So go on, go on, come on, leave me the 14th of July 2000 edition of Top of the Pops!
Top ten kit
14-7-2000: Presenter: Jamie Theakston
(15) JESSICA SIMPSON – I Think I’m In Love With You
Getting the show underway but it got no higher.
(5) STEPS – Summer Of Love
With us tonight but got no higher.
(6) ARTFUL DODGER feat. ROBBIE CRAIG – Woman Trouble
In the studio but got no higher.
(10) ATOMIC KITTEN – I Want Your Love
Here tonight but got no higher.
(4) OASIS – Sunday Morning Call
A second studio performance and the song was now at its peak.
(7) ALICE DEEJAY – Will I Ever
Performing her third and final top ten hit and it was at its peak.
(3) LIMP BIZKIT – Take A Look Around (via satellite)
At its peak.
(1) THE CORRS – Breathless (and credits)
Their only number one and it was there for one week.
29-7-76: Presenter: David Hamilton
ReplyDelete(NEW) THIN LIZZY – Jailbreak
(2) DR. HOOK – A Little Bit More (video)
(48) THE CHANTER SISTERS – Sideshow
(31) WALTER MURPHY – A Fifth Of Beethoven (danced to by Ruby Flipper)
(15) JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS – Now Is The Time
(18) STATUS QUO – Mystery Song (video)
(11) LIVERPOOL EXPRESS – You Are My Love
(1) ELTON JOHN & KIKI DEE – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (video)
(36) THE BEE GEES – You Should Be Dancing (and credits)
This one was a huge improvement on the previous 1976 edition with a blistering start and some good singles from then on. David Hamilton, despite the highly unflattering T- shirt, was his usual ebuillient self, linking in and out of songs as only he would. A pity that he never linked to a song by The Pointer Sisters. I still like his facial expressions as the camera fades into an item.
DeleteThin Lizzy; This was one of my highlights from the repeats and it still looks and sounds fantastic. A majestic, moody rocker with Phil looking as cool as hell in the best ever rock star shades and silky white shirt. Is it a live vocal? It sounds like it and is a thrilling few minutes. Good to see the obvious enjoyment on the faces of Brian (particularly Brian) and Scott and with the big '76 studio, that was just a marvellous start to a show.
Dr. Hook; To something a little bit more pastoral, visually at least. I don't know whether it's due to the camera position or the huge beard but Dennis Locorriere genuinely looks significantly shorter than he does on other appearances on the show. Hmmm. Anyway, a video which looks humourously like a '70s shampoo commercial and a perfectly pleasant few minutes though I don't really get how 'A Little Bit More' got as high as No. 2 when, for example,The Bellamy Brothers 'Let Your Love Flow' only made it to No.7. Presumably it was the Summer effect and the UK public, like our hairy friends by the river, needed to cool off. Not too keen on the lyrics to that.
The Chanter Sisters; Their name suggests an Enya type act which they certainly are not. God that must've been painful on the ears
of the throng in front of and around them. Just imagine the effect on the eardrums if they teamed up with the singer from 5000 Volts! Not subtle but catchyish especially the hook line of 'Roll Up!' though it's difficult for it not to be as they sing it about 58 times. Totp going 'Seaside Special' again.
Walter Murphy; At last a really strong and very entertaining Ruby Flipper routine. 'A Fifth of Beethoven' just never ages to these ears. Still sounds very funky and urgent and could soundtrack anything that is entertainment to this day, which it does.
All the women look gorgeous on their chairs, Patti the most, and the two blokes do a great skit as ageing conductors. Floyd just edges Phillip for me in the acting. Why does it suddenly switch to being in outer space?
Jimmy James and the Vagabonds; A great song with a joyous chorus but it sounds about 2 years out of date to me, though being up to the minute then, as now, clearly wasn't much of an issue.
Pt.2
DeleteStatus Quo; 'Mystery Song'. I can't hear anything mysterious about this. Is that the mystery? The video is exactly the same as their others from this time despite Rick's floral shirt and the wind machine being apparently turned up a bit higher than normal.
Liverpool Express; David links to a number guaranteed to make the presenter interrupt themselves to state how beautiful it is. Which David does, twice. 'You Are My Love' does sound very atmospheric and haunting with the very 'I'm Not In Love' style echoed piano notes and wispyness although it does also emphasise the very workmanlike other section of the song. The camera opened on a close up of the keyboardist's hands then panning back to show him half playing it and half steadying it as if it's balanced on top of a steep flight of stairs. Still, he's got the big hat so he's happy. The others look similarly of the time apart from the drummer who looks like he's styled himself on Scott Walker from the front cover of his debut album 'Scott'. Always special to hear just that magical chorus again.
Elton John & Kiki Dee; Diddy made emphasis on the No.1 being there for a 2nd consecutive week. Wow!!!!
I should be sick to death of this record but I still enjoy it. The video still somehow doesn't get boring because they just look like they've been informed they've only got 5 mins to get it filmed and that studio is available so sing and do whatever you want. Kiki is so eyecatching in her mannerisms that it would always be enjoyable and the friendship between them so clearly comes across. I would love to see Kiki's performance of 'Amoureuse' from a Nov '73 edition be among the things shown next Saturday on BBC2.
David and the ladies say goodbye and into 'You Should Be Dancing'. I suppose we should but those studio lights are simultaneously spinning around way too much so I'll stay in my laying down position if that's alright.
The status quo song is about a sex worker, but they couldnt call it that 😆
DeleteHow I agree with you, Mic, about The Bellamy Brothers. LYLF is just a marvellous record.
Delete'Let Your Love Flow' probably would've made the Top 3 had it come out in the Summer. It always sounds a perfect summer record to me with that brilliant use of synthesiser behind the country rock guitars.
DeleteI don't know 'Mystery Song' at all but had a look at the words. Pretty clear!