Wonderful, thank you for the links. I will go exploring them. I loved the idea of imports and these amazing songs coming in on a regular basis but I didn't have a record player or anywhere near enough pocket money so just taped them off the Top 40 when they became hits. I remember when all those songs and Sleep Talk etc hit the charts, it felt so exciting.

I'm glad that Lalah had success. Such a beautiful voice.

I do only rate about 10 singles in the current top 40 but if streaming means the BORING likes of The Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, Passenger cannot make a dent in the top 40 i can only applaud the effects of streaming

I used to passionately listen to the charts in the past but have no idea what's in the top 40 these days, singles or albums-wise. I was just reading that Drake (who I can't stand - awful, awful "music") has been number 1 for many weeks. Well, I'm happy to say I haven't even heard the song! I don't know how I've managed to avoid it but I have. If it's anything like the other stuff I've heard by him in the past I don't think I'm missing much! I think the last time I was aware of a song being number 1 for a long that it was Rihanna's Umbrella, back in 2007! I love that song (apart from bloody JayZ's waffling at the beginning, that is). I really pay little attention to the charts now though because, from the times I have checked it out, it's usually 95% the same kind of bland, generic, predictable dance, r'n'b, rap staff that I'm so tired of hearing.

I miss the days of rock and indie/alternative bands being in the charts very much but I agree - definitely not the coma-inducing likes of The Lumineers and Mumford And Sons! I hate their stuff with a passion! I miss the likes of bands like REM, Suede, Oasis, Muse (their earlier stuff), U2, The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things, Garbage, The Beautiful South, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Faith No More being in the charts, to name just a tiny few. Not only rock though, but good pop stuff too, like Girls Aloud, Britney Spears (earlier Britney that is), Christina Aguilera, George Michael, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Lana Del Rey, Madonna and Pink.

I think U2 will still manage to have another top 40 (20) hit if a new album submerges.

Garbage released a new album the other month, sadly the singles will pass by unnoticed.

Yes can't stand Mumford and Sons either-a typical example for people to use who whine about music being real with real instruments.
That discussion is as boring as Mumford and Sons itself, I'm pretty sure 99 out of 100 people who were put in front of a laptop will not be able to produce a dance anthem in 10 minutes as people who are going on about REAL MUSIC always claim

That could be because they would have absolutely no desire to do so.

You could also say that the people who could produce dance anthem in ten minutes wouldn't be able to compose a proper song in ten years.

If you class boring as artists that can actually write songs and play real instruments then yeah?

Garbage, and other Rock bands, release 'singles' for radio stations to play to advertise the fact they have a new album coming out. for most bands success in the singles chart has been an irrelevance for a long time.

Success these days is measured in album chart position and touring.

1 out of 100 people who were put in front of a laptop may be able to produce a 'dance anthem' in 10 minutes but that shows an ability to use a computer rather than an ability as a musician.

I really think it's not an age thing it's a quality thing, even on R1 mainly Huw Edwards and The Rock Show consistently play amazing tracks from new acts. Not too complicated and generally catchy tunes(which is what I thought popular music required) yet they don't reach a larger audience only a very lucky few. Willie J Healey being a good example, though in time I hope people are going to catch onto his stuff. Talented guy.

I think he's a decent producer but hate the fact he gets paid millions to DJ an event and turns up with a memory stick and doesn't even bother plugging the decks in to attempt to hide the fact he's not playing live.



I loved StreetSounds when I was young and they were some of the first compilations in my collection. I discovered several songs and artists through buying those on vinyl.

Back in the late 80s when I was in my teens, I used to buy Blues And Soul magazine and seek out tracks that I read about in there. I used to go to vinyl shops like City Sounds in Holborn, BlueBird in Paddington and even get the train from Liverpool Street to Wickford to a little shop called Adrian's who stocked 12 inch imports.
I used to listen to a lot of pirate radio and the likes of Solar, JFM and Horizon were the big soul/dance stations back in those days.
Being born in 1970, I was the perfect age when the whole house/summer of love/rave vibe kicked in and there has never been any going back since then.

Haven't followed the charts for about 9 years really.

Also check their YouTube views almost 900000 for the single 'Empty' that makes them just as much money as a hit single would probably and its a direct link to fans. The track also has almost as many plays on Spotify 830000 and thats pretty decent.

Almost 42 - and even less clue. I also think streaming is killing the chart.

I've not paid attention to the charts since Top Of The Pops was axed. It was such an easy way of keeping up. I also find the way the charts work now with downloads and streaming to be far too complicated to follow for a sad old fart like me. At 32, I think I've simply outgrown giving a damn, although I do download the top 40 every so often just to see what's happening out there. I am always left shocked at what music is successful, and it's not like I consider myself to have particularly good taste!

I must admit the whole concept of paying to watch someone basically playing records is one that completely passes me by...

i guess it doesnt really matter in a dance type scenario... youre there to dance to the music, feel the beat, move to the rhythm. a good dj can read the crowd and mix appropriate music to suit.

im stuck inbetween the rock and dance scenes... brought up on rock or guitar based group blues based r n b. but i find no draw, nor pleasure in watching a live band.

im more inclined nowdays to listen to dance music, but have never danced, i just like the rhythms and melodies.

People never paid to watch me personally when I djed but they did pay for the experience and they knew the quality and sound and atmosphere our club had and they could trust us to deliver a great night. Whether it was dancing or just listening to what we played

What more do you want.

Also I loved that feeling of being a superstar DJ , even though I wasn't really, in front of 300-500 people.

thats a decent audience

I'm a real soul/house girl and so I get exactly where you're coming from. I go to a lot of weekenders and all dayers and the best DJ's are the ones who get their crowd and read the vibe.
There are 5 or 6 DJs who I would travel miles to hear play a set as I know I will be guaranteed a night of dancing my arse off with a massive smile on my face.

That sounds amazing. The closest I got was listening to Robbie Vincent, then later Pete Tong on Radio 1 or when certain songs broke into the charts and I could tape them off the radio! Finally I got a tape deck and could buy stuff like Martine Girault, En Vogue, Soul II Soul, Victoria Wilson James etc.

I loved that brief moment when British soul had its turn in the limelight and was so jealous of Londoners as that's where it all seemed to happen and I was up North and too young to go!

I actually think the charts were much better when you first made this thread Voodoo but I guess that's all part of getting older!

I was at the Brentwood Festival last weekend and Friday night it was Soul II Soul and Brand New Heavies. It was fantastic to watch to such brilliant bands whose music was part of the soundtrack of my younger years. Obviously, everyone knows Back To Life but hearing songs like Love Enuff, Fairplay, I Care etc brought back memories of long summer nights out in the bars of South London.

Robbie Vincent used to be on Radio London back in my days along with Tony Blackburn who gets forgotten about and written off as cheesy but did a huge amount for bringing soul music to the mainstream.

Hmmm - lemme see. On that track listing - I think I'm with the monkey.

You know which one. This one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dci1iet9kc

Just checked Now That's I Call Music , original album 1 ( 1983)


Track listing

!) You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
2) Is There Something I Should Know - Duran Duran
3) Red Red Wine - UB40
4) Only For Love - Limahl
5) Double Dutch - Malcolm McLaren
6) Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
7) The Safety Dance - Men Without Hats
8) Too Shy - Kajagoogoo
9) Moonlight Shadow - Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly
10) Rock Steady Crew - The Rock Steady Crew
11) Let's Stay Together - Al Green
12) Freeze - I O U
13 ) New Song - Howard Jones
14) Temptation - Heaven 17
15) Please Don't Make Me Cry - UB40
16) Kissing With Confidence - Will Powers
17) That's All - Genesis
18) Big Apple - Kajagoogoo
19) Never Never - The Assembly
20) Hold Me Now - Thompson Twins
21) Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack

Two in bold are the only one's I don't remember

Some decent tracks , some blah , nothing really dreadful in my opinion , not keen on Phil Collins cover ,

Three favourite tracks , all varied

Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Double Dutch - Malcolm McLaren
Moonlight Shadow - Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly

Don't know a single one of the latest release

I see 'Rock Steady Crew' is on this. I have the 12" and it still sounds as fresh and prescient as it did back then. A small work of genius. Even a bit of Gary Numan in it!