Spirit in Top of the Pops

First of all, let me wish each and every one of you who reads and contributes to this blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And now it's time to pull a cracker, and see what's inside the final edition of Top of the Pops 1986!

Doctor and the Merries

25/12/86  (Simon Bates, Gary Davies, Janice Long & Peter Powell)

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going”
Billy gets the Christmas Day show of (almost) exclusively number ones underway with his one and only chart topper, from back in February.

The Communards – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (video)
A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (video)
Europe – “The Final Countdown” (video)

Doctor & The Medics – “Spirit In The Sky”

Cliff Richard & The Young Ones – “Living Doll” (video)
Spitting Image – “The Chicken Song” (video)

Boris Gardiner – “I Want To Wake Up With You”
Boris finally performs his only number one hit in the studio!

Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” (video)
Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (video)

Simply Red – “Holding Back The Years”
With the only song on the show not to make number one.

Nick Berry – “Every Loser Wins” (video)
Falco – “Rock Me Amadeus” (video)
George Michael – “A Different Corner” (video)

Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls”

Madonna – “True Blue” (video)
Madonna – “Papa Don’t Preach” (video)

Chris De Burgh – “The Lady In Red”

The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (video)
Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (video)
Pipping the Housemartins to the top spot, this was the first of four weeks at number one for Jackie Wilson.


Wham! – “Edge Of Heaven” (video/credits)



Next up is January 1st 1987.

Top of the Pops Petite

This edition of Top of the Pops from 18th December 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 because it is hosted by Mike Smith. So a huge thanks goes once again to the uploader for making it available here at We Transfer.

Ear we go

18/12/86  (Mike Smith)

The Gap Band – “Big Fun” (15)
Became their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (2) (video)
Will be number one next week.

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Because Of You” (20)
Went up to number 13.

A-ha – “Cry Wolf” (10)
Peaked at number 5.

Paul McCartney – “Only Love Remains” (34) (breaker)
Went up no higher.

Eurythmics – “The Miracle Of Love” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

Status Quo – “Dreamin’” (25) (video)
Went up ten more places.

The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (1) (rpt from 11/12/86)
One and only week at the top.

The Communards – “So Cold The Night” (8) (video/credits)
At its peak.


Next up is the Chritmas Day edition.

Caravan of Top of the Pops

Get yourself parked up in a spot with a good view for this 11th December 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Happy Hull-idays

11/12/86  (Janice Long & Steve Wright)

Jaki Graham – “Step Right Up” (21)
Getting the show underway tonight with her final top 40 hit, and it peaked at number 15.

The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (3)
In the studio to perform this a-cappella cover of the Chris Jasper song that will be number one next week.

Alison Moyet – “Is This Love?” (24)
In the studio with her first hit for a year and a half, and it peaked at number 3.

Cameo – “Candy” (27) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Dexys Midnight Runners – “Because Of You” (25) (breaker)
The theme tune of 'Brush Strokes', it peaked at number 13 and was the band's final hit.

A-ha – “Cry Wolf” (16) (breaker)
Peaked at number 5.

Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (14) (breaker)
Originally peaking at number 6 in 1957, this re-issue will be this year's Christmas number one.

George Benson – “Shiver” (19)
Performing a live vocal in the studio but the song was at its peak.

Europe – “The Final Countdown” (1) (rpt from 20/11/86)
Second and final week at number one.

Madonna – “Open Your Heart” (8) (video/credits)
And who should pop into the studio to help introduce the playout song, but Paul McCartney! And this fourth top ten hit of 1986 for Madonna peaked at number 4.


December 18th is next, but it is another Mike Smith edition.

Land of Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from December 4th 1986 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the contract dispute with Mike Smith. So a huge thanks once again to the uploader for making it available here at We Transfer.

Top Twenty Spit

04/12/86 (Mike Smith)

The Communards – “So Cold The Night” (14)
Getting the show underway with their follow up to Don't Leave Me This Way, and it peaked at number 8.

Oran ‘Juice’ Jones – “The Rain” (12) (video)
His only hit, and it peaked at number 4.

Erasure – “Sometimes” (3)
Went up one more place.

Genesis – “Land Of Confusion” (20) (video)
Peaked at number 14.

Jaki Graham – “Step Right Up” (26) (breaker)
Became her final top 40 hit when it peaked at number 15.

The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (23) (breaker)
Became their only number one hit.

George Benson – “Shiver” (21) (breaker)
Peaked at number 19.

Gregory Abbott – “Shake You Down” (15)
His only hit and it peaked at number 6.

Europe – “The Final Countdown” (1) (video)
Ther first of two weeks at number one.

Bruce Springsteen – “War” (18) (live clip/credits)
Got no higher.


December 11th is next.

The Skye Boat Top of the Pops

Wet your whistles with a whiskey, it's time for the November 27th 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Top Gun of the Pops

27/11/86  (Gary Davies)

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Warriors (Of The Wasteland)” (19)
Getting tonight's show underway with this hard edged sound, but it got no higher than number 19.

Debbie Harry – “French Kissing In The USA” (9) (video)
Not much snogging going on in the video, but the song slithered up one more place.

Five Star – “If I Say Yes” (15)
Their fifth top 20 hit of 1986, but this was the least successful of them, peaking at number 15.

Roger Whittaker & Des O’Connor – “The Skye Boat Song” (17)
Christmas must be on its way!  This eccentric offering became Roger's third and final top ten hit, and Des's fourth and final top ten hit, when it whistled up to number 10.

Iron Maiden – “Stranger In A Strange Land” (22) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Genesis – “Land Of Confusion” (21) (breaker)
Peaked at number 14.

Nick Kamen – “Each Time You Break My Heart” (8)
In the studio with his band to perform this song written and produced by Madonna, and it went up three more places.

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

Anita Baker – “Sweet Love” (13) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


December 4th is next, but it is yet another Mike Smith edition.

The Top of the Pops Countdown

Five, four, three, two, one ~ it's the 20th November 1986 and time for the 1188th edition of Top of the Pops!

Bon Europe

20/11/86 (Janice Long & John Peel with brief appearance from Gary Davies & Smiley Miley)

Europe – “The Final Countdown” (5)
Bon Jovi in disguise get our final installment of the night underway with what will be number one in two weeks time.

Simple Minds – “Ghostdancing” (13) (video)
At its peak.

Swing Out Sister – “Breakout” (4)
A second studio appearance but the song went up no higher.

Erasure – “Sometimes” (16)
Vince Clarke's fourth group make their studio debut with their first of seventeen top ten hits, this belter peaking at number 2.

Anita Baker – “Sweet Love” (19) (breaker)
Her only top 40 hit, it peaked at number 13.

Nick Kamen – “Each Time You Break My Heart” (12) (breaker)
His only top ten hit, peaking at number 5.

Debbie Harry – “French Kissing In The USA” (11) (breaker)
Became her only solo top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer” (7)
A second studio appearance for this song which consequently went up three more places.

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (1) (video)
Third of four weeks at number one.

Red Box – “For America” (10) (video/credits)
At its peak.


27th November is next.

This is Top of the Pops Calling

This edition of Top of the Pops from November 13th 1986 will not be shown of BBC4 because of the Mike Smith contract dispute. So a huge thank you to the uploader who has made it available here at We Transfer.

And here's an alternative We Transfer upload.

The end of the line

13/11/86 (Mike Smith)

Madness – “(Waiting For) The Ghost-Train” (20)
The most successful group of the 80's wave goodbye with this number 18 hit.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Because I Love You” (18) (video)
Went up four more places.

Kim Wilde – “You Keep Me Hanging On” (2)
At its peak.

Spandau Ballet – “Through The Barricades” (8)
Went up two more places.

Simple Minds – “Ghostdancing” (22) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

Europe – “The Final Countdown” (14) (breaker)
Will get to number one in three weeks time.

Bob Geldof – “This Is The World Calling” (25)
Stuck at number 25, and it got no higher.

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (1) (video)
Second of four weeks at number one.

Mel & Kim – “Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)” (4) (video/credits)
Went up one more place.


20th November is next.

Top of the Pops on a Prayer

Do you remember remember this 6th of November 1986 edition of Top of the Pops?

Top of the bobs

06/11/86 (Peter Powell & Steve Wright)

Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer” (15)
Bon Jovi get our Top of the Pops marathon underway tonight with what became their first of eighteen top ten hits when it peaked at number 4.

Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush – “Don’t Give Up” (16) (video)
A very cuddly video to prmote this second single from Peter's number one album, So. It peaked at number 9 and would be Kate's last top ten hit for nineteen years!

Red Box – “For America” (22)
Became their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 10.

Swing Out Sister – “Breakout” (17)
One of the best songs of the year, and it became their first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 4.

Bob Geldof – “This Is The World Calling” (25) (breaker)
His first solo hit, but it got no higher than number 25.

Shakin’ Stevens – “Because I Love You” (24) (breaker)
Looking and sounding all moody, and it went up ten more places.

Spandau Ballet – “Through The Barricades” (20) (breaker)
Became their tenth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.

Duran Duran – “Notorious” (7)
The remaining members make it into the studio, but the song was at its peak.

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (1) (video)
First of four weeks at number one.

The Pretenders – “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (10) (video/credits)
At its peak.


Next up is November 13th, but it's a Mike Smith edition.

(They Long to Be) Top of the Pops

Why do hits suddenly appear, every time you are near, just like me, you long to be watching the 30th October 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Hat's the way to do it!

30/10/86  (Janice Long)

Mel & Kim – “Showing Out (Get Fresh At The Weekend)” (24) 
Looking like an 80's version of Baccara, the Appleby sisters get tonight's show underway with what became their first of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (7) (video)
Will be number one next week.

Catherine Stock – “To Have & To Hold” (17)
Mike Stock's sister performing her only hit, and it got no higher than number 17.

Gwen Guthrie – “(They Long To Be) Close To You” (25)
This disco version of the classic Bacharach and David song got no higher than number 25.

Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer” (27) (breaker)
Became their first of eighteen top ten hits when it peaked at number 4.

The Smiths – “Ask” (16) (breaker)
Went up two more places.

Duran Duran – “Notorious” (14) (breaker)
Peaked at number 7.

Kim Wilde – “You Keep Me Hanging On” (15)
In the studio to perform the Supremes cover which would become her first top ten hit for over five years when it peaked at number 2.

Nick Berry – “Every Loser Wins” (1) (video)
Third and (thankfully!) final week at number one. Shame he didn't make it into the studio.

Status Quo – “In The Army Now” (2) (video/credits)
At its peak.



November 6th is next.