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.

You Little Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from January 9th 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 due to a contract dispute involving Mike Smith. So a big thanks goes to Meer for making it available to watch here at Vimeo.

When you think the future looks bright

09/01/86  (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)

Feargal Sharkey – “You Little Thief” (26)
This follow up to A Good Heart peaked at number 5 and was Feargal's final top ten hit.

Full Force – “Alice I Want You Just For Me” (27) (video)
With their only top ten hit, peaking as it did at number 9.

Jennifer Rush – “Ring Of Ice” (23)
Peaked at number 14.

Mr Mister – “Broken Wings” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 4 to become their only top ten hit.

Dire Straits – “Walk Of Life” (30) (breaker)
The fourth single from their Brothers in Arms album, and it became the most successful peaking at number 2.

King – “Torture” (34)
Their final hit, it peaked at number 23.

Sting – “Russians” (20) (video)
Peaked at number 12.

Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls” (1)
The first of two weeks at number one.

Aretha Franklin – “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” (25) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 11.



January 16th is next.

The Sun Always Shines on Top of the Pops

Happy New Year everybody! Its the 2nd of January and time for the first edition of 1986 of Top of the Pops!

A-ha New Year!

02/01/86 (Janice Long & John Peel)

A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (27)
Getting this live show underway with what would soon become their only number one.

Paul McCartney – “Spies Like Us” (13) (video)
Going a little bit gracefully grey here is Paul, but the hair dye will soon put a stop to that! This song was now at its peak.

Level 42 – “Leaving Me Now” (23)
With Mark sporting his coat of many colours, this song rose up to number 15.

Bronski Beat – “Hit That Perfect Beat” (11)
A second studio performance helping this fourth and final top ten hit reach number 3.

Jennifer Rush – “Ring Of Ice” (29) (breaker)
Success was hard to come by after the monster hit Power of Love, and this song was her final top 20 hit when it peaked at number 14.

Sting – “Russians” (25) (breaker)
This was the fourth single from his top 3 solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles, and it became the most successful of them when it peaked at number 12.

Sophia George – “Girlie Girlie” (14)
Her only hit and it peaked at number 7.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Merry Christmas Everyone” (1) (video)
In the company of some scary looking elves and probably the real Santa, this was the second and last week at number one for Shaky's final chart topper.

Elton John – “Wrap Her Up” (19) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 12.



January 9th is next but its our first (of 16) Mike Smith edition of the year and won't be shown on BBC4.

Love & Top of the Pops

And So, we're down to the final penalty kick - I mean final Top of the Pops of the 1985 season and it is of course the happy Christmas Day edition!

We Three Kings

25/12/85  (Radio 1 DJs)

King – “Love & Pride”

Sister Sledge – “Frankie” (video clip)
Madonna – “Into The Groove” (video clip)

Colonel Abrams – “Trapped”

Phyllis Nelson – “Move Closer” (clip from 04/04/85)
Midge Ure – “If I Was” (video clip)

Alison Moyet – “That Ole Devil Called Love”

Eurythmics – “There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)” (video clip)
Paul Hardcastle – “19” (remix - video clip)

Dead Or Alive – “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”

Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – “Easy Lover” (video clip)
David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (video clip)

Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy”

The Crowd – “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (video clip)
USA For Africa – “We Are The World” (video clip)
Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (video clip)

Billy Ocean – “Suddenly”

Foreigner – “I Want To Know What Love Is” (video clip)
UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – “I Got You Babe” (video clip)

Feargal Sharkey – “A Good Heart”

Jonathan King – US chart rundown
Madonna – “Crazy For You” (video clip)
Tears For Fears – “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (video clip)
George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (video clip)

Paul Young – “Everytime You Go Away”

Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – “I Know Him So Well” (video clip)
Jennifer Rush – “The Power Of Love” (video clip)

Wham! – “I’m Your Man” (video)
Whitney Houston – “Saving All My Love For You” (video)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Welcome To The Pleasure Dome” (audience dancing/credits)


Following The Story of 1986, and 1986 Biggest Hits, next up is the edition from 2nd January 1986.

Saving All My Top of the Pops For You

This final regular 1985 edition from December 19th will not be shown on BBC4 because of the Mike Smith contract dispute, so a huge thanks goes once again to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer.

AmaSanta

19/12/85  (Paul Jordan & Mike Smith)

Amazulu – “Don’t You Just Know It” (19)
Getting the show off to a tinselly start and the song peaked at number 15.

Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (3) (1985 video)
Last year's Xmas number one, peaked at number 3 this year.

Aled Jones – “Walking In The Air” (14)
His only to 40 hit, it peaked at number 5.

Level 42 – “Leaving Me Now” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 15.

Sophia George – “Girlie Girlie” (25) (breaker)
Her only hit, peaking at number 7.

Elton John – “Wrap Her Up” (23) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls” (5)
On its way to number one.

The Top Ten:
Wham! - "Last Christmas" (10) (video clip)
Bruce Springsteen - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (9) (stills)
Madonna - "Dress You Up" (8) (live clip)
Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin - "Separate Lives" (7) (video clip)
Dee C. Lee - "See The Day" (6) (video clip)
Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls” (5) (video clip)
Wham! – “I’m Your Man” (4) (video clip)
Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (3) (video clip)
Shakin’ Stevens – “Merry Christmas Everyone” (2) (video clip)

Whitney Houston – “Saving All My Love For You” (1) (video)
Second and final week at number one.

Paul McCartney – “Spies Like Us” (16) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 13.



Next up is Christmas Day 1985!