Talk:Shirley Bassey discography

Catalogue error
The single For All We Know should be 1971 not 1972. Please correct. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.145.255.117 (talk) 11:29, 8 January 2021 (UTC)

Record Sales
Recent newspaper articles have quoted a figure of 135,000,000 in record sales for Shirley Bassey, but do not indicate the source. It would appear that the source is simply press releases by Geffen Records in conjuction with her upcoming album, The Performance.

Figuring record sales is fraught with complications. Before organizations such as the RIAA (USA) and BPI (UK) started certifying record sales with Platinum, Gold, and in the case of BPI, Silver records, the record companies themselves made such awards, and it wasn't unknown for them to inflate sales figures. Even after the awards moved from record companies to organizations such as the RIAA, certification was not automatic; the record company had to request it and pay a modest fee, and sometimes they didn't bother. A further complication for someone like Shirley is that the BPI only started certifying sales in 1973, after her 1950s and 1960s career, and after her well-selling album and single, 1970's "Something."

In the BPI online searchable database, Shirley has 1 Platinum, 6 Gold, and 11 Silver albums. Qualification for albums was initially on the basis of revenue received by manufacturers, but in January 1978 the BPI abolished the old monetary system for albums and replaced it with a unit system, whereas (P= 300,000 G= 100,000, S= 60,000). Taking the old and new into account, a figure for Shirley's BPI certifications would be somewhere between 2 and 3 million in album sales. Of course, that doesn't include sales that don't reach the certification level, nor does it include sales anywhere outside the UK, nor does it include pre-1973 UK sales. Shirley has no USA certifications according to the RIAA online searchable database, which goes back to 1958, when the RIAA began certification.

I can find no RIAA certification for "Goldfinger" as a single or the soundtrack album (in any case for the soundtrack, Shirley would not receive the award), so the 1,000,000 in U.S. sales for "Goldfinger" (as a single) in the article (source: Guinness Records) may be suspect. In terms of chart position, I see no indication on http://www.theofficialcharts.com/ that the Goldfinger soundtrack was ever No. 1 in the UK. I did find one fansite that says:

(Goldfinger) charted:

single UK: #21, October 15, 1964

US: #8, January 23 (or January 30??), 1965

album UK: #14, October 31, 1964

US: #1, December 12, 1964 Also See http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=1911

I have left the 135,000,000 figure (and the 1,000,000 for Goldfinger) alone for know, as some source may come to light to authenticate these figures; or perhaps Guinness is sufficient, but in that case there needs to be a proper citation--Nyctc7 (talk) 17:58, 9 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Also see a discussion on the List of best-selling artists discussion page--Nyctc7 (talk) 20:00, 17 September 2009 (UTC)
 * 135,000,000 remains unverified and should be removed. It can always be added later should good, acceptable sources be found. Same with the 1,000,000 for the Goldfinger single.--Nyctc7 (talk) 18:38, 11 March 2010 (UTC)

I don't know if this list is complete, http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifixqw5ld6e~T50 but it would seem to contradict that Live At Carnegie Hall was a top-ten album US album for her, and the singles page does not match up with what the article says near the end of the second paragraph. But the list on allmusic may or may not be complete.--Nyctc7 (talk) 06:00, 13 September 2009 (UTC)
 * I changed Carnegie Hall because the discography itself, lower down the page, indicated 20 on the R&B charts. But the US discography needs a citation, as the numbers on allmusic (link above) don't always match the numbers here.--Nyctc7 (talk) 06:36, 13 September 2009 (UTC)

Certifications
I have added Shirley's 14 BPI certifications http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx
 * 18 certifications, current URL http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx --Nyctc7 (talk) 06:00, 7 March 2014 (UTC)

Shirley has no RIAA certifications to date

Other certifying organizations are listed here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_recording_sales_certifications

They may or may not have online archives, or archives that don't go very far back, or may not be in English.--Nyctc7 (talk) 03:53, 11 September 2009 (UTC)

Chart Positions
Shirley's UK chart positions are readily available here http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=1185
 * chartstats has had copyright problems. Try http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/shirley%20bassey/ --Nyctc7 (talk) 06:09, 7 March 2014 (UTC)

However sourcing her US chart positions isn't as easy. Billboard.com does not have archives, and one must pay a subscription to access the archives at http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/index.jsp

There is some info on her Billboard peak chart positions here, http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fifixqw5ld6e~T51 but it does not validate all of the peak chart positions shown here under US discography. For example, it does not show "History Repeating" as a top ten in the dance chart, nor Never Never Never" as No. 8 on adult contemporary (or easy listening as it was once known). Another quick example is that allmusic shows I, Capricorn as reaching 94 in the top 200 album chart, whereas the discography says 174.

The US figures in the discography here had to come from somewhere, so I will see if anyone can provide a source, right now using I am not comfortable revamping the US discography section on the basis of allmusic alone.--Nyctc7 (talk) 20:00, 13 September 2009 (UTC)
 * As some other discographies here use allmusic as a source, went ahead and used it for US chart positions, leaving alone the one or two US numbers that already existed here, but are not on allmusic.--Nyctc7 (talk) 16:49, 20 September 2009 (UTC)

Bassey's US chart positions are now all correct.--Nyctc7 (talk) 15:54, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

UA-EMI
Shirley left EMI (one fansite says) in 1966 and signed with United Artists. The last UA album on the discography is The Magic Is You (1978) which is before EMI absorbed UA. According to the wiki article:"In 1978, UA executives Artie Mogull and Jerry Rubinstein bought the record company from Transamerica with a loan from EMI. The name of the company was changed to Liberty/United Records and the UA Records name was retained....Unable to generate enough income to cover the loan, EMI foreclosed on Liberty/United Records in 1979 and changed the name of the label and company back to Liberty in 1980, returning the name of the record label to the film company. In a cost cutting move, EMI consolidated its labels, absorbing its artists into EMI's worldwide operations. Liberty Records operated between late 1980 and approximately 1986...The EMI-owned United Artists Records catalogue is now controlled by Capitol Records."Interestingly, the compilation "The EMI/UA Years 1959 - 1979" includes, besides the early EMI-Columbia years, and the United Artists years which they didn't own at the time but do now, a small period of time when EMI began to own the assets of UA, that is, right at the very end. On the CD they have two tracks from what they refer to as "1979": The Greatest Love Of All, which in fact is from the 1978 album The Magic Is You, and Moonraker, which is from 1979. But I think it better to have the Record Label column in the albums section say 'United Artists" rather than "EMI-United Artists" as when her albums from this period of 1966-1978 were released, UA was not controlled by EMI. It is not precisely clear to me when Shirley's contract with UA ended, but even if there was a period of time she was technically under contract to EMI, it doesn't appear that she actually recorded any albums under the auspices of EMI during this time (The 12 Of Those Songs being an anomaly, probably previously recorded material).--Nyctc7 (talk) 06:37, 16 September 2009 (UTC)

This Is My Life (La vita)
This Is My Life (La vita)

Italian songs with Angelo Giacomazzi and orchestra

Producer: Norman Newell and Dave Pell

Arranged by: Sid Feller

Label: United Artists Catalogue No: UA 9035 Format: LP

--This 1968 album was only released in Italy, side one included only Italian songs with the exception of "La vita (This Is My Life)" which is partly sung in Italian. Side two is an edited version of the "This Is My Life" album, that was released in the rest of Europe and the USA, with the addition of, ‘To Give’ which was only included in this album and on a 7″ single release.

This album has identical cover art to the 1968 UK "This Is My Life" but has "La vita" under "This Is My Life"

There is now an article for the album.--Nyctc7 (talk) 03:13, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

All By Myself / Love Songs
This album was recorded for the record company Applause Records (Owned by Steve Lawence and Eydie Gormé) and the album was issued under this label as 'All By Myself' in Europe and the US. In the UK it had a different release date, label and name (AKA 'Love Songs') The album was also the earlist ORIGINAL CD issue of any Shirley Bassey album - it was released in France on the Vogue label with all original artwork etc. This release which I have also names Applause records as copyright owner of the recordings. Shirley Bassey also did a few live recordings in the period on a 2LP set called 'The Sound of Applause'.
 * Yes, her first CD...1982 was the dawn of the CD era. I originally thought the CD originated in Germany because of this, See http://bassified.com/det_allbymyself.html. But the symbol for Vogue matches this, See http://www.discogs.com/label/Disques+Vogue. So maybe it was on a French label, but manufactured in Germany? This CD has become collectible, being now scarce. When lookng for it on eBay or elsewhere, do not confuse it with the 2005 CD of the same name. More info about the original label here Applause.--Nyctc7 (talk) 16:40, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

The cd was issued on VG 651 in 1982 and indicates Made In France by PDO - copyright and publishing rights owned by APPLAUSE records. Dutchdean (talk) 18:13, 23 September 2009 (UTC)

Discography
Archived: Talk:Shirley Bassey discography/Archive 1

I agree yes the US titles should be added but then on ALL the releases where this was the case, I have added the early ones and will add more later. (If there are anymore..) 'Shirley Bassey Sings The Hit Song From "Oliver!"' is not a compilation but the US issue of 'Let's Face The Music'. Again only one track was changed BUT several tracks that appear on the US issue were taken from different masters or recording sessions. I have also completed the Pigalle album and added more detail on several other release. Thanks for all the help. I will firstly edit and add more albums before moving on to the singles. 80.100.26.222 (talk) 11:55, 24 September 2009 (UTC)
 * ok. The only thing that concerns me is that it is described as a collection on the old Songs of Shirley Bassey website. However, I'm not going to say that that site is infallible, I have found at least one error so far. http://home.arcor.de/bassey/info/trkl010.html Also, here is a picture of the Oliver! album if you would like to create an article for it http://www.nelsonriddlemusic.com/nr_albums_bassey.htm --Nyctc7 (talk)
 * "also issued as"--agreed, but caution if it is a re-issue, in which case it should have its own entry, like And We Were Lovers > Big Spender.--Nyctc7 (talk) 18:44, 24 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Thanks to everyone!--Nyctc7 (talk) 18:44, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

The US issue is definately NOT a collection it was issued in the same year in the US and actually is Shirley's first official US album release on United Artists. The album was issued due to the success of the musical 'Oliver'. Maybe at a later date it might be great to add articles for the US releases. At the moment I feel the way you have listed the albums is fine and the differences in the US and UK versions can be shown as on the 'Let's Face The Music/ Oliver' Dutchdean (talk) 19:30, 24 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the clarification!, and I see how her pose on the cover of Oliver! is taken directly from Let's Face the Music--Nyctc7 (talk) 21:46, 24 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Maybe it would be overkill to have separate articles on the US releases. I'll try and add an image to Pigalle and Let's Face of the American release covers. If it looks good, ok. If not, we can just delete it.--Nyctc7 (talk) 23:00, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

REF: All By Myself / Love Songs

Having done some more research on this album I have found a reference that indicates that it was issued in the UK on Applause records catalogue number APKL 1163 - this number is used in the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums. Dutchdean (talk) 17:52, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

I have just noticed that the Bassey Sings Bond album from 1987 is not listed? I know it was withdrawn but it was officially released and I think shoud be listed. Dutchdean (talk) 09:45, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

http://home.arcor.de/bassey/info/trkl056.html

See here for information on the Bond album.
 * Since it was released, however briefly, it deserves inclusion. But I think an article about the album should be written first, mentioning the lawsuit. Then add it to the discography. That's my suggestion.--Nyctc7 (talk) 10:45, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

Good idea, I will add one soon. Dutchdean (talk) 10:49, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

There is no standard within the discography for the vinyl releases, some albums have track listing from 1 to 12 for example others indicate Side One and Side Two. Which are we going to use a a standard? I feel personally that the Sides should be indicated in vinyl releases. As in the album ´Something´. Dutchdean (talk) 14:07, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

I have moved The Remix Album 2000 to the Original Albums, this should be considered an album with original material. Other albums list should only list items of special interest, such as albums that charted or collections that include special or alternative versions. Dutchdean (talk) 15:47, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

Nyctc7 - Thanks for correcting the Caps issue but please be a little paitent, I was still busy with this article and due to change lost the new information I was adding. I have tried to use the rules on caps BUT many songs don't link thru if you use the correct caps rules.....when they are wrong they do...Dutchdean (talk) 17:31, 27 September 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm very sorry! I had no idea of course...will not be so 'quick on the draw' next time. I will e-mail you about the caps thing for linking and what to do when this happens. As for the articles on the albums issued on LP, side one and two sounds good. If you have access to the LPs to do this, great!--Nyctc7 (talk)

Have added 'Shirley Stops the Shows!' to the discography. Dutchdean (talk) 14:46, 28 September 2009 (UTC)

Have made the original albums in to two seperate lists - one for studio albums and the second for live albums. I also corrected the listing for 'Thoughts Of Love' this is not a new studio album but a compilation. It has been added to other albums as it is of interest due to it's chart listing and Gold status. Dutchdean (talk) 15:34, 28 September 2009 (UTC)
 * This is good - for one thing, the 'releases' box in the upper right can now link to to those lists. I've always wondered what to do with Thank You for the Years, as it is a mix of new and previously released material (a note in small letters? or just leave it be?)--Nyctc7 (talk) 16:42, 28 September 2009 (UTC)

I think a small note could be added, but the article its self in I feel clear on the mix issue. The track list also indictes thsi clearly. I am currently working on the EMI Boxset from 1994, and was wondering if I should make an article on each disc? Is it possible to add each disc under the listing:

For example:

1994 Bassey - The EMI/UA Years 1959 - 1979

Disc One

Disc Two

Disc Three

Disc Four

Disc Five

I mean under the listing: Dutchdean (talk) 16:59, 28 September 2009 (UTC)
 * Here is a list of boxsets that have articles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Box_set_albums so look at a few articles and pick a format you like. CSN (box set) is very detailed. Click on edit this page to see how it was done. Also, general instructions for headings and subheadings are herecheatsheet--Nyctc7 (talk) 01:06, 29 September 2009 (UTC)

"Other notable albums" has been created to include notable albums that are not original release studio or live albums, nor compilation albums. Big Spender and What Now My Love are notable in that they charted, but they are not compilation albums. We will be adding to this table in due course, albums that are notable, but not, strictly speaking, compilations.--Nyctc7 (talk) 20:01, 1 October 2009 (UTC)

The Songs of Shirley Bassey website
This website was used by many as a reference for Shirley Bassey's discography. Sadly, it no longer exists. Wherever someone in the past cited to this source, it now redirects to the Bassey Blog, which does not contain its information. I have endeavored to replace those links with a link to the old, frozen site, which still exists. If that ever disappears, it would present a problem, but hopefully not a major one, as the discography here cites the "British Hit Singles and Albums," and the SOSB is cited in only a relatively few places. But I hope that the "frozen" site stays, as it contains a wealth of information. updated site: http://www.songsofshirleybassey.co.uk/ old, frozen site: http://home.arcor.de/bassey/ssb.html

The updated site (that now no longer exists) was a truly exceptional site for all things Bassey.--Nyctc7 (talk) 20:01, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

This is indeed a great shame....I do have alot of information on the Bassey discography, have been researching for more than ten years. I have not published it online and is a huge Word doc. BUT if you need any help on anything let me know. Would be pleased to help!! Dutchdean (talk) 10:47, 25 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Ah, good to see someone else dipping in, I was hoping someone in the know would turn up. One question that we've been mulling over Dutchdean, is when the The Magic is You album was released? Do you have a date for that, it's listed as 1978, but it's bugging me because it charted in the UK in May 1979 ?--Tuzapicabit (talk) 17:30, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

Done some reserch on this and have found that the date is not clear....but the album sleeve cover has 1979, seeing the album did not chart until May 1979 I think that it was released in early months of 1979. Possible reason for charting later than release is the TV series that aired in early 1979. Plus the success of the singles from this album. I think the date should be changed to 1979. (As per the UK album sleeve) Dutchdean (talk) 15:00, 26 September 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm confused as well. Why is the album widely described as 1978? Yet some places do say 1979. See here right now on UK eBay, two LPs described as original releases, one says it is 1978, the other 1979! eBay I wonder why? If it says 1979 on the album, where does 1978 come from? On SOSB website it says 1978 (again, that site is not infallible), but has a Billboard review from late January, 1979. And on the SOSB, where it shows the track list for The EMI/UA Years 1959 - 1979, it indicates that the CD set describes "The Greatest Love of All" (presumably from the album) as 1979. Dutchdean, when you say it's not clear, you were not kidding! I defer to you on this! (Hopefully) last question--Does it say UA or EMI-UA for the label?Nyctc7 (talk) 17:42, 26 September 2009 (UTC)

Nyctc7 the label indicates only UA. There is only a mention of EMI as in 'Made by and distributed EMI Uden, Holland'. Uden was the site of a large factory from EMI until a few years ago. I think that the album was released on or around the year change (1978/1979) or possibly delayed. I have checked the record label and that has 1978, but the sleeve definately has 1979. This could explain why it is listed on eBay with both dates. I just depends where the seller looks.. Dutchdean (talk) 19:21, 26 September 2009 (UTC)

Artwork
Tuzapicabit - Thanks for you tip on alternative artwork pictures, I am aware that one can not add artwork simply just because of slight differences BUT the artwork for the CD release of 'I Capricorn' is definatly different enough to need an apart picture to show that. Dutchdean (talk) 19:07, 30 September 2009 (UTC)

World Wide Charts
Can anyone provide any information on album and single chart entries by Shirley Bassey? All information with ref. if possible. Maybe a good online site with historic chart lists for Germany, France, Australia, Canada etc. etc. We have covered the US, UK and the Netherlands. Dutchdean (talk) 21:36, 12 October 2009 (UTC)
 * Any information (that can be sourced) on certifications (gold records) from other countries would be great, too!--Nyctc7 (talk) 18:05, 15 October 2009 (UTC)

Film soundtracks with tracks by Shirley Bassey
Yesmissy - The information on songs recorded by Shirley Bassey and later reissued in film soundtracks do not warrant a seperate inclusion in the discography. There a simply to many and they do not warrant or add any information. The songs are often just background music etc. and were not originally composed for inclusion in the film. The list you added is NOT a Full list of soundtracks that feature Bassey songs....there are many hundreds.... The addition only makes the discography complex and messy, the discography also only lists compilations of special interest, eg. albums that charted or had new material included....again there are 1000s of compilation albums that do not warrant an inclusion. This is not a list of items or releases that include Shirley Bassey tracks. The discography section Original Soundtracks is purely for ORIGINAL songs written for and included on ORIGINAL soundtracks. I have removed the item (again). Please do not add them again. (See here below where the information can be added)

Where it belongs: Please add this sort of information to the song articles (see "History Repeating") or you can add the infromation on the Shirley Bassey article, in the section References in popular culture if is important enough for inclusion...Thank you. Dutchdean (talk) 12:31, 18 October 2009 (UTC)


 * HI, just wanted to add that I agree with Dutchdean and Ericorbit. The Film Soundtrack section should be for songs that were written with the specific intention of being part of a movie soundtrack--"Goldfinger", "The Liquidator", etc., not every time a previously recorded Shirley Bassey song happens to be heard in the background. I would also add that I really don't think that this belongs in the main Shirley Bassey article under refs in popular culture, unless it made some kind of impact, or is notable in some other way. Refs in Popular Culture lists get too long as well. But the suggestion to include the informatiuon on the article for the song, if one exists, is a good one, and perhaps in the article on the movie, if one exists--Nyctc7 (talk) 14:18, 18 October 2009 (UTC)