Every UK #1 Single of The 1980's Discussion Thread.

As for my collection amongst the lot in the 3-week span in question, they'd include . . .

Three of those are newies. First, Mr. Gaye's big comeback (notice the reticence of the U.K. in its title vs. the U.S.):

Next, this one from Men At Work:

Finally, the original U.S. release on Harvest from Thomas Dolby (before both the song and he were transferred to Capitol):

 

Now for whatever "newies" in this lot had U.S. equivalent releases, starting with the first week:

 

Anybody sure this is correct? The earliest date I've seen for this one was 1987 . . .

 

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me is iconic and a fantastic production, but I really think Culture Club did their best work with their 2nd album.

 

I'm English and English is my first language, but that intro was rushed, garbled rubbish and surely not what he meant to say!

I think!

"Remember Golden Brown by The Stranglers? If you do with affection, you know how they've changed their style. And here they are with their new single, which is called Strange Little Girl."

 

Back in 1982 I really did my best not to like this, but it didn't take long for me to cave in!

Simply a brilliantly written, sung and produced song which captured the time perfectly. I don't score songs and have deleted rating when I rip CDs.

I'll make an exception for Do You Really Want To Hurt Me: this is a worthy 5/5, or 10/10,
though of course I didn't buy it!

Rightly on practically every '80's compilations!!

 

I got fooled by this....
According to the official Charts...it should read...Thomson Twins - Lies.
There are the odd mistakes on the Charts I copy from...

 

Week Ending 23 October 1982

1 - NEW - 41 - Abba - THE DAY BEFORE YOU CAME



A masterpiece that wasn't appreciated in the UK at the time (it only peaked at number 32), but did better in 7 European countries where it reached the top 5.

 

Oh yes, their masterpiece. For me, it shares the top spot of all ABBA songs with "S.O.S.". Two very different songs, but both great.

 

Week Ending 23 October 1982

1 - NEW - 52 - Dionne Warwick - HEARTBREAKER



What a shame that this Bee Gees production missed the top spot, in contrast to 'Woman in Love' and 'Chain Reaction'.

 

Week Ending 06 November 1982

1 - NEW - 65 - Whitesnake - HERE I GO AGAIN



The original recording, which was a moderate hit compared to the highely successful 1987 version. In an interview, Whitesnake singer David Coverdale explained that the word "hobo" in the chorus of the original song ('like a hobo I was born to walk alone') was changed to "drifter" in the re-recorded version to ensure that it would not be misheard as "homo".

 

Hall & Oates had a string of great singles that were very successful in the US but not so much in the UK and the rest of Europe.
'Maneater' was an exception though, peaking at number 6 in Britain (their only other UK top 10 single was 'I Can't Go for That' which reached number 8).

 

One I bought on 12" single.

If you wanted a song to show off your Hi-Fi to your friends (and neighbours!) this is it!

Sounds great off the American Fool album, but the 12" single is spectacular!

 

My preferred version.

 

Instant Dad dancing material!

 

Week Ending 06 November 1982

1 - NEW - 75 - America - YOU CAN DO MAGIC



Another great single from a very underrated band that did well in their home country but only had 3 chart entries in the UK.

 

1 - NEW - 53 - Rush - SUBDIVISIONS

Whatever your take is on synth Rush, this one is a keeper.

A very energized song with some spirited vocals from Geddy.

It's hard not to bop your head and sing along with this one.

 

Week Ending 30 October 1982

1 - NEW - 61 - Supertramp - IT'S RAINING AGAIN



A great return for Supertramp, 3 years after they had their breakfast in America. It became their last UK top 40 hit, with a number 26 peak, but was bigger in the rest of the world, reaching the top 10 in many countries as well as number 11 in the States.

 

One of my fav ABBA singles.....

 

Shamefully I forgot to vote for it in @Bobby Morrow's ABBA - The Singles The First 10 Years Poll. Pick Your Favourites