And here's an alternative We Transfer upload.
The end of the line
13/11/86 (Mike Smith)
Madness – “(Waiting For) The Ghost-Train” (20)
The most successful group of the 80's wave goodbye with this number 18 hit.
Shakin’ Stevens – “Because I Love You” (18) (video)
Went up four more places.
Kim Wilde – “You Keep Me Hanging On” (2)
At its peak.
Spandau Ballet – “Through The Barricades” (8)
Went up two more places.
Simple Minds – “Ghostdancing” (22) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.
Europe – “The Final Countdown” (14) (breaker)
Will get to number one in three weeks time.
Bob Geldof – “This Is The World Calling” (25)
Stuck at number 25, and it got no higher.
Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (1) (video)
Second of four weeks at number one.
Mel & Kim – “Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)” (4) (video/credits)
Went up one more place.
20th November is next.
Smitty makes a mess of his opening link, but otherwise puts in one of his more tolerable hosting jobs here. This show actually went out on what must have been one of the bleakest days of his career, when Michael Lush was killed while undertaking his Late Late Breakfast Show Whirly Wheel stunt, leading to the immediate cancellation of the programme. Not a good day for Michael Hurll either, given that he produced LLBS.
ReplyDeleteMadness commendably decided to recycle their old newspapers for this farewell performance before splitting up, though the split would of course prove temporary. Not a bad little tune with which to bow out, but it certainly isn't the most memorable of their hits - the little "The End" stunt with the guitars at the end was a nice touch. Shaky abandons his trademark moves in favour of wandering moodily around some woods for a slow number that is decent enough but, like the Madness song, does not stick in the mind for long.
Not sure why Kim bothered to fly in from Paris for this show, as she does nothing here that is any different from her last performance. The Spands next, emulating their old rivals Duran Duran the previous week by getting back into the Top 10, though this would very much be their last hurrah as none of their subsequent singles climbed any higher than 34. You get the feeling Gary Kemp intended this to be his magnum opus, a profound take on love across political and social divides that was I think inspired by the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It doesn't rise to the heights Gary was doubtless striving for, but it is quite a powerful song in an understated way and builds nicely - I like the way the performance reflects that by only showing the full band once all the instruments kick in.
Bob Geldof's solo career would not exactly set the world alight, but here he is in the studio taking a break from saving the world, and looking as if he has just been scavenging from the bins outside TV Centre. This wasn't as bad as I feared, but never really gets out of second gear and becomes too repetitive by the end. Mel and Kim's video plays us out, with lots of reds and purples and a strong fashion shoot feel.
madness: a decent-enough effort as their outstanding 80's singles chart career finally gets shunted into the sidelines (ho ho), although suffering a bit from the production techniques of the time. yesterday i was chatting with a chum who unlike most thinks this their best-ever tune (we always have a laugh about the where the j*mmy s*vile-style bracketed bit of the title ends), and "itchycoo park" was mentioned as probably the first-ever single to feature a flanger effect... as does this!
ReplyDeleteshakin stevens: probably vying with the nutty boys as the most successful chart act of the 80's. although of course unlike them nobody can ever remember the vast majority of his hits, with this being a good case in point
spandau: i always liked the acoustic guitar picking on this, but once the arena rock backing kicked in about half way through it bored the pants off me. like madness (and hopefully shakin'), by coincidence another major 80's act making what turned out to be their swansong
Shaky has still got a few more sizeable hits to come, including one final Top 5 entry in 1987. I suspect part of the reason most of his hits are now forgotten is that nobody ever plays them, not even "oldies" stations - the Christmas song is the only one you ever hear nowadays.
Deletemy opinion is that the vast majority of his hits were in-one-ear-and-out-the-other and instantly forgettable anyway. so why would anyone want to play them on oldies radio shows nowadays, as it's surely all about nostalgic recollection of the classic and iconic hits of the day?
DeletePersonally, if I'm listening to an oldies show I want a whole range of classics, tat and obscurities. In fact, I might be able to do without too many (overplayed) classics!
Deletei would have thought if there was one shakin' stevens track that got constant airplay on oldies/nostalgia radio shows, it would be "this ole house" - which is the first one that anyone ever remembers in my "name more than three of his hits" poser! i suppose "merry christmas everyone" is another, but only because it gets trotted out relentlessly with all the other xmas pop songs at this time...
Deletethat is with one notable exception of course! many years ago i briefly worked as a wages clerk in a prison near my hometown, and i was recently informed an old chum that it now exclusively houses pedos - including one gary glitter esquire! i wonder if the governor will ask him to put on one of his xmas specials for the benefit of his fellow inmates?
For me Shakey is synonymous with 'Blue Christmas' as it was included on the original track listing for 'Now the Christmas Album' which sold by the bucket load. However, you never, ever hear that in all the shopping malls. Glitter's track was on that album too...and you certainly don't hear that these days!
DeleteJust going back to THX's comment, I would much rather listen to some of Shaky's forgotten hits on the radio than bloody Bohemian Rhapsody for the 1,452,783rd time!
Deletei stopped listening to radio of any kind years ago now... which means most of the the time i get to listen to music of MY choice, and nobody else's - be it some instantly-forgettable crap by shakin' stevens or "bohemian rhapsody" for the ten billionth time!
DeleteGood Lord
DeleteI couldn't do without my radio, I've been a radio addict since I was a little kid and got my first one for my birthday. I like it for company and entertainment, plus as I usually listen to 6 Music I get to hear the best new music - I swear I've bought more new albums this year than ever, it's been a really good year for music, if not much else.
DeleteMadness with their last ever record, well, until their multiple comebacks once things had been sorted out. Here was their oh-so-80s attack on apartheid (as you can see by the headlines on their suits), and I really liked it at the time and was sad this was the end of the line for them. Sounds appropriately wistful in the chorus.
ReplyDeleteShaky with a hit no one remembers, probably not even him, anonymous as you like - what happened to those rock 'n' roll moves? We'll have to wait for his little boogie-woogie tune I suppose.
Kim Wilde flies in from Paris, and I bet her arms were tired. Did not appreciate Keith Lemon on Sounds of the 80s last night saying what he'd like to do to her - how come when Harvey Weinstein acts like this, it's sexual harassment, and when Lemon does it's comedy? Also noted a re-edit of her Mel and Kim Christmas song to eliminate all mention of Rolf!
Spandau Ballet with something else oh-so-80s, all earnest and screwed up faces rock sounds, not my cup of tea at all. This does remind me of that sitcom from around the same time set in Belfast during the Troubles about a Protestant boy and a Catholic girl in love. Nothing horrible happened in it, don't worry, it was quite sweet, if not very funny. Anyone remember what it was called? I'm drawing a blank on Google.
Oh, we do get Sir Bob after all. It's a bit of a plodder, also very earnest (seems to be a theme this episode). Backing singers are quite nice, um, that's about the best I can say about it, it doesn't half go on after a while.
Berlin still there, and Mel and Kim (the originals) to end on, looking very stylish, synchronised moves and all. It is a bit dancing in front of the bedroom mirror - I suppose we'll have to get used to that.
Found the Northern Irish 80s sitcom - it was called Foreign Bodies. Starred nobody very famous, but somehow got three series. Probably never to be seen again...
DeleteAh, we’re certainly ending on a relative high in 1986 after some dross in the middle (Hi there Spitting Image!). Smithy on his own with his quirky quips. Thanks again Anonymous – we’re getting spoilt with these…
ReplyDeleteMadness – (Waiting for the) Ghost Train – “its’s indirectly about South Africa, thinking nothing will (or has to) change…” says Suggs on the sleeve notes for the ‘Utter Madness’ compilation that sees the boys give a second outing to their newspaper suits on the sleeve. I like this, and rate it far and above bigger hits such as ‘Wings of a Dove’. A nice way to bow out.
Shakin’ Stevens – Because I love you – The title brings to mind the Stevie B ‘Postman Song’ of the same name, but as to this Christopher Neil produced ballad, it’s certainly not on the Smooth Radio playlist and doesn’t ring any bells.
Kim Wilde – You keep me hanging on – Great song, facsimile performance from Kim.
Spandau Ballet – Through the Barricades – Probably Tony Hadley’s finest vocal performance and a song that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Genesis set. Much better than the likes of ‘Fight for ourselves’ and another good swansong (albeit unintentional).
Simple Minds – Ghostdancing – Not a recollection of this. Europe – The Final Countdown – Relief that if the UK record buyers didn’t appreciate Boston and ‘Amanda’ then at least they cottoned on to this great song. Purists like me miss hearing the extended instrumental intro, but that’s small beer.
Bob Geldof – This is the World calling – Not as bad as I feared. Some comments above regarding the female backing singers promptly me to try to identify them. Hmm…. The album credits for ‘Deep in the Heart of Nowhere’ from where this single is taken list the backing singers for this track as Maria Mckee, Annie Lennox and Alison Moyet.
Berlin – Take my breath away – Cruelly chopped!!!
Mel and Kim – Showing out – OK, I had to resort to FF when this came on.
I noticed that the Berlin video was kept short on each showing over 5 weeks, apart from only on its first week at No.1 where it was shown in full for a full four minutes of the video. TOTP always seemed to stop the video at the same point, ie, the scene where they were kissing on the motorbike.
DeleteIt was somewhat ironic at the end of the show when Mike Smith mentioned that a new series of Entertainment USA was about to be shown, where his mention of Jonathan King made the studio audience run for cover.
ReplyDeleteBack to the 70s, this has emerged recently and for me is their best record...here it has the rare stereo mix set to the ToTP footage..
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsB1uWSTrO0
...and this had some nice guitar work...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3JFs1cZ8Vs
Not much to see here, with all 3 breakers from the previous show present even though they are forgettable (Shaky), horrifically bombastic (Spandau) and..well...just a bit rubbish really (feckin' Bob)
ReplyDeleteWhat else? Madness - yes, I like that one, understated but catchy. The Simple Minds song is typical mid-80s stuff by them, i.e. style over substance. And Europe we'll be seeing more of. Sadly.
thank you, to the uploader
ReplyDeleteSo a triple dose of contraband tonight with Smithy presenting, a JK mention and a fit-inducing Mel and Kim video at the end. This was NEVER gonna get a BBC4 outing and it's a shame as (Shakey excluded) it's one of the best shows of the year.
ReplyDeleteI normally like Smithy presenting as he makes the show seem more like one seemless whole as opposed to being stuck together (mentioning what's coming up in the chart countdown, running gags etc..) but he makes a right cock-up of the opening link almost introducing Madness as Spandau and trying to hide it by pretending he meant it. Funny.
Madness with one of their lesser heard tunes and I really liked this. Looking and sounding great, such a fab song. Will have to have another listen to this one.
The worst of the night follows with Shakey desperately in need of a tune of any kind. Sorry Mr Stevens that was bloody awful.
Kim is back again with her American No1. Great to here it again and always nice to look at Ms Wilde for a 3 or 4 minutes. Think 12 year old me had a bit of a crush. Mind you 44 year old me was quite happy watching this as well.
Spandau up next. Beautifully written and performed, this is a great song. Grabbed my attention throughout the whole performance. Probably the best on the show tonight.
Breakers:
Simple Minds eventually kick in with a standard concert video helped by the fact the vocal is live so I will forgive it. Song seems OK but need a full listen.
Europe up next - My 2nd batch of 1986 single buying (with my Xmas money of course) included this one. Great tune to belt out whilst doing the washing up, housework etc... Like.
Now I was mean to Bob in the Breakers section last week but listening to the full song, I really liked it. Not sure who the guitarist at the start was but he looks familiar, hopefully someone up thread has already mentioned...if not maybe Wilberforce will come to my rescue.
Berlin still No 1 and then the JK mention gets everyone running away screaming. I really, really want to believe Smithy planned that as he knew all about his dirty little world.
Great video from Mel and Kim to play out - such a fan of this one as previously stated.
A fantastic show, one of the best of the year AND we get Janet and John next week. result.
sorry morgie but i didn't recognise any of big gob's backing band in the totp clip - never mind the guitarist!
Deletebtw, weren't janet and john the eponymous characters in a series of childrens' learning books in the 1960's?
I seem to remember Janet and John in those books as well...
DeleteNever mind his presenting, for Shitty refusing / forgetting to sign a repeats contract, I'd have liked him to be trapped in a seamless hole!
DeleteThanks to The Uploader for their efforts but, having been sidetracked for a couple of weeks, I finally got round to watching this tonight (23rd December) and the transfer's been deleted. Bugger!
Finally made it, thanks to a re-upload from “The Archivist”, for which I’m very grateful.
DeleteIf this show was a cricketer it would be a medium pace bowler. Shitty on better form than usual, apart from completely cocking up the first link for Spadness and, I think for the first time in the re-runs, ruining it by telling us who’s coming up later during the mugshots.
First up turns out to be the show’s landmark for me, as Madness kick off their debut swansong all dressed the same for a change and cleverly mentioning both the song’s political stance and the shades of their suits in the lyric “It’s black and white”. Shame Bedder’s bass had lost the horizontal in the “H” of “the” and Chrissy Boy was a bar late in turning his guitar round. Lee doubling / double miming on trumpet before Cathal realises the importance of the appearance near the end (the lads obviously thinking they or this hit wouldn’t make the show again) by putting his arm round Lee who, at the end, looks wistfully round the studio in a state of shock. I half expected the lad to cry. He actually plays a great comic turn in the video for Madness’s criminally overlooked 2016 single “Mr. Apples”, which I heard for the first time during their 2018 /2019 ‘either side of Big Ben’ New Year gig.
We follow that with a bit of an anti-climax and a downer, though respect to Shaky for ploughing a new furrow and at least trying something different for a change.
A very similar yet energetic performance from Kim Wilde – fair play for jetting over to push the single.
Tony Hadley trying to imitate Alvin Stardust in those gloves. An anthemic slow burner (bombastic yet gentle, if that makes sense) which takes a bus ride to fully get going, and kudos for the staging.
Simple Minds pretending to be the Scottish U2 with an awful video we suffer more of next time round, and Bob Geldof pretending to be the Irish Jim Kerr (with superb completely out of time guitar miming), sandwiching Europe with at least two video shoots / settings there due to Joey’s alternate black and white top half clobber.
A nicely sequenced and eerily prophetic stampede at the mention of that King bloke, followed by a very colour co-ordinated and decent undetected early SAW bomb from Mel and Kim.
Still feel sorry for poor Lee, though.