In association with MusicWeek


God Save The Queen The Sex Pistols (1977)


“Banned by the BBC who broadcast the Official Charts, this single shook


up the establishment. Did it really get to No.1 or didn't it? We may never know.” Miles Leonard, A&R Director, EMI Music


Bright Eyes Art Garfunkel (1979)


“The first single I owned. I was disappointed when it didn't turn into


Blondie’s Sunday Girl - I thought you just bought the No.1 single and that it would change every week.” John Hirst, Music Manager, HMV


Heart of Glass Blondie (1979)


“Iconic, sexy and timeless. A vocal and track that still holds its own.” Max Lousada,


Chairman, Atlantic Records UK


Are Friends Electric? Gary Numan/Tubeway Army (1979)


“Growing up in the North, music was as tribal as football. Gary Numan


polarised opinion but this was and is a song worth standing your ground for.” Mike Smith, President Of Music, Mercury Records


Going Underground The Jam (1980)


“The song and band meant so much to me and friends at school. The Jam


helped to define musical taste and identity growing up in England at the time.” David Joseph, CEO, Universal Music UK


Going Underground The Jam (1980)


“As a schoolboy, The Jam were a significant influence on my life.


Anger, energy, politicisation; their songs were reflective of youth culture under Thatcher.” Geoff Ellis, CEO, DF Concerts


Going Underground The Jam (1980)


“I skipped the first period of school on the day of release to make sure I


got the double pack with the bonus live 7-inch.” Dave Newton, Founder, WeGotTickets


Ashes To Ashes David Bowie (1980)


“As well as being the most expensive promo video ever made at the time,


it probably inspired the New Romantic movement and set a new benchmark for music video.” Ian McAndrew, Founder, Wildlife


20 www.officialcharts.com


Don’t Stand So Close To Me The Police (1980)


“The single that kicked off my teenage years - quite literally since it


went to No.1 the day after my 13th birthday.” Kim Bayley, Director General, ERA


Going Underground The Jam (1980)


“I remember seeing this on TOTP and wondering why the singer was


wearing a Heinz soup apron just like my mum’s. But it’s as brilliant now as it was then.” Paul Smernicki, Digital Director, Universal UK


Ashes to Ashes David Bowie (1980)


“It sounded like nothing else around at the time. I was fascinated with the


video as it was half really arty and half scary.” Julie Weir,


Founder, Visible Noise


Don’t You Want Me? The Human League (1981)


“It coincided for me (i) with the UK and Argentina going to war, an


unsettling period for someone who loves both nations, and (ii) with my first proper crush.” Alexi Cory-Smith, SVP, BMG Chrysalis UK


Under Pressure David Bowie/Queen (1981)


“Two great artists at their height, thrown together after dinner. Genius.” John Giddings,


Founder, Solo Agency


Under Pressure David Bowie/Queen (1981)


“Two incredible, timeless British artists at their peak; two incredible, timeless


vocals; one incredible, timeless song.” Paul Lisberg, MD, Epic Records


Ghost Town The Specials (1981)


“Summed up the turmoil going on inside Thatcher’s Britain. A fantastic,


brooding post punk apocalyptic single.” Craig Jennings, CEO, Raw Power


Pass the Dutchie Musical Youth (1982)


“It was the first time I saw a ‘me’ on TV: young black kids that


musically and stylistically reflected what my friends and I were into.” Darcus Beese, Co-President, Island Records


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