Liverpool has continued its proud tradition of having a number one single in every decade since the charts began with The Beatles’ “new” and final single “Now and Then” securing the top spot in the UK singles chart once again. This achievement marks the city’s 58th number one hit, obtaining the Guinness World Record for “most number one hits from a city.” The city’s Pop Wall of Fame on Mathew Street is set to welcome this latest addition to their collection of discs.
As a UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool’s reputation as a music city has been unshaken, boasting more UK number one singles than any other city in the world. The city began its glorious run of success in 1953, with Lita Rosa’s “(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window” hitting the charts. The sixties saw the rise of Liverpool’s dominance, with The Beatles securing 17 number one hits, and several other artists including Ken Dodd, Cilla Black, and Gerry and the Pacemakers adding to the city’s collection.
The city’s impressive pop history includes The Real Thing with “You To Me Are Everything” in the 1970s and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, who were the biggest band globally in the 1980s and repeated the Pacemaker’s achievement of three number one hits with their first three single releases. In the 90s, Ian Broudie and The Lightning Seeds’ “Three Lions” was a number one hit twice, while Atomic Kitten had three singles reaching the top spot in the early noughties. The only number one single in the last decade is one that Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music, played a small part in, and that was the Justice Collective’s cover of “He Ain’t Heavy” released to raise money for and awareness of the fight for justice for those involved in the Hillsborough disaster.
Reaching number one still means a lot even with the changes in the way charts are calculated. While the numbers required to secure the top spot are much less than in the glory days, it is still a huge deal. For many artists and their devoted fans, topping the charts is a significant achievement and an indication of the enduring power of their music
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