Parade of Pops (Windmill) (1972 - 1976)
The “Parade of Pops” series was a direct continuation of the earlier “Pick of the Pops” series on Deacon. The title change was a result of a legal issue with Pickwick, and it so happened that Windmill took the reins just as matters were being resolved, hence the different name and label. The first Windmill LP was in fact still called “Pick of the Pops”, but we include it here under “Parade of Pops” for obvious reasons. These albums are not numbered by volume, so we have numbered them ourselves - Windmill might have disagreed with our assertion that "Pick of the Pops" constitutes volume 1 - see comments below against volume 3!
The contents of these albums cross over prolifically with LPs on Flag, Pye and Stereo Gold Award among others. Windmill’s “Parade of Pops” were one of the longest-running covers series, with 26 regular installments to their credit, going into 1976 when the series was finally shelved. It was brought back to life a couple of years later on the Chevron label (see separate page).
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Tape editions CLICK THE ICON |
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Overseas editions CLICK THE ICON |
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Metal Guru / Come What May / Rocket Man / A Thing Called Love / Radancer / Back Off Boogaloo / Tumbling Dice / Beautiful Sunday / Could It Be Forever/ Sweet Talkin' Guy / Run Run Run / Amazing Grace Comments: The first Windmill LP, but it was called “Pick of the Pops” as per the outgoing Deacon series. |
Volume 2 (WPP 5002) Jun 1972
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Take Me Bak 'Ome / Circles / Rockin' Robin / Vincent / Mary Had A Little Lamb / California Man / Rock And Roll (Parts 1 And 2) / Puppy Love / Little Willy / Oh Girl / Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day / Join Together Comments: Title does not include “Solid Gold”, unlike subsequent editions. Instead, has the word “Focus” at the top of the cover. Cover model clothes credited to Dorothy Perkins. |
Volume 3 (WPP 2003) Jul 1972
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Mad About You / Run To Me / Breaking Up Is Hard To Do / 10538 Overture / Starman / Automatically Sunshine / School's Out / Samson And Delilah / Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby / Watch Me / Popcorn / Seaside Shuffle 
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Comments: Introduces the “Solid Gold” tag. Credit on cover for Cosmopolitan magazine, and the sleeve has almost the same image as on Cosmopolitan issue 6 (August 1972). Sleeve notes read, "Here you have the second album from 'Parade of Pops...", showing that they are not counting "Pick of the Pops" as part of the sequence.
Volume 4 (WPP 5004) Aug 1972
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Mama Weer All Crazee Now / It's Four In The Morning / Sugar Me / Lean On Me / Virginia Plain / Standing In The Road / Suzanne Beware Of The Devil / Walk In The Night / Ain't No Sunshine / Living In Harmony / Honky Cat / I Get The Sweetest Feeling Comments: Credit on cover for Cosmopolitan magazine. Image is almost identical to that on volume 3. Cover implies the LP was television-advertised, although this could be a sneaky reference to Cosmopolitan rather than Parade of Pops. |
Volume 5 (WPP 5005) Oct 1972
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Gudbuy T'Jane / There Are More Questions Than Answers / Hallelujah Freedom / Clair / Loop Di Love / Elected / Mouldy Old Dough / Donna / In A Broken Dream / Goodbye To Love / New Orleans / You're A Lady Comments: Cover model art credited to She magazine in the sleeve notes. |
Volume 6 (WPP 5006) Dec 1972
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The Jean Genie / Help Me Make It Through The Night / Desperate Dan / Nights In White Satin / You're So Vain / Hi Hi Hi / Relay / Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand) / Always On My Mind / Big Seven / A Brand New Song / Sing Don't Speak Comments: Album has the same contents as “World Top 12 vol 41”. |
Volume 7 (WPP 5007) Feb 1973
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Blockbuster / Daniel / Sylvia / Cindy Incidentally / Doctor My Eyes / Part Of The Union / Cum On Feel The Noize / Looking Through The Eyes Of Love / Superstition / Whiskey In The Jar / Baby I Love You / Hello Hurray Comments: Cover photo credited to Colour Library International. |
Volume 8 (WPP 5008) May 1973
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Hell Raiser / Walking In The Rain / Brother Louie / Wonderful Dream / Walk On The Wild Side / Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001) / Giving It All Away / Could It Be I'm Falling In Love / Broken Down Angel / And I Love You So / One And One Is One / No More Mr Nice Guy Comments: Cover photo by David Redfern. |
Volume 9 (WPP 5009) Jun 1973
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Skweeze Me Pleeze Me / Take Me To The Mardi Gras / Albatross / Live And Let Die / Sweet Illusion / Welcome Home / Rubber Bullets / Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) / Born To Be With You / Snoopy Vs The Red Baron / Can The Can / The Groover Comments: Cover model art credited to She magazine. |
Volume 10 (WPP 5010) Aug 1973
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Smarty Pants / Like Sister And Brother / (Dancing) On A Saturday Night / Young Love / Rising Sun / Spanish Eyes / Yesterday Once More / You Can Do Magic / Dear Elaine / Fool / Summer (The First Time) / Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose |
Volume 11 (WPP 5011) Oct 1973
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My Friend Stan / Eye Level / A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall / Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Showdown / By Your Side / Sorrow / Nutbush City Limits / Deck Of Cards / Knockin On Heaven's Door / Ghetto Child / Top Of The World Comments: Cover photo by Michel Laguens. |
Volume 12 (WPP 5012) Jan 1974
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Teenage Rampage / Solitaire / Pool Hall Richard / How Come / Star / Radar Love / The Show Must Go On / Take Me High / Walk Right Back / Tiger Feet / The Love I Lost / Dance With The Devil Comments: Cover photo by Michel Laguens. The crowd noises at the start of "Teenage Rampage" are sampled from The Sweet's original hit single! |
Volume 13 (WPP 5013) Mar 1974
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Billy Don't Be A Hero / Jambalaya (On The Bayou) / The Most Beautiful Girl / Long Live Love / Candle In The Wind / Jet / I Get A Little Sentimental Over You / Remember Me This Way / Who's In The Strawberry Patch With Sally / School Love / Jealous Mind / Everyday |
Volume 14 (WPP 5014) Apr 1974
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Seasons In The Sun / A Walkin' Miracle / Red Dress / Doctor's Orders / Remember You're A Womble / Behind Closed Doors / Waterloo / Don't Stay Away Too Long / Shang-A-Lang / Homely Girl / He's Misstra Know It All / The Cat Crept In Comments: There is an alternative cover in circulation, the same in every respect except that the song titles are shifted to the bottom (click thumbnail below to view).
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Volume 15 (WPP 5015) Jun 1974
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Hey Rock And Roll / I See A Star / Guilty / (You Keep Me) Hangin' On / The Man In Black / Go (Before You Break My Heart) / One Man Band / The In Crowd / A Touch Too Much / Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me / Judy Teen / Liverpool Lou / Can't Get Enough / I'd Love You To Want Me / There's A Ghost In My House Comments: This LP has 15 tracks rater than the standard 12. |
Volume 16 (WPP 5016) Jul 1974
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She / Band On The Run / Rainbow / If You Go Away / Rocket / Born With A Smile On My Face / When Will I See You Again / Tonight / Be Thankful For What You've Got / (Win Place Or Show) She's A Winner / My Girl Bill / Just Don't Want To Be Lonely Comments: This album has the same contents as “12 Tops vol 22”. |
Volume 17 (WPP 5017) Aug 1974
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Love Me For A Reason / Summerlove Sensation / What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted / The Black Eyed Boys / Honey Honey / Y Viva Espana / You You You / Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe / I'm Leaving It (All) Up To You / Na Na Na / Mr Soft / Kung Fu Fighting |
Volume 18 (WPP 5018) Oct 1974
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Rock Me Gently / Reggae Tune / (You're) Having My Baby / You Little Trust Maker / Everything I Own / All Of Me Loves All Of You / Annie's Song / Farewell / I Get A Kick Out Of You / Gee Baby / Sad Sweet Dreamer / Far Far Away |
Volume 19 (WPP 5019) Nov 1974
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You're The First The Last My Everything / Magic / Where Did All The Good Times Go / How Long / The Wild One / You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet / No Honestly / Juke Box Jive / Closer / Pepper Box / Oh Yes! You're Beautiful / Tell Me Why Comments: This album has identical contents to “12 Tops vol 25” and “Pye Chart Busters vol 13”. |
Volume 20 (WPP 5020) Jan 1975
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January / Purely By Coincidence / The Bump / Goodbye My Love / Boogie On Reggae Woman / Sugar Candy Kisses / Angie Baby / Please Mr Postman / Now I'm Here / Never Can Say Goodbye / Good Love Can Never Die / Promised Land Comments: Cover photo by David Redfern. |
Volume 21 (WPP 5021) Mar 1975
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If / There's A Whole Lot Of Loving / Mandy / Only You Can / Bye Bye Baby / Pick Up The Pieces / What Am I Gonna Do With You / I Can Do It / Please Tell Him That I Said Hello / Let Me Be The One / Fancy Pants / Girls Comments: Cover model art credited to She magazine. Label says “The New Parade Of Pops” for no obvious reason. |
Volume 22 (WPP 5022) Apr 1975
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Oh Boy / Ding-A-Dong / The Tears I Cried / Hurt So Good / Hold On To Love / Let Me Try Again / Love Like You And Me / Take Good Care Of Yourself / Loving You / Only Yesterday / The Night / Life Is A Minestrone Comments: This album has the same contents as “12 Tops vol 28”. |
Volume 23 (WPP 5023) May 1975
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Whispering Grass / Three Steps To Heaven / Once Bitten Twice Shy / Send In The Clowns / Stand By Your Man / Roll Over Lay Down / Sing Baby Sing / Israelites / Autobahn / The Proud One / Imagine Me Imagine You / (For You) I'll Do Anything You Want Me To |
Volume 24 (WPP 5024) Jul 1975
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Give A Little Love / Barbados / Sealed With A Kiss / Jive Talkin' / Sherry / Eighteen With A Bullet / Action / If You Think You Know How To Love Me / D.I.V.O.R.C.E. / It's In His Kiss / Rolling Stone / Highwire Comments: This was the last release of 1975, and it would be six months before volume 25 appeared. |
Volume 25 (WPP 5025) Jan 1976
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A Glass Of Champagne / Golden Years / The Lies In Your Eyes / Deep Purple / Love Machine / Forever And Ever / Mamma Mia / Let The Music Play / We Do It / Love To Love You Baby / Evil Woman / Both Ends Burning |
Volume 26 (WPP 5026) Feb 1976
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December 1963 (Oh What A Night) / I Love To Love / Squeeze Box / Rain / Funky Weekend / I Wanna Stay With You / Let's Call It Quits / People Like You People Like Me / Something's Been Making Me Blue / Dat / Love Really Hurts Without You / It Should Have Been Me Comments: This album appears to have been officially released on cassette, on the Continental Records label. It is renamed "12 Top Hits". |
End-of-year collections
1971: Top Hits Of The Year (WMD 107)
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Woodstock / I Hear You Knocking / My Sweet Lord / (Where Do I Begin) Love Story / Rose Garden / Hot Love / Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep / Hey Girl Don't Bother Me / Knock Three Times / Butterfly / Maggie May / Coz I Luv You Comments: This is a Windmill edition of the Deacon compilation for 1971 (DEA 1080), issued just as the labels were swapping. It has a different cover. Label has a pictorial Windmill logo. |
1972: Top Hits Of The Year (WMD 171)
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Take Me Bak 'Ome / Come What May / Popcorn / Puppy Love / Circles / Vincent / You Wear It Well / Clair / American Pie / How Can I Be Sure / Could It Be Forever/ Amazing Grace Comments: Cover photo credited to Colour Library International. Contains three songs not included in the main series: “You Wear It Well”, “American Pie” and “How Can I Be Sure”. |
1973: Top Hits Of The Year (WMD 213)
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Eye Level / Welcome Home / Young Love / Never Never Never / Power To All Our Friends / Blockbuster / Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree / Yesterday Once More / Get Down / Killing Me Softly With His Song / Some Kind Of Summer / Skweeze Me Pleeze Me Comments: Cover photo by Michel Laguens. Contains six songs previously available only on the “Miss World” album (see below). The rest are from the main series. |
1974: Top Hits Of The Year (WMD 245)
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Everything I Own / Sad Sweet Dreamer / Kung Fu Fighting / Love Me For A Reason / Juke Box Jive / Hey Rock And Roll / Tiger Feet / Oh Yes! You're Beautiful / Devil Gate Drive / Seasons In The Sun / Waterloo / Billy Don't Be A Hero Comments: Contains one song not included in the main series: “Devil Gate Drive". |
1975: Top Hits Of The Year (WMD 268)
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Stand By Your Man / Oh Boy / January / I Only Have Eyes For You / Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) / Bye Bye Baby / If / Barbados / Whispering Grass / Hold Me Close / Sailing / Give A Little Love Comments: All tracks were number 1 during 1975. Contains four songs not included in the main series: “Sailing”, “Hold Me Close”, “Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)” and “I Only Have Eyes For You” (all of which were hits during the lull between volume 24 and volume 25). Sleeve notes describe the LP as, "the third in the series of 'Top Hits of the Year'. In fact it is the fifth! |
Related albums
Miss World’s Solid Gold Top 20 (WWW 2001) 1973
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Power To All Our Friends / 20th Century Boy / Some Kind Of Summer / Killing Me Softly With His Song / Heart Of Stone / Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree / Never Never Never / Get Down / Pinball Wizard - See Me Feel Me / God Gave Rock And Roll To You / The Twelfth Of Never / Pyjamarama / Feel The Need In Me / Nice One Cyril / Love Train / By The Devil (I Was Tempted) / That's When The Music Takes Me / Why Can't We Live Together / Gonna Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse |
The album above is a charity fund-raiser, promoted by the current Miss World, Belinda Green, who is featured on the cover. Windmill released a number of albums loosely connected to "Parade of Pops" but this is the only one which follows the same format, consisting of 20 tracks which were chart hits in February and March 1973. Thus, its contents could have formed the basis of volume 8, but in fact none of them were released in the main series, although six were purloined for that year's annual review LP (above). The album's proceeds went to “The Variety Club of Great Britain, The Greatest Children’s Charity in the World”.
Us Chart Busters (US 1) 1974
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Guilty / One Man Band / Rock Me Gently / Jet / When Will I See You Again / Candle In The Wind / Doctor's Orders / Waterloo / Far Far Away / You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet / Killing Me Softly With His Song / Love Me For A Reason |
This album was not released on the usual Windmill label, but on an apparently anonymous and specially created imprint. It was produced as a promotional artefact for Us Deodorant (which is what the "Us" letters mean, as opposed to USA), which was apparently produced by Johnson's Wax, who are named on the back. There are no further credits anywhere on the album, except for a mention of Multiple Sound Distributors in the small print, since the contents are all plucked from "Parade of Pops" during 1974 (bar "Killing Me Softly", which is from the 1973 end-of-year collection). As such, it is a (sort-of) best-of-year collection itself.
Stateside Smash Hits (WMD 247) 1975
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You're The First The Last My Everything / You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet / Annie's Song / Rock Me Gently / (You're) Having My Baby / You Little Trust Maker / When Will I See You Again / I'd Love You To Want Me / A Walkin' Miracle / Homely Girl / He's Misstra Know It All / Where Did All The Good Times Go |
Sub-titled "12 Top American Singles", and credited to The Statesiders, this UK release purports to be a review of US hits, but is, in effect, a third review of "Parade of Pops" during 1974. The twelve tracks are all taken from the albums volume 14 to 19, and although it has three tracks in common with "Us Chart Busters" (above), it shares none at all with the official end-of-year review album for 1974, "Top Hits of the Year".