Who's that Top of the Pops?

So its July 7th 1983 already and, judging by the lack of some of the costumes on display, there's a summer heatwave in the studio tonight, and 7.35 million viewers are making it BBC1's fourth biggest show of the week.

When it's just too hot to wear your t-shirt

07/07/83 (hosted by David 'Jake' Jensen & John 'Elwood' Peel)

Roman Holliday – “Don’t Try To Stop It” (32)
The show has a holiday feel tonight so who better to get us underway with what became their only top 30 hit, peaking at number 14.

The Mary Jane Girls – “All Night Long” (24)
Also their only top 30 hit, making it to number 13. But edited out of tonight's 7.30 showing.

Iron Maiden – “The Trooper” (12) (video)
Loud, scary and at its peak.

Freeez – “IOU” (5)
At last a routine on BBC4 for Zoo! And with some human pyramid help from the Hassani Troupe, to help lift IOU up to number 2.

ELO – “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is King” (14) (video)
Went up one more place. But edited out of the 7.30 show.

The Cure – “The Walk” (34)
Became their biggest hit to date when it peaked at number 12. But a better song was soon to follow. Miaow.

Jimmy The Hoover – “Tantalise (Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh)” (26)
Just the one hit, and this was it. Peaked at number 18.

Eurythmics – “Who’s That Girl?” (29)
The first single from their number one album, Touch, it peaked at number 3. This performance was pre-recorded in the studio on June 29th.

Funk Masters – “It’s Over” (15)
Their only hit, it peaked at number 8. I don't recall this one at all.

Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Mike Oldfield – “Moonlight Shadow” (4) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.

Tonight's telly.

What should @BBCFour cut to fit the timeslot? #totp83 #totp

— hinge_Xanderl (@hinge_xanderl) March 31, 2017

Next up is July 14th 1983.

War Top of the Pops

It's June 30th 1983 and all 7.75 million of us are surrounded on all sides by the incessant sound of hit after hit. But I can confirm that I counted two hosts at the start of the show, and, despite some confusion, I counted two hosts at the end.

They don't like it up 'em!

30/06/83 (Richard Skinner & Tommy Vance)

Shalamar – “Dead Giveaway” (8)
Getting the action underway are Shalamar, but their final top ten hit was now at its peak position. The group also recorded a performance of their next hit, Disappearing Act, and by the time it was shown they had split up!

Heaven 17 – “Come Live With Me” (16) (video)
Second of three top ten hits peaking at number 5. But edited out of the 7.30 showing.

Nick Heyward – “Take That Situation” (14)
This lively song went up three more places.

Irene Cara – “Flashdance (What A Feeling)” (3) (video)
The song went up one more place, then who should turn up in the studio but forces sweetheart Jennifer Beals, star of the movie Flashdance, and Richard Skinner delivers a reasonable interview.

Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (12)
Last seen, missing in action, in 1978 with Toast, Paul returns here with his first solo hit which became his first and only number one, and his first of seven top ten hits.

Tom Robinson – “War Baby” (17)
Also awol since 1978, the magnificently moody War Baby became Tom's second and final top ten hit, reaching number 6. Looks like he's smartened himself up a bit in the meantime too.

Bucks Fizz – “When We Were Young” (10)
Well, Mike is ready for action in his combat gear, not so sure about the others though! Their penultimate top ten hit, now at its peak.

Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane” (1) (video)
First of three weeks at number one for Rod.

The Truth – “Confusion (Hits Us Every Time)” (22) (audience dancing/credits)
Their only top 30 hit, now at its peak.


It's July 7th 1983 next.

I Guess That's Why They Call It Top Of The Pops

On June 23rd 1983 this live edition of Top of the Pops was watched by 7.75 million viewers, quite a bit less than normal, but it was still the fourth biggest show on BBC1 that week.

Let's hear it for my blue, er pink, er green, er, piano ...

23/06/83 (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Freeez – “IOU” (23)
Getting the show underway with what was obviously a re-recorded version of IOU, but it didn't stop it being a big hit and reaching number 2, though it was their final top ten hit. And I know the girls from Zoo were babes, but wearing nappies was taking it a bit too far!

Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane” (2) (video)
Appearing on video on Top of the Pops 'for the first time' Baby Jane became Rod's sixth and final number one hit.

Elton John – “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” (6)
A studio performance from Elton and the song went up one more place.

John Peel – European charts: Did the BBC think JK was doing this bit? Because it was all edited out of the 7.30 pm showing.
Dolly Dots – “Money Lover” (video clip + interview)
The Shorts – “Comment Ca Va” (video clip)
Geier Sturzflug - (video clip)
Robin Gibb – “Juliet” (video clip)
Daniel – “Julie” (video clip)
David Bowie – “Let’s Dance” (film of Amsterdam)

Shakatak – “Dark Is The Night” (15)
Another performance for this tune now at its peak. Simon then has a little chat to Aussie cricketer Dennis Lillee!

Mike Oldfield – “Moonlight Shadow” (19)
A rare studio performance from Mr Oldfield, as Maggie Reilly sings the excellent Moonlight Shadow which became Mike's first top ten hit for seven years, peaking at number 4.

H20 – “Dream To Sleep” (17)
At its peak.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take” (1) (video)
Final week at number one.

ELO – “Rock ‘N’ Roll Is King” (25) (audience dancing/credits)
From their top 4 album Secret Messages, this was ELO's final top 20 hit, peaking at number 13.

Tonight's BBC1 line up

Next up is June 30th 1983.

Top of the Pops Giveaway

A huge thanks goes to Neil B for making the June 16th edition of Top of the Pops, which won't be shown on BBC4 due to one of the hosts being DLT, available here at WeTransfer.

Somebody told me it was a short show this week...

16/06/83 (Mike Read & Dave Lee Travis)

Imagination – “Looking At Midnight” (32)
Went up three more places.

Kajagoogoo – “Hang On Now” (13) (video)
At its peak now.

Nick Heyward – “Take That Situation” (40)
His biggest solo hit, peaking at number 11.

Shalamar – “Dead Giveaway” (20)
Their fourth and final top ten hit, peaking at number 8.

Bucks Fizz – “When We Were Young” (23) (video)
The band's penultimate top ten hit, peaking at number 10, though it would be another three years until their final one.

The Truth – “Confusion (Hits Us Every Time)” (41)
Peaked at 22, their only top 30 hit.

Marillion – “Garden Party” (24)
Making their debut on the show with a breakthrough single that reached number 16.

Michael Jackson – “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” (14)
The fourth top ten hit from Thriller, reaching number 8. And poor old Zoo only seem to get routines on yewtreed shows at the moment.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take” (1) (video)
Third week at number one.

Flash & The Pan – “Waiting For A Train” (10) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up three more places.



Back to BBC4 next for June 23rd 1983.

Top of the Pops & Soap

On tonight's episode of Top of the Pops: John has been knocked off his bike, but nothing can stop him hosting the show with David; Maggie Thatcher wants to get to number 10, but will Dee Snider of Twisted Sister make the top 30?; Elvis is pretending to be someone else while Wednesday is pretending to be Thursday! Confused? You won't be after tonight's episode of Top of the Pops!

When John heard he was hosting with David, he didn't expect this one.....

08/06/83 (David Jensen & John Peel)

Twisted Sister – “The Kids Are Back” (32)
And Twisted Sister are back in the studio to get this live show underway but the song got no higher in the charts, and it was their final top 40 hit.

David Bowie – “China Girl” (8) (video)
The follow up to Let's Dance, and it got to number 2.

Ultravox – “We Came To Dance” (24)
Peaked at number 18 but edited out of tonight's 7.30 slot.

Irene Cara – “Flashdance (What A Feeling)” (9) (video)
Her final hit, reaching number 2, but edited out of the 7.30 showing.

H20 – “Dream To Sleep” (27)
The band's only top 30 hit, peaking at 17, but also edited out of the early broadcast.

George Benson – “Lady Love Me (One More Time)” (11) (video)
At its peak position.

The Imposter – “Pills & Soap” (29)
'Is it Shaky?' ~ no it's Elvis Costello, and Pills & Soap must have escaped being 'deleted tomorrow' because it slipped up to number 16 in the charts.

Shakatak – “Dark Is The Night” (30)
John felt this one 'went on a bit' but it did manage to go on a bit higher to number 15.

Big Country – “In A Big Country” (17)
Now at its peak.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take” (1) (rpt from 26/05/83)
Second of four weeks at number one.

Rod Stewart - "Baby Jane" (19) (audience dancing/credits)
The tune that would eventually replace the Police.


The next edition is the 16th June 1983 but this was co-hosted by DLT so BBC4 are skipping it in favour of June 23rd.

Wednesday 8th June 1983

Top of the Pops is filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Just Got Top of the Pops

This edition from June 2nd 1983 will not of course be shown on BBC4, due to one of the hosts being Jimmy Savile. But the show is now available here at WeTransfer
I'm not quite sure who uploaded it for us, Neil B? D42? Meer? but a huge thanks to whoever it was for sure!
Obviously do not click if you wish to avoid seeing Jimmy Savile.

There's only one Booker Newberry the third!

02/06/83 (Tony Blackburn & Jimmy Savile)

Wham! – “Bad Boys” (2)
A slight sharp intake of breath at Tony's introduction as Wham! get the show underway with Bad Boys now at its chart peak.

Elton John – “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” (27) (video)
Became the second of seven top ten hits in the 80's for Elton when it peaked at number 5.

JoBoxers – “Just Got Lucky” (7)
At its peak.

Jonathan King – US chart rundown: Reporting this week from Las Vegas ~
The Tubes – “She’s A Beauty” (video clip)
Bryan Adams – “Straight From The Heart” (live clip)
Irene Cara – “Flashdance (What A Feeling)” (video clip)

Booker Newbury III – “Love Town” (8)
His only top ten hit, indeed his only top 40 hit, went up two more places.

Yazoo – “Nobody’s Diary” (4)
Not quite split up yet it seems, and went up one more place.

Flash & The Pan – “Waiting For A Train” (21)
Became their only top ten hit, indeed their only top 50 hit, peaking at number 7. And Zoo get to whoop and robot dance and generally do their own thing to it.

The Style Council – “Money-Go-Round” (11)
Making it into the studio, and a busy night then for Dee C Lee, but this Jam throw back song was now at its peak.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take” (1) (video)
First of four weeks at number one.

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Buffalo Soldier” (6) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up two more places.


Back to BBC4 next with June 8th 1983.

Glory Glory Top of the Pops

Well, the scenes here are really quite incredible! It's 6.55pm on 26th May 1983 and Top of the Pops has just broken out on the television. Peter Powell and Pat Sharp are setting their stalls out and doing their level best to officiate the proceedings, and I'm hearing some news just in that it will be a shortened edition this week to make way for the FA Cup final replay. It really is quite incredible!

And things are really starting to kick off in the studio tonight...

26/05/83 (Peter Powell & Pat Sharp)

Big Country – “In A Big Country” (34)
The whistle blows and Big Country get us underway with their theme song which peaked at number 17.

Manchester United Football Club - "Glory Glory Man United" (13) (video clip)
Over the years they've actually managed four top ten hits including a number one ~ but this one peaked at number 13.

The Style Council – “Money-Go-Round” (12) (video clip)
Not getting too much extra time here with this clip, but the song went up one more place.

Bob Marley & The Wailers – “Buffalo Soldier” (11) (video clip)
The first of four posthumous top ten hits for Bob, he had his full team out in the field here and this one peaked at number 4.

Hot Chocolate – “What Kinda Boy You’re Lookin’ For (Girl)” (10)
They'd enjoyed a good run in the top division and now this was the peak for the band's final top ten hit.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take” (7)
Playing in their new kits in the studio and headering straight towards next week's number one.

New Edition – “Candy Girl” (1) (video)
The first and only week for this high pitch number one.

Forrest – “Feel The Need In Me” (20) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up three more places before the final whistle blew.

Today's BBC1 line up

Next in line is June 2nd but unluckily for Tony Blackburn his co-host was Jimmy Savile, so BBC4 will skip on to June 8th 1983.