The annual bible of pop is back with the most comprehensive edition yet combining British hit singles and British hit albums in one volume. The UK's oldest and biggest-selling music annual contains all 39,000 hit singles and albums from more than 50 years of the charts. All this plus act biographies, a song title index and more than 50 illustrated features make it the perfect book for pop quizzers, record collectors, DJs, downloaders and music fans of all ages.
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"A rabbit’s warren of minutiae" -- Q magazine, 2003
quotes: "indispensably poptastic reference work" -- Guardian, 2003
quotes: "indispensably poptastic reference work" -- Guardian, 2003
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By MBC
Format:Paperback
The 17th edition proudly states: "Two Books In One Volume" and believe me, you get 10 for the price of one (even if you order from outside EU and get severely taxed like me!). This edition FINALLY features the albums which are listed in red right after the singles for every act which is different than I thought but it works better!
This is surely the best chart book in the world in a beautiful green cover and for the first time it doesn't bring any negative surprises but the joy of a "smart buy" feeling. Enjoy!
This is surely the best chart book in the world in a beautiful green cover and for the first time it doesn't bring any negative surprises but the joy of a "smart buy" feeling. Enjoy!
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This "bible" of facts on the pop charts from their inception to date used to have the field to itself and its publication every two years was eagerly awaited. Recently it has had competition, this year from two other publishers, and in response it has become an annual issue and, this year, they have added in album chart details (there used to be a separate Albums book, last issued eight years ago).
This means that the book increases in size by some 160 pages; they have not, however, compromised on paper or print quality, and although this does mean that it is quite a weighty tome it is no heavier than, say, the Radio Times Guide to Films, and should fit snugly on most bookshelves.
They have not altered the layout of the listings, which are clear and concise. For each artist/band the singles are listed first in black and then the albums in red; I suppose there may be a slight problem for anyone who is colour-blind but the print used is bold and I would say that it's as good as you're going to get. Only artist albums have been included, not various artist compilations such as "Now", although there are lists of the No 1 compilations and those based on TV shows and soundtracks.
As usual the top 500 chart acts are flagged, and a short description of them given. Because albums are included this time some famous names previously excluded from this "club" have been catapulted in; for example it now includes Led Zeppelin and James Last!
The only change in format is that the features and extra statistical information that used to be at the front of the book is now scattered throughout; this does help break up any artistic monotony one might feel the listings pages have.
All in all it's still the best reference work for those thousands of us who have an interest in the pop charts, who take part in or compile fiendishly obscure quizzes, or who can't remember when Wendy Richard was No 1 (with Mike Sarne) and want to satisfy their curiosity.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By CJ
Format:Paperback
This is the third book of this series that i own and the reason that its so much better than previous editions is because it now features both the single and album listings, giving you each artists complete discography in the one book! This obviously means that the Guinness Book now includes many more album-based artists that weren't placed highly in previous editions, and therefore definately gives a better overview of the real music industry, especially due to album sales seemingly taking over at the moment! It makes a start with a Top 10 Dvds list which will probably be made more prominent in future editions due to increasing sales, gives chronological lists of all number one albums since the 1950s, and also gives information on top selling film soundtracks, stage musicals and much much more!
If you've ever been interested in music releases or ever asked someone "what was that song called?" then this is the book for you!
If you've ever been interested in music releases or ever asked someone "what was that song called?" then this is the book for you!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Substanded Book!!!
This was described as Used but Very Good!!! Its a really bad edition. It's got Highlighted items throughout and pen markings and the pages are bend back so that it looks like they... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lesleye
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hit singles book
Great value, great condition, prompt delivery. I gave my old copy away but this later edition is a terrific reference. It arrived well packaged too
Published 17 months ago by londonjoe
4.0 out of 5 stars
British hit singles
This annual is slightly disappointing as not only does the book contain all the British Hit Singles but is bulked up with all the information on all the British Hit Albums. Read more
Published 17 months ago by William Phelps
5.0 out of 5 stars
well worth it
really happy with the condition of the book,i just wish that i had the full collection now that they have stopped publishing this very informative book. Read more
Published 19 months ago by stephen williamson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of both worlds but not quite.
I have owned a number of the volumes in this series and I thought it was a good idea to incorporate the UK albums in this issue, Vol.17. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by shipyardbernie
1.0 out of 5 stars
Guiness British Hit singles and Albums
Sadly after ordering this item I was informed by the seller that it was no longer available.
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by Mr. Andrew Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
bible of pop
the best got even better. despite attempts to copy the format, this blows all competitors out of the water. best layout, best info, best photos..... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two for the price of one
I've bought numerous previous hit singles books and a few hit albums too. But putting them in one book is much easier. Plenty of extra info, well worth the money.
Published on 7 Aug 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Guiness Triumph
What more can i say except that everyone will agree, what a hive of information for the music buffs and pub quizzers alike. Read more
Published on 28 May 2004 by Dave Texeira
Listmania!
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