I’m back from a month of travelling, which means I’ll be speeding up the regular posts again, and also resuming the extra-curricular posts. Such as…

Our Random Runners-up. Yes, it’s time for another trio of randomly selected (thanks to Random.org) number two hits from this date in chart history.

‘Children of the Revolution’, by T. Rex – #2 for 3 weeks, from 17th September – 7th October 1972 (behind ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’ & ‘How Can I Be Sure’)

Though our three dates are randomly chosen (honest!), I did rejoice when they threw up this glam rock stomper. While all four of T. Rex’s #1s are great, I would argue that their chart fortunes peaked too soon, and that their two signature singles – ‘Children of the Revolution’ and ’20th Century Boy – sadly missed out on top spot.

‘Children of the Revolution’ was a bit of a side-step for Marc Bolan, a slower, heavier number, with a woozy, waltzing electric violin solo, hinting at less commercial ventures to come. Yet it is still classic T. Rex, with probably the ultimate Bolan lyric: I drive a Rolls-Royce, Cause it’s good for my voice…

‘Ghostbusters’, by Ray Parker Jr. – #2 for 3 weeks, from 16th September – 6th October 1984 (behind ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’)

The ’80s was a decade filled with movie soundtrack number ones (one of which kept this record from top spot). ‘Ghostbusters’ is certainly one of the best remembered soundtrack hits, but it fell just short.

In truth, its continued popularity is a little odd, as the song’s lyrics are so tied to the film that they make very little sense unless you’ve seen it. But maybe that doesn’t matter when you have such a memorable synth line, and a such a catchy call and response chorus. Plus, as with ‘Children of the Revolution’, it has a great double-take lyric. Bustin’ makes me feel good! Come again, Ray…?

I must confess to struggling with naming any other Ray Parker Jr. song, and this was his only Top 10 hit in the UK (one of only two career Top 40 hits). Apparently Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsay Buckingham was initially approached to write the ‘Ghostbusters’ theme, and one can only imagine how this might have sounded had that came about. Probably not nearly as funky as this.

Another reason for this song living on long beyond its film soundtrack shelf-life is that it always features near the top of the annual streaming services’ Halloween playlists. So synonymous with the season is this song these days that I was slightly surprised to see it at #2 in late September, and not a month later.

‘It’s My Life’, by Dr. Alban – #2 for 3 weeks, from 20th September – 10th October 1992 (behind ‘Ebeneezer Goode’)

Completing our trio – fittingly all three of our random runners-up spent three weeks at #2 – it’s an early ’90s dance classic. I think it’s a classic, anyway. I was a shade too young to remember it. And I don’t know enough about dance music lore to judge how well this is remembered.

It has all the touches of a Snap!, or a 2 Unlimited, record – both of whom scored huge chart-toppers either side of this – but it also has an ominous edge to it. It has a grandness, and an edge… which is ruined slightly by the lyrics, which sound like a fifteen-year-old ranting at their overbearing parents. Stop bugging me, stop forcing me, stop yelling me… It’s my life.

Dr Alban was a Swedish-Nigerian musician and producer, more associated with dancehall, hip-hop and reggae. Dashes of that come through here in his rap, and some of the production elements, but on the whole this is standard Eurodance. And it was by far his biggest hit – his only Top 10 in the UK.

Hope you enjoyed the interlude. Back to the regular countdown, and a girl group double, next.