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 1989, as well as singles which peaked in 1988 but were in the top 10 in 1989. 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).
The first number-one single of the year was "Especially for You" by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. Overall, eighteen different singles peaked at number-one in 1989, with Jason Donovan (4, including his Band Aid II participation) having the most singles hit that position.
Background
Multiple entries
One-hundred and forty-five singles charted in the top 10 in 1989, with one-hundred and forty-one singles reaching their peak this year.
Forty-seven artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1989. Australian singer Jason Donovan secured the record for the most top 10 hits in 1989 with six hit singles. "Too Many Broken Hearts" reached number-one, where it remained for two weeks, and a further five weeks in the top ten. Similarly "Sealed with a Kiss" had two weeks at the summit, and four weeks in the top ten in total. Donovan had a third number one single, his collaboration with Neighbours co-star Kylie Minogue, "Especially for You" taking the honours for three weeks, and staying in the top ten for 10 weeks. Other entries included "Every Day (I Love You More)" and "When You Come Back to Me" (both number 2). Donovan was also a participant on the Band Aid II charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas", which was also a chart-topper in December 1989.
Alongside her guest spot on the band aid single and duet with Donovan, Kylie Minogue had three further high charting entries in her own right. "Hand on Your Heart" was a number-one hit, "Wouldn't Change a Thing" just missed out but reached number two, and "Never Too Late" was another top five single, peaking at number 4. British trio Bros had four top tens to their name in 1989, not including vocal and instrumental credit for band members Luke and Matt Goss with Band Aid II. Christmas double single "Cat Among the Pigeons"/"Silent Night" carried over to January and "Too Much" (number 2), "Chocolate Box" (9) and "Sister" (10) were all top ten hits.
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.
Holly Johnson scored a succession of hit singles in the line-up of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and was also part of the original Band Aid single in 1984. However, 1989's "Love Train" from his debut solo album, Blast, became his first solo top 10. Robert Howard from The Blow Monkeys duetted with solo artist Kym Mazelle on "Wait!", reaching number 8 and becoming his first single to reach the top 10 without his band.
Bette Midler first entered the chart as a participant on 1985's "We Are the World" in the supergroup USA for Africa. However signature song "Wind Beneath My Wings" was her first official entry on her own. Members of Black Box also charted under several other aliases in 1989, including Starlight and Mixmaster who are both credited as separate acts.
For the second time, a set of music stars formed the supergroup Band Aid II and released the single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to continue support for ongoing famine in Ethiopia. The song featured artists including Kylie Minogue, Sonia, Luke and Matt Goss and Cliff Richard. It was the Christmas number-one single for 1989, topping the chart for three weeks from 23 December 1989 (week ending).
The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1989, including singles that reached their peak in 1988. The figures include both main artists and featured artists, while appearances on ensemble charity records are also counted for each artist.
a Caron Wheeler was credited as a featured artist on the Soul II Soul songs "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)" and "Keep on Movin'", and a main artist on "Get a Life".
b Mixmaster and Starlight were two aliases used by members of Black Box but are counted as separate acts.