Saturday 25 July 2015

Game of Top of the Pops




Since we will now be bereft of Top of the Pops 1980 for the duration of the summer, I hope this blog will at least provide a little entertainment until the show returns to BBC4 in late September.

As we all know, between June 5th and August 7th 1980 a musicians union strike at the BBC kept Top of the Pops off the air. That's nine editions, although one of them is accounted for, the pilot made on July 9th.

So, in those other eight shows who did we miss out on? Who would have been in the studio? Who on video? Who would Legs & Co have danced to? Who played over the charts? Who played over the credits? Which flop records would have made it onto the show? Who would the hosts have been? This is where we can all speculate a little on who would have been the winners and losers in the Game of Top of the Pops......

Here are the rules: we'll assume these shows would still have been the old style Top of the Pops, so we need a song for the chart rundown and one for the end credits.
In between we've got room for 10 more songs, plus the number one. So that's 13 songs in all.

Post your suggestions in the comments, and then here's the amazing twist in the tale.....

Most of the missing summer editions have been 'found' and will get their first ever public airing right here on this blog.


Yes, that's right! You will get to see most of these missing shows in full!
Will your suggestions match up? Each week we'll find out as each edition gets posted on Turn it on Again, Top of the Pops 1980!

The missing shows are:

June 5th ~ Submissions for this edition are now closed. The TOTPs points system is as follows: Getting the No.1 correct = 1 point; Naming the correct host = 2 points; Picking the correct chart rundown song = 3 points; Getting a main show song correct = 2 points; Naming the over the credits song = 3 points; Picking the Legs & Co routine song = 4 points; Naming a correct song but in the wrong part of the show = 1 point.

We have a Top 8 contributors chart then for June 5th 1980:
8. Wilberforce
7. shaky shakerson
6. jackh
5. Arthur Nibble
5. sct353
3. Noax
2. Dory
1. bama boogie-woogie

Congratulations to bama boogie woogie who is this week's Number One!

June 12th ~ We have a top 7 for this week:
7. Noax
6. Arthur Nibble
5. Dory
4. Wilberforce
3. sct353
2. Chris Cooper
1. bama boogie-woogie


June 19th ~ We have a new Number One this week! Deposing bama boogie-woogie from the Top of the Pops throne is........
4. Wilberforce - 14 points (out of 36)
3. bama boogie-woogie - 15 points
2. Arthur Nibble - 20 points
1. Dory - 23 points

June 26th ~  It's all change again at the top of the pops charts this week: ~
4. Dory - 9 points (out of 35)
4. Wilberforce - 9 points
2. bama boogie-woogie - 13 points
1. Arthur Nibble - 14 points

July 3rd ~ We have a new entry going straight in at Number One this week! ~
3. Dory - 13 points (out of 31)
3. Wilberforce - 13 points
2. Arthur Nibble - 14 points
1. Paul Major - 18 points!

July 10th - It's all change at the top of the charts again this week......
4. Arthur Nibbel ~ 22 points (out of 33)
3. Alison Fresco ~ 23 points
2. Wilberforce ~ 28 points
1. Dory ~ 29 points

July 17th ~ There is no show for the 17th July so we have time for a bit of a breather from the Game before returning for the final two shows to see who can become the ultimate Number One!

July 24th ~ The new Top Four this week is.......
4. Wilberforce ~ 10 points (out of 47)
3. Paul Major ~ 24 points
2. Dory ~ 26 points
1. Arthur Nibble ~ 29 points

July 31st ~ And so now The Winner Takes it All! And what a battle this final game has been, with  very high scores all round, but now here's our top 4 rundown for the ultimate Game of Top of the Pops.........
4. wilberorce ~ 17 points (out of 37)
3. Paul Major ~ 20 points
2. Dory ~ 25 points
1. Arthur Nibble ~ 30 points!

You know nothing, Mike Read!



238 comments:

  1. shaky shakerson25 July 2015 at 15:45

    Having checked the charts for this week, I can't honestly say we missed much. My version of events looks a helluva lot like this.....

    Introduced by Mike Read or Simon Bates.

    The chart rundown is to OMD - Messages.
    Followed by . . .
    THE KORGIS - Everybody's Got To Learn (studio)
    QUEEN - Play The Game (video)
    ELVIS COSTELLO - New Amsterdam (studio)
    JOAN ARMATRADING - Me Myself & I (studio)
    ROD STEWART - If Loving you is Right (video)

    The Leggers do their thing to Teena Marie - Behind The Groove.

    JUDAS PRIEST - Breaking The Law (studio)
    SIOUXSIE - Christine (studio)
    MANHATTAN TRANSFER - Twilight Zone (video)
    FLACK/HATHAWAY Back Together Again (studio

    MASH at number 1 and we play out with CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - You Gave Me Love.

    Elvis, Rod and Joan Armatrading would have been my favourites.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Not bad ~ you receive 13 TOTPs points!

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  2. Oo a game - what fun, When I was 13 in 1976 I used to make up my own Top 30 chart and not only that I used to play the full rundown on a Sunday afternoon between 4.30 and 6pm on my own radio station. I gave up doing that in 1977 when I stopped my Saturday job and no longer had the money to buy 4 or 5 singles a week but a bit later I still made my own chart with my faves (and a few oddites) staying in my top twenty longer and getting higher than they actually did and in the real chart.

    Anyway on with the show which was 40 mins long -

    Introduced by Simon Bates (as listed in the Radio Times that week)
    Chart rundown - Hot Chocolate - No Doubt About it (2)
    Joan Armatrading - Me Myself I (NEW)
    The Specials - Rat Race (5)
    The Korgis - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (27)
    Elvis Costello - New Amsterdam (47)
    Jona Lewie - Kitchen At Parties (19)
    Siouxsie and The Banshees - Christine (35)
    Lipps Inc - Funky Town (Legs and Co) (3)
    The Stranglers - Who Wants The World (57)
    Judas Priest - Breaking the Law (video) (23)
    BA Robertson - To Be Or Not To Be (44)
    Teena Marie - Behind The Grove (Soul Train clip) (29)
    Crown Heights Affair - You Gave Me Love (12)
    The Mash - Suicide Is Painless (video) (1)
    Robert Flack and Donny Hathaway - Back Together Again (14) (End titles)

    But a question - how can you show the real shows when they weren't any?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All I an reveal at this point is that I've very recently seen the 5th June 1980 edition in full ;-)

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    2. I already spotted a mistake with Bama's line up.
      Crown Heights Affair could not have been in the main line up for 5th June, cos they were in the main line up the week before, with Legs & Co, so if they were still climbing the chart on 5th June, then they would only get chart rundown or the playout, because only the No.1 can get main line up on two consecutive weeks, and so Shaky Shakerson is in the lead so far in this game.

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    3. But Shaky has included Manhattan Transfer who had gone down two places that week, so he's also broken the rules. Also Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway couldn't be in the studio because Mr Hathaway was dead (I don't think they allowed corpses on the show).

      But come on Dory, where's your line up?

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    4. bama boogie-woogie ~ a valiant effort - you achieved 25 TOTPs points BUT I did have to deduct 2 points because you had 15 songs in your line up instead of the required 13 songs! So that's 23 TOTPs points for you.

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    5. Shucks thanks Angelo. I have only just logged on an found out that I'm the Topper-rmost of the Popper-most. Do I get a prize?

      Delete
  3. okay, "my" top of the pops for the week of 5th june 1980:

    surface noise - the scratch (38) (chart rundown)

    angel witch - sweet danger (75) - had they made an appearance, they might not have "earned" the title of "least successful chart act ever"!

    manhattan transfer - twilight zone (31)

    the korgis - everybody's gotta learn sometime (27)

    sho nuff - it's alright (53) (danced to by legs & co) - thanks angelo, without playing this game i wouldn't have stumbled onto this 80's dance track!

    ronnie bond - it's written on your body (56) - another one i've never heard of before (troggs' drummer tries to leap aboard synth-pop badwagon. apparently used in an advert for levi's)

    judas priest - breakin' the law (23) (video)

    the beat - mirror in the bathroom (11) - this might have been on the last broadcast show before the strike. but if so it's so brilliant it gets a second consecutive showing!

    brothers johnson - light up the night (52) (video) - another one i've never actually heard before that's pretty good. due to it's similiarity to "give me the night" i guessed it was a rod temperton tune before i confirming

    the stranglers - who wants the world (57)

    mash - suicide is painless (1) (video/legs)... and only because it was number one!

    teena marie - behind the groove (29) (credits)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. by the way, this is strictly a personal choice (the likes of reg and elvis costello would never appear in any edition i programmed!), so i don't suppose it will bear much resemblance to whatever it is that angelo is cooking up...?

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    2. The Brothers Johnson's 'Light Up The Night' was indeed co-written by Rod Temperton with the brothers. As I've mentioned before on this blog, he should have been honoured with an OBE long ago.

      The late Ronnie Bond's 'It's Written On Your Body', from the Levi's advert, should have been HUGE. The Troggs greatly influenced the new wave movement on both sides of the Atlantic, but have not been afforded the same recognition in this respect as The Kinks, The Small Faces, the early Who or the Barrett-era Pink Floyd. One of the most imaginative and accomplished cover versions I have ever heard is The Troggs' take on 'Good Vibrations', which was released in '75 and came complete with an ocarina solo by another missed star, Reg Presley.

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    3. Not that I'm adjudicating Wilberforce, but a song at No.52 would not have its video aired on TOTP until it has made it to the top 30 chart, and the likes of Sho Nuff on your list, if appearing on TOTP when at No.53, it would likely be at the start of the show, and a studio performance.

      Similarly, Legs & Co would not be given a track at No.53, but only when it is within the top 30!

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    4. like i say, it's a personal choice so my "production" of TOTP is unlikely to bear much resemblance to what might have actually appeared had the strike not started. also it means i've been able to highlight a few tracks in the lower chart register (and quite a lot of funky/disco stuff fell into that category as it didn't get enough radio play to climb any higher) that otherwise wouldn't have been noticed...

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    5. Wilberforce ~ Some very worthwhile submissions here, but only 8 TOTPs points I'm afraid.

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    6. Actually, Boney M 'recently' had a video clip for "My Friend Jack" shown on TOTP when the single was down at either at 63 or 64 in the chart, and we just saw XTC's video with the single at number 32, possibly to pad the strike-hit show out.

      Also, we first saw the newly named Legs & Co dancing to Be Bop Deluxe's number 36 track, and I'm sure Ruby Flipper danced to Walter Murphy's "A Fifth Of Beethoven" when it was 31 and "Cloud 99" by St. Andrew's Chorale also at number 36. Mind you, they're very much the exceptions to the norm.

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    7. considering i only did my own personal thing with no regard whatsoever to what the seemingly actual show line-up might be, i'm suprised i've been awarded any points at all! however at least a quarter of those are given only because i felt obliged to put the mash at number one...

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  4. 5-6-80: Presenter: Simon Bates

    (6) ROXY MUSIC - Over You (Chart Rundown)

    (27) THE KORGIS - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime

    (47) ELVIS COSTELLO - New Amsterdam

    (3) LIPPS INC - Funkytown (Video)

    (44) B.A. ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be

    (22) ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - I'm Alive

    (NEW) JOAN ARMATRADING - Me Myself I

    (23) JUDAS PRIEST - Breaking The Law

    (5) THE SPECIALS - Rat Race

    (35) SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Christine

    (40) ROD STEWART - If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)

    (1) MASH - Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)

    (4) DON MCLEAN - Crying (w/ Credits)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A fine line up ~ 14 TOTPs points for you.

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  5. My line up for 5-6-80:

    Presenter - SIMON BATES

    (2) HOT CHOCOLATE - No Doubt About It (chart rundown)
    (44) BA ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be
    (3) LIPPS INC - Funky Town (video)
    (35) SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Christine
    (16) MATCHBOX - Midnite Dynamos
    (5) THE SPECIALS- Rat Race (video)
    (22) ELO - I'm Alive (danced by Legs & Co)
    (47) ELVIS COSTELLO - New Amsterdam
    (19) JONA LEWIE - You'll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties
    (29) TEENA MARIE - Behind The Groove (video from Soul Train)
    (23) JUDAS PRIEST - Breakin The Law
    (27) THE KORGIS - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometimes
    (1) MASH - Theme From Mash (video)
    (14) ROBERTA FLACK/DONNY HATHAWAY - Back Together again (end credits/playout)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A very strong challenge here from you Dory which earned you 20 TOTPs points ~ however a deduction of 1 point must be made because you named 14 songs instead of 13. So that's 19 TOTPs points for you.

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  6. Never mind this rather exciting challenge, what is that game pictured in the blog entry? Is it real, and if so, how much would I have to pay to get one?!

    I'll have to think about my line-up for this week and get back to you.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. there are several of these currently for sale on ebay, starting from around £15...

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    2. Lots of copies of the 1975 and 1998 editions, but not the 80s edition pictured above, sadly!

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    3. oh well noax, keep looking - i'm sure one will turn up sooner or later...

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  7. Okay, I’ll have a crack at this…

    Host: Simon Bates
    (4) DON McLEAN – Crying (and countdown)
    (73) THE REGENTS – See You Later
    (22) ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – I’m Alive
    (38) SURFACE NOICE – The Scratch
    (5) THE SPECIALS – Rat Race
    (29) TEENA MARIE – Behind The Groove (danced to by Legs & Co)
    (23) JUDAS PRIEST – Breaking The Law
    (35) SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES – Christine
    (16) MATCHBOX – Midnite Dynamos
    (27) THE KORGIS – Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime
    (34) IRON MAIDEN - Sanctuary
    (1) THE MASH – Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
    (14) ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY – Back Together Again (and fish-eye credits)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A solid effort Arthur which earns you 16 TOTPS points.

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  8. My turn then...

    (16) MATCHBOX - Midnite Dynamos (+ countdown)
    (49) DARTS - Let's Hang On
    (5) THE SPECIALS - Rat Race (on video)
    (35) SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Christine
    (27) THE KORGIS - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime
    (22) ELO - I'm Alive (danced to by Legs & Co)
    (3) LIPPS INC - Funkytown (on video)
    (73) THE REGENTS - See You Later
    (29) TEENA MARIE - Behind The Groove (video or US performance)
    (23) JUDAS PRIEST - Breaking The Law
    (44) BA ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be
    (1) THE MASH - Theme From MASH (video / Legs & Co)
    (14) ROBERTA FLACK / DONNY HATHAWAY - Back Together Again (+ credits)

    Oh, and an interview and introduction of the Number 1 by one of Simes's celebriddy mates who has a song in the chart but is not singing for no apparent reason. That'll be Rod Stewart then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You just pipped Arthur with your line up Noax ~ 17 TOTPs points!

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  9. Where do you get the chart placings from, eg Elvis Costello at 47 and the Regents at 73? I only have Top 40 listings in a book and I believe that historical charts are not freely available online?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From the Official Charts site:

      http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19800601/7501/

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    2. Wow, this is a good heads-up Bama.

      I've been using the Top Twenty Book: Official British Record Charts by Tony Jasper, which I first saw at my local library in the late 80s, and then the last edition was released in the early 90s, which had every week's Top 20 from 1955 to 1993, which I bought of course.

      You can still find original copies of this book on Amazon and Ebay, and it sits nicely on my bookshelf near my TV at home.

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    3. I used this site....

      http://www.pure80schat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=13612.0

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    4. I have the same Tony Jasper book Dory. I've bookmarked the site from bama boogiewoogie. Many thanks.

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    5. Thanks Bama, that's amazing! I thought that all this stuff was copyrighted and locked down, hence most publications showing only the date of chart entry, number of weeks and highest position. My (seemingly quite rare) copy of the Guinness Book Of Top 40 Charts has just been rendered obsolete!

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  10. I think what all this proves is how difficult it is to put these shows together while sticking to the rules. And we don't have the added real problems of groups dropping out at the last minute, videos not available, Legs and Co being on holiday, etc.

    Of course my fantasy show would be completely different - introduced by Kenny Everett with special guest presenter Jeff Lynne and chats with Suggs, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush and Jerry Dammers - with dance group Pans People returning for a one-off appearance dancing to The Theme From MASH - and would include ELO, The Specials, Elvis Costello, The Beat, The B52s, The Beat, UB40, Kate Bush, Squeeze and Dexys - all playing live in the studio, regardless of whether they were going up or down the chart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Beat appear twice on the same show, with The B52's sandwiched in between?

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    2. Maybe you could have had The Look singing "I Am The Beat" in Spartacus fashion!

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    3. Well I did say it was a fantasy, so why not!

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  11. I really should get out more...

    I checked out that top ten chart shown with the board game above. Six of the singles were chart toppers, one was a banned number two which made number one in the urban myth stakes, and the other three ("London Calling", "Strange Town" and "Top Of The Pops") never made the top ten!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tomorrow (29th July) the definitive 5th June 1980 chart shall be revealed and available to watch!

    At the moment it looks a very close race between two or three of you as to who will be this week's Number One in the Game of Top of the Pops!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Without checking anyone else's entry, here is mine:-

    (30) Chinatown – Thin Lizzy (and chart rundown)
    (27) Everybody’s gotta learn sometime – Korgis
    (23) Breaking the law – Judas Priest
    (5) Rat Race – Specials
    (22) I’m Alive – ELO (video montage from Xanadu)
    (29) Behind the Groove – Tina Marie
    (3) Funky Town – Lipps Inc (danced by Legs & Co)
    (40) If loving you is wrong – Rod Stewart
    (16) Midnite Dynamos – Matchbox
    (34) Sanctuary – Iron Maiden
    (19) Kitchen at Parties – Jona Lewie
    (1) Theme from MASH – The MASH
    (26) Messages – OMD (playout)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A good late entry ~ 16 TOTPs points for you!

      Delete
  14. Okay, here goes for the June 12th show….

    Hosted by Jimmy Savile:
    (28) SURFACE NOISE - The Scratch (and chart countdown)
    (55) REGENTS - See You Later
    (2) DON MCLEAN – Crying
    (21) LIQUID GOLD – Substitute
    (8) JERMAINE JACKSON - Let's Get Serious
    (14) ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK – Messages
    (10) CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - You Gave Me Love (danced to by Legs & Co)
    (27) ROD STEWART - If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)
    (12) LAMBRETTAS - D-A-A-Ance
    (29) IRON MAIDEN - Sanctuary
    (58) BAD MANNERS - Lip Up Fatty
    (1) THE MASH – Theme From 'M*A*S*H' (Suicide Is Painless)
    (23) JUNIOR MURVIN - Police And Thieves (and credits)

    I’m plumping for The Regents again because the “Left And To The Back” website states that The Regents would have been given a slot for “See You Later” had TOTP been on, and it went down after this week, and there’s a video on YouTube put together by Jules Pew (wife of lead singer Martin, who died of a drug overdose).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice selection Arthur ~ news just in is that you are allowed 14 songs this week, so you can add an extra one if you wish :-)

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    2. Thanks! Okay, I'll plump for your mate and his, B.A. Robertson, at 40 with "To Be or Not To Be".

      By the way, apologies for a faux pas regarding the name of the late Regents member. The singer who passed away was Martin Sheller - Damien Pew was the other main chap in the band.

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    3. right! with regard to the prothesised line-up for the 12th june fantasy edition of TOTP, (as jermaine jackson says) let's get serious!

      my "official" list is produced working on the assumption that a: only rising chart entries will be featured, and b: other than the charts, legs and credit spots, there has to be some form of promotional or live video in existence (which rules out most of the dance-oriented stuff). as such i'm rather embarrassed to say that i spent far more time on this than i should have, and used around 10 pieces of scrap paper to come up with the lists below!:

      (21) liquid gold - substitute (chart rundown)
      (5) roxy music - over you
      (14) orchestral manoeuvres in the dark - messages (i remember reading that they bought/rented some old factory to rehearse/record in - i wonder if the place in the promo video is one and the same?)
      (34) queen - play the game
      (12) lambrettas - d-a-a-ance
      (64) gillan - sleeping on the job (this was a toss-up with the new david essex effort)
      (10) crown heights affair - you gave me love (danced to by legs) (i was going to pick jermaine jackson here, but i allowed my heart to rule my head!)
      (31) the police - the bed's too big without you
      (15) matchbox - midnight dynamos
      (25) the manhattan transfer - twilight zone
      (27) rod stewart - if loving you is wrong
      (47) the brothers johnson - light up the night
      (1) the mash - suicide is painless
      (28) surface noise - the scratch (credits)

      and now... my own fantasy fantasy totp playlist for 12th june:

      much the same as above, BUT

      replacing liquid gold: (49) freeez - keep in touch (some classic early 80's brit jazz-funk, but the bass is a bit too busy for my liking)

      replacing queen: (6) roberta flack and donny hathaway - back together again

      replacing the lambrettas: (68) zaine griff - ashes and diamonds (a bowie clone/wannabe, who actually worked with the same producer - i wonder who used "ashes" in their song title first, and if the other was aware of it?)

      replacing matchbox: (48) hoyt axton - della and the dealer (simply to try and find out why this "what the fuck" country & western thing managed to make the british charts? by the way, i don't suppose hoyt's dealer is the same kind of dealer as john martyn's?)

      replacing rod stewart: (63) yellow magic orchestra - computer game (the main bulk of this was actually called "firecracker", which - as i discovered by chance many years later - was a cover of an old martin denny exotica tune!)

      Delete
    4. A tricky week this one Arthur ~ 9 TOTPs points.

      Delete
  15. sorry - i've had to post this again as i put it in replies by mistake...

    right! with regard to the prothesised line-up for the 12th june fantasy edition of TOTP, (as jermaine jackson says) let's get serious!

    my "official" list is produced working on the assumption that a: only rising chart entries will be featured, and b: other than the charts, legs and credit spots, there has to be some form of promotional or live video in existence (which rules out most of the dance-oriented stuff). as such i'm rather embarrassed to say that i spent far more time on this than i should have, and used around 10 pieces of scrap paper to come up with the lists below!:

    (21) liquid gold - substitute (chart rundown)
    (5) roxy music - over you
    (14) orchestral manoeuvres in the dark - messages (i remember reading that they bought/rented some old factory to rehearse/record in - i wonder if the place in the promo video is one and the same?)
    (34) queen - play the game
    (12) lambrettas - d-a-a-ance
    (64) gillan - sleeping on the job (this was a toss-up with the new david essex effort)
    (10) crown heights affair - you gave me love (danced to by legs) (i was going to pick jermaine jackson here, but i allowed my heart to rule my head!)
    (31) the police - the bed's too big without you
    (15) matchbox - midnight dynamos
    (25) the manhattan transfer - twilight zone
    (27) rod stewart - if loving you is wrong
    (47) the brothers johnson - light up the night
    (1) the mash - suicide is painless
    (28) surface noise - the scratch (credits)

    and now... my own fantasy fantasy totp playlist for 12th june:

    much the same as above, BUT

    replacing liquid gold: (49) freeez - keep in touch (some classic early 80's brit jazz-funk, but the bass is a bit too busy for my liking)

    replacing queen: (6) roberta flack and donny hathaway - back together again

    replacing the lambrettas: (68) zaine griff - ashes and diamonds (a bowie clone/wannabe, who actually worked with the same producer - i wonder who used "ashes" in their song title first, and if the other was aware of it?)

    replacing matchbox: (48) hoyt axton - della and the dealer (simply to try and find out why this "what the fuck" country & western thing managed to make the british charts? by the way, i don't suppose hoyt's dealer is the same kind of dealer as john martyn's?)

    replacing rod stewart: (63) yellow magic orchestra - computer game (the main bulk of this was actually called "firecracker", which - as i discovered by chance many years later - was a cover of an old martin denny exotica tune!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i forgot to mention: john g has already pretty much given the game away with regard to the "host", so now then, now then, guys n gals, for a million points, see if you can guess who my pick is...

      by the way, if the makers of the fantasy totp shows want a JS impersonator to help them out (and alistair macgowan isn't available), then i'm up for the job...

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    2. Sorry about that Wilberforce - hope I didn't spoil the game for you! Although TOTP continued to be scheduled in Radio Times for every week of the strike, they stopped billing a presenter after 12th June, so it really will be all guesswork from next week...

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    3. Actually, that isn't quite right - Bates is scheduled to host again on 19th June, but I think that's only because RT knew by then that the show from two weeks earlier had been cancelled, and so Bates had been rescheduled to host on the 19th. If the strike hadn't happened another presenter would have hosted this one, I'm pretty sure.

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    4. don't worry about it john, it's only a game... but i'd better win this week!

      Delete
    5. 11 TOTPs points for you this week, wilberforce

      Delete
  16. Ok, here's my 12th June episode:

    Presenter: JIMMY SAVILLE

    (23) JUNIOR MURVIN – Police & Thieves (chart rundown)
    (30) THIN LIZZY - China Town
    (2) DON McLEAN - Crying (video)
    (21) LIQUID GOLD – Substitute
    (15) MATCHBOX – Midnite Dynamos
    (6) ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY - Back Together Again - (Legs & Co)
    (14) ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK – Messages
    (8) JERMAINE JACKSON - Lets Get Serious (video)
    (13) AVERAGE WHITE BAND - Let's Go Round Again
    (17) TEENA MARIE – Behind The Groove (Soul Train clip)
    (5) ROXY MUSIC - Over You
    (12) THE LAMBRETTAS - D-A-A-A-N-C-E
    (1) MASH - Theme From Mash (Legs & Co)
    (10) CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - You Gave Me Love (End Credits / Playout)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Here's my effort -

    Host : Jimmy Savile

    (6) Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - Back Together Again (+ rundown)
    (12) The Lambrettas - D-A-A-ANCE
    (54) Joan Armatrading - Me Myself I
    (8) Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious (video from Top Pop)
    (15) Matchbox - Midnite Dynamos (danced to by Legs & Co)
    (51) Barbara Dickson - In The Night
    (23) Junior Murvin - Police And Thieves
    (27) Rod Stewart - If Loving You Is Wrong (video)
    (40) BA Robertson - To Be Or Not To Be
    (2) Don McLean - Crying (video)
    (53) The Regents - See You Later
    (21) Liquid Gold - Substitute
    (1) THE MASH - Theme From MASH (Video / Legs & Co)
    (10) Crown Heights Affair - You Gave Me Love (+ End Credits)

    I couldn't resist putting Babs in - didn't she get an outing for EVERY single?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A difficult week ~ 8 TOTPs points for Noax

      Delete
  18. My submission for this week.

    Hosted by Jimmy Saville

    (14) Orchestral Manoeuvres – Messages (chart rundown)
    (12) Lambrettas – D-a-a-nce
    (21) Liquid Gold – Substitute
    (27) Rod Stewart – If loving you is wrong
    (34) Queen – Play the Game
    (2) Don McLean – Crying
    (6) Donny Hathaway / Roberta Flack – Back together again (legs and co)
    (5) Roxy Music – Over you
    (29) Iron Maiden – Sanctuary
    (31) The Police- Bed’s too big without you (six pack)
    (51) Barbara Dickson – In the Night
    (1) The Mash – Theme from Mash (legs and co…and film clips?)
    (30) Thin Lizzy – Chinatown (playout)

    Like Noax above (and no, I didn't look at his chart first), I am sure that Barbara Dickson would have managed to be available to promote her latest effort which entered at no.51 this week and peaked at 48 a week later - maybe TOTP could have given it a push higher?. I'd never even heard it before but this chart prompted me to give it a listen on YT and check it out. Penned by Barbara herself, it's an uptempo, vaguely dancy song with some nice little guitar breaks and produced by Alan 'January, February' Tarney. The picture sleeve rather unimaginatively uses the same photo of Barbara on the reverse side as the aforementioned hit single.

    The excellent final single from the album; 'It's really you' featuring keyboards sounding identical to those on 'January, February' sank without trace despite a different photo on the picture sleeve. Perhaps everyone had bought the album by then.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sorry i missed last week's game.I thought only I was insane enough to wonder who might have been on those lost weeks in 1980.what fun ! My 14 are selected from 16 contenders.
    SURFACE NOISE - SCRATCH (rundown)
    IRON MAIDEN - SANCTUARY
    D McLEAN - CRYING
    JUNIOR MURVIN - POLICE AND THIEVES
    POLICE - BEDS TOO BIG
    J JACKSON - SERIOUS (legs and co)
    ROXY MUSIC - OVER YOU
    MATCHBOX- MIDNITE DYNAMOS
    R STEWART - IF LOVING YOU
    LAMBRETTAS - D A A ANCE
    LIQUID GOLD - SUBSTITUTE
    OMD - MESSAGES
    MASH - THEME FROM
    MANHATTAN TRANSFER - TWILIGHT ZONE (credits)

    owz about that then guyz n galz,eurgh eurgh eurgh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The one and only J Savile Obe hosting, but of course

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    2. A good entry into this week's chart, Chris ~ 14 TOTPs points!

      Delete
  20. Okay here's my suggestion for the line-up for the June 12th show. it's a bit harder this week as there are so many acts in the chart on the way up or at the same place

    Introduced by Jimmy Savile O.B.E.
    Charts rundown - Roxy Music - Over You (5)
    Joan Armatrading - Me Myself I (54)
    Rod Stewart - If Loving You Is Right (27)
    Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious (8)
    Queen - Play The Game (34) (Video)
    Liquid Gold - Substitute (21)
    The Lambrettas - D-a-a-ance (12)
    Teena Marie - Behind The Groove (17) (Legs and Co)
    Junior Murvin - Police and Theives (23)
    OMD - Messages (14)
    Don McLean - Crying (2) (Video)
    The Manhattan Transfer - Twilight Zone / Twighlight Tone (25)
    The Mash - The Theme From M.A.S.H. (1) (Video)
    End titles - Crown Heights Affair - You Gave Me Love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are still at Number One bama ~ with 17 TOTPs points!

      Delete
  21. Sorry, I forgot to place draft pick B.A. Robertson in my line-up if it matters. I'd like him put fifth in my'edition', between Liquid Gold and Jermaine Jackson.

    I'm a bit confused by the rules - do you get extra points if you place a song exactly in its line-up place, e.g. 4th or 7th?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. arthur i don't know if you get extra points for putting the songs in the exact order or not, but i picked mine so that (as per the actual porgrammes) the running order was eclectic (perhaps to an extreme!) i.e. some disco followed by some metal followed by some synth pop, etc.

      out of interest, i remember reading how amazed nile rodgers was to be performing on the same programme as the likes of cliff richard and the undertones, whereas in america his band would only get invited onto soul train and similar "genre" shows...

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  22. I'm back from my hols now so hopefully the blog for the 12th June 1980 should be ready for tomorrow!

    In the meantime I have awarded your TOTPs points :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. How many songs for the 19th June edition?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 14 songs again this week ~ and as an extra clue Arthur there are three Legs routines this time :-)

      Delete
  24. angelo, next time in the "chart rundown" can you show many points each contestant won? and what the maximum number of points are on offer? thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sorry, that should have said "how many points". also, i've just noticed that angelo updates the post by dishing out the points t oeach contestant after their chart entry has been submitted. but it would be helpful if those points were in the actual chart rundown, thanks

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    2. Ok ~ are you going to knock bama off that Number One spot?

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    3. angelo are you talking to me? or just issueing a challenge in general? i have to say that the fact that i can't seem to access stephen murphy's 12 june fantasy totp edition on 4shared is putting a bit of a damper on my enthusiasm to draw up a chart for 19th june...

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    4. Try the 4shared app you get can for your phone ~ its much nicer than the website and it worked a treat for me

      Delete
  25. Here we go with my 19th June line-up:

    Presenter - TOMMY VANCE

    (20) ELO – I'm Alive (chart rundown)
    (51) BAD MANNERS - Lip Up Fatty
    (3) LIPPS INC - Funky Town (Legs & Co)
    (22) SPLODGENESS ABOUNDS - Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please
    (8) JERMAINE JACKSON - Lets Get Serious (Video)
    (29) UB40 - My Way Of Thinking
    (6) THE KORGIS – Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
    (24) ROD STEWART - If Loving You Is Wrong (Legs & Co)
    (14) MATCHBOX – Midnight Dynamos
    (28) BA ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be
    (4) ROBERTA FLACK & DONNY HATHAWAY - Back Together Again - (Legs & Co)
    (12) JUDAS PRIEST - Breaking The Law
    (1) DON McLEAN - Crying (video)
    (10) CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - You Gave Me Love (End Credits / Playout)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Now, how can I hack this website so it automatically changes my name to Bama Boogiewoogie and vice versa?

    Okay, here's this week's 'barely achieving a mugshot' Nibble line-up..

    Compere: MIKE READ

    (3) LIPPS INC - Funky Town (chart rundown)
    (40) SAXON - 747
    (28) BA ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be
    (4) ROBERTA FLACK AND DONNY HATHAWAY - Back Together Again (Leggers)
    (29) UB40 - My Way Of Thinking
    (6) KORGIS - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime
    (8) JERMAINE JACKSON - Let's Get Serious
    (24) ROD STEWART - If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right) (Leggers)
    (31) STACY LATTISAW - Jump To The Beat
    (14) MATCHBOX - Midnite Dynamos
    (10) CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR - You Gave Me Love (Leggers)
    (51) BAD MANNERS - Lip Up Fatty
    (1) DON MCLEAN – Crying
    (12) JUDAS PRIEST - Breaking The Law (outro)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. arthur, just wait until bama submits his entry and then copy it!

      Delete
  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not meaning to give a leg up, Bama, but that's the wrong Splodge song. You want the packet of crisps one!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Arthur - a (2 Little) schoolboy error on my part. Here it is again corrected:

      Here we go with my prediction for 19 June 1980. I must admit I was totally surprised to win again last time but I can assure you I have no connection to Stephen Murphy. I'm just guessing like everyone else:

      Introduced by Peter Powell -
      Lipps Inc Funky Town (3) Chart Rundown
      Saxon - 747 (40)
      The Korgis Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (6) Video
      Splodgenessabounds - Two Pints Of Lager and a Packet Of Crisps Please (22)
      Matchbox - Midnight Dynamos (14)
      UB40 - My Way of Thinking (29)
      Stacey Lattisaw - Jump To The Beat (31) [Legs and Co]
      ELO -I'm Alive (20) Video
      Judas Priest - Breaking The Law (12)
      Rod Stewart - If Loving You Is Wrong (23)
      Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved (46) Video
      BA Robertson - To Be or Not to Be (28)
      Don McLean - Crying (1) Video
      Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious (8) End titles

      Delete
  28. Without affecting Bama or anyone else's line up, TOTP never showed videos of songs before they reach top 30, so this should be considered when awarding points Angelo.

    The only songs shown pre-top 30 entry is studio performances, like Bad Manners, etc, and so Bob Marley video at No.46 would not get shown on TOTP until it reaches and is inside the top 30.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Without affecting Dory's above comment, that's quite wrong. Earlier this year they showed Peter Gabriel and Boney M on video and they were both outside the Top 30 and they showed others in 1979 during the strike editions and even occasionally before that. I think as videos became more common place they were forced to use them where necessary

      Delete
    2. dory, this isn't a "real" top of the pops, but a fantasy one where unless a video of some sort has been produced, then (other than being used to accompany the charts, credits or archive legs performances) any relevent chart material is probably not going to get a showing otherwise! and angelo isn't responsible for the content anyway. it's stephen murphy...

      i agree with bama that the by-now proliferating practice of making promo videos for songs probably helped the totp producers fill the gaps more easily, although they always seemed determined to avoid that option if possible. by the way, i'm sure the first-ever promo video i saw on the show was in the early 70's, and i seem to recall it featured the act in question (elton john possibly?) running around in a churchyard and/or cemetery - can anyone confirm that?

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    3. Sounds like Ringo in 'Back off Boogaloo'....

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    4. thanks for the suggestion sct353 but i don't think that was the one (i checked on youtube - somewhat bizarrely, ringo hangs around a cemetery where he meets and falls in love with frankenstein's monster!)

      Delete
  29. here's my pick for 19th june fantasy TOTP. my personal preference for quirky synth-pop over more traditional rock forms will probably cost me the pole position, but (to paraphrase the olympic games founder baron de coubertin) it's not about winning but taking part:

    host: peter powell

    1: (29) UB40 - my way of thinking (charts)
    2: (37) darts - let's hang on
    3: (12) judas priest - breaking the law
    4: (4) flack & hathaway - back together again (legs & co)
    5: (6) the korgis - everybody's gotta learn sometime
    6: (28) b.a. robertson - to be or not to be
    7: (62) the human league - empire state human
    8: (10) crown heights affair - you gave me love (legs & co)
    9: (22) splodgenessabounds - two pints of lager etc
    10: (24) rod stewart - if loving you is wrong etc
    11: (31) stacy lattisaw - jump to the beat (legs & co)
    12: (45) yellow magic orchestra - computer game etc
    13: (1) don mclean - crying
    14: (35) sex pistols - stepping stone (credits)

    by the way, i note that no less than four of the above are cover versions, which given the creativity of the era is quite surprising (and not in a good way!)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Well done to Dory! The Number One for 19th June 1980!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Angelo, could it be in part because of being the only to predict correctly the presenter as Tommy Vance?

      Delete
  31. Ok, here we go with my line up for 26th June:

    Presenter - PETER POWELL

    (14) ONJ/ELO – Xanadu (chart rundown)
    (36) DARTS – Lets Hang On
    (2) LIPPS INC - Funky Town (Video)
    (24) SIOUXIE & THE BANSHEES – Christine
    (11) STACEY LATTISAW – Jump To The Beat (video)
    (30) ODYSSEY – Use It Up Wear It Out (Legs & Co)
    (6) TEENA MARIE – Behind The Groove (Soul Train clip)
    (29) THE SEX PISTOLS – (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone (video)
    (8) LIQUID GOLD - Substitute
    (16) QUEEN – Play The Game (video)
    (23) THIN LIZZY - Chinatown
    (13) ORCHESTRAL MANOUEVRES IN THE DARK- Messages
    (1) DON McLEAN - Crying (video)
    (10) THE SPECIALS – Rat Race (End Credits / Playout)

    ReplyDelete
  32. oh dear, missing out a medal placing again for the 19th june fantasy edition (i'm the chris brown * of this contest). i'm also in last place this time (but with the sharply-declining entries, at this rate if i still keep on doing it i'll end up top of the pile by default!

    * a (still-active) 400m runner from the bahamas who has consistently just missed out on medals in his individual event in major athletics championships

    ReplyDelete
  33. Astonished to get runners-up! That's cheered me up at work!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Righty ho, how many tracks and Leggers performances for the 26th June contraband edition?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've gone by 14 tracks like last week's edition, and back to one Legs & Co appearance

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    2. 13 songs this time (So you'll need to lose one Dory), and I believe its just the one Legs routine :-)

      Delete
    3. when do we need to submit this by? i suspect the reason there were so few entries for last week's edition was the early "cut-off" date - i only just made it myself, as in the end i decided to put mine together a couple of days earlier than i had originally intended...

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    4. Thanks, please remove Thin Lizzy from my line up, and everything else stays the same.

      Delete
    5. Wilberforce, Sunday at the latest so the scores and blog can be done for Monday/Tuesday, ta.

      Delete
  35. Actually, I'll just re-post my line up with the above change:

    Presenter - PETER POWELL

    (14) ONJ/ELO – Xanadu (chart rundown)
    (36) DARTS – Lets Hang On
    (2) LIPPS INC - Funky Town (Video)
    (24) SIOUXIE & THE BANSHEES – Christine
    (11) STACEY LATTISAW – Jump To The Beat (video)
    (30) ODYSSEY – Use It Up Wear It Out (Legs & Co)
    (6) TEENA MARIE – Behind The Groove (Soul Train clip)
    (29) THE SEX PISTOLS – (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone (video)
    (8) LIQUID GOLD - Substitute
    (16) QUEEN – Play The Game (video)
    (13) ORCHESTRAL MANOUEVRES IN THE DARK- Messages
    (1) DON McLEAN - Crying (video)
    (10) THE SPECIALS – Rat Race (End Credits / Playout)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some background here.

      The reason for putting ONJ/ELO as chart rundown is that last week's show by Stephen, put them in the main line-up at No.39, which means that if we go by following up, then a NO.14 chart entry would not have been main line-up this week if it was main line-up last week.

      However, I don't think it would have really been in the main line up last week at No.39, and would really really have been first shown this week at No.14 in the main line up, which would have been a perfect first view of the video on TOTP.

      Stephen, you were too quick with this one last week, and I have had to work on following your line up to do this week's show, and put ONJ/ELO as chart rundown!

      Delete
  36. by chance i've just discovered that our former archive TOTP blog host chris retro has put an addendum to his 1978 blog relating to the 1980 strike:
    http://itstotp.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/play-game-totp-summer-1980.html?showComment=1439968106692

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good article, but I had forgotten how slow it was. Took ages to get through it. Thanks for pointing it out.

      Delete
    2. I just had a look at this blog by Chris, and I agree that what a shame that Dexy's follow up to Geno in the summer of 1980, called There There My Dear had no TV airplay because of the TOTP strike, and I wonder if this would have also got to No.1 had there been no TOTP strike when it charted. Still sounds a good hit, even in 2015. Hmmm.

      Also in agreement regarding the Xanadu No.1 in Jully 1980. I know that at the time when this was No.1, not even the movie clip video was released yet, and TOTP would have had to use Legs & Co for both weeks at No.1 if there was no MU strike, because the film itself was not released in the UK until September, and this was also evident in August, as the follow-up single All Over The World by ELO which charted in August when TOTP was back on air, also had no video available and needed Legs & Co because the film was not released yet!

      The first three songs released from the Xanadu film, i.e., I'm Alive, Xanadu and All Over The World were released as singles before the film itself was released in the UK, and so TOTP could not show the movie clips until late September, so it is ironic that the first two songs have been given full airing in Stephens constructed 1980 shows in the last few weeks.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the heads up re Chris's late new entry, which made for a fine, informative read.

      Delete
  37. Okay, here's my glitterball-heavy June 26th entry...

    Compere: MIKE READ

    (30) ODYSSEY - Use It Up And Wear It Out (and chart rundown)
    (8) LIQUID GOLD – Substitute
    (16) QUEEN - Play The Game
    (2) LIPPS INC - Funky Town
    (41) AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie
    (10) SPECIALS - Rat Race
    (11) STACY LATTISAW - Jump To The Beat (Legs & Co)
    (45) JOY DIVISION - Love Will Tear Us Apart
    (6) TEENA MARIE - Behind The Groove
    (24) SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES - Christine
    (50) DETROIT SPINNERS - Cupid / I've Loved You For A Long Time
    (1) DON MCLEAN - Crying
    (7) SPLODGENESSABOUNDS – Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please (playout)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I don't know if everyone's still taking part but here's my prediction for the show for 26 June 1980:

    Odd Top 75 this week - there are several singles by Saxon and AC/DC in the chart, did they re-issue a lot of old songs in one go like The Jam did at one point.

    Host Mike Read:
    Lipps Inc - Funky Town (2) Chart rundown
    Phil Lynott - King's Call (47)
    Teena Marie - Behind The Groove (6)
    Odyssey - Use It Up Wear It Out (30)
    The Specials - Rat Race (10)
    Liquid Gold - Substitute (8)
    The Darts - Let's Hang On (36)
    Stacey Lattisaw - Jump To The Beat (11) Legs and Co
    Siouxsie and The Banshees - Christine (24)
    Queen - Play The Game (16)
    Pete Townsend - Let My Love Open The Door (58)
    Don McLean - Crying (1)
    Sex Pistols - I'm Not Your Stepping Stone (29) End titles

    ReplyDelete
  39. would like to see Phil Lynott on this weeks show especially as it would have been his birthday today - 66 officially an OAP hard to believe coming upon 30 yrs gone on 4th Jan

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm going to have to drop out, for the time being at the very least.

    I'm afraid I've got too much going on in my life at the moment to devote the time that this deserves!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope nothing's wrong, mate. take care.

      Delete
    2. Not really - serving my notice at work so busy looking for jobs and planning for a big holiday I'm taking when I leave (which also means a lot of advance planning for my radio shows!)

      But thanks for asking!

      I'm still reading stuff on here, just won't be contributing quite as much for the next couple of months.

      Delete
  41. my forecast for the 26th june edition... even though i'm noty likely to see it!

    host: peter powell (it must be him this time, surely? however, it has occurred that the DJ choice may be determined by archive footage where they have introduced earlier hits by the acts on this "show". but even though i have a lot more time on my hands than noax, i'm not going to spend any finding out!)

    1: (2) lipps inc - funkytown (charts)
    2: (41) ac/dc - whole lotta rosie
    3: (14) ELO & ONJ - xanadu
    4: (40) yellow magic orchestra - computer game
    5: (16) queen - play the game
    6: (11) stacy lattisaw - jump to the beat (legs) *
    7: (45) joy division - love will tear us apart
    8: (51) van halen - running with the devil
    9: (6) teena marie - behind the groove
    10: (42) joan armatrading - me myself i
    11: (29) siouxsie & the banshees - christine
    12: (1) don mclean - crying
    13: (30) odyssey - use it up and wear it out (credits)

    * i think there's always more chance of getting it right here if you choose a disco track!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "christine" should have been given as chart no. 24, but i couldn't read my own feverish scribble - hope i don't get marked down as a result?

      Delete
  42. Does anyone remember the 1980 ITV pop show Alright Now. It was originally hosted by The Darts' Den Hegarty and later by producer Mickie Most. Guests included The Pretenders and Elvis Costello who did a Jimi Hendrix Lulu show trick by changing song halfway through. I think they showed a clip on pop Gold. If any episodes exist it would nice to see those as a fill in during the TOTP interim..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ITV's recent "Pop Gold" series showed a couple of clips from "Alright Now", once of which was Elvis Costello and the Attractions' version of "I stand Accused" from the album "Get Happy". I thin k the other clip was of The Police.

      Delete
    2. I missed those but I see the EC clip is on YouTube. I wish they'd show the whole shows.

      Delete
  43. Congratulations go to Arthur Nibble who has just made it to Number One for June 26th 1980!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well done to arthur in a contest where inexplicably we seem to betting getting worse with experience rather than better! but angelo, like the two guys who finished dead equal behind bolt and gatlin in the world athletics championships 100m, shouldn't dory and i be joint 3rd rather than 4th?

      Delete
    2. Alright then Wilberforce, you can be joint 3rd
      :-)

      Delete
  44. Good grief! I can retire from this game now! Erm, maybe not....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done indeed Mr Nibble. But don't retire just yet or they'll only be three of us taking part.

      Delete
  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  47. OK, here we go with my line-up for 3rd July:

    Presenter: DAVE LEE TRAVIS

    (21) Bob Marley & The Wailers – Could You Be Loved (chart rundown)
    (29) DARTS – Let’s Hang On
    (3) ONJ/ELO – Xanadu (video)
    (19) SAXON – 747 [Strangers In The Night]
    (11) PAUL McCARTNEY - Waterfalls (Video)
    (23) ROD STEWART – If Loving you Is Wrong (Legs & Co)
    (9) BA Robertson – To Be Or Not To Be
    (6) STACEY LATTISAW – Jump To The Beat (video)
    (22) THIN LIZZY - Chinatown
    (16) THE DETROIT SPINNERS – Cupid (video)
    (7) SPLODGENESS ABOUNDS – Two Pints of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please
    (24) SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - Christine
    (1) DON McLEAN - Crying (video)
    (5) THE KORGIS – Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime (end credits/playout)

    ReplyDelete
  48. How many songs and Leggers for 3rd July, Angelo?

    ReplyDelete
  49. 13 songs 1 legs routine and a riser what had a higher peak. A clue it hasn't been featured in these strike shows. But It may have featured on the genuine ones

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok then Angelo / Alan, please remove Splodgeness Abounds from my line up, and that leaves 13 songs in total, including one Legs & Co.

      Delete
  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  51. Okay, here's my roll of the dice (amended from the throw above which I wiped)....

    Compere: MIKE READ

    (3) OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AND ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – Xanadu (rundown)
    (74) ULTRAVOX – Sleepwalk
    (9) BA ROBERTSON - To Be Or Not To Be
    (24) SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES – Christine
    (58) BLACK SABBATH - Neon Knights
    (30) JOY DIVISION - Love Will Tear Us Apart
    (6) STACY LATTISAW - Jump To The Beat (Leggers)
    (21) BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS - Could You Be Loved
    (61) UNDERTONES - Wednesday Week
    (17) MATCHBOX – Midnight Dynamos
    (72) BILL NELSON - Do You Dream In Colour?
    (1) DON MCLEAN – Crying
    (16) DETROIT SPINNERS - Cupid / I've Loved You For A Long Time (outro)

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  52. angelo what's the deadline for submissions for the 3rd july show?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Alan is still busy putting this one together, so I don't know when it will be ready to upload, but lets say the deadline again is Sunday evening, for a blog either on Monday or Tuesday, and then I'll include the link to the show as soon as it is ready.

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  53. HOST MIKE READ (12) ODDSEY Use It Up And Wear It Out (chart rundown) (41) GERARD KENNY Fantasy (9) BA ROBERTSON To Be Or Not To Be (6) STACY LATTISAW Jump To The Beat (legs n co) (21)BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS Could You Be Loved (Promo video). (30) JOY DIVISION Love Will Tear Us Apart (Promo video) (3) OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & ELO Xanadu (legs n co) (39) JOAN ARMATRADIN Me Myself And I (5) KORGIS Everybody Gotta Learn Sometime (TopPop clip) (35) CHANGE Glow Of Love (legs n co) (23) ROD STEWART If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Wanna Be Right (live clip) (16) DETROIT SPINNERS Cupid/I Loved You For A Long Time (Promo video) (1) DON MCLEAN Crying (live clip and end credits)

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    1. Mr Major Stacy Lattisaw was on last weeks strike affected episode

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  54. yes, on the podium at last! although despite the dwindling number of contestants i don't think i'll ever get a gold medal for this lark. making choices for this chart now gives me a conundrum: should i go for the higher-placed stuff that has already been seen in these fantasy editions, or with something lower down the charts that never really got noticed...? oh well, as they say: publish and be damned...

    host: peter powell (he must appear sooner or later!)

    1: (30) joy division - love will tear us apart (charts)
    2: (49) pete townshend - let my love open the door
    3: (21) bob marley and the wailers - could you be loved
    4: (17) matchbox - midnite dynamos
    5: (3) ELO & ONJ - xanadu
    6: (11) paul mccartney - waterfalls
    7: (16) detroit spinners - cupid (legs & co)
    8: (44) janis ian - the other side of the sun
    9: (19) saxon - 747
    10: (46) donna summer - sunset people
    11: (9) ba robertson - to be or not to be
    12: (1) don mclean - crying
    13: (35) change - a lover's holiday (credits)

    as someone else has already queried: why are there several saxon singles in the charts? it's not as if they're an act that's suddenly burst through after years without success on previous labels (a la japan). and surely releasing several singles at the same time damages the chances of any of them doing particularly well? although maybe as a french record company exploring the english market, carrere thought if they threw enough mud then some would stick? the same unanswered conundrum goes for ac/dc - bon scott had died some months previously so the plethora of singles surely can't be there for that reason? also, why has phil lynott's record company released a single under his own name whilst his still-active band are currently also in the singles charts? the only other (rather lame) theory i can come up with is that heavy metal/hard rock was on the rise thanks to sounds magazine and "nwobhm", and labels were making hay whilst the sun shined?

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  55. From nowhere to Number One this week (3rd July) it's Paul Major!!

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  56. STOP PRESS.
    Angelo this show has been re made.
    Who Is The Presenter? Maybe It Is Maybe It aint
    Who's in the studio?
    What Is The Legs routine? Maybe It Is Maybe it aint

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    Replies
    1. Ok so are you saying Alan that your 10th July show is quite different from the BBC pilot?

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  57. I would just like to a big Thank you to everybody who has taken there time to watch these strike episodes. A big thank you for all the good reviews and the bad. The bad reviews hopefully strengthen our resolve and keep us on our toes. And i hope everybody has enjoyed watching these as much as we have enjoyed making them. As for the original pilot episode from the 9th of July i would love to see it in its entirety

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    Replies
    1. You are very welcome Alan!
      There are copies of the pilot show out there but they quickly get taken down whenever they are uploaded, even at 4shared.

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    2. thank you alan and your associates for making the shows - i think everyone here appreciates what you've done, with the negative reviews mainly being with regard to some playing fast and loose with the traditional format of the show i.e. one legs spot per episode, acts not appearing two weeks running unless either at no. 1 or soundtracking the charts/credits, etc. also a shame that most of the added vocal links sound nothing like the actual presenters, but all in all a jolly good effort considering the magnitude of the task...

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    3. lol.Wilberfoce the only single i can think of th was UB40 both appearing on the 19th of June & the 26th
      But it was a different song. But you are right no singles should appear 2 consecutive weeks running unless chart rundown or outro. But as we had a good video for I Think It's Going To Rain Today and we didn't have enough footage for that particular chart. Steve decided to go for it. But that particular episode we had a bit of writers block that week.Hence David Jensen. But sod it i think he was 1 of the best presenters. Oh and the artist captions on the third one we thought we'd try something new.
      Even tho there isn't a show for the 17th i have decided to fill the gap with my 11 song new look TOTP pilot part 2 it wont be featured in this game but it will still b uploaded after the 10th of july 1. Hopefully Angelo will blog it.But if you want to have a guess next week you're more than welcome

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    4. TOTP pilot part II WTF.You've Kept that One Quiet Fishy. Can i have a Guess Next Week

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    5. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. OK. lad you aint a robot.
      Hopefully it should B ready for when you get back. But i think associates of the BCB should not be Alowed i'm afraid. Even tho it's not for GOTOTP some of the other bloggers might want a crack at it

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  58. Stephen Murphy tells me that there are 15 songs on the July 10th episode ~ 8 from the pilot and 7 new ones......

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  59. OK, here's my 15 songs for July 10th:

    PRESENTERS: Peter Powell & BA Robertson

    (14) SAXON – 747 (Strangers In The Night) (chart rundown)
    (45) DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS – There There My Dear
    (11) PAUL McCARTNEY – Waterfalls (video)
    (30) THE UNDERTONES – Wednesday Week
    (2) ODYSSEY – Use It Up And Wear It Out (Legs & Co)
    (20) THE ROLLING STONES – Emotional Rescue (video)
    (22) LEO SAYER – More Than I Can Say
    (28) THE SEX PISTOLS – (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone (video)
    (18) JOY DIVISION – Love Will Tear Us Apart
    (24) DARTS – Let’s Hang On (video)
    (7) UB40 – My Way Of Thinking
    (16) KATE BUSH – Babooshka (video)
    (21) THIN LIZZY – Chinatown
    (1) OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & ELO – Xanadu (video)
    (29) CHANGE – A Lover’s Holiday (end credits/playout)

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  60. Okay, here goes (I bet this week it's hosted by Mike Read, the one time I decide not to choose him!)

    Compere: PETER POWELL

    (10)- SPLODGENESSABOUNDS -Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please (Rundown)
    (45) DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - There There My Dear
    (16) KATE BUSH – Babooshka
    (2) ODYSSEY - Use It Up And Wear It Out
    (24) DARTS - Let's Hang On
    (11) PAUL MCCARTNEY - Waterfalls
    (21) THIN LIZZY – Chinatown
    (29) CHANGE - A Lover's Holiday (Legs & Co)
    (30) UNDERTONES - Wednesday Week
    (18) JOY DIVISION - Love Will Tear Us Apart
    (14)- SAXON - 747 (Strangers In The Night)
    (22) MIKE MARTIN….er, LEO SAYER - More Than I Can Say
    (52) BILL NELSON - Do You Dream In Colour
    (1) OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN AND ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - Xanadu
    (20) ROLLING STONES - Emotional Rescue (Outro)

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    Replies
    1. Erm hhm. Mr Nibble Splodge has Dropped. 3 places from number 7 to number 10. Go for another rundown song

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    2. Thanks, Alan. You can tell I rushed that! Please remove The Splodge and replace them with

      25 - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA - Computer Game (Theme From 'The Invaders')

      as my intro tune.

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  61. i'm in some confusion here as to when predicted charts are required - do we submit one for the 10th july edition or not? and if so how many tracks, and what's the deadline? hopefully angelo or someone in the know can clear this up, thanks

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    1. wilberforce ~ predictions for 10th July can now be submitted ~ 15 songs this time ~ deadline Sunday evening :-)

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  62. Yes Wilberfoce it is the 10th of July this week.
    But like i said i will keep shtunn on the TOTP pilot part II for now

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  63. After watching these strike shows & reading all the comments. I think i now know how things worked on the line up selection I know the game for the 5th of June is closed. But can somebody please verify if this line up could of been something like. Here goes
    Jermaine Jackson (Charts) 9 vid 29 05
    B.A Robertson to be or not to be 44 studio
    Korgis Everybodys Gotta Learn Sometimes 31?
    Iron maiden sanctuary 34 studio
    E.L.O. I'm Alive legs and co 22
    Specials rat race video 5
    Jona Lewie 8th May repeats 19
    Teena Marie Behind The Groove Soul train. 29
    Judas Priest Breaking The Law 23 New Entry?
    Suxie and the banshees Christine 35 studio
    Elvis costello New Amsterdam 47
    MASH Theme From Mash legs 1
    Roberta Flack And Donny Hathaway outro
    Simon Bates host.

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    Replies
    1. That vid 29 05 thing means it was featured as a video in that show. Hence as one of the highest climbers within the top 30 i am sure this would of been chart rundown. And the.question marks mean not quite sure if video or studiio

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  64. How dare you criticise my role of executive producer extroadenaire. But as you say Lovey, You don't like that do you?. But has that has been said. Not a bad line up tho. And like i said lets see you go with the video editing software.But give it a rest for a few weeks because our computer is showing signs of dying again. O and by the way it is me thats peuce with anger.

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  65. Michael hurll lol. I am not criticising you or Stephens Judgement. You have made some cracking shows.
    All i am saying is let's unravel and solve the puzzle from the beginning. But saying that i think your shows r better.

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  66. Intresting but why do you keep.comming up anonymous Alison Fresco. I think you have been watching that spoof TOTP on youtube. again.
    But yeah like you said we have gained a lot of experience doing these shows. And maybe we have got things wrong. But you can't beat Splodgenessabounds. Phasing into bad manners
    Or Next weeks chart countdown phasing into you kbow what

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  67. Come on Wilberforce where's your line up this week.
    You never know you might get number 1

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    Replies
    1. thanks alison for the encouragement, but hardly needed as barring circumstances beyond my control i see it as my duty to contribute one! but where's yours?

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    2. Cracking line up Wilberforce. But change your
      Chart rundown song for something within the top 30

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  68. Nooo you Haven't Got things wrong. In fact i think you are a good executive producer. Going through each weeks chart with steve.
    You and Steve have made some decent shows. And a big Thank you for showing these. Any chance of putting them on a DVD? It would be good to watch them on the telly in the pub Just,like BBC 4 on a Saturday night

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  69. Are you going to submit a chart for the 10th July Alison? It's a two horse race at the moment between Arthur and Dory, just a good chance for someone to sneak in and take that Number One crown :-)

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    1. OK
      PETER POWELL PRESENTER
      ODESSEY USE IT UP 2 CHART SONG
      VAPORS NEWS AT TEN 44 STUDIO
      UNDERTONES WEDNESDAY WEEK STUDIO
      ROLLING STONES EMOTIONAL RESCUE 20
      DETROIT SPINNERS CUPID 5 LEGS
      BLACK SABBATH NEON KNIGHTS 34
      BOB MARLEY COULD YOU BE LOVED LIVE CLIP 9
      DARTS LETS HANG ON 24 BLACK AND WHITE 24
      KATE BUSH BABOOSHKA VIDEO 16
      LEO SAYER MORE THAN I CAN SAY 20
      WATERFALLS PAUL McCARTNEY 11
      SAXON 747 14
      DEXYS THERE THERE MY DEAR 45
      ONJ ELO XANADU LEGS NUMBER 1
      YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA 25

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  70. this chart has been calculated working on the supposition that everything from the "pilot" edition is shown (hopefully our "producers" have managed to secure footage of the presenters with the original audio track). as for the rest, apart from a couple of tracks it's a fairly conservative selection. the exeptions are:

    frank hooker - i worked out that the great intro and opening chorus of this post-disco effort are exactly 30 bars long before the weedy verse kicks in... so ideal to played as chart countdown music!

    bill nelson - bill went to the lengths of making an appropriately quirky video for this devo impression, so he gets a chance in my book. it also gives me the excuse to mention that i had met him the year before (1979) when he was guest of honour/presenter at a "sounds" music magazine awards ceremony which i attended having won myself a yamaha electric piano

    host(s): peter powell (if it's not him this week then they'll have to be a stewards' enquiry!) and (just to cover myself in case this warrants an extra mark) ba robertson

    1: (48) frank hooker & positive people - this feelin' (charts)
    2: (24) darts - let's hang on
    3: (16) kate bush - babooshka
    4: (30) undertones - wednesday week
    5: (52) bill nelson - do you dream in colour
    6: (21) thin lizzy - chinatown
    7: (11) paul mccartney - waterfalls
    8: (2) odyssey - use it up and wear it out (legs)
    9: (14) saxon - 747
    10: (22) leo sayer - i love you more than i can say
    11: (7) UB40 - my way of thinking
    12: (20) the rolling stones - emotional rescue
    13: (45) dexy's midnight runners - there there my dear
    14: (1) ELO/ONJ - xanadu
    15: (29) change - a lover's holiday (credits)

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  71. Just a little clue Wilberforce. Your chart rundown song needs to be in the top 30

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks alan but even though my performances so far have been pretty miserable, i'm not sure i should carry a handicap... oh, all right then, i'll replace frank hooker in the chart rundown spot with the sex pistols (but i'll still probably be wrong!)

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  72. Congratulations once more to Dory who has reclaimed the Number One spot for July 10th, narrowly pipping Wilberforce into second place by one point!

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    Replies
    1. bah! a stewards' enquiry is definitely in order... just joking, but i knew i should have picked some commercial pap like the detroit spinners rather than the arcane bill nelson!

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  73. New musiks santancy is played on top their debut preformance for straight likes and George dukes Brazilian love affair from ogwt clip

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  74. Stephen tells me that there are 18 songs (with one Legs routine) and two presenters on the 24th July edition ~ so plenty of TOTPs points up for grabs :-)

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    1. 18 songs?! That is making us work hard for the No.1 spot, so here goes for my 24th July line-up:

      PRESENTER: Mike Read

      (9) THE ROLLING STONES - Emotional Rescue (chart rundown)
      (39) ULTRAVOX –Sleepwalk
      (8) DIANA ROSS - Upside Down (video)
      (25) HOT CHOCOLATE - Are You Getting Enough
      (7) KATE BUSH - Baboushka (video)
      (12) DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - There There My Dear
      (19) THE GAP BAND - Oops Upside Your Head (video)
      (23) THE GIBSON BROTHERS - Marianna
      (11) DARTS - Let's Hang On (video)
      (21) BAD MANNERS – Lip Up Fatty
      (14) CHANGE - A Lover's Holiday (video)
      (3) LEO SAYER - More Than I Can Say
      (17) YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA - Computer Game (video)
      (20) THE UNDERTONES - Wednesday Week
      (22) BLACK SABBATH - Neon Knights (video)
      (13) JOY DIVISION - Love Will Tear Us Apart
      (1) ODYSSEY - Use It Up Wear It Out (Legs & Co)
      (5) BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS - Could You Be Loved (end credits/playout)

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    2. Plenty of points up for grabs? Not the way I'm going! :-)

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  75. Here's my line up for 24 July 1980 (5) Bob Marley and the wailers-could you be loved (charts). (31) New Musik-Sanctuary. (26) Whispers-My Girl. (11) Darts-Lets hang on. (3) Leo Sayer-More than I can say (21) Bad Manners-Lip up fatty (8) Diana Ross-Upside Down. (12) Dexys Midnight Runners-There There My Dear. (20) Undertones-Wednesday Week (9) Rolling Stones-Emotional Rescue. (14) Change-Glow Of Love (legs and co). (22) Black Sabbath-Neon Knights (36) George Duke-Brazilian Love Affair (13) Joy Division-Love Will Tear Us apart (17) Yellow Magic Orchestra-Computer Games (Theme From The Invaders). (1) Odyssey-Use It Up And Wear It Out. (19) Gap Band-Oops Upside Your Head (play out )

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  76. i have decided to make no attempt whatsoever to win this final GOTOTP, instead to bring some interesting items in the lower reaches of the chart to your attention - would they have been more successful had they had the TOTP exposure? i note that ex-colleagues john foxx and ultravox are right next to each other in the charts - what would the atmosphere been like in the studio had they both been asked to appear for real?

    hosts: jimmy savile and ken baily

    1: (55) grace jones - private life (charts)
    2: (59) plasmatics - butcher baby
    3: (38) john foxx - burning car
    4: (39) ultravox - sleepwalk
    5: (59) hawkwind - shot down in the night
    6: (74) the dickies - gigantor
    7: (31) new musik - sanctuary
    8: (54) magazine - sweet heart contract

    from now on it's going to turn into a TOTP disco special (some of which i remember boogieing on down to at the time)!

    9: (25) hot chocolate - are you getting enough
    10: (63) baby o - in the forest (legs & co)
    11: (47) george benson - give me the night
    12: (36) george duke - brazilian love affair
    13::(68) bt express - give up the funk
    14: (17) yellow magic orchestra - theme from the invaders
    15: (64) gayle adams - stretchin' out
    16: (33) tom browne - funkin' for jamaica n.y.
    17: (1) odyssey - use it up and wear it out
    18: (73) average white band - for you for love (credits)

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  77. My totp line up for 24 July 80 Presented by Simon bates 1: (5) Bob Marley & the Wailers - Could You Be Loved (charts) 2: (31) New Musik - Santancy. 3: (26) Whispers - My Girl. 4: (11) Darts - Lets Hang On 5: (3) Leo Sayer - More Than I Can Say 6: (21) Bad Manners - Lip Up Fatty. 7: (8) Diana Ross - Upside Down 8: (12) Dexys Midnight Runners - There There My Dear. 9: (20) Undertones - Wednesday Week. 10: (9) Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue. 11: (14) Change - Glow Of Love. 12: (38) John Foxx - Burning Car. 13: (13) Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart. 14: (36) George Duke - Brazilian Love Affair. 15: (23) Gibson Brothers - Marianna. 16:(17) Yellow Magic Orchestra - Computer Games (Theme From The Invaders). 17: (1) Odyssey - Use It Up And Wear It Out. 18: (19) Gap Band - Oops Upside Your Head (play out)

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  78. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  79. Okay, here goes my latest stab at glory, though I have to say you can’t top Wilberforce for style and attitude this time round! I bet he stills beats my mundane effort, mind you…..

    Comperes: Steve Wright and Cliff Richard

    19 - GAP BAND - Oops Upside Your Head (Chart rundown)
    39 - ULTRAVOX - Sleepwalk
    8 - DIANA ROSS - Upside Down
    21 - BAD MANNERS - Lip Up Fatty
    25 - HOT CHOCOLATE - Are You Getting Enough Of What Makes You Happy
    3 - LEO SAYER – More Than I Can Say
    26 - WHISPERS - My Girl
    12 - DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - There There My Dear
    14 - CHANGE - A Lover's Holiday (Legs & Co)
    20 - UNDERTONES - Wednesday Week
    38 - JOHN FOXX - Burning Car
    23 - GIBSON BROTHERS – Mariana
    9 - ROLLING STONES - Emotional Rescue
    29 - SHEENA EASTON - 9 To 5
    33 - TOM BROWNE - Funkin' For Jamaica
    13 - JOY DIVISION - Love Will Tear Us Apart
    1 - ODYSSEY - Use It Up And Wear It Out (Legs & Co optional extra – hedging my bets there!)
    17 - YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA - Computer Game (Outro)

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    Replies
    1. thanks arthur - that gives me an excuse to ramble a bit about some of my choices: plasmatics was an american shock rock band fronted by a woman whose trademark was wearing some black tape over her large and otherwise naked breasts (i seem to remember they got a lot of exposure in "sounds" magazine fnarr fnarr). i definitely remember the baby o track being a massive dancefloor filler back then, but not george duke or bt express although i was also familiar with them at the time. the gayle adams track only came to my attention about 10 years ago on one of those cheapo disco CD comps that were prevalent at the time. i first heard the AWB track only last year - the high standard of performance and production can't disguise the fact that it's earth wind & fire's "after the love has gone" by any other name!

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  80. I bought that Plasmatics single - it came on white and red 'blood splattered' vinyl! The, erm, ample vocalist was Wendy O. Williams.

    I'm a bit confused. Is this the last TOTP game or is there one more selection left?

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    Replies
    1. Arthur, after the 24th of July there is one more edition ~ the 31st of July, and that one will be the grand finale of the Game.

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  81. Must say i have just watched the10th of July. What a show anyone who's watched this check out the dexys there there my dear with the coresponding video. I wasn't convinced this was taken from Dance Stance. Just watch the version from Stevos pops then watch the vid on Utube then watch the version on Stevos pops again. I have Also seen bits of the 24th of July. Nobbody has got the opener yet. But who could it be

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more regarding the Dexys video for There There My Dear, and its very endearing video.
      The debut hit Dance Stance at the beginning of the year had no video made, and presumably Dexy's did not know at the start of the year if their sound would work with the music business.

      But by the time their second hit Geno went straight to No.1, there was no looking back, and videos became the norm for Dexy's in a 1980 where pop videos were not yet compulsory until 1981.

      What makes Dexy's different is Kevin Rowland's casual stage gear with the woolly hat in this video, and also his rrrrrrrrrrr or brrrrrrrr before a new line in the lyrics. Love it.

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    2. I always thought Dexy’s should have released Chairman of the Board’s “Give Me Just A Little More Time” as a single instead of Kylie. As well as the tune being close to their genre, both groups' singers have a ‘yelpy’ style to their vocals, and the song has a huge “Brrrrr” near the end which could have been written for Kevin.

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    3. Yes, but going back to Dexy's, I've had this tune in my head for a number of days now, especially with the 'brrrrrrr' that Kevin Rowland bellows out just before his lines in the song There There My Dear.

      I nearly did it today when speaking to someone at the station. It's really infectious and so much fun. Why not try it for yourselves when you talk to the person next to you?

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    4. it would be a good way of getting rid of the person who chooses to sit next to you on the bus!

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    5. Wait till it gets cold again - you can start every conversation with "Brrrrrr"!

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    6. Yes, not long to go now.
      Also Kevin Rowland's other blurb in this song is "yes yes yes yes...." before one of the lines, so all in all, there's plenty to "brrrrrrrrr" about in the coming weeks!

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    7. You're so anti fashion

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  82. Well done to Arthur Nibble who is Number One for the 24th July 1980!

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  83. The final Game, July 31st, is a 'new style' edition featuring 13 songs

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    Replies
    1. Honoured to have managed a second number one! Am I right in thinking the new style 31st July show will have two presenters?

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  84. No. Just One Presenter & The Coresponding Celebrity Side Kick

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