Grab your coat, you've pulled!
30/03/89 (Bruno Brookes & Gary Davies)
Pat & Mick – “I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet” (16)
Getting tonight's live show underway with this Gonzalez cover which became the duo's only top ten hit when it peaked at number 9
Bangles – “Eternal Flame” (13) (video)
Will be number one in two weeks time.
Roachford – “Family Man” (25)
Performing live in the studio but the song got not higher.
Brother Beyond – “Can You Keep A Secret?” (34) (breaker)
Peaked at number 22.
Paul Simpson featuring Adeva – “Musical Freedom (Moving On Up)” (30) (breaker)
Also peaked at number 22.
Transvision Vamp – “Baby I Don’t Care” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 3.
The The – “The Beat(en) Generation” (26)
Making their studio debut and the song peaked at number 18.
Guns N’ Roses – “Paradise City” (6) (video)
Their first of three top ten hits in 1989 and it was now at its peak.
Fuzzbox – “International Rescue” (11)
A second studio performance but the song was now at its peak.
The Cult – “Fire Woman” (22)
Also in the studio tonight and the song peaked at number 15.
Madonna – “Like A Prayer” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.
Kon Kan – “I Beg Your Pardon” (10) (video/credits)
The duo's only hit and it peaked at number 5.
April 6th is next.
This was the first live TOTP since the All About Eve debacle, but thankfully nothing goes wrong here other than Bruno and Gazza talking over each other in one link. Both men are rather boringly professional otherwise.
ReplyDeletePat and Mick first up, deciding we hadn't suffered enough with their previous lightweight disco cover and inflicting another one on us. It doesn't help that this song wasn't much cop in its original incarnation, but they at least try to give it some visual welly with their troupe of dancers and backing singers - nice segue from the title into a dig about Pat and Mick's own dancing from Gazza at the end. Thankfully we get a classic next, albeit in a sadly truncated video snippet. Eternal Flame has been massively overplayed down the years, but it is one of those songs that is somehow strong enough to withstand excessive exposure, an understated ballad that also manages to feel epic. A suitably sultry, firelit promo to go with it too.
Not quite sure how Andrew Roachford got away with both the "Bitch" t-shirt and the use of said word in his song, but evidently Paul Ciani was happy to indulge him. Another energetic performance which sees Andrew break out the keytar, but the song lacks the memorable hook of Cuddly Toy - like that record this was actually another re-release, originally issued as the band's first single the previous year. The breakers will be on again, so we move on to The The, finally making it to the TOTP studio almost a decade after releasing their debut single. It's a surprisingly poppy, jaunty affair, but neither song nor performance linger long in the memory. At least the title uses brackets inventively - thinking of the band name, it's rather a shame that no group called The Definite Article have ever been successful...
Fuzzbox give us another lively studio turn, with the singer wearing perhaps the shortest skirt in TOTP history, before The Cult turn up with a functional rocker that never threatens to lift them out of their musical comfort zone. I was a bit surprised to see that they were still charting this late, though this would be their penultimate visit to the Top 20. Ian's hair looks very long and glossy here - had he been using Timotei? We close the show with Kon Kan, and an inventive dance record that I remember being played a lot in 1989. The sample from Rose Garden is what really makes it memorable, though at the time I didn't realise it was a sample, as I only heard Rose Garden itself for the first time some years later. The flares and platform boots on show in the video are perhaps an early indicator of the 70s revival that would take off in the next decade.
Spot on about the Rose Garden sampling on Kon Kan, don't you just love it? I remember singing this all the time when Kon Kan were rising upon the charts with this. "Smile for the while and let's be jolly, like shouldn't be so melancholy, come along and share the good times while we can....."
DeleteWe only got the start of this before the payout cut out, but I'm pleased to say that on the following show, TOTP continue the video where the playout left off, so we get to see more of the Rose Garden bit. I think this was a bigger hit in America than it was here in Britain.
Oh for a live show calamity to strike Pat and Mick a la All About Eve, but no such luck, not even one of them tripping over in their enthusiasm to hully gully across the stage. You can get away with any old shite if it's for charity, as we will see as long as these repeats continue.
ReplyDeleteAh, that's better, The Bangles with a well-deserved megahit, sadly I don't think they made it to the studio for this one, which might have had us hear more of it than a 90 second clip of the video.
I liked this Roachford follow up to his big success just as much, excellent, menacing keyboard riff propelling it through some strong vocals, though it seems I didn't take notice of the misogynistic lyrics at the time (or Andrew's T-shirt). He is still going, but maybe should have enjoyed more hits.
Unlike Brother Beyond, who were already past their sell by date about four hits in. Not sure why they quote the brass sting from the US cop show Dragnet's theme tune throughout - we'd already had that with The Art of Noise. Also not sure why the cross motif on the boys' clobber.
The The, the most difficult band to Google ever, not that Matt Johnson would have thought of that in the 80s. A deceptively laidback, almost country tune reveals its true colours if you listen to the words, he really is one of the great lyricists and this blistering song sounds timely even now. The more things change...
GNR with Axl as a rawk Man from Del Monte in front of his adoring masses. But we have seen this before.
Fuzzbox back again and having a whale of a time, which is infectious. Another band that deserved to be huge, but it just wasn't on the cards. They did OK, though.
Must be the easiest job in the world, songwriting for The Cult, just look at the previous single and change some of the words. "Long hair is back" quoth Bruno, but it never went away for these blokes - find a look that works and stick with it. Are those... snakeskin breeks?! Oh dear.
Then the snippet of Madge that appears to be all they're allowed to show, and to end on the Canadian one hit wonders with a catchy, if morose slice of electropop that samples two other OHWs, Lynn Anderson and Arthur Conley. Maybe not the best idea if you want to sustain your career.
Oops, I've reviewed the next episode's Brother Beyond appearance here! I don't suppose it matters...
DeleteFuzzbox being introduced as mad on Thunderbirds, also clearly seemed to like The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, as in the second half of the song, Vix does the "heellpp" chant, like wanting to be saved from the Hooded Claw, and waiting to be saved by The Anthill Mob. Also, at the end, Bruno Brookes says something about doing someone proud, but I can't make out who does anyone know who he is referring to?
DeleteI think Bruno said something about Fuzzbox doing Birmingham proud, because the band were Brummies.
DeleteNice shout out to Penelope Pitstop!
"I'll protect you from the hooded claw..." - nice nod to Frankie's classic!
DeleteMixed bag tonight. Gary is good value as always.
ReplyDeletePat and Mick – I haven’t stopped dancing yet – Lively start with some gorgeous dancers accompanying Pat and Mick who are treated to some unusual aerial shots. Written by Gloria Jones btw.
Bangles Eternal Flame – Great to see this being appreciated after its slow climb up the charts. Written about the eternal flame at Elvis’s last resting place in Memphis. I always thought it was a tribute to the sacred flame as worshipped by the sisterhood of Karn, but obviously not!
Roachford – Family Man – Nope…bring me Mike Oldfield’s song.
Breakers – Transvision Vamp caught my eye – can’t think why! Guess we’ll be seeing more of this. The other two were pretty ordinary.
The The – The beat(en) generation – Not too impressed with this. The band name is more intriguing than the song.
Guns n’ Roses – Paradise City- Watched this through to see what all the fuss is about and I’m still none the wiser. Quite sad to see Concorde – 17 years now since it stopped flying and in terms of supersonic passenger flight, it feels like we have regressed. Mind you we don’t send men to the moon now either.
Fuzzbox – International Rescue – As per my comment for the show they last appeared on, I really don’t know what to say about this! As John mentions above, the lead singer is daringly dressed in a very short skirt. The kind of performance you can’t really take your eyes off regardless of the musical merit of the song!
The Cult – Fire Woman – Gosh this is awful!
Madonna – Like a Prayer – OK we’re not going to see the start of the song are we? They must have been frightened of causing some kind of religious offence and taken a decision to not to show it, and more’s the pity as you don’t really get to appreciate what a good song this is. A bit like showing ‘Feed the World’ without the verses. Shame.
Kon Kan – I beg your pardon – I never promised you a rose garden. That was my first thought and blow me down having never heard this before it really is the Joe South song which gave a hit to popular New Faces Trio New World.
i remember when the the started releasing records in the early 80's my chums and i having a laugh wondering whether it should be pronounced "the the", "Thee The", "The Thee" or "Thee Thee"
Deletetalking of "new faces": i have just watched an episode of "the benny hill show" where he spoofs it!
It's interesting that Pat & Mick as DJs on rival radio station Capital Radio, would be invited to the TOTP studio, as at the time Capital Radio had more listeners in the London area than BBC Radio 1.
DeleteIt certainly is not as good as the original by Gonzalez in 1979 with the amazing whistle utilised on the record, that Pat & Mick did not use for their version. Like you Sct353, I did like the sexy female backing dancers on Pat & Mick, in what turned out to be a very crowded stage with too many things going on.
"Sisterhood of Karn" ...Like it!
DeleteDidn't realise it was about Elvis..you live and learn
Very much a Les Dawson-style Cosmo Smallpiece edition for which I’ll apologise.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, Pat and Mick again, the return of The Mullet and Joe Pesci. Near the start, Pat turns to Mick and sings “You’re all I ever wanted in a girl”. Ahem. This was worse than the original, and that was bobbins.
Oo, Susannah and the other three. A dark(lit) video for a mellow and finally worthy hit.
Great, Roachford’s red and black kit singer’s back. Best part of this. What beautiful sentiment in the lyrics.
“Can You Keep A Secret”? No, but I can keep my finger on the FF button.
Adeva’s outfit made me hungry for trifle. Hopefully the next act will calm me down a bit.
Wahay! Apparently there was a tune going on behind Wendy James and her minimalist wardrobe.
My my, Johnny Marr on guitar with The The. Fab-oh, ay, Trevor? “Lovecats” with vitriolic lyrics if you ask me.
Guns ‘n’ Roses with a vid to match the tune. Grab your sleeveless denim top.
Good grief! Fuzzbox’s brilliantly daft fun skit, and Vix with the grinninest performance for ages while donning a belt, I think.
More long hair, but it’s The Cult with an identikit meat and potatoes version of one of their old tunes. Pick any of them. Fire woman? More like a damp squib.
Madge with that same run-off groove again, followed by Canadian New Order meets country. Now that’s a mixture and a half!
Much rockier than last few episodes.
ReplyDeletePat and mick - so so cover. Prefer the original...
Bangles - mini rendition of a decent ballad
Roachford - FF
Breakers - dull, duller, lusty (I’m still in love)
The the - pleasant, if not a bit repetitive (false ending fools audience). Best remembered as a clue in Only Connect - Jam, Cure, Clash, The ( * answer below)
GnR - still love them. Didn't play much more than their clip on the Breakers last week.
The Cult - bought the single at the time. Good little rocker.
Even less of Madonna...
Kon Kan - I liked this at the time, and still do. Starts like a boppy New Order, faded just before the nice sampling of Rose Garden.
* (all bands starting ‘The’)
Pat & Mick - An OK cover of a song that wasn't exactly a disco classic to begin with.
ReplyDeleteThe Bangles - Much as this song seems to be popular, I was never really that fond of it I'm afraid.
Roachford - Good live performance of a song that I think is actually better than 'Cuddly Toy'.
The The - At the time I don't think I'd heard any of their previous singles, probably because they'd never appeared on the show. This one is fantastic, with guest artist Johnny Marr, though he didn't seem to be on stage did he?
The Cult - Nothing exciting going on here. The snakeskin trews are particularly offensive.
Kon Kan - A very odd song when you think about it, and without the sample it surely would've sunk. It stuck out on the radio at the time which I think helped it become a huge hit. Follow-up 'Harry Houdini' doesn't have a similar hook and quite rightly sunk without trace.
Johnny Marr was on stage, at the dry ice end to our left of singer Matt.
DeleteChannel 4 showed the film version of The The's Infected album late one Friday night and I taped it. Watched it a few times too - this was before their appearance on TOTP - so I was a bit of a fan already. Anyone remember that?
DeleteNo, but “Uncertain Smile” is a classic.
DeleteYes, that is a great track - piano solo by Jools Holland, I think?
Deletewe bring March to a close with Mr Charts and Oooh Gary. A very professional pairing who handle the live show well.
ReplyDeletePat & Mick kicks us off with some serious Dad dancing to “I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet”.
Seriously odd combinations of Pat Sharp trying to look hip and trendy and Mick in his suit. Did these guys actually sing on this...I would put money on NOT. TOTP was not going to mention the charity or Capital FM were they?
Our first look at the Bangles “Eternal Flame” video. A very lovely song and even Atomic Kitten couldn't ruin it (although they tried). Personally still prefer "Manic Monday" but this is the one everyone remembers along with "Walk Like An Egyptian". Nice sultry video as well.
"Cuddly Toy" was the only Roachford song I remember from 89. I knew he had a second hit but until now I couldn't recall or name it. I don't know why I missed “Family Man” as this is rather good. Love being surprised by songs I'd forgotten and this was excellent as was the live performace. How did this get no higher. And why did he disappear so quickly. Shame.
Breakers:
Brother Beyond – An apology - I said "Be My Twin" was the worst of their songs. I was wrong. “Can You Keep A Secret?” is much much worse...
Paul Simpson featuring Adeva – Mandella rousing “Musical Freedom (Moving On Up)” very of it's time.
Transvision Vamp – Hopefully we will see even more of Wendy James and “Baby I Don’t Care”
The The with “The Beat(en) Generation” up next. a very "sulky" performance of an average number. Loved the singer turning his back at the end. really couldn't care for the song though.
We then get the same Guns N’ Roses “Paradise City” video clip we've seen before
Fuzzbox back with an identical performance of “International Rescue” at it's peak.
Just love watching them, great to see it again. and I rewound and watched it twice.
Dug out the "Big Bang" album again this week and the "Walking On Thin Ice" cover is better than I remember. Loved "Fast-Forward Futurama" as well.
The Cult with a tune that does nothing for me. Not a fan,
Madonna still at the top. I'm going to pray for a different bit of the video.
A brief bit of Kon Kan with “I Beg Your Pardon”. will admit to being a fan (and purchaser) of this one. Love the Lynn Anderson clip of "Rose Garden" which I knew as it on a County Music CD that my Dad purchased as one of out first 5 CDs we bought with out new hi-fi unit which had 5 CD slots and could "shuffle". (Barry Manilow, ABBA and Mantovani being 3 of the other 4). I remember very well the random shuffling would ALWAYS play CD1, Track 1 first then 2 songs per CD at a time. ALWAYS. Odd the things you remember from your childhood.
Also wanted to mention the song at Number 37.
ReplyDelete"The Rattler" by Goodbye Mr MacKenzie.
Taped this from the chart rundown and really liked this at the time but I don't think it will get a TOTP outing so I'm sharing the link to the video below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=F23SoNYjEwI&feature=emb_logo
Goodbye Mr MacKenzie included the intriguing pairing of Exploited guitarist Big John Duncan and future Garbage singer Shirley Manson.
DeleteYes, I was hoping that would get a Breakers slot but sadly not it seems.
Delete