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Vernon brings the big tunes!

Forty years on from his hit album 'Suddenly' entering the charts., Billy Ocean will be picking his Tracks Of My Years all this week. Plus another round of Ten To The Top.

One of music's best loved performers, Billy Ocean selects his favourite music all this week on Tracks Of My Years.

Prior to the release of his seminal album, 'Suddenly', Billy had already enjoyed two big hits in 'Love Really Hurts Without You' and 'Red Light Spells Danger', but it was this 1984 album that gave him his first entry in the Album Charts. The album spawned hits such as 'Loverboy', 'Suddenly' and a cover of 'The Long and Winding Road', but it was lead single 'Caribbean Queen' which became Billy's most acclaimed work.

The track reached number six in the UK, topped the US charts and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B performance. Billy is marking the fortieth anniversary of the album's release with a limited run of the album on ocean blue vinyl.

Also, you can test your music trivia knowledge with another round of Ten To The Top, explore the past in Vernon鈥檚 Vault, and hear the Vern's first plays of the brand new Record and Album Of The Week.

Whatever you're up to, Vern wants to hear from you - email vernon@bbc.co.uk - and if you鈥檇 like to apply to take part in Ten To The Top, the address you need is tentothetop@bbc.co.uk

2 hours, 30 minutes

Music Played

  • The Knack

    My Sharona

    • Fantastic 70's (Various Artists).
    • Sony Tv/Columbia.
  • Happy Mondays

    Step On

    • Now 17, Part 1 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Coldplay

    WE PRAY (feat. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & TINI)

    • MOON MUSiC.
    • Parlophone.
  • Cher

    Believe

    • Love Songs - 39 All Time Love Classic.
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Joel Corry & MNEK

    Head & Heart

    • (CD Single).
    • Perfect Havoc.
  • The Jacksons

    Blame It On The Boogie

    • Disco Fever (Various Artists).
    • Global Television.
  • Haircut One Hundred

    The Unloving Plum

    • (CD Single).
    • H100 / Absolute Label Services.
  • Madness

    Michael Caine

    • Madness - Utter Madness.
    • Zarjazz.
  • Sister Sledge & Kathy Sledge

    Thinking Of You (Radio 2 In The Park 2024)

  • The Doobie Brothers

    What A Fool Believes

    • The All Time Greatest Movie Songs.
    • Columbia/Sony Tv.
  • Pet Shop Boys

    Feel

    • Nonetheless (Deluxe Edition).
    • Parlophone.
  • Corona

    The Rhythm Of The Night

    • Now 29 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates

    Maneater

    • Looking Back - The Best Of Hall & Oat.
    • BMG.
  • Courteeners

    Pink Cactus Cafe

    • Pink Catcus Cafe.
    • Ignition Records.
  • Roger Sanchez

    Another Chance

    • Now 49 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • David Gilmour

    Dark And Velvet Nights

    • Luck And Strange.
    • Legacy Recordings.
  • Rag鈥檔鈥橞one Man

    Rush Of Blood

    • What Do You Believe In?.
    • Columbia.
  • Jennifer Lopez

    Ain't It Funny

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic/Sony.
  • Whitney Houston

    Saving All My Love For You

    • Whitney Houston.
    • Arista.
  • David Bowie

    Let's Dance

    • David Bowie - Best Of Bowie.
    • EMI.
  • Years & Years

    Shine

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.

Broadcast

  • Thu 12 Sep 2024 09:30

Ten To The Top

Ten To The Top

Get all the details of how to enter and listen to Vernon's daily music quiz.