Swing low in a dark glass hour, it's the 12th of May 1994 edition of Top of the Pops!
Jack Dee-J
12-5-94: Presenter: Jack Dee
(31) EYC – Number One
Getting tonight's show underway and the song peaked at number 27.
(39) JOE ROBERTS – Back In My Life
Had originally made it to number 59 last year, this time around the peak was number 39.
(7) EAST 17 – Around The World (video) (and charts)
Peaked at number 3.
(16) GLOWORM – Carry Me Home
Performing their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 9.
(15) MICHAEL BOLTON – Lean On Me
Went up one more place.
(35) MARCELLA DETROIT & ELTON JOHN – Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing
Here in the studio and this duet went up eleven more places.
(19) R. KELLY – Your Body’s Callin’ (via satellite)
His first of 31 top 40 hits, but edited out due to his conviction.
(NEW) IGGY POP – Beside You
In the studio tonight but the song only made it to number 47.
(1) STILTSKIN – Inside
Here to perform their one and only week at number one.
(NEW) MAXX – Get-A-Way (studio montage) (and credits)
Became their first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 4.
19th of May is next.
The chart rundown seemed to be the most interesting part of the show this week:
ReplyDeletePeak position for Roger Taylor with Nazis 1994, wasn't aware of such a chart title being allowed, even just about pre the PC era, this somehow got penned as a single, but no TOTP for this one, and tumbled down to to No.41 the following week.
Also peak position for Meat Loaf at No.26 with Objects In The Rear View Mirror, I think this was the last single release from Bat Out Of Hell II, and tumbled out of the Top 40 the following week, but we saw this one live in the TOTP studio a few shows ago when Meat Loaf presented himself at the end of the show.
The Doobie Brothers also at peak position at No.37 this week with Listen To The Music, 20 years after first release in 1974, another great single to miss out on a TOTP showing, especially as this remix for 1994 turned out to be The Doobie Brothers last ever single.
On the one hand, I'm glad they're cutting out R Kelly songs rather rhan just not showing his episodes at all. On the other, missing this episode might have been a blessing.
ReplyDeleteGloworm an ok single cursed with another dire live performance.
This is one of the worst episodes in a long time, starting especially badly with EYC being ill-advised to doa live vocal. Terrible.
Then a number 39 smash hit that's pretty dull.
E17 might have been a highlight but we don't even get them in the studio.
Two very dull cover versions, Iggy has clearly invested in some good hair straighteners but the song isn't his best.
Stiltskin are fine, as are Maxx. I would hope the next episode would improve but THAT song is turning up so...
This show was showable Rad but near the end of the year Glitter appears in two over the end credits. That could be a real disappointment for Blur and Oasis fans as it's the one where Damon presents and introduces Oasis peering through flowers at him.
DeleteR Kelly does have another hit in October 1994 which became his first U.K. top ten hit which was originally released in 1992 will also be cut out and the Damon Alburn fronted episode from 15/12/1994 will have to be a problem there with Glitter making a cameo.
DeleteA new era of sorts begins then with the first comedian to host the show in the Blaxill period (I don't count Robbie Williams) and it's one who will do a good few more including the Christmas '95 show. Jack Dee straight away is a fine host and his links are little comedy gems. Between the comedy some awful music. Stiltskin at No.1 introduce the show. Let's pretend they didn't.
ReplyDeleteEYC; None more so than this. 'Number One'? One Hundred and One should be optimistic for this dross. I assume this wasn't a live edition so surely Ric could've ordered a 2nd take. Maybe this was the best out of 30. The first singer so off key and the 2nd one almost as bad. At least the rapper was decent though I didn't listen to what he was yelling and assume it wasn't the late Trugoy The Dove's standard. Let's move on.
Joe Roberts; Clearly a favourite of Ric Blaxill or someone in his team which is intriguing for someone who went on to be so associated with Britpop's dominance of the show. Ok song sung by Joe with plenty of new man emotional bluster whilst wearing a Marti Pellow style carpet suit.
East 17; The highlight by a distance, for me 'Around The World' is their best single and a great choice to go with the charts. A very hippie/spirit of pan video for the group who of course don't look remotely like that themselves. Very of it's time, especially the lady swinging on the globe but a great set of visuals. Beautiful song too and I always liked East 17 most when they had a pretty tune but still tried to come over as hard. The video cut off very abruptly and a tad clumsily which led me to think that this was where that loser was edited out but no, he came later.
Gloworm; A gospelly bellow from a pulpit to follow. Pity he didn't whizz around the stage in it like Dave Allen. Good single though with a strong hook in the chorus.
Michael Bolton; We didn't need a noise test version of 'Lean On Me' last week. Another couple of minus points for Blaxill there.
Marcella Detroit & Elton John; Marcella hasn't helped herself by following her marvellous debut solo single with a pointless duet with Elton John. Listenable though little else.
Edit; No complaint.
Iggy Pop; An exclusive for Iggy Pop which is welcome. His second appearance on the show I think and a most professional Mr. Osterberg leaving his see through trousers and teddy bear at home. Elder chaos merchant plodding rock ballad that didn't do much but good to see him.
Stiltskin; Jack Dee's intro to this was a masterclass of backhanded compliment and thank goodness this was another 1 week only chart topper. Some of the lyrics! Surely anyone over the age of 17 would've said to the producer of this single, "have I really got to sing these without laughing?". The singer charges into the audience like the rock god he's convinced himself he is then kicks things about. Sct did he attempt to sing things like 'Harlequin' or 'Dusk' when he wss in Genesis? I can't imagine it but maybe he was treating this dreary gruntathon as a jokey one off. At the end unbeknownst to a still unimpressed Jack, the guitarist sprays drink around. Champagne? I couldn't dislike this group more.
MAXX; I was wondering if the show would be pulled because of the montage at the end but the necessarily edit looks like it was made.
Can someone fill me in......who was chopped from the montage?
DeleteDory, it was R Kelly.
DeleteDee-risory spoiler alert both chartwise and vision-wise at the start.
ReplyDeleteIt comes to something when a deadpan comic, who you think is going to be a dreadful host, is at least the third highlight of the show. Did a good job. B-plus rather than Dee-minus.
EYC : dee-readful. Jemini should have covered this as they were just as bad at crap off-key vocals.
Joe Roberts: dee-cidedly average. The sort of song Curtis Stigers would have performed far better.
East 17: dee-generates getting mellow this time. Non-mugshots: Chelsea Football Club not so successful as that other lot with their single.
Gloworm: Dee-nomination. Nicely thought out pulpit for the singer. Sore throat, lad? A nice slice of gospel rave.
Marcella and Elton: Dee-reary syrup once covered by (flinch) Donny and Marie Osmond.
R Kelly: dee-funct.
Iggy Pop: dee-cent. Keeps it clean and well mannered. This sounds the sort of ‘driving your car’ hit they’d have in the USA rather than here but still perfectly good.
Stiltskin: dee-linquents acting more like Foreskin. Can we have Tony Di Bart back, please?
Maxx: dee-void of ideas. Nice work chopping the banned one from the montage.
(Inadvertently missed out from above...) Micky Bolton: dee-crepit. This wounded seal again when we could have had The Levellers?
ReplyDeleteAs Jack says himself a proper comedian tonight rather than a DJ and the jokes improved as the show went on.
ReplyDeleteLast week was a varied show of good tunes, this week, less successful.
EYC never going to make "number one" with this appalling record but thankfully JOE ROBERTS turns up to save the day. Second best in class tonight, I really do like "Back In My Life". Nice to see what he looks like but I thought he was American not from Manchester. Such a shame this didn't do better.
EAST 17 going Around The World with a weird video and looking like absolute prats. Song is a good un' though. Nazi's and Chelsea both in the rundown, neither getting a look in tonight.
GLOWORM go all gospel/clubby for "Carry Me Home" Bit of fun to pass the time I suppose, then MICHAEL BOLTON with a repeat of his "Lean on Me" performance which I (whisper it) actually quite enjoyed. Good strong vocal.
What a very odd couple MARCELLA DETROIT & ELTON JOHN make. They could have gone kooky but went straight down the line with this "Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing" cover. Wasted opportunity really.
Nice edit next into IGGY to skip R. KELLY. "Your Body’s Callin’" a very US style hit musically. He had a knack for a good tune and does a good vocal here. First of 31 top 40 appearances then - Houston we have a repeats problem. Be interesting to see where we go with this.
No idea IGGY POP released this. Actually quite enjoyed it. STILTSKIN enjoying their week at the top. Unlike others commenting last week I am a fan of "Inside". Great Number One. Quality audience baiting.
More "uncredited" dance from MAXX to play us out. Time to getaway....