Thirty years ago: UK Top 40 Singles Chart for Sunday 26th 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 20th to Saturday 25th 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 eleven new entrys, eight climbers and four non-movers! And it was announced like this…
40. Michael Bolton – “Love Is A Wonderful Thing”
Michael Bolton has been on the chart six weeks time with this, his brand new single, which falls fourteen places this week.
39. Kirsty MacColl – “Walking Down Madison”
There’s new music from Kirsty MacColl next as she returns to the chart. She last accompanied the Happy Mondays on their “Hallelujah” EP in late 1989 and prior to that, on her own in the Summer of ’89 with “Days”.
38. Nomad – “Just A Groove”
Nomad’s latest offering has racked up five weeks on the top 40 and manages to keep in there with a fall of seventeen places this week.
37. Salt-N-Pepa – “Do You Want Me?”
There’s another chart comeback next, this time for Salt-N-Pepa and we haven’t seen this duo since December 1988 when they achieved their third consecutive UK chart hit that year. They are back with new music and this is the first cut from their upcoming second album.
36. Kenny Thomas – “Thinking About Your Love”
Kenny Thomas‘ chart comeback has been less of a wait, just a few weeks for him, as he gets his second top 40 entry with the follow up to “Outstanding”.
35. Harry Connick Jnr. – “It Had To Be You”
American pianist, musician and sometime actor Harry Connick Jnr. has never had a UK chart hit single but breaks that trend this week with his version of the Isham Jones classic that was written WAY back in 1924 and has been recorded by the likes of Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly to name but a few.
34. Little Angels – “Young Gods”
Little Angels are back with their second chart entry of 1991. This is the follow up to “Product Of The Working Class” and the third single from their current third, self-titled studio album.
33. Electronic – “Get The Message”
Electronic‘s single ahead of their upcoming debut album has been top 40 for six weeks and drops eleven places, seven days on.
32. Siouxsie and The Banshees – “Kiss Them For Me”
Siouxsie and The Banshees made their first chart appearance of the 90’s last week with this new, original number, which moves up just one place in week two.
31. Seal – “Future Love” EP
Seal‘s debut album goes straight into the top of the album chart this week, which features the song “Future Love Paradise”. That falls twelve places this week, along with the rest of the EP.
30. Frances Nero – “Footsteps Following Me”
Frances Nero’s chart comeback after two decades away has been a reasonable success. She falls six places this week, in her seventh week all told.
29. The Doors – “Light My Fire”
Going back to the 1960’s now, US band The Doors topped the American chart and made No.7 here in 1967 with their second single, which gains a re-issue following a new film that’s out about the band. It’s also their first UK chart hit for twenty years!
28. Sonia – “Only Fools (Never Fall In Love)”
Sonia is back for 1991 with new music and she’s moved away from Stock Aitken Waterman for a new album of songs, of which, this is the first, and it’s co-written by Brotherhood Of Man songwriter, Tony Hiller!
27. Kraftwerk – “The Robots”
Pioneer German act Kraftwerk had a number one here in the UK, ten years ago with “The Model”. They’ve released two albums since then and have a new one coming out next month, from which the least single gives them their first top 40 entry for eight years.
26. Blur – “There’s No Other Way”
UK band Blur leave the top twenty for the very first time as they go down ten places with their first charting single ever.
25. Pop Will Eat Itself – “92 Degrees”
Pop Will Eat Itself come back with a new entry, the fourth from last year’s “Cure For Sanity” album and the fourth to make the top 40!
24. T99 – “Anasthasia”
T99 drop nine places with their debut single, having been in the upper half of the chart for half the time they’ve been in the top 40 altogether.
23. Deacon Blue – “Your Swaying Arms”
Deacon Blue came back last week with new music ahead of their third studio album, but unlike their last, this one is a non-mover, staying, not swaying, in week two!
22. Jason Donovan – “RSVP”
Jason Donovan‘s latest and newest single put him back in the top twenty for the first time since last August, last week, but after just one week, he drops back five places.
21. MC Hammer – “Yo Sweetness”
It’s Hammer time…again! The MC is back with a new entry and the fifth single from his album, “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em”. The last four made the top twenty, so can this join them…?
20. Simple Minds – “See The Lights”
The second single from Simple Minds brand new album came onto the chart last week and goes up nine places and into the upper half of the chart this week.
19. Roxette – “Fading Like A Flower”
Per and Marie descend five places with the second single from their latest album, “Joyride”, which has been top twenty for three weeks now.
18. The Wonder Stuff – “Caught In My Shadow”
Last week’s highest new entry came from The Wonder Stuff with the follow up to their very first top ten hit, but like Deacon Blue, frustration kicks in as they also do nothing in week two and get a non-mover.
17. New Kids On The Block – “Call It What You Want”
One thing we can call New Kids On The Block‘s latest single, is NOT a top ten hit, as they fall five places, having not achieved a ninth UK hit single in that part of the chart!
16. T’Pau – “Whenever You Need Me”
T’Pau are feeling very pleased with themselves as they continue to go up the chart. Four places this week, which gives them their highest charting single since “I Will Be With You” in July 1988.
15. Zucchero and Paul Young – “Senza Una Donna”
Zucchero and Paul Young’s joint effort has been a resounding success with two whole months now on the chart as they leave the top ten, down five places.
14. Queen – “Headlong”
It’s been a very good week for Queen with the third single from “Innuendo”, which entered the chart last week and goes up fourteen places.
13. OMD – “Sailing On The Seven Seas”
OMD’s chart comeback has also been greatly received and registers eight weeks on the chart as well this week. They also leave the top ten, down five places.
12. Technotronic – “Move That Body”
Technotronic brought new music to the chart last week and like their debut release back in 1989, they are this week’s highest climber of nineteen places!
11. Dannii Minogue – “Success”
Dannii Minogue‘s second single gained ‘success’ last week with a climb of ten places, but goes no further as she stalls outside the top ten for a second week running.
10. Kylie Minogue – “Shocked”
Interestingly, it’s big sis Kylie who comes next as she returns to the chart with this week’s highest new entry and the fourth single from her album, “Rhythm Of Love“, which makes 13 UK top ten hits in a row at the same time!
9. REM – “Shiny Happy People”
Last week’s highest climber from REM is up four places to give the US band their very first UK top ten hit!
8. Cathy Dennis – “Touch Me (All Night Long)”
Britain’s Cathy Dennis has had a big top ten hit Stateside on both the singles and Dance chart with this song, which is down two places here, this week.
7. The KLF – “Last Train To Transcentral”
The KLF‘s third consecutive top ten hit is down three this week as they leave the top five in their fifth week on the chart.
6. Soft Cell – “Tainted Love ’91”
Also dropping out of the top five is the new version of Soft Cell’s former chart topper, which slips back one place this week.
5. Amy Grant – “Baby Baby”
Former US chart topper Amy Grant continues to edge ever closer to the top spot here with this single as she climbs four places and into the top three.
4. Beverley Craven – “Promise Me”
While Britain’s Beverely Craven drops back one place with her debut single. Her self-titled debut album was released last year but did nothing back then, but you will find it has returned at No.3 this week!
3. Crystal Waters – “Gypsy Woman”
American singer Crystal Waters dance chart topper was last week’s challenger to be number one here, but it doesn’t look as if she will replicate her success on the commercial sales chart as she falls back one place to where she came in, two weeks go.
2. Color Me Badd – “I Wanna Sex You Up”
American boy band Color Me Badd reached No.2 with this, their debut single last month back home and mirror that in the UK this week with a climb of five places.
1. Cher – “The Shoop Shoop Song”
But, for the FIFTH week running, Cher remains dominant as the best seller of all and the second artist this year to achieve five weeks on top. But can she make it a sixth, or will Color Me Badd, Amy Grant or someone else knock her off? There’s only one way to find out…
Make sure you come back in seven days time for next weeks chart!
Follow the latest ‘rewind’ chart below, click here to read about previous weeks or go old school and get the book.
Talk About Pop Music 