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Paul presents tracks from this week's US charts, embracing singles, albums, R&B, country and rock hits, as well as those 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 'Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days]' we hear 'She's A Woman' by The Beatles from 'Beatles 65'. It was number one on 21st February 1965 - the day on which Malcolm X was assassinated. We also hear 'Escapade' from 'Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'. It was number one on 9th November 1989 - the day the Berlin Wall opened. In the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', songs are played from albums by The Young Rascals and UB40. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'You Belong To Me' by The Duprees and a different song with the same title by Carly Simon.

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birth on this date in 1928 of Burt Bacharach by playing one of the many classics he wrote with Hal David - 'Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa' by Gene Pitney. We also hear 'Try A Little Tenderness' by Otis Redding. It is played in tribute to the saxophone player on the track - Andrew Love, who recently died. 'You've Really Got A Hold On Me' by The Miracles and 'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah' by Johnny Mercer are this week's featured records from the Grammy Hall Of Fame Singles list.

Our R&B Number Ones are from 1967 - 'Jimmy Mack' by Martha & The Vandellas, and this week - 'Share My Love' by R. Kelly. We hear Country number ones from 2011 and now by Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift. This week's featured past and present Rock hits are by The Charlatans and Fun featuring Janelle Monae. Jack White's first solo album 'Blunderbuss' enters at the top of the chart. On the singles side, 'Somebody That I Used To Know' by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the best selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 12 May 2012 20:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2

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05/05/2012

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19/05/2012

See all episodes from Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

Music Played

  • Meco

    Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band

    This day in 1977 - the novelization of the Star Wars movie was published

  • Kip Moore

    Something 'bout A Truck

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Up All Night & Top 40 hit

  • The Beatles

    She's A Woman

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] The Beatles 65 - The Beatles (21st February 1965) On this day: Malcolm X was assassinated.

  • Maroon 5

    Payphone

    Last week’s Number One - this week’s Number Two

  • Gene Pitney

    Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa

    Born 1928: Burt Bacharach

  • Otis Redding

    Try A Little Tenderness

    Andrew Love (tenor saxophonist) - born 21st November 1941; died 12th April 2012

  • Lee Brice

    Hard To Love

    New Entry in the Top Five of the Album Chart: Hard 2 Love

  • R. Kelly

    Share My Love

    Adult R&B Number One: NEW

  • Adele

    Rumour Has It

    Number Two Album - 62nd Top Ten placing - will pass 9 million sales within days

  • The Duprees

    You Belong To Me

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Seven in 1962

  • Carly Simon

    You Belong To Me

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Six in 1978

  • Josh Abbott Band

    Touch

    New Entry in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Small Town Family Dream

  • The Rascals

    I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) The Young Rascals - The Young Rascals (7th May 1966)

  • Michel Teló

    AI SE EU TE PEGO (If I Catch You)

    Currently the most popular song in the world is now in the Hot 100

  • The Miracles - You've Really Got A Hold On Me

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: released 1962 - reached Number Eight in 1963

  • Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers

    Zip A Dee Doo Dah

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: released in 1946 - reached Number Eight

  • Alabama Shakes

    I Found You

    Top Twenty Album: Boys & Girls

  • Janet Jackson

    Escapade

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 - Janet Jackson (9th November 1989) On this day: The Berlin Wall was opened.

  • Carole King

    Take Good Care Of My Baby

    New Entry in the Album Chart: The Legendary Demos

  • Blake Shelton

    Honey Bee

    Country Number One this date in 2011

  • Taylor Swift

    Eyes Open

    Current Country Sales Number One - fifth week

  • The Charlatans

    Weirdo

    Rock Number One this date in 1992

  • Fun.

    We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)

    Current Rock Number Two (over four million sales)

  • UB40

    Please Don't Make Me Cry

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Labour Of Love - UB40 (26th November 1983)

  • Jack White

    Love Interruption

    Current Number One in the Album Chart: NEW: Blunderbuss

  • Lionel Richie

    Hello

    Number One this date in 1984

  • Black Eyed Peas

    Boom Boom Pow

    Number One this date in 2009

  • Gotye

    Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

    Current Number One: second week

Broadcast

  • Sat 12 May 2012 20:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 2