1) (new entry) Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas: Straight into the top of the charts on this very day 20 years ago came the original version of the most important charity single ever. It sold over a million copies in its first week, and Dido wasn't singing on it which is why it was tons better than this year's AOR update. If you don't know the story of Band Aid by now then where have you been, but Chighas the details anyway. More here, here, here, here, here and here.
"It's a world of dread and fear where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears."
2) (new entry) Wham! - Last Christmas / Everything She Wants: This perennial festive favourite is the best selling single ever never to have reached number 1. Not that George minded at the time because he featured on the Band Aid record too. Last Christmas should have beeen a cheesy schmaltzfest nightmare of a record, but it still works perfectly as a bittersweet Yuletide anthem. I reckon, anyway.
"Last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away."
3) (↓ 2) Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Love: Forget Jennifer Rush and Huey Lewis, let's hear it for the scallies. This ultimate power ballad had just given Frankie their third number one single with only their third release, following up in-your-face sex and controversial politics with a sideswipe at religion. Simple it may have been, but simply brilliant.
"I'll protect you from the hooded claw, keep the vampires from your door."
4) (↑ 5) Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus - We All Stand Together: You may have loathed it, or you may secretly have loved it, but this amphibian classic is undoubtedly lodged deep inside the child-centred part of your subconscious. The song was written by Mr McCartney for a Rupert movie that never quite materialised, but the magical video justly won the Bafta award for Best Animated Short Film in 1985. Altogether now - bom bom bom.
"Win or lose, sink or swim, one thing is certain we'll never give in."
5) (↑ 3) Madonna - Like A Virgin: Who was she kidding? This irresistable classic propelled Ms Ciccone to a national audience and kickstarted an astounding run of 35 consecutive top ten UK singles. She's still going strong 20 years later - as is Paul McCartney, as is George Michael, as are Band Aid (and even Frankie reformed last month). I bet this week's Top 5 artists don't have the staying power of these 1984 giants.
"You made me feel shiny and new, like a virgin touched for the very first time."
X-14
