Friday 29 May 2020

Top of the Pops In An Elevator

Living it up when you're going down, loving it up one more time it's the 21st September 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Size of a guitar


21/09/89  (Nicky Campbell)

London Boys – “Harlem Desire” (21)
Getting the show off to a trademark gymnastic start and the song peaked at number 17.

Aerosmith – “Love In An Elevator” (17) (video)
The band's first credited UK hit and it went up to floor 13.

S’Express – “Mantra For A State Of Mind” (24)
Looking very sleek in the studio and this latest effort went up three more places.

Richard Marx – “Right Here Waiting” (2) (video)
At its peak.

The Wonder Stuff – “Don’t Let Me Down, Gently” (19)
Giving us a little taste of the 90's to come with their second of thirteen top 40 hits but it got no hihger.

The Beautiful South – “You Keep It All In” (31) (breaker)
On its way to number 8.

Gloria Estefan – “Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice)” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Aretha Franklin & Whitney Houston – “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be” (29) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Deacon Blue – “Love & Regret” (28) (breaker)
Got no higher.

WASP – “Forever Free” (25) (video)
Also got no higher.

Black Box – “Ride On Time” (1) (rpt)
Third of six weeks at number one.

Janet Jackson – “Miss You Much” (22) (video/credits)
Another one that got no higher.


28th September is next.

Top of the Pops Up The Jam

Pump it up a little more, get the party going on the dance floor, see 'cause its the 14th September 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Gran of the pops


14/09/89  (Andy Crane & Simon Mayo)

Damian – “The Time Warp” (7)
Getting us underway with his second trip to the studio but the song was now at its peak.

Madonna – “Cherish” (16) (video)
Peaked at number 3.

Technotronic featuring Felly – “Pump Up The Jam” (19)
Making their studio debut with what became their first of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 2.

Tears For Fears – “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” (5) (video)
At its peak.

Sydney Youngblood – “If Only I Could” (17)
Also in the studio tonight with what became his only top ten hit when it peaked at number 3.

London Boys – “Harlem Desire” (37) (breaker)
The duo's final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 17.

Rolling Stones – “Mixed Emotions” (36) (breaker)
Taken from their number 2 album Steel Wheels, but it got no higher.

WASP – “Forever Free” (35) (breaker)
Went up ten more places.

Tina Turner – “The Best” (10)
Tina also makes it into tonight's studio and the song peaked at number 5

Black Box – “Ride On Time” (1)
A new studio performance for their second of six weeks at number one.

Aerosmith – “Love In An Elevator” (23) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 13.


21st September is next.

Friday 22 May 2020

Ride On Top of the Pops

You just walk right in, walk walk walk right in and watch the 7th September 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Top of the hot temptations


07/09/89  (Bruno Brookes)

Marillion – “Hooks In You” (32)
Marillion without Fish is like chips without him too, but the song went up two more places.

Richard Marx – “Right Here Waiting” (15) (video)
Became his first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 2.

Starlight – “Numero Uno” (9) (video)
At its peak.

Prince – “Partyman” (20) (video)
Peaked at number 14.

Alyson Williams – “I Need Your Lovin’” (11) (rpt from 24/08/89)
Peaked at number 8.

Depeche Mode – “Personal Jesus” (25) (video)
This first glimspe of their new darker sound peaked at number 13.

Janet Jackson – “Miss You Much” (30) (video)
Peaked at number 22.

Jason Donovan – “Everyday (I Love You More)” (3)
He's in the studio in his George Michael outfit and the song went up one more place.

Black Box – “Ride On Time” (1) (rpt)
First of six weeks at number one.

The Cure – “Lovesong (33) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 18.


14th September is next.

The Top of the Pops Warp

It's astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll, but listen closely, not for very much longer - let's do the 31st August 1989 edition of Top of the Pops again!

Top of the Horrors


31/08/89  (Gary Davies) 

Big Fun – “Blame It On The Boogie” (6)
Getting tonight's live show underway and the song went up two more places.

Debbie Gibson – “We Could Be Together” (27) (video)
Peaked at number 22.

Guns N’ Roses – “Nightrain” (26) (video)
Peaked at number 17.

Black Box – “Ride On Time” (2)
Coming back fora second studio performance and the song will be number one next week.

Tina Turner – “The Best” (31) (video)
Peaked at number 5.

Eurythmics – “Revival” (30)
It's a wonder the stage didn't collapse, they had so many on there with them! And this lesser known hit went up four more places.

Donna Summer – “Love’s About To Change My Heart” (20) (video)
At its peak.

Tears For Fears – “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” (9) (video)
The title track from their number one albm, this was to be the band's seventh and final top ten hit and it peaked at number 5.

Damian – “The Time Warp” (21)
In the studio to perform what is the only hit version of this song, and it became his only top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (1) (video)
Fifth and final week at number one, but two more number ones were on their way!

Malcolm McLaren – “Something’s Jumpin’ In Your Shirt” (29) (video/credits)
His final top 40 hit and it got no higher.


September 7th is next.

Friday 15 May 2020

Hey Top of the Pops I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing

Have you got what it takes to rock steady like edgy Betty Boo who aint soft like a teddy on the 24th August 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Things that go Boo in the night


24/08/89  (Jakki Brambles & Mark Goodier)

The Beatmasters featuring Betty Boo – “Hey DJ I Can’t Dance To That Music You’re Playing” (11)
Getting the show off to a Bootastic start inthe studio tonight and the song peaked at number 7.

Lisa Stansfield – “This Is The Right Time” (13)
Also here in the studio tonight but the song went up no further.

Alyson Williams – “I Need Your Lovin’” (19)
In the studio with her liquorice Allsorts hat and the song peaked at number 8.

Starlight – “Numero Uno” (17) (video)
On its way to number 9.

Then Jerico – “Sugar Box” (24)
Looking all very romantic and windswept in the studio and the song went up two more places.

Bon Jovi – “Lay Your Hands On Me” (23) (video)
Peaked at number 18.

Adeva – “Warning” (18) (video)
Went up one more place.

Cliff Richard – “I Just Don’t Have The Heart” (10) (video)
Cliff goes SAW and the song peaked at number 3.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (1) (video)
Fourth of five weeks at number one.

Donna Summer – “Love’s About To Change My Heart” (28) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 20.


31st August is next.

Top of the Pops Soldiers

Step by step, heart to heart, left right left, we all salute the 17th August 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Friller



17/08/89  (Nicky Campbell & Anthea Turner)

Black Box – “Ride On Time” (11)
Getting tonight's show off to a blockbusting start with what will soon become their only number one and first of three top ten hits and aslo the biggest selling single of 1989.

Jody Watley with Eric B & Rakim – “Friends” (31) (video)
Peaked at number 21.

Martika – “Toy Soldiers” (5)
Making her studio debut to perform her first of three top ten hits but it went up no further.

Alice Cooper – “Poison” (4) (video)
Went up two more places.

Starlight – “Numero Uno” (39) (breaker)
His only hit and it peaked at number 9.

Alyson Williams – “I Need Your Lovin’” (40) (breaker)
Became her only top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

Then Jerico – “Sugar Box” (38) (breaker)
Their final hit and it peaked at number 22.

Fuzzbox – “Self” (24)
Another mouthwatering studio performance but this would be their fourth and final top 40 hit and it got no higher.

Neneh Cherry – “Kisses On The Wind” (23)
Looks like she's just dragged her mate out the the gym to lend her a hand in the studio tonight and the song went up three more places.

Queen – “The Invisible Man” (26) (video)
This third single from their number one album The Miracle peaked at number 12.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (1) (video)
Third of five weeks at number one. But at least we get to see the other half of the video.

Adeva – “Warning” (36) (video/credits)
Her third of nine top 40 hits and it peaked at number 17.


24th August is next.

Friday 8 May 2020

Top of the Moods

So I said 'baby, won't you swing it with me, don't you keep me waiting when I'm in the mood for the 10th August 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Life is a Top of the Pops, old chum


10/08/89  (Bruno Brookes & Sybil Ruscoe)

Big Fun – “Blame It On The Boogie” (25)
Getting the show underway tonight with the Jacksons cover which became this lesser known boy band's first of two top ten hits and it peaked at number 4.

Lisa Stansfield – “This Is The Right Time” (37) (video)
Peaked at number 13.

Dogs D’Amour – “Satellite Kid” (26)
The lead singer made me think of the Mighty Boosh for some reason, and this tune was their first of two top 40 hits but it got no higher in the charts.

Redhead Kingpin & The FBI – “Do The Right Thing” (23) (video)
His only top 40 hit and it peaked at number 13.

Shakespear’s Sister – “You’re History” (13)
The duo make their debut in the studio with the song that became their first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

Aswad – “On & On” (32)
Performing this Stephen Bishop cover in the studio tonight and the song peaked at number 25.

The Beatmasters featuring Betty Boo – “Hey DJ I Can’t Dance To That Music You’re Playing” (35) (video)
Became the third and final top ten hit for the Beatmasters and the first of three for Betty Boo when it peaked at number 7.

Liza Minnelli – “Losing My Mind” (24)
The actual Liza Minnelli makes her studio debut with what became her only top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (1) (video)
Second of five weeks at number one.

Lil Louis – “French Kiss” (3) (video/credits)
Went up one more place.


17th August is next.

Friday 1 May 2020

Landslide of Top of the Pops

Tonight the stars are shining but inside I'm watching the 3rd August 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Hot in the studio


03/08/89  (Jenny Powell & Steve Wright)

Gun – “Better Days” (33)
Getting the show underway with what was their first of eight top 40 hits but it got no higher.

Martika – “Toy Soldiers” (27) (video)
This nursery rhyme flavoured tune became her first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 5.

Paul McCartney – “This One” (30)
In the studio with his latest band and this second single from his number one album Flowers in the Dirt peaked at number 18.

Alice Cooper – “Poison” (13) (video)
Peaked at number 2.

Transvision Vamp – “Landslide Of Love” (19)
Raising the studio temperature to boiling point and the song peaked at number 14.

Wendy & Lisa – “Satisfaction” (34)
In the studio to perform their only top 40 hit and it peaked at number 27.

Lightning Seeds – “Pure” (32) (video)
Became their (or his!) first of fifteen top 40 hits when it peaked at number 16.

Kylie Minogue – “Wouldn’t Change A Thing” (2)
Looking very sparkly in the studio with what became her fourth of eleven number two hits.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (1) (video)
Their first of five weeks at number one.

Shakespear’s Sister – “You’re History” (26) (video/credits)
Became the duo's first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.


August 10th is next.