Thirty years ago: UK top 40 singles chart for Sunday 4th 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 28th November to midnight on Saturday 3rd 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 TEN new entry’s, nine climbers and two non-movers. And it was announced like this…
40. Alexander O’Neal – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”
This weeks first new entry sees Alexander back with his version of Mel Torme’s all time Christmas classic and his fourth UK top 40 hit of the year!
39. Iron Maiden – “The Clairvoyants”
Down nineteen places this week for The Maiden with their third chart hit of this year.
38. Londonbeat – “9am”
New entry for this group from both London and New York with their debut single release!
37. Samantha Fox – “Love House”
Down five places this week after just three weeks on the chart for Samantha with the first release from her new album “I Wanna Have Some Fun”.
36. Robert Palmer – “She Makes My Day”
Down thirteen this week for Robert but be sure of a new single early next year!
35. Mica Paris – “Breathe Life Into Me”
After four weeks of climbing its down nine this week for Mica and her third top 40 hit this year.
34. Kim Wilde – “Four Letter Word”
Kim is back with a new entry and her fourth single from her top 10 album “Close” so far…!
33. Milli Vanilli – “Girl You Know It’s True”
Rob and Fab are down eleven this week with their debut single but have another one lined up for January!
32. The Pasedenas – “Enchanted Lady”
Down just one place this week after they entered the chart last week for this London quintet with their third UK top 40 hit this year.
31. Bon Jovi – “Born To Be My Baby”
The second single from Bon Jovi’s No.1 album “New Jersey” gets a new entry this week and becomes their sixth UK top 40 hit!
30. The Four Tops – “Loco In Acapulco”
New entry for the legendary Four Tops this week and one of two songs from the film ‘Buster‘ in this weeks chart!
29. Yazz – “Stand Up For Your Love Rights”
Yazz falls twelve places this week with her third UK top 40 single this year.
28. a-ha – “You Are The One”
Morton, Mags and Pal are back with the fourth single from their album “Stay On These Roads” and get a fourth top 40 chart hit.
27. Kylie Minogue – “Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi”
Kylie falls just six places this week, her album “Kylie” holds firm at No.2 on the album chart this week.
26. Brother Beyond – “He Ain’t No Competition”
Another SAW song falling this week, down twelve for this group with their second top 40 single this year.
25. The Beach Boys – “Kokamo”
New entry last week and up eight places this week for The Beach Boys with a song from the film ‘Cocktail’.
24. Petula Clark – “Downtown ’88”
Up thirteen places this week for Petula with the remix of her 1965 US No.1, UK No.2 hit – can she go one better this time…?
23. New Order – “Fine Time”
New entry for New Order and the lead single from their forthcoming new album “Technique”, planned for release in January.
22. Inner City – “Good Life”
Another new entry and Kevin and Paris are back with their follow up to the massive “Big Fun” back in September.
21. Deacon Blue – “Real Gone Kid”
And falling ten places this week, the biggest hit yet for Deacon Blue and their new album “When The World Knows Your Name” is coming in January.
20. Status Quo – “Burning Bridges (On And Off And On Again)”
This weeks highest climber is up sixteen places for The Quo with their second top 40 hit this year.
19. Salt’N’Pepa – “Twist And Shout”
Down ten places this week for Salt’N’Pepa with their third UK top 40 single of this year.
18. George Michael – “Kissing A Fool”
George goes up six places this week after he entered the chart last week with his fourth top 20 hit of the year.
17. Stakka – “Stakka Humanoid”
Up one place this week for this dance anthem that’s now No.2 on the dance chart.
16. Hithouse – “Jack To The Sound Of The Underground”
And down one place this week for this tune that’s No.3 on this weeks dance chart.
15. Bananarama – “Nathan Jones”
Good week for Sara, Keren and Jacqui, they are up four places with their third top 20 hit of the year. “Greatest Hits Collection” is up to No.7 this week.
14. Inxs – “Need You Tonight”
Down nine this week for the Australian band lead by singer Michael Hutchence. “Kick” is up to No.16 on the album chart.
13. Tiffany – “Radio Romance”
Tiffany gets a non mover this week with her fourth UK top 20 hit of this year.
12. Bomb The Bass feat. Maureen – “Say A Little Prayer”
Tim Simenon slips two places this week with his cover of Dionne Warwick and later Aretha Franklin’s classic hit.
11. Pet Shop Boys – “Left To My Own Devices”
Down seven places this week for PSB with their fourth UK top 10 hit this year. “Introspective” is up thirteen this week to No.11 on the album chart.
10. Chris de Burgh – “Missing You”
After two weeks at No.3 Chris falls seven places this week with his first UK top ten hit for over two years.
9. Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal”
Down one place this week for Michael with his third UK top ten hit of this year from the album “Bad”.
8. Rick Astley – “Take Me To Your Heart”
A very good week for Rick, he’s up four places and gets his third top 10 hit of the year and his new album “Hold Me In Your Arms” is a new entry at No.8 on this weeks album chart!
7. Erasure – “Crackers International EP”
Andy and Vince are back with a collection of new songs and get a big new entry this week now with a third UK top 10 hit this year!
6. Phil Collins – “Two Hearts”
The second song from the ‘Buster‘ soundtrack on this weeks chart is a non mover for Phil with his third top ten hit of the year.
5. Robin Beck – “The First Time”
Last week’s number one falls four places this week after three weeks on top for this American singer with her first UK chart hit.
4. Bros – “Cat Among The Pigeons”
Last weeks highest new entry is down two places this week and it’s looking like Bros are out of the running for Christmas number one this year!
3. Angry Anderson – “Suddenly”
Last weeks highest climber shoots up another thirteen places this week and it’s top three for the Neighbours wedding theme. How much further can it go?
2. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan – “Especially For You”
And here come the newly weds themselves Kylie and Jason get this weeks highest new entry and perhaps the biggest contender for this years Christmas number one…?
1. Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe And Wine”
Last weeks highest new entry becomes this weeks number one and Cliff’s first UK chart topper since “Living Doll” took the top spot at the beginning of 1986. Can he make it two weeks though…find out next Sunday!
Make sure you come back in seven days time for next weeks chart!
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