This week:
16th
1995, Michael Jackson’s ‘Earth Song’ was at Number 1 for the second week in the UK, debuting in the chart one week before. It remained there for six weeks, becoming the Christmas Number 1.
Worksheet – Lyric Video
17th
1963, Elvis Presley presented the mayor with his annual holiday season donation to Memphis charities, checks totalling $55,000.
Hound Dog: Worksheet – Lyric Video
18th
International Migrants Day
Worksheets:
Englishman In New York – Sting
The City of Chicago – Christy Moore
19th
1974, Paul McCartney and George Harrison met at the Plaza Hotel in New York, to facilitate John Lennon who didn’t turn up, to sign documents to formally end The Beatles. Ringo Starr signed before in the UK and John signed at Disney World Florida ten days later.
Hello Goodbye: Worksheet – Lyric Video – Speak Up Video
20th
1969, David Bowie recorded ‘Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola’ , with Italian lyrics by Mogol, to the music of ‘Space Oddity’. He was annoyed when he discovered it was not a translation of the song.
Space Oddity: Worksheet – Lyric Video
21st
1970, Elvis Presley went to the White House with a letter for President Richard Nixon explaining he wanted to help fight illegal drug use. A meeting in the Oval Office ensued where Elvis was given a badge and named ‘Federal Agent at Large’.
Always On My Mind: Worksheet – Lyric Video
22nd
1966, at John Lennon’s suggestion, at Abbey Road producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick spliced together two takes, one lighter and one more intense, to create the final version of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’.
Lyric Video
Number Ones, 16th December:
1954
UK Winifred Atwell – Let`s Have Another Party
US The Chordettes-Mr Sandman
1964
UK The Beatles-I Feel Fine
US Bobby Vinton-Mr. Lonely
1974
UK Barry White-You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
US Carl Douglas-Kung Fu Fighting
1984
US Band Aid-Do They Know It’s Christmas?– Worksheet
US Hall & Oates-Out Of Touch
1994
UK East 17-Stay Another Day
US Boyz II Men-On Bended Knee
2004
UK Band Aid 20-Do They Know It’s Christmas?
US Snoop Dogg-Drop It Like It’s Hot (feat. Pharrell Williams)
2014
UK Ed Sheeran-Thinking Out Loud – Worksheet – Speak Up video 1 – Speak Up video 2
US Taylor Swift-Blank Space
2024
UK Official Singles Charts
US Billboard Hot 100
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