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.

TOTP81.19 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!