TOTP81.30 30/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour 01/04/2016
Presented by Steve Wright
Full chart here

TOTP debut: Bill Wyman (as solo artist)

Last show of the month during the heady days of summer and the decade seems finally to be taking shape musically with some "classic" eighties acts taking part. Plus a novelty hit for Stones bass player Bill Wyman and of course a medley hit too, this time by the RPO.


Duran Duran – “Girls On Film” (23)
Back with a vengeance after the non-hit Careless Memories, and with what will become one of their better known songs. Renewed confidence, vigour and a saucy video (not shown here).

Kim Wilde – “Water On Glass” (35)
Another hit for Kim, with her bro & pals, although this one will just fail to go Top 10.

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (12)
Still gradually climbing although the Top 10 will also prove out of reach for this one too even after going up one more notch next week.

Bill Wyman – “(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star” (36)
Here's the summer novelty hit for stone (sorry) faced Bill. Will be a hit although his solo career practically ends here.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – “Hooked On Classics” (7) (Legs & Co)
The almost obligatory medley song on this week, as the RPO toffs cash in on the craze. I must admit this one did introduce me to a lot of classics though. Starsiund Abba edley going down this week, by the way.

The Undertones – “Julie Ocean” (45)
Uncharacteristically slow one for these post-punkers. Obviously not even the fans liked it as it didn't go Top 40.

Stevie Wonder – “Happy Birthday” (4) (video)
Yes well, it's this one which you will have heard a million times since. Gets to no. 2 next week.

Spandau Ballet – “Chant No.1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)” (3) (video)
This is more like it - Spandau Ballet in their funky phase with gritty, sweaty video to go with it. This as far as it goes though for this one.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (1) (rpt from 23/07/81)
All the way up from no. 22 and the first of four weeks at no. 1.

The Jacksons - "Walk Right Now" (15) (audience dancing/credits)
Will go Top 10 next week.

See ya!

TOTP81.29 23/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour: 31/03/2016
Presenter: Richard Skinner
Full chart here

The Vapors – “Jimmie Jones” (44)
A bit of a comeback after their top 3 hit Turning Japanese all of 18 months ago. This is a bit rubbish however and not helped by the sheer length of the singer's mullet, approx. 3 years too early. At no. 44 and got no higher.

Sheena Easton – “For Your Eyes Only” (16) (video)
Apparently "for the first time on British television" and according to Skinner something for those who like James Bond and Sheena Easton, which is hardly surprising as it's the new James Bond movie theme sung by Sheena Easton. Fun fact 1: Sheena Easton is the first Bond theme singer to actually appear in the film; Fun Fact 2: Blondie also recorded a song called For Your Eyes Only for the movie but it was rejected.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Green Door” (22)
New one for Shakey, straight in at no. 22 and obviously the nation's favourite record/artist at the time judging by what happens next. 1981? It might as well be 1958.

REO Speedwagon – “Take It On The Run” (28) (video)
American AOR/MOR. "Take it on the run, baby - exactly where you want it, baby". Ummm...

ABBA – “Lay All Your Love On Me” (7) (Legs & Co)
By Abba's standards this one didn't really get very high, perhaps due to the fact that it was a 'limited edition' 12" only release, so they probably ran out before it could get to the top like their previous two singles. That said, it was the highest charting position achieved for a 12-inch only release in the UK  at the time. Legs do their best to 'interpret' the song and the abandoned church stage-set is perhaps inspired by the song's opening chords which sound like they're played on a church organ, and the chorus is, well, choir-esque. Quite why they choose to dance in their nighties/pyjamas/knickerbockers is, however, beyond us. Skilfully covered by Erasure some years into the future.

Tight Fit – “Back To The ‘60s” (30)
Another one of those annoying medley singles, which time (up to now) had largely forgotten. Destined to ruin your summer.

Visage – “Visage” (25) (video)
Steve Strange et al scraping the barrel somewhat issuing the titular track off eponymous album, but any excuse to dress up for a video, eh Steve? Plus it was sort of their manifesto .. "new styles, new shapes" etc. Video directed by Midge Ure, who also had a hand in writing, playing, producing and God knows what else, which makes it sound very Ultravox-y.

Chart rundown from 20 'right up to' no. 11.

Gidea Park – “Beach Boy Gold” (35)
More cover-medley rubbish. Will also ruin your summer.

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) (rpt)
"A great song" .. at no. 1 for third and final week.

Starsound – “Stars On 45 Volume 2” (2) (Legs & Co/credits)
More Legs & co. in white dresses. At least this one was a medley of Abba songs. Hilarious seeing selected pubescent punters trying to "impress" Legs.

TOTP81.28 16/07/81

Repeated on BBCFour: 25/03/2016
Presenter: Peter Powell
Full chart here


Saxon – “Never Surrender” (26)
One of those heavy metal bands which seem to have been around forever already, even though their chart 'career' was relatively short lived. This will get them into the Top 20 next week for the last time. Ever.

Third World – “Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)” (12) (video)
More summer-reggae fun, if you like that sort of thing. They'll make it to the Top 10 next week but that's as far as it goes. Ever (except for 1985 when they'll have a revival with an old one)

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (19)
Hurrah for the brand new sounds of synth-pop! The Dizzy Deps continue their somewhat sluggish climb up the charts and are one small step further towards world domination.

The Jacksons – “Walk Right Now” (30) (Legs & Co)
Speaking of world domination, as l'il Michael does his own thing, big bros also have a crack and making the big time once more. Some nice arse waggling from The Legs too, if I may say so.

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Show Me” (33)
After things went a bit t*ts up following last year's surprise no. 1, Dexy's are back with a good 'un, although "Eileen" is still a year away.

Kate Bush – “Sat In Your Lap” (15) (video)
And she's back! Long awaited and much anticipated follow-up to last year's string of hits and no. 1 album (and a criminally largely-ignored 'Christmas' single), here's Kate with one of her best, going on about "heaven is hell", wanting to be a "lawyer and a "scholar", "going up the ladder" and of course that "knowledge is something that's sat in your lap". How can you not love her?

Bad Manners – “Can Can” (3) (rpt from 02/07/81)
From the sublime to the ridiculous, as is often the case on The Pops. The Manners still desperately hanging on to that prestigious no. 3 spot.

Spandau Ballet – “Chant No.1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On)” (18 -straight in!)
Another much anticipated comeback after their 'Journeys to Glory' success, and Ver Spans have evidently been going down 'Beat Route' (geddit?) quite a bit and have come up with some funky new dance stuff with the help of Beggar & Co. who you remember from a while back. Spandau will never be as good as this again. Ever.

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) (video/credits)
"Do you remeber the good old days before the ghost town?", well possibly youdo even as the nation plunges once more into race riots in the big cities under staunch Conservative rule. Times change eh? Still, cheer up chaps as there's a Royal Wedding coming up soon.

See you!

TOTP81.27 09/07/81 - 900th edition

Not repeated on BBCFour
Chart here


Presenters: Jimmy Savile, Alan Freeman, David Jacobs & Pete Murray

Chart hits indispersed with archive footage and short interviews with prominent figures from TOTP history.

Kirsty MacColl – “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” (16) 

The Supremes – “Baby Love” (clip from 07/10/64)

Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas – “Little Children” (clip from 26/02/64)

The Dave Clark Five – “Bits & Pieces” (clip from 26/02/64)

The Beatles – “I Want To Hold Your Hand” / “Twist & Shout” (live clips)

Randy Crawford – “You Might Need Somebody” (12)

M – “Pop Musik” (montage of clips)

Mary Hopkin / Sandie Shaw – brief interview

Tom Tom Club – “Wordy Rappinghood” (10) (Legs & Co)

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “No Woman No Cry” (9) (live clip)

Alan Clark & Tony Hicks (Hollies) – brief interview

Motorhead – “Motorhead Live” (14) (video)

Bill Wyman – brief interview

The Rolling Stones – “The Last Time” (clip from 04/03/65)

Imagination – “Body Talk” (6)

Adam Ant – brief interview

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (1) 

Starsound – “Stars On 45 Volume 2” (4) (Legs & Co/credits)

TOTP81.26 02/07/81

Not repeated on BBCFour in 2016
Full chart here
Presented by DLT

TOTP debut: ?


We start July rather somberly, firstly because this show wasn't repeated again in 2016 and secondly because most songs are rubbish, inclusing the no. 1 which is already about 6 years old. The only spark of 'modernity' and 'cheer' is given by The Specials with Ghost Town, as new social unrest erupts in the Toxteth area of Liverpool among others.
Oh dear...roll on the Royal Wedding.


Bad Manners – “Can Can” (3)
No we can't.

Third World – “Dancing On The Floor (Hooked On Love)” (25) (video)
A bit of cheery reggae

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (2)
This is the highlight of the show. Which says a lot.

Quincy Jones – “Razzamatazz” (16) (Legs & Co)
No idea.

Barry Biggs – “Wide Awake In A Dream” (53)
A nightmare more like.

Linx – “Throw Away The Key” (21)
Good one, and suitably gloomy.

Rainbow – “Can’t Happen Here” (29) (video)
It has.

Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life” (1) (Legs & Co) (rpt from 04/06/81 + credits)
Not in my name.

The (cheerless) End.


Further reading: "Too much fighting on the dance floor", The Sound of the Crowd.

TOTP81.25 25/06/81

Repeated on BBCFour 24/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Simon Bates

TOTP debut: Kirsty MacColl (as solo artist), Depeche Mode.

All in all a very lacklustre show reflecting a very lacklustre chart with all those sloppy American ballads in the top spots and not much else going on. That said, there are a couple of important debuts tonight with the late Kirsty MacColl bursting onto the scene (an straight onto the cover of Smash Hits!), country 'n' western tongue firmly in cheek, and of course Basildon's finest Depeche-ay (sic.) Mode pushing forward The Sound of The New© with their second single just outside the Top 40.


Gillan – “No Laughing In Heaven” (32)
Oh dear. At no. 32 and not going anywhere much, quite rightly. His last one New Orleans got to no. 17 but this one is going to get anywhere near. He'll be featured again for a fourth single much later in the year but that one's crap too.

Elaine Paige – “Memory” (9) (pre-recorded insert) (rpt from 11/06/81)
Cats had just had its premiere in the West End and Ms. Page is obviously doing well on the back of that despite not dressing like a cat at all, at least not for this 'video'. Writers Webber and Nunn will actually go on to win the Ivor Novello Award for the song, which isn't called Memories by the way.

Kirsty MacColl – “There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis” (40)
Another kind of lady singer and indeed song now. Kirsty (daughter of a folk-country singer, y'all) had been trying for quite a bit to get a hit single, starting with They Don't Know in '79 which would later become a hit for Tracey Ullmann. This one sort of rides the rockabilly-revival wave but in a very ironic and enjoyable sort of way, out-rockabillying The Polecats, Matchbox et al. It's also got that very British comedy-novelty-song sort of appeal so off you go up the charts then Kirsty. Not her first time in the TOTP studio as you may remember her on backing vocals in Jonah Lewie's kitchen back in '80.

The Evasions – “Wikka Wrap” (31)
Speaking of "British comedy-novelty-song" appeal this one has that too but, like most of its genre, is also totally annoying and a bit rubbish. For those who don't know it's a spoof of Alan Whicker RIP and his Whicker's World programme which was quite popular at the time. TOTP would've done better to have featured Wordy Rappinghood by the Tom Tom Club which was one place higher at 30, but never mind. Wikka Wrap went up to no. 20 after this feature, but then mercifully died a death.

Randy Crawford – “You Might Need Somebody” (28) (rpt from 11/06/81)
Third songstress in a row tonight - talk about Women's Lib! Randy seems to crop up now and then with a very pleasant sounding song, and no-one seems to complain much. Although an American, apparently Randy was more successful here than Stateside, so good for her, even though she wouldn't be earning half as much money.

Depeche Mode – “New Life” (43) video
So here they are for the first time: a brand new ramshackle "new wave" quartet with a daft name, funny haircuts and a few cheap keyboards which they allegedly lugged along with them on the train when they made it up to Shepherd's Bush from Basildon. Barely out of the local comprehensive, the dizzy Deps had been doing the local pubs and clubs, with their synthesizers stacked on beer crates, for quite some time before signing up to indie label Mute and then doing some more pubs and clubs with their synthesizers stacked on beer crates. This was their second single (as we all know) and one which would propel them to fame, an unexpected split, finding their feet again, bashing bits of metal, US stadium tours, S&M cross-dressing, the fall of the Eastern Bloc, heroin addiction, the return from near-death and on to dream-homes in California and New York.  But before all that, please dance along to this one and hail the birth of the synth-pop genre. New life indeed.

Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life” (1) (Legs & Co)
After all that modernity and happy-go-lucky abandon, better get back to something boring and irksome, danced to by the Legs. Oh and it's number one would you believe. Originally recorded in 1975, this was only released as a stop-gap after the successful Off the Wall album, included on a compilation album called, er, One Day In Your Life, not to be confused with the other greatest hits album out at the time which was called The Best of Michael Jackson, also originally released in 1975 but which doesn't have One Day In Your Life on it. Woolworths shop assistants were going mad at the time.

Quincy Jones - "Razzamatazz" (26) (audience dancing/credits)
I've no idea about this one and I haven't heard/watched it either so .. see you next week!



This week's Smash Hits

TOTP81.24 18/06/81

Repeated on BBCFour 18/03/2016
Full chart here
Presented by Peter Powell

TOTP debut:

Linx – “Throw Away The Key” (32)

Phil Collins – “If Leaving Me Is Easy” (27) (rpt from 04/06/81)

Odyssey – “Going Back To My Roots” (6)

Kool & The Gang – “Take It To The Top” (22) (Legs & Co)

Champaign – “How ‘Bout Us” (5) (video)

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Spellbound” (23) (rpt from 04/06/81)

The Specials – “Ghost Town” (21) (video)

Imagination – “Body Talk” (19)

Smokey Robinson – “Being With You” (1) (video/credits)

see: The Sound of the Crowd