Chart Songwords
Chart Songwords was a popular British music magazine published during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Launching with Issue 1 in February 1979 it featured Boney M on the front cover and followed in the footsteps of earlier lyric-focused songbooks like Disco 45 and Record Song Book.
Issues were typically brief (often around 16 pages) and heavily practical. While the front covers were glossy and printed in colour, the inside pages were famously black-and-white.
Imagery was sourced through freelance music photographers or directly from the PR departments of major record labels (like EMI, CBS, and Virgin) who provided the promo headshots for free to get their artists featured.
Credits:
Price - 15p
Editor - Russell Johns
Published by - Dormbourne Ltd
Release Date - Typically in the final week of the previous cover dated month
The absolute core of the magazine was the printed lyrics. Teens bought it so they could sing along to their favourite tracks without having to guess the words or repeatedly rewind cassette tapes. Beyond the lyrics, the magazine contained artist profiles, occasional news snippets, black-and-white band photos, and frequently a giant pull-out wall poster of a major chart star.
Chart Songwords was part of a publishing boom that indirectly birthed a legend. In late 1978, journalist Nick Logan noticed his sister buying poor-quality song-words magazines. Realizing there was a massive demand for accurate lyrics wrapped in a premium package, he pitched a high-quality, glossy hybrid of music journalism and lyrics to publisher EMAP. That idea became Smash Hits, which launched in late 1978, dominated the 1980s, and eventually squeezed out smaller, lyrics-only sheets like Chart Songwords.
After 53 issues the magazine folded in July 1983, along with it's parent magazine Disco 45
Front Cover - Boney M
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 01
Price - 15p Pages - 16
February 1979
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 03
Price - 15p Pages - 16
April 1979
Front Cover - Village People
Features:
Chart Chat
Fan Clubs:
-
Tom Robinson Band
-
Queen
-
Generation X
Chart Busting Albums:
-
Leo Sayer, Toto, The Real Thing, The Stranglers, Village People, Edwin Star, Skids, Gloria Gaynor
Chartbusters - Darts
How Do You Rate As A Chart Fan?
Chart Arrivals - Lea Lovich
Horoscopes
Star Scop - Peter Frampton
Songwords:
Motorhead - Overkill
Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest
Dancer
Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing
The Buzzcocks - Everybody's
Happy Nowadays
John Travolta - Whenever I'm Away
From You
George Harrison - Blow Away
The Late Show - Bristol Stomp
The Sex Pistols - Something Else
Liner - Keep Reaching Out For Love
Village People - In The Navy
The Jam - Strange Town
Leyton Buzzard - Saturday Night
(Beneath The Palm Trees)
Black Lace - Mary Ann
Dennis Brown - Money In My Pocket
(Part One)
Kandidate - I Don't Wanna Lose You
Chic - I Want Your Love
Racey - Some Girls
Lindisfarne - Warm Feeling
Thin Lizzy - Waiting For An Alibi
Issue 05
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
June 1979
Front Cover - Debbie Harry
(Blondie)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 07
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
August 1979
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 09
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
October 1979
Front Cover - Leo Sayer
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 11
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
December 1979
Front Cover - The Police
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 13
Price - 20p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
February 1980
Front Cover - Suzi Quatro
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 15
Price - 20p Pages - 16
April 1980
Front Cover - The Bodysnatchers
Features:
Chart Chat
Chartbusters:
-
Elvis Costello
-
The Skids
Chart Arrivals:
-
Martha And The Muffins
-
The Lambrettas
Chart Teasers
Chartbusting Albums:
-
Rose Royce, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Sex Pistols, Mod Classics, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Ian Dury, Tourists
Horoscopes
-
Starscope - Bjorn (ABBA)
Songwords:
UK Subs - Warhead
Genesis - Turn It On Again
The Bodysnatchers - Let's Do Rock
Steady
Siouxsie And The Banshees -
Happy House
The Purple Hearts - Jimmy
M - That's The Way The Money Goes
Dan Fogerberg - Longer
Rupert Holmes - Him
The Jam - Going Underground
Earth Wind & Fire - In The Stone
Betty Bright - Hello, I Am Your Heart
Trussell - Love Injection
Kiss - 2000 Man
Sister Sledge - Easy Street
Leon Haywood -
Don't Push It Don't Force It
Barbara Dicson - January February
Mike Rutherford - Working In Line
Styx - Boat On The River
Issue 17
Price - 20p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
June 1980
Front Cover - The Beat
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 19
Price - 25p Pages - 16
This Issue had a 5p price increase
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
August 1980
Front Cover - Siouxsie
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 21
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
October 1980
Front Cover - Gary Numan
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 23
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
December 1980
Front Cover - Bob Geldof
(Boomtown Rats)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 25
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
February 1981
Front Cover - Steve Strange (Visage)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 27
Price - 30p Pages - 16
This issue had a 5p price increase
April 1981
Front Cover - Simon Le Bon
Features:
Chart Chat
Classix Nouveaux
Polecats
Chartbusting Albums:
-
The Selector, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Stray Cats
Horoscopes
Pen Pals
Songwords:
Lynx - Intuition
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
Visage - Mind Of A Toy
The Who - You Better You Bet
Lena Lovich - New Toy
Adam And The Ants - Kings Of The
Wilde Frontier
Gillan - New Orleans
Polecats - John I'm Only Dancing
Elton John and John Lennon - I Saw
Her Standing There
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Plan B
Iron Maiden - Twilight Zone
Hazel O'Connor - D-Days
Issue 29
Price - 30p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
June 1981
Front Cover - Toyah
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 31
Price - 30p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
August 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 33
Price - 35p Pages - 16
This issue had a 5p Price Increase
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
October 1981
Front Cover - Toyah
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 35
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
December 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 37
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
February 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 39
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
April 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 41
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
June 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 43
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
August 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 45
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
October 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 47
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
December 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 49
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
February 1983
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
March 1979
May 1979
July 1979
September 1979
November 1979
January 1980
Front Cover - Lee Garrett
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 02
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - Shawaddywaddy
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 04
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - Wings
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 06
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 08
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - ABBA
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 10
Price - 15p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 12
Price - 20p Pages - 16
This Issue had a 5p price increase
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
March 1980
Front Cover - Debbie Harry
(Blondie)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 14
Price - 20p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
May 1980
Front Cover - Pauline Black
Features:
Chart Chat
Chartbusters - Madness
Chart Teasers
Chartbusting Albums:
-
Def Leppard, Status Quo, BA Robertson, Martha and the Muffins, Stiff Little Fingers, Captain and Tennille
Horoscopes
Pen Pals
Songwords:
The Undertones - My Perfect Cousin
Blondie - Call Me
Judas Priest - Living After Midnight
The Ramones - Do You Remember
Rock 'N' Roll Radio?
Elvis Costello - High Fidelity
The Buggles - Clean, Clean
Sham 69 - Tell The Children
Madness - Night Boat To Cairo
The Ruts - Staring At The Rude
Boys
Girl - Hollywood Tease
Phil Lynott - Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
Pete Townsend - Rough Boys
The High Numbers - I'm The Face
David Essex - Silver Dream Machine
Issue 16
Price - 20p Pages - 16
July 1980
Front Cover - Sting (The Police)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 18
Price - 20p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
September 1980
Issue 20
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - Debbie Harry
(Blondie)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
November 1980
Issue 22
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
January 1981
Front Cover - The Specials
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
March 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 26
Price - 25p Pages - 16
Issue 28
Price - 30p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
May 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
July 1981
Issue 30
Price - 30p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
September 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 32
Price - 30p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
November 1981
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 34
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
January 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 36
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
March 1982
Front Cover - Suggs (Madness)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 38
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
May 1982
Issue 40
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
July 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 42
Price - 35p Pages - 16
This issue featured a new logo as it was rebranded
September 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 44
Price - 35p Pages - 16
November 1982
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 46
Price - 35p Pages - 16
Issue 48
Price - 35p Pages - 16
January 1983
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 50
Price - 35p Pages - 16
March 1983
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 51
Price - 00p Pages - 00
Final Issue
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
April 1983
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Specials
There were some Specials that were also released. Occasionally the Year End Christmas Song Book featuring the biggest hits of the year were compiled into a bumper special. I am not sure how many of these there were so I have added in the years until they are confirmed.
There are also confirmed 2 further Specials entitled
The John Lennon Memorial Album (1980/1981)
The Chart Song Words 'Giant' Pop Special (1981)
Anyone has these specials or know of any others then please get in touch
Special
Price - 00 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
1979 Special
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Special
Price - 00 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
1981 Special
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
The John Lennon Memorial Album (1980/1981)
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Special
Price - 60 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Special
Price - 00 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
1980 Special
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Special
Price - 00 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
1982 Special
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Special
Price - 00 Pages - 00
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Chart Songwords Giant
Pop Special (1981)
Front Cover - (Unknown)
Features:
(Unknown)
Songwords:
(Unknown)
Do Not Have Can You Help