I have considered many options but all my ideas came to nought. They were too bland, too short, too much like hard work, too …… well you get the idea. I wanted something that would take a long time like a re-consideration of the UK number one singles. But of course this has already been done. And how. One look at the rather excellent Popular section of  Freaky Trigger and you will see and read fantastic writing that is incisive and witty about all of the hits from the start of the UK singles chart. How could I ever better or even get close to  matching it?

So how about the number 2′s that never made number 1? A good idea for once. The subject matter suits my ‘runner-up’ mentality and the Brits have always enjoyed a loser. I know I don’t write very well but the practice may do me good. But from what date? A quick internet search revealed huge numbers of singles in the 50′s and 60′s that I never wish to review or listen to, so I would have to cut it down. And then it became obvious. Starting with the number 2 that was always a number 1 really. The Pistols in 1977 upto a point a which I neither listened to or cared about what was in the singles chart. I’m not sure when this is but it will become apparent as I move along. So here goes – a deep breath – 1977 – 13 years old – and God Save The Queen on my turntable.