So Good to Be Top of the Pops Again

I'm not able to be in front of a tv set this Thursday to watch young Steve Wright make his 7th February 1980 hosting debut on Top of the Pops, so I'll have to cheat a little by using the running order (thanks so much as always to the wonderful Popscene website) to write this post before the edition goes out on BBC4. I don't know what will be edited out ~ it could be the Rats since we've seen that one before, and maybe the Nolans, the Regents and the Buggles.......

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7-2-80: Presenter: Steve Wright

(30) JEFFERSON STARSHIP – Jane (and charts)
They began life as Jefferson Airplane back in 1969 but had become a Starship by the time Jane became their fist hit single, peaking at 21.

 (46) THE TOURISTS – So Good To Be Back Home Again
This follow up to I Only Want to Be With You was the band's second and final top ten hit.

 (27) CLIFF RICHARD – Carrie (video)
This was the first of two top ten hits for Cliff in 1980.

 (18) THE WHISPERS – And The Beat Goes On (danced to by Legs & Co)
Something for them to shout about here, this was a number 2 hit.

 (8) THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Someone’s Looking At You ®
Though it seemed unlikely at the time, this was in fact the penultimate top ten hit for the Rats.

(3) THE NOLANS – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
The sisters now at their peak in the charts.

 (44) THE CHORDS – Maybe Tomorrow
This one could fall victim to the 7.30 edit, at 40 this was The Chords biggest hit.

 (11) THE REGENTS – 7 Teen
Now at its chart peak.

 (20) QUEEN – Save Me (video)
A second single from their forthcoming number one album, The Game.

 (21) THE SELECTER – Three Minute Hero
The follow up to On My Radio, peaked at 16 in the charts.

 (47) AC/DC – Touch Too Much
The first of seven singles released in 1980 by the Aussie Rockers, though only the very last of them made the top 20. Back in Black was a big number one album though in the summer.

 (28) BUGGLES – The Plastic Age
On its way to number 16 in the charts.

 (1) THE SPECIALS – Too Much Too Young (video)
Final week at number one.

 (5) JOE JACKSON – It’s Different For Girls (and credits)
His first of two career top ten hits, now at its chart peak.


Next week is a Sky At Night Week, so Top of the Pops returns in two weeks time with the edition from February 15th 1980.

If You Like Top of the Pops at Midnight...

So we've escaped to the final evening of January 1980.....

Welcome to 50 Shades of Top of the Pops

 

 

31-1-80: Presenter: David Jensen

(29) THE SELECTER – Three Minute Hero (and charts)
(56) THE REVILLOS – Motorbike Beat
(10) KENNY ROGERS – Coward Of The County (video)
(19) AZYMUTH – Jazz Carnival (danced to by Legs & Co)
(47) JOHN FOXX – Underpass
(3) MADNESS – My Girl ®
(52) THE SHADOWS – Riders In The Sky
(27) RUPERT HOLMES – Escape (The Piña Colada Song) ®
(36) THE RAMONES – Baby I Love You
(15) JON & VANGELIS – I Hear You Now (video)
(46) BILLY OCEAN – Are You Ready
(20) NEW MUSIK – Living By Numbers ®
(40) KEITH MICHELL – Captain Beaky
(1) THE SPECIALS – Too Much Too Young (video)
(30) QUEEN – Save Me (and credits)

The Selector ~ play over the 'colourful' chart rundown with their follow up to On My Radio

 

The Revillos ~ were first seen on the show two years earlier singing a song called Top of the Pops, although they called themselves the Rezillos back then. Motorbike Beat wasn't quite as successful and stalled outside the top 40.

 

Kenny Rogers ~ straight into the top ten and soon to be the next number one, and co-written by Roger Bowling who'd also co-written Kenny's 1977 chart topper, Lucille.

 

Azymuth ~ it's ironic that Legs & Co would be replaced a year or so later by a troupe by the name of Zoo - for here they are as a menagerie escaping from their cages.

 

John Foxx ~ no he's not singing 'underpants' - but the original lead singer of Ultravox made it to 31 in the charts with his first solo single.

 

Madness ~ another showing of their 3rd January performance with My Girl now at its peak.

 

The Shadows ~ were the first victims of tonight's 7.30 edit.

 

Rupert Holmes ~ David Jensen pointed out that this had been a number one hit in the USA but it ultimately peaked at 23 in the UK.

 

The Ramones ~ were over from New York for a rare visit to the Top of the Pops studio to perform what would become their only UK top ten hit ~ and was that a 'Blitz Kid' we saw dancing in the audience?

 

Jon and Vangelis ~ I thought we were going to get nothing but the transparent dancing man all the way through this video so was relieved when Jon popped up to do a bit of singing. Maybe if Jon had left Jon & Vangelis we'd have got Trevor & Vangelis?

 

Billy Ocean ~ it had been going on for 3 years now since Billy's last hit, the excellent Red Light Spells Danger, but the top 40 was not ready for this latest effort, indeed Billy would have to wait another four years for his next success.

 

New Muzik - were edited out of the 7.30 show thereby cruelly scuppering my plans to call this post 'Top of the Pops By Numbers'

 

Keith Michell ~ I can't believe they edited out the bravest animals in the land after Legs & Co had gone to all that effort earlier.

 

The Specials ~ and now we have one of those 'revealing the new presenter' moments ~ and it's a very thin and slightly sardonic Steve Wright to introduce the Specials at number one.

 

Queen ~ play us out this week with Save Me, the first of four top 20 hits for the band in 1980.

 

 

Next week then it's February 7th 1980 and our host is Steve Wright.

 

The Top of the Pops Age

Mike Read is the host this week for the 24th January 1980 edition of Top of the Pops. The big changes are yet to happen but the show is already beginning to hint at the direction in which the new decade is heading .....

The 80's are all about having your name in lights

 

 

 

 

24-1-80: Presenter: Mike Read

(21) AZYMUTH – Jazz Carnival (and charts)
(54) BUGGLES – The Plastic Age
(4) THE NOLANS – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
(45) THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Someone’s Looking At You (video)
(16) THE BEE GEES – Spirits (Having Flown) (danced to by Legs & Co) 
(12) JOE JACKSON – It’s Different For Girls ®
(50) SUZI QUATRO – Mama’s Boy
(9) DOLLAR – I Wanna Hold Your Hand
(15) THE SPECIALS – Too Much Too Young (video)
(53) BARBARA DICKSON – Caravan Song
(30) MATCHBOX – Buzz Buzz A Diddle It
(20) SHEILA B. DEVOTION – Spacer (video)
(22) THE REGENTS – 7 Teen
(1) THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket ®
(29) KOOL & THE GANG – Too Hot (and credits)

 

 

Azymuth ~ from Brazil give us quite a chilled chart rundown this week with their only UK hit.

 

Buggles ~ are in the studio to perform their follow up to Video Killed the Radio Star, it wasn't as big a hit but did still make the top 20. Weirdly, lead man Trevor Horn and keyboard player Geoff Downes would soon join the band Yes, now that Jon Anderson had run off with Vangelis.

 

The Nolans ~ look most at home with the TOTPs orchestra behind them, with I'm in the Mood for Dancing just one place below its peak in the charts.

 

The Boomtown Rats ~ go for an army look for this noisy rocker interspersed with a freaky green eyed vampire Bob swinging around in an office chair.

 

Legs & Co ~ are delicate spirits this week swirling around to the no show Bee Gees.

 

Joe Jackson ~ this repeat showing was edited out of the 7.30 BBC4 broadcast.

 

Suzi Quattro ~ was also sadly edited out but you can watch it later tonight on BBC4 or on iplayer.

 

 

Dollar ~ a new performance of I Wanna Hold Your Hand from the lovey dovey couple, and brave of BBC4 not to edit out Mike Read's Jimmy Savile name check.

 

The Specials ~ this live video of Too Much Too Young was recorded at London's Lyceum, and was now poised to take over the number one spot.

 

Barbara Dickson ~ was edited out at 7.30 so you'll need to stay up late or catch it on iplayer.

 

Matchbox ~ perform a double bass leaping cover version of Freddy Cannon's rock n roll number Buzz Buzz A Diddle It.

 

Sheila B Devotion ~ another showing for the Spacer video, and Mike introduces her as Sheila and B Devotion, she seemed to go with both versions of her name at this time.

 

The Regents ~ had been slowly climbing the charts for over a month and now here they were for a second time on Top of the Pops with their only hit 7 Teen.

 

The Pretenders ~ and a final week at number one for Brass in Pocket.

 

Kool and the Gang ~ are Too Hot for the credits this week, on their way to 23 in the charts with this follow up to Ladies Night.

 

 

Next week then we reach the 31st of January 1980 in the company of David Jensen.

 

 

Top of the Pops by Numbers

So here we are with the edition from the 17th January 1980 hosted by Simon Bates. It's quite a big show this stretching close to 45 minutes so BBC4 will no doubt have their editing scissors out to fit it into a half hour slot at 7.30pm.
And before we begin, let's take just a moment to remember the lovely Demis Roussos who passed away earlier this week. He may be gone but his performances and songs will indeed live forever and ever.

One arm is all you need

17-1-80: Presenter: Simon Bates

(26) THE BEE GEES – Spirits (Having Flown) (and charts)
(52) NEW MUSIK – Living By Numbers
(2) BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA – With You I’m Born Again ®
(53) SAD CAFÉ – Strange Little Girl
(47) SISTER SLEDGE – Got To Love Somebody
(4) MADNESS – My Girl ®
(32) POSITIVE FORCE – We Got The Funk
(60) DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS – Dance Stance
(14) DR. HOOK – Better Love Next Time ®
(58) AMII STEWART – Paradise Bird
(17) STYX – Babe (video)
(12) BOOKER T. & THE M.G.’S – Green Onions (danced to by Legs & Co)
(38) RUPERT HOLMES – Escape (The Piña Colada Song)
(1) THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket
(25) JON & VANGELIS – I Hear You Now (and credits)


Bee Gees ~ play over the charts with the title track from their Spirits Having Flown album, the fourth single to be released from it, and the last we will see of them in the top 30 for seven years.

New Muzik ~ Picking up where Buggles left off (they shared the same drummer) in their white boiler suits, Living By Numbers would soon become their biggest hit.

Billy Preston and Syreeta ~ a third showing for this performance, now at its peak in the charts, but maybe this could have been edited out in favour of something we hadn't seen previously?

Sad Café ~ perform quite a strange little song which didn't quite make the top 30.

Sister Sledge ~ this energetic studio appearance wasn't enough to get this Chic written follow-up (I think.....) to Lost in Music into the top 30.

Madness ~ edited out but we have at least already seen this performance.

Positive Force ~ coming from the same stable as the Sugar Hill Gang, both groups then having their only top 20 hits at around the same time.

Dexy's Midnight Runners ~ make their debut on the show, combining it with a bit of swimming for Kevin Rowland by the looks of things - Dance Stance wasn't quite their breakthrough single, that one would come next.

Dr Hook ~ edited out but again we have seen this one before.

Amii Stewart ~ edited out, the Simon May penned Paradise Bird which perched at 39 in the charts.

Styx ~ were also edited out.  Babe did make the top 10 but this was the only show it was on, so your only chance to see it is to catch it later tonight or on iplayer.

Legs & Co ~ go all 1960's this week for their routine to Green Onions.

Rupert Holmes ~ was edited out too, how could they? It made the top 30 so hopefully we'll get to see it yet.

The Pretenders ~ finally make it to number one, no doubt putting some brass in their pockets in the process, they do look pleased with themselves and who can blame them!

Jon and Vangelis ~ play over the credits with the first hit from this excellently unusual duo. The camera special effects seemed to get stuck half way through, maybe mesmerised by the song.
Next week is the 24th January 1980 hosted by Mike Read.

It's Different for Top of the Pops

It's January the 10th and David Jensen is the host for the second edition of Top of the Pops of 1980, with Christmas now firmly behind us and no more festive songs for eleven months!

"Good welcome"

10-1-80: Presenter: David Jensen

(14) MADNESS – My Girl (and charts)
(63) UFO – Young Blood
(2) ABBA – I Have A Dream (video)
(13) ROSE ROYCE – Is It Love You’re After (video)
(50) JOE JACKSON – It’s Different For Girls
(28) SHEILA B. DEVOTION – Spacer (video)
(21) THE SKIDS – Working For The Yankee Dollar WATCH
(7) K.C. & THE SUNSHINE BAND – Please Don’t Go (danced to by Legs & Co)
(30) DOLLAR – I Wanna Hold Your Hand ®
(20) THE NOLANS – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
(1) PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
(26) BOOKER T. & THE M.G.’S – Green Onions (and credits)


Madness ~ play over the credits despite being on the show last week, but they did have two records currently in the top 30.

UFO ~ Young Blood was produced by George Martin but the record remained unidentified from the top 30.

Abba ~ at number 2 for a third week running, you'd have thought the kid with the runny nose in the video might have wiped it by now.

Rose Royce ~ were the only edit casualty tonight, with Is it Love You're After at its peak in the charts.

Joe Jackson ~ performs his excellent follow up to Is She Really Going Out with Him, and the Kid rightly predicts a big hit for this one.

Sheila B Devotion ~ or was it now Sheila and B Devotion? Disco classic Spacer was of course written and produced and played on by Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards from Chic.

The Skids ~ on the same show again as their arch enemies, the Nolans, this seems to have been around an awfully long time for a record that only just made the top 20.

Legs & Co ~ are all jilted brides this week as they dance to Please Don't Go. KC himself is in the studio to tell the Kid how much he enjoyed watching them.

Dollar ~ a repeat showing of their performance from several weeks ago for another song slowly climbing the charts.

The Nolans ~ take over the studio as they show those spitters The Skids what a top 3 hit looks like.

Pink Floyd ~ it was the fourth and final week at number one for this classic song which David informs us was only the band's third hit single in 13 years.

Booker T and the MGs ~ play us out with Green Onions, a track originally recorded in 1962.

Next week then, its the 17th January 1980, hosted by Simon Bates.

Top of the Pops 1980 Calling

It's January the 3rd and the first Top of the Pops of the 1980's, hosted by Peter Powell, still with plenty of Christmas spirit to spare as he welcomes in not just a new year but a whole new decade...

.....and toy saxophone

 

 

3-1-80: Presenter: Peter Powell

(29) THE CLASH – London Calling (and charts)
(54) MADNESS – My Girl
(6) PAUL McCARTNEY – Wonderful Christmastime (video)
(5) THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket
(12) DAVID BOWIE – John I’m Only Dancing (Again) (video)
(36) BONEY M – I’m Born Again
(17) THE BEAT – Tears Of A Clown
(3) FIDDLER’S DRAM – Day Trip To Bangor (Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time)
(30) KURTIS BLOW – Christmas Rappin’
(24) BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA – With You I’m Born Again ®
(21) CHIC – My Feet Keep Dancin’ (danced to by Legs & Co)
(58) DR. HOOK – Better Love Next Time
(1) PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
(15) ROSE ROYCE – Is It Love You’re After (and credits)


The Clash ~ provide us with the first music of 1980, though they were still refusing to appear in person on the show.

Madness ~ so the first band we see are a white suited Madness, with 'their best single to date' My Girl.

Paul McCartney ~ at his chart peak now with Wonderful Christmastime, but festive records so quickly lose their appeal once the new year is here.

The Pretenders ~ a new studio performance of the song that would replace Pink Floyd at number one in a couple of weeks time.

David Bowie ~ Peter introduces it as John I'm Only Dancing Again, but it's the video of the 1972 original version of the song.

Boney M, The Beat and Fiddler's Dram were all edited out of the 7.30 show on BBC4, but all should be available to see later or on iplayer.

Kurtis Blow ~ another 'festive' offering and the second time now for one of these new fangled rap records on the show - must've given Will Smith a few ideas this one. Number 30 was its peak.

Billy Preston and Syreeta ~ a second showing for this classic love ballad duet climbing its way towards the top ten.

Legs & Co ~ begin their final full year on the show by disco dancing to Chic's last top 30 hit (not including remixes).

Dr Hook ~ had obviously recently become more available with this being their second TOTPs studio appearance since Christmas Day. Ray Sawyer looking a bit like a cowboy Bobby Ball, but with an eye patch instead of braces.

Pink Floyd ~ begin the 1980's still at number one in the charts having sold 'nearly a million records'.

Rose Royce ~ play us out with their final top 20 hit just two places below its peak in the charts.


Next up is the 10th January 1980 which will be on BBC4 in two weeks time (Sky at Night next week).

The Story of 1980/Big Hits 1980

The 1980's were introduced on BBC4's annual series curtain raiser with lots of cheery 80's faces including the chaps from OMD, the guy and gals from Human League, boys from the Piranhas and the Vapors and Adam Ant ~ indeed Phil Oakey looked far more cheerful than he ever did in the days when he had hair.

So 1980 then was a story of tape recorder rivalry, dropped drumsticks, borrowed wigs, disco that Elvis never did, musician union strikes, a revamped show, celebrity co-hosts and potential nuclear Armageddon. Quite luckily for us this year is that far fewer editions were hosted by Jimmy Savile, but unluckily the whole of June and July of 1980 was lost because of a musician union strike at the BBC, which ultimately saw the end of the TOTPs orchestra. Add to that the Christmas Day show which was co-hosted by JS, which means that (perhaps mercifully) we won't get to see the St.Winifred's School Choir keep John Lennon off the number one spot.

1980 is another fantastic year of music to look forward to and the Big Hits compilation provided a very tasty appetizer for the year ahead.......

2-1-2015: TOP OF THE POPS - 1980 Big Hits (compiled by Popscene)

MADNESS – My Girl (TOTP 3-1-80)
THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket (TOTP 3-1-80)
FERN KINNEY – Together We Are Beautiful (TOTP 22-2-80)
THE VAPORS – Turning Japanese (TOTP 13-3-80)
GENESIS – Turn It On Again (TOTP 13-3-80)
DR. HOOK – Sexy Eyes (TOTP 27-3-80)
DEXY’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS – Geno (TOTP 3-4-80)
HOT CHOCOLATE – No Doubt About It (TOTP 1-5-80)
THE BEAT – Mirror In The Bathroom (TOTP 1-5-80)
THE FOUR BUCKETEERS – The Bucket Of Water Song (TOTP 15-5-80)
JONA LEWIE – You’ll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties (TOTP 8-5-80)
THE PIRANHAS – Tom Hark (TOTP 7-8-80)
SHEENA EASTON – 9 To 5 (TOTP 7-8-80)
BAD MANNERS – Lip Up Fatty (TOTP 7-8-80)
THE RAMONES – Baby I Love You (TOTP 22-2-80)
KELLY MARIE – Feels Like I’m In Love (TOTP 4-9-80)
ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK – Enola Gay (TOTP 9-10-80)
MOTÖRHEAD – Ace Of Spades (TOTP 6-11-80)
DENNIS WATERMAN with THE DENNIS WATERMAN BAND – I Could Be So Good For You (TOTP 6-11-80)
SPANDAU BALLET – To Cut A Long Story Short (TOTP 13-11-80)
ADAM & THE ANTS – Antmusic (TOTP 11-12-80)