Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

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 the title track of Dominique by The Singing Nun, which was number one on 26 December 1963. On that day I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles was rush-released in the US. We also hear Colours Of The Wind by Vanessa Williams from the soundtrack to Pocahontas. This was the first Disney animated film since The Lion King to be a big box office success. And the album was number one on 2 July 1995.

In the regular feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, tracks are played from LPs by Bobby Vinton and Eric Burdon & War. In A Matter Of Life And Death, Paul celebrates the birthday of Billy Paul by playing his hit Me And Mrs Jones. We also hear Man In Black by Johnny Cash. It is played as a tribute to Bernard Lansky, who has recently died. He was a Memphis clothes designer for local musicians including BB King, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

It's Not The Same Old Song highlights Natural High by Bloodstone and a different song with the same title by Merle Haggard. 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 Phil Spector (Number 54) and Pharrell Williams (Number 53).

Our R&B number ones are from 1974 - I Feel A Song (In My Heart) by Gladys Knight & The Pips - and this week - Adorn by Miguel. We hear country number ones from 2009 and now by Lady Antebellum and Florida Georgia Line. This week's featured past and present rock number ones are by Foreigner and Fun.. And Diamonds by Rihanna is the best-selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 1 Dec 2012 20:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

More episodes

Previous

24/11/2012

Next

08/12/2012

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

Music Played

  • Prince

    Sign 'o' The Times

    Today is World AIDS Day

  • Christina Perri

    A THOUSAND YEARS, PT. 2 (featuring Steve Kazee)

    New Entry in the Top Three of the Album Chart: Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2

  • Green Day

    Amy

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Dos!

  • SΕ“ur Sourire

    Dominique

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] The Singing Nun - The Singing Nun (26th December 1963) On this day: β€˜I Want To Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles was released in the US.

  • Bruno Mars

    Locked Out Of Heaven

    Top Three hit

  • Billy Paul

    Me And Mrs. Jones

    Born 1934: Billy Paul

  • Johnny Cash

    Man In Black

    Memphis clothes designer for local musicians including BB King, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash - Bernard Lansky born 10th March 1927 ; died 8th November 2012

  • Christina Aguilera

    JUST A FOOL (with Blake Shelton)

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

  • Gladys Knight & the Pips

    I Feel A Song (In My Heart)

    R&B Number One this date in 1974

  • Miguel

    Adorn

    Adult R&B Number One: third week

  • Bloodstone

    Natural High

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Ten in 1973

  • Merle Haggard

    Natural High

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Country Number One in 1985

  • The Weeknd

    High For This

    New Entry in the Top Five of the Album Chart: Trilogy

  • Bobby Vinton

    Roses Are Red (My Love)

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Roses Are Red - Bobby Vinton (4th August 1962)

  • Lana Del Rey

    American

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Paradise (EP)

  • The Teddy Bears

    To Know Him, Is To Love Him

    I Write The Songs - 54: Phil Spector

  • Kelis

    Milkshake

    I Write The Songs - 53: Pharrell Williams

  • Soundgarden

    Been Away Too Long

    New Entry in the Top Five of the Album Chart: King Animal

  • Vanessa Williams

    Colors Of The Wind

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Pocahontas soundtrack album (22nd July 1995) On this day: Pocahontas was in the Variety Movie Box Office Top Ten - the first Disney animated film to be a big success since The Lion King.

  • Lady A

    Need You Now

    Country Number One this date in 2009

  • Florida Georgia Line

    Cruise

    Current Country Sales Number One: second week

  • Foreigner

    Waiting For A Girl Like You

    Rock Number One this date in 1981

  • fun. - Some Nights

    Current Rock Number One: ninth week

  • War

    Spill The Wine

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Eric Burdon Declares β€œWar” - Eric Burdon & War (16th May 1970)

  • One Direction

    Little Things

    Number One Album: Take Me ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ - NEW

  • The Supremes

    Love Child

    Number One this date in 1968

  • Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond

    You Don't Bring Me Flowers

    Number One this date in 1978

  • Rihanna

    Diamonds

    Current Number One: NEW

Broadcast

  • Sat 1 Dec 2012 20:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2