Top of the Pops Reaction

It's time for the February 20th 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

When you electrocute Worzel Gummidge

20/02/86 (Janice Long & Mike Read)

Paul Hardcastle & Carol Kenyon – “Don’t Waste My Time” (13)
On its way to number 8.

Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” (4) (video)
On its way to number one.

Depeche Mode – “Stripped” (23)
On its way to number 15.

Survivor – “Burning Heart” (8) (video)
On its way to number 5.

Public Image Ltd – “Rise” (11)
It didn't rise any further.

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going” (1) (rpt)
Third of four weeks at number one.

The Damned – “Eloise” (3) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


February 27th is next.

Top of the Pops Together

Good evening campers! Is there anything better after enjoying a nice dip in the Olympic size swimming pool than to settle down in the family lounge to watch the 13th February 1986 edition of Top of the Pops?

Hit de Hit!

13/02/86 (Gary Davies & Steve Wright)

Belouis Some – “Imagination” (22)
On its way to number 17.

Whitney Houston – “How Will I Know?” (10) (video)
Went up five more places.

Latin Quarter – “Radio Africa” (24)
Their only top 40 hit, it peaked at number 19.

Su Pollard – “Starting Together” (9) (video)
Her only top ten hit, peaking at number 2. Ho De Ho!

Paul Hardcastle & Carol Kenyon – “Don’t Waste My Time” (25) (breaker)
His final top ten hit, it peaked at number 8.

Survivor – “Burning Heart” (15) (breaker)
Almost four years after Eye of the Tiger, this was their second and final hit, peaking at number 5.

Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” (14) (breaker)
Will become her second and final solo number one.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Turning Away” (23)
Peaked at number 15.

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going” (1)
Second of four weeks at number one.

Madonna – “Borderline” (2) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


Next up is February 20th.

Top of the Pops Addict

Time for another fix of Top of the Pops with this edition from February 6th 1986!

When your thumb looks like a guitar

06/02/86 (Simon Bates & Paul Jordan)

The Damned – “Eloise” (18)
Their only top ten hit, it peaked at number 3.

Five Star – “System Addict” (6) (video)
Their first of six top ten hits, this one peaked at number 3.

Ozzy Osbourne – “Shot In The Dark” (21)
Went up one more place.

Belouis Some – “Imagination” (25) (breaker)
Became his only top 20 hit when it peaked at number 17.

Public Image Ltd – “Rise” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 11.

Whitney Houston – “How Will I Know?” (19) (breaker)
Peaked at number 5.

Double – “The Captain Of Her Heart” (14)
Their only top ten hit, peaking at number 8.

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going” (1) (video)
First of four weeks at number one.

James Brown – “Living In America” (8) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up three more places.


Next up is February 13th.

Get It On ~ Top of the Pops 1971!

For one night only, 1986 is being given the night off, its place being taken by this December 27th 1971 edition of Top of the Pops!

Unlike 1986, I'm going on holiday for two weeks, so this one and the next three blogs I will have to prepare before actually seeing any of the shows.

Get it Elt-On

27-12-71:   Presenter:  Tony Blackburn 

(-) T-REX – Get It On
Second of four number ones.

(-) THE TAMS – Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me  ®
Their only number one hit.

(1) BENNY HILL – Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)  (video)
This year's Christmas number one, and Benny's only number one hit.

(14) SLADE – Coz I Luv You
Their first of six number ones.

(-) GEORGE HARRISON – My Sweet Lord  (danced to by Pan’s People)    ®
The first solo Beatle number one hit.

(-) THE ROLLING STONES – Brown Sugar    ®
Peaked at number 2.

(-) ASHTON, GARDNER & DYKE – Resurrection Shuffle
Their only hit, it peaked at number 3.

(-) DIANA ROSS – I’m Still Waiting  (video)
Her first of two solo number ones.

(-) THE NEW SEEKERS – Never Ending Song Of Love
Their first of six top ten hits, this one peaking at number 2.

(35) ROD STEWART – Maggie May  ®
His first of six solo number ones.


It's back to 1986 next, and February the 6th.

Top of the Pops What You Make It

Celebrate it, yesterday's favourite, it's the 30th January 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

The dolls always shine on tv

30/01/86  (Gary Davies & Janice Long)

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going” (6)
Billy gets tonight's show underway with what will become his only number one next week.

Madonna – “Borderline” (4) (video)
Peaked at number 2.

Talk Talk – “Life’s What You Make It” (22)
Their first top 30 hit in over three years, it peaked at number 16.

James Brown – “Living In America” (19) (breaker)
Became his only top ten hit when it reached number 5.

Simple Minds – “Sanctify Yourself” (17) (breaker)
Peaked at number 10.

Grace Jones – “Pull Up To The Bumper” (15) (video)
Went up three more places.

Fine Young Cannibals – “Suspicious Minds” (8)
A second studio performance, but no amount of shiny suits could get this song any higher.

A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (1) (video)
Second of two weeks at number one.

Kurtis Blow – “If I Ruled The World” (30) (audience dancing/credits)
His biggest hit, peaking at number 24.


The next 1986 edition will be the 6th of February.

Spirit of Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 23rd January 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the dispute with Mike Smith. So a huge thanks goes to James2001 for making it available here at WeTransfer

Top of the Nanas

23/01/86  (Paul Jordan & Mike Smith)

The Alarm – “Spirit Of ‘76” (22)
Got no higher.

Eurythmics – “It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back)” (12) (video)
Also got no higher.

Nana Mouskouri – “Only Love” (8)
Her only hit single, and it peaked at number 2.

Madonna – “Borderline” (15) (breaker)
Already on her ninth top ten hit, this one peaking at number 2.

Grace Jones – “Pull Up To The Bumper” (20) (breaker)
Became her joint biggest hit, peaking at number 12.

Sarah Brightman & Steve Harley – “The Phantom Of The Opera” (21) (breaker)
The title song from the hit west end show, the song peaked at number 7.

A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (1)
First of two weeks at number one.

Five Star – “System Addict” (13) (audience dancing/credits
Became their first of six top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.


January 30th is up next.

West End Top of the Pops

The audience sits expectantly in their seats, there's a buzz of excitement in the air, the lights go down, the curtain raises and its time for the 16th January 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

West End dolls

16/01/86  (Dixie Peach & Mike Read)

Fine Young Cannibals – “Suspicious Minds” (17)
The Fine Young Cannibals are in the building getting the show off to a rubbery legged start with their second of five top ten hits. This Elvis cover peaked at number 8.

Dire Straits – “Walk Of Life” (4) (video)
Their fifth and final top ten hit, which had originally been released as the b side to So Far Away, now became their joint biggest peaking at number 2.

Cherrelle & Alexander O’Neal – “Saturday Love” (6)
The debut hit for both singers. For Cherrelle it was her only top ten hit, and for Alexander it was his first of two, but it got no higher than number 6. Was a very young Craig David listening to this?

A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (2)
Will be number one next week, as predicted by Mike.

Mr Mister – “Broken Wings” (8)
Peaked at number 4.

Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls” (1) (video)

Second and final week at number one for this dystopian tune.

Bronski Beat – “Hit That Perfect Beat” (3) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.



January 23rd is next, but BBC4 will skip it because of Mike Smith.