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.