Thirty years ago: UK Top 40 Singles Chart for Sunday 19th May 1991
So this was the chart that Radio 1 DJ Mark Goodier broadcast from 4:30-7pm with data from the GALLUP computer based on record sales from Monday 13th to Saturday 18th May 1991.
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 eight new entrys, ten climbers and one non-mover! And it was announced like this…
40. The Paul Weller Movement – “Into Tomorrow”
Not such a great start for former Jam and Style Council singer Paul Weller’s new project as they actually go down four places after last weeks new entry!
39. Flowered Up – “Take It”
That also goes for British band Flowered Up’s very first top 40 entry, which sinks five places in its second week.
38. Vic Reeves and The Roman Numerals – “Born Free”
Vic Reeve’s version of the Oscar winning song from the 1966 film has been on the chart for five weeks now and it falls a hefty twenty three places this week.
37. The Waterboys – “The Whole Of The Moon”
Still about but with two whole months now on the chart are The Waterboys with this re-issued 1985 single, which is down thirteen places this week.
36. Chris De Burgh – “The Simple Truth”
Our first new entry sees the return of Chris De Burgh to the UK top 40 for the first time this new decade and his first chart hit since “Missing You” back in November 1988.
35. James – “Sit Down”
James are now sitting down as they are sixteen places lower this week with their biggest hit so far, and it looks like their last for now.
34. Curve – “Coast Is Clear”
British band Curve formed last year and released their debut EP, “Blindfold”, earlier this year. This is the follow up single and it gives them their first top 40 entry today!
33. Siouxsie and The Banshees – “Kiss Them For Me”
We welcome back Siouxsie Su and her Banshees to the UK chart this week with a brand new single! Like Chris De Burgh, we last saw these guys back in 1988 with the single, “Peek A Boo”.
32. Quadrophonia – “Quadrophonia”
The self-titled debut single from Quadrophonia drops ten places this week, having amassed six weeks on the chart.
31. Technotronic – “Move That Body”
There’s a new entry for Technotronic this week with their first release of 1991 after fifteen months on non-stop hits from 1989 to late last year. ‘Get up’ and get ready for another big hit from this lot!
30. Wilson Phillips – “You’re In Love”
Slipping back one place this week are Wilson Phillips with their latest track, which has become their third US chart topper out of four singles released.
29. Simple Minds – “See The Lights”
There’s a new entry for Simple Minds with the second single from their new album, “Real Life”, the follow up to February’s “Let There Be Love”.
28. Queen – “Headlong”
And Queen are back too with the third single from this year’s album, “Innuendo”, that follows on from “I’m Going Slightly Mad”.
27. De La Soul – “Ring Ring Ring”
De La Soul’s new album is out here next week while the lead single falls eleven places and out of the top twenty this week.
26. Michael Bolton – “Love Is A Wonderful Thing”
It may be a wonderful thing but Michael Bolton‘s latest single has found the peak of love as he drops back three places this week.
25. Chesney Hawkes – “The One And Only”
Falling a bit farther is the former number one from Chesney Hawkes, who goes down fourteen places, but registers three months on the chart with it.
24. Frances Nero – “Footsteps Following Me”
Frances Nero leaves the top twenty as well with her chart comeback as she drops six places and out of the upper tier.
23. Deacon Blue – “Your Swaying Arms”
Deacon Blue are back with a new entry and new music as well with their third studio album coming very soon. This is the lead single and it gives them a straight run of top 40 successes now spanning four years.
22. Electronic – “Get The Message”
Electronic‘s debut album is out in two weeks time with their current single leaving the top ten and the top twenty this wee as they drop thirteen places.
21. Nomad – “Just A Groove”
Nomad just leave the upper half of the chart with their current single as they fall four places and out after two weeks in.
20. T’Pau – “Whenever You Need Me”
T’Pau came back to the singles chart last week after two years away. Their brand new single is up eleven places this week and it gives them their first top twenty entry since September 1988.
19. Seal – “Future Love” EP
Seal‘s EP ahead of his debut album manages to stay top twenty, despite a fall of six places this week, his self-titled debut is out in seven days time.
18. The Wonder Stuff – “Caught In My Shadow”
Coming back quickly after they sized the cow up are Stourbridge’s finest, The Wonder Stuff with a second taste of their upcoming third album, which is this week’s highest new entry!
17. Jason Donovan – “RSVP”
Jason Donovan came back with new music last week and with a climb of eight places, he returns to the top twenty for the tenth time in his career to date.
16. Blur – “There’s No Other Way”
Blur have only known of going up these past three weeks, but against the title of their first top 40 hit, there are other ways as well, such as down, eight places and out of the top ten!
15. T99 – “Anasthasia”
Producers T99’s debut single is down one place this week after such a promising start.
14. Roxette – “Fading Like A Flower”
And also going down are last week’s highest climbers, Roxette, with the second single from “Joyride”, which drops back two places.
13. REM – “Shiny Happy People”
I am sure REM will very much be shiny happy people this week when they learn they are the highest climber of twenty two places, which also gives them their highest UK chart placing to date!
12. New Kids On The Block – “Call It What You Want”
Another of last week’s new entry’s making good progress is the latest from New Kids On The Block, which is up eight places, hoping for another top ten hit this time next week.
11. Dannii Minogue – “Success”
And in keeping with the current theme, Dannii Minogue got her second new entry last week and shoots up ten places seven days later and she will also be hoping for another top ten hit on next week’s chart.
10. Zucchero and Paul Young – “Senza Una Donna”
Zucchero and Paul Young get another week in the top ten, as they drop three places with Zucchero’s first ever and Paul Young’s biggest for eight years.
9. Amy Grant – “Baby Baby”
It’s been a fantastic week for Amy Grant. Her former US number one rockets up seventeen places and into the UK top ten as her first ever chart hit here eyes up the double…
8. OMD – “Sailing On The Seven Seas”
OMD’s first UK chart hit of the decade has been top ten for five weeks now. This week they fall four places with a song that’s top ten on the US dance chart now.
7. Color Me Badd – “I Wanna Sex You Up”
Keeping with the US theme, new US boy band Color Me Badd entered the UK chart last week with their debut single and it’s been a great week for them in week two as they go top ten here with a climb of twenty places.
6. Cathy Dennis – “Touch Me (All Night Long)”
British singer Cathy Dennis is also proving a success across the Atlantic where this song has made No.2 over there and topped the dance chart. Back home, she drops back one place and out of the top five.
5. Soft Cell – “Tainted Love ’91”
Taking her place are Soft Cell with the reboot of their 1981 number one which came onto the chart last week and moves up five places.
4. The KLF – “Last Train To Trancentral”
The KLF have been sitting in second place for two weeks now but not anymore as their latest single is down two places as they leave Transcentral for the journey home.
3. Beverely Craven – “Promise Me”
Britian’s Beverely Craven‘s debut single climbs ever higher doing much better this time around as she climbs three places and into the top three.
2. Crystal Waters – “Gypsy Woman”
US singer Crystal Waters made a bold entrance as last week’s highest new entry with her debut single last week and climbs one more place with her US dance chart topper, seeking a higher position next week…
1. Cher – “The Shoop Shoop Song”
For this week, it’s Cher that takes the prize for the biggest seller for the fourth week running with her version of Betty Everett’s 1963 original from the film ‘Mermaids’. But can she follow Chesney and make it five, or will Crystal Waters, Beverley Craven or Soft Cell push her out of the way? There’s only one way to find out…
Make sure you come back in seven days time for next weeks chart!