Best (& Worst) Christmas Songs of the Seventies Best (& Worst) Christmas Songs of the Seventies Updated on August 18, 2015 Source Hits UK: Christmas Songs of the 1970s For many years, the record industry in Great Britain has rightfully looked to the run up to the Christmas period as a time when huge sales of records (or CDs and downloads nowadays) can be made. The industry geared itself up to either promote a new artist's song or to cash in on the seasonal cheer by having an established singer or band record and release a Christmas themed song. The intent was to see if that particular song could achieve the coveted position of No.1 on the charts over Christmas. The competition became so intense over the years that even the bookies were taking bets as to which record would eventually climb to the summit of the Top 40. While there had been plenty of Christmas songs before the 1970s, not many of them had been aimed at those all important younger record buyers.

And so it was that around 1972, singers and bands that appealed to the 13-30 age group started to release contemporary Christmas ditties, that have continued to be popular to the present day. So, here is a rundown of those songs that appeared on the British Singles Chart during the 1970s, although many of them never achieved that much sought after No.1 spot. Christmas: 1969, 1970 & 1971 The Number 1 Christmas song of 1969, Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris, was evidence that the Christmas offerings for the early years of the 1970s were going to be either novelty songs or sugar-coated syrupy goop (but really nothing to do with Christmas). 1970 saw the release of Grandad by Clive Dunn, an actor best known for his role as Private Jones on the BBC sitcom, Dad's Army. The single sold by the truckload on the back of seasonal sentimentality, but unfortunately for Dunn, never quite made it to the top of the charts for Christmas.

It stalled at Number 2, allowing Dave Edmunds' I Hear You Knockin' to remain at the summit over the Christmas period. However, better news for the song came in January of 1971, when it finally topped the charts for three weeks. It came as no surprise then (although it was for some) that one of the most popular entertainers of the time, Benny Hill, would see his innuendo-laden comedy song Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West) top the charts for Christmas 1971. Originally featured in one of his television shows, a new filmed sequence was produced to accompany the single, with Henry McGee starring as Ernie's arch rival, Two-Ton Ted from Teddington. The song stayed at Number 1 for four weeks. John Lennon John Lennon / Yoko Ono: Happy Xmas (War is Over) - Christmas: 1972 The contemporary Christmas single continued to be a rare entry on the UK charts, but 1972 produced one which resonated the world over, and continues to be played and bought to this day.

Originally recorded and released in the US in 1971, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono was conceived as a protest song over the continuing US involvement in the Vietnam War. It followed a poster campaign initiated by the pair in the late 1960s. While the song hit the US Billboard Top 5 in December 1971, its UK release was delayed by a publishing dispute until the following Christmas. During December 1972, the single peaked at Number 4 on the British Chart. Immediately following Lennon's death at the end of 1980, the single was re-released (along with much of his back catalogue) and peaked at No.2 early in January 1981. The actual Christmas No.1 for 1972 was Long Haired Lover From Liverpool by Little Jimmy Osmond.

Slade UK Number One Songs of the 70s UK Number One Songs of the 70s Updated on November 15, 2015 Source The 1970s Number One Songs on Video 1970s popular music in the UK proved that variety is the spice of life, and the Number One hit songs of the decade reflect this phenomenon. From 1970 onwards, the music scene in Britain changed dramatically and a myriad of musical styles reinforced the varying tastes of the average record buyer. Some of the most popular styles that took the British charts by storm were Glam Rock at the beginning of the decade, progressing to Disco and Punk Rock towards the end. In between saw novelty records, the progression of the rock single and the continuing evolution of teen pop, represented by the likes of David Cassidy, Donny Osmond and the Bay City Rollers. Most of these styles and artists were very popular for a time, and their records sold by the shed load. To see the musical changes across the decade is a fascinating exercise, and so this page brings together all the Number One hits from the UK in a video package, together with some short comments regarding each one.

The source for this compilation is the Record Retailer/Music Week chart, which was broadcast by the BBC each Sunday evening. Source Matthews' Southern Comfort UK Number One Hits of 1970 31st Jan (5 weeks) Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes): Only ever UK Number One for this studio act. Lead singer Tony Burrows also sang on hits for many other groups. 7th Mar (3 weeks) Lee Marvin - Wandrin' Star: Only UK Number One for this actor with a song from the film Paint Your Wagon. 28th Mar (3 weeks) Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water: Surprisingly, the duo's only ever UK Number One. Only Art Garfunkel sings on this classic, but Paul Simon went on to greater solo success, even though he never had a UK Number One again, while Garfunkel did. 18th Apr (2 weeks) Dana - All Kinds Of Everything: First Eurovision Song Contest winner for Ireland. Her chart career was short-lived and this was her only UK Number One.

2nd May (2 weeks) Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky: Only ever UK Number One for Greenbaum with a self-penned song. Doctor & The Medics took the track to Number One again in 1986. 16th May (3 weeks) England World Cup Squad - Back Home: Mexico World Cup Football sing-along by the 1970 England team. 6th Jun (1 week) Christie - Yellow River: Only ever UK Number One for Jeff Christie with a song he wrote for the Tremeloes. They turned it down, so he recorded it himself. 13th Jun (7 weeks) Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime: First UK Number One for this group led by Ray Dorset. 1st Aug (6 weeks) Elvis Presley - The Wonder Of You: Elvis revived his career in Las Vegas and this was a live recording from his show. At this point, he was only one behind the Beatles as this was his 16th UK Number One.

12th Sep (1 week) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Tears Of A Clown: First UK Number One for Motown singer Smokey Robinson who would have to wait another 11 years before hitting the top spot again. 19th Sep (6 weeks) Freda Payne - Band Of Gold: Only ever UK Number One for this American actress. 31st Oct (3 weeks) Matthews' Southern Comfort - Woodstock: Written by Canadian folk legend Joni Mitchell, MSC's only UK Number One was about the famous rock festival of 1969. 21st Nov (1 week) Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Chile: Posthumous Number One for the American guitar legend who died in London a couple of months earlier. 28th Nov (6 weeks) Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knockin': Only ever UK Number One for Dave Edmunds who had further hit single success later in the Seventies. Source Slade UK Number One Hits of 1971 January 5 ( 3 weeks) Clive Dunn - Grandad: Only UK Number One for this Dad's Army star who gained sales on the back of seasonal sentimentality.

January 26 (5 weeks) George Harrison - My Sweet Lord: First UK Number One for the ex-Beatle. Following the song's release, musical similarities between it and The Chiffons' hit He's So Fine led to a lengthy legal battle over the rights to the composition. March 2 (2 weeks) Mungo Jerry - Baby Jump: Written by the group's lead vocalist and guitarist Ray Dorset, it was a maxi-single playing at 33rpm. Second and last Number One for the band. March 16 (6 weeks) T. Rex - Hot Love: The group's first UK Number One. It fared less well in the USA where it peaked at Number 72. It was also the first T. Rex single to feature both a bass guitar and drums. April 27 (2 weeks) Dave and Ansil Collins - Double Barrel: Jamaican duo who scored only the second West Indian reggae chart topper. It became the first reggae single to reach the Top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number 22.

May 11 (5 weeks) Dawn - Knock Three Times: Tony Orlando had retired from singing when he was persuaded to front Dawn for studio recordings. Their first UK Number One. June 15 (5 weeks) Middle of the Road - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep: It nearly flopped in the UK as Mac and Katie Kissoon released a version just before. MOTR got the greater airplay and sold in bundles. The Kissoon's version reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but failed to impress in the UK. July 20 (4 weeks) T. Rex - Get It On: The second UK Number One from Marc Bolan's band, selling nearly a million copies. Re-titled Bang a Gong in the US, it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 10 in January 1972, becoming the group's only major US hit. August 17 (4 weeks) Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting: A first solo Number One for Diana Ross. It was a minor success in the US reaching Number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

September 14 (3 weeks) The Tams - Hey Girl, Don't Bother Me: It was originally released in 1964 and became a minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching Number 41. It became a favourite on the Northern Soul scene in the UK which led to its Number One position. October 5 (5 weeks) Rod Stewart - Maggie May: It was initially released in the UK as the B-side of the single Reason to Believe, but DJs preferred Maggie May and, after two weeks in the chart, the song became the A-side. It simultaneously topped the charts in the United States. November 9 (4 weeks) Slade - Coz I Luv You: It was the band's second hit song in the UK and the first of six Number One singles. December 7 (4 weeks) Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West): Comedy single, the song concerned the fictional exploits of Ernie, a milkman who drove a horse-drawn milk cart and his war with the bread delivery man: Two-Ton Ted from Teddington.

Source Alice Cooper UK Number One Hits of 1972 January 4 (4 weeks) The New Seekers - I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony): A 1971 Coca-Cola TV commercial featured young people from around the world singing on a hilltop and was so popular that the song (without the Coke references) became a hit in its own right. Another recording was issued by The Hillside Singers, but this failed to sell in the UK. February 1 (2 weeks) T. Rex - Telegram Sam: Third UK Number One single for T. Rex., but it only reached Number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100. February 15 (3 weeks) Chicory Tip - Son of My Father: The first UK Number One single to prominently feature a synthesizer, in this case a Moog synthesizer. Originally a song by Giorgio Moroder, he re-recorded it shortly after, but it failed to chart in the UK, though it made the Top 50 in the United States. March 7 (5 weeks) Harry Nilsson - Without You: Suicide inspired song written by two members of Badfinger, who both later committed suicide.

April 11 (5 weeks) The Pipes & Drums & Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Amazing Grace: The old favourite traditional hymn as played by this Scottish military bagpipe band. It was the best-selling single of the year in the UK. May 16 (4 weeks) T. Rex - Metal Guru: Apparently, the song is about a car and became the group's fourth and final UK Number One. It did not chart in the USA. June 13 (2 weeks) Don McLean - Vincent: Don McLean wrote this song as a tribute to artist Vincent Van Gogh. It reached Number 12 in the US. June 27 (1 week) Slade - Take Me Bak 'Ome: Second UK Number One for the glam rockers, featuring Noddy Holder on vocals. July 4 (5 weeks) Donny Osmond - Puppy Love: Revival of the song written and recorded by Paul Anka in the '60s, this was Osmond's first UK Number One. August 8 (3 weeks) Alice Cooper - School's Out: Only ever UK Number One for shock rocker Alice Cooper with this classic rock tune.

August 29 (1 week) Rod Stewart - You Wear It Well: From the album Never a Dull Moment, this was Rod's second UK Number One. September 5 (3 weeks) Slade - Mama Weer All Crazee Now: Slade was on a roll! This was their third Number One single in a matter of months. September 26 (2 weeks) David Cassidy - How Can I Be Sure?: First UK Number One for this star of US TV series The Partridge Family. His solo career was more successful in the UK than at home. October 10 (4 weeks) Lieutenant Pigeon - Mouldy Old Dough: It is the only UK Number One single to feature mother and son and became one of the more unusual chart topping singles of the 1970s. It sold 790,000 copies and was the third biggest selling single of 1972. November 7 (2 weeks) Gilbert O'Sullivan - Clair: First UK Number One for this Irishman who dressed as a 1920s worker in a flat cap, braces and baggy trousers.

November 21 (4 weeks) Chuck Berry - My Ding-a-Ling: Pioneer of R&B and rock 'n' roll, whose only UK Number One was this live, innuendo-laden novelty song recorded in Coventry, England. December 19 (5 weeks) Little Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Lover From Liverpool: Jimmy became the youngest person to ever reach Number One on the UK singles chart aged 9 years 8 months. Often cited as one of the worst singles to get to Number One. Source Suzi Quatro UK Number One Hits of 1973 January 23 (5 weeks) The Sweet - Blockbuster!: It made Number One in the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland, but fared less well in the USA where it peaked at Number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. Plenty of No. 2 singles for The Sweet, but this was their only Number One. February 26 (4 weeks) Slade - Cum on Feel the Noize: Slade's fourth Number One single in the UK and the first to enter straight at the top.

Revived in 1983 by Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot, their version went on to peak at Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 that November. March 26 (1 week) Donny Osmond - The Twelfth of Never: Popular song originally recorded by Johnny Mathis. Osmond's version spent a single week at Number One, while in the USA it peaked at Number 8. April 3 (2 weeks) Gilbert O'Sullivan - Get Down: Second and final Number One for the Irishman, who had a handful of other Top 20 hits. April 15 (4 weeks) Dawn featuring Tony Orlando - Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree: The best selling single of 1973 in the UK. It sold shed loads in the USA too, where it also hit the top spot of the singles chart. May 13 (4 weeks) Wizzard - See My Baby Jive: Written and produced by bandleader Roy Wood, the record owes much to Phil Spector's Wall of Sound.

June 12 (1 week) Suzi Quatro - Can the Can: Can the Can was the second single by Quatro and her first to reach Number One. It also reached Number One on the Japanese, European and Australian charts in whose market Quatro achieved her most consistent success throughout her career as a recording artist. June 19 (1 week) 10cc - Rubber Bullets: The band's first Number One single in the United Kingdom, being a tongue in cheek homage to the movie Jailhouse Rock. June 26 (3 weeks) Slade - Skweeze Me Pleeze Me: Fifth Number One single for Slade. July 17 (1 week) Peters and Lee - Welcome Home: The duo's only Number One single coming after their success on the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks. July 24 (4 weeks) Gary Glitter - I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am): The song is a glam rock anthem, typical of (the now-disgraced) Glitter's early seventies recordings. August 21 (4 weeks) Donny Osmond - Young Love: The oft recorded ballad gave the teen heartthrob yet another best selling single.

September 18 (1 week) Wizzard - Angel Fingers: Wizzard's second UK Number One single. Stylistically, it continued in the same Phil Spector-influenced Wall of Sound genre as their earlier hit See My Baby Jive. September 25 (4 weeks) Simon Park Orchestra - Eye Level (Theme From Van Der Valk): The tune became very popular with TV audiences and, in a move which was unusual at the time for television themes, Columbia Records issued it on a single record. Total sales were 1,005,500. October 23 (3 weeks) David Cassidy - Daydreamer/The Puppy Song: This was Cassidy's second and final Number One single in the UK. November 13 (4 weeks) Gary Glitter - I Love You Love Me Love: Glitter's second UK Number One single. December 11 (5 weeks) Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody: The band's sixth and final Number One single in the UK. The song continues to re-enter the UK Top 75 singles chart every Christmas, selling over one million copies in the process.

Source George McCrae UK Number One Hits of 1974 January 15 (1 week) The New Seekers - You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me: The band's second and final Number One single. January 22 (4 weeks) Mud - Tiger Feet: First Number One song for the very popular Glam Rockers and the biggest selling track of the year. February 19 (2 weeks) Suzi Quatro - Devil Gate Drive: It was the second Number One in a row for the ChinniChap writing and production team and Quatro's second UK Number One. March 5 (1 week) Alvin Stardust - Jealous Mind: Only Number One from the moody Stardust - born Bernard Jewry. March 12 (3 weeks) Paper Lace - Billy Don't Be a Hero: Paper Lace had the chart-topper in the UK, but their version stalled at Number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods took the song to Number One in the USA.

April 2 (4 weeks) Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun: The recording was based on a song called Le Moribond (The Dying Man) by Jacques Brel. The song had been recorded by The Fortunes in 1968 and by Pearls Before Swine in 1970 - but became a worldwide hit for Terry Jacks. April 30 (2 weeks) ABBA - Waterloo: This was the song that won ABBA the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and began their path to worldwide fame. May 14 (4 weeks) The Rubettes - Sugar Baby Love: Debut single for this band that was originally offered to Carl Wayne to record, but he turned it down. June 11 (1 week) Ray Stevens - The Streak: Single that capitalized on the then popular craze of streaking. June 18 (1 week) Gary Glitter - Always Yours: Glitter's third and final Number One single in the UK. June 25 (4 weeks) Charles Aznavour - She: The song was recorded by Aznavour in several different languages, namely French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Elvis Costello recorded a cover version in 1999. July 23 (3 weeks) George McCrae - Rock Your Baby: One of the landmark recordings of early Disco music. In total it sold over 11 million copies internationally. August 13 (2 weeks) The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again: One of the most successful recordings in the Philly Soul sound. It sold 28 million copies in total internationally. August 27 (3 weeks) The Osmonds - Love Me For A Reason: Written by Johnny Bristol, the song was revived by Boyzone in 1994, becoming their breakthrough single in the UK. September 17 (3 weeks) Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting: Recorded in 10 minutes as a B-side, it sold 10 million worldwide and was his only ever UK Number One.

October 8 (1 week) John Denver - Annie's Song: This was Denver's only solo hit in the UK - an ode to Denver's then-wife, Annie Denver October 15 (1 week) Sweet Sensation - Sad Sweet Dreamer: The second single from the British soul group, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following spring. October 22 (3 weeks) Ken Boothe - Everything I Own: Jamaican reggae artist with a song by David Gates of Bread. The Bread version only made No.32 in the UK, but Boy George took the song to Number One again in 1987. November 12 (3 weeks) David Essex - Gonna Make You A Star: A first UK Number One for David Essex. He found stardom as an actor before breaking into the charts with Rock On. December 3 (2 weeks) Barry White - You're the First, the Last, My Everything: Originally written as a country song with the title You're My First, You're My Last, My In-Between, this was White's only UK Number One.

December 17 (4 weeks) Mud - Lonely This Christmas: Another classic Christmas favourite that is still seasonally popular each year in the UK. Source David Bowie UK Number One Hits of 1975 January 18 (1 week) Status Quo - Down Down: Status Quo had 22 Top 10 UK hits between 1968 and 1996, and this was their only non-collaborated UK Number One. January 25 (1 week) The Tymes - Ms Grace: Could only peak at No.91 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, this song by the US soul group was their fourth and biggest UK hit. February 1 (3 weeks) Pilot - January: Only ever UK Number One for this Scottish group whose two follow-ups failed to make the Top 30. February 22 (2 weeks) Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me): Steve Harley has stated that the lyrics are vindictively directed at his former band members whom he felt had abandoned him. The group's only UK Number One.

March 8 (2 weeks) Telly Savalas - If: Another Bread song that failed to chart in the UK by that band, but Savalas of Kojak fame managed to talk his way to Number One. March 22 (6 weeks) Bay City Rollers - Bye Bye Baby: Scottish band that dressed in tartan and built up a fanatical teen following took this Frankie Valli song to the top. The best-selling single of 1975. May 3 (2 weeks) Mud - Oh Boy: Mud's third and final UK Number One came with a virtually a cappella cover of the Buddy Holly hit from 1958. May 17 (3 weeks) Tammy Wynette - Stand by Your Man: 1968 US Country Number One that went to the top when it was finally released in the UK in 1975. June 7 (3 weeks) Windsor Davies & Don Estelle - Whispering Grass: Davies and Estelle were actors in the successful BBC sit-com It Ain't Half Hot Mum. The record is a version of the song which was originally recorded by the Ink Spots in 1944.

June 28 (2 weeks) 10cc - I'm Not in Love: A second UK Number One for the band with this classic love song, incorporating its innovative production. The recording includes multiple overdubs of the voices of the band singing a single note in unison. July 12 (1 week) Johnny Nash - Tears on My Pillow: American who specialised in soft reggae arrangements. Had much success in the UK , although this was his only UK Number One. July 19 (3 weeks) Bay City Rollers - Give a Little Love: Rollermania was in full flight by this time, but this was the band's second and final UK Number One single. August 9 (1 week) Typically Tropical - Barbados: Two recording engineers created this reggae dance hit and became One Hit Wonders in the process. In 1999, a reworked version of the song, renamed We're Going To Ibiza!, also reached the UK Number One spot for The Vengaboys.

August 16 (3 weeks) The Stylistics - I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love): The split from producer Thom Bell proved disastrous for the group in the US, but The Stylistics continued to be popular in the UK. This was their first and only UK Number One single. September 6 (4 weeks) Rod Stewart - Sailing: Having been a hit twice, this classic anthem remains Stewart's biggest-selling single in the UK. October 4 (3 weeks) David Essex - Hold Me Close: Essex was at the height of his popularity at this time. This was his second and final UK Number One. October 25 (2 weeks) Art Garfunkel - I Only Have Eyes for You: Having separated from Paul Simon, Garfunkel recorded mostly MOR standards. This was his first solo UK Number One. November 8 (2 weeks) David Bowie - Space Oddity: Bowie made No.5 with this track alluding to drug use in 1969, but had more luck with the re-issue, making this his first UK Number One.

November 22 (1 week) Billy Connolly - D.I.V.O.R.C.E.: Wonderful parody of the Tammy Wynette song of the same name by this internationally renowned Scottish comedian. November 29 (9 weeks) Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody: SEE DESCRIPTION BELOW. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody - Number One: December 1975 An all-time classic Queen song, Bohemian Rhapsody was accompanied by the following video and was the first Number One to benefit from sustained TV exposure. It spent nine long weeks at the top of the charts and was the year's Christmas Number One. In 1991, the record returned to the Number One spot following the death of lead singer, Freddie Mercury. Source Chicago UK Number One Hits of 1976 January 31 (2 weeks) ABBA - Mamma Mia: Two years after their first UK Number One and Eurovision hit, ABBA were back with their second UK Number One. February 14 (1 week) Slik - Forever and Ever: Band led by Midge Ure.

He went on to groups Visage and Ultravox, but his next Number One was a solo effort in 1985. February 21 (2 weeks) The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night): Written by original-Four Seasons keyboard player Bob Gaudio and his future wife Judy Parker, this was the the follow-up to the hit Who Loves You. The Four Seasons only UK Number One hit. March 6 (3 weeks) Tina Charles - I Love To Love (But My Baby Loves To Dance): This was the first of Charles' seven Top 40 chart singles. However, it was also her only Number One in the UK Singles Chart. March 27 (6 weeks) Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses for Me: Winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, the best-selling single of 1976 and the group's first UK Number One. May 8 (4 weeks) ABBA - Fernando: Originally written for ABBA member Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ABBA's third UK Number One became a worldwide hit as ABBA-mania was at its height. June 5 (1 week) J.J.

Barrie - No Charge: Awful sentimental slush by this Canadian, who thankfully never graced the UK Singles Chart ever again. June 12 (2 weeks) The Wurzels - Combine Harvester (Brand New Key): A reworking of Melanie's hit from 1971-72 with new rustic-themed lyrics. June 26 (3 weeks) The Real Thing - You To Me Are Everything: Landmark record that was the first single by a black British band to top the singles chart. Several cover versions released in the US prevented it being a major success there. July 17 (1 week) Demis Roussos - The Roussos Phenomenon EP: Forever and Ever became the most played track on this EP from the Greek star prone to wearing kaftans. July 24 (6 weeks) Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart: Elton John's first Number One single in the UK, but he would not enjoy a solo British chart-topper until 1990. September 4 (6 weeks) ABBA - Dancing Queen: ABBA's only American chart-topper from April 1977 was their fourth in the UK.

October 11 (4 weeks) Pussycat - Mississippi: First Dutch act to make the UK top spot. Success was short lived however and this was their only UK Number One. November 13 (3 weeks) Chicago - If You Leave Me Now: Chicago's biggest hit worldwide, after topping the charts in the US and Australia as well. It went on to win two Grammy Awards. December 4 (3 weeks) Showaddywaddy - Under the Moon of Love: A minor hit in the USA in 1961 for Curtis Lee, this revival was the group's only UK Number One. December 25 (3 weeks) Johnny Mathis - When a Child is Born (Soleado): Now a Christmas standard, it sold 850,000 copies and became Mathis' sole UK Number One. Source Donna Summer UK Number One Hits of 1977 January 15 (4 weeks) David Soul - Don't Give Up On Us: One half of top TV cop show Starsky & Hutch who was a singer before he became an actor. Best selling single of 1977 and his first UK Number One.

February 12 (1 week) Julie Covington - Don't Cry For Me Argentina: Julie Covington first sang this song for the original 1976 studio release of the album Evita, but declined the stage role. February 19 (3 weeks) Leo Sayer - When I Need You: After three of his earlier singles had stalled at No.2, this became a massive worldwide hit and Sayer's only UK Number One single. March 12 (3 weeks) The Manhattan Transfer - Chanson d'amour: Only ever UK Number One for this MOR mixed harmony group who worked in New York gay bars, singing 40s and 50s swing classics. April 2 (5 weeks) ABBA - Knowing Me, Knowing You: Their previous release had stalled at No.3, but they returned for another run of chart toppers with this, their 5th UK Number One. May 7 (2 weeks) Deniece Williams - Free: She was in Stevie Wonder's backing group in the early 70s and this was her only UK Number One.

May 21 (4 weeks) Rod Stewart - I Don't Want to Talk About It /The First Cut is the Deepest: Rod's 4th UK Number One. June 18 (1 week) Kenny Rogers - Lucille: An international hit, it reached Number One on the Billboard Country Singles chart and No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100. This hit gave him stardom in the UK. June 25 (1 week) The Jacksons - Show You the Way To Go: Four members of the Jackson Five, including Michael. This was their only UK Number One following their departure from Motown. July 2 (3 weeks) Hot Chocolate - So You Win Again: They had 30 hits from 1970 to 1984, but this was the band's sole UK Number One single. July 23 (4 weeks) Donna Summer - I Feel Love: It has been said that this is the first disco-style song recorded with an entirely synthesized backing track and was enormously influential in the development of disco, electronica and techno music. This was Summer's only UK Number One.

August 20 (1 week) Brotherhood of Man - Angelo: The group's second UK Number One, sounding very similar to ABBA's style. August 27 (1 week) The Floaters - Float On: True One Hit Wonders - one Number One single and nothing else from this soul group from Detroit, Michigan, USA. September 3 (5 weeks) Elvis Presley - Way Down: The last single released before his death on August 16, 1977 and it became his 17th UK Number One song. October 8 (3 weeks) David Soul - Silver Lady: The single fared less well in the US, peaking at only No.52, but we loved him in the UK - so much so that this was his second Number One single. October 29 for (1 week) Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie: This single did not chart in the United States despite receiving major airplay in several markets. It was the first Spanish act to have a UK Number One and also the first female duo to do so.

November 5 (4 weeks) ABBA - The Name Of The Game: A 6th Number One for the band and their 3rd in this year, following a successful world tour. December 3 (9 weeks) Wings - Mull of Kintyre / Girls' School: The first single to sell over two million copies in the UK. The UK's best-selling single of all time, until overtaken by Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas in 1984 and one of the UK's best-selling non-charity singles, beaten only by Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Source Boomtown Rats UK Number One Hits of 1978 February 4 (1 week) Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking: Two Jamaican teenagers who put some Caribbean slang to existing music for this One Hit Wonder. Althea & Donna became the youngest female duo to reach the pinnacle of the UK chart. February 11 (1 week) Brotherhood of Man - Figaro: The song spent one week on top of the charts in the UK and became one of the twenty best selling singles of the year. This was to be Brotherhood of Man's final Number One single.

February 18 (3 weeks) ABBA - Take A Chance On Me: A 7th UK Number One for the Swedish foursome with another unforgettable ABBA classic. March 11 (4 weeks) Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights: In reaching Number One, Bush became the first woman to write and perform a UK chart-topper, propelling the singer to fame. However, this was Kate's only UK Number One single, despite her numerous chart hits over the years. April 8 (3 weeks) Brian and Michael - Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs (Lowry's Song): A One Hit Wonder with a song celebrating the life and work of the painter, L S Lowry. The backing vocals are by the St Winifred's School Choir, who had a Number One in 1980. April 29 (2 weeks) The Bee Gees - Night Fever: A third Number One for the Bee Gees in the UK, from the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, relaunching their careers as kings of disco. May 13 (5 weeks) Boney M - Rivers of Babylon: First UK Number One for this Caribbean act which recorded in Germany.

This was the best selling UK single of 1978 and was also the group's only significant US chart entry, peaking at No.30 in the Pop charts. June 17 (9 weeks) John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - You're the One That I Want: This song came from the soundtrack to Grease and the film and music from it dominated the second half of 1978. It is number six on the list of best-selling singles in the UK, where it has sold over 1,975,000 copies. August 19 (5 weeks) The Commodores - Three Times A Lady: Led by Lionel Richie, who wrote the song, the group had considerable success until Richie went solo in 1982. This was their only UK Number One. September 23 (1 week) 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday: A third and final UK Number One for 10cc. By this time Godley and Creme had left the group and the hits quickly stopped. The lyrics, about a white man lost in Jamaica, were based on a true story told by Moody Blues vocalist Justin Hayward about an experience he'd had in Barbados.

September 30 (7 weeks) John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - Summer Nights: Another classic track from the film Grease. The soundtrack album was the second best selling of 1978, beaten only by Saturday Night Fever. November 18 (2 weeks) The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap: A first Number One for the Irish punk band led by Sir Bob Geldof. It is notable as it was the first official UK chart topping single by a punk or new wave act. December 2 (1 week) Rod Stewart - Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?: A fifth Number One for Rod with a song that became the center of a confirmed plagiarism lawsuit by Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor. December 9 (4 weeks) Boney M - Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord: A second and final Number One for Boney M with this cover version of a 1957 chart topper by Harry Belafonte. Source Pink Floyd UK Number One Hits of 1979 January 6 (3 weeks) The Village People - Y.M.C.A.: Only UK Number One for the boys, with this classic disco hit from the New Yorkers who started out in the Big Apple's gay bars.

January 27 (1 week) Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick: The only UK Number One of Ian Dury's remarkable career, ironically with more of a novelty song than for what he was best known. February 3 (4 weeks) Blondie - Heart of Glass: One of the best known Blondie recordings, this was a first UK Number One for the band fronted by the enigmatic Debbie Harry. March 3 (2 weeks) The Bee Gees - Tragedy: Yet another UK Number One for the now reinvented disco act. This was from the group's chart topping album, Spirits Having Flown. March 17 (4 weeks) Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive: Established US diva who finally got her only UK Number One with this disco classic. It received the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980. April 14 (6 weeks) Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes: It was written for the soundtrack of the movie Watership Down and Garfunkel scored his second and final UK Number One with this tearjerker.

It sold over one million copies, becoming the biggest selling single of 1979 in the UK. May 26 (3 weeks) Blondie - Sunday Girl: Never released as a single in the US, this became the band's second UK Number One. June 16 (2 weeks) Anita Ward - Ring My Bell: Only major hit (on both sides of the Atlantic) for this gospel singer from Memphis TN. June 30 (4 weeks) Tubeway Army - Are "Friends" Electric?: A first UK Number One for Gary Numan under this pseudonym, the single is notable for being the first electronic/synthesizer-based record to become a hit in the post-punk era. July 28 (4 weeks) The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays: Bob Geldof wrote the song based on the shooting spree of 16-year-old Brenda Ann Spencer, who fired at children playing in a school playground across the street from her home in San Diego, California.

Her explanation for her actions was "I don't like Mondays." August 25 (4 weeks) Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore: After a lean time throughout most of the 1970s, this first UK Number One for 11 years (Richard's 10th so far) started another run of Top 10 hits throughout the 80s. September 22 (1 week) Gary Numan - Cars: Now recording under his own name, this was Numan's second and final UK Number One. September 29 (3 weeks) The Police - Message In A Bottle: A first UK Number One for the trio led by singer / songwriter Sting, who went on to even greater success. October 20 (1 week) The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star: (The) Buggles consisted of Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Bruce Woolley. This single celebrates the golden days of radio and ironically (or intentionally) became the first music video shown on MTV. October 27 (3 weeks) Lena Martell - One Day At A Time: This single was an unlikely success as it came during the height of disco and new wave.

Martell's follow-up singles failed to chart, so she has the dubious honour of being classified as a One Hit Wonder. November 17 (3 weeks) Dr Hook - When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman: US group that found favour in the UK with a series of melodic love songs, although this was their only UK Number One. December 8 (1 week) The Police - Walking on the Moon: A second Number One for The Police, with a song that surprisingly didn't chart in the US. December 15 (5 weeks) Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall: In the UK, it was Floyd's first single since 1968's Point Me at the Sky and became one of the band's most well-known songs. It was their biggest hit to date and was banned in several countries because of its lyrical content. It became the final UK Number One of the 1970s. More Music of the 1970s These are some of the best love songs of the 21st century...so far! Are You A Fan of Seventies Music?

37 comments John Dyhouse 2 years ago from UK Wow what music and what a lens thanks for the memories, the early years were much more important to me (wrt music) and I was left behind as the decade progressed. But still I have to admit there was a lot of good tunes MJ Martin 2 years ago from Washington State Well now this little tour was simply amazing. You would have thought my family from the 70's was from the UK or something. Those girls and guys loved to sing all of these it seems to us. This is a wonderful lens to be showing around to the babies born in those late 70's, wow. Job well done. congrats on your Purple Star for sure. Great videos, still humming the tunes. RichLeighHD 4 years ago Brilliant lens, clearly a lot of work has gone into this one! Just wanted to say though that 'Merry Xmas Everybody' has actually been back in the charts every year since 2006; one of the band's to have benefitted from download singles, clearly!

emmakeynes 4 years ago Mail Online - Paul Connolly on Music and Movies I'm very happy that Simon Cowell was beaten but couldn't we have had a proper Christmas number one? Simon Cowell had it coming. It was a thoroughly merited whack across the knuckles from the British record-buying public. Of course, the announcement last night that Rage Against The Machineâs Killing In The Name Of had beaten X Factor winner Joe McElderryâs The Climb to the Christmas number one spot will not have been a surprise to Cowell. The music business keeps a close eye on record sales each week and Cowell would have known from Thursday onwards that McElderryâs The Climb had been lagging far behind the American bandâs 17-year-old song, the beneficiary of an anti-X Factor campaign on the social networking website, Facebook. Still, Cowell (pictured above) cannot have been fun to be around as it became evident to him that the Christmas number one spot that he has come to regard as a given for the X Factor winner was going to elude him this year. At first his reaction was peevish.

He accused the campaignâs organisers Jon and Tracy Morter, a couple from Essex, of being âstupidâ and âcynicalâ, although he has since congratulated the couple on running a âgood campaign.â He even claims to have offered them jobs at this record company, Syco, which is part of Sony BMG (the same label that houses Rage Against The Machine, below, coincidentally). One hopes that the Morters ignore Cowellâs blandishments as it would cheapen their achievement. Their campaign was such a resounding success because they struck a chord with many of us who love pop music - especially pop music from these shores. Those of us proud of the British Islesâ reputation as a hothouse for pop music excellence have become increasingly vexed by Cowellâs annexation and homogenisation of our pop culture. One only had to watch the final of X Factor and the American singing voices adopted by both McElderry and Olly Murs, to realise that Cowell feels not a jot of pride that his home country has produced bands as magical and exciting as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Blur and Radiohead.

Instead his proteges such as Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke look for inspiration to American caterwaulers such as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, singers who mistake multi-octave showiness for emotion. Cowell is so devoid of any kind of love for British pop that he chose The Climb, an old song by a ultra-bland American teenie pop star, Miley Cyrus, as McElderryâs first single. It was an act of utter arrogance and he deserved to be kept off the top spot. However, as pleased as I am that Cowell has suddenly become aware that there is a significant number of people who have no truck with his championing of the bland over the inspired, I canât help feel that the Mortersâ campaign represents something of a missed opportunity. While I understand that Rage Against The Machineâs howl of protest - âF*** you, I wonât do what you tell meâ - is relevant in the circumstances (although the brattish tone is more reminiscent of a moody teenager refusing to tidy his room rather than a considered plea for cultural change), it fails on two rather important considerations. First, itâs another American song.

That doesnât represent a massive progression from Cowellsâs approach. Second, itâs hardly very Christmassy is it? Iâm all for a spot of outrage in pop â it helps keep things fresh - but there were other much more appropriate candidates to which the Morters could have turned their attention. Contrary to popular opinion we do not have a great track record in this country for producing particularly festive Christmas number ones. Instead, a kind of madness seems to grip us in December as we hoover up novelty singles by the skipload.

1957 may have given us Harry Belafonteâs Maryâs Boy Child at number one but by 1969 we had Rolf Harrisâs telling Two Little Boys topping the charts while 1971âs mince pies were consumed to the sound of Benny Hillâs magnificently barmy but resolutely unfestive chart-topper Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West), in which he regaled us with a tragic-comic love triangle that featured the eponymous hero as well as a widow, Sue, and a baker who went by the name of Two Ton Ted from Teddington. In more recent times weâve had number ones from Mr Blobby (1993), a fairly loathsome figure that attained momentary fame thanks to Noel Edmondsâ television programme, Noelâs House Party, and 2000âs Bob The Builder success with Can We Fix It? Truly Christmassy number ones, however, have been relatively rare.

The 1970s saw Slade and Mud (Merry Xmas Everybody and Lonely This Christmas, respectively), while the 1980s had Band Aidâs Do They Know Itâs Christmas (1984), Shakinâ Stevensâs Merry Christmas Everyone (1985) and Cliff Richardâs Mistletoe and Wine (1988). The 1990s started with Cliff Richardâs overly sombre Saviourâs Day but since then all weâve had is another Band Aid reprise in 2004, the last year before Cowellâs and X Factorâs string of banal number ones. However, there are two truly great Christmas singles that have never quite made it to number one and either one of which would have been a worthy alternative to Rage Against The Machine for the Mortersâ campaign.

The first is The Poguesâ Fairytale Of New York, a moving, melodramatic tale of a down-on-their-luck couple at Christmas that manages to encompass all the moodswings of your average yuletide break â the songâs tone switches between sentimental, devoted, ecstatic and profane with a bewildering and magical grace that has won it an army of admirers, including Sir Terry Wogan who, during his final week hosting the nationâs best loved breakfast radio show, told his listeners itâs his favourite Christmas song. But perhaps The Poguesâ masterpiece, despite never reaching number one, is too famous â after all it has charted seven times since it was first released in 1987, including all of the last five years.

There is a more deserving and, given the current plight of our forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, more poignant song that the Morters could have chosen â Jona Lewieâs elegiac, wistful tribute to soldiers down the ages, Stop The Cavalry, which was only kept off the Christmas top spot in 1980 by the just-murdered John Lennonâs Imagine. Lewie recently said, "The soldier in the song is a bit like the eternal soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.â This is reinforced by the lyric, âI have had to fight, almost every night, down throughout these centuriesâ but the songâs most eye-prickling line is a simple, downbeat wish that the soldier knows will not be fulfilled: 'I wish I was at home for Christmas.' Never mind Joe McElderryâs mild-mannered bleating or Rage Against The Machineâs incoherent fury, hereâs a sentiment and a song that would have made for a worthy Christmas number one.

When it started to begin - the first five singles — hum drum days Barry Cross I can't think of a more appropriate way of starting a music blog than to present the first five singles I ever owned. In 1970, I was yet to be at the age where I could go into Woolworths and buy my own records, but I'm pretty sure I would have wailed, whinged and weaselled a way to get these records in my life, Many of the songs I heard and liked at that time would be furnished by the purchase of Music For Pleasure Hot Hits or Hallmark Records Top of the Pops compilation albums - the Now That's What I Call Music of their time and exclusively adorned by scantily clad women. I wasn't aware that these albums didn't use the original recordings, but - along with a Disco 45 lyric magazine, they satisfied my needs at the time. The procurement of the following five singles however, would herald the basis of a music collection that continues to confound, comfort and consume my mind to this day. This is when it started to begin...

BACK HOME THE ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD 1970 Release date 18 April 1970 - Highest UK chart position No. 1 My first single vinyl record was Back Home by the England World Cup Squad 1970. Football was certainly more important than music in my primary school years, and it's quite possible a football song was the catalyst for music becoming my number one interest - the disappointment of England's exit from the 1970 World Cup may have also dented my enthusiasm for the beautiful game. I was too young to appreciate England's 1966 World Cup triumph - although apparently I saw it in a pub somewhere on the south coast, but this song conjures up memories from Mexico '70 that are forever etched on my soul; the monumental England v Brazil match, Gordon Banks inconceivable save from Pele (still possibly the best save I've ever seen), the joy of football on TV before school and the real possibility that England would retain the title!

Sadly, these highlights are eclipsed by low points; Bobby Moore and the infamous bracelet incident, Gordon Banks mysterious case of Montezuma's Revenge and the disastrous surrender of a two-nil lead against Germany exasperated by the gracelessness of Gerd Muller's winning goal. It would be 12 years before England qualified for the finals again, so for a long time, we were all 'back home'! LADY BARBARA PETER NOONE & HERMAN'S HERMITS Released 14 November 1970 - Highest UK chart position No. 13 Judging by the release date of this record - November 1970, I'm relatively sure this record was received as a 9th birthday present. Listening back, it sounds suprisingly ahead of it's time with the intro, verse and chorus sharing no musical cohesion. It sounds quite possible that the songwriters - Wilson, Brown, Bigazzi and Savio, arrived with previously written song ideas that were then cobbled together into the intro, verse and chorus of this one - the fourth songsmith obviously doing the cobbling! Lady Barbara was produced by Mickie Most and released on his RAK records label.

I've always had favourite 'labels' (Stiff, Postcard, Factory) as well as artists and RAK is one of the first - with records by Mud, Cozy Powell, Suzi Quatro and Arrows all appearing on the distinctive blue label that featured Mickie Most's boat. It's rumoured that the boat sank, and that's without doubt what happened to the Hermits time in the UK chart as Lady Barbara was the last time they troubled the Top 20. It's been a while since I listened to this record, but as it was one of the first records I owned, I've still got a soft spot for it. Hearing it now takes me back to the time when - along with the b-side Don't Just Stand There It would play endlessly on repeat. THE PUSHBIKE SONG THE MIXTURES Released 16 January 1971 - Highest chart position No.2 I usually become totally engrossed in the bands behind my favourite music, but have to admit I have no idea who The Mixtures are, what they look like, or whether they ever produced more than this one hit single.

Maybe I became enchanted by a song about a pushbike, as a ten year old my pushbike would have been a most treasured possession, albeit old, rusty and secondhand. I had obviously yet to hone my musical ear, and was drawn more towards the novelty elements of songs. The Pushbike Song intro of 'ssshhh uh uh ssshhh ahh' was the part of the song that stuck in my head. I've always been a sucker for these hooks, I remember Fire Brigade by The Move and The Legend of Xanadu by Dave, Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch - further songs that had a novelty element, so the pushbike noises, the vocalised fire sirens and the sound of a cracking whip were the things that stuck with me. Add Back Home and Ernie to the equation and the conclusion is that up to the age of 10, my appreciation of music is somewhat basic. If more conclusive proof of my musical naiveness were needed, The Beatles hadn't even touched my radar - I lived through the fab four and didn't even know it! ANOTHER DAY PAUL McCARTNEY Released 22 February 1971 - Highest UK chart position No.

2 I never fail to be surprised how music evokes memories of past times, people and places. My earliest experience of this being Paul McCartney at his wonderfully simplistic best on Another Day which takes me back to when - at the age of ten, I was confronted by death for the first time. My primary school teacher died from cancer; I didn't have a great understanding of the situation, it was a time when the 'c' word wasn't spoken, and I'm sure - as her pupils, we were protected from the true horror. Why do I associate McCartney's first post Beatles single with this? Maybe the "So sad, so sad..." lyric, the sleeve and label being the colour of death, or maybe I connected the Mc in my teacher's name - Miss McDonald, with that of McCartney. In reality it's probably that I heard the song while trying to make sense of death and the two become inexplicably linked.

It's a not a morbid association, but a joyous celebration of life, the acceptance of it's fragility and a comfort in the everyday - something that also comes through the lyric "Everyday she takes a morning bath she wets her hair, wraps a towel around her as she's heading for the bedroom chair, it's just another day". Of all my first five singles, this is the only one that retains a modicum of musical credibility. ERNIE (THE FASTEST MILKMAN IN THE WEST) BENNY HILL Released 13 November 1971 - Highest UK chart position No. 1 As a kid in the seventies, I thought Benny Hill was hilarious. Today, the sight of a middle aged man, chasing scantily clad women half his age around a field, is somewhat frowned upon. But I have to admit to still admiring the craftsmanship of his comedy, his clever use of language, and Ernie! Ernie was the christmas number one in 1971, a festive season that also saw the arrival of my first cassette recorder.

After tiring of blowing raspberries into the mic, I devised an elaborate recording system (microphone and selloptape) that enabled me to record the sound of TV programmes, all double tracked with the continuos chirping of Joey the budgie. The Benny Hill Show - along with The Comedians and The Persuaders, would have been recorded and enjoyed again, sans picture. Ernie is the perfect comedy song; it has the classic lost love storyline, a villain - Two-Ton Ted from Teddington, it stands up to repeated listens - it was a while before I got the 'pasteurise' joke, and above all, a half decent tune. The aforementioned cassette recorder also enabled me to record a karaoke (before karaoke had been invented) version of Ernie, which became my pre-recorded party piece for christmas 1971, much to the delight of the massed aunts and uncles. Should I ever discover that tape, I will keep it to myself.

Learn and talk about Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West), 1970 songs, 1971 singles, Benny Hill songs, Christmas number-one singles in the United Kingdom Story line[ edit ] The lyric's story line is inspired by Hill's early experience as a milkman for Hann's Dairies in Eastleigh , Hampshire . Market Street, mentioned in the lyrics, is an actual road in Eastleigh. The song tells the fictional exploits of Ernie Price, a 52-year-old (68, in the original television version) milkman who drives a horse –drawn milk cart. It relates his war with the bread delivery man ( two ton Ted from Teddington ) and their efforts to win the heart of Sue, a widow who lives on her own at No. 22, Linley Lane. When Ted sees Ernie's cart outside Sue's house all afternoon, he becomes enraged and violently kicks Price's horse, Trigger. The two men resort to a duel , using the wares they carry on their respective carts, and Ernie is killed by a rock cake underneath his heart , followed by a stale pork pie in his eye (a fresh meat pie in the original television version).

Sue and Ted then marry, but Ernie's ghost returns to haunt them on their wedding night. History[ edit ] "Ernie" was originally written in 1955 as the introduction to an unfilmed screenplay about Hill's milkman experiences. In 1966, Frank Gallop had a US hit with "The Ballad of Irving", which had the same melody and a similar metre .[ citation needed ] "The Ballad of Irving" was itself inspired by Lorne Green's song " Ringo " from 1964, which had the same style and structure. Hill performed the song on The Benny Hill Show in 1970. The original clip is seldom repeated as it was made in black and white owing to a technicians' strike , but the episode has been released on DVD, in both the United Kingdom and United States. In the original television broadcast version, as part of the song's comedy plot, Benny incorrectly sings the name "Ernie" several times as: "Hernie", to which the backing singers would correct him, by strongly replying the name as: "Ernie!". To this, Benny would then pull an embarrassed/annoyed face.

This comedy plot was concluded at the end of the song when Benny, pulling a mischievous face, sang a final: "Hernie!". On the record release, only the final: "Hernie!" is heard.[ citation needed ] The following year, it was included with minor lyrical revisions on Hill's album Words and Music. When it was released as a single on EMI 's Columbia label, it became a surprise number-one hit, topping the UK Singles Chart for four weeks at Christmas 1971. [1] A promotional film was shot starring Hill as Ernie, Henry McGee as Ted, and Jan Butlin as Sue. Hill re-recorded the song shortly before his death in 1992 for the album Benny Hill... The Best Of. On Desert Island Discs in May 2006, Conservative Party leader David Cameron picked it as one of his eight favourite records.

[2] Ernie was referenced in the Superhero segment of one episode of BBC TV's Basil's Swap Shop , with an Ernie lookalike appearing at the superhero's flat, only to be told that speedy delivery of milk was not a super-power.[ citation needed ] Original courtesy of Wikipedia: — Please support Wikipedia. This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia . A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia. We're sorry, but there's no news about "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)" right now. Limit to books that you can completely read online Include partial books (book previews) Oops, we seem to be having trouble contacting Twitter Support Wikipedia A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia. Please add your support for Wikipedia! Searchlight Group Digplanet also receives support from Searchlight Group. Visit Searchlight Copyright © 2009-2016 Digparty. All rights reserved.

Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) Wikis Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West): Wikis Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Encyclopedia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" is an innuendo-laden comic song written and performed by English comedian Benny Hill . The song was first performed on TV in the 1970s, and released as a successful recording topping the UK singles chart in 1971 , reaching Christmas number one . Contents 4 External links Story line The lyric's story line is inspired by Benny's early experience as a milkman for Hann's Dairies in Eastleigh , Hampshire . The song tells the fictional exploits of Ernie Price, a 52 year old (68 in the original TV version) milkman who drove a horse -drawn milk cart.

It relates his war with the bread delivery man ("Two-Ton Ted from Teddington ") and their efforts to win the heart of Sue, a widow who lives on her own at number 22, Linley Lane. In the end the two men fight with the wares they carry on their carts, and Ernie is killed by a rock cake underneath his heart followed by a stale pork pie in his eye (a fresh meat pie in the original TV version). Sue and Ted then marry, but Ernie's ghost returns to haunt them. History According to some reports Hill originally recorded the song for his BBC show in 1956, but if this is correct it would seem that the original performance is lost. The song was not to become famous until the 1970s. In 1966 Frank Gallop had a U.S. hit with "The ballad of Irving" which had the same melody and also the metrum of the text resembles. Hill performed the song on The Benny Hill Show in 1970. The original clip is seldom repeated as it was made in black and white owing to a technicians' strike , but the episode has been released on DVD on both sides of the Atlantic .

The following year it was included with minor lyrical revisions on Hill's album Words and Music. When it was released as a single on EMI 's Columbia label, it became a surprise Number 1 chart hit, topping the UK singles chart for four weeks at Christmas 1971, keeping the T. Rex single Jeepster at the number two spot. A promotional film was shot starring Hill as Ernie and Henry McGee as Ted. Hill re-recorded the song shortly before his death in 1992 for the album Benny Hill...The Best Of. The re-recording has more lightweight instrumentation and critics felt that it was redundant. There is one trivial alteration to the lyrics: "a shilling " is changed to " 10p ". On Desert Island Discs in May 2006, Conservative Party leader David Cameron picked it as one of his eight favourite records, claiming: "When you are asked to sing a song, this is, I'm afraid, the only song whose words I can remember". [1] Ernie was referenced in an episode of 'Basils swap shop' in the Superheros segment.

It involved an Ernie lookalike turning up to the superheros flat only to be told that speedy delivery of milk was not a super power. References Ernie rides again as Tory leader's Desert Island Disc - Telegraph Ernie rides again as Tory leader's Desert Island Disc By George Jones, Political Editor 12:01AM BST 26 May 2006 David Cameron's image as a member of the fashionable Notting Hill set is about to take a knock with the disclosure that his childhood musical hero is the saucy comic Benny Hill. He has chosen the comedian's 1971 chart-topping song, Ernie, the Fastest Milkman in the West, as one of his eight favourite records on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. While the Conservative leader prefers fruit smoothies to Ernie's full cream gold top, he told the presenter Sue Lawley that he often sang the ballad of the lovelorn milkman at parties. Mr Cameron, who is known for his ability to memorise speeches, said the tale of the lovelorn milkman was the only song to which he knew all the words. "This really just reminds of my childhood," he said.

Related Articles Tories six points ahead 26 May 2006 "When you are asked to sing a song, this is, I'm afraid, the only song whose words I can remember." He ducked out of performing a rendition on the programme, to be broadcast on Sunday. Challenged by Miss Lawley to sing a few bars, he spoke the opening line: "You could hear the hoof beats pound as they raced across the ground." The song, which spent four weeks at number one, tells of Ernie's love for a widow Sue. "She lived all alone on Liddley Lane at No 22. They said she was too good for him, she was haughty, proud and chic, But Ernie got his cocoa there, Three times every week." Mr Cameron's weekly jousts at Prime Minister's Question Time with Tony Blair have recently had the flavour of Ernie's confrontation with "Two-Ton Ted from Teddington". He drove the baker's van, and was Ernie's rival for the widow's affections, offering her treacle tarts and hot meat pies. Unfortunately for Mr Cameron, his hero comes to a sad and untimely end.

Two-Ton Ted triumphed when they fought it out, felling his rival with a "stale pork pie which caught Ernie in the eye". Ernie "bit the dust" and went to the "milkround in the sky". Earlier this year, Mr Cameron revealed that he liked a "real mix" of music - ranging from The Smiths and Blur to Bob Dylan - on his iPod, which was a Christmas present from his wife, Samantha. He said his favourite album was by The Killers and he enjoyed "a lot of gloomy stuff". His other Desert Island choices include Radiohead, Bob Dylan and The Smiths. Ten years ago, when still Leader of the Opposition, Mr Blair chose what was described as a "determinedly inoffensive" programme of light rock classics when he was a guest on the show. They included The Beatles' In My Life, Bruce Springsteen's The Fourth of July, the theme music to the film Platoon and Crossroads Blues by Robert Johnson. The one classical piece in his selection was Debussy's Claire de Lune which, he said, was a favourite of his mother.

Question: Which UK Christmas number one single featured ‘Two Ton Ted from Teddington’?
Answer: Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)