Thirty years ago: UK top 40 singles chart for Sunday 25th December 1988
from records kept by Christopher Smith
So this was the chart that Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes broadcast from 5-7pm with data from the GALLUP computer based on record sales from Monday 19th to midnight on Saturday 24th December 1988.
This is how the charts USED to look with new entries, climbers and non-movers, all based solely on record purchases.
This week, thirty years ago, there were one new entry, fifteen climbers and five non-movers. And it was announced like this…
40. The Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra – “Minnie The Moocher”
After one week and a five place climb, this track falls back five places to where it started!
39. Boy Meets Girl – “Waiting For A Star To Fall”
One new entry this week and here it is, the highest new entry from this husband and wife team who also wrote “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” for Whitney two years ago! Can they take this to the top…?
38. Stakka – “Stakka Humanoid”
Down seven places this week for this former dance chart top five hit.
37. The Travelling Wilbury’s – “Handle With Care”
Down four places this week for Roy, Bob, Tom, George and Jeff with this ever yo-yoing track of theirs!
36. Hithouse – “Jack To The Sound Of The Underground”
And down seven places for another former dance chart hit that peaked at No.15 five weeks ago.
35. The Beach Boys – “Kokamo”
And down just one place this week for The Beach Boys with their ‘Cocktail’ track.
34. Natalie Cole – “I Live For Your Love”
A new entry from last week and Natalie climbs six places this week. Expect a new album in 1989 from her!
33. Pet Shop Boys – “Left To My Own Devices”
And Chris and Neil drop seven this week with their fourth UK top ten hit of the year. “Introspective” drops to No.14 on the album chart.
32. Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine – “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”
Another of last weeks new entry’s that climbs six places this week for Gloria and the gang and the fifth single from her No.1 album “Anything For You”.
31. Alexander O’Neal – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”
Sadly Alexander couldn’t make it, he drops one place this week after spending two weeks at No.30.
30. Chris de Burgh – “Missing You”
Chris drops eight places this week with is former top three hit of November.
29. Bon Jovi – “Born To Be My Baby”
And Jon, Richie and the boys are down six this week with their second UK top 30 hit of this year.
28. Annie Lennox and Al Green – “Put A Little Love In Your Heart”
Another good week for Annie and Al, they go up four places this week with their song that closes the film ‘Scrooged’.
27. Tiffany – “Radio Romance”
A drop of just three places this week for Tiffany and her fourth UK chart hit of this year.
26. Bomb The Bass feat. Maureen – “Say A Little Prayer”
Tim Simenon and vocalist Maureen fall nine this week with their cover of the old 1960’s classic made famous by Dionne Warwick and later Aretha Franklin.
25. Inxs – “Need You Tonight”
And the group from NSW, Australia hold firm for a second week at No.25 with their biggest UK chart hit to date.
24. Bananarama – “Nathan Jones”
Sara, Keren and Jacqui fall eight this week after spending two weeks at No.16 with their version of The Supremes 1970 hit. “The Greatest Hits Collection” is No.11 on the album chart this week.
23. Shakin’ Stevens – “True Love”
And another good week for Shakey, he;s up a further five places with his cover of the old Cole Porter song.
22. Robin Beck – “The First Time”
Former number one Robin falls four places this week, but the song is definitely one of this year’s biggest sellers!
21. Tribe Of Toffs – “John Kettley Is A Weatherman”
This week’s highest climber is up eighteen places for this Sunderland band with their ‘tribute’ to BBC weather man John Kettley!
20. Enya – “Evening Falls”
And it’s a good week for Enya too, she’s up sixteen places and gets her second UK top twenty hit single! “Watermark” is up TWENTY TWO places on this weeks album chart to No.24!
19. Londonbeat – “9am”
And these four guys from London and New York keep on climbing up the chart, another two places this week in fact!
18. a-ha – “You Are The One”
And Moreton, Mags and Pal are up a further two places this week with this remixed version of the fourth single from their Platinum album “Stay On These Roads”.
17. New Order – “Fine Time”
After two weeks of climbing, New Order fall six places this week but expect the new album in January!
16. Rick Astley – “Take Me To Your Heart”
And Rick drops four places this week. “Hold Me In Your Arms” is No.16 this week on the album chart.
15. Freiheit – “Keeping The Dream Alive”
Last weeks highest new entry is up twelve places this week and into the top twenty for this German group from the fist time in the UK.
14. Kim Wilde – “Four Letter Word”
Week five and Kim is still on the up, another five places this week…can she make it three consecutive top ten hits for herself…?
13. Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal”
MJ is UP one places this week having dropped out of the top ten two weeks ago with this SIXTH single from the album “Bad” which is up and back into the top ten at No.10 on this album chart this week!
12. U2 – “Angel of Harlem”
Bono and the boys from Ireland and down three places this week and drop out of the top ten. “Rattle And Hum” is, however, up two places on the album chart to No.19 this week.
11. Petula Clark – “Downtown ’88”
And sadly Petula falls one place and out of the top ten herself too this week with a remix of her 1965 No.2 smash hit.
10. Phil Collins – “Two Hearts”
We start the Christmas top ten with Phil Collins falling two places with his second hit from the film ‘Buster‘. The soundtrack album is up to No.18 on the album chart though!
9. The Four Tops – “Loco In Acapulco”
…and The Four Tops are up again this week, six places, with their track from the film ‘Buster‘ and the second song from the film in this weeks top ten!
8. Bros – “Cat Among The Pigeons”
Matt, Luke and Craig drop another two places this week and go in the opposite direction of a Christmas number one! “Push” is No.15 on the album chart.
7. Neneh Cherry – “Buffalo Stance”
Last weeks highest climber is up another seven places and scores Neneh (from Stockholm) her first UK top ten hit!
6. Inner City – “Good Life”
Kevin and Paris drop just one places this week and out of the top five, but the track is Christmas number one on the dance chart!
5. Status Quo – “Burning Bridges (On And Off And On Again)”
We start the top five with The Quo climbing another two places this week and getting their first UK top five hit since “In The Army Now” in September 1986.
4. Angry Anderson – “Suddenly”
Angry dropped one places last week out of the top three with the Neighbours wedding theme and he refuses to drop any further, getting a fifth week in the top five this week.
3. Erasure – “Crackers International EP”
And Vince and Andy are also holding tight with their biggest hit of the year. Their album “The Innocents” is up ten places on the album chart this week to No.12!
So there are just two records left. Who is at number two…………………?
2. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan – “Especially For You”
Sadly Kylie and Jason get a FOURTH week in the runner up place. They have, however, sold over half a million copies of this song now, and “Kylie” is the fifth biggest seller on this weeks album chart.
That means the song that is this year’s Christmas number one is…
1. Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe And Wine”
So Cliff gets a fourth week at the top and the crown of Christmas number one for 1988 – his first EVER Christmas chart topper and he also sticks at the top of the album chart as well with “The Private Collection”!
Make sure you come back in seven days time for next weeks chart!
To check the latest chart click here or click the image below to read about previous weeks.
If you enjoy what you read on this site – you can donate to show your support!
Click to donate any amount you like, every little helps!
Don’t have a music streaming service yet? Try one of these:
| Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon |
Talk About Pop Music 