Everlasting Top of the Pops

 Open up your eyes then you realise it's the 13th of March 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Top of the hospitals

13-3-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(2) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Big Mistake

Here with the second single from her top 5 album, Left of the Middle, and it was at its peak.

(18) SIMPLE MINDS – Glitterball

Performing their 24th and final top 40 hit, but it got no higher.

(4) FIVE – When The Lights Go Out

In the studio but got no higher.

(13) GINUWINE – Holler

Here tonight but could get no higher.

(5) CAST FROM CASUALTY – Everlasting Love

Here tonight with a song for Children in Need and it was now at its peak.

(11) SHED SEVEN – She Left Me On Friday

With their first hit since 1996 but it got no higher.

(20) LIONROCK – Rude Boy Rock

In the studio with his fourth and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(1) CELINE DION – My Heart Will Go On  (and credits)

Back to number one for a second and final week.

The Ballad of Top of the Pops

 I could never throw my knickers at the 6th of March 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

My, my, my....

6-3-98:   Presenter:  Jamie Theakston

(3) CORNERSHOP – Brimful Of Asha

Getting tonight's show underway with last week's number one.

(16) FINLEY QUAYE – Your Love Gets Sweeter

In the studio but the song got no higher.

(2) CELINE DION – My Heart Will Go On

A former and a future number one all in one.

(25) HINDA HICKS – If You Want Me

Here with her first of four top 40 hits but this one got no higher.

(8) ROBYN – Show Me Love

With her only top ten hit and it was at its peak.

(4) SPACE feat. CERYS MATTHEWS – The Ballad Of Tom Jones

Together in the studio tonight with the band's third and final top ten hit and it got no higher,

(NEW) SPICE GIRLS – Stop  (via satellite)

Will become the only Spice Girls single out of their first ten releases not to get to number one when it peaks at number 2.

(1) MADONNA – Frozen  (video)  (and credits)

One week at number one.

Brimful of Top of the Pops

 Everybody needs a 27th of February 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Bosom buddies

27-2-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(13) CLEOPATRA – Cleopatra’s Theme

Getting the show underway but the song had already peaked at number 3.

(12) OCEAN COLOUR SCENE – It’s A Beautiful Thing

In the studio tonight with PP Arnold but the duet got no higher.

(6) ANOTHER LEVEL – Be Alone No More

Making their studio debut with the first of seven top ten hits, but this one got no higher.

(10) SHANIA TWAIN – You’re Still The One

Performing her first of nine top ten hits, and it was at its peak.

(16) N-TYCE – Telefunkin’

With their third of four top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(14) REST ASSURED – Treat Infamy

Here with their only hit and it got no higher.

(5) WILL MELLOR – When I Need You

This Leo Sayer cover was his only top ten hit and it got no higher.

(1) CORNERSHOP – Brimful Of Asha  (and credits)

Making their studio debut with their only number one and it topped the charts for one week.

Top of the Pops Will Go On

 Near, far, wherever you are, it's the 20th of February 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Went down well

20-2-98:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(17) SHOLA AMA – Much Love

Getting tonight's show underway but the song got no higher.

(14) STEREOPHONICS – Local Boy In The Photograph

Had peaked at number 51 last year, this time around number 14 was the peak.

(3) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever

An incredible ninth appearance on the show for the former number one.

(19) HURRICANE #1 – Only The Strongest Will Survive

With their fifth and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(16) LILYS – A Nanny In Manhattan

Here with their only top 40 hit and it was at its peak.

(13) AIR – Sexy Boy

Performing their first of five top 40 hits, this one was the biggest and it got no higher.

(10) THE BLUETONES – Solomon Bites The Worm

In the studio with their fourth and final top 10 hit and it got no higher.

(24) LUTRICIA McNEAL – Ain’t That Just The Way

Here tonight with her first of three top ten hits which had peaked at number 6 back in November last year.

(1) CELINE DION – My Heart Will Go On  (and credits)

Here to perform her first of two non-consecutive weeks at number one.

Cleopatra of the Pops

 Comin' atcha the 13th of February 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

It started with a hit

13-2-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(18) ERROL BROWN – It Started With A Kiss

It had been a number 5 hit in 1982, this time around number 18 was the peak.

(3) CLEOPATRA – Cleopatra’s Theme

Making their debut with the first of four top ten hits, this one was the biggest but it got no higher.

(30) HEADSWIM – Tourniquet

With their only top 40 hit and it got no higher.

(13) JAY-Z feat. GWEN DICKEY – Wishing On A Star

A number 3 hit for Rose Royce in 1978, this version was at its peak.

(11) WES – Alane

In the studio with his only top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(27) SPIRITUALIZED – I Think I’m In Love

Performing their third of seven top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(2) BACKSTREET BOYS – All I Have To Give

At its peak.

(1) AQUA – Doctor Jones  (and credits)

Second and final week at number one.

Doctor Jones of the Pops

 Wake up now it's the 6th of February 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Tunes like Jagger

6-2-98:   Presenter:  Zoë Ball

(2) USHER – You Make Me Wanna…

Last week's number one gets this week's show underway.

(24) CARLEEN ANDERSON – Maybe I’m Amazed

Performing her fifth and final top 40 hit but this McCartney cover got no higher.

(12) SAINT ETIENNE – Sylvie

Here tonight with their first hit for over two years but it got no higher.

(3) WILL SMITH – Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It  (video)

At its peak.

(23) THLE FREESTYLERS – B-Boy Stance

With their only top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(26) THE ROLLING STONES – Saint Of Me  (video)

Second single from their top 6 album, Bridges to Babylon, but it got no higher.

(19) OTT – Story Of Love

Had already peaked at number 11.

(1) AQUA – Doctor Jones  (and credits)

First of two weeks at number one.

Tess of the Pops

Whilst we're on a break from 1998, my short story 'Tess of the Pops' has just been published in the July edition of Best of Woman's Weekly Fiction. Available from WHSmith and other newsagents from today!