These are the groups for Day 7 of the People’s Pop Poll! Obviously it contains SPOILERS for the day’s matches so if you’d prefer to be surprised read no further! As usual, these are in order from the group with the most-streamed tracks to the one with the least.
Division 1 GROUP 7:
THE CURE – “Just Like Heaven”: First US hit for the Goth supremos, from their 1987 set Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nPiBai66M
JOY DIVISION – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”: Released soon after Ian Curtis’ death to become the band’s first major hit and best-known track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuObGsB0No
RADIOHEAD – “No Surprises”: Fourth single from the Oxford thinkers’ critically adored OK Computer disc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CVsCnxyXg
THE SMITHS – “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”: Morbid fan favourite from 1986’s The Queen Is Dead and much later released as a single. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siO6dkqidc4
Division 2 GROUP 6:
THE COMMODORES – “Night Shift”: This 1985 tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson was a major hit for the Motown veterans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs
HALL AND OATES – “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”: 1981 US chart-topper for the blue-eyed soul smoothies, about the tribulations of the music biz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccenFp_3kq8
JOE JACKSON – “Steppin’ Out”: New York inspired 1982 smash for the new wave singer-songwriter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJwt2dxx9yg
QUEEN – “Flash”: Brian May-penned hit from 1980’s science fiction masterpiece Flash Gordon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfmrHTdXgK4
Division 3 GROUP 6:
THE BOO RADLEYS – “Wake Up Boo!”: 1995 hit for the Wallasey indie rockers which became an iconic tune of the Britpop era. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJXPTnPmm78
THE FOUR TOPS – “Bernadette”: Levi Stubbs-led shouter that was a 1967 Top 10 hit for the Motown stalwarts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-_sDdS-7Ug
FRANKIE LYMON AND THE TEENAGERS – “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?”: 1956 rock’n’roll era hit for the NYC based doo-wop group led by boy soprano Lymon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sAHiR0rkJg
THE WONDERS – “That Thing You Do”: Oscar-nominated song written for the film of the same name by the late Adam Schlesinger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPMLG8mnCRM
Division 4 GROUP 6:
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”: Concert staple from The Boss’ 1975 breakthrough Born To Run. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOkQsVJV8ts
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS – “What’s So Funny Bout Peace Love And Understanding”: Cover of the Brinsley Schwarz stomper which started life as a B-Side before being added to Costello’s Armed Forces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssd3U_zicAI
THE MOTORS – “Airport”: Best known hit by the English power-pop new-wavers, from their 1978 LP Approved By The Motors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU5buMgojTo
NAZARETH – “Broken Down Angel”: The first Top 10 hit for the Dumfermline rockers, it charted in 1973. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zboXNSXqOtE
Division 5 GROUP 5:
HAIRCUT 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)”: Debut single for Nick Heyward’s new pop outfit and included on their 1982 LP Pelican West. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cat4kykzI
THE HUMAN LEAGUE – “Open Your Heart”: The second track from Dare to feature in the poll, this single hit the Top 10 and was the only release credited to “Human League Blue”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEAICcITis
SUSAN FASSBENDER – “Twilight Cafe”: Cult 1981 synthpop single by the Yorkshire one-hit wonder. (This was the hit.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK-dpiHTJoA
TOTO COELO – “I Eat Cannibals”: Best-known song by the new wave popsters, a hit worldwide in 1982. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4O1A-mmBWw
Division 6 GROUP 6:
BETTYE SWANN – “Traces”: A cover of the Classics IV hit single by this Louisiana soul singer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6UJe46q7kA
THE CHIFFONS – “Tonight I’m Gonna Dream”: A 1965 single for the Bronx girl group which missed the charts (but gets its shot at glory here). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM02VNiz_p4
GARNET MIMMS AND THE ENCHANTERS – “My Baby”: 1966 single for the West Virginia soul man, later recorded by Janis Joplin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SMhGF9l0OM
TINA B – “I Always Wanted To Be Free”: Album cut from the Freestyle singer’s 1984 self-titled LP – has the honour of having the fewest streams of any track in the poll! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90VBYD-ZqDE