Songs
The biggest records on UK Singles Chart that entered the chart in the 1980s, ranked by Weeks on chart. 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 on chart, 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 | Fairytale of New YorkThe Pogues feat. Kirsty Maccoll | 233.1 | 0 | 36 | 132 | #2Dec 1987 | Nov 1987 → Dec 2024 |
| 2 | EverywhereFleetwood Mac | 44.6 | 0 | 3 | 123 | #4Apr 1988 | Mar 1988 → Aug 2025 |
| 3 | Don't Stop BelievinJourney | 75.1 | 0 | 8 | 120 | #6Jan 2010 | Feb 1982 → Apr 2025 |
| 4 | Do They Know It's Christmas?Band-Aid | 158.0 | 5 | 20 | 109 | #1Dec 1984 | Dec 1984 → Dec 2024 |
| 5 | Merry Christmas EveryoneShakin' Stevens | 140.1 | 2 | 18 | 101 | #1Dec 1985 | Dec 1985 → Dec 2024 |
| 6 | Driving Home for ChristmasChris Rea | 82.0 | 0 | 1 | 84 | #10Dec 2021 | Dec 1988 → Dec 2024 |
| 7 | Blue MondayNew Order | 54.5 | 0 | 2 | 74 | #9Oct 1983 | Mar 1983 → Oct 2006 |
| 8 | Don't You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds | 31.2 | 0 | 4 | 64 | #7Apr 1985 | Apr 1985 → Dec 1986 |
| 9 | RelaxFrankie Goes To Hollywood | 103.2 | 5 | 19 | 63 | #1Jan 1984 | Nov 1983 → Apr 1985 |
| 10 | White Lines (Don't Do It)Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel | 54.5 | 0 | 8 | 61 | #7Jul 1984 | Nov 1983 → Jun 2004 |
| 11 | ThrillerMichael Jackson | 50.6 | 0 | 1 | 60 | #10Nov 1983 | Nov 1983 → Nov 2024 |
| 12 | Everybody Wants To Rule The WorldTears For Fears | 37.5 | 0 | 7 | 56 | #2Apr 1985 | Mar 1985 → Jan 2024 |
| 13 | Running Up That HillKate Bush | 79.2 | 3 | 16 | 52 | #1Jun 2022 | Aug 1985 → Mar 2023 |
| 14 | Fast CarTracy Chapman | 49.0 | 0 | 6 | 51 | #4Apr 2011 | May 1988 → Mar 2024 |
| 15 | GhostbustersRay Parker Jr. | 67.3 | 0 | 11 | 47 | #2Sep 1984 | Aug 1984 → Nov 2024 |
| 16 | Stop the CavalryJona Lewie | 35.5 | 0 | 5 | 42 | #3Dec 1980 | Nov 1980 → Dec 2024 |
| 17 | I Found Lovin' {1987}The Fatback Band | 20.7 | 0 | 2 | 42 | #7Oct 1987 | Jan 1987 → Jan 1988 |
| 18 | I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder | 56.4 | 6 | 11 | 39 | #1Sep 1984 | Aug 1984 → Dec 1985 |
| 19 | Dancing In The DarkBruce Springsteen | 45.6 | 0 | 6 | 39 | #4Feb 1985 | May 1984 → Nov 2024 |
| 20 | AgadooBlack Lace | 48.8 | 0 | 8 | 37 | #2Aug 1984 | May 1984 → Aug 1998 |
| 21 | Livin' On A PrayerBon Jovi | 35.4 | 0 | 6 | 36 | #4Nov 1986 | Oct 1986 → Jan 2014 |
| 22 | Smalltown BoyBronski Beat | 32.3 | 0 | 4 | 35 | #3Jun 1984 | May 1984 → Sep 2024 |
| 23 | Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses | 17.2 | 0 | 0 | 34 | #24Aug 1988 | Aug 1988 → Jul 2023 |
| 24 | Two TribesFrankie Goes To Hollywood | 58.8 | 9 | 12 | 33 | #1Jun 1984 | Jun 1984 → Sep 2000 |
| 25 | The Power Of LoveJennifer Rush | 54.4 | 5 | 10 | 33 | #1Oct 1985 | Jun 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 26 | Billie JeanMichael Jackson | 46.6 | 1 | 7 | 33 | #1Feb 1983 | Jan 1983 → Aug 2009 |
| 27 | Eye Of The TigerSurvivor | 40.1 | 4 | 8 | 33 | #1Aug 1982 | Jul 1982 → Mar 2013 |
| 28 | The Power of LoveFrankie Goes To Hollywood | 38.2 | 1 | 8 | 32 | #1Dec 1984 | Nov 1984 → Dec 2012 |
| 29 | In The Air TonightPhil Collins | 47.1 | 0 | 5 | 31 | #2Feb 1981 | Jan 1981 → Jan 2008 |
| 30 | Tainted LoveSoft Cell | 41.3 | 2 | 7 | 30 | #1Aug 1981 | Jul 1981 → Aug 1982 |
| 31 | So Macho/CruisingSinitta | 40.4 | 0 | 7 | 30 | #2Aug 1986 | Mar 1986 → Oct 1986 |
| 32 | Man In The MirrorMichael Jackson | 29.6 | 0 | 3 | 30 | #2Jul 2009 | Feb 1988 → Jun 2013 |
| 33 | The King Is Here/The 900 Number45 King | 5.6 | 0 | 0 | 30 | #60Nov 1989 | Mar 1989 → Jan 1990 |
| 34 | Madchester Rave on (Ep)Happy Mondays | 16.0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | #19Nov 1989 | Nov 1989 → Jan 1991 |
| 35 | Move CloserPhyllis Nelson | 42.8 | 1 | 8 | 26 | #1Apr 1985 | Feb 1985 → May 1994 |
| 36 | Power of Love/Do You Believe in LoveHuey Lewis & The News | 34.6 | 0 | 1 | 25 | #9Mar 1986 | Aug 1985 → Apr 1986 |
| 37 | You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)Dead Or Alive | 33.7 | 2 | 5 | 25 | #1Mar 1985 | Nov 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 38 | With or Without YouU2 | 26.1 | 0 | 4 | 25 | #4Mar 1987 | Mar 1987 → Sep 2012 |
| 39 | I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)The Proclaimers | 23.5 | 0 | 0 | 25 | #11Sep 1988 | Aug 1988 → Jan 2008 |
| 40 | Last Christmas/Everything She WantsWham! | 45.3 | 0 | 10 | 24 | #2Dec 1984 | Dec 1984 → Jan 1987 |
| 41 | Careless WhisperGeorge Michael | 42.7 | 3 | 8 | 24 | #1Aug 1984 | Jul 1984 → Oct 2024 |
| 42 | TrappedColonel Abrams | 36.9 | 0 | 7 | 24 | #3Oct 1985 | Aug 1985 → Jan 1986 |
| 43 | Smooth CriminalMichael Jackson | 32.3 | 0 | 2 | 24 | #8Nov 1988 | Nov 1988 → Aug 2009 |
| 44 | RequiemLondon Boys | 31.0 | 0 | 5 | 24 | #4May 1989 | Dec 1988 → Jul 1989 |
| 45 | The Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)Tweets | 43.9 | 0 | 7 | 23 | #2Oct 1981 | Sep 1981 → Feb 1982 |
| 46 | Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley | 41.3 | 5 | 9 | 23 | #1Aug 1987 | Aug 1987 → Dec 2008 |
| 47 | Axel FHarold Faltermeyer | 36.5 | 0 | 7 | 23 | #2Jun 1985 | Mar 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 48 | Mistletoe and WineCliff Richard | 26.1 | 4 | 6 | 23 | #1Dec 1988 | Nov 1988 → Dec 2024 |
| 49 | She Sells SanctuaryThe Cult | 21.3 | 0 | 0 | 23 | #15Jul 1985 | May 1985 → Dec 1985 |
| 50 | Break 4 LoveRaze | 13.7 | 0 | 0 | 23 | #28Jan 1989 | May 1988 → Mar 2003 |
| 51 | Ride on TimeBlack Box | 50.2 | 6 | 11 | 22 | #1Sep 1989 | Aug 1989 → Dec 1989 |
| 52 | CherishKool & The Gang | 40.8 | 0 | 8 | 22 | #4Jun 1985 | May 1985 → Sep 1985 |
| 53 | Take On Mea-ha | 36.9 | 0 | 6 | 22 | #2Oct 1985 | Sep 1985 → Aug 2024 |
| 54 | We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes OffJermaine Stewart | 34.5 | 0 | 6 | 22 | #2Sep 1986 | Jul 1986 → Jun 2011 |
| 55 | Beat ItMichael Jackson | 31.6 | 0 | 4 | 22 | #3Apr 1983 | Apr 1983 → Aug 2009 |
| 56 | SolidAshford & Simpson | 31.3 | 0 | 6 | 22 | #3Feb 1985 | Nov 1984 → Jun 1985 |
| 57 | Under PressureQueen & David Bowie | 30.7 | 2 | 5 | 22 | #1Nov 1981 | Nov 1981 → Jan 2016 |
| 58 | Down to EarthCuriosity Killed The Cat | 30.4 | 0 | 6 | 22 | #3Feb 1987 | Nov 1986 → Apr 1987 |
| 59 | My PrerogativeBobby Brown | 27.6 | 0 | 4 | 22 | #6Feb 1989 | Dec 1988 → Nov 1995 |
| 60 | The Boys Of SummerDon Henley | 22.1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | #12Mar 1985 | Jan 1985 → Aug 2013 |
| 61 | Karma ChameleonCulture Club | 44.3 | 6 | 10 | 21 | #1Sep 1983 | Sep 1983 → Feb 1984 |
| 62 | Electric AvenueEddy Grant | 35.9 | 0 | 6 | 21 | #2Jan 1983 | Jan 1983 → Aug 2001 |
| 63 | Dirty CashThe Adventures Of Stevie V | 32.6 | 0 | 6 | 21 | #2May 1990 | Dec 1989 → Nov 2024 |
| 64 | The Model/Computer LoveKraftwerk | 31.6 | 1 | 6 | 21 | #1Jan 1982 | Jul 1981 → Mar 1982 |
| 65 | BadMichael Jackson | 24.9 | 0 | 4 | 21 | #3Sep 1987 | Sep 1987 → Jul 2009 |
| 66 | Close (to the Edit)The Art Of Noise | 24.7 | 0 | 4 | 21 | #8Feb 1985 | Nov 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 67 | Since YesterdayStrawberry Switchblade | 22.8 | 0 | 4 | 21 | #5Jan 1985 | Oct 1984 → Mar 1985 |
| 68 | Cover MeBruce Springsteen | 15.1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | #16Mar 1985 | Sep 1984 → Jul 1985 |
| 69 | Nothing's Gonna Stop Us NowStarship | 41.8 | 4 | 9 | 20 | #1May 1987 | Mar 1987 → Sep 2013 |
| 70 | Eternal FlameThe Bangles | 36.3 | 4 | 7 | 20 | #1Apr 1989 | Jan 1989 → Jun 1989 |
| 71 | ShoutTears For Fears | 32.2 | 0 | 7 | 20 | #4Jan 1985 | Nov 1984 → Apr 1985 |
| 72 | SometimesErasure | 31.2 | 0 | 7 | 20 | #2Dec 1986 | Oct 1986 → Mar 1987 |
| 73 | AloneHeart | 27.1 | 0 | 5 | 20 | #3Aug 1987 | May 1987 → Feb 2012 |
| 74 | New SongHoward Jones | 25.0 | 0 | 4 | 20 | #3Oct 1983 | Aug 1983 → Jan 1984 |
| 75 | Fool's Gold/What the World Is Waiting ForThe Stone Roses | 24.1 | 0 | 2 | 20 | #8Nov 1989 | Nov 1989 → Dec 1990 |
| 76 | Superman (Gioca Jouer)Black Lace | 22.6 | 0 | 2 | 20 | #9Oct 1983 | Sep 1983 → Jan 1984 |
| 77 | Voodoo RayA Guy Called Gerald | 18.5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | #12Jul 1989 | Mar 1989 → Aug 1989 |
| 78 | Swing The MoodJive Bunny & The Mastermixers | 42.0 | 5 | 8 | 19 | #1Jul 1989 | Jul 1989 → Nov 1989 |
| 79 | Chain ReactionDiana Ross | 35.3 | 3 | 7 | 19 | #1Mar 1986 | Jan 1986 → May 1986 |
| 80 | Saving All My Love For YouWhitney Houston | 34.1 | 2 | 8 | 19 | #1Dec 1985 | Nov 1985 → Feb 2012 |
| 81 | Push It/TrampSalt-N-Pepa | 33.2 | 0 | 7 | 19 | #2Jul 1988 | Mar 1988 → Sep 1988 |
| 82 | Do You Really Want To Hurt MeCulture Club | 33.1 | 3 | 7 | 19 | #1Oct 1982 | Sep 1982 → Jan 1983 |
| 83 | LambadaKaoma | 33.0 | 0 | 7 | 19 | #4Dec 1989 | Oct 1989 → Feb 1990 |
| 84 | Like A PrayerMadonna | 32.9 | 3 | 6 | 19 | #1Mar 1989 | Mar 1989 → Sep 2024 |
| 85 | Moonlight ShadowMike Oldfield | 31.3 | 0 | 5 | 19 | #4Jun 1983 | May 1983 → Sep 1983 |
| 86 | Baggy TrousersMadness | 30.3 | 0 | 6 | 19 | #3Oct 1980 | Sep 1980 → Jan 1981 |
| 87 | The Way You Make Me FeelMichael Jackson | 28.4 | 0 | 5 | 19 | #3Dec 1987 | Nov 1987 → Jul 2009 |
| 88 | Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)Mel & Kim | 27.6 | 0 | 5 | 19 | #3Nov 1986 | Sep 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 89 | Purple RainPrince And The Revolution | 20.3 | 0 | 3 | 19 | #6Apr 2016 | Sep 1984 → May 2016 |
| 90 | Postman PatKen Barrie | 7.4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | #44Jul 1982 | Jul 1982 → Jan 1984 |
| 91 | Uptown GirlBilly Joel | 39.6 | 5 | 8 | 18 | #1Oct 1983 | Oct 1983 → Jan 1984 |
| 92 | Come on EileenDexy's Midnight Runners & the Emerald Express | 38.2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | #1Aug 1982 | Jun 1982 → Jan 1983 |
| 93 | Like A VirginMadonna | 37.2 | 0 | 9 | 18 | #3Jan 1985 | Nov 1984 → Mar 1985 |
| 94 | TeardropsWomack and Womack | 35.5 | 0 | 8 | 18 | #3Sep 1988 | Jul 1988 → Dec 1988 |
| 95 | What's Love Got To Do With ItTina Turner | 33.2 | 0 | 7 | 18 | #3Aug 1984 | Jun 1984 → Jun 2023 |
| 96 | Let's DanceDavid Bowie | 32.4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | #1Apr 1983 | Mar 1983 → Jan 2016 |
| 97 | Walk Like An EgyptianThe Bangles | 31.9 | 0 | 6 | 18 | #3Nov 1986 | Sep 1986 → Jan 1987 |
| 98 | Pump Up the Volume/Anitina (the First Time I See She Dance)M/A/R/R/S | 31.3 | 2 | 6 | 18 | #1Sep 1987 | Aug 1987 → Jan 1988 |
| 99 | SledgehammerPeter Gabriel | 30.3 | 0 | 6 | 18 | #4May 1986 | Apr 1986 → Aug 1986 |
| 100 | Body TalkImagination | 29.7 | 0 | 5 | 18 | #4Jul 1981 | May 1981 → Sep 1981 |
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