Not many forecasters had predicted a fifth week at the top for Joel but "Uptown Girl" defies the odds and stays ahead of the field though its sale of 99,000 copies is well down week on week, 22% in fact and was outsold on the last few days of the chart week. The song that did it? Well that was Paul Young who, possibly, with an additional day may have toppled Joel, "Love Of The Common People" moves 5-2 on a sale of 95,000 and seems assured of the No 1 spot next week.
The Thompson Twins have had a great 1983 finally getting their big breakthrough with "Love On Your Side" back in February and whilst they may have been slightly disappointed by the performance of their last single "Watching" which bombed at No 33, all is back on track with a new album due in early 1984 and a return to the top 10 with "Hold Me Now" which flies 14-5 (49,000). It is their first top 5 hit and they are seemingly benefitting from a settled line-up after years of change and struggle, the fact that they write all their material must be benefitting their bank balances as well.
It's been 10 years since "Nutbush City Limits" was in the charts during which time Tina and Ike Turner have separated and Tina released four solo albums which all left the UK public less than impressed. Turns out all she needed was the right cover version and she's found that in Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" a No 7 hit in 1972, Turner's version expands 16-7 (45,000) this week to mirror the original's peak and launch album No 5 entitled "Private Dancer" which is due early in 1984, the single is produced by Heaven 17 who add a synthpop pinch of magic to the production.
Formed last year by a bunch of friends who performed in local amateur dramatics The Flying Pickets take their name due to the fact that several members took part in the miners strikes of 1972 and 1974 and starred in productions which included a cappella performances. They've had the idea to transfer theatre into pop music and have covered the Yazoo track "Only You" and this week become the surprise stars of the top 10 as they jet 60-9 (42,000) this week. Presumably the success was unexpected as the group are filming a rush video this week for the single and must now be considering an album of their covers.
Eurythmics third album "Touch" debuted at No 8 last week and contains the No 3 hit "Who's That Girl" and new single "Right By Your Side" which becomes their fourth top 10 in a row after rising 15-10 (39,000). With a calypso feel it might be the perfect remedy for the cold weather and a soundtrack to a fair few office parties- don't discount it from being a big Christmas hit!
Also climbing into contention is Marilyn who shoots 9-4 (54,000) with "Calling Your Name" thanks to a mid-drift baring performance on TOTP but it's all over for "Say Say Say" which ebbs 2-3 (62,000), Shaky drops 3-8 (45,000) and surprisingly The Assembly fall back 4-6 (49,000).
https://forum.popjustice.com/threads/80s-top-10-sales-week-by-week-1982-1983.34249/page-60