Before we kick off the countdown, I should acknowledge the source of chart information featured in the posts that follow.

All statistics quoted in the Radio Ga Ga Australian Top 30 Countdown come from the very excellent book – The Book: Top 40 Research (7th Edition) by Stephen Scanes and Jim Barnes. The book provides comprehensive information about every song to have made the Australian national charts since 1956. The book is currently out of print however edition 8 is due for release during the first quarter of 2011.

Note that the chart information relates to national chart performance. Some songs, particualrly from the 1960′s and early 1970′s were released at different times in different states of Australia and so its national performance may not reflect how well the song charted in an individual state at a particular point in time.

The book is available online from www.top40book.com.au. Expressions of interest and pre-orders are currently being taken via email from the web site.