TIL that TMBGITW was Prince's only number-one single in the UK Singles Chart. No love for Prince in the UK?

Yeah, a lot of number 2s as well. Prince was not really big there until 1986, when he toured. In 1981 when he played the Lyceum he was barely known and he famously snubbed the UK in 1983 with his cancelled show at the Hammersmith Odeon and then again in his Feb 1985 award ceremony, where his bodyguards pushed everyone aside and he said "Show me some respect", possibly as he had the #2 hit while two middle aged fruit flies controlled the #1 spot

.

Still he had plenty of Top 10s before then.

.

Prince first hit the English chart in January 1980 with I wanna be your lover which peaked at #41 after a 3 week stay. 1999 peaked at #25 in February 1983 and When Doves Cry peaked at #4 in August 1984. A double aside of 1999/ Little Red Corvette was #2 in Feb/Mar 1985, kept out of the top spot by "I know him so well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson and "You spin me around" by Dead or Alive. Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

.

Other Top 10s include

1984

When Doves Cry #4

Purple Rain #8

1985

1999/Little Red Corvette #2

Lets go crazy #7

1986

Kiss #6 (Although girls and boys got to #11)

1987

Sign o the Times #10

1988

Alphabet Street #9

1989

Batdance #2 (Kept out of the top by Jive Bunny and Blackbox!)

1990

Thieves in the Temple # 7

1991

Gett Off #8

1992

Sexy MF/ Strollin #4

My name is Prince #7 (All 3 of these rose and dropped fast though)

1993

Controversy/Peach #5 (Maxi single released to tie in with the Hits/Bsides)

1994

TMBGITW #1 2 WEEKS - 23 and 30 April

1995

Gold #10

1999

1999 song reissue by WB #10

.

Data from my British chart book that goes to 2002 only. - Guiness British hit singles 16th edition 2003. In all he had 47 hit singles to that date and was the 33rd most successful artist of all time there. Number 1 was Elvis, #2 was Cliff Richard a name most Americans have barely heard off, but he is a king here in the UK/British Commonwealth - #3 is his group the Shadows, and the top 10 are 4. Elton John, 5. Madonna, 6. Diana Ross, 7. Michael Jackson, 8. Rod Stewart, 9. Beatles, 10. David Bowie - But remember this was 13 years ago and things may have changed since then.

[Edited 5/8/16 21:08pm]

Yes it's sad am in the UK, but i always bought his singles i tryed my best. And believe me Prince was/is very muched loved in the UK.

[Edited 5/9/16 5:48am]

I have a somwhat weird question, tangentially connected to this discussion. It's at least UK related. Does anybody recall Prince going on one of the talk shows at some point and saying he wanted to be as famous as Mr. Blobby? I may be way off here... anybody?

Prince UK chart info here.

cbosdad said:

I have a somwhat weird question, tangentially connected to this discussion. It's at least UK related. Does anybody recall Prince going on one of the talk shows at some point and saying he wanted to be as famous as Mr. Blobby? I may be way off here... anybody?

I do not remember that one!

Adorecream said:

Yeah, a lot of number 2s as well. Prince was not really big there until 1986, when he toured. In 1981 when he played the Lyceum he was barely known and he famously snubbed the UK in 1983 with his cancelled show at the Hammersmith Odeon and then again in his Feb 1985 award ceremony, where his bodyguards pushed everyone aside and he said "Show me some respect", possibly as he had the #2 hit while two middle aged fruit flies controlled the #1 spot

.

Still he had plenty of Top 10s before then.

.

Prince first hit the English chart in January 1980 with I wanna be your lover which peaked at #41 after a 3 week stay. 1999 peaked at #25 in February 1983 and When Doves Cry peaked at #4 in August 1984. A double aside of 1999/ Little Red Corvette was #2 in Feb/Mar 1985, kept out of the top spot by "I know him so well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson and "You spin me around" by Dead or Alive. Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

.

Other Top 10s include

1984

When Doves Cry #4

Purple Rain #8

1985

1999/Little Red Corvette #2

Lets go crazy #7

1986

Kiss #6 (Although girls and boys got to #11)

1987

Sign o the Times #10

1988

Alphabet Street #9

1989

Batdance #2 (Kept out of the top by Jive Bunny and Blackbox!)

1990

Thieves in the Temple # 7

1991

Gett Off #8

1992

Sexy MF/ Strollin #4

My name is Prince #7 (All 3 of these rose and dropped fast though)

1993

Controversy/Peach #5 (Maxi single released to tie in with the Hits/Bsides)

1994

TMBGITW #1 2 WEEKS - 23 and 30 April

1995

Gold #10

1999

1999 song reissue by WB #10

.

Data from my British chart book that goes to 2002 only. - Guiness British hit singles 16th edition 2003. In all he had 47 hit singles to that date and was the 33rd most successful artist of all time there. Number 1 was Elvis, #2 was Cliff Richard a name most Americans have barely heard off, but he is a king here in the UK/British Commonwealth - #3 is his group the Shadows, and the top 10 are 4. Elton John, 5. Madonna, 6. Diana Ross, 7. Michael Jackson, 8. Rod Stewart, 9. Beatles, 10. David Bowie - But remember this was 13 years ago and things may have changed since then.

[Edited 5/8/16 21:08pm]

He did have two UK number 1s with songs that he wrote:

Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You" and Sinead O'Connor "Nothing Compares 2 U"

I live in the UK and never understood why he didn't have more number one hits here....

Adorecream said:

Yeah, a lot of number 2s as well. Prince was not really big there until 1986, when he toured. In 1981 when he played the Lyceum he was barely known and he famously snubbed the UK in 1983 with his cancelled show at the Hammersmith Odeon and then again in his Feb 1985 award ceremony, where his bodyguards pushed everyone aside and he said "Show me some respect", possibly as he had the #2 hit while two middle aged fruit flies controlled the #1 spot

.

Still he had plenty of Top 10s before then.

.

Prince first hit the English chart in January 1980 with I wanna be your lover which peaked at #41 after a 3 week stay. 1999 peaked at #25 in February 1983 and When Doves Cry peaked at #4 in August 1984. A double aside of 1999/ Little Red Corvette was #2 in Feb/Mar 1985, kept out of the top spot by "I know him so well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson and "You spin me around" by Dead or Alive. Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

.

Other Top 10s include

1984

When Doves Cry #4

Purple Rain #8

1985

1999/Little Red Corvette #2

Lets go crazy #7

1986

Kiss #6 (Although girls and boys got to #11)

1987

Sign o the Times #10

1988

Alphabet Street #9

1989

Batdance #2 (Kept out of the top by Jive Bunny and Blackbox!)

1990

Thieves in the Temple # 7

1991

Gett Off #8

1992

Sexy MF/ Strollin #4

My name is Prince #7 (All 3 of these rose and dropped fast though)

1993

Controversy/Peach #5 (Maxi single released to tie in with the Hits/Bsides)

1994

TMBGITW #1 2 WEEKS - 23 and 30 April

1995

Gold #10

1999

1999 song reissue by WB #10

.

Data from my British chart book that goes to 2002 only. - Guiness British hit singles 16th edition 2003. In all he had 47 hit singles to that date and was the 33rd most successful artist of all time there. Number 1 was Elvis, #2 was Cliff Richard a name most Americans have barely heard off, but he is a king here in the UK/British Commonwealth - #3 is his group the Shadows, and the top 10 are 4. Elton John, 5. Madonna, 6. Diana Ross, 7. Michael Jackson, 8. Rod Stewart, 9. Beatles, 10. David Bowie - But remember this was 13 years ago and things may have changed since then.

[Edited 5/8/16 21:08pm]

No mention of 7 and Cream? Surely they were also top 10?

Rebeljuice said:

Adorecream said:

Yeah, a lot of number 2s as well. Prince was not really big there until 1986, when he toured. In 1981 when he played the Lyceum he was barely known and he famously snubbed the UK in 1983 with his cancelled show at the Hammersmith Odeon and then again in his Feb 1985 award ceremony, where his bodyguards pushed everyone aside and he said "Show me some respect", possibly as he had the #2 hit while two middle aged fruit flies controlled the #1 spot

.

Still he had plenty of Top 10s before then.

.

Prince first hit the English chart in January 1980 with I wanna be your lover which peaked at #41 after a 3 week stay. 1999 peaked at #25 in February 1983 and When Doves Cry peaked at #4 in August 1984. A double aside of 1999/ Little Red Corvette was #2 in Feb/Mar 1985, kept out of the top spot by "I know him so well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson and "You spin me around" by Dead or Alive. Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

.

Other Top 10s include

1984

When Doves Cry #4

Purple Rain #8

1985

1999/Little Red Corvette #2

Lets go crazy #7

1986

Kiss #6 (Although girls and boys got to #11)

1987

Sign o the Times #10

1988

Alphabet Street #9

1989

Batdance #2 (Kept out of the top by Jive Bunny and Blackbox!)

1990

Thieves in the Temple # 7

1991

Gett Off #8

1992

Sexy MF/ Strollin #4

My name is Prince #7 (All 3 of these rose and dropped fast though)

1993

Controversy/Peach #5 (Maxi single released to tie in with the Hits/Bsides)

1994

TMBGITW #1 2 WEEKS - 23 and 30 April

1995

Gold #10

1999

1999 song reissue by WB #10

.

Data from my British chart book that goes to 2002 only. - Guiness British hit singles 16th edition 2003. In all he had 47 hit singles to that date and was the 33rd most successful artist of all time there. Number 1 was Elvis, #2 was Cliff Richard a name most Americans have barely heard off, but he is a king here in the UK/British Commonwealth - #3 is his group the Shadows, and the top 10 are 4. Elton John, 5. Madonna, 6. Diana Ross, 7. Michael Jackson, 8. Rod Stewart, 9. Beatles, 10. David Bowie - But remember this was 13 years ago and things may have changed since then.

[Edited 5/8/16 21:08pm]

No mention of 7 and Cream? Surely they were also top 10?

Cream reached 15. 7 reached 27.

Adorecream said:

Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

...chart analysis with a good old fashioned dose of homophobia! Well done you - that was a combination I wasn't expecting to come across today.

still the Lovesexy album was a number 1 in the UK.. this made me happy..

Because Lovesexy is a fine masterpiece imo....

thedance said:

still the Lovesexy album was a number 1 in the UK.. this made me happy..

Because Lovesexy is a fine masterpiece imo....

It sure is. 5 UK number 1 albums in total.

hw3004 said:

Adorecream said:

Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

...chart analysis with a good old fashioned dose of homophobia! Well done you - that was a combination I wasn't expecting to come across today.

Um HELLO! I am gay - its called pathos - unintended sarcasm. I also love the fact the British are not homophobia like Americans who routinely keep gay acts low on the charts. Oh I forgot gays are not allowed humour.

.

If anything I am saluting the fact that they keep churchy homophobes like Prince out of the top with gay party music. Hw3004 before you start name calling and taking cheap pot shots, look into a person and see what they are about. Why do you think I hate the Rainbow children so much and are always taking potshots at religion and cults like JW. I know him so well, made me cry as its so fabulous to shut up and think before you open your mouth.

.

My actual only thing I hated about Prince was his homophobia and he was very homophobic, a man who could have served as a role model to the LGBT community with his flamboyance, the sexual openess of his early days and having two Lesbians in his group, instead chose to hide behind African American hate based Christian fundamentalism and say things like Gays are unnatural and sinners and also do a sneer with the lines "Are you gay or popping pills", well we know you popped pills Prince. I know he's dead, but now the Gayiques can come out and assess him as a homophobe along with a serious musician.

.

So go back to your American church and get a life. I am MILITANTLY GAY and ANTI DOGMATIC BULLSHIT HATE CULTS masquerading as religions. So SHUT UP!

.

To me American fundamentalist christianity, homophobic and racist american ultra protestant churches are as dangerous as Islamic terrorism.

[Edited 5/9/16 16:20pm]

This thread got unpleasant.

Marrk said:

This thread got unpleasant.

Well the nukka did upself the gay mafia, what do you expect

Adorecream said:

Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

Same thing in the states, as the Purple Rain song was locked out of the #1 spot by a gay song performed by a gay singer.

But let's think about this for a minute ...

The song Purple Rain never made it to the very top of the US charts, because of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

Americans will never be able to live that down.

Pokeno4Money said:

Adorecream said:

Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

Same thing in the states, as the Purple Rain song was locked out of the #1 spot by a gay song performed by a gay singer.

But let's think about this for a minute ...

The song Purple Rain never made it to the very top of the US charts, because of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

Americans will never be able to live that down.

Was it? I can't remember back that far...

Pokeno4Money said:

Adorecream said:

Yes the good old UK - gay and gay themed songs keeping Prince locked out of the top.

Same thing in the states, as the Purple Rain song was locked out of the #1 spot by a gay song performed by a gay singer.

But let's think about this for a minute ...

The song Purple Rain never made it to the very top of the US charts, because of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

Americans will never be able to live that down.

Well if it helps, he was not out, even Boy George danced around the issue at the time. Americans liked these songs by gay artistes when they thought they were straight. Honestly most Americans thought he was straight then and probably looking for him as a partner!

.

Take Elton John, he broke through in the states first in mid 1970, and was pretty much Top 10s and number 1s during the 1971 - 76 period. Then in October 1976 he announced he was Bisexual and he had no more Top 10 hits until 1980's Little Jeannie and a few others. Yes he had hits after 1976, but a nowhere near on the level he had before 1976. Also his career sank further after 1992 when he declared full homosexuality, only Candle in the Wind 1997 was a big hit.

.

Then look at the Scissor sisters, american group with 3 gays, a drag queen and a straight guy, Top 10s in the UK, did not bother the charts in their homelands. And then there was music popular with gays like Abba and Boney M, huge in the UK and Europe, unknown in the USA.

Adorecream said:

Take Elton John, he broke through in the states first in mid 1970, and was pretty much Top 10s and number 1s during the 1971 - 76 period. Then in October 1976 he announced he was Bisexual and he had no more Top 10 hits until 1980's Little Jeannie and a few others.

How have you determined that there's a direct causal relationship there? Maybe the music was just shit?

Lianachan said:

Adorecream said:

Take Elton John, he broke through in the states first in mid 1970, and was pretty much Top 10s and number 1s during the 1971 - 76 period. Then in October 1976 he announced he was Bisexual and he had no more Top 10 hits until 1980's Little Jeannie and a few others.

How have you determined that there's a direct causal relationship there? Maybe the music was just shit?

Maybe, maybe not. Did Prince only have 1 UK number one because his music was shit?

TheEnglishGent said:

Lianachan said:

How have you determined that there's a direct causal relationship there? Maybe the music was just shit?

Maybe, maybe not. Did Prince only have 1 UK number one because his music was shit?

I'm not saying it's because the music is shit. I'm just saying that it also can't be said that records did not enjoy chart success because of the sexuality of the artist.

Brit pricks and their love affair with electronic dance snooze shit. Not counting Everybody But The Girl, who rock.

Adorecream said:

hw3004 said:

...chart analysis with a good old fashioned dose of homophobia! Well done you - that was a combination I wasn't expecting to come across today.

Um HELLO! I am gay - its called pathos - unintended sarcasm. I also love the fact the British are not homophobia like Americans who routinely keep gay acts low on the charts. Oh I forgot gays are not allowed humour.

.

If anything I am saluting the fact that they keep churchy homophobes like Prince out of the top with gay party music. Hw3004 before you start name calling and taking cheap pot shots, look into a person and see what they are about. Why do you think I hate the Rainbow children so much and are always taking potshots at religion and cults like JW. I know him so well, made me cry as its so fabulous to shut up and think before you open your mouth.

.

My actual only thing I hated about Prince was his homophobia and he was very homophobic, a man who could have served as a role model to the LGBT community with his flamboyance, the sexual openess of his early days and having two Lesbians in his group, instead chose to hide behind African American hate based Christian fundamentalism and say things like Gays are unnatural and sinners and also do a sneer with the lines "Are you gay or popping pills", well we know you popped pills Prince. I know he's dead, but now the Gayiques can come out and assess him as a homophobe along with a serious musician.

.

So go back to your American church and get a life. I am MILITANTLY GAY and ANTI DOGMATIC BULLSHIT HATE CULTS masquerading as religions. So SHUT UP!

.

To me American fundamentalist christianity, homophobic and racist american ultra protestant churches are as dangerous as Islamic terrorism.

[Edited 5/9/16 16:20pm]

So...we seem to have got off on the wrong foot then! The joy of anonymous posting on the internet...

Genuine apologies for upsetting you.

However, I'll stand by what I said to an extent - I still think your initial comment is open to mis-interpretation as homophobic, although your subsequent post has made it clear that's wasn't your intention. However, I'm not sure that I want to research every other post someone has made on here to clarify their intentions! I'd rather jump in feet first and take the pot shot.

I'm also not quite sure why I'd be criticising you for my perceptiont that what you said was homophobic if I was a "homophobic and racist american ultra protestant", but hey-ho.

Also, not really sure I'd agree with your definition of pathos as unintended sarcasm, but now I'm just being pedantic.

2freaky4church1 said:

Brit pricks and their love affair with electronic dance snooze shit. Not counting Everybody But The Girl, who rock.

...and Prince presumably - who was EDM before EDM existed.

Adorecream said:

And then there was music popular with gays like Abba and Boney M, huge in the UK and Europe, unknown in the USA.

WHAT.

Okay I'll admit I'm Canadian, but America's right next door and over here these two acts were HUGE.

toshi said:

eyewishuheaven said:

Adorecream said:

And then there was music popular with gays like Abba and Boney M, huge in the UK and Europe, unknown in the USA.

WHAT.

Okay I'll admit I'm Canadian, but America's right next door and over here these two acts were HUGE.

Ummm ... sorry, no. Abba was indeed popular, but I have never in my life heard of "Boney M" until just now. And I was very much involved in the music scene back then.

A quick Google search confirms what I stated, they never had a song reach higher than 30 in the states.

Pokeno4Money said:

eyewishuheaven said:

WHAT.

Okay I'll admit I'm Canadian, but America's right next door and over here these two acts were HUGE.

Ummm ... sorry, no. Abba was indeed popular, but I have never in my life heard of "Boney M" until just now. And I was very much involved in the music scene back then.

A quick Google search confirms what I stated, they never had a song reach higher than 30 in the states.

Really?!?

Wow... you couldn't escape it up here. "Rah, rah, Rasputin!"

Adorecream said:

Pokeno4Money said:

Same thing in the states, as the Purple Rain song was locked out of the #1 spot by a gay song performed by a gay singer.

But let's think about this for a minute ...

The song Purple Rain never made it to the very top of the US charts, because of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".

Americans will never be able to live that down.

Well if it helps, he was not out, even Boy George danced around the issue at the time. Americans liked these songs by gay artistes when they thought they were straight. Honestly most Americans thought he was straight then and probably looking for him as a partner!

.

Take Elton John, he broke through in the states first in mid 1970, and was pretty much Top 10s and number 1s during the 1971 - 76 period. Then in October 1976 he announced he was Bisexual and he had no more Top 10 hits until 1980's Little Jeannie and a few others. Yes he had hits after 1976, but a nowhere near on the level he had before 1976. Also his career sank further after 1992 when he declared full homosexuality, only Candle in the Wind 1997 was a big hit.

.

Then look at the Scissor sisters, american group with 3 gays, a drag queen and a straight guy, Top 10s in the UK, did not bother the charts in their homelands. And then there was music popular with gays like Abba and Boney M, huge in the UK and Europe, unknown in the USA.

Come on now, give Americans SOME credit ... they knew about George Michael, Boy George, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and the Village People to name a few ... didn't matter a damn bit though, if they like the music they'll push it up the charts. Hell, the New York Yankees turned YMCA into a sing-along and dance-along feature of every home game, which still goes on to this very day.