English History (album)

English History is the first greatest hits album released by Australian recording artist Jon English. The album was released in August 1979 and made history at the time by becoming the largest selling double album in Australia.[1] The album sold over 180,000 copies in Australia.[2]

English History
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedAugust 1979 (1979-08)
Genre
LabelMercury Records, Frituna Records
Jon English chronology
Against the Wind
(1978)
English History
(1979)
Calm Before the Storm
(1980)
Singles from Words Are Not Enough
  1. "Get Your Love Right"
    Released: May 1979
Alternative cover
Scandinavian cover

It includes tracks from his five studio albums and two soundtrack albums to date. "Get Your Love Right" was released as the lead single in May 1979, peaking within the top 5 in New Zealand and Norway.

Track listing edit

Australian Vinyl/ Cassette (9198 178)
  1. "Get Your Love Right" - 3:28
  2. "Wine Dark Sea" - 3:42
  3. "Words Are Not Enough" - 3:34
  4. "Turn the Page" - 4:31
  5. "Minutes to Midnight" - 5:05
  6. "Hollywood Seven" - 4:53
  7. "Same Old Feeling Again" - 3:01
  8. "Lovin' Arms" - 3:04
  9. "Superstar" - 4:15
  10. "Handbags and Gladrags" - 5:19
  11. "Laughing at the Guru" - 3:48
  12. "Every Time I Sing a Love Song" - 4:01
  13. "Nights In Paradise" - 5:00
  14. "Lay it All Down" - 3:35
  15. "Sandcastles" - 3:01
  16. "Behind Blue Eyes" - 4:57
  17. "Six Ribbons" - 3:14
Scandinavian Vinyl/Cassette (FRLP-162)

Side A

  1. "Hollywood Seven" - 4:52
  2. "Words are Not Enough" - 3:38
  3. "Behind Blue Eyes" - 4:53
  4. "Wine Dark Sea" - 3:40
  5. "Superstar" - 4:12
  6. "Turn the Page" - 4:29

Side B

  1. "Play With Fire" - 5:33
  2. "Get Your Love Right" - 3:28
  3. "Everytime I Sing a Love Song" - 4:01
  4. "Lay It All Down" - 3:32
  5. "Lovin' Arms" - 3:01
  6. "Minutes to Midnight" - 5:03

Charts edit

The album charted in Norway and Sweden after "Against the Wind" had aired. It entered the charts in Norway at number 36 peaking at number 1 for three weeks in August 1981.

Weekly charts edit

Chart (1979–82) Peak
position
Australian Kent Music Report[3] 4
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[4] 3
Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart[5] 1
Swedish Albums Chart[5] 17

Year-end charts edit

Chart (1979) Position
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[6] 41

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[7] Platinum 180,000[2]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8] Platinum 15,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "Jon English". Support Act. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "International Dateline" (PDF). Cash Box. 14 June 1980. p. 36. Retrieved 3 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
  3. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. ^ "Charts.nz – Jon English – English History". Hung Medien. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "norwegiancharts.com English History" (ASP). Hung Medien. VG-lista. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1979 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Kent Music Report No 341 – 5 January 1981 > Platinum and Gold Albums 1980". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 12 November 2021 – via Imgur.com.
  8. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Jon English – English History". Recorded Music NZ. 2 March 1980. Retrieved 6 December 2022.

External links edit