u/W51976

UK top 40

1.	Use It Up And Wear It Out - Odyssey (LW 2) (W6)  
2.	Xanadu - Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra (LW 1) (W6)  
3.	More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer (LW 10) (W4)  
4.	Jump To The Beat - Stacy Lattisaw (LW 3) (W7)  
5.	Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley & The Wailers (LW 5) (W6)  
6.	Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time - Detroit Spinners (LW 4) (W5)  
7.	Babooshka - Kate Bush (LW 7) (W4)  
8.	Upside Down - Diana Ross (LW 31) (W2)  
9.	Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones (LW 19) (W4)  
10.	My Way Of Thinking/I Think It's Going To Rain - UB40 (LW 6) (W7)  
11.	Let's Hang On - Darts (LW 16) (W9)  
12.	There There My Dear - Dexys Midnight Runners (LW 20) (W3)  
13.	Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division (LW 17) (W5)  
14.	A Lover's Holiday/Glow Of Love - Change (LW 23) (W5)  
15.	747 (Strangers In The Night) - Saxon (LW 13) (W6)  
16.	Waterfalls - Paul McCartney (LW 9) (W6)  
17.	Computer Game (Theme From The Invaders) - Yellow Magic Orchestra (LW 26) (W7)  
18.	Crying - Don McLean (LW 8) (W12)  
19.	Oops Upside Your Head - The Gap Band (LW 38) (W3)  
20.	Wednesday Week - The Undertones (LW 32) (W4)  
21.	Lip Up Fatty - Bad Manners (LW 28) (W7)  
22.	Neon Knights - Black Sabbath (LW 25) (W4)  
23.	Mariana - Gibson Brothers (LW 40) (W3)  
24.	Funkytown - Lipps Inc (LW 12) (W11)  
25.	Are You Getting Enough Of What Makes You Happy - Hot Chocolate (LW 47) (W2)  
26.	My Girl - The Whispers (LW 35) (W3)  
27.	To Be Or Not To Be - B.A. Robertson (LW 11) (W9)  
28.	Me Myself I - Joan Armatrading (LW 27) (W7)  
29.	9 To 5 - Sheena Easton (LW 50) (W2)  
30.	Play The Game - Queen (LW 22) (W7)  
31.	Sanctuary - New Musik (LW 46) (W3)  
32.	Does She Have A Friend? - Gene Chandler (LW 39) (W5)  
33.	Funkin' For Jamaica (N.Y.) - Tom Browne (LW 74) (W2)  
34.	(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone - The Sex Pistols (LW 21) (W7)  
35.	Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime - The Korgis (LW 14) (W10)  
36.	Brazilian Love Affair - George Duke (LW 44) (W3)  
37.	Fantasy - Gerard Kenny (LW 34) (W5)  
38.	Burning Car - John Foxx (LW 64) (W2)  
39.	Sleepwalk - Ultravox (LW 49) (W4)  
40.	Simon Templar/Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please - Splodgenessabounds (LW 15) (W7)

This week marks a major shift as Odyssey finally claims the top spot with "Use It Up and Wear It Out," ending the reign of Olivia Newton-John and ELO. Meanwhile, the UK’s fascination with dance and soul is palpable, with Diana Ross making a massive leap into the Top 10 with "Upside Down" and Sheena Easton climbing rapidly with "9 To 5". It's a vibrant snapshot of a summer where disco’s influence was still lingering, even as synth-pop and new wave acts like John Foxx and Ultravox began their ascent in the lower reaches of the chart.

Top 10 Review

Use It Up And Wear It Out - Odyssey

https://youtu.be/lj\_BzlYdBoU?si=MGVxRgp78zs5fPym

Xanadu - Olivia Newton John and Electric Light Orchestra

https://youtu.be/cLi8fTlDEag?si=7BC4gUd3dO-6lhDh

More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer

https://youtu.be/GnIlo91CrBw?si=IsEoeXbr3N7savI\_

Jump To The Beat - Stacy Lattisaw

https://youtu.be/Vtq4PMJvSI0?si=FJ4vQd7vTZRphxPt

Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley & The Wailers

https://youtu.be/sL\_BcaI0i0w?si=ppKvju-EU3OEV724

Cupid - Detroit Spinners

https://youtu.be/UNivPYAKplY?si=Rq1UTAulb9Zwyk0W

Babooshka - Kate Bush

https://youtu.be/k24IxSJF388?si=KGAE-ioDlSci1Ckj

Upside Down - Diana Ross

https://youtu.be/Po0BbGMSX4g?si=J2aRT33Dw5rNRfcZ

Emotional Rescue - The Rolling Stones

https://youtu.be/9iw\_BE\_X9sA?si=zR5RjCjDU-8oxu8Z

My Way Of Thinking/I Think It's Going To Rain - UB40

https://youtu.be/vPcsz4yHhoE?si=o4jeEynGCN8v4Ppf

https://youtu.be/Zsnsu2tgpR0?si=r0pm3nz1fPJIJDQt

The summit sees a change of guard as Odyssey climbs one spot to secure the #1 position with "Use It Up And Wear It Out". Last week's leader, Olivia Newton-John and ELO, drops to #2. Leo Sayer makes a massive leap from #10 to #3, while Diana Ross enters the top tier with a 23-place jump to #8.

Stacy Lattisaw, UB40, and The Detroit Spinners are all losing ground this week.

Kate Bush remains steady, holding her peak at #7. Rolling Stones also climb into the 10 from #19. Falling out of the Top 10 this week are Don McLean and Paul McCartney.

Chart Checkpoint

Position 20: The Undertones with "Wednesday Week" — Climbing (Up 12 places from #32).

https://youtu.be/8DGvJSuoI3A?si=OO9ThsKZoiRTdexV

Position 30: Queen with "Play The Game" — Dropping (Down 8 places from #22).

https://youtu.be/6\_5O-nUiZ\_0?si=7b1ek5Is9Drk-0UM

Position 40: Splodgenessabounds with "Simon Templar/Two Pints Of Lager..." — Dropping (Down 25 places from #15).

https://youtu.be/mZhPjznCPiY?si=EUq1Uxe6MXfecLA7

https://youtu.be/2tcZZHOL1fE?si=UJym4Wm02A5aPf2A

Climbers

The airwaves are currently dominated by rapid ascents and persistent "slow burners" that refuse to quit. Diana Ross provides the week’s most explosive movement within the Top 40, vaulted by her #31 to #8 leap. Tom Browne is also making waves, surging 41 places to #33.

https://youtu.be/iqPLPI7m9YI?si=TktMHSI3\_KWqgdgO

Other notable big jumpers include Sheena Easton, up 21 places to #29, and The Gap Band, who climb 19 spots to #19.

https://youtu.be/S\_3vZYOYNYU?si=BzpE\_RgghwBvOF2C

https://youtu.be/k4aUEcRNE5w?si=7fCsU2s8m8VV3P\_7

Meanwhile, Joy Division continue their steady and poignant climb as "Love Will Tear Us Apart" moves up four places to reach a new peak of #13.

https://youtu.be/LS7CiL8MNb0?si=jlfeBusRmHo80fom

Finally, John Foxx is proving his endurance; "Burning Car" continues its upward trajectory, moving from #64 into the Top 40 at #38 this week.

https://youtu.be/qRA6THTrwx8?si=GrDv77fRsIJtLrm5

Long Chart Runners

Several tracks are showing impressive longevity on the countdown this week:
Don McLean – "Crying" (12 weeks)
Lipps Inc – "Funkytown" (11 weeks)

The Korgis – "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" (10 weeks)

https://youtu.be/ns\_wvl6JB6E?si=4OLuGA0VF-qqdfgm

Darts – "Let's Hang On" (9 weeks)

https://youtu.be/cgZ-IFZFNmk?si=DeDGIpXZSGCTRLAJ

B.A. Robertson – "To Be Or Not To Be" (9 weeks)

https://youtu.be/V3Eeu0SdYSE?si=KMy7xQhiMKKW5Lx0

That brings us to the end of another chart week and another month. Seven months of 1980 have been and gone, with only five left before we head into 1981.

We move into August on Friday, and there’s a massive, landmark change coming to the upper end of the charts this month—a hit that feels like a total shift in the musical landscape.

Until then, take care everybody! 👍

New entry: 47

Give Me The Night - George Benson

https://youtu.be/FIF7wKJb2iU?si=AL3E4BepqlirNBzJ

Peak: 7 | Weeks: 10

Album: Give Me The Night

The biggest debut of the week comes from the legendary jazz guitarist turned soul superstar, George Benson.

Produced by Quincy Jones and written by Rod Temperton (the same team behind Michael Jackson’s biggest hits), this was an immediate smash. It’s the lead single and title track of his new album, and it would eventually soar into the Top 10, becoming one of the defining anthems of the summer. A flawless blend of sophisticated jazz-pop that appealed to everyone from clubbers to casual radio listeners.

A chart recap will follow later. 👍

New entry: 48

Burnin' Hot - Jermaine Jackson

https://youtu.be/ahuNSuHzu1o?si=WKt_28DqPirW-6Qc

Peak: 32 | Weeks: 6

Album: Let's Get Serious

Sibling rivalry is alive and well on the charts this week as Jermaine follows Michael into the Top 50. This track is a high-energy follow-up to his massive title-track hit "Let's Get Serious."

Produced by Stevie Wonder, the song carries that unmistakable Wonder-esque rhythmic complexity. It’s a heavy, bass-driven funk track that showed Jermaine was more than capable of holding his own as a solo artist during the Jacksons' transition into the new decade.

New entry: 53

Girlfriend - Michael Jackson

https://youtu.be/O8rc8FNCHcU?si=SZj9sFsTPClH1DV-

Peak: 41 | Weeks: 5

Album: Off The Wall

It seems you can't keep Michael Jackson out of the charts in 1980. Interestingly, this track was actually written by Paul McCartney (who originally intended it for Jackson before recording it himself with Wings). As the fifth single to be lifted from the juggernaut Off The Wall album, it shows the incredible depth of that record.

While it didn't reach the heights of "Rock With You," it further bridged the gap between the two superstars before their future high-profile collaborations.

New entry: 54

Sweetheart Contract - Magazine

https://youtu.be/7IGxGIGGjKI?si=Zj2mHw4sIG00hwS_

Peak: 54 | Weeks: 3

Album: The Correct Use of Soap

Howard Devoto’s Magazine continues to be one of the most intellectually stimulating bands of the post-punk era.

This follow-up to "A Song From Under The Floorboards" captures the band at their peak of technical precision. The track deals with themes of emotional manipulation and transactional relationships, all set to a jagged, sophisticated melody. It’s a perfect example of the "art-school" side of the UK charts that was flourishing in the summer of 1980.

New entry: 55

Private Life - Grace Jones

https://youtu.be/yvLn_qC7QAs?si=BHcVk3-5skQV3Op6

Peak: 17 | Weeks: 8 Album: Warm Leatherette

Grace Jones completely reinvents herself here, ditching the disco diva persona for a stark, reggae-influenced New Wave sound.

Recorded at the legendary Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas with rhythm legends Sly & Robbie, this cover of The Pretenders’ track is arguably the definitive version. It marks the start of her most critically acclaimed era and would become her first significant Top 20 hit in the UK, cementing her status as a high-fashion art-pop icon.

New entry: 58

Shining Star - Manhattans

https://youtu.be/I_sxBUOR0Kk?si=AHok7lQYZBV_FEih

Peak: 45 | Weeks: 4

Album: After Midnight

After the global phenomenon of "Kiss and Say Goodbye" a few years prior, the Manhattans return with a beautifully crafted slice of classic soul.

It’s a follow-up hit that proves the group’s vocal harmonies hadn't lost any of their luster. While the UK charts were increasingly dominated by New Wave and futuristic synth-pop, this track provided a smooth, traditional counterbalance for listeners looking for something a bit more timeless.

New entry: 63

In The Forest - Baby O

https://youtu.be/W5i-EDGiRuc?si=oMKLoGaDBEX0ZFxm

Peak: 46 | Weeks: 5

Album: Baby O

A mysterious entry that piqued the interest of club-goers this July. Baby O (the stage name for producer and artist Baby Oliver) creates an atmospheric, slightly surreal dance track that stood out from the standard pop fare of the week.

This would eventually become a "one-hit wonder" for the artist in the UK, but its steady five-week climb through the lower reaches of the chart showed there was a clear appetite for this more adventurous, electronic-inflected disco sound.

New entry: 64

Stretchin' Out - Gayle Adams

https://youtu.be/WAralSSCnRc?si=WH3-xj8yT0ZMG0Ri

Peak: 64 | Weeks: 1

Album: Gayle Adams

Gayle Adams makes her mark this week with a track that quickly became a favorite within the UK’s sophisticated soul and "jazz-funk" circles.

This debut single is a masterclass in post-disco production, focusing on a tight bassline and Adams' commanding vocal. While its chart life was unfortunately brief—lasting only one week—the track remains a highly regarded "one-hit wonder" in the context of the 1980 dance scene, often appearing on specialist rare-groove compilations in later years.

New entry: 66

Butcher Baby - The Plasmatics

https://youtu.be/BiRelz5FioU?si=9m7CmLwieuRL6lFM

Peak: 55 | Weeks: 4

Album: New Hope for the Wretched

The ultimate shock-rock debut lands in the UK charts! Fronted by the indomitable Wendy O. Williams, The Plasmatics bring a chaotic blend of punk and metal that the British public wasn't quite prepared for.

Known for blowing up equipment and sawing guitars on stage, this single gave the band their first taste of UK chart action. It’s a raw, aggressive introduction to a band that prioritized pure theatrical mayhem as much as the music itself.

New entry: 68

Does It Feel Good / Give Up The Funk - B.T. Express

https://youtu.be/IgqY4Jg90KQ?si=qzflKqIodKO9X8r7

https://youtu.be/s8YQy6RQbZQ?si=4vEIk7hfDkHFgi1E

Peak: 52 | Weeks: 4

Album: 1980

B.T. Express delivers a double-sided dose of New York funk that perfectly bridges the gap between the waning disco era and the rising synth-funk sound. "Does It Feel Good" leans into a heavy, rhythmic groove that became a staple in the UK club scene this month. Despite their massive influence on the genre, this release proved to be their final appearance on the British charts, serving as a high-energy swan song for the group’s chart career in the UK.

New entry: 73

For You For Love - Average White Band

https://youtu.be/XxCiwO6pDTw?si=77t20WH4VzeupF1U

Peak: 46 | Weeks: 4

Album: Shine

The Scottish funk masters return to the Top 75 this week, though it’s a quieter arrival compared to their mid-70s heyday. Following the moderate success of "Let's Go Round Again," this track showcases the band's shift toward a smoother, polished disco-soul sound as they move into the new decade. While it wouldn't become a massive crossover hit, it solidified their presence on the UK airwaves during a summer dominated by dance-floor fillers.

We’ve reached the final week of July 1980.

Kicking us off is a debut single.

New entry: 75

C30 C60 C90 Go - Bow Wow Wow

https://youtu.be/5YejbpHA9Yo?si=vyb-IRejXSjxQTB0

https://youtu.be/QrjaOjipZjQ?si=gHgoR-WBTnuJiFYM

Peak: 34 | Weeks: 7

Album: Your Cassette Pet (Cassette EP)

This debut single from Bow Wow Wow arrives with a heavy dose of controversy and a very modern message for 1980. Put together by former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, the band features an instrumental line-up poached from Adam and the Ants and 14-year-old singer Annabella Lwin.

The track is essentially a pro-home-taping anthem, celebrating the ability to record music off the radio—a stance that naturally didn't endear them to the record industry. Interestingly, the B-side of the original cassette release was left blank to encourage listeners to do exactly what the song title suggested.

It’s essentially Adam and the Ants "mark one" repurposed, complete with their signature Burundi-style percussion.

The July 1980 strike is the "Great Void" of British pop history—a time when the BBC and the Musicians' Union were locked in a stalemate, leaving Top of the Pops viewers staring at blank screens while some of the era's biggest tunes were climbing the charts.

While we’ve just hit the July 19th chart in the sub, it’s worth pausing to pour one out for the artists who were absolutely robbed of their "Studio Moment" during this industrial action. Two names come up constantly in the "What If" department:

Kate Bush – "Babooshka"

Kate was at the height of her powers, and "Babooshka" peaked at No. 5 right in the middle of this strike. Usually, a Kate Bush TOTP performance was a national event involving interpretive dance, theatrical costumes, and enough dry ice to ground a 747.

Without that visual "oomph" beamed into every living room, many fans argue she was denied a run at the top spot. Instead of a high-art performance, fans mostly got a promo video. Could she have knocked ABBA or Olivia Newton-John off the summit? We’ll never know.

The Korgis – "Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime"

This track is the ultimate "Summer of 1980" mood, also peaking at No. 5 during the blackout. It’s a beautifully melancholic record that practically begged for a moody, spotlight-heavy studio performance.

The Korgis are the poster boys for "Strike Victims." Without the weekly TOTP bump, the song stayed a massive radio hit but arguably missed out on the momentum needed to break into the Top 3.

In these pilot sessions, because the real bands weren't there, you’d often see a cameraman or a production assistant pretending to play the guitar for Saxon or sing for Leo Sayer. 😆

Enjoy 👍

https://youtu.be/osxZw4Bkxrc?si=R8RA59bzqlFN-pvw

The Weekend Shutdown: Brasil Boogie (Rio de Janeiro, 1980)

As we dim the lights on another chart week, we’re heading across the Atlantic for a masterclass in rhythm. This set captures Rio de Janeiro at the dawn of the decade—a moment where the lush arrangements of MPB (Música popular brasileira) collided with the emerging global obsession with slap-bass and synthesizers. You can hear the humidity in the percussion; it’s a sophisticated blend of organic funk and slick, early 80s studio polish. It’s the sound of a city finding a new groove, trading the frantic energy of 70s disco for something a bit more grounded, soulful, and undeniably cool.

Listen to the Brasil Boogie 1980 Mix here

https://www.mixcloud.com/matei-lache/django-presents-brasil-boogie-rio-de-janeiro-1980/

Film Flashback: The Final Countdown (1980)

While we recently revisited Kirk Douglas in the neon-soaked sci-fi Saturn 3, this 1980 outing swaps deep space for the deep blue sea. Starring Douglas alongside Martin Sheen and James Farentino, the production is perhaps most famous for its incredible access to the USS Nimitz, providing a level of naval realism that CGI simply can't replicate.

Released in the summer of 1980, the film arrived during a period of renewed fascination with military scale and high-concept "what if" scenarios. Interestingly, the film wasn't just a Hollywood production; it served as a massive recruitment tool for the U.S. Navy, showcasing the F-14 Tomcats in action years before Top Gun would dominate the cultural zeitgeist. For U.K. audiences, it offered a sleek, high-budget spectacle that stood in stark contrast to the grittier, more grounded British dramas of the era.

The crew of the USS Nimitz were actually used as extras throughout the film. During the scenes where the crew is scrambled, those are real sailors performing their actual duties, which lends the film a documentary-like weight between the dramatic beats.

The dogfight scenes involving the F-14 Tomcats and the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zeros were performed by real pilots. In one shot, a Tomcat nearly stalled because it had to fly so slowly to stay behind the vintage propellers of the Zeros, leading to a hair-raising moment of real-life tension captured on film.

This marked one of the final major action-leading roles for Kirk Douglas. At 63 years old, he still commanded the screen with the same "Alpha" presence he brought to his earlier classics, bridging the gap between Old Hollywood grit and the 1980s blockbuster era.

https://youtu.be/cQWj26605gc?si=c12O5zcJ4HC7SGWp

As the school holidays commence, and the heat of high summer settles over the UK, the final week of July 1980 brings a shift in the atmosphere. The long, light evenings of late July are a perfect match for the sophisticated, breezy funk of George Benson’s "Give Me the Night." With August fast approaching and the holiday season in full swing, there is a collective move toward the dancefloor, seeking a soundtrack that matches the optimism of a summer night.

Produced by the legendary Quincy Jones and written by Rod Temperton—the mastermind behind Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall—this track represented a peak in high-gloss production. It captured a moment where jazz-fusion elegance met the rhythmic drive of the disco era, creating something that felt entirely fresh for the dawn of the eighties. Benson’s signature scat-singing and effortless guitar licks provided the ultimate "bright lights" anthem for a nation finally heading into its summer break.

https://youtu.be/ZomNx6\_Z0ag?si=-KJ-QjeHKTvJZ5l-

New entry: 31

Upside Down - Diana Ross

https://youtu.be/Po0BbGMSX4g?si=sOVewMfTd_ZEaX5T

Peak: 2 | Weeks: 12

Album: Diana

The highest new entry this week is a certified monster. Diana Ross reinvented herself by handing the production reins to Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. The result is a minimalist, staccato funk masterpiece that sounds like nothing else on the radio.

Despite the "Upside Down" nature of the recording process—Diana famously clashed with the producers over the vocal mix—the track became one of the biggest hits of her entire career, narrowly missing the top spot in the UK.

A chart recap will follow tomorrow. 👍

New entry: 47

Are You Getting Enough of What Makes You Happy - Hot Chocolate

https://youtu.be/vbn49_XOK6g?si=eaZl8Nh2HU2la8Pn

Peak: 17 | Weeks: 7

Album: Class

Errol Brown and the boys continue their incredible run of consistency with this bouncy, mid-tempo groove.

In July 1980, Hot Chocolate followed their massive spring hit “No Doubt About It”, with this track—released to help promote their “Class” album. It's a classic RAK Records production: polished, catchy, and tailor-made for Radio 1 airplay. The album also features a cover version of The Police’s “Walking on the Moon”.

New entry: 50

9 to 5 - Sheena Easton

https://youtu.be/S_3vZYOYNYU?si=5F_yJp9VI15PIPqm

Peak: 3 | Weeks: 15

Album: Take My Time

The "Modern Girl" herself returns. Thanks to the BBC documentary The Big Time, which followed her quest for stardom, Sheena Easton has become a household name almost overnight. "9 to 5" is the track that truly launches her into the stratosphere, eventually peaking at #3.

To avoid confusion with Dolly Parton’s movie theme of the same name, the song was later retitled "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" for the US market, where it went all the way to #1.