(Everything I Do) I Do It for You (thing)

It's also infamously known to residents of the United Kingdom as being, to date, the record-holder for the longest time spent at number one in the Gallup pop charts ("The only chart based on record sales, the only chart that counts...", according to BBC Radio 1).

On 13th July 1991, Bryan Adams began his sixteen week residency at the top of the charts, during which time it was at the top of the Radio 1 playlists and the thrilling climax of every Top Of The Pops. It seemed strange that one song that was driving everyone crazy was still somehow selling more units than everything else that was released. Rumours were abound that you'd never go without a tea coaster in Bryan's house. Finally, on the 2nd November, U2's highly-anticipated comeback single The Fly mercifully released us all from chart limbo.

Possibly Pointless Trivia

• Proving that nothing sells a weak song like the combination of the Hollywood Blockbuster and Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston had a crack at beating Bryan's record the following year with her reworking of the Dolly Parton hit I Will Always Love You for the film The Bodyguard. It managed ten weeks before being replaced by No Limits by 2 Unlimited.

• Proving that nothing sells a weak song like a British romantic comedy, Wet Wet Wet remain the only band to have come close to Bryan's longevity when they recorded Love Is All Around, a cover of The Troggs' sixties hit for Four Weddings And A Funeral. It clocked up fifteen weeks as the pure-bred champion of the hit parade. So close. But no cigar.

• Bryan Adams didn't enjoy the dubious benefits of having the number one single again until 2000 when he teamed up with the dance band Chicane and recorded Don't Give Up. Once bitten and twice shy, the record-buying population of the UK only allowed it to stay at number one for a single week.

• 6th July 2004, and spiregrain informs me that Michael Howard selected the song on Desert Island Discs this week. It's a lovely idea. Michael Howard on a desert island.

chart research thanks cannon:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/music.archive/pop/1990.htm