Herb hits the high wire notes
16/04/87 (Janice Long & Peter Powell)
Fine Young Cannibals – “Ever Fallen In Love” (9)
Getting tonight's show underway but the song went no higher in the charts.
David Bowie – “Day In Day Out” (17) (video)
This lesser known Bowie hit was the first single from his top ten album Never Let Me Down, and number 17 was its peak.
Living In A Box – “Living In A Box” (10)
Went up five more places.
Herb Alpert – “Keep Your Eye On Me” (19) (video)
A somewhat peculiar tune and video to match, and number 19 was its peak.
Kim Wilde & Junior – “Another Step (Closer To You)” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 6.
Five Star – “The Slightest Touch” (14) (breaker)
Became their sixth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.
Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (13) (video)
At its peak.
Rikki – “Only The Light” (not in chart)
It's Eurovision time again! And here is the UK's 1987 entry. It finished in 13th place, and made it to number 96 in the charts!
Ferry Aid – “Let It Be” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.
Madonna – “La Isla Bonita” (2) (video/credits)
Will be number one next week.
April 23rd is next.
Not a show that will live long in the memory.
ReplyDeleteEx-lovebirds Janice and PP present the show together for the first time since they split up nearly two years previously. Both are very professional (except when PP makes his "Fire and Steel" balls-up) and there is no overt tension between them, but neither is there much in the way of interaction.
ReplyDeleteFYC first up, and Steele has ditched the keyboard this time so he can get in on the wobbly-legged action; Roland, meanwhile, appears to walk like an Egyptian during the instrumental break. Bowie's new album was regarded as a big let-down by critics at the time, and arguably heralded the start of his wilderness years, with Tin Machine now just around the corner. On the basis of this song you can understand the album's poor reception, as it sounds largely tune and inspiration-free. Bowie's roller-skating mullet look in the video is also far from his finest...
I remember being fascinated by Living in a Box's eponymous hit at the time, as it was the first occasion I had encountered a song with the same name as the artist, and the chorus does have a clunky but catchy quality that has left it embedded in my brain ever since 1987, even when I haven't actually heard it played for a long while. The band look like your archetypal 80s group here, and the production is very much of the time; I was slightly surprised that Janice seemed so enthusiastic about it, as I wouldn't have had it down as her kind of thing. It's also a surprise to see Herb Alpert having a hit as late as this, and what a shame it is so boringly repetitive and minimalist. The high-wire video is fun to start with, but the novelty soon wears off as the track drags on and on.
Amusing in the chart countdown to see Hoddle and Waddle billed as "Glenn and Chris" - presumably they hoped to sound more credible that way? More of the breakers next time, but thanks to the song for Europe we don't get a very long snatch of the Bon Jovi record either, which is a bit of a shame as for me this is possibly their best effort, with some evocative production creating a nice country rock vibe. Shame the video is a dull, unimaginative "band on tour" affair.
After ignoring the previous year's Eurovision entry, Michael Hurll obviously decided to relent this time, not that it helped this highly generic bit of light, fluffy synth pop set either the charts or the contest alight - I think this was one of our worst-performing entries up to that time. The annoyingly-spelt Rikki (named after the cobra-killing mongoose in The Jungle Book, by any chance?) looks as bland as his song, and it's no great surprise that he rapidly faded back into obscurity. Ferry Aid has one final week at the top, and Hurll decides to mark the occasion by resurrecting the audience dancealong, albeit only to the extent of getting them to sway their arms Cliff-style. Janice once again encourages donations to TOTP, and once again fails to tell us where exactly they should be sent...
Top of the Pops
DeleteBBC Television Centre
London
W12 8QT
…just a guess.
I suspect you're right!
Deletei'll get my chequebook out...
DeleteFine Young Cannibals to start, a return visit, but I was more captivated by noticing the microphones suspended a few feet above the stage, presumably to capture the sound of cheering.
ReplyDeleteDavid Bowie with a horrible video for an aggressively mediocre song. The tinny production swamps it, but there's not even much of a tune. Another video with angels in it. Even his most ardent fans have trouble defending this one.
Living in a Box with their eponymous ditty, sounds pretty good after Bowie's misfire, Janice certainly enjoyed it. Halfway between rock and dance (rance?), but it's a strong enough melody with unusual lyrics to succeed on those hybrid terms. They do look like a bunch of yuppies on a night out, however.
Really liked this Herb Alpert instrumental at the time, it was no Rise but it was quirky and burrowed its way into the brain with its repeated parping refrain. Nice to hear him at least try to move with the times. Video looks naff, but has a sense of humour though it was probably more fun to make than watch.
Breakers will be on again - but does By Jovi count as a Breaker? Don't think a steel horse would move very quickly, would it? If at all. Fairly lumpen rawk bollocks, all told. Yet another black and white video, too.
I'd like to apologise on behalf of Scotland for Rikki. The awkward pause from the hosts after this ended said it all. Sounds like 1981 all over again, and not in a good way. Recognised the chorus, a little. His vocals sound like Cliff Richard. O for the days of coming 13th!
Ferry Aid with more "spot the star" business. That Gary Moore guitar solo really is egregious.
Then Madge to end on, despite being number one next week and having to show the video for the third time. "Young girls with eyes like potatoes".
By Jovi? I like it. What about Five Young Cannibals?
DeleteI'll raise you with Living in A Bin.
DeleteApparently Rikki's song was about a UFO encounter. Not exactly No Doubt About It by Hot Chocolate, though.
ReplyDeleteI remember DLT (am i allowed to mention him) playing No Doubt About It on the radio and saying ‘I hadnt realised that that was about UFOs’...
DeleteI watched this ‘live’ at daft a.m. with the old girl. She’s seven years younger than me and hates being called that. :-D
ReplyDeleteVery polite, clipped hosts here. Good to see they weren’t at each other’s throats.
“Sod the keyboard, I want to wobble my legs again” said the Young Cannibal. Now’s that what I call a drumkit!
David Bowie with arguably the worst ever opening line for a song – “She was born in a handbag”! A horrible grainy effect video matching the repulsiveness of the song. Next!
This is more like it, The first UK act to have the same name for their band, a hit album and a hit single. Living In A Box suited and booted and giving it some – you could say boxing clever. Ahem.
What was that Herb Alpert row? How did it chart so highly? Shame the tightrope effects were so naff.
Kim Wilde and Junior, an unlikely alliance which worked for a short while. My wife commented on Kim’s thin voice.
The sixth single off Five Star’s album? Really? Again, how did it manage to chart so high? I’m really bored with ‘er upfront on lead vocals every sodding time.
My wife heard “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and, in her wonderful deadpan way, said “Dead will do”.
Rikki had complete support, Pete? Shame he didn’t have a completely different song. This was our worst ever Eurovision placing at the time, beating the previous low of 11th by Co-Co. What was this called again? If you think this is bad, check out the picture sleeve where Mr. Peebles’ face (complete with blank expression) looks like he’s been overcooked by a sunbed. This was so average it didn’t even get a major label issue – it was released on a subsidiary of a Scottish label whose only UK chart hit was “Ally’s Tartan Army” by Andy Cameron. “Good luck in Brussels” - where have we heard that desperate call recently?
Toppatron and audience participation for Ferry Aid! Janice is at it again with the donations.
Madonna’s video touching again on her Catholic faith. Debating her religion versus saucepot persona, the old girl summed it up with “She was taking the pi$$”. She’d be good on “Question Time”.
How about 'Visage' by Visage from the album 'Visage'?
DeleteGood knock! I'd forgotten about that.
Deletebowie: how ironic it was that he released an album around this time called "never let me down", when in fact that was the very point where he did let most if not all his followers down (me included). i have no memory of this at all, but not surprising given that the only thing that was making his records sound any different from the norm by then was his voice
ReplyDeleteliving in a box: they officially join the likes of hi tension and others that have appeared on the show with an eponymous hit. i could recall the chorus "i'm a living in a box, i'm a living in a cardboard box", but nothing else about it. like the above bowie effort, it's muscular dance-pop that has very little else to remember about it. btw the singer even resembles the dame with his blow-dried blond quiff ha ha
herb alpert: the best part of a decade on from last unexpectedly re-surfacing with the excellent disco-influenced "rise", the easy listening relic (if only i had a pound for all the tijuana brass albums i saw in charity shops a few years ago) is back again - now trying to get down wiv da kidz on the current dance scene (was fellow grandaddy tom jones taking notes?). it's quite obvious that the godfathers of said scene jam & lewis had been hired for the job, although by this time the badly-dated "splat" snare sound was taking precedence. but just to make sure it had some idenitity of its own other than his parping, herb also apparently ropes in his old tijuana brass chum julius wechter to do his marimba thing on it. by the way: as the "A" in the massively-successful A&M records, i wonder how aware herb was of the notorious and short-lived signing of the sex pistols? apparently when the label folded in more recent times, rather than carriage clocks the redundant employees of their london offices got given copies of the never-released "god save the queen" single that had been squirrelled away in their safe!
bon jovi: can't remember anything they ever did after their first two hits. and i certainly have no interest in being reminded
rikki: actually not that far removed from the likes of bowie and living in a box. perhaps if it hadn't had what was surely by then the tainted eurovision connection, it might have done a bit better? couldn't find the footage from this show on yt, but what i presume is the actual eurovision appearance has to be watched - simply for the dreadful sort-of synchronised moves by the backing singers!
Wilby, you might find the Rikki video you want from this selection (I'm at work and my PC doesn't have sound, hence my being vague)...
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Rikki+Only+The+light
Interesting to see one post which said he was mistaken for a football fan due to the tartan on his costume and, with the Heysel disaster recent in Belgians' minds as well as other countries, he scored fewer points than expected as a result.
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ReplyDeleteNot the best of shows at all but had some bright moments.
ReplyDeleteFine Young Cannibals- Ever fallen in love – Roland’s natty dance moves enhance this excellent cover.
David Bowie – Day in day out – Certainly is lesser known! Not particularly memorable either.
Living in a Box – Living in a Box – I didn’t share Janice’s enthusiasm for this.
Herb Alpert – keep you eve on me – Um, where’s the tune Herb? Spanish Flea this ain’t.
Breakers – Kim Wilde and Junior – Ok I guess. Five Star – Another reason to FF.
Bon Jovi – Wanted dead or alive – Nope, didn’t do much for me.
Rikki – Only the Night – Well the hosts seem non plussed by this as I was. The lady in in the white outfit was the only reason I held off FF.
Ferry Aid – Let it be – Like a good wine, this gets better with every listen.
Madonna – La Isla Bonita – Heading for no1 unlike Judy Boucher who (sadly) didn’t get there.
Janice and PP up tonight (were they still a thing or had he moved onto Andrea Turner)
ReplyDeleteFYC - Seen them already but always happy to hear this again with added glitter. Interesting to see there is now a Ferry Aid hoodie as modelled by one audience member - not sure that's in the best taste.
David Bowie - Day In Day Out. This is completely new to me. Not sure how I've missed this over the years. Not one of his best. Odd little video, some of the film quality is quite poor on this. Not a success.
Living In A Box - Confession, I love this song. Proper 80s Pop Muzak. Made an effort dressing up as well. I think Richard Madeley was watching and taking notes. Why are they named after their own song?
Herb Alpert gets a longer showing of his kooky little video. The effects are quite well done for the 80s. Song is still rubbish.
Spear of Destiny? That's a new one on me.
Breakers:
Kim Wilde and Junior. Never a fan of this and where did Junior come from? Nice to see Kim though.
Five Star - One of my favourites of theirs. This is a really good pop song. Got my 12 year old dancing,
Bon Jovi - Needs a bit more Ooomph this one. Its Ok. Amazed they haven't flown in. Can see the USofA lapping this up.
Eurovision Time: Rikki - What can I say. Just hold on a year and we will get Celine Dion. I think he can see the light. It's his career dying in the corner of his eye..
Ferry Aid still at the top keeping off Madonna.
Nice touch getting the audience to join in.
Madonna on the way to the top.
Good show.
spear of destiny was born from the ashes of theatre of hate, who once appeared on the show in the early 80's with their minor hit "do you believe in the westworld". main man kirk brandon is probably better-remembered now as the guy who sued boy george for libel when the latter's autobiography "take it like a man" outed him as george's bf back then. even though the case was conclusively proven against him and he consequently ended up struggling to pay the resulting court costs, apparently he is still in denial of it to at least to some degree...
DeleteTheatre of Hate's minor hit was the first song John Peel introduced after his prolonged absence from the show.
DeleteDavid Bowie - Oh dear. I think it's a fair to say that when he died and radio stations remembered that he had more than 2 hits for the first time in ages and went rushing to his back catalogue, this quite rightly wasn't one of the singles given an airing.
ReplyDeleteLiving In A Box - One of several good singles they released though this is pretty much the only one you hear these days.
Herb Alpert - Nothing to get excited about here.
Bon Jovi - Like nearly everything they've done, tedious rubbish.
Rikki - I'm going to defend this because actually, it doesn't sound that bad in context, even it does seem more early 80s than late 80s in style. Also, it's miles better than Vicki's effort from the year before which is so dull that it didn't get a full play on the show. And it's also better than most of the dross we send to the contest these days!
Madonna - "Last night I dreamt of some Dago" as the twisted lyric goes, if I haven't mentioned that already. There have been so many shows to catch up with that I can't remember...
Talking of Dame Dave, On Danny Baker's 5Live show last Saturday he pointed out that in the intro to Starman, he sings "Ah-la-la!" then follows it up with a Larry Grayson impersonation of "Shut that door!" Listen to it again - he really does!
ReplyDeleteyes, that would make sense as grayson's breakthrough as probably the nation's first-ever screamingly-camp mainstream tv star happened around that time. i thought his schtick was mildly amusing when i saw do his own shows on the telly, but when he took over presenting "the generation game" it quickly became clear even to me as a teenager that he was hopelessly out of his depth with nothing but his catchphrases and pulling faces to rely on, in fact, following in the footsteps of the master bruce forsyth really was a case of "after the lord mayor's show"! despite that (and having to be bailed out countless times by his quirky female "assistant" isla st clair), unlike brucie he even managed to get his own name put in front of the show!
Deletethat reminds me of when i attempted to watch another sleb outside of his "natural" environment back then, where instead of 20 seconds of going "now then, now then" and suchlike when introducing sundry acts on TOTP, the guy in question used to make me cringe when he tried to "entertain" for the first few minutes of his own show, desperately resorting to the gimmick of pulling various things out of a many-drawed chair!
I had a look at the BBC Genome site for old Radio Times listings, and during Brucie's original run on the show it was always billed, by RT at any rate, as "Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game". When it was revived in the early 90s Brucie definitely got his name in the title on screen!
DeleteI just watched the whole video of Herb Alpert on YouTube, and interestingly it is around five-and-a-half minutes long. By the end if it, it makes you become more scared of heights, despite a bevvy of lovelies walking the tightrope on that New York skyline. Here is the video in its full glory:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orwzPxwtL0A
Was it only five-and-a-half minutes long? It seemed more like ten to me!
Delete