"Oh Julie" was a number one hit in the UK singles chart for one week for Shakin' Stevens in January 1982.
It is Stevens' third number-one single and his first as a writer. The B-side, "I'm Knockin'", was also written by Shakin' Stevens and both tracks benefit from arrangements driven by lead guitarist Mickey Gee. "Oh Julie" also has a cajun flavour courtesy of the accordion backing provided by Geraint Watkins.
Personnel Shakin' Stevens – vocals Mickey Gee – lead guitar Geraint Watkins – piano, accordion Stuart Colman – bass guitar, producer Howard Tibble – drums Rod Houison – engineer
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1982)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)3Denmark (Hitlisten)1Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)7France (IFOP)14Israel (IBA)6South Africa (Springbok Radio)2Zimbabwe (ZIMA)9
Year-end charts Chart (1982)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) 42Austria (Ö3 Austria)11Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)20Denmark (Hitlisten)3Germany (GfK Entertainment)23Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)26Netherlands (Single Top 100)41South Africa (Springbok Radio)12Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)4UK Singles16
Certifications and sales
Cover versions In September 1982, the song peaked at #38 in the US for Barry Manilow. Swedish dansband Lasse Stefanz released a version in Swedish in 1982 that charted on the Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart reaching number 16.
See also List of European number-one hits of 1982 List of number-one hits in Norway List of number-one singles and albums in Sweden List of number-one singles from the 1980s (Switzerland) List of number-one singles from the 1980s (UK)
References