ChartLife

Juliet Harris and Ed Biggs
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The UK Top 40 Singles Chart, thirty years ago this week! Counting down the charts, analysing and picking apart all the new entries, from the platinum-selling hits to the forgotten gems.

  1. 1D AGO

    A One-Eyed Freda Payne for the New Labour era - 18th February 1996 (Ep27)

    Greetings all you Lifers! Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was revealed on 18th February 1996, where Babylon Zoo's 'Spaceman' was set to spend a fifth week at the summit unless one of the new singles from (deep breath) Gabrielle, Blur, Robert Miles, Alanis Morissette, Deborah Cox, Björk or Whitney Houston could dislodge it. Remember you can listen to the entire Top 40 via our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1NzVQZM4P5lsxcoOlfEFIN You can follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram or X by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod', and you can reach out to us with your reactions, opinions and questions at chartlifepod@gmail.com.

    1h 51m

  2. FEB 11

    The Techno Terrorists Are At It Again - 11th February 1996 (Ep26)

    Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was announced on 11th February 1996! Can anybody dislodge Babylon Zoo's 'Spaceman' from Number One? It's enjoyed three weeks at the top so far, but there are new entries from Mariah Carey, Luniz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ocean Colour Scene, Cypress Hill and (sighs) Scooter hoping to replace it. Listen to the entire chart (or as much of it as we can find!) via our playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ukUJvrCf8PS75lmos9MBV Follow us on social media by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod', and get in touch with us with your takes, questions and reactions at chartlifepod@gmail.com. Please follow, subscribe and download to make sure you never miss an episode!

    1h 47m

  3. FEB 4

    The Lighthouse Family Room For Silent Contemplation - 4th February 1996 (Ep25)

    Greetings to all you Lifers! Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was announced on 4th February 1996! Where we left it last time, Babylon Zoo were enjoying a second week at the top with 'Spaceman', but this week there are 13 new entries looking to topple Jas Man and his band, including Smashing Pumpkins, East 17, Joan Osborne, Lighthouse Family, Gemini and BT... plus a reissued golden oldie from Etta James that starred on a certain steamy Diet Coke ad. Listen to the entire Top 40 (or as much of it as we can find!) via our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ukUJvrCf8PS75lmos9MBV Remember to hit subscribe and download our podcasts, spread the word and leave five-star reviews if you're enjoying our show!  Follow us on social media by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod' on whichever platform you're on. E-mail us with your reactions, takes and questions at chartlifepod@gmail.com.

    1h 33m

  4. JAN 28

    I'd Rather Not Be a Hippy, Thanks - 28th January 1996 (Ep24)

    Seek refuge from the horrors of 2026 by joining Juliet and Ed as they revisit the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was thirty years ago exactly, on 28th January 1996! This week, there are 14 new entries, including singles from The Bluetones, Dog Eat Dog, Lisa Moorish, Bobby Brown, QFX and Radiohead - plus possibly the two most irritating novelty house/techno records of the year at the same time! You can check out the entire Top 40 (or as much of it as we can find!) via our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gM1Br4g1CGU2Ja1OB2QbC Please send us your reactions, feedback and questions to chartlifepod@gmail.com and follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and (if you must) X by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod'.

    1h 42m

  5. JAN 21

    This Really is Very Irish - 21st January 1996 (Ep23)

    Hello all you Lifers! Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was exactly thirty years ago, namely the chart from 21st January 1996. Where we left it last week, Saint George Michael had ended Michael Jackson's baffling six-week reign at Number One with a beautiful song called 'Jesus To A Child'.  This week, however, there are new entries from Ace Of Base, Chemical Brothers, 3T, Goldbug, Meat Loaf, Shed Seven and Skunk Anansie, all aiming for the top spot. Oh, and a certain song from a Levi's ad... Check out the entire UK Top 40 via our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ft4Hoype6HDsAknOTQdjV And remember to subscribe, download and follow us on social media by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod'. Get in touch with us at chartlifepod@gmail.com as well for your reactions, opinions, feedback and questions!

    1h 25m

  6. JAN 14

    I'm Not That Fussed About Her Singing - 14th January 1996 (Ep22)

    To quote a historical figure, who will rid us of this turbulent pop singer? Michael Jackson has been top of the pops for six looong weeks by this point in 1996, but there are 15 new entries from the likes of Cast, Leftfield, Lush, George Michael, Cher, Coolio (yes, him again) and Bucketheads all vying for the top spot! Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the entire UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was announced on 14th January 1996! You can listen to the entire Top 40 here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6fsssLQpvNUbG2SCGo5fXj And you can get in contact with us at chartlifepod@gmail.com and follow us on Insta, Facebook, X and Bluesky by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod'. Please share, download, subscribe and spread the word! Thank you all you Lifers!

    1h 29m

  7. JAN 7

    You Rollerblade Your Life Away - 7th January 1996 (Ep21)

    Happy New Year all you Lifers! Join Juliet and Ed as they count down the UK Top 40 Singles Chart as it was announced on 7th January 1996. For the first chart of 1996, we have ten new entries from the likes of Gene, Baby D, Tori Amos, TLC and Shaggy, all looking to prevent Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song' from making it six weeks at the top! Follow us on social media (Facebook, Bluesky, X, Instagram) by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod'. Alternatively, give us your reactions, opinions and questions at chartlifepod@gmail.com Check out the chart in full via our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0QwpraOgye5Pgr6tCAc24e?si=Qd7Um7fkS7SpwE0APoK0rQ

    1h 23m

  8. 12/31/2025

    Like It and Lump It - 31st December 1995 (Ep20)

    The music industry awakens once more following the Christmas lull, with nine new entries in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart that was announced on New Year's Eve 1995. Juliet and Ed run the rule over new singles from Green Day, Pizzaman, Dubstar, The Presidents of the United States of America and Madonna. Check out the entire chart via our Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/62te7vLgJEZjv32J0zMKHc?si=LfA2YT65SbGy3SyNJY3h4A You can follow us on social media (Bluesky, Facebook, X, Instagram) by searching for 'chartlife' or 'chartlifepod', and you can drop us an e-mail at chartlifepod@gmail.com. A very happy 1996 (and 2026) to all you Lifers!

    1h 5m
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About

The UK Top 40 Singles Chart, thirty years ago this week! Counting down the charts, analysing and picking apart all the new entries, from the platinum-selling hits to the forgotten gems.

Information

  • Creator
    Juliet Harris and Ed Biggs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    ChartLife

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