I see you in the darkness, I see you in the light, I see you on the 22nd of August 1991 edition of Top of the Pops!
Sunshine on Top of the Pops
22-8-91: Presenter: Bruno Brookes
(19) MIDGE URE – Cold, Cold Heart
Getting tonight's show underway and his sixth and final solo top 40 hit went up two more places.
(9) THE PRODIGY – Charly (video) (and charts)
Became their first of eleven top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.
(14) ZOË– Sunshine On A Rainy Day
In the studio to perform her only top 40 hit and it peaked at number 4.
(26) UTAH SAINTS – What Can You Do For Me (video)
Became their first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 10.
(12) JASON DONOVAN – Happy Together
He's here tonight with what became his tenth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 10.
(23) KARYN WHITE – Romantic (video)
At its peak.
(21) OCEANIC – Insanity
This terrific tune became their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 3.
(13) MARTIKA – Love…Thy Will Be Done (video)
Became her third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.
(40) 808 STATE – Lift (video) (Breakers)
Went up two more places.
(39) TIN MACHINE – You Belong In Rock And Roll (video) (Breakers)
Their biggest hit peaking at number 33.
(38) T-REX – 20th Century Boy (video) (Breakers)
Had peaked at number 3 in 1973, this time around it made it to number 13.
(1) BRYAN ADAMS – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (video)
7th of 16 weeks at number one.
(35) THE FARM – Mind (video) (and credits)
Peaked at number 31.
29th of August is next.
The Prodigy - at last the debut of The Prodigy with their first two releases making Top 3, they couldn't have hoped for a better start to their career which would continue up until 2002, with Firestarter still 5 years away in 1996!
ReplyDeleteZoe - first of two TOTP studio appearances, and tonight's debut in a tight leotard instead of underwear would have charmed most people, and getting to No.4 was no mean achievement.
Utah Saints - the success of sampling by others seemed to impress Utah Saints no end with this debut single, and considering that PM Dawn were sitting nicely at No.3 this week sampling Spandau Ballet's True, we now get Utah Saints sampling The Eurythmics 1985 No.1 There Must Be An Angel. Good Lord!
Jason Donovan - cover of The Turtles 1967 hit, a year before Jason was born. What an inspiration.
Karyn White - at it's peak here, but let's not forget that she got to No.1 in America with this tune three months later in November 1991, so it must have been damn good!
Oceanic - now then, the keyboard player advertising Kellogs Special K on his yellow T-shirt. Good Lord, was this allowed, especially on the BBC which has no advertising? How did they get away with this? Interesting to note that there was no video for this tune, not even a cheap one.
Martika - what a comedown from her 1989 debut with Toy Soldiers which was her finest moment and biggest hit. but now in 1991 she seems to have got lighter in voice, and moved her video style to black & white instead of colour. Not for me.
The Oceanic T-shirt was actually one of those spoofy druggy ones, it said "Special Klass" rather than "Special K".
DeleteThe prodigy’s career went well past 2002. It was going right up
DeleteUntil Keith died. Their 2009 album “invaders must die” is as seminal as anything before.
The Prodigy had two further top ten hits after 2002!
ReplyDeleteI can't stand Utah Saints. In a later hit they sampled Kate Bush's sublime "Cloudbusting" ("I just know that something good is going to happen") in promos for Carlton, the shite which took over from Thames thanks to Maggie's 1990 Broadcasting Act. The franchise baton pass to Carlton was the end of quality ITV for London and the Home Counties and the start of the end for what is now a homogenous and mainly unwatchable national (no longer federal) channel.
ReplyDeleteThe ITV Chart Show following this TOTP show had Utah Saints firmly in their Top Ten Dance Chart at No.4 with a full play of the video, and the captions in the middle explaining the differing reactions of The Eurythmics pair to this new mishmash:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EB2UczrKy4&list=RD6EB2UczrKy4&start_radio=1
@Arthur: You would have liked The Mary Whitehouse Experience's parody Utah Saints Unplugged, then?!
DeleteProbably. That's you, that is!
DeleteZoe had one more Top 40 hit with Lightning later in 1991.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting tune to peak outside the Top 40 this weak as a new entry at No.49 and got no further was Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Let The Beat Hit 'Em Part 2 which sounded nothing like the first one. Considering that they had just graced the top 20 with two weeks at No.17 for Let The Beat Hit 'Em, there was now a Part 2 released as a separate single, instead of a B-Side on the original:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjYDWLg-lkE
A dapper Midge Ure starts us off with a jolly, inspirational ditty, not sure about the synth penny whistle but otherwise a decent, upbeat little tune. Bruno certainly liked it.
ReplyDeleteThe Prodigy get off to a storming start by jumping on the toytown techno bandwagon, sampling the famed public information film Charley Says. This means the first vocalist on a Prodigy hit was Kenny Everett (!), I wonder what he thought of that. Anyway, I don't know if this was their proudest musical moment, but it was better than many of their contemporaries.
Zoe doing her wading through custard dance, all arms and legs and hands and she has her bare feet on too. If she'd worked on her stagecraft, who knows where she could have gotten? Anyway, played a lot then and since so still pretty familiar, but not the worst thing on the show by any means.
Utah Saints, ah the danger of a rave act appearing in their videos, were there any who didn't look like prannets? Anyway, the tune was a mishmash of bits and pieces, but it motors along, obviously if you have a problem with sampling it's not for you, but for what it was, they were fairly adept.
Jason Donovan in Ben Elton's old Saturday Live jacket pulling some very strange expressions (what was he so uncertain about?) and a relentless cover of the Turtles' sunshine pop Summer of Love favourite. Karaoke, basically.
Never really noticed it before, but Karyn White was quite attractive, wasn't she? Here she tries to emulate Janet Jackson (she was married to one of her producers) and the results are not so bad, probably because that production is doing all the heavy lifting.
Oceanic, a hilarious performance, they look totally ludicrous dancing oh so very hard to this rave fave. Singer looks like a techno Celine Dion. I remember them singing this live and out of tune, but she's miming here so must have been out of tune on the record!
Martika teams up with Prince for a moody little number, quite nice though the monochrome video where she gets her bra out is such a cliche by this point. I don't think she did much more after this, so his Purpleness must have dumped her.
Only Breaker not on next episode is 808 State, a snatch of a lesser heard song from them, sounded fine but I don't really remember it.
The inevitable Bry is followed by The Farm's video, some bands went to the Bahamas to shoot their videos, but obviously their budget didn't stretch to that. Melody: nice. Lyrics: not good.
I noticed Jason's faintly confused expressions as well. I don't suppose so but he could be making a strange but very knowledgeable reference to the original singer of this song. The great Howard Kaylan of The Turtles had some very quizzical expressions for the TV cameras. It was I think due to Mark Volman pissing joyfully about on any appearance. Incidentally from YouTube evidence the recovered clip of 'She'd Rather Be With Me' from July 27th '67 is perfectly viewable from about 1 minute onwards and nowhere near as screwed up as the other Totp clips from the same edition.
DeleteWell we're definitely off down ver rave up (circa Smash Hits) this week. Was there a reason all the dance classics came out in the same week? Bit of a departure from the last few poptastic weeks but not a complaint. I'm definitely back in youth club days with this lot.
ReplyDeleteWell, except Midge, who is definitely not going to give us an ecstasy moral panic but his song is growing on me, and with thw wintry heart graphic, I see what they did there.
Prodigy - one of several forthcoming singles that dance up an old ad, theme tune or video game soundtrack. It's the best one though. They don't make creepy public information films like they did in the 70s and 80s now. Kids today will never know the terror etc.
Zoe - One that's endured despite her career being short lived. It's never been in my top x of anything but it's nice to hear it.
Utah Saints - Not a million miles away from Something Good (my favourite of theirs, and I think makes better use of the sample) but it's alright, and a very different tone from...
...JDon with a perfunctory cover and a hairstyle that marks the mid point between quiffs and curtains, how very 1991.
Karyn White - It's a bit sub En Vogue
Oceanic - Awww, I have a huge soft spot for this one. The singer looks like Karen from EastEnders cosplaying as Amy Grant though. Apparently they're going to have a couple more hits, but I don't remember those at all.
Martika - A different tone entirely but another one I really like.
808 State - Blink and we missed it.
Tin Machine - There's a reason nobody talked about Tin Machine in the Bowie tributes. Erm, the backing track sounds a bit Deacon Blue.
T Rex - was there an advert or something?
Things to say about that thing 7/16. We don't have too long to wait for another mammoth number one stretch (which I always see as 6 weeks or over), as Shakespear's Sister have 8 weeks in Feb 92 (and of course another ridiculously long stint at the end of that year for Whitney, and a 6 weeker mid year that is serious as cancer). Honestly I did not remember Stay being at number one for quite that length of time but I guess after Bry anything is child's play. Weirdly, there will be no one week and done number ones in 1992 at all.
The Farm - Bit forgettable, though pre-empting the urban exploration phenomenon with all the disused buildings in this vid?
20th Century Boy was used in a Levi jeans commercial.
DeletePerhaps one of the best episodes ever, and one of only two I recall watching at the time - the other one being the November 1989 edition when Madchester descended on the studio with the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays.
ReplyDeleteGetting the show underway, in my house at least, was this classic from The Prodigy. The public information sample propelling them to chart success. Great tune in its own right, but the b-side, Your Love, is still my favourite Prodigy track. Charly being the first (I think) of many childhood theme sampling rave tracks coming our way: Sesame’s Treat, Trip to Trumpton, Shaft’s Roobarb and Custard, Summers Magic (Roundabout)… etc.
Next up Zoë, such an uplifting song to this day. Originally released in the previous year when it failed to enter the top 40. Was it the remix, the sunny summer weather or the dance music take over of the charts that made it a hit second time round?
Utah Saints, still love the energy of their early singles. Described as the first true stadium house band by the first true stadium house band, The KLF.
If you’ve got no kind words to say, say nothing at all, so next up Oceanic. Love this song, bit cheesy, but presume it had early outings in nite clubs to propel it up the charts. My copy is on Dead Dead Good records, an early release on the Charlatans related record label. The ninth biggest selling single of the year, apparently.
808 State with their fourth single released from one of the best albums of the year, ex:el. Very polished tune. As the Spin Masters, they hosted a great show on Manchester’s Sunset radio station that I was tuning in to at this time with the usual shout outs and comedic phone ins.
I recently gave Tin Machine another chance, but no joy, so on to T-Rex. Thanks HEW for the Levi’s advert connection. Great tune, although one where I have more fondness for a cover version, an early Siouxsie B-side.
Surprised to see that The Farm LP, Spartacus, was released in 1991, also surprised that the vinyl album is in my collection. Mind was the first single released that wasn’t on their debut album and passed me by I must admit.
Summers Magic has already been and gone earlier in 1991, but the rest of those sampling rave tracks are still to come.
DeleteGood spot Dory, I thought I’d had the Magic Roundabout theme spinning round in my head recently, so that explains it.
DeleteTrev’s last stand, and he looks relieved about it, does his best stint for ages and isn’t dressed like an extra on “The Love Boat” or a wannabe American sports fan. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteTonight’s TOTP is filmed in a marquee just off the M1. Shame they forgot the lorryload of glowsticks.
Just wondering about those superimposed numbers 2, 4 and 1 in the show’s animated intro. Were they meant to signify ‘two for one’ as in TV pictures and stereo sound on radio?
Midge Ure with three drummers and then three bhodrans, knocking Adam Ant and his gang into a cocked hat. Keyboardist and two bass drum heads with the same logo to boot. Catchy, snappy song which I think deserved better.
The Prodigy appear to revamp “Popcorn” by Hot Butter into something they’ll improve on later in their career. Check the chart position for The Farm if you will.
Zoe went by her first name. Her surname’s Pollock. Now you understand. An unusual swimsuit and leather trews combo and Woodentops puppet dancing for some hello trees hello sky mellow disco which would segue well with The Beloved.
No intro for Utah Saints from Trev. Thanks a bunch to David A Stewart for giving this lot a lift up. Not.
Jason with fountain hair and Martin Fry’s pyjamas, giving us functional karoake which Trev shites on with his chart forecast.
File karyn White under any number of American female singers with polished dance videos. Next.
Rave pop by comparison from Oceanic. Was that T-shirt the first of a cereal? Sorry!
File Martika under arty poncey black and white video for an unremarkable song. Quite a few in that cabinet already.
Was that a prototype Peter Kay in 808 State’s groundbreaking video?
Tin Machine. Good grief!
It’s just over forty years since Marc Bolan died in that car crash.
Trev’s TOTP career ends with a falter and - not his fault - an incorrect chart position on the credit for The Farm (28 instead of 35), giving the song a higher chart placing than it actually managed. It appears the derelict building in The Farm’s video was the old Liverpool Airport terminal, replaced in 1986 but now renovated into a hotel.
A few slight slips from Bruno this week but the line up was quite good. Some of these 1991 shows are better than I recall.
ReplyDeleteMidge Ure – Cold cold Heart – It’s hard to believe that Midge locked in his recording studio didn’t have the radio on and heard Elton’s ‘Sacrifice’ over and over again which inspired this title. Excuse me? Three drummers!! Sounds quite drum focused but no more so than OMD’s ‘Sailing on the Seven Seas’. Despite all this, a good start to the show if not classic Midge.
The Prodigy – Charly – Lord knows what people made if this band on first outing but I have to say that something about this grabs me a little.
Zoe – Sunshine on a Rainy Day – Who was Zoe (Pollock)? What is she wearing? Song is really good and is a remix from a 1990 release. Toss of a coin which sounds the best.
Utah Saints – What can you do for me – Answer to Bruno’s question – not keen on the original so mixing bits of it into something else was never really going to tickle my taste buds.
Jason Donovan – Happy Together – Jase has the problem of trying to make a classic sound as good or better…and doesn’t quite make it.
Karyn White – Romantic – Doesn’t quite do it for me and feels nondescript.
Oceanic – Insanity- Phew! I’m worn out watching this lot! Probably the most energetic ToTP performance ever! Like Zoe, this was an unexpected pleasure.
Martika – Love…thy will be done – A little understated perhaps.
Breakers – The first two pale into insignificance against Bolan. I recall buying ‘20th Century Boy’ when it came out in 1973 and playing that and the B Side ‘ Free Angel’ to death.
Bryan Adams – (Everything I do) I do it for you – Have to agree with Bruno…record of the year for me too. On the CD single which I bought the song is 6:37 long…after the last bit of vocal which we see here on this show, the piano kicks in again and we get an extended instrumental playout which is just sheer bliss…
The Farm – Mind – I don’t mind this….but Liverpool Airport looks really run down here…
Hello all, I was a bit too late to comment on the last two so I'll pick up from here. Goodbye then to Bruno, very dressed down for his valedictory muttering he is and in an edition heavy on rave looks a little past his time. I'll kind of miss him though. Never too boring or too extrovert, he was a good part of the show. His reaction to All About Eve's Take 2 appearance in '88 is one of my favourite moments of these repeats.
ReplyDeleteMidge Ure; Let the rave begin. But not just yet. Mungo makes a return and looks as out of place as Level 42 did last week. At least he has something different to offer and it's a good tune. But blimey he could've at least grown his hair out a bit.
The Prodigy; Here we go then. The Prodge debut with a classic parent annoying single (I bought it, played it loud and yes it did) that still sounds riotous and thrilling. The cat, who looks and sounds more off his head than The Prodigy or their fans ever were, is of course Kenny Everett who must have the unique treble of being a presenter on the show, having his own single on the show and being a sample for a single on the show.
Good also to be reminded that Keith Flint once looked like a raved up hippy and nice to see him looking so carefree here.
Zoe; Another euphoric dance biggie that I heard maybe once in 1990, thought it was great and didn't hear it again until the following summer. A good performance taking the same girl with lone sideman who is trying to be someone else approach that Divynls took.
UTAH SAAAINTS!!!!; No not a great fan but you only said their name by yelling it in '91/92. Probably their best one and manages to make something out of 'There Must Be An Angel', a single I really don't like. Video fairly interchangeable with The Prodigy's. Good if you like the colour orange.
Jason Donovan; Back in the studio with the odd vampire hair and a jacket made from a pair of Anthea's trousers. Total classic song made just about bearable.
Karyn White; Can't remember anything worth commenting on.
Oceanic; A ubiquitous single of the day which sounds not at all insane and not remotely oceanic but it's a stupid bit of rave fun with lots of 'yeahs' thrown in.
Martina; Love this one. An eerie monochordal drone wouldn't have been high on the list of possible comeback sounds for her. Still sounds marvellously eerie and as a new 6th former I would hear it on the school bus sitting next to 2nd or 3rd years feeling terribly knowing and self important.
808 State; Huge drop in quality.
Tin Machine; Worth the ridicule I have to say.
T Rex; Forgot this was an advert but it was a good listen. The video I think has bits of them on Totp in '73 and there I'm sure there was some debate about how the footage cropped up.
Bryan Adams; When indieserf Christian the Slater catapults them over the wall I'm assuming the film is run backwards.
The Farm; Amiable unselfconscious indie. Good days.
ReplyDeleteMIDGE URE – Cold, Cold Heart
Where did this come from! A triumph of a return. Great pop songs, shades of Paul Simon here. THREE drumkits..greedy.
THE PRODIGY – Charly
Everyone starts somewhere. This really is a bit shit though isn't it...
ZOË– Sunshine On A Rainy Day
Yet another 1991 summer classic, they just keep coming. Beautiful tune and a hit second time around. Always imagined an acoustic guitar on this rather than the mimed electric one here. Zoe absolutely gorgeous of course...
UTAH SAINTS – What Can You Do For Me
Gwen Guthrie and Annie Lennox team up for the other Utah hit that no-one remembers. Wonder if Annie did want it banned? Video's a bit naff. Liked this a lot in 91 but Something Good is on another level to this.
JASON DONOVAN – Happy Together
And still he keep plugging away, now bringing us a sixties cover that he does a decent job with
KARYN WHITE – Romantic
I had completely forgotten this song. Sound like too many others of the time. Is she trying to be Janet Jackson?
Tying with Sophie Lawrence this week it's OCEANIC. This gives dance music in 1991 a real kick up the arse. So fresh and original. Absolutely brilliant. Proper rave anthem and a cheeky Special K (Ketamine) T-shirt. 🤪
MARTIKA – Love…Thy Will Be Done
Did you know Prince co-wrote this? Yep, everybody does and its a brilliant tune. Should have been Top 3. She'll be back in her kitchen soon though.
Breakers:
808 STATE – Nope.
TIN MACHINE – Dull
T-REX – Wonderul
BRYAN ADAMS – 7. Born on Bonfire Night! Yes, that's right...🎶it was the autumn of 59...🎶
THE FARM – Mind
Love this from The Farm. Such a minor hit but it's one of their best for me. Liverpool tourism video needs some work, not sure I'm going to get a sandwich at the airport.
Time for a bowl of Kellogg's cereal...
I must admit I also don't recall this Utah Saints debut hit, as my first memory of them was in the following summer of 1992 with their next hit called Something Good with the Kate Bush sampling of the same words on her Cloudbusting hit, also from 1985 like the Eurythmics sampling on the current debut hit in 1991 that we are discussing now which got to no.10 at peak.
Delete