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Paul Gambaccini blends this week's US hits from the digital songs, albums, country, R&B and rock charts with LP and singles classics from the last six decades.

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades.

In the feature 'Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days]' we hear 'We Shall Be Free' by Garth Brooks from 'The Chase'. It was number one on 3rd November 1992 - the day on which Bill Clinton was elected President. We also hear 'Ramblin' Man' by The Allman Brothers Band from 'Brothers And Sisters'. It was number one on 20th September 1973 when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a 'Battle Of The Sexes' tennis match. In the regular feature 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', songs are played from albums by The Statler Brothers and Jackson Browne. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'My Home Town' by Paul Anka and a different song with the same title by Bruce Springsteen.

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birth on this date in 1949 of bassist and singer Dusty Hill of ZZ Top by playing their hit 'La Grange'. We also hear '(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)' by The Beastie Boys. It is played in tribute to Adam Yauch (aka MCA) of the group, who recently died. Beginning this week, Paul counts down the Top 100 list of songwriters based on success in the American chart from 1955 - 2005. We hear songs from John D. Loudermilk (Number 100) and Freddie Perren (99).

Our R&B Number Ones are from 1955 - 'Unchained Melody' by Roy Hamilton, and this week - 'Share My Love' by R. Kelly. We hear Country number ones from 1972 and now by Merle Haggard and Eric Church. This week's featured past and present Rock hits are by Fastball and The Black Keys. Carrie Underwood's album 'Blown Away' enters at the top of the chart. On the singles side, 'Somebody That I Used To Know' by Gotye featuring Kimbra is the best selling song of the week.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 May 2012 20:00

Music Played

  • The Beach Boys

    California Girls

    This day in 1848, the Mexican-American War ended with Mexico receiving 15 million dollars for giving the US: parts of four states and Nevada, Utah and California.

  • Norah Jones

    Say Goodbye

    New Entry at Number Two in the Album Chart: Little Broken Hearts

  • B.o.B

    BOTH OF US (featuring Taylor Swift)

    New Entry in the Top Five of the Album Chart: Strange Clouds & Top Ten single

  • Garth Brooks

    We Shall Be Free

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] The Chase - Garth Brooks (3rd November 1992) On this day: Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States.

  • George Harrison

    Let It Be Me

    New Entry in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Early Takes Volume 1

  • ZZ Top

    La Grange

    Born 1949: Dusty Hill - singer/bassist of ZZ Top

  • Beastie Boys

    (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)

    Adam Yauch (鈥淢CA鈥) - born 5th August 1964; died 4th May 2012

  • Hunter Hayes

    Wanted

    Climber

  • Roy Hamilton

    Unchained Melody

    R&B Number One this date in 1955

  • R. Kelly

    Share My Love

    Adult R&B Number One: second week

  • Rufus Wainwright

    Sometimes You Need

    New Entry in the Top Forty of the Album Chart: Out Of The Game

  • Paul Anka

    My Home Town

    It鈥檚 Not The Same Old Song: Number Eight in 1960

  • Bruce Springsteen

    My Hometown

    It鈥檚 Not The Same Old Song: reached Number Six in 1986

  • Marilyn Manson

    YOU'RE SO VAIN (featuring Johnny Depp)

    New Entry in the Top Ten of the Album Chart: Born Villain

  • The Statler Brothers

    Flowers On The Wall

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Flowers On The Wall - The Statler Brothers (26th February 1966)

  • One Direction

    What Makes You Beautiful

    Top Ten Single and Album: Up All Night

  • The Casinos

    Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

    I Write The Songs: 100: John D. Loudermilk

  • Peaches & Herb

    Reunited

    I Write The Songs: 99: Freddie Perren

  • Soundgarden

    Live To Rise

    New Entry in the Top Twenty of the Album Chart: Avengers Assemble

  • The Allman Brothers Band

    Ramblin' Man

    Headline News [Number one albums on noteworthy days] Brothers And Sisters - The Allman Brothers Band (20th September 1973) On this day: Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a 鈥楤attle Of The Sexes鈥 tennis match.

  • Merle Haggard

    Grandma Harp

    Country Number One this date in 1972

  • Eric Church

    Springsteen

    Current Country Sales Number One - second week

  • Fastball

    The Way

    Rock Number One this date in 1998

  • The Black Keys

    Gold On The Ceiling

    Current Rock Number Two

  • Jackson Browne

    Jamaica Say You Will

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Jackson Browne - Jackson Browne (18th March 1972)

  • Carrie Underwood

    Blown Away

    Current Number One in the Album Chart: NEW: Blown Away

  • Kim Carnes

    Bette Davis Eyes

    Number One this date in 1981

  • Adele

    Rolling In The Deep

    Number One this date in 2011

  • Gotye

    Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

    Current Number One: third week

Broadcast

  • Sat 19 May 2012 20:00