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Post by spiritinthesky on Dec 16, 2008 16:43:23 GMT -5
I didn't know this, its from www.thisdayinmusic.comThe 'Secret' Number One
- John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band - "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"
There was a time when no new chart was compiled over the Christmas period; it was a labour-intensive process requiring couriers racing around the country, collecting sales diaries which were then delivered to a data-entry team who would manually key the catalogue numbers into an early computer system. These staff needed a week off for Christmas. Furthermore, the media didn't seem to require a chart update due to lack of publications and special festive programming. On 8th December of that year John Lennon was assassinated. On the week ending 27 Dec, St Winifred's School Choir hit the top spot with "There's No-one Quite Like Grandma." But, directly over Christmas week, large numbers of shoppers bought Lennon's classic "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)." The chart compiled (though not published) for w/e 3rd Jan 1981 had John Lennon at number one. By the time normal service had been resumed (w/e 10th Jan 1981), John Lennon's "Imagine" had climbed to the top in any case.
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Post by John S. Damm on Dec 16, 2008 22:43:13 GMT -5
That is cool.
I just hope that Paul McCartney doesn't take credit for it.
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Post by Panther on Dec 17, 2008 3:37:25 GMT -5
Kind of reminiscent of how George was shafted in the UK with All Things Must Pass never being registered as Number one in his lifetime due to the postal workers' strike during the exact period when he should have been at the top.
It always seems to me that 'Happy Xmas' is much loved in North America, and much hated in the UK (where its release was delayed by a whole year!), but I could be wrong.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2008 8:08:10 GMT -5
I think Paul should wear the bra..... ;D ;D
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Post by Panther on Dec 18, 2008 2:01:07 GMT -5
Don't make fun. At age 66, if I can get a babe that hot I'll be happy.
Then again, Paul's continent-sized fortune might be helping him, too. And then there's Viagra...
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Post by beatlesaint on Dec 18, 2008 15:11:27 GMT -5
Kind of reminiscent of how George was shafted in the UK with All Things Must Pass never being registered as Number one in his lifetime due to the postal workers' strike during the exact period when he should have been at the top. It always seems to me that 'Happy Xmas' is much loved in North America, and much hated in the UK (where its release was delayed by a whole year!), but I could be wrong. You are wrong - Happy Xmas is not hated here in the UK. In fact for the last couple of years every major store I have walked into on the lead up to Christmas has been playing it.....unless I'm just drawn in to the shop at the right time No, indeed its often played on the radio, particulalry local stations that arent obsessed with everything from the last 5 years only. Glad to hear its much loved in North America still. regards.
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Post by revolver66 on Dec 19, 2008 13:46:53 GMT -5
It's interesting to note that Macca's Wonderful X-mastime wasn't much of a hit but is always played to death over the Holiday season.
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Post by John S. Damm on Dec 19, 2008 15:45:39 GMT -5
It's interesting to note that Macca's Wonderful X-mastime wasn't much of a hit but is always played to death over the Holiday season. Yes. It seems much more popular now. I hear it everywhere I go this time of year.
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