Highlights 1983
Culture Club have the second bestselling single of the decade to date with Karma Chameleon… The Police have their biggest hit with Every Breath You Take… Rod Stewart tops the UK singles chart for the last time… My Oh My gives glam rockers Slade a surprise No.2… The Kinks chart again with Come Dancing… Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet both top the charts for the first time…
Biggest Chart Single
KARMA CHAMELEON
Culture Club
After shocking the nation by his androgynous appearance the year before, Boy George takes Culture Club into superstardom with this huge hit. See Biggest Chart Singles
Biggest Chart Act
CULTURE CLUB
Three hits, including a six week stint at No. 1, was enough for Culture Club to see off a strong challenge from Paul Young to claim the crown of biggest chart art of the year. See Biggest Chart Artists
NME Song of the Year
BILLIE JEAN
Michael Jackson
The stoned rockers at NME surprisingly opted for not only a dance track but also the bestselling single worldwide this year. See WOW's Top Singles for 1983
Brit for Best Single
KARMA CHAMELEON
Culture Club
Following its usual practice, the BPI bestowed its Best Single accolade to the biggest selling disc of the year. See WOW's Top Singles for 1983
WOW's Top Single of 1983
BEAT IT
Michael Jackson
The newly crowned global King of Pop was Michael Jackson and this rock-pop masterpiece featuring Eddie Van Halen is arguably his finest single. See WOW's Top Singles for 1983
Most Played Song on the Radio†
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
The Police
This Grammy winner was another huge hit this year, especially in the US where it was the biggest selling single of the year.
† The disc received the Ivor Novello award for most performed song of 1983