Ear we go
18/12/86 (Mike Smith)
The Gap Band – “Big Fun” (15)
Became their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.
Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (2) (video)
Will be number one next week.
Dexys Midnight Runners – “Because Of You” (20)
Went up to number 13.
A-ha – “Cry Wolf” (10)
Peaked at number 5.
Paul McCartney – “Only Love Remains” (34) (breaker)
Went up no higher.
Eurythmics – “The Miracle Of Love” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.
Status Quo – “Dreamin’” (25) (video)
Went up ten more places.
The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (1) (rpt from 11/12/86)
One and only week at the top.
The Communards – “So Cold The Night” (8) (video/credits)
At its peak.
Next up is the Chritmas Day edition.
Smitty looks and acts like a prize berk for much of this show, but his hideous jumper is the only Christmassy thing about it, with no decorations in the studio and not a single song with a festive theme. Even so, overall this isn't a bad final regular edition of the year.
ReplyDeleteThere were some decent soul tunes around at the back end of '86, and this Gap Band offering is another example, far superior to Oops Upside Your Head, and a bigger hit in the end as well. I like the white stetsons in this performance, but am less keen on the matching white cowboy boots. I haven't seen this classic Claymation Reet Petite video for years, but I loved it at the time and it's still good, inventive fun now. The song itself is a jolly, evergreen R&B classic, albeit one that has been overplayed down the years. It could be argued that it is also one of the most important songs in pop history, as it was the first hit that Berry Gordy was involved in writing and helped to generate the money which he then used to set up Motown. We'll be hearing plenty more of Jackie's music in 1987, as the success of this reissue would lead to two further posthumous Top 20 hits.
Brush Strokes is not a show that is fondly remembered these days, if it is remembered at all, but it always seemed to be on TV in the late 80s and was a diverting enough sitcom, if not an especially funny one. This wistful, melancholic Dexys theme tune fitted the low-key nature of the show well, and it makes for a respectable way for them to end their chart career. Curious that Kevin is on his own in the studio - was he so megalomaniacal by now that he didn't want any bandmates to steal his limelight? I'm not sure his goateed Teddy Boy-meets-Lone Ranger look was his best, though it's certainly preferable to his later cross-dressing phase.
A-ha end a successful year with another Top 10 hit, and this is one of their better efforts, with a lively production and catchy chorus; Morten in particular seems to be really getting into the song in this performance. Smitty takes a new approach to introducing the breakers this week, pre-announcing the artists and not talking over the songs at all, which I suppose is commendable in a way but seems a bit odd in practice. Macca's limp ballad, featuring Eric Stewart on guitar in the video, will not feature again, and sadly neither will this beautiful, haunting ballad from Annie and Dave, yet another masterful single from them in what was for me their annus mirabilis, even if the chart placings did not always reflect the worth of the records.
Quo bring us back down to earth with a meat 'n' potatoes release that goes resolutely back to basics after the musical diversion that was In the Army Now. At least they aren't playing into a wind machine in their video on this occasion, and a pretty actress of many guises gives us a few breaks from staring at the band all the time. The Housemartins evidently couldn't be bothered to mark their sole week at the top with a new studio performance, but it was worth seeing the previous week's again for Paul's botched attempt at spinning his mic around. The Communards to finish, with a suitably Arabic-style set for their video; they also appear to have drafted Janice Long in to play the violin...
Happy Christmas everybody!
I think the pretty actress in the Status Quo video was possibly one of the girls in the Red Box video of For America. Certainly the American cheerleader costume in both videos was identical, hence my notion. She certainly made the Quo video much more appealing with that gorgeous figure in many different costumes!
DeleteI must say that The Communards video on the playout was the next best thing on the show. The change in format of the playout in early 1986 from the traditional theme of studio audience dancing, to now showing a video, was possible because of the pressure of the shorter 30-minute format of the show, and the Communards quality video was a case in point that the change to the playout part of the show just had to be made to get another video in!
The Gap Band, or was it The Hat Band? Anyway, a bouncy, burbly little number from their repertoire that is not much revived but is amusing enough in its way. Were there always three members or did the others not get their work permits? No dance to go with this one, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteJackie Wilson, your plasticine pal, in a video that was played to death at the time, and we'll see more of.
Philomena Cunk's favourite sitcom, and presumably her favourite sitcom theme song, next with Kev on his lonesome and a folky vibe that he has resurrected after his previous album and change of direction flopped. Perfectly nice, sweet-tempered song, and a good theme tune, perhaps more importantly. Watching Karl Howman finishing off that last bit of paint on the wall was always satisfying.
O-ho, it's A-ha, with a lupine lyric and a sort of howling chorus too. Skips along with some propulsion and their usual grasp of a good tune, also liked Morten's "Hark!" mime when his sampled voice was heard. Glad the keyboard didn't collapse this time.
It's nice enough, Paul, but it's not going to get you back in the Top Ten. Far too muted to survive for long in the Christmas charts, even a ballad needs a hook, and this was lacking. The Eurythmics had the right idea, with their moody, soulful effort, but the dreary video ironically works against it, no matter how seasonal it sounded.
Status Quo nicking Shakin' Steven's act wholesale, the Welsh Wonder really should gave got his mitts on this one. More upbeat than some of their fare, complete with parpy instrumental breaks and a video where everyone is larking around, though the drummer's hair takes some beating for spectacle.
The Housemartins made it to the top with one of their most sincere but slightly naff records, reflecting their faith, but I did prefer it when they had guitars. I Smell Winter would have been a great Christmas hit, but it wasn't to be, they stuck it on a B-side.
After Smutty implores us to watch the Christmas edition (and check out the lemon-faced lady behind him giving him the evil eye), The Communards seemingly filmed their video in the same location The Stranglers did for Golden Brown. Anyway, congratulations to the Reverend Richard Coles for winning Celebrity Mastermind last night - again!
the gap band always centred around the three wilson brothers, with various others on board when deemed necessary. presumably like many black soul/r&b acts by this point (cameo being a good case in point), technological advances meant that many of the original extraneous members could be replaced by machines
Deletebtw apparently the origin of the band name was that the brothers lived inside a triangle of three streets whose names started with g, a and p!
Thanks for the info! Two keyboards (and a bass) were obviously doing the heavy lifting on Big Fun.
Deletegap band: nowhere near as bad as "oops upside your head" (few things can be), but still pretty lame never-the-less. i know i berate others who blag already-used titles of songs, but give me the inner city track of that name instead any day of the week
ReplyDeletejackie wilson: why was this re-released? was it something to do with levi jeans ads? whatever the reason, it was nothing but an unwanted intrusion in the charts in my view
dexy's: mr rowland was probably on his own at this point because he couldn't afford to pay his sidekicks' wages after the debacle of the album that came inbetween this and "too rye aye", where he deludedly thought he could indulge himself in any way and for as long as he liked with the "come on eileen" crowd continuing to lap it all up accordingly. i remember watching this sitcom at the time, and the best way to describe it would be "gentle", in the same manner as rowlands' song. main man karl howman had spent the last decade as a familiar boat usually playing villains in the likes of "the sweeney" and "the professionals" before finally getting his own show, but after that he went the same way as "professional" lewis collins and practically disappeared (other than in an ad for something-or-other) - in his case to be forever derided as "jacko from brush strokes" in viz magazine
a ha: another forgettable effort from them. i don't know if they were aware of what the meaning of "cry wolf" actually is, but they put the emphasis on the wrong word as if it's "cry baby"
macca: small wonder this piano plodder never did much business, and despite his millions he uses the cheapest-sounding percussion ever heard in recordings. the lovely linda appears apparently singing some backing vocals, although perhaps even macca wasn't stupid enough to let her anywhere near a mic in the recording studio
eurythmics: i only vaugely remember this "pointless" contender listening again now. it might be downbeat, but it's still pretty rocky none-the-less and could really be anyone as a result
quo: i've just looked at the cover of their "in the army now" album as a result of listening to this on yt (about 10 seconds was enough for me), and for the first time realised it's a pastiche of the iconic photo of marines raising of the stars and bars on iwo jima!
Karl Howman starred in a weird sitcom called Mulberry straight after Brush Strokes, in which he played an apprentice of Death sent to work for a rich old lady in order to kill her, but is never able to bring himself to go through with the deed. It only lasted a couple of series, and after that he was reduced to doing those Flash ads to earn a crust. Earlier in his career he made quite a memorable appearance as a drug addict in an episode of Blake's 7.
DeleteKarl was in a video nasty too! He probably leaves that off his CV. If he still has a CV.
DeleteTo be fair on Mr Howman and his CV, he was a regular in EastEnders a couple of years ago, playing Mick Carter’s dad. Happy Christmas to all of ye!
Deletewalford is surely jacko's spiritual home and he was destined to end up there?
DeleteIs it too early to wish you all the compliments of the season? It's the last episode before the big day, so I'll do it anyway...
ReplyDeleteSmitty looking like some kind of pirate with a snowman and bells perched on his shoulders. Thanks again ‘anonymous’ for this.
ReplyDeleteGap Band – Big Fun – Forever associated with the ‘row boat’ this is actually a good dance tune that you don’t hear at all these days. Nice to hear it again!
Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite – A complete mystery to me why this was the Christmas chart topper. That’s not to say I don’t like it and admire the innovative video. Looking in my chart book, they have it reaching no3 in Jan 1958 behind ‘Ma he’s making eyes at me’ by Johnny Otis Show and ‘Great Balls of Fire’ by Jerry Lee Lewis.
Dexys Midnight Runners – Because of you – Now I’ve heard it right through properly it’s really quite good. Looked up the main cast of ‘Brush Strokes’ (which I never watched) and don’t recognise any of ‘em!
A-Ha - Cry Wolf – I wonder who had the idea of dubbing live cheers onto this? Not quite sure that this song needed it, whereas as I mentioned last week, the addition of cheers onto Europe’s record makes it sound even better.
Breakers – Paul McCartney – with a lush orchestral arrangement by Tony Visconti and some nice backing vocals from Linda, I concur with ‘Clementrita’ on YT that “This song had everything to be a huge hit, I absolutely can't understand why it wasn’t”. Elkie Brooks – a superb Russ Ballard song that was one of my favourites at the time – nobody has mentioned Elkie – did I imagine her? Eurythmics - Reasonable follow up to my favourite single of theirs.
Status Quo – Dreamin’ This sounds like most Quo singles and after the downbeat expressions on ‘In the Army now’ the boys look like their normal ‘larking around and having fun’ selves – especially with the lady interspersed. The tune does remind me of something else however but I can’t put my finger on what.
Housemartins – Caravan of love – No video to show?Our 80s no1 blogger may give us a clue why – “ To get the full body of evidence for this, it's illuminating to watch the accompanying promo video that saw the band, with crucifixes shaved into the sides of their head, larking about in a church and shuffling around on their knees in mock reverence with hoodies doubling as a monk's cowl".
Communards – So cold the Night – As before, starts off ok but the banshee wailing gets too much after a while.
….and still no Ray Moore despite a decent jump. You would have though the BBC would have showcased one of their own?
Miss Bookbinder will be cropping up at greater length in forthcoming shows, so I am saving comment on her until then.
DeleteThe single version of Only Love Remains was (in my opinion) an inferior remix of the album version. Probably would have done better if it had been released post Christmas.
DeleteMacca can't have thought much of it either, because it was missed off his McCartney Years compilation DVD a few years back in favour of another single from the Press To Play album that failed to chart.
Wasn't there an 'issue' with the Beautiful South's appearance for this episode?
ReplyDeleteDidn't the guys want their mums on stage with them, but the Beeb refused, so they refused to do the appearance, which is why we had the repeat from the previous week?
Admitting defeat, I looked up the cast of Brush Strokes and it was Kim Thomson who played Jacko's girlfriend, for the first two series anyway. Didn't recognise the name, but according to IMDB she's had a busy career.
ReplyDelete3 TOTP in a day, 2 of them featuring Smitty. Still, it's Christmas. Onwards then...
ReplyDeleteThe Gap Band - I know the soul boys and girls love them but none of their songs did anything for me.
Jackie Wilson - Good song, amusing video (at the time, at least!)
Dexy's - Now more or less Kevin Rowland, I really liked this at the time (perhaps because I was one of the many enjoying Brush Strokes) and it still has a certain charm listening to it now.
a-ha - One of my least favourite singles from one of my favourite groups. Not sure why this one never did it for me.
Breakers - I must have heard the Macca one before but it went in one ear and out of the other (along with most of the record buying public it seems), but the Eurythmics one is a decent song.
Status Quo - The usual stuff, really.
Have a great Christmas all!
Late congrats to Neil B. for winning champions league pop master on Friday!
ReplyDeleteHe did brilliantly well. I haven't shouted about it on here but I was also in it. I finished 4th in the end.
DeleteMay I wish all contributors a very Merry Christmas. I rarely get the chance to contribute these days as by the time I see the ahows everyone has moved on, but I do appreciate reading the comments. 🖖
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on the title for next year's blog?
ReplyDeleteNot an obvious one but how about Everything I Own ....... to have you back again (TOTP)?
at the risk of invoking sct's ire, an obvious suggestion is "pump up the volume"!
DeleteProbably best to have a title of something shown on BBC4, though? Pump Up the Volume has been Smith-ised. And how much do you want to bet those four contraband episodes are stuck between a Thursday and Friday repeat?!
DeleteI think Coming Around Again could work quite well, but no doubt Angelo has something up his sleeve. One good thing about the Smitty situation in 1987 is that he didn't present any shows in June, July and August, so that will make for quite a long uninterrupted run on BBC4.
DeleteI see Angelo did go with Pump Up the Volume in the end!
DeleteHi everyone (though not so many of us now as recently pointed out)! Hope you all had a dandy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteEerie that I’m come to the November / December regular edition TOTPfest with my large bottle of cheap brand cider after the party’s finished, but there was only a range of between 11 and 22 comments for each of the previous five shows before my critiques and no-one’s followed up after my reviews!
Thanks again here to The Uploader and Testcard Special.
Plenty of song / band info in this episode I’ve learned from my learned friends, so thanks to all.
A totally unfestive TOTP with the worst Christmas present of the lot, Shitty as host.
Yeehah! The Gap Cowboys get us under way with a song which, if repetitive, is exactly what it says in the title. Now, why didn’t Big Fun release a song called “The Gap Band” in return?
It appears the Jackie Wilson single was re-released after the claymotion video was premiered in the show “Arena”. Probably the first time an arts or current affairs programme had influenced the festive number one. Personally, I wish a Monty Python style foot had come from the sky and squashed Morph Jackie.
Kevin Rowland looking like a young Jimmy Hill going to a fancy dress bash as a Frenchman without the beret and onions. A gentle midtempo song to mirror the sitcom, which included future “Vicar of Dibley” actor Gary Waldhorn. Karl’s depressing follow-up “Mulberry” also featured Geraldine ‘Miss Brodie’ McEwan and Tony ’Get Some In’ Selby, but it wasn’t as dreadful as the inexplicable ‘comedy’ vehicle for David Essex, “The River”.
Christ, Shitty’s announcing who’s coming up during the mugshots again!
A-Ha’s drummer had helped out so often he really should have had band status by this stage. The song sounded too plasticky and plinky for my liking.
Announcing the breakers’ artists before we hear the songs? Hmmm, I prefer it like that so well done, Mike.
Macca’s tune was dull dull dull, Elkie’s was gently bombastic (if there can be such a thing) with a crap spoken bit, and maybe Eurythmics’ smoulderer needed a tiny bit of Elkie oomph and a thicker drum sound to help it higher up the charts?
“Right, that’s enough ballads for us, lads”. Status Quo regain their, er, status quo with their 70’s and 80’s repertoire similar to that advert with a truckload of Castlemaine XXXX and a single bottle of sweet sherry for the ladies.
We finish with The Communards and, as pointed out regarding the backdrop, ”So Golden Brown the Night” which, for some reason, made me hungry for some Turkish delight and a kebab.
I don’t watch the Christmas Day extravaganzas, so may I wish you all Happy New Year and see you the other side of the “Story”!
From 1987's re-runs, there will be a further 15 shows missing from BBC4, all hosted by Mike Smith. In a further act of complete overkill, Gary Davies was host or co-presenter of 25 editions that year, while no shows from the latter half of September or first two weeks in October will air as all four were hosted by Smith and Davies.
Deletearthur i'm still checking older editions in the hope that stragglers like yourself and morgie are trying to keep up, and will always respond if i think i have something to add...
Deletetalking of which: i remember enjoying watching "get some in!" when originally broadcast). when robert lindsay left the series as the first part of his masterplan to become blighty's most-familiar television actor (although he'll always be wolfie as far as i'm concerned), his replacement was none other than jacko from brush strokes!
and i had a reason to show someone that castlemaine xxxx ad the other day. it was actually two bottles of sherry stuck on board as "something for the ladies" - it must have been the second one that did for the truck's axle! all the "ocker" lager ads from then were brilliant (i worked in cockfosters in the 80's, so found that paul hogan/"fosters" one particularly amusing - it wouldn't get shown in our pc world of today!), but "looks like we've overdone it with the sherry" remains my all-time favourite ad of any kind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWo01rn7O1s
My favourite Robert Lindsay performance was in G.B.H. in the 1990s. However, I didn't realise how true to life it was until I read Mr Biffo of Teletext Digitiser fame recount the time he was hired to write for Lindsay's sitcom My Family and in the writers' room, Robert was introduced and pushed his face right into Biffo's and snarled "Have they told you what a bastard I am?!" Never meet your heroes...
Deletei think this was actually the last show of 1986 other than the xmas specials, therefore i'd better get my crackers and turkeys out of the way:
ReplyDelete1986 crackers:
cherrelle ft alexander o'neal - saturday love
mr mister - broken wings
latin quarter - radio africa
alexander o'neal - if you were here tonight
colonel abrams - i'm not gonna let you
sos band - the finest
level 42 - lessons in love
robert palmer - i didn't mean to turn you on
janet jackson - when i think of you
midnight star - midas touch
1986 turkeys:
sigue sigue sputnick - love missile f1-11
whistle - just buggin
samantha fox - touch me
falco - rock me amadeus
lovebug starski - amityville
real roxanne - let's go go
jesus & mary chain - some candy talking
mc miker g & deejay sven - holiday rap
cameo - word up
nick berry - every loser wins
Always interesting to see other people's take on songs you like.
DeleteFalco could have been in my top ten and Robert Palmer is in my bottom 10 (just find it so dull) - each to their own.
Merry Xmas Wilberforce.
morgie i suspect that "rock me amadeus" appealed much more to your generation (pre and early teens at this time) than it did to mine. ditto "i didn't mean to turn you on" in reverse (i can see why a 13 year old would find it boring!). however like most here regardless of our ages, we both concur on "holiday (c)rap"!
Deleteisn't anyone else going to submit their faves and hates list this year?
ReplyDeleteYep....here goes.....
Delete1986 Crackers
Glory of Love – Peter Cetera
Amanda – Boston
Madonna – True Blue
A-Ha – The Sun always shines on TV
Diana Ross – Chain Reaction
Europe – The Final Countdown
Lessons in Love –Level 42
Walk of Life – Dire Straits
A Kind of Magic – Queen
The Promise you made – Cock Robin
1986 Turkeys
The Chicken Song – Spitting Image
Livin’ Doll – Cliff Richard and the Young Ones
Whistle – Just buggin’
Lovebug Starski – Amityville
Mc Miker and DJ Sven – Holiday Rap
Anything by Five Star
How will I know – Whitney Houston
Anyone can fall in love – Anita Dobson
Camouflage – Stan Ridgway
Word up - Cameo
Anyone else out there?!
sct i'm amazed at least one of the mr mister hits didn't make it onto your crackers list! also, was "amanda" actually ever shown on TOTP? that's my criteria for selection, otherwise this would have been in my top 10 crackers:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiIdeHm5Xnc
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI didn't think the Mr Mister hits were good enough to crack the top10. Boston didn't get a mention on ToTP even. If JK's USA slot had still been running that would have helped. It is still a mystery why it failed to register over here. Not heard your Miles Davis choice before - was it even released as a single? Can't find it on 45cat aside from the B Side of the US single 'Tutu'.
Deletei don't think "portia" ever got released as a single, but it's not just one of the best tracks of the year in my view but also a contender for my all-time top 100. i first heard it when i went to one of a certain ratio's gigs, and they were playing the "tutu" album before they went on stage. actually they did that at more than one gig, so they were obviously well into it!
Delete1986 crackers
DeleteHuman League - Human
The Smiths - Panic
Madonna - Live to Tell
David Bowie - Absolute Beginners
Eurythmics - Miracle of Love
Big Audio Dynamite - E=MC2
Midge Ure - Call of the Wild
Mr Mister - Broken Wings
Berlin - Take my Breath Away
Cyndi Lauper - True Colours
1986 Turkeys
Mc Miker and DJ Sven – Holiday Rap
Spittin Image - Chicken Song
Anita Dobson - Anyone can fall in love
Chris De Burgh - Lady in Red
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Because of you
Roger Whittaker/Des O'Connor - Skye Boat Song
Paul Simon - You can call me Al
Chas and Dave/Matchroom Mob - Snooker Loopy
Grange Hill - Just Say No
Su Pollard - Starting Together
thanks for that sonny - looks like mc miker g & deejay sven are leading the charge for biggest turkey of the year!
DeleteMy top ten of 1986:
Delete1. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
2. The Promise You Made - Cock Robin
3. On My Own - Michael McDonald & Patti Labelle.
4. Broken Wings - Mr Mister
5. The Glory Of Love - Peter Cetera
6. All I Ask Of You - Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman
7. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards
8. Manic Monday - The Bangles
9. Ain't Nothing Going On But The Rent - Gwen Guthrie
10. I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz
I don't think all that many songs truly stood out in '86, but here is my Top 5:
DeleteThorn in My Side - Eurythmics
(Forever) Live and Die - OMD
Don't Give Up - Gabriel/Bush
Panic - The Smiths
Papa Don't Preach - Madge
There were a fair few contenders for turkey of the year, but beating off strong competition from the Grange Hill gang, Roger and Des and MC Miker and DJ Sven is:
Anyone Can Fall in Love - Anita Dobson
A couple of other excellent songs which we didn't see on TOTP and may well have made my Top 5 if they had been shown:
When Tomorrow Comes - Eurythmics
Your Wildest Dreams - The Moody Blues (a Top 10 hit in the States in '86)
Nice mention for the Moody's John. I forgot that little gem came out in 86
DeleteThe Other Side of Life was another great Moodies track from '86 - it didn't do as well as Your Wildest Dreams, despite a memorable video:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USujNc5uPBs
1986
ReplyDeleteCrackers
Heavily biased to recent months, so i expect i mussed some corkers
Cutting crew I just died
Furniture brilliant mind
Stan ridgeway Camouflage
Aha sun always shines on tv
Pet shop boys opportunities
Mike and mechanics silent running
Run dmc walk this way
Diana ross chain reaction
Bangles Manic monday
Bananarama venus
Turkeys
I could have filled all ten slots with five star..
Gwen guthrie close to you
Police dont stand so close 86
Billy ocean when the going gets tough
Chris de burgh lady in red
Cliff richard and young ones living doll
Boris gardiner i wanna wake up with you
Anita dobson anyone can fall in love
Roger Whittaker and Des OConnor skye boat sing
Five star system addict
Michael mcdonald sweet freedom
So I could have filled my Top Ten with about 25 songs but after much deliberation (and bearing in mind this could change tomorrow)
DeleteCommunards - Don't Leave Me This Way
Damned - Eloise
Bucks Fizz - New Beginning
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
Mel + Kim - Showing Out
UB40 - Sing Our Own Song
A-ha - Sun Always Shines on TV
Berlin - Take My Breath Away
OMD - Forever Live And Die
Paul Simon - The Boy In The Bubble
And the TURKEYS
Tippa Irie - Hello Darling
Mc Miker G - Holiday Rap
Robert Palmer- Didn't Mean To Turn You On
Claire and Friends - Orrible Being In Love When You're 8 and a Half.
Anita Dobson - Anyone Can Fall In Love
Roger/Des - Skye Boat Song
Cliff / Sarah - All I Ask Of You
Audrey Hall - Smile
Sam Fox - Do Ya Do Ya Wanna Please Me
Jim Diamond - Hi Ho Silver
Poor Anita Dobson - she's getting no love from anyone... and quite rightly so//
DeleteI should have included Claire & Friends in my own Turkeys list. Perhaps it was a good thing that I forgot it!
DeleteA festive Smithy this week with an excitable snowman on his shoulder.
ReplyDeleteKicking off with rather a good tune from the gap band. Don't remember this at all but I liked it.
The video for Reet Petite really is rather clever. Great to see the whole thing.
Dexy FF. Terrible
Nice to see my favourite Paul Simon song has hit the chart. "Boy In The Bubble " another of my xmas 86 purchases.
Aha. Well this will easily be the best thing on the show tonight. What a tune. happy Morgie
Breakers:
Macca. Hoping for a Xmas hit by the sounds of it. Well a minor one will have to do for this dirge.
Ellie. What a fan record. Real power ballad. Bonnie at home wondering why she's not singing this.
Slow moody Eurythmics tune up next. Very nice.
The Quo on video. Back to their usual sound. love it or hate it I guess.
Housemartins get to the top..but not for long....
Communards play us out. Very nice..