Where did you come from, where did you go, where did you come from the 12th of January 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!
Hitbillies
12-1-95: Presenter: Mark Goodier
(6) N-TRANCE – Set You Free
Getting the show underway with their first of five top ten hits and it peaked at number 2.
(23) THE LIGHTNING SEEDS – Change
Making their studio debut and the song went up ten more places.
(17) BILL WHELAN – Riverdance (video) (and charts)
Peaked at number 9.
(12) NICKI FRENCH – Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Performing what became her only top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.
(13) PORTISHEAD – Glory Box (video)
Their first of five quirky top 40 hits but it got no higher.
(26) THE ALMIGHTY – Jonestown Mind
Performing their sixth of eight top 40 hits but it got no higher.
(NEW) SIMPLE MINDS – She’s A River (via satellite)
Became their eighth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.
(1) REDNEX – Cotton Eye Joe
First of three weeks at number one.
(TOTP2) DEEP PURPLE – Black Night (clip of TOTP 15-10-70) (and credits)
Peaked at number 2 in 1970.
19th of January is next.
Bill Whelan - highlight of the show for me. I remember the whole Riverdance craze of the time, and those dancers were just brilliant, the way they move across the floor in reaction to certain sounds.
ReplyDeleteNikki French - hmm, bring back Bonnie Tyler!
Simple Minds - filming that clip at the top of the Eiffel Tower must have been so much fun, and I didn't know that The Simple Minds were still going in 1995, as their peak was more like 1985!
When I first saw Riverdance as the intermission during an Irish-hosted Eurovison Song Contest, I likened it to Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks. Shows how much I knew!
DeleteTOTP2 14-01-1995 https://we.tl/t-b2Ab2ETNjq
ReplyDeleteis 7/1/1995 totps 2 available
Deleteno such episode, first one pf 1995 was 14th Jan.
DeleteBest TOTP2 episode so far by a distance, and not cos of R Kelly's new single, but the Recorded For Recall 1980 had four singles played in full, including Joe Jackson's It's Different For Girls, and Pink Floyd's video for Another Brick In The Wall. Good Lord, wasn't January 1980 a cracking month for pop music!
DeleteAlso, first sighting of Courtney Love, and doesn't she look amazing in a dress, and then the new single by Sleeper for another pretty lead singer, we were really being spoiled on this show. Good Lord!
Is there a website that lists every totp2 episode?
Deletehttps://tvrdb.com/totp/
DeleteNot sure when the next 1995 editions are being shown - nothing scheduled for the 21st or 28th of July.
ReplyDeleteNor 4th August neither.
DeleteLooking like after the proms finish then in September.
DeleteA lot of editions to squeeze in then before xmas, unless there's a few that can't be shown.
DeleteTechnically it’s the 9th of February 1995 and the 7th of December 1995 episodes that are going to be skipped though.
DeleteI beieve 1995 and 1996 will run after the proms this year and will finish Dec 2024.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why they are still showing the flashback editions during the Proms instead of 1995?
DeleteHigher viewing figures, for retro editions.
DeleteThat slot could have paved way for the TOTP2 episodes with 14/1/95, 21/1/95, and 28/1/95 - in some times like this, they don't. The retro throwbackl episodes get more ratings than ever.
DeleteGood fun episode this one, really decent mix of stuff.
ReplyDeleteN-Trance - fab opener, very big at the local 'nite' clubs back then.
Lightning Seeds - not my favourite of theirs but a good solid tune nonetheless and the start of a bit of a resurgence for them
Riverdance - glad some of you like it, definitely not for me!
Nikki French - still makes a living doing regional Pride events, good for her. I don't mind this cover and it always amused me how mumsy she looked back then compared to all the other dance acts.
Portishead - Awesome. Really love this one.
The Almighty - eh, it's fine.
Rednex - very silly but i still like it.
(part 2)
ReplyDelete“Must listen again and possibly buy” number two of the show – but actually a different track of theirs – as we are treated to some sublime film noir sounds by Portishead ….”From Portishead”! The intriguing video worked better than having the band in the studio.
I was enjoying that Almighty track until the bloke started bellowing into the mic. Shame. Not the nicest song title either – Jonestown was the location of a religious sect where a mass suicide of several hundred people happened in 1978.
“She’s A River”… given that song title, were Simple Minds in-Seine to film that in Paris? Sorry!! I hope the cameramen didn’t have vertigo – I felt a bit queasy watching that. Charlie knows all the lyrics, doesn’t he? Next week, Joe Longthorne and Liz Dawn from Blackpool Tower!
Mark, Give poor Lisa some space there! She’s having to bend backwards with your mic advances. Lisa then gives a fine intro to Rednex.
I followed that with an FF until we get to some classic Purple for the finale.
Don’t know why we had a big gap between shows, then a week back before another ‘holiday’. Right, catch you in a fortnight then!
Chart rundown - Ace Of Base as a new entry in at No.18 this week missed out on a TOTP slot, and would not appear at all as they fell down the charts the week after. Pity no Breakers to show a clip of it at least. Will just have to wait until their next single.
ReplyDeleteHi folks. Not sure what's happening with my critique of this edition. My first attempt yesterday didn't get accepted as it was probably too long, so I spliced it into two two and posted earleir today... only for part 1 to go missing! I'll try again.
ReplyDelete(that part 1...)
ReplyDeleteA very polite start from Jim and Charlie there, and a much better selection of tracks for these ears than the last edition.
“Must listen again and possibly buy” number one of the show as I’d forgotten N-Trance’s majestic punk rave. Probably the best thing to come out of Oldham. Should have given Kwikfit Fitter Dancer a treadmill at the back there.
No no NO, Mark! Schoolboy error with the early chart topper spoiler alert.
Welcome back, Ian. Lovely song gliding along there. Shame you’re miming, though.
Were we lucky to have Wet Wet Wet at number one all the time instead of “Riverdance”? Both Mark and the Letrasetter bottle out as the full artistes’ title is Bill Whelan featuring Anuna and the RTE Concert Orchestra.
Oodles of non-mugshot chat this week. Cue the tumble weed… Canadian act Elevatorman didn’t go any higher. Sorry, couldn’t resist that! The Whitehead Brothers were sons of the chap who co-sang “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”. “187” is apparently street slang for a crime of murder. The only top 40 week for Tyrell Corporation who managed four other minor hits, third of five top 40’s for Loveland featuring Rachel McFarlane, and Sounds of Blackness get 13 places higher with a re-release of their 1993 hit.
Next up, one of the few chart acts from Carlisle – I can only think of 911 as another – as Nicki French serves up a needless dancey cover of Bonnie Tyler’s biggie. Good voice, though, and respect due for remembering all those lyrics. Nicki will go on to make temporary history in 2000 by finishing 16th in the Eurovision Song Contest, the UKs’ lowest finish at the time (!!!), with “Don’t Play That Song Again”. Very few did as the single only reached number 34.
Without meaning to tread on Dory’s shoes, I tried to find the top 100 for this week and found it quite easily.
ReplyDeleteIt appears you type into your search engine www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19950108 for this particular week and then just increase the date by seven days for the next chart.
For one show only, I’ll save Dory the research. Interesting records which didn’t make the mugshots this week…
41 – Basia “Drunk On Love” (peak position, first week on chart)
The third and final top 75 entry and closest she got to the tickertape for Matt Bianco’s Polish female singer, whose name was pronounced Basher
53 – Youssou N’Dour “Undecided” (peak position, first week on chart)
The British record buying public decided not to give ‘Im ‘N’Dours a follow-up hit to “7 seconds”. He managed one other minor hit at number 52 and that was it.
91 – McAlmont “Either” (only week in the top 100)
The second of three solo singles by David McAlmont, none of which made the top 75. We’d hear of him big time four months after this.
Thanks Arthur, but irrespective of the awful new Top 100 site which should have been left in its old format, I didn't find anything interesting to comment on outside the Top 40 this week.
DeleteLast word on the new official charts site - the saying goes 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' - but the new format reminds me of a Meat Loaf song title from the Bat Out Of Hell III album - 'If Ain't Broke, Break It'.
DeleteConsidering how many times the old site broke more "If It's broke, break it some more".
DeleteThis edition got off to the best possible start but went downhill after apart from a classic from Portishead. Still definitely serves notice that this is going to be one hell of a good year.
ReplyDeleteN-Trance; A magnificent start with one of the best singles of the year, maybe the decade. It's just that piano, so sublime! One of the greatest vocal hooks in all of dance as well. Great singing too and she looks a proper rave princess in the clothes and crusty style hair. She returns on Christmas Day looking like the forgotten extra member of Pan's People. The long haired dude at the back, did he only dance or did he sing/play/write anything? Totally euphoric and '95 has properly begun.
The Lightning Seeds; Yes, great return from the Lightning Seeds. Love 'Change' and it feels like the mid '90s have truly arrived. Ian Broudie looks almost willfully uncharismatic in the jumper and shades. Really nostalgic watching that. They're a band who I really regret not seeing live around that time.
Bill Whelan; Went on far too long.
Nicki French; I thought that was awful, arrangement and singing.
Portishead; Another brilliant thing from the British popular music scene with the arrival of the group from, er, Portishead. I don't remember seeing the video at the time. Very striking and Beth immediately a singer to worship. Another single of the year and 'Sour Times' just as good.
The Almighty; More angsty overgrown teenager rock. At least it gave the front rows something to jump about to.
Simple Minds; In the show introduction I thought Jim Kerr had a really embarrassing feathercut hairstyle but this satellite clip reveals that it's just an embarrassing hat. Dreary rumbly tune from the Eiffel Tower.
A very flat performance from Mark Goodier on this edition. Thankfully he hands over the mic to Lisa I'Anson who will in time be a regular presenter. She does a bubbly, enthusiastic intro to the new No.1.....
Rednex; .....Even though it's them.
Goodbye from Mark then the credits roll to some live heads down rocking from October 1970. I'm not a Deep Purple fan but I've watched this well known clip many times and I think it's maybe the only example where a live Top of the Pops performance actually outdoes the single. Freaky Richie Blackmore guitar crashes into demonic John Lord organ, accompanied by some groovers shakin' it. Man. As I said I'm not even into them. Brilliant but as always stopped dead almost as soon as it starts.
The Deep Purple clip was a taster for the TOTP2 show a couple of days later which featured this song in full.
DeleteI can't get the TOTP2 shows on my phone. Shame as those early editions do seem very good. Is Johnnie Walker the presenter? The earliest clip I have on video is of Pretty Vacant from an edition in 1996 and Johnnie's voiceover is at the end.
DeleteThe Deep Purple clip looking closer may be mimed as Blackmore's guitar doesn't always look like it matches the recording. Hard to tell if it's live or not but it sounds like it. Certainly it's an alternative version to the single and I think superior.
All TOTP2 are being added in tandem with 1995 repeats to mega, they always avalible.
DeleteI'd like to see 23 December 1995 and 27 December 1997 for TOTP2 if anyone is able to help please? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo 1995 TOTP this Friday or on August 11th either! What was the f#cking point of showing the first two shows of the year then having a whopping great gap before the next two?
ReplyDeleteThe vintage TOTPs are still continuing (1980 & 84 tonight). Is this so they can be dropped in case the Proms overruns?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that they're still showing the older repeats but it's a real shame that with only two getting shown they still aren't showing the full length additions. Also please show a '76 edition! Maybe BBC4 think they're not good enough to repeat. I'd like to see the odd one again. I've added a post to last night's 1980 edition. Pity that one was an edited edition but it was still brilliant.
DeleteGleaned from "Creamguide" last night, no 1995 TOTPs until September!
DeleteJust noticed that that starting tomorrow Channel 4 has a new series of Popmaster TV on Friday evenings at 8-9pm for the next six weeks presented by Ken Bruce of course, and just before the two TOTP episodes on BBC4 at 9-10pm, so it will be a good filler on Channel 4 instead of the Proms until BBC4 returns with TOTP 1995.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe wait for 1995 TOTPs continues. Not being shown in the first week of September.
ReplyDeleteAnd the latest from "Creamguide"... no 1995 TOTPs until September 15th. That means a gap of NINE weeks since the first (and only) two shows from 1995 were transmitted. What exactly was the point of BBC4 showing the first two episodes of a new year then nothing for two months? Why not wait till next week to start the year cleanly? Pondering if it's worth carrying on watching them.
ReplyDeleteMark gets the shiny phallic golden mic this week and a great start to the show with a full 2 minutes of N-TRANCE. "Set You Free" one of those awesome dance tunes I was clubbing to back in the day. Still sounds great.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever "Change". Good advice from THE LIGHTNING SEEDS. In their mid 90s purple patch and from their wonderful pop masterpiece Jollification. Big fan of this.
Eurovision link 1: Riverdance makes the charts. Very impressive and actually found myself enjoying it from the distance of 28 years. Everywhere and annoying at the time, and one of the most in demand videos at the Sounds counter in WHS in Reading.
Anyone seen Roy Castle?
Eurovision link 2+3: A dance version of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" is what we need, said no-one, ever! Step forward Nicki French to completely ruin a classic tune. Ironically in 2000 she asks "don't play that song again" and manages a whole 28 points at Eurovision. 5 points more than Bonnie Tyler managed in 2013 so small wins.
PORTISHEAD – Style, Class, Cool video. Wonderfully unique sound. Loved this.
An ALMIGHTY racket next. "Jonestown Mind" at least more memorable than Thunder last week.
Can take or leave SIMPLE MINDS but I like "She’s A River". A mix of Minds, U2 and sounding very 80s. Love the performance as well. These outside productions can be a but "point and shoot" but the camera angles and direction here are great. Very memorable.
A quick introduction to Lisa "went to Ibiza and never came back" I'Anson. Always a very annoying DJ that loved the sound of her own voice way too much.
Hooray for REDNEX. 3 minutes of fun!
A great show this week. 1995 gonna be a good one.