The UK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by the Official Charts Company that calculates the best-selling singles of the week in the United Kingdom.[1] Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles.[2][3] This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1987, as well as singles which peaked in 1986 and 1988 but were in the top 10 in 1987. The entry date is when the single appeared in the top 10 for the first time (week ending, as published by the Official Charts Company, which is six days after the chart is announced).
One-hundred and fifty-three singles charted in the top 10 in 1987, with one-hundred and forty-three singles reaching their peak this year. Two songs were recorded by several artists with each version reaching the top 10:
The following table (collapsed on desktop site) does not include acts who had previously charted as part of a group and secured their first top 10 solo single.
A number of songs recorded for charity reached the top 10 in the charts in 1987. A group of popular artists united to raise money towards victims of the Zeebrugge Disaster. They released a version of "Let It Be" – originally by The Beatles – under the name Ferry Aid, reaching number-one for 3 weeks from 4 April 1987.
The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1987, including singles that reached their peak in 1986. The figures include both main artists and featured artists, while appearances on ensemble charity records are also counted for each artist.
a "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" reached its peak of number-one on 16 January 1988 (week ending).
b "Reet Petite" reached number-one in 1986 after being reissued, 29 years after its initial release and two years after Jackie Wilson's death. It originally peaked at number 6 in 1957. This was the longest gap between a song's release and it rising to the top of the charts until Tony Christie's "Is This the Way to Amarillo?" in 2005.
c "Stand by Me" originally peaked outside the top 10 at number 27 upon its initial release in 1961. It was re-released in 1987 after being used in a television advertising campaign for Levi's jeans.
d "When a Man Loves a Woman" originally peaked at number 4 upon its initial release in 1966. It was re-released in 1987 after being used in a television advertising campaign for Levi's jeans.
e "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" originally peaked at number 9 on its initial release in 1972.
f "Let It Be" was recorded to support relief efforts following the Zeebrugge Disaster.
g Ferry Aid was a collective who recorded a cover version of The Beatles song "Let It Be" to benefit survivors and victims families affected by the Zeebrugge Disaster.
h "Let It Be" had vocal contributions from more than 70 artists, but only those on lead vocals have this as a separate credit in the "Entries by artist" table. This includes Boy George, Keren Woodward (of Bananarama), Paul McCartney, Pepsi & Shirley and Taffy.
k "My Baby Just Cares for Me" was used in a television advert for Chanel No. 5 in 1987. It was re-released as a single to capitalise on its popularity, having originally peaked at number 82 two years earlier, becoming Nina Simone's first top 10 hit in 18 years.
l "Always on My Mind" was released after Pet Shop Boys covered the song on Love Me Tender, a programme marking ten years since the death of Elvis Presley.
n Comedian Mel Smith and singer Kim Wilde parodied their namesakes, the duo Mel and Kim, for the Comic Relief cover of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". The song was recorded under the identical name, Mel & Kim.
o "When I Fall in Love" (Nat King Cole version) originally peaked at number 2 on its initial release in 1957.