And so we venture on into 1988, 1998 and 2008 to see what 45s were sitting at the top of the UK indie charts on the 1st day of each month. This, remember, was the rundown that had been created in 1980 to recognise sales on minor labels, albeit the majors were proving increasingly adept at exploiting loopholes and enabling mainstream artists to somehow qualify for inclusion.
1987 had ended with New Order enjoying a six-week run at the top and they were succeeded in the new year by Depeche Mode‘s 20th single, Behind The Wheel. It, however, lasted just one week at the top before being replaced by this
1 February 1988 : mp3 : The Beatmasters feat. Cookie Crew – Rock Da House
Issued by Rhythm King Records, it was the re-release of a song that had proven to be hugely popular in the clubs in the summer of 87 and is one of the earliest examples of a UK act successfully delivering hip house. I’m quite sure Swiss Adam would have shaken his ass and other parts of his body to this back in the day…
1 February 1998 : mp3 : Oasis – All Around The World
The early love that many had for Oasis had disappeared on the back of the release of the appalling and overblown album Be Here Now. Not that they cared, and indeed releasing a third single from the album was a real two-fingered gesture at the critics…especially one that clocked in at almost ten minutes in length. Worth mentioning that it also reached #1 in the actual singles chart thus becoming the longest number one single in UK history; it was also the last Oasis single to be released on Creation and thus the last time they would be eligible for the indie chart.
1 February 2008 : Adele – Chasing Pavements
The first three indie #1s in 2008 were by The White Stripes, British Sea Power and Madness. The rise to the summit by Adele is the result of her singles and albums being issued by XL Recordings, a bona-fide independent operation who struck gold with the signing of the then teenage singer-songwriter. I do understand and acknowledge why it is that she has been so successful (she has sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide), but I’m not posting this, or indeed any of her others songs (as it is inevitable she will feature in future look backs at the indie hits); for one, I don’t have any of her stuff; for two, I’m a music snob.
Tune in on 1 March for the next instalment.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 