Here are the UK Number 1 hits of the 1980's and some associated trivia:

1980 

Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders (2 weeks) ~ 10 weeks before reaching No.1

The Special AKA Live (2 weeks) ~ Specials used early band name for this EP

Coward of the Country – Kenny Rogers (2 weeks)

Atomic – Blondie (2 weeks) ~ Band’s third No.1

Together we are Beautiful – Fern Kinney (1 week)

Going Underground / Dreams of Children – The Jam (3 weeks) ~ First double A-side

Working My Way Back to You… Forgive Me Girl - Detroit Spinners ~(2 weeks)

Call Me – Blondie (1 week) ~ taken from ‘American Gigolo’

Geno – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (2 weeks) ~ Written about Geno Washington

What’s Another Year – Johnny Logan (2 weeks) ~ 25^th Euro Song Contest

Suicide is Painless – M*A*S*H (3 weeks) ~ Co-written by Robert Altman’s son, Mike

Crying – Don McLean (3 weeks)

Xanadu – Olivia Newton John & ELO (2 weeks) ~ ELO’s only No.1 hit

Use It Up and Wear It Out – Odyssey (2 weeks)

The Winner Takes it All – ABBA (2 weeks) ~ 8^th and penultimate No.1

Ashes to Ashes – David Bowie (2 weeks) ~ 2^nd No.1

Start – The Jam (1 week) ~ 9^th hit of the year

Feels Like I’m In Love – Kelly Marie (2 weeks) ~ Originally written for Elvis

Don’t Stand So Close To Me – Police (4 weeks) ~ Band’s 3rd No.1

Woman in Love – Barbara Streisand (3 weeks) ~ Written by Barry & Robin Gibb

The Tide is High – Blondie (2 weeks) ~ 5^th No.1

Super Trouper – ABBA (3 weeks)  9^th and final No.1

Just Like Starting Over – Lennon (1 week)

There’s No One Quite Like Grandma – St Winifred’s School Choir (2 weeks) ~ XMAS No.1

**the choir also sang backing vocals on Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs**

1981

Imagine – Lennon (4 weeks) ~ After death on Dec 8, January saw 3 Lennon singles in Top 5

Woman – Lennon (2 weeks) ~ Knocked himself off top of charts with 3^rd No.1 in 7 weeks

Shaddap You Face – Joe Dolce Music Theatre (3 weeks) ~ Kept ‘Vienna’ from No.1

Jealous Guy – Roxy Music (2 weeks) ~ “A Tribute” written inside sleeve

This Ole House – Shakin’ Stevens (4 weeks) ~ First of 4 No.1 hits

Making Your Mind Up – Bucks Fizz (3 weeks) ~ 4^th British Euro Winner

Stand & Deliver – Adam & The Ants (5 weeks) ~ First of two No.1 hits

Being With You – Smokey Robinson (2 weeks)

One Day in Your Life – Michael Jackson (2 weeks) ~ 1^st No.1 – only consecutive Motown No.1 hits

Ghost Town – Specials (3 weeks) ~ Band members moved to Fun Boy Three

Green Door – Shakin’ Stevens (4 weeks) ~ Second No.1

Japanese Boy – Aneka (1 week) ~ Scottish folk-singer, Mary Sandeman

Tainted Love – Soft Cell (2 weeks)

Prince Charming – Adam & The Ants (4 weeks)

It’s My Party – Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin (4 weeks)

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic – Police (1 week)

Under Pressure – Queen & David Bowie (2 weeks)

Begin the Beguine – Julio Iglesias (1 week) ~ First Spanish No.1

Don’t You Want Me – Human League (5 weeks) ~ XMAS No.1  

1982

Land of Make Believe – Bucks Fizz (2 weeks) ~ Included poem by Abby Kimber

Oh Julie – Shaking Stevens (1 week) ~ Covered in US by Barry Manilow & others

The Model / Computer Love – Kraftwerk (1 week) ~ First German group to No.1

A Town Called Malice / Precious – The Jam (3 weeks)

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – Tight Fit (3 weeks) ~ Original hit for The Tokens

Seven Tears – Goombay Dance Band (3 weeks)

My Camera Never Lies – Bucks Fizz (1 week) ~ 3 No.1s in a year (first band since Slade ’73)

Ebony and Ivory – McCartney & Stevie Wonder (3 weeks) ~ First solo No.1 for both men

A Little Peace – Nicole (2 weeks) ~ Euro winner, and 3^rd German No.1 of the year

House of Fun – Madness (2 weeks) ~ Only No.1

Goody Two Shoes – Adam Ant (2 weeks) ~ First solo No.1

I’ve Never Been To Me – Charlene (1 week) ~ Only white Motown No.1

Happy Talk – Captain Sensible (2 weeks) ~ Biggest ever chart jump from 33 to 1

Fame – Irene Cara (3 weeks)

Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners (4 weeks)

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (4 weeks)

Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (3 weeks)

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club (3 weeks) ~ First of three No.1s

I Don’t Want to Dance – Eddy Grant (3 weeks) ~ Third reggae-oriented No.1 in a row

Beat Surrender – The Jam (2 weeks) ~ 3^rd & final No.1 (13 re-entries on leaving chart)

Save Your Love – Renee & Renato (4 weeks) ~ XMAS No.1

1983

You Can’t Hurry Love – Phil Collins (2 weeks) ~ First of two solo No.1s

Down Under – Men at Work (3 weeks) ~ First Aussie No.1 since Rolf Harris

Too Shy – Kajagoogoo (2 weeks) ~ Produced by Nick Rhodes

Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (1 week) ~ Only No.1 single from ‘Thriller’ album

Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler (2 weeks) ~ First UK/US No.1 by female artist

Is There Something I Should Know – Duran Duran (2 weeks) ~ 1^st of two No.1s

Let’s Dance – David Bowie (3 weeks) ~ One of three solo No.1s, another two as duets

True – Spandau Ballet (4 weeks) ~ First and only No.1

Candy Girl – New Edition (1 week) ~ First and only No.1

Every Breath You Take – Police (4 weeks) ~ Fifth and final No.1

Baby Jane – Rod Stewart (3 weeks) ~ Sixth solo No.1

Wherever I Lay My Hat – Paul Young (3 weeks) ~ Marvin Gaye’s only No.1 as writer

Give It Up – KC & Sunshine Band (3 weeks)

Red Red Wine – UB40 (3 weeks) Neil Diamond’s 1^st No.1 as writer since ‘I’m a Believer’

Karma Chameleon – Culture Club (6 weeks) – Second & last No.1

Uptown Girl – Billy Joel (5 weeks) ~ Tribute to the Four Seasons

Only You – Flying Pickets (5 weeks) ~ First acappella No.1 & XMAS No.1 

1984

Pipes of Peace – Paul McCartney (2 weeks) ~ Third Beatle to hit No.1 with solo hit, and the first performer to be number one as solo, duet, trio, quarter, and as part of a five-piece (with Billy Preston)

Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (5 weeks) ~ More weeks on chart than any other No.1

99 Red Balloons – Nena (3 weeks) ~ Released in 3 different languages

Hello – Lionel Richie (6 weeks)

The Reflex – Duran Duran (4 weeks) ~ UK & US No.1

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham (2 weeks) ~ 1^st of four No.1s. Only US No.1.

Two Tribes – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (9 weeks) ~ Occupied 1 and 2 in charts. (With ‘Relax’)

Careless Whisper – George Michael (3 weeks)

I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder (6 weeks) ~ 1^st solo UK No.1 and an Oscar

Freedom – Wham (2 weeks) ~ 3 of last five singles had writer credits for George Michael

I Feel For You – Chaka Khan (3 weeks) ~ Involved Prince, Stevie Wonder & Melle Mel

I Should Have Known Better – Jim Diamond (1 week) ~ 1^st Scot No.1 since Billy Connolly (1975)

The Power of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1 week)

Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid (5 weeks) ~ XMAS No.1 

1985

I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner (3 weeks) ~ Includes New Jersey Mass Choir

I Know Him So Well – Paige & Dickson (4 weeks) ~ Best-seller from British female duo

You Spin Me Right Round – Dead or Alive (2 weeks) ~ 14 weeks to reach No.1 (1^st S.A&W)

Easy Lover – Bailey & Collins (4 weeks) ~ ex Earth Wind & Fire

We Are The World – USA for Africa (2 weeks) ~ World’s biggest seller of the 80’s

Move Closer – Phyllis Nelson (1 week)

19 – Paul Hardcastle (5 weeks) 

You’ll Never Walk Alone – The Crowd (2 weeks) ~ Bradford FC charity single

Frankie  Sister Sledge (4 weeks) ~ First ‘sister act’ to go to UK No.1

There Must Be An Angel – Eurythmics (1 week) ~ Only UK No.1

Into The Groove – Madonna (4 weeks) ~ 1^st No.1 (‘Holiday’ came to join it at No.2)

I Got You Babe – UB40 (1 week) ~ 20 yrs after original with Chrissie Hynde

Dancing In The Street – Bowie / Jagger (4 weeks) ~ Previewed at Live Aid

If I Was – Midge Ure (1 week) ~ 1^st No.1

The Power of Love – Jennifer Rush (5 weeks) ~ 16 weeks before reaching No.1

A Good Heart – Feargal Sharkey (2 weeks) ~ Produced by Dave Stewart

I’m Your Man – Wham (2 weeks) ~ 1^st duo to have 3 No.1s in 1980s

Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston (2 weeks)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin Stevens (2 weeks) ~

4^th No.1 – more UK 1980s hits than any other act (30) – XMAS No.1  

1986

West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys (2 weeks) ~ First of four UK No.1s, all in the 80’s

The Sun Always Shines On TV – AHA (2 weeks) ~ Only No.1

When The Going Gets Tough – Billy Ocean (4 weeks) ~ Only No.1

Chain Reaction – Diana Ross (3 weeks) ~ Longest gap between 1^st and 2^nd No.1s (1971)

Living Doll – Cliff & Young Ones (3 weeks) ~ First artist to have No.1s in four decades

A Different Corner – George Michael (3 weeks) ~ First solo to reach No.1 with 1^st two releases

Rock Me Amadeus – Falco (1 week) ~ First Austrian No.1

The Chicken Song – Spitting Image (3 weeks) ~ First ‘non-human’ Britsh act to reach No.1

Spirit In The Sky – Dr & The Medics (3 weeks) ~ Debut No.1s for this act and original artist

The Edge Of Heaven – Wham (2 weeks) ~ First UK duo to notch up four No.1s

Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna (3 weeks) ~ Second UK No.1

Lady In Red – Chris De Burgh (3 weeks) ~ Only No.1

I Want To Wake Up With You – Boris Gardner (3 weeks) Only No.1

Don’t Leave Me This Way – Communards (4 weeks) ~ Vocals w/ Sarah Jane Morris

True Blue – Madonna (1 week) ~ 1^st US female to have three No.1s

Every Loser Wins – Nick Berry (3 weeks) ~ First No.1 for BBC Records (Jumped from 66 to 4)

Take My Breath Away – Berlin (4 weeks) ~ Oscar-winning song

The Final Countdown – Europe (2 weeks) ~ Second Swedish No.1 act

Caravan of Love – Housemartins (1 week) ~ Only No.1 & XMAS No.1

Reet Petite – Jackie Wilson (4 weeks) ~ First entered charts in 1957

1987

Jack Your Body – Steve Silk Hurley (2 weeks) ~ First ‘house music’ No.1

I Knew You Were Waiting – George / Aretha (2 weeks) ~ No.1 with different duos (unique)

Stand By Me  - Ben E. King (3 weeks)

Everything I Own – Boy George (2 weeks) ~ Only solo No.1

Respectable – Mel & Kim (1 week) ~ First UK sisters to go to No.1 (1^st S.A. & W. written)

Let It Be – Ferry Aid (3 weeks) ~ In aid of Zebrugge ferry disaster

La Isla Bonita – Madonna (2 weeks) ~ Most female No.1s (4 of them) and Top 10 hits

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship (4 weeks) ~ Previously Jefferson Airplane

I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston (2 weeks) ~ Second No.1

Star Trekkin’ – The Firm (2 weeks) ~ Started at No.74, the lowest start for a future No.1

It’s A Sin – Pet Shop Boys (3 weeks) ~ First of four No.1s

Who’s That Girl – Madonna ~ Fifth No.1

La Bamba – Los Lobos (2 weeks) ~ 1^st No.1 sung completely in Spanish

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You – Michael Jackson (2 weeks) ~ 3^rd solo No.1

Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley (5 weeks) ~ Biggest UK seller of 1987

Pump Up The Volume / Anitina – MARRS (2 weeks) ~ Only No.1

You Win Again – Bee Gees (4 weeks) ~ 5^th No.1 (Only group with 60s/70s/80s No.1s)

China In Your Hand – T’Pau (4 weeks) ~ Only No.1

Always On My Mind – Pet Shop Boys (4 weeks) ~ XMAS No.1

1988

Heaven Is A Place On Earth – Belinda Carlisle (2 weeks) ~ Formerly with ‘The Go-Gos’

I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany (3 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

I Should Be So Lucky – Kylie (5 weeks) ~ First Australian female to reach UK No.1

Don’t Turn Around – Aswad (2 weeks) ~ Only No.1

Heart – Pet Shop Boys (2 weeks) ~ Fourth No.1

Them From S’Express – S’Express (2 weeks) ~ Sampled ‘Is It Love You’re After’ by Rose Royce

Perfect – Fairground Attraction (1 week) ~ Only No.1 single

With A Little Help From My Friends / She’s Leaving Home –Billy Bragg, Wet Wet Wet / Cara Tivey ~ First No.1 hit for all the performing artists involved

Doctrorin’ The Tardis – The Timelords (1 week) ~ First incarnation of the KLF

I Owe You Nothing – Bros (2 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You – Glenn Medeiros (4 weeks) ~ Only No.1

The Only Way Is Up – Yazz / Plastic Population (5 weeks) ~ Only No.1

A Groovy Kind Of Love – Phil Collins (2 weeks) ~ 3rd No.1

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother – Hollies (2 weeks) ~ 2^nd No.1, with first No.1 in 1965

Desire – U2 (1 week) ~ First No.1

One Moment In Time – Whitney Houston (2 weeks) ~ Third UK No.1

Orinoco Flow – Enya (3 weeks) ~ First Irish female No.1 since Dana in 1970

The First Time – Robin Beck (3 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard (4 weeks) ~ 12^th No.1, 98^th hit, FIRST XMAS No.1  

1989

Especially For You – Jason & Kylie (3 weeks) ~ Four wks at No.2, before hitting No.1

Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart – Marc Almond & Gene Pitney (4 weeks) ~

Pitney’s first weeks at No.1, since debut in 1961

Belfast Child – Simple Minds (2 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

Too Many Broken Hearts – Jason Donovan (2 weeks) ~ First UK No.1

Like A Prayer – Madonna (3 weeks) ~ Sixth No.1

Eternal Flame – Bangles (4 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

Hand On Your Heart – Kylie (1 week) ~ Third No.1

Ferry Cross The Mersey – Christians, Holly Johnson, McCartney, Gerry Marsden, Stock Aitken and Waterman (3 weeks) ~ Hillsborough disaster charity record

Sealed With A Kiss – Jason Donovan (2 weeks) ~ Second UK No.1

Back To Life – Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler (4 weeks) ~ Only UK No.1

You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You – Sonia (2 weeks) ~ 9^th S.A. & W. No.1

Swing The Mood – Jive Bunny (5 weeks) ~ First of three UK No.1s

Ride On Time – Blackbox (6 weeks) ~ First Italian No.1

That’s What I Like – Jive Bunny (2 weeks) ~ Second UK No.1

All Around The World – Lisa Stansfield (2 weeks) ~ Ivor Novello award-winner

You Got It (The Right Stuff) – NKOTB (3 weeks) ~ First of two No.1s

Let’s Party – Jive Bunny (1 week) ~ Third No.1 in 20 weeks

Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid II (3 weeks) ~ 7^th S.A & W. production of 1989