Which Decade: The years we missed.

For the sake of completeness, and as these were never voted on at the time, let’s take a quick peek at the Top Threes from the first three years of each decade.

First up, here are the top threes from 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000. I’m going to highlight my favourites in green.

Number Threes:
Freddie Cannon – Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
Canned Heat – Let’s Work Together
The Whispers – And The Beat Goes On
Beats International featuring Lindy Layton – Dub Be Good To Me
Oasis – Go Let It Out

Number Twos:
Cliff Richard & The Shadows – Voice In The Wilderness
The Specials – Too Much Too Young
Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K – Get Up (Before The Night Is Over)
Peter Paul & Mary – Leavin’ On A Jet Plane
Sash! – Adelante

Number Ones:
Anthony Newley – Why
Edison Lighthouse – Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows)
Kenny Rogers – Coward Of The County
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U
Gabrielle – Rise

So that’s 2 points to the 1980s, and 1 point to the 1990s.
Let’s move on to 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001.

Number Threes:
Johnny Burnette – You’re Sixteen
Ashton, Gardner & Dyke – Resurrection Shuffle
Ultravox – Vienna
Nomad featuring MC Mikee Freedom – (I Wanna Give You) Devotion
Limp Bizkit – Rollin’

Number Twos:
Petula Clark – Sailor
The Mixtures – Pushbike Song
John Lennon – Woman
The KLF featuring The Children Of The Revolution – 3AM Eternal
Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag

Number Ones:
Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight?
George Harrison – My Sweet Lord
Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddup You Face
The Simpsons – Do The Bartman
Atomic Kitten – Whole Again

The 1980s now have 3 points, the 1990s have 2 points, and the 1970s have one point.
Finally, let’s see what 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2002 have to offer.

Number Threes:
Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker
Son Of My Father – Chicory Tip
A Town Called Malice – The Jam
I Love Your Smile – Shanice
Hero – Enrique Iglesias

Number Twos:
The Young Ones – Cliff Richard
American Pie – Don McLean
Mickey – Toni Basil
My Girl – Temptations disqualified as a reissue, and replaced by Goodbye Girl – Wet Wet Wet
Whenever Wherever – Shakira

Number Ones:
Can’t Help Falling In Love / Rock-A-Hula-Baby – Elvis Presley
Without You – Nilsson
The Lion Sleeps Tonight – Tight Fit
Stay – Shakespears Sister
Evergreen / Anything Is Possible – Will Young

This gives us final scores – and remember folks, these are just for fun! – as follows:

1980s – 4 points
1970s and 1990s – 2 points
2000s – 1 point
1960s – 0 points

As might have been suspected, the early 1980s convincingly take the prize. And HA! Take that, 1960s! You weren’t ALWAYS wonderful!

That’s the interlude act over with, then. Next up, later today: THE FINAL RESULTS.

Can you contain your excitement? No, but can you though?