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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 Let's Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams from the Footloose soundtrack album. It was number one on 8 May 1984. On that day Stephen Sondheim's musical Sunday In The Park With George opened on Broadway.

We also hear Rockstar by Nickelback from their album All The Right Reasons. It was number one on 17 October 2005 - the day on which the comedy TV programme The Colbert Report began. In the regular feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, tracks are played from LPs by The Hollies and John Mayer.

In A Matter Of Life And Death, Paul celebrates the birthday of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick by playing the group's hit I Want You To Want Me. We also hear Love Is Strange by Mickey & Sylvia. It is played as a tribute to Mickey "Guitar" Baker, who has recently died. It's Not The Same Old Song highlights Little Darlin' by The Diamonds and a different song with the same title by Marvin Gaye.

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 Barrett Strong (Number 48) and Neil Sedaka (Number 47).

Our R&B number ones are from 1964 - Amen by The Impressions - and this week - Adorn by Miguel. We hear country number ones from 1996 and now by LeAnn Rimes and Florida Georgia Line. This week's featured past and present rock number ones are by Kings Of Leon and The Lumineers. And Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars is the best-selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 22 Dec 2012 20:00

Music Played

  • Madonna

    Open Your Heart

    This day in 2000: Madonna married Guy Ritchie

  • Michael Bublé

    It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

    Top Five Album: Christmas

  • Bruno Mars

    When I Was Your Man

    New Entry in the Top Twenty

  • Deniece Williams

    Let's Hear It For The Boy

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Footloose soundtrack album - Various (8th May 1984) On this day: Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sunday In The Park With George opened on Broadway.

  • The Lumineers

    Stubborn Love

    Top Ten Rock

  • Cheap Trick

    I Want You To Want Me

    Born 1946: Rick Nielsen

  • Mickey & Sylvia

    Love Is Strange

    Mickey ‘Guitar’ Baker born 15th October 1925 ; died 27th November 2012

  • Florida Georgia Line

    Here's To The Good Times

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Here’s To The Good Times

  • The Impressions

    Amen

    R&B Number One this date in 1964

  • Miguel

    Adorn

    Adult R&B Number One: sixth week

  • The Script

    Hall Of Fame (feat. will.i.am)

    Top Thirty

  • The Diamonds

    Little Darlin'

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Terrific Two in 1957

  • Marvin Gaye

    Little Darling (I Need You)

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: R&B Number Ten (Number 46 - Hot 100) in 1966

  • Frank Ocean

    Thinkin' Bout You

    Following Grammy Nomination - R&B Top Ten

  • The Hollies

    Look Through Any Window

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Hear! Here! - The Hollies (12th February 1966)

  • Rihanna

    Diamonds

    Number Two (former Number One)

  • The Temptations Original Lead Singers

    JUST MY IMAGINATION (Running Away With Me)

    I Write The Songs - 48: Barrett Strong

  • Neil Sedaka

    Bad Blood

    I Write The Songs - 47: Neil Sedaka

  • Tamar Braxton

    Love And War

    New Entry

  • Nickelback

    Rock Star

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] All The Right Reasons - Nickelback (17th October 2005) On this day: The TV comedy programme The Colbert Report began.

  • LeAnn Rimes

    One Way Ticket (Because I Can)

    Country Number One this date in 1996

  • Florida Georgia Line

    Cruise

    Current Country Sales Number One: fourth week

  • Kings of Leon

    Sex On Fire

    Rock Number One this date in 2008

  • The Lumineers

    Ho Hey

    Current Rock Number One: fourth week

  • John Mayer

    No Such Thing

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Room For Squares - John Mayer (6th October 2001)

  • Taylor Swift

    Red

    Number One Album: Red - fourth week

  • George Harrison

    My Sweet Lord

    Number One this date in 1970

  • Daryl Hall & John Oates

    Maneater

    Number One this date in 1982

  • Bruno Mars

    Locked Out Of Heaven

    Current Number One: NEW

Broadcast

  • Sat 22 Dec 2012 20:00