The biggest songs of the last 25 years revealed - Take 40 Australia anniversary edition

8 Apr 2009


Take 40 Australia is excited to celebrate its 25th birthday with a very special top 40 tribute - a countdown of the biggest number one hits from the last 25 years. The ultimate Take 40 countdown dates back to the program's 1984 launch, and is featured on www.take40.com with an impressive collection of the most popular recent and retro video clips, all free and ready to stream.

Australian band Youth Group tops the list of all time favourites with cult hit, 'Forever Young', which held the top spot on the Take 40 Australia chart for a record-breaking 14 weeks. The anniversary list was specially created to celebrate 25 years of Take 40 Australia and showcases the hits that have dominated the number one position since 1984.

As part of the celebrations, Take 40 has also compiled a list of the best one-hit-wonders that have featured in the chart over the years. Who could forget the 1988 smash hit, 'Don't Worry Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin? The full list of one-hit-wonders will be available online at www.take40.com.

Simon Joyce, mcm media CEO, emphasises the significance of the Take 40 25th Anniversary Chart to Australian music. "As Take 40 Australia is our official music chart, this list is Australia's official recognition of our most loved songs from the last 25 years", he said.

"Take 40's debut broadcast on FOX FM created history with Coca-Cola, as the first syndicated national radio countdown. Since then, Take 40 Australia has built a formidable programming bond with Austereo's Today Network and an extensive regional radio network, to deliver the nation's biggest radio show week-in, week-out on 96 stations. Together, we continually deliver exceptional content around the Take 40 brand that brings the listener closer to their favourite artist."

In partnership with its sponsor BigPond Music, Take 40 Australia delivers listeners access to the most popular music, celebrity news and entertainment when and how they want it, whether it be over the radio, online or by mobile.

Take 40 has reached this major milestone after 1,300 attention-grabbing editions of the official Take 40 countdown. With over one million loyal fans tuning in each week, the legendary show is still the biggest syndicated radio program in the country, with the celeb cred to prove it.

Toby Martin, Youth Group lead singer and founding member, recognises the value of Take 40 Australia. "Radio still has a very strong influence and it's a very strong way of getting music across to people". On his status as the band behind the biggest hit in the history of Take 40 Australia, Toby says "It's pretty extraordinary... very touching as well I think... it's an honour. I feel privileged in wishing Take 40 Australia a happy 25th birthday"

Star host Andrew G has had some memorable moments with international music industry A-listers. In one celebrity interview, he nearly upset iconic band, U2 by referring to them as the only band of their 'vintage', to which Bono replied, "We do not like that word my son... Break his legs! We know where you park your surfboard!"

Tony McGinn, mcm founder and mcm entertainment group CEO is the original innovator behind Take 40 Australia. "I'm really proud that Take 40 is one of the longest running media and entertainment brands in Australia. We've evolved as music consumption has changed, and the innovation of the brand and its reach across multiple platforms makes Take 40 constantly relevant to a new generation as well as the 'big kids' that have grown up with the show. That said, radio is and always will be the nucleus of Take 40 Australia" he said.

Exclusive celebrity interviews and other unforgettable Take 40 highlights will be available online at www.take40.com, along with the list of Take 40 one-hit-wonders and the entire 25th anniversary tribute list. The list of top 40 number ones since 1984 features recent artists like Lady Ga Ga and Fergie alongside international music legends such as John Farnham, Kylie Minogue, Meat Loaf, Madonna, and Pat Benatar with Take 40's very first number one, 'Love is a Battlefield'.

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