Tongue of the Pops
26/02/87 (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)
The Jets – “Crush On You” (9)
Peaked at number 5.
Simply Red – “The Right Thing” (15) (video)
Peaked at number 11.
The Cult – “Love Removal Machine” (18)
Performing in the studio but the song went no higher.
Level 42 – “Running In The Family” (7)
Went up one more place.
The Communards – “You Are My World” (21) (breaker)
This song had peaked at number 30 in 1985 - this remix made it to number 21.
A-ha – “Manhattan Skyline” (17) (breaker)
Became their first single not to make the top ten when it peaked at number 13.
Mental As Anything – “Live It Up” (8)
Peaked at number 3.
Ben E. King – “Stand By Me” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.
Duran Duran – “Skin Trade” (24) (+ credits)
Went up one more place.
March 5th is next.
The Gruesome Twosome are reunited, but Smitty did actually manage to make me laugh when he suggested that his co-host was a "cult". Wrighty did not take too kindly to that, or to Smitty's later comments about his dress sense, and there was some definite coolness between the two. Wrighty might as well have stayed at home with his oversized coat anyway, given that as usual he added nothing to the show aside from being the butt of jokes.
ReplyDeleteTonga's answer to Five Star first up, with the guitarists and the keytar man showing some decent coordinated footwork. The song sounds pretty weak and formulaic to my ears, and I do wonder how it managed to climb as high as it did, but I suppose the production was of the moment. Give me the UK Jets from a few years earlier any time! By contrast, this upbeat, feelgood Simply Red tune deserved to be a Top 10 hit, as for my money it is up there as one of Hucknall's best efforts. He decides to keep his flaming locks covered up by a hat in this video, and given the way the band are dressed I can't help feeling they should have been performing in a wine bar rather than the nondescript studio featured in this video...
The Cult are back, with a guitar riff that sounds suspiciously similar to the one from Start Me Up. A committed performance, but the song itself is an incoherent mess lacking a decent tune. Level 42 are back in the studio, for some reason all dressed in a very sombre fashion that doesn't suit the song. Out of the two breakers, The Communards' offering will not feature again; a full listen to the song confirms that it is a good effort, though not on a par with their previous couple of hits. I did like the join-the-dots imagery in A-ha's video.
Here come Mental as Anything, with some more fancy guitarist footwork that looks like an attempt to emulate Cox and Steele, and a fresh-faced lead singer dressed as if it was still 1957. This is a great pop record, and it is perhaps surprising that, while big in their native Oz, they didn't enjoy more international success. Unusually, the show closes with another studio turn, as Duran Duran give us a strangely underpowered song which heralded a decline in their chart fortunes. I think Warren Cuccurullo, a mainstay of the band for the next decade and a half, is with them for this performance.
I would imagine that Duran Duran had asked to be played at the end of the show after the No.1, as this was not the norm, as a video, or historically studio dancing would be preferred as the playout.
Deleteyes john i think you're right about warren cuccurillo - who had previously played with zappa among others i think, so perhaps he was slumming it a bit by joining them (or maybe he had a mortgage to pay off ha ha)?. actually i've read he had a very big influence on what was their early 90's comeback "wedding" album, which i think contained several songs far stronger than most their early/mid 80's output
DeleteI remember watching a documentary about Duran Duran around the time their Pop Trash album was released in 2000. John Taylor had quit by then, and they were down to a trio. In the doc Simon and Nick were both highly complimentary about Warren and his musical abilities, but just a year later they were showing him the door so that they could get the "classic" line-up back together! Money talks loudest, as ever...
Deletehosts: there's actually quite of bit of this pair on the yt clips, which makes a change. wrighty's been doing this for several years now, yet still acts as if it's his debut show. shitty actually makes one of his less odious appearances, perhaps because he knows even he pisses all over his partner in terms of professionalism?
ReplyDeletejets: i always knew that there were two acts called the jets that had hits (i think we've done this before, but can anyone name any others? i'll start the balling with space i.e. 70's french disco + 90's scouse indie), but i always assumed from what i remembered about this that they were american - not tongan! hardly surprising given the sound though, and listening now it's actually a lot better than i remember it being - in fact it's so good (i was thinking it sounded more 1985 than 87, and that was confirmed on yt) i think i shall be adding it to my 80's dance collection. visually i really love the three guys behind the female singers with their intricate synchronised dance moves - something i don't think we've seen on totp since yellow dog with their shadows steps back in 1978?
simply red: one that came back to me as i watched the vid on yt. it starts off as fairly decent cocktail funk, but there's not much in the way of a tune to keep the interest. if mr red's statement that he feels like he's getting harder now (in the very weak chorus) is meant as some kind of finbar saunders fnar fnar thing, then it's not a very good effort
cult: it's their big hit part ii. and just as boring
communards: all i can remember about this one was that i used to do my jimmy somerville impression in the showers after a game of badminton. and by that i mean singing the chorus/title line in a falsetto voice that was enhanced by the reverbed environment ha ha
mental as anything: i suppose with a name like that, they could only be aussies? pretty straightforward and indistinct mainstream rock, but okay as radio fodder i suppose. i wonder if paul "crocodile dundee" hogan was a mate of theirs?
duran duran: it seems like only yesterday they were regular show openers, and now they're shunted back to perform over the end credits! mind you, with this long-forgotten dirge i'm not surprised - even master funk drummer steve ferrone can't liven it up. and whiny le bon's jagger-style falsetto doesn't do him any favours either
Yay, The Jets, all eight million of them, one hit wonder time again but what a polished piece of perfect pop. Sweetly innocent lyrics, infernally catchy beat, and the "Aah-aah-aah!" middle eight is inspired, because it's so good you want to play the record again to hear that bit. A gem.
ReplyDeleteSimply Red go Scottish with their "Oh, aye!" song (or should that be "Och, aye"?), some blue-eyed soul (or should that be ginger-haired soul?), a song that starts like it means business and goes precisely nowhere thereafter. But they have worse things in their catalogue.
Didn't think I remembered this Cult tune till Ian started going "Baybeh, baybeh!" and it all came flooding back (well, a bit). Very much by the numbers from the boys, I'm guessing those who saw them live were buying this single.
Level 42 back again, didn't really need to hear it once more, then the Breakers. Richard Coles' piano on this is lovely, though it does sound like he's about to play the theme tune from All Creatures Great and Small. Nevertheless, proof there was more to them than cover versions, a joyous ode.
Mental as Anything with this week's movie tune, an absolute charmer which summed up the tone of the film it was from perfectly. They're an endearingly ungainly bunch, and this is a very endearing song even if you're not sure how seriously they were taking themselves.
Well, Duran Duran at number one again - oh, no, sorry boys, you just had to pretend in this playout slot because a 20 year old record was stomping all over everyone else's chances. Anyway, the verses aren't up to much, but the chorus is fair.
I always thought Simply Red were chanting "Oh I", rather than "Oh Aye", but looking at the lyrics on Google to see if you are correct, it doesn't seem to include this part, but I would hazard a guess that it is "I", not "Aye", as there is no Scottish link with Simply Red methinks.
DeleteI think there is definitely a lot of substance in your note about Duran Duran in a 'pretend' No.1 on playout, as I guess it was not looking good for the popcharts that two of the first three No.1's of the year were 1950s & 60s releases, and I think TOTP were trying to save face and be as modern as possible, so they would likely have wanted a different sort of finish to the show than Ben E King, so soon after Jackie Wilson's Reet Petite was too long at No.1 in January.
Er, I was joking about Simply Red's Scottish connection! I hear people say "Oh, aye" every day!
DeleteYou're right about the oldies showing up the "newies" on TOTP, though, seems the current acts couldn't make much headway.
2 decent songs on this show for me, the rest I fast forwarded through...
ReplyDeleteThe Jets - Hated this then, and I still do, the horrid whiny singing putting me off entirely.
Simply Red - This one's actually not too bad, but the video gives us the first real sighting of the ginger one's slappable persona sadly.
The Cult - No thanks.
The Communards track is a slight remix (so slight that I can barely tell them apart) of their first hit from 85, strange that didn't get much higher up the chart than it did the first time.
Mental As Anything - I absolutely adored this song at the time, it was all over the radio. I still enjoy it, and I think the lead singer looks like Adam Hills from some angles (more so in the very cheap video though)
At this point I'd like to thank the TOTP producers for sparing us the godawful dirge at No.2.
Duran Duran - Well, look....I know that this seems to be not very popular but it's one of my favourite Duran singles, so there. Strange how they went for a non-video playout though.
Tonga Star kick us off with a very energetic performance that really helps sell the song for me. Not sure the one in orange can sing.
ReplyDeleteAs I said previously this is one of my favourite Simply Red songs. Surprised they haven't made it to the studio. Simple performance video but works well. I wonder if anyone here can name another member of Simply Red other than the ginger ninja (without googling it)
The Cult up next. No recollection of this at all. Sounds a bit Bon Jovi. Not sure that's a compliment. Average I suppose, certainly no better than.
Hope the poodle didnt suffer too much whilst being skinned for that hat. Oh the song goes all Iron Maiden at the end.. Wow.
Bit of a cult 😂😂😂😂
Level 42 back again. TUNE... 😀 😀
Breakers :
Communards. Law of diminishing returns unfortunately. Worst of the three singles so far.
Aha. Another clever video for a song that completely passed me by at the time. It is a fabulous song though as I discovered much later. A great band.
Mental As Anything. I adore this pop song. Big in Australia and a one hit wonder over here. Oh well. A bit of an ABC look going on there.
Stand By Me winning the battle of the jeans. Sorry Percy, still no room for you at the TOTP Inn.
Three Fifths of Duran Duran get to play us out and another studio performance. We've been spoilt tonight. Good song too.
A cracking show tonight.
I would say that the Mental As Anything single was one of the best one-hit-wonders of our time, as anything they could have released after, would never have lived up to the heights and quality of this one, so feelgood it was at the time, and even now.
Deleteit took me quite some time, but i now seem to remember that the simply red keyboard player was called fritz and the trumpet player was called tim. am i right?
DeleteSmithy and Wrighty double act and it all seems quite matey, but some jibes may not have quite hit the mark. Mixed bag on show here tonight with a couple of nice performances that BBC4 viewers are missing out on.
ReplyDeleteThe Jets – Crush on you – Off to a bad start. I cannot abide this. FF
Simply Red – The Right Thing – Not the best thing I have ever heard but not the worst either. Like Morgie, I have challenged people to name any other member of Simply Red without success.
The Cult – Love Removal Machine – What’s that? A godawful racket. FF
Level 42 – Running in the Family – Second outing in the studio for the very happy looking band, and so they should be in releasing a string of memorable singles.
Breakers – Communards – another godawful racket. A-Ha – Soothing verses and then a stroppy chorus all in waltz time. Join the dots video looks impressive too. Great record.
Mental as Anything – Live it up – Yes the film did give it an almighty nudge but it’s a pretty fine tune to boot, so thoroughly enjoyed its wider exposure outside Australia where it had been huge the previous year. Don’t hear it much these days though, so it was great to see this performance. Crocodile Dundee was one of those films that spread by word of mouth and soon practically everyone I knew had seen it. The sequel wasn’t so good and of course Linda looked lovely throughout. I definitely had a ‘crush on her’ if you pardon the pun.
Ben E King- Stand by me – I still marvel at the genius of those responsible for the orchestration on the records of this era. I wonder what the orchestral players thought of the records that they were playing for? They should be proud.
Duran Duran – Skin Trade – Wow! A playout of a studio performance and it’s a real treat to hear this obscure Duran Duran single played right through on the show. I’m right with you Noax and Morgie on this. Indeed I like all of the ‘Notorious’ album.
….and for some reason we’re not getting to see the Christians whilst Percy Sledge is getting the ‘Innocent Man’ treatment thank goodness!
Level 42 perhaps looked happier than they really were here. By the end of 1987 both Gould brothers had left the band due to exhaustion, and in Phil Gould's case his relationship with Mark King had also broken down.
DeleteI did really like the next Level 42 album - 'Staring at the Sun'. Featured songs co-written with 'R Gould'. 'Take a look' was my personal highlight.
Deletephil gould still wrote for the band, even though he had left for the above reasons. although i never considered either brother critical members, their absence certainly seemed to make a difference as the single "heaven in my hands" and the ambitious fusion effort "man" apart that album was rubbish compared to all their previous ones!
Deleteanother reason for phil gould's departure was that they had strayed so far from their original instrumental jazz-funk fusion to become a commercial pop outfit, that he felt it was no more enjoyable and challenging for him than when he played in covers bands in holiday camps before they formed!
Deleteregarding orchstral arrangements on older soul records: i was informed that on the philadelphia international recordings of the 70's that the orchestral players were basically retired members of the local symphony orchestra. and that once they got over the culture shock of playing on soul/disco recordings rather than beethoven symphonies, they got quite into it!
Deleteunlike in rock, orchestras (particularly string ones) were fairly commonplace on soul (and later disco) records for most of the 60's and 70's. but by the beginning of the next decade the dreaded synth had (sadly) become commercially cheap enough to replace them most of the time!
Thanks for the upload, Anonymous. Have you got any of the following shows? 4/05/78(Night Fever promo removed),25/05/78(Eurovision winner removed),25/01/79,10/12/81,25/12/81 and 25/02/82(all UK Gold repeats). Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHere are 5 eps cant locate 25.5.78.
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-wGotUWYpPF
Brilliant stuff, Anonymous! Thanks again!
DeleteWow...thanks Anonymous for all of the amazing uploads that you have given us over the past few months. They have been an invaluable help to us collectors. Would you have any of these shows from 1981 that were not shown on BBC4. They are 19/2, 2/7, 9/7, 6/8, 20/8, 10/9, 8/10 and 22/10. I think most of them were on UK Gold. Lastly would you have a copy of 15/8/74 without the timecode? Thanks!
DeleteYep here you go all 9 eps
Deletehttps://we.tl/t-XMlEylnx9N
Fantastic! Thank you so much Anonymous.
DeleteA big thanks to Angelo as well for this fab blog!
Great stuff again, Anonymous! Do you have the complete edition of 31/01/74? I think it is only available in shortened form, which I've got. Also does 10/02/77 exist? I've heard rumours that it still is out there. Have you also got the following early 70's shows without the timecode? They are 18/11/71,2/12/71,22/06/72,22/11/73 and 7/11/74. Many thanks.
DeleteCan only find three eps
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-zxsnQgLz5Q
Thanks again for these, Anonymous.
DeleteGreat uploads! I don't suppose any one has copies of 2/1/75..9/8/79...and 8/8/74? All 3 of them i have but were recorded from UK Gold and very poor copies unfortunately. Be lovely to see them uncut. Actually 9/8/79 was never on UK Gold and the version I have is missing the intro and the ending. Really appreciated if theres uncut versions out there!
ReplyDeleteHere they are
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-jN8rLubi2a
Wow! Many many thanks anon! I think I speak on behalf of everyone on here on how thankful we all are on your uploads and goodwill in sharing these shows with us all.
Delete9/8/79 I'm particularly grateful for as I wanted an uncut version for ages! It features the lovely Judie Tzuke and her haunting song 'Stay With Me Till Dawn'.
Lovely to see the whole edition uncut!
Thankyou again and much appreciated!
Thanks again to The Archivist.
ReplyDeleteOh no, not those two again. Still, at least they weren’t as unbearable as usual and dished out mini-nuggets of humour.
No Boy George dancing in the audience to these Jets. Like their video, great co-ordination for a weak tea song.
I wonder how many takes and for how long those poor extras had to whoop it up for Simply Bland? That Mick Hucknall with a waistcoat which would’ve gone with Madness’s recent suits.
In the mugshots – Anthrax! Oo! Do we get to see them? Let me guess...
Level 42 looking smart and as polished as the song. I loved that yellow drumkit.
I much prefer this joyful Communards effort to their huge chart topper, except for the screechy and very basic chorus.
A-Ha with a song not as simple as joining the dots – waltzy verses and shouty rock choruses.
Mental As Anything aptly living it up and enjoying the moment, though I wish singer Greedy had stepped on that tiny round front podium for a while. I liked this more than I expected to.
Our hosts manage to forget Duran Duran are finishing the show. Nice touch, lads! A real vanity project to end with, playing out as if number one. No chance in real life with that row.
I forgot to mention we also had The Cult with “Tune Removal Machine”.
ReplyDeleteThese Jets were originally called Quasar, after some American electronics company. While the British version of The Jets managed two UK mugshot hits to the Tongans’ one, the latter had the bigger UK hit and managed 5 Stateside top tenners.
"tune removal machine" - that was a laugh out loud moment for me arthur!
Delete