Australian Fun Countdowns
The first music singles, or 45's were introduced in 1955, and since then pop music as gone through many different genres. "Australian Fun Countdowns" collects these hits and sorts them into various lists. By combining sales, and chart runs, these songs have been sorted in order of their success. Charts used are Kent Music Charts, Go Set Charts, Australian Music Report and ARIA. Enjoy, and keep the old stuff alive!
Stock Aitken & Waterman
The year is 1984. A guy named Pete invites two others, Mike and Matt, to join him on a journey. Later, they would become one of the most successful songwriter/production teams of all time. From 1987 to 1990, it seemed we heard nothing else but their brand of bubblegum pop on the radio, television and in the charts. Careers were boosted and pop stars were born.
It's the time of Stock, Aitken & Waterman.
Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman joined forces early 1984 to work on the Cyprian entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest, and then produced a few minor hits for the likes of Divine and Hazell Dean. The following year, they scored their first #1 in the UK with Dead Or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)", and soon the "assembly line" was in full swing.
Stock, Aitken and Waterman produced over 100 Top 40 hits in the UK, twelve reaching the #1 position. And Australia wasn't too far behind. 73 Top 100 hits boasted the SAW touch with an amazing 57 of those hitting the Top 20. Futhermore, 22 of those managed a Top Ten placing, while five made it all the way to the Australian #1 spot. All this adds up to over 100 million record sales worldwide, and all from what has critically been claimed as a formula used over and over again. Well, it would seem it worked for us, and work for them.
In the early 90's the team split when Matt Aitken went into retirement, however, Stock and Waterman continued to produce into the 90's. While success took a dramatic downturn, the duo still managed a few chart entries for Kylie Minogue and Bananarama. Since then, the SAW brand of pop has been extinct from the charts, although there had been a few minor re-entries over the years from Kylie Minogue's "Better The Devil You Know", Dead Or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)", and their Band Aid sequel from 1989, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" enjoying an unlikely Christmas resurgence in 2008 and 2009, also making it the very last SAW chart entry ever.
Stock, Aitken and Waterman reunited in 2007 to produce The Sheilas' "(I'm So) Happy Happy (You're Mine)", while the Stock/Waterman production for England's Eurovision 2010 entrant, Josh Dubovie with "That Sounds Good To Me", also created some familiar hype to the famed production team. However, the former only just nudged the UK charts at #91, and their Eurovision effort was a dismal failure, ending the night in last place of the Top 25 finalists. But their musical output of their "golden years" far outshadows their 80's success, and Stock, Aitken and Waterman can be credited as adding the final gloss to a decade already full of vibrance and colour.
THE TOP 50 BIGGEST
STOCK, AITKEN & WATERMAN SINGLES
50. HOOKED ON LOVE Dead Or Alive
from the album "Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know".
Epic 605509 7
First there was Boy George, and then Marilyn, briefly. Dead Or Alive frontman, Pete Burns, would carry the androgynous male pop star persona to the 80's end, making for a very "open" decade indeed. His outrageous appearance was enough for Pete to be encouraged into the music business, gathering some sort of a band together as early as 1977. The result was The Mystery Girls who lasted just one performance before sending Pete back to the drawing board. Returning in 1979 with a new band, Nightmares In Wax, their early gothic post-punk sound eventually gave way to radio-friendly pop, and the more marketable name, Dead Or Alive. "Hooked On Love" was typical DOA/SAW, but suffered from little promotion by their record company due to its Gothic overtones.
Chart Run: 81, 45, 34, 33, 47, 51, 56, 76, 79 (9 weeks)
49. MY HEART GOES BANG (GET ME TO THE DOCTOR)
Dead Or Alive from the album "Youthquake".
Epic ES1088
It wasn't his heart that was Pete Burns' biggest dilemma. One of cosmetic surgery's regular customers, Pete has freely admitted his look has been greatly enhanced by the surgeon's knife, for better or worse. In 2007 he filed a lawsuit against the plastic surgeon who had apparently botched up Pete's lips, leaving him looking quite distorted indeed. With feelings of depression and suicidal tendencies, it was all accounted on the TV special, Pete Burns' Cosmetic Surgery Nightmares where he warned others against the procedure. Pete was back in hospital in 2009 after collapsing due to kidney failure. Seven large kidney stones were found and removed with laser surgery. Hopefully, for Pete's sake, there will be little further to report on his medical woes.
Chart Run: 84, 92, 80, 41, 42, 42, 42, 60, 55, 64, 61, 62 (12 weeks)
48. TOY BOY Sinitta
from the album "Toy Boy".
Priority 104733
Sinitta Malone has been surrounded by music, television and film royalty for pretty much her entire life. The daughter of Miquel Brown, who popped her head into the Australian charts with "So Many Men, So Little Time" in 1984, she has a more famous auntie, Amii Stewart, whose "Knock On Wood" is one of the most well known disco hits of the 70's. At 13, Sinitta was a regular on the West End musical scene, appearing in The Wiz, Cats and Little Shop Of Horrors. The youngster also managed a spot in the Rocky Horror Picture Show "sequel", Shock Treatment, before spending a little time on various television shows. It was only natural that a musical career should soon blossom, "Toy Boy" being one of the singles released from her debut album.
Chart Run: 91, 93, 57, 62, 50, 50, 50, 50, 49, 49, 49, 65, 76, 78, 76 (15 weeks)
47. IN TOO DEEP Dead Or Alive
from the album "Youthquake".
While SAW can claim much of Dead Or Alive's success, they actually didn't come onboard until the bands' second album, Youthquake. DOA had previously enjoyed a Top 50 hit, without SAW, covering the KC & the Sunshine hit, "That's The Way (I Like It)", in 1984. It was the first taste we had of Dead Or Alive in Australia, as the cover just made our Top 50, peaking at #45. Taken from their debut album, Sophisticated Boom Boom, the albums' title was taken from The Shangri-Las song of the same name, a nod to the 60's pop influences featured throughout the album. One of DOA's key songwriters, Wayne Hussey, left the group just before their debut album was released, leaving them as a solid four piece that would soon become an 80's success.
Chart Run: 59, 44, 41, 33, 31, 37, 52, 63, 75, 100 (10 weeks)
46. LET IT BE Ferry Aid
CBS 650796 7
Stock, Aitken & Waterman were recruited by The Sun newspaper to produce a star-studded line-up to aid the 1987 Zeebrugge Disaster, in which the MS Herald Of Free Enterprise ferry capsized, killing 193 passengers and crew. The Sun had sold cheap tickets for the ferry on that day, with many of the victims taking advantage of the promotion. The controversial newspaper sent out on invitation to the music industry to donate their time to record a single of which the proceeds went to the charity set up in the aftermath. Initially, interest was slow, but SAW had a stable of stars of their own to draw from, with most of the names on this list participating in some way on the track. Eventually the stars began to shine as big names Boy George, Kate Bush, Gary Moore and even the songs' composer, Paul McCartney, all donated their time to the worthy cause.
Chart Run: 44, 38, 28, 28, 40, 45, 53, 78 (8 weeks)
45. LOVE, TRUTH & HONESTY Bananarama
from the album "The Greatest Hits Collection".
London 886 362-7
The first single release from Bananarama's Greatest Hits package, it would also be the first and only time Jacquie O'Sullivan, Siobhan Fahey's replacement, received a songwriting credit for a Bananarama track during her brief stay with the group. It's widely known that Greatest Hits albums are regularly a career killer, and Bananarama suffered accordingly with "Love, Truth & Honesty" being their last US Billboard Top 100 appearance, and one of their last charting songs in Australia. But far from over, Bananarama have gone on to release six albums since, one with Jacquie, and the rest as a duo. Renewed interest in the group came with 2005's Drama album, featuring a couple of tracks that put Bananarama back in the Australian Top 100 after a 14 year dry spell.
44. YOU'LL NEVER STOP ME FROM LOVING YOU Sonia
from the album "Everybody Knows".
Chrysalis CHS2279
Sonia Evans was given her Stock, Aitken & Waterman break when she cornered Pete Waterman outside his recording studio, begging him to hear her sing. She was given the chance on his weekly radio show and soon a deal was made, signing her to Chrysalis Records. As SAW tracks were accustomed to doing at the time, this hit #1, making 18 year old Sonia one of the youngest female solo artists ever to top the charts with a debut single. It wasn't all as sweet as Sonia's chirpy persona would make out to be. Tensions between herself and SAW saw Sonia leave the Hit Factory and go out on her own for her second album. It garnered less success, of course, but a second place in the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest saw Sonia return to the forefront of pop for a split second more.
43. BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE Big Fun
from the album "A Pocketful Of Dreams".
RCA ZB43061
Big Fun were Phil Creswick, Mark Gillespie and Jason John, and are quite possibly the gayest product from the Stock, Aitken & Waterman team (just look them up on YouTube for the proof!). They went Top 5 in the UK with this Jacksons' classic, and enjoyed moderate success with the follow-up, "Can't Shake The Feeling". Phil and Mark returned in 1994 as Big Fun II releasing a cover of The Brothers Johnson classic, "Stomp!". Despite its success on the US Dance Charts, it wasn't enough to keep the duo together into a complete album, and soon Mark took up a trade renovating properties, with Phil continuing to write and produce for little known disco act, Family Fantastic, who were also helped along by Vince Clarke from Erasure and Yazoo. Jason now works in music management.
Chart Run: 75, 73, 65, 61, 49, 50, 45, 45, 37, 49, 49, 49, 49, 52, 59, 65, 74, 74, 81,--, 96 (20 weeks)
42. I CAN'T HELP IT Bananarama
from the album "Wow!".
Liberation LS2020
Just after this single release, Bananarama entered the Guiness Book Of Records with the most singles entries in the UK for a girl group (a record still held to this day!). Bananarama suffered an identity crisis in Australia with the release of this track, the last time Siobhan Fahey appeared in the group. It would be the third single release from Wow! in the UK, but fourth in Australia, after Siobhan's replacement, Jacquie O'Sullivan had already made her prescence known in "I Want You Back", the groups' previous single. Confused? Siobhan went on to form Shakespear's Sister with Marcella Detroit, but reunited briefly with the Bananas in 1998 to record "Waterloo" for a Eurovision parody television special. Famed photographer, Herb Ritts, captured the original trio for this singles' cover.
#27 Chart Run: 50, 31, 30, 27, 27, 41, 50, 51, 78 (9 weeks)
41. HELP! Bananarama with Lananoonooneenee
We all know Sara, Keren and Jacquie from Bananarama, but who are Lananoonooneenee? For the official Red Nose Day single for Comic Relief, "The Bananas" teamed up with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, with Kathy Burke filling in the third gap. The comedy team had previously sent up the group on their popular French & Saunders TV series, so it was a fitting marriage of parody and reality. While The Beatles original reached #1 in 1965, the Bananarama version missed repeating the success of the original, reaching #3 in the UK. Bananarama were a bit unfortunate to have this as their final Top 50 entry in Australia before obscurity took over their career. They certainly had a major hand in shaping the 80's, and a comedy record was not the way to end it all. That error was corrected in 2005 when "Move In My Direction" hit #41 to be their last Top 50 entry.
Chart Run: 52, 26, 25, 27, 37, 42, 49, 69, 88 (25 weeks)
40. MORE THAN PHYSICAL Bananarama
from the album "True Confessions".
And the Bananarama hits keep rolling in! As the second SAW produced single for the girls, "More Than Physical" was released in a slightly remixed form to capitalize on the success of "Venus", their first collaboration with the team. It didn't achieve anywhere near those "Venus" sales, but was still satisfaction enough for Bananarama to record their entire next album with the team. Bananarama had paid homage to one of the big screens biggest stars with "Robert de Niro's Waiting" in 1984, but also helped out the film industry with "Cruel Summer", from The Karate Kid, and "The Wild Life" from the film of the same name. "More Than Physical" continued the trend, included in a significant scene from the 1986 film, Rita, Sue And Bob Too - remember that one?
Chart Run: 66, 55, 50, 48, 37, 37, 36, 36, 33, 28, 37, 47, 72, 78 (14 weeks)
39. THIS TIME I KNOW IT'S FOR REAL Donna Summer
from the album "Another Place And Time".
WEA 7-257780
SAW were not only focused on discovering new talent. Established stars were tracking down the producers to kickstart their declining careers, so it was only a matter of time before the disco queen of the late 70's teamed up with the pop production masters of the late 80's. Donna Summer's dancefloor treat was a long-lasting hit in the lower-region of the Australian charts, and because of this, is one of only three singles to appear in this Stock, Aitken And Waterman list at a higher position than its weekly chart peak. The brilliance of Donna's collaboration with SAW was given little justice with that slight chart success, but its just deserts were given in 2006 when it was covered by Australian Idol supergroup, Young Divas, who made it the sixth biggest seller of the year.
Chart Run: 98, 63, 65, 43, 43, 41, 41, 42, 42, 43, 43, 41, 42, 40, 41, 42, 46, 51, 71 (19 weeks)
38. THAT'S THE WAY IT IS Mel & Kim
from the soundtrack album "Coming To America".
Liberation/Supreme LS2000
"That's The Way It Is" was the first glimpse of what would be the second album from sisters Mel & Kim Appleby. During the runaway success of their first album, "F.L.M.", Mel was diagnosed with cancer, after much speculation from the media. Although she was well enough to record the vocals for this track, discharging herself from hospital to do so, it would be the last for the duo as Mel was too weak to continue on with the new album. Mel bravely appeared on the Wogan show soon after this track was released as part of European Cancer Week. Weakened by months of chemotherapy, Mel died of pneumonia in 1990 after contracting a cold that Winter. "That's The Way It Is" was released as the promo for the Eddie Murphy film, Coming To America.
Chart Run: 55, 37, 36, 33, 28, 31, 36, 44, 41, 60, 66, 70, 81 (13 weeks)
37. HAPPENIN' ALL OVER AGAIN Lonnie Gordon
from the album "If I Have To Stand Alone".
Liberation/Supreme K10053
Lonnie Gordon scored her only Australian chart hit with this SAW produced track, but it was actually the seventh in a long line of single only releases before her "If I Had To Stand Alone" album came along. This track was originally written for Donna Summer, who had her own SAW success a year previous, but a falling out with the producers (another one?) saw her discontinue a potential second album with them. It was given to Lonnie instead, who saw the song to similar chart success in Australia to Donna Summer's "This Time I Know It's For Real". Interestingly, those Young Divas snapped up both the Donna Summer and Lonnie Gordon tracks for their 2006 debut album, with this one peaking at #9 and receiving a Gold accreditation later that year.
Chart Run: 99, 90, 75, 67, 67, 63, 48, 46, 42, 35, 36, 33, 45, 39, 46, 51, 56, 69, 79, 82 (20 weeks)
36. NOTHING'S GONNA STOP ME NOW Samantha Fox
from the album "Samantha Fox".
Jive LS1960
In 2008, an online pole by British newspaper, Daily Star, voted Samantha Fox as "Best Page 3 Girl Ever". Back in the day, Sam scored a huge hit with "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)", complete with a strategically placed rip in her jeans, just as famous as the song itself. Under Stock, Aitken & Waterman, Samantha Fox scored her third and final Top Ten hit in the UK with this track, with little further success to come for the former pin-up girl. With her music career conditioned to unsuccessful single only releases, Sam once again appeared in The Sun newspaper on Page 3 to promote Page 3's 25th Anniversary. After appearing every day for a week, to overwhelming success, Sam was asked to pose for Playboy magazines' October 1996 issue at the ripe old age of 30.
35. TOGETHER FOREVER Rick Astley
from the album "Whenever You Need Somebody".
RCA Victor 104862
After Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley was the second most successful act to come out of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman Hit Factory. This song, written in similar fashion to his chart-topper, "Never Gonna Give You Up", also repeated the success of that hit by reaching #1 in the US. Rick was groomed by Pete Waterman after begin discovered while singing for soul band, FBI (Rick started out as their drummer but took over vocals after their original singer left). Moving to the SAW studios, Rick reportedly started out as their tea boy, the strategy being to perform medial tasks such as tape operating, or fetching an Earl Grey, to overcome his shyness. After a failed first single, there would be no room for shyness as "Never Gonna Give You Up" took over the worldwide charts.
Chart Run: 59, 25, 19, 30, 23, 29, 24, 40, 56, 64, 82 (11 weeks)
34. F.L.M. Mel & Kim
from the album "F.L.M.".
Mel & Kim had four out of four Top Ten hits in the UK, the only act other than Kylie to achieve this perfect feat under the SAW banner. After Mel's death, Kim began her solo career assisted by her then boyfriend, ex-Bros bass player, Craig Logan. Her debut, "Don't Worry", made it to #2 in the UK, but it seemed Australia wasn't interested as it failed to make our Top 100. Further releases saw Kim into the mid-90's, each single release declining in success, but all entering the UK Top 60. After two albums, Kim took time out from the music business, popping up now and then on film and television, but has just recently starting releasing music again as a featured artist for dance acts such as Whiteman and Levthand. For those not quite in the know, "F.L.M." stands for Fun, Love and Money.
33. TEARS ON MY PILLOW Kylie Minogue
from the album "Enjoy Yourself" and the soundtrack album "The Delinquents".
Mushroom K1118
Close to losing her perfect Top 20 run in the Australian charts, "Tears On My Pillow" just sneaked into the #20 position for a week, becoming Kylie's lowest selling single produced by SAW. Originally released in 1958 by Little Anthony & the Imperials, Kylie's version was used in her debut feature film, The Delinquents. The movie was set in Bundaberg, moving to Brisbane and then Melbourne, which happens to be my exact move through life, too! Kylie hit the Australian Top 20 five more times before 1992's "If You Were With Me Now" could only manage a #23 peak. It made for an amazing run of 14 Top 20 singles in a row. But 1992 saw Kylie's woes added to when "Finer Feelings", the fourth single from her Let's Get To It album, failed to reach the Australian Top 50.
32. BRAND NEW LOVER Dead Or Alive
With SAW continuing on with Dead Or Alive for a second album, this was the first single released from the follow-up to the successful Youthquake. So big were Dead Or Alive worldwide, that this was bigger in the US than their native UK, topping the US Dance chart. Even Canada gave the single more success than the dismal #31 peak the UK gave it. Band members Tim Lever and Mike Percy went on to even bigger success when they left the group in 1989 to become remixers and producers. Responsible for writing the bulk of Dead Or Alive's music, they have since written hits for Robbie Williams, Blue and S Club 7. Pete Burns and Steve Coy remained to keep the Dead Or Alive name alive, but toyed with a name change when they released a single as International Chrysis.
3rd November, 1986
31. SOMETHING IN MY HOUSE Dead Or Alive
This Gothic pop classic, and quite possibly the best of its kind, was the most successful of the second batch of DOA/SAW collaborations. The Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know album was released with an extended Flamenco Mix of this track, while a "Mortevicar Mix" exists featuring dialogue from the 1973 classic film, The Exorcist. In 1988, Dead Or Alive parted with Stock, Aitken and Waterman to release Nude. Featuring the #30 hit, "Come Home With Me Baby", it was still a moderate success, however, "Something In My House" would be the band's third and final visit to the Australia Top 20 Singles chart. A remixed version of their biggest hit, "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" almost returned them back in 1996 when it reached #28.
30. I HEARD A RUMOUR Bananarama
Many would be surprised to learn that this track didn't even crack the Australian Top 30. The lead track from the groups' highly successful Wow! album, "I Heard A Rumour" stuck around in our charts for an impressive 32 weeks, only managing a #32 peak, which makes it the highest placed single to exceed its weekly chart peak with its placement in this list. Bananarama were already established and successful artists by the time Wow! came along, heavily featured as the songwriters on all three of their previous albums. As they weren't about to shed any of their talent and control to work with the producers, Bananarama were one of very few artists who shared writing credits with the SAW team. Pete named this as his favourite song SAW had worked on.
3rd August, 1987
Chart Run: 90, 63, 49, 53, 37, 33, 33, 32, 35, 33, 38, 34, 35, 42, 48, 59, 51, 52, 49, 53,
53, 53, 53, 72, 77, 70, 64, 57, 55, 55, 76, 87 (32 weeks)
29. I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU Samantha Fox
from the album "I Wanna Have Some Fun".
25 years after Dusty Springfield's original, Samantha Fox returned to the Australian Top 50 for the last time, managing a third Top 20 hit. For her third album, Sam was handled by various producers. The title track was produced by Full Force, while SAW gave her this one, and an original, "You Started Something". It was somewhat of a reunion for Sam and the two teams, who both helped her out on her previous album. Since then, Sam has released three further albums, Just One Night (1991), 21st Century Fox (1998) and Angel With An Attitude (2005). Only Just One Night would have any impression on the charts, peaking at #53 in Canada, but there was more luck in Sweden where a remixed version of "Touch Me" by Günther featuring Sam made it to #1 in 2004.
23rd April, 1989
28. LOVER COME BACK TO ME Dead Or Alive
After scoring a #1 hit with their SAW debut, this made a modest impression on the charts, reaching #11 in the UK charts and a #13 placing here in Australia. It seemed that Dead Or Alive might have to focus their promotion in South Africa, though, as the single shot to #3. While this was a minor performer in the US charts, peaking at #75, Dead Or Alive's American success rebounded in 1986 when the singles from their follow-up album hit the Top 20. The Youthquake album, and its follow-up, Mad, Bad And Dangerous To Know, are notable for them completely being produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, but not featuring any songwriting by the team. It would be something only Dead Or Alive could get away with, with all others SAW albums written in some way by the team.
27. SEALED WITH A KISS Jason Donovan
from the album "Ten Good Reasons".
Mushroom K862
It seemed that SAW was the way to go for Neighbours stars wanting a music career. No doubt the success of Kylie forced her onscreen husband to take a stab, enjoying quite a bit of success along the way. Jason scored his third UK #1 with this 60's cover, with one more waiting for him in 1991, "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph. "Sealed With A Kiss" has visited the charts many times since its creation in 1960. Originally recorded by The Four Voices, with no chart action, Brian Hyland's 1962 version hit the Top 3 in the UK and the US, re-entering the UK Top Ten in 1975. Versions by Gary Lewis & the Playboys and Bobby Vinton also found their way into the charts. In 2008, Jason released Let It Be Me, an album of 50's and 60's covers, including a new version of this one.
Chart Run: 12, 8, 9, 10, 18, 22, 35, 44, 48, 68 (10 weeks)
26. SHE WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME Rick Astley
from the album "Hold Me In Your Arms".
Rick's Whenever You Need Somebody album was a hard act to follow, and his second album did fail in comparison. This track, and the album, sold well in the European market, but the US didn't take to it as well as expected. Written solely by Rick, "She Wants To Dance With Me" still made an impression, peaking at #6 on the Billboard's Hot 100, but many of the follow-up singles released in the UK were held back in the US, and the album suffered, accredited Gold for sales of 500,000, a fraction of the 2 million his debut album sold. Rick's US account wasn't quite over just yet, as he would once again grace the Billboard Top Ten in 1991 with "Cry For Help". Without SAW's production, it was one of the few times a regular SAW artist went on to succeed without them.
Chart Run: 31, 16, 15, 20, 22, 25, 25, 26, 41, 36, 36, 35, 43, 50, 42, 58, 48, 87 (18 weeks)
25. GET READY Carol Hitchcock
Australian Carol Hitchcock started out as a model and part-time bouncer for Melbourne nightclubs before appearing in the cult classic Australian drama, Prisoner, in 1985 during its second last year of production. Recording her take on The Temptations hit, her radicle bald and pierced look may have scared off the usual SAW fans, peaking at a dismal #56 on the UK charts. Back home it fared much better becoming a Top 20 hit, but unfortunately no album followed and all that exists of Carol is this track, and the B-Side, "More Than Words Can Say", a cover of Mel & Kim's track from "F.L.M.". Those who are a little more finely tuned in the ear may be able to hear her in the Ferry Aid track, "Let It Be", seemingly a contractual obligation for all Stock, Aitken & Waterman artists at the time.
22nd June, 1987
24. WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING Kylie Minogue
from the album "Enjoy Yourself".
The second release from Kylie's second album featured Kylie frolicking about in a garden in London. The B-Side featured "It's No Secret" the intended fifth single from the Kylie album, but "Hand On Your Heart" was in the can, and too good to keep locked up, taking it's place in the singles market. As big a star as Kylie is today, it's easy to forget her musical output was heavily criticised back in the day, and Enjoy Yourself was no exception. Rolling Stone reviewer, Arion Berger, gave the album one star out of five, calling the album "inept", but others described it as a fine companion to her huge debut album, Kylie. Kylie always included bloopers at the end of her video clips to show the real side of herself as opposed to the huge television star she was at the time.
Chart Run: 10, 10, 6, 12, 16, 22, 22, 43, 49, 68, 82 (11 weeks)
23. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO Kylie Minogue
from the album "Rhythm Of Love".
Mushroom K10329
One of Kylie's favourites to perform live, this single was supposed to be released before "Step Back In Time", but was conditioned to third release for which it had a slight remix added, making it worth the wait. It continued what would be a brilliant quartet of hi-energy hits from Rhythm Of Love that really broke Kylie out of her almost adolescent 80's persona, and all of which can be considered Kylie's classic Stock, Aitken & Waterman output. The video clip, which continued her transition into the sex siren debuted in "Better The Devil You Know", features Kylie performing in what seems to be a steaming pool, but was actually a freezing cold pool, an experience Kylie did not enjoy. Kylie's sister, Dannii, also appears in the nightclub scene dancing along with her sister.
22. NEVER TOO LATE Kylie Minogue
from the album "Never Too Late".
Kylie's magic chart run was starting to slow upon this, her third release from Enjoy Yourself. It was her lowest charting single at the time, and first in the UK not to hit the Top 2 positions, stalling at #4. Kylie wanted the title track from her Enjoy Yourself album to be released as the third single, but over-ruled by Pete Waterman, "Never Too Late" was granted the single release. With "Tears On My Pillow" released next in conjunction with The Delinquents, "Enjoy Yourself" ultimately missed out. I wonder how Kylie's star power these days would compete in a similar situation? This video clip featured Kylie in dress-up mode playing various contrasting characters, a theme she has used frequently, most notably in videos for "Confide In Me" and "Did It Again".
Chart Run: 25, 21, 14, 14, 14, 16, 19, 27, 31, 31, 33, 41, 51, 62, 83, 84 (16 weeks)
21. SHOCKED Kylie Minogue featuring DNA
"Shocked" was Kylie's last charting single with Stock, Aitken & Waterman before Mike's retirement in 1991, and the last of any SAW productions to chart in Australia. This would be the final release from Kylie's acclaimed Rhythm Of Love album, however, the single was never originally slated for release until a remix provided by British duo, DNA, breathed new life into it, turning the album track into a hit. The centrepiece of the new version was a rap provided by Paulie Bennett, or Jazzi P to her rapper friends, which has become almost as well known as Madonna's "Vogue" break. "Shocked" gave Kylie a place in UK chart history becoming her thirteenth Top Ten hit in a row, and the first artist ever the achieve that perfect run of hits from the beginning of their career.
Chart Run: 13, 7, 11, 11, 16, 15, 18, 19, 30, 42, 41, 59, 89, 80 (14 weeks)
20. YOU THINK YOU'RE A MAN Divine
from the album "The Story So Far".
Shake/Proto LS1323
Divine was born into this world quite a different person. Harris Milstead began appearing in his drag persona during the 1970's in various theatrical performances. This early Stock, Aitken & Waterman production enjoyed its biggest success in Australia, helped along by a successful promo tour. As a larger than life drag queen, Divine was well suited to film, appearing in many movies for director John Waters as far back as the mid-60's. After ten films, Divine would find the perfect role playing Edna Turnblad in John Waters' 1988 film, Hairspray, but the glory was short-lived when he was found dead in his apartment one week after the films' release in 1988. Due to film an episode of Married...With Children the next day, he died in his sleep of an enlarged heart.
Chart Run: 57, 33, 21, 20, 15, 8, 8, 9, 18, 25, 29, 43, 51, 61, 67, 67, 67, 81 (18 weeks)
19. I STILL LOVE YOU (JE NE SAIS PAS POURQUOI) Kylie Minogue
from the album "Kylie".
After three #1's, Kylie's record was looking pretty good for a fourth hit from her self-titled debut album. This track unfortunately just missed the Top Ten despite having a brand new B-Side, "Made In Heaven". It would be one of four Stock, Aitken & Waterman releases to miss the Top Ten for Kylie, a pity as this stands as one of my faves. The American and Australian release of the single had "I Still Love You" added to the album title, "Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi", something that annoyed me immensely as I thought the original title was perfect on its own. The video features Kylie in a French setting and contains a scene where she dances in the street. Fans of the talent show Australia's Got Talent would be interested to know that the guy Kylie dances with is, in fact, Miss Man!
18. TOO MANY BROKEN HEARTS Jason Donovan
Jason's first UK #1 in the UK, and a great piece of Stock, Aitken & Waterman pop. This song helped his debut album, Ten Good Reasons, become the highest selling album of 1989 in the UK. It seems Jason Donovan's television career is full of six degrees of separation. As a guest star on Skyways, Jason's character was the brother of regular star, Kylie Minogue, his future Neighbours wife. Kylie also appeared in The Sullivans alongside Darius Perkins who was the original Scott Robinson during Neighbours first year. Add to that Jason's father, Terence Donovan, who appeared in Neighbours from 1990-94, and half-sister, Stephanie McIntosh also appeared in the show and enjoyed a similar recording career in the mid-2000's. Seems it should be Donovan Street rather than Ramsey Street!
Chart Run: 7, 8, 7, 7, 9, 14, 16, 30, 42, 52, 58, 47, 82, 90 (14 weeks)
17. WHEN I FALL IN LOVE / MY ARMS KEEP MISSING YOU
Rick Astley from the album "Whenever You Need Somebody".
Another cover produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman, this originally appeared in the 1952 film, One Minute To Zero, starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth. The film was set during the Korean War and was notorious for the gruesome refugee massacre scene for which producer Howard Hughes refused to cut when order by the US Army. Doris Day's version of this track from the film became a hit, but it was Nat "King" Cole who released the more famous recording in 1956, the version Rick is channeling here. This was the only double A-Side released from SAW, "My Arms Keep Missing You" featuring as a new song to keep the Rick Astley juggernaut going. The song had to wait until 2000 to appear on a Rick Astley album when he released his Greatest Hits.
Chart Run: 54, 26, 7, 5, 6, 5, 6, 14, 17, 28, 34, 37, 50, 55, 70, 85 (16 weeks)
16. SAY I'M YOUR No.1 Princess
from the album "Princess".
Princess filled the royal gap in the 80's, as Queen, Prince and King were all in need of a "Princess". Well, Desiree Heslop, as her parents knew her, had been in the music industry since the late 70's working with the group, Osibisa. Stock, Aitken & Waterman gave her the break she needed, albeit short-lived one, as "Say I'm Your No.1" sold over a million copies worldwide, and a moderate hit in "After The Love Has Gone" followed. Princess decided to record album #2 in the United States without SAW. The result, All For Love, was a relative failure to her debut album, but interest still existed in the UK giving her a string of minor hits. A hint of a third album came in 1989 with "Lover Don't Go", but it flopped and no album followed putting an end to Princess' solo career.
2nd December, 1985
Chart Run: 91, 96, 46, 36, 36, 36, 22, 12, 11, 10, 12, 8, 10, 12, 18, 17, 27, 49, 56, 66, 77 (21 weeks)
15. HAND ON YOUR HEART Kylie Minogue
After the huge success of her debut, Kylie had come up against tough criticism about her apparent talent. It was time to deliver her second album to prove she was not just a one album wonder. "Hand On Your Heart" was brand new Kylie from her Enjoy Yourself album, and although the album failed miserably against her debut, the singles, particularly this one, have stood the test of time. The video for this is one of her finer moments from the early years featuring what would become an iconic dress with a big heart on it that changed colours from scene to scene. "Hand On Your Heart" enjoyed a little resurgence in popularity in 2006 when Swedish singer, José González, recorded an acoustic version which peaked at #29 in the UK, and dented the Australian charts to reach #88.
Chart Run: 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 17, 21, 34, 46, 49, 67 (13 weeks)
14. BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW Kylie Minogue
Kylie introduced us to a sexier side of herself with this now classic hit, and one of the best pop songs of the 90's. Apparently, "Better The Devil You Know" was written after it was found that Kylie had switched beaus from Jason Donovan to Michael Hutchence, something to frighten the producers as it was potentially going to turn their lives into hell. As the introduction to her third album, it was also the sound of Kylie taking control of her own career. For Rhythm Of Love, she worked with American producers to try and break from the Stock, Aitken & Waterman shackles, although only SAW singles were released from the album, so there was a compromise. Kylie went further with her next album, boasting songwriting credits alongside Stock and Waterman.
Chart Run: 5, 7, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 19, 21, 25, 32, 37, 50, 60, 66, 89, 98
Re-entry: (5th April, 1998) 59, 69, 92 (20 weeks)
13. SHOWING OUT (GET FRESH AT THE WEEKEND) Mel & Kim
Mel & Kim's first single was originally intended to be "System", with "Showing Out" slated as the B-Side. It was flipped to the opposite side as both Mel & Kim, and Stock, Aitken & Waterman were unhappy with the original A-Side, and so "System" was never heard of again, unless, of course, you bought the album. Mel & Kim were born to English and Jamaican parents, and discovered dancing in a London nightclub before being signed to Supreme Records and nurtured by Stock, Aitken & Waterman. They cut a demo, a cover of a Mary Jane Girls single, "Wild And Crazy Love", but the single never saw the light of day. Upon its release in the US, "Showing Out" was an instant party hit, topping the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week.
28, 32, 41, 46, 53, 69, 91, 89 (28 weeks)
12. I WANT YOU BACK Bananarama
Originally titled "Reason For Living", the re-written "I Want You Back" was also re-recorded when new member Jacquie O'Sullivan joined the group. It would be the first single release to feature the new member after Siobhan Fahey's departure. Jacquie had already spent a decade in the music industry, starting out as part of a rockabilly group called the Shillelagh Sisters. She found more success as a backing singer for Status Quo and Visage and also appeared in quite a few video clips, including Eurythmics' "Who's That Girl?" which also featured the original members of Bananarama. Jacquie went on to appear on just one full-length Bananarama album, 1991's Pop Life, but never felt like a creative member of the group, leaving the group shortly after. Bananarama remains a duo to this day.
9th May, 1988
Chart Run: 82, 49, 21, 14, 7, 6, 3, 6, 5, 6, 6, 10, 15, 22, 28, 34, 43, 53, 54, 62, 80 (21 weeks)
11. ESPECIALLY FOR YOU Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan
from the Jason Donovan album "Ten Good Reasons".
Released in time for Christmas 1988, this was a sure fire hit as Kylie and Jason's on-screen wedding had just aired on Neighbours - one of the most popular moments in the soaps' 20 year history. Kylie and Jason were romantically linked in real life at the time of the recording "Especially For You", the duet inevitable for the Stock, Aitken & Waterman stars. Pete Waterman and Matt Aitken flew to Sydney to write and record the song, taking 10 hours to complete. With public expectation so high, this sickly sweet ballad was just what the public wanted, but not a fave among the SAW trio. "Especially For You" never featured on a Kylie album until 1992's Greatest Hits, however, timed right for Jason's debut album, it appeared on his Ten Good Reasons album.
1st January, 1989
Chart Run: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 17, 30, 29, 28, 31, 42, 49, 63, 66,84 (20 weeks)
10. STEP BACK IN TIME Kylie Minogue
Many would be surprised to learn that this single was a flop throughout Europe. It seemed her popularity was on the slide, however, the UK and Australia still kept her consistency up. It was actually a step in the right direction in Australia as this single outsold many of her previous hits, surpassed only by her #1's. After "Better The Devil You Know", this cemented Kylie's reputation as a new-born dance princess rather than a pop star. "Step Back In Time" was Kylie's first attempt at a purely dance market, and stepped back in time herself during 2000 when she released "Spinning Around", in many ways an ode to this track. Barring 1997's Impossible Princess, Kylie would bounce between pop and dance pretty much for every single in her career after her time with SAW.
Chart Run: 8, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 11, 10, 10, 13, 19, 24, 25, 30, 51, 67, 67, 81, 76 (19 weeks)
9. YOU SPIN ME ROUND (LIKE A RECORD) Dead Or Alive
The first UK #1 for Stock, Aitken & Waterman! One of the longest lasting singles in the Australian charts in terms of re-appearance, "You Spin Me Round" also appeared in remix form during 1996 when Dead Or Alive were enjoying a mini-comeback with Nukleopatra. The '96 remix was actually produced by Dead Or Alive's Steve Coy, and remixed by Simon Lewicki, better known as Groove Terminator a few years later, so points for that chart run don't count for this SAW "production" list, however, it did appear again in 2003, highlighting their greatest hits package, Evolution: The Hits, giving the original release a few extra bonus points. The single also enjoyed similar longevity in the UK re-entering the Top 5 when Pete Burns appeared on the UK Celebrity Big Brother.
Chart Run: 90, 58, 35, 22, 12, 4, 3, 5, 5, 3, 6, 7, 7, 12, 16, 20, 33, 39, 43, 61, 64, 76, 87, 70, 93 (25 weeks)
2003 Chart Run: 62, 81, 77 (3 weeks)
8. NOTHING CAN DIVIDE US Jason Donovan
Jason's debut strangely enjoyed more success in Australia than it did in the UK where SAW hits were destined for the top. This track could only manage a #5 peak in the UK against Australia's Top 3 placing. It was the Asian countries who really idolised Jason as "Nothing Can Divide Us" topped the charts in Japan and Hong Kong. After Jason's music success had subsided, he launched libel action against The Face magazine who had published allegations that he was gay. While he successfully sued, awarded £200,000 in damages, it made Jason appear homophobic and alienated his fans of which a large percentage were gay. To try and win back his supporters, Jason decided not to take the full payment from the magazine which would have closed down if full payment was made.
Chart Run: 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 6, 8, 7, 10, 10, 16, 15, 24, 29, 29, 47, 69, 83 (18 weeks)
7. WHENEVER YOU NEED SOMEBODY Rick Astley
Rick continued the success of "Never Gonna Give You Up" with the title track from his debut album, no doubt riding on the coattails of his massive hit to reach the Australian Top 5. Although Rick is well-known for his first three albums, he has actually released six original albums in total, Whenever You Need Somebody (1987), Hold Me In Your Arms (1989), Free (1991), Body & Soul (1993), Keep It Turned On (2001), and Portrait (2005) which was Rick's true comeback in the UK when it reached #26, making up for his two previous no-shows. In November 2008, Rick was awarded "Best Act Ever" at the European MTV Music Awards, helped along by a massive internet campaign. The award caused "Never Gonna Give You Up" to re-enter the UK charts, peaking at #73.
1st February, 1988
Chart Run: 48, 22, 15, 7, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 4, 6, 4, 8, 9, 17, 30, 33, 48, 64, 69 (20 weeks)
6. GOT TO BE CERTAIN Kylie Minogue
Kylie's third straight #1 was also the second single ever to debut at #1 on the Australian charts, the first being Midnight Oil's Species Deceases EP. The song's video clip was shot in Kylie's hometown of Melbourne, and the city's familiar skyline can be seen as Kylie dances her way on building tops. "Got To Be Certain"'s three week run at the top would be the last for Kylie for some time, having to wait until 1994 for her next chart-topper, "Confide In Me". There was an even bigger wait between #1's in the UK when "Tears On My Pillow" hit #1 in 1990, followed 10 years later by "Spinning Around". "Got To Be Certain" was the first of ten single releases in the UK that stalled at #2, which could have made her #1 count 16 instead of the six that actually reached the top.
Chart Run: 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 7, 9, 20, 26, 31, 36, 41, 50, 60, 93, 91, 89 (19 weeks)
5. LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREE Bananarama
As one of the most well-known hits of the 80's, it's hard to avoid this song in the retro clubs or on radio stations. Siobhan Fahey is clearly pregnant in this video clip as she plays a prisoner cleverly hidden behind many male dancers - I'm sure a terrible experience. Surprisingly, this is Bananarama's biggest selling single in the UK where it peaked at #3, one of three Bananarama singles to do so. Actually, #3 is all Bananarama could manage during their career - another shock! "Love In The First Degree" was nominated at the BRIT awards for "Best Single" but lost to another Stock, Aitken & Waterman single, Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". It was at the BRIT's that year that Siobhan last performed as part of Bananarama. Apparently, Sara Dallin played bass on this track!
Chart Run: 72, 58, 35, 27, 17, 16, 11, 9, 10, 8, 12, 10, 7, 5, 6, 7, 9, 17, 21, 24,
24, 40, 42, 39, 49, 56, 73, 80, 93 (29 weeks)
4. RESPECTABLE Mel & Kim
After the success of "Showing Out", Mel & Kim were all set for huge hit, and this was it. Even the US loved it, sending it to #1 on the Dance Club Play charts. "Respectable" was the second #1 hit for Stock, Aitken & Waterman in the UK after Dead Or Alive's 1985 hit. It lasted just one week at the top, but the producers hardly cared as their ensemble hit, "Let It Be", featuring Mel & Kim, was the single to knock "Respectable" from the top spot. It didn't stop there, as well as the UK and Australia, "Respectable" hit the #1 position in The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand where it celebrated five weeks at the top, the singles' best performance worldwide. In 2001, another British girl group, Girls@Play, released a cover of "Respectable" which hit #28 in the UK.
1st June, 1987
Chart Run: 24, 13, 6, 5, 4, 2, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 3, 4, 10, 13, 16, 21, 22, 42,
47, 52, 64, 84 (24 weeks)
3. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY Kylie Minogue
After the amazing success of Kylie's debut in Australia, it was up to SAW to keep her momentum going. Apparently the producers wrote this song in 40 minutes flat as they forgot that she was meeting them to record. In return, Kylie recorded the song in under an hour, and a little piece of pop history was born. As cheesy as this song is, Kylie has learnt to embrace it as her "Holiday", even reciting the words as poetry after a suggestion from mentor, Nick Cave. Kylie has performed "I Should Be So Lucky" at most of her major concerts, one of the few tracks from her debut album to be given that honour (The Loco-motion still pops up here and there, included in some set lists of her KylieX2008 tour). Soon after the singles' success, Mike Stock apologized for forgetting that recording session.
Chart Run: 10, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 5, 9, 20, 27, 38, 52, 63, 92 (19 weeks)
2. VENUS Bananarama
The single that brought Bananarama and Stock, Aitken & Waterman together. The girls had been performing the 1970 Shocking Blue classic for quite some time before deciding to record and release it as a single. With resistance from their usual producers to help them out, they turned to SAW who had just celebrated their first #1 the year before. So successful was the outcome that Bananarama's next album, "Wow!", featured nothing but SAW on production duties. The UK was quite lacklustre with "Venus" compared to the rest of the world. It went #1 in Australia and the US but only reached #8 in their home country, their seventh Top Ten of a total of ten. However, there was no shame involved as the Shocking Blue original also reached #8 in the UK sixteen years earlier.
Chart Run: 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 9, 11, 16, 18, 20, 25, 34, 30,
30, 29, 30, 38, 40, 43, 62, 67, 57, 76, 82 (31 weeks)
1. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP Rick Astley
The biggest SAW hit also became the biggest selling single of the 80's in Austraia. With seven weeks at #1, it was at the top of every Christmas list in 1987. This track became infamous in 2007 as an internet joke called "Rickrolling" took over cyberspace. Links to various websites often lead to the songs' film clip, no doubt an agonizing experience for many a non-SAW fan. "Rickrolling" became so popular that YouTube used it as their 2008 April Fools' Day prank, directing all featured videos to the clip. If that wasn't enough, The Rickrollerz, a collective of London dance producers, released their version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" a week later, making a small dent in the UK Club Charts at #22. Unfortunately for Rick, there was no money money to benefit, although he did received $12 from YouTube for his performance share. Lucky his debut album sold over 15 million copies worldwide!
Chart Run: 83, 71, 43, 14, 7, 4, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 5, 5, 4, 4,
5, 5, 7, 6, 9, 13, 15, 14, 20, 25, 39, 51, 52, 70, 86 (35 weeks)
The ARIA charts came into effect on 26th June, 1988, with information of its Top 50 available to the public. Because of this availability, the Australian Music Report is used to fill in the unavailable #51-#100 positions not available from ARIA until 1990. Chart runs appearing in white indicate singles that were affected by the change over, with ARIA reflected in black, and AMR in white. ARIA chart positions take precedence over AMR.
Accreditation key: ● Gold (35,000 units) ▲ Platinum (70,000 units) ▲² Multi Platinum (140,000+ units)
Australian-Charts.com
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Labels: Stock Aitken And Waterman
Accreditation Awards - Singles
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