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)
Showing posts with label The Teardrop Explodes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Teardrop Explodes. Show all posts
25 December 2016
1 October 2016
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)
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)
17 September 2016
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)
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)
3 September 2016
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.
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)
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....
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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....
20 May 2016
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.
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.
29 April 2016
TOTP81.17 30/04/81
Not repeated on BBCFour
Full chart here
Presented by Jimmy Savile
TOTP debut: Tenpole Tudor, The Human League (Mk. 2).
For those of you just arriving from another planet, having been away since 2004, we inform you that this show, as well as others, was not repeated by the BBC in 2016 as it was presented by Jimmy Savile (aka Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG9 who has therefore been banished from our screens forever more, along with another presenter and DJ Dave Lee Travis (aka The Hairy Cornflake) . Alas, it's all a bit of shame of course as we don't get to see so many episodes of our fave music TV show which were so fundamental in the course of popular musical history, especially in the magical year of 1981. But of course we must respect the victims of the aformentioned persons' wrong-doings and just take it all as it comes, keeping our rundown and commentary as simple as we can. Except when it comes to The Human League.
Thin Lizzy - Are You Ready?
As this was from a live EP one wonders how this was performed in the TOTP studio. Anyway it obvs worked well as The Lizzy went forward with leaps and bounds after this week's 43 spot.
Madness - Grey Day
In which the Nutty Boys go all Joy Division, cut the whacky crap and give us one of their better, more mature tunes. The video is still a bit 'nutty' though of course as they filmed it in and around their native Camden rather than in a grimy Manchester slum or an a deserted beach. Second week in charts and already no. 5.
The Beat - All Out to Get You
Fellow, or former fellow, ska-based band The Beat seem to be stuck in a bit of a musical rut on the other hand, even though this is better than the other side of the double 'A' side single, ie. Drowning. Struggling a bit at 22 and that's as far as it goes.
Sheena Easton - When He Shines
We haven't seen or heard of wee Sheena for a bit (and we didn't get to hear or see her this time either), not since 1980 in fact, as her last single bombed in February. They're still managing to milk the debut album Take My Time though, with this the fifth single from said opus now at 42.
Dept. S - Is Vic There?
Vic still obviously not coming to the phone, much to the advantage of Dept. S who go up a couple of places to no. 28
Ennio Morricone - Chi Mai
Fighting for the top spot but Ennio's doing a bit of a Vienna hanging round the no. 2 position again this week. A video was shown, apparently.
Spandau Ballet - Musclebound
Another repeat performance. The Spans are up to no. 13 but I still reckon they were wrong not to do Glow on The Pops.
Quincy Jones - Ai No Corrida
We're having had a good run of quality British acts and songs on so far tonight (save for Maestro Morricone), so better have some senseless American rubbish eh? Amazingly however I learn from Wikipedia that this song was nota Quincy original but was co-written by Chaz Jankel of Ian Dury & the Blockheads fame. Intrigued? Read more here.
The Teardrop Explodes - Treason (It's Just a Story)
As with another artist/song we'll be hearing about in a few moments this one suffers in 2016 from the fact that it/they were introduced either by JS or DLT. And again we'll never know if this was the time that Julian Cope was off his head on chemical substances or not. Plus it's a damn good song so it's utterly unfair we didn't get to see it again. Expectations were very high for The Teardrops' follow-up to Reward as they were only at no. 56 and on The Pops already.
Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men
OK well if you enjoyed all that dressing up as American Indians, pirates, and God knows what else in the early 80s then you probably would have enjoyed this lot's faux-medieval costumes, fake armour and the like. Swashbuckling chic was in, and Tenpole were at 37.
The Human League - The Sound of the Crowd
Full chart here
Presented by Jimmy Savile
TOTP debut: Tenpole Tudor, The Human League (Mk. 2).
For those of you just arriving from another planet, having been away since 2004, we inform you that this show, as well as others, was not repeated by the BBC in 2016 as it was presented by Jimmy Savile (aka Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, OBE, KCSG9 who has therefore been banished from our screens forever more, along with another presenter and DJ Dave Lee Travis (aka The Hairy Cornflake) . Alas, it's all a bit of shame of course as we don't get to see so many episodes of our fave music TV show which were so fundamental in the course of popular musical history, especially in the magical year of 1981. But of course we must respect the victims of the aformentioned persons' wrong-doings and just take it all as it comes, keeping our rundown and commentary as simple as we can. Except when it comes to The Human League.
Thin Lizzy - Are You Ready?
As this was from a live EP one wonders how this was performed in the TOTP studio. Anyway it obvs worked well as The Lizzy went forward with leaps and bounds after this week's 43 spot.
Madness - Grey Day
In which the Nutty Boys go all Joy Division, cut the whacky crap and give us one of their better, more mature tunes. The video is still a bit 'nutty' though of course as they filmed it in and around their native Camden rather than in a grimy Manchester slum or an a deserted beach. Second week in charts and already no. 5.
The Beat - All Out to Get You
Fellow, or former fellow, ska-based band The Beat seem to be stuck in a bit of a musical rut on the other hand, even though this is better than the other side of the double 'A' side single, ie. Drowning. Struggling a bit at 22 and that's as far as it goes.
Sheena Easton - When He Shines
We haven't seen or heard of wee Sheena for a bit (and we didn't get to hear or see her this time either), not since 1980 in fact, as her last single bombed in February. They're still managing to milk the debut album Take My Time though, with this the fifth single from said opus now at 42.
Dept. S - Is Vic There?
Vic still obviously not coming to the phone, much to the advantage of Dept. S who go up a couple of places to no. 28
Ennio Morricone - Chi Mai
Fighting for the top spot but Ennio's doing a bit of a Vienna hanging round the no. 2 position again this week. A video was shown, apparently.
Spandau Ballet - Musclebound
Another repeat performance. The Spans are up to no. 13 but I still reckon they were wrong not to do Glow on The Pops.
Quincy Jones - Ai No Corrida
We're having had a good run of quality British acts and songs on so far tonight (save for Maestro Morricone), so better have some senseless American rubbish eh? Amazingly however I learn from Wikipedia that this song was nota Quincy original but was co-written by Chaz Jankel of Ian Dury & the Blockheads fame. Intrigued? Read more here.
The Teardrop Explodes - Treason (It's Just a Story)
As with another artist/song we'll be hearing about in a few moments this one suffers in 2016 from the fact that it/they were introduced either by JS or DLT. And again we'll never know if this was the time that Julian Cope was off his head on chemical substances or not. Plus it's a damn good song so it's utterly unfair we didn't get to see it again. Expectations were very high for The Teardrops' follow-up to Reward as they were only at no. 56 and on The Pops already.
Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men
OK well if you enjoyed all that dressing up as American Indians, pirates, and God knows what else in the early 80s then you probably would have enjoyed this lot's faux-medieval costumes, fake armour and the like. Swashbuckling chic was in, and Tenpole were at 37.
The Human League - The Sound of the Crowd
The last time we saw this band on the Pops they were little more than a group of all-male slightly geeky computer-operator types who didn't know whether they wanted to be Kraftwerk or The Glitter Band. Since then things have changed, however. The original band have split and the singer, one Phil Oakey - him with the lop-sided haircut - and his ginger haired, er, slide operator mate Adrian Wright have brought in a slightly more musically savvy other bloke and two dancing, chanting schoolgirls in in order to turn The Human League into something new. After an unsuccessful interim single Boys and Girls (coincidentally released the same day as the also unsuccessful debut single by Depeche-ay Mode), The Brand New Human League have upped their game, put their glad rags on and decided to add their voice to the sound of the eighties crowd, and indeed stand way above it (albeit on high heels). Written by Oakey and new boy Ian Burden, the new single sounded like it had come not from Sheffield but straight from outer space. The lyrics were a call to arms for a new generation of pop kids, a series of imperatives going from the direct - "Get in line now!" "Stay in time with the rhythm and rhyme!" - to the obscure - "Make a shroud pulling combs through a backwash frame", "Stroke a pocket with a print of a laughing sound!" (we had to wait for the lyrics to appear in Smash Hits to get them all), complete with Glitter-esque "Woah-woah-woah"s and resounding electronic hand-claps to punctuate the chorus, and stay in time. Faithful to their all-electronic sonic ethos, The League with the help of producer Martin Rushent, had come up with a single that would pave their way to stardom and lay down the foundations for a plethora of 'synth-pop' hits during the rest of 1981 and beyond. Considering the visual as well as the sonic impact of this crucial debut, more's the pity we didn't get to see this again in 2016. Joanne and Susan, stage front, had famously been taken out of school to appear on the show, while the lads had brought along some slim line keyboards and a couple of reel-to-reel tape recorders to defy the standard guitars and drums set-up, which was still the norm, while not forgetting the lipstick and eyeliner. The result was an explosion in sound and vision as important as that of, say, Gary Numan in 1979, or Adam and the Ants and Spandau Ballet a few months previously. To quote a fellow-tweeter, can you imagine any young UK band in 2016 releasing anything as vital, exciting and essential as this track? Check tonight's performance out on youtube, stay in time with the rhythm and rhyme, and add your voice.
Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up
Third and final week at the top. (Video + credits). No-one was quite ready for what would come next.
Further reading: Smash Hits 30 April 1981
Third and final week at the top. (Video + credits). No-one was quite ready for what would come next.
Further reading: Smash Hits 30 April 1981
11 March 2016
TOTP81.10 12/3/81
Repeated on BBCFour from 04/02/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Tommy Vance (no audience)
TOTP debut: Landscape (video)
"...a very special edition" says Tommy and in an effort to detract us from the fact that some TOTP staff are on strike again so there's no "live" audience/performances, he convinces us that tonight's show is packed with "amazing" music .. Let's see if you're right, eh Tommy?
The Teardrop Explodes - Reward
This is a repeat studio performance from 19 Feb which is just as well since that got yewtreed out in 2016. Apparently Julian Cope was off his face with some substance he certainly didn't get from the BBC canteen, but that doesn't really matter cos he was always off his face anyway and has been ever since. Well done to the 'Drops though, now up to no. 13.
Kim Wilde - Kids in America (video)
Another good 'un with Kim and her bruvver and the rest now up to no. 6. We also get to see the video, which had probably already been shown on Swap Shop. Love the way she goes round when she sings ".. the music go roooound" - has somebody made a gif of that?
Linx - Intuition
Now if you hadn't been on before TOTP before or hadn't bothered to make a video chances are you wouldn't have got on tonight's show. Thankfully Linx had made the latter investment. Nice little video it is too, part Madness kitchen-sink in Brixton type thing, and part slick studio "live" routine with the lead singer doing his best Michael Jackson impression. They'd had a hit last year with You're Lyin' and this is the first of three hits in '81, now bubblin' under at no. 41
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
Don't sit down just yet as there's some more dancin' to be done with Kelly and her mates. Don't forget the 'Scottish' bit during the bridge the noo. Struggling a bit at 22 and I suspect the last we'll see of her for a wee while. Is it only me that can hear a bit of Abba's Take a Chance on Me in this?
Freeez - Southern Freeez
..and more dancing! This is getting to be hard work and soon your Dad we'll be moaning you're making too much racket jumping up and down. "the second of three great soul bands tonight" says Tommy. Frozen, sorry, stuck at no. 8 which is as high as this one goes. They'll be back in some form in a couple of years once they've learned the art of hip-hop and bubbly perms.
Status Quo - Something 'Bout You Baby I Like
Well if you're not The Quo type you can take a breather now and just take Tommy's advice and watch the latest Quo video. If you really must. It's the ordinary tale of an ordinary greasy car engineer youth, leaving his greasy job, going to a greasy record shop, before getting home and (mercifully) having a bath before joing his greasy mates before going to a greasy Quo gig. Something we can all relate too I'm sure. Just behind Freeez at no. 9 and similarly stuck there since last week.
Beggar & Co - Somebody Help Me Out
And again, like Freeez, this is the third time we've seen their studio debut. They were obviously too poor even to make a video. Another one stuck, at no. 15 this time. Have they met Spandau Ballet yet?
Landscape - Einstein a Go Go
Something new at last. Although not really, since this band had been treading the boards for quite some time now, eventually going jazz-funk in 1980 and now more synth-pop, even before synth-pop had been invented. Front-man Richard Burgess had also been busy producing Spandau Ballet's debut album (and all the singles of course) but has also found time to get into electronics in a serious and interesting way in order to come up with Einstein a Go-Go. Like Linx they'd had the good sense to make a video, and also like them are bubblin' under at no. 38 but slowly and surely that pied-piper-esque tune will soon get into the nation's brain and take them higher.
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Legs & Co.)
I trust you haven't tried dancing along to Landscape but you might try to be a bit avant-gardey with this one's start/stop jerky beat, maybe even imitating David Byrne in your attempts. Otherwise just enjoy Legs & Co., again, who were obviously on the picket-line with the cameramen and lighting people as this is a repeat from last month. Like The Teadrop Explodes, this was yewtreed out in '16 so 35 years later the strike seems like a damn good idea.
Chart countdown 30 - 21
Kiki Dee - Star
This one has made it up to no. 17 and will go a bit higher next week, but not much. It's the last we'll see of Kiki until 1993, when someone finally convinced her she'd only get a big hit if she does a song with Elton John.
Chart countdown 20 - 11. (Is it that time already?)
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck
Hucklebuck fever continues to sweep the nation, along with Shakin' Stevens who quite frankly does the rock n roll thing a lot better.
Top 10 - with clips, and rotating numbers.
Roxy Music - Jealous Guy
And a new number 1 at last with Smoothy Roxy's cover version of an ol' Lennon song, done as much as a tribute as a way of getting rid of that other rubbish that's been at no. 1 for too long. As Tommy says, it's their first (and only) no. 1 "in this country". Its reign will be sadly short lived but it's possibly the first decent no. 1 of the year so far.
Roxy video over credits.
See you next time! (wanders off, whistling...)
Full chart here
Presented by Tommy Vance (no audience)
TOTP debut: Landscape (video)
"...a very special edition" says Tommy and in an effort to detract us from the fact that some TOTP staff are on strike again so there's no "live" audience/performances, he convinces us that tonight's show is packed with "amazing" music .. Let's see if you're right, eh Tommy?
The Teardrop Explodes - Reward
This is a repeat studio performance from 19 Feb which is just as well since that got yewtreed out in 2016. Apparently Julian Cope was off his face with some substance he certainly didn't get from the BBC canteen, but that doesn't really matter cos he was always off his face anyway and has been ever since. Well done to the 'Drops though, now up to no. 13.
Kim Wilde - Kids in America (video)
Another good 'un with Kim and her bruvver and the rest now up to no. 6. We also get to see the video, which had probably already been shown on Swap Shop. Love the way she goes round when she sings ".. the music go roooound" - has somebody made a gif of that?
Linx - Intuition
Now if you hadn't been on before TOTP before or hadn't bothered to make a video chances are you wouldn't have got on tonight's show. Thankfully Linx had made the latter investment. Nice little video it is too, part Madness kitchen-sink in Brixton type thing, and part slick studio "live" routine with the lead singer doing his best Michael Jackson impression. They'd had a hit last year with You're Lyin' and this is the first of three hits in '81, now bubblin' under at no. 41
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
Don't sit down just yet as there's some more dancin' to be done with Kelly and her mates. Don't forget the 'Scottish' bit during the bridge the noo. Struggling a bit at 22 and I suspect the last we'll see of her for a wee while. Is it only me that can hear a bit of Abba's Take a Chance on Me in this?
Freeez - Southern Freeez
..and more dancing! This is getting to be hard work and soon your Dad we'll be moaning you're making too much racket jumping up and down. "the second of three great soul bands tonight" says Tommy. Frozen, sorry, stuck at no. 8 which is as high as this one goes. They'll be back in some form in a couple of years once they've learned the art of hip-hop and bubbly perms.
Status Quo - Something 'Bout You Baby I Like
Well if you're not The Quo type you can take a breather now and just take Tommy's advice and watch the latest Quo video. If you really must. It's the ordinary tale of an ordinary greasy car engineer youth, leaving his greasy job, going to a greasy record shop, before getting home and (mercifully) having a bath before joing his greasy mates before going to a greasy Quo gig. Something we can all relate too I'm sure. Just behind Freeez at no. 9 and similarly stuck there since last week.
Beggar & Co - Somebody Help Me Out
And again, like Freeez, this is the third time we've seen their studio debut. They were obviously too poor even to make a video. Another one stuck, at no. 15 this time. Have they met Spandau Ballet yet?
Landscape - Einstein a Go Go
Something new at last. Although not really, since this band had been treading the boards for quite some time now, eventually going jazz-funk in 1980 and now more synth-pop, even before synth-pop had been invented. Front-man Richard Burgess had also been busy producing Spandau Ballet's debut album (and all the singles of course) but has also found time to get into electronics in a serious and interesting way in order to come up with Einstein a Go-Go. Like Linx they'd had the good sense to make a video, and also like them are bubblin' under at no. 38 but slowly and surely that pied-piper-esque tune will soon get into the nation's brain and take them higher.
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Legs & Co.)
I trust you haven't tried dancing along to Landscape but you might try to be a bit avant-gardey with this one's start/stop jerky beat, maybe even imitating David Byrne in your attempts. Otherwise just enjoy Legs & Co., again, who were obviously on the picket-line with the cameramen and lighting people as this is a repeat from last month. Like The Teadrop Explodes, this was yewtreed out in '16 so 35 years later the strike seems like a damn good idea.
Chart countdown 30 - 21
Kiki Dee - Star
This one has made it up to no. 17 and will go a bit higher next week, but not much. It's the last we'll see of Kiki until 1993, when someone finally convinced her she'd only get a big hit if she does a song with Elton John.
Chart countdown 20 - 11. (Is it that time already?)
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck
Hucklebuck fever continues to sweep the nation, along with Shakin' Stevens who quite frankly does the rock n roll thing a lot better.
Top 10 - with clips, and rotating numbers.
Roxy Music - Jealous Guy
And a new number 1 at last with Smoothy Roxy's cover version of an ol' Lennon song, done as much as a tribute as a way of getting rid of that other rubbish that's been at no. 1 for too long. As Tommy says, it's their first (and only) no. 1 "in this country". Its reign will be sadly short lived but it's possibly the first decent no. 1 of the year so far.
Roxy video over credits.
See you next time! (wanders off, whistling...)
5 March 2016
TOTP81.9 5/3/81
Presented by Mike Read
Full chart here
TOTP debut: Duran Duran
Mike Read doesn't seem to have been on for a long time - he's probably been writing a book about British Hit Singles or something, while still keeping his daytime job as Radio One DJ of course.
Anyway Mike's off to a cracking new start with an important debut...
Duran Duran - Planet Earth
Yes - here they are, a band which basically now have 'eighties' written all over them even though that's a bit unfair as they have continued to write, record and perform throughout the decades and right up to this day. But it wasn't an easy start for these Brummies in (literally) girls' blouses: this their first single proper, was released just over a month ago and was even now just a 'breaker' at no. 47. This opening spot for Planet Earth complete with, er, planet earth, made quite an impact though and these "new romantics looking for the TV sound" never looked back. Well, almost never.
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (video)
What's this? More art-rock? After faffing about a bit on the (American) noo wave fringes, these native Noo Yorkers (I think) were enjoying a hit with this rather odd track made all the more appealing by a very odd video. Leaping up from 24 to 14 this week.
Toyah - It's a Mystery
We're on an "eighties" role here with Toyah (the band) with lead singer Toyah (Wilcox, the singer) likewise leaping up to no. 16. Unlike the heads however Toyah (the band or the singer) would go on to enjoy a string of Top 20/30 hits for a few years to come, although not as many as Duran Duran.
Shakin' Stevens - This Ole House
A bit too much of this new romantic/avant-garde/art college stuff going on, we'd better get back to some 1950s nostalgic dressed in denim and trying to look a bit like Elvis. Totally catchy stuff, which the Great British public adore so look out world here comes Shakey again. I must admit it never occurred to me at the time that Stevens had a lot of that 'sex appeal' stuff which may also explain his overwhelming success in the face of (literally) girls blouses.
Headgirl (Motorhead & Girlschool) – Please Don’t Touch
Ok let's add a bit of leather to that denim shall we? Plus a healthy dose of patchuli oil (mostly in the hair) and it's those heavy metal boys 'n' girls giving it their all at getting hot and sweaty (but treading water) at no. 54. Don't touch? Wouldn't go anywhere near!
Phil Collins - I Missed Again
No point in hiding to the world that Phil's debut album Face Value remains one of my guilty pleasures and features a number of excellent tracks, although this isn't one of them. A disappointing follow up to the minimalist In the Air Tonight, Phil preferring to show off his horns and his funkier side. Nice Ronnie Scott sax solo, but Phil still not playing the drums. New at 45, although abovementioned album already at no. 1.
Kool & the Gang - Jones vs. Jones (Leg & Co.)
Kool & the Gang seem to be one of those bands that crop up just occasionally, issue a single and get a hit every time. That may not necessarily be the case as I don't have a detailed knowledge of their discography but anyway here they are again with a woeful tale of divorce set to a dance beat. Legs take it all literally of course and hals are Mr Jones and the other half Mrs, but notwithstanding the sexy stockings and saucy cross-dressing, legs really don't seem to be cutting the mustard this year. trouble afoot?
The Teardrop Explodes - Reward
Sadly we don't get to see a repeat of their studio debut from a couple of weeks back (yewtreed out in 2016) but instead get this rather gritty amateurish film/video with the Teardrops arseing about in a jeep in Liverpool docklands or some such place no doubt. Luckily all this does not deter from this being a totally brilliant song. Struggling a bit at no. 25 but hang in there - all is not lost.
The Who - You Better You Bet
The Who? They're still around? Some of you may remember Daltrey's guest "presenter" appearance in a revamped post-strike Pops format last year, but now he's back on stage wiv 'his maytes and wiv a new record, and some trendy haircuts and posh clobber too. Not half bad this song though and if I'm not mistaken Daltrey is also singing live. I wonder if they met Duran Duran in the dressing rooms? Anyway, new at 35 and glad to see that Pete Townsend is still doing this:
What? Top Ten countdown already? All in all we've enjoyed a really good show tonight. Plenty to talk about at school in the morning.
Joe Dolce Music Theatre - Shaddapa You Face
Third and final week at no. 1.
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck (credits & crowds dancing)
Hucklebuckin' up to no. 7 this week.
See y'all next time with a bit of a surprise....
Full chart here
TOTP debut: Duran Duran
Mike Read doesn't seem to have been on for a long time - he's probably been writing a book about British Hit Singles or something, while still keeping his daytime job as Radio One DJ of course.
Anyway Mike's off to a cracking new start with an important debut...
Duran Duran - Planet Earth
Yes - here they are, a band which basically now have 'eighties' written all over them even though that's a bit unfair as they have continued to write, record and perform throughout the decades and right up to this day. But it wasn't an easy start for these Brummies in (literally) girls' blouses: this their first single proper, was released just over a month ago and was even now just a 'breaker' at no. 47. This opening spot for Planet Earth complete with, er, planet earth, made quite an impact though and these "new romantics looking for the TV sound" never looked back. Well, almost never.
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (video)
What's this? More art-rock? After faffing about a bit on the (American) noo wave fringes, these native Noo Yorkers (I think) were enjoying a hit with this rather odd track made all the more appealing by a very odd video. Leaping up from 24 to 14 this week.
Toyah - It's a Mystery
We're on an "eighties" role here with Toyah (the band) with lead singer Toyah (Wilcox, the singer) likewise leaping up to no. 16. Unlike the heads however Toyah (the band or the singer) would go on to enjoy a string of Top 20/30 hits for a few years to come, although not as many as Duran Duran.
Shakin' Stevens - This Ole House
A bit too much of this new romantic/avant-garde/art college stuff going on, we'd better get back to some 1950s nostalgic dressed in denim and trying to look a bit like Elvis. Totally catchy stuff, which the Great British public adore so look out world here comes Shakey again. I must admit it never occurred to me at the time that Stevens had a lot of that 'sex appeal' stuff which may also explain his overwhelming success in the face of (literally) girls blouses.
Headgirl (Motorhead & Girlschool) – Please Don’t Touch
Ok let's add a bit of leather to that denim shall we? Plus a healthy dose of patchuli oil (mostly in the hair) and it's those heavy metal boys 'n' girls giving it their all at getting hot and sweaty (but treading water) at no. 54. Don't touch? Wouldn't go anywhere near!
Phil Collins - I Missed Again
No point in hiding to the world that Phil's debut album Face Value remains one of my guilty pleasures and features a number of excellent tracks, although this isn't one of them. A disappointing follow up to the minimalist In the Air Tonight, Phil preferring to show off his horns and his funkier side. Nice Ronnie Scott sax solo, but Phil still not playing the drums. New at 45, although abovementioned album already at no. 1.
Kool & the Gang - Jones vs. Jones (Leg & Co.)
Kool & the Gang seem to be one of those bands that crop up just occasionally, issue a single and get a hit every time. That may not necessarily be the case as I don't have a detailed knowledge of their discography but anyway here they are again with a woeful tale of divorce set to a dance beat. Legs take it all literally of course and hals are Mr Jones and the other half Mrs, but notwithstanding the sexy stockings and saucy cross-dressing, legs really don't seem to be cutting the mustard this year. trouble afoot?
The Teardrop Explodes - Reward
Sadly we don't get to see a repeat of their studio debut from a couple of weeks back (yewtreed out in 2016) but instead get this rather gritty amateurish film/video with the Teardrops arseing about in a jeep in Liverpool docklands or some such place no doubt. Luckily all this does not deter from this being a totally brilliant song. Struggling a bit at no. 25 but hang in there - all is not lost.
The Who - You Better You Bet
The Who? They're still around? Some of you may remember Daltrey's guest "presenter" appearance in a revamped post-strike Pops format last year, but now he's back on stage wiv 'his maytes and wiv a new record, and some trendy haircuts and posh clobber too. Not half bad this song though and if I'm not mistaken Daltrey is also singing live. I wonder if they met Duran Duran in the dressing rooms? Anyway, new at 35 and glad to see that Pete Townsend is still doing this:
What? Top Ten countdown already? All in all we've enjoyed a really good show tonight. Plenty to talk about at school in the morning.
Joe Dolce Music Theatre - Shaddapa You Face
Third and final week at no. 1.
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck (credits & crowds dancing)
Hucklebuckin' up to no. 7 this week.
See y'all next time with a bit of a surprise....
17 February 2016
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.
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.
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