11 December 1982 Just when the Italian community were probably thinking the radiation cloud of 'Shaddap You Face' was finally dissipating, 1982 brought the Cornetto ice cream ad in which an operatic gondolier sings "Just one Cornetto / Give it to me" to the tune of 'O Sole Mio'. This became cultural shorthand for Italy … Continue reading Renée and Renato – ‘Save Your Love’
Tag: Christmas
ABBA – ‘One Of Us’
26 December 1981 'Don't You Want Me' stayed at number one in the UK charts into the New Year, but in Ireland it ceded the floor after a week, allowing us an extra chart-topper and post-Christmas treat. Of ABBA's singles in the '80s, 'The Winner Takes It All' seems to take all the critical love, … Continue reading ABBA – ‘One Of Us’
The Human League – ‘Don’t You Want Me’
19 December 1981 Our 1981 number ones have been pretty thin gruel: solo Lennon; folk ballads; Shakin' Stevens; Joe Dolce; Pepé Le Pew. But thanks to some Christmas miracle, unlike the previous year's abomination this festive chart-topper is a genuine '80s classic, maybe even the greatest Christmas number one single of them all. There's isn't … Continue reading The Human League – ‘Don’t You Want Me’
St Winifred’s School Choir – ‘There’s No One Quite Like Grandma’
20 December 1980 John Lennon had been shot dead on the street in New York by a crazed fan just a few weeks before, so maybe people were craving some cosy escapism. (The flood of Lennon solo number ones awaits us like a Chapman in early 1981.) I also suspect the dread hand of some … Continue reading St Winifred’s School Choir – ‘There’s No One Quite Like Grandma’
Pink Floyd — ‘Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)’
15 December 1979 The last number one of the '70s was the first of the '80s, so there's a temptation to check it for remnants of the decade past and harbingers of the one we know to come. Granted, a similar exercise for 1999-2000 will enable us to review the '90s, the 20th century and … Continue reading Pink Floyd — ‘Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)’
