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Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades. In the feature 'Baby What a Big Surprise (they really were Number One albums)' we hear 'Nothing Compares 2U' from 'I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got' by Sinead O'Connor - the first Irish woman to top the US album chart. We also hear a track from 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' by Ray Charles - an R'n'B star going country with great commercial success. Songs are featured from the debut hit LPs by Johnny Rivers and Bette Midler in the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'. 'It's Not the Same Old Song' highlights the Neil Sedaka ballad 'Solitaire' and a different song with the same title recorded by Laura Branigan.

In 'A Matter of Life and Death' Paul celebrates the birth of Tony Joe White with one of the singer's most successful compositions 'Polk Salad Annie'. He also pays tribute to the recently deceased Rob Grill - lead singer with the Grass Roots. We hear 'Theme from a Summer Place' by Percy Faith and 'Theme from Shaft' by Isaac Hayes in the weekly presentation of two songs from the Grammy Hall of Fame Singles.

There are past and present R'n'B Number Ones from Clyde McPhatter and Jill Scott, past and present Country Number Ones from Jaron and The Long Road to Love and Jason Aldean, and Rock Number Ones from 1986 and now by Steve Winwood and Foster the People. Beyonce's album '4' remains the Number One album in the US chart. On the singles side, until next week's Paul Gambaccini Show plays next week's American hits, LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock is still Number One with 'Party Rock Anthem'.

2 hours

Last on

Sat 23 Jul 2011 20:00

Music Played

  • The Tornados

    Telstar

    This day in 1961: The Telstar satellite relayed the first public live transatlantic TV programme

  • Lloyd

    Angel

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: King Of Hearts

  • Sinéad O’Connor

    Nothing Compares 2 U

    Baby What A Big Surprise [they really were Number One albums] I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got - Sinead O’Connor (1990)

  • We the Kings

    Say You Like Me

    New Entry in the Album Chart: Sunshine State Of Mind

  • Tony Joe White

    Polk Salad Annie

    Born 1943: Tony Joe White

  • Amy Winehouse

    Rehab

    Amy Winehouse – born 14th September 1983; died 23rd July 2011

  • The Grass Roots

    Midnight Confessions

    Rob Grill - born 30th November 1943; died 11th July 2011

  • Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood

    Remind Me

    Top Twenty [Eight Country tracks in the Top Thirty}

  • Neil Diamond

    Sweet Caroline

    Re-entry for the Red Sox theme song as the Boston Red Sox baseball team regains first place

  • Clyde McPhatter

    Treasure Of Love

    R&B Number One this date in 1956

  • Jill Scott

    SO IN LOVE (featuring Anthony Hamilton)

    Adult R&B Number One: fourth week

  • Neil Sedaka

    Solitaire

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: from the 1974 album Sedaka’s Back

  • Laura Branigan

    Solitaire

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Seven in 1983

  • Zac Brown Band

    KNEE DEEP (featuring Jimmy Buffett)

    Top Twenty

  • Johnny Rivers

    Memphis

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Johnny Rivers At The Whisky a Go Go - Johnny Rivers (20 June 1964)

  • Hot Chelle Rae

    Tonight Tonight

    Top Five

  • Percy Faith

    Theme from A Summer Place

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: Number One in 1960 (9 weeks)

  • Isaac Hayes

    Theme From Shaft

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: Number One in 1971 (2 weeks)

  • Pop Evil

    Monster You Made

    New Entry in the Album Chart: War Of Angels

  • Ray Charles

    You Don't Know Me

    Baby What A Big Surprise [they really were Number One albums] Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music - Ray Charles (1962)

  • Jaron and the Long Road to Love

    Pray For You

    Country Number One this date in 2010

  • Jason Aldean

    Dirt Road Anthem

    Current Country Number One - sixth week

  • Steve Winwood

    Higher Love

    Rock Number One this date in 1986

  • Bette Midler

    Hello In There

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) The Divine Miss M - Bette Midler (12 September 1972)

  • Foo Fighters

    Walk

    Current Rock Number Two

  • µþ±ð²â´Ç²Ô³¦Ã©

    I Was Here

    Number One in the Album Chart: 4 - second week

  • Van McCoy

    The Hustle

    Number One this date in 1975

  • Bryan Adams

    (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

    Number One this date in 1991

  • LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & Goon Rock

    Party Rock Anthem

    Current Number One: second week

Broadcast

  • Sat 23 Jul 2011 20:00