The Top of the Pops with the Thorn in His Side

This edition of Top of the Pops from October 10th 1985 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the ongoing contract issue regarding Mike Smith. I'm away all week but I will post any available link as soon as I get back. And now here it is at WeTransfer.

Cause I'm your number one

10/10/85 (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)

Red Box – “Lean On Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)” (3)
At its peak.

John Parr – “St Elmo’s Fire” (10) (video)
Peaked at number 6.

The Smiths – “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” (23)
At its peak.

Madonna – “Gambler” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 4.

A-ha – “Take On Me” (14) (breaker)
Peaked at number 2.

Simple Minds – “Alive & Kicking” (12) (breaker)
Peaked at number 7.

The Cult – “Rain” (26)
Peaked at number 17.

Jennifer Rush – “The Power Of Love” (1)
First of five weeks at number one.

Billy Idol - "Rebel Yell" (6) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.

Next up is October 17th.

If I Was Top of the Pops

I'm away all week so I'm posting the next three blogs prior to seeing the editions, starting with this one from October 3rd 1985.

The Colonel wins his only top ten medal

03/10/85 (Gary Davies & Paul Jordan)

Colonel Abrams – “Trapped” (10)
Peaked at number 3.

Iron Maiden – “Running Free” (20) (live clip)
Went up one more place.

Cameo – “Single Life” (21)
Peaked at number 15.

John Parr – “St Elmo’s Fire” (27) (breaker)
His only top ten hit, peaking at number 6.

The Smiths – “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” (26) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

The Cure – “Close To Me” (24) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Rene & Angela – “I’ll Be Good” (22)
At its peak.

Midge Ure – “If I Was” (1)
First and only week at number one.

Five Star – “Love Take Over” (28) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 25.


Next up is October 10th, but it's a Mike Smith edition.

Holding Out For (another) Top of the Pops

Where has all of this year gone? It's autumn 1985 already, and time for the 26th September edition of Top of the Pops!

Where has all the hairspray gone?

26/09/85  (Janice Long & Dixie Peach)

Depeche Mode – “It’s Called A Heart” (21)
Getting the show underway, and just about the last New Romantics standing, are Depeche Mode with a tune that peaked at number 18.

Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” (13) (video)
The blonde Sid Vicious, and just about the last punk standing, Rebel Yell peaked at number 6.

Jennifer Rush – “The Power Of Love” (15)
Our first studio sighting of the biggest hit of 1985, which got Dixie particularly aroused according to Janice, this million selling single will be number one in two weeks time.

Five Star – “Love Take Over” (35) (breaker)
Went up ten more places.

The Damned – “Is It A Dream?” (34) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Dead Or Alive – “My Heart Goes Bang” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

The Style Council – “The Lodgers” (17)
In almost matching his and hers outfits, Paul, sporting blonde streaks, and Dee share the lead vocals on this political track that peaked at number 13.

The Top Ten Videos:
Mai Tai - "Body & Soul" (10) (video clip)
Baltimora - "Tarzan Boy" (9) (video clip)
Amii Stewart - "Knock On Wood" (8) (TOTP clip)
Marillion - "Lavender" (7) (video clip)
Red Box – “Lean On Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)” (6) (video clip)
Madonna - "Angel" (5) (video clip)
Midge Ure - "If I Was" (4) (video clip)
Stevie Wonder - "Part Time Lover" (3) (video clip)

Bonnie Tyler – “Holding Out For A Hero” (2)
Another studio performance but if Bonnie was holding out for a number one she was to be disappointed because the song could get no higher.

David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

Maria Vidal – “Body Rock” (11) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


Next up is October 3rd.

Top of the Pops on Me

Did I just imagine it, or did tonight's TOTPs start, get interrupted by a weather forecast during the first song, and then re-start from the beginning all over again??

Anyway...... The big day has come at last to say 'I do' and make this 19th September 1985 edition of Top of the Pops your very own, in sickness and in health, until death us do part!

Twice the fun!

19/09/85  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Red Box – “Lean On Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)” (18)
Getting the show off to a drumtastic start with their first of two top ten hits, this one peaking at number 3.

Madonna – “Angel” (10) (video)
Already on her fifth top ten hit of the year, she must've been a bit too tired to make a brand new video, but the song still made it to number 5.

Midge Ure – “If I Was” (8)
Not the best miming from Midge here, but the song was terrific and will be number one in two weeks time.

Cameo – “Single Life” (35) (breaker)
Their breakthrough hit peaking at number 15. And not one single ludicrously large cod piece anywhere in sight!

Rene & Angela – “I’ll Be Good” (31) (breaker)
Their only top 40 hit, peaking at number 22.

Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” (25) (breaker)
His follow up to White Wedding also peaked at number 6.

Lloyd Cole & The Commotions – “Brand New Friend” (27)
Performing what would become his second biggest hit, peaking at number 19.

David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (1) (video)
Third of four weeks at number one.

Colonel Abrams – “Trapped” (28) (audience dancing/credits)
Became his only top ten hit when it peaked at number 3.


26th September is next.

Top of the Pops in the Street

Calling out around the UK, summer's here and the time is right for the September 12th 1985 edition of Top of the Pops!

It doesn't matter what you wear, luckily.....

12/09/85  (Mike Read & Steve Wright)

Amii Stewart – “Knock On Wood” (12)
And Amii has flown in from Italy to get tonight's show underway with this remixed version of her 1979 top five hit, which this time peaked at number 7.

Huey Lewis & The News – “The Power Of Love” (19) (Montreux clip)
Peaked at number 11.

Maria Vidal – “Body Rock” (26)
Channeling a little bit of Madonna here I think, but this was Maria's only hit and it peaked at number 11.

Marillion – “Lavender” (13)
Fish is off his sickbed and donned in his red coat and tartan trousers to channel a bit of Bob Dylan in this performance of 'Lavender Blue'.

Cliff Richard – “She’s So Beautiful” (33) (breaker)
The least said about the video the better! Peaked at number 17.

Red Box – “Lean On Me (Ah-Li-Ayo)” (30) (breaker)
Their first of two top ten hits, this one being the biggest peaking at number 3.

Midge Ure – “If I Was” (29) (breaker)
On its way to number one.

Mai Tai – “Body & Soul” (10)
Went up one more place.

The Top Nine:
Princess - "Say I'm Your Number One" (9) (video clip)
Kate Bush - "Running Up That Hill" (8) (video clip)
Madonna - "Into The Groove" (7) (video clip)
The Cars - "Drive" (6) (video clip)
Stevie Wonder - "Part Time Lover" (5) (video clip)
Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” (4) (video clip)
UB40 & Chrissie Hynde - "I Got You Babe" (3) (video clip)
Bonnie Tyler – “Holding Out For A Hero” (2) (video clip)

David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (1) (video)
Second of four weeks at the top.

Bananarama - "Do Not Disturb" (31) (audience dancing/credits)
Got no higher.


September 19th is next.