Got a roving eye? Check out what was satisfying the soul on the ARIA Singles Chart this week in 1986!
The sixth month of 1986 saw the Maradona-led Argentineans beat West Germany 3-2 in the World Cup final in Mexico City; Queen kicked off what would be their final tour with front man Freddie Mercury; and future stars Solange Knowles, Tinchy Stryder and Gin Wigmore were born.
For most of the month, the top spot on the ARIA Singles Chart was held by a veteran British pop star and a quartet of anarchic comedy characters joining forces for a good cause.
10. Van Halen - Why Can't This Be Love
Replacing David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar started his tenure as lead singer of Van Halen on the right note, scoring a Top Ten single. ‘Why Can’t This Be Love’ peaked at #8, while its parent album 5150 peaked at #5. The single would be Van Halen’s last Top Ten in Australia. Their last Top 50 was with ‘When It’s Love’ (#23 Aug. ’88).
9. Madonna - Live To Tell
‘Live To Tell’ became the first of four Top Ten hits to be released from Madonna’s album True Blue (#1 Aug. ’86) when it peaked at #7 in June 1986. Over the next twelve months, she would also score hits with ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ (#1 Aug. ’86) ‘True Blue’ (#5 Nov. ’86) and ‘La Isla Bonita’ (#6 May. ’87).
8. Prince And The Revolution - Kiss
The album Parade was the soundtrack to Prince’s 1986 film Under The Cherry Moon. ‘Kiss’ was the album’s first single and peaked at #2 in Australia. Prince originally gave the track to funk band Mazarati but took it back after they’d drastically reworked it, adding his own vocal, guitar and drum parts.
7. Boom Crash Opera - Great Wall
The debut single from Boom Crash Opera gave the Melbourne rock band their only Top Ten on the ARIA Singles Chart when it peaked at #5 in June 1986. The band would go on to have 12 entries in the Top 50; their last was with ‘Tongue Tied’ (#25 Feb. ’95).
6. George Michael - A Different Corner
Like ‘Careless Whisper’ (#1 Sept. ’84), the second single credited solely to George Michael was also released while he was still a member of Wham! In the UK, it became the second of Michael’s seven #1 singles as a solo artist. In Australia, the track peaked at #4 for two weeks.
5. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
British electro-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys have scored six Top Ten entries on the ARIA Singles Chart in their four decade career. Their first hit came when ‘West End Girls’ peaked at #5 in June 1986 before going on to spend a total of eight weeks in the Top Ten.
4. Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love
Well known for its video which features a band of identically-clad models, ‘Addicted To Love’ became Robert Palmer’s first #1 in Australia when it spent two weeks in the top spot in June/July 1986. He would hold #1 for five weeks in September/October 1988 with ‘Simply Irresistible’, whose video reused the same concept.
3. The Bangles - Manic Monday
American power pop band The Bangles had four Top Ten hits in Australia between 1986 and 1989. ‘Manic Monday’ was their first hit, peaking at #3. The track was written by Prince under the pseudonym ‘Christopher’. The Bangles had two #1s in Australia: ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ (#1 Feb. ’87) and ‘Eternal Flame’ (#1 May ’89).
2. Diana Ross - Chain Reaction
Written by the Bee Gees (who also provide backing vocals), ‘Chain Reaction’ spent three weeks at #1 in April/May 1986. It was Diana Ross’ third #1 single in Australia and her last single to appear in the ARIA Top 50. The song was later covered by Steps, Cliff Richard, Young Divas and more.
1. Cliff Richard And The Young Ones - Living Doll
Originally released by Cliff Richard in 1959, the 1986 re-recording of ‘Living Doll’ featuring comedy group The Young Ones was released in aid of the Comic Relief charity. It spent six weeks at number one in Australia and three weeks in the top spot in the UK. It was the only track released in Richards’ long career to top the Singles Chart in Australia. His last appearance in the chart was with ‘The Millennium Prayer’ (#2 Dec. ’99).
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