It’s still number one but more or less by default, “Pipes Of Peace” registered just 63,000 copies which is the fourth lowest of the decade being only worsened (so to speak) by Charlene, Renee & Renato and KC & The Sunshine Band so far in the 80s. The album of the same name was released back in November and debuted at No 4 before falling as far as No 30 but is now revitalised as it re-peak’s at No 4 this week.
Obviously that isn’t really the big news this week, that revolves around “Relax” the record which now moves 6-2 (55,000). On his Radio 1 breakfast show on Wednesday DJ Mike Read announced that he was not going to play the track again as its lyrics were obscene, a decision which was later in the week backed by both Radio One and the BBC though both are keen to point out that it is not “banned” but just not being played, the difference is unclear. The track has already had roughly 60 plays on Radio 1 without the full implications of its lyrics being examined but it has now created a media frenzy around the band and the song which has initially at least done little harm.
Onto the new entries, you’ll probably recognise the record at No 4 as the theme to the ITV series “Auf Wiedersehen, pet” which is just coming to the end of its run. Its singer Joe Fagin was the musical director of Jim Davidson’s recent “Falklands Tour” but he landed the role of singing the opening and closing songs to the series and it is the track that closes each episode, “That’s Livin’ Alright” ,that impresses 48,000 buyers this week.
Just one behind Fagin is the star duet between Shakin’ Stevens and Bonnie Tyler who jump 13-5 (47,000). Originally released by the Spaniels in 1958 it was a hit stateside for Dinah Washington and Brook Benton two years later when it topped the R & B Charts though it wasn’t a hit here and indeed never has been. It is Tyler’s fourth top 10 hit and a marked improvement on her last release “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” which bottomed out at No 47, for Shaky it’s his tenth top 10 single as he moves just 4 behind the current act with the most top tenners this decade, Madness.
Former guitarist with both Pink Floyd and Thin Lizzy, Snowy white has now gone solo with his debut solo album due sometime this summer, first single “Bird Of Paradise” moves 19-6 (43,000) as it takes advantage of the winter lull.
It’s taken some time to make the top 10 but Lionel Richie’s “Running With The Night” suddenly leaps 22-9 (32,000) after some TOTP exposure. It has so far moved 54-41-45-41-41-36-22- 9 an odd run that saw the track held up in the Christmas rush, more was expected of the follow up to “All Night Long (All Night)” which almost made No 1 back in November. Parent album “Can’t Slow Down” is now 13 weeks old and has yet to dip below No 11, this single features a guitar solo courtesy of Toto’s Steve Lukather, in what some are calling Richie’s version of Jackson’s “Beat It”.
Four fallers to cover briefly, Howard Jones tumbles 2-3 (51,000), Status Quo discover that cocktail hour is over and fall 3-7 (38,000), Billy Joel collapses 4-8 (35,000) and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton drift 8-10 (30,000).
https://forum.popjustice.com/threads/80s-top-10-sales-week-by-week-1984-1985.38232/page-2