In your head, in your head, it's the 29th of September 1994 edition of Top of the Pops!
Fairytale comeback
29-9-94: Presenter: Claire Sturgess
(17) 2 UNLIMITED – No-One
Getting the show underway but the song got no higher.
(20) THE CRANBERRIES – Zombie
Performing their third of nine top 40 hits and this famous one peaked at number 14.
(16) PATO BANTON – Baby Come Back (video) (and charts)
With just a little help from UB40, and on the way to number one.
(13) REEL 2 REAL feat. THE MAD STUNTMAN – Can You Feel It?
Here tonight but it got no higher.
(ALBUM TRACK) THE KINKS – You Really Got Me
Performing their number one hit from 1964, the godfathers of britpop are in the studio tonight to promote their top 20 album, The Definitive Collection, and showing the kids how it's done for real.
(22) SNAP feat. SUMMER – Welcome To Tomorrow (video)
Became their ninth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.
(17) EAST 17 – Steam
Here tonight and the song went up ten more places.
(NEW) SHANE MacGOWAN & THE POPES – That Woman’s Got Me Drinking
Joined in the studio by Johnny Depp on guitar, this became Shane's first of three solo top 40 hits when it peaked at number 34.
(1) WHIGFIELD – Saturday Night
Back again for her third of four weeks at number one.
(TOTP2) GARY NUMAN – Cars (E Reg Model) (clip of TOTP 1-10-87) (and credits)
This version reached number 16 in 1987.
6th of October is next.
TOTP2 1-10-94 https://wetransfer.com/downloads/f5b18602cc80c61542da400ba0a4f88d20230518172825/d39dff
ReplyDeleteNice one :-)
DeleteQuite liked this idea of having a TOTP2 programme alongside the main TOTP weekly to recap the current chart highlights from TOTP, and then have some of the new material coming through, like the Video Stir section, predictions for next week's chart, first time on TOTP for an artist, as well as Recorded for Recall for this week in two past years of TOTP.
DeleteThis show would have been better use of the 8 to 9pm slot on Friday nights on BBC4 to show the TOTP2 show that was transmitted alongside the the two TOTP shows of that fortnight which we get between 7 to 8pm, and rather than showing two random episodes of TOTP like last night with 1983 and 1987.
Two symbolic ‘passings’ related to the show this week.
ReplyDeleteFirst, Stan Appel. One of the longest serving BBC employees and apparently a very nice man to work with and for but, sadly, best remembered for his ‘Year Zero’ dismembering of TOTP. Interesting that the first I read of Stan’s passing was in a TV Cream mailout I received three days later. I thought more would have been made of Stan leaving us.
Secondly, Andy Rourke, elegant bassist with The Smiths. A wonderfully simple yet effective exponent of the instrument. In comparison, Andy’s passing was moved up to the second highest story on the BBC News website on Friday morning, ironically overtaking a story about no-marks like Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles worth £150 million each when he accepted £83,000 in a court case over Smiths royalties and drummer Mike Joyce fought on and gained a million.
The Andy Rourke passing was also on last night's end credits on Newsnight with a TOTP clip of The Smiths performing in the TOTP studio from an 80s episode.
DeleteGood Lord, I didn't think the previous show could be topped, but this one went even better, especially with the return of Claire Sturgess for one more episode to present, and Snap having their record played at last with the video, and at its third week in the chart rundown.
ReplyDelete2-Unlimited - wow this was just class from a group slowing down their usual ear-bashing electro sound to give us a real melody for a change. Love the dress on Anita on this one, with already three years of constant chart hits, and eleventh Top 20 single in a row, which not many groups could boast, but they would then only release two singles in 1995 to slow down the frequency of new singles, before disappearing for three years till 1998 with one more single that only got to No.38.
Pato Banton ft UB40 - UB40 had a recent chart entry of their own a few weeks earlier peaking at No.28 with Reggae Music which missed out on a TOTP play, but would then only release the occasional new single with no regularity, having already gained worldwide recognition for their efforts in an ongoing music career since 1980 when first arriving on the scene.
Snap - welcome back to tomorrow, with their first single in well over a year since mid-1993, this was class, especially the digital video with more sexy girls on the show, and now enjoying the extra video slot opened up on the show since the departure of Dortie and Franklin as presenters, otherwise this may have got ignored as it wasn't high enough in the charts to be the chart rundown video, and unusually Snap not available for a TOTP studio performance.
Another entertaining mix this one. Not for me as strong as the previous one which was almost a classic edition but still good fun. Lovely to see the very stylishly dressed and smiley Claire Sturgess who reminded me very much of someone then I realised that it was probably just a distant memory of Claire Sturgess. She's a very likeable and authoritative presenter and it's a shame that this 2nd one was her final show. I had a soft spot for Elayne Smith who also got only two editions. Now who could we choose from this evening's line-up to start things off I wonder?......
ReplyDelete2 Unlimited; Of course. A decent start with a tune I'd forgotten and with the usual feel your freedom style lyrics. Ray's rap not the best.
The Cranberries; Moody and sharply dressed to perform 'Zombie' which still sounds powerful. Dolores's vocal tics were already beginning to grate at the time though I can appreciate her talent more now.
Pato Banton; Fun reworking of The Equals reggaed up so no way it could fail to be huge in 1994. The video very similar to 'Chain Reaction' and even with Ali Campbell's presence still more 'Shivaree!' than shivery.
Reel 2 Real feat The Mad Stuntman; On but not a patch on 'I Like To Move It'.
The Kinks; Album track usually is a yawn but certainly not this time. The Kinks fully plugged in and rocking the place. Can never get bored of hearing this. Absolute classic and Ray Davies the perfect master of ceremonies. Audience very into it though not as memorably as the famous 'Beat Room' clip from '64 which includes Cilla Black, a mod with the coolest shades making the best timed camera stare in TV pop history and a man dressed as a chef. Starts black and white with a swirly background which is understandable though they didn't need the retro approach. Brilliant few minutes.
Snap feat Summer; Really good to see the video for 'Welcome To Tomorrow' which is a really undervalued single in their catalogue. A kind of spacey, '90s version of Jacko's 'Leave Me Alone' video and yes some sexy tour guides taking you off to wherever. The bleepy backing clearly a sound of the time. A similar sound shows up again in Alex Party's 'Don't Give Me Your Life' several months later.
East 17; Another moody studio appearance from this group. Blimey Tony looks menacing. Another good one from them and always liked the spoken part at the end.
Shane McGowan and The Pope's; And Johnny Depp which certainly Claire sounds excited about. The Woman Got Me Drinking. And, you'd assume, vomiting on stage if you heard this performance with your eyes closed. Not out to win Take That's audience it would appear. A real devil may care performance.
Whigfield; Still at No.1. Ok.
Amazed that Gary Numan had a sense of humour on his records. Pointless 30 seconds or so all the same.
It’s the second 50 per cent of Claire Sturgess’s shows. Shame as, although her links were very plain and straightforward, she was chirpy and far better than a number of DJ hosts we’ve endured.
ReplyDeleteA second helping of 2 Unlimited’s ballad, previously on the show as an album track. Way too much Ray (unusual hairstyle, lad) and always good to have Anita back.
The Cranberries. Iconic. What else can be said?
Tsk. No mention of the charts coming up, Claire.
Pato and the UBs with a perfunctory CJ Lewis-style blandout of an old hit which will, sadly, do very well.
Non-mugshots: the only top 40 week for UK Apachi and Shy FX, ditto for A House (an Irish act who had an earlier turntable hit and top 50 placing with “Endless Art”), the first of two lower reach outings by E.V.E., and the Letrasetter bites the bullet by giving us the full rude title of Wayne Marshall’s sole solo charter. “G-Spot” indeed.
What was Reel 2 Real’s track called again? Couldn’t quite place it.
The Kinks give us a version of their best known song which even the UK Subs would have played slower. That was loud and proud. Hackneyed but expected fake black and white footage effect to start proceedings.
From punk pop to punk rave with Snap’s catchy track. That camera work, mind you. Women with legs astride that machine holding large joysticks. Dominik Diamond of “Gamesmaster” fame would have had a field day thinking of suitable comments.
I win! I spotted the Popscene mistake copied by Angelo, I claim my star prize. East 17 weren’t at 17 (2 Unlimited were), they were straight in at their peak of number 7. Personally, “Steam” left me cold.
We then get one of the worst three minutes ever on the show courtesy of a scruffy and unintelligible professional Irishman. This plumbed new Deppths (see what I did there?).
Ah, Whigfield’s here again. Cleansing effect after that last piece of bath scum. I always wondered what happened to Showaddywaddy’s jackets after they stopped having hits.
Well, there she goes, Bye and thanks, Claire. Should have stayed longer.
Well spotted re Steam, Arthur! You win a Top of the Pops blog cup of tea, which I shall now drink on your behalf :-)
DeleteChart rundown - some great music in the Top 40 chart rundown this week over the Elton John video, but unfortunately would not get a TOTP showing at peak positions this week, losing out to the un-charted The Kinks and Shane McGowan taking two slots ahead of them on the show:
ReplyDeleteNo.24 Bomb The Bass - Big Powder Dust
First Top 40 single since 1991 when they got to No.7 with Winter In July, this new one was a good return single and should really have a got a slot on the show, especially since a second video slot had opened up on the show since the R1 djs returned.
No.26 Roger Taylor & Yoshiki - Foreign Sand
Fifth solo single since 1981 for Queen drummer Taylor, and third Top 40 single, but still to get a TOTP showing across his whole solo catalogue to date, it didn't seem like it was ever going to happen for him on TOTP.
No.32 Saint Etienne - Hug My Soul
A less successful year in 1994 for this group, after a more promising 1993, they would then take a year out until their next single called He's On The Phone, towards the end of 1995 which was to reach their highest chart position of No.11 up until then.
No.67 Fish - Fortunes Of War
Quick mention for the ex Marillion frontman, and still going solo since 1986, this was his penultimate single before calling it a day in the summer of 1995 with Just Good Friends which only managed No.63.
I must just point out Dory that your memory may be letting you down!.... regarding Roger Taylor's appearance on ToTP (miming) 'Future Management' on 23/04/1981. This was Roger's second solo single and first from the 'Fun in Space' album, hence the spooky alien eyes superimposed towards the end. Only reached No49 but in those days there were dips in the lower chart regions. This edition, of course was not shown on BBC4 due to the host but was made available by the very helpful 'anonymous' as the blog comments bear witness to.
DeleteI can't get over how young Roger looks!
Thanks for the clarification Sct353. It seems ages ago that the 1981 episodes were shown on these reruns, and I had assumed that a peak of No.49 wouldn't have got on the show in the 80s.
Delete1981 also seems to be the year that got away in the extra repeats. Only one so far and that wasn't a great one. For me '79 and '81 were the best years but at least another '79 show coming up on Friday. Looks like a truly brilliant half hour.
DeleteSct, funnily enough, I just saw the TOTP May 1982 episode on BBC4 tonight, and Roger Taylor was one of the guests with presenter John Peel, but that was all, as Taylor didn't perform any music on the show!
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ReplyDelete2 UNLIMITED still plugging away and Ray getting more of a part as time goes on. No-One is a rubbish name for a pop song. (escape to) Paradise would have been better. Not their best but always good fun to open the show.
ReplyDeleteTHE CRANBERRIES and Dolores betting out "Zombie" next. Absolutely brilliant record. Nothing else in the charts like it. Deserves all the love it gets.
Could have sworn "Baby Come Back" was credited to UB40 and PATO BANTON at the time but clearly not. Huge fan of this one, loads of energy, great video and going all the way. Leads nicely into REEL 2 REAL and THE MAD STUNTMAN with "Can You Feel It?" Goes down well in the studio and a strong party track. Not gonna win an awards for originality.
TOTP drag THE KINKS out of the retirement home and then show half the performance in B+W. As with Elvis completely unnecessary and belongs on TOTP2.
Never realised SNAP made it to the end of 94. Quite an impressive run for a dance act. This tune instantly forgettable. Nice spacey video though.
A head-shaven EAST 17 in the studio with "Dry Ice". Sorry "Steam". This isn't the worst tune they ever made but it's pretty damn close.
Can't stand SHANE MacGOWAN, and this isn't going to chance my mind. Skipped it after 15 seconds
I now know all the moves to "Saturday Night". Be useful this Christmas.