Oh my baby, oh my baby, it's the 5th of March 1999 edition of Top of the Pops!
Top tender hit
5-3-99: Presenter: Jamie Theakston
(2) BLUR – Tender
Getting the show underway and the song was at its peak.
(5) CHER – Strong Enough
In the studio tonight but the song got no higher.
(6) THE CORRS – Runaway
A second studio performance but the song had already peaked at number 2.
(7) THE CARDIGANS – Erase/Rewind
With their second of three top ten hits and it was at its peak.
(3) WHITNEY HOUSTON – It’s Not Right But It’s Okay
At its peak.
(4) STEREOPHONICS – Just Looking
Performing the second single from their number one album, Performance and Cocktails, but it got no higher.
(1) BRITNEY SPEARS – Baby One More Time (video)
Second and final week at number one.
(EUROVISION) JAY – You’ve Taken My Dreams (and credits)
another good one but did not chart.
Whitney Houston - couldn't help but notice Theakston at the end of the song raving about her boobs. Yes indeed, I noticed them too and nearly passed out. And Whitney gets three shows in a row with the same performance and boob-filled outfit, this being the second show and as a new entry this week at No.3.
ReplyDeleteFurther down the chart, I noticed two new entries at peak positions for a couple of old timers:
No.36 Van Morrison - Precious Time
Final Top 40 single for Van..
No.53 MC Tunes vs 808 State - The Only Rhyme That Bites 99.
Good Lord, what brought this one back when it was originally released in the summer of 1990 with a peak position of No.10?
6-5-76: Presenter: Noel Edmonds
ReplyDelete(NEW) MUD – Shake It Down
(11) FRANKIE VALLI – Fallen Angel ®
(14) THE STYLISTICS – Can’t Help Falling In Love (danced to by Ruby Flipper)
(NEW) BARRY MANILOW – Trying To Get The Feeling
(5) FOX – S-S-S-Single Bed ®
(46) ROBIN SARSTEDT – My Resistance Is Low
(16) SUTHERLAND BROTHERS & QUIVER – Arms Of Mary
(31) TINA CHARLES – Love Me Like A Lover
(22) THE ROLLING STONES – Fool To Cry (video)
(NEW) MAC & KATIE KISSOON – The Two Of Us
(26) J.J. BARRIE – No Charge
(41) CLIFF RICHARD – Devil Woman
(1) ABBA – Fernando (video)
(25) JOHNNY TAYLOR – Disco Lady (and credits)
Mud - this was a departure from their usual early 70s glamour to late 70s disco sound which I prefer, and this one came off very well, still managing to get to No.12 at peak.
DeleteFrankie Valli - have to say again that this sounds so good for the time, and love this a lot. It could quite easily have waited till the Grease phenomenon a couple of years later, as it would have gone well with the rest of the Grease soundtrack in place of one of the other tunes on it.
The Stylistics/Ruby Flipper - first appearance of the post-Pans People dancers, and I just love how the two Pans People remnants, ie, Sue and Cherry start off on their own, and then introduce us to the four new dancers, including the 16-year old Lulu. It was a bit like when Dr Who regenerates to a new Doctor with a new companion.
The skipped 13/05/76 & 27/05/76 episodes that weren't shown on BBC Four tonight:
ReplyDelete13/05/76: https://ok.ru/video/11089340402179
27/05/76: https://ok.ru/video/11089892936195
Both of them won't see the light of day again - they were only shown once on BBC Four in 2011 (despite the latter of the Hairy Scapegoat on Eins Festival in 2009).
13-05-76
DeleteThe DLT intro to the show was quite funny, dressed up as Urko from the Planet Of the Apes TV series, about a year or so after the series ended, but the films and tv series were still repeated up to 1978, so at this point in 1976, the whole POTA phenomenon was still very much in the ascendancy.
City Boy - didn't know they were around as early as 1976, as the only one I remember them for is their 1978 top ten hit 5-7-0-5, but looking at their very short chart career, this new one in 1976 must have not even troubled the Top 75, as it doesn't even appear in the Guiness British Hit Singles & Albums handbook, and looks like it was their debut single which failed to chart.
This edition from '99 was a good watch and I will tune in more as the months go on. I have some very fond memories of that year and it had a fair amount of fine singles. I did go back to the blog to add something to 1st Feb '79 as well. Very enjoyable going back to what people said about the editions from that year. I do hope some more '79s are coming along.
ReplyDeleteThis edition was as always helped along by the presence of Jamie Theakston and his wit dynamo didn't dim at any stage. A typically funny intro that went as over the heads of the crowd as the camera did but never mind.
Blur; They deserve to open the show but 'Tender' is a real plodathon to me. One laboured section followed by another then another, then back again. Nicely sung though even Graham's vocal got on my nerves. The applause should've been faded up about 11 minutes earlier or that's how it felt. "If there's any justice that'll be No.1". Eh? Surely he knows singles aren't going up anymore.
Cher; I stayed away from the long reign of 'Believe' but 'Strong Enough' is a decent follow up. Cher beaming at the audience is a pleasant sight but does she need to resort to Steps-style dance routines? The thing in her hair; me and my friends at primary school achieved a similar look for each other with a snowball placed in the hood of a snorkel coat.
The Corrs; Jaimie's eyebrow raised link; well yes Sharon and co were considered pretty hot at the time. 'Runaway' is a lovely listing tune and I always liked the little chord change towards the end. Chris Cowey was even moved to do something interesting with the nothing set. Shadowy ivy leaves all over it. Good singles from them with 'Radio' another brilliant one coming up soon.
The Cardigans; Jaimie continuing the strange new thing of wandering along a corridor to a room where a telly waits to show the next act. I love this single. I saw them at V99 in Chelmsford and hearing this song wafting over the crowd on a cloudless afternoon is one of my favourite live music memories. Peter Svensson was probably the best guitarist I've ever seen with a live pop band. I'm still amazed by how many styles and sounds he got through in their set all while looking extremely cool. Me and my friend missed the last train from London due to the coaches being so late leaving the site but we were happy if very cold. I still regard Massive Attack's headline set that night as the greatest gig I've ever been to.
Anyway, yes 'Erase and Rewind' is really beautiful and atmospheric and the highlight of the edition for me.
Whitney Houston; An appearance from Whitney might as well be repeated as much as possible and this was a good comeback. Very imposing performance as you'd expect.
Stereophonics; Just listening. For a while. No I give up. I'll listen to him growling another time.
Britney Spears; I suppose this is a classic chart topper but I never really saw the appeal of Britney Spears. Her link to the video was a nicely down to earth gesture considering she was a already a pop sensation. The video is still pretty amazing to watch and hasn't really dated at all. They spoiled it by cutting constantly back to the audience who rather than, you know, dance or something, just stood there.
End with a Eurovision entry. Jay. Sang something.