend of
my friend "Tony Waters", when the DJ walked
past. She stopped him and asked if he had the new Earth
Wind And Fire record. He gave it a spin a few minutes
later. Two further outstanding tracks from the album were released as singles ("Can't Let Go" & "In The Stone"), but both failed to chart. |
| 28 | Madness |
The Prince |
| The first single from Madness and the only one that they released on Two Tone. I didn't like it at first, but it seemed better after they'd had a few more hits (if that makes sense). It reached number 16, and their next 17 singles all reached higher positions in the chart. In fact, it was the first of twenty consecutive top twenty hits. |
| 29 | Ramblers | The Sparrow |
| A little early for the silly season, but it was still around at Christmas anyway. It got as high as number 11 during it's 11 week run and thankfully, this school choir didn't bother us again. |
| 30 | Bellamy Brothers |
If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me |
| I'm sure you all know this one. The Bellamy Brothers were finally following their 1976 hit "Let Your Love Flow", and slowly climbed the chart before finally settling at number three in it's seventh week. It then spent five weeks falling down the chart until spending it's 12th and last week in the chart at number 40. Myself, I prefer the Barron Knights' parody of the song, "If I jump into the back of your lorry, will you take me to Finchley", and that's weird because I'd never been to Finchley until the day after I wrote most of my comments about this song back in 1997. |
| 31 | Nick Lowe |
Cruel To Be Kind |
| Strange that someone like Nick came up with what can be described as an extremely commercial melodic pop song. But that's exactly what this is, and it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's what makes the (music) world go around. Reached number twelve, but I think it deserved more. |
| 32 | Gloria Gaynor |
Let Me Know (I Have A Right) |
| A belated follow up to "I Will Survive" that was hardly different at all. A peak of number 32 and three weeks in the 40 was all it could manage. |
| 33 | Herb Alpert |
Rise |
| This was a real turn up for the books. Herb was back in the chart after ten years away, and it became his biggest hit since "This Guy's In Love With You" reached number three in 1968. "Rise" reached number 13 and became an American number one. The follow up "Rotation" was quite good too, but failed to make any impact on the top 40, so Herb had to wait until 1987 for his next hit. |
| 34 | Nolan Sisters |
Spirit Body And Soul |
| This
was one of only four weeks when the name 'Nolan Sisters'
appeared in the chart. For all further hits they were
known as 'The Nolans' which did sound a lot better didn't
it ? This only got as high as number 34. |
| 35 | Damned |
Smash It Up |
| Not as good as their recent "Love Song", but quite listenable all the same. Spent just this one week in the chart. They had to wait until 1985 before they appeared in the top forty again. |
| 36 | Stranglers |
Nuclear Device (Wizard Of Aus) |
| I hope none of my Australian friends are offended, but this is one of my favourite songs by the Stranglers. The lyrics spoke about Nuclear testing in Australia and how Aborigini's were being killed off one by one, and how all the animals in Australia looked strange. I'm sure it was all meant as tongue in cheek (they usually reserved their anger for the Swedes), and it had a great video. Anyway, not many agreed with me as the single only got to number 36. |
| 37 | Gary Numan |
Cars |
| I'm
clueless as to why this keeps hitting the chart. It
reached number one for a week this first time around, and
hit number 16 in 1987 and 17 in 1996. That's as well as
stopping short at number 53 in 1993 and featuring on the
number 27 peaking live EP in 1985. It seemed an ok kind
of song when originally released, but one I tired of very
quickly. It even reached number nine in the US. It was number one in the week that I had the house to myself for a whole week, and we all know what happens when a seventeen year old has that kind of power. The result was that I was sleeping rough the following week after my Mum had discovered the damage that a spoon had done to a window, as well as pheasant feathers blocking up the hoover ! |
| 38 | Dollar |
Love's Gotta Hold On Me |
| Dollar had those first two hits with "Shooting Star" and "Who Were You With In The Moonlight", and even though I did like both of them, I didn't expect them to have a third hit. I thought that they were just another hit and run pop band that would soon be forgotten about. I certainly didn't expect anything as good as this. A love song that had some class about it. It didn't even go straight into the top forty when released, it didn't enter those upper reaches until it's third week. But eventually, it reached number four and spent nine weeks in the top forty. |
| 39 | Undertones |
You've Got My Number |
| A year on, and the 'Undertones' were having their fourth hit. Despite being a strong single, it only reached number 32. Their big hit would come with the next single, but on the whole the 'Undertones' never quite got the success that many (myself included) feel they deserved. |
| 40 | Eagles |
Heartache Tonight |
| The final week in the UK top forty for the Eagles was the only week that this Stateside number one ever spent in our forty. It's still one of the best songs of that year for me. |
Some 1979 MP3s
Match - Boogie Man
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.
THIS WEEK IN 1973
THIS
WEEK IN 1975
THIS
WEEK IN 1976
THIS
WEEK IN 1977
THIS
WEEK IN 1980
THIS
WEEK IN 1981
THE
REMEMBER WHEN ARCHIVES
GOLDEN
DAYS INDEX
Email: nige@innotts.co.uk
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