I wish I was special, I wish I was the 16th of September 1993 edition of Top of the Pops!
Top of the tonsils
16-9-93: Presenter: Mark Franklin
(23) MOTÖRHEAD – Ace Of Spades
Getting us underway with a song that had peaked at number 15 in 1980, this time around 23 was as high as it got.
(2) PET SHOP BOYS – Go West (video) (and charts)
Straight in at number two, but could get no higher.
(7) RADIOHEAD – Creep
Making their studio debut with their first of seven top ten hits but this one got no higher.
(24) JADE – One Woman
Here tonight and the song went up two more places.
(20) LENNY KRAVITZ – Heaven Help (via satellite)
Got no higher.
(26) SHARA NELSON – One Goodbye In Ten (video) (Breakers)
Peaked at number 21.
(16) ROXETTE – It Must Have Been Love (video) (Breakers)
Got to number 3 in 1990, this time it made it to number 10.
(12) KATE BUSH – Rubberband Girl (video) (Breakers)
Got no higher.
(18) CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS – She Don’t Let Nobody
In the studio tonight and the song peaked at number 4.
(NEW) BELINDA CARLISLE – Big Scary Animal
Performing the first single from her top ten album Real, and it peaked at number 12.
(1) CULTURE BEAT – Mr. Vain (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.
23rd of September is next.
Motorhead - well hello again from a peak of No.15 in 1980. What may I say brought this back to the charts in 1993? This song seems to work well across all the decades, and never seems dated like many other songs from 1980.
ReplyDeletePet Shop Boys - how they could go straight in at No.2 and not end up at No.1 is somewhat bewildering to say the least. I remember seeing this video for the first time when watching this episode of TOTP in 1993 and being completely bowled over by its technology and use of colour to amazing effect. Not sure about those pictures of the Kremlin and soldiers watching it now in the current political climate.
Chaka Demus & Pliers - highlight of the show for me this week, and more romantic single than their massive debut summer single recently moving out of the charts to make way for this new follow-up. Once I heard this new one, I raced to the record shop to buy the album, as this second single really established the group big time. What was it that she let nobody but Chaka Demus and Pliers? Hmmm, bet everyone would like to know!
Almost but not quite as good as the previous episode, it's been a long time since both episodes were bangers, but I'm hopeful because the next few years have some incredible tracks coming up (and some dross too, natch).
ReplyDeleteNot sure why we have an Ace of Spades rerelease but we also have another rerelease this ep that I'm about to be a staunch defender of so yay! This is a classic and I love Lemmy chucking in a reference to Elstree.
PSB - Much preferable to the Village People version. I swear those computer graphics looked good in 1993. Three decades on, notsomuch.
If last week was Björk's star is born moment (yes Hit was a decent sized track for Sugarcubes but that didn't make her the icon VAAB did), here's Radiohead's. Given how huge they're about to become it's kind of weird seeing them all shy on TOTP. Fabulous track, has been played so much over the years you can forget it was actually really special.
Jade / Lenny K - low points of the evening for me - neither are by any means bad, just a bit forgettable from artists who have way better tunes in their catalogues.
Breakers - Nice opening from Shara N.
Aah yes Roxette! Milk those sweet TV showing royalties! Generally film soundtracks (and TV repeats thereof) don't have that power these days, although Kate Bush's Stranger Things revival shows there can still be huge soundtrack hits if it's the right song in the right place.
And speaking of Ms Bush, here she is. I wish we'd had the full version of this, it's a cracker (I mean I also wish we'd had Roxette in full but I would wish that because I will always stan for more Roxette, and this one at least is original).
Chaka Demus and Pliers - is the older one Pliers? I notice him emphasising the 'Pliers and Chaka Demus' and now I'm imagining an interband rivalry that makes Fleetwood Mac / Stone Roses /Oasis /etc look tame. This is fine, very very 1993, and good for them performing live.
Bye Culture Beat! Four weeks is a good amount of time to be at number one, just long enough us to be ready for a change without being heartily sick of a track. And we have another of those epic length chart toppers coming up very soon...
The older one is Chaka Demus, and Pliers is the one with most of the lyrics. Chaka Demus interjects with "alright my turn....only me alone deh pon me girl mind, only me alone make her love light shine......"
DeleteThey would be invited again in the TOTP studio in two week's time when up to No.4, but Chaka Demus (the older one) was unwell so could not perform in the studio, so TOTP would break with tradition and show the video, when their new policy since the TOTP reboot would be to only show a video on the chart rundown or if at No.1. But whether Chaka Demus & Pliers were in the TOTP studio or on video, boy could these guys sing!
I think "Ace Of Spades" was re-released due to it being used in some eyeball-hurting ads for Golden Wonder Pot Noodle. Not complaining, love the track.
DeleteI also think, as Mr. Franklin maybe mutters, that this sold fresh copies on the back of a few rave-tastic remixes coming out this year. A few examples on YouTube that seem to be up at the bonkers 160bpm level as favoured by hard house dance floors emerging at this time. Attended one such rave in Brum, remembering it now still gives me a headache.
DeleteRadiohead, yes so feckin special Rad as I half expected a nervous Thom to sing. Amazing track that they originally got sick of performing I recall. It will be 18 months until they are back (Thom with a haircut) in the studio with High and Dry, with a top 30 entry, My Iron Lung, in between. I agree, we are entering peak period TOTP in my opinion, every episode has plenty to offer and reminisce over.
DeleteNice CD&P knowledge Dory! I must admit I didn't know anything about them other than the songs.
DeleteRad, you got me interested in reading about Chaka Demus & Pliers, and they are actually the same age, and both were 30 in 1993 when this first album came out with these two huge hits, and both are now 59! But like you, I always thought that Chaka Demus was older, as he was less lean than Pliers, so you would assume age.
DeleteChart rundown - three songs in the Top 40 chart rundown this week over the Pet Shop Boys video were also at peak position with no Breakers slot for them, and so missed out:
ReplyDeleteNo.34 Luther Vandross - Heaven Knows
No.39 De La Soul - Breakadawn - first top 40 single for two years since A Roller Skating Jam Called Saturdays, they would never be as successful as their 1989-1991 early period which had several consecutive chart hits, and still they continued during the rest of the 90s with no Top 40 success after this new one stalling at No.39 this week.
No.40 Ru Paul - House Of Love
Doesn't this person have a present-day BBC3 programme on weekday evenings? I'm sure I've heard the name, but didn't know it stretches as far back as 1993 in terms of music or TV.
Yes, Dory - "RuPaul's Drag Race".
DeleteYes, RuPaul had snuck in to the charts a few months ago with his debut Supermodel single. He’ll be back in early 1994 with a top ten smash duet with Elton John.
Delete‘RuPaul is indifferent to which gender pronouns are used to refer to him and once quipped, "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don't care! Just as long as you call me." ‘
DeleteWeirdly enough, RuPaul is his birth name. Guess like Madonna and Prince some people are named to inevitably become celebs. I mean I can't imagine 'RuPaul to checkouts please, customer waiting'
DeletePop-a-noodle-doo! As implied by Tony in last week’s show, Motorhead’s finest had been re-released following a Golden Wonder Pot Noodle campaign using the song. Not the original power trio. First time a camera’s been used to look up at the drummer from the floor. “I don’t want to live in Elstree” sings Lemmy. Maybe he’d been irritated pre-show?
ReplyDeleteA barmy video for the Pets, but a v=better version than The Village People’s. One-nil to the Arsenal!
Mark screws the outro by saying “Go West” was the highest new entry at number seven, before announcing Radiohead as a new entry at… number seven! Fine performance from Thom, and the angsty chorus guitar sold this. A slight nick of a refrain from The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” midway through.
Jade with three chairs. Hip hip hooray (sorry!) for that routine, the most suggestive chair dancing on the show since Legs and Co’s for “Chanson D’Amour” in 1977. Nice smooth R’n’B while we’re at it.
Is that Lenny or Terence Trent D’Arby again? A mellow ballad you wouldn’t normally associate with Mr Kravitz.
Breakers: great voice but Shara probably not in the studio after her poor live vocal last time / MOR Heart-Magic-Smooth staple / Kate’s tune should have been covered by Elastica (sorry again!).
What was that Chaka and Demus track called again? “All right, my turn now!”. Nothing like as catchy as “Tease Me”.
An out of hours turn by Belinda for one of her second division level hits.
More vanity at the top.
"Alright my turn....only me alone deh pon me girl mind, only me alone, make her love light shine, only me alone.....me say no pon a rush, but dem get it bus, a only me alone get me, love up love up, nuff guy out a road, dem a rush and a lust, but my girl she no love the mix up......."
DeleteWas difficult to get my head round Chaka Demus's lyrics, but boy could these guys sing, and I've been listening to this romantic song all weekend with a fresh summer vibe. Can't wait until iTunes releases the Tease Me and She Don't Let Nobody videos to buy!
Second episode in a row of ok-ness, for the first half anyway, which by recent standards is high praise
ReplyDeleteMotorhead + great start. Old song, but WTH
PSB - now this is how to cover a song!
Radiohead - didn’t like this at the time, but now it is a classic.
Jade - show loses traction here. Its.. ok. Nice chairwork.
Lenny kravitz - bit dull
Demus - lot dull
Belinda Carlisle - i dont remember this. not good (especially the weird guitar solo, and tusklike drumming)
Four songs peaking this week outside the Top 40 for previous chart regulars and a couple of newcomers that we would see big time at a later stage:
ReplyDeleteNo.46 - Deborah Harry - Strike Me Pink
Final solo single for Harry as the curtain comes down on her solo career. She would return in 1999 in a Blondie comeback going to No.1 with Maria, so it's a long goodbye to Harry for now until 1999.
No.51 Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song
Debut single for Braxton, and although this one flopped in the UK, her follow-up in the new year would go on to be No.2 in the January 1994 chart, so hold tight, as Braxton is coming big time soon!
No.56 Chumbawumba - Enough Is Enough
First of two singles in 1993 for this new group, both of which flopped outside the Top 50, and I must admit I never heard of them as early as 1993, until they came back in 1997 with Tubthumping, which we all know how well that did!
No.59 Orchestral Manœuvres In The Dark - Everyday
Last single for three years until a new album in 1996 released a successful single from it in the summer of that year, so it's goodbye to OMD until then.
Chumbawamba had been going for over ten years by now. Initially part of the anarchist-punk movement which got my adrenalin pumping as a teenager. By 1990 with their fourth album, Slap!, they had moved to an anarcho-dance style, which also suited my tastes. Worth checking out their next single Timebomb, which you mention also failed to dent the top 40, but should have been a hit I reckon. At this stage no one could have predicted them narrowly missing out on a number one slot a few years later.
DeleteI really enjoyed the 'Olivia Newton John at the BBC' on BBC2 last night. And the special from 1977. I think it was after a Radio Times reader asked if they would show a compilation in tribute to her and the editor said they'd ask. If so very well done BBC. She really was well loved. Some really interesting clips and great to see the video of 'Suddenly' from a Top of the Pops that I missed. Stuff from Harry Secombe and Cliff Richard specials. Was their a more adorable pop star than her in c1977? I doubt it. I always look forward to seeing what's on BBC2 on Saturdays like BBC4 on Friday evenings. More and more music archive clips are getting shown. Now of course also a repeat showing of select Totp editions.
ReplyDeleteYes I remember that October 1980 episode of TOTP where they showed the Suddenly video where Olivia is warming up to a log fire with Cliff Richard, and Cliff gets a snog with Olivia at the end of the video. Great stuff indeed!
DeleteI loved the little extra interview clips between songs. Surprised that they didn't show any clips from the strike affected Sept '80 Totp edition that she co-presented with Simon Bates. I've kept it on video. She appears alongside appearances by Randy Crawford, Stevie Wonder and Wonder Woman herself Linda Carter and outshines all of them without even singing. What a voice though. 'Magic', just a stunning record.
DeleteMagic only got to No.32 for Olivia in the UK as the first follow-up to Xanadu just after the TV strike in 1980, and before releasing Suddenly which did much better getting to No.15 in October of that year.
DeleteHowever, Magic got to no.1 in America and Canada in the summer of 1980, doing much better than our No.32 in the UK, and yes I agree it is a super song, although I like Suddenly more.
Another good '70s music bonus on That's TV with repeats of 'Sez Lez'. I think Linda Lewis is on it this evening. Such a good singer and personality.
ReplyDeleteSez Les is on at the weekend on That's TV. Linda Lewis the artist from the series in 1973.
DeleteI'm hoping BBC4 repeat some editions from the Winter of '78/79. It will be nice to see something from a time just like now. Only with better songs.
Another good edition with young Mr. Reliable at the helm. The set designer clearly had something else on that evening.
ReplyDeleteMotorhead kicking off the show in every sense of the word with a reissue of 'Ace of Spades'. Sounding every bit as fine as it did in 1980. I wouldn't imagine the opening fireworks were the band's idea but head 'Head is in a generous mood with a funny line about Elstree. Unsettling camera angle pointing straight up at the drummer. I did actually mosh to this at Glastonbury 2015, the only time I've ever moshed. The bloke (far older than me) didn't give me much option to decline. Great fun it was and fortunately I couldn't spot myself on TV later.
A delightfully bonkers video from the Pet Shop Boys to go with the charts. Like everyone else here I think that's better than the original. I forgot there was such a strong 'Matter of Life and Death' reference throughout it with the celestial staircase. Huge fun.
Something else stirring in pop land with the debut appearance of Radiohead and the song that sent them stellar and drove them nuts. At the time I thought it was a bit grunge-u-like and obvious and it's still below their phenomenal best but it's an anthem and Jonny Greenwood. How cool can a band member be?
The.... square window. Not with Carol Chell inviting us to go through it but the ladies of Jade performing in front of. An ok song, not a patch on 'Don't Walk Away' and they promise much with their opening Christine Keeler chair poses but not much else happens apart from them putting one foot on the chairs occasionally.
By satellite from "Minnie Appolis" is Lenny Kravitz with another ode to self aggrandisement but it's a lovely soulful tune with some attractive piano.
I think there was a drummer under that hairstyle.
Breakers; Even more brief than usual. Shara Nelson should be in the studio for every chart entry of hers.
Roxette; Back in the charts with 'It Must've Been Love'. Did it really go so high again because the film had just been on the TV?
Kate Bush; Love 'Rubberband Girl'. Just a few seconds more would've been nice.
Chaka Demus & Pliers with a lovely version of Curtis Mayfield's 'She Don't Let Nobody'. Really liked it at the time and it still sounds good.
Belinda Carlisle with a song that I hated at the time but only because it was so below her normal standards. Silly chorus lyrics which would never have got past the Belinda of 1988. Maybe she was happy to relax a bit. Good tune though listening to it today, sung it that unique "come on kids!!!!" manner that she always had.
Still no video clip for 'Heart Shaped Box' in the Top 10. At No.1 Culture Beat for the last week and the opulent party video once more.
Mark says goodnight. A bloke to his right does a goldfish impersonation.
MOTÖRHEAD – Ace Of Spades
ReplyDeleteGreat way to start the show with a heavy metal anthem about...a pack of cards? Re-released with the CCN techno mix against the wishes of the band apparently, but they seem happy enough here.
PET SHOP BOYS – Go West
Big new entry and file under "should have been Number One". Not sure why a Village People gay anthem performed by an electronic band was to the general publics taste but maybe it was just because it was a good tune. Decent video as well (probably the best of their funny animated videos anyway).
Mark thinks PSB should have been Number 7 but that actually belongs to RADIOHEAD. I know they are one of the UK's great bands but they always left me cold, in both their rock and alternative phases.
This is a terrible tune from JADE. Just dull, then onto a slow and dreary LENNY KRAVITZ number where I was heavily distracted by the drummers......wig. "Heaven Help" us after those 2 songs,
Breakers:
SHARA NELSON – Sounded Ok, what we heard of it.
ROXETTE – They Must Have Been Desperate for some cash
KATE BUSH – Should have got a full airing.
CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS – She Don’t Let Nobody
I rather like this. Bit of a repetitive chorus but actually a decent tune. Highlight of the show. Still don't know which one is which.
BELINDA CARLISLE – Big Scary Animal
2 decent tunes in a row. Love this from Belinda. Unfortunately her sound hasn't really evolved since 1988 so the record buying public will be tired of her soon enough but I really like all her stuff.
CULTURE BEAT – Mr. Vain
5 weeks at Number One? read the script Mark.