Blues & Soul Charts Project

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

One thing that has always intrigued me about the U.S. charts that Blues and Soul published back in the seventies (I stopped reading it in the eighties so don't know if the methodolody remained the same then or not) is this : How were they compiled exactly ? I know they were not the same as the Billboard U.S. soul charts (though they were pretty similar) and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same as that published in "Cashbox", either. Could it have been from "Record World"? I have never seen a Record World chart so this is pure speculation. If it was NOT from one of those three sources then how did it work ? I can't believe for one minute that it was based on records being soul in UK outlets as there was no way sales over here could so closely have mirrored U.S. record buying habits.

I cannot answer with any certainty on this, but clearly it's not an import chart - much more likely that they amalgamated the various US R&B/Soul charts. The early issues of Home Of The Blues didn't have a UK chart but the US charts were remarkably similar to Billboard's. 

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

Thanks for posting these!

No problem, more to come!

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

I HAVE A FULL SET 1 TO 300

Thats a mamoth task there, if you like to spend a year listing them.....I just aint got the time !

 

I HAVE A FULL SET 1 TO 300

Thats a mamoth task there, if you like to spend a year listing them.....I just aint got the time !

Well, I don't fancy listing every chart right now, that's for sure! But I have input over 950 issues worth onto spreadsheets! Maybe something for the future (as in about 5 years time!)

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

Anyone care to guess what the biggest UK Soul single of the 20th Century was?

Few clues:

Released in the US in the late 60s, first charted in the B&S UK chart in the early 70s.

Was a B&S hit on 4 separate occasions.

The song was a ballad but a more upbeat Northern/Disco crossover song by this act became a Modern Soul anthem.

The artist was born in Virginia but - as well as New York - was raised in another city and the song's sound reflects this.

The song became a UK pop hit in the mid 1970s. 

[Johndelve]

Anyone care to guess what the biggest UK Soul single of the 20th Century was?

Few clues:

Released in the US in the late 60s, first charted in the B&S UK chart in the early 70s.

Was a B&S hit on 4 separate occasions.

The song was a ballad but a more upbeat Northern/Disco crossover song by this act became a Modern Soul anthem.

The artist was born in Virginia but - as well as New York - was raised in another city and the song's sound reflects this.

The song became a UK pop hit in the mid 1970s. 

Thanks for the reply to my enquiry. The answer to your question is, I believe, "Hey there lonely girl".

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

Thanks for the reply to my enquiry. The answer to your question is, I believe, "Hey there lonely girl".

Spot on John! Brook Benton with 'Rainy Night In Georgia' is at #2 and Evelyn 'Champagne' King at #3 with disco ditty 'Shame'. Most of the top tunes were 60s-mid 70s recordings for 2 simple reasons:

1. They lasted longer on the chart generally. Some #1s in the 80s-00s spent only 6 weeks on the chart ('Hey There Lonely Girl' spent 82 weeks in total).

2. Nostalgia and the Northern Soul scene led to many 60s records being released on several occasions. 

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

Spot on John! Brook Benton with 'Rainy Night In Georgia' is at #2 and Evelyn 'Champagne' King at #3 with disco ditty 'Shame'. Most of the top tunes were 60s-mid 70s recordings for 2 simple reasons:

1. They lasted longer on the chart generally. Some #1s in the 80s-00s spent only 6 weeks on the chart ('Hey There Lonely Girl' spent 82 weeks in total).

2. Nostalgia and the Northern Soul scene led to many 60s records being released on several occasions. 

Had a mental block: the #2 was actually Willie Henderson's 'Dance Master', Brook Benton was at #4. Oops!

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

1.HOLMAN, Eddie (HEY THERE) LONELY GIRL 2.HENDERSON, Willie THE DANCE MASTER 3.KING, Evelyn "Champagne" SHAME 4.BENTON, Brook RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA 5.CHECKER, Chubby LET'S TWIST AGAIN  6.MEL & TIM BACKFIELD IN MOTION 7.DELFONICS, The DIDN'T I (BLOW YOUR MIND THIS TIME) 8.BROWN, James GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING A SEX MACHINE 9.TAYLOR, Johnnie WHO'S MAKING LOVE 10.STAPLE SINGERS, The RESPECT YOURSELF 11.INTRUDERS, The I'LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA 12.LITTLE EVA THE LOCO-MOTION  13.WOMACK, Bobby I CAN UNDERSTAND IT 14.WILSON, Jackie HIGHER AND HIGHER 15.ACT ONE TOM THE PEEPER 16.SLY & The FAMILY STONE THANK YOU FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN 17.TRAMMPS, The ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART 18.GRANDMASTER & MELLE MEL WHITE LINES (DON'T DON'T DO IT) 19.LEAVILL, Otis I LOVE YOU 20.JACKSON, Millie MY MAN, A SWEET MAN 21.PAYNE, Freda BAND OF GOLD 22.LIMMIE & FAMILY COOKIN' YOU CAN DO MAGIC 23.DETROIT EMERALDS, The DO ME RIGHT 24.BELL, William & CLAY, Judy PRIVATE NUMBER  25.L.T.D. LOVE BALLAD 26.COMMODORES JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU 27.K.C. & The SUNSHINE BAND SOUND YOUR FUNKY HORN 28.MORRISON, Mark RETURN OF THE MACK 29.SAIN, Oliver BUS STOP 30.OLYMPIC RUNNERS with CHANDLER, George KEEP IT UP 31.WILSON, Jackie I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING 32.WILSON, Jackie REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)  33.WELLS, Mary MY GUY 34."C", Roy SHOTGUN WEDDING  35.BANBARRA SHACK UP 36.FLOYD, Eddie KNOCK ON WOOD 37.FRANKLIN, Erma PIECE OF MY HEART 38.THOMAS, Rufus DO THE FUNKY CHICKEN 39.COOLIO feat L.V. GANGSTA'S PARADISE 40.BROWN, James GET UP OFFA THAT THING 41.TEMPTATIONS, The JUST MY IMAGINATION (RUNNING AWAY WITH ME) 42.FATBACK  I FOUND LOVIN'  43.STATON, Candi STAND BY YOUR MAN 44.BROWN, Peter DO YOU WANNA GET FUNKY WITH ME 45.TROY, Doris I'LL DO ANYTHING 46.FOUR TOPS, The I CAN'T HELP MYSELF 47.BEGINNING OF THE END, The FUNKY NASSAU  48.BROTHERS JOHNSON GET THE FUNK OUT MY FACE 49.RADCLIFFE, Jimmy LONG AFTER TONIGHT IS ALL OVER 50.KNIGHT, Jean MR. BIG STUFF 51.UNDISPUTED TRUTH YOU + ME = LOVE 52.KNIGHT, Gladys & The PIPS MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA 53.DETROIT EMERALDS, The YOU WANT IT, YOU GOT IT 54.TEE, Willie WALKING UP A ONE WAY STREET 55.LYNN, Tami I'M GONNA RUN AWAY FROM YOU 56.PARLIAMENT TEAR THE ROOF OFF THE SUCKER (GIVE UP THE FUNK) 57.JAY & The TECHNIQUES APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE 58.KOOL & The GANG KOOL AND THE GANG 59.RUFFIN, Jimmy FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND 60.PEEBLES, Ann I CAN'T STAND THE RAIN 61.JONES, Grace PULL UP TO THE BUMPER 62.DAVIS, Tyrone TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME 63.LEAVILL, Otis LOVE UPRISING 64.BONEY M RIVERS OF BABYLON 65.RUFFIN, Jimmy WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED 66.KOOL & The GANG FUNKY STUFF 67.KELLY, R. SHE'S GOT THAT VIBE  68.MURPHY, Walter A 5TH OF BEETHOVEN  69.WAR ME AND BABY BROTHER  70.ROSE ROYCE CAR WASH 71.SHAKERS, The ONE WONDERFUL MOMENT 72.GIRAULT, Martine REVIVAL 73.FOUR TOPS, The REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE 74.COMMODORES BRICK HOUSE 75.DETROIT SPINNERS, The I'LL BE AROUND 76.JERRYO KARATE-BOO-GA-LOO 77.COMMODORES EASY 78.GAYE, Marvin WHAT'S GOING ON 79.IMPRESSIONS, The CHECK OUT YOUR MIND 80.GREEN, Al TIRED OF BEING ALONE 81.SYLVESTER YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL) 82.GIBSON BROTHERS CUBA 83.HYMAN, Phyllis YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME 84.DETROIT EMERALDS, The FEEL THE NEED IN ME 85.WRIGHT, Betty CLEAN UP WOMAN 86.ROSS, Diana & The SUPREMES SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 87.MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS DANCING IN THE STREET 88.CHI-LITES, The HAVE YOU SEEN HER 89.WHISPERS, The AND THE BEAT GOES ON 90.VAN DYKE, Earl 6 BY 6 91.MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS JIMMY MACK 92.HEIGHT, Donald TALK OF THE GRAPEVINE 93.YOUNG, Karen HOT SHOT 94.STYLISTICS, The YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW 95.BASS, Fontella RESCUE ME 96.BUTLER, Billy THE RIGHT TRACK

These are the top hits of the 20th Century, more to follow in due course.

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

1.HOLMAN, Eddie (HEY THERE) LONELY GIRL 2.HENDERSON, Willie THE DANCE MASTER 3.KING, Evelyn "Champagne" SHAME 4.BENTON, Brook RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA 5.CHECKER, Chubby LET'S TWIST AGAIN  6.MEL & TIM BACKFIELD IN MOTION 7.DELFONICS, The DIDN'T I (BLOW YOUR MIND THIS TIME) 8.BROWN, James GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING A SEX MACHINE 9.TAYLOR, Johnnie WHO'S MAKING LOVE 10.STAPLE SINGERS, The RESPECT YOURSELF 11.INTRUDERS, The I'LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA 12.LITTLE EVA THE LOCO-MOTION  13.WOMACK, Bobby I CAN UNDERSTAND IT 14.WILSON, Jackie HIGHER AND HIGHER 15.ACT ONE TOM THE PEEPER 16.SLY & The FAMILY STONE THANK YOU FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN 17.TRAMMPS, The ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART 18.GRANDMASTER & MELLE MEL WHITE LINES (DON'T DON'T DO IT) 19.LEAVILL, Otis I LOVE YOU 20.JACKSON, Millie MY MAN, A SWEET MAN 21.PAYNE, Freda BAND OF GOLD 22.LIMMIE & FAMILY COOKIN' YOU CAN DO MAGIC 23.DETROIT EMERALDS, The DO ME RIGHT 24.BELL, William & CLAY, Judy PRIVATE NUMBER  25.L.T.D. LOVE BALLAD 26.COMMODORES JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU 27.K.C. & The SUNSHINE BAND SOUND YOUR FUNKY HORN 28.MORRISON, Mark RETURN OF THE MACK 29.SAIN, Oliver BUS STOP 30.OLYMPIC RUNNERS with CHANDLER, George KEEP IT UP 31.WILSON, Jackie I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING 32.WILSON, Jackie REET PETITE (THE SWEETEST GIRL IN TOWN)  33.WELLS, Mary MY GUY 34."C", Roy SHOTGUN WEDDING  35.BANBARRA SHACK UP 36.FLOYD, Eddie KNOCK ON WOOD 37.FRANKLIN, Erma PIECE OF MY HEART 38.THOMAS, Rufus DO THE FUNKY CHICKEN 39.COOLIO feat L.V. GANGSTA'S PARADISE 40.BROWN, James GET UP OFFA THAT THING 41.TEMPTATIONS, The JUST MY IMAGINATION (RUNNING AWAY WITH ME) 42.FATBACK  I FOUND LOVIN'  43.STATON, Candi STAND BY YOUR MAN 44.BROWN, Peter DO YOU WANNA GET FUNKY WITH ME 45.TROY, Doris I'LL DO ANYTHING 46.FOUR TOPS, The I CAN'T HELP MYSELF 47.BEGINNING OF THE END, The FUNKY NASSAU  48.BROTHERS JOHNSON GET THE FUNK OUT MY FACE 49.RADCLIFFE, Jimmy LONG AFTER TONIGHT IS ALL OVER 50.KNIGHT, Jean MR. BIG STUFF 51.UNDISPUTED TRUTH YOU + ME = LOVE 52.KNIGHT, Gladys & The PIPS MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA 53.DETROIT EMERALDS, The YOU WANT IT, YOU GOT IT 54.TEE, Willie WALKING UP A ONE WAY STREET 55.LYNN, Tami I'M GONNA RUN AWAY FROM YOU 56.PARLIAMENT TEAR THE ROOF OFF THE SUCKER (GIVE UP THE FUNK) 57.JAY & The TECHNIQUES APPLES, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE 58.KOOL & The GANG KOOL AND THE GANG 59.RUFFIN, Jimmy FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND 60.PEEBLES, Ann I CAN'T STAND THE RAIN 61.JONES, Grace PULL UP TO THE BUMPER 62.DAVIS, Tyrone TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME 63.LEAVILL, Otis LOVE UPRISING 64.BONEY M RIVERS OF BABYLON 65.RUFFIN, Jimmy WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED 66.KOOL & The GANG FUNKY STUFF 67.KELLY, R. SHE'S GOT THAT VIBE  68.MURPHY, Walter A 5TH OF BEETHOVEN  69.WAR ME AND BABY BROTHER  70.ROSE ROYCE CAR WASH 71.SHAKERS, The ONE WONDERFUL MOMENT 72.GIRAULT, Martine REVIVAL 73.FOUR TOPS, The REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE 74.COMMODORES BRICK HOUSE 75.DETROIT SPINNERS, The I'LL BE AROUND 76.JERRYO KARATE-BOO-GA-LOO 77.COMMODORES EASY 78.GAYE, Marvin WHAT'S GOING ON 79.IMPRESSIONS, The CHECK OUT YOUR MIND 80.GREEN, Al TIRED OF BEING ALONE 81.SYLVESTER YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL) 82.GIBSON BROTHERS CUBA 83.HYMAN, Phyllis YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME 84.DETROIT EMERALDS, The FEEL THE NEED IN ME 85.WRIGHT, Betty CLEAN UP WOMAN 86.ROSS, Diana & The SUPREMES SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 87.MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS DANCING IN THE STREET 88.CHI-LITES, The HAVE YOU SEEN HER 89.WHISPERS, The AND THE BEAT GOES ON 90.VAN DYKE, Earl 6 BY 6 91.MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS JIMMY MACK 92.HEIGHT, Donald TALK OF THE GRAPEVINE 93.YOUNG, Karen HOT SHOT 94.STYLISTICS, The YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW 95.BASS, Fontella RESCUE ME 96.BUTLER, Billy THE RIGHT TRACK

These are the top hits of the 20th Century, more to follow in due course.

 

Sorry that it didn't paste as a list as per my spreadsheet, I'll have another go in a bit so that it's easier to read.

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

BLUES & SOUL CHART PROJECT... 1969
These are the facts behind the final year of the 60s...
B&S was published on a monthly/bi-monthly basis throughout the year, with 8 issues in total being published.
The chart was limited to a Top 30 each issue, although the November issue (#23) neglected to place a record at #29.
199 songs made the chart during the year, with William Bell being the most successful artist.
Due to the relatively small number of hits, the bestsellers list of the year I have produced has been limited to the Top 70.

For once, the B&S Readers Poll single of the year was also the best seller...
 

1.IMPRESSIONS, The CHOICE OF COLORS 2.BROWN, James MOTHER POPCORN (YOU GOT TO HAVE A MOTHER FOR ME) 3.BUTLER, Billy THE RIGHT TRACK 4.WARWICK, Dee Dee FOOLISH FOOL 5.TAYLOR, Johnnie WHO'S MAKIN' LOVE 6.WATTS 103RD ST. BAND DO YOUR THING 7.NASH, Johnny YOU GOT SOUL 8.HAYWOOD, Leon MELLOW MOONLIGHT 9.LANCE, Major THE BEAT 10.GAYE, Marvin I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE 11.TAYLOR, Johnnie I WANNA TESTIFY 12.WALKER, Jr. and The ALL STARS WHAT DOES IT TAKE (TO WIN YOUR LOVE) 13.WILSON, Jackie (YOUR LOVE KEEPS LIFTING ME) HIGHER AND HIGHER 14.ISLEY BROTHERS, The IT'S YOUR THING 15.MAR-KEYS, The BLACK 16.FERGUSON, Jesse Lee & The OUTER LIMITS NEW SHOES 17.CLAY, Judy and BELL, William PRIVATE NUMBER 18.ISLEY BROTHERS, The I TURNED YOU ON 19.SCOTT, Peggy and BENSON, Jo Jo SOULSHAKE 20.JONES, Thelma THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT 21.OLYMPICS, The BABY DO THE PHILLY DOG/MINE EXCLUSIVELY 22.SLY and The FAMILY STONE EVERYDAY PEOPLE 23.WILSON, Al LODI 24.SIMONE, Nina AIN'T GOT NO - I GOT LIFE 25.TEMPTATIONS, The CLOUD NINE 26.CLAY, Judy and VERA, Billy REACHING FOR THE MOON 27.JUSTIN RIGHT NOW 28.REEVES, Martha and The VANDELLAS DANCING IN THE STREET 29.BOOKER T. and The M.G.'S SOUL CLAP '69 30.WILLIAMS, Jeanette STUFF 31.GAYE, Marvin TOO BUSY THINKING ABOUT MY BABY 32.LAWSON, Shirley THE STAR 33.STAPLE SINGERS, The FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH 34.IMPRESSIONS, The CAN'T SATISFY 35.BROTHERS TWO, The HERE I AM, IN LOVE AGAIN 36.PLATTERS, The WITH THIS RING 37.DELFONICS, The READY OR NOT HERE I COME (CAN'T HIDE FROM LOVE) 38.MIGHTY SAM PAPA TRUE LOVE 39.HOUSTON, Thelma JUMPIN' JACK FLASH 40.NOBLES, Cliff * CO SWITCH IT ON 41.SHARP, Dee Dee WHAT KINDA LADY 42.CLARKE, Tony AIN'T LOVE GOOD AIN'T LOVE PROUD 43.CLAY, Otis BABY JANE 44.SWEET INSPIRATIONS, The WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE 45.WARWICK, Dionne YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' 46.WILSON, Eddie SHING A LING STROLL 47.FLOYD, Eddie BRING IT ON HOME TO ME 48.BELL, William HAPPY 49.LEE, Jackie THE DUCK 50.BLAND, Bobby GOTTA GET TO KNOW YOU 51.FRANKLIN, Erma DON'T WAIT TOO LONG 52.STARR, Edwin STOP HER ON SIGHT (S.O.S.) 53.WARWICK, Dee Dee THAT'S NOT LOVE/IT'S NOT FAIR 54.THOMAS, Jamo I'LL BE YOUR FOOL 55.COMMODORES, The KEEP ON DANCING 56.WARWICK, Dionne PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE 57.YOUNG-HOLT UNLIMITED SOULFUL STRUT 58.DAVIS, Tyrone CAN I CHANGE MY MIND 59.LEE, Nickie AND BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL 60.REDDING, Otis DIRECT ME 61.EMOTIONS, The SOMEBODY NEW 62.SOUL PARTNERS, The WALK ON JUDGE 63.ACKLIN, Barbara AM I THE SAME GIRL 64.GAYE, Marvin and TERRELL, Tammi YOU AIN'T LIVIN' TILL YOU'RE LOVIN' 65.JACKSON, J.J. BUT IT'S ALRIGHT 66.REID, Clarence NOBODY BUT YOU BABE 67.PICKETT, Wilson HEY JUDE 68.REDDING, Otis FREE ME 69.SIMON, Joe THE CHOKIN' KIND 70.STAPLE SINGERS, The I SEE IT/THE GHETTO
 

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

I seriously believed that Home Of The Blues was the first mag to produce a UK-based Soul//R&B chart, in issue 4 (August 1966). But, I've found Record Mirror's first UK R&B chart, which was dated July 3rd 1965, and was a Top 20. I am still compiling my B&S database at present (I have all charts from 1966-2005) but now am considering including the pre-Home Of The Blues/Blues & Soul Record Mirror charts from 1965 to 1966.

Has anybody got any suggestions about how I may get hold of these RM charts? Many thanks.

PS

Here's The RM Top 20 in July 1965

1. FOUR TOPS - I CAN'T HELP MYSELF

2. SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET - SHE'S ABOUT A MOVER

3. DONNIE ELBERT - A LITTLE PIECE OF LEATHER

4. SOLOMON BURKE - MAGGIE'S FARM

5. SAM THE SHAM - WOOLLY BULLY  

6. OTIS REDDING - MR PITIFUL

7. THE ANGLOS - INCENSE

8. ESTHER PHILLIPS - AND I LOVE HIM

9. SOLOMON BURKE - PEEPIN'

10. GENE CHANDLER - NOTHING CAN STOP ME

11. JR. WALKER - SHOTGUN

12. ELMORE JAMES - DUST MY BLUES

13. ALVIN ROBINSON - DOWN HOME GIRL

14. IMPRESSIONS - WOMAN'S GOT SOUL

15. LARRY WILLIAMS - TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT

16.OTIS REDDING - PAIN IN MY HEART

17. CANNIBAL & THE HEADHUNTERS - LAND OF 1000 DANCES

18. CHUCK JACKSON & MAXINE BROWN - SOMETHING YOU GOT

19. INEZ & CHARLIE FOXX - MY MOMMA TOLD ME

20. SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS - I HEAR VOICES

[Guest MBarrett]

 

Has anybody got any suggestions about how I may get hold of these RM charts? Many thanks.

Are you in the UK/anywhere near London?

I believe the National Newspaper Library has a near complete run of Record Mirror. It is located at Colindale in North London.

You would need to call them and check out what format they have it in. I think microfilm or digital you can view stuff on the same day, if it is hard copy you have to order in advance. Something like that anyway. They will tell you how it all works

I have attached a screen grab from their website which gives references for the years you are after.

MB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Funkin Dunc]

On 10/30/2015, 12:53:28, MBarrett said:

Are you in the UK/anywhere near London?

I believe the National Newspaper Library has a near complete run of Record Mirror. It is located at Colindale in North London.

You would need to call them and check out what format they have it in. I think microfilm or digital you can view stuff on the same day, if it is hard copy you have to order in advance. Something like that anyway. They will tell you how it all works

I have attached a screen grab from their website which gives references for the years you are after.

MB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks MB, this could be just the answer. I'm in the Midlands so I might need to make a special trip... but if they've got what I need it will be worth it. Thanks again.