28th March 1981 for three weeks
I get the feeling that it’s not cool to like this song. That it’s almost a bit wrong to even hint at knowing it.
Well, if that’s the case, I’m in trouble. I think it’s brilliant. Catch and fun! Brilliant for a cheesy disco. In fact, that’s probably where I heard it.
Shakin’ Stevens’ most well known song is probably his Christmas hit (wait until 1985 for this absolute classic) but This Ole House should be held in higher regard.
8/10
7th February 1981 for two weeks
Woman’s ascent to the top spot meant that John Lennon became the first artist to replace themself at Number 1 since… The Beatles! That time She Loves you replaced I Want To Hold Your Hand in December 1963. No artist would ever do this again until Elvis Presley did it in 2005 with his posthumous single re-releases.
Woman is a Morrisons tune. I’d hear it over the tannoy about three times a week for five and a half years. As a result, it’s tunneled its way into my consciousness as a song I love.
Later in life, I realised that it is a song all about his love for Yoko Ono. I’m not her biggest fan, so it kind of spoiled the song a little bit.
Still, it’s a classic. It was to be Lennon’s last time at Number 1.
8/10
15th November 1980 for two weeks
The Tide Is High is actually a brilliant pop single. It was one that I had a recollection of as, if I’m being totally honest, it wasn’t until Atomic Kitten’s version came out in 2002 that I became more familiar with it. It’s embarrassing, but it took a cheesy cover to bring a recollection of the original.
The song is great and it is one that makes you stop and listen. I don’t think it sounds like Blondie’s other songs so is quite refreshing in style.
The song has aged really well.
8/10
13th September 1980 for two weeks
At last – after a couple of poor (in my opinion) Number 1s, 1980 is back on track with a classic disco track.
Actually sounding like it was from the Seventies, Feels Like I’m In Love is the sort of song that was massive in the Eighties nights in the clubs, and in Flares in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s easy to appreciate how it reached Number 1. It is instantly likable and you will find yourself still singing it later in the day!
The ‘b-boo’ noise is really catchy and I can still recall a friend at school who could make the noise just like it is in the record.
People would still dance to this at discos and it holds up well 39 years later!
8/10
12th April 1980 for two weeks
Another classic Number 1. This one is a cover of a Four Seasons song from the Sixties.
It’s one that was massive in Flares, the cheesy nightclub in Stoke-on-Trent in the Nineties and Noughties when we used to go there (when we actually used to go out).
Working My Way Back To You by The Spinners was a Medley with a song called Forgive Me Girl. It is only when writing this that I’ve discovered that it is a medley of two songs.
8/10
15th March 1980 for one week
This is a song that I shouldn’t like. It’s too sweet and cheesy, surely. And yet, somehow I love it.
The song is one that I’ve heard over the years and enjoyed it, due to its catchy tune. Even the random French bit is enjoyable. But the song really struck a chord with me in 2013 after it was used in an advert.
8/10
19th January 1980 for two weeks
It’s hard not to like Brass In Pocket. It’s such a happy sounding, catchy song and starts the 1980s with a bang.
Apparently this was The Pretenders’ big single and it was certainly their only Number 1.
I remember this being a Morrisons tune. I worked at Morrisons for five and a half years. They seemed to have CDs with music on which they would play for weeks at a time. Over the years you would hear the same songs again and again and again. Brass In Pocket was one of them. This means I first heard it at some point between 1996 and 2001. And to be a Morrisons song and still be liked means it must be great.
8/10
15th December 1979 for five weeks
Another Brick In The Wall (Part II) is probably the coolest song to top the charts in 1979. On the face of it its one for the rebels – “We don’t need no education”. Apparently Margaret Thatcher hated the song for this reason. And if she didn’t like it then that suits me! That’s probably why it has sold over a million copies!
The song is amazing, to be fair. The guitars and vocals all sound brilliant and its instantly engaging and you can see why teenagers at the time would have loved it.
I remember reading in the Nineties that the children singing on the record formed a group claim for royalties.
8/10
29th September 1979 for three weeks
I think I’d have really loved to have been around when The Police were around. For as long as Sting has been around I’ve generally found him and his music to be a bit of a hippy and a bit naff. But The Police made some brilliant music.
Message In A Bottle is great. A classic pop song which is really catchy – great vocals, great accompaniment and a fun message in the song!
The song still sounds current and holds its own against guitar-based songs that have been released since.
This was apparently The Police’s first of five Number 1s so there are more to come – and better!
8/10
22nd September 1979 for one week
Cars is instantly recognisable. The synth, keyboards and guitar still sound new and fresh today.
Almost like a dance music song of its day, I reckon the song holds its own.
The worst part of it is the vocal. It doesn’t really add anything to the song. Maybe Numan himself agreed as he stops singing half way through and just leaves an instrumental. The song is so much better without him
The song was sampled in Koochy by Armand Van Helden in 2000. I remember buying Koochy on CD, but on reflection Koochy is quite poor really. Again – the vocal is just totally naff. The message is clear – Cars and it’s amazing hook is better on its own without anything spoiling it.
8/10
Number 1s of my lifetime 