18th April 1981 for three weeks

I remember Cheryl Baker quite clearly as the host of Record Breakers and then presenting Eggs ‘n’ Baker when I was a child. I’m sure that she sang at some point. But I don’t remember it registering that she was once part of a pop group.

So I must have become aware of Making Your Mind Up at some point after that. Perhaps it was in 1997 when Love Shine A Light won Eurovision that it was highlighted as the previous time that UK won the competition.

The song is actually a really fun, happy pop song, but I think the Eurovision factor has made it feel very cheesy. It was the skirt rip in the Eurovision performance that everyone hones in on and so the rest of the song is often overlooked.

The song hasn’t improved with age – still sounding like a total cheese fest, including all the hall marks of a cheese pop classic.

6/10

14th March 1981 for two weeks

After being distracted by Joe Dolce, the UK was back in tribute to John Lennon with Jealous Guy. Roxy Music released this Lennon cover in tribute to him (as shown on the record sleeve).

It’s a pretty good song and the saxophone solo sticks in your head. It’s one of those stop and listen songs, with a sing out loud chorus. I don’t remember when I first heard this. I think I’ve heard it on the radio at some point.

6/10