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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 'Vincent' by Don McLean from 'American Pie'. It was number one on 21st February 1972 - the day on which Richard Nixon met Chairman Mao in the People's Republic Of China. We also hear 'Teach Your Children' by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from the album 'So Far'. It was number one on 30th October 1974 - the day of 'The Rumble In The Jungle' when Ali defeated Foreman. In the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', songs are played from albums by Jr. Walker & The All Stars and Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'Born To Run' by Bruce Springsteen and a different song with the same title by Emmylou Harris.

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birth on this date in 1943 of Johnny Corley, who - as Fantastic Johnny C - had a Top Ten hit in the USA with 'Boogaloo Down Broadway'. We also hear 'The Twist' by Chubby Checker. It is played in tribute to the host of TV show 'American Bandstand' Dick Clark, who recently died. 'You're So Vain' by Carly Simon and 'You've Got A Friend' by Carole King are this week's featured songs from the Grammy Hall Of Fame Singles & Tracks list.

Our R&B Number Ones are from 1957 - 'School Day' by Chuck Berry, and this week - 'Thank You' by Estelle. We hear Country number ones from 1975 and now by Billie Jo Spears and Taylor Swift. This week's past and present Rock number ones are by The Cure and fun featuring Janelle Monae. Lionel Richie's album 'Tuskegee' reaches the top of the chart in its third week. On the singles side, 'Somebody That I Used To Know' by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the best selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 28 Apr 2012 20:00

Music Played

  • Van Halen

    Jump

    Today is ‘Save The Frogs Day’

  • Monica

    Daddy's Good Girl

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

  • Counting Crows

    Meet On The Ledge

    New Entry in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation)

  • Don McLean

    Vincent

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] American Pie - Don McLean (21st February 1972) On this day: Richard Nixon met Chairman Mao in the People’s Republic Of China.

  • One Direction

    One Thing

    Top Forty Single from Top Five Album: Up All Night

  • The Fantastic Johnny C

    Boogaloo Down Broadway

    Born 1943: Fantastic Johnny C (Johnny Corley)

  • Chubby Checker

    The Twist

    Dick Clark (American Bandstand) - born 30th November 1929; died 18th April 2012

  • Bonnie Raitt

    Not Cause I Wanted To

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

  • Chuck Berry

    School Day

    R&B Number One this date in 1957

  • Estelle

    Thank You

    Adult R&B Number One: second week

  • Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

    Born To Run

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number 23 in 1975 - title track of Top Three album

  • Emmylou Harris

    Born To Run

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Country Number Three in 1982

  • M. Ward

    SWEETHEART (featuring Zooey Deschanel)

    New Entry in the Top Thirty of the Album Chart: A Wasteland Companion

  • Jr. Walker & the All Stars

    (I'm A) Roadrunner

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All Stars (10th July 1965)

  • Ellie Goulding

    Lights

    Top Forty - certified for one million sales

  • Carly Simon

    You're So Vain

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: released in 1972 - Number One for three weeks in 1973

  • Carole King

    You've Got A Friend

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Track: not released as a single - from LP Tapestry

  • Trampled by Turtles

    Midnight On The Interstate

    New Entry in the Top Forty of the Album Chart: Stars And Satellites

  • Crosby, Nash & Young

    Teach Your Children

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] So Far - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (30th October 1974) On this day: ‘The Rumble In The Jungle’ - Ali defeated Foreman.

  • Billie Jo Spears

    Blanket On The Ground

    Country Number One this date in 1975

  • Taylor Swift

    Eyes Open

    Current Country Sales Number One - third week

  • The Cure

    High

    Rock Number One this date in 1992

  • Fun.

    We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)

    Current Rock Number One - second week

  • Kenny Rogers & The First Edition

    Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) (11th October 1969) Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town - Kenny Rogers & The First Edition

  • Lionel Richie

    YOU ARE (with Blake Shelton)

    Current Number One in the Album Chart: Tuskegee

  • The Fleetwoods

    Come Softly To Me

    Number One this date in 1959

  • Hoobastank

    The Reason

    Number One this date in 2004

  • Gotye

    Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

    Current Number One: NEW

Broadcast

  • Sat 28 Apr 2012 20:00