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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 Casino Royale by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass from their LP Sounds Like. It was number one on 12 June 1967, the day the Supreme Court declared state laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional. We also hear the title track of Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt. It was the number one LP on 6 April 1990, the day Robert Mapplethorpe's exhibition The Perfect Moment opened in Cincinnati despite nationally publicised protest over its content. In the regular feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, tracks are played from albums by Tom Rush and Chaka Khan.

In A Matter Of Life And Death Paul celebrates the birthday of Wanda Jackson by playing her version of Let's Have A Party. We also hear Take A Letter, Maria by R. B. Greaves, who recently died. It's Not The Same Old Song highlights I Believe In You by Johnnie Taylor and a different song with the same title by Don Williams.

Paul continues his countdown of the Top 100 list of songwriters based on success in the American chart from 1955 - 2005. We hear songs written by William Stevenson (Number 62) and George David Weiss (Number 61).

Our R&B Number Ones are The Temptations' 1966 hit, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, and this week's Lately by Anita Baker. We hear country number ones from 1957 and now by The Everly Brothers and Taylor Swift. This week's featured past and present rock number ones, meanwhile, are by Kings Of Leon and Mumford & Sons. And Live While We're Young by One Direction is the best-selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 20 Oct 2012 20:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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13/10/2012

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27/10/2012

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

Music Played

  • Gary β€œU.S.” Bonds

    New Orleans

    This day in 1803: Louisiana was purchased from France

  • Muse

    Supremacy

    New Entry at Number Two in the Album Chart: The 2nd Law

  • Adele

    Skyfall

    New Entry at Number Three

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    Casino Royale

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Sounds Like - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (12th June 1967) On this day: the Supreme Court declared state laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional.

  • Ne-Yo

    LET ME LOVE YOU (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)

    Top Twenty

  • Wanda Jackson

    Let's Have A Party

    Born 1937: Wanda Jackson

  • R.B. Greaves

    Take A Letter, Maria

    R.B. Greaves born 28th November 1943; died 27th September 2012

  • Diana Krall

    I'm A Little Mixed Up

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Glad Rag Doll

  • The Temptations Original Lead Singers

    Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

    R&B Number One this date in 1966

  • Anita Baker

    Lately

    Adult R&B Number One: third week

  • Johnnie Taylor

    I Believe In You (You Believe In Me)

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: R&B Number One (Number Eleven in Hot 100) in 1973

  • Don Williams

    I Believe In You

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Country Number One (Number 24 in Hot 100) in 1980

  • Miguel

    Adorn

    New Entry in the Top Five of the Album Chart: Kaleidoscope Dream

  • Tom Rush

    Joshua Gone Barbados

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Take A Little Walk With Me - Tom Rush (11th June 1966)

  • Taylor Swift

    I Knew You Were Trouble

    New Hit

  • Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

    Dancing In The Street

    I Write The Songs - 62: William Stevenson

  • Lorraine Ellison

    Stay With Me

    I Write The Songs - 61: George David Weiss

  • Van Morrison

    Open The Door (To Your Heart)

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Born To Sing: No Plan B

  • Bonnie Raitt

    Nick Of Time

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Nick Of Time - Bonnie Raitt (6th April 1990) On this day: Robert Mapplethorpe’s travelling exhibition β€˜The Perfect Moment’ opened in Cincinatti despite nationally publicized protest over the content of his photographs.

  • The Everly Brothers

    Wake Up Little Susie

    Country Number One this date in 1957

  • Taylor Swift

    Red

    Current Country Sales Number One

  • Kings of Leon

    Radioactive

    Rock Number One this date in 2010

  • Mumford & Sons

    I Will Wait

    Current Rock Number One - NEW

  • Chaka Khan

    I'm Every Woman

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Chaka - Chaka Khan (4th November 1978)

  • Mumford & Sons

    Lovers' Eyes

    Number One Album: Babel - second week

  • Lulu

    To Sir With Love

    Number One this date in 1967

  • Michael Jackson

    Bad

    Number One this date in 1987

  • One Direction

    Live While We're Young

    Current Number One: NEW

  • The Boy Wunda

    Everybody

    • Manifesto.

  • Stretch & Vern

    I'm Alive

    • The Best Club Anthems...Ever!.
    • Virgin.

  • Stretch & Vern

    I'm Alive

    • The Best Club Anthems...Ever!.
    • Virgin.

Broadcast

  • Sat 20 Oct 2012 20:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2