The song ‘Spirit In The Sky’ has been taken to number one in the UK on three separate occasions by three different artists. Norman Greenbaun, who wrote the song, released the original in 1970, followed by Doctor and the Medics version in 1986. Gareth Gates took the song to the top spot in 2003.
Not the only song to hit the top spot on three different occasions though. The Beatles song ‘With A Little Help From My Friend’ was never released as a single by the Fab Four but still managed to reach number one in the UK three times. Firstly for Joe Cocker in 1968, then by Wet Wet Wet in 1988. Finally hitting the top spot for Sam and Mark in 2004.
Talking about the Beatles. When the double A side ‘Penny Lane’/’Strawberry Fields Forever’ only reached number 2 in 1967 it was their first song not to hit the top spot in the UK since ‘Please Please Me’ in 1963. The song that kept it off number one was ‘Please Release Me’ by Engelbert Humperdink.
Roger Daltrey (he of the ‘Who’ fame) sang the song that was used as the theme tune for the TV programme CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also appeared in one episode as a Vegas boss called Mickey Dunn.
Could you name a song that has been number one in the UK in four different years? Well that is exactly what happened with the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen. Originally released in 1975, it hit the top spot at the tail end of November and was still there in early 1976. After lead singer, Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, the song was re-released, hitting number one in December of that year and holding on until late Janury of 1992.
The Jackie Wilson song ‘Reet Petite’ was originally released in 1957 but eventually hit number one in the UK charts in 1986. 29 years and 42 days after the original release.
Louis Armstrong holds the record of oldest chart topper. Having reached number one in the UK in 1968 with the song ‘What A Wonderful World’. He was 67 at the time.
Simon & Garfunkel, one of the most famous duos of all time, were originally called Tom & Jerry.
.AC/DC hold the record for most singles without managing to hit the top ten in the UK having released 29 singles. (Upto the year 2009)
The first song recorded by rocker Jon Bon Jovi was actually a song called ‘R2-D2: We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ for an album called the Star Wars Christmas Album. He was only 17 at the time.
Diana Ross appeared on at least one hit single every year between 1964 and 1996, an incredible 33 years.