Songs
The biggest records on UK Singles Chart that entered the chart in the 1980s, ranked by Weeks at #1. Click a column to re-sort.
Record Power is the song's own figure: each week on the chart is worth its position as a share of a full chart — a #1 week is 3.5, a #21 week 1.8, a #100 week 0.1 — added up over the run. No credit split and no discount for what else the artist had charting, so a duet and an album-bomb single count the same as any other record. What a song earned each artist is on the artist pages.
Ranked by Weeks at #1, part of the ChartReign Power model — not a chart published by anyone else. How it works →
| # | Song | Record Power | Weeks at #1 | Top-ten weeks | Weeks on chart | Peak | On chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two TribesFrankie Goes To Hollywood | 58.8 | 9 | 12 | 33 | #1Jun 1984 | Jun 1984 → Sep 2000 |
| 2 | I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder | 56.4 | 6 | 11 | 39 | #1Sep 1984 | Aug 1984 → Dec 1985 |
| 3 | Ride on TimeBlack Box | 50.2 | 6 | 11 | 22 | #1Sep 1989 | Aug 1989 → Dec 1989 |
| 4 | Karma ChameleonCulture Club | 44.3 | 6 | 10 | 21 | #1Sep 1983 | Sep 1983 → Feb 1984 |
| 5 | HelloLionel Richie | 37.0 | 6 | 9 | 15 | #1Mar 1984 | Mar 1984 → Jun 1984 |
| 6 | Do They Know It's Christmas?Band-Aid | 158.0 | 5 | 20 | 109 | #1Dec 1984 | Dec 1984 → Dec 2024 |
| 7 | RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood | 103.2 | 5 | 19 | 63 | #1Jan 1984 | Nov 1983 → Apr 1985 |
| 8 | The Power Of LoveJennifer Rush | 54.4 | 5 | 10 | 33 | #1Oct 1985 | Jun 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 9 | Swing The MoodJive Bunny & The Mastermixers | 42.0 | 5 | 8 | 19 | #1Jul 1989 | Jul 1989 → Nov 1989 |
| 10 | Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley | 41.3 | 5 | 9 | 23 | #1Aug 1987 | Aug 1987 → Dec 2008 |
| 11 | Uptown GirlBilly Joel | 39.6 | 5 | 8 | 18 | #1Oct 1983 | Oct 1983 → Jan 1984 |
| 12 | Don't You Want MeThe Human League | 38.8 | 5 | 8 | 17 | #1Dec 1981 | Nov 1981 → Mar 2014 |
| 13 | I Should Be So LuckyKylie Minogue | 37.7 | 5 | 9 | 17 | #1Feb 1988 | Jan 1988 → May 1988 |
| 14 | China in Your HandT'Pau | 36.8 | 5 | 9 | 15 | #1Nov 1987 | Oct 1987 → Jan 1988 |
| 15 | The Only Way Is UpYazz And The Plastic Population | 36.4 | 5 | 9 | 15 | #1Jul 1988 | Jul 1988 → Oct 1988 |
| 16 | 19Paul Hardcastle | 34.8 | 5 | 7 | 17 | #1May 1985 | Apr 1985 → May 2011 |
| 17 | Stand and DeliverAdam & the Ants | 31.6 | 5 | 7 | 15 | #1May 1981 | May 1981 → Aug 1981 |
| 18 | Only YouThe Flying Pickets | 26.0 | 5 | 7 | 12 | #1Dec 1983 | Nov 1983 → Mar 1984 |
| 19 | Nothing's Gonna Stop Us NowStarship | 41.8 | 4 | 9 | 20 | #1May 1987 | Mar 1987 → Sep 2013 |
| 20 | Eye Of The TigerSurvivor | 40.1 | 4 | 8 | 33 | #1Aug 1982 | Jul 1982 → Mar 2013 |
| 21 | Come on EileenDexy's Midnight Runners & the Emerald Express | 38.2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | #1Aug 1982 | Jun 1982 → Jan 1983 |
| 22 | I Know Him So WellElaine Paige & Barbara Dickson | 38.0 | 4 | 10 | 17 | #1Feb 1985 | Dec 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 23 | FrankieSister Sledge | 37.3 | 4 | 8 | 17 | #1Jun 1985 | May 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 24 | Eternal FlameThe Bangles | 36.3 | 4 | 7 | 20 | #1Apr 1989 | Jan 1989 → Jun 1989 |
| 25 | Save Your LoveRenee and Renato | 35.9 | 4 | 8 | 16 | #1Dec 1982 | Oct 1982 → Feb 1983 |
| 26 | Don't Leave Me This WayThe Communards | 35.1 | 4 | 9 | 15 | #1Sep 1986 | Aug 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 27 | Into the GrooveMadonna | 34.5 | 4 | 8 | 16 | #1Jul 1985 | Jul 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 28 | Take My Breath Away (Love Theme From "Top Gun")Berlin | 34.0 | 4 | 7 | 14 | #1Nov 1986 | Oct 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 29 | Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)Soul II Soul | 33.2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | #1Jun 1989 | Jun 1989 → Sep 1989 |
| 30 | When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get GoingBilly Ocean | 31.9 | 4 | 7 | 16 | #1Feb 1986 | Jan 1986 → Jun 1986 |
| 31 | You Win AgainBee Gees | 31.2 | 4 | 7 | 16 | #1Oct 1987 | Sep 1987 → Dec 1987 |
| 32 | The ReflexDuran Duran | 30.3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | #1Apr 1984 | Apr 1984 → Jul 1984 |
| 33 | Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For YouGlenn Medeiros | 29.4 | 4 | 6 | 14 | #1Jul 1988 | Jun 1988 → Sep 1988 |
| 34 | Easy LoverPhilip Bailey & Phil Collins | 29.3 | 4 | 6 | 13 | #1Mar 1985 | Mar 1985 → Jun 2013 |
| 35 | TrueSpandau Ballet | 28.5 | 4 | 7 | 15 | #1Apr 1983 | Apr 1983 → Sep 1983 |
| 36 | It's My PartyDave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin | 28.1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | #1Oct 1981 | Sep 1981 → Dec 1981 |
| 37 | Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart ft Gene PitneyMarc Almond feat. Gene Pitney | 27.9 | 4 | 6 | 12 | #1Jan 1989 | Jan 1989 → Mar 1989 |
| 38 | Dancing In The StreetDavid Bowie & Mick Jagger | 27.8 | 4 | 6 | 15 | #1Sep 1985 | Sep 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 39 | Always On My MindPet Shop Boys | 27.6 | 4 | 6 | 14 | #1Dec 1987 | Dec 1987 → Feb 2009 |
| 40 | Every Breath You TakeThe Police | 27.6 | 4 | 7 | 11 | #1May 1983 | May 1983 → Jul 1983 |
| 41 | Prince CharmingAdam & the Ants | 27.6 | 4 | 6 | 12 | #1Sep 1981 | Sep 1981 → Nov 1981 |
| 42 | With a Little Help from My Friends/She's Leaving HomeWet Wet Wet, Billy Bragg & Cara Tivey | 27.5 | 4 | 7 | 11 | #1May 1988 | May 1988 → Jul 1988 |
| 43 | Green DoorShakin' Stevens | 26.2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | #1Jul 1981 | Jul 1981 → Oct 1981 |
| 44 | Mistletoe and WineCliff Richard | 26.1 | 4 | 6 | 23 | #1Dec 1988 | Nov 1988 → Dec 2024 |
| 45 | Don't Stand So Close To MeThe Police | 24.2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | #1Sep 1980 | Sep 1980 → Nov 1980 |
| 46 | Running Up That HillKate Bush | 79.2 | 3 | 16 | 52 | #1Jun 2022 | Aug 1985 → Mar 2023 |
| 47 | Careless WhisperGeorge Michael | 42.7 | 3 | 8 | 24 | #1Aug 1984 | Jul 1984 → Oct 2024 |
| 48 | Especially for YouKylie & Jason | 36.6 | 3 | 9 | 14 | #1Jan 1989 | Dec 1988 → Mar 1989 |
| 49 | FameIrene Cara | 35.7 | 3 | 9 | 16 | #1Jul 1982 | Jun 1982 → Oct 1982 |
| 50 | Chain ReactionDiana Ross | 35.3 | 3 | 7 | 19 | #1Mar 1986 | Jan 1986 → May 1986 |
| 51 | I Feel For YouChaka Khan | 35.2 | 3 | 7 | 16 | #1Nov 1984 | Oct 1984 → Jan 1985 |
| 52 | I Want To Know What Love IsForeigner | 34.6 | 3 | 7 | 17 | #1Jan 1985 | Dec 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 53 | This Ole HouseShakin' Stevens | 34.1 | 3 | 8 | 17 | #1Mar 1981 | Feb 1981 → Jun 1981 |
| 54 | Red Red WineUB40 | 34.0 | 3 | 8 | 15 | #1Aug 1983 | Aug 1983 → Jul 2013 |
| 55 | I Want to Wake Up with YouBoris Gardiner | 33.8 | 3 | 8 | 15 | #1Aug 1986 | Jul 1986 → Oct 1986 |
| 56 | Do You Really Want To Hurt MeCulture Club | 33.1 | 3 | 7 | 19 | #1Oct 1982 | Sep 1982 → Jan 1983 |
| 57 | Like A PrayerMadonna | 32.9 | 3 | 6 | 19 | #1Mar 1989 | Mar 1989 → Sep 2024 |
| 58 | The Lady In RedChris de Burgh | 32.8 | 3 | 8 | 17 | #1Jul 1986 | Jun 1986 → Feb 1987 |
| 59 | Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Paul Young | 32.7 | 3 | 7 | 16 | #1Jul 1983 | Jun 1983 → Sep 1983 |
| 60 | The Lion Sleeps TonightTight Fit | 32.5 | 3 | 8 | 15 | #1Feb 1982 | Jan 1982 → Apr 1982 |
| 61 | Spirit In The SkyDoctor And The Medics | 32.5 | 3 | 7 | 15 | #1Jun 1986 | May 1986 → Aug 1986 |
| 62 | Let's DanceDavid Bowie | 32.4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | #1Apr 1983 | Mar 1983 → Jan 2016 |
| 63 | Ghost TownSpecials | 32.0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Jul 1981 | Jun 1981 → Sep 1981 |
| 64 | Papa Don't PreachMadonna | 32.0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Jul 1986 | Jun 1986 → Sep 1986 |
| 65 | CryingDon McLean | 31.7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Jun 1980 | May 1980 → Aug 1980 |
| 66 | Woman In LoveBarbra Streisand | 31.4 | 3 | 7 | 15 | #1Oct 1980 | Sep 1980 → Jan 1981 |
| 67 | Reet Petite {1986}Jackie Wilson | 31.3 | 3 | 6 | 16 | #1Dec 1986 | Nov 1986 → Mar 1987 |
| 68 | FreedomWham! | 31.0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Oct 1984 | Oct 1984 → Jan 1985 |
| 69 | Baby JaneRod Stewart | 30.8 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Jun 1983 | May 1983 → Aug 1983 |
| 70 | I Don't Wanna DanceEddy Grant | 30.7 | 3 | 6 | 16 | #1Nov 1982 | Oct 1982 → Jan 1983 |
| 71 | Give It UpKC And The Sunshine Band | 30.2 | 3 | 6 | 14 | #1Aug 1983 | Jul 1983 → Oct 1983 |
| 72 | Making Your Mind UpBucks Fizz | 29.9 | 3 | 7 | 12 | #1Apr 1981 | Mar 1981 → Jun 1981 |
| 73 | I Think We're Alone NowTiffany | 29.9 | 3 | 7 | 13 | #1Jan 1988 | Jan 1988 → Apr 1988 |
| 74 | You Got It (The Right Stuff)New Kids On The Block | 29.6 | 3 | 7 | 14 | #1Nov 1989 | Oct 1989 → Jan 1990 |
| 75 | First TimeRobin Beck | 29.2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | #1Nov 1988 | Oct 1988 → Jan 1989 |
| 76 | Down UnderMen At Work | 28.0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | #1Jan 1983 | Jan 1983 → Mar 1983 |
| 77 | Super TrouperABBA | 27.6 | 3 | 7 | 11 | #1Nov 1980 | Nov 1980 → Jan 1981 |
| 78 | That's What I LikeJive Bunny & The Mastermixers | 27.4 | 3 | 6 | 12 | #1Oct 1989 | Oct 1989 → Dec 1989 |
| 79 | 99 Red BalloonsNena | 27.2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | #1Feb 1984 | Jan 1984 → Apr 1984 |
| 80 | It's A SinPet Shop Boys | 26.8 | 3 | 6 | 11 | #1Jun 1987 | Jun 1987 → Aug 1987 |
| 81 | Living DollCliff Richard and the Young Ones | 26.8 | 3 | 6 | 11 | #1Mar 1986 | Mar 1986 → May 1986 |
| 82 | Theme from M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)Mash | 26.8 | 3 | 6 | 12 | #1May 1980 | May 1980 → Jul 1980 |
| 83 | Seven TearsGoombay Dance Band | 26.5 | 3 | 6 | 12 | #1Mar 1982 | Feb 1982 → May 1982 |
| 84 | A Different CornerGeorge Michael | 26.0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | #1Apr 1986 | Mar 1986 → Jun 1986 |
| 85 | Every Loser WinsNick Berry | 24.8 | 3 | 6 | 12 | #1Oct 1986 | Sep 1986 → Dec 1986 |
| 86 | Ebony And IvoryPaul McCartney & Stevie Wonder | 24.6 | 3 | 6 | 10 | #1Apr 1982 | Apr 1982 → Jun 1982 |
| 87 | Stand by Me {1987}Ben E. King | 24.5 | 3 | 5 | 11 | #1Feb 1987 | Feb 1987 → Apr 1987 |
| 88 | Pass The DutchieMusical Youth | 24.3 | 3 | 5 | 15 | #1Sep 1982 | Sep 1982 → Jun 2022 |
| 89 | Orinoco FlowEnya | 24.2 | 3 | 5 | 13 | #1Oct 1988 | Oct 1988 → Jan 1989 |
| 90 | Shaddup You FaceJoe Dolce Music Theatre | 24.1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | #1Feb 1981 | Feb 1981 → Apr 1981 |
| 91 | HeartPet Shop Boys | 24.0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | #1Apr 1988 | Mar 1988 → May 1988 |
| 92 | The Chicken SongSpitting Image | 23.1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | #1May 1986 | May 1986 → Jul 1986 |
| 93 | Going Underground/Dreams of ChildrenThe Jam | 20.7 | 3 | 5 | 9 | #1Mar 1980 | Mar 1980 → May 1980 |
| 94 | Town Called Malice/PreciousThe Jam | 20.6 | 3 | 4 | 12 | #1Feb 1982 | Feb 1982 → Feb 1983 |
| 95 | Ferry Cross the MerseyGerry Marsden, Paul McCartney & Holly Johnson and the Christians | 17.6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | #1May 1989 | May 1989 → Jun 1989 |
| 96 | Let It BeFerry Aid | 17.4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | #1Mar 1987 | Mar 1987 → May 1987 |
| 97 | Do They Know It's Christmas?Band Aid II | 15.3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | #1Dec 1989 | Dec 1989 → Jan 1990 |
| 98 | Merry Christmas EveryoneShakin' Stevens | 140.1 | 2 | 18 | 101 | #1Dec 1985 | Dec 1985 → Dec 2024 |
| 99 | Tainted LoveSoft Cell | 41.3 | 2 | 7 | 30 | #1Aug 1981 | Jul 1981 → Aug 1982 |
| 100 | The Land of Make BelieveBucks Fizz | 35.9 | 2 | 9 | 16 | #1Jan 1982 | Nov 1981 → Mar 1982 |
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