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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, you'll hear What Is Life by George Harrison from his triple LP All Things Must Pass. It was number one on 25th January 1971, the day Charles Manson was found guilty of multiple murders. You will also hear Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was the number one album on 25th May 2006 - the day on which President Bush and Prime Minister Blair expressed regret for abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq. In the regular feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, tracks are played from albums by Brenda Lee and Morrissey.

In A Matter Of Life And Death, Paul celebrates the birth on this date in 1930 of Joni James by playing her hit Why Don't You Believe Me. You will also hear Hush' by Deep Purple as a tribute to the group's keyboard player Jon Lord and the song's writer Joe South, who have both recently died. It's Not The Same Old Song highlights Games People Play by Joe South and a different song with the same title sung by the Spinners. Paul continues his countdown of the Top 100 list of songwriters based on success in the American chart from 1955 - 2005. And, there's songs written by Sammy Cahn and Nick Ashford.

Our R&B Number Ones are from 1956 - Let The Good Times Roll by Shirley Lee - and this week - Pray For Me by Anthony Hamilton. This week's featured past and present Rock number ones are by Eddie Money and Fun. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift is the best selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 22 Sep 2012 20:00

Music Played

  • The Box Tops

    The Letter

    On this day in 1789: the position of US Postmaster General was established

  • Taylor Swift

    Ronan

    New Entry at Number Two (first artist with the top two songs since Ke$ha in 2010)

  • Alicia Keys

    GIRL ON FIRE (Inferno Version) (featuring Nicki Minaj)

    New Entry in the Top Twenty

  • George Harrison

    What Is Life

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] All Things Must Pass - George Harrison (25th January 1971) On this day: Charles Manson was found of guilty of multiple murders.

  • Imagine Dragons

    It's Time

    Number Two Album: Night Visions & Top Forty single

  • Joni James

    Why Don't You Believe Me

    Born 1930: Joni James [Giovanni Carmella Babbo]

  • Hush

    Hush - Deep Purple

    Joe South born 28th February 1940; died 5th September 2012 & Jon Lord of Deep Purple born 9th June 1941; died 16th July 2012

  • Carrie Underwood

    Good Girl

    Top Five Album: Blown Away

  • Shirley & Lee

    Let The Good Times Roll

    R&B Number One this date in 1956

  • Anthony Hamilton

    Pray For Me

    Adult R&B Number One: second week

  • Joe South

    Games People Play

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Twelve in 1969

  • The Detroit Spinners

    GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (They Just Can't Stop It)

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Five in 1975 & R&B Number One

  • Cat Power

    Cherokee

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Sun

  • Brenda Lee

    Sweet Nothin's

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Brenda Lee - Brenda Lee (22nd August 1960)

  • Maroon 5

    One More Night

    Number Three

  • Frank Sinatra

    All The Way

    I Write The Songs - 70: Sammy Cahn

  • Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    Ain't No Mountain High Enough

    I Write The Songs - 69: Nick Ashford

  • Two Door Cinema Club

    Sleep Alone

    New Entry from Northern Ireland in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Beacon

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

    Dani California

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers (25th May 2006) On this day: President Bush and Prime Minister Blair express regret for abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq.

  • Frank Ocean

    Thinkin' Bout You

    Top Thirty

  • Tom T. Hall

    The Year That Clayton Delaney Died

    Country Number One this date in 1971

  • Little Big Town

    Pontoon

    Current Country Airplay Number One

  • Eddie Money

    Take Me Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tonight

    Rock Number One this date in 1986

  • Fun.

    Some Nights

    Current Rock Number One - third week

  • Morrissey

    Every Day Is Like Sunday

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Viva Hate - Morrissey (9th April 1988)

  • Matchbox Twenty

    Overjoyed

    Number One Album: North

  • Bobby McFerrin

    Don't Worry Be Happy

    Number One this date in 1988

  • P!nk

    So What

    Number One this date in 2008

  • Taylor Swift

    We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

    Current Number One: fourth week

Broadcast

  • Sat 22 Sep 2012 20:00