@everyuknumber1.bsky.social
Coming soon: A budget Every UK Number 1 book for The Beatles fans out there. It rounds up all my essays on The Beatles’ 17 number 1s from my weighty 60s book – plus John, Paul and George’s solo chart-toppers, charity single cameos – and an exclusive essay on Now and Then, all in one place. Fab!
January 31, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Coming soon: A budget Every UK Number 1 book for The Beatles fans out there. It rounds up all my essays on The Beatles’ 17 number 1s from my weighty 60s book – plus John, Paul and George’s solo chart-toppers, charity single cameos – and an exclusive essay on Now and Then, all in one place. Fab!
RIP Sly Dunbar, who died today aged 73. The Jamaican reggae drummer was one half of legendary rhythm section and production duo Sly and Robbie with Robbie Shakespeare. His first appearance, aged 18, was Dave & Ansil Collins’ 1971 number 1, Double Barrel.
everyuknumber1.com/2020/03/21/2...
everyuknumber1.com/2020/03/21/2...
299. Dave and Ansil Collins – Double Barrel (1971) - Every UK Number 1
Review Double Barrel is essentially very similar to The Harry J All Stars' excellent instrumental The Liquidator from 1969. It's a charming, quirky reggae/rocksteady track led by Collins' nimble work ...
everyuknumber1.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:52 PM
RIP Sly Dunbar, who died today aged 73. The Jamaican reggae drummer was one half of legendary rhythm section and production duo Sly and Robbie with Robbie Shakespeare. His first appearance, aged 18, was Dave & Ansil Collins’ 1971 number 1, Double Barrel.
everyuknumber1.com/2020/03/21/2...
everyuknumber1.com/2020/03/21/2...
Bucks Fizz's The Land of Make Believe got the group off to a flying start in January 1982. Unfortunately a few months later came their third and final number 1, the interesting but ultimately lacklustre My Camera Never Lies.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/24/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/24/4...
January 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Bucks Fizz's The Land of Make Believe got the group off to a flying start in January 1982. Unfortunately a few months later came their third and final number 1, the interesting but ultimately lacklustre My Camera Never Lies.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/24/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/24/4...
If you liked a large helping of cheese with your pop, you were well served in the spring of 1982. Toppling Tight Fit's The Lion Sleeps Tonight was the second German number 1 of the year - Goombay Dance Band's Seven Tears.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/17/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/17/4...
January 17, 2026 at 10:14 AM
If you liked a large helping of cheese with your pop, you were well served in the spring of 1982. Toppling Tight Fit's The Lion Sleeps Tonight was the second German number 1 of the year - Goombay Dance Band's Seven Tears.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/17/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/17/4...
The Lion Sleeps Tonight by manufactured group Tight Fit is a very 1982-sounding number 1. But the song dates back to 1939 and South African singer-songwriter Solomon Linda, who died in poverty.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/10/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/10/4...
January 10, 2026 at 10:23 AM
The Lion Sleeps Tonight by manufactured group Tight Fit is a very 1982-sounding number 1. But the song dates back to 1939 and South African singer-songwriter Solomon Linda, who died in poverty.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/10/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/10/4...
In early 1982, the future looked very bright for The Jam. They were at their peak - Town Called Malice/Precious became an instant number 1, and was their third chart-topper. However, by the end of the year, Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler had split up.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/03/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/03/4...
January 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
In early 1982, the future looked very bright for The Jam. They were at their peak - Town Called Malice/Precious became an instant number 1, and was their third chart-topper. However, by the end of the year, Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler had split up.
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/03/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2026/01/03/4...
I still find it weird to know that Kraftwerk, one of the greatest, most influential groups of all time, had a UK number 1 single. Even weirder that it's primarily due to The Model, a song that had been released five years before it topped the chart. everyuknumber1.com/2025/12/20/4...
December 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I still find it weird to know that Kraftwerk, one of the greatest, most influential groups of all time, had a UK number 1 single. Even weirder that it's primarily due to The Model, a song that had been released five years before it topped the chart. everyuknumber1.com/2025/12/20/4...
1981 had been a banner year for Shakin’ Stevens, with two number 1 cover versions of rock’n’roll classics This Ole House and Green Door. Shaky was back a year later and he topped the charts for the third time with a song of his own - the Cajun-flavoured Oh Julie. everyuknumber1.com/2025/12/13/4...
December 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
1981 had been a banner year for Shakin’ Stevens, with two number 1 cover versions of rock’n’roll classics This Ole House and Green Door. Shaky was back a year later and he topped the charts for the third time with a song of his own - the Cajun-flavoured Oh Julie. everyuknumber1.com/2025/12/13/4...
Bucks Fizz may be considered a bit of a joke, but they deserve better than that. Not only did they win Eurovision with Making Your Mind Up, but they went on to have a further two number 1s, and The Land of Make Believe is an excellent pop song.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/11/22/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/11/22/4...
November 22, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Bucks Fizz may be considered a bit of a joke, but they deserve better than that. Not only did they win Eurovision with Making Your Mind Up, but they went on to have a further two number 1s, and The Land of Make Believe is an excellent pop song.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/11/22/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/11/22/4...
The tall but true tale of how a bunch of Sheffield synth-based misfits fell apart, causing the singer to hire two dancing teenage girls he saw in a club and release one of the best pop songs ever. This is the story of The Human League and Don’t You Want Me.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/10/04/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/10/04/4...
October 4, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The tall but true tale of how a bunch of Sheffield synth-based misfits fell apart, causing the singer to hire two dancing teenage girls he saw in a club and release one of the best pop songs ever. This is the story of The Human League and Don’t You Want Me.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/10/04/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/10/04/4...
RIP US songwriter Bobby Hart, whose death was announced today. Hart, along with his co-writer and co-producer Tommy Boyce, were behind some of the finest pop songs by The Monkees, including their sole UK number one, Last Train to Clarksville, in 1967. He was 86.
September 15, 2025 at 7:50 PM
RIP US songwriter Bobby Hart, whose death was announced today. Hart, along with his co-writer and co-producer Tommy Boyce, were behind some of the finest pop songs by The Monkees, including their sole UK number one, Last Train to Clarksville, in 1967. He was 86.
Singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias is the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and the best-selling male Latin artist in history. However, it took his cover of Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine to take him to number one on the UK singles chart. everyuknumber1.com/2025/09/06/4...
September 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias is the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and the best-selling male Latin artist in history. However, it took his cover of Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine to take him to number one on the UK singles chart. everyuknumber1.com/2025/09/06/4...
Keith Nunnally, vocalist on Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s groundbreaking 1987 number one Jack Your Body, has died. This single was the first house track to top the charts, partly due to its popularity in clubs like the legendary Hacienda. His death was announced by Hurley yesterday.
September 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Keith Nunnally, vocalist on Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s groundbreaking 1987 number one Jack Your Body, has died. This single was the first house track to top the charts, partly due to its popularity in clubs like the legendary Hacienda. His death was announced by Hurley yesterday.
Under Pressure, that behemoth of a pop track by Queen & David Bowie, sees both acts trying to outdo each other. Somehow, rather than come out as a sloppy egotistical mess, it became one of the greatest number 1s of the 80s, no matter how many times you hear it.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/08/24/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/08/24/4...
August 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Under Pressure, that behemoth of a pop track by Queen & David Bowie, sees both acts trying to outdo each other. Somehow, rather than come out as a sloppy egotistical mess, it became one of the greatest number 1s of the 80s, no matter how many times you hear it.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/08/24/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/08/24/4...
RIP Ozzy Osbourne, icon of heavy metal. The ‘Prince of Darkness’ has died aged 76, only weeks after his final gig. Black Sabbath singer Osbourne reached number one in 2003 with the duet Changes, also featuring his daughter, Kelly.
#everyuknumber1 #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop #ozzyosbourne
#everyuknumber1 #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop #ozzyosbourne
July 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
RIP Ozzy Osbourne, icon of heavy metal. The ‘Prince of Darkness’ has died aged 76, only weeks after his final gig. Black Sabbath singer Osbourne reached number one in 2003 with the duet Changes, also featuring his daughter, Kelly.
#everyuknumber1 #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop #ozzyosbourne
#everyuknumber1 #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop #ozzyosbourne
RIP Connie Francis. The US pop singer hit the number one spot in the UK chart twice during 1958, with Who’s Sorry Now? and Carolina Moon/Stupid Cupid. She died on Wednesday, aged 87.
#everyuknumber1 #numberonesingles #chartmusic #nostalgia #popculture #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop
#everyuknumber1 #numberonesingles #chartmusic #nostalgia #popculture #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop
July 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
RIP Connie Francis. The US pop singer hit the number one spot in the UK chart twice during 1958, with Who’s Sorry Now? and Carolina Moon/Stupid Cupid. She died on Wednesday, aged 87.
#everyuknumber1 #numberonesingles #chartmusic #nostalgia #popculture #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop
#everyuknumber1 #numberonesingles #chartmusic #nostalgia #popculture #musicblog #musicnostalgia #retro #pop
A true music genius has died. Brian Wilson, the driving force behind The Beach Boys two number ones and so many great pop songs, has died, aged 82. Good Vibrations, one of the most astounding pieces of music of all time, topped the chart in 1966, and Do It Again followed in 1968. RIP Brian Wilson.
June 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A true music genius has died. Brian Wilson, the driving force behind The Beach Boys two number ones and so many great pop songs, has died, aged 82. Good Vibrations, one of the most astounding pieces of music of all time, topped the chart in 1966, and Do It Again followed in 1968. RIP Brian Wilson.
Look for this song anywhere online and the first thing you'll read is 'No, not that Dave Stewart'. Nonetheless this Dave Stewart, with Barbara Haskin's version of the 60s teen classic It's My Party by Lesley Gore is a curio in the history of number ones.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/21/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/21/4...
February 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Look for this song anywhere online and the first thing you'll read is 'No, not that Dave Stewart'. Nonetheless this Dave Stewart, with Barbara Haskin's version of the 60s teen classic It's My Party by Lesley Gore is a curio in the history of number ones.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/21/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/21/4...
RIP Rick Buckler, drummer in The Jam, who died yesterday after a short illness, aged 69. New wave legends The Jam scored four excellent number one singles – Going Underground/Dreams of Children and Start! in 1980, and Town Called Malice/Precious and Beat Surrender in 1982.
February 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
RIP Rick Buckler, drummer in The Jam, who died yesterday after a short illness, aged 69. New wave legends The Jam scored four excellent number one singles – Going Underground/Dreams of Children and Start! in 1980, and Town Called Malice/Precious and Beat Surrender in 1982.
1981 was the year of Adam and the Ants. No sooner had Ant and co. hit the top spot with Stand and Deliver! than they were at number 1 again with another early 80s classic.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/18/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/18/4...
486. Adam and the Ants - Prince Charming (1981) - Every UK Number 1
1981 was the year of Adam and the Ants. No sooner had they hit the top spot with Stand and Deliver! than they were at number one again with Prince Charming.
everyuknumber1.com
February 18, 2025 at 10:35 AM
1981 was the year of Adam and the Ants. No sooner had Ant and co. hit the top spot with Stand and Deliver! than they were at number 1 again with another early 80s classic.
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/18/4...
everyuknumber1.com/2025/02/18/4...
RIP Wayne Osmond, who died on New Year’s Day, aged 73. Wayne was an original member of The Osmonds, who were teen idols in the 70s, and scored a number one in the UK with their version of Love Me for a Reason in 1974.
everyuknumber1.com/2021/02/15/3...
everyuknumber1.com/2021/02/15/3...
January 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
RIP Wayne Osmond, who died on New Year’s Day, aged 73. Wayne was an original member of The Osmonds, who were teen idols in the 70s, and scored a number one in the UK with their version of Love Me for a Reason in 1974.
everyuknumber1.com/2021/02/15/3...
everyuknumber1.com/2021/02/15/3...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Every UK Number 1 readers! Lots more 80s to come in 2025.
December 24, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Every UK Number 1 readers! Lots more 80s to come in 2025.
everyuknumber1.com/2024/12/21/485-soft-cell-tainted-love-1981/
It's rare for a cover to be better than the original. But by slowing down the tempo, stripping the elements back to synthesisers, and adding a big dollop of sleaze, Soft Cell's Tainted Love became one of the best number 1s of the 80s.
It's rare for a cover to be better than the original. But by slowing down the tempo, stripping the elements back to synthesisers, and adding a big dollop of sleaze, Soft Cell's Tainted Love became one of the best number 1s of the 80s.
December 21, 2024 at 11:16 AM
everyuknumber1.com/2024/12/21/485-soft-cell-tainted-love-1981/
It's rare for a cover to be better than the original. But by slowing down the tempo, stripping the elements back to synthesisers, and adding a big dollop of sleaze, Soft Cell's Tainted Love became one of the best number 1s of the 80s.
It's rare for a cover to be better than the original. But by slowing down the tempo, stripping the elements back to synthesisers, and adding a big dollop of sleaze, Soft Cell's Tainted Love became one of the best number 1s of the 80s.
Hello Bluesky! I’m going to be bold and start with some book
plugs…
Looking for a Christmas present for the pop music-obsessed loved one in your life?
Every UK Number 1: The 50s and The 60s are available in paperback and Kindle, and signed on everyuknumber1.com/store. Prices from £4.99 to £16.
plugs…
Looking for a Christmas present for the pop music-obsessed loved one in your life?
Every UK Number 1: The 50s and The 60s are available in paperback and Kindle, and signed on everyuknumber1.com/store. Prices from £4.99 to £16.
November 18, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Hello Bluesky! I’m going to be bold and start with some book
plugs…
Looking for a Christmas present for the pop music-obsessed loved one in your life?
Every UK Number 1: The 50s and The 60s are available in paperback and Kindle, and signed on everyuknumber1.com/store. Prices from £4.99 to £16.
plugs…
Looking for a Christmas present for the pop music-obsessed loved one in your life?
Every UK Number 1: The 50s and The 60s are available in paperback and Kindle, and signed on everyuknumber1.com/store. Prices from £4.99 to £16.