I think it's one of those deja vu things, or it could be the 15th of August 1991 edition of Top of the Pops!
True blue
15-8-91: Presenter: Gary Davies
(17) LEVEL 42 – Guaranteed
Getting the show underway with their first hit for two years but number 17 was a high as it got.
(6) COLOR ME BADD – All 4 Love (video) (and charts)
Went up one more place.
(26) SOPHIE LAWRENCE – Love’s Unkind
Diane from Eastenders is in the studio to perform her only hit and it peaked at number 21.
(7) BOMB THE BASS – Winter In July (video)
At its peak.
(5) P.M. DAWN – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
In the studio tonight with their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 3.
(18) VOICE OF THE BEEHIVE – Monsters And Angels (video)
Went up one more place.
(10) D.J. JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE – Summertime (video)
Went up two more places.
(2) RIGHT SAID FRED – I’m Too Sexy
A second time in the studio, and they must've had high hopes of getting to the top spot but the current occupant wasn't ready to move out just yet.
(31) MIDGE URE – Cold, Cold Heart (video) (Breakers)
His sixth and final solo top 40 hit and it peaked at number 17.
(30) KARYN WHITE – Romantic (video) (Breakers)
Peaked at number 23.
(27) REM – Near Wild Heaven (video) (Breakers)
Got no higher.
(1) BRYAN ADAMS – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You ®
Sorry Fred. Sixth week of sixteen at number one.
(28) MICHAEL BOLTON – Time, Love And Tenderness (video) (and credits)
At its peak.
22nd of August is next.
Color Me Badd - I wasn't convinced on this one on their first showing in the TOTP studio on the 1st Aug show cos they looked very ordinary on stage, but hearing it again with the help of a very good video, the group showed their romantic side, when we had originally thought they they were too creepy on their June no.1 wanting to sex up their girlfriend. This new one All For Love is really growing on me, and I must see the whole video this weekend. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteSophie Lawrence - reworking of the Donna Summer original from 1977 which got to No.3, but a peak of no.21 for Lawrence was somewhat short-change, as I thought she and her girlfriends on stage were all looking just fine.
PM Dawn - joint best single on the show with Color Me Badd, this was PM Dawn's arrival as such, helped along by the heavy Spandau Ballet True sampling right through the single. Considering that their debut hit previous to this one, called A Watchers Point Of View had no sampling and peaked at no.36 for two weeks with not even a Breakers slot on TOTP, this new one coming in as a new entry at No.5 would have been even better if they had Spandau Ballet on stage with them, but the three girls on stage cut very well in those minidresses, so good shout!
Level 42 sounding very old and tired here, no real tune but lots of bass, the guitarist looks like Robbie Coltrane in Tutti Frutti, a friend of mine cites the album this came from as one of the worst he has ever heard.
ReplyDeleteColor Me Badd with a dayglo video, surprised this got as high as it did. Man, that lead singer is offputting, isn't he?
And now Britain's Kylie Minogue... must have been the pitch, but, er, it didn't work out that way. Bog standard Donna Summer cover, utterly uninspired, no matter how many times she does that sleazy wink (or is it a tic?). You didn't get Pam St Clement releasing a single, did you?
Bomb the Bass again, video's a bit morose, but I suppose the tune is too.
PM Dawn: "That's the way it goes... I guess." Resigned sounding hip-hop, appealing to the sort of people who made LL Cool J's I Need Love a big hit a few years before. Might send you into a doze, except for the bizarre dancers who are strangely entertaining.
The Beehive video again, you can see why the sisters opened a clothes shop when the pop career no longer beckoned.
The annoying Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff on video again, then Right Said Fred back in the studio, though these days I'd rather hear Ernest Borgnine's version.
Ah, Midge had another hit everyone forgets about! Still rockin' those pencil sideburns. Caryn does what Caryn does, then REM with a wistful ditty that was too light to really catch on, but they would be back.
Yeah, Bry, ten weeks to go (!), then Mike Bolton tries to convince us of his muso status in his video for this sludge by showing himself really writing those songs. And really shooting those hoops, somewhat hilariously.
This episode is almost, almost up there with last week for me. But a few more duds, especially in the first half. Still great overall.
ReplyDeleteWhat are Level 42 doing in 1991? I have blanked this song from memory, perhaps cos it sounds like it came straight out of 1986. It's OK but it has no business in this decade.
Color Me Baddly Styled: Even though I'm not a huge fan of the song, I'm finding it hilarious that they followed that sexxxaaaay song and video with this Butter Wouldn't Melt Boys Next Door cheesefest of a video, dressed as kids TV presenters. Who the heck was in charge of this band cos the whole brand is a MESS. Also, that chart rundown is just banger after banger, at least 30 of those songs are ones I adore.
Summer 91 is the most I've enjoyed TOTP since 1989 (a whole year of solid classics pretty much) and doubt I will again until 1994. I definitely won't be this excited about 1992 which has some great stuff coming but also a LOT of dross.
Sophie Lawrence - as per last episode. I know it's a rote cover. I know she's not much of a singer. (Although I always felt they should have done more with Diane in EE, she was an interesting character, especially as she got older). But I still really like it.
Bomb the Bass - It's like TOTP is trying to kill me with delight with these two episodes. This video has always stuck with me for some reason, though not sure why, it's a bit weird.
PM Dawn - Yeah, I'm dead. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss indeed.
VOTB - I already told you you killed me with the good stuff, TOTP, you don't need to keep it coming. Also: Gary Davies just said 'Honeylingus', what an episode.
Fresh Prince - I'm already dead, so looks like I ended up in Heaven, huh?
Right Said Fred - OK I'm not going to pretend this is on my afterlife playlist but I can't begrudge it being a great pop tune. Let's just pretend that after Deeply Dippy they went away forever and never discovered social media.
Midge Ure - Obviously took the same wrong turn as UB40, the 80s were that-away. (It's alright. I still like Midge Ure as a personality more than his music, well, the solo stuff anyway)
Karyn - Not going to pretend this is good. I don't mind her but this one is dull.
REM - I love it so much. So underrated.
Thing to say about that thing 6/16. Following on from my comment last episode, we have an 8 word title, not long after Cher had the same. The next 8 word titled number one? Same as the next one with brackets, UB40 in June 93.
Michael Bolton - Like his hair, it's big, it's bombastic, it's unfashionable, it's cheesy and I still really like it.
Hey, we're over a third of the way through the Bryan Adams marathon, people! Are there 2 episodes next week? Cos then we'll be halfway!
I was also surprised to see Level 42 still going in 1991, when essentially they arrived on the scene in 1980 with their first single. They continued on until 1994 with more Top 40 singles before hanging their boots, so they'e not done just yet.
DeleteSame goes for Midge Ure, I was staggered to see a new single from him as late as 1991, but this was defo his last top 40 single, as the curtain comes down with this one. He did come back briefly for one more try in 1996 with a single called Breathe which peaked at No.70, so it essentially goodbye and goodnight with this 1991 effort!
I think the Voice of the Beehive album was called Honey Lingers, but, yeah, Gaz just felt the need to share that one (with a straight face).
DeleteMidge's 1996 'Breathe' album also spawned another beautiful single called 'Guns and Arrows' which was a duet with Sally Dworsky and features the unmistakable guitar of Robert Fripp. It is really worth a listen and for me is Midge's finest solo moment.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWNSF47vouY
Yeah 1991 is / was a good TOTP year Rad. A typical week will see maybe one song I actually would listen to by choice with another one or two I’d tolerate on the radio. 1991 is surpassing that with several cracking tunes each and every week.
DeleteYep 1991 is one of the Nineties best years, and following on from 1990 that's some achievement. 92 a slip in quality but we will be Ok until 1999 which is even worse than 1990 with very little to redeem it.
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ReplyDeleteChart rundown - interesting that Guns 'n' Roses were back up one position to No.16, when they had initially peaked in July at No.3. They could have at least been given the playout this week for that enormous turnaround, but TOTP clearly felt that Michael Bolton had more mileage.
ReplyDeleteNow then, four interesting tunes peaking outside the Top 40 this week, and alas missing out on a TOTP callout:
No.56 - Kirsty McColl - My Affair
Good Lord, she was really churning out the singles this year. This was to be her last solo single until a brief flurry of three singles in 1995 all failing to break the Top 40, which signalled an end to her pop music career.
No.58 - Rhythm Syndicate - P.A.S.S.I.O.N
I think this was an American group, and with a fantastic fiery video, and pity it didn't break through the Top 40:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW1pPhaqgZ0
No.64 - Offshore - I Got A Little Song (That Makes You Wanna Hustle)
Follow up to their successful Top Ten earlier in the year called I Can't Take The Power. This new one didn't even have a video!
No.68 - Elvis Presley - Are You lonesome Tonight (Live)
A live version of this classic from The King could not convince record buyers to elevate it to the Top 40. Not sure why this live version was released now in 1991.
Wasn't the Elvis single the version where he starts laughing uncontrollably (hence "Live")? It is quite funny, but probably heard it enough now.
DeleteI’ll miss Gaz.
ReplyDeleteLevel 42 first with a song roughly the same level as most of their other hits for me – in one ear etc. .
Once again, volume off to avoid a crap song while checking the chart. Debut ex-mugshot placing there for the Manic Street Preachers, at its peak, with a gap in the lyrics where the words “F#ck off” are shouted when performed live.
Sophie Lawrence looking good, but a completely unkind fax of Donna Summer’s hit. Absolutely pointless.
Bomb The Bass, wonderful, wish we got more.
PM Dawn’s leader, no stranger to a fish supper as Billy Connolly would say. Always hated this. I set his adfrift with an FF.
We join Voice Of The Beehive way too late, at the start of the second verse. Very rude, knowing title for their album there.
Will Smith with a track I still like, knocking PM Dawn into sunset.
Sorry, Gaz, Right Said Fred will sadly NOT be the summer hit of 1991.
Midge Ure with weird sideburns and a catchy tune I’d forgotten.
Karyn White gives us some identikit R&B with dancers. ‘Great’.
REM with one of their nice mellow ones which we join pretty close to the run-out.
We finish with what I would have called “Time, Love And Tendernesszzzzz” if Micky Bolton hadn’t been bellowing so loud again.
Nice to hear Gary presenting ‘Pick of the Pops’ for a couple of weeks whilst Gambo was on holiday. An absolute pleasure to hear his dulcet tones and his interesting insights to some of the songs. The episodes are still up on the Radio2 site – 1982, 1994, 1979 and 2004. This ToTP is pretty good too..
ReplyDeleteLevel 42- Guaranteed – I forgot about this one as it was the first on new label RCA after being signed to Polydor for years. Nice vocal interplay between Mark and Mike and a pretty good effort but unmistakably Level 42.
Color me Badd – All 4 Love – The trouble with these chart rundowns being shown over videos is that it forces you to listen to them….but in this case after the awful No1 I quite enjoyed this as I looked aghast at Marillion marooned at No33.
Sophie Lawrence – Love’s Unkind - ….and then she kissed me part 2. Preferred Donna’s version but nice routine from Sophie and the girls.
Bomb the Bass – Winter in July – A revelation! Hated the early releases like ‘Beat Dis’ but just love this one. Make, it REALLY LIKE! So good it hurts. How did I miss out on this?
P M Dawn – Set adrift on Memory Bliss – True to say that this is carried by Gary Kemp. Doesn’t work at all for me in the same way that ‘I’ll be missing you did’ with Puff Daddy.
Voice of the Beehive – Monsters and Angels – An absolute belter! Love this!
DJ Jazzy etc. Summertime – Hmmmm some Gershwin in the somewhere. Do I care?
Right said Fred – I’m too sexy – Cruelly denied? Was this the best of the six? Not far off… best is yet to come for me.
Breakers – Midge Ure - Cold cold heart, Hard done by you, Some things look better, baby Just passing through… Karyn White – Better effort than that other song. REM – Nice song but third single off the album and not in the Belinda Carlisle league for milking hits off albums.
Bryan Adams – (Everything I do) I do for you – Written and produced by Robert John ‘Mutt’ Lange. Heard of him? Wonder how he rates this in the vast canon of productions and writing credits. Chopped in the middle of Keith Scott’s guitar solo making me think this studio run through never played in full…a bit like Sinead O’Connor.
Michael Bolton – Time, love and tenderness – Can’t really get excited by this.
Just seen that on the BBC Red Button all this weekend is BBC6 Music's celebration of the music videos of 1991, in case anyone needs another fix along with the two TOTP shows on BBC4 today!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dory, I was going to mention this as well. Today on 6 Music has also been a 1991 day, lots of tunes recently enjoyed here on TOTP 1991, starting at 7:30am with dance classics and the like, including a selection by St. Etienne’s Sarah Cracknell.
DeleteOh Yes, Sarah Cracknell for me anyday. I remember when she was on the Christmas 1993 edition of TOTP looking absolutely gorgeous doing a duet with Tim Burgess as part of St Etienne, and has been a firm favourite ever since:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yd-pfEeHoA
Oh yes, it's all still to come, as I just remembered we're still in 1991!
Yeah, the 6Music 1991 day was excellent, it was supposed to be commemorating the release of Nirvana's Nevermind but included loads of other stuff from the year too. Everything from The Paris Angels to Mariah Carey!
DeleteLEVEL 42 – Guaranteed
ReplyDeleteCheck out that guitar neck! This is another great tune from L42. They passed me by a bit at the time but enjoyed all their hits during these repeats. Wifey the big fan in our house.
COLOR ME BADD – All 4 Love
Nice to see the video for what I think is a rather good pop tune. Colorful...
I see form the chart rundown The Manics have arrived! Great news.
SOPHIE LAWRENCE – Love’s Unkind
Male record producer: take one soap star, preferably known for wearing a school uniform, put her in a cute dress and kinky boots, give her a bubblegum pop song and a phallic microphone.. Ker-ching…
As for the song. Decent pop tune because it was originally a disco classic. At 17 I was not familiar with the original at all so this was my introduction to Love's Unkind and I must admit do like this. Not expecting much love on here from the slightly older generation..
BOMB THE BASS – Winter In July
Too good to be Number One? ..great video as well for this tune.
P.M. DAWN – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
Another one that should have been Number One?
Such a great sample and I can only think of summer when I hear this...gorgeous.
VOICE OF THE BEEHIVE – Monsters And Angels
1991 highlight for me.
D.J. JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE – Summertime
Summer 1991 was a great summer. Bomb The Bass, PM Dawn, Beehive and Jazzy Jeff..as a reminder we had Bombaluria this time last year..So onto RIGHT SAID FRED – I’m Too Sexy for this song personally, don't know about you?
Breakers:
MIDGE URE – Great, Great, Tune
KARYN WHITE – Funky
REM – Forgotten
Quick clip of the Fred's signing autographs then onto...
BRYAN ADAMS – 6. This tune won a Grammy, MTV Video Music Award, American Music Award but not a Brit in sight...lost out to Prince as International Male. More embarrassing was coming second in Smash Hits Awards 1991 Best Male Singer...he lost to Jason Donovan!
MICHAEL BOLTON – Time, Love And Tenderness
Great tune this. Probably his best.
I'm off to pick grapes in France .