Thirty years ago: UK top 40 singles chart for Sunday 18th 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 12th to midnight on Saturday 17th 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 five new entry’s, fifteen climbers and four non-movers. And it was announced like this…
40. Natalie Cole – “I Live For Your Love”
We start with a new entry for Natalie Cole with her third top 40 hit of 1988 and her first since “Jump Start” back in July.
39. Tribe Of Toffs – “John Kettley Is A Weatherman”
Another new entry this time a top 40 debut for this group from Sunderland and their ‘tribute’ to popular BBC weatherman, John Kettley!
38. Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine – “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You”
A new entry for Gloria now with a song originally released in June 1987 that failed to chart back then, but with two top ten hits since September, it’s been well worth the re-issue, as they get their third chart hit of this year!
37. George Michael – “Kissing A Fool”
Down eleven places this week for George after four weeks on the top 40.
36. Enya – “Evening Falls”
Enya is back with a new entry, following her three week chart topper back in October and this is the second single from her top five album “Watermark”.
35. The Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra – “Minnie The Moocher”
A new entry last week and up five places this week for The Reggae Orchestra with their version of this 57 year old classic.
34. The Beach Boys – “Kokamo”
The Beach Boys fall seven places this week with their track from Tom Cruise’s latest hit film ‘Cocktail’.
33. The Travelling Wilbury’s – “Handle With Care”
A re-entry last week after the sudden death of Roy Orbison, and this track goes up one place this week, now with a total of six weeks on the top 40.
32. Annie Lennox and Al Green – “Put A Little Love In Your Heart”
Annie and Al came in at No.38 last week, this wee they’re up six places with their song from the film ‘Scrooged’.
31. Stakka – “Stakka Humanoid”
This former dance chart hit falls eleven places this week after five weeks on the chart.
30. Alexander O’Neal – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”
Alexander doesn’t go anywhere this week, he gets a non-mover with his version of Mel Torme’s Christmas classic this week.
29. Hithouse – “Jack To The Sound Of The Underground”
Down another five places this week for another dance chart smash hit of this year.
28. Shakin’ Stevens – “True Love”
Shakey got a new entry last week and this week he’s up eight places with his rendition of the classic “True Love”.
27. Freiheit – “Keeping The Dream Alive”
This weeks highest new entry is a UK chart debut from this German group wh have been recording and releasing albums for six years now!
26. Pet Shop Boys – “Left To My Own Devices”
Neil and Chris are down seven places this week with the second single from their third album “Introspective”.
25. Inxs – “Need You Tonight”
And Australian group Inxs drop just four places this week with their biggest UK single release so far.
24. Tiffany – “Radio Romance”
Tiffany drops six this week and out of the top twenty with her fifth single to chart there this year.
23. Bon Jovi – “Born To Be My Baby”
And down just one place this week for Jon and the boys from New Jersey after just one week of climbing.
22. Chris de Burgh – “Missing You”
Chris falls five places this week with his former top three hit and his biggest for over two years on the UK chart.
21. Londonbeat – “9am”
Another good week for this group who are up eight places with their debut single and their first UK chart hit.
20. a-ha – “You Are The One”
And another good week for Morton, Mags and Pal who are up another five places to get their fourth top twenty hit of this year.
19. Kim Wilde – “Four Letter Word”
And also another good week for Kim, who is up nine more places and gets her third top twenty hit of the year!
18. Robin Beck – “The First Time”
Robin drops six places this week with her former three week chart topper, but expect a new single to follow this in January.
17. Bomb The Bass feat. Maureen – “Say A Little Prayer”
Down three places this week for Tim and Maureen with their version of Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin’s 1960’s classic.
16. Bananarama – “Nathan Jones”
After dropping one place last week, Sara, Keren and Jacqui stay put this week and it’s the same for the “Greatest Hits Collection” which freezes at No.8 on the album chart.
15. The Four Tops – “Loco In Acapulco”
And it’s another good week for The Four Tops who go up another eight places this week and into the top twenty for the second time this year!
14. Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal”
Michael is down three places this week, but his album “Bad” is up six places to No.15 on the album chart this week!
13. Neneh Cherry – “Buffalo Stance”
This weeks highest climber is up eighteen places for this London based rapper and singer who gets her first top twenty hit with her debut single that was new on last week!
12. Rick Astley – “Take Me To Your Heart”
After two weeks at No.8, Rick falls four places this week and out of the top ten altogether.
11. New Order – “Fine Time”
And another good week for New Order who go up another four places this week with their second UK top twenty hit of this year.
10. Petula Clark – “Downtown ’88”
Petula is up three places this week and into the top ten, and edging closer to that No.2 peak that her original reached back in 1965.
9. U2 – “Angel of Harlem”
Last weeks highest new entry is up one place this week and “Rattle And Hum” is back up to No.21 on the album chart this week.
8. Phil Collins – “Two Hearts”
Phil falls another one place this week with the second single from his hit film ‘Buster‘, now with two songs on the top twenty from the same film!
7. Status Quo – “Burning Bridges (On And Off And On Again)”
Up two places for The Quo this week who could very well be in the running for Christmas number one this year…!
6. Bros – “Cat Among The Pigeons”
And Bros fall one place this week and out of the top five. “Push” remains at No.12 on this weeks album chart.
5. Inner City – “Good Life”
Last weeks highest climber is up one place this week as Kevin and Paris score their first UK top five hit.
4. Angry Anderson – “Suddenly”
Down one place this week for Australian Angry and the Neighbours wedding theme having spent the past two weeks holding on to third place.
3. Erasure – “Crackers International EP”
And Andy and Vince climb one place this week and get their highest UK single placing since “Sometimes” in January 1986!
2. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan – “Especially For You”
And…it’s a non mover for a third week for Kylie and Jason with their duet. Can they improve on this next week for the Christmas chart…?!
1. Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe And Wine”
Which means Cliff gets a third week on top and his album “The Private Collection” is up to No.1 on this weeks album chart too! Will he be crowned UK Christmas number one for 1988, there’s only one way to find out…!
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.
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