List of UK top-ten singles in 1979

{{short description|None}}

{{1970s in music (UK)}}

File:ArtGarfunkelPall230717-17 (cropped).jpg (pictured in 2017) had the best-selling single of 1979 with "Bright Eyes", which spent six weeks at number one.]]

File:Blondie1977.jpg secured three top 10 singles this year, including two number ones: "Heart of Glass" and "Sunday Girl".]]

File:Cliff Richard Allan Warren.jpg achieved his tenth UK number-one single in August 1979 with "We Don't Talk Anymore", which became the third best selling single of the year.]]

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/ |title=The Official UK Charts Company |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=1 January 2012}} Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles.{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles and Albums (18th edition)|first=David|last=Roberts|year=2005|isbn=1-904994-00-8|pages=14|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited}}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3196892.stm |title=New singles formats to save the charts

|work=BBC News|date=16 October 2003 |access-date=21 February 2010}} This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1979, as well as singles which peaked in 1978 and 1980 but were in the top 10 in 1979. 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 forty-one singles were in the top ten in 1979. Nine singles from 1978 remained in the top 10 for several weeks at the beginning of the year, while "Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" by Fiddler's Dram, "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney and "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders were all released in 1979 but did not reach their peak until 1980. "Song for Guy" by Elton John, "Lay Your Love on Me" by Racey and "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People were the singles from 1978 to reach their peak in 1979. Thirty-two artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1979. Dire Straits, The Jam, Madness, The Police and The Specials were among the many artists who achieved their first UK charting top 10 single in 1979.

The 1978 Christmas number one, "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord" by Boney M., remained at number one for the first two weeks of 1979. The first new number-one single of the year was "YMCA" by The Village People. Overall, eighteen different singles peaked at number one in 1979, with Blondie, Gary Numan and The Police (2) having the joint most singles hit that position.

Background

=Multiple entries=

One-hundred and forty-one singles charted in the top 10 in 1979, with one-hundred and thirty-one singles reaching their peak this year.

Thirty-two artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1979. ABBA secured the record for most top 10 hits in 1979 with five hit singles.

Gary Numan was one of a number of artists with two top-ten entries, including the number-one single "Cars". Barbra Streisand, Edwin Starr, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Paul McCartney and The Specials were among the other artists who had multiple top 10 entries in 1979.

=Chart debuts=

Fifty-three artists achieved their first top 10 single in 1979, either as a lead or featured artist. Of these, eight went on to record another hit single that year: Amii Stewart, B. A. Robertson, Gary Numan, Gibson Brothers, Sister Sledge, The Specials, Squeeze and Supertramp. Earth, Wind and Fire and The Police both had two other entries in their breakthrough year.

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.

class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col" style="width:55px;"| Artist

! scope="col" style="width:55px;" data-sort-type="number"| Number of top 10s

! scope="col" style="text-align:center;"| First entry

! scope="col" style="width:55px;" data-sort-type="number"| Chart position

! scope="col" style="text-align:center;"| Other entries

Earth, Wind and Fire

|3

|"September"

|3

|"Boogie Wonderland" (4), "After the Love Has Gone" (4)

Paul Evans

|1

|"Hello, This Is Joannie"

|6

|—

Funkadelic

|1

|"One Nation Under a Groove"

|9

|—

Driver 67

|1

|"Car 67"

|7

|—

Leif Garrett

|1

|"I Was Made for Dancin'"

|4

|—

Dr. Feelgood

|1

|"Milk and Alcohol"

|9

|—

Elvis Costello

|rowspan="2"|1

|rowspan="2"|"Oliver's Army"

|rowspan="2"|2

|rowspan="2"|—

{{sortname|The|Attractions}}
Lene Lovich

|1

|"Lucky Number"

|3

|—

Gary's Gang

|1

|"Keep On Dancin'"

|8

|—

Skids

|1

|"Into the Valley"

|10

|—

Players Association

|1

|"Turn the Music Up"

|8

|—

Squeeze

|2

|"Cool for Cats"

|2

|"Up the Junction" (2)

Dire Straits

|1

|"Sultans of Swing"

|8

|—

Tenpole Tudor

|1

|"Who Killed Bambi" (Part of double A-side with "Silly Thing" recorded by Sex Pistols)

|6

|—

Sister Sledge

|2

|"He's the Greatest Dancer"

|6

|"We Are Family" (8)

Milk and Honey

|1

|"Hallelujah"

|5

|—

M

|1

|"Pop Muzik"

|2

|—

Supertramp

|2

|"The Logical Song"

|7

|"Breakfast in America" (9)

Amii Stewart

|2

|"Knock on Wood"

|6

|"Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven" (5)

Peaches & Herb

|1

|"Reunited"

|4

|—

{{sortname|The|Dickies}}

|1

|"Banana Splits"

|7

|—

Eruption

|1

|"One Way Ticket"

|9

|—

Anita Ward

|1

|"Ring My Bell"

|1

|—

McFadden & Whitehead

|1

|"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"

|5

|—

Tubeway Army

|1

|"Are "Friends" Electric?"

|1

|—

Quantum Jump

|1

|"The Lone Ranger"

|5

|—

{{sortname|The|Ruts}}

|1

|"Babylon's Burning"

|7

|—

{{sortname|The|Knack}}

|1

|"My Sharona"

|6

|—

{{sortname|The|Police}}

|3

|"Can't Stand Losing You"

|2

|"Message in a Bottle" (1), "Walking on the Moon" (1)

Patrick Hernandez

|1

|"Born to Be Alive"

|10

|—

BA Robertson

|2

|"Bang Bang"

|2

|"Knocked It Off" (8)

{{sortname|The|Specials}}

|2

|"Gangsters"

|6

|"A Message to You Rudy"/"Nite Klub" (10)

{{sortname|The|Flying Lizards}}

|1

|"Money"

|5

|—

Gibson Brothers

|2

|"Ooh, What a Life"

|10

|"Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)" (5)

Gary Numan

|2

|"Cars"

|1

|"Complex" (6)

{{sortname|The|Crusaders|dab=Houston group}}

|1

|"Street Life"

|5

|—

Randy VanWarmer

|1

|"Just When I Needed You Most"

|8

|—

Dollar

|1

|"Love's Gotta Hold on Me"

|4

|—

Frantique

|1

|"Strut Your Funky Stuff"

|10

|—

{{sortname|The|Buggles}}

|1

|"Video Killed the Radio Star"

|1

|—

Rainbow

|1

|"Since You Been Gone"

|6

|—

Lena Martell

|1

|"One Day at a Time"

|1

|—

Sad Café

|1

|"Every Day Hurts"

|3

|—

Viola Wills

|1

|"Gonna Get Along Without You Now"

|8

|—

{{sortname|The|Jam}}

|1

|"The Eton Rifles"

|3

|—

{{sortname|The|Selecter}}

|1

|"On My Radio"

|8

|—

Rico

|1

|"A Message to You, Rudy"/"Nite Klub"

|10

|—

Kool & the Gang

|1

|"Ladies' Night"

|9

|—

Madness

|1

|"One Step Beyond..."

|7

|—

{{sortname|The|Tourists}}

|1

|"I Only Want to Be with You"

|4

|—

{{sortname|The|Sugarhill Gang}}

|1

|"Rapper's Delight"

|3

|—

Fiddler's Dram

|1

|"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" {{ref label|Day Trip to Bangor|A|a}}

|3

|—

=Songs from films=

Original songs from various films entered the top 10 throughout the year. These included "Bright Eyes" (from Watership Down) and "Theme From "The Deer Hunter" (Cavatina)" (The Deer Hunter).

=Best-selling singles=

Art Garfunkel had the best-selling single of the year with "Bright Eyes". The single spent nine weeks in the top 10 (including six weeks at number one) and was certified platinum by the BPI. "Heart of Glass" by Blondie came in second place. Cliff Richard's "We Don't Talk Anymore", "I Don't Like Mondays" from The Boomtown Rats and "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" by Dr. Hook made up the top five. Singles by Gloria Gaynor, Tubeway Army, Roxy Music, Blondie ("Sunday Girl") and Lena Martell were also in the top ten best-selling singles of the year.

Top-ten singles

;Key

Class="wikitable"

!Symbol

!Meaning

bgcolor=lightblue|‡

|Single peaked in 1978 but still in chart in 1979.

bgcolor=#DDFFDD|♦

|Single released in 1979 but peaked in 1980.

(#)

|Year-end top-ten single position and rank

Entered

|The date that the single first appeared in the chart.

Peak

|Highest position that the single reached in the UK Singles Chart.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

! Entered
(week ending)

! Weeks
in
top
10

! Single

! Artist

! Peak

! Peak reached
(week ending)

! Weeks
at
peak

colspan="7"|Singles in 1978
rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|02}}

| 7

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord" ‡

| align="left"|Boney M.

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|09}}

| 4

6

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper" ‡

| align="left"|Sarah Brightman and Hot Gossip

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|09}}

| 2

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|09}}

| 6

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"Too Much Heaven" ‡

| align="left"|Bee Gees

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|09}}

| 1

6

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"A Taste of Aggro" ‡

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Barron Knights}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|23}}

| 2

8

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"Le Freak" ‡

| align="left"|Chic

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|16}}

| 2

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|16}}

| 9

| align="left"|"Y.M.C.A."

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Village People}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|06}}

| 3

5

| align="left" bgcolor=lightblue|"You Don't Bring Me Flowers" ‡

| align="left"|Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|23}}

| 2

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1978|12|23}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Lay Your Love on Me"

| align="left"|Racey

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|06}}

| 3

5

| align="left"|"Song for Guy"

| align="left"|Elton John

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|13}}

| 1

colspan="7"|Singles in 1979
{{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|06}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick"

| align="left"|Ian Dury & The Blockheads

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|27}}

| 1

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|13}}

| 5

| align="left"|"September"

| align="left"|Earth, Wind & Fire

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|27}}

| 1

rowspan="4"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|20}}

| 4

| align="left"|"A Little More Love"

| align="left"|Olivia Newton-John

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|27}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"Hello, This Is Joannie"

| align="left"|Paul Evans

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|20}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"One Nation Under a Groove"

| align="left"|Funkadelic

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|20}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Car 67" {{ref label|Car 67|B|b}}

| align="left"|Driver 67

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|03}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|01|27}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Woman in Love"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Three Degrees}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|03}}

| 3

8

| align="left"|"Heart of Glass" (#2)

| align="left"| Blondie

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|2|3}}

| 4

5

| align="left"|"Don't Cry for Me Argentina"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Shadows}}

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|10}}

| 2

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|03}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Chiquitita"

| align="left"|ABBA

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|10}}

| 2

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|10}}

| 4

| align="left"|"I Was Made for Dancin'"

| align="left"|Leif Garrett

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|17}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|17}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Contact"

| align="left"|Edwin Starr

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|17}}

| 2

6

| align="left"|"Tragedy"

| align="left"|Bee Gees

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|03}}

| 2

2

| align="left"|"Milk and Alcohol"

| align="left"|Dr. Feelgood

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|17}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|02|24}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Oliver's Army"

| align="left"|Elvis Costello & The Attractions

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|10}}

| 3

9

| align="left"|"I Will Survive" (#6)

| align="left"| Gloria Gaynor

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|17}}

| 4

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|03}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Lucky Number"

| align="left"|Lene Lovich

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|24}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Get It"

| align="left"|Darts

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|03}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|10}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Can You Feel the Force?"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Real Thing|The Real Thing (UK band)}}

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|10}}

| 3

5

| align="left"|"Something Else"/"Friggin' in the Riggin'"

| align="left"|Sex Pistols

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|31}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Painter Man"

| align="left"|Boney M.

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|10}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|17}}

| 4

| align="left"|"I Want Your Love"

| align="left"|Chic

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|07}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Keep On Dancin'"

| align="left"|Gary's Gang

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|24}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|24}}

| 1

| align="left"|"Waiting for an Alibi"

| align="left"|Thin Lizzy

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|24}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Into the Valley"

| align="left"|Skids

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|24}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|31}}

| 4

| align="left"|"In the Navy"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Village People}}

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|31}}

| 2

2

| align="left"|"Turn the Music Up"

| align="left"|Players Association

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|31}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Don't Stop Me Now"

| align="left"|Queen

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|03|31}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|07}}

| 9

| align="left"|"Bright Eyes" (#1)

| align="left"|Art Garfunkel

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|4|14}}

| 6

5

| align="left"|"Cool for Cats"

| align="left"|Squeeze

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|14}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"Sultans of Swing"

| align="left"|Dire Straits

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|07}}

| 2

rowspan="5"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|14}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Some Girls"

| align="left"|Racey

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|21}}

| 3

2

| align="left"|"He's the Greatest Dancer"

| align="left"|Sister Sledge

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|14}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"Silly Thing"/"Who Killed Bambi" {{ref label|Silly Thing/Who Killed Bambi|C|c}}

| align="left"|Sex Pistols/Tenpole Tudor

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|21}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Jacksons}}

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|21}}

| 2

3

| align="left"|"The Runner"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Three Degrees}}

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|14}}

| 3

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|21}}

| 3

| align="left"|"Hallelujah" {{ref label|Hallelujah|D|d}}

| align="left"|Milk and Honey

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|21}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|28}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Pop Muzik"

| align="left"|M

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|12}}

| 2

3

| align="left"|"The Logical Song"

| align="left"|Supertramp

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|04|28}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Goodnight Tonight"

| align="left"|Wings

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|05}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|05}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday"

| align="left"|Boney M.

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|12}}

| 2

3

| align="left"|"Knock on Wood"

| align="left"|Amii Stewart

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|19}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|12}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Does Your Mother Know"

| align="left"|ABBA

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|12}}

| 3

6

| align="left"|"Reunited"

| align="left"|Peaches & Herb

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|02}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Banana Splits"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Dickies}}

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|12}}

| 1

rowspan="4"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|19}}

| 8

| align="left"|"Dance Away" (#8)

| align="left"|Roxy Music

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|26}}

| 3

2

| align="left"|"Parisienne Walkways" {{ref label|Parisienne Walkways|E|e}}

| align="left"|Gary Moore

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|19}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"One Way Ticket"

| align="left"|Eruption

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|19}}

| 1

7

| align="left"|"Sunday Girl" (#9)

| align="left"|Blondie

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|5|26}}

| 3

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|05|26}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Boogie Wonderland"

| align="left"|Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|09}}

| 3

3

| align="left"|"Boys Keep Swinging"

| align="left"|David Bowie

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|02}}

| 1

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|02}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Theme From The Deer Hunter (Cavatina)"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Shadows}}

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|02}}

| 2

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|09}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Ring My Bell"

| align="left"|Anita Ward

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|6|16}}

| 2

2

| align="left"|"Shine a Little Love"

| align="left"|Electric Light Orchestra

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|09}}

| 2

4

| align="left"|"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"

| align="left"|McFadden & Whitehead

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|16}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|16}}

| 8

| align="left"|"Are "Friends" Electric?" (#7)

| align="left"|Tubeway Army

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|30}}

| 4

2

| align="left"|"We Are Family"

| align="left"|Sister Sledge

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|6|16}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" {{ref label|HAPPY Radio|F|f}}

| align="left"|Edwin Starr

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|30}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|23}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Up the Junction"

| align="left"|Squeeze

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|07}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"The Lone Ranger"

| align="left"|Quantum Jump

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|30}}

| 1

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|06|30}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Night Owl"

| align="left"|Gerry Rafferty

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|07}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|07}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Silly Games"

| align="left"|Janet Kay

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|14}}

| 2

3

| align="left"|"Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven"

| align="left"|Amii Stewart

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|14}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"C'mon Everybody"

| align="left"|Sex Pistols

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|14}}

| 2

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|14}}

| 1

| align="left"|"Babylon's Burning"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Ruts}}

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|14}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Lady Lynda"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Beach Boys}}

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|21}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|21}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Girls Talk"

| align="left"|Dave Edmunds

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|21}}

| 3

2

| align="left"|"Good Times"

| align="left"|Chic

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|21}}

| 1

5

| align="left"|"Wanted"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Dooleys}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|04}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|28}}

| 7

| align="left"|"I Don't Like Mondays" (#4)

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Boomtown Rats}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|28}}

| 4

2

| align="left"|"My Sharona"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Knack}}

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|28}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"Breakfast in America"

| align="left"|Supertramp

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|07|28}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|04}}

| 3

| align="left"|"Can't Stand Losing You"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Police}}

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|04}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Angeleyes"/"Voulez-Vous"

| align="left"|ABBA

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|11}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Beat the Clock"

| align="left"|Sparks

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|04}}

| 1

rowspan="5"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|11}}

| 8

| align="left"|"We Don't Talk Anymore" (#3)

| align="left"|Cliff Richard

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|25}}

| 4

4

| align="left"|"Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3"

| align="left"|Ian Dury & The Blockheads

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|18}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Hersham Boys"

| align="left"|Sham 69

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|18}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"The Diary of Horace Wimp"

| align="left"|Electric Light Orchestra

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|11}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Born to Be Alive"

| align="left"|Patrick Hernandez

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|11}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|18}}

| 4

| align="left"|"After the Love Has Gone"

| align="left"|Earth, Wind & Fire

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|18}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Duke of Earl"

| align="left"|Darts

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|25}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|08|25}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Bang Bang"

| align="left"|BA Robertson

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|08}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Gangsters"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Specials}}

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|01}}

| 2

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|01}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Angel Eyes"

| align="left"|Roxy Music

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|01}}

| 2

3

| align="left"|"Money"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Flying Lizards}}

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|08}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Ooh, What a Life"

| align="left"|Gibson Brothers

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|01}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|08}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Cars"

| align="left"|Gary Numan

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|22}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Street Life"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Crusaders|dab=Houston group}}

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|15}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Just When I Needed You Most"

| align="left"|Randy VanWarmer

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|15}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|15}}

| 4

| align="left"|"Don't Bring Me Down"

| align="left"|Electric Light Orchestra

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|22}}

| 1

5

| align="left"|"If I Said You Have a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Bellamy Brothers}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Love's Gotta Hold on Me"

| align="left"|Dollar

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 1

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|22}}

| 6

| align="left"|"Message in a Bottle"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Police}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 3

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Dreaming"

| align="left"|Blondie

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|06}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Sail On"

| align="left"|Commodores

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Strut Your Funky Stuff"

| align="left"|Frantique

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|09|29}}

| 1

rowspan="4"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|06}}

| 3

| align="left"|"Whatever You Want"

| align="left"|Status Quo

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|06}}

| 1

5

| align="left"|"Video Killed the Radio Star"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Buggles}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|20}}

| 1

5

| align="left"|"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"

| align="left"|Michael Jackson

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|20}}

| 1

3

| align="left"|"Since You Been Gone"

| align="left"|Rainbow

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|13}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|13}}

| 7

| align="left"|"One Day at a Time" (#10)

| align="left"|Lena Martell

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|27}}

| 3

1

| align="left"|"On Stage (EP)"

| align="left"|Kate Bush

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|13}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|20}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Every Day Hurts"

| align="left"|Sad Café

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|03}}

| 1

9

| align="left"|"When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (#5)

| align="left"|Dr. Hook

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|17}}

| 3

3

| align="left"|"The Chosen Few"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Dooleys}}

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|27}}

| 2

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|10|27}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"

| align="left"|ABBA

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|10}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Tusk"

| align="left"|Fleetwood Mac

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|10}}

| 1

rowspan="2"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|03}}

| 2

| align="left"|"Gonna Get Along Without You Now"

| align="left"|Viola Wills

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|10}}

| 1

6

| align="left"|"Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

| align="left"|Queen

| 2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 2

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|10}}

| 4

| align="left"|"The Eton Rifles"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Jam}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"On My Radio"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Selecter}}

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|17}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"Still"

| align="left"|Commodores

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 2

{{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|17}}

| 1

| align="left"|"A Message to You Rudy"/"Nite Klub"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Specials}} featuring Rico

| 10

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|17}}

| 1

rowspan="4"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 4

| align="left"|"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"

| align="left"|Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|01}}

| 2

2

| align="left"|"Knocked It Off"

| align="left"|BA Robertson

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Ladies' Night"

| align="left"|Kool & the Gang

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|11|24}}

| 1

4

| align="left"|"One Step Beyond..."

| align="left"|Madness

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|01}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|01}}

| 7

| align="left"|"Walking on the Moon"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Police}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|8}}

align="center"|1
2

| align="left"|"Complex"

| align="left"|Gary Numan

| 6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|01}}

| 1

2

| align="left"|"Confusion"/"Last Train to London"

| align="left"|Electric Light Orchestra

| 8

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|01}}

| 1

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|08}}

| 8

| align="left"|"Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)"

| align="left"|Pink Floyd

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|15}}

| 5

5

| align="left"|"Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)"

| align="left"|Gibson Brothers

| 5

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|08}}

| 1

7

| align="left"|"I Only Want to Be with You"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Tourists}}

| 4

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|15}}

| 2

rowspan="3"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|15}}

| 5

| align="left"|"Rapper's Delight"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Sugarhill Gang}}

| 3

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|15}}

| 1

1

| align="left"|"Off The Wall"

| align="left"|Michael Jackson

| 7

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|15}}

| 1

5

| align="left"|"My Simple Heart"

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Three Degrees}}

| 9

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|22}}

| 2

rowspan="4"|{{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|22}}

| 5

| align="left"|"I Have a Dream"

| align="left"|ABBA

|2

| {{dts|format=dmy|1979|12|22}}

|4

5

| align="left" bgcolor=#DDFFDD|"Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" ♦

| align="left"|Fiddler's Dram

|3

|{{dts|format=dmy|1980|01|05}}

|1

3

| align="left" bgcolor=#DDFFDD|"Wonderful Christmastime" ♦ {{ref label|Wonderful Christmastime|G|g}}

| align="left"|Paul McCartney

|6

| {{dts|format=dmy|1980|1|5}}

|1

8

| align="left" bgcolor=#DDFFDD|"Brass in Pocket" ♦

| align="left"|{{sortname|The|Pretenders}}

| 1

| {{dts|format=dmy|1980|1|19}}

|2

Entries by artist

File:Gary Numan 2011.jpg (pictured in 2011) achieved three UK top 10 singles this year, two of which reached number one. As the frontman of Tubeway Army, he spent four weeks at the top spot in June and July with "Are "Friends" Electric?", while he topped the chart on his own in September with "Cars".]]

File:Elvis Costello (51409611378).jpg (pictured in 2021) secured his highest-charting UK single in 1979 with "Oliver's Army", featuring his band The Attractions, which spent three weeks at number two in March.]]

File:Lene Lovitch 1979.jpg achieved her only UK top 10 hit this year with "Lucky Number", which spent five weeks in the top 10, peaking at number three.]]

The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1979, including singles that reached their peak in 1978 or 1980. The figures include both main artists and featured artists, while appearances on ensemble charity records are also counted for each artist. The total number of weeks an artist spent in the top ten in 1979 is also shown.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col" style="width:55px;" data-sort-type="number"| Entries

! scope="col" style="text-align:center;"| Artist

! scope="col" style="width:55px;" data-sort-type="number"| Weeks

! scope="col" style="width:300px;"| Singles

rowspan="1" style="text-align:center" | 5

|ABBA

|21

|"Angeleyes"/"Voulez-Vous", "Chiquitita", "Does Your Mother Know", "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)", "I Have a Dream"

rowspan="1" style="text-align:center" | 4

|Electric Light Orchestra

|11

|"Confusion"/"Last Train to London", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Shine a Little Love", "The Diary of Horace Wimp"

rowspan="9" style="text-align:center" | 3

|Blondie

|20

|"Dreaming", "Heart of Glass", "Sunday Girl"

Boney M. {{ref label|1978|H|h}}

|7

|"Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday", "Mary's Boy Child - Oh My Lord", "Painter Man"

Chic {{ref label|1978|H|h}}

|10

|"Good Times", "I Want Your Love", "Le Freak"

Earth, Wind & Fire

|16

|"After the Love Has Gone", "Boogie Wonderland", "September"

Gary Numan

|16

|"Are "Friends" Electric?", "Cars", "Complex"

Michael Jackson {{ref label|Jacksons|I|i}}

|10

|"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", "Off the Wall", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)"

The Police

|14

|"Can't Stand Losing You", "Message in a Bottle", "Walking on the Moon"

Sex Pistols

|11

|"C'mon Everybody", "Silly Thing", "Somethin' Else"/"Friggin' in the Riggin'"

{{sortname|The|Three Degrees}}

|12

|"My Simple Heart", "The Runner", "Woman in Love"

rowspan="22" style="text-align:center" | 2

|Amii Stewart

|6

|"Knock on Wood", "Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven"

BA Robertson

|7

|"Bang Bang", "Knocked It Off"

Barbra Streisand {{ref label|1978|H|h}}

|6

|"No More Tears (Enough is Enough)", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"

Bee Gees {{ref label|1978|H|h}}

|8

|"Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy"

The Blockheads

|11

|"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3"

{{sortname|The|Commodores}}

|5

|"Sail On", "Still"

Darts

|4

|"Duke of Earl", "Get It"

{{sortname|The|Dooleys}}

|8

|"The Chosen Few", "Wanted"

Edwin Starr

|7

|"Contact", "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio"

Gary Moore {{ref label|Thin Lizzy|J|j}}

|3

|"Parisienne Walkways", "Waiting for an Alibi"

Gibson Brothers

|5

|"Ooh, What a Life", "Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)"

Ian Dury

|11

|"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick", "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3"

Paul McCartney {{ref label|Wings|K|k}}{{ref label|1980|L|l}}

|5

|"Goodnight Tonight", "Wonderful Christmastime"

Queen

|7

|"Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Don't Stop Me Now"

Racey {{ref label|1979 peak|M|m}}

|11

|"Lay Your Love on Me", "Some Girls"

Roxy Music

|12

|"Angel Eyes", "Dance Away"

{{sortname|The|Shadows}}

|9

|"Don't Cry for Me Argentina", "Theme from The Deer Hunter (Cavatina)"

Sister Sledge

|4

|"He's the Greatest Dancer", "We Are Family"

{{sortname|The|Specials}}

|4

|"A Message to You Rudy"/"Nite Klub", "Gangsters"

Squeeze

|10

|"Cool for Cats", "Up the Junction"

Supertramp

|5

|"Breakfast in America", "The Logical Song"

{{sortname|The|Village People|Village People}} {{ref label|1979 peak|M|m}}

|10

|"In the Navy", "Y.M.C.A."

See also

Notes

{{refbegin|2}}

  • {{note label|Day Trip to Bangor|A|a}} "Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" reached its peak of number-three on 5 January 1980 (week ending).
  • {{note label|Car 67|B|b}} "Car 67" re-entered the top 10 at number 7 on 3 February 1979 (week ending) for 3 weeks.
  • {{note label|Silly Thing/Who Killed Bambi|C|c}} Tenpole Tudor are only featured on "Who Killed Bambi". The song was released as a double-A side single in the United Kingdom with "Silly Thing".
  • {{note label|Hallelujah|D|d}} "Hallelujah" was Israel's winning entry at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979.
  • {{note label|Parisienne Walkways|E|e}} "Parisienne Walkways" re-entered the top 10 at number 10 on 2 June 1979 (week ending).
  • {{note label|HAPPY Radio|F|f}} "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" re-entered the top 10 at number 9 on 30 June 1979 (week ending).
  • {{note label|Wonderful Christmastime|G|g}} Only Paul McCartney was credited for "Wonderful Christmastime" but the rest of his group, Wings, were featured in the promotional music video.
  • {{note label|1978|H|h}} Figure includes single that peaked in 1978.
  • {{note label|Jacksons|I|i}} Figure includes a top 10 hit with the group The Jacksons.
  • {{note label|Thin Lizzy|J|j}} Figure includes a top 10 hit with the group Thin Lizzy.
  • {{note label|Wings|K|k}} Figure includes a top 10 hit with the group Wings.
  • {{note label|1980|L|l}} Figure includes single that peaked in 1980.
  • {{note label|1979 peak|M|m}} Figure includes single that first charted in 1978 but peaked in 1979.

{{refend}}

References

General

  • {{cite web |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart-singles/ |title=Six decades of singles charts |publisher=The Official Charts Company |access-date=18 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303221018/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/archive-chart-singles/ |archive-date=3 March 2011 }}

Specific

{{Reflist|2}}