The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: The Story of 45 Mixed Up No. 1 Songs

The book takes 45 chart toppers and writes their story. The music, the lyrics, the artists, producers and writers are all discussed, as well as any side or back stories to do with the single. For example, when and how Release Me by Engelbert Humperdinck kept Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields by The Beatles off the top spot in 1967, is discussed in Chapter 4. Another example of a you could not make it up back story might be the that the writer of Grandad, by Clive Dunn from 1971and a light novelty No. 1 song, was also the bass player on Lou Reeds hit single Walk On The Wildside a heavy weight dose of art rock with dubious lyrics, which came out in November 1972. Perhaps you could not get too more contrasting songs for Herbie Flowers to be involved in.    

I picked 45 singles, as that was the rpm speed of a typical 7 inches vinyl single in the 1960s. With regard to time span I took one No. 1 single per year between 1964 and 2006, that would be 43 songs and I added in two bonus tracks to make 45. This was when Top Of The Pops was running on BBC TV and seemed an appropriated year span for the book. 

I wanted to mix up the No.1 singles, not just to get the best selling or most popular song of a particular year. I chose pop songs, novelty songs, childrens songs and all time classics to have a range of mixed up No. 1s. This is hopefully a particular unique selling point of the book, where I compare and contrast the mixed up No. 1s and try to explain just how, for example, Mr Blobby by Mr Blobby would be an unlikely No.1 in 1993, while an all time classic, Love Is All Around from Wet Wet Wet could be an obvious No. 1 in 1994. Just how is it that these two songs could both be chart toppers in the same chart? It is certainly a bit weird and this is something I try to explain in the book.

 I have taken as the book title the 1968 chart topper, which I write about in Chapter 5. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is indicative of the mixed up good, bad or ugly range of the 45 songs, which I pick. I never specifically say which song is in which category. That is for the reader to decide. I also do not want to be rude about any song. If it got to No.1 it certainly deserves respect.

 In the Book End: Outro I do a Top of the Pops No.45 to No. 1 countdown as a worst to best list of my chosen songs, which should promote some debate and perhaps even disagreement. With that in mind despite his best attempt at coercion and bribery towards me, you will be pleased to know (or perhaps saddened!) that Mr Blobby is not my overall No.1 But what is, wellRead on and enjoy the book!