Up to the download age this is true, 89 million singles were sold each year in both 1978 and 1979, a figure which has now been exceeded for each of the past three years (the figure for 2009 was 153m!). However back in 1978 most sales were concentrated among records in the upper reaches of the chart, now sales are spread amongst many thousands of tracks. The result is that the big hits in 1978 sold much more than the big hits of 2009.
@arita2006 I have often wondered what dictates single sales. I remember during the 80's single sales dropped sharply. Could be the price, quality of tracks, or a lower teenage population perhaps. Or perhaps because Thatcher made us all redundant in the 80's so we couldn't afford to buy a single. I think CD singles had an affect too they were too costly.
Singles sales held up well for the first half of the 80s but declined from 1985 onwards. At the same time album sales rose dramatically. Partly singles sales are cyclical, a period of high sales followed by a low. In 1992 singles sales fell to 53m a year but then rose dramatically and were back to 87m in 1997. They then began to fall again and went into freefall from 2002, reaching a low of 30m in 2003 before downloads caused sales to rise once more.
@arita2006 By the looks of things, it seems to be whether there are any big acts for people to get excited about. 82-85, big years, had Frankie, Wham, Duran, Spandau, CultureClub etc, all with massive profiles... but they all faded by 86, and with them went their singles sales. Same with the Britpop acts in the mid-to-late 90s. The low-selling years seem to be while everyone is casting around for 'the next big thing'. 92 had nothing to offer, but Oasis were just around the corner
Totally the best ever video on utube and thankyou. If you have any other radio shows from 76-80 other than yhe ones on utube and you want to sell please call me on 07850825266 my names Davey
I heard that in 1978 more singles were sold than any other year ever?
RobDeManc 1 year ago
@RobDeManc
Up to the download age this is true, 89 million singles were sold each year in both 1978 and 1979, a figure which has now been exceeded for each of the past three years (the figure for 2009 was 153m!). However back in 1978 most sales were concentrated among records in the upper reaches of the chart, now sales are spread amongst many thousands of tracks. The result is that the big hits in 1978 sold much more than the big hits of 2009.
arita2006 1 year ago
@arita2006 I have often wondered what dictates single sales. I remember during the 80's single sales dropped sharply. Could be the price, quality of tracks, or a lower teenage population perhaps. Or perhaps because Thatcher made us all redundant in the 80's so we couldn't afford to buy a single. I think CD singles had an affect too they were too costly.
RobDeManc 1 year ago
@RobDeManc
Singles sales held up well for the first half of the 80s but declined from 1985 onwards. At the same time album sales rose dramatically. Partly singles sales are cyclical, a period of high sales followed by a low. In 1992 singles sales fell to 53m a year but then rose dramatically and were back to 87m in 1997. They then began to fall again and went into freefall from 2002, reaching a low of 30m in 2003 before downloads caused sales to rise once more.
arita2006 1 year ago
@arita2006 By the looks of things, it seems to be whether there are any big acts for people to get excited about. 82-85, big years, had Frankie, Wham, Duran, Spandau, CultureClub etc, all with massive profiles... but they all faded by 86, and with them went their singles sales. Same with the Britpop acts in the mid-to-late 90s. The low-selling years seem to be while everyone is casting around for 'the next big thing'. 92 had nothing to offer, but Oasis were just around the corner
SeventiesMania 1 year ago
i always thought the 80s were the best for pop music but listening to this... loads of classics, thanks for uploading.
prjkpen 1 year ago
Blondie Eat To The Beat 1979.
sameoldfitup2008 2 years ago
@sameoldfitup2008 I think I remember the 79 chart had Heart of Glass at number 2
RobDeManc 1 year ago
Totally the best ever video on utube and thankyou. If you have any other radio shows from 76-80 other than yhe ones on utube and you want to sell please call me on 07850825266 my names Davey
MrXj6 2 years ago
thanks for uploading, brings back memories
martineric1966 2 years ago