16 Chart Hits (1972 - 1975)
The Contour label was based in Mayfair in London, and was run by Musical Rendezvous, who in turn had been set up by Philips and Polydor in June 1971. Philips of course were no strangers to the budget covers field, having been behind the Fontana series “Sounds Like Hits” in the late 1960s (see separate page).
Contour was mainly interested in re-issues of other labels’ albums, mainly those from the Philips stable, although their first anonymous covers album came out as soon as the label was established. It consisted of a review of the 1971 charts, and by its nature was not a compilation; Contour had released no earlier covers albums from which to source tracks.
Shortly thereafter, it commenced the “16 Chart Hits” series, which would go on to number almost two dozen over a four-year span. Part of its success was due to the fact that it squeezed 16 songs onto each LP; the standard for these types of albums was 12. The recordings were made by Beatt International, a concern set up by Syd Dale and Adrian Kerridge.
Contour also issued an annual “best-of”, reviewing the year’s hits. The first three of these had the appeal of a few new tracks thrown in alongside material from the main series. The last, in 1975, did not – and indeed the series had ground to a halt before year-end. Contour continued until the late 1970s whereupon the label perished, only to be bought by Pickwick and re-launched in the early 1980s.
|
Tape editions CLICK THE ICON |
|
Overseas editions CLICK THE ICON |
|
Telegram Sam / Stay With Me / Baby I'm A Want You / American Pie / Poppa Joe / Family Affair / Son Of My Father / Storm In A Teacup / Look Wot You Dun / Day After Day / Where Did Our Love Go / Have You Seen Her / I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing / My World / Day By Day / Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) |
Volume 2 (2870-178) Jun 1972
|
Metal Guru / Runnin' Away / Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard / Rocket Man / Beautiful Sunday / Could It Be Forever / Oh Babe What Would You Say? / What's Your Name / Tumbling Dice / Circles / Take Me Bak 'Ome / A Thing Called Love / Everything I Own / Rockin' Robin / Come What May / Chantilly Lace |
Volume 3 (2870-194) Oct 1972
|
Elected / There Are More Questions Than Answers / Loop Di Love / In A Broken Dream / Burning Love / Mouldy Old Dough / Clair / Puppy Love / Gudbuy T'Jane / Beautiful You / You're A Lady / New Orleans / Donna / Hallelujah Freedom / Goodbye To Love / Amazing Grace |
Volume 4 (2870-306) Jan 1973
|
Solid Gold Easy Action / Getting A Drag / Nights In White Satin / Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)/ Desperate Dan / Help Me Make It Through The Night / Always On My Mind / Sing Don't Speak / Long Haired Lover From Liverpool / Ben / Big Seven / You're So Vain / Hi Hi Hi / Relay / A Brand New Song / The Jean Genie |
Volume 5 (2870-316) Mar 1973
|
20th Century Boy / Looking Through The Eyes Of Love / Hello Hurray / Feel The Need In Me / Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse / Part Of The Union / Cindy Incidentally / Pinball Wizard-See Me Feel Me (medley) / Cum On Feel The Noize / The Twelfth Of Never / Doctor My Eyes / Killing Me Softly With His Song / That's When The Music Takes Me / By The Devil (I Was Tempted) / California Saga-California / Baby I Love You |
Volume 6 (2870-326) May 1973
|
Drive-In Saturday / Brother Louie / Amanda / Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree / Hey Mama / Broken Down Angel / God Gave Rock And Roll To You / Giving It All Away / See My Baby Jive / Pyjamarama / My Love / Hell Raiser / Bad Weather / Tweedle Dee / No More Mr Nice Guy / Could It Be I'm Falling In Love |
Volume 7 (2870-327) Jun 1973
|
Skweeze Me Pleeze Me / The Groover / Stuck In The Middle With You / Honaloochie Boogie / Can The Can / Standing On The Inside / Born To Be With You / Sweet Illusion / Snoopy Vs The Red Baron / Can You Do It / I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More Baby / Live And Let Die / Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) / Take Me To The Mardi Gras / Hallelujah Day / Walking In The Rain |
Volume 8 (2870-328) Aug 1973
|
You Can Do Magic / Yesterday Once More / Young Love / Free Electric Band / Summer (The First Time) / Dear Elaine / (Dancing) On A Saturday Night / Spanish Eyes / Fool / Morning Glow / Rising Sun / Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose / Like Sister And Brother / Smarty Pants / All Right Now / Welcome Home |
Volume 9 (2870-329) Oct 1973
|
A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall / Sorrow / My Friend Stan / For The Good Times / That Lady / Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Knockin On Heaven's Door / Showdown / Higher Ground / Deck Of Cards / Nutbush City Limits / Ghetto Child / Shine On Silver Sun / Eye Level / By Your Side / Top Of The World |
Volume 10 (2870-330) Jan 1974
|
Tiger Feet / How Come / All Of My Life / The Wombling Song / Rebel Rebel / The Love I Lost / Teenage Lament '74 / Teenage Rampage / Rockin' Roll Baby / The Man Who Sold The World / You're Sixteen / Smokin' In The Boys' Room / Solitaire / You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me / The Worst Band In The World / Living For The City |
Volume 11 (2870-371) Mar 1974
|
Angel Face / Seasons In The Sun / Everyday / I've Got A Thing About You Baby / School Love / Long Live Love / Emma / Mockingbird / I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door / Remember Me This Way / Rock Around The Clock / The Sting / Seven Seas Of Rhye / Don't Stay Away Too Long / You Are Everything / Last Time I Saw Him |
Volume 12 (2870-372) May 1974
|
This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us / Go (Before You Break My Heart) / Judy Teen / For Old Time's Sake / Personality / I Won't Last A Day Without You / America / There's A Ghost In My House / Hey Rock And Roll / All I Have To Do Is Dream / The In Crowd / (You Keep Me) Hangin' On / I See A Star / If I Didn't Care / Boogie Man / I Want To Give |
Volume 13 (2870-373) Jul 1974
|
The Six Teens / Band On The Run / Rainbow / Too Big / Midnight At The Oasis / Ring Ring / Just Don't Want To Be Lonely / (Win Place Or Show) She's A Winner / Rocket / Tonight / The Way We Were / Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing / Mike Oldfield's Single (Theme From Tubular Bells) / My Girl Bill / When Will I See You Again / Be Thankful For What You've Got |
Volume 14 (2870-374) Aug 1974
|
Steppin' Out-I'm Gonna Boogie Tonight / Love Me For A Reason / Queen Of Clubs / Kung Fu Fighting / Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / The Black Eyed Boys / Rock Me Gently / The Bitch Is Back / Now That We've Found Love / You You You / Hang On In There Baby / The Player / Annie's Song / Mr Soft / Another Saturday Night / Rock 'N' Roll Lady Comments: Cover similar to volume 16.
This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Rock Me Gently, The Bitch Is Back and Another Saturday Night.
|
Volume 15 (2870-375) Oct 1974
|
All Of Me Loves All Of You / Far Far Away / Gonna Make You A Star / Let's Put It All Together / Turn It Down / Down On The Beach Tonight / I Get A Kick Out Of You / Let's Get Together Again / Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth / Whatever Gets You Through The Night / Killer Queen / (Hey There) Lonely Girl / I Can't Leave You Alone / All I Want Is You / I Honestly Love You / The Bump This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Gonna Make You A Star.
The same recording also appears on The Best Of '74 on the Rediffusion label. (See under Hit parade Special series.) |
Volume 16 (2870-376) Nov 1974
|
Juke Box Jive / You're The First The Last My Everything / Where Did All The Good Times Go / Pepper Box / Costafine Town / Da Doo Ron Ron / Goodbye Nothing To Say / Dance The Kung Fu / Morning Side Of The Mountain / The Wild One / Magic / Junior's Farm / No Honestly / You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet / Tell Him / My Boy Comments: Cover similar to volume 14.
This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Costafine Town, Goodbye Nothing To Say and You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet.
|
Volume 17 (2870-426) Jan 1975
|
January / Goodbye My Love / Star On A TV Show / Sugar Candy Kisses / Purely By Coincidence / Please Mr Postman / Angie Baby / Roll On Down The Highway / Something For The Girl With Everything / Promised Land / Shoorah Shoorah / How Does It Feel / Black Superman (Muhammad Ali) / Now I'm Here / Rock 'N Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life) / Having A Party This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on January, Roll On Down The Highway and Black Superman (Muhammad Ali).
|
Volume 18 (2870-427) Mar 1975
|
There's A Whole Lot Of Loving / I Can Do It / Bye Bye Baby / Girls / Mandy / Reach Out (I'll Be There) / Wonderful Baby / Fox On The Run / Fancy Pants / What Am I Gonna Do With You / Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar / Let Me Be The One / Philadelphia Freedom / Swing Your Daddy / The Queen Of 1964 / Sweet Music This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on
There's A Whole Lot Of Loving, Philadelphia Freedom and The Queen Of 1964. |
Volume 19 (2870-428) May 1975
|
Love Like You And Me / The Night / Loving You / Where Is The Love / A Little Love And Understanding / Sing Baby Sing / Hold On To Love / Autobahn / Oh Boy / Only Yesterday / Stand By Your Man / I Get The Sweetest Feeling / Don't Do It Baby / Call Me Round / Here I Go Again / I Bit Off More Than I Could Chew This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Love Like You And Me, Hold On To Love and Call Me Round.
|
Volume 20 (2870-429) Jun 1975
|
Doing Alright With The Boys / Tears On My Pillow / The Hustle / Baby I Love You OK / Misty / Make The World Go Away / Oh What A Shame / Foe-Dee-O-Dee / Moonshine Sally / Listen To What The Man Said / Three Steps To Heaven / Mr Raffles (Man It Was Mean) / Sweet Cheatin' Rita / I Don't Love You But I Think I Like You / Disco Queen / My White Bicycle This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Doing Alright With The Boys.
|
Volume 21 (2870-430) Aug 1975
|
Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) / Jive Talkin' / Sherry / If You Think You Know How To Love Me / Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me / One Of These Nights / Hard Times / Super Womble / Love In The Sun / Delilah / Dolly My Love / Fame / Love Will Keep Us Together / I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song/ Highwire / One Night |
Volume 22 (2870-431) Sep 1975
|
Moonlighting / I'm On Fire / Hold Me Close / Fattie Bum Bum / There Goes My First Love / I Only Have Eyes For You / S.O.S. / Una Paloma Blanca / Sailing / Heartbeat / L-L-Lucy / What A Difference A Day Made / Julie Ann / Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes Love It) / Feelings / Indian Love Call Comments: Produers Joan Walker and Adrian Kerridge for Beatt International. Cover photo by Robert Cundy Associates.
This album features session singer, Bob Saker, on Hold Me Close.
|
End-of-year collections
1971: Top Hit Replay '71 (2870-149)
|
Maggie May / Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep / Don't Let It Die / Knock Three Times / Hot Love / My Sweet Lord / I'm Gonna Run Away From You / It's Too Late / The Witch Queen Of New Orleans / Freedom Come Freedom Go / Rose Garden / Brandy / Me And You And A Dog Named Boo / Hey Girl Don't Bother Me / The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down / Let Your Yeah Be Yeah Comments: Contains a selection of tracks which had been hits through the year, but was released before the main series got underway. |
1972: 16 Great Hits '72 (2870-198)
|
I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing / Poppa Joe / Clair / Puppy Love / Son Of My Father / You Wear It Well / Circles / Amazing Grace / Gudbuy T'Jane / Mouldy Old Dough / Beg Steal Or Borrow / Alone Again (Naturally) / Could It Be Forever / A Thing Called Love/ My World / American Pie Comments: Contains three new tracks: “You Wear It Well”, “Beg Steal Or Borrow” and “Alone Again (Naturally)” . |
1973: 20 Great Hits Of '73 (2870-359)
|
Skweeze Me Pleeze Me / Welcome Home / Get Down / You Can Do Magic / And I Love You So / Nice One Cyril / The Twelfth Of Never / See My Baby Jive / Help Me Make It Through The Night / Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree / Blockbuster / Snoopy Versus The Red Baron / Young Love / Killing Me Softly With His Song / Can The Can / Yesterday Once More / Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose / Spanish Eyes / Feel The Need In Me / Cum On Feel The Noize Comments: Contains four new tracks: “Get Down”, “And I Love You So”, “Nice One Cyril” and “Blockbuster” . Copies of this LP have been found manufactured variously in Austria, England and Switzerland, as stated on the record labels. |
1974: 20 Great Hits Of '74 (2870-416)
|
Love Me For A Reason / Waterloo / This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us / Tiger Feet / When Will I See You Again / Jet / Kung Fu Fighting / The Six Teens / The Man Who Sold The World / Hey Rock And Roll / You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me / The Wombling Song / Seasons In The Sun / I See A Star / Don't Stay Away Too Long / Rocket / Annie's Song / Band On The Run / Solitaire / Teenage Rampage Comments: Contains two new tracks: “Waterloo” and “Jet”. Also exists on cassette, catalogue number 3470-416, and 8-track cartridge, catalogue number 3897 416. |
1975: 20 Great Hits Of '75 [cat no TBC]
|
Sailing / Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) / Hold Me Close / Tears On My Pillow / Misty / Loving You / Three Steps To Heaven / If You Think You Know How To Love Me / Jive Talkin' / Goodbye My Love / Oh Boy / Stand By Your Man / January / Moonlighting / There's A Whole Lot Of Loving / Fox On The Run / The Hustle / I'm On Fire / Please Mr Postman / Bye Bye Baby Comments: Contains no new tracks. |