The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The book takes 45 chart toppers and writes their story. The
music, the lyrics, the artists, producers and writers are all discussed, as
well as any side or back stories to do with the single. For example, when and
how “Release Me” by Engelbert Humperdinck kept “Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields”
by The Beatles off the top spot in 1967, is discussed in Chapter 4. Another
example of a “you could not make it up” back story might be the that the writer
of “Grandad”, by Clive Dunn from 1971and a light novelty No. 1 song, was also
the bass player on Lou Reed’s hit single “Walk On The Wildside” a heavy weight
dose of art rock with dubious lyrics, which came out in November 1972. Perhaps
you could not get too more contrasting songs for Herbie Flowers to be involved
in.    

I picked 45 singles, as that was the rpm speed of a typical
7 inches vinyl single in the 1960s. With regard to time span I took one No. 1
single per year between 1964 and 2006, that would be 43 songs and I added in
two bonus tracks to make 45. This was when Top Of The Pops was running on BBC
TV and seemed an appropriated year span for the book. 

I wanted to mix up the No.1 singles, not just to get the
best selling or most popular song of a particular year. I chose pop songs,
novelty songs, children’s songs and all time classics to have a range of mixed
up No. 1s. This is hopefully a particular unique selling point of the book,
where I compare and contrast the mixed up No. 1s and try to explain just how,
for example, “Mr Blobby” by Mr Blobby would be an unlikely No.1 in 1993, while
an all time classic, “Love Is All Around” from Wet Wet Wet could be an obvious
No. 1 in 1994. Just how is it that these two songs could both be chart toppers
in the same chart? It is certainly a bit weird and this is something I try to
explain in the book.

 I have taken as the book title the 1968 chart topper, which
I write about in Chapter 5. “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” is indicative of
the mixed up “good, bad or ugly” range of the 45 songs, which I pick. I never
specifically say which song is in which category. That is for the reader to
decide. I also do not want to be rude about any song. If it got to No.1 it
certainly deserves respect.

 In the Book End: Outro I do a “Top of the Pops” No.45 to No.
1 countdown as a worst to best list of my chosen songs, which should promote
some debate and perhaps even disagreement. With that in mind despite his best
attempt at coercion and bribery towards me, you will be pleased to know (or
perhaps saddened!) that Mr Blobby is not my overall No.1 But what is, well…Read
on and enjoy the book!