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)

TOTP81.49 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)

TOTP81.40 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.

TOTP81.22 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".

TOTP81.7 19/2/81

First shown Thursday 19 February 1981
Presented by DLT
Full chart here

TOTP debut*: The Teardrop Explodes, Girlschool (with Motorhead), Toyah, Talking Heads.

* a new feature as there were quite a lot of new and important acts who appeared on TOTP for the first time in 81 so I thought it would be worth noting.

This one not repeated in 2016 so we can get through it pretty quickly, although I've added some record sleeves instead of video still to make it a bit more interesting (ta discogs).

The Teardrop Explodes - Reward
Indeed their first time on the Pops and not quite in the Top 40 but things will get better for these erstwhile "underground" scousers.

Rainbow - I Surrender
Promo film repeat  - now at no. 4

Fred Wedlock - The Oldest Swinger in Town (with Legs & Co.)
Not sure if I'm relieved or sorry we didn't get to see Legs doing their thing to this one, but given their pretty performances up to no, perhaps it's just as well. Poor old Fred now at no. 6.

Motorhead/Girlschool - Please Don't Touch
AKA 'Headgirl' as this collaborative effort was also known. The St Valentine's Day Massacre EP was straight in at 15.

Toyah - It's a Mystery
Another debut and another EP 'Four From Toyah', of which this was the lead track. Pity we didn't get to see this band* on their first TOTP but they'll be back.
* subtle eighties anorak comment.

Stray Cats - Rock This Town
Second and final time for this one, now in the Top Ten. Someelse described them as the link between rock and roll and the New Romantics so I won't use that one again.

Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
First time for this one and perhaps one of Legs' better performances which we don't get to witness first hand but which by a strange quirk of fate we'll get to see again. Once in a Lifetime just outside the Top 40 at 35 but will get higher n higher.

Visage - Fade to Grey
Odd in more ways than one - it went down last week but then back up again so given a second chance -  and it's that video again. Not complaining mind.

Adam & The Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier
Perhaps it's because I never was an 'antperson' that it's surprising for me now just to see how big they were in late 80/early 81, and indeed beyond. This one (originally released last year) in at no. 39 and said 'antpeople' really couldn't get enough of it with old single Car Trouble one place behind, another two singles still in the Top 20 and yet another one Zerox at 59. that's more than Sheena Easton ever achieved.

Joe Dolce - Shaddapa Your Face
The Hateful One now at the top, the first non-Lennon related no. 1of the year and keeping Ultravox and indeed Rainbow off the top. No comment-o.

Madness - Return of the Los Palmas 7
Credits play-out.

TOTP 80.3 22/1/81

First broadcast: 22nd January 1981
Repeated on BBCFour from: 15/01/2016
Presented by: Peter Powell
Full chart here

Not a bad show by the looks of things - quite a few lousy repeats but a few classic stonkers to make up for it so let's boogie on down, shall we Pete?

The Look – I Am The Beat
In 2016, they've only just been on although in the actual two weeks between this and the previous appearance they'd gone up to no. 6. Found myself humming this even after the show. Annoying.

Blondie - Rapture (promo)
Well after taking on punk rock, disco, futuristic rock and all kinds of stuff HArry and friends now approach rap which was fast taking a hold Stateside. Thankfully they make a good job of it, although with that voice leading the proceedings they could get away with just about everything. Nice, modern Sesame Street-ish sort of video too.

Spandau Ballet - The Freeze
Back in the studio and those slick London "new romantic" types are back with their daft clothes and floppy hair. Hurrah! Second single and lookin' good at no. 45. Can't wait for the album.

Racey – Runaround Sue
Let's not get too radical though. Repeat from two weeks ago and still unbearable, especially after Spandau Ballet. Up to no. 13

XTC - Sgt Rock Is Going to Help Me
I used to really like XTC and this one in particular. Good quality new wave kind of rock with a touch of English humour added in. They'd done well with Making Plans For Nigel back in '79, although last year's Generals and Majors had failed less well. Similarly themed 'Sgt. Rock would however become one of their greatest and best loved singles.  Quite right, Pete - this was taken from last year's Black Sea album, and rescued just in time from sinking without a trace, me hearties. (cf. Vienna by Ultravox).

Visage - Fade to Grey
Classic eighties track time and quite rightly accompanied by a very (early) eighties video, featuring band "leader" and "singer" Steve Strange, and directed by Godley & Creme, formerly half of 10cc. As their name would suggest, with Visage the 'visuals' were the thing although if you've got a good futuristic sounding backing track with enigmatic lyrics, a French girlie spoken vocal and a breathy uhhhh-uhhhhh catchline, it's got to be a winner. Famously written by half of the new Ultravox (Ure, Currie) and Gary Numan's keyboard and violin player (Chris Payne). They couldn't really go wrong.

Yarbrough and Peoples - Don't Stop the Music (Legs and Co.)
At last we get some disco music which sounds very eighties, as opposedto the rubbish we had last year which didn't. As I have confessed in the past I know very little about the genre, but I do know that this one sounds sort of similar to that SOS Band Just be Good To Me which would be very much in vogue a few years hence. Anyway to mark this momentous sonic occasion showing the way forward in dance music, Legs and Co get their Scottish kilts and all the tartans trimming out to perform a provocative highland routine. I really would like to know why oh why they chose to wear that stuff, och aye.


Adam & the Ants - Antmusic
There have been quite a few famous 'number twos' in chart history (another of which we'll see during the coming months) and this must surely be one of them. Poor old Adam and his Ants in his pants were indirect victims of the Lennon assassination and the record sales that ensued. This week they're wedged in between Lennon's first posthumous single release Woman at no. 3 and this week's no. 1 (again). But anyway they can't complain as they're also at no. 11 with resuscitated early single Young Parisians.

Honey Bane - Turn Me On, Turn Me Off
Here's an interesting one at last - Ms. Bane with her debut solo single now in the nether reaches of the charts. Honey (née Donna Tracy Boylan) had been doing quite a bit of mucking about in the punk years with bands like Fatal Microbes and Crass, plus a short spell with St. Charles Youth Treatment Centre in Essex, before being "rescued" by Jimmy Pursey - he of Sham 69 - who was looking for some new "talent". As pleasing as her tune may be, it didn't get very far, perhaps smacking a little too much of a wannabe Hazel O'Connor. And that was sooooo 1980. (Toyah! Where are you?)

Ok..this week's "best selling" Top 20..well, up to no. 11 anyway.

Bad Manners - Lorraine
Tie for one more and sadly it had to be this. Repeat from two weeks ago.

Top Ten Time..and Queen just won't budge from that all-important no. 10 spot, and Phil Collins has whooshed up a massive 32 places to no. 4 after (not) appearing on the last show.

John Lennon - Imagine
Well this music certainly hadn't lost its flavour  - third out of four weeks at no. 1 and now four singles in the top 10 for Lennon (but not a Beatles record in sight).

The Gap Band - ...(?) (playout)
...er, erm...


It's going to be quite strenuous keeping up with the Pops this year, what with the twice-weekly helping and loads of skipped Yewtree espisodes, but please bear with us and keep on tuning in!

G'night.

TOTP 80.1 8/1/81

First broadcast: 8th January 1981
Repeated on BBCFour from: 14/01/2016
Presented by: Richard Skinner
Full chart here

It's eight-one-eighty-one, and welcome to 'the home of the hits' as an unashamedly buoyant Richard Skinner tries to convince us. So on with the first show proper of 1981...and no 'preview' thing, that's soooo 1980.

Racey – “Runaround Sue”
And racey they are indeed, at least by 1978 standards which is probably where this belong, plus they're doing a cover of a 'retro' rock n roll thing which makes them all the more odious. This is really bad but they had 70s music 'guru' Mickie Most as producer who may possibly have given them a, er helping hand to get in the charts.

Adam & The Ants – “Antmusic”
Now at no. 4 although they were probably still too hung over from the festive festivities to make it to the studio again, so here's a repeat. Either that or they were doing panto - dressed as themselves. Oh no they weren't!

The Look – I Am The Beat
"Finally" in the Top 30 Skinner informs us becuase it's been kicking around nowhere much since last October. Mote jaunty late 70s/throwback pop-blues pub band who struck lucky with this their only hit. Fairly deep metaphysical subject matter, an all singing all musical manifestation of a, er, beat. "..in heaven and hell they know me too..". Wow. Annoyingly catchy.

Barry Manilow – Lonely Together
And they're back although looking rather world-weary and sorry for themselves doing this slow number in their petticoats. Cheer up girls, and make the most of it while you can. There are worst thngs to life than having to 'dance' to an abysmal record which had been hanging round the top 30 for seven weeks and was now at the giddy heights of no. 21. After this, it bombed.

Chart rundown 30-20

The Beat – Too Nice To Talk To 
Oh here's the real Beat, not that rubbishy heaven and hell stuff. This is a repeat of the performance they did afore Xmas and now doing just slightly better than Barry Manilow at no. 20. Unlike Baz, this one would rocket into the Top 10 after this week's show. Hurrah!

Sad Café – I’m In Love Again
Oh no. Not this lot again! After Top 20 success with My Oh My early last year they've since had two flop singles (including one called Nothing Left Toulouse - cringe) although someone has obviously thought it fit to give them another chance even though they're at number 58. And the singer bloke really fancies himself as a kind of Mick Jagger innit.

Matchbox – Over The Rainbow/You Belong To Me
More of last year's left-overs and this tastes very much of one of those mince pies you just found in the pantry, having initially opened the box on Christmas Day. Stale. No. 18 this week, no. 15 next week, and pretty much the end of the road for Matchbox.

Countdown 19-11, where we find....

Chas & Dave – Rabbit
This must have gone down a bomb at Christmas office parties, knees-ups and general "merry" get togethers over the past couple of weeks. As such it's continued to go up a few places although this is the last we'll see of it in Popsland. Don't forget it's 'back to work' week.

The Specials – Do Nothing
Enough of the left-overs already, but this unruly crowd are at no. 15  and somehow will manage to shoot up to no. 4, its highest position, after this repeat performance. Good track.

The Nolans – Who’s Gonna Rock You?
Another repeat from pre-Christmas with the nation's fave siblings struggling a bit with this one at no. 24. That said, much like the Specials, tonight's showing gave them a kick up the collective backside (sorry girls) and got them up to no. 12.

Bad Manners – Lorraine
And speaking of panto, Bad Manners are back in their full fancy-dress gear and featuring a, er, blow up doll front stage. For soem reason the lead singer Buster something has dressed up as Henry VIII although not a bad choice given his stature. Much hilarity and horn-blowing ensues. To be honest I have no recollection whatsoever of this song. Probably still too busy listening to Gary Numan.

Top 10 countdown: Queen, Madness, Abba, Police, Winifred's, John Lennon, Ants, Jona Lewie, Lennon/Yoko, and..


John Lennon – Imagine
..and without further ado here's Lennon again at the top spot with his most iconic song Imagine, in the charts for the second, but not the last, time. Seems amazing that the song hadn't even been released as a single in the UK when it first appeared on the eponymous album in 1971, whereas in other countries it had. 7" buyers had had to wait until 1975 to get a copy of it (when released in conjunction with the Shaved Fish retrospective LP) getting it all the way to no. 6 in November. Like Lennon himself, it disappeared again in early '76. But its message of peace and harmony and all that rang only too deeply after the star's brutal and senseless assassination and so it hit the nation's, and indeed the world's, heart once more in 1981. Lennon himself once described it as Working Class Hero with sugar on it, unknowing that it would somehow become his own epitaph. So here it is: iconic promo film, iconic white living room, iconic white piano.

Anyway ver kidz ain't bovvered about all that world peace stuff, all they want to do is to get on the telly!

Queen – “Flash”
...to fade....

See you next time.

Prelude: Bob Stanley on 1981

Forget 1966, because 1981 was pop's year of revolution

(via theguardian.com)