Together in Top of the Pops

And so we reach the point where October 2017 reaches out and takes the hand of Top of the Pops from October 1984.

Boy George shows off the ear rings he borrowed from Sade

04/10/84 (Simon Bates & Richard Skinner)

Bronski Beat – “Why?” (6)
Bronski Beat get the show underway with Why for a second time but it got no higher than number 6.

The Cars – “Drive” (15) (video)
Speeding into the charts with their first top 30 hit for five and a half years, Drive would initially park at number 5, but a year later it would emotively re-enter and peak at number 4.

John Waite – “Missing You” (38)
Last seen on show with The Babys over six years earlier, this American number one hit peaked at number 9 over here, and was his only solo hit. Edited out of the 7.30 showing.

Giorgio Moroder & Philip Oakey – “Together In Electric Dreams” (21) (video)
From the movie Electric Dreams, it peaked at number 3 and was Phil's only top 40 hit away from the Human League. Also edited out of the 7.30 showing.

Culture Club – “The War Song” (3)
This first single from their number 2 album, Waking Up With the House on Fire, went up one more place to also peak at number 2.

Paul McCartney – “No More Lonely Nights” (28) (video)
Taken from his movie and number one album, Give My Regards to Broad Street, this single famously featured Dave Gilmour on guitar and peaked at number 2. Another victim of the 7.30 chop.

The Stranglers – “Skin Deep” (32)
They were just about the last punks standing by now, and Skin Deep made it to number 15.

Adam Ant – “Apollo 9” (13)
Despite giving it full throttle, he couldn't get this one any higher in the charts.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1) (video)
Fifth of six weeks now at number one.

Freddie Mercury – “Love Kills” (10) (audience dancing/credits)
Just as Bronski Beat began the show for the second time and got no higher, now Freddie ends the show for a second time and got no higher.

Tonight’s #TOTP was first broadcast at 7.20pm on 4 October 1984, when BBC1’s line-up included Ronnie Barker and horses jumping fences. 🐎 pic.twitter.com/tIvZRkBfZ7

— BBC Four (@BBCFOUR) October 19, 2017

Thursday night on BBC1

October 11th is next.

If Top of the Pops Happens Again

This edition of Top of the Pops from September 27th 1984 will not be shown on BBC4 because it features Mike Smith. So many thanks to Gia, and here it is on WeTransfer

Sade shows off what she won in last year's Christmas cracker

27/09/84 (Peter Powell & Mike Smith)

UB40 – “If It Happens Again” (17)
Their only top ten hit of the year, it peaked at number 9.

Shakin’ Stevens – “A Letter To You” (10) (video)
At its peak.

Sade – “Smooth Operator” (29)
The third single from her number 2 album, Diamond Life, and it reached number 19.

U2 – “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” (3) (different video)
At its peak.

Animal Nightlife – “Mr Solitaire” (32)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 25.

Stephanie Mills – “The Medicine Song” (33) (video)
Her final top 30 hit, reaching number 29.

Big Country – “East Of Eden” (27)
From their number one album, Steel Town, this single reached number 17.

Prince – “Purple Rain” (16) (video)
The follow up to When Doves Cry reached number 8.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1) (video + brief interview)
Fourth of six weeks at number one.

Ray Parker Jr – “Ghostbusters” (2) (audience dancing/credits)
Couldn't quite make it to the top.


Back to BBC4 next for October 4th.

Apollo Top of the Pops

Ten ... nine ... eight ... seven twenty ... and we have lift off for Top of the Pops 20th September 1984!

One small step for Adam Ant

20/09/84 (Andy Peebles (doing his final show) & Steve Wright)

Bronski Beat – “Why?” (22)
Not risking a live vocal this time but the song became their second top ten hit peaking at number 6.

David Bowie – “Blue Jean” (17) (video)
Perhaps not one of his better known hits, but it came from his number one album Tonight, and it reached number 6. And the video features Andrew Ridgeley's brother, Paul, on drums, and Richard Fairbrass from Right Said Fred on bass!

Sister Sledge – “Lost In Music” (7)
A second studio performance for this re-mix , obviously making up for not coming in the first time around in 1979! It went up four more places.

Queen – “Hammer To Fall” (19) (video)
A run of the mill concert video for this banging fourth single from their number two album, The Works, it made it to number 13.

Nik Kershaw – “Human Racing” (20)
Performing the title track of his number five album, the single crossed the line at number 19.

Jonathan King – US chart rundown: edited out of course.
Scandal – “The Warrior” (video clip)
The Cars – “Drive” (video clip)
John Waite – “Missing You” (video clip)

Adam Ant – “Apollo 9” (28)
Just three years earlier he was the biggest act in the charts, but now he was crashing back to earth, but he was doing it with a great tune! It peaked at number 13.

Level 42 – “Hot Water” (18)
A second performance but the song got no higher.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1) (video)
Third of six weeks for Stevie's only solo number one. Spot the toast in the video!

Freddie Mercury – “Love Kills” (27) (audience dancing/credits)
It's Freddy again, this time with his first solo hit, which peaked at number 10.

Watch Noel Edmonds solve the mystery of that floating piece of toast in the video for I Just Called To Say I Love You. #TOTP 2/2 pic.twitter.com/RDmM6D1gao

— BBC Four (@BBCFOUR) October 13, 2017

The mystery of Stevie Wonder's toast......

Next up should be September 27th, but Mike Smith presents, so BBC4 will skip to October 4th.

All I Need is Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from September 13th 1984 features Dave Lee Travis and so will not be shown on BBC4. So a huge thanks goes once again to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer

Looks like Dave's used the wrong wash setting again

13/09/84 (Bruno Brookes & Dave Lee Travis)

OMD – “Tesla Girls” (33)
The third single from their top ten album, Junk Culture, and it peaked at number 21.

Ray Parker Jr – “Ghostbusters” (3) (video)
Went up one more place.

Aztec Camera – “All I Need Is Everything” (34)
Got no higher.

U2 – “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” (8) (video)
The first single from their mega number 1 album, The Unforgettable Fire, it became their biggest hit up to this point, peaking at number 3.

Shakin’ Stevens – “A Letter To You” (23)
Became Shaky's 12th top ten hit in less than four years when it peaked at number 10.

Depeche Mode – “Master & Servant” (11)
Went up two more places.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1) (video)
Second of six weeks at number one.

Miami Sound Machine – “Dr. Beat” (7) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up one more place.



Back to BBC4 next for September 20th.

I Just Called to Say Top of the Pops

Pick up the receiver and don't hang up because it is 6.55pm on September 6th 1984 and Top of the Pops is calling you!

I hope this isn't a reverse charge call, Stevie!

06/09/84 (Janice Long & John Peel, with brief appearance from Bruno Brookes)

Bucks Fizz – “Talking In Your Sleep” (21)
Getting the show underway this week, after being cut short last week due to a train, and the song went up to number 15.

Spandau Ballet – “I’ll Fly For You” (9) (video)
Not quite sure what was happening in this video, but the song flew no higher.

Sister Sledge – “Lost In Music” (32)
This song had peaked at number 17 five years earlier, but now this remixed version did much better and became their third of six top ten hits when it got to number 4.

Level 42 – “Hot Water” (26)
Mark is really working that thumb on this one and Hot Water peaked at number 18.

Alphaville – “Big In Japan” (11)
A second studio appearance and the song went up three more places.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (1) (video)
Not the most imaginative videos this one ~ perhaps he could have at least made a giant plasticine sculpture of Lionel Richie's head? The first of six weeks at number one for Stevie.

Elton John – “Passengers” (5) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.

TV📺6/9/84 BBC1 6.55:TOTP 7.25:'Allo'Allo 8.0:The Magnificent Evans 8.30:Hot Shoe Show 9.0:News 9.25:Bird of Prey 2 pic.twitter.com/ghQmfnnwAA

— Graeme Wood (@woodg31) September 6, 2017

Next up should be September 13th with Bruno Brookes and Dave Lee Travis ...... so BBC4 will skip to September 20th instead.

Top of the Pops & Servant

This unusual edition of Top of the pops from 30th August 1984 will not be shown on BBC4 because it features Jimmy Savile and Mike Smith. So a huge thanks goes to Neil B and Robert Thompson for making it available here at WeTransfer

Watch out for that train, Jay!

30/08/84 (Richard Skinner & Mike Smith, with Simon Bates & Jimmy Savile on a train)

Tears For Fears – “Mothers Talk” (17)
Went up three more places.

Bucks Fizz – “Talking In Your Sleep” (34)
Their penultimate top 40 hit, which peaked at number 15.

Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (2) (video)
Number one next week.

Depeche Mode – “Master & Servant” (24)
50 Shades of Gahan! On its way to number 9.

Howard Jones – “Like To Get To Know You Well” (4) (at Bristol Temple Meads Station)
At its peak.

The Smiths – “William, It Was Really Nothing” (23)
Went up six more places.

George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (1) (video)
Final week at the top.

Ray Parker Jr – “Ghostbusters” (18) (audience dancing/credits)
Essential tune for Halloween peaked at number 2.


6th September is next on BBC4.

Are You Top of the Pops?

It's August 23rd 1984 so pull a sweatband over your mullet, get your nylon tracksuits on and of course don't forget your shades ~ because tonight you are Top of the Pops!

When you're just so excited by being on Top of the Pops!

23/08/84 (Mike Read & Tommy Vance)

Alphaville – “Big In Japan” (43)
Flying in from Germany to get the show underway this week, with what was their only hit, peaking at number 8, and was it just me, or did anyone else think the lead singer looked a bit like Simon Amstell?

Elton John – “Passengers” (15) (video)
A kind of Caribbean voodoo feel to this second single from his top two album, Breaking Hearts, and it peaked at number 5.

Break Machine – “Are You Ready?” (40)
Their final hit, and in the studio again to do their thing, but this time peaking at number 27.

Miami Sound Machine – “Dr. Beat” (16)
The first of four top ten hits for Miami Sound Machine, it peaked at number 6. But edited out of tonight's 7.30 showing.

Tracey Ullman – “Sunglasses” (18) (video)
Ade Edmonson helps out in this video for what was Tracey's final top 40 hit, now at its peak.

Spandau Ballet – “I’ll Fly For You” (23)
Their penultimate top ten hit, which soared to number 9.

Rod Stewart – “Some Guys Have All The Luck” (19) (video)
My eyes hurt after watching this video! The song went up four more places.

George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (1)
George is in the studio this week to perform his second of three weeks at number 1.

Laura Branigan – “Self Control” (6) (audience dancing/credits)
Went up one more place.


Next up should be August 30th, but that one features both Jimmy Savile and Mike Smith! So BBC4 will skip along to September 6th.