The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The book takes 45 chart toppers and writes their story. Themusic, the lyrics, the artists, producers and writers are all discussed, aswell as any side or back stories to do with the single. For example, when andhow “Release Me” by Engelbert Humperdinck kept “Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields”by The Beatles off the top spot in 1967, is discussed in Chapter 4. Anotherexample of a “you could not make it up” back story might be the that the writerof “Grandad”, by Clive Dunn from 1971and a light novelty No. 1 song, was alsothe bass player on Lou Reed’s hit single “Walk On The Wildside” a heavy weightdose of art rock with dubious lyrics, which came out in November 1972. Perhapsyou could not get too more contrasting songs for Herbie Flowers to be involvedin.    I picked 45 singles, as that was the rpm speed of a typical7 inches vinyl single in the 1960s. With regard to time span I took one No. 1single per year between 1964 and 2006, that would be 43 songs and I added intwo bonus tracks to make 45. This was when Top Of The Pops was running on BBCTV and seemed an appropriated year span for the book. I wanted to mix up the No.1 singles, not just to get thebest selling or most popular song of a particular year. I chose pop songs,novelty songs, children’s songs and all time classics to have a range of mixedup 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, whilean all time classic, “Love Is All Around” from Wet Wet Wet could be an obviousNo. 1 in 1994. Just how is it that these two songs could both be chart toppersin the same chart? It is certainly a bit weird and this is something I try toexplain in the book.  I have taken as the book title the 1968 chart topper, whichI write about in Chapter 5. “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” is indicative ofthe mixed up “good, bad or ugly” range of the 45 songs, which I pick. I neverspecifically say which song is in which category. That is for the reader todecide. I also do not want to be rude about any song. If it got to No.1 itcertainly 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 promotesome debate and perhaps even disagreement. With that in mind despite his bestattempt at coercion and bribery towards me, you will be pleased to know (orperhaps saddened!) that Mr Blobby is not my overall No.1 But what is, well…Readon and enjoy the book!

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