TOTP81.52 25/12/81 - Christmas Day edition

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Overview of the year
Presented by various Radio 1 DJs


The Teardrop Explodes – “Reward”

Ultravox – “Vienna”

Kim Wilde – “Kids In America”

The Human League – “Love Action (I Believe In Love)”

Godley & Crème – “Under Your Thumb”

Kirsty MacColl – “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis”

Adam Ant – brief interview

Dave Stewart & Colin Blunstone – “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted?”

The Jacksons – “Can You Feel It?” (Zoo)

Linx – “Intuition”

The Beat – “Too Nice To Talk To”

Spandau Ballet – “Chant No.1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)”

Toyah – “It’s A Mystery”

Laurie Anderson – “O Superman” (Zoo)

Altered Images – “Happy Birthday”

Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough”

OMD – “Souvenir”

Shakin’ Stevens – “You Drive Me Crazy”

Everyone – “All You Need Is Love” (+ credits)

TOTP81.51 24/12/81

Repeated on BBCFour 16/06/2016
Presented by: David Jensen
Full chart here


Wizzard – “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” (41)

Imagination – brief Xmas message

Adam & The Ants – “Ant Rap” (4) (video)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Sweet Dreams” (45)

Bucks Fizz – “The Land Of Make Believe” (5)

The Police – “Spirits In The Material World” (12) (rpt from 10/12/81)

Kool & The Gang – “Get Down On It” (26) (Zoo)

Abba – “One Of Us” (3) (video)

Altered Images – “I Could Be Happy” (20)

Dollar – “Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour)” (9)

The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (1)

Philip Lynott – “Yellow Pearl” (47) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.50 17/12/81

Repeated on BBCFour 10.06.2016
Presented by: Simon Bates
Full chart here

TOTP debut: The Snowmen, Brownsauce



Duran Duran – “My Own Way” (14)

Cliff Richard – “Daddy’s Home” (2) (live clip/audience dancing)

Chas & Dave – “Stars Over 45” (36)

Godley & Crème – “Wedding Bells” (8)

Brown Sauce – “I Wanna Be A Winner” (64) (video)

Rod Stewart – “Young Turks” (23) (video)

The Snowmen – “Hokey Cokey” (40) WATCH

Jon & Vangelis – “I’ll Find My Way Home” (26) (danced to by Sue)

Status Quo – “Rock ‘N’ Roll” (12) (rpt from 03/12/81)

The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (1) (video)

Altered Images – “I Could Be Happy” (29) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.49 10/12/81

Not repeated on BBCFour
Presented by: Jimmy Saville
Full chart here



Showaddywaddy – “Footsteps” (35)

Madness – “It Must Be Love” (7) (video)

Dollar – “Mirror Mirror (Mon Amour)” (26)

Ken Dodd – “Hold My Hand” (not in chart)

Adam & The Ants – “Ant Rap” (9) (video)

Bucks Fizz – “The Land Of Make Believe” (24)

The Police – “Spirits In The Material World” (28)

Abba – “One Of Us” (11) (video)

The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (1) (video)


Philip Lynott – “Yellow Pearl” (TOTP theme/not in chart) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.48 3/12/81

Repeated on BBCFour 09/06/2016
Presented by: David Jensen
Full chart here

Bad Manners – “Buona Sera” (34)

Soft Cell – “Bedsitter” (4)

Status Quo – “Rock ‘N’ Roll” (27)

Duran Duran – “My Own Way” (26) WATCH

Jonathan King – US chart rundown:
includes:

• Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing” (live clip)
• Rod Stewart – “Young Turks” (video clip)
• Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (video clip)

Diana Ross – “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” (5) (Zoo)

Godley & Creme – “Wedding Bells” (21) (video)

Fun Boy Three – “The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)” (20)

The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (9) (video)

Julio Iglesias – “Begin The Beguine” (1) (video/credits)

TOTP81.47 26/11/81

Repeated on BBCFour 03/06/2016
Presented by: Mike Read
Full chart here


The Jets – “Yes Tonight Josephine” (25)

Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (3) (video)

Toyah – “Good Morning Universe” (23)

Cliff Richard – “Daddy’s Home” (15) (video)

Imagination – “Flashback” (28)

Ultravox – “The Voice” (18) (video)

Kim Wilde – “Cambodia” (24)

Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (14) (rpt from 12/11/81)

Queen & David Bowie – “Under Pressure” (1) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.45 12/11/80

Not repeated on BBCFour
Introduced by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here

Some old some new faces on tonight for a generally very entertaining show, although oddly the highest new entry (at no. 8) is not featured.


Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (25)
Slow progress, up from last week's 32, but will do a lot better.

OMD – “Joan Of Arc” (5)
Up from no. 7 to reach its peak. One thinks that if they hadn't just released the album then this might have done even better. I for one certainly didn't buy it for that reason, and regret it to this day.

Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (11) (video)
Saucy/funny video again will help it reach its no. 7 peak next week.

The Fureys with Davey Arthur – “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” (14)
Like OMD this band of brothers will remain at this peak for one more week. Unlike OMD they will fade into oblivion.

Haircut 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” (9)
Whoop! Heyward and plas storm into the top 10 and go even higher next week.

New feature:
Jonathan King – US chart rundown:

• Air Supply – “Just When I Thought I Was Over You” (video clip)
• Foreigner – “Waiting For A Girl Like You” (live clip)
• Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Private Eyes” (video clip)

Ultravox – “The Voice” (27)
Follow up to last summer's "The Thin Wall" and a bit of an epic stomper as the 'Vox shuffle up with a bovine grace and glide in syncopation. Second highest new entry after Modern Romance.

Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (20) (Zoo)
Zoo's second appearance with EWF's first and last Top 10-er of the eighties.

Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (10)
Rod hoping for a painless entry into the Top 10.

The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (1)
Pretty inevitably they made it to the top after last week's no. 3 debut. Life at the top will be very short lived for this one though.

Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (2) (audience dancing/credits)
Still hanging in there - third and final week at no. 2.

TOTP81.44 05/11/81

Repeated on BBCFour 27/05/2016
Introduced by Peter Powell
Full chart here

TOTP debut: ABC, The Dukes, The Jets,


Modern Romance – “Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey” (45)
Follow-up to party song Everybosy Salsa, doing pretty much the same thing as its predecessor. In fact i think they might vene be the same song.

The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (3) (video)
Sting and pals are also very much in the 'up' mood with this one after the rather dour Invisible Sun, and are on their way to no. 1 - oops, spoiler.

The Dukes – “Mystery Girl” (47)
Mystery band more like it (not even listed on wiki), although this is basically Dominic Bugatti & Frank Musker - a songwriting duo who did pretty well in the mid to late 70s with stuff for Paul Nicholas, the Three Degrees and more recently with Sheena Easton's Modern Girl. Now they have a crack at doing one of thier own songs, and fail miserably.

Rush – “Tom Sawyer” (26) (live clip)
A follow-up of sorts to last year's Spirit of Radio, although Rush 'hit singles' are basically flukes more than anything.

The Jets – “Yes Tonight Josephine” (44)
Rockabilly's back, alas.

ELO – “Twilight” (30) (Zoo)


Julio Iglesias – “Begin The Beguine” (21) (video)


ABC – “Tears Are Not Enough” (50)
Debut for this glitzy outfit from Sheffield who would go on to 'define the eighties' and all that, with their debut album Lexicon of Love. ABC were indeed on the brink of something big here with what would effectively become the sound of next year, rather than this, aided by lush Trevor Horn (Buggles, Dollar) production and equally lush orchestra arrangements by Ms. Anne Dudley.
Irony of ironies, the 'sequel' album Lexicon of Love II was released the same day that this show was repeated on BBCFour. Coincidence? I say maybe....

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (1) (rpt from 24/09/81)
Last week at no. 1 and back to a repeat studio performance from over a month ago.

The Four Tops – “When She Was My Girl” (5) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Amazingly at no. 5 and will go even higher to..... Tune in next week folks!

TOTP81.43 29/10/81

Repeated on BBCFour 26/05/2016
Introduced by Simon Bates
Full chart here

TOTP debut: Haircut 100, The Fureys with Davey Arthur, Trevor Walters


Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (2)
Peak position for Clare and the gang as they do a bit of a "Vienna" and stay at no. 2 for three weeks on the trot. Note Legs & Co. 'relegated' to dancing along at the front with the audience.

Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (18) (video)
I doubt he'd get away with a title like that these days but anyway it was acceptable in the 80s as Rod continues to reinvent himself as pioneer of American dance music (the irony!) even with a touch of synth pop. Apparently the album of the same name (released shortly after) wasn't all like this, but he stuck to the formula for the singles.

The Fureys with Davey Arthur – “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” (22)
Dreadful folk-pop thing, probably thrust upon us by Terry Wogan. Every now and then R2 get through the net.

Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (29) (video)
Much like Rod Stewart, Olivia was also into a re-invention process after success with Grease in the late seventies, although she'd also been given a leg-up into MOR disco/dance music by ELO with last year's Xanadu. Another album-title-track-as-single and a 'steamy' video which would make it a bit of an 80s benchmark.

Trevor Walters – “Love Me Tonight” (38)
Reggae-pop thing which will somehow get to no. 27. See you again in two weeks Trev.

B.A. Robertson & Maggie Bell – “Hold Me” (13) (rpt from 15/10/81)
Repeated boredom which will get it up to no. 11 next week.

Haircut 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” (40)
The original Whoop! song which seemed to burst in out of nowhere. The jangly guitars went somewhat against the current synth-pop conic tendencies, just as the chunky jumpers and fresh faces went against the "New Romantic all make-up and hair" fashions, but both made for a breath of fresh air in music for the kids - the girls and boys of the title's caveat in fact. Chunky jumpers were in and were the shape of things to come.

PS. Look closely enough and you will just about see Legs & Co.'s final appearance, again pretty much among the audience but at the back this time. A sad farewell, it has to be said.


OMD – “Joan Of Arc” (21)
And they're back! After surprising the aforementioned kids and an already hard-core following with a seemingly sloppy slow song about, um, being in love and stuff, the eclectic OMD (Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark to friends) return with a song about Saint Joan of Arc, no less. Said song starts off with a soft choral sound then sort of builds up into something you can almost dance to then fades out again. There's no chorus and no 'hook' this time even, in fact you just wouldn't be able to get away with it these days although back then you could because on the whole pop music was a lot more inventive and interesting, so there. This was also a taste of the new album, snappily entitled Architecture & Morality, which was just around the corner. After this performance the single rose an amazing 14 places to go Top 10 the following week, again possibly helped along by the chunky jumper chic. Eighties greatness in the making.

Squeeze – “Labelled With Love” (9)
Speaking of the Top 10, Squeeze have made it there too and it ain't even over yet.

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (1) (video/credits)
Third week at no. 1 and at the risk of boring us with another repeat (or even another studio performance) Dave 'n' Babs have done a video and posted it along to The Pops.

See ya next week!

TOTP81.42 22/10/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Presented by Jimmy Savile
Full chart here


This Year’s Blonde – “Platinum Pop” (47)

The Human League – “Open Your Heart” (6) (video)

Barry Manilow – “Let’s Hang On” (16) (video)

The Four Tops – “When She Was My Girl” (29) (video)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “A Good Year For The Roses” (9) (video)

Gillan – “Nightmare” (37) (video)

The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (27) (video)

The Jam – “Absolute Beginners” (7)

Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Raining” (10) (rpt from 08/10/81)

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (1) (rpt from 24/09/81)

Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (28)(audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.41 15/10/81

Repeated on BBCFour 20/05/2016
Introduced by DLT
Full chart here

TOTP debut: The Exploited, B.A. Robertson & Maggie Bell (as a duo)

..and David looks rather fetching in that 'bomber jacket and tie' outfit...

Gary Glitter – “And Then She Kissed Me” (44)
Removed from the 2016 repeat

Toyah – “Thunder In The Mountains” (5) (video)
So we start off with a video, which will help this one to go one place higher next week. Toyah studied drama don't ya know..

B.A. Robertson & Maggie Bell – “Hold Me” (36)
A modest new entry although will go on to do better, God knows how or why.

Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (16) (rpt from 01/10/81)
Still doing well but could and will do even better.

The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)” (2) (Legs & Co)
Bird shite still hanging around unfortunately.

Godley & Creme – “Under Your Thumb” (3) (rpt from 17/09/81)
On the other hand we have musical excellence unjustifiably one place below. That's the Great British public for ya.

The Exploited – “Dead Cities” (41) WATCH
Punk has now officially become self-parody.

Squeeze – “Labelled With Love” (31)
Let's calm thinsg down a bit with a nice little ballad. Probably gets played a lot on Radio 2.

The Creatures – “Mad Eyed Screamer” (25) (rpt from 01/10/81)
Artistically somewhere between The Exploited and Squeeze are Siouxsie & Budgie doing their stuff. Will go one place higher next week.

Dave gives us a little talk about how long he's been away and how much things have changed while Heaven 17's “Play To Win” plays in the background.

Chart rundown 20-10

Bad Manners – “Walking In The Sunshine” (10)
Peak position for these summer time blues.

Chart rundown 9-1

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (1) WATCH
Mercifully keeping The Birdy things off the top, and with some style and panache. Best no. 1 since Tainted Love.

This Year’s Blonde – “Platinum Pop” (48) (+ credits)
A nedley of Blondie hits, would you believe. She does the voice very well, though.

TOTP81.40 8/10/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Introduced by DLT
Full chart here



Madness – “Shut Up” (7)
The Nutty Boys have made it up the charts in leaps and bounds but this is already at its peak.

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (8)
(rpt from 24/09/81)
Still doing very well and the surprises aren't over yet.

Barry Manilow – “Let’s Hang On” (30)
(video)
Brit audiences still being fed with Yankee crap.

Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Raining” (40)
A disappointing entry point for this one, given Shaky's track record.

Slade – “Lock Up Your Daughters” (29)
(rpt from 24/09/81)
Peak position.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “A Good Year For The Roses” (23)
(video)
Surprisingly high entry point for Elvis and destined to go higher.

Japan – “Quiet Life” (19)
(rpt from 24/09/81)
Peak position for this one as it stays there next week too.

Tight Fit – “Back To The Sixties Part 2” (33)
'Medley' craze slowly fizzling out, we hope, as this one gets no higher.

The Human League – “Open Your Heart” (21)
Highly anticipated new single from the Mighty League does not disappoint and their mega-era-defining album Dare is just around the corner. Epic.

Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough” (11)
(rpt from 24/09/81)
The 'Peche are heading for the Top 10 although we won't see them again til Christmas.

Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (1)
(video/credits)
The last of its 4-week run at the top.

TOTP81.39 01/10/81

Repeated on BBCFour 19.05.2016
Presented by Mike Read
Full chart here

TOTP debut: The Creatures, Altered Images.

The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)” (7)
Bird sh*t.

Godley & Creme – “Under Your Thumb” (6)
Going ahead in leaps and bounds and will do even better.

Sheena Easton – “Just Another Broken Heart” (37)
(rpt from 17/09/81) This one's really struggling and hasn't gone up much since it was last shown two weeks ago. But Sheena obviously had some friends in high places who managed to get this one repeated.

The Teardrop Explodes – “Passionate Friend” (25)
Another one that's struggling a bit but possibly a big fave of Mike Read's so it's good to see Julian Cope tripping again.

The Creatures – “Mad Eyed Screamer” (34)
Siouxsie & Banshees spin-off as 'er and Budgie (no relation to The Tweets) get all hot an bothered to whip this one up.

Ottawan – “Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)” (3) (Legs & Co)
..and then on to something completely different.

Toyah – “Thunder In The Mountains” (32)
The fiery-haired one is back with a new single. Possibly not about farting.

Bad Manners – “Walking In The Sunshine” (30) (video)
Surprisingly pleasant soft-reggae outing for this obnoxious lot.

Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (48) WATCH
Debut appearance and indeed chart hit for these erstwhile post-punk John Peel darlings gone pop.

Gidea Park – “Seasons Of Gold” (28)
Rubbish.

Dollar – “Hand Held In Black & White” (19) (rpt from 03/09/81)
The Trevor Horn gloss still working its magic, but go no further with this one Dollar people.

Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (1) (video)
Still there and not even for the last week (yaaawn).

Tight Fit - "Back To The 60's (Part II)" (38) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.38 24/09/81

Repeated on BBCFour: 13.05.2016
Introduced by Simon Bates
Full chart here


TOTP debut: Heaven 17, Japan, Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin


Quite a good show this with lots of new stuff and a few new faces too.


Slade – “Lock Up Your Daughters” (45)
Old 70s pub/glam-rockers are back and we'd already forgotten their Top 10 hit at the beginning of the year.

Alvin Stardust – “Pretend” (5)
Speaking of old glam-rockers, Alvin's doing rather well, probably due to lack of Shakin Stevens material.

Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough” (24)
Back in the eighties, follow up to New Life makes its debut having entered the Top 40, and debut album out soon.

Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (36)
A bit of an odd one, and future no. 1.

Linx – “So This Is Romance” (18) (rpt from 10/09/81)
Slow progress for this one which will only make it to no. 15 next week.

Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – “Endless Love” (7) (danced to by Lulu & Jeremy)
Sloppy stuff from US crooners just showing us how far behind the Yanks were in new musical trends.

Japan – “Quiet Life” (39)
Old record label make the most of the band's increasing new-found success. Sylvian and pals play along. New album for them too soon but this isn't on it.

Heaven 17 – “Play To Win” (52)
Old Human Leaguers and new singer try hard but won't fare as well as their former comrades. New album out already perhaps. (I can never understand why Glenn Gregory looks and acts so aggressive in this)

Imagination – “In & Out Of Love” (21)
Again, it's slow progress for these saucy popsters but they'll just keep on trying until they pull it off (oo-er!)

Madness – “Shut Up” (22) (video)
Second highest new entry of the week and another anticipation of the new album.

Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (1) (video)
Second week at the top and we still get the video.

The Police – “Invisible Sun” (9) (stills/credits)
This week's highest new entry and another new album for  the wishlist.

TOTP81.37 17/09/81

Repeated on BBCFour 05.05.2016
Presented by: Steve Wright
Full chart here


TOTP debut: The Tweets, Godley & Creme

Gidea Park – “Seasons Of Gold” (35)

OMD – “Souvenir” (3)
(rpt from 03/09/81)
Chart peak for this ethereal smoocher, but they'll be back with two songs about Joan of Arc, oh and possibly the best album of the eighties.

Beggar & Co – “Mule (Chant No.2)” (41)
Fresh from their success with Spanda BAllet's Chnat No. 1, here they are with Chant No. 2. See what they did there? Will only reach as high as no. 37 next week.

Sheena Easton – “Just Another Broken Heart” (42)
Sheena tries to follow up her James Bond theme with a new song, but she's just soooo last year's thing.

The Teardrop Explodes – “Passionate Friend” (29)
(rpt from 03/09/81)
Julain Cope still 'high', but not in the charts and it's the last we'll see of them, sadly.

Hi-Gloss – “You’ll Never Know” (17) (Legs & Co)

The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)” (25)


Godley & Creme – “Under Your Thumb” (30)

Amazing debut by one of the most original and creative duos  of the eighties.


Bucks Fizz – “One Of Those Nights” (20)
(rpt from 03/09/81)

The Pointer Sisters – “Slow Hand” (11)
(video)

Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (1)
(video)


Dollar – “Hand Held In Black & White” (24) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.36 10/09/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Introduced by Jimmy Saville
Full chart here

Well after last week's super-duper episode we're bound to have a duff one this week, so here goes.

Linx – “So This Is Romance” (33)
I've really liked Linx's records up to now but i have absolutely no memory of this whatsoever. They seem to be a band which the eighties mostly forgot. In at no. 33 and is going to do quite well too.

Cliff Richard – “Wired For Sound” (4) (video)
We already had this video as song no. 2 two weeks ago, but no matter  - here's Cliff again with  'eighties' mode full on.

The Hollies – “Holliedaze” (36)
In which a 60s/70s group attempt to make it in the 80s too, and fail miserably.

Randy Crawford – “Rainy Night In Georgia” (18) (video)
Up a couple of places for RAndy but that's where it ends this time around.

Alvin Stardust – “Pretend” (26) WATCH
Oh dear. Possibly trying to jump on the rock n roll nostalgia à la Shakin' Stevens bandwagon, but this is awful. Of course it will get to no. 4.

Imagination – “In & Out Of Love” (31)
Those saucy Imagination boys are back with a follow to their saucy debut Body Talk. This won't do quite as well but hang (snigger) in there guys.

The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (7) (video)
Another 60s/70s group attempting to carry on into the 80s, but doing it a lot better than The Hollies.

Ottawan – “Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)” (11) (Legs & Co)
No. No. No.

Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (2) (video)
Adam must have been well miffed that his new one was stopped from going straight to no. 1 by a wimpy synth-pop duo from Leeds. But anyway with the presentation of this new video it seems as if they already are no. 1, and then we all know what happened next.

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (1) (rpt from 13/08/81)
More great records to come but this is their last week at the no. 1 spot.

Ultravox – “The Thin Wall” (14) (audience dancing/credits)
Pity we didn't get to see the "audience dancing" to this. Quite why it wasn't featured properly instead of <insert any of the above artists except Linx or Adam & the Ants here> remains a mystery.

TOTP81.35 03/09/81

Repeated on BBCFour 28/09/2016
Presented by Peter Powell
Full chart here.


One of my 'legendary' TOTP shows here, one of those I would remember for many years to come. One of those TOTPs where you could remember where you were and want kind of state of mind you were in...
Apart from the opening act and couple of others it's pretty much all killer no filler, including the appearance of John Foxx and the very wonderful Europe After the Rain (it bombed),  OMD performing Souvenir for the first time (it went on to be a big hit and an 'eighties' classic) and Gary Numan with his new one, the slightly pervy She’s Got Claws (it's sort of 'classic' Numan, but ofetne forgotten  now). Apart from that there's plenty more chart wonderment. Oh and a new no. 1 ..

To celebrate this rather special episode we're posting all of the original studio performances as lovingly captured by Mr Lee Nichols on his y.t. channel, something he's been doing for yonks now, and very grateful to him we are.

OK so you've had your tea, Tommorow's World has nearly finished so better get settled down for tonight's edition of...TOP. of the. POPS!

Modern Romance – “Everybody Salsa” (16)
Well after all that praise and anticipation we're off to a pretty cheesy start with one of the cheesiest bands of 1981 with more cheese than a group of cheese makers making cheese at a cheese convention in Cheddar in Cheeseshire. That said...what better way to get the party started! Sal-sa! Sal-sa!

John Foxx – “Europe (After The Rain)” (40)
The last time we saw Sir John of Chorley on The Pops he was mostly standing still in front of the camera droning on about an 'underpass' and that 'no-one was driving' looking like he wished he was somewhere else such as in a disused warehouse playing with a tape recorder or reading a J G Ballard novel. Not so in shiny new 1981, just over a year on, as our John has been to The Continent, chilled off, warmed up and is now jumping about "playing" an acoustic guitar (shock! horror!), "swaying" and singing about "fountains, squares and colonnades". Amazing what that Mediterranean diet and a few bottles of Chianti can do. Foxxy puts his all into this performance (although the posh looking lady in the posh frock could have made a bit more of an effort) and is obviously glad to be back on national telly and in the charts. Sadly though, this one slipped down the following week and we shall never see him on The Pops again. His new album The Garden was out soon and would spend a whole three weeks in the Top 40. Never mind Mr Foxx, you'll be inspiration for a new generation of electronica kids in years to come.

UB40 – “One In Ten” (7)
But enough of that Continental rubbish! Better get back to the Top 10 and a bit of harsh social reality in Thatcher's Britain, as the UB40 brothers continue to rise with their smash hit about UK unemployment figures, with one in ten now apparently unemployed. "..a statistical reminder of a world that doesn't care.." Strong stuff, now at its chart peak.

Bucks Fizz – “One Of Those Nights” (32)
The Fizz are back with another try at repeating their Eurovision success, at least at a national level. Certainly not their most memorable effort. They can do better, and will.

TheTeardrop Explodes – “Passionate Friend” (33)
Getting a bit too glitzy round here, better get back to grass roots kids' music from up North eh? The Teardrop's last single, the snappily titled  Treason (It's Just a Story), did quite well chart-wise although sadly in 2016 we didn't get to appreciate its wondrousness due to a certain yew tree getting in the way. Here's another stab at the charts from Cope & Co., somewhat reminiscent of psychedelic 60s pop which wasn't back in fashion yet. Might've done even better in, say, 10 or 12 years time. Despite slow chart progress this one will get a good run for its money Pops-wise so we'll see y'all again soon, Jules.

Gary Numan – “She’s Got Claws” (6) (video)
The fourth new single on tonight's show (count 'em) although unlike the others Gary obviously couldn't make it to the studio and, not wishing to be outdone by young upstarts like Visage, has sent along his arty new video instead. By rights this should've been on last week when it entered the charts but no matter, it's already doing very nicely at no. 6. "She’s Got Claws" was all part of Gazza's new 'look' and 'sound' by the way after he'd announced he was never gonna tour again, preferring to stick to the confines of the studio only. Like John Foxx, he also has a new album waiting to be released forthwith! Anorak moment: this particular song features the late Mick Karn of Japan on sax and bendy bass, whose sound Numan had taken to on hearing the Gentlemen Take Polaroids album.

Dollar – “Hand Held In Black & White” (31)
It seems amazing that we haven't seen Dollar on The Pops since they were on a few times in early '80 with their version of I Wanna (sic.) Hold Your Hand. Reliable sources (wiki) tells us that they had an album out in 1980 but it wasn't really up to much and it looked like they'd gone down the dumper already. But despair ye not - enter Trevor Horn, he of The Buggles and budding mega-pop record producer, to pick them out, shake them up and turn them into something new. Plenty of polish not only on the teeth and peroxided hair here as this song has all the Horn-y glitter and pop appeal of tracks by another British band who will be enjoying a string of  hits also produced by Horn in the not too distant future. Watch Dollar rejoice in re-found pop glory here and look out for Trev modestly playing bass guitar in the background.

The Pointer Sisters – “Slow Hand” (29) (Legs & Co)
Not much to say about this one except that The Legs seem to be on top form, despite the fact their days are apparently already numbered. Here they don some pretty scant shiny "dresses" and prance round a stage shaped like a polo mint, except that rather than having a hole full of air in the middle,  this one has a bunch of Pop kids trapped in the middle. It must have done The Pointer sisters some good however as they would continue their ascent up the charts in coming weeks.

OMD – “Souvenir” (23)

And the new ones just keep on coming... Unlike Dollar OMD (which actually stands for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, kids) had started to hit the big time in 1980, not least with Enola Gay which had already become a bit of an eighties 'classic' even when the eighties had only just got started. Like Dollar, Foxx, Numan and others they've been locked up in a dingy studio somewhere writing new stuff and planning world domination. To their credit OMD just about achieved it too with this single, a couple more to come and the parent album Architecture & Morality which would go on to represent their creative and commercial peak. Souvenir has the slightly wimpier band member Paul Humphreys on vocals, which is fair enough as he basically wrote it himself togther with Martin Cooper, also appearing here "playing" sax. It's a dreamy, sloppy thing but it was a dreamy, sloppy thing for geeks and wimps like me who'd enjoyed bopping about to their previous hit about the Hiroshima bombing but could totally relate to this one with its enigmatic lyrics and slightly ethereal sound, while still conatining a thing our mums and dads would call a 'tune'. Anorak points on this one for spotting temporary band Mike Douglas ("playing" the xylophone thing) who left the band shortly after.  

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (1)
And after being totally blown away by all that magnificence at last we can get to enjoy seeing Soft Cell at no. 1 (instead of Shaky Stevens or that stupid "Japanese" thing ) and quite possibly the first completely electronical music sort of thing ever to make it to the top spot. The triumph of synth-pop even before the term 'synth-pop' had been invented, perhaps? Hurrah! (video this time uploaded by 80smusicdude - ta.)

Funkapolitan – As Time Goes By” (47) (+ credits)
Well Gary Numan must have heard our comment about not being able to make it to the studio because surprise, surprise here he is! In his new 'gear' and with his arm around a very short young girl...careful there Gazza! You're nearly strangling her!

Not sure how many times it's happened that we've actually had a group performing in the play-out. Gone are the days of the song playing over the credits with a single camera pointing into the studio lights with a few 'special effects'. New ways, new ways....

TOTP81.34 27/08/81

Repeated on BBCFour 21.04.2016
Presented by Richard Skinner
Full chart here

Startrax – “Startrax Club Disco” (18)

Cliff Richard – “Wired For Sound” (27) (video)

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (2)

The Nolans – “Chemistry” (26)

The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (28) (video)

ELO – “Hold On Tight” (5) (Legs & Co)

Ultravox – “The Thin Wall” (19)

Genesis – “Abacab” (12)

Aneka – “Japanese Boy” (1) WATCH

Modern Romance – “Everybody Salsa” (29) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.33 20/08/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here


TOTP debut: U2

Once more The mighty Human League, now at their chart peak to date, are deprived of a repeat showing in 2016 so today's Pop Kids may never know how important they were in the magic year of 1981. Likewise future stadium-fillers U2 had their debut banned from our i-players, but unlike the League they struggled up just one place the following week before going 'down the dumper' albeit temporarily. Indeed we won't be seeing them again until after New Year's Day (see what we did there?) in 1983. Siouxsie and her Banshees are back with a new one although sadly this won't do as well as Spellbound. The rest, as they say, is pretty much rubbish, save for UB40 who continue with their unemployment woes and go Top 10 next week.

Chartwse, your faithful blogger's faves Depeche Mode, Kate Bush, Visage,Spandau are all on the way down, but (hurrah!) Duran, ELO and Kim Wilde all going up, and watch out for those Soft Cell Brothers, now climbing a massive 17 places to go into Top 10.

But back to this week's line up (chart placing in brackets)


Enigma – “I Love Music” (25)

The Human League – “Love Action (I Believe In Love)” (3) (rpt from 06/08/81)

U2 – “Fire” (36)

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Arabian Knights” (32) (video)

UB40 – “One In Ten” (16)

Randy Crawford – “Rainy Night In Georgia” (30) (Legs & Co)

Tenpole Tudor – “Wunderbar” (20) (rpt from 06/08/81)

Lobo – “The Caribbean Disco Show” (10)

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (1) (rpt from 23/07/81)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – “Hooked On Classics” (2) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.32 13/08/81

Repeated on BBCFour 07/04/2016
Presented by Simon Bates
Full chart here

TOTP debut: Soft Cell, Aneka

Duran Duran – “Girls On Film” (6)
Duran open up the show as they did two weeks ago although this time with even more vigour and confidence! Will reach its no. 5 peak next week.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – “Hooked On Classics” (2) (video)
Another one we saw two weeks ago, and with Shaky at no. 1 they obviously ain't gonna go much higher.

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (26)
ooo.. this is new! this is interesting! they look a bit weedy though...will this ever be a hit?

Kim Wilde – “Water On Glass” (13)
Another one we sw two weeks ago and this time it's also a repeat showing. Will reach no. 11 peak next week.

Bill Wyman – “(Si Si) Je Suis Un Rock Star” (22)
As above.

Startrax – “Startrax Club Disco” (27) (Legs & Co)
Another medley, sigh.

Aneka – “Japanese Boy” (19)
Something else new, and a bit of a novelty hit.

ELO – “Hold On Tight” (9) (video)
This one had been ignored last week when it had already gone top 20, but no matter as this week it's gone top 10, testament to their popularity at the time.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (1)

UB40 – “One In Ten” (23) (audience dancing/credits)
Those "politically aware" Brummies are back, and heading for the Top 10 again.

TOTP81.31 06/08/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Presented by Jummy Saville
Full chart here

TOTP debut: Lobo

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Show Me” (16)

Sheena Easton – “For Your Eyes Only” (8) (video)

Tenpole Tudor – “Wunderbar” (36)

Lobo – “The Caribbean Disco Show” (27) (Legs & Co)
More info on Lobo (in Dutch) here.

The Human League – “Love Action (I Believe In Love)” (29)

REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run” (25)

Gidea Park – “Beach Boy Gold” (20)

Tight Fit – “Back To The ‘60s” (10) (rpt from 23/07/81)

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (1) (video)

Visage – “Visage” (21) (audience dancing/credits)

TOTP81.30 30/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour 01/04/2016
Presented by Steve Wright
Full chart here

TOTP debut: Bill Wyman (as solo artist)

Last show of the month during the heady days of summer and the decade seems finally to be taking shape musically with some "classic" eighties acts taking part. Plus a novelty hit for Stones bass player Bill Wyman and of course a medley hit too, this time by the RPO.


Duran Duran – “Girls On Film” (23)
Back with a vengeance after the non-hit Careless Memories, and with what will become one of their better known songs. Renewed confidence, vigour and a saucy video (not shown here).

Kim Wilde – “Water On Glass” (35)
Another hit for Kim, with her bro & pals, although this one will just fail to go Top 10.

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (12)
Still gradually climbing although the Top 10 will also prove out of reach for this one too even after going up one more notch next week.

Bill Wyman – “(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star” (36)
Here's the summer novelty hit for stone (sorry) faced Bill. Will be a hit although his solo career practically ends here.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – “Hooked On Classics” (7) (Legs & Co)
The almost obligatory medley song on this week, as the RPO toffs cash in on the craze. I must admit this one did introduce me to a lot of classics though. Starsiund Abba edley going down this week, by the way.

The Undertones – “Julie Ocean” (45)
Uncharacteristically slow one for these post-punkers. Obviously not even the fans liked it as it didn't go Top 40.

Stevie Wonder – “Happy Birthday” (4) (video)
Yes well, it's this one which you will have heard a million times since. Gets to no. 2 next week.

Spandau Ballet – “Chant No.1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)” (3) (video)
This is more like it - Spandau Ballet in their funky phase with gritty, sweaty video to go with it. This as far as it goes though for this one.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (1) (rpt from 23/07/81)
All the way up from no. 22 and the first of four weeks at no. 1.

The Jacksons - "Walk Right Now" (15) (audience dancing/credits)
Will go Top 10 next week.

See ya!

TOTP81.29 23/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour: 31/03/2016
Presenter: Richard Skinner
Full chart here

The Vapors – “Jimmie Jones” (44)
A bit of a comeback after their top 3 hit Turning Japanese all of 18 months ago. This is a bit rubbish however and not helped by the sheer length of the singer's mullet, approx. 3 years too early. At no. 44 and got no higher.

Sheena Easton – “For Your Eyes Only” (16) (video)
Apparently "for the first time on British television" and according to Skinner something for those who like James Bond and Sheena Easton, which is hardly surprising as it's the new James Bond movie theme sung by Sheena Easton. Fun fact 1: Sheena Easton is the first Bond theme singer to actually appear in the film; Fun Fact 2: Blondie also recorded a song called For Your Eyes Only for the movie but it was rejected.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (22)
New one for Shakey, straight in at no. 22 and obviously the nation's favourite record/artist at the time judging by what happens next. 1981? It might as well be 1958.

REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run” (28) (video)
American AOR/MOR. "Take it on the run, baby - exactly where you want it, baby". Ummm...

ABBA – “Lay All Your Love On Me” (7) (Legs & Co)
By Abba's standards this one didn't really get very high, perhaps due to the fact that it was a 'limited edition' 12" only release, so they probably ran out before it could get to the top like their previous two singles. That said, it was the highest charting position achieved for a 12-inch only release in the UK  at the time. Legs do their best to 'interpret' the song and the abandoned church stage-set is perhaps inspired by the song's opening chords which sound like they're played on a church organ, and the chorus is, well, choir-esque. Quite why they choose to dance in their nighties/pyjamas/knickerbockers is, however, beyond us. Skilfully covered by Erasure some years into the future.

Tight Fit – “Back To The ‘60s” (30)
Another one of those annoying medley singles, which time (up to now) had largely forgotten. Destined to ruin your summer.

Visage – “Visage” (25) (video)
Steve Strange et al scraping the barrel somewhat issuing the titular track off eponymous album, but any excuse to dress up for a video, eh Steve? Plus it was sort of their manifesto .. "new styles, new shapes" etc. Video directed by Midge Ure, who also had a hand in writing, playing, producing and God knows what else, which makes it sound very Ultravox-y.

Chart rundown from 20 'right up to' no. 11.

Gidea Park – “Beach Boy Gold” (35)
More cover-medley rubbish. Will also ruin your summer.

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) (rpt)
"A great song" .. at no. 1 for third and final week.

Starsound – “Stars On 45 Volume 2” (2) (Legs & Co/credits)
More Legs & co. in white dresses. At least this one was a medley of Abba songs. Hilarious seeing selected pubescent punters trying to "impress" Legs.

TOTP81.28 16/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour: 25/03/2016
Presenter: Peter Powell
Full chart here


Saxon – “Never Surrender” (26)
One of those heavy metal bands which seem to have been around forever already, even though their chart 'career' was relatively short lived. This will get them into the Top 20 next week for the last time. Ever.

Third World – “Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)” (12) (video)
More summer-reggae fun, if you like that sort of thing. They'll make it to the Top 10 next week but that's as far as it goes. Ever (except for 1985 when they'll have a revival with an old one)

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (19)
Hurrah for the brand new sounds of synth-pop! The Dizzy Deps continue their somewhat sluggish climb up the charts and are one small step further towards world domination.

The Jacksons – “Walk Right Now” (30) (Legs & Co)
Speaking of world domination, as l'il Michael does his own thing, big bros also have a crack and making the big time once more. Some nice arse waggling from The Legs too, if I may say so.

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Show Me” (33)
After things went a bit t*ts up following last year's surprise no. 1, Dexy's are back with a good 'un, although "Eileen" is still a year away.

Kate Bush – “Sat In Your Lap” (15) (video)
And she's back! Long awaited and much anticipated follow-up to last year's string of hits and no. 1 album (and a criminally largely-ignored 'Christmas' single), here's Kate with one of her best, going on about "heaven is hell", wanting to be a "lawyer and a "scholar", "going up the ladder" and of course that "knowledge is something that's sat in your lap". How can you not love her?

Bad Manners – “Can Can” (3) (rpt from 02/07/81)
From the sublime to the ridiculous, as is often the case on The Pops. The Manners still desperately hanging on to that prestigious no. 3 spot.

Spandau Ballet – “Chant No.1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)” (18 -straight in!)
Another much anticipated comeback after their 'Journeys to Glory' success, and Ver Spans have evidently been going down 'Beat Route' (geddit?) quite a bit and have come up with some funky new dance stuff with the help of Beggar & Co. who you remember from a while back. Spandau will never be as good as this again. Ever.

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) (video/credits)
"Do you remeber the good old days before the ghost town?", well possibly youdo even as the nation plunges once more into race riots in the big cities under staunch Conservative rule. Times change eh? Still, cheer up chaps as there's a Royal Wedding coming up soon.

See you!

TOTP81.27 09/07/81 - 900th edition

Not repeated on BBCFour
Chart here


Presenters: Jimmy Savile, Alan Freeman, David Jacobs & Pete Murray

Chart hits indispersed with archive footage and short interviews with prominent figures from TOTP history.

Kirsty MacColl – “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” (16) 

The Supremes – “Baby Love” (clip from 07/10/64)

Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas – “Little Children” (clip from 26/02/64)

The Dave Clark Five – “Bits & Pieces” (clip from 26/02/64)

The Beatles – “I Want To Hold Your Hand” / “Twist & Shout” (live clips)

Randy Crawford – “You Might Need Somebody” (12)

M – “Pop Musik” (montage of clips)

Mary Hopkin / Sandie Shaw – brief interview

Tom Tom Club – “Wordy Rappinghood” (10) (Legs & Co)

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “No Woman No Cry” (9) (live clip)

Alan Clark & Tony Hicks (Hollies) – brief interview

Motorhead – “Motorhead Live” (14) (video)

Bill Wyman – brief interview

The Rolling Stones – “The Last Time” (clip from 04/03/65)

Imagination – “Body Talk” (6)

Adam Ant – brief interview

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) 

Starsound – “Stars On 45 Volume 2” (4) (Legs & Co/credits)

TOTP81.26 02/07/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Full chart here
Presented by DLT

TOTP debut: ?


We start July rather somberly, firstly because this show wasn't repeated again in 2016 and secondly because most songs are rubbish, inclusing the no. 1 which is already about 6 years old. The only spark of 'modernity' and 'cheer' is given by The Specials with Ghost Town, as new social unrest erupts in the Toxteth area of Liverpool among others.
Oh dear...roll on the Royal Wedding.


Bad Manners – “Can Can” (3)
No we can't.

Third World – “Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)” (25) (video)
A bit of cheery reggae

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (2)
This is the highlight of the show. Which says a lot.

Quincy Jones – “Razzamatazz” (16) (Legs & Co)
No idea.

Barry Biggs – “Wide Awake In A Dream” (53)
A nightmare more like.

Linx – “Throw Away The Key” (21)
Good one, and suitably gloomy.

Rainbow – “Can’t Happen Here” (29) (video)
It has.

Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life” (1) (Legs & Co) (rpt from 04/06/81 + credits)
Not in my name.

The (cheerless) End.


Further reading: "Too much fighting on the dance floor", The Sound of the Crowd.

TOTP81.25 25/06/81

Repeated on BBCFour 24/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Simon Bates

TOTP debut: Kirsty MacColl (as solo artist), Depeche Mode.

All in all a very lacklustre show reflecting a very lacklustre chart with all those sloppy American ballads in the top spots and not much else going on. That said, there are a couple of important debuts tonight with the late Kirsty MacColl bursting onto the scene (an straight onto the cover of Smash Hits!), country 'n' western tongue firmly in cheek, and of course Basildon's finest Depeche-ay (sic.) Mode pushing forward The Sound of The New© with their second single just outside the Top 40.


Gillan – “No Laughing In Heaven” (32)
Oh dear. At no. 32 and not going anywhere much, quite rightly. His last one New Orleans got to no. 17 but this one is going to get anywhere near. He'll be featured again for a fourth single much later in the year but that one's crap too.

Elaine Paige – “Memory” (9) (pre-recorded insert) (rpt from 11/06/81)
Cats had just had its premiere in the West End and Ms. Page is obviously doing well on the back of that despite not dressing like a cat at all, at least not for this 'video'. Writers Webber and Nunn will actually go on to win the Ivor Novello Award for the song, which isn't called Memories by the way.

Kirsty MacColl – “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” (40)
Another kind of lady singer and indeed song now. Kirsty (daughter of a folk-country singer, y'all) had been trying for quite a bit to get a hit single, starting with They Don't Know in '79 which would later become a hit for Tracey Ullmann. This one sort of rides the rockabilly-revival wave but in a very ironic and enjoyable sort of way, out-rockabillying The Polecats, Matchbox et al. It's also got that very British comedy-novelty-song sort of appeal so off you go up the charts then Kirsty. Not her first time in the TOTP studio as you may remember her on backing vocals in Jonah Lewie's kitchen back in '80.

The Evasions – “Wikka Wrap” (31)
Speaking of "British comedy-novelty-song" appeal this one has that too but, like most of its genre, is also totally annoying and a bit rubbish. For those who don't know it's a spoof of Alan Whicker RIP and his Whicker's World programme which was quite popular at the time. TOTP would've done better to have featured Wordy Rappinghood by the Tom Tom Club which was one place higher at 30, but never mind. Wikka Wrap went up to no. 20 after this feature, but then mercifully died a death.

Randy Crawford – “You Might Need Somebody” (28) (rpt from 11/06/81)
Third songstress in a row tonight - talk about Women's Lib! Randy seems to crop up now and then with a very pleasant sounding song, and no-one seems to complain much. Although an American, apparently Randy was more successful here than Stateside, so good for her, even though she wouldn't be earning half as much money.

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (43) video
So here they are for the first time: a brand new ramshackle "new wave" quartet with a daft name, funny haircuts and a few cheap keyboards which they allegedly lugged along with them on the train when they made it up to Shepherd's Bush from Basildon. Barely out of the local comprehensive, the dizzy Deps had been doing the local pubs and clubs, with their synthesizers stacked on beer crates, for quite some time before signing up to indie label Mute and then doing some more pubs and clubs with their synthesizers stacked on beer crates. This was their second single (as we all know) and one which would propel them to fame, an unexpected split, finding their feet again, bashing bits of metal, US stadium tours, S&M cross-dressing, the fall of the Eastern Bloc, heroin addiction, the return from near-death and on to dream-homes in California and New York.  But before all that, please dance along to this one and hail the birth of the synth-pop genre. New life indeed.

Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life” (1) (Legs & Co)
After all that modernity and happy-go-lucky abandon, better get back to something boring and irksome, danced to by the Legs. Oh and it's number one would you believe. Originally recorded in 1975, this was only released as a stop-gap after the successful Off the Wall album, included on a compilation album called, er, One Day In Your Life, not to be confused with the other greatest hits album out at the time which was called The Best of Michael Jackson, also originally released in 1975 but which doesn't have One Day In Your Life on it. Woolworths shop assistants were going mad at the time.

Quincy Jones - "Razzamatazz" (26) (audience dancing/credits)
I've no idea about this one and I haven't heard/watched it either so .. see you next week!



This week's Smash Hits

TOTP81.24 18/06/81

Repeated on BBCFour 18/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Peter Powell

TOTP debut:

Linx – “Throw Away The Key” (32)

Phil Collins – “If Leaving Me Is Easy” (27) (rpt from 04/06/81)

Odyssey – “Going Back To My Roots” (6)

Kool & The Gang – “Take It To The Top” (22) (Legs & Co)

Champaign – “How ‘Bout Us” (5) (video)

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Spellbound” (23) (rpt from 04/06/81)

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (21) (video)

Imagination – “Body Talk” (19)

Smokey Robinson – “Being With You” (1) (video/credits)

see: The Sound of the Crowd

TOTP81.23 11/06/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Full chart here
Presented by J. Savile

TOTP debut: Elaine Paige



Bucks Fizz – “Piece Of The Action” (25)

Hazel O’Connor – “Will You?” (9) (rpt from 28/05/81)

Landscape – “Norman Bates” (44)

Elaine Paige – “Memory” (34)

Coast To Coast – “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” (28) (rpt from 28/05/81)

Ultravox – “All Stood Still” (17) WATCH

Randy Crawford – “You Might Need Somebody” (47)

Enigma – “Ain’t No Stopping” (11)

Smokey Robinson – “Being With You” (1) (video/credits)



see: The Sound of the Crowd

TOTP81.22 04/06/81

Repeated on BBCFour 11/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Richard Skinner 

TOTP debut: Kate Robbins & Beyond, Imagination.

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Spellbound” (29) 

Blimey! Siouxsie and crew are back with a bang! Siouxsie all leather clad and stuff, and cracking the mike lead like a whip. Phew! What i want to know though is what happened to the bloke in the light blue T shirt lurching over Siouxsie at the very start, but then who seems to disappear without a trace, engulfed by Pop Kids who ecstatically dance along to this gorgeous post-punk romp. Plus only Siouxsie can pronounce 'entranced' and 'dance' like that.

Shakin’ Stevens – “You Drive Me Crazy” (2) (rpt)

Pink-jacketed Shakey is up to no. 2, engaged in a duel with a dandy highwayman. 

Kate Robbins & Beyond – “More Than In Love” (13)

I have absolutely no recollection of this whatsoever, and probably with good reason. Apparently "actress" and "comedienne" - and indeed songstress - was starring in ITV sitcom Crossroads at the time (Hello, Mum) from whence this totally odious ditty which made it all the way up to no. 2. BAcking band Beyond were still smarting after losing out to Bucks Fizz at A Song for Europe, so horrah for them. Next!

Squeeze – “Is That Love?” (40)

Oh, noooow I get Skinner's little quip about being at a crossroads. Saw what you did there, Rich. Anyway let's move on to something a whole lot better, and ergo way down in the charts. Squeeze band are back, and much like Sioxsie & the Banshees, and UB40 last week and probably loads of others this is new material from upcoming new albums. Note that Jools Holland has already left, replaced by one Paul Carrack, who also left the band after this album. It must be a tough job being Squeeze' keyboard player.

Imagination – “Body Talk” (43) 

But now brace yourselves, and lock up your daughters, as a seminal Eighties-TOTP moment is about to happen. I think when we first saw Imagination on The Pops, nobody quite knew what to make of it. Boney M without the girls? Hot Chocolate with hair? Glam-Bowie-esque sexuality re-invented? Outrageous! Whatever it was it was to become one of the decade's most memorable and influential tracks, and indeed one of the most representative groups. 

The Jam – “Funeral Pyre” (4) (video)

But now for something completely different. Such was the Kids' thirst for all things Jam that this happily entitled little ditty was straight in at no. 4. Bit of a mystery how this one came about as there was no album around, or even on the horizon. Wikipedia people please correct the release date as if it was already in the charts and on The Pops on 4 June, how could have been released on the 6th? Angry Young Jam power-pop at its best.

Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life” (12) (Legs & Co)
Like the man says, it's an oldie that's been re-released, although quite why we shall never know. LEgs go to town with a slow, blue thing performed on a redux cast-off Doctor Who set. Excruciating boredom.

Toyah – “I Want To Be Free” (8) (video)
We missed the studio performance this time around cos of DLT, and this time it's the video. Peak position for this one.

Phil Collins – “If Leaving Me Is Easy” (44)
Very much sleepy time here for Collins' third single release off debut album.

Adam & The Ants – “Stand & Deliver” (1) (video)
Last week at the top for this one.

Odyssey – “Going Back To My Roots” (23)
Play-out

TOTP81.21 28/5/81

Repeated on BBCFour 10/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Simon Bates 

TOTP debut: Champaign (video)

A rather lacklustre show tonight, which is what seems to happen in TOTP-land after you've had a couple of good 'uns. To make things worse it's presented by the forever-irritating Simon Bates in his beige jacket. Here's the line-up with a few comments although time is tight so if you're looking for more insight (that ryhmes) go over to SOTC80s, who do it all so much better.

Polecats – “Rockabilly Guy” (36)
Follow-up to their cover of John, I'm Only Dancing and did equally as badly, both reaching no.35, which is quite an achievement in itself.

Champaign – “How ‘Bout Us” (11)
mis-spelling? Yeah, Cham-pain more like.

UB40 – “Don’t Let It Pass You By” (16)
Multi-cultural Brummies quietly continue with their string of hits, and even more to come.

Tenpole Tudor – “Swords Of A Thousand Men” (6) (rpt)
Is it just me who thinks the singer looks like the latest Doctor Who? Maybe it was him. Inexplicably at no. 6.

Vangelis – “Chariots Of Fire” (25) (video)
Now doing well at the box office, and so likewise in the record shops (remember those?). In 2016 Vangelis' timeless theme and 'classic' video contrast with a rather dated and dour film.

Enigma – “Ain’t No Stopping” (17) (Legs & Co)
More US disco-leftovers from the 70s, but Legs lap it up.

Hazel O’Connor – “Will You?” (23)
And more 'leftovers' as Hazel gets another hit with an old song from last year's Breaking Glass she probably didn't want to do anymore. But this sort of thing will happen quite a lot from now on. Japan (band), get ready.

Coast To Coast – “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” (30)
Enough rockabilly-revivals already. But I think I already said that a few months ago. Will get to 28 but it's the end of the road for this lot.

Kim Carnes – “Bette Davies Eyes” (10) (video)
America's idea of 'the eighties' and compared to a lot of other dross it's doing deservedly well over here too.

Adam & The Ants – “Stand & Deliver” (1) (video)
Fourth week at the top and it still ain't over.

George Harrison - "All Those Years Ago" (13) (audience dancing/credits)
This was actually the week's highest new entry, and some indication that John Lennon hadn't quite been forgotten yet. The record also features the other two remaining Beatles.

TOTP81.20 21/5/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Full chart here
Presented by Dave Lee Travis

TOTP debut: (all tried and trusted acts this week)

After last week's super-short show due to FA Cup Final replay (won by Spurs) we're back to 'normal' this week although for obvious reasons this show was not repeated this time around. Shame really as it was another bumper show full of Great British (and Irish) talent performing loads of good music.
Setlist shamelessly ripped from Popscene), with thanks:

The Undertones – “It’s Going To Happen” (21)
Second outing for this one, this time sans armband.

Shakin’ Stevens – “You Drive Me Crazy” (2)
Title probably referes to Adam and his Ants in his Pants , as Shakin' ends up doing a bit of a Vienna by being no. 2 for a very long time.

Smokey Robinson – “Being With You” (23)
Sloppy, smoochy, girlie stuff which should never have made it over to this country. I blame Margaret Thatcher.

Toyah – “I Want To Be Free” (13)
Easy to forget how popular Toyah was/were in 1981. The second of four Top-tenners this year.

Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup Final Squad/Chas & Dave – “Ossie’s Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley)” (5)
Obviously gone up because they won. Repeat studio performance.

The Teardrop Explodes – “Treason (It’s Just A Story)” (18)
Julian Cope and co. go up a bit more into the Top 20. End of the road for this one but they'll be back.

Stray Cats – “Stray Cat Strut” (11) (Legs & Co)
If you're wondering what legs did to this then see here (warning: contains DLT getting hot under the collar).

The Human League – “The Sound Of The Crowd” (15)
All too brief world domination by former board game faction The Human League really takes off here with the second, even more brash performance of their first hit. Phil Oakey has forgotten to wear a shirt for the occasion. Watch here.

Kim Wilde – “Chequered Love” (4)
Sadly Kim has remembered to put hers on but an enjoyable promo vid nonetheless. Top 5 but she won't reach such giddy heights again until 1986.

The Beat – “All Out To Get You” (25)
Another repeat and attempt to get a Big Hit out of this, but despite thsi one doing a yo-yo in the coming weeks it's the last we'll see of them.

Duran Duran – “Careless Memories” (37)
Now this is interesting: Duran Duran's follow-up to first hit Planet Earth and nearly one that sent them "down the dumper" as someone used to say. The non-success of Careless Mammaries (sic.)  (off the newly released debut album) nearly meant they went off into New Romantic oblivion (hello Classix Nouveaux) although as we all know that just didn't happen. A bit o a rarity this so have a look here (warning: contains DLT picking his nose). This is also the one famously presented by Tony Blackburn on the Top 40 radio show as by Durran Durran ..

Adam & The Ants – “Stand & Deliver” (1) (video)
Third week at numero uno for the dandy highwayman.

play out to:

Quincy Jones - "Ai No Corrida" (audience dancing/credits)
Up to 14 but that's quite enough thankyou.

TOTP81.19 14/5/81

Repeated on BBCFour 04/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Tommy Vance

TOTP debut: Kim Carnes (video)

Shorter edition due to Spurs vs. Man City FA Cup replay scheduled on the same night. Interestingly it was Tomorrow's World that got the chop on the night and TOTP was brought forward, testament to its importance in the BBC palimpsest at the time.

pic. and listing source Popscene

Anyway here are the songs that were featured:

Thin Lizzy – Are You Ready? (24)

Sheena Easton – When He Shines (23) (repeat from 30/04/81)

Department S – Is Vic There? (22)

Kim Carnes – Bette Davies Eyes (20) (video)

Tenpole Tudor – Swords Of A Thousand Men (10)

Adam & The Ants – Stand & Deliver (1) (video/credits)


No Legs & Co, of course and Kim Carnes was the only new thing, and quite rightly as she had entered the Top 30/40 at n. 20.

Had it not been for the short edition then The Human League would have featured again as they had entered the Top 30 but no matter as they were up to no. 15 the following week, presumably just on the strength of radio play. Their 2016 TOTP jinx starts next week though as it's DLT at the helm.

Madness were up to no. 4 which may have warrnted a studio appearance this week. Alas they were down next week though so Grey Day was never seen again.

..and of course Spurs and Chas n Dave were riding high and thanks to tonight's result go even higher next week but again not shown in 2016 due to DLT ban.

Anyway, speaking of which, we're off to see the football. T'ra!

TOTP81.18 07/05/2016

Not Repeated on BBCFour
Full chart here
Presented by Peter Powell

TOTP debut: Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup Final Squad, Starsound

This show actually went out live, which is apparently why there is no longer any 'broadas quality' recordings to be repeated. Shame becuase it was quite a cracker of a show. Anyway thanks to Popscene for the listing and handily bracketed chart positions.

Kim Wilde – Chequered Love (32)
Follow up to Kids in America and the Wilde family just keeps on getting better. Work on debut album in progress.

Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut” (26) (video)
Another follow-up single, and one which would become their signature tune in years to come. Third one from their debut album.

Shakin’ Stevens – You Drive Me Crazy (5)
Yet another follow up! And after his no. 1 smash, Shaky's already up at no. 5.

Keith Marshall – Only Crying (12)
This one's a bit more familiar and seems to have been hanging around for yonks. At its peak now and a TOTP adieu for Keith and his teeth.

Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup Final Squad/Chas & Dave – Ossie’s Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley) (45)
Another newbie with the Spurs FA Cup squad following that all British tradition of football teams doing pop songs. This one might be a bit of a novelty though as they got some professional mates in to give them a hand. FA Cup final was played two days later. Spoiler here.

Eddy Grant – Can’t Get Enough Of You (13)
Again like Keith MArshall seems to have been doing the rounds for quite a bit, and like MArshall's effort the record buying public say 'no more!' to this one too. But he'll be back.

Starsound – Stars On 45 (2) (Legs & Co)
The 'starsound' medley records were one of those aspects of 1981 music that are often forgotten, and perhaps understandably so. Annoying then as now, but boy did they shift the units.

REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You (21) (video)
Yawnsome American AOR although perhaps their best known tune, and Top 10-bound.

The Nolans – Attention To Me (9)
Speaking of the Top 10, the nations best loved siblings are on again, and at their peak this time around.

The Undertones – It’s Going To Happen (36)
Ooo some daring post-punk bands still getting through even though they've tarted up their sound somewhat with trendy horns and things. All the more daringly the song was actually about the Maze prisoners hunger strikes led by Bobby Sands, and even more ironically sands died just two days before the show went out, hence black arm band worn by one of the song's writers Damian O'Neill.

Adam & The Ants – Stand & Deliver (1) (video)
And yet another follow up yet this one beats them all going straight in at no. 1, a feat achieved at a time when it really was a, er, feat to achieve. Not in the studio but flashy new video to show off in all its panto glory, Diana Dors included.

Starsound – Stars On 45 (2) (audience dancing/credits)
Again? Oh well....

See you "next week".