Top of the Pops Night Long

It's October 13th 1983 and the nights are slowly getting longer, a cold wind is blowing from the north, the leaves are turning golden and falling from the trees, but at least we can stay in and enjoy the warmth of another edition of Top of the Pops.....

You have to hand it to Lydia...

13/10/83 (Peter Powell & Richard Skinner)

Roman Holliday – “Motormania” (47)
Maybe this should have been on the previous show? Anyway, it  was their final hit and got no further than number 40.

Tracey Ullman – “They Don’t Know” (2) (video)
At its peak. Babee.

Black Lace – “Superman (Gioca Jouer)” (12)
Went up three more places. But edited out of the 7.30 showing.

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Dear Prudence” (3) (video)
Their second and final top ten hit now at its peak.

George Benson – “In Your Eyes” (7) (video)
His third and final top ten hit, also now at its peak.

Bucks Fizz – “London Town” (37)
Became their first single not to make the top 30 when it peaked at number 34. But also an edit victim of the early showing.

Lydia Murdock – “Superstar (Billie Jean)” (30)
A song about being a character from another song! Could have made a great concept album, that idea. It was her only hit though, peaking at number 14.

Lionel Richie – “All Night Long (All Night)” (16) (video)
At last a challenger for Culture Club, but this first track from the massive number one album, Can't Slow Down, peaked at number 2.

Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (1) (video)
Fourth week at number one.

Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson – “Say Say Say” (25) (audience dancing/credits)
Another challenger for the top spot appears, but again number 2 was its peak.

Tonight's BBC1 schedule

Next is October 20th 1983.

Top of the Pops Goes My Love

The autumn chill is already in the air as we reach October 6th 1983, and an edition of Top of the Pops watched by 8.15 million viewers, making it the 8th most popular show on BBC1 this week.

Mike just wouldn't listen when they told him not to stick his finger in the socket...

06/10/83 (David Jensen & John Peel)

Freeez – “Pop Goes My Love” (33)
Performing their follow up to IOU, which was also their final hit excluding remixes, peaking at number 26.

David Bowie – “Modern Love” (2) (video)
Now at its serious moonlight peak.

Depeche Mode – “Love, In Itself 2 ” (26)
The band get all their best instruments out for this one, and it went up five more places. Love In Itself 1 was on the top ten album, Construction Time Again.

Meat Loaf – “Midnight At The Lost & Found” (28) (video)
Taken from the top ten album of the same name, this single peaked at number 17. But the first of three edits from tonight's early showing.

Nick Heyward – “Blue Hat For A Blue Day” (24)
Went up ten more places. But edited out of the 7.30 broadcast.

Howard Jones – “New Song” (13) (video)
Also went up ten more places and also edited out of the 7.30 slot.

David Grant – “Love Will Find A Way” (38)
Leaping about the stage with a 1950's BBC Type A microphone all the way to number 24.

The Alarm – “68 Guns” (19)
A hair raising performance if ever there was one! The song went up two more places,

New Order – “Blue Monday” (10) (rpt from 31/03/83)
Blue Monday peaked at number 12 earlier this year, this second time around it made it to number 9. And here's another chance to see this totally live performance.

Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (1) (rpt from 22/09/83)
Third week at number one with no sighting yet of the song that would replace it.

The Rocksteady Crew – “(Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew” (29) (audience dancing/credits)
Became their only top ten hit, indeed their only top 30 hit, peaking at number 6.

Official BBC Top of the Pops thingy

Next up is October 13th.

What I Got is Top of the Pops

The edition of Top of the Pops from September 29th 1983 will no be shown on BBC4 due to one of the hosts being DLT, so once again a huge thanks goes to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer

Alan displays his shadow puppet skills

29/09/83 (Dave Lee Travis & Tommy Vance with brief appearance from Mark Paige)

Black Lace – “Superman (Gioca Jouer)” (29)
A live vocal and the first of three top ten hits for Black Lace, this one peaking at number 9.

David Essex – “Tahiti” (13) (video)
Getting all wet here on his way to number 8.

Tracey Ullman – “They Don’t Know” (31)
A genuine pop classic on its way to number 2.

George Benson – “In Your Eyes” (30) (video)
His final top ten hit peaking at number 7.

Monyaka – “Go Deh Yaka (Go To The Top)” (14) (video)
At its peak.

Kajagoogoo – “Big Apple” (8)
Also at its peak.

Jonathan King – US chart rundown: From LA.
Naked Eyes – “Promises Promises” (video clip)
Air Supply – “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” (video clip)
Men Without Hats – “The Safety Dance” (video clip)
Billy Joel – “Tell Her About It” (video clip)

Unique – “What I Got Is What You Need” (27)
Zoo are let loose for the very last time but could not help this song get any higher.

Siouxsie & The Banshees – “Dear Prudence” (17)
This Beatles cover was by far Siouxie's biggest hit, peaking at number 3.

Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (1) (video)
Second of six weeks at number one.

Public Image Ltd – “This Is Not A Love Song” (15) (audience dancing/credits)
Another band having their biggest hit, this one peaking at number 5.


Back to BBC4 next for October 6th 1983.

Top of the Pops on the Telephone

Hello, how are you? Good? I'm glad to hear it. I'm just calling today to let you know about an amazing opportunity called Top of the Pops September 22nd 1983. Can you really afford to turn down a show that was watched by 8.2 million viewers making it the ninth most popular show on BBC1? And what's more, it's also the very last chance you'll get to see Flick Colby's name in the credits at the end. So, how many would you like to order?

Jed has a little surprise waiting for for his mate Howard......

22/09/83 (Simon Bates & Mike Read)

Howard Jones – “New Song” (44)
A chaintastic start to this week's show, and the first of six top ten hits for Howard, New Song peaking at number 3.

David Bowie – “Modern Love” (8) (video)
Looking very yellow here with a serious moonlight performance of what would soon become his third top two hit from his number one album Let's Dance.

Hot Chocolate – “Tears On The Telephone” (41)
The band's penultimate hit, not including various re-releases over the years, and it peaked at number 37.

Toyah – “Rebel Run” (29) (video)
Peaked at number 24, but edited out of tonight's 7.30 slot.

The Alarm – “68 Guns” (50)
Their first and biggest hit, peaking at number 17. But also edited out of the early showing.

Nick Heyward – “Blue Hat For A Blue Day” (45)
A third top 20 hit from his North of a Miracle album, peaking at number 14. But also edited out of the 7.30 showing.

Status Quo – “Ol’ Rag Blues” (9) (video)
Now at its peak.

Soft Cell – “Soul Inside” (21)
Quite a manic and hair raising performance and Soul Inside went up five more places.

Heaven 17 – “Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry” (17) (video)
At its peak.

Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (1)
The first of six weeks at number one for the biggest selling single of 1983, shifting 1.3 million copies.

Hot Streak – “Body Work” (26) (audience dancing/credits)
Their only hit which peaked at number 19.


Next up should be September 29th, but DLT was one of the hosts. So BBC4 will move on to October 6th 1983 instead.

A Top of the Pops in the Right Direction

Top of the Pops from September 15th 1983 will not be shown on BBC4 tonight because one of the hosts is Jimmy Savile. So instead we owe a big thanks to whoever has uploaded it here at WeTransfer
Obvioulsy, don't click it if you want to avoid Jimmy Savile!

Nick can't hide his disappointment at Limahl's departure...

15/09/83 (Janice Long & Jimmy Savile)

Kajagoogoo – “Big Apple” (33)
Their first single post Limahl was also their final top ten hit, peaking at number 8.

Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (3) (video)
On its way to being a massive number one.

Genesis – “Mama” (4) (video)
At its evil laughter peak.

David Essex – “Tahiti” (36)
Became his final top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

Big Country – “Chance” (12) (video)
Went up three more places.

The Truth – “A Step In The Right Direction” (32)
Got no higher.

Cliff Richard – “Never Say Die (Give A Little Bit More)” (20) (video)
Went up five more places.

Modern Romance – “Walking In The Rain” (9) (rpt)
Their last ever hit, went up two more places.

UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (1) (rpt from 25/08/83)
Final week at number one, taken from their huge number one album, Labour of Love.

Monyaka – “Go Deh Yaka (Go To The Top)” (30) (audience dancing/credits)
Their only hit, peaking at number 14.


Back to BBC4 next for September 22nd 1983.

Crushed By the Wheels of Top Of The Pops

Ok, so the holidays are over, it's 8th September 1983, and Top of the Pops was being watched tonight by 8.05 million viewers.

When Ryan said he wanted to get to the top, this wasn't what he had in mind!

08/09/83 (Andy Peebles & Peter Powell)

Heaven 17 – “Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry” (28)
The third single from their top four album The Luxury Gap, peaked at number 17.

Rod Stewart – “What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So In Love With You)” (3) (video)
The second single from his top five album Body Wishes, now at its chart peak. And edited out of the 7.30 pm showing.

Annabel Lamb – “Riders On The Storm” (34)
Her only hit, this Doors cover made it to number 27. But edited out of the 7.30pm show.

Status Quo – “Ol’ Rag Blues” (24)
Co-written by bassist Alan Lancaster, who originally sang the lead vocals, only to be replaced by Francis Rossi. It peaked at number 9.

JoBoxers – “Johnny Friendly” (35)
Their final top 40 hit, peaking at number 31.

Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack – “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” (7) (video)
This crooning twosome didn't quite go all the way, but they got to number 2.

Ryan Paris – “Dolce Vita” (21)
His only UK hit, translated from Italian it means 'the good life' and it peaked at number 5.

Paul Young – “Come Back & Stay” (27)
This second single from his huge number one album No Parlez, peaked at number 4.

UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one for this Neil Diamond cover.

Level 42 – “The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)” (10) (audience dancing/credits)
Rose no higher.



Next up should be September 15th, but Jimmy Savile is one of the hosts, so BBC4 will skip along to September 22nd.

Top of the Pops in the Rain

I'm not quite back from my holiday yet, so again I'm writing up this edition from September 1st 1983 before I actually see it.

Slightly dodgy song in danger of the 7.30 chop?

01/09/83 (David Jensen & John Peel)

Modern Romance – “Walking In The Rain” (9)
Went up two more places.

Madness – “Wings Of A Dove” (4) (video)
Also went up two more places.

Gary Numan – “Warriors” (30)
Peaked at number 20.

John Peel – European charts:
Righeira – “Vamos A La Playa” (video clip)
Rose Laurens – “Africa The Voodoo Master” (video clip)
Ryan Paris – interview + “Dolce Vita” (video clip)
Berdian Stenberg – “Rondo Rosso” (video clip)

Genesis – “Mama” (20) (video)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 4.

Big Country – “Chance” (22)
Made it to number 9.

Stray Cats – “(She’s) Sexy & 17” (32)
Their final top 30 hit, sneaking in at number 29.

UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (1) (rpt from 25/08/83)
First of three weeks at number one.

New Order – “Confusion” (17) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 12.


Next up is September 8th 1983 when normal transmission will be resumed!

Disappearing Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops August 25th 1983 will not be shown on BBC4 because one of the hosts is Mike Smith. So a big thanks goes to Calvin Henderson for making it available here at Youtube.

Just what you need for a hot summer night ~ a string vest.....

25/08/83 (Simon Bates & Mike Smith)

David Grant – “Watching You Watching Me” (10)
At its peak.

Rod Stewart – “What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So In Love With You)” (27) (video)
The follow up to Baby Jane peaked at number 3.

Carmel – “Bad Day” (26)
Peaked at number 15.

Jonathan King - US chart rundown :
The Police - "Synchronicity I" (live clip)
Stevie Nicks - "Stand Back" (video clip)
Michael Sembello - "Maniac" (video clip)
The Police - "Every Breath You Take" (live clip)

UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (9)
On its way to number one.

Shalamar – “Disappearing Act” (28)
Peaked at number 18.

Level 42 – “The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)” (14)
Went up four more places.

The Style Council – “Paris Match” (3)
The flip side of the 12 inch of Long Hot Summer, which was at its chart peak.

KC & The Sunshine Band – “Give It Up” (1) (audience dancing/credits)
Third and final week at number one for the band's only number one.


Next we finally return to BBC4 for Spetember 1st 1983.

Top of the Pops Still Standing

Top of the Pops August 18th 1983 features DLT so will not be shown on BBC4. I don't have a link for this one yet at the time of writing, and I'm still on holiday. I'll post any available link when I get back, or if anyone can post one in the comments, that would be most appreciated ;-)

Links? I think they split up last year......

18/08/83 (Gary Davies & Dave Lee Travis)

The Kinks – “Come Dancing” (29)
Their first top 20 hit for eleven years, peaked at number 12.

Wham! – “Club Tropicana” (4) (video)
At its peak.

Kim Wilde – “Love Blonde” (23)
At its peak.

Elton John – brief interview
Elton John – “I’m Still Standing” (5) (video)
Went up one more place.

Modern Romance – “Walking In The Rain” (30)
The band's final hit, it peaked at number 7.

Galaxy featuring Phil Fearon – “Wait Until Tonight (My Love)” (20) (video)
At its peak.

Tracie – “Give It Some Emotion” (24)
At its peak.

Madness – “Wings Of A Dove” (19) (video)
Flew all the way to number 2.

KC & The Sunshine Band – “Give It Up” (1) (rpt from 28/07/83)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Kraftwerk – “Tour De France” (28) (Hula Hoop dancer/credits)
Peaked at number 22.


Next up should be August 25th but would you believe it, Mike Smith.....

Watching You Watching Top of the Pops

Well I'm having to hurriedly blog this show from August 11th 1983 without watching it due to me being on holiday! Normal service will be resumed next week :-)

Edward Scissorhands or Siouxsie Sue?

11/08/83 (Richard Skinner & Tommy Vance)

David Grant – “Watching You Watching Me” (34)
Became the first of two top ten hits for David when it peaked at number 10.

The Style Council – “Long Hot Summer” (8) (video)
The band's biggest hit, peaking at number 3.

Level 42 – “The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up)” (33)
The first of six top ten hits for the band, reaching number 10.

Spandau Ballet – “Gold” (12) (video)
Won a silver medal when it peaked at number 2.

The Creatures – “Right Now” (17)
Went up three more places.

The Lotus Eaters – “The First Picture Of You” (21)
Peaked at 15.

Depeche Mode – “Everything Counts” (10)
Went up four more places.

Robert Plant – “Big Log” (11) (video)
At its peak.

KC & The Sunshine Band – “Give It Up” (1) (rpt from 28/07/83)
First of three weeks at number one.

Herbie Hancock – “Rockit” (15) (audience dancing/credits)
Became his only top ten hit, peaking at number 8.



Next up should be the 18th August, but DLT is one of the hosts.....

Wherever I Lay My Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops August 4th 1983 will not be shown on BBC4 because one of the hosts is Mike Smith. So a big thanks goes to Calvin Henderson for making it available here at Youtube

And also available here at WeTransfer

Well, there was enough for everyone......

04/08/83 (John Peel & Mike Smith)

Wham! – “Club Tropicana” (10)
What a great start to the show! Peaked at number 4.

The Police – “Wrapped Around Your Finger” (7) (video)
At its peak.

Kim Wilde – “Love Blonde” (34)
Got to number 23.

Galaxy featuring Phil Fearon – “Wait Until Tonight (My Love)” (37)
Peaked at number 20.

Elton John – “I’m Still Standing” (24) (video)
Made it to number 4.

Tracie – “Give It Some Emotion” (33)
Her final top 30 hit, peaking at number 24.

Bruce Foxton – “Freak” (27)
His only post Jam top 30 hit, peaking at number 23.

Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Late” (11) (video)
At its peak.

Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (1) (rpt from 21/07/83)
Third and final week at number one.

Gary Byrd – TOTP rap
Gary Byrd & The GB Experience – “The Crown” (6) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


Back to BBC4 again next for August 11th.

Top of the Pops Summer

It's July 28th 1983, all our bags are packed and it's time for 7.05 million of us to catch our flight to destination Top of the Pops!

I think my band are somewhere in lost luggage......

28/07/83 (Janice Long & Mike Read)

KC & The Sunshine Band – “Give It Up” (19)
Jetting in to start the show and with his eyes already on the number one spot.

Depeche Mode – “Everything Counts” (26) (video)
Surely one of their best singles, but it only peaked at number 6.

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Everyday I Write The Book” (30)
A second performance of this song which went up two more places.

The Creatures – “Right Now” (29) (video)
Quite an exotic video here for this Mel Torme cover with Souxsie as Cleopatra for what was their biggest hit reaching number 14.

The Lotus Eaters – “The First Picture Of You” (25)
Janice needs to hold the mic a bit closer I think, either that or I'm going hard of hearing! Here she introduces the Lotus Eaters and their only top 30 hit, but what a good one, peaking at number 15.

Malcolm McLaren – “Double Dutch” (4) (Dynamos skipping)
Went up one more place. But edited out again of the 7.30pm showing ~ somebody at BBC4 doesn't like this one!

Robert Plant – “Big Log” (31)
His biggest solo hit, peaking at number 11. Also edited out, and yet Elvis Costello and Bananrama, who we saw last night, were both left in.....

George Benson – “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (28)
Flick Colby's Zoo are released from their cage for a routine, but this record got no higher.

Bananarama – “Cruel Summer” (10)
They've all had their hair done in the same style, ready for a trip to New York to shoot the video, and the song went up two more places.

Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at the top. And still no sign of a hat.

Heaven 17 - "Come Live With Me" (5) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.

Tonight's telly

Next up August 4th 1983, but its got Mike Smith so BBC4 will skip to August 11th.

Top of the Pops Around Your Finger

This edition from July 21st 1983 will not be shown on BBC4 because one of the hosts was Jimmy Savile. So a big thanks goes to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer

Obviously do not click if you wish to avoid Jimmy Savile.

It's hot in here tonight, unless you play keyboards it seems....

21/07/83 (Jimmy Savile & Pat Sharp)

Jimmy The Hoover – “Tantalise (Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh)” (18)
At its peak.

Eurythmics – “Who’s That Girl?” (4) (video)
Went up one more place.

Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Late” (23)
Peaked at number 11.

Roman Holliday – “Don’t Try To Stop It” (20)
Peaked at number 14.

The Police – “Wrapped Around Your Finger” (14)
The second single from their number one album Synchronicity, it became their final top ten hit, peaking at number 7.

Freeez – “IOU” (2)
At its peak.

Gary Byrd & The GB Experience – “The Crown” (21) (Zoo)
Their only hit, peaking at number 6.

The Cure – “The Walk” (12)
At its peak.

Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (1)
First of three weeks at number one.

Clubhouse – “Do It Again/Billie Jean” (29) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 11.


The story continues on BBC4 next with July 28th 1983.

Everyday I Write Top of the Pops

Once upon a time, in BBC4 land, a wicked scheduler decided he would skip lots of editions of Top of the Pops, meaning that the poor blogger with his old rusty laptop had to blog eight shows in the space of a week. And to make matters worse, that poor blogger was about to go on his holiday, meaning his transmission might go on the blink a little bit for a short while. But not to worry, I'm sure there will be a happy ending. And it all began, with 7.7 million viewers, on July 14th 1983....

To be fair, Paul's got other things on his mind besides his hat right now.....

14/07/83 (Andy Peebles & Peter Powell)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Everyday I Write The Book” (32)
Chapter one begins with Elvis Costello's Everyday I Write the Book, which peaked at number 28.

Malcolm McLaren – “Double Dutch” (10) (video)
Became his second and final and biggest top ten hit, peaking at number 3. But edited out of tonight's 7.30 showing.

Paul Young – “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (2)
Knocking firmly on the door to number one.

Heaven 17 – “Come Live With Me” (6)
Went up one more place.

Echo & The Bunnymen – “Never Stop” (30)
Halfway to its number 15 peak.

Bananarama – “Cruel Summer” (21)
The second top ten hit of 1983 for the trio, peaking at number 8.

Sylvian & Sakamoto – “Forbidden Colours” (18) (video)
From the movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, this was David Sylvian's biggest hit post Japan, peaking at number 16.

Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane” (1) (video)
The final week at number one for Rod's final number one. And the cliffhanger is ~ who's been tinkering with the video?

Donna Summer - "She Works Hard For The Money" (29) (audience dancing/credits)
And so we reach the final chapter of tonight's show, featuring lots of skipping, which is very apt as BBC4 will do doing a lot of skipping over the next week or so. Peaked at number 25.

Next up should be July 21st but one of the hosts is Jimmy Savile, so BBC4 will skip to July 28th instead.