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.
Thin Lizzy
Whisky In The Jar
At No.6, on the “The Top 50 U.K. Singles Chart” on my 1st Birthday, is Thin Lizzy with “Whisky In The Jar”.
We find the Irish group Thin Lizzy hitting their highest position,..
…the week of my first birthday, with their version of a traditional old Irish folk tune.
A surprising hit for the band, especially as it wasn’t their choice to release it. That had been the decision of their record label, Decca.
The group apparently were not too happy about the decision either, considering, at this stage in the band’s lifetime, they leaned more towards a folksy Celtic sound.
Nevertheless, someone at the record company probably got a bonus as the single became a big Top 10 hit.
Thin Lizzy,..
…named after a robot character in The Dandy comic called Tin Lizzie (which, when you speak the group’s name with an Irish accent, sounds almost exactly the same as the comic character), first entered the chart with this single on the 14th of January at No.44.
It climbed nine places to No.35 the following week, then another twelve places to reach No.23 (or twenty tree if you play their name game).
By their 4th week they had entered into the Top 20 at No.16, and by week 5 (last week) they were in the Top 10 at No.7.
Next week they will slip back to the No.7 position and then take another tree, sorry, three paces back to No.10.
A final week in the Top 20 will follow, then a final week in the Top 30, until the single plays out two final weeks in the Top 40 before galloping out of the chart after the 7th of April with a stash of 12 weeks in the can (or Jar if you’d prefer’O).
The “A” Side
The “B” Side
Thin Lizzy – Whisky In The Jar (“Top Of The Pops” TV appearance)
Thin Lizzy – Whisky In The Jar (“Musikladen” TV performance)
Many thanks go to the following YouTube Channels for providing the chance to hear this music, and watch the footage once again.
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Listen to “The Official Top 50 UK Singles Chart: 20th February 1972” Playlist here:
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