7. The First British Hit Parade

I love compilations that are effectively social history – Round The Town counts, and so does This Record Is Not To Be Broadcast, made up of songs banned by the BBC from the thirties to the fifties. They were ridiculously squeamish – no mention of God (‘Crying In The Chapel’ was disrespectful?), or suggestion of sex (so Stan Freberg’s ‘John And Marsha’ was out). This CD here is exactly what you think it’ll be – the very first UK chart. The music is almost irrelevant, it’s just a fantastic idea for a compilation.