Well, this week is the 50th anniversiary of the UK Singles chart. Magic TV are celebrating with "number 1s week" and VH1 are using it as yet another excuse to run thier number 1s marathon.

Anyway, to celebrate this, here's some trivia questions. everyone do some research and try to answer. (I have no idea as to the answers BTW).

1. What was the first ever top 10 back in november 1952?
2. Which song has spent the longest at number 1, and how long was it there (I know Bryan Adams was number 1 for 16 weeks back in 1991, but was anyone ever there for longer?)
3. What is the highest selling single ever, and how much did it sell?
4. Which song spent the longest time in the top 40 and how long was it there?

Bryan Adam's 16 weeks is the longest. The Wet Wet Wet song "Love Is All Around" made 15 weeks on 1994.

One song was on top for 18 weeks (I Believe" by Frankie Lane in 1953) but it needed three goes to clock up the 18 weeks..

The first ever number one back in Nov 52 was "here In My heart" by Al Martino. That song was the only chart topper in the first chart year of 52, not being edposed until Jo Stafford got to the top with "You Beling To Me" on 16 Jan 53, nine weeks later.


The best seller ever was "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John in 1997, number two being the Band Aid song (1984 and 85). candle In the Wind sold 4.86 million copis, Band Aid 3.55million. The highest non charity record sales-wise is Mull of Kintyre" by Wings - number 4 in the best sellers (Bohemium Rhgapsody is number 3, it's re-release in 1991 was for charity (AIDS I believe following the death of Freddie Mercury)). Boney M have the 5th and 10th biggest sellers ever.

I think the Singles Chart should be scrapped, because all you need is a few thousand sold and you have a number 1 hit. Also with album prices coming down to £10 an album, but single prices are going up (£4 a CD single) their is no need for the Singles Chart anymore.

another question

Who was the FIRST British artist to have a number one in the British charts?.

You know a lot about the chart history don't you Rob? OK, here's a couple more-
1. How many number 1s have there been in the last 50 years?
2. Which year has has the most number 1s?

On a related note, I think there's going to be a little lookback to celebrate the anniversary on Radio 1's chart countdown today, which is also notable for being Mark Goodier's final countdown after a decade or so.

1. There have been 941 #1's (assuming Westlife stay at #1 today). If someone replaces Westlife at the top, it'll be 942.

2. The year 2000 which had 41 #1's.

Oh and fare well to Mark Goodier, who is doing his last show ever on Radio 1. You will be missed :'( !!

i stopped listening to the charts late 98 cos since then its been nothing but a load of bollocks in them