Retro Chart Trivia - a fortnightly podcast of 80s chart trivia from the factual to the ridiculous. Step back in time... Follow us @charttrivia here and on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!
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23rd December 1985: Pet Shop Boys, Shakin’ Stevens, Whitney Houston, A-ha, Talking Heads, Sophia George...
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Who’s got a thumping great bruise on his right cheek after he fell down the stairs of London’s very pricey Hippodrome club after one coffee too many? Who likes to be pummelled stupid before his shows by a Swedish masseuse? It’s all part of his keep fit campaign! Who once abseiled down the wall of the Munich Hilton? It’s all here in this week’s Char…
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Which member of Madness is boning which Belle Star? Whose video sees them prancing around Primrose Hill at 5:30am in the morning in nothing but loin cloths? Who's damaged his chances of receiving a royal honour by stealing Lord Snowden’s orange juice at the BAFTA awards and getting himself in an altercation with Princess Margaret's ex-husband? It’s…
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25th November 1980: Blondie, ABBA, David Bowie, Barbra Streisand, Roxy Music, St Winifred’s School Choir...
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Which rock star has an interesting pant moustache in Paula Yates’ new book ‘Rock Stars In Their Underpants'? Which band don’t use shampoo, they use Domestos? Who snuck out of hospital the day after his tonsillectomy to attend the Ian Dury Dingwalls gig? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 25th November 1980! Starring Blondie, ABBA, David B…
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Which pop frontman did the tango with Raquel Welch at her reception at the Hippodrome last week? Which rock star earned his nickname by letting the wheel of a Volkswagen run over his head for a $100 bet? Whose maths teacher was Howard Jones' father? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 11th November 1984! Starring Chaka Khan, Pointer Sister…
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Which female rapper loves nothing more than sitting at home of an eve, making little toy pigs? Who at the age of 5 was playing with matches and set his house on fire? Who thinks the best dressed person of the year is Sue Lawley? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 28th October 1988! Starring Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Whitney Houston, Enya, M…
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Which pop star only washes his hair once a month? Who threw up half an hour before she went on stage at Live Aid because she was so nervous? Win Miami Vice picture discs in the Smash Hits Crockett and Bernie Winters competition! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 14th October 1985! Starring A-ha, Bonnie Tyler, Grace Jones, Sade, Level 42,…
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30th September 1982: Musical Youth, Culture Club, Kids From Fame, ABC, Carly Simon, Toto Coelo...
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Which soul star’s mega girth is played up all the time? Who has a black and white dog called Fry, named after Martin of ABC? Which pop star played Cousin Yellowstone in a stage version of the Wombles in Manchester? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 30th September 1982! Starring Musical Youth, Culture Club, Kids From Fame, ABC, Carly Simo…
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16th September 1986: Sinitta, Five Star, Communards, Janet Jackson, Human League, Huey Lewis & The News
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Whose drummer used to perform on the QE2 in the cabaret band, backing Reg Varney from On The Buses? Whose message for their fans is: ‘Beware of drugs! Beware of the demons of the mind lest manifold the oxen that raineth down upon ye!’ Whose mouth is in fact not 8.5 inches wide but only five? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 16th Septemb…
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2nd September 1988: Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, Yazz & The Plastic Population, Kim Wilde, Kylie Minogue, Guns ’N’ Roses, S Express...
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Who claims to have had his way with 3000 foxtresses! Which trio used to earn a living by singing in churches to sell Kirby vacuum cleaners and sticking roses on dogs in toy factories? Which pop star thinks the Proclaimers look like two martians? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 2nd September 1988! Starring Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound M…
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19th August 1983: Spandau Ballet, Bananarama, Wham!, Eurythmics, Malcolm McLaren, Irene Cara...
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Which rock star used to work in a massage parlour? Whose most hated chores are shaving and keeping his white shoes clean? Who used to make a living by being a cashier at Butlins? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 19th August 1983! Starring Spandau Ballet, Bananarama, Wham!, Eurythmics, Malcolm McLaren, Irene Cara and a cast of thousands!…
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Which rock star used to be a TV repair man? Whose self titled debut LP cost just £600 to record? Who has turned down a gig at the Electric Ballroom in Camden as he feels even he can’t cope with the sort of punter that goes there? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 5th August 1980! Starring Kate Bush, ABBA, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, Sheena …
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Which cheeky chaps have struck up a business deal with a pharmaceutical company to put their name to a new baby oil? Who at the age of 16 wore her blonde hair on top of her head in the shape of a penis along with black lipstick and black nail polish? Which pop star would like to lick Prince Edward’s bald patch? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Tr…
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We meet up with Belinda Carlisle in July 2019 to discuss her phenomenal life in music and the amazing work of the Animal People Alliance charity, for which she is an ambassador. We talk about the forthcoming Go-Go’s documentary and her future recording plans! There’s tales of her times with Cher, Madonna, Michael Hutchence and Tracey Thorn! We talk…
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Who left school to became a potato rumbler instead of staying on and sitting their exams? Whose poor flying skills led to an ill-fated global flight and an unscheduled landing on a main road? Which member of New Order thinks Toyah comes across as awfully big-headed? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 24th June 1982! Starring Tight Fit, Do…
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10th June 1987: Whitney Houston, George Michael, Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Run-DMC, Johnny Hates Jazz...
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Which pop star eats KP beef low fat crisps in the morning for breakfast? Who worked in his dad’s transport cafe as a nipper and got his nose broken twice in scraps with lorry drivers? Which lads have emerged as the shock contenders for booziest boys in the biz after out-drinking current world champs Spandau Ballet in Montreux! It’s all here in this…
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27th May 1984: Duran Duran, Wham!, Pointer Sisters, Queen, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Phil Collins...
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Who says Howard Jones’ hair ‘looks like a flippin’ back-combed carpet that’s had a bit of dirt trodden into it’? Who spent two years trying to learn how to surf and failed miserably when their board flew up and knocked their front teeth out? Whose ambitions include jumping off a high building and recording their voice on the way down? It’s all here…
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13th May 1989: Donna Summer, Paula Abdul, Stevie Nicks, Roxette, Kylie Minogue, London Boys...
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Which rock star says Kylie’s songs are meaningless crap? Which soul singer washes her hair with tuna shampoo? Win a spiffing Morrissey t-shirt depicting Oscar Wilde with a flower in his mitts in the Smash Hits ‘Oh What An Interesting Competition’! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 13th May 1989! Starring Donna Summer, Paula Abdul, Stevie…
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Which pop star used to be a male stripper, taking off his garments for housewives for £50 a time? Whose frontman is going to vote for the SDP in the general election and thinks Dr David Owen is the best politician in Britain? Who scurried backstage with Cameo’s Larry Blackmon, emerging hours later proclaiming: ‘Larry’s so big! He’s huge!’ It’s all …
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Which pop star was once run over by an ice cream van? Which tennis star has been approached by Elton John’s Rocket record label to record a single this summer? Has the ‘is she really going out with him’ saga of Clare Grogan and Gary Kemp finally been nipped in the bud? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 15th April 1982! Starring Chas & Da…
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Who is more than a little miffed about his pet red-kneed tarantula, Doris, who’s gone off her daily diet of locusts and appears terribly ill? Which band are Phil Oakey Human League’s favourite group? Win a Ferguson Videostar 3V22 video cassette recorder in the Smash Hits/Visage video competition! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 1st Apr…
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18th March 1986: Samantha Fox, Su Pollard, Kate Bush, Whitney Houston, Bangles, Diana Ross...
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Which pop star was once expelled from school for punching his chemistry teacher? Whose baby was conceived at 60mph in the back of a coach? What did Miranda Belle Star give Patsy Kensit for her 18th birthday? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 18th March 1986! Starring Samantha Fox, Su Pollard, Kate Bush, Whitney Houston, Bangles, Diana Ro…
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4th March 1983: Eurythmics, Bonnie Tyler, Toto, Michael Jackson, Belle Stars, Laura Branigan...
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Which pop group join Penelope Keith and Mike Read in the furniture department on tomorrow’s Saturday Superstore? Who was chucked out of college for having pink hair and spraying everything day-glo, so he got a job drawing squirrels for the Glasgow Parks Department? Which rock star says Tony Hadley’s vocals are ‘droning idiotic rubbish’? It’s all he…
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18th February 1988: Kylie Minogue, Tiffany, Taylor Dayne, Sinead O’Connor, Vanessa Paradis, Deacon Blue...
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Which rock star thinks he looks like Margaret Thatcher with a dog turd under her nose? Whose sister used to drag her around by the hair and try to suffocate her? Which pop star was discovered by a talent scout, who heard her singing in the hamburger bar where she worked as a waitress? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 18th February 1988!…
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4th February 1985: Kirsty MacColl, Strawberry Switchblade, Dead Or Alive, Russ Abbot, Bruce Springsteen, Smiths...
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Which clean cut pop star has never done pills but admits to trying magic mushrooms? Who was attacked by a gang of drunks while recording their latest pop video in a Shepherd’s Bush pub? Which rock star used to have an English teacher called Snorkel? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 4th February 1985! Starring Kirsty MacColl, Strawberry …
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21st January 1980: Nolans, Fleetwood Mac, Pretenders, Sugarhill Gang, Fiddler’s Dram, Kenny Rogers...
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Which Top 3 single was written on the back of a cigarette packet while delivering Fyffes bananas? Who used to be married to Lulu and was frequently thrown off aeroplanes for being squiffy? Which ABBA single is their only recording to feature more than just the four band members’ vocals? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 21st January 1980…
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7th January 1988: Belinda Carlisle, Pet Shop Boys, T’Pau, Joyce Sims, Jellybean, G.O.S.H....
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What did Madonna buy Sean to cheer him up in the weeks before his trial for fighting with photographers? Which Canadian lovelette is so desperate for a husband she’s signed up with a dating agency? Who has worn the same underpants for seven years? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 7th January 1988! Starring Belinda Carlisle, Pet Shop Boy…
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24th December 1984: Wham!, Tina Turner, Nik Kershaw, Alison Moyet, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Alvin Stardust...
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Who thinks Duran Duran’s Wild Boys is pathetic and wonders how it ever got released? Who was arrested at Dublin airport on his way home from a concert with £7.5k takings from the previous night’s show confiscated, leaving him with just £421? Who does Johnny Rotten say are the Sonny & Cher of the 80s? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on Chr…
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Who survived on a diet of nothing but Twinkies, hot dogs and chocolate morning, noon and night and all her hair fell out? Who categorically denies blowing up a tin of frankfurters on her Primus stove while caravanning in France this summer? Win 1 of 5 exclusive sets of life-size Bruce Springsteen cardboard cutouts and Bruce trivia calendars in the …
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19th November 1982: Kids From Fame, Tears For Fears, Hall & Oates, Modern Romance, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Blancmange...
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Who recently went backpacking across Dartmoor on a diet of Bollinger and Martell and got caught in a vicious storm and is now in agony after exposing a nerve in his tooth? Who buys his frilly shirts from Schofield’s ladies department? Win a studded wristband courtesy of Marc Almond in the Smash Hits Clobber Competition! Who knows where it’s been! I…
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12th November 1983: Lionel Richie, Donna Summer, Billy Joel, Men Without Hats, Rock Steady Crew, Will Powers...
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Whose new LP includes a limited edition free colour poster with a flash of his pubes? Who has appeared in adverts for Wrigley’s chewing gum, Brutus Jeans and even Triumph bras with Joanna Lumley? Win 1 of 10 Madness Pakamacs and ‘The Sun And The Rain’ picture discs in the current issue of Record Mirror! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on …
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5th November 1989: Lisa Stansfield, Belinda Carlisle, Transvision Vamp, De La Soul, New Kids On The Block, Deborah Harry...
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Which pop star rudely invaded the stage when Kylie was performing at the 16th birthday concert for Capital Radio? Which band are going to refuse paying their poll tax? Win a comfy pair of size seven tartan slippers and a cosy green cardigan in the Smash Hits Striking Resemblance competition by telling the difference between Chris Rea and Chris De B…
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29th October 1987: Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Bananarama, Rick Astley, Cure, Scarlet Fantastic...
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Who refuses to have red wine in his house for fear of spoiling his nice white carpets? Who once got caught shoplifting a light bulb and a container of crab paste? Who gets single of the week from Carmen in ’Bread’ in this week’s Number One magazine? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 29th October 1987! Starring Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jack…
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Who, at the age of 15, was forced to quit high school and marry his pregnant girlfriend? Who lives in a council flat in Camberwell and makes a brilliant potato soup? Is Kim Wilde living in sin with saxophone player Gary Barnacle or dating hunky Hanoi Rocker Mike Monroe? Rumours abound! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 22nd October 1984!…
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15th October 1988: Whitney Houston, Erasure, Bros, Wee Papa Girl Rappers, Enya, Womack & Womack...
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Which cheesy comedian asked Jacquie Banana out for lunch? Whose white mice all got eczema and then their ears dropped off? According to Smash Hits’ Sylvia Patterson, which band are self indulgent, self important, overblown pompous bilge? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 15th October 1988! Starring Whitney Houston, Erasure, Bros, Wee Pap…
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Who is willing to pose nude for a year’s supply of Mars bars? Who loves being prodded by forks? Win 1 of 5 double packs of Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian playing cards, covered in hieroglyphics in the ‘Cor, bit parky tonight innit guv!’ Smash Hits competition! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 8th October 1986! Starring Cyndi Lauper, Ban…
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1st October 1983: Tracey Ullman, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Soft Cell, Kajagoogoo, Culture Club, Elton John...
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Who gave the arse out of their favourite pair of jeans to Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz so she could make patches out of them? Big Country make a dramatic appeal to thieves who stole their manager’s briefcase containing vital accounts and records! And who celebrated their second wind of success by consuming eight bottles of champagne? It’s all here in th…
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24th September 1989: Cher, Debbie Gibson, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Technotronic, Jason Donovan...
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Which member of Curiosity Killed The Cat burps when he kicks off his espadrilles? Who hit her sister over the head with a bag of shopping containing a grapefruit and two melons? Andy Bell has got a huge what?… It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 24th September 1989! Starring Cher, Debbie Gibson, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Technotronic, Jason D…
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Which single is popular with the Arabian soul boys in Morocco, rowing around the floor? Whose single comes with a free boomerang that doesn’t work? Who has to ask a friend to go to the bakers every day for him because he’s constantly being stopped in the street by complete acquaintances? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 17th September 1…
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Who says she loves Bette Midler’s taste in songs but not the way she screeches them? Who lost all the money they’ve made so far on a recent international tour of France, Canada and the US? Who gets the Legs & Co treatment this week? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 10th September 1981! Starring Kim Wilde, Dollar, Bucks Fizz, Nolans, Dur…
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Who’s rumoured to be going bald with their supposedly natural cascading twirls actually made of hair extensions? Which band love getting drunk with Curiosity Killed The Cat, Mandy Smith and Pepsi & Shirlie? Who thought Madonna’s Who’s That Girl tour was really boring and like a panto? It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 3rd September 1987!…
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11th August 1986: Bananarama, Modern Talking, Janet Jackson, Jaki Graham, Anita Dobson, Sinitta...
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What ever happened to Tony Hadley’s guinea pigs? Who has a crush on Marcus in the Katherine Hamnett shop down South Moulton Street? Win one of 10 pristine pastel Patti LaBelle branded baseball blousons in the Smash Hits Adopt A Jacket competition! It’s all here in this week’s Chart Trivia on 11th August 1986! Starring Bananarama, Modern Talking, Ja…
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Here's the place to hear all the gossip of all your favourite pop stars in this week's Top 40! What did Alannah Currie give Madonna for a present at her hen party? Who refused to take part in Live Aid and contributed an unused video of themselves, naked on a bed, saying ‘Feed The World?’ Why did Jaki Graham used to survive on two hours’ sleep and a…
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