Bruno Mars Passes Paul McCartney in Singles Sales in the U.K.

Bruno Mars and Marc Ronson’s single “Uptown Funk,” has now taken over the fourth spot on the best selling UK singles of all time charts. The fourth position was previously held by Paul McCartney’s 1977 single, “Mull of Kintyre.” A great deal of variety has formulated the top 20 UK Singles of all time charts. Interestingly, two of the top 20 positions belong to the soundtrack to the 1978 motion picture, “Grease.”  The songs “Summer Nights,” (No.20) and “You’re the One That I want,” (No.5) both included vocals by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta.

Rounding out the rest of the top 5 ahead of Bruno Mars are Pharrell Williams, “Happy,” at No. 4, Queen’s mega hit “Bohemian Rhapsody,” at No.3, Bob Geldof’s Band Aid charitable song, “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” at No. 2. And at No.1 and the biggest selling song of all time in the United Kingdom was Elton John’s rewritten version of “Candle in the Wind,” which was a tribute to Princes Diana.

So let’s put all of this into perspective. Looking back through classic rock history and all the singles that were released by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jefferson Airplane, Yes, Pink Floyd all those incredible bands that have released music over the years and yet, John Travolta has two songs in the Top 20 biggest selling songs of all time in The United Kingdom SAY WHAT???

Statistics like that really does open one’s eyes to the power of pop culture and how the line between substance and glitter can be completely confused by the public. Think about how many great bands are never discovered How many bands release great records that are ignores. It’s pretty sad that Travolta who we have great respect for as an actor lands two songs in the top 20 biggest selling songs of all time in the UK.  In the end, as far as art goes in classic rock history statistics mean nothing.