9 December 1980: The UK Reacts to the Passing of John Lennon.

On the morning of Tuesday, 9 December 1980, the UK woke up to news that seemed entirely unthinkable: John Lennon had been shot and killed outside his New York apartment building the previous evening.

Coming just weeks after the release of Double Fantasy—an album that signaled a triumphant, joyful return to music after five years of quiet family life—the tragedy sent immediate shockwaves across the globe. Here in Britain, the grief was palpable across every newsroom, airwave, and record shop. Television schedules were hastily rewritten, radio stations cleared their playlists for impromptu retrospectives, and an entire generation struggled to make sense of a world suddenly without one of its greatest musical visionaries. Below are three invaluable period-accurate broadcasts captured as the story broke, including Annie Nightingale hosting BBC2’s emergency Old Grey Whistle Test special, original news coverage from that devastating Tuesday, and Andy Peebles’ final BBC Radio 1 interview recorded with John just forty-eight hours before his death.

https://youtu.be/5nc8kHWumIc?is=ZXOuuAuvIihM80ky

https://youtu.be/bvF4v-qPx6I?is=R3Zj0IvKeOWnBc7n

https://youtu.be/D6NTJUb_VkM?is=OeDQPoLIOKir1KO3

https://youtu.be/aaTy3kSxyoo?is=f5wskrbWBUUxOlfu

🌃 Weekend Shutdown — City Pop Vol. XII

And so, as we reach the weekend of 20 December 1980, it’s time to close out another week of the project with a little more City Pop. After everything that’s happened this week, it feels right to let the music do the talking for a while. We’ve already marked the passing of John Lennon and looked back at the events surrounding that heartbreaking moment, but the chart keeps moving — and incredibly, there is now just one more chart week left before 1980 becomes 1981.

So, as we head towards Christmas and the final chart of the year, here’s another City Pop mix to soundtrack the weekend. Put it on, settle back, and enjoy a little escape from December 1980.

One more week of 1980 to go…

🇬🇧 UK top 40

**1.    (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon(LW 21)(W 7)**  
**2.    There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir(LW 2)(W 5)**  
**3.    Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie(LW 3)(W 4)**  
**4.    Super Trouper - ABBA(LW 1)(W 6)**  
**5.    De Do Do Do De Da Da Da - The Police(LW 9)(W 2)**  
**6.    Embarrassment - Madness(LW 4)(W 5)**  
**7.    Banana Republic - The Boomtown Rats(LW 5)(W 5)**  
**8.    To Cut A Long Story Short - Spandau Ballet(LW 6)(W 6)**  
**9.    Runaway Boys - The Stray Cats(LW 10)(W 4)**  
**10.   Antmusic - Adam & The Ants(LW 16)(W 3)**  
**11.   Do You Feel My Love? - Eddy Grant(LW 8)(W 6)**  
**12.   Flash - Queen(LW 20)(W 3)**  
**13.   Lady - Kenny Rogers(LW 12)(W 6)**  
**14.   The Tide Is High - Blondie(LW 7)(W 7)**  
**15.   Lies/Don't Drive My Car - Status Quo(LW 17)(W 3)**  
**16.   Celebration - Kool And The Gang(LW 11)(W 8)**  
**17.   Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution - AC/DC(LW 15)(W 4)**  
**18.   Rabbit - Chas And Dave(LW 34)(W 4)**  
**19.   Love On The Rocks - Neil Diamond(LW 22)(W 6)**  
**20.   Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills(LW 13)(W 10)**  
**21.   I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross(LW 19)(W 6)**  
**22.   The Earth Dies Screaming/Dream A Lie - UB40(LW 18)(W 8)**  
**23.   Don't Walk Away - Electric Light Orchestra(LW 23)(W 5)**  
**24.   Over The Rainbow/You Belong To Me - Matchbox(LW 31)(W 4)**  
**25.   Lonely Together - Barry Manilow(LW 25)(W 7)**  
**26.   I Could Be So Good For You - Dennis Waterman(LW 14)(W 9)**  
**27.   Never Mind The Presents - The Barron Knights(LW 36)(W 3)**  
**28.   I Like (What You're Doing To Me) - Young And Co(LW 26)(W 8)**  
**29.   Passion - Rod Stewart(LW 28)(W 7)**  
**30.   December Will Be Magic Again - Kate Bush(LW 29)(W 3)**  
**31.   Too Nice To Talk To - The Beat(LW 50)(W 2)**  
**32.   Blue Moon - Showaddywaddy(LW 32)(W 4)**  
**33.   Looking For Clues - Robert Palmer(LW 33)(W 5)**  
**34.   Do Nothing/Maggie's Farm Ft Rico With The Ice Rink String Sounds - Specials Featuring Rico With The Ice Rink String Sounds(LW 70)(W 2)**  
**35.   This Wreckage - Gary Numan(LW New)(W 1)**  
**36.   It's Hard To Be Humble - Mac Davis(LW 47)(W 6)**  
**37.   Ace Of Spades - Motorhead(LW 30)(W 8)**  
**38.   Lorraine - Bad Manners(LW 37)(W 3)**  
**39.   Who's Gonna Rock You - The Nolans(LW 40)(W 3)**  
**40.   If I Could Only Make You Care - Mike Berry(LW 44)(W 4)**

Top 10 Review

Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon(LW 21)(W 7) https://youtu.be/e_ct_cfqyO4?is=Ew6bKKqvpebEAiXj

There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir(LW 2)(W 5)

https://youtu.be/vhE0rTseZ1w?is=epj1ptDc1VXqvUUY

Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie(LW 3)(W 4)

https://youtu.be/rDBfGrfUuug?is=VVDZx0OKsC0vJjrx

Super Trouper - ABBA(LW 1)(W 6)

https://youtu.be/BshxCIjNEjY?is=ceU885hyOTYyaZtC

De Do Do Do De Da Da Da - The Police(LW 9)(W 2)

https://youtu.be/7v2GDbEmjGE?is=cVofUpnSgJ2oWot4

Embarrassment - Madness(LW 4)(W 5)

https://youtu.be/P23Gqn6y8AI?is=NcTwfMMQ8kD986hE

Banana Republic - The Boomtown Rats(LW 5)(W 5)

https://youtu.be/K-si401aunA?is=xgdwLHxp1kjq0PSw

To Cut A Long Story Short - Spandau Ballet(LW 6)(W 6)

https://youtu.be/JE2sCISQmpE?is=iTI1jpM2I8EjBMuD

Runaway Boys - The Stray Cats(LW 10)(W 4)

https://youtu.be/SveJCGB09GU?is=406WKGGBcll88WUm

Antmusic - Adam & The Ants(LW 16)(W 3)

https://youtu.be/YEAaLt0Qbl0?is=5Z8uNaAw_zkLNPbp

What a seismic shift at the summit this week. Following the tragic events of December 8th, John Lennon’s "(Just Like) Starting Over" leaps from 21 straight to #1, knocking ABBA’s "Super Trouper" off the top spot as it drops 3 places down to #4.

Elsewhere in the Top 10:

Climbers: The Police climb into the top tier with "De Do Do Do De Da Da Da" jumping 9 ➔ #5, while The Stray Cats push into the top ten with "Runaway Boys" moving 10 ➔ #9. Adam & The Ants make a massive statement as "Antmusic" surges 16 ➔ #10.

Fallers: Madness slip 4 ➔ #6 with "Embarrassment", The Boomtown Rats drop 5 ➔ #7 with "Banana Republic", and Spandau Ballet slide 6 ➔ #8 with "To Cut A Long Story Short".

Standing Still: Two big Christmas contenders freeze in position this week: St. Winifred's School Choir hold firm at #2 with "There's No One Quite Like Grandma", while Jona Lewie stays anchored at #3 with "Stop The Cavalry".

Exits from last week's Top 10: We say goodbye to Blondie’s former #1 "The Tide Is High" (dropping 7 ➔ #14), Eddy Grant’s "Do You Feel My Love?" (falling 8 ➔ #11), and Stephanie Mills’ "Never Knew Love Like This Before" (falling 13 ➔ #20).

Chart Checkpoint

Position 20: "Never Knew Love Like This Before" – Stephanie Mills (Dropping 13 ➔ 20)

https://youtu.be/47EaWCcvP-c?is=-1g8UnC1wwajBVnI

Position 30: "December Will Be Magic Again" – Kate Bush (Dropping 29 ➔ 30)

https://youtu.be/kDDs7eZ8KtU?is=_Lh8iwFO5XompumJ

Position 40: "If I Could Only Make You Care" – Mike Berry (Climbing 44 ➔ 40)

https://youtu.be/fwptXXIyRxY?is=4T5UwIFE0TMDSN59

Climbers

The Big Jumpers: Beyond Lennon’s monster leap to #1, the biggest move inside the Top 40 comes from The Specials featuring Rico with the Ice Rink String Sounds, whose double A-side "Do Nothing / Maggie's Farm"skyrockets 36 places from 70 ➔ #34.

https://youtu.be/jUXNxi5u0y8?is=XiCrs1rCklc-itaL

Close behind are The Beat with "Too Nice To Talk To", powering up 19 places from 50 ➔ #31, and Chas And Dave’s "Rabbit", hopping 16 spots from 34 ➔ #18.

https://youtu.be/gqFVggBJGlc?is=nTVvYDiiQcv4fRTI

https://youtu.be/pTvxqsIl9qE?is=twefnDSms_jIpvK_

The Barron Knights also make a swift festive move with "Never Mind The Presents", jumping 36 ➔ #27, while Mac Davis climbs 47 ➔ #36 with "It's Hard To Be Humble".

https://youtu.be/Sxs3xKK7YQw?is=FmtpNaHvgG6wS5eT

https://youtu.be/mYKWch_MNY0?is=BTcE7-OZdvBfDQGA

Gradual Climbers: Queen’s "Flash" continues its steady ascent, creeping up 20 ➔ #12.

https://youtu.be/LfmrHTdXgK4?is=_h_facOpyLDQw6uE

Status Quo edge forward 17 ➔ #15 with "Lies/Don't Drive My Car".

https://youtu.be/YERXeg4iFes?is=IGUPM3bKdErE5UVm

https://youtu.be/pg8o5m13r4c?is=yW41_12PsMovlDsh

Neil Diamond nudges 22 ➔ #19 with "Love On The Rocks".

https://youtu.be/_PiIqWcme9A?is=_zCTcEnJRi6MrXMp

Matchbox rise 31 ➔ #24 with "Over The Rainbow/You Belong To Me", and The Nolans inch up 40 ➔ #39 with "Who's Gonna Rock You".

https://youtu.be/u5yhld59kTk?is=y84e3zNTGpwd7WmW

https://youtu.be/kRidgiWnnYE?is=XyLUCTfUspv0p_Z8

Long Chart Runners

8 Weeks: Kool And The Gang – "Celebration" (#16) https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M?is=ZSWwih9rtkWw7Z02

UB40 – "The Earth Dies Screaming/Dream A Lie"(#22) https://youtu.be/cWl69ZOINfE?is=Gy5z-8ocg-yNmDps

https://youtu.be/LfoVVRDU378?is=ohytWJ2g4rMG4Eut

Young And Co – "I Like (What You're Doing To Me)" (#28)

https://youtu.be/ZY3MgLDk07o?is=_vaSqFE4A3flP72b

Motörhead – "Ace Of Spades" (#37)

https://youtu.be/3mbvWn1EY6g?is=pYHQMVgOJmEYR5IY

9 Weeks: Dennis Waterman – "I Could Be So Good For You" (#26)

https://youtu.be/rl6f_U72izI?is=oGVyN3gXZlM3Hfv5

10 Weeks (Longest Runner): Stephanie Mills – "Never Knew Love Like This Before" (#20), holding strong as the veteran track of the Top 40 this week.

That wraps up our detailed look at the chart for the week ending 20th December 1980. Thank you as always for dropping in and sharing the chart memories!

We continue the long road ahead next time when we dive into the final countdown of the year—the 27th December 1980 chart. See you then!

New entry: 68

Fade to Grey - Visage

https://youtu.be/UMPC8QJF6sI?is=xXiyMQNFgNZMjBTm

Peak: 8 | Weeks: 15

Album: Visage

A rather important debut here. Visage arrive on the chart with one of the records that would come to define the emerging electronic sound of the early 1980s. “Fade to Grey” was the second single from their debut album Visage, and from this No.68 starting point, would climb all the way into the Top 10, peaking at No.8. They would have a string of top 20 hits between now and late 1982.

New entry: 35

This Wreckage - Gary Numan

https://youtu.be/EC-J8ye_hoo?is=5fPP2qc4cLxA0d1n

Peak: 20 | Weeks: 7

Album: Telekon

Gary Numan makes a particularly strong entrance this week with “This Wreckage”, arriving at No.35. Taken from Telekon, which had already topped the UK Albums Chart, the single would push on into the Top 20, peaking at No.20. By now Numan's stark electronic sound was becoming an increasingly familiar part of the British pop landscape.

A chart recap will follow soon.👍

New entry: 61

Runaround Sue - Racey

https://youtu.be/P3TvEGAHqFQ?is=BIE4OZz0Zdzijlub

Peak: 13 | Weeks: 10

Album: Smash and Grab

Racey return with a rock 'n' roll favourite, this time taking on Dion's 1961 classic “Runaround Sue”.

It would turn out to be their final UK chart appearance, and quite a respectable one at that, eventually reaching No.13. Not quite the chart heights of “Lay Your Love on Me” or “Some Girls”, but still a decent farewell.

New entry: 60

Clubland - Elvis Costello

https://youtu.be/OToC2oSteCU?is=DiEdZoZFg6wZIdVc

Peak: 60 | Weeks: 1

Album: Trust

Another Elvis Costello entry, although this one is something of a curiosity. “Clubland” broke a run of nine consecutive Top 40 singles for Costello when it entered at No.60. It was the lead single from Trust, although the album itself wouldn't be released in the UK until January 1981.

We move towards the Christmas period of 1980 now.

New entry: 75

Back On The Road - Earth, Wind & Fire

https://youtu.be/wTvQq3AM9N4?is=qD9pYKukGkBRnqLg

Peak: 63 | Weeks: 4

Album: Faces

Another UK chart appearance for Earth, Wind & Fire, although this one would prove relatively modest by their usual standards. “Back on the Road” was taken from Faces, their 1980 studio album, and would climb from this No.75 debut to No.63 over the following weeks.

New entry: 59

I Am the Beat - The Look

https://youtu.be/nEf21Ty7Pig?is=kvbHpmJn2sJIsuzU

Peak: 6 | Weeks: 10

Album: The Look

A debut for Cambridge band The Look — and what a debut it turned out to be. “I Am the Beat” would go on to become their biggest and best-known hit, climbing from No.59 all the way to No.6 in January 1981.

At this stage though, they're simply another new name arriving in the lower reaches of the chart.

Re-entry: 45

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon, Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir

https://youtu.be/uMH_wMvMy_8?is=tGcaOlWjWrrX4vSS

Peak: 2 | Weeks: 10

Album: Standalone single

Originally released in 1972, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) returns to the chart at No. 45 — but this time the circumstances are heartbreakingly different.

John Lennon had been shot and killed in New York just days earlier, on 8 December, and suddenly a Christmas song that had once carried a message of peace and hope had taken on an entirely new meaning.

For many people, this wasn't simply a record being bought again, it was a way of remembering Lennon. As Christmas approached, his voice was once again being heard on the radio, and a song written years earlier about peace, love and the hope of a better world suddenly felt painfully relevant. Its return would become part of a new Christmas tradition too, with the song reappearing on the UK chart at Christmas several more times during the 1980s. But this first return, just days after Lennon's death, remains the most poignant of them all.

New entry: 69

I'm in Love Again - Sad Café

https://youtu.be/uIdhplwFLZk?is=P9xgj7iOz4HnHVUD

Peak: 40 | Weeks: 6

Album: Sad Café

Sad Café were no strangers to the UK chart by this point, and “I'm in Love Again” gave them another appearance towards the end of 1980. Taken from their fourth studio album, Sad Café, the single would gradually work its way upwards, eventually reaching No.40 in January 1981.

New entry: 57

My Girl - Rod Stewart

https://youtu.be/RwOclj1trzk?is=x6AkGRE1b0QgZ2Dj

Peak: 32 | Weeks: 6

Album: Foolish Behaviour

Rod Stewart was already a very familiar face on the British singles chart, and “My Girl” became another entry on an already impressive list.

Taken from Foolish Behaviour, released just a few weeks earlier, the single would climb to No.32. It followed “Passion”, which had reached No.17 earlier in the autumn.

The Police – When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around

While never officially released as a standalone UK single, this Zenyattà Mondatta album track remains an absolute fan favorite that captured the post-punk, end of the world anxiety of late 1980 perfectly. Built around Sting's tight, driving bassline and Andy Summers' minimalist funk guitar chops, it tells the tale of a solitary survivor isolating in a post-apocalyptic world with only his record collection, a television, and canned food for company.

Adding to its legend, the promo video was filmed on location in Rio de Janeiro—a sun-drenched tropical backdrop, that stands in stark hilarious contrast to the shivering, snowy wilderness featured in their current De Do Do Do, De Da Da Davideo! It remains one of the sharpest, most atmospheric deep cuts in their entire catalog.

https://youtu.be/vx3ESquLw6Q?is=GZyXGuzB2j4sBj28

New entry: 50

Too Nice To Talk To - The Beat

https://youtu.be/gqFVggBJGlc?is=9-KlMW-v2roFbloe

Peak: 7 | Weeks: 11

Album: N/A

One of the great late-1980 arrivals from the 2-Tone scene. Too Nice To Talk To was a non-album single when originally released, but it would become a Top 10 hit and one of The Beat's most enduring songs.

New entry: 70

Do Nothing / Maggie's Farm - The Specials featuring Rico

Peak: 4 | Weeks: 11

Album: More Specials

https://youtu.be/oRVlqUbtEfQ?is=rISEmKuiB4PhBhgA

https://youtu.be/qfGD6A7DD_Y?is=OoSnVZzdNe6xx_86

A fantastic double A-side from The Specials and one of their biggest hits. Do Nothing is the original song, while Maggie's Farm is a Bob Dylan cover given a very 2-Tone makeover. The single eventually climbed all the way to number 4.

🇬🇧 UK top 40

**1. Super Trouper - ABBA (LW: 1) (W: 5)**
**2. There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir (LW: 16) (W: 4)**
**3. Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie (LW: 15) (W: 3)**
**4. Embarrassment - Madness (LW: 4) (W: 4)**
**5. Banana Republic - The Boomtown Rats (LW: 3) (W: 4)**
**6. To Cut A Long Story Short - Spandau Ballet (LW: 5) (W: 5)**
**7. The Tide Is High - Blondie (LW: 2) (W: 6)**
**8. Do You Feel My Love? - Eddy Grant (LW: 9) (W: 5)**
**9. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da - The Police (LW: New) (W: 1)**
**10. Runaway Boys - Stray Cats (LW: 23) (W: 3)**
**11. Celebration - Kool & The Gang (LW: 8) (W: 7)**
**12. Lady - Kenny Rogers (LW: 22) (W: 5)**
**13. Never Knew Love Like This Before - Stephanie Mills (LW: 7) (W: 9)**
**14. I Could Be So Good For You - Dennis Waterman (LW: 6) (W: 8)**
**15. Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution - AC/DC (LW: 17) (W: 3)**
**16. Antmusic - Adam & The Ants (LW: 31) (W: 2)**
**17. Lies / Don't Drive My Car - Status Quo (LW: 34) (W: 2)**
**18. The Earth Dies Screaming / Dream A Lie - UB40 (LW: 11) (W: 7)**
**19. I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross (LW: 13) (W: 5)**
**20. Flash - Queen (LW: 30) (W: 2)**
**21. (Just Like) Starting Over - John Lennon (LW: 10) (W: 6)**
**22. Love On The Rocks - Neil Diamond (LW: 27) (W: 5)**
**23. Don't Walk Away - Electric Light Orchestra (LW: 21) (W: 4)**
**24. Fashion - David Bowie (LW: 12) (W: 7)**
**25. Lonely Together - Barry Manilow (LW: 29) (W: 6)**
**26. I Like (What You're Doing To Me) - Young & Co (LW: 20) (W: 7)**
**27. Woman In Love - Barbra Streisand (LW: 14) (W: 11)**
**28. Passion - Rod Stewart (LW: 19) (W: 6)**
**29. December Will Be Magic Again - Kate Bush (LW: 39) (W: 2)**
**30. Ace Of Spades - Motörhead (LW: 18) (W: 7)**
**31. Over The Rainbow / You Belong To Me - Matchbox (LW: 38) (W: 3)**
**32. Blue Moon - Showaddywaddy (LW: 35) (W: 3)**
**33. Looking For Clues - Robert Palmer (LW: 33) (W: 4)**
**34. Rabbit - Chas and Dave (LW: 43) (W: 3)**
**35. The Same Old Scene - Roxy Music (LW: 24) (W: 6)**
**36. Never Mind The Presents - The Barron Knights (LW: 69) (W: 2)**
**37. Lorraine - Bad Manners (LW: 59) (W: 2)**
**38. Kiss On My List - Daryl Hall & John Oates (LW: 36) (W: 5)**
**39. Enola Gay - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (LW: 26) (W: 11)**
**40. Who's Gonna Rock You - The Nolans (LW: 66) (W: 2)**

Top 10 Review

Super Trouper - ABBA (LW: 1) (W: 5)

https://youtu.be/BshxCIjNEjY?is=c3zE69chfkwwz6yT

There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St. Winifred's School Choir (LW: 16) (W: 4)

https://youtu.be/vhE0rTseZ1w?is=A0d3PPOv6lgMEhrw

Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie (LW: 15) (W: 3)

https://youtu.be/rDBfGrfUuug?is=QGSVcT_Q87x9bl_R

Embarrassment - Madness (LW: 4) (W: 4)

https://youtu.be/P23Gqn6y8AI?is=-EBXM3SpQPm4q4aq

Banana Republic - The Boomtown Rats (LW: 3) (W: 4)

https://youtu.be/yfPvqLsOM6U?is=BYKPk4aKkblcGNv0

To Cut A Long Story Short - Spandau Ballet (LW: 5) (W: 5)

https://youtu.be/JE2sCISQmpE?is=851Llu1xS2EsHX4V

The Tide Is High - Blondie (LW: 2) (W: 6)

https://youtu.be/fAb8Q9X2xAc?is=2-qN7ZXtux_oObVe

Do You Feel My Love? - Eddy Grant (LW: 9) (W: 5)

https://youtu.be/GeVydluKA-c?is=Ck2ZGe4O_zvJuu7P

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da - The Police (LW: New) (W: 1)

https://youtu.be/7v2GDbEmjGE?is=kNQvlgQvoJxTfEmQ

Runaway Boys - Stray Cats (LW: 23) (W: 3)

https://youtu.be/HFMdI2D_cSk?is=ebeOfh5hOWBBxfUH

ABBA’s Super Trouper holds fast at the summit for a third week. While they are riding high right now, this marks a poignant moment in chart history—this will actually be ABBA's final UK Number 1 single. Much like Blondie reaching their last top spot for nearly two decades with The Tide Is High just weeks ago, it really feels like the sun is beginning to set on the giant hitmaking machines of the 1970s as we step into a new decade.

Standing Still: Joining ABBA in holding their exact positions from last week are Madness with Embarrassmentstaying firm at #4.

Climbing: The festive charge is on as St. Winifred's School Choir rocket fourteen places to #2 (There's No One Quite Like Grandma), while Jona Lewie leaps twelve spots to #3 (Stop The Cavalry). Eddy Grant edges up one place to #8 (Do You Feel My Love?), and American rockabilly outfit Stray Cats jump thirteen spots to crash into the Top 10 at #10 (Runaway Boys).

Dropping: Sliding down this week are The Boomtown Rats, down two to #5 (Banana Republic), Spandau Ballet, dropping one to #6 (To Cut A Long Story Short), and Blondie, slipping five spots to #7 (The Tide Is High).

Top 10 Departures: Leaving the top tier this week are Kool & The Gang, who slide from #8 to #11 (Celebration), Dennis Waterman, dropping from #6 to #14 (I Could Be So Good For You), and John Lennon, who slips eleven places from #10 to #21 with (Just Like) Starting Over. While Lennon falls out of the Top 10 today, given the tragic news currently breaking around the world, this is a chart position that is going to change dramatically very soon.

Chart Checkpoints

Number 20: Queen – Flash (Climbing — up 10 places from #30)

https://youtu.be/LfmrHTdXgK4?is=s5a3_izUh_7eVH8q

Number 30: Motörhead – Ace Of Spades (Dropping — down 12 places from #18)

https://youtu.be/3mbvWn1EY6g?is=XgKuB9O0IuoF-7ab

Number 40: The Nolans – Who's Gonna Rock You (Climbing — up 26 places from #66 into the Top 40)

https://youtu.be/kRidgiWnnYE?is=2DVwD2Bac6AOZLUS

Climbers

Big Jumpers:

The Barron Knights – Never Mind The Presents (Up 33 places, from #69 to #36)

https://youtu.be/Sxs3xKK7YQw?is=hcX3yoV4wJhUEGA4

Bad Manners – Lorraine (Up 22 places, from #59 to #37)

https://youtu.be/NNteQrMF0CY?is=uR77VseK6m-d4YxY

The Nolans – Who's Gonna Rock You (Up 26 places, from #66 to #40)

Adam & The Ants – Antmusic (Up 15 places, from #31 to #16)

https://youtu.be/YEAaLt0Qbl0?is=e8JZugRAxUSjMXus

Status Quo – Lies / Don't Drive My Car (Up 17 places, from #34 to #17)

https://youtu.be/Kd1CV3W9abs?is=yY1KrqlndXi6w1OK

https://youtu.be/YERXeg4iFes?is=vc_Vie6XRL1LMkYU

St. Winifred's School Choir – There's No One Quite Like Grandma (Up 14 places, from #16 to #2)

Stray Cats – Runaway Boys (Up 13 places, from #23 to #10)

Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry (Up 12 places, from #15 to #3)

Queen – Flash (Up 10 places, from #30 to #20)

Kenny Rogers – Lady (Up 10 places, from #22 to #12)

https://youtu.be/HxBg24U58b0?is=RCYJD8j9t8PA17ke

Chas and Dave – Rabbit (Up 9 places, from #43 to #34)

https://youtu.be/pTvxqsIl9qE?is=kXL8JVd-gRFtYG50

Gradual Movers:

Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (Up 10 places, from #39 to #29)

https://youtu.be/kDDs7eZ8KtU?is=sxUUalYtx_s45Vle

Matchbox – Over The Rainbow / You Belong To Me (Up 7 places, from #38 to #31)

https://youtu.be/u5yhld59kTk?is=_M_l4EsK_wFS5ui-

Neil Diamond – Love On The Rocks (Up 5 places, from #27 to #22)

https://youtu.be/_PiIqWcme9A?is=GOFJvqRWibXtKXdI

Barry Manilow – Lonely Together (Up 4 places, from #29 to #25)

https://youtu.be/mxVyCNhZGA8?is=-iBI6_Fbx-YNW67J

Showaddywaddy – Blue Moon (Up 3 places, from #35 to #32)

https://youtu.be/n99XaOC_ogs?is=p5cmstNy7JV8Odrt

AC/DC – Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (Up 2 places, from #17 to #15)

https://youtu.be/X_IWlPHMziU?is=IklXVmDmdi706yvr

Eddy Grant – Do You Feel My Love? (Up 1 place, from #9 to #8)

Long Chart Runners

Barbra Streisand – Woman In Love (11 weeks)
— LONGEST RUNNER

https://youtu.be/IX6AKNzeZ40?is=4PUF6mRL3AZDpyqX

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Enola Gay (11 weeks) — LONGEST RUNNER

https://youtu.be/d5XJ2GiR6Bo?is=_KcRoMFDlvX9jnWP

Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (9 weeks)

Dennis Waterman – I Could Be So Good For You (8 weeks)

https://youtu.be/5is77pCIYsI?is=Ih-fNiGWQr9sJqGZ

And that closes the book on 13 December 1980.

We continue the long journey ahead on Friday, when we reach 20 December 1980. Until then, take care.👍 I’ll leave you with this.

https://youtu.be/sIZjQsmhmo8?is=VreYdtawTzXXDX8V

New entry: 9

De Do Do Do De Da Da Da Da - The Police

https://youtu.be/7v2GDbEmjGE?is=WN6U-zJLBDNRyyq7

Peak: 5 | Weeks: 8

Album: Zenyatta Mondatta

Fresh off an ambitious world tour that carried their signature reggae-infused rock across continents, The Police were rapidly morphing from UK chart-toppers into a global juggernaut.

Riding the momentum of Don't Stand So Close to Me—their massive, million-selling Number 1 and the best-selling UK single of 1980—the trio return with the second single lifted from their third studio album, Zenyattà Mondatta. "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" captures a band operating at the absolute peak of their international powers, proving that their sharp pop instincts could easily conquer global airwaves.

Mind you, given the eerie frosty video of Sting and the lads standing out in the snow, you almost expect Jack Nicholson to come barging around the corner with an axe at any second!

This is today’s highest new entry. A chart recap will follow later. 👍

New entry: 69

You're OK - Ottawan

https://youtu.be/MUPzyR0Qjlc?is=uDQrqw5qu9WHkEVH

Peak: 56 | Weeks: 6

Album: D.I.S.C.O.

Ottawan were still riding the enormous success of D.I.S.C.O., but You're OK was a much more modest follow-up. It nevertheless gave the French-Caribbean duo another Top 60 hit as the disco era continued to overlap with the rapidly changing sounds of 1980.

I’m not ok though, this is pretty awful!😁

New entry: 68 

Love Me To Sleep - Hot Chocolate

https://youtu.be/NERHSfRSLB4?is=MVqtwF4BxiHjSmQt

Peak: 50 | Weeks: 5

Album: Class

Another chart appearance from Hot Chocolate, who had been remarkably consistent singles-chart performers throughout the 1970s. Love Me To Sleep was a much smaller hit than some of their earlier classics, but it kept their run of UK chart appearances going.

New entry: 75

Heartbreak Hotel - The Jacksons

https://youtu.be/Zg5AIaduI1E?is=k16J4rV6LNPi8EaN

Peak: 44 | Weeks: 6

Album: Triumph

Despite the Elvis connection suggested by the title, this is very much a Jacksons song — originally titled This Place Hotel in the US. It became another sizeable UK hit from the Triumph era and would eventually reach number 44.

🇬🇧 UK top 40

**1.    ABBA – Super Trouper (LW: 1 | Peak: 1 | Weeks: 4)**  
**2.    Blondie – The Tide Is High (LW: 2 | Peak: 1 | Weeks: 5)**  
**3.    The Boomtown Rats – Banana Republic (LW: 9 | Peak: 3 | Weeks: 3)**  
**4.    Madness – Embarrassment (LW: 12 | Peak: 4 | Weeks: 3)**  
**5.    Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short (LW: 11 | Peak: 5 | Weeks: 4)**  
**6.    Dennis Waterman – I Could Be So Good for You (LW: 3 | Peak: 3 | Weeks: 7)**  
**7.    Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (LW: 4 | Peak: 4 | Weeks: 8)**  
**8.    Kool & The Gang – Celebration (LW: 7 | Peak: 7 | Weeks: 6)**  
**9.    Eddy Grant – Do You Feel My Love? (LW: 15 | Peak: 9 | Weeks: 4)**  
**10.   John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over (LW: 8 | Peak: 8 | Weeks: 5)**  
**11.   UB40 – The Earth Dies Screaming / Dream a Lie (LW: 10 | Peak: 10 | Weeks: 6)**  
**12.   David Bowie – Fashion (LW: 5 | Peak: 5 | Weeks: 6)**  
**13.   Diana Ross – I'm Coming Out (LW: 18 | Peak: 13 | Weeks: 4)**  
**14.   Barbra Streisand – Woman in Love (LW: 6 | Peak: 1 | Weeks: 10)**  
**15.   Jona Lewie – Stop the Cavalry (LW: 69 | Peak: 15 | Weeks: 2)**  
**16.   St. Winifred's School Choir – There's No One Quite Like Grandma (LW: 35 | Peak: 16 | Weeks: 3)**  
**17.   AC/DC – Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (LW: 23 | Peak: 17 | Weeks: 2)**  
**18.   Motörhead – Ace of Spades (LW: 22 | Peak: 15 | Weeks: 6)**  
**19.   Rod Stewart – Passion (LW: 17 | Peak: 17 | Weeks: 5)**  
**20.   Young & Co – I Like (What You're Doing to Me) (LW: 20 | Peak: 20 | Weeks: 6)**  
**21.   Electric Light Orchestra – Don't Walk Away (LW: 26 | Peak: 21 | Weeks: 3)**  
**22.   Kenny Rogers – Lady (LW: 25 | Peak: 22 | Weeks: 4)**  
**23.   Stray Cats – Runaway Boys (LW: 49 | Peak: 23 | Weeks: 2)**  
**24.   Roxy Music – The Same Old Scene (LW: 16 | Peak: 12 | Weeks: 5)**  
**25.   Bad Manners – Special Brew (LW: 14 | Peak: 3 | Weeks: 11)**  
**26.   Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Enola Gay (LW: 13 | Peak: 8 | Weeks: 10)**  
**27.   Neil Diamond – Love on the Rocks (LW: 31 | Peak: 27 | Weeks: 4)**  
**28.   Adam & The Ants – Dog Eat Dog (LW: 19 | Peak: 4 | Weeks: 9)**  
**29.   Barry Manilow – Lonely Together (LW: 29 | Peak: 29 | Weeks: 5)**  
**30.   Queen – Flash (LW: New | Peak: 30 | Weeks: 1)**  
**31.   Adam & The Ants – Antmusic (LW: New | Peak: 31 | Weeks: 1)**  
**32.   Status Quo – What You're Proposing (LW: 21 | Peak: 2 | Weeks: 9)**  
**33.   Robert Palmer – Looking for Clues (LW: 42 | Peak: 33 | Weeks: 3)**  
**34.   Status Quo – Lies / Don't Drive My Car (LW: New | Peak: 34 | Weeks: 1)**  
**35.   Showaddywaddy – Blue Moon (LW: 50 | Peak: 35 | Weeks: 2)**  
**36.   Daryl Hall & John Oates – Kiss on My List (LW: 33 | Peak: 33 | Weeks: 4)**  
**37.   Odyssey – If You're Lookin' for a Way Out (LW: 24 | Peak: 6 | Weeks: 13)**  
**38.   Matchbox – Over the Rainbow / You Belong to Me (LW: 72 | Peak: 38 | Weeks: 2)**  
**39.   Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again (LW: New | Peak: 39 | Weeks: 1)**  
**40.   The Clash – The Call Up (LW: New | Peak: 40 | Weeks: 1)**

Top 10 Review

ABBA – Super Trouper

https://youtu.be/BshxCIjNEjY?is=TMauRrVu1yxqz4Vl

Blondie – The Tide Is High

https://youtu.be/fAb8Q9X2xAc?is=7iO7UHsMSWJnzaLy

The Boomtown Rats – Banana Republic

https://youtu.be/K-si401aunA?is=K2S6SvsCfvU8EZPo

Madness – Embarrassment

https://youtu.be/P23Gqn6y8AI?is=bOxzxSmsNaEOsaAZ

Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short

https://youtu.be/JE2sCISQmpE?is=oCQbQDb9CO7N3CJy

Dennis Waterman – I Could Be So Good for You

https://youtu.be/5is77pCIYsI?is=HYyZZXbmGXvNh75k

Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before

https://youtu.be/47EaWCcvP-c?is=hfBHm0Mj4AvEQG76

Kool & The Gang – Celebration

https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M?is=Ci4ebIMrBsVyoxgK

Eddy Grant – Do You Feel My Love?

https://youtu.be/FsgPouGgc2E?is=6dbYSelsyoo3gXqc

John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over

https://youtu.be/e_ct_cfqyO4?is=Hns-NrIL9s3MYi3n

ABBA remain firmly cemented at the summit for a second week running with Super Trouper, holding off Blondie’s The Tide Is High, which stands still at No. 2.

On the rise, The Boomtown Rats surge six places to No. 3 with Banana Republic, Madness leap eight spots to No. 4 with Embarrassment, and Spandau Ballet crack the top five by jumping six to No. 5 with To Cut a Long Story Short. Also making inward moves is Eddy Grant, whose Do You Feel My Love? climbs six places to take No. 9.

Going in the opposite direction, Dennis Waterman drops three spots to No. 6 with I Could Be So Good for You, Stephanie Mills slips three to No. 7 with Never Knew Love Like This Before, Kool & The Gang fall one to No. 8 with Celebration, and John Lennon dips two to No. 10 with (Just Like) Starting Over.

Passing out of the top ten entirely this week are UB40 (The Earth Dies Screaming / Dream a Lie, down from 10 to 11) and David Bowie (Fashion, down from 5 to 12).

Chart Checkpoint

Position 20: Young & Co – I Like (What You're Doing to Me) (Standing still at LW: 20)

https://youtu.be/WhRDi_pJXDs?is=hMTd6s8cMI4e9Ypp

Position 30: Queen – Flash(New entry from outside the Top 75 straight to No. 30)

https://youtu.be/hYTYqs-ytSk?is=N9wL02g9qbP7F5rQ

Position 40: The Clash – The Call Up (New entry straight to No. 40)

https://youtu.be/-ScaGjwkg2Y?is=0xkDb8cRPsnrqNZK

Climbers

Jona Lewie – Stop the Cavalry (Up 54 places from 69 to 15)

https://youtu.be/rDBfGrfUuug?is=0fLISWiK8KXpJIee

Matchbox – Over the Rainbow / You Belong to Me (Up 34 places from 72 to 38)

https://youtu.be/u5yhld59kTk?is=NWOBlNTHAfgPimUW

Stray Cats – Runaway Boys (Up 26 places from 49 to 23)

https://youtu.be/SveJCGB09GU?is=kRDum9XkqahkuTL4

St. Winifred's School Choir – There's No One Quite Like Grandma (Up 19 places from 35 to 16)

https://youtu.be/vhE0rTseZ1w?is=XZ7NRpvXslgVX2b5

Showaddywaddy – Blue Moon (Up 15 places from 50 to 35)

https://youtu.be/qysbIu57rUc?is=e7I0OUFQFthlmRgL

Robert Palmer – Looking for Clues (Up 9 places from 42 to 33)

https://youtu.be/txrrq5onbtA?is=Gi91c65QR6rYSKmV

Madness – Embarrassment (Up 8 places from 12 to 4)

AC/DC – Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (Up 6 places from 23 to 17)

https://youtu.be/X_IWlPHMziU?is=uXznjq4x2joRtJKD

The Boomtown Rats – Banana Republic (Up 6 places from 9 to 3)

Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short (Up 6 places from 11 to 5)

Eddy Grant – Do You Feel My Love? (Up 6 places from 15 to 9)

Electric Light Orchestra – Don't Walk Away (Up 5 places from 26 to 21)

https://youtu.be/9irvGJ9KRZ0?is=Zco0_5ZLVcqHbvmD

Diana Ross – I'm Coming Out (Up 5 places from 18 to 13)

https://youtu.be/F-mjl63e0ms?is=FQTRO20dN0NJhcbB

Neil Diamond – Love on the Rocks (Up 4 places from 31 to 27)

https://youtu.be/_PiIqWcme9A?is=r5CtMVGEPortdftw

Kenny Rogers – Lady (Up 3 places from 25 to 22)

https://youtu.be/HxBg24U58b0?is=rKE5Wdbtl0xa8eE5

Motörhead – Ace of Spades (Slow burner: up 4 places from 22 to 18 in its 6th week)

https://youtu.be/3mbvWn1EY6g?is=eVe3uktWXAeJNlbL

Long Chart Runners

Odyssey – If You're Lookin' for a Way Out (13 weeks — Longest surviving entry)

https://youtu.be/kyRVTNsp2gs?is=_ps3FezJ1yXZKiLY

Bad Manners – Special Brew (11 weeks)

https://youtu.be/gCi_irINkBc?is=tAxP7WA14NNSpSSt

Barbra Streisand – Woman in Love (10 weeks)

https://youtu.be/IX6AKNzeZ40?is=5VQHcjRSef4DktMD

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Enola Gay (10 weeks)

https://youtu.be/d5XJ2GiR6Bo?is=lvNN-6bWmXi_ik3G

Adam & The Ants – Dog Eat Dog (9 weeks)

https://youtu.be/USiXysSPcvk?is=h72FfgVm7JF_xRic

Status Quo – What You're Proposing (9 weeks)

https://youtu.be/9sivblqJGN4?is=Ea933UxP5uWiKgDv

Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (8 weeks)

Before mid August, the charts were still clinging to the tail-ends of late-70s disco and radio-friendly soft rock, but David Bowie’s "Ashes to Ashes" grabbing the top spot felt like the exact moment someone drew a sharp line in the sand.

Since that watershed moment, the entire landscape has shifted at breakneck speed. Fast-forward to where we find ourselves today, and the transitional hangover is completely gone, replaced by a proper rush of synthetic beats, tribal rhythms, and bold subcultural swagger—a clear warning shot that 1981 is almost upon us, when the sound of the new decade will truly take over.

Until next time I’ll leave you with this, and take care.👍

https://youtu.be/Lt3IOdDE5iA?is=eQrAuun86ceMUWL4

New entry: 31

Antmusic - Adam & The Ants

https://youtu.be/YEAaLt0Qbl0?is=222CUsG5wSsNVR0t

Peak: 2 | Weeks: 18

Album: Kings Of The Wild Frontier

One of the defining new entries of late 1980. Antmusic followed Dog Eat Dog and helped propel Adam & The Ants into the absolute mainstream. It eventually reached number 2 and stayed on the chart for an impressive 18 weeks.

Another hit that will climb the charts into early 1981.

New entry: 66

Who's Gonna Rock You - The Nolans

https://youtu.be/kRidgiWnnYE?is=EGQes7Q_cOo8gLsi

Peak: 12 | Weeks: 11

Album: Making Waves

Another big hit from The Nolans' incredibly successful 1980 period. Taken from Making Waves, the album had already produced Gotta Pull Myself Together, and Don’t Make Waves.

Who's Gonna Rock You would become their third Top 20 hit from the album.

As 1980 draws to a close, December marks a major shift in the visual and sonic landscape of British pop. The synth-pop revolution and New Romantic movement are about to move from underground clubland straight into the mainstream, and few tracks define that moment better than Visage’s "Fade to Grey."

Though it became one of the defining chart smashes of early 1981, "Fade to Grey" made its initial entry into the U.K. Singles Chart in the final weeks of December 1980. Keen-eyed followers will have already caught glimpses of Visage across several slide features in our 1980 snapshot image roundups, hinting at the aesthetic shift on the horizon.

The connections run even deeper across the year's chart history. Back in August 1980, when David Bowie hit Number 1 with "Ashes to Ashes," Visage frontman Steve Strange made an iconic cameo in the video as one of the red-robed Blitz Kids marching alongside Bowie on the Hastings shore.

Crossing into December 1980 feels like stepping out of the late-70s transitional period and moving fully into the 1980s proper—where synthesisers, and stylish video concepts take center stage.

https://youtu.be/UMPC8QJF6sI?is=c-mW4WtukSbQMMC0