The Chicken Top of the Pops

You can hold a chicken in the air if you want to, but you don't have to climb inside a dog or pretend your name is Keith to enjoy this 22nd May 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Spitting Image perform their rubber one hit

22/05/86  (Gary Davies & Peter Powell)

Jaki Graham – “Set Me Free” (20)
Getting tonight's show off to an energetic start with what became her third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

The B-52’s – “Rock Lobster” (12) (video)
Originally a number 37 hit in 1979, this time round it did better and clawed its way to number 12.

Billy Ocean – “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)” (13)
You just can't keep him away from the studio at the moment, and the song went up one more place.

Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – “On My Own” (2) (video)
At its peak.

Pete Wylie – “Sinful” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

AC/DC – “Who Made Who” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Robert Palmer – “Addicted To Love” (16) (breaker)
Our first glimpse of this controversial video, and the song became Robert's first of five top ten hits when it peaked at number 5.

Simply Red – “Holding Back The Years” (19)
Our 1986 theme tune is performed in the studio on its way up to number 2.

Spitting Image – “The Chicken Song” (1)
A studio performance no less for The Chicken Song's second of three weeks at number one.

Matchroom Mob with Chas & Dave – “Snooker Loopy” (6) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Another chance to see Chas & Dave's final top ten hit which was now at its peak.


Next up is May 29th.

Lessons in Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 15th May 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the dispute with Mike Smith's contract. So a big thanks goes to (I think Neil B once again probably?) for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Head banger

15/05/86  (Simon Bates & Mike Smith)

Status Quo – “Rollin’ Home” (25)
New line up, same old sound! And Peaked at number 9.

Level 42 – “Lessons In Love” (3) (Montreux clip)
At its peak.

Joyce Sims – “All & All” (16)
Also at its peak.

Doctor & The Medics – “Spirit In The Sky” (17)
Heading for number one.

ZZ Top – “Rough Boy” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

The B-52’s – “Rock Lobster” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer” (7) (video)
Peaked at number 4.

Spitting Image – “The Chicken Song” (1) (video)
First of three weeks at number one.

Van Halen – “Why Can’t This Be Love?” (13) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 8.



May 22nd is next.

Top of the Pops Loopy

Here's your cue to clear everything off the table and plant yourself on a comfy cushion in front of the goggle box for the 8th May 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Top of the pots

08/05/86  (Janice Long & John Peel)

The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry” (23)
It's a live show tonight and The Cure break off with a tune that went up one more place.

Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – “On My Own” (4) (video)
On its way to number 2.

Matchroom Mob with Chas & Dave – “Snooker Loopy” (37) (with video inserts)
Perhaps not their greatest song, but nevertheless it's a timely tribute to Chas Hodges, with what became their fourth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.

Force MDs – “Tender Love” (34) (breaker)
Their only hit, peaking at number 23.

Van Halen – “Why Can’t This Be Love?” (22) (breaker)
Their second and final top ten hit, peaking at number 8.

Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer” (15) (breaker)
Our first glancing shot of this celebrated video, the song peaked at number 4.

Spitting Image – “The Chicken Song” (11) (video)
About to pot themselves a number one.

Billy Ocean – “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)” (27)
Another studio appearance from Billy who chalked up his ninth top twenty hit when this one peaked at number 12.

Falco – “Rock Me Amadeus” (1) (rpt from 03/04/86)
Finally pocketing the top spot, but only for one week.

Whitney Houston – “The Greatest Love Of All” (10) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Nudged up two more places.


May 15th is next, but it's another Mike Smith edition.

I'll Keep on Loving Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from the first of May 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the bizarre contract dispute with the estate of Mike Smith. So many thanks once again to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Purple reign

01/05/86  (Mike Smith)

Maxi Priest – “Strollin’ On” (32)
Making his debut but the song got no higher.

Janet Jackson – “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” (3) (video/chart)
At its peak.

Princess – “I’ll Keep On Loving You” (24)
On her way to number 16.

Madonna – “Live To Tell” (4) (video)
Made it to number 2.

Depeche Mode – “A Question Of Lust” (28) (breaker)
At its peak.

Hear ‘N’ Aid – “Stars” (26) (breaker)
This heavy metal for Africa charity single went no higher.

Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – “On My Own” (19) (breaker)
Peaked at number 2.

Joyce Sims – “All & All” (25)
With her debut hit which peaked at number 16.

George Michael – “A Different Corner” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.

Level 42 – “Lessons In Love” (9) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 3.


Next up is May 8th.

You and Top of the Pops Tonight

Just Say Yes! It's 24th April 1986 and time for the latest edition of Top of the Pops!

Just Say Zammo

24/04/86  (Janice Long & Dixie Peach)

The SOS Band – “The Finest” (17) 
Flying in to just be good to us with their second and final top twenty hit, which was already at its peak.

Grange Hill Cast – “Just Say No” (5) (video)
It got no higher.

Five Star – “Can’t Wait Another Minute” (8)
The suits were not the most flattering but the song went up one more place.

Princess – “I’ll Keep On Loving You” (26) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Level 42 – “Lessons In Love” (23) (breaker)
Became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 3.

Madonna – “Live To Tell” (10) (breaker)
Peaked at number 2.

Aurra – “You & Me Tonight” (20)
Flying in from New Jersey to sing a live rendition of their only top 30 hit, which peaked at number 12.

George Michael – “A Different Corner” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Queen – “A Kind Of Magic” (3) (video/audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


May 1st is next, but it's a Mike Smith edition.

Train of Top of the Pops

All aboard! The 17th April 1986 edition of Top of the Pops is waiting for you at the station. Get your tickets ready!

Full steam A-ha!

17/04/86  (Gary Davies)

Big Country – “Look Away” (10)
Getting the show rolling down the tracks tonight are Big Country with their final top ten hit which peaked at number 7.

Falco – “Rock Me Amadeus” (3) (video/chart)
Slowly chugging closer to its number one destination.

A-ha – “Train Of Thought” (8)
They are back in the studio again but this song had come to the end of its line.

Suzanne Vega – “Marlene On The Wall” (27) (breaker)
Her debut top 40 hit, it peaked at number 21.

Grange Hill Cast – “Just Say No” (26) (breaker)
Zammo and the gang got as high as number 5.

Janet Jackson – “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” (16) (video)
On its way to number 3.

It’s Immaterial – “Driving Away From Home (Jim’s Tune)” (28)
Making their debut on the platform tonight with what was to be their only top 40 hit, peaking at number 18.

George Michael – “A Different Corner” (1) 
He's in the studio to perform his runaway hit, this being the first of three weeks at number one.

Whitney Houston – “The Greatest Love Of All” (33) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Our journey ends tonight with Whitney's third of 17 top ten hits, this one peaking at number 8.


Next stop is April 24th.

Can't Wait Another Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from April 10th 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the weird contract dispute with Mike Smith, so a huge thanks goes to (I think!) Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Five starry starry night

10/04/86  (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)

Bronski Beat – “C’mon C’mon” (25)
Peaked at number 20.

The Art Of Noise & Duane Eddy – “Peter Gunn” (8) (rpt from 27/03/86 + chart)
At its peak.

Bryan Ferry – “Is Your Love Strong Enough?” (29)
Peaked at number 22.

Janet Jackson – “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” (37) (breaker)
Her debut hit and first of 17 top ten hits (but not a single number one).

Big Country – “Look Away” (18) (breaker)
Became their fourth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

Simple Minds – “All The Things She Said” (15) (video)
Peaked at number 9.

Five Star – “Can’t Wait Another Minute” (36)
Became the second of four top ten hits in 1986 for the group when it peaked at number 7.

Cliff Richard & The Young Ones – “Living Doll” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.

Queen – “A Kind Of Magic” (7) (video/audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 3.



Next up is April 17th.