List of UK singles chart number ones of the 1980s

Last updated

Madonna had six number ones during the 1980s. Madonna 1990 cropped.jpg
Madonna had six number ones during the 1980s.

The UK Singles Chart is the official record chart in the United Kingdom. Until 1983, it was compiled weekly by the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) on behalf of the British record industry with a two-week break each Christmas. [1] The BMRB used motorcycle couriers to collect the sales figures taken up to the close of trade on Saturday. This data was compiled on Monday and given to the BBC on Tuesday to be announced on BBC Radio 1 at lunchtime and later published in Music Week . [1] On 4 January 1983, the chart was taken over by Gallup who expanded the chart from the Top 75 to the Top 100 [2] and began the introduction of computerised tills which automated the data collection process. [1] [2] The chart was based entirely on sales of physical singles from retail outlets and announced on Tuesday until October 1987, when the Top 40 was revealed each Sunday, due to the new automated process. [3]

Contents

During the 1980s there were a total of 191 singles which took the UK chart number 1 spot. [4] In terms of number-one singles, Madonna was the most successful single act of the decade, as six of her singles reached the top spot. George Michael had significant involvement with eight number-one singles; with two number-one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham!, one as a duet with Aretha Franklin and one as a member of charity supergroup Band Aid. The longest duration of a single at number one was nine weeks, achieved by Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes" in 1984. [5]

The best-selling single of the decade was "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid, selling over 3.5 million copies, and passing "Mull of Kintyre" by Wings to become the best-selling single ever. [6] "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is currently the second best-selling song after "Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John. [7]

The 1980s saw the introduction of the cassette single (or "cassingle") alongside the 7-inch and 12-inch record formats and in 1987 major record labels developed a common format for the CD single. [8] For the chart week ending 3 May 1989, chart regulations confined Kylie Minogue's song "Hand on Your Heart" to number two. Minogue would have reached number one if sales from cassette singles were included but they were sold for £1.99 – cheaper than was allowed at the time. Following the debacle the British Phonographic Industry reduced the minimum price for cassette singles to become eligible towards sales figures. [9]

Number-one singles

The Jam achieved four number ones during the 1980s, with three of them - "Going Underground", "Town Called Malice" and "Beat Surrender" - entering the chart at number one. Thejam.gif
The Jam achieved four number ones during the 1980s, with three of them - "Going Underground", "Town Called Malice" and "Beat Surrender" - entering the chart at number one.
In 1980 ABBA scored their two most recent number ones, their last being Super Trouper. ABBA Member.jpg
In 1980 ABBA scored their two most recent number ones, their last being Super Trouper.
John Lennon was murdered in 1980, and three of his singles reached number one posthumously. JohnLennonpeace.jpg
John Lennon was murdered in 1980, and three of his singles reached number one posthumously.
Michael Jackson had three number-one singles in the 1980s, scoring his first ever number-one single in 1981 with "One Day in Your Life", followed by "Billie Jean" in 1983 and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" in 1987. Michael Jackson 1984.jpg
Michael Jackson had three number-one singles in the 1980s, scoring his first ever number-one single in 1981 with "One Day in Your Life", followed by "Billie Jean" in 1983 and "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" in 1987.
During the 1980s, Culture Club had two number ones, including the best-selling single of 1983, "Karma Chameleon". Frontman Boy George would later achieve a solo number one in 1987. Boygeorge pacha brasil ariadne.JPG
During the 1980s, Culture Club had two number ones, including the best-selling single of 1983, "Karma Chameleon". Frontman Boy George would later achieve a solo number one in 1987.
George Michael was one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, with three number-one singles as a solo artist and four as part of Wham!. George Michael at Antwerp (BRAVO).jpg
George Michael was one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, with three number-one singles as a solo artist and four as part of Wham!.
Bob Geldof co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which was the biggest-selling single of the decade. Bob Geldof Rock am Ring 1987.jpg
Bob Geldof co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas?", which was the biggest-selling single of the decade.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood had three consecutive singles reach number one, of which two, "Relax" and "Two Tribes", sold over one million copies. Frankie Goes to Hollywood in London cropped.jpg
Frankie Goes to Hollywood had three consecutive singles reach number one, of which two, "Relax" and "Two Tribes", sold over one million copies.
In 1985, Jennifer Rush was the first female artist to have a single sell over a million copies, with "The Power of Love". Jennifer Rush.jpg
In 1985, Jennifer Rush was the first female artist to have a single sell over a million copies, with "The Power of Love".
During the 1980s, the Pet Shop Boys gained four number ones, "West End Girls", "It's a Sin", "Always on My Mind" and "Heart". Pet shop boys boston concert.jpg
During the 1980s, the Pet Shop Boys gained four number ones, "West End Girls", "It's a Sin", "Always on My Mind" and "Heart".
In 1988, Kylie Minogue went to number one with her debut UK single "I Should Be So Lucky", and achieved two more number ones in 1989. Kylie Minogue - Kiss Me Once Tour - Manchester - 26.09.14. - 154 (15210678760) (cropped).jpg
In 1988, Kylie Minogue went to number one with her debut UK single "I Should Be So Lucky", and achieved two more number ones in 1989.
Key
Best-selling single of the year [11]
Best-selling single of the decade [11]
Contents
No.Artist [nb 1] Single [nb 1] Record label [nb 2] Week ending date [nb 1] Weeks at
number one [nb 1]
1980
449 Pretenders "Brass in Pocket"Real19 January 19802
450 The Special A.K.A. Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. Live! (EP) [nb 3] 2 Tone 2 February 19802
451 Kenny Rogers "Coward of the County" United Artists 16 February 19802
452 Blondie "Atomic" Chrysalis 1 March 19802
453 Fern Kinney "Together We Are Beautiful" WEA 15 March 19801
454 The Jam "Going Underground" / "Dreams of Children" Polydor 22 March 19803
455 The Detroit Spinners "Working My Way Back to You – Forgive Me Girl" Atlantic 12 April 19802
456 Blondie "Call Me" Chrysalis 26 April 19801
457 Dexys Midnight Runners "Geno"Late Night Feelings3 May 19802
458 Johnny Logan "What's Another Year" Epic 17 May 19802
459 The Mash "Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide is Painless)" CBS 31 May 19803
460 Don McLean "Crying" EMI 21 June 19803
461 Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra "Xanadu" Jet 12 July 19802
462 Odyssey "Use It Up and Wear It Out" RCA 26 July 19802
463 ABBA " The Winner Takes It All " Epic 9 August 19802
464 David Bowie "Ashes to Ashes" RCA 23 August 19802
465 The Jam "Start!" Polydor 6 September 19801
466 Kelly Marie "Feels Like I'm in Love"Calibre Plus13 September 19802
467 The Police "Don't Stand So Close to Me" † A&M 27 September 19804
468 Barbra Streisand "Woman in Love" CBS 25 October 19803
469 Blondie " The Tide Is High " Chrysalis 15 November 19802
470 ABBA "Super Trouper" Epic 29 November 19803
471 John Lennon " (Just Like) Starting Over " Geffen 20 December 19801
472 St Winifred's School Choir "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" MFP 27 December 19802
1981
473 John Lennon "Imagine" Apple 10 January 19814
474 John Lennon "Woman" Geffen 7 February 19812
475 Joe Dolce Music Theatre "Shaddap You Face" Epic 21 February 19813
476 Roxy Music "Jealous Guy" E.G. 14 March 19812
477 Shakin' Stevens "This Ole House" Epic 28 March 19813
478 Bucks Fizz "Making Your Mind Up" RCA 18 April 19813
479 Adam and the Ants "Stand and Deliver" CBS 9 May 19815
480 Smokey Robinson "Being with You" Motown 13 June 19812
481 Michael Jackson "One Day In Your Life" Motown 27 June 19812
482 The Specials "Ghost Town" 2 Tone 11 July 19813
483 Shakin' Stevens "Green Door" Epic 1 August 19814
484 Aneka "Japanese Boy" Hansa 29 August 19811
485 Soft Cell "Tainted Love" Some Bizzare 5 September 19812
486 Adam and the Ants "Prince Charming" CBS 19 September 19814
487 Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin "It's My Party" Stiff 17 October 19814
488 The Police "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" A&M 14 November 19811
489 Queen and David Bowie "Under Pressure" EMI 21 November 19812
490 Julio Iglesias "Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)" CBS 5 December 19811
491 The Human League "Don't You Want Me" † [nb 4] Virgin 12 December 19815
1982
492 Bucks Fizz " The Land of Make Believe " RCA 16 January 19822
493 Shakin' Stevens "Oh Julie" Epic 30 January 19821
494 Kraftwerk "The Model" /"Computer Love" EMI 6 February 19821
495 The Jam "Town Called Malice" /"Precious" Polydor 13 February 19823
496 Tight Fit " The Lion Sleeps Tonight " Jive 6 March 19823
497 Goombay Dance Band "Seven Tears" Epic 27 March 19823
498 Bucks Fizz "My Camera Never Lies" RCA 17 April 19821
499 Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder "Ebony and Ivory" Parlophone 24 April 19823
500 Nicole " A Little Peace " CBS 15 May 19822
501 Madness "House of Fun" Stiff 29 May 19822
502 Adam Ant "Goody Two Shoes" CBS 12 June 19822
503 Charlene "I've Never Been to Me" Motown 26 June 19821
504 Captain Sensible "Happy Talk" A&M 3 July 19822
505 Irene Cara "Fame" RSO 17 July 19823
506 Dexys Midnight Runners "Come On Eileen" † Mercury 7 August 19824
507 Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" Scotti Bros. 4 September 19824
508 Musical Youth "Pass the Dutchie" MCA 2 October 19823
509 Culture Club "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" Virgin 23 October 19823
510 Eddy Grant "I Don't Wanna Dance" Ice 13 November 19823
511 The Jam "Beat Surrender" Polydor 4 December 19822
512 Renée and Renato "Save Your Love"Hollywood18 December 19824
1983
513 Phil Collins "You Can't Hurry Love" Virgin 15 January 19832
514 Men at Work "Down Under" Epic 29 January 19833
515 Kajagoogoo "Too Shy" EMI 19 February 19832
516 Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" Epic 5 March 19831
517 Bonnie Tyler "Total Eclipse of the Heart" CBS 12 March 19832
518 Duran Duran "Is There Something I Should Know?" EMI 26 March 19832
519 David Bowie "Let's Dance" EMI America 9 April 19833
520 Spandau Ballet "True" Chrysalis 30 April 19834
521 New Edition "Candy Girl" London 28 May 19831
522 The Police "Every Breath You Take" A&M 4 June 19834
523 Rod Stewart "Baby Jane" Warner Bros. 2 July 19833
524 Paul Young "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" CBS 23 July 19833
525 KC and the Sunshine Band "Give It Up" Epic 13 August 19833
526 UB40 "Red Red Wine" DEP International 3 September 19833
527 Culture Club "Karma Chameleon" † Virgin 24 September 19836
528 Billy Joel "Uptown Girl" CBS 5 November 19835
529 The Flying Pickets "Only You" 10 10 December 19835
1984
530 Paul McCartney "Pipes of Peace" Parlophone 14 January 19842
531 Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Relax" ZTT 28 January 19845
532 Nena "99 Red Balloons" Epic 3 March 19843
533 Lionel Richie "Hello" Motown 24 March 19846
534 Duran Duran " The Reflex " EMI 5 May 19844
535 Wham! "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" Epic 2 June 19842
536 Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Two Tribes" ZTT 16 June 19849
537 George Michael "Careless Whisper" Epic 18 August 19843
538 Stevie Wonder "I Just Called to Say I Love You" Motown 8 September 19846
539 Wham! "Freedom" Epic 20 October 19843
540 Chaka Khan "I Feel for You" Warner Bros. 10 November 19843
541 Jim Diamond "I Should Have Known Better" A&M 1 December 19841
542 Frankie Goes to Hollywood " The Power of Love " ZTT 8 December 19841
543 Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?" ‡ Mercury 15 December 19845
1985
544 Foreigner "I Want to Know What Love Is" Atlantic 19 January 19853
545 Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson "I Know Him So Well" RCA 9 February 19854
546 Dead or Alive "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" Epic 9 March 19852
547 Philip Bailey and Phil Collins "Easy Lover" CBS 23 March 19854
548 USA for Africa "We Are the World" CBS 20 April 19852
549 Phyllis Nelson "Move Closer" Carrere 4 May 19851
550 Paul Hardcastle "19" Chrysalis 11 May 19855
551 The Crowd "You'll Never Walk Alone"Spartan15 June 19852
552 Sister Sledge "Frankie" Atlantic 29 June 19854
553 Eurythmics "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)" RCA 27 July 19851
554 Madonna "Into the Groove" Sire 3 August 19854
555 UB40 and Chrissie Hynde "I Got You Babe" DEP International 31 August 19851
556 David Bowie and Mick Jagger "Dancing in the Street" EMI America 7 September 19854
557 Midge Ure "If I Was" Chrysalis 5 October 19851
558 Jennifer Rush " The Power of Love " † CBS 12 October 19855
559 Feargal Sharkey " A Good Heart " Virgin 16 November 19852
560 Wham! "I'm Your Man" Epic 30 November 19852
561 Whitney Houston "Saving All My Love for You" Arista 14 December 19852
562 Shakin' Stevens "Merry Christmas Everyone" Epic 28 December 19852
1986
563 Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls" Parlophone 11 January 19862
564 A-ha " The Sun Always Shines on T.V. " Warner Bros. 25 January 19862
565 Billy Ocean "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" Jive 8 February 19864
566 Diana Ross "Chain Reaction" Capitol 8 March 19863
567 Cliff Richard and the Young Ones featuring Hank Marvin "Living Doll" WEA 29 March 19863
568 George Michael " A Different Corner " Epic 19 April 19863
569 Falco "Rock Me Amadeus" A&M 10 May 19861
570 Spitting Image " The Chicken Song " Virgin 17 May 19863
571 Doctor and the Medics "Spirit in the Sky" IRS 7 June 19863
572 Wham! " The Edge of Heaven " Epic 28 June 19862
573 Madonna "Papa Don't Preach" Sire 12 July 19863
574 Chris de Burgh " The Lady in Red " A&M 2 August 19863
575 Boris Gardiner "I Want to Wake Up with You"Revue23 August 19863
576 The Communards with Sarah Jane Morris "Don't Leave Me This Way" † London 13 September 19864
577 Madonna "True Blue" Sire 11 October 19861
578 Nick Berry "Every Loser Wins" BBC 18 October 19863
579 Berlin "Take My Breath Away" CBS 8 November 19864
580 Europe " The Final Countdown " Epic 6 December 19862
581 The Housemartins "Caravan of Love" Go! Discs 20 December 19861
582 Jackie Wilson "Reet Petite"SMP27 December 19864
1987
583 Steve "Silk" Hurley "Jack Your Body" [nb 5] DJ International 24 January 19872
584 Aretha Franklin and George Michael "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" Epic 7 February 19872
585 Ben E. King "Stand by Me" Atlantic 21 February 19873
586 Boy George "Everything I Own" Virgin 14 March 19872
587 Mel and Kim "Respectable" Supreme 28 March 19871
588 Ferry Aid "Let It Be" CBS 4 April 19873
589 Madonna "La Isla Bonita" Sire 25 April 19872
590 Starship "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" Arista 9 May 19874
591 Whitney Houston "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Arista 6 June 19872
592 The Firm "Star Trekkin'"Bark20 June 19872
593 Pet Shop Boys "It's a Sin" Parlophone 4 July 19873
594 Madonna "Who's That Girl" Sire 25 July 19871
595 Los Lobos "La Bamba" Slash 1 August 19872
596 Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" Epic 15 August 19872
597 Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up" † RCA 29 August 19875
598 MARRS "Pump Up the Volume" 4AD 3 October 19872
599 Bee Gees "You Win Again" Warner Bros. 17 October 19874
600 T'Pau "China in Your Hand"Siren14 November 19875
601 Pet Shop Boys "Always on My Mind" Parlophone 19 December 19874
1988
602 Belinda Carlisle "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" Virgin 16 January 19882
603 Tiffany "I Think We're Alone Now" MCA 30 January 19883
604 Kylie Minogue "I Should Be So Lucky" PWL 20 February 19885
605 Aswad "Don't Turn Around" CBS 26 March 19882
606 Pet Shop Boys "Heart" Parlophone 9 April 19883
607 S'Express "Theme from S'Express" Rhythm King 30 April 19882
608 Fairground Attraction "Perfect" RCA 14 May 19881
609 Wet Wet Wet / Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey "With a Little Help from My Friends" / "She's Leaving Home" Childline 21 May 19884
610 The Timelords "Doctorin' the Tardis" KLF Communications 18 June 19881
611 Bros "I Owe You Nothing" CBS 25 June 19882
612 Glenn Medeiros "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" London 9 July 19884
613 Yazz and the Plastic Population "The Only Way Is Up" Big Life 6 August 19885
614 Phil Collins "A Groovy Kind of Love" Virgin 10 September 19882
615 The Hollies "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" EMI 24 September 19882
616 U2 "Desire" Island 8 October 19881
617 Whitney Houston "One Moment in Time" Arista 15 October 19882
618 Enya "Orinoco Flow" WEA 29 October 19883
619 Robin Beck "First Time" Mercury 19 November 19883
620 Cliff Richard "Mistletoe and Wine" † EMI 10 December 19884
1989
621 Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan "Especially for You" PWL 7 January 19893
622 Marc Almond featuring Gene Pitney "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" EMI 28 January 19894
623 Simple Minds "Belfast Child" Virgin 25 February 19892
624 Jason Donovan "Too Many Broken Hearts" PWL 11 March 19892
625 Madonna "Like a Prayer" Sire 25 March 19893
626 The Bangles "Eternal Flame" CBS 15 April 19894
627 Kylie Minogue "Hand on Your Heart" PWL 13 May 19891
628 The Christians , Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden and Stock Aitken Waterman "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey" PWL 20 May 19893
629 Jason Donovan "Sealed with a Kiss" PWL 10 June 19892
630 Soul II Soul "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" Virgin 24 June 19894
631 Sonia "You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" Chrysalis 22 July 19892
632 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers "Swing the Mood"Music Factory Dance5 August 19895
633 Black Box "Ride on Time" † Deconstruction 9 September 19896
634 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers "That's What I Like"Music Factory Dance21 October 19893
635 Lisa Stansfield "All Around the World" Arista 11 November 19892
636 New Kids on the Block "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" CBS 25 November 19893
637 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers "Let's Party"Music Factory Dance16 December 19891
638 Band Aid II "Do They Know It's Christmas?" PWL 23 December 19893
Contents

By artist

American entertainer Madonna was the most successful act of the decade in terms of number-one singles. She had six number ones: "Into the Groove" (1985); "Papa Don't Preach", "True Blue" (both 1986); "La Isla Bonita", "Who's That Girl" (both 1987); and "Like a Prayer" (1989). George Michael had significant involvement with seven number-one singles; he was also involved with Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but his contribution was less significant. He had two number-one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham!, and one as a duet with Aretha Franklin. The following artists achieved three or more number-one hits during the 1980s.

ArtistNumber onesWeeks at
number one
Madonna 614
Pet Shop Boys 412
David Bowie 411
Shakin' Stevens 410
The Jam 49
Wham! 49
Frankie Goes to Hollywood 315
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers 39
Kylie Minogue 39
The Police 39
Phil Collins 38
Paul McCartney 38
George Michael 38
Jason Donovan 37
John Lennon 37
Bucks Fizz 36
Whitney Houston 36
Blondie 35
Michael Jackson 35

Additionally, Adam Ant and Boy George each had one solo number one hit and two number one hits as lead singers of bands (Adam and the Ants and Culture Club respectively) totalling three number one hits each.

By record label

The following record labels had five or more number ones on the UK Singles Chart during the 1980s.

Record labelNumber ones
Epic 23
CBS 19
Virgin 11
EMI 9
RCA 9
A&M 7
Chrysalis 7
PWL 7
Parlophone 6
Sire 6
Arista 5
Motown 5

Songs with the most weeks at number one

The following songs spent at least five weeks at number one during the 1980s.

ArtistSongWeeks at
number one
Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Two Tribes"9
Culture Club "Karma Chameleon"6
Lionel Richie "Hello"
Stevie Wonder "I Just Called to Say I Love You"
Black Box "Ride on Time"
Adam and the Ants "Stand and Deliver"5
The Human League "Don't You Want Me"
Billy Joel "Uptown Girl"
The Flying Pickets "Only You"
Frankie Goes to Hollywood"Relax"
Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Paul Hardcastle "19"
Jennifer Rush "The Power of Love"
Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up"
T'Pau "China in Your Hand"
Kylie Minogue "I Should Be So Lucky"
Yazz and the Plastic Population "The Only Way Is Up"
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers "Swing the Mood"

Million-selling and platinum records

The British Phonographic Industry classified singles and albums since 1973 by the number of units sold, with the highest threshold being a "platinum record". Before 1989, a platinum record was given to singles that sold over 1,000,000 units, a gold record for 500,000 unit sales and a silver record for 250,000. [28] For singles released after 1 January 1989, the number of sales required to qualify for platinum, gold and silver records was dropped to 600,000 units (platinum), 400,000 units (gold) and 200,000 units (silver). [28] [29] [30] Fifteen records were classified platinum in the 1980s. [31] These include two songs from the 1970s that were classified platinum in the 1980s: Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody", released in 1973, re-entered the charts and was classified platinum in 1980 and sold over one million copies by 1985. Pink Floyd's 1979 release "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" was classified platinum at the beginning of 1980 and, although certified as selling 0.995 million units, is believed to have surpassed a million copies in the 1980s when sales not "over-the-counter" are included. [32] [33]

In the 1980s, twelve songs were released that were classified platinum in the decade; eleven of these also sold one million units in that time. [32] The double A-side, "Last Christmas" /"Everything She Wants" by Wham!, is notable for being the only million-selling single of the decade not to reach number one due to Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" being released at the same time. [34] In addition, a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid II was released in December 1989 and was classified platinum in 1990 and John Lennon's "Imagine" (originally released in 1975), reached number one in 1981 following his death and sold over a million copies. [10] [32]

Twelve other songs originally released in the 1980s have since sold one million units, eleven of them following the introduction of music downloads in 2004. [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] The other song released in the 1980s to sell a million copies is "Blue Monday" by New Order which charted in several years during the 80s, but was not listed as a million seller until later.

ArtistSongDate releasedDate certified
platinum
Year of millionth
sale
John Lennon "Imagine"1 October 19751 February 19811981
The Human League "Don't You Want Me"27 November 19811 January 19821981
Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express "Come On Eileen"1 June 19821 September 19821982
New Order "Blue Monday" [No. 3]7 March 19831983
Culture Club "Karma Chameleon"6 September 19831 October 19831983
Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Relax"1 January 19841 March 19841984
Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Two Tribes"May 19841 June 19841984
George Michael "Careless Whisper"23 July 19841 September 19841984
Stevie Wonder "I Just Called to Say I Love You"17 August 19841 September 19841984
Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"28 November 19841 December 19841984
Wham! "Last Christmas" /"Everything She Wants"[No. 2]3 December 19841 January 19851984
Jennifer Rush " The Power of Love "28 May 19851 November 19851985
Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers "Swing the Mood"June 19891 August 1989
Black Box "Ride On Time"18 August 19891 October 19892004–10
Band Aid II "Do They Know It's Christmas?"11 December 19891 April 1990
Adam and the Ants "Stand and Deliver"1 May 19812004–10
Tight Fit " The Lion Sleeps Tonight "1 January 19822010–12
Irene Cara "Fame"1 June 19822004–10
Survivor "Eye of the Tiger"2 July 19822004–10
Billy Joel "Uptown Girl"30 September 19832004–12
Ray Parker, Jr. "Ghostbusters"[No. 2]17 August 19842004–10
The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"[No. 2]23 November 19872011
UB40 "Red Red Wine"20 August 19832014
Journey "Don't Stop Believin'"[No. 62]1 December 19812014
Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan "Especially for You"28 November 19882014

Additional information

[No. 2]: The singles "Ghostbusters" and "Fairytale of New York" peaked at number two in the UK singles chart. "Last Christmas" peaked at number two upon its original release, but eventually reached number one in 2021.

[No. 3]: "Blue Monday" was originally released as a 12" single in 1983, where it peaked at number 9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released in 7" format in 1988 as "Blue Monday 1988" where it reached a higher peak of number 3. It has also been re-released on other occasions, most notably 1995. New Order's label, Factory Records, were not a member of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) so they never received any sales certifications. However, "Blue Monday" sold more than one million units through combined sales total.

[No. 62]: "Don't Stop Believin'" originally peaked in the UK at number 62 in 1982, but reached number 6 in 2010 following performances on The X Factor .

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 The artist, song name, week-ending date of number-one and consecutive number of weeks at the top are those given by The Official Charts Company. The dates are those for the Saturday after publication. The actual sales week represented is that up to and including the previous Saturday (i.e. from 13 to 7 days prior to the chart date). [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]
  2. The record labels are those given by the OCC. [22]
  3. This number-one record was not a single but a five-track extended play (EP) with "Too Much Too Young" as the lead track. [23] The rules now require at most four distinct songs to be eligible for the UK Singles Chart. [24] Although the EP is credited to The Special A.K.A. on the record sleeve the record label credits The Specials. [25]
  4. Until 2021, "Tainted Love" was recognised as the best-selling single of 1981. However, the Official Charts Company compiled a new list using updated sales information, which instead placed "Don't You Want Me" at the top with 1.15 million copies sold, compared to 1.05 million for "Tainted Love". [26]
  5. "Jack Your Body" was released on a 12" single that was over 25 minutes long, exceeding the maximum time for a record to be classified as a single. The track should have been classified as an album instead and, during the two weeks it spent at number one, "Reet Petite" would have been number one for a fifth week and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" would have become number one a week earlier. [27]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitney Houston albums discography</span>

American singer, actress, producer and entertainer Whitney Houston, who is known as “The Voice”, released seven studio albums, eight compilations, three soundtrack albums, five box sets, six extended plays, and 57 singles. She has sold over 220 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Houston is the best-selling female R&B artist of the 20th century, and has sold 100 million certified records in the United States. She is also the fourth best-selling female album artist in the US with 61 million certified album sales. In addition, until the launch of the RIAA's digital certification program in 2004, she had sold 16.5 million physical singles—more than any other female solo artist in history. According to the Official Charts Company in October 2012, Houston is the fourth-biggest-selling female singles artists of all-time list with a sales total of 8.5 million singles in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK singles chart</span> British singles sales chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-selling singles in the United Kingdom, based upon physical sales, paid-for downloads and streaming. The Official Chart, broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and MTV, is the UK music industry's recognised official measure of singles and albums popularity because it is the most comprehensive research panel of its kind, today surveying over 15,000 retailers and digital services daily, capturing 99.9% of all singles consumed in Britain across the week, and over 98% of albums. To be eligible for the chart, a single is currently defined by the Official Charts Company (OCC) as either a 'single bundle' having no more than four tracks and not lasting longer than 25 minutes or one digital audio track not longer than 15 minutes with a minimum sale price of 40 pence. The rules have changed many times as technology has developed, the most notable being the inclusion of digital downloads in 2005 and streaming in July 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's My Goal</span> 2005 single by Shayne Ward

"That's My Goal" is the debut single by British singer Shayne Ward, the winner of the second series of The X Factor. It was released as his winner's single on 21 December 2005. Ward was the first X Factor winner to release an original song as his winner's single; all other winners released a cover version of another song, until Matt Terry's "When Christmas Comes Around" in 2016. "That's My Goal" was later included on Ward's debut studio album, Shayne Ward (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elton John singles discography</span>

The singles discography of British musician and singer-songwriter Elton John consists of 140 official singles as main artist, 22 as a featured artist, as well as 56 other non-single guest appearances, 2 charity singles, and 3 other charted songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Underwood discography</span>

American country music singer Carrie Underwood has released nine studio albums, one greatest hits album, and 29 singles. Underwood rose to fame after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was released in 2005 and is the fastest-selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. It also became the best-selling solo female country debut in Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) history, as well as the top-selling debut album of any American Idol contestant in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls Aloud discography</span>

The discography of British-Irish girl group Girls Aloud consists of five studio albums, two compilation albums, twenty-three singles, one promotional single, two live albums, one remix album, two box sets, eleven video albums and twenty-four music videos.

<i>JLS</i> (album) 2009 studio album by JLS

JLS is the debut studio album by English boy band JLS. It was released in the UK on 9 November 2009 by Epic Records. It was preceded by the lead single, "Beat Again" on 13 July 2009. The album debuted at number one in the UK and Ireland. It has been certified four times platinum in the UK, where it was the sixth best-selling album of 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Presley singles discography</span>

The singles discography of Elvis Presley began in 1954 with the release of his first commercial single, "That's All Right". Following his regional success with Sun Records, Presley was signed to RCA Victor on November 20, 1955. Presley's first single with RCA, "Heartbreak Hotel", was a worldwide hit, reaching the No. 1 position in four countries and the top 10 in many other countries. Other hit singles from the 1950s include "Don't Be Cruel", "Hound Dog", "Love Me Tender", "Too Much", "All Shook Up", "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear", "Jailhouse Rock", "Don't", "Hard Headed Woman" and "A Big Hunk o' Love". On March 24, 1958, Presley entered the United States Army at Memphis, Tennessee, and was stationed in Germany. He left active duty on March 5, 1960.

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Further reading