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“Long awaited new album” takes on a whole new meaning with some artists. Next month, Portishead release their third album since 1997. Elton John’s Candle In The Wind 1997 was the Number 1 single at the time, which will give you some indication of how long ago it was. And Queen are heading in to […]

One of the modern phenomena of our time is the enduring popularity of Umbrella by Rihanna and Jay-Z, possibly the least memorable four minutes ever to appear in a chart rundown. Somehow it has sold more copies than any other track in UK in the past ten weeks. Must be all this rain we’ve been […]

Two of them have gone to the great supergroup in the sky and the other three members have an average age of more than 60, but the Traveling Wilburys are top of the UK chart with a package of two albums that, actually, not that many British people bought the first time around. Up-and-down sales […]

Y.M.C.A., P.Y.T., F.L.M. Pop stars have been keeping things short for years. Here are 20 other song titles made up entirely of abbreviations, most of which wouldn’t have got past the censors if left in longhand. Funny how The Fall Of Troy haven’t made it big yet.
A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Sex), Korn
B.F.D. (Big […]

As Jo O’Meara skulks back to the slot machines of Romford with a bulk pack of Silk Cut, here’s a list of cash-strapped musicians who found their royalties didn’t pay as well as a week with Anne Diamond or a serving of kangaroo anus.
Peter Andre, singing six-pack, penned Insania classic (I’m A Celebrity, Get Me […]

A list of entirely British acts who have topped the US Hot 100 singles chart since its creation in August 1958, but who have never reached Number 1 in their homeland. Possibly the only thing Bananarama have in common with Acker Bilk.
Acker Bilk (Stranger On The Shore, May 1962). Acker Bilk’s highest UK chart […]

Fifty runners-up on the UK singles chart and the tracks that stopped them getting to Number 1.
Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker (kept at Number 2 by The Young Ones by Cliff Richard)
The Loco-motion by Little Eva (Telstar by The Tornados)
My Generation by The Who (The Carnival Is Over by The Seekers)
Wild Thing by […]

They’ve been a hit on the UK charts, but some singers don’t make the cut on the big screen. Below are the performers who have scored UK hit singles and also been nominated for worst actor/actress, worst supporting actor/actress and worst new star in the annual Razzies, which honour the very poorest in cinematic entertainment. […]

The calendar girls and boys of pop.
January – Pilot
February Stars – Foo Fighters
March of The Siamese Children – Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen
April Skies – The Jesus And Mary Chain
May Each Day – Andy Williams
Seven Days In Sunny June – Jamiroquai
July – Ocean Colour Scene
August And Everything After – Counting Crows
September – Earth Wind […]

One hundred numbers. One hundred very different songs.
One Step Beyond – Madness
Two Little Boys – Rolf Harris
3AM Eternal – The KLF
4 My People – Missy Elliott
Just Who Is The Five O’Clock Hero – The Jam
6 Underground – Sneaker Pimps
7 – Prince And The New Power Generation
Eight Miles High – The Byrds
#9 Dream – John […]