📰 Record Mirror / BBC Chart – Chart Listing : Dec. 1971
- Slade
- Dec 4, 1971
- 2 min read
The Record Mirror Top 50 for the week ending December 4, 1971 captured a defining moment in early‑’70s British pop, with Slade’s “Coz I Luv You” holding the No. 1 position and Benny Hill’s novelty hit “Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)” close behind. The chart reflected the full spectrum of UK taste — from glam’s first surge to MOR ballads, soul imports and festive releases.
Publication: Record Mirror
Date: December 4, 1971
Format: Weekly singles and albums chart
Writer: Record Mirror / BBC Chart Service
A moment of glam‑era ignition, novelty charm and early‑’70s chart eclecticism.
đź“° Key Highlights
• “Coz I Luv You” by Slade at No. 1
• “Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)” by Benny Hill at No. 2
• “Jeepster” by T. Rex at No. 3 — Bolan’s follow‑up to “Hot Love” and “Get It On”
• Cher’s “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” and John Kongos’ “Tokoloshe Man” in the Top 10
• Olivia Newton‑John’s “Banks of the Ohio” and Tom Jones’ “Till” among the week’s strongest MOR entries
• The albums chart led by *Led Zeppelin IV*, *Electric Warrior* and *Every Picture Tells a Story*
đź“° Overview
This chart captures the UK singles scene at the close of 1971 — a moment when glam was taking hold, novelty singles were thriving, and established stars like Tom Jones and Cliff Richard remained fixtures. Slade’s phonetic spelling and stomping rhythm marked a new era of British pop energy, while T. Rex’s “Jeepster” confirmed Bolan’s dominance. The accompanying albums chart reflected the growing power of rock LPs and compilation releases.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: Record Mirror
Date: December 4, 1971
Format: Weekly singles and albums chart
Provenance Notes: Based on the official Record Mirror / BBC Chart compiled by the British Market Research Bureau.
đź“° The Story
The chart highlights:
• Slade’s breakthrough as glam’s first major chart‑topping act
• The coexistence of novelty, MOR and rock within the same Top 10
• T. Rex’s sustained momentum following *Electric Warrior*
• The rise of compilation albums and rock LPs as dominant retail formats
• A transitional moment bridging late‑’60s pop and the glam explosion of 1972
The tone is lively, eclectic and era‑defining — a chart snapshot of Britain’s musical tastes as 1971 drew to a close.
đź“° Visual Archive
đź“° Closing Notes
A pivotal chart in the evolution of British pop, the Record Mirror / BBC listing of December 4, 1971 stands as a vivid record of the artists, sounds and cultural forces shaping the UK charts at the dawn of the glam era.
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