The Journey

This blog has been conceived very much as a side-project to The Pop Web. On reflecting upon the interconnectedness behind the UK charts, the idea struck me of listening to each and every UK number 1 single starting off with "Here In My Heart" by Al Martino on the 15th November 1952, right through to the present day, which, at the time of writing, is "Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Quite a contrast, I think you'll agree. This is the task ahead of me:

• Listen to all (at current count) 1124 UK Number 1 hit singles
• Record my response to those 1124 (and rising) UK Number 1 singles
• Try and find out what happened in the world during the period each song was at number 1
• Find out what each chart-topping artist went on to do after reaching the top spot.

You may legitimately ask: why? Isolating the motives behind this project isn't easy, partly because I'm not sure there is one outside of sheer morbid curiosity. The intent is, broadly, educational. For someone who bangs on about the charts and music as much as I do, I think this is a fool-proof way of knowing what I'm talking about (at least when I'm talking about UK number ones) at any rate. Secondly, I'm aware that there are distinct gaps in my knowledge which I'd like this project to try and rectify. Finally, in surveying all the songs that have ever reached the number 1 spot, I hope to renew my own enthusiasm for, and interest in, UK popular music.

It has become so easy to dismiss the achievement of a UK Number 1. Single sales have reached their lowest levels since the charts began (although since the onset of downloads we have seen an upswing in this trend). Campaigns like the "Rage Against The Machine to Xmas Number 1" have raised serious questions as to the musical merit required to achieve a number 1 single and, at least in some corners, have brought into question why we continue to place so much stock in the charts. This, I feel, is a crying shame. Whilst we can all have our opinions as to the state of modern pop music, it is my belief that the UK charts are useful, that they do, at the very least, continue to tell us about what captures the British public's attention at a given point in history. Having a UK Number 1, as we shall see, is by no means a guarantee of musical credibility. It also guarantees no more posterity or immortality than being recorded in projects such as this or the Guinness/Virgin book of hit singles or everyhit.com (who, unsurprisingly, have provided a wealth of information to assist with this blog).

But having a UK number 1 does show that a specific point in modern history, your song inspired more people to get up, go to a record store/their computer and spend their money for the right to play said song for their own personal entertainment, than any other at that time. Whatever we may feel about the continued validity of the UK charts, for as long as they are compiled, they can, if nothing else, validate and commemorate that specific and unique achievement.

The opinions and reviews which are about to be published in this blog do not come from a skilled musicologist (which will be abundantly clear from anyone who has ever read The Pop Web). This is purely a "listener response" commentary and, if I've done my job right, my reviews will hopefully allow the reader to explore pieces of music which are part of their cultural history, yet hitherto have remained unheard. I hope, if nothing else, to ignite debate and throw some light on some of the forgotten tracks, which, at their respective points of history, best expressed the attitudes, opinions and tastes of the UK music-buying population.

So here we are, with a long (and winding) road ahead to the end of our journey, starting with a single step...