You think that I can't live without the 2nd of November 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!
Top of the pops girl
2-11-95: Presenter: Suggs
(25) ECHOBELLY – King Of The Kerb
Opening the show with the second single from their top 4 album, On, but it got no higher.
(22) MN8 – Baby It’s You
In the studio but the song got no higher.
(2) QUEEN – Heaven For Everyone (video) (and charts)
At its peak.
(4) EAST 17 – Thunder
A second studio performance but the song was now at its peak.
(15) UB40 – Until My Dying Day (via satellite)
Got no higher.
(NEW) BRYAN ADAMS & BONNIE RAITT – Rock Steady
The duo are here tonight but the song only made it to number 50.
(17) McALMONT & BUTLER – You Do
Performing their second of four top 40 hits, but it got no higher.
(11) MADONNA – You’ll See
Here she is performing in the studio tonight and the song went up six more places.
(1) COOLIO feat. LV – Gangsta’s Paradise
Second and final week at number one.
(TOTP2) MOTÖRHEAD – Ace Of Spades (clip of TOTP 6-11-80) (and credits)
Reached number 15 in 1980.
Chart rundown video - different Queen video to the one we saw on TOTP and TOTP2 last week which was much better than this. I mean what does the latest robotic technology advances in 1995 have to do with Queen? Also I spotted two new entries at peak position on the chart rundown that didn't get a TOTP showing, namely Status Quo at No.34 and Hed Boys with Girls & Boys. Not sure if this was send up of the Blur classic from 1994.
ReplyDeleteUB40 - Yay, the Live By Satellite section is still going strong on TOTP, and this time UB40 performing in Brooklyn New York for us, some 15 years after they debuted in the TOTP studio in 1980 with Food For Thought which funnily enough was the 1980 TOTP episode played tonight on BBC4 after the two 1995 shows!
Madonna - was this her first time in the TOTP studio since 1984? Good Lord, someone please check it out. Anyway, she was looking quite thin on this outing, and she's normally more full bodied from what I remember from the 80s and 90s.
Hed Boys was completely different and rather naff dance track. Nothing to do with Blur.
DeleteHi Rob, do you have the two TOTP2 episodes for this week?
ReplyDeletehttps://we.tl/t-evtLU0hoB6 TOTP2 04-11-95
Deletethank you Rob
DeleteThanks Rob, this show celebrated Madonna's 11 year wait to return to the TOTP studio by not only showing tis week's TOTP performance of You'll See, but also showing her first TOTP studio appearance in 1984 with Holiday. Welcome back Madge!
DeleteAlso, was great to see Tina Turner fronting the new promo single and video for the new James Bond Film Golden Eye, which was a throwback to Sheena Easton doing the same for For Your Eyes Only in 1981.
In Recorded For Recall from November 1980, I didn't know that Kool & The Gang started together as early as 1964, with the group name since 1969, and first US single in 1973, but I did know that their first UK single was in 1979 with Ladies Night. Also a brilliant Motorhead TOTP studio performance of Ace Of Spades .
Finally when showing the new Robson & Jerome video in the Tomorrow's Hits section, there was no mention of possibly going straight in at No.1 as did for Coolio a couple of TOTP2 shows ago, but Walker did mention that it was an early bid for the Xmas 1995 No.1.
Thanks Rob!!!
DeleteThanks as ever Rob
DeleteConfession Time:
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favourite Madonna song is you'll see.
Highly underrated.
And yes it was the first time she was back in the TOTP studio since 13/12/84 with like a virgin.
Good Lord, it seemed like several of the 80s icons of pop who would only send their videos for TOTP once they made it big, were now coming back to the TOTP studio in the early to mid-90's, where I imagine they needed to appeal to the next generation of pop fans who were tuning in to TOTP, and to keep their dominance going if it had not already declined by now. David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Meat Loaf, Cher, UB40, to name but a few since the 1991 TOTP revamp.
DeleteHello Lurker. Good to see you here!
DeleteYes Lurker, that was confirmed on TOTP2 that Madonna was making her first appearance on TOTP for 11 years, so 1984 was indeed the last time she was on.
Delete'You'll See' is a favourite for me too. Really casts a spell and with such a spare arrangement. Kind of a sombre belated sequel to 'La Isla Bonita'. Suprising she never did more with flamenco guitar touches. My absolute favourite Mdge single has to be 'Cherish' which just propels me instantly back to 4th year in Autumn '89.
DeleteI had just finished Uni in the summer of '89, and just landed my first job in autumn '89, so it was a poignant time for me too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've been listening to King of the Kerb a lot lately, so it's good to see it here. I know Echobelly were very much B-tier Britpop but they had some good tracks.
ReplyDeleteMN8 - cold in the studio, was it?
Queen and East 17 enjoyable returns, UB40 a bit less so.
Bryan and Bonnie - no memory of this at all. I didn't mind it.
McAlmont and Butler - much less interesting than Yes but David McAlmont's voice is so beautiful that it's still enjoyable enough.
Madonna - looking good with that hair and makeup. I liked this one a lot as a moody teenager.
Coolio - cracking number one. Wish it was sticking around...
I am quite surprised they left in Sugg's Savile impression at the end.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair it was a piss poor impression.
DeleteIt sounded more like he was yodelling.
Two new entries peaking outside the Top 40 this week from previous TOTP regulars, but with no impact on the charts this time:
ReplyDeleteNo.68 Dusty Springfield - Roll Away
With her last Top 40 single coming in 1990, this latest new release in 1995 turned out to be her final single, as the curtain comes down on a career going back over 30 years to 1963 with her first single I Only Want To Be With You which made it to No.4, so the song title on this her final single in 1995 turned out to be quite reflective of the end of her run in the singles charts.
No.100 Carol Decker - One Heart
OK, not a TOTP regular as solo, but of course I was meaning with T'Pau in the late 80s. Decker's solo career did not even make a Top 75 listing, and this No.100 best effort is the only tune I can find for her in solo form.
Solid show this week. Not sure about Suggs as presenter. Didn't really own it for me.
ReplyDeleteEcho Belly. Another great female led band. The great indie tunes just kept coming in 95.
MN8 next. Thought we'd seen the last of this lot. The break has made them more RnB and less tuneful. Should be able to afford trousers thay fit by now but at least they kept their clothes on
Is this a different Queen video?
Liked East 17 better second time around. There's a guy in a lumberjack shirt at the front who is living prooof white men can't dance
Bonnie and Bryan. Far too country for my tastes. Probably did very well over the pond. I'd take it over MN8 any day of the week
Lambert and Butler never made anything as good as Yes but this his is not bad at all. Good vocal.
You'll See is one of my favourite Madonna songs. Her ballads album is exceptional. Nice live vocal and 2 bodyguards I see.
Happy to see this awesome Coolio performance again.
Just noticed this:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5BA82axGs
It shows an alternative take of You'll See by Madge, used on a later totp2.
So I checked what Robb posted from the 4/11/95 and that was the same as that weeks totp.
So somewhere there must be a master tape with some extra Madonna takes on it at the BBC.
Unless he's custom made it somehow.
The later TOTP2 is from 15/08/2001.
DeleteI found the listing on popscene.
Still they must have the alternative edit on a master tape somewhere, for totp2 to use it 6 years later.
One heart ,Carol Decker
ReplyDeleteRugby league centenary celebration single.
Rob customed made nothing, he lifts links from ps forum, someone else doing all the hard work, as usual rob making out he is!!!
ReplyDeleteI've fallen behind a bit but I enjoyed this edition. Madonna returns to the studio after a long time. In real time, I was 9 and hoping for a train set for Christmas the last time she was in the studio. On her return I was settled into university. She has the honour of introducing the edition. Friendly with just a trace of welcome to my land, mortal, about it. Agreed, great song she's doing.
ReplyDeleteSuggs does the presenting and is enjoyably Suggs like but seems strangely cowed by the experience as if he's not sure how mad he's supposed to be. There are quips and voices and what's happening expressions aplenty but you have to focus to catch them. Surprising considering he says at the top of the show that he's always wanted to present it. He gets better near the end.
Echobelly; Couldn't stand 'Great Things' at the time or now but 'King of the Kerb' is a fine witty slice of Britpop. Sorry I just don't like Sonia Madan's voice. She looks a pop star certainly and was a style setter at the time. But her voice was one of that movement's weak points for me. The lads in the band bob up and down while staring intently at their instruments in that girl fronted Britpop band way.
MN8; Reasonable song sung reasonably in tune. Noticeably less screams from the audience for that.
Queen; A 2nd video for 'Heaven For Everyone'. Single still sounds beautiful and touching. The video puzzling but not in an attractive way like the previous one. Washing hands and a robot being built. Band not featured at all unless it was one of the three that were washing their hands.
East 17; Less in the faces of the crowd this week with Brian recovering after a shaky start and all in outfits seemingly made from extra strength bin liner material.
UB40; I will comment then. Yes this has grown on me and a live spot that looks like it was performed in exactly the same spot where The Bee Gees performed 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' in Dec '93. They were pretty shaky probably due to being bloody freezing but the Yubes don't have the same trouble because I don't think they're singing live.
Bryan Adams & Bonnie Raitt; Ah now this is a bonus. Bonnie and Beyan (he obviously likes his star guest experiences) with a very live performance. Bonnie Raitt wouldn't demean herself to mime and is as sexy and ballsy and charismatic as ever. Live guitar soloing too. The song sounds like a pale (ie. less stupid) retread of Rod Stewart's 'Hotlegs' but it rocks well enough. Always like Mr.Adams' unstarry joy at performing with another artist.
McCalmont & Butler; I enjoyed Suggs' link to this dressed in his 'Baggy Trousers' era shades and bowler hat to introduce David McCalmont also in a bowler hat. Very cool. Loved 'The Sound of....' album and an incredible voice and duo. Just as strong as 'Yes' for me.
Madonna; A soberly dressed Madonna and band with one of her best singles. 'You'll See' is a stunning single and touching to see her so open and direct maybe in a way she never was before or again. Easily the highlight.
Cooling feat LV; One of the singles of the year then Motorhead to blast us out.