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The Story of the 12” Single with Jo Whiley

Jo Whiley takes the 40th anniversary of Blue Monday by New Order - the biggest selling 12" single of all time, as a starting point to trace the history of the format.

Another chance to hear Jo Whiley present a documentary looking back at a defining moment in music history. March 2023 marked 40 years since the original release of New Order's seminal single Blue Monday.

From a low key start, it went on to be revered and made its way into the history books as it became the biggest selling 12" single of all time.

Taking this record and its anniversary as a starting point, Jo weaves through the history of the 12" single format, with insights from her 91ȱ Radio colleagues Steve Lamacq, Nemone and DJ Spoony, and archive material from people involved in the making of Blue Monday, including the members of New Order.

The 12" single is a format that immediately conjures up images of DJs on turntables. But from its accidental beginnings in disco, it has a story that crosses genres and decades, and reflects the changes in the way we've bought and consumed music since the era of vinyl being the dominant seller.

57 minutes

Music Played

  • John Williams

    Flying

    • Themes & Dreams.
    • Trax Label.
  • Bonnie Tyler

    Total Eclipse Of The Heart (Album Version)

  • Bonnie Tyler

    Total Eclipse Of The Heart

  • New Order

    The Beach

  • New Order

    The Beach

  • Duran Duran

    Is There Something I Should Know? (Monster Mix)

  • Donna Summer

    Our Love

  • Donna Summer

    Our Love

  • Sylvester

    You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

  • Sylvester

    You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

  • Al Downing

    I'll Be Holding On (Disco Mix)

  • Al Downing

    I'll Be Holding On (Disco Mix)

  • Double Exposure

    Ten Percent (Walter Gibbons 12" Mix)

    Remix Artist: Walter Gibbons.
  • Chic

    Good Times

  • Chic

    Good Times

  • The Sugarhill Gang

    Rapper's Delight

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash...

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    The Message

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    The Message

  • Lene Lovich

    Lucky Number (Slavic Dance Version)

  • Lene Lovich

    Lucky Number (Slavic Dance Version)

  • Soft Cell

    Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

  • Soft Cell

    Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

  • ABBA

    Lay All Your Love On Me

  • ABBA

    Lay All Your Love On Me

    • Abba Gold (40th Anniversary Edition).
    • Polar.
    • 005.
  • New Order

    Blue Monday (91ȱ Top of the Pops, London, 1983)

  • New Order

    Blue Monday (91ȱ Top of the Pops, London, 1983)

  • New Order

    5 8 6

  • New Order

    Confusion

  • New Order

    Confusion

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax (New York Mix)

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax (New York Mix)

  • Simple Minds

    The American

  • Simple Minds

    The American

  • Pet Shop Boys

    It's Alright

  • Stock Aitken Waterman

    Roadblock (Extended Version)

  • Stock Aitken Waterman

    Roadblock (Extended Version)

  • Steve “Silk” Hurley

    Jack Your Body

  • Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew

    The Show

  • Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew

    The Show

  • New Order

    Blue Monday 1988

  • Primal Scream

    Loaded (Andy Weatherall Mix)

  • Yolk

    Bish Bosh

  • Happy Mondays

    Hallelujah (Club Mix)

    Remix Artist: Andrew Weatherall. Remix Artist: Paul Oakenfold. Remix Artist: Remixer: Paul Oakenfold & Andy Weatherall.
  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    Gett Off (House Style)

  • Prince & The New Power Generation

    Gett Off (House Style)

  • Bryan Adams

    (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

  • Bryan Adams

    (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

  • Oasis

    Columbia (White Label Demo)

  • Oasis

    Columbia (White Label Demo)

  • Pulp

    Common People (Motiv8 Club Mix)

  • New Order

    Blue Monday '95 (Hardfloor Mix)

  • Kylie Minogue & New Order

    Can't Get Blue Monday Out Of My Head

    • The Best Club Anthems Classics (Various Artists).
    • Virgin.
  • LL Cool J

    I Need A Beat (Remix)

  • A Guy Called Gerald

    Voodoo Ray

  • A Guy Called Gerald

    Voodoo Ray

  • The 45 King

    The 900 Number

  • Chicane

    Offshore

  • Chicane

    Offshore

    • (CD Single).
    • Xtravaganza.
  • Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

    It's A Beautiful World (Andrew Weatherall Dub Remix)

    Remix Artist: Andrew Weatherall.
  • Adele

    Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX Shuffle)

    Remix Artist: Jamie xx.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Redemption Song

  • New Order

    5 8 6

  • New Order

    Blue Monday

  • New Order

    Blue Monday

Broadcasts

  • Tue 21 Mar 2023 03:00
  • Sun 23 Apr 2023 00:00
  • Sun 29 Sep 2024 00:00