If you grew up in a pub like I did, these songs were the soundtrack. The jukebox in my dad's pub had all of 'em. Barry White, Neil Diamond, Wet Wet Wet, Michael Jackson — all mixed together through the same speakers. The 80s was a decade of extremes in the UK charts. The biggest charity single of all time. The most controversial number one ever banned by the BBC. The most dramatic chart battle since the Beatles. Here's ten of 'em.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood — 'Relax'. The song the BBC tried to ban. Flopped on initial release. Then a provocative video and the BBC's decision to ban it from Radio 1 turned it into the most controversial hit of the decade. The song was about sex — specifically, relaxin' before the act. The ban only made it bigger. Five weeks at number one. Over 1.5 million copies sold. A triumph of provocation.
Soft Cell — 'Tainted Love'. A cover of a 1964 Gloria Jones soul track, reimagined as synth-pop noir. Marc Almond's quiverin', desperate vocal — 'Sometimes I feel I've got to / Run away, I've got to / Get away' — captured somethin' about the early 80s. The sense things were fallin' apart. Minimalist arrangement — a repeatin' synth riff, a drum machine, Almond's voice. Spent 43 weeks on the chart. Two at number one. Biggest-sellin' single of 81.
Culture Club — 'Karma Chameleon'. Boy George was the most famous face in Britain in 83. Braided hair, flamboyant make-up, androgynous style. 'Karma Chameleon' spent six weeks at number one, biggest-sellin' single of the year. A song about the fear of bein' yourself. Boy George made difference fashionable.
George Michael — 'Careless Whisper'. A tale of infidelity and regret built around one of the most famous saxophone riffs in pop history. He was 21 when he wrote it. A stunnin' departure from Wham!'s upbeat pop. Three weeks at number one, August 84. The sax solo, played by Steve Gregory, is one of the most recognisable musical moments of the decade. A young artist becomin' a legend.
Band Aid — 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' Bob Geldof's response to news footage of the Ethiopian famine. Assembled a supergroup at SARM Studios in Notting Hill on 25 November 1984. Bono, Paul McCartney, Sting, George Michael, Boy George, Bananarama, Simon Le Bon. The session took 24 hours, stars queuein' for their moment at the microphone. Number one five days after release. Five weeks at the top. Over 3 million copies sold in the UK. Raised over £8 million. Inspired Live Aid in July 85 — the largest televised event in history. Proved pop music could change the world.
The decade when British pop ruled the world. And these were the proof.