You've cod to be kidding me
18/09/86 (Peter Powell & Steve Wright)
Timex Social Club – “Rumors” (20)
'The' Social Club get the show off to a prompt start with their only hit, and it peaked at number 13.
Eurythmics – “Thorn In My Side” (10) (Montreux clip)
Their ninth and final top ten hit, on its way to number 5.
Michael McDonald – “Sweet Freedom” (17)
Live in the studio to perform what would be his third and final top 20 hit, Sweet Freedom peaking at number 12.
OMD – “(Forever) Live & Die” (24)
Paul takes over lead vocal duties for what would be the band's final top 20 hit as a duo, when it reached number 11.
Genesis – “In Too Deep” (22) (breaker)
The second of five top 30 singles to come from their number one album, Invisible Touch. This one peaked at number 19.
Huey Lewis & The News – “Stuck With You” (21) (breaker)
Their third and final top 40 hit, peaking at number 12.
Cameo – “Word Up” (6)
A legendary performance of course, and their only top ten hit, peaking at number 3.
The Communards – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (1)
Another vibrant studio performance of 1986's biggest hit, now enjoying its second of four weeks at number one.
Five Star – “Rain Or Shine” (13) (video/credits)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 2.
September 25th is next.
This wasn't only the best show for some time, but it has a very strong claim on being the best of the whole year. Shame that Wrighty had to be involved, as usual just indulging in inanities, but PP was on good form and justifiably appeared to be enjoying the music. I got the distinct impression that he wasn't too keen on his co-host - the "at least you remembered my name" comment was spoken with a bit too much feeling to simply have been a joke!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember The Social Club or their hit at all, but it's got a good beat and really draws you in - interesting hat and braces get-up on the singer as well. The fact that the song title is in the American spelling makes me wonder why the famous Fleetwood Mac album didn't do likewise, given that the band were US-based and had two Americans in the line-up when it was released - maybe the British contingent insisted on the "proper" spelling? Off to Montreux next for the normal amplified mimed performance (sorry PP, but it's definitely not live). The second of three absolutely top-notch singles from Annie and Dave's Revenge album, Thorn in My Side is sheer pop perfection, Annie's vocals being the icing on a very tasty cake - at least this song enjoyed the success their previous release should also have enjoyed. Clem Burke is once again present here on the drums, while Dave seems to be going for the rock god look but just ends up with the appearance of an overgrown poodle...
Continuing with the canine theme, Michael McDonald has more of an Old English sheepdog look. This is a very rare trip to the TOTP studio indeed, quite possibly his only one, but happily it is in the service of a good, uplifting tune and for once his vocals don't irritate me. We then get a very welcome return to the studio for OMD, with what was for me their finest single of the post-Architecture and Morality era - a great tune, great production and lovely layered vocals on the chorus. Nice to see Paul taking centre stage here too, as this was their last hit of any significance before he departed and left Andy to carry on alone with the name.
We'll be seeing the breakers again, so on to a performance from Cameo I am sure we are all very familiar with but which is still highly entertaining. Fabulous song too, with an irresistible momentum that just carries you along - it did seem to end a bit abruptly, though. The Communards are back, with Sarah Jane doing a strange dance and her and Jimmy inviting the wrath of Mr Hurll by miming each other's parts - it is notable that the camera moves away from them when they start doing that! Even Five Star can't spoil a five star show, with a very pretty ballad that made for a welcome change of pace for them. The fairy tale visuals of the video are also quite pleasing aesthetically, and they even have some half-decent costumes for once.
It was strange that the word 'Timex' was omitted on the caption at the start of "The Social Club" performance in the studio. The correct name that I remember in 1986 was The Timex Social Club.
DeleteMichael McDonald's trip to the TOTP studio was truly rare, but I think he may have been on once before with a previous single? In any case, I wonder how long these true greats/icons of the 70s and 80s would continue to perform in the TOTP studio, now that the next generation of talentless packaging, ahem, performers with no natural talent started to take over the reigns in the late 80s?
Not seen this yet, but did Timex Social Club get away with the, erm, oral enjoyment line about "someone tasting her juice"?
DeleteDory - I think the "Timex" got omitted by the Beeb as they regarded it as advertising.
DeleteArthur - I didn't hear that line, but might have missed it. Elsewhere in the song there was a line that actually included the word "gay", in the modern sense, which even as late as 1986 was quite a bold thing to do.
The Social Club's name was changed because the BBC didn't want watch manufacturer Timex to get free publicity. A very quick check on BBC iPlayer shows the line about the supposedly gay guy accompanied by a limp wrist action was kept in, but the lyrics about Susan which rhymed 'loose' with 'juice' were replaced by some less controversial prose.
DeleteWith regard to Sarah-Jane guesting on vocals with The Communards, I found it interesting that Jimi Summerville chose a singing partner that would dwarf him on stage and on the video. To her credit, she did have a good voice, but Good Lord she could have dressed better on this studio performance. I mean the sinister black outfit was just not camp when you are celebrating being No.1 in the charts!
DeleteFive-Star doing the playout this week were I think the only Romford band to get into the big time in the charts. The nearest link to this was a group called Gidea Park in the late 70s which charted once, Gidea Park being somewhere close to Romford.
Dory, this was Michael McDonald's only TOTP. He featured on "Ya Mo B There" with James Ingram but, for some reason, James was solo in the studio.
Deletei've also long-thought it was rather odd that the fleetwood mad album was called "rumours" for its US release, particularly given that (apart from having a couple of americans in it) the band were based there at that time and the american record-buying public were entirely responsible for their renaissance. however as founder members of the band, i can imagine john mcvie and mick fleetwood in particular as an ex-public schoolboy insisting it be spelled the english way - regardless of where it was sold
DeleteA couple of interesting points from this week's chart rundowns:
ReplyDeleteMeat Loaf & John Parr climb up to No.31, but it seems that this tag-team get no full play, breakers, or even playout while in the charts. Pity, cos I think that this is the last Meat Loaf release in the UK until his dramatic 1993 comeback, where he would finally get his first No.1 in Britain with I would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That).
Peter Powell while doing the top ten rundown says that Frankie Goes To Hollywood surprisingly goes down to No.7 this week. I mean, please, just cos their last album in 1984/85 brought all top 3 singles, and this new one for 1986 called Rage Hard failed to make top 3, it doesn't mean that us viewers were at all surprised. Good Lord!
Rock 'n' Roll Mercenaries had Terry Wogan on backing vocals, of course.
DeleteSeems that Rock 'n' Roll Merceneries peaked this week at No.1 for the unusual pairing of Meat Loaf & John Parr. I remember at the time that not only did TOTP ignore this one completely, but also that none of the other TV channels played any of it either, so I never got to see the weird video until about 20 years later with the arrival of UTube.
DeleteAnyway, the video set in a army barracks, replicating the idea of Robert Palmer with his miniskirted lovelies, with American barracks lovelies, as well as Meat Loaf performing with a British flag guitar next to Parr's American one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ixcO-KsAA
It was certainly a good way for Meat Loaf to bow out in style with no more music for the next seven years until his 1993 comeback with Jim Steinman to resume their careers.
Meat Loaf and John Parr performed it on an edition of Wogan, or rather mimed it, and got Terry to mime the female backing vocals. As if the song wasn't camp enough!
Delete(Timex) Social Club is a curious case, as they were called by their original name on Radio 1, but altered on TOTP. They did get a heck of a lot of airplay with this, but were yet another '86 one hit wonder in the end. It featured very intriguing and unusual lyrics, possibly wondering about Michael Jackson (judging by Mr Timex's poses at that bit of the song) and overall was a pretty decent tune.
ReplyDeleteEurythmics with one of their better ditties (compare and contrast with the Beethoven-themed comeback a while later), a plea to be left alone by one of life's victims, only with a jaunty melody and production, akin to those 1960s hits that spoke of heartbreak but set it to an uplifting beat. Montreux audience look to be engaged with the performance for a change - someone's even brought a banner.
Tonight's film tune with Michael McDonald, a lot more fun than his usual fare, and I urge you to check out the video, one of those "stars participating" efforts which lifts the whole thing. Buddy movies of the 80s rarely got a theme as unabashedly cheery as this.
Not cheery, exactly, but easy on the ears as OMD try on dream pop for size, not that we called it that back then. The boys eschew playing the keyboards for this performance, not the first nor the last with an enthusiastic brass section tonight.
Skip over the breakers, except to note they play the end of each video for some reason, and on with Cameo's classic appearance. I always liked these guys, and yes, it is overplayed still, but the confidence and swagger of the whole thing, musically and visually, is just great. Rarely has finger-waving and talking down sounded so good.
The Communards delighted to be here, and justifiably so with their most exuberant performance yet. So many twiddly bits add that little bit extra to what was already a classic tune, from the dual vocals to Richard's grand piano stylings.
Five Star to end with one of their most attractive tunes, a childlike ballad with fairy tale imagery (not sure if Robin Hood and Major Tom were superheroes, though). As slick as usual, but containing a bright, winsome innocence that complimented them very well. No, I wouldn't have admitted that back in '86.
I agree with John G, this was a really enjoyable show.
I can't believe that OMD were still going at this point, and I'm not surprised that they collapsed musically and chartingly after this dreadful number. Good Lord, it sounded like The Wombles having a moan!
DeleteCameo was of course remembered more for the video of this track, as I remember The Chart Show plying it every week for ages, but I can't remember them being on TOTP with this one.
OMD has a huge renaissance in the early 90s. They certainly weren’t done yet!
DeleteTotally agree, Leetree, and their 90s singles were pretty darn good, plus Andy McCluskey decided he really liked pop so created Atomic Kitten to deliver his songs later on. OMD are still going now in some capacity, in fact.
DeleteOMD's offering may not have been one of their strongest songs, but it made a change to hear Paul Humphreys on lead vocal - a role he had not performed on an A-side by Hoylake's finest since 'Souvenir'. Point taken about Paul's vocal similarity to Michael Philip Batt LVO, though. Since re-forming in 2006, the duo has sold albums in respectable quantities and thrilled audiences all over the globe, including California - home of No Doubt, who are reportedly big fans.
ReplyDeleteThis week's edition also features one vocal talent whose appearances on TOTP were all too rare: the legendary Michael McDonald. I bought a compilation album of his soon afterwards, and became hooked. Sadly, personal problems and changing fashions within the industry would subsequently derail his career, eventually forcing him to become a covers act.
Back in Blighty, meanwhile, Eurythmics served up their strongest seven-incher for some time, while Phil Collins and chums were as reliable as ever. Both bands can rightfully be described as legends of the industry.
At No.1 stand the Communards, with future cleric Richard Coles at the piano - but Garth Hewitt's my favourite rocking Reverend! He's due to perform in my home town this very weekend - what a night that will be!
Five Star conclude the show with their biggest hit, 'Rain Or Shine' - written by erstwhile King Crimson/Bucks Fizz lyricist Pete Sinfield with backroom veteran Billy Livsey, who hails originally from St Louis. So many American expatriates moved to this sceptred isle to pursue careers in rock during the 70s, didn't they? Billy, Scott Gorham and his then brother-in-law Bob Siebenberg, John 'Rabbit' Bundrick, The Quiet One's sidekick Gary Wright, Jerry Donahue (Fairport, Ralph McTell, Gerry Rafferty) and a promising saxophonist called Bill Clinton - I wonder what happened to him?
Michael McDonald guested on the excellent Thundercat album Drunk last year, on a track with Kenny Loggins. He sounded unmistakably himself - still got it!
Deletei bet michael and kenny were often mistaken for each other - visually if not aurally anyway
DeleteI've just listened to Thundercat's 'Show You The Way', and it's not bad at all, if somewhat bland. I agree that the former Doobie Brother still has most of his vocal power intact, though he did seem to lose his way in terms of material during the eras of grunge and Britpop.
Deletehosts: this pairing reminds me of when the nodding dog made what was probably his first-ever appearance on a (kids?) television show in the early 80's, and powell (who was acting as some kind of host) erroneously introduced him as "steve jones"! perhaps the "at least you remembered my name" comment was a reference to that?
ReplyDeletesocial club: i'd long forgotten about this one, but i remember thinking this was all a fuss over nothing at the time. and another listen to its lumpen beat and threadbare tune does nothing to change that
eurythmics: a poppy, catchy and upbeat tune that i remember well and even once played bass on in a band, however their earlier darker and moodier electronica remains preferable to my ears
michael mcdonald: certainly his finest moment under his own name, even if the production is very much of its time. another one i'd not heard actually heard for quite a while now, but unlike "rumors" it still makes an impact on me. by the way i've never seen the film it was tied in to (whose title i can't even recall now) with billy crystal and gregory hines (whatever happened to him?), but i'm guessing that the makers of "lethal weapon" did?
omd: i couldn't find the totp footage on yt, so had to make do with the official video instead (featuring a matt damon lookalike as one of the other band members). one of those i had forgotten about, but it pretty much all came back to me almost the moment i started listening to it again. for me actually their best single since the last time paul humphreys took the lead vocal (perhaps they should have done that more often?), and a bit of a surprise that they didn't storm back as chart regulars as a result afterwards
cameo: this is so flat, tiresome and tune-free it makes the social club's effort sound light and fluffy in comparison. mainman larry blackmon later claimed his infamous codpiece came about by chance rather than design, as when the band made a video for it they were presented with various items to choose to dress up in - including you-know-what, which took his fancy. but whatever the reason he certainly has a lot to be thankful for, as otherwise this mediocrity would surely have barely made the top 30 and swiftly headed back into obscurity the same way their last couple of singles had. of course his getup has now become so iconic of the era that a few years later a mate of mine actually went out in fancy dress as the guy - including a blacked-up block of cleaning sponge stuck on his head!
Paul Humphreys' first lead vocal outing was on a track called Promise, from the Organisation album. Enola Gay was the only single ever released from that album, but Promise would have been a very worthy follow-up:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRkxI9Djfo
The film Michael McDonald's tune hailed from was Running Scared, a not bad buddy movie that's picked up a cult following in recent years now the 80s are cool again. Sadly Gregory Hines (who we saw in Lionel Richie's Say You Say Me video) died fairly young.
DeleteThis was definitely one of the better 86 editions, even if it did suffer from a surfeit of 'over there!' pointing from Steve Wright. I still haven't worked out how he got the gig given that he has no ability for TV whatsoever. You can see exactly why 95% of his radio show is always pre-recorded.
ReplyDeleteSocial Club - Garbage of the highest order. If they made this today, presumably it would be called 'Fake News'
Eurythmics - Their last really good pure pop single, as things went a bit odd for the next album...
Michael McDonald - It's alright, but another that I had to play loads on the radio. I prefer the one that didn't bother the Top 40, 'I Keep Forgettin'' (later nicked by Warren G of course)
OMD - A welcome comeback with one of their very finest songs that has a melody which is hard to shake.
Cameo - We've probably all seen this quite a few times but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. I do wonder, given the ludicrously prudish nature of people who bother to complain about things, whether the switchboards were lit up not just by the codpiece but because people thought he had nothing else on downstairs? We can see with our super high definition modern TVs that he's wearing leggings but that may have been less clear then.
Five Star - A nice little pop song, probably didn't deserve to be their biggest hit but you get a feeling watching these repeats of how ubiquitous they were in 86.
PP and Wrighty on form tonight with a few fumbles… Great show? Not for me, although it had it’s highlights.
ReplyDeleteTimex Social Club – Rumors – Who? Never even heard of them. Give me Hot Chocolates ‘Rumours’ any day.
Eurythmics – Thorn in my side – Ah, so frustrating. How can a band release such a great single as this after such awful records before? It really is ‘pop perfection’ as John G notes on the first entry to this show (sorry I am so late). Love the chord changes. Nice (sort of) live performance from the place that made ‘Smoke on the Water’ famous.
Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom – Michael now ‘on his own’ after that excellent duet with Patti Labelle. This was one of those played to death songs that frankly I can take or leave.
OMD – (Forever) Live and Die – One of their very best to my taste (and again I am in accord with John G). Paul’s vocals are soo soothing and the chorus harmonies with Andy are sublime coupled with the brass interlude giving the song a real kick.
Breakers – Genesis – In too Deep – feels like this has been breaking forever! From the film ‘Mona Lisa’ starring Bob Hoskins this sees the band in full ‘Phil Collins’ mode but it’s a nice ballad that doesn’t get played much these days, and as noted previously, was dropped from the live set by the time the ‘Invisible Touch’ tour reached the UK. That live set was still superb however! Huey Lewis – Stuck with you – My favourite HL track and I’d be happy to be stuck with her on an Island too! Reached no1 in the States this week.
Cameo – Word Up – One band I couldn’t contemplate seeing live is this lot, despite the enthusiastic intro from PP. Just can’t abide this at all. FF Yuk!
Communards – Don’t leave me this way – You can’t keep a good song down! The lady singer (Sarah Jane ?) reminds me of Alison Moyet.
Five Star – Rain or Shine – Jeff Lynne of ELO wrote lots of songs with the word ‘Rain’ somewhere in the lyrics and liked them all. Here it is strictly ‘Rain stopped play’. Incidentally, the Romford and Gidea Park observations can be nicely coupled with Ian Drury’s ‘Lord Upminster’ album.
p.s. no surprise ‘Rage Hard’ went down. It was awful. Emperor’s new clothes…
if only i had a pound every time i witnessed ian dury's surname spelled or pronounced incorrectly with an extra "r" in it...
DeleteGuilty as charged - the pound is yours wilberforce!
DeleteA very enjoyable show overall, and surely the strongest list of studio attendees since the re-runs started. The audience must have loved this.
ReplyDeleteWe start with arguably the most censored act in the history of the show, with Timex Social Club having both their name and their lyrics hauled over. Must be a first. I remember Radio 1’s top 20 countdown played all the lyrics except the word “juice” which was blanked out. This sounded a bit thin yoghourt but had a good groove.
Sounds like Eurythmics’ next album was a thorny issue. Ahem! A bubbly performance there. Put that banner down and get that kid off your shoulders and allow everyone to watch the band miming!
There’s a face under Michael McDonald’s hair, apparently. Surely his entourage needed a bigger stage. Nodding Dog seemed genuinely pleased to be introducing him.
A big “Oy!” for Bon Jovi in the countdown, which included BB&Q, which stood for Brooklyn, The Bronx and Queens, so you can guess where the band came from. BB&Q were Cooltempo labelmates of our Timex friends but they got no higher than 35 over here.
Never mind OMD – welcome back, Malcolm! You could see from the clock behind Paul’s head they recorded the song at 7.20 pm. A nice chunk of ethereal pop too.
Genesiszzzz – oh dear, it’s on again next time.
Nice arm candy there for Huey Lewis, leader of those wacky rocking accountant lookalikes.
Oh, the irony of Peter Powell in his best Val Doonican chunky cardigan introducing Cameo, whose leader looks ready for a bondage party. I still wish that codpiece would light up. Not one but two Bezzes in attendance with Larry.
Why did some of The Communards’ brass section have jumpers reading “No. 2” when they were chart toppers? Give us a twirl, Jimi! He and Sarah Jane having an absolute ball there, one of the most joyous stage turns ever, complete with naughty vocal swaps.
We sign off with my favourite Five Star song. I absolutely love this. Nice video apart from the annoying water ripple effect, and glad to see the ensemble in different and less in-your-face outfits. As for Major Tom, I reckon David Bowie saw him as a superhero for all those royalties!
the radio 1 jock who really used to wet his pants over michael mcdonald was dave lee travis, who i remember (in the early 90's) actually managing to get the man himself to come into the studio on one of his shows and perform some songs live!
DeleteThursday night TOTP.
ReplyDelete"The" Social Club. Not heard this before. A throwback to the early 80s this one. Not very memorable. Love the huge glasses on the keyboard player.
Oh no its Wrighty.
Eurythmics with a performance of one of their finest tunes. BBC really got their money out of Montreaux didn't they. I thought these performances were normally live? How tall is that backing singers hair.
Michael Mcdonald. A poppy little number. Didn't realise this song was by him. Is that a chubby Bruno Brookes on Trombone?
PP makes it all the way to number 31 before making a mess of the chart countdown. 😀
OMD. Love this tune. Paul on vocals for a change. The band is unfortunately about to implode but this is great stuff. 😀 Is that Eddie Izzard in the beret?
Breakers :
Genesis. One of their lesser tunes. Bit Phil Collins solo sounding for me.
Huey Lewis. Stuck With You.. Decent enough pop song. Always sing along.
Cameo. Cod piece alert. Fab tune. Village People on speed. Their tailor needs to be shot. 😀 Who let Hank Marvin in on guitar. 😀 😀
Top Ten and next The Communards.
Having a great time. Is that a vicar on keyboards... 😀 😀 😀 (yes my entire post has been leading up to that gag. Sorry)
😂 😂 😂 😂
A Five Star weather forecast to play us out. Not quite the Aha standard of art. More Paddington. But I like the song
Not a bad littlw show. Presenters were awful.