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Paul Gambaccini blends digital tracks from this week's US charts of songs, albums, R&B, country and rock hits with LP and singles classics from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades.

Each week, songs are played by two artists who have been inducted into 'The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame'. Working alphabetically through the list, tonight Paul features tracks by Herb Alpert and The Animals. In the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', songs are played from albums by Joan Armatrading and LeAnn Rimes.

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birthday of Mason Williams by playing his hit 'Classical Gas'. As a tribute to Eydie Gorme, who has recently died, we hear her Grammy-winning recording of 'If He Walked Into My Life'. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'Change' by Lisa Stansfield and a different song with the same title by Taylor Swift. In the feature called 'Both Sides Now', Paul plays a single by an American artist that was a hit in the UK but not in the US and an American hit by a British artist that was not successful in the UK.

Our featured R&B hits are from 1972 and this week by Joe Simon and Jaheim. We hear Country number ones from 2012 and now by Little Big Town and Florida Georgia Line. This week's past and present Rock number ones are by Genesis and Imagine Dragons. 'Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell is the best-selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 24 Aug 2013 20:00

Music Played

  • The Drifters

    Money Honey

    This day in 1967: the Yippies led by Abbie Hoffman disrupted the New York Stock Exchange by throwing dollar bills onto the trading floor - resulting in a scrum.

  • Katy Perry

    Roar

    Instant hit

  • Drake

    Hold On, We're Going Â鶹ԼÅÄ (feat. Majid Jordan)

    New Entry in the Top Ten

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    A Taste Of Honey

    The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame: Lifetime Achievement Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss (A&M)

  • Lady Gaga

    Applause

    Instant hit

  • Mason Williams

    Classical Gas

    Born 1938: Mason Williams

  • Eydie Gormé

    If He Walked Into My Life

    Eydie Gorme - born 16 August 1928 - died 10 August 2013

  • Brett Eldredge

    Don't Ya

    New Entry in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Bring You Back & Gold single

  • Joe Simon

    Power Of Love

    R&B Number One this date in 1972

  • Jaheim

    Age Ain't A Factor

    Adult R&B Number Two: (‘Blurred Lines’ - Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell - Number One for a second week)

  • Lisa Stansfield

    Change

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number 27 in 1992

  • Taylor Swift

    Change

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Top Ten in 2008

  • Michael Franti & Spearhead

    Life Is Better With You

    Album Chart: All People

  • Joan Armatrading

    Down To Zero

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading (9th October 1976)

  • Lorde

    Royals

    Top Twenty

  • Dolly Parton

    Jolene

    Both Sides Now: Not a hit in the US; Number Seven in the UK in 1976

  • Sting

    Be Still My Beating Heart

    Both Sides Now: Not a hit in the UK; Number Fifteen in the US in 1988

  • Tye Tribbett

    If He Did It Before... Same God

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Greater Than

  • The Animals

    The House Of The Rising Sun

    The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame: The Animals

  • Anna Kendrick

    CUPS (Pop Version)

    New Entry at Number Two in the Album Chart: Now 47

  • Little Big Town

    Pontoon

    Country Number One this date in 2012

  • Florida Georgia Line

    Cruise

    Current Country Sales Number One: twenty-fifth week

  • Genesis

    Throwing It All Away

    Rock Number One this date in 1986

  • Imagine Dragons

    Radioactive

    Current Rock Number One: twenty-third week

  • LeAnn Rimes

    Blue

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Blue - Leann Rimes (27th July 1996)

  • The Civil Wars

    The One That Got Away

    New Entry at Number One in the Album Chart: The Civil Wars

  • The Lovin’ Spoonful

    Summer In The City

    Number One this date in 1966

  • Looking Glass

    Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)

    Number One this date in 1972

  • Robin Thicke

    BLURRED LINES (featuring Pharrell)

    Current Number One: tenth week

Broadcast

  • Sat 24 Aug 2013 20:00