The Guardian are currently listing the best-ever UK number one singles, with today’s entry, number 12, being Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor. But what do you think will be number one? Fancy a prediction? Care to try your hand at a top three, perhaps? With fingers crossed that these haven’t been mentioned already (I don’t *think* so) I’ll kick off with…
1. Two Tribes
2. Ghost Town
3. Going Underground
I can’t help but feel the Guardian will want something a bit more modern in there, though…
https://www.theguardian.com/music/series/the-100-greatest-uk-no-1-singles
Gary says
Going Underground is at number 39. Frankie Goes To Hollywood are at number 13 (the rules state only one song per artist). Winner’s gonna be The Beatles, innit? Always bleedin’ is. Or John Lennon’s Imagine. Or Oasis and Wonderwall. (Having said that, I don’t know if Imagine or Wonderwall got to number 1).
Here’s the list so far:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/27/the-100-greatest-uk-no-1s
dai says
Imagine did (after his death), Wonderwall didn’t.
Bo Rhap?
fentonsteve says
You’ve seen what happens when you let the public loose on a vote.
It’ll be Bo Rap, surely? Or Dancing Queen.
Gary says
Bo Rap at 46. I don’t think this is the public. I think it’s just journos.
Edit: Yep, says on article “our team of critics”.
fentonsteve says
Thank goodness for that!
Gary says
So, Beatles it is then. But which one? And what’ll be at number 2? I’d say Ghost Town, as Leicester predicts, is a strong contender for the coveted number 2 spot.
dai says
Their best single didn’t get to no. 1. So I guess Hey Jude, if the charm of that one has worn out then an early one, She Loves You probably.
Mrbellows says
You mean like a referendum?🦹♀️
Mr__Hump says
It’s The Grauniad, so whatever the list is Fleabag will get the top spot.
Leicester Bangs says
Oops. So no Two Tribes then (which is WAY better than Relax, FFS), and no Going Underground. Hence…
1. Ghost Town
2. Vienna
3. Band Aid
dai says
No. Vienna was kept off the top slot by:
a) John Lennon
b) Joe Dolce
Diddley Farquar says
Ashes To Ashes would be my choice and maybe theirs. If not they are clearly wrong.
Gary says
Bowie’s already in there with Let’s Dance at number something-or-other.
Diddley Farquar says
Also great I suppose. Ok I’ve read it now.
I Feel Love should be quite high. What about Abba? Winner Takes It All or Dancing Queen?
Martin Hairnet says
Never felt the love for Dancing Queen. It’s always seemed a bit too slow, and lacks the Abba theatrics on full display in Winner Takes it All. There were some great singles in 1980. Mind you, that single’s cover is nothing to shout about. Take a peek if you dare.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Winner_Takes_It_All
Martin Hairnet says
Picking Let’s Dance ahead of Ashes to Ashes is so wrong I’ve lost all confidence in this poll. If I’m honest I can’t stand Let’s Dance. Too jolty and shouty with the rolling brass sound adding an unpleasant sea-sickness quality. I’m always glad when it’s over. Ashes to Ashes, on the other hand, might be the most perfect piece of pop weirdness ever to reach 45rpm. It stands alone, and deserves to be celebrated.
Uncle Wheaty says
Couldn’t agree more.
Ashes to Ashes was so ahead of its time. Let’s Dance, though a great song, was 80’s throw away pop by comparison
dai says
Love them both, I think Let’s Dance had more impact though as a no. 1 which seems to be important in this poll.
Tiggerlion says
1. Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane
2. God Save The Queen
3. Je t’Aime
Gary says
But, as Dai pointed out (I think), Strawberry Fields wasn’t a number one. Am I the only one paying attention here?
dai says
Famously not. But he knows that I think as God Save the Queen didn’t make it either.
Tiggerlion says
And Je T’Aime was banned.
Gary says
So you were just responding in jest? As though this were a laughing matter? May I remind you… etc. etc.
Tiggerlion says
Before I clicked on the link I thought you lot were talking b*ll*cks as usual.
😃
Sewer Robot says
Have they already had Heart Of Glass and Don’t You Want Me? I’d say Ghost Town is in with a shout, what with being The Guardian and – as mentioned – Strawberry/Penny not being numero uno..
*edit* found the list so not HOG.
I’m lumping on
3. Firestarter
2. Don’t You Want Me?
1. Ghost Town
Freddy Steady says
Wuthering Heights ?
Edit @dai
Sorry yes, memo to self. Check before thinking you’re smart.
dai says
Already in there check link above.
dai says
Strange list.
Arthur Cowslip says
It has to be the Beatles. I’m going to stick my neck out and say that I can sense a cultural shift recently favouring the early moptop sound over the later rock stuff. So I say it won’t be Hey Jude or anything like that.
I say:
She Loves You.
It was the match that lit sixties pop, wasn’t it? And cemented that “yeah, yeah, yeah” refrain and beat sound, etc etc etc.
slotbadger says
@Arthur I doubt The Grauniad would elect, as their number one single, a group of white cis-male singers with their typically-privileged patriarchal account of an incident, where a vagina-owner’s emotional attitude is being assumed on their behalf? Over music and vocal stylings culturally appropriated from POC performers and musicians? 😉
Chrisf says
1. Brotherhood Of Man / Save Your Kisses For Me
2. Clive Dunn / Grandad
3. Tight Fit / Lion Sleeps Tonight
In all seriousness, my guess of the most likely would be…
Band Aid
Beatles / She Loves You
Ghost Town
Although there could be chance for Another Brick In The Wall or the two mega weeks at no1 from the 90s – Bryan Adams / The Wets
Rigid Digit says
The lyrical wonder of No Limits by 2Unlimited must be a contender, shirley
dai says
“There’s No Lyrics by 2Untalented”
Leedsboy says
1. Ghost Town
2. Lose Yourself
3. Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick
Gary says
Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick is at number 18.
I’m not being paid for this, you know.
Leedsboy says
Well that’s wrong. But I’m just pleased to have got one in the 100. I’m not very good at this cool stuff.
Barry Blue says
It’s The Guardian. Heterosexual (whatever Bob Wooler might have said) men are unlikely to win. Ghost Town has to be close, though, nonetheless. I suspect I Feel Love by Donna Summer will be there or thereabouts.
Sewer Robot says
A lady, and not necessarily Caucasian, you say?
Wottabout Queen Beyoncé, and her blerk with Crazy In Love?
Lemonhope says
Its already in the list
deramdaze says
Got a dim view on journalists, got a dim view on the great unwashed!
Seriously though, when Mojo did a Greatest Singles list (in the late 1990s?), the readers’ list was much better than the “experts'” list.
Lemonhope says
Beatles
Abba
Human League
Specials
Pet Shop Boys
Michael Jackson
Oasis
Radiohead
Girls Aloud
Pharell Williams
Adam & The Ants
Culture Club
Prodigy
The Beach Boys – are all in with a shout at the top ten I’d say
Lemonhope says
Marvin Gaye/Grapevine
Lemonhope says
MARRS/Pump Up The Volume
Lemonhope says
Madness/House Of Fun
duco01 says
Re Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard it through the Grapevine”
Yes – this is certain to be among the top few singles.
dai says
What no. 1 did Radiohead have?
Tiggerlion says
None. But, you knew that already, didn’t you.
Diddley Farquar says
I was going to say Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box but I’ve jusr checked and apparently it was kept off the top spot by Joe Dolce.
Davidg says
My guess for the top three, in no particular order, is ‘She Loves You’, ‘Ghost Town’ and something like ‘Uptown Funk’ or ‘Get Lucky’.
retropath2 says
Mull of Kintyre?
Disclaimer: this may be possibly considered trolling.
Lemonhope says
Outsiders –
Blur
Boomtown Rats
Clash
Cornershop
Creedence
Lonnie Donegan
Drake
Fugees
Soul II Soul
Gnarls Barkley
Cee Lo Green
Supremes
Monkees
New Order
Amy Winehouse
Mark Ronson
Stormzy
dai says
If you name every single one you will be correct.
Sewer Robot says
DIS Generation
Rules The Nation
With Veeeerrrrrrrsszzzzzzhun!!!!!!
Uncle Wheaty says
Bloody lefties!
Timbar says
As with all of these things, who are you asking & how do you define “greatest?”
The blurb says it’s only 3 critics, not based on “sales or longevity” but those “we as critics, fans and lifetime listeners think are the most brilliant songs to top the UK charts.”
Yes, it’s designed to get lots of comments, arguments, and follow up articles but it’s just the opinion of 3 people.
Uncle Wheaty says
Those three people will clearly be wrong in the view of everyone here.
The correct answer is Wuthering Heights.
Rigid Digit says
If left to the British public (or civilians): Bohemain Rhaposdy, Hey Jude, or Imagine
My Generation
Ballroom Blitz
God Save The Queen
Strawberry Field / Penny Lane
Vienna
Gary says
Great choices. I’d add Louisiana Rain by Tom Petty and Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt).
Black Celebration says
Jase from Accounts writes :
THIS LISTS R BULLSHT !!! CANDLE IN THE WINH WAs NUMBER 1 FOR EVA AND WAS ABOUT PRICESS DI WHO WILL ALWAYS BE QUEEN OF ARE HEARTS JASE
fentonsteve says
That reminds me, I was once in McDonald’s in Harlow. Look, don’t judge me – I’d nipped into town at lunchtime to buy the new Kate Bush LP (it would have been The Red Shoes) and time was short. Anyhow…
I was in the queue, it was busy and things were going slowly at the counter. A young man in a shell suit and baseball cap ahead of me was being served a small mountain of ground meat, processed cheese, and fries.
The door opened and his fragrant lady, similarly attired, loudly provided encouragement to the young gentleman (and to the whole establishment):
“URRY UP, DARREN, I’M DYIN’ FOR A DUMP!”
duco01 says
1. Nice to see Althea and Donna holding down the coveted No.31 spot.
2. Erm … have we had a Slade single yet?
Tiggerlion says
Merry Christmas!
SteveT says
Althea and Donna should be way higher than that – one of my favourite singles.
Blue Boy says
Haven’t had The Beatles or The Who yet, and I agree re the Fabs – it’ll be an early one.
And Cee lo Green’s Forget You will be up there I reckon
dai says
The Who never had a no. 1 either.
Blue Boy says
Ah, true. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys was, though, so I’ll say that’s bound to be top 3
Blue Boy says
Wrong again
Rigid Digit says
No Shakin Stevens either – I is miffed. The best selling solo artist of the 80s absent.
Tiggerlion says
Don’t tell me. Hot Chocolate.
Rigid Digit says
The Chocs (as no-one calls them) did manage a hit single for every year of the 70s (in fact they kept it going until 1984)
Tiggerlion says
Cuh. My memory is obviously failing. In my head they were the same decade as Shakin’. Wait. Wasn’t he Seventies too?
Rigid Digit says
70s with The Sunsets, and no success. He landed a part as Elvis in the touring musical, appeared on Blue Peter, and signed to Epic. A wobbling double denim legend was born
deramdaze says
Does rather hammer home the idea of selective memory.
Shakin’ Steven (4 no. 1s), Bucks Fizz (3 no. 1s), Adam Ant (3 no. 1s), Boy George/Culture Club (3 no. 1s), Duran (2 no.1s) are presumably going to be side-lined/shut out completely by more (supposed) hip acts who they outsold 25-1!
Why?
Because the NME told them to.
Mercifully, such received doctrine didn’t exist in the 50s and 60s.
Still, it passes the time.
Black Celebration says
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Wham! or George Michael song, I’m not a fan, but the songs have aged well I think compared to the acts named above.
Gary says
I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t at number 27.
Black Celebration says
The Sunsetz if I remember correctly. I saw him/them on TV enough times to have heard of him when he started to have hits.
duco01 says
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” by the Righteous Brothers is 100% guaranteed to be in the Top 11.
Bogart says
Has to be Alice Cooper – School’s Out, epitomises what a chart record should be, teen friendly, sarky rebellious lyrics, caused outrage in the parents, catchy whistle-able tune.
dai says
Stones – Satisfaction
Gary says
26
Black Celebration says
I don’t like the song very much but would Under Pressure be in the top 10 as well as Bo Rap given that Queen and David Bowie is a different artist to (just) Queen and (just) David Bowie?
Also David Bowie and Bing Crobsy for Littke Drummer Boy could also qualify. Little known fact that it was meant to be on Low but someone made a mistake on the Master tape and substituted it with Subterraneans. David and Bing were livid!
dai says
I doubt it and their Christmas offering was not a no. 1
Black Type says
Bing was very Crobsy indeed. 😉
Mrbellows says
I’m voting for the Wurzels.
Kaisfatdad says
It won’t be anything by Jackie Trent. She’s bubbling under at number
I think it is a wonderfully eccentric list with lots of outsiders: tAtU, Black Box, Lieutenant Pigeon…They obviously had fun putting it together,
More Jackie? My pleasure
My money is on Al Bowlly
Or of course the timeless beauty of Acker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore.
Mrbellows says
What is it with the brits and their lists? Are they responsible for Litz mania?
Gary says
Lists are the 27th best thing ever! Just between gravy, at 26, and meerkats, at 28.
duco01 says
I don’t see Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” in the list so far. Therefore it’s bound to be in the Top 11.
Leicester Bangs says
Number 11 is in, and it’s….
Good Vibrations!
Funny, I’m sure I can remember Mojo magazine calling GV the best single ever. Not just the best number one, the best single.
Timbar says
Wasn’t that a bit of a fudge?
Strawberry Fields actually polled more, but they were able to get a cover mount CD of Good Vibrations, an interview with Brian Wilson…and a recount of the results!
Morrison says
It’s going to have to be The Real Thing’s “You to me are everything.” Best #1 record ever.
Gary says
Oh baby
eddie g says
None of my favourite singles ever made number one. In fact most of them hardly troubled the Top 40.
Tiggerlion says
Bridge Over Troubled Water must be a dead cert for top ten.
Gary says
Or for number 45, depending on whether you read the list or not.
Tiggerlion says
Do you know the list off by heart?
Swot!
Gary says
☝🏻Mods! ☝🏻
rexbrough says
Like other hear I’m not a fan of No. 1 singles, grammy winning albums or oscar winnng films. That said, I’d find it amusing if the Grauniad put this one at the top. The Below the Line comments would be nuclear.
Jackthebiscuit says
The fabs – I wanna hold your hand?
dai says
Has Joe Dolce showed up in the list yet? Or Stars on 45?
SteveT says
I am going for Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.
fentonsteve says
Hamper for Leicester!
Gary says
Though his policing of this thread and enforcing of its notional rules has been a little lax to my mind, frankly, if I might say so.
Martin Hairnet says
Hamper provision has been outsourced to Serco (it’s the times we’re living in) so don’t expect a genuine wicker basket. More likely a few Dairylea triangles in a Ziploc bag. But it’s the thought that counts.
Native says
Think West End Girls or It’s A Sin will make top ten.
Apologies if I’ve missed it, but not seen a shout out for Don’t You Want Me by Human League – got to be a contender?
Sewer Robot says
Is this thing on? See above, my friend. My three are still in play and, if the bookies weren’t all shut, I’d be expecting to retire early on my winnings…
Skirky says
Good work @Native !
Declan says
I’m tipping these 10 nuggets:
Grapevine
Heartbreak Hotel
Lovin’ Feeling
Knowing Me
I Feel Love
Ghost Town
Queen Boh. Rap.
Walker Bros. Sun
Beatles’ Hand
Be Lucky
Gary says
Care to wager a little dosh? I’ll give you odds of 1,000 to 1 on Heartbreak Hotel, Boh Rap, Walker Bros. Sun and Be Lucky (sic) not being in the top ten. No maximum bet. Stake your house if you want. 1000 to 1. You could win a fortune.
Tiggerlion says
Heartbreak hotel didn’t make number 1 in the UK
Gary says
Shush.
Declan says
Will you look at that, Elvis only made #2. It’s a fair cop, guv, society’s to blame..
Get Lucky might well though, to represent the, ahem, post-noughties. The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore, yeah, unlikely. When’s the last time you heard it? What a tune, what a production.
Okay, Lose Yourself for Elvis.
😉
Gary says
Get Lucky is already at number something or other, As are The Walker Brothers (no double entries allowed.)
deramdaze says
When Elvis carved up the U.K. charts in 2005 (the record company didn’t check to see how few sales were needed to get a no. 1 in 2005!), it was apparent that quite a few of his original no. 1s were his more M.O.R. releases.
No Blue Suede Shoes, no Hound Dog, no King Creole, no Guitar Man, no In The Ghetto; plenty of It’s Now or Never, Are You Lonesome Night, Wooden Heart, Crying in the Chapel and The Wonder of You.
A core group of his fan base wanted Frank Sinatra Elvis rather than Little Richard Elvis.
Strange choice.
duco01 says
OK, I’ll have a go at tipping those 10 nuggets, too. How frustrating that we have to wait until Monday morning for the Grauniad to unveil the No. 10 single.
So … in no particular order:
The Specials – Ghost Town. We’re all agreed on this one.
A Beatles single. Probably one of the early ones. Say “She Loves You”.
Marvin Gaye – I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Again, this is absolute cert.
Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. A prime slice of Phil Spector.
An ABBA single. Probably Dancing Queen, although it wouldn’t be my personal choice.
Human League – Don’t you Want Me. Well, it hasn’t been among nos 100 to 11, so it must be in the Top 10.
Donna Summer – I Feel Love. A classic disco single.
Right, so the above seven singles are all nailed-on certainties for the top 10.
The remaining three might come from these six records…
Jimi Hendrix Experience – Voodoo Child/Chile. Surely they can’t leave Hendrix out? Maybe they can….
Otis Redding – (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay. Well, it would be in my 10, anyway.
A Pet Shop Boys single. Maybe “West End Girls”, because it was their first.
A Michael Jackson single – probably Billie Jean
Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
Prodigy – Firestarter
OK, if you twist my arm, then I’ll go for Gnarls Barkley, the Pet Shop Boys and Michael Jackson to fill the final three places.
What a pity there wasn’t any room for St. Winifred’s School Choir, Clive Dunn, Telly Savalas, and Isla St. Clair.
Gary says
Most sensibly informed comment on this thread. Words cannot adequately express my unbridled esteem.
Tiggerlion says
I think the clue is in the heading. These are UK number ones. That doesn’t mean the acts have to be British, just the impact on UK society has to be, erm, what’s the word?, noticeable.
I’m at a distinct disadvantage because I haven’t read the article. Somewhat unusually, Gary hasn’t just glanced at the OP, he’s devoured it and paid close attention to the detail in the link provided.
Much as I love your top ten, Robson and Green are more likely than The Righteous Brothers. I can’t see Otis getting in either.
Bohemian Rhapsody must be a shoe-in, though.
dai says
Can’t see Hendrix getting in with that one. Better tracks from him didn’t make number 1.
Mike_H says
This is The Guardian’s top ten, don’t forget. At least one, possibly more, will be by black artists.
dai says
Strange comment
Blue Boy says
Pardon?
Black Type says
Black Artists Matter.
duco01 says
Welll … the Guardian’s Number 10 best No.1 single has just been revealed.
And it’s one that we all called: Marvin Gaye’s I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
Originally a Gladys Knight song, of course.
Tiggerlion says
Originally a song for The Miracles. They recorded it first in 1966 but their version was only released as an album track in 1968.
count jim moriarty says
The usual Motown method. Quite a few acts would have a go at a song, and Berry Gordy would decide which to get behind.
duco01 says
Hmmm … I’ve just realised that New Order’s “Blue Monday” hasn’t appeared in nos 100-10 of the chart. That could be a contender….
And what of Band Aid’s “Do They know It’s Christmas?”
Gatz says
I don’t think Blue Monday was ever top of the official charts.
duco01 says
1. Re: chart position of Blue Monday.
You are of course correct, Gatz. I “checked” on Wikipedia, but accidentally checked the Indie Chart placing instead.
2. We haven’t had Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me” yet. that could be in with a shout…
duco01 says
Okay … the Guardian have just revealed no.9, and it’s another one that most people correctly predicted.
It’s the inevitable ABBA single, and they’ve gone, not surprisingly, for Dancing Queen.
Did I ever tell you about that time in 1998 when I bumped into Benny Andersson outside Hasselbacken restaurant in Stockholm?
yorkio says
That’s not by any chance the place that gave its name to Hasselback potatoes, is it?
duco01 says
It most certainly is, Mr Yorkio, sir.
Hasselbacken is on the island of Djurgården in Stockholm, not far from the Skansen open-air museum, should you find yourself in the Swedish capital at any point in the future.
Hasselback potatoes. All those thinly sliced bits. Nice.
yorkio says
Mmmmm. That’s one to add to my Trip Advisor places I want to visit list.
I think I always just assumed they were American and named after an anglicised version of a German name, or something.
Sniffity says
If they smell of cordite and have tank tracks running over them, they’re Sven Hasselback potatoes.
Skirky says
This story should end “…so I said ‘What are you doing here, Benny?’ and he replied ‘Well, have you seen the queue for Nando’s?’”
duco01 says
Okay … the Guardian have just revealed no.8, and it’s a single that was exclusively predicted by Sewer Robot six days ago, namely The Prodigy’s “Firestarter”.
Hmmm … quite a few classic singles are jostling for those Top 7 positions….
count jim moriarty says
The Prodigy…
Hopefully the rest of the list will bear some resemblance to music…
Sewer Robot says
Nice to get a name check, but Ver Prodge at 8 means my forecast is up in smoke!
NigelT says
If it’s going to be one from the Fabs, then I Want To Hold Your Hand must be a strong contender. It wouldn’t necessarily be my choice (Day Tripper/We Can Work Out probably), but the impact that record had home and abroad was extraordinary. Having said all that, the civilian choice would be Hey Jude….after all, they are the HJHs…
duco01 says
Okay … the Guardian have just revealed no.7, and it’s a single that Native, Sewer Robot and I all plumped for in our predictions, namely “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League.
A few years ago at a birthday party here in Stockholm, I was chatting for about 15 minutes to a woman from Sheffield. It was only later that someone told me that the lady in question was Joanne Catherall. Incredible!
Kaisfatdad says
Now that is incredible, Duke. You are my go-to guy for salacious showbiz gossip, so I am astonished you missed that. Didn’t you begin to suspect something when she mentioned her previous job at a cocktail bar??
Tiggerlion says
Did you see her dance?
Sewer Robot says
Wasn’t it Suzanne who sang about working as a waitress?
Unless I missed it, we’ve had no Michael Jackson or Gary Glitter yet… (*gulp*)
duco01 says
You’re right. we’ve had no Michael Jackson or Gary Glitter yet.
As I wrote a few days ago, I’m pretty sure that Jackson will figure in the Top 6 (with Billie Jean).
But not Glitter.
Sewer Robot says
Yes, the failure of the J 5 to have a U.K. number one nixes the easy way out and means The Guardian must bite the Jacko bullet, but I’m surprised the “funk of forty thousand allegations” didn’t have a similar tumble-down-the-chart-to-a-less-conspicuous-spot effect to the one Mozzer’s little Englander turn has had on The Smiths’ albums in our own poll. Hard to believe we’re more sniffy than the G…
duco01 says
One person on the Guardian BTL comments today sums up the situation nicely, with only 6 spots to go. He/she writes thus:
“By my reckoning, you still have yet to include:
1. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
2. That’ll Be the Day by Buddy Holly and the Crickets
3. You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers
4. Ghost Town by The Specials
5. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
6. A single by The Beatles
7. Every Breath You Take by The Police
8. I Feel Love by Donna Summer
9. West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
10. Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd
11. Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson
12. Baby Love by the Supremes”
Only 6 out of those 12 can make it. It’s clear from that list that some really big/popular/significant singles are going to miss out completely.
Personally, I’d say that nos 7 and 10 in that list are a little unlikely, but that still leaves another 4 that won’t even merit a place in the Top 100, according to the Guardian.
No.5 will be revealed sometime after 9 a.m. UK time tomorrow…
Kaisfatdad says
I am impressed @Sewer Robot. I was fuzzy about the facts, as always When it comes to pop music trivia, you are in a different league to me.
Sewer Robot says
I think you’ll find that’s pretty lady trivia KFD.
Mind, anyone who knows me will tell you I’m no expert in that area…
Tiggerlion says
Yes she was a waitress but the girls were famous for their dancing once they joined The Human League.
Black Celebration says
Billie Jean is at number 6. Still room for Shaky!
duco01 says
Yeah – and still room for “The Streak” by Ray Stevens (“DON’T LOOK, ETHEL!!”).
Tiggerlion says
How about Chuck Berry? The finest songwriter Rock has ever seen, who has influenced generations of guitarists, must have had a number one in the UK.
Indeed he has. What’s the betting on My Ding-A-Ling being top five?
Have we had Band Aid yet?
duco01 says
Yes, it’s sad that My Ding-a-Ling was berry’s only UK no.1. so no Chuck in the Guardian’s top 5.
Although the Band Aid record was ‘significant’ in many ways, I still can’t see it being included in the Top 5.
We haven’t had Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a Clown” yet, either. And if that turns out not to be among the 100 best UK No.1 singles, then Smokey will have been robbed.
duco01 says
Okay … the Guardian have just revealed no.6 on the list, and sure enough, it’s Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. A great single, but my desire to listen to it has …. erm …. waned somewhat in recent years.
Only the Top 5 to go now, with number 5 being announced on Monday morning.
MC Escher says
Why don’t you want to listen to it, because of his reputation? This old argument again about separating the art from the artist, or is popular music a special case?
duco01 says
Okay … the Guardian have just revealed no.5 on the “auspicious” list of the 100 greatest UK No.1 singles, and it’s Dead or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).
I wouldn’t have guessed that in a hundred years. And, naturally, I don’t agree with it. ‘Tis a foolish choice.
Gatz says
I didn’t see that coming! Absolute banger though, as those of us old enough to dance to it at the time say.
Tiggerlion says
I agree. A banger. It is self absorbed, exciting, fizzing with sex and makes the feet itch to get on the dance floor. Although, Pete scared the shit out of me as a record salesman, he made a spellbinding frontman/mystery gender. It took 17 weeks to get to number one, getting there curtesy of word of mouth and stomp of feet in the night clubs.
Lemonhope says
Mixes very well with Blue Monday. I ‘dropped’ & indeed ‘mashed’ that twosome many times, BITD
edit – now I think of it it was usually a threesome with Two Tribes
Rigid Digit says
Lest we forget the club focussed TDF mix.
(translation: two dogs fucking – I always knew Pete Waterman had a sense of humoir)
count jim moriarty says
Can’t see any reason why this one ahead of any other track from the SAW catalogue.
fentonsteve says
It’s a level above Kylie’s The Locomotion, for sure.
What I struggle with is who, apart from those
nuttersenthusiasts on the SDE site, would want a 19CD Dead Or Alive box set. I’d stuggle to fill one greatest hits CD.retropath2 says
Ha! I bought one of those supermarket DoA “Best of” compos, a cheap way to get the one or two decent tracks put out by many an otherwise non-league band. 14 tracks with no repeats. I can hum 2 without prompting.
Barry Blue says
So, four to go. What’re we thinking? Ghost Town and I Feel Love have to be two of them, and obv the HJH…
Guiri says
West End Girls, Ghost Town, She Loves You/I Want to Hold Your Hand/Hey Jude (hedging bets there…), I Feel Love, in that order, surely. Maybe.
Dead or Alive a definite curveball but brilliant on revisiting. I’m enjoying this list.
Diddley Farquar says
Ticket To Ride, We Can Work It Out, Paperback Writer. One of these would be my preference over the above.
Jackthebiscuit says
Is uptown funk been listed yet?
I think that is my favourite number one of this century (&truth be told probably the last number one I remember).
Timbar says
I had thought “I Feel Love” for number one. It still stands out sonically. The harsh percussive synths against Donna Summer’s disco cooing leaves it still sounding contemporary in a way that most mid seventies songs don’t.
However; playing around with the average year in Excel (sum all of them & divide by 96) gives 1986.021 so second week of 1986 Pet Shop Boys “West End Girls”
The next number one was “The Sun Always Shines On TV” which reminds me we haven’t had “Take On Me” yet.
duco01 says
Well, the Guardian has announced the no.4 on its list, and it’s the oft-mentioned “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer.
Although it’s not one of my personal favourites, I can certainly recognise why people love it so, and that it was a significant, groundbreaking single.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
To the surprise of absolutely nobody I have never ever heard I Feel Love. I imagine in 1977 I was far to po-faced and serious to listen to that there “pop” music.
ps just played it and of course I have heard it but honestly I couldn’t have told you the artist, year of release etc. I may be very dull.
Tiggerlion says
I didn’t realise B sides count. Here’s the A side:
Diddley Farquar says
Flipped and reissued then became no 1. Keep up!
Tiggerlion says
Just like Yellow Submarine.
duco01 says
… and Rod’s “Maggie May” as well, I think.
dai says
Yellow Submarine was a double A side with Eleanor Rigby wasn’t it?
Sniffity says
And Boney M’s “Rivers Of Babylon”/ “Brown Girl In The Ring” IIRC
Rigid Digit says
I think that one was deliberately flipped by the record company to keep sales going
Black Celebration says
Very much an outside bet I think the White Town song “I could never be your woman” from the mid 90s was the first number one song to be done entirely on a normal PC.
Sewer Robot says
The 90 year old sample on the White Town record is prominent on the sh*t hot Dua Lipa LP, which could nudge it into the front-brain of the Guardian’s opinionistas. But I reckon – as fab as it is – White Town, like Musical Youth is just too cool for a top spot..
fentonsteve says
I met Mr Town once, he’s pals with my friend Pete.
I am available for after-dinner speeches/radio interviews/etc.
Alias says
So it’s Pistols, Clash and Sly and the Family Stone 1, 2 and 3. I’ll take that.
Tiggerlion says
Sorry to be a pedant, but only one of those acts had a UK number one, though God Save The Queen was clearly cheated.
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Alias says
You are of course right, I was confusing popularity with quality. My new prediction is that the top 3 won’t be as good as Family Affair.
fentonsteve says
I’m beginning to think whoever at the Guardian did this is wrong.
They should have asked us.
Blue Boy says
so The Beatles at 3 with She Loves You. Ghost Town and West End Girls to come?
duco01 says
Yes, definitely Ghost Town and probably the Pet Shop Boys, too.
I suppose Gnarls Barkley might still come up on the rails with a furlong to run.
My hope – Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a Clown” (wearing the sheepskin noseband) – looks like a rank outsider now.
Arthur Cowslip says
My money is on Ghost Town now.
I didn’t realise West End Girls is so highly regarded these days. I always thought of it as the “all right” single from the Pet Shop Boys before they went on to better things. I much prefer the more tuneful ones like Left To My Own Devices and What Have I Done To Deserve This.
MC Escher says
PSB are very Guardian-friendly, and probably list-compiling-reviewer friendly too. They shouldn’t be number one if it comes down to them vs “Ghost Town” though.
dai says
Nah, West End Girls is glorious. I wouldn’t place it in the top 2 ever of UK number ones though (if that’s where it indeed ends up).
Arthur Cowslip says
Damn, that was my guess for the top spot! Well at least I guessed the correct Beatles song.
SouthernExile says
I think you are on the right path there
Arthur Cowslip says
Speaking of Ghost Town, does anyone remember that Father Ted episode where there is a parish disco and the DJ forgets to bring his records. The only record he has is Ghost Town… (That sounds stupid when I write it out like that but it’s absolutely hilarious….)
Lemonhope says
Leicester Bangs says
That’s weird. I’m sure I can remember an episode of the Ralph Bates sitcom Dear John where the DJ only had Green Door by Shakin’ Stevens. He would also occasionally say ‘boogaloo’.
Rigid Digit says
Dazzling Darren
Arthur Cowslip says
The piano key lapels! Brilliant.
Rigid Digit says
TMFTL
Black Celebration says
Luckily a local act saves the day.
RobC says
I know it well. Absolutely hilarious indeed. A great scene, amongst so many.
Sewer Robot says
“..and now, let’s all stand for the national anthem…”
Tiggerlion says
I have this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that number one is going to be Do They Know It’s Christmas?
fentonsteve says
Who will give me odds on Dead Kennedys – Nazi Punks F*ck Off!
Diddley Farquar says
It’s A Sin.
Black Celebration says
That was a very exciting number one. We had established that they were good – but It’s A Sin took it to another level. Instantly memorable, impressive, confident and tuneful.
hedgepig says
It’s A Sin gives me actual goosebumps, every time. Imperial period Pet Shops are about as good as anyone gets, but It’s A Sin is something truly majestically special.
Tiggerlion says
Rent is my favourite. A bit of Bach and domestic horror. Perfect.
Black Type says
Being Boring for me…a work of art.
Arthur Cowslip says
I have that suspicion as well and I was avoiding mentioning it in case it came true.
Chrisf says
That was my call further up the thread…..
Band Aid
Beatles / She Loves You
Ghost Town
Arthur Cowslip says
You might well turn out to be the prophet of the Afterword.
Chrisf says
I’ve grown my beard and washed my robes in readiness……
duco01 says
Well, sure enough, “Ghost Town” by the Specials has claimed the silver medal in the Guardian’s chart.
An outstanding single. Almost “too good to be a UK No.1″ if you get my meaning.
The extended 12” version of the single is particularly fab.
Just one song to go…
Arthur Cowslip says
I never really rated it as a song…. I mean it’s all right, but I doubt it would even be in my top 100! I was totally unaware people held it in such high regard.
It’s definitely looking like no 1 will be West End Girls or Band Aid…..
Guiri says
Could Mr Tambourine Man surprise us? Not sure it’s been mentioned above. Would get my vote as the single greatest sound ever recorded, though also fairly happy if it’s West End Girls, but not Band Aid (not much of a ‘song’ is it)…
Arthur Cowslip says
It would be great if it was something that blindsided us all, something that no one has predicted. If we are now submitting unexpected, left-field choices that might actually be in with a chance, I have two proposals:
– Shakin’ All Over by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
– Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman
I would be happy with either of those instead of Pet Shop Boys or Band Aid!
duco01 says
[sings]
“Woh
I’m going to Barbados
Woh
Back to the palm trees
Woh
I’m going to see my girlfriend
Woh
In the sunny Caribbean sea”
And there’ll probably be an interview with Captain Tobias Wilcox in the Grauniad tomorrow, to celebrate Typically Tropical capturing the top spot …
Black Celebration says
We have marvelled at ABBA’s coldly precise EFL lyricism, but we may yet see the Goombay Dance Band take the top spot:
“…and if dreams were eagles I would fly
But they ain’t …”
deramdaze says
I know turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, but have we got the actual runners and riders who put together this pile of shite? I want to avoid them.
Was thinking about buying The Guardian’s sister paper, The Observer, more regularly, but this list is definitely going to be saving me £3.20 a week.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Number Ones are not my usual cup of tea (far too elitist for that) but given the rules of this particular game and bearing in mind we still have to see the actual Number 1 I think they have by and large made a pretty good fist of it.
And save yourself a lot more than £3.20 and get one of the Guardian/Observer digital packages – an absolute bargain and rolling news updated by the minute
Alias says
Or just look at the website for free.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
The website carefully paces itself throughout the day so you don’t get all the stories/articles at once. And also howsabout giving a few pence each month to an organisation that actually cares?
Gary says
I care.
Black Type says
It was so much cheaper in the 60s.
Native says
I hope it’s ‘West End girls’, such an unusual song – is it a pop record or a rap song? Neil Tennant has often said that he believes it was the first rap record to go to number one in the USA.
And they have released a new lockdown version in the last few days…
Sewer Robot says
People conventionally say Rapture by Blondie – although I suppose you could argue that’s a regular singy song for the first half. Cool that it got to number one in the U.S. though, as they tended to fare less well chartwise at home compared to the U.K.
Black Type says
There suddenly seems to be collective amnesia about the Queen-shaped behemoth hovering ominously over the No 1 spot.
Sewer Robot says
Seems to be a policy of one number one per artist and Queen have already appeared. You could have Living On My Own, I suppose, just as you could have Mull Of Kintyre or Imagine. Or Wham!
Gatz says
Queen were way down the list. They appeared on one of the earlier days when a batch was released, some places below East 17’s Stay Another Day. I thought at the time that this made a mockery of the positions, and I can’t stand Queen.
Anyway, I’ll be surprised if Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile) is top of the list, but very pleased.
Jackthebiscuit says
I have not looked through 100-2, so I don’t know if uptown funk is on the list, but if it isn’t then I think it could be number one.
Arthur Cowslip says
One of the Guardian writers popped up in their comments section the other day and confirmed it would NOT be Uptown Funk!
Native says
Judging by the first edition of The Guardian front page, it looks like it is a PSB track.
Gatz says
And it’s … WEST END GIRLS
Fair enough. I’m of that section who think the Pet Shop Boys made a few interesting and unusually smart singles in the mid 80s and nothing much else, but I know there are large numbers who revere them.
Native says
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/05/the-100-greatest-uk-no-1s-no-1-pet-shop-boys-west-end-girls
Arthur Cowslip says
Wow. I would never have predicted that. I had no idea it was so highly rated a song. How did any of you guess that would be the one?? Truly baffling.
And congratulations to Chris “The Prophet” F, who guessed the entire top three. He’s either a psychic or a secret Guardian mole.
Plus – no Band Aid in the chart at all! Surely it deserved an entry on cultural significance alone?
Tiggerlion says
Hard to beat the opening couplet:
“Sometimes you’re better off dead
There’s gun in your hand and it’s pointing at your head”
Chrisf says
Er…. I only got 2 out of 3 right (I had Band Aid not West End Girls). My prophet credentials are not fully holding up – I’ll either lose the beard or the robes.
Arthur Cowslip says
Oops. So you did.
Time for my pills again!
Guiri says
Seeing as this is theafterword surely some brave soul will now volunteer to compile our own list of greatest number ones…? There’s still a bit of lockdown left after all.
Arthur Cowslip says
I’d love to take part! But…. er… not to organise it. I did that for a poll once before and it was a nightmare!
Diddley Farquar says
There’s the best of 21st century to do first I think you’ll find.
Native says
I’m always pleasantly surprised at the retrospective praise that Pet Shop Boys seem to get in the media. Their popularity, both now and in their imperial 80s phase, never seems to marry up with the perception of them I have had for years.
I really liked them as a young teenager and I recall been slightly frustrated at middle school, when ‘Heart’ was the number one single at the time, and it seemed to me that absolutely nobody else liked them. I’ve always felt this; I remember been sat in a local working men’s club in 1993 and the video for ‘Go West’ came on the tv. Looking at the faces of a different generation watching this, it was a mixture of sheer horror and comedy! I actually remember my parents been genuinely worried about me when I was thrilled watching them perform ‘Rent’ on the London Palladium thing hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck, Chris dressed in this ridiculous outfit and a painted scare on his face, as they refused to bow to the Royal Box after the performance.
Somebody once described them as a mainstream cult band, and I think that sums them up nicely.
Black Celebration says
Like Elton when Your Song was the voted the people’s favourite- I wonder if there is bittersweet feeling that one of their very earliest songs is the one that gets the nod when they’ve been at it for decades?
Black Type says
In true PSB fashion, they’ve skewered that.
https://youtu.be/4L-XDTNCqx4
Native says
Yeah, I know what you mean. So much of their work is still very good, including their latest album. Suppose recognition like this might get a younger audience curious in their, it has to be said, vast back catalogue.
And it says a lot about the quality of their early singles that the debate wasn’t just would it be PSB, but if so, which track.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
I come from a different universe apparently. Always quite liked PSB in a quite like kinda way but Best No1 Of All Time? Not arguing with the choice cos my knowledge of Number Ones is more or less restricted to 1956 – 1969 but I am genuinely baffled by the reverence PSB seem to have gained.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Ah. Sorry. Me and Dan read it wrong. Obviously the best Number 1 is https://youtu.be/fPO76Jlnz6c
retropath2 says
An interesting read about how the song got to be made and that sort of clinched the appropriateness of the top placing. Sure, sure, not even their best song etc etc, but without it, or without it’s recalled first attempt, and new production, there would probably not have been those later songs. Argues the case as hit singles being product to entice in the market. Made them world famous “overnight”.
deramdaze says
How on earth can Dusty and Sandie not get in, but Jackie Trent can!
Time to luxuriate far away from the great unwashed and lump on the largely untrampled field of Rock ‘n’ Roll … Buddy, Eddie Cochran, Everly Brothers all had no. 1s, none mentioned.
That’ll do me.
Confucius say: “If it is reckoned in 2020, it must be shite.”