On April 4, 1981, Children For Children entered the top 10 with Ik Heb Zo Waanzaam Droomd. The first place went to Phil Collins.

Phil Collins is at number one in the Top 40 for a third week with In The Air Tonight. It is also the last week that the British singer/drummer has topped the chart. Not surprising, as there are two number one hits in the top 10. At number three Ultravox are ready to take over with Vienna and at number eight Frank Duval & Orchestra are gunning for first place with Angel Of Mine.

At number 7 is Kids For Kids with My Dreams So Crazy. It was the children’s choir’s biggest hit, reaching number 33 a year later with the equally popular On Een Unbewoond Eiland. They last made the Top 40 in 2013 with Klaar Voor De Start which reached number 20.

Selection of the top 10 of April 4, 1981

1 (1) IN THE AIR TONIGHT – Phil Collins

3 (4) WINA – Ultravox

Scottish band Ultravox had a tough start to success after forming in 1974. In 1979 they took the plunge by adding Midge Ure to the line-up as frontman, but even when Vienna was released, things didn’t go well. The first two singles Sleepwalk and Passing Strangers didn’t do much in Europe, but a third single in Vienna meant Ultravox’s international breakthrough. The classic beat In The Air Tonight and went on to spend three weeks at number one. Although Ultravox scored a top 10 hit in 1984 with Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, the band were mostly reminiscent of Vienna.

4 (5) SHADDAP YOUR FACE – Joe Dolce Musical Theatre

Joe Dolce was born on October 13, 1947, in Painesville, Ohio. When he visited his Italian grandparents in their country, they would use phrases like “What’s up, you?” and “Shaddap.” Dolce incorporated these phrases into his song Shaddap You Face, which tells the story of a rebellious Italian boy. The new recording – released under the name Joe Dolce Music Theater – became a number 1 hit in several countries, including the UK, West Germany and Australia. In the Netherlands, Shaddap You Face reached number 4. It was Joe Dolce’s only hit.

5 (6) IT’S A LOVE THING – Whispers

GTA gamers will know The Whispers from And The Beat Goes On, with which the American group scored their first Top 40 hit in 1980. The album then stalled at number 28, but reached number two in the UK. In the Netherlands, It’s A Love Thing became The Whispers’ biggest hit. The disco song reached number five in the Top 40, while the five-piece failed to reach number 28 in their home country, Rock Steady became their biggest hit in 1987, but in the Netherlands they didn’t get any further than that. Tipparade.

7 (13) I HAD A VERY CRAZY DREAM – Children For Children

On December 5, 1980, Children For Children was broadcast on television for the first time. A children’s choir in the age group of 8-12 years sang there every year on a topic suggested by the children. At that time, the proceeds were used for the toy campaign, which bought toys for children in hospitals and in poor countries. One of the songs performed was I Have Such a Crazy Dream and is the most famous song in the history of Children For Children. It was their only top 10 hit and reached number seven. Children For Children is still on the air.

8 (30) MY ANGEL – Frank Duval & Orchestra

Frank Duval was mainly admired in the cinema in the 60s and 70s, but in the 80s the Berlin singer achieved chart success. He wrote the music for the German series Derrick and released the music as Frank Duval & Orchestra. Angel Of Mine reached number one in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and also became a number 1 hit in the Top 40. Four months after Roland Kaiser topped the Charts in early January 1981, the German Schlager reached number one again in the Netherlands. In 1986, Duval reached the Top 40 with It Was Love, a duet with his wife Kalina Maloyer.

(03-04-2021)