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I had hoped that I could at least find an appropriate UK list for comparison, but I couldn't even find a list of the 100 top-selling singles in the UK in the 1980's. The best I could manage was the top-selling singles in the UK since the official charts began. The 1980s ones from that list are:
2. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984), sold 3.55m
7. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (1984), sold 1.91m
13. Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You (1984), sold 1.775m
22. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Two Tribes (1984), sold 1.51m
25. Human League - Don't You Want Me (1981), sold 1.43m
26. Wham - Last Christmas (1984), sold 1.42m
29. Culture Club - Karma Chameleon (1983), sold 1.41m
34. George Michael - Careless Whisper (1984), sold 1.37m
38. Jennifer Rush - The Power of Love (1985), sold 1.32m
48. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen (1982), sold 1.2m
57. Soft Cell - Tainted Love (1981), sold 1.135m
79. New Order - Blue Monday (1983), sold 1.001m
83. Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (1982), sold 0.99m
86. Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver (1981), sold 0.985m
89. Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan - Especially For You (1988), sold 0.98m
92. Tight Fit - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (1982), sold 0.978m
94. Irene Cara - Fame (1982), sold 0.975m
95. Ray Parker Jr. - Theme From Ghostbusters (1984), sold 0.974m
96. Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (1983), sold 0.974m
97. Black Box - Ride On Time (1989), sold 0.973m
How many of those would now be voted among the 100 best of the decade is another point altogether, of course. But it's horrifying to notice that that list coincides almost exactly with the play list of a number of 40th birthday parties that I've been to in the last couple of years.
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