Girls just want to have fog
23/10/86 (Gary Davies)
The Pretenders – “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (14)
Gettingthe show underway with what became their fourth of six top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.
Midnight Star – “Midas Touch” (10) (video)
The costumes stood out more than the song for me, but Midas Touch did reach number 8.
The Housemartins – “Think For A Minute” (22)
I liked the bit where they were all looking round for the phantom trumpet player :-) The song peaked at number 18.
Billy Idol – “To Be A Lover” (27) (video)
Peaked at number 22.
The Mission – “Stay With Me” (30) (breaker)
Their debut top 40 hit but it got no higher.
Gwen Guthrie – “(They Long To Be) Close To You” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.
Cyndi Lauper – “True Colors” (12)
I was a bit worried for her surrounded by all that smoke! It was a good song but number 12 was as high as it got.
Nick Berry – “Every Loser Wins” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.
Bangles – “Walk Like An Egyptian” (6) (video/credits)
A great video to end the show, and the song went up three more places.
30th October is next.
A smart-looking Gazza does a pretty faultless presenting job here, though his attempt to create suspense over where The Housemartins were in the charts was undermined by the fact we had already seen their chart placing at the start of their performance!
ReplyDeleteHaving already lost two of her original boys to early deaths, Chrissie Hynde had by this point also dispensed with the services of Martin Chambers, and this performance finds Blair Cunningham, formerly of Haircut 100, behind the drum kit. This is one of the better Pretenders tunes, catchy, jaunty and too the point, and the band appear to be enjoying themselves - why was the guitarist saluting, though? Midnight Star could not have looked any more 80s if they had tried in their video, but the song, while certainly danceable, is quite anaemic really. I wouldn't be surprised if the BBC received complaints about the child graffiti artists after this was first broadcast...
I can't remember ever hearing this Housemartins hit before, but it's really quite accomplished, even if Paul Heaton's high notes sound a little uncomfortable. He evidently wanted to dress as nerdishly as possible for this performance, and I liked Fatboy's mock perplexity over the mysterious self-playing trumpet. Billy Idol's sub-Elvis preening comes as quite a contrast after that, and it has to be said that this rambling effort is not one of his stronger hits, though the backing vocals are good. The mic down the trousers wasn't exactly subtle, and why did he have Rosa Klebb-style spikes on his shoes?
Breakers next, and The Mission's offering was very much in one ear and out the other for me, while we will be seeing more of Gwen Guthrie next time. A typically eccentric turn from Cyndi Lauper follows, emerging like a banshee from the swirls of dry ice to indulge in various frantic gesticulations before the final theatrical beats on the bongo. All very entertaining, which is just as well because the song itself is so understated in its production as to be quite soporific; mind you, Cyndi does at least give the chorus a bit of vocal welly. The Bangles close proceedings with an amusing video, though whatever ancient Egyptian art might suggest I don't imagine they were in the habit of walking around like that...
The guitarist is Robbie McIntosh who did lots of session work and left the Pretenders the following year to join Paul McCartney's band. Blair Cunningham also joined Macca's band a few years later.
DeleteI used to like the Mission back in the day but I can't remember this one. Butterfly On A Wheel from 1990 was my favourite song of theirs.
blimey, that's two musicians mentioned here very recently who came from my home town - firstly julia fordham (who i think did get to appear on totp in the early 90's), and now robbie mcintosh - at this rate we'll be rivalling the scousers for pop stars seen on the show ha ha
Deletepretenders: or rather chrissie hynde and some guys pretending to be the pretenders (including the ever-smiling blair cunningham of haircut 100 fame). "brass in pocket" will forever be their defining moment for me, but this actually comes quite close even without the benefit of a chorus to shake things up a bit as it seems the ghost of james honeyman-scott is still having an influence on things
ReplyDeletemidnight star: another excellent track, even if it has nothing in common with its predecessor. one of the last great dance grooves before house muscled in on the scene, and a dead cert for my top 10 crackers list. not too keen on the "black charles the second" image of most of the band though
housemartins: what the hell's going on here - that's actually three pretty good records in a row! wasn't dick cuthell available this week to mime the trumpet bit?
billy idol: oh well, the streak had to come to an end at some point. not that this is unduly bad by any means, and probably better than most of what was on the previous show. but it's pretty forgettable all the same (i don't even actually remember it) and somewhat behind the times production-wise
mission: aha - goth makes its debut on the show. i only know their big hit so this was new to me. again curiously dated, as if it should have been released at least a couple of years earlier. that reminds me that i saw the singer's previous band the sisters of mercy circa 1984, and the standout of their set was an unexpected cover of "jolene" - done dead-straight of course
cyndi lauper: lagging a bit behind her so-called rival madonna in the productivity stakes. if this had been a stand alone hit by her then i would probably like it quite a bit more, but sadly the hideous spectre of "girls just wanna have fun" gets in the way of that
the bangles: most of this video came back to me as i watched it for the first time in ages - shots of joe public having a go at the dance, the girls doing their headdress thing, and of course susannah's "come hither" glancing sideways routine. but i'd forgotten that those inserts apart it was essentially an "on stage" thing that differed little from their totp appearance
I think this was possible the first time The Pretenders appeared in the TOTP studio since Brass In Pocket, as the period between these two songs, I think only videos were shown. I liked the nice touch at the end of the song where Gary Davies said it was great to have them back.
DeleteI think The Pretenders had been in the studio a few times since Brass in Pocket, Dory. They were certainly there for 2000 Miles in 1983 ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEgTj8UAuu8
DeletePretenders, maybe my favourite of theirs, certainly from their post-unfortunate incidents period, a lovely little number with a fresh take on the "I think you're great, actually" love song by subverting an old conversational cliché. Great Avengers-inspired video, too (it saddens me slightly that I have to point out no, not those Marvel Avengers, I mean the Brits). The director tries something different to enliven the performance and succeeds. Terrific start to the show.
ReplyDeleteMidnight Star with an upbeat "I'm great me" self big-up, not bad at all though the song is drowned out by their loud suits. Fun idea to get the little kids to paint the set gold, but they are a bit superfluous.
The Housemartins were better than The Beautiful South, weren't they? Despite Gary describing this bizarrely as "smoochy" in the intro, it's really a rumination on the state of Fatcher's Britain, delivered with a melancholy melody that sells the misgivings. The band looking around to see where the trumpet noise was coming from reminded me of Veterinary Hospital on The Muppet Show where they'd look about when the narrator spoke.
I had not heard this Billy Idol track since it was out, and it wasn't so bad to hear it again, remember it being all over the radio at the time. It has a pared down sound that still sounds pretty expansive when Billiam delivers his sneering vocals. Not sure about his antics in the video, including shagging the floor.
A couple of Breakers bring me back down to earth, I couldn't stand The Mission at the time, and am glad we won't hear more of this whiny gloom rock track, though they had more to come. What was that one, Severina? Something like that. Bloody awful, and The Chart Show showed it about five times. Not really looking forward to more of Gwen's cover either.
Cyndi, as eccentric as the spelling of her forename, and winning in personality which helps her convey what could have been an ironically colourless ballad. It's nice enough, but no Time After Time. Thought she was recreating the beginning of Airplane, there.
Tell me, Nick, why did you have a piano in the video when you never play it? You sit down at it, but never so much as tickle a single ivory. Is the piano inside the canal barge? Come to think of it, Nick, where the hell did you go? Two of the biggest shows on UK TV, and then... disappeared.
When the Bangles video started I thought... ah, the one with the rubbish effects? And I was right! They weren't to know Prince Di and General Gadaffi were to meet horrible ends, of course. Anyway, top tune.
Colonel Gadaffi to be precise THX
DeleteColonel, yeah, thanks. Did I promote or demote him?!
DeleteNot quite sure, but I am sure he would have given himself the highest order of rank!
DeleteGrand High Poobah Gadaffi, then.
DeleteHasn’t Gary Davies improved? I’ve really warmed to him.
ReplyDeletePretenders – Don’t get me wrong – As noted already, Blair Cunningham seems to be having a ball here. Good foot tapping upbeat number which gets us off to a good start. Chrissie as watchable as ever.
Midnight Star – Midas Touch – Oops, I’m reaching for my FF even before this starts, so off to…
Housemartins – Think for a minute – Hey not bad this! I don’t recall it, but it’s pretty good.
Billy Idol – To be a Lover – Top 10 in the States, this presumably is a cover as it’s written by William Bell and Booker T Jones (although amusingly the single credits ‘Brooker’). Not a particularly nice sound or video.
Breakers – The Mission – Stay with me – Two songs called ‘Stay with me’ come to mind, but this third one does not, nor do I wish to dwell on it. I do like Blue Mink though. Gwen Guthrie – (they long to be) Close to you – Well Karen Carpenter sang this to perfection, so I guess you’ve got to admire Gwen for having a go…and that’s about all I can positively say about this version.
Cyndi Lauper – True Colours – A true performance by the wacky Cyndi and her ‘not-so- true coloured’ hair. I do like this Tom Kelly / Billy Steinberg song though, which Phil Collins revived in 1998. Tom and Billy wrote another US chart topper soon after – ‘Alone’ by Heart.
Nick Berry – Every loser wins – I don’t suppose anyone here would be surprised to learn that this didn’t top the US charts. Wicksy’s previously unseen brother David eventually turned up in Eastenders but he didn’t treat us to any no1 records, just went on to star in ‘Crime Traveller’ and ‘Casualty’.
Bangles – Walk like an Egyptian – This video is such fun. Just love it. Great song that has stood the test of time for me.
The Billy Idol video may have been filmed in a studio where some sort of comical boxing or wrestling bout was about to take place, as certainly the combination of boxing ring and disco lights was probably a new concept in those days. Whatever the story, I also found it to be quite dull in sound, if a bit more positive in vision.
DeleteOn the radio this morning, Danny Baker told the story of how Walk Like an Egyptian was inspired by the cross channel ferry. The writer was visiting from America and wanted the full European experience, so instead of flying went from France to England on said ferry and it was a rough crossing, during which he observed the passengers swaying by, trying not to fall over. Someone remarked they were "Walking like Egyptians" and the phrase stuck in his mind...
ReplyDeleteThere are at least three all-time classics this week, courtesy of The Pretenders, Cyndi and Gwen. The latter's R&B cover of 'Close To You' works unexpectedly well.
ReplyDeleteMidnight Star boasted more members than hits, but 'Midas Touch' is a competent if somewhat repetitive post-disco offering.
The Hull 4 take to the stage next, with a nod to Burt Bacharach in the arrangement. The trumpet was actually played by Guy Barker MBE, a stalwart of the British jazz scene. His solo apart, the song only uses 2 chords - A and B7 - but it comes with a thoughtful lyric, as one would expect from the socially conscious quartet. I remember reading around the time of its release that Alan Hull, the late leader of Geordie folk-rockers Lindisfarne, was among The Housemartins' followers.
The Mission's effort wasn't at all bad - and definitely preferable to their messy cover of Neil Young's 'Like A Hurricane' - but Goth has never been my thing.
'Every Loser Wins' is one of two compositions by Simon May in the Top 40 this week, the other being Marti Webb's 'Always There' from 'Howard's Way'. The original star of 'Tell Me On A Sunday' also recorded the theme tune to LWT's excellent drama series about surrogacy, 'To Have and To Hold' - but for apparent contractual reasons, it was Catherine Stock's version that appeared on disc, and indeed appears in this week's Top 40 countdown. I avidly followed that series, which starred Amanda 'New Tricks' Redman, Mike Leigh starlet (and partner) Marion Bailey, future Weatherfield/Holby regular Eamon Boland and...'Pinball' hitmaker and prolific thespian Brian Protheroe. The latter's performance stood out for me: "Har, har, har! Lies, lies, lies! Viv, Ken and Ann - you're part of their b****y triumvirate!"
Jerome Willis also starred in 'To have and to hold'. He's best known to Dr Who fans as Stevens from 'The Green Death' (the one with the giant maggots down the Welsh Coal Mine). Stevens gets under the spell of the BOSS Computer - something that doesn't seem so far fetched these days!
DeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteIf you are still reading these pages, would you have the full show of 23/04/81 as it had the beginning missing on the available version
Yep here it is
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-a2S9YpDa3E
Thanks Anonymous
DeleteAs Brucie might have said to this edition, “You’re so much better than last week”! Effortlessly presented by Gary but, despite copious background play, sadly no return for Julian Cope and his bendy mic.
ReplyDeleteIt’s The Pretending To Be Pretenders first. That Blair’s a miserable bloke, isn’t he? Nice red and white group motif, even down to the white cymbals. I wish the other guitarist had gone off piste and done something like a duck walk when the other two went off podium hunting. This song was done karaoke style (off key in parts) in the TV debut of Carol Smillie – remember her?
Midnight Star’s juke box early doors reminded me of how all US singles have a big centre hole, whereas many UK singles have the small spindle hole with a three- or four-prong push out centre. This was clearly a video where fashion exceeded substance. What was in those Tempo boxes the kids craved?
If The Housemartins were in Aberdeen the same night, either (a) they had capes, (b) they borrowed a helicopter or (c) the show was pre-recorded. A spritely performance for a sombre, subtle, serious scorcher. Anyone who liked this should check out the lads’ similar debut single “Flag Day”.
Bromley Elvis next with a synth karaoke ‘rocker’ which got a first round knockout defeat on my card. Was this another song where the title isn’t mentioned in the lyrics? I thought he / they were singing “to be YOUR lover”. Talking of boxing, show me another bout where the participants’ surnames are more apt than the fight last weekend between Wilder and Fury.
The Mission there or the return of Doctor and the Medics? Hmm. Better ask James Whale.
A dreadful rehash of The Carpenters’ tune by Gwen, who I didn’t really expect to be, erm, that large.
Cyndi Lauper’s early doors crouching made the dry ice look as imposing as the famous occasion when Cliff Richard was fogged out during a London palladium TV show. Cyndi channeling her inner Kate Bush with that tom tom at the end.
A perky Bangles vid, though the makers rode their luck a bit with the Diana and Gaddafi images. That skateboarding kid was ace, mind.
carol smillie's star may have fallen somewhat of late, but i think she still does ads and presents stuff on minority tv channels. so hardly likely to be selling big issues
DeleteA friend of mine sometimes reminds me of Carol's stint as a local radio DJ up here, where she announced some big news in inappropriately chirpy tones: "Freddie Mercury... is dead!"
DeleteIt's a very busy Top of the Pops month ahead: ~
ReplyDelete30/10/86 Janice Long. 7th Dec BBC4 730pm.
06/11/86 Powell/Wright. 14th Dec BBC4 8pm.
20/11/86 Long/Peel. 14th Dec BBC4 830pm.
27/11/86 Gary Davies. 20th Dec BBC4 730pm.
11/12/86 Long/Wright. 21st Dec BBC4 730pm.
25/12/18 TOTPs 2018. 25th Dec BBC1 1230pm.
25/12/86 Bates/Davies/Long/Powell. 27th Dec BBC4 7pm.
25/12/78 Noel Edmonds. 27th Dec BBC4 Midnight.
29/12/18 TOTPs 2018. 29th Dec BBC1 510pm.
Plus three Mike Smith editions to squeeze in too!
DeleteBring it on! No sweat! :-D
DeleteI won't be watching the 2018 shows, so that will make the burden slightly lighter for me...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThe line up for the second 2018 show looks quite good - it's on the official charts website. Less reliance on big chart hits so a more eclectic range of artists.
DeleteChristine and the Queens! Love that Girlfriend song.
DeleteThe album it's from is really good too THX
DeleteYeah, I can imagine, though I bought a bunch of new albums this year and that wasn't one of them. La Luz was probably my favourite, but there's no chance of them being on TOTP (they didn't have a hit).
DeleteCan't believe they showing the Noel Edmonds in the TOTP office 78 xmas episode again! This must be the most repeated xmas edition ever!
ReplyDeleteYes, but the question is, will they play the original episode, because since 2011, repeats of this Noel Edmonds XMAS episode have removed the movie clips of Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and possibly some others, to replace them with Legs & Co clips from other TOTP editions from earlier in 1978.
DeleteIn fairness to BBC4, thanks to Yewtree and Smitty there are only a limited selection of vintage Xmas shows that they can now repeat each year.
DeleteHere is original 251278
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-DLkCDJGTjV
Not a bad edition, without ever becoming spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThe Pretenders - A good jaunty pop tune, even if Mrs Noax makes me fast forward them as she can't stand Chrissie Hynde's voice...
Midnight Star - Rubbish song, dreadful clothes in the video too.
The Housemartins - Not their best song, but still quite good (DYSWIDT?) and certainly better than their punt at Christmas No.1.
Billy Idol - Strangely bland for one of his songs, I didn't remember it from the time at all.
Breakers - Do we really get that unspeakable cover in full next time? I shall spare my ire. The Mission one is OK, but they would do better later on.
Cyndi Lauper - One of those where I need to be in the right mood to enjoy it. Not helped by the fact that it's been murdered a million times on talent shows.
Rest in peace, Pete Shelley, whose appearances on the early TOTP repeats were a definite highlight. A terrific catalogue of songs.
ReplyDeleteQuality band, wonderfully acerbic songwriter, didn't get the level of fame / sales / respect they deserved. Bang goes the writer of one of my three favourite songs of all time (the big hit). Thanks for it all, Pete.
DeleteI have to say, when I read this I immediately thought of the 'Love me love my Dog' Alvin Stardust guy.
Deletethat makes one wonder if the buzzcocks guy had already started calling himself pete shelley (in homage to the poet of that name i believe) before the other pete(r) shelley had a hit?
DeleteDecent presenter this week. Ooh Gary introduces...
ReplyDeleteThe Pretenders with probably their most well known song and its a corker. Chrissie has even turned last years spare Xmas gift wrap into a jacket. 😀
Director is seriously on something tonight,all this fast cutting is making me sick.
Oh no. The most dated breaker from last week gets a full outing. Nice of them to include all the excluded school kids in the video. Not sure giving them cans of spray paint was a good idea.
HouseMartins. This sounded awful on the breakers last week so not sure about a full listen. Verdict. It's a nice enough song if a little bland. The band seems to be having fun though.
Billy Idol I was not expecting to get a look in down the bottom of the chart. This is a bit rock n roll. Don't mind it at all and I hadn't heard it before.
Breakers :
The Mission. Bit heavy for me. Sure it has its fans though.
Gwen Guthrie covers The Carpenters in a complete change of style and pace from her previous outing. Not a fan of this one.
Cyndi Lauper is somehwere in the smoke with the beautiful True Colors. Lovely song from the barefooted Cyndi. Nice performance.
Nick determined to do a Boris and mot bother to show up and mime his song. For that mate you get FF...
Well done Gary, good show tonight
Bangles video to play out. Oi. Leave Charles and Di out of it. 😂😂😂
if a question on "family fortunes" was name a pretenders song, surely the vast majority would go for "brass in pocket"?
Deletebut what would be the best "pointless" answer?
How did I forget Brass In Pocket! 😜
Delete90s hit Night In My Veins maybe... And yes I had to Google it
i can't say i really took much notice of the pretenders after this, so my "pointless" guess would be "kid" (which i recall stalling at around 30 after debut single "stop your sobbing" had been a top 20 hit, and just before "BIP")
Delete