Chart performance:
| Week | Position | Movement | Comments |
| 15-Apr-83 | 15 | New | |
| 22-Apr-83 | 13 | +2 | |
| 29-Apr-83 | 12 | +1 | |
| 06-May-83 | 7 | +5 | Biggest climber/Star rater |
| 13-May-83 | 5 | +2 | |
| 20-May-83 | 4 | +1 | Peak |
| 27-May-83 | 4 | 0 | Peak |
| 03-Jun-83 | 6 | -2 | |
| 10-Jun-83 | 8 | -2 | |
| 17-Jun-83 | 10 | -2 | |
| 24-Jun-83 | 11 | -1 | |
| 01-Jul-83 | 13 | -2 | |
| 08-Jul-83 | 19 | -6 | |
| 15-Jul-83 | 24 | -5 | |
| 22-Jul-83 | 29 | -5 |
Written by: Mike Batt & Tim Rice
Produced by: Mike Batt
South African record label (unless otherwise stated): Mercury
| Hit number for artist | 2 |
| Peak position | 4 |
| Weeks | 15 |
| Biggest climber awards | 1 |
| Star rater climbs | 1 |
| Biggest faller awards | 0 |
| Top 20 points | 146 |
| Overall Top 20 points ranking | =741 |
| Top 20 points ranking for the artist | 1 |
| Top 30 Points | 285 |
| Overall Top 30 points ranking | =702 |
| Top 30 points ranking for the artist | 1 |
Annual ranking:
| 1983 | 32 |
Other chart success:
| Australia | 33 |
| Ireland | 3 |
| UK | 2 |
SA Radio charts:
| Capital 604 | 25 |
Mike Batt, who co-wrote the song with Tim Rice and produced it, would see a number 19 hit in SA in 1980 with ‘Run Like The Wind’. He would also have songwriting credits on 2 other SA chart hits, these being Art Garfunkel’s ‘Bright Eyes’ and Barbara Dickson‘s ‘Caravan Song’. ‘Essex’s version’A Winter’s Tale’ would be denied the top spot on the UK charts by Phil Collins’ ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’. In 2003, The Moody Blues would include a cover on their ‘December’ album.
Video:
Artist link: David Essex
SA Singles Charts 