The 20th of February 1973
Official U.K. Singles Chart results from Sunday the 18th to Saturday the 24th of February 1973
Cut-off for sales figures was up to the end of Saturday the 17th of February
Results counted from Sunday the 18th,
announced on Tuesday the 20th,
and broadcast on B.B.C. Radio 1 on Sunday the 25th of February 1973.
Judge Dread
Big Seven
At No.26, on the “The Top 50 U.K. Singles Chart” on my 1st Birthday, is Judge Dread with “Big Seven”.
Judge Dread’s successful debut…
…with “Big Six” led to this follow up which was imaginatively titled “Big Seven” and, just like the previous single, was full of cheeky innuendos. Absolutely fitting for 1973 and with a winning formula, why break it.
This idea of course led to Judge Dread getting another B.B.C. ban from their airwaves which again led to a successful chart campaign which became more popular than his first outing.
The B Side of this current single was actually a previous B side of the Rudies single “Patches” from back in 1970 which, back on that single, the track was named “The Split”.
Three years later, the track is salvaged, the name of the players changed to the Judge Dread Sound, and the track named simply “Dread”.
“Big Seven”…
…first entered the chart, at No.50, on the 3rd of December 1972, no doubt trying to capture the Christmas buying public, and sure enough t made it into the Top 20 when it landed at No.18 on the lead up to the festivities.
Propelled by the controversial attention it was no doubt attracting, it got itself to the same position as it’s predecessor when it hit No.11 on New Years Eve.
The first week of January saw it surpass his previous milestone when it breaks through the Top 10 barrier and lands at it’s highest position of No.8 on the 7th of January 1973.
After a further week in the Top 10 at No.10, it would start it’s slide back down the chart. This week would be the final one in the Top 30.
After this week, Dread will slip further down over the next couple of weeks until he reaches No.40 on the 11th of March.
Three weeks later, he’ll land in exactly the same place he started, at No.50, for his final week on chart before exiting after the 7th of April 1973, completing a satisfying 18 weeks with this single.
The “A” Side
The “B” Side
Rudies – The Split
Many thanks go to the following YouTube Channels for providing the chance to hear this music once again.
Please show your appreciation by visiting their channels:
Listen to “The Official Top 50 UK Singles Chart: 20th February 1972” Playlist here:
Grab Your Binoculars, Come Follow Me…
What is it…?
Why am I…?
How do I…?
When am I…?
