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August Update

It's now August so there's just a month to go before the Top 40 by 40 is published. Ballots are starting to trickle in from friends. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.

It's already looking interesting. I don't want to give too much away but, just as an example, the Half Man Half Biscuit vote is currently split three ways. Must be a strong back catalogue (I've no idea).

And thanks to everyone else who has indicated they'll submit their Top 40 by the end of August. We're into double figures! But of course I'd love for more of you to take part. I'd especially like more women to sign up. Don't make me take this to Facebook.

I know some people think they will struggle to come up with 40 records they can call their favourite 40. That's fine! A top 10 or 25 or whatever will do. No more than 40 though, I'll just disregard anything from 41 onwards.

I wasn't really sure how this project was going to go when I came up with it during the mania of January's lockdown but so far I've found it really fascinating to see the ballots submitted. The themes and variety of each ballot are telling me a lot about my friends. I can't wait to see some more.


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My Top Forty

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