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Artist · chart history · #335 in indie & aaa artist polls

World Party

Band London United Kingdom Formed 1986

World Party formed in 1986 in London, United Kingdom. World Party has 183 chart appearances on 67 radio countdowns from 18 stations on RockLists, spanning 1987–2026. The most successful song on radio countdowns is “Ship of Fools”, which appears on 44 lists with a best position of #45. The station that charted World Party most often is CD101 (Columbus, OH), with 109 appearances. The artist’s biggest year on year-end countdowns was 1990.

183appearances
67countdowns
15songs charted
18stations
0#1 finishes
1987–2026years

World Party was, for most intents and purposes, Karl Wallinger: songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who started the band in London after leaving the Waterboys. Other players came and went, among them Guy Chambers, David Catlin-Birch, Chris Sharrock, who would later drum for Oasis, Jeff Trott, Amanda Kramer and John Turnbull, but the songs, the sound and the vision were Wallinger's.

That sound is warm, sunny and generous, rich with soulful grooves and jangling guitars. Private Revolution, in 1986, gave them "Ship of Fools", a jaunty, rolling hit, along with the title song and "All Come True".

Goodbye Jumbo, in 1990, is where it all came together, a joyous, sprawling record with "Way Down Now", which struts along on a loose, funky shuffle, "Put the Message in the Box", a bright, hopeful singalong, "Is It Too Late?" and "Take It Up". Bang!, in 1993, added "Is It Like Today?", another hit, and "Hollywood", and Egyptology followed in 1997, with Dumbing Up, and "What Does It Mean Now?", in 2000.

World Party also recorded the original version of "She's the One", which became a UK number one for Robbie Williams in 1999, and the band has an Ivor Novello Award to its name. On the countdowns, "Ship of Fools" and "Way Down Now" remain the ones listeners hold closest.

Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia.

Songs by World Party on radio countdowns

#SongStrengthListsBest#1sPeak year
1 Ship of Fools
1,960		 44 #45 – 1987
2 Way Down Now
1,507		 28 #40 – 1990
3 Put The Message In The Box
875		 20 #57 – –
4 Is It Like Today?
804		 25 #65 – 1993
5 Is It Too Late?
665		 15 #460 – –
6 Take It Up
604		 14 #624 – –
7 Private Revolution
570		 14 #57 – 1987
8 What Does It Mean Now?
98		 7 #65 – 2006
9 Put the Message in a Box
88		 2 #41 – 1990
10 She's The One
72		 2 #256 – –
11 All Come True
72		 3 #78 – 1987
12 Everybody's Falling in Love
63		 1 #342 – –
13 Hollywood
35		 5 #1812 – –
14 All the Young Dudes
9		 1 #1816 – –
15 Give it All Away (radio edit)
3		 1 #1979 – –

Albums with charting songs

Where each song was first released, from MusicBrainz.

Year-end chart timeline

Combined year-end countdown points per year. Taller bars mean more songs placing higher across more stations.

87 90 93 06

Every countdown appearance

Year#SongCountdown
2026 609 Is It Like Today? The Colorado Sound Top 1055 Songs You Discovered on The Colorado Sound
2025 326 Put The Message In The Box The Colorado Sound Top 800 Mood Booster Songs
2024 369 Ship of Fools WYEP Best Songs of the Past 50 Years
2023 550 Put The Message In The Box The Current's 893 Essential Songs of the '90s
2023 734 Ship of Fools The Colorado Sound Top 850 Songs of the 1980s
2023 875 Is It Like Today? The Current's 893 Essential Songs of the '90s
2022 1016 Is It Like Today? The Colorado Sound Top 1055 Colorado Sound Songs of All Time
2022 57 Put The Message In The Box The Colorado Sound Top 900 Songs of the '90s
2022 256 She's The One The Colorado Sound Top 900 Songs of the '90s
2022 281 Way Down Now The Colorado Sound Top 900 Songs of the '90s
2022 297 Is It Like Today? The Colorado Sound Top 900 Songs of the '90s
2021 374 Way Down Now 90.9 The Bridge Top 909 Songs of the '90s
2021 655 Ship of Fools 90.9 The Bridge Top 909 Songs of the '80s
2021 837 Put The Message In The Box 90.9 The Bridge Top 909 Songs of the '90s
2019 153 Ship of Fools WYEP Labor Day Weekend Countdown 2019
2019 153 Ship of Fools WYEP Big Spring Countdown 2019
2016 342 Everybody's Falling in Love WYEP 913 Countdown 2016
2016 460 Is It Too Late? WYEP 913 Countdown 2016
2016 871 Way Down Now WYEP 913 Countdown 2016
2014 345 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 666 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 739 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 752 Take It Up CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 969 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 1628 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2014 1778 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2014 Songs of All-Time (2014)
2013 340 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 640 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 703 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 715 Take It Up CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 923 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 1569 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 1710 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2013 1954 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2013 Songs of All-Time (December 2013)
2012 388 Ship of Fools WYEP Top 500 Songs Countdown
2012 764 Put The Message In The Box WXPN 885 Greatest Rock Songs (2012)
2011 334 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 611 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 676 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 687 Take It Up CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 878 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 1511 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 1639 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 1879 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2011 1980 Hollywood CD101 Top 2012 Songs of All-Time (December 2011)
2010 324 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 590 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 655 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 664 Take It Up CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 848 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 1446 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 1573 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 1803 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2010 1896 Hollywood CD101 Top 2011 Songs of All-Time (December 2010)
2009 312 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 570 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 637 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 647 Take It Up CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 825 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 1419 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 1542 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 1762 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2009 1848 Hollywood CD101 Top 2010 Songs of All-Time (December 2009)
2008 319 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 559 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 613 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 624 Take It Up CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 806 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 1400 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 1520 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 1736 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 1812 Hollywood CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2008 1999 She's The One CD101 Top 2009 Songs of All-Time (December 2008)
2007 374 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 572 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 642 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 659 Take It Up CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 858 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 1472 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 1515 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 1721 What Does It Mean Now? CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 1825 Hollywood CD101 Top 2008 Songs of All-Time (December 2007)
2007 810 Way Down Now WTMD Top 897 Songs of All Time
2006 65 What Does It Mean Now? WEQX Top 102.7 of 2006
2006 426 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2006)
2006 338 Artist ranking WXPN 885 All-Time Greatest Artists (2006)
2005 393 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2005)
2005 445 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 1249 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 1331 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 1597 Take It Up CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 1636 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2006 Songs of All-Time (December 2005)
2005 680 Is It Like Today? 99X Freedom of Choice 1000 (2005)
2004 443 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 1249 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 1331 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 1598 Take It Up CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 1637 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2004 1802 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2005 Songs of All-Time (December 2004)
2003 451 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2003)
2003 443 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 1249 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 1331 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 1598 Take It Up CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 1637 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 1802 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2004 Songs of All-Time (December 2003)
2003 375 Is It Like Today? Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2003 571 Way Down Now Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2003 887 Ship of Fools Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2003 1033 Put The Message In The Box Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2003 1719 All Come True Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2003 1979 Give it All Away (radio edit) Fred XM Top 2044 Songs of All-Time (July 2003)
2002 335 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2002)
2002 443 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 1264 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 1346 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 1602 Take It Up CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 1650 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 1826 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2003 Songs of All-Time (December 2002)
2002 497 Ship of Fools Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2002 669 Is It Like Today? Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2002 1175 Way Down Now Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2002 1361 Put the Message in a Box Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2002 1432 All Come True Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2002 1816 All the Young Dudes Fred XM Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (July 2002)
2001 444 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2001)
2001 443 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 1265 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 1347 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 1610 Take It Up CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 1658 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 1840 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2002 Songs of All-Time (December 2001)
2001 469 Ship of Fools WFPK 2001 Greatest Songs of All Time
2000 446 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (2000)
2000 443 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 732 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 1260 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 1345 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 1610 Take It Up CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 1658 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
2000 1838 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2001 Songs of All-Time (December 2000)
1999 415 Is It Like Today? 91X Fat 500 Songs of All-Time (July 1999)
1999 522 Ship of Fools Q101 Top 1,011 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 277 Way Down Now WLIR Top 300 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 468 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1999)
1999 442 Way Down Now CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 995 Put The Message In The Box CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 1259 Is It Like Today? CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 1345 Ship of Fools CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 1610 Take It Up CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 1658 Is It Too Late? CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 1836 Private Revolution CD101 Top 2000 Songs of All-Time (December 1999)
1999 74 Ship of Fools CFNY Top 1002 Songs of All-Time (November 1999)
1998 331 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1998)
1996 345 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1996)
1996 312 Ship of Fools Q101 Top 500 Songs of All-Time (1996)
1996 338 Is It Like Today? WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1996)
1995 265 Way Down Now KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1995)
1995 476 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1995)
1994 450 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1994)
1994 361 Is It Like Today? WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1994)
1993 65 Is It Like Today? 91X Top 91 Songs of 1993
1992 172 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1992)
1992 204 Ship of Fools Live 105 Top 300 Songs of All-Time (Memorial Day 1992)
1991 340 Way Down Now WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1991)
1991 401 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1991)
1991 350 Way Down Now CFNY Top 1002 Songs of All-Time (1991 Edition)
1991 684 Ship of Fools CFNY Top 1002 Songs of All-Time (1991 Edition)
1990 88 Way Down Now KROQ Top 106.7 Songs of 1990
1990 41 Put the Message in a Box 91X Top 91 Songs of 1990
1990 44 Way Down Now 91X Top 91 Songs of 1990
1990 77 Way Down Now Live 105 Top 105.3 Songs of 1990
1990 40 Way Down Now CFNY Top 90 Songs of 1990
1989 270 Ship of Fools KROQ Flashback 500 (Memorial Day 1989)
1989 407 Ship of Fools WOXY Modern Rock 500 (1989)
1987 57 Private Revolution KROQ Top 106.7 Songs of 1987
1987 45 Ship of Fools 91X Top 91 Songs of 1987
1987 78 All Come True Live 105 Top 105.3 Songs of 1987

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