Sing 20 Number One Hits
Encyclopedia
Sing 20 Number One Hits is the tenth album released by British pop group Brotherhood of Man
. Released in 1980, it was the group's second biggest-selling album.
and reached No.14 in the UK Album Charts. It became the group's second biggest selling album, remaining in the top 20 over Christmas 1980. It was awarded a gold disc for sales of over 100,000 by the BPI
on 17 December 1980. This was the group's first album (of two) for Warwick Records, which released a series of albums alongside this by various other artists in the lead up to Christmas - Sing 20 Number One Hits being one of the most successful of these. The album also reached No.29 in the New Zealand album charts in May 1981.
This album, like the group's previous albums was produced by manager Tony Hiller
. Commenting on the collection in 1995, Hiller commended their professionalism in the studio, stating; "They were tremendously fast, we could do an album in two weeks. They would bring up their own harmonies. They were a joy to work with and it shows".
No singles were released from the album in the UK, but track "One Day at a Time" was released as a single in South Africa. The album was released on Vinyl and Cassette, and although many of the tracks had been released on various compact disc compilations over the years, the album in its original form wasn't released on CD until 10 October 2011 via the Northworld label.
Side Two
Brotherhood of Man
Brotherhood of Man are a British pop group who achieved success in the 1970s, most notably by winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with "Save Your Kisses for Me"....
. Released in 1980, it was the group's second biggest-selling album.
Background
This album was a departure from their previous albums in that it was made up of cover versions. The songs featured were all UK No.1 hits from the years 1974 to 1980. The album was released in November 1980 on Warwick RecordsWarwick Records
Warwick Records is a British record label from the 1970s and early 1980s, which specialised in producing and compiling songs for compilations that have sometimes been given away as 'promos' with other products, such as magazines etc....
and reached No.14 in the UK Album Charts. It became the group's second biggest selling album, remaining in the top 20 over Christmas 1980. It was awarded a gold disc for sales of over 100,000 by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
on 17 December 1980. This was the group's first album (of two) for Warwick Records, which released a series of albums alongside this by various other artists in the lead up to Christmas - Sing 20 Number One Hits being one of the most successful of these. The album also reached No.29 in the New Zealand album charts in May 1981.
This album, like the group's previous albums was produced by manager Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
. Commenting on the collection in 1995, Hiller commended their professionalism in the studio, stating; "They were tremendously fast, we could do an album in two weeks. They would bring up their own harmonies. They were a joy to work with and it shows".
No singles were released from the album in the UK, but track "One Day at a Time" was released as a single in South Africa. The album was released on Vinyl and Cassette, and although many of the tracks had been released on various compact disc compilations over the years, the album in its original form wasn't released on CD until 10 October 2011 via the Northworld label.
Track listing
Side One- "We Don't Talk AnymoreWe Don't Talk Anymore"We Don't Talk Anymore" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard that reached number one in the UK singles chart in August 1979, remaining there for four weeks...
" (Alan TarneyAlan TarneyAlan Tarney is an English songwriter, record producer and bass guitarist. He was born in Workington, Cumberland, England, but spent his teenage years in Adelaide, Australia where he met his songwriting and musical partner Trevor Spencer.- Career :Tarney was part of the huge influx of British...
) 3:11
Original No.1: Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
, 1979 - "Bright Eyes"Bright Eyes (Art Garfunkel song)"Bright Eyes" is a song written by Mike Batt, and performed by Art Garfunkel. It was used in the soundtrack of the 1978 film Watership Down and as such is considered the theme song of the film and the later television series adaptations. The track also appears on Garfunkel's fourth studio album,...
(Mike BattMike BattMichael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
) 3:27
Original No.1: Art GarfunkelArt GarfunkelArthur Ira "Art" Garfunkel is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and actor, best known as being a member of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel...
, 1979 - "When You're in Love with a Beautiful WomanWhen You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman"When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" was a popular single by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. It was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama....
" (Even Stevens) 2:39
Original No.1: Dr Hook, 1979 - "Don't Give Up on Us Baby"Don't Give Up on Us (song)"Don't Give Up on Us" is a song by David Soul.Riding high on the success of playing in the hit TV show Starsky and Hutch, Soul returned to one of his early career choices as a singer...
(Tony MacaulayTony MacaulayTony Macaulay is a British author, composer for musical theatre, and songwriter, though it was the latter that made him a household name early in his career...
) 3:01
Original No.1: David SoulDavid SoulDavid Soul is an American-British actor and singer, best known for his role as Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the television programme Starsky and Hutch . He gained British citizenship in 2004.-Early life:...
, 1977 - "Together We Are BeautifulTogether We Are Beautiful"Together We Are Beautiful" was a popular single by Fern Kinney.Written by Ken Leray and produced by Caron Whitsett, Wolf Stephenson and Tommy Couch "Together We Are Beautiful" was the first and only #1 single in the UK for Fern Kinney. Originally a b-side to "Baby, Let Me Kiss You" the song was...
" (Ken Leray) 2:52
Original No.1: Fern KinneyFern KinneyFern Kinney is an American R&B and disco singer, who is best remembered for her releases, "Groove Me" and "Together We Are Beautiful".-Career:...
, 1980 - "What's Another Year" (Shay HealyShay HealyShay Healy is an Irish songwriter, broadcaster and journalist. He is best known for his role as host of Nighthawks, a RTÉ Television chat show of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and for composing "What's Another Year", Ireland's winning entry in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest.-Early life:Shay...
) 3:03
Original No.1: by Johnny LoganJohnny Logan (singer)Johnny Logan , is an Australian-born Irish singer and composer. He is regarded as "Mister Eurovision", having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest many times since the 1970s, and, since 1992, has been the most successful artist in Eurovision history.Logan has won the international contest on...
, 1980 - "I Will SurviveI Will Survive"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...
" (Freddie PerrenFreddie PerrenFrederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
/ Dino Fekaris) 2:56
Original No.1: Gloria GaynorGloria GaynorGloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
, 1979 - "I'm Not in LoveI'm Not in Love"I'm Not in Love" is a song written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman of the English group 10cc, from the album The Original Soundtrack. The lyric reveals a narrator in denial about the title's ostensible theme.-The 10cc version:...
" (Eric StewartEric StewartEric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....
/ Graham GouldmanGraham GouldmanGraham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...
) 3:13
Original No.1: 10cc10cc10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
, 1975 - "Working My Way Back to YouWorking My Way Back To You"Working My Way Back to You" is the debut single from Irish Boyband Boyzone. It was released in May 1994. The song reached #3 on the Irish Singles Chart. It is one of the few songs to feature Mikey Graham on lead vocals. The band recorded two versions the song, one of which was a collaboration with...
" (Sandy Linzer / Denny Randell) 3:02
Original No.1: The Detroit Spinners, 1980 - "Mull of Kintyre"Mull of Kintyre (song)"Mull of Kintyre" is a song written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine and performed by Wings. The song was written in tribute to the picturesque Kintyre peninsula in Scotland, where McCartney has owned High Park Farm since 1966, and its headland or Mull of Kintyre.The song was Wings' biggest hit...
(Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) 3:00
Original No.1: WingsWings (band)Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
, 1977
Side Two
- "Dancing QueenDancing Queen"Dancing Queen" is a pop song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released in August 1976, but was first performed two months earlier, on 18 June 1976, during a Royal Variety Show in Stockholm the evening before the Swedish royal wedding. It was the follow-up single to the hit "Fernando"...
" (Benny AnderssonBenny AnderssonGöran Bror "Benny" Andersson is a Swedish musician, composer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
/ Bjorn UlvaeusBjörn UlvaeusBjörn Kristian Ulvaeus is a Swedish songwriter, composer, musician, writer, producer, a former member of the Swedish musical group ABBA , and co-composer of the musicals Chess, Kristina från Duvemåla, and Mamma Mia!...
/ Stig AndersonStig AndersonStig 'Stikkan' Erik Leopold Anderson was born in Hova, Sweden, and is best known as the manager of the pop group ABBA.- Polar Music:Anderson was the founder of the Polar Music record label in 1963...
) 2:36
Original No.1: ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
, 1976 - "When I Need YouWhen I Need You"When I Need You" is a popular song written by Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded by Hammond on his 1976 album When I Need You. Produced by Richard Perry, Leo Sayer's version made number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in February 1977 after three of his earlier...
" (Albert HammondAlbert HammondAlbert Hammond OBE is a British singer, songwriter and record producer from Gibraltar.-Birth and early success:Hammond was born in London, England, where his family had been evacuated to from Gibraltar during World War II. His family returned to Gibraltar shortly after his birth, and there he grew...
/ Carole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer SagerCarole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
) 2:57
Original No.1: Leo SayerLeo SayerLeo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
, 1977 - "Rivers of BabylonRivers of Babylon"Rivers of Babylon" is a rastafarian song written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. The Melodians' original versions of the song appeared in the sound track to the 1972 movie The Harder They Come and the 1999 Nicolas Cage movie...
" (Brent Dowe / Trevor McNaughton / Frank FarianFrank FarianFrank Farian , is a German record producer and songwriter. He started out as a trained cook before moving into the music industry...
/ Reyam) 2:46
Original No.1: Boney MBoney MBoney M. is a Eurodisco group created by German record producer Frank Farian. Originally based in Germany, the four original members of the group's official line-up were Jamaicans Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams from Montserrat and Bobby Farrell from Aruba...
, 1978 - "If You Leave Me NowIf You Leave Me Now"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976....
" (Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) 2:49
Original No.1: ChicagoChicago (band)Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, 1976 - "Don't Go Breaking My HeartDon't Go Breaking My Heart"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is a duet by Elton John and Kiki Dee. It was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" , and intended as an affectionate pastiche of the Tamla Motown style, notably the various duets recorded by Marvin Gaye and singers...
" (Ann Orson / Carte BlancheBernie TaupinBernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
) 3:02
Original No.1: Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Kiki DeeKiki DeeKiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
, 1976 - "Three Times a LadyThree Times a Lady* The song was also covered in the country genre by country singer Billy "Crash" Craddock on his 1986 album Crash Craddock and in 2007 by Cobra Starship as an iTunes bonus track for their album ¡Viva La Cobra!...
" (Lionel RichieLionel RichieLionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
) 3:08
Original No.1: The Commodores, 1978 - "One Day at a Time"One Day at a Time (song)"One Day at a Time" is a popular Country and Western-style Christian song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson. It has been recorded by over 200 artists and has reached No.1 in several territories.- Marilyn Sellars version :...
(Marijohn WilkinMarijohn WilkinMarijohn Wilkin , née Melson, was an American songwriter, famous in the country music genre for writing a number of hits. Wilkin won numerous awards over the years and was referred to as "The Den Mother of Music Row," as chronicled in her 1978 biography from Word Books--Lord, Let Me Leave a Song...
/ Kris KristoffersonKris KristoffersonKristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
) 3:53
Original No.1: Lena MartellLena MartellLena Martell is a Scottish singer, who had a number one UK single with "One Day at a Time" in 1979....
, 1979 - "When Will I See You AgainWhen Will I See You Again"When Will I See You Again" is a song by American soul group The Three Degrees, from their third album The Three Degrees. The song was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.It was one of the most successful recordings of the "Philly Soul" era...
" ( Kenneth Gamble / Leon HuffGamble and HuffKenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and record production team who have written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records. They were pioneers of Philadelphia soul and the in-house creative team for the Philadelphia International record label...
) 2:37
Original No.1: The Three DegreesThe Three DegreesThe Three Degrees are an American female vocal group. Formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,, the group has always been a trio though there have been a number of personnel changes and a total of fourteen women have represented the group so far. The original members were Fayette Pinkney,...
, 1974 - "Annie's SongAnnie's Song"Annie's Song" is a rock/country song recorded and written by singer-songwriter John Denver. It was his second number-one song in the United States, occupying that spot for two weeks in July 1974. "Annie's Song" also went to number one on the Easy Listening chart...
" (John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
) 3:06
Original No.1 by John Denver, 1974 - "Sailing"Sailing (Rod Stewart song)"Sailing" is a song written by Gavin Sutherland and recorded by The Sutherland Bros. Band . Released in June 1972, it can be found on their album 'Lifeboat' released in the same year....
(Gavin Sutherland) 2:54
Original No.1: Rod StewartRod StewartRoderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, 1975
Personnel
- Martin LeeMartin Lee (singer)Martin Lee is a singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the British pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :...
- vocals - Lee SheridenLee SheridenLee Sheriden is a British singer/songwriter and musical director, best known as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.-Early career:...
- vocals - Nicky StevensNicky StevensNicky Stevens is a singer, famous as a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Nicky Stevens began singing at an early age was classically trained. At 15 she toured the Continent as a singer performing in night clubs. Following this she went on to tour South Africa as well as clubs...
- vocals - Sandra StevensSandra StevensSandra Stevens is a British singer and member of pop group Brotherhood of Man.- Early career :Sandra Stevens first entered into a singing career at the age of sixteen when she joined the club band, The Track...
- vocals - Tony HillerTony HillerTony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
- Producer - Colin FrechterColin FrechterColin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard player, and vocalist.Colin has worked with The Four Tops, The Bay City Rollers Colin Frechter has a long tenure in the music business primarily as a musical director, arranger, keyboard...
- Musical director - Chris Dibble, Jonathan Miller - Engineers
- Denis King - Photography
- Recorded at Landsdowne Studios
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 14 |
| New Zealand | 29 |