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 Ultravox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ultravox. Show all posts
25 December 2016
26 November 2016
TOTP81.47 26/11/81
Repeated on BBCFour 03/06/2016
Presented by: Mike Read
Full chart here
The Jets – “Yes Tonight Josephine” (25)
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (3) (video)
Toyah – “Good Morning Universe” (23)
Cliff Richard – “Daddy’s Home” (15) (video)
Imagination – “Flashback” (28)
Ultravox – “The Voice” (18) (video)
Kim Wilde – “Cambodia” (24)
Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (14) (rpt from 12/11/81)
Queen & David Bowie – “Under Pressure” (1) (audience dancing/credits)
Presented by: Mike Read
Full chart here
The Jets – “Yes Tonight Josephine” (25)
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (3) (video)
Toyah – “Good Morning Universe” (23)
Cliff Richard – “Daddy’s Home” (15) (video)
Imagination – “Flashback” (28)
Ultravox – “The Voice” (18) (video)
Kim Wilde – “Cambodia” (24)
Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (14) (rpt from 12/11/81)
Queen & David Bowie – “Under Pressure” (1) (audience dancing/credits)
12 November 2016
TOTP81.45 12/11/80
Not repeated on BBCFour
Introduced by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here
Some old some new faces on tonight for a generally very entertaining show, although oddly the highest new entry (at no. 8) is not featured.
Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (25)
Slow progress, up from last week's 32, but will do a lot better.
OMD – “Joan Of Arc” (5)
Up from no. 7 to reach its peak. One thinks that if they hadn't just released the album then this might have done even better. I for one certainly didn't buy it for that reason, and regret it to this day.
Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (11) (video)
Saucy/funny video again will help it reach its no. 7 peak next week.
The Fureys with Davey Arthur – “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” (14)
Like OMD this band of brothers will remain at this peak for one more week. Unlike OMD they will fade into oblivion.
Haircut 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” (9)
Whoop! Heyward and plas storm into the top 10 and go even higher next week.
New feature:
Jonathan King – US chart rundown:
Ultravox – “The Voice” (27)
Follow up to last summer's "The Thin Wall" and a bit of an epic stomper as the 'Vox shuffle up with a bovine grace and glide in syncopation. Second highest new entry after Modern Romance.
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (20) (Zoo)
Zoo's second appearance with EWF's first and last Top 10-er of the eighties.
Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (10)
Rod hoping for a painless entry into the Top 10.
The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (1)
Pretty inevitably they made it to the top after last week's no. 3 debut. Life at the top will be very short lived for this one though.
Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (2) (audience dancing/credits)
Still hanging in there - third and final week at no. 2.
Introduced by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here
Some old some new faces on tonight for a generally very entertaining show, although oddly the highest new entry (at no. 8) is not featured.
Kool & The Gang – “Steppin’ Out” (25)
Slow progress, up from last week's 32, but will do a lot better.
OMD – “Joan Of Arc” (5)
Up from no. 7 to reach its peak. One thinks that if they hadn't just released the album then this might have done even better. I for one certainly didn't buy it for that reason, and regret it to this day.
Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (11) (video)
Saucy/funny video again will help it reach its no. 7 peak next week.
The Fureys with Davey Arthur – “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” (14)
Like OMD this band of brothers will remain at this peak for one more week. Unlike OMD they will fade into oblivion.
Haircut 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” (9)
Whoop! Heyward and plas storm into the top 10 and go even higher next week.
New feature:
Jonathan King – US chart rundown:
- Air Supply – “Just When I Thought I Was Over You” (video clip)
- Foreigner – “Waiting For A Girl Like You” (live clip)
- Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Private Eyes” (video clip)
Ultravox – “The Voice” (27)
Follow up to last summer's "The Thin Wall" and a bit of an epic stomper as the 'Vox shuffle up with a bovine grace and glide in syncopation. Second highest new entry after Modern Romance.
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Let’s Groove” (20) (Zoo)
Zoo's second appearance with EWF's first and last Top 10-er of the eighties.
Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (10)
Rod hoping for a painless entry into the Top 10.
The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (1)
Pretty inevitably they made it to the top after last week's no. 3 debut. Life at the top will be very short lived for this one though.
Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (2) (audience dancing/credits)
Still hanging in there - third and final week at no. 2.
10 September 2016
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.
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.
27 August 2016
TOTP81.34 27/08/81
Repeated on BBCFour 21.04.2016
Presented by Richard Skinner
Full chart here
Startrax – “Startrax Club Disco” (18)
Cliff Richard – “Wired For Sound” (27) (video)
Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (2)
The Nolans – “Chemistry” (26)
The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (28) (video)
ELO – “Hold On Tight” (5) (Legs & Co)
Ultravox – “The Thin Wall” (19)
Genesis – “Abacab” (12)
Aneka – “Japanese Boy” (1) WATCH
Modern Romance – “Everybody Salsa” (29) (audience dancing/credits)
Presented by Richard Skinner
Full chart here
Startrax – “Startrax Club Disco” (18)
Cliff Richard – “Wired For Sound” (27) (video)
Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (2)
The Nolans – “Chemistry” (26)
The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (28) (video)
ELO – “Hold On Tight” (5) (Legs & Co)
Ultravox – “The Thin Wall” (19)
Genesis – “Abacab” (12)
Aneka – “Japanese Boy” (1) WATCH
Modern Romance – “Everybody Salsa” (29) (audience dancing/credits)
11 June 2016
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
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
26 February 2016
TOTP81.8 26/2/81
Well while the rest of the world speeds ahead in the TOTP-Tardis with BBCFour already landing in April, we here at TOTP81 prefer the Luddite approach and take it all in our stride week by week.
Presented by Peter Powell
Full chart here
TOTP debut: Kim Wilde
A couple of good new things this week, but not much else besides I'm afraid so we should make swift progress. Take it away Pete
Status Quo - Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like
Well The Quo are back, and straight in at no. 19, no less, and hot on the heels of last year's double-whammy and album. Quo were on such a roll that this new one and the imminent parent album Never Too Late were in fact recorded at the same time as last year's stuff. This was a cover version, as you all know.
Roxy Music Jealous Guy
Speaking of cover versions, here's as fitting a tribute to a dead artsist as any: take one his lesser known songs and do your own version which turns out to be miles better than the original. Roxy being Roxy and this being 1981 they also make a smooth, expensive looking promo video to go with it. Result! Up to no. 6 already, so watch out Ultravox.
Beggar & Co - (Somebody) Help Me Out
Second time for this one and it's a repeat of the previous one with them dressed up as tramps. Now up to zweiundzwanzig.
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
I can't quite remeber if this was the first ever time we'd seen / heard sultry peroxide blonde Kim Wilde's debut single but in any case it probably made quite an impact, whether the comments were 'oh she's just trying to be Debbie Harry' or 'Phwaoaar!!". Whatever it was Kim and her bruvver and the rest made their mark and it was what we now know to be the start of an illustrious career as a TV gardener.
The Passions - I’m In Love With A German Film Star
Anothe repeat although we shall never tire of this. Now struggling back up to no. 25 and als the last we shall see/hear of them/it.
Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas 7
This '7' now up to no. 7 and that's about as far as it goes. Full marks for pulling off a studio performance of an instrumental track, although it does help to be 'nutty'.
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
This was on as a 'breaker' a couple of weeks ago, and not really much more than that two weeks on. Slow progress but believe it or night she'll be given another chance soon enough.
Coast To Coast - (Do) The Hucklebuck
Another tiresome 'novelty' song and (repeated) performance although Hucklebuck fever was no doubt sweeping the nation getting this one up to no. 8.
Ultravox Vienna (video)
The fourth time this one has been featured, and it's Studio Performance 2, Promo Video 2 at this point. Appropriately at no. 2 as it was last week and 2 weeks ago, and...
Freeez - Southern Freeez
Third repeated performance of the night, although I suppose you could get away with repeating stuff week after week in the days before youtube and i-player. Freeez now Top 10-ers.
Kiki Dee - Star
Another new one, and for those who are counting the fifth female chanteuse of the night. Kiki (née Pauline Matthews - snigger) was perhaps still living off the interest from her '76 hit with Sir Elton although this was a decent enough stab at trying to have the mike all to herself.
Joe Dolce Music Theatre - Shaddap You Face
Second of three weeks at no. 1. Promo video with credits over the end. Hey!
Presented by Peter Powell
Full chart here
TOTP debut: Kim Wilde
A couple of good new things this week, but not much else besides I'm afraid so we should make swift progress. Take it away Pete
Status Quo - Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like
Well The Quo are back, and straight in at no. 19, no less, and hot on the heels of last year's double-whammy and album. Quo were on such a roll that this new one and the imminent parent album Never Too Late were in fact recorded at the same time as last year's stuff. This was a cover version, as you all know.
Roxy Music Jealous Guy
Speaking of cover versions, here's as fitting a tribute to a dead artsist as any: take one his lesser known songs and do your own version which turns out to be miles better than the original. Roxy being Roxy and this being 1981 they also make a smooth, expensive looking promo video to go with it. Result! Up to no. 6 already, so watch out Ultravox.
Beggar & Co - (Somebody) Help Me Out
Second time for this one and it's a repeat of the previous one with them dressed up as tramps. Now up to zweiundzwanzig.
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
I can't quite remeber if this was the first ever time we'd seen / heard sultry peroxide blonde Kim Wilde's debut single but in any case it probably made quite an impact, whether the comments were 'oh she's just trying to be Debbie Harry' or 'Phwaoaar!!". Whatever it was Kim and her bruvver and the rest made their mark and it was what we now know to be the start of an illustrious career as a TV gardener.
The Passions - I’m In Love With A German Film Star
Anothe repeat although we shall never tire of this. Now struggling back up to no. 25 and als the last we shall see/hear of them/it.
Madness The Return Of The Los Palmas 7
This '7' now up to no. 7 and that's about as far as it goes. Full marks for pulling off a studio performance of an instrumental track, although it does help to be 'nutty'.
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
This was on as a 'breaker' a couple of weeks ago, and not really much more than that two weeks on. Slow progress but believe it or night she'll be given another chance soon enough.
Coast To Coast - (Do) The Hucklebuck
Another tiresome 'novelty' song and (repeated) performance although Hucklebuck fever was no doubt sweeping the nation getting this one up to no. 8.
Ultravox Vienna (video)
The fourth time this one has been featured, and it's Studio Performance 2, Promo Video 2 at this point. Appropriately at no. 2 as it was last week and 2 weeks ago, and...
Freeez - Southern Freeez
Third repeated performance of the night, although I suppose you could get away with repeating stuff week after week in the days before youtube and i-player. Freeez now Top 10-ers.
Kiki Dee - Star
Another new one, and for those who are counting the fifth female chanteuse of the night. Kiki (née Pauline Matthews - snigger) was perhaps still living off the interest from her '76 hit with Sir Elton although this was a decent enough stab at trying to have the mike all to herself.
Joe Dolce Music Theatre - Shaddap You Face
Second of three weeks at no. 1. Promo video with credits over the end. Hey!
12 February 2016
TOTP81.6 12/2/81
First shown Thursday 12 February 1981
Presented by Richard Skinner
Full chart here
For some reason BBC Four is racing ahead with the Pops repeats, and they're already one month ahead. But who cares? We're taking our time here on TOTP81 and posting our reviews week by week, as they happened sort of. Richie Skinner's turn this week and he's done very well up to now but will have his work cut out with this mostly hit-less line-up.
Pretenders - Message of Love
First time we've seen this lot since the follow up (Talk of the Town) to their no. 1 (Brass in Pocket), and they're already doing well straight in at no. 28. Success was short lived for this particular single however and sadly we won't be seeing/hearing Chrissie Hynde going "I love ya I love yaI love ya I love yaI love ya I love yaI love ya I love ya..." again.
Ultravox - Vienna
It seems to be the trend to have a really successful single early on in the schedule so let's go straight to no. 1 and see the 'Vox with their new video for Vienna now up to no. 2. Pretty seminal stuff it is too with lots of real (?) fog, horses, decadent palatial building, smart clothes and thin 'tashes - all in grainy black and white-ish. Ah Viennnuuuuh!
Barbara Jones - Just When I Needed You Most
...and whooosh back down the charts again to no. 31 where we find, er, Barbara Jones and another one of those soft reggae songs I have no recollection of whatsoever. Probably because it got nowhere. Sad to report that Babs passed away in 2014. Awww. Next!
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck
Oh dear. No sooner than having got Matchbox out the back door, then this lot come storming in without so much as a ring on the door knocker. yes, it's another one of those "zany" faux-1950s rockabilly choons which we written especially for embarassing school/college/wedding parties for years to come. In at no. 39 and I fear the damage is going to be even worse.
Gillan - Mutually Assured Destruction
Blimey! Talk about contrasts ...after the poofy rockabillies, better get the greasers in! And quite an odd bunch they are too, and with a very odd song indeed. Has the edge slightly over last year's Trouble although, like Ms. Jones' effort, this didn't get any higher than this week's no. 32 spot.
George Benson - What's On Your Mind? (Legs & Co.)
We do seem to be scraping the barrel a bit this week and now we've got right down to no. 50 where we find Benson's rather poor follow up to last year's hits, accompanied by a duly lacklustre performance from the leggy Legs. Oh dear.
Chart countdown 30-21, with six out of ten records going down and one stable. New entry That's Enetrtainment by The Jam blatantly ignored.
Freeez - Southern Freeez
And something a bit interesting at last. Together with the 'new romantic' and nascent synth-pop scenes, mostly around the London area, Brit-funk was also taking a bit of a hold and here's a prime example right here on the Pops stage t'night! Not to be confused with Spandau Ballet's The Freeze, this one is a pleasant enough funk-fest fronted with the icy (geddit?) Ms. Ingrid Allmann who manages to sing throughout without even pretending to use a microphone (but thereby hangs a tale...). Up at no. 34 but will do deservedly better.
Slade - We'll Bring the House Down
Oh God. For those who thought Slade were just a 'glam' '70s' band, think again. Total rubbish of course, but surprisingly not the worst thing there is around.
Charts 20 - 11: Visage, Straits, Cliff, Spandau, The Look all going down.
Beggar & Co. - Somebody Help Me Out
And back to the Brit-funk thing with this ramshackle bunch who, in true Legs & Co. tradition, have dressed according to the 'theme' of the song - ie. tramps begging for help. They're a lively bunch and on stage seem like a cross between the Specials, Madness, Earth Wind and Fire. We're in the deep and darkest nether regions of the charts again (no. 53) but we've caught a big 'un this time and it's a cracking start for these nutty boys of brass! And a darn better "dance" performance than Legs & Co.
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
Wee Kels did great last year with her no. 1 Feels Like I'm In Love (doo-dooh, doo-dooh), although the follow-up not so great. Now she's back with those dancers. This one too will fail to set the charts alight although it will hang around for like ages.
Top 10 countdown
John Lennon - Woman
Well Skinner's done really well this time, considering he's had a show with only one top ten hit apart from this, and only one other Top 20 song (Slade fer Chrissakes). Anyway here's Lennon again and that video again played over the credits again.
We'll see you next week, hoping there will be a few more Top 20 tunes to be heard. Byeee!
Presented by Richard Skinner
Full chart here
For some reason BBC Four is racing ahead with the Pops repeats, and they're already one month ahead. But who cares? We're taking our time here on TOTP81 and posting our reviews week by week, as they happened sort of. Richie Skinner's turn this week and he's done very well up to now but will have his work cut out with this mostly hit-less line-up.
Pretenders - Message of Love
First time we've seen this lot since the follow up (Talk of the Town) to their no. 1 (Brass in Pocket), and they're already doing well straight in at no. 28. Success was short lived for this particular single however and sadly we won't be seeing/hearing Chrissie Hynde going "I love ya I love yaI love ya I love yaI love ya I love yaI love ya I love ya..." again.
Ultravox - Vienna
It seems to be the trend to have a really successful single early on in the schedule so let's go straight to no. 1 and see the 'Vox with their new video for Vienna now up to no. 2. Pretty seminal stuff it is too with lots of real (?) fog, horses, decadent palatial building, smart clothes and thin 'tashes - all in grainy black and white-ish. Ah Viennnuuuuh!
Barbara Jones - Just When I Needed You Most
...and whooosh back down the charts again to no. 31 where we find, er, Barbara Jones and another one of those soft reggae songs I have no recollection of whatsoever. Probably because it got nowhere. Sad to report that Babs passed away in 2014. Awww. Next!
Coast to Coast - Do the Hucklebuck
Oh dear. No sooner than having got Matchbox out the back door, then this lot come storming in without so much as a ring on the door knocker. yes, it's another one of those "zany" faux-1950s rockabilly choons which we written especially for embarassing school/college/wedding parties for years to come. In at no. 39 and I fear the damage is going to be even worse.
Gillan - Mutually Assured Destruction
Blimey! Talk about contrasts ...after the poofy rockabillies, better get the greasers in! And quite an odd bunch they are too, and with a very odd song indeed. Has the edge slightly over last year's Trouble although, like Ms. Jones' effort, this didn't get any higher than this week's no. 32 spot.
George Benson - What's On Your Mind? (Legs & Co.)
We do seem to be scraping the barrel a bit this week and now we've got right down to no. 50 where we find Benson's rather poor follow up to last year's hits, accompanied by a duly lacklustre performance from the leggy Legs. Oh dear.
Chart countdown 30-21, with six out of ten records going down and one stable. New entry That's Enetrtainment by The Jam blatantly ignored.
Freeez - Southern Freeez
And something a bit interesting at last. Together with the 'new romantic' and nascent synth-pop scenes, mostly around the London area, Brit-funk was also taking a bit of a hold and here's a prime example right here on the Pops stage t'night! Not to be confused with Spandau Ballet's The Freeze, this one is a pleasant enough funk-fest fronted with the icy (geddit?) Ms. Ingrid Allmann who manages to sing throughout without even pretending to use a microphone (but thereby hangs a tale...). Up at no. 34 but will do deservedly better.
Slade - We'll Bring the House Down
Oh God. For those who thought Slade were just a 'glam' '70s' band, think again. Total rubbish of course, but surprisingly not the worst thing there is around.
Charts 20 - 11: Visage, Straits, Cliff, Spandau, The Look all going down.
Beggar & Co. - Somebody Help Me Out
And back to the Brit-funk thing with this ramshackle bunch who, in true Legs & Co. tradition, have dressed according to the 'theme' of the song - ie. tramps begging for help. They're a lively bunch and on stage seem like a cross between the Specials, Madness, Earth Wind and Fire. We're in the deep and darkest nether regions of the charts again (no. 53) but we've caught a big 'un this time and it's a cracking start for these nutty boys of brass! And a darn better "dance" performance than Legs & Co.
Kelly Marie - Hot Love
Wee Kels did great last year with her no. 1 Feels Like I'm In Love (doo-dooh, doo-dooh), although the follow-up not so great. Now she's back with those dancers. This one too will fail to set the charts alight although it will hang around for like ages.
Top 10 countdown
John Lennon - Woman
Well Skinner's done really well this time, considering he's had a show with only one top ten hit apart from this, and only one other Top 20 song (Slade fer Chrissakes). Anyway here's Lennon again and that video again played over the credits again.
We'll see you next week, hoping there will be a few more Top 20 tunes to be heard. Byeee!
28 January 2016
TOTP 81.4 29/1/81
First shown 29 January 1981
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here
Despite his 'rock' tendencies I've decided Tommy Vance is quite a good presenter and certainly one of the best of a bad bunch (up their with Powell and a still absent Jensen), so good to see him back again.
Slade - We'll Bring the House Down
Having said that, I hope he wasn't the one responsible for getting this on the show. True, Slade were already somewhat of a British institution but they have no place in the 1980s and this is crap. Still, it's still technically panto season so I'll let them get on with it.
John Lennon - Woman
It would be interesting to know how this would have fared had Lennon not been assassinated in December although I would like to think it would have done as well if not better than Just Like Starting Over. I must say Yoko was pretty quick to have it released as a single and even botched together this video clip showing herself both with her man, filmed in Central Park in November, and at the same (now snowy) location as a widow, cut with various pics of them together. Chilling. Already at no. 2.
Stranglers - Thrown Away
Very much a 'seventies post-punk' band here's their attempt at being 80s friendly with a catchy little number complete with keyboard riff. But Enola Gay it ain't and this one went from 44 to, er, 42 and was never heard of again. They'll have to get their act together if they want to survive in the eighties (They will do next year. For a bit.)
Madness - The Return of the Los Palmas 7
This lot never seem to be away and here they are in a suitably nutty promo vid which depicts the band members japing about in various locations/guises indispersed with various aspects of modern of pop culture, including a pic of Ronald Reagan, who had just been elected US President, dressed as a cowboy. Poignant. Nice tune.
Sheila Hylton - Bed's Too Big Without You
Much as I liked and still do like the original on The Police's Regatta de Blanc album, I have no recollection of this version which takes the song back into it's black reggae roots making Sting & pals' rendition seem like a cover version. Pleasant enough but smacks a little too much of the 70s. Destined for oblivion.
Ultravox - Vienna
Good to see that this studio performance gets a repeat as we missed its first airing last time (in 2016). Now at no. 6, the track was already several months old having been released on their debut album last summer, but happily it was rescued as a single and rightfully became an eighties "anthem". Their all electronic line-up seemed out of place with last year's Sleepwalk but this time they've got their fingers right on the button. Well, "drummer" Warren Cann has anyway:
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here
Despite his 'rock' tendencies I've decided Tommy Vance is quite a good presenter and certainly one of the best of a bad bunch (up their with Powell and a still absent Jensen), so good to see him back again.
 |
| NB: actually says "ROCK on.." |
Slade - We'll Bring the House Down
Having said that, I hope he wasn't the one responsible for getting this on the show. True, Slade were already somewhat of a British institution but they have no place in the 1980s and this is crap. Still, it's still technically panto season so I'll let them get on with it.
John Lennon - Woman
It would be interesting to know how this would have fared had Lennon not been assassinated in December although I would like to think it would have done as well if not better than Just Like Starting Over. I must say Yoko was pretty quick to have it released as a single and even botched together this video clip showing herself both with her man, filmed in Central Park in November, and at the same (now snowy) location as a widow, cut with various pics of them together. Chilling. Already at no. 2.
Stranglers - Thrown Away
Very much a 'seventies post-punk' band here's their attempt at being 80s friendly with a catchy little number complete with keyboard riff. But Enola Gay it ain't and this one went from 44 to, er, 42 and was never heard of again. They'll have to get their act together if they want to survive in the eighties (They will do next year. For a bit.)
Madness - The Return of the Los Palmas 7
This lot never seem to be away and here they are in a suitably nutty promo vid which depicts the band members japing about in various locations/guises indispersed with various aspects of modern of pop culture, including a pic of Ronald Reagan, who had just been elected US President, dressed as a cowboy. Poignant. Nice tune.
Sheila Hylton - Bed's Too Big Without You
Much as I liked and still do like the original on The Police's Regatta de Blanc album, I have no recollection of this version which takes the song back into it's black reggae roots making Sting & pals' rendition seem like a cover version. Pleasant enough but smacks a little too much of the 70s. Destined for oblivion.
Ultravox - Vienna
Good to see that this studio performance gets a repeat as we missed its first airing last time (in 2016). Now at no. 6, the track was already several months old having been released on their debut album last summer, but happily it was rescued as a single and rightfully became an eighties "anthem". Their all electronic line-up seemed out of place with last year's Sleepwalk but this time they've got their fingers right on the button. Well, "drummer" Warren Cann has anyway:
The Gap Band - Burn Rubber On Me
And from the sublime to the ridiculous (again). The Oops Upside Your Head criminals are no. 26 with this.
Diana Ross - It's My Turn (Legs & Co.)
So it is Diana, although Legs & Co. have raided the BBC wardrobe dept. just to give us their 'representation' of your latest hit m'dear. Is it just me or is it that Legs are a bit rubbish this year?
Chart countdown 30-21
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Another one which first aired two weeks ago and got swallowed up in the time vortex, but luckily we get to see it again. And a bit of a classic it is too. Odd to think that if Lennon hadn't been killed this would've made number 1. As you can see he's borrowed Warren Cann's rhythm thingy to put his paint pot on.
Charts 20-11
Susan Fassbender - Twilight Café
Another one which was on two weeks ago and gets another chance despite not doing particularly well. I think I may well have 'missed' it in 1981 too as I have absolutely no recollection of it whatsoever. Susan would seem to be a kind of bouncy music teacher type who after the drudgery of teaching unwilling secondary school kids about the clasics, used to get her Moog out at weekends and do a few 'pub' gigs with some like-minded mates (some of which may also have been teachers). I'm sorry your song meant nothing to me, Miss, and that after reaching 21 for two weeks, fell into total oblivion. I can't even find a decent copy of this on the trillion 80s compilations there are out there or even on Spotify. I was also sorry to learn that Ms. Fassbender (née Susan Whincup) committed suicide in 1991. There's a 'demo' compilation album out there if anyone's interested.
Top Ten countdown...with moving number!
John Lennon - Imagine
Last week at no. 1 although Woman was of course hot on its heels. Popularity of Woman obviously also helped the Double Fantasy album which would soon topple Adam & the Ants off the top spot. Unsurprisingly Lennon had all of two albums in the Top 10, But then again so did Barry Manilow.
Heatwave - Gangsters Of The Groove (playout)
That's all. See you next week-ish!
18 January 2016
TOTP 80.2 15/1/81
What with BBC Four repeating two different shows per week (on consecutive nights to boot) and Yewtree giving the axe to so many shows, it might be a tough job for TOTP81 to keep up, so please bear with me if I get too far behind.
Here's the rundown of the first 'not repeated' show proper of '81, which is a pity as we missed three of four classic songs/performances, the likes of which we may never see again.
Presented by: DLT
Full chart here.
Susan Fassbender - Twilight Café
I have no recollection of this track whatsoever, and with good reason, I believe, having since checked it out on Spot-i-fy over here in the 21st century. No Pops footage available of it on youtube, sadly. This was a 'newie' at no. 63 but would do better. Maybe we'll see her again.
Gary Numan - This Wreckage
Repeat of the studio performance from before Christmas. This rather dour single had dragged itself up to no. 20 in the meantime. Time for Gary to get back to the studio with something more exciting, methinks.
Light of the World - I Shot the Sheriff
Another one from the nether reaches of the charts, and being at no. 68, probably meant it had sold about 156 copies to get on this week's show. Made it to no. 40 the following week, but that will be all thank you
Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet (promo)
The eternally out of fashion Dire Straits get their first chart success since '79's Sultans of Swing. Not a bad song and the soft focus video certainly brought them neatly into the eighties.
Stevie Wonder - I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (Legs & Co.)
Wonder doing well at no. 17 although what Legs actually did with this we shall never know.
2020 edit: we have footage!
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Gross injustice that this wasn't shown again (was it on the 1981 Big Hits show?) as it really is/was one of those jaw-dropping Top of the Pops moments, at least as far as I'm concerned, and certainly a milestone in Collins' career. One man in a tank top, with a keyboard, a drum machine and a paint-pot. I'd really liked the 1980 Genesis Duke album and so this was a sort of logical progression from that. Should be repeated in a couple of weeks (in 1981), or maybe even next week (in the year 2016).
UFO - Lonely Heart
Someone must have thought this would be the week to give a leg-up to those in the lower reaches of the charts as this is the the third track 60-70 bracket to be featured. Rubbish, naturally, although the red vinyl 7" would be a key 1981 artefact.
Mac Davis - It's Hard to be Humble
Another one I have no recollection of. Probably more rubbish.
Ultravox - Vienna
Classic TOTP appearance no. 2 of the night, and again it's very sad we didn't get to see this studio performance of another "eighties" classic, but anyway it should be on again unless they've made the video in the meantime. This single had been taken from their eponymous 1980 album which was already quite a few months old and had already spawned two not so successful singles (although readers may recall their classic performance of Sleepwalk on TOTP in the summer of 1980 - I certainly do). But what with the New Romantic/Blitz Kids scene now fast going mainstream, this one had a new lease of life and become an unlikely hit. Anyway you can see this particular performance here, as featured in the wonderful BBC Synth Britannia docu/special of a few years ago.
Queen - Flash (promo)
This feels like this has been around forever already. Stuck at no. 10 but the 'soundtrack in the making' promo film gets an airing.
John Lennon - Imagine
Second of four weeks at the top, as a nation continues to mourn.
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop the Music (playout)
More about this and them next time.
Here's the rundown of the first 'not repeated' show proper of '81, which is a pity as we missed three of four classic songs/performances, the likes of which we may never see again.
Presented by: DLT
Full chart here.
Susan Fassbender - Twilight Café
I have no recollection of this track whatsoever, and with good reason, I believe, having since checked it out on Spot-i-fy over here in the 21st century. No Pops footage available of it on youtube, sadly. This was a 'newie' at no. 63 but would do better. Maybe we'll see her again.
Gary Numan - This Wreckage
Repeat of the studio performance from before Christmas. This rather dour single had dragged itself up to no. 20 in the meantime. Time for Gary to get back to the studio with something more exciting, methinks.
Light of the World - I Shot the Sheriff
Another one from the nether reaches of the charts, and being at no. 68, probably meant it had sold about 156 copies to get on this week's show. Made it to no. 40 the following week, but that will be all thank you
Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet (promo)
The eternally out of fashion Dire Straits get their first chart success since '79's Sultans of Swing. Not a bad song and the soft focus video certainly brought them neatly into the eighties.
Stevie Wonder - I Ain't Gonna Stand For It (Legs & Co.)
Wonder doing well at no. 17 although what Legs actually did with this we shall never know.
2020 edit: we have footage!
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
Gross injustice that this wasn't shown again (was it on the 1981 Big Hits show?) as it really is/was one of those jaw-dropping Top of the Pops moments, at least as far as I'm concerned, and certainly a milestone in Collins' career. One man in a tank top, with a keyboard, a drum machine and a paint-pot. I'd really liked the 1980 Genesis Duke album and so this was a sort of logical progression from that. Should be repeated in a couple of weeks (in 1981), or maybe even next week (in the year 2016).
UFO - Lonely Heart
Someone must have thought this would be the week to give a leg-up to those in the lower reaches of the charts as this is the the third track 60-70 bracket to be featured. Rubbish, naturally, although the red vinyl 7" would be a key 1981 artefact.
Mac Davis - It's Hard to be Humble
Another one I have no recollection of. Probably more rubbish.
Ultravox - Vienna
Classic TOTP appearance no. 2 of the night, and again it's very sad we didn't get to see this studio performance of another "eighties" classic, but anyway it should be on again unless they've made the video in the meantime. This single had been taken from their eponymous 1980 album which was already quite a few months old and had already spawned two not so successful singles (although readers may recall their classic performance of Sleepwalk on TOTP in the summer of 1980 - I certainly do). But what with the New Romantic/Blitz Kids scene now fast going mainstream, this one had a new lease of life and become an unlikely hit. Anyway you can see this particular performance here, as featured in the wonderful BBC Synth Britannia docu/special of a few years ago.
Queen - Flash (promo)
This feels like this has been around forever already. Stuck at no. 10 but the 'soundtrack in the making' promo film gets an airing.
John Lennon - Imagine
Second of four weeks at the top, as a nation continues to mourn.
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop the Music (playout)
More about this and them next time.
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