List of UK singles chart number ones of the 1980s - wikipedia List of UK singles chart number ones of the 1980s UK Singles Chart number ones 1950s and 1960s NME ( 1950s ) NME ( 1960s ) Record Mirror ( 1955 -- 1962 ) Record Retailer ( 1960s ) 1970s NME ( 1970s ) 1980s NME ( 1980s ) 1990s 2000s 2010s UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company Christmas number one The UK Singles Chart is the official record chart in the United Kingdom. Until 1983, it was compiled weekly by the British Market Research Bureau ( BMRB ) on behalf of the British record industry with a two - week break each Christmas. The BMRB used motorcycle couriers to collect the sales figures taken up to the close of trade on Saturday. This data was compiled on Monday and given to the BBC on Tuesday to be announced on Johnnie Walker 's afternoon show and later published in Music Week. On 4 January 1983, the chart was taken over by Gallup who expanded the chart from the Top 75 to the Top 100 and began the introduction of computerised tills which automated the data collection process. The chart was based entirely on sales of physical singles from retail outlets and announced on Tuesday until October 1987, when the Top 40 was revealed each Sunday, due to the new automated process. During the 1980s there were a total of 191 singles which took the UK chart number 1 spot. In terms of number - one singles, Madonna was the most successful single act of the decade, as six of her singles reached the top spot. George Michael had significant involvement with eight number - one singles ; with two number - one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham !, one as a duet with Aretha Franklin and one as a member of charity supergroup Band Aid. The longest duration of a single at number one was nine weeks, achieved by Frankie Goes to Hollywood 's `` Two Tribes '' in 1984. The best - selling single of the decade was `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' by Band Aid, selling over 3.5 million copies, and passing `` Mull of Kintyre '' by Wings ' to become the best - selling single ever. `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' is currently the second best - selling song after `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' by Elton John. The 1980s saw the introduction of the cassette single ( or `` cassingle '' ) alongside the 7 - inch and 12 - inch record formats and in 1987 major record labels developed a common format for the CD single. For the chart week ending 3 May 1989, chart regulations confined Kylie Minogue 's song `` Hand on Your Heart '' to number two. Minogue would have reached number one if sales from cassette singles were included but they were sold for £ 1.99 -- cheaper than was allowed at the time. Following the debacle the British Phonographic Industry reduced the minimum price for cassette singles to become eligible towards sales figures. Contents 1 Number - one singles 2 By artist 3 Million - selling and platinum records 3.1 Additional information 4 Notes 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links Number - one singles The Jam managed four number ones during the 1980s, two in 1980 and two in 1982. In 1980, ABBA had two number ones and their last being Super Trouper. John Lennon was murdered in 1980 and his song, `` Imagine '', reached number one posthumously. During the 1980s, Michael Jackson had number - one singles with `` One Day in Your Life '', `` Billie Jean '' and `` I Just Ca n't Stop Loving You ''. Bucks Fizz scored three number - one singles during the 1980s. During the 1980s, Culture Club had two number ones, including the best - selling single of 1983, `` Karma Chameleon ''. George Michael was one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, with two number - one singles as a solo artist, four with Wham ! and one as a duet with Aretha Franklin. Bob Geldof co-wrote `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '', which was the biggest - selling single of the decade. Frankie Goes to Hollywood had three consecutive singles reach number one, of which two, `` Relax '' and `` Two Tribes '', sold over one million copies. In 1985, Jennifer Rush was the first solo female to have a single sell over a million copies. The 1980s saw the beginning of Madonna 's music career, where she scored six number ones, her first being `` Into the Groove '' in 1985. During the 1980s, the Pet Shop Boys gained four number ones, `` West End Girls '', `` It 's a Sin '', `` Always on My Mind '' and `` Heart ''. Mel and Kim were the only British girl group to achieve a number one during the 1980s. In 1988, Kylie Minogue went to number one with her debut single `` I Should Be So Lucky '', and achieved three more number ones, including as a part of Band Aid II. Key † Best - selling single of the year ‡ Best - selling single of the decade * Indicates a single that did not reach number one in the NME singles chart, which was compiled separately until 4 May 1988 Contents ← 1970s 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990s → No. Artist Single Week ending date Weeks at number one 447.1 ! 1980 448 Pink Floyd `` Another Brick in the Wall ( Part II ) '' 000000001979 - 12 - 15 - 0000 15 December 1979 5 449 Pretenders `` Brass in Pocket '' 000000001980 - 01 - 19 - 0000 19 January 1980 450 Specials ! The Special A.K.A. feat. Rico `` Special A.K.A. Live ! '' ! The Special A.K.A. Live ! 000000001980 - 02 - 02 - 0000 2 February 1980 451 Rogers, Kenny Kenny Rogers `` Coward of the County '' 000000001980 - 02 - 16 - 0000 16 February 1980 452 Blondie `` Atomic '' 000000001980 - 03 - 01 - 0000 1 March 1980 453 Kinney, Fern Fern Kinney `` Together We Are Beautiful '' 000000001980 - 03 - 15 - 0000 15 March 1980 454 Jam ! The Jam `` Going Underground '' / `` Dreams of Children '' 000000001980 - 03 - 22 - 0000 22 March 1980 455 Detroit Spinners `` Working My Way Back to You -- Forgive Me Girl '' * 000000001980 - 04 - 12 - 0000 12 April 1980 456 Blondie `` Call Me '' 000000001980 - 04 - 26 - 0000 26 April 1980 457 Dexys Midnight Runners `` Geno '' 000000001980 - 05 - 03 - 0000 3 May 1980 458 Logan, Johnny Johnny Logan `` What 's Another Year '' 000000001980 - 05 - 17 - 0000 17 May 1980 459 MASH ! The Mash `` Theme from M * A * S * H ( Suicide is Painless ) '' 000000001980 - 05 - 31 - 0000 31 May 1980 460 McLean, Don Don McLean `` Crying '' 000000001980 - 06 - 21 - 0000 21 June 1980 461 Newton - John, Olivia Olivia Newton - John and the Electric Light Orchestra `` Xanadu '' 000000001980 - 07 - 12 - 0000 12 July 1980 462 Odyssey `` Use It Up and Wear It Out '' 000000001980 - 07 - 26 - 0000 26 July 1980 463 ABBA `` Winner Takes It All, The The Winner Takes It All '' 000000001980 - 08 - 09 - 0000 9 August 1980 464 Bowie, David David Bowie `` Ashes to Ashes '' 000000001980 - 08 - 23 - 0000 23 August 1980 465 Jam ! The Jam `` Start ! '' 000000001980 - 09 - 06 - 0000 6 September 1980 466 Marie, Kelly Kelly Marie `` Feels Like I 'm in Love '' * 000000001980 - 09 - 13 - 0000 13 September 1980 467 Police ! The Police `` Do n't Stand So Close to Me '' † 000000001980 - 09 - 27 - 0000 27 September 1980 468 Streisand, Barbra Barbra Streisand `` Woman in Love '' 000000001980 - 10 - 25 - 0000 25 October 1980 469 Blondie `` Tide Is High, The The Tide Is High '' 000000001980 - 11 - 15 - 0000 15 November 1980 470 ABBA `` Super Trouper '' 000000001980 - 11 - 29 - 0000 29 November 1980 471 Lennon, John John Lennon `` Just Like ) Starting Over ! ( Just Like ) Starting Over '' 000000001980 - 12 - 20 - 0000 20 December 1980 472 St Winifred 's School Choir `` There 's No One Quite Like Grandma '' * 000000001980 - 12 - 27 - 0000 27 December 1980 472.1 ! 1981 473 Lennon, John John Lennon `` Imagine '' 000000001981 - 01 - 10 - 0000 10 January 1981 474 Lennon, John John Lennon `` Woman '' * 000000001981 - 02 - 07 - 0000 7 February 1981 475 Dolce, Joe ! Joe Dolce Music Theatre `` Shaddap You Face '' 000000001981 - 02 - 21 - 0000 21 February 1981 476 Roxy Music `` Jealous Guy '' 000000001981 - 03 - 14 - 0000 14 March 1981 477 Shakin ' Stevens `` This Ole House '' 000000001981 - 03 - 28 - 0000 28 March 1981 478 Bucks Fizz `` Making Your Mind Up '' 000000001981 - 04 - 18 - 0000 18 April 1981 479 Ants ! Adam and the Ants `` Stand and Deliver '' 000000001981 - 05 - 09 - 0000 9 May 1981 5 480 Robinson, Smokey Smokey Robinson `` Being with You '' 000000001981 - 06 - 13 - 0000 13 June 1981 481 Jackson, Michael Michael Jackson `` One Day In Your Life '' 000000001981 - 06 - 27 - 0000 27 June 1981 482 Specials ! The Specials `` Ghost Town '' 000000001981 - 07 - 11 - 0000 11 July 1981 483 Shakin ' Stevens `` Green Door '' 000000001981 - 08 - 01 - 0000 1 August 1981 484 Aneka `` Japanese Boy '' 000000001981 - 08 - 29 - 0000 29 August 1981 485 Soft Cell `` Tainted Love '' † 000000001981 - 09 - 05 - 0000 5 September 1981 486 Ants ! Adam and the Ants `` Prince Charming '' 000000001981 - 09 - 19 - 0000 19 September 1981 487 Stewart, Dave Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin `` It 's My Party '' 000000001981 - 10 - 17 - 0000 17 October 1981 488 Police ! The Police `` Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic '' 000000001981 - 11 - 14 - 0000 14 November 1981 489 Queen and David Bowie `` Under Pressure '' 000000001981 - 11 - 21 - 0000 21 November 1981 490 Iglesias, Julio Julio Iglesias `` Begin The Beguine ( Volver A Empezar ) '' 000000001981 - 12 - 05 - 0000 5 December 1981 491 Human League ! The Human League `` Do n't You Want Me '' 000000001981 - 12 - 12 - 0000 12 December 1981 5 491.1 ! 1982 492 Bucks Fizz `` Land of Make Believe, The The Land of Make Believe '' 000000001982 - 01 - 16 - 0000 16 January 1982 493 Shakin ' Stevens `` Oh Julie '' * 000000001982 - 01 - 30 - 0000 30 January 1982 494 Kraftwerk `` Computer Love '' / `` The Model '' 000000001982 - 02 - 06 - 0000 6 February 1982 495 Jam ! The Jam `` Town Called Malice '' / `` Precious '' 000000001982 - 02 - 13 - 0000 13 February 1982 496 Tight Fit `` Lion Sleeps Tonight, The The Lion Sleeps Tonight '' 000000001982 - 03 - 06 - 0000 6 March 1982 497 Goombay Dance Band `` Seven Tears '' 000000001982 - 03 - 27 - 0000 27 March 1982 498 Bucks Fizz `` My Camera Never Lies '' 000000001982 - 04 - 17 - 0000 17 April 1982 499 McCartney, Paul Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder `` Ebony and Ivory '' 000000001982 - 04 - 24 - 0000 24 April 1982 500 Nicole `` Little Peace, AA Little Peace '' 000000001982 - 05 - 15 - 0000 15 May 1982 501 Madness `` House of Fun '' 000000001982 - 05 - 29 - 0000 29 May 1982 502 Ant, Adam Adam Ant `` Goody Two Shoes '' 000000001982 - 06 - 12 - 0000 12 June 1982 503 Charlene `` I 've Never Been to Me '' 000000001982 - 06 - 26 - 0000 26 June 1982 504 Captain Sensible `` Happy Talk '' 000000001982 - 07 - 03 - 0000 3 July 1982 505 Cara, Irene Irene Cara `` Fame '' 000000001982 - 07 - 17 - 0000 17 July 1982 506 Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express `` Come On Eileen '' † 000000001982 - 08 - 07 - 0000 7 August 1982 507 Survivor `` Eye of the Tiger '' 000000001982 - 09 - 04 - 0000 4 September 1982 508 Musical Youth `` Pass the Dutchie '' 000000001982 - 10 - 02 - 0000 2 October 1982 509 Culture Club `` Do You Really Want to Hurt Me '' 000000001982 - 10 - 23 - 0000 23 October 1982 510 Grant, Eddy Eddy Grant `` I Do n't Wanna Dance '' 000000001982 - 11 - 13 - 0000 13 November 1982 511 Jam ! The Jam `` Beat Surrender '' 000000001982 - 12 - 04 - 0000 4 December 1982 512 Renée and Renato `` Save Your Love '' 000000001982 - 12 - 18 - 0000 18 December 1982 512.1 ! 1983 513 Collins, Phil Phil Collins `` You Ca n't Hurry Love '' 000000001983 - 01 - 15 - 0000 15 January 1983 514 Men at Work `` Down Under '' 000000001983 - 01 - 29 - 0000 29 January 1983 515 Kajagoogoo `` Too Shy '' 000000001983 - 02 - 19 - 0000 19 February 1983 516 Jackson, Michael Michael Jackson `` Billie Jean '' 000000001983 - 03 - 05 - 0000 5 March 1983 517 Tyler, Bonnie Bonnie Tyler `` Total Eclipse of the Heart '' 000000001983 - 03 - 12 - 0000 12 March 1983 518 Duran Duran `` Is There Something I Should Know ? '' 000000001983 - 03 - 26 - 0000 26 March 1983 519 Bowie, David David Bowie `` Let 's Dance '' 000000001983 - 04 - 09 - 0000 9 April 1983 520 Spandau Ballet `` True '' 000000001983 - 04 - 30 - 0000 30 April 1983 521 New Edition `` Candy Girl '' 000000001983 - 05 - 28 - 0000 28 May 1983 522 Police ! The Police `` Every Breath You Take '' 000000001983 - 06 - 04 - 0000 4 June 1983 523 Stewart, Rod Rod Stewart `` Baby Jane '' 000000001983 - 07 - 02 - 0000 2 July 1983 524 Young, Paul Paul Young `` Wherever I Lay My Hat ( That 's My Home ) '' 000000001983 - 07 - 23 - 0000 23 July 1983 525 KC and the Sunshine Band `` Give It Up '' 000000001983 - 08 - 13 - 0000 13 August 1983 526 UB40 `` Red Red Wine '' 000000001983 - 09 - 03 - 0000 3 September 1983 527 Culture Club `` Karma Chameleon '' † 000000001983 - 09 - 24 - 0000 24 September 1983 6 528 Joel, Billy Billy Joel `` Uptown Girl '' 000000001983 - 11 - 05 - 0000 5 November 1983 5 529 Flying Pickets ! The Flying Pickets `` Only You '' 000000001983 - 12 - 10 - 0000 10 December 1983 5 529.1 ! 1984 530 McCartney, Paul Paul McCartney `` Pipes of Peace '' 000000001984 - 01 - 14 - 0000 14 January 1984 531 Frankie Goes to Hollywood `` Relax '' 000000001984 - 01 - 28 - 0000 28 January 1984 5 532 Nena `` 99 Red Balloons '' 000000001984 - 03 - 03 - 0000 3 March 1984 533 Richie, Lionel Lionel Richie `` Hello '' 000000001984 - 03 - 24 - 0000 24 March 1984 6 534 Duran Duran `` Reflex, The The Reflex '' 000000001984 - 05 - 05 - 0000 5 May 1984 535 Wham ! `` Wake Me Up Before You Go - Go '' 000000001984 - 06 - 02 - 0000 2 June 1984 536 Frankie Goes to Hollywood `` Two Tribes '' 000000001984 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 1984 9 537 Michael, George George Michael `` Careless Whisper '' 000000001984 - 08 - 18 - 0000 18 August 1984 538 Wonder, Stevie Stevie Wonder `` I Just Called to Say I Love You '' 000000001984 - 09 - 08 - 0000 8 September 1984 6 539 Wham ! `` Freedom '' 000000001984 - 10 - 20 - 0000 20 October 1984 540 Khan, Chaka Chaka Khan `` I Feel for You '' 000000001984 - 11 - 10 - 0000 10 November 1984 541 Diamond, Jim Jim Diamond `` I Should Have Known Better '' 000000001984 - 12 - 01 - 0000 1 December 1984 542 Frankie Goes to Hollywood `` Power of Love, The The Power of Love '' * 000000001984 - 12 - 08 - 0000 8 December 1984 543 Band Aid `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' ‡ 000000001984 - 12 - 15 - 0000 15 December 1984 5 543.1 ! 1985 544 Foreigner `` I Want to Know What Love Is '' 000000001985 - 01 - 19 - 0000 19 January 1985 545 Paige, Elaine Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson `` I Know Him So Well '' 000000001985 - 02 - 09 - 0000 9 February 1985 546 Dead or Alive `` You Spin Me Round ( Like a Record ) '' 000000001985 - 03 - 09 - 0000 9 March 1985 547 Bailey, Philip Philip Bailey ( duet with Phil Collins ) `` Easy Lover '' 000000001985 - 03 - 23 - 0000 23 March 1985 548 USA for Africa `` We Are the World '' * 000000001985 - 04 - 20 - 0000 20 April 1985 549 Nelson, Phyllis Phyllis Nelson `` Move Closer '' 000000001985 - 05 - 04 - 0000 4 May 1985 550 Hardcastle, Paul Paul Hardcastle `` 19 '' 000000001985 - 05 - 11 - 0000 11 May 1985 5 551 Crowd ! The Crowd `` You 'll Never Walk Alone '' 000000001985 - 06 - 15 - 0000 15 June 1985 552 Sister Sledge `` Frankie '' 000000001985 - 06 - 29 - 0000 29 June 1985 553 Eurythmics `` There Must Be an Angel ( Playing with My Heart ) '' 000000001985 - 07 - 27 - 0000 27 July 1985 554 Madonna `` Into the Groove '' 000000001985 - 08 - 03 - 0000 3 August 1985 555 UB40 and Chrissie Hynde `` I Got You Babe '' 000000001985 - 08 - 31 - 0000 31 August 1985 556 Bowie, David David Bowie and Mick Jagger `` Dancing in the Street '' 000000001985 - 09 - 07 - 0000 7 September 1985 557 Ure, Midge Midge Ure `` If I Was '' 000000001985 - 10 - 05 - 0000 5 October 1985 558 Rush, Jennifer Jennifer Rush `` Power of Love, The The Power of Love '' † 000000001985 - 10 - 12 - 0000 12 October 1985 5 559 Sharkey, Feargal Feargal Sharkey `` Good Heart, AA Good Heart '' 000000001985 - 11 - 16 - 0000 16 November 1985 560 Wham ! `` I 'm Your Man '' 000000001985 - 11 - 30 - 0000 30 November 1985 561 Houston, Whitney Whitney Houston `` Saving All My Love for You '' 000000001985 - 12 - 14 - 0000 14 December 1985 562 Shakin ' Stevens `` Merry Christmas Everyone '' * 000000001985 - 12 - 28 - 0000 28 December 1985 562.1 ! 1986 563 Pet Shop Boys `` West End Girls '' 000000001986 - 01 - 11 - 0000 11 January 1986 564 A-ha ! a-ha `` Sun Always Shines on T.V., The The Sun Always Shines on T.V. '' 000000001986 - 01 - 25 - 0000 25 January 1986 565 Ocean, Billy Billy Ocean `` When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going '' 000000001986 - 02 - 08 - 0000 8 February 1986 566 Ross, Diana Diana Ross `` Chain Reaction '' 000000001986 - 03 - 08 - 0000 8 March 1986 567 Richard, Cliff Cliff Richard and The Young Ones `` Living Doll '' 000000001986 - 03 - 29 - 0000 29 March 1986 568 Michael, George George Michael `` Different Corner, AA Different Corner '' 000000001986 - 04 - 19 - 0000 19 April 1986 569 Falco `` Rock Me Amadeus '' 000000001986 - 05 - 10 - 0000 10 May 1986 570 Spitting Image `` Chicken Song, The The Chicken Song '' 000000001986 - 05 - 17 - 0000 17 May 1986 571 Doctor and the Medics `` Spirit in the Sky '' 000000001986 - 06 - 07 - 0000 7 June 1986 572 Wham ! `` Edge of Heaven, The The Edge of Heaven '' 000000001986 - 06 - 28 - 0000 28 June 1986 573 Madonna `` Papa Do n't Preach '' 000000001986 - 07 - 12 - 0000 12 July 1986 574 de Burgh, Chris Chris de Burgh `` Lady in Red, The The Lady in Red '' 000000001986 - 08 - 02 - 0000 2 August 1986 575 Gardiner, Boris Boris Gardiner `` I Want to Wake Up with You '' 000000001986 - 08 - 23 - 0000 23 August 1986 576 Communards ! The Communards `` Do n't Leave Me This Way '' † 000000001986 - 09 - 13 - 0000 13 September 1986 577 Madonna `` True Blue '' 000000001986 - 10 - 11 - 0000 11 October 1986 578 Berry, Nick Nick Berry `` Every Loser Wins '' 000000001986 - 10 - 18 - 0000 18 October 1986 579 Berlin `` Take My Breath Away ( Love Theme from Top Gun ) '' 000000001986 - 11 - 08 - 0000 8 November 1986 580 Europe `` Final Countdown, The The Final Countdown '' 000000001986 - 12 - 06 - 0000 6 December 1986 581 Housemartins ! The Housemartins `` Caravan of Love '' 000000001986 - 12 - 20 - 0000 20 December 1986 582 Wilson, Jackie Jackie Wilson `` Reet Petite ( The Sweetest Girl in Town ) '' 000000001986 - 12 - 27 - 0000 27 December 1986 582.1 ! 1987 583 Hurley, Steve `` Silk '' Steve `` Silk '' Hurley `` Jack Your Body '' * 000000001987 - 01 - 24 - 0000 24 January 1987 584 Franklin, Aretha Aretha Franklin and George Michael `` I Knew You Were Waiting ( For Me ) '' 000000001987 - 02 - 07 - 0000 7 February 1987 585 King, Ben E. Ben E. King `` Stand by Me '' 000000001987 - 02 - 21 - 0000 21 February 1987 586 George, Boy Boy George `` Everything I Own '' 000000001987 - 03 - 14 - 0000 14 March 1987 587 Mel and Kim `` Respectable '' 000000001987 - 03 - 28 - 0000 28 March 1987 588 Ferry Aid `` Let It Be '' 000000001987 - 04 - 04 - 0000 4 April 1987 589 Madonna `` La Isla Bonita '' 000000001987 - 04 - 25 - 0000 25 April 1987 590 Starship `` Nothing 's Gonna Stop Us Now '' 000000001987 - 05 - 09 - 0000 9 May 1987 591 Houston, Whitney Whitney Houston `` I Wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) '' 000000001987 - 06 - 06 - 0000 6 June 1987 592 Firm ! The Firm `` Star Trekkin ' '' 000000001987 - 06 - 20 - 0000 20 June 1987 593 Pet Shop Boys `` It 's a Sin '' 000000001987 - 07 - 04 - 0000 4 July 1987 594 Madonna `` Who 's That Girl '' 000000001987 - 07 - 25 - 0000 25 July 1987 595 Los Lobos `` La Bamba '' 000000001987 - 08 - 01 - 0000 1 August 1987 596 Jackson, Michael Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett `` I Just Ca n't Stop Loving You '' 000000001987 - 08 - 15 - 0000 15 August 1987 597 Astley, Rick Rick Astley `` Never Gonna Give You Up '' † 000000001987 - 08 - 29 - 0000 29 August 1987 5 598 MARRS `` Pump Up the Volume '' / `` Anitina ( The First Time I See She Dance ) '' 000000001987 - 10 - 03 - 0000 3 October 1987 599 Bee Gees `` You Win Again '' 000000001987 - 10 - 17 - 0000 17 October 1987 600 T'Pau `` China in Your Hand '' 000000001987 - 11 - 14 - 0000 14 November 1987 5 601 Pet Shop Boys `` Always on My Mind '' 000000001987 - 12 - 19 - 0000 19 December 1987 601.1 ! 1988 602 Carlisle, Belinda Belinda Carlisle `` Heaven Is a Place on Earth '' 000000001988 - 01 - 16 - 0000 16 January 1988 603 Tiffany `` I Think We 're Alone Now '' 000000001988 - 01 - 30 - 0000 30 January 1988 604 Minogue, Kylie Kylie Minogue `` I Should Be So Lucky '' 000000001988 - 02 - 20 - 0000 20 February 1988 5 605 Aswad `` Do n't Turn Around '' 000000001988 - 03 - 26 - 0000 26 March 1988 606 Pet Shop Boys `` Heart '' 000000001988 - 04 - 09 - 0000 9 April 1988 607 S - Express `` Theme from S - Express '' 000000001988 - 04 - 30 - 0000 30 April 1988 608 Fairground Attraction `` Perfect '' 000000001988 - 05 - 14 - 0000 14 May 1988 609 Wet Wet Wet Billy Bragg and Cara Tivey `` With a Little Help from My Friends '' `` She 's Leaving Home '' 000000001988 - 05 - 21 - 0000 21 May 1988 610 Timelords ! The Timelords `` Doctorin ' the Tardis '' 000000001988 - 06 - 18 - 0000 18 June 1988 611 Bros `` I Owe You Nothing '' 000000001988 - 06 - 25 - 0000 25 June 1988 612 Medeiros, Glenn Glenn Medeiros `` Nothing 's Gonna Change My Love for You '' 000000001988 - 07 - 09 - 0000 9 July 1988 613 Yazz and the Plastic Population `` Only Way Is Up, The The Only Way Is Up '' 000000001988 - 08 - 06 - 0000 6 August 1988 5 614 Collins, Phil Phil Collins `` Groovy Kind of Love, AA Groovy Kind of Love '' 000000001988 - 09 - 10 - 0000 10 September 1988 615 Hollies ! The Hollies `` He Ai n't Heavy, He 's My Brother '' 000000001988 - 09 - 24 - 0000 24 September 1988 616 U2 `` Desire '' 000000001988 - 10 - 08 - 0000 8 October 1988 617 Houston, Whitney Whitney Houston `` One Moment in Time '' 000000001988 - 10 - 15 - 0000 15 October 1988 618 Enya `` Orinoco Flow '' 000000001988 - 10 - 29 - 0000 29 October 1988 619 Beck, Robin Robin Beck `` First Time '' 000000001988 - 11 - 19 - 0000 19 November 1988 620 Richard, Cliff Cliff Richard `` Mistletoe and Wine '' † 000000001988 - 12 - 10 - 0000 10 December 1988 620.1 ! 1989 621 Minogue, Kylie Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan `` Especially for You '' 000000001989 - 01 - 07 - 0000 7 January 1989 622 Almond, Marc Marc Almond feat. Gene Pitney `` Something 's Gotten Hold of My Heart '' 000000001989 - 01 - 28 - 0000 28 January 1989 623 Simple Minds `` Belfast Child '' 000000001989 - 02 - 25 - 0000 25 February 1989 624 Donovan, Jason Jason Donovan `` Too Many Broken Hearts '' 000000001989 - 03 - 11 - 0000 11 March 1989 625 Madonna `` Like a Prayer '' 000000001989 - 03 - 25 - 0000 25 March 1989 626 Bangles ! The Bangles `` Eternal Flame '' 000000001989 - 04 - 15 - 0000 15 April 1989 627 Minogue, Kylie Kylie Minogue `` Hand on Your Heart '' 000000001989 - 05 - 13 - 0000 13 May 1989 628 Christians ! The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden and Stock Aitken Waterman `` Ferry ' Cross the Mersey '' 000000001989 - 05 - 20 - 0000 20 May 1989 629 Donovan, Jason Jason Donovan `` Sealed with a Kiss '' 000000001989 - 06 - 10 - 0000 10 June 1989 630 Soul II Soul feat. Caron Wheeler `` Back to Life ( However Do You Want Me ) '' 000000001989 - 06 - 24 - 0000 24 June 1989 631 Sonia `` You 'll Never Stop Me Loving You '' 000000001989 - 07 - 22 - 0000 22 July 1989 632 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers `` Swing the Mood '' 000000001989 - 08 - 05 - 0000 5 August 1989 5 633 Black Box `` Ride On Time '' † 000000001989 - 09 - 09 - 0000 9 September 1989 6 634 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers `` That 's What I Like '' 000000001989 - 10 - 21 - 0000 21 October 1989 635 Stansfield, Lisa Lisa Stansfield `` All Around the World '' 000000001989 - 11 - 11 - 0000 11 November 1989 636 New Kids on the Block `` You Got It ( The Right Stuff ) '' 000000001989 - 11 - 25 - 0000 25 November 1989 637 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers `` Let 's Party '' 000000001989 - 12 - 16 - 0000 16 December 1989 638 Band Aid II `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' 000000001989 - 12 - 23 - 0000 23 December 1989 Contents ← 1970s 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990s → By artist American entertainer Madonna was the most successful act of the decade in terms of number - one singles. She had six number ones : `` Into the Groove '' ( 1985 ) ; `` Papa Do n't Preach '', `` True Blue '' ( both 1986 ) ; `` La Isla Bonita '', `` Who 's That Girl '' ( both 1987 ) ; and `` Like a Prayer '' ( 1989 ). George Michael had significant involvement with seven number - one singles ; he was also involved with Band Aid single `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' but his contribution was less significant. He had two number - one singles as a solo artist, four as a member of pop duo Wham !, and one as a duet with Aretha Franklin. The following artists achieved three or more number - one hits during the 1980s. Artist Number ones Weeks at number one Madonna 6 14 Pet Shop Boys 12 Bowie, David David Bowie 11 Shakin ' Stevens 10 Jam ! The Jam 9 Wham ! 9 Frankie Goes to Hollywood 15 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers 9 Minogue, Kylie Kylie Minogue 9 Police ! The Police 9 Collins, Phil Phil Collins 8 McCartney, Paul Paul McCartney 8 Michael, George George Michael 8 Donovan, Jason Jason Donovan 7 Lennon, John John Lennon 7 Bucks Fizz 6 Houston, Whitney Whitney Houston 6 Blondie 5 Jackson, Michael Michael Jackson 5 Million - selling and platinum Records The British Phonographic Industry classified singles and albums since 1973 by the number of units sold, with the highest threshold being a `` platinum record ''. Before 1989, a platinum record was given to singles that sold over 1,000,000 units, a gold record for 500,000 unit sales and a silver record for 250,000. For singles released after 1 January 1989, the number of sales required to qualify for platinum, gold and silver records was dropped to 600,000 units ( platinum ), 400,000 units ( gold ) and 200,000 units ( silver ). Fifteen records were classified platinum in the 1980s. These include two songs from the 1970s that were classified platinum in the 1980s : Slade 's `` Merry Xmas Everybody '', released in 1973, re-entered the charts and was classified platinum in 1980 and sold over one million copies in 1985. Pink Floyd 's 1979 release `` Another Brick in the Wall ( Part II ) '' was classified platinum at the beginning of 1980 and, although certified as selling 0.995 million units, is believed to have surpassed a million copies in the 1980s when sales not `` over-the - counter '' are included. In the 1980s, twelve songs were released that were classified platinum in the decade ; eleven of these also sold one million units in that time. The double A-side, `` Last Christmas '' / `` Everything She Wants '' by Wham !, is notable for being the only million - selling single of the decade not to reach number one due to Band Aid 's Do They Know It 's Christmas ? being released at the same time. In addition, a new version of Do They Know It 's Christmas ? by Band Aid II was released in December 1989 and was classified platinum in 1990 and John Lennon 's `` Imagine '' ( originally released in 1975 ), reached number one in 1981 following his death and sold over a million copies. Twelve other songs originally released in the 1980s have since sold one million units, eleven of them following the introduction of music downloads in 2004. The other song released in the 1980s to sell a million copies is Blue Monday by New Order which charted in several years during the 80s, but was not listed as a million seller until later. Artist Song Date released Date certified platinum Year of millionth sale Lennon, John John Lennon `` Imagine '' 000000001975 - 10 - 01 - 0000 1 October 1975 000000001981 - 02 - 01 - 0000 1 February 1981 1981 Human League ! The Human League `` Do n't You Want Me '' 000000001981 - 11 - 27 - 0000 27 November 1981 000000001982 - 01 - 01 - 0000 1 January 1982 1981 Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express `` Come On Eileen '' 000000001982 - 06 - 01 - 0000 1 June 1982 000000001982 - 09 - 01 - 0000 1 September 1982 1982 New Order `` Blue Monday '' 000000001983 - 03 - 07 - 0000 7 March 1983 -- Culture Club `` Karma Chameleon '' 000000001983 - 09 - 06 - 0000 6 September 1983 000000001983 - 10 - 01 - 0000 1 October 1983 Frankie Goes to Hollywood `` Relax '' 000000001984 - 01 - 01 - 0000 1 January 1984 000000001984 - 03 - 01 - 0000 1 March 1984 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood `` Two Tribes '' 000000001984 - 05 - 01 - 0000 May 1984 000000001984 - 06 - 01 - 0000 1 June 1984 1984 Michael, George George Michael `` Careless Whisper '' 000000001984 - 07 - 23 - 0000 23 July 1984 000000001984 - 09 - 01 - 0000 1 September 1984 1984 Wonder, Stevie Stevie Wonder `` I Just Called to Say I Love You '' 000000001984 - 08 - 17 - 0000 17 August 1984 000000001984 - 09 - 01 - 0000 1 September 1984 1984 Band Aid `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' 000000001984 - 11 - 28 - 0000 28 November 1984 000000001984 - 12 - 01 - 0000 1 December 1984 1984 Wham ! `` Last Christmas '' / `` Everything She Wants '' 000000001984 - 12 - 03 - 0000 3 December 1984 000000001985 - 01 - 01 - 0000 1 January 1985 1984 Jennifer Rush `` Power of Love, The The Power of Love '' 000000001985 - 05 - 28 - 0000 28 May 1985 000000001985 - 11 - 01 - 0000 1 November 1985 1985 Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers `` Swing the Mood '' 000000001989 - 06 - 01 - 0000 June 1989 000000001989 - 08 - 01 - 0000 1 August 1989 -- Black Box `` Ride On Time '' 000000001989 - 08 - 18 - 0000 18 August 1989 000000001989 - 10 - 01 - 0000 1 October 1989 2004 -- 10 Band Aid II `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' 000000001989 - 12 - 11 - 0000 11 December 1989 000000001990 - 04 - 01 - 0000 1 April 1990 -- Ants ! Adam and the Ants `` Stand and Deliver '' 000000001981 - 05 - 01 - 0000 1 May 1981 -- 2004 -- 10 Tight Fit `` Lion Sleeps Tonight, The The Lion Sleeps Tonight '' 000000001982 - 01 - 01 - 0000 1 January 1982 -- 2010 -- 12 Cara, Irene Irene Cara `` Fame '' 000000001982 - 06 - 01 - 0000 1 June 1982 -- 2004 -- 10 Survivor `` Eye of the Tiger '' 000000001982 - 07 - 02 - 0000 2 July 1982 -- 2004 -- 10 Joel, Billy Billy Joel `` Uptown Girl '' 000000001983 - 09 - 30 - 0000 30 September 1983 -- 2004 -- 12 Parker, Jr., Ray Ray Parker, Jr. `` Ghostbusters '' 000000001984 - 08 - 17 - 0000 17 August 1984 -- 2004 -- 10 The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl `` Fairytale of New York '' 000000001987 - 11 - 23 - 0000 23 November 1987 -- 2011 UB40 `` Red Red Wine '' 000000001983 - 08 - 20 - 0000 20 August 1983 -- 2014 Journey `` Do n't Stop Believin ' '' 000000001981 - 12 - 01 - 0000 1 December 1981 -- 2014 Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan `` Especially for You '' 000000001988 - 11 - 28 - 0000 28 November 1988 -- 2014 Additional information : The singles `` Last Christmas '', `` Ghostbusters '' and `` Fairytale of New York '' peaked at number two in the UK singles chart. : `` Blue Monday '' was originally released as a 12 '' single in 1983, where it peaked at number 9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released in 7 '' format in 1988 as `` Blue Monday 1988 '' where it reached a higher peak of number 3. It has also been re-released on other occasions, most notably 1995. New Order 's label, Factory Records, were not a member of the British Phonographic Industry ( BPI ) so they never received any sales certifications. However, `` Blue Monday '' sold more than one million units through combined sales total. : `` Do n't Stop Believin ' '' originally peaked in the UK at number 62 in 1982, but reached number 6 in 2010 following performances on X Factor. Notes ^ Jump up to : The artist, song name, week - ending date of number - one and consecutive number of weeks at the top are those given by The Official Charts Company. The dates are those for the Saturday after publication. The actual sales week represented is that up to and including the previous Saturday ( i.e. from 13 to 7 days prior to the chart date ). Jump up ^ This number - one record was not a single but a five - track extended play ( EP ) with `` Too Much Too Young '' as the lead track. The rules now require at most four distinct songs to be eligible for the UK Singles Chart. Although the EP is credited to The Special A.K.A. on the record sleeve the record label credits The Specials. Jump up ^ `` Jack Your Body '' was released on a 12 '' single that was over 25 minutes long, exceededing the maximum time for a record to be classified as a single. The track should have been classified as an album instead ( as it was in NME ) and, during the two weeks it spent at number one, `` Reet Petite '' would have been number one for a fifth week and `` I Knew You Were Waiting ( For Me ) '' would have become number one a week earlier. References ^ Jump up to : Smith, Alan. `` 50s & 60s UK Charts -- The Truth ! ''. Dave McAleer 's website. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Key Dates in the History of the Official UK Charts ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2010. Jump up ^ Roberts, David ( 2005 ). Guinness World Records : British Hit Singles and Albums ( 18th edition ). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 14. ISBN 1 - 904994 - 00 - 8. Jump up ^ `` Project Retro : Every music track which featured in the UK Top 40 singles chart during the 1980s ''. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Project Retro : Every music track which featured in the UK Top 40 singles chart during the 1980s ''. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2015. Jump up ^ Leadbetter, Russell ( 17 May 2010 ). `` Macca proves he 's no sellout ''. The Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2010. Jump up ^ Lakhani, Nina ( 7 February 2010 ). `` Charity & the charts : The hits and the misses ''. The Independent. Retrieved 2 July 2010. Jump up ^ Pareles, Jon ( 2 September 1987 ). `` Cassette Singles : New 45 's ''. The New York Times. p. 21. Retrieved 22 July 2010. Jump up ^ Jones, Alan ( 6 May 1989 ). `` This Week 's Charts Analysed '' ( PDF ). Record Mirror : 48. ^ Jump up to : `` Singing from beyond the grave ''. BBC News. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Chart Archive - 1980s Singles ''. everyHit.com. Retrieved 22 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1980 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1981 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1982 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1983 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 3 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1984 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1985 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1986 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1987 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1988 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` All the Number One Singles : 1989 ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Too Much Too Young ''. The Specials. Retrieved 1 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` Rules For Chart Eligibility '' ( PDF ). The Official Charts Company. August 2009. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` Record Details -- The Special A.K.A. Live ! ''. 45cat. Retrieved 1 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` Record - Breakers and Trivia : Quirks Of The Number One Position ''. everyHit.com. Retrieved 2 July 2010. ^ Jump up to : Gallup ( 4 February 1989 ). `` The Top of the Pops Chart '' ( PDF ). Record Mirror : 4. Retrieved 16 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` Certified Awards ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` International Certification Award levels '' ( PDF ). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. March 2010. p. 7. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Certified Awards Search ''. British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010. Customise search with the following settings -- Search by : `` Keyword '', By Award : `` Platinum '', By Format : `` Single '' -- then search by each individual year. ^ Jump up to : `` Stats and Facts : Million Sellers ''. The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2010. Jump up ^ `` Million - Selling Singles ''. everyHit. Retrieved 12 June 2010. Jump up ^ `` Sold on Song : Last Christmas ''. BBC Radio 2. April 2005. Retrieved 1 July 2010. Jump up ^ Jones, Alan ( 25 December 2011 ). `` Christmas Singles Chart analysis : Military Wives run away with it ''. Music Week. Jump up ^ Jones, Alan ( 1 June 2010 ). `` Pendulum and Black Eyed Peas make historic week for sales charts ''. Music Week. Jump up ^ `` Digital generation pushes the oldies into the million - sellers club ''. Music Week. 6 September 2010. Jump up ^ `` Billy Joel ''. Chart Watch. 8 March 2004. Archived from the original on 30 March 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2010. Jump up ^ `` Black Box ''. Chart Watch. 8 March 2004. Archived from the original on 24 March 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2010. Jump up ^ Ken Bruce ( presenter ) ( 30 August 2010 ). `` UK 's Million Sellers with Ken Bruce ''. BBC. BBC Radio Two. Missing or empty series = ( help ) Further reading Davis, Sharon. 80s Chart Toppers : Every Chart - Topper Tells a Story. Edinburgh : Mainstream Publishing, 1999 ISBN 1 - 85158 - 838 - 8, 462p. External links Archive of all UK Number One Singles of the 1980s with images of original packaging UK Music Charts UK Singles Number ones 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Number one artists Most number ones Christmas Posthumous Scottish Instrumental Simultaneous UK and US Top 10 singles ( By artist ) Best - selling 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s ( decade ) 2010s 1900s 2000s ( century ) All time Yearly Most downloaded Most streamed Million - sellers Platinum singles ( pre-2000 ) Platinum singles ( post-2000 ) Most weeks on chart One - hit wonders Records UK Albums Number ones 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Most number ones Christmas Posthumous Simultaneous UK and US Best - selling 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s ( decade ) 2010s 2000s ( century ) All time Yearly Most weeks on chart One - hit wonders Genre charts Number ones Christian & Gospel Classical ( singles / albums / compilations ) Dance ( singles / albums ) Indie ( singles / albums ) Indie Breakers ( singles / albums ) Progressive R&B ( singles / albums ) Rock & Metal ( singles / albums ) Specialist Classical Other charts Current Album Downloads Albums Streaming Audio Streaming Compilations Midweeks Record Store Singles Downloads UKHot40 Vinyl Albums Vinyl Singles The Vodafone Big Top 40 Former 1952 -- 1969 1Xtra EPs Fab 40 Fresh 40 Hit40UK Mersey Beat The Net 40 The Network Chart Show NME Pepsi Chart Pick of the Pops Record Mirror Subscription Plays Top Pops Related Music Week Official Charts Company The Official Chart UK Video Charts The Virgin Book of British Hit Singles Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_UK_Singles_Chart_number_ones_of_the_1980s&oldid=815631833 '' Categories : Lists of UK Singles Chart number - one songs 1980s in British music 1980s record charts Hidden categories : Pages with citations lacking titles All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2015 Dts templates with deprecated parameters Articles with hCards Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español עברית Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 16 December 2017, at 01 : 28. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who had the most uk hits in the 80s
Answer: Madonna