A Top of the Pops From Nowhere

It only seems like last month we were welcoming in the new year, and now suddenly it's already time for the 14th May 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Seeing red

14/05/87  (Gary Davies)

Johnny Hates Jazz – “Shattered Dreams” (18)
Getting the 1213th show underway with what would be their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.

The Cult – “Lil’ Devil” (11) (video)
Looking a bit like Adam Ant and sounding a bit like Mick Jagger, this was the band's biggest hit and it was now at its peak.

Europe – “Carrie” (22) (video)
Also at its peak.

Labi Siffre – “(Something Inside) So Strong” (4)
A second studio performance but Labi's final to 40 hit got no higher.

Wet Wet Wet – “Wishing I Was Lucky” (21) (breaker)
Became their first of thirteen top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.

Cameo – “Back & Forth” (13) (breaker)
Peaked at number 11.

Tom Jones – “A Boy From Nowhere” (3)
Singing a live vocal in the studio and the song went up one more place.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (1) (video)
At 47 years old, Grace Slick was at the time the oldest woman to sing on a number one hit, and this was her second of four weeks at the top.

Zodiac Mindwarp & The Love Reaction – “Prime Mover” (24) (video/credits)
Crikey! Bon Jovi meets the Rocky Horror Show! This was their only top 40 hit and it peaked at number 18.


May 21st is up next.

Nothing's Gonna Stop Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 7th May 1987 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the Mike Smith contract situation - so a massive thanks goes to the uploader for making it available here at We Transfer.

Grace is no dummy

 07/05/87 (Mike Smith)

Living In A Box – “Living In A Box” (6)
Went up one more place.

Fleetwood Mac – “Big Love” (13) (video)
Peaked at number 9.

Depeche Mode – “Strangelove” (23)
Peaked at number 16.

Spear Of Destiny – “Never Take Me Alive” (19)
Peaked at number 14.

Europe – “Carrie” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 22.

The Cult – “Lil’ Devil” (17) (breaker)
Became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 11.

Sly & Robbie – “Boops (Here To Go)” (22)
On its way to number 12.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (1) (video)
First of four weeks at number one.

Kim Wilde & Junior – “Another Step (Closer To You)” (9) (video/credits)
Went up three more places.


Next up is May 14th.

La Top of the Pops Bonita

¡Buenas noches y una cálida bienvenida a todos ya otra emocionante edición del 30 de abril de 1987 de Top of the Pops!

The Boyo from Pontypridd

30/04/87  (Peter Powell & Steve Wright)

The Jesus & Mary Chain – “April Skies” (19)
Hola! Getting tonight's show underway are 'Jesus and the Mary Chain' with what became their first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (3) (video)
Their fourth and final hit of an unusual chart career, and it will be number one next week.

Labi Siffre – “(Something Inside) So Strong” (16)
In the studio to perform his first hit since 1972, and this powerful song also became his only top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Level 42 – “To Be With You Again” (14)
Became their penultimate top ten hit when it peaked at number 10.

Spear Of Destiny – “Never Take Me Alive” (23) (breaker)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 14.

Fleetwood Mac – “Big Love” (21) (breaker)
The first single from their mammoth number one album Tango in the Night, and it peaked at number 9.

Tom Jones – “A Boy From Nowhere” (7) (video)
From the musical Matador, although it would not open for another four years yet. The song peaked at number 2.

Madonna – “La Isla Bonita” (1) (video)
Second and final week at number one.

Duran Duran – “Meet El Presidente” (24) (video/credits)
A video to play us out, but this lesser known hit got no higher. Hasta la vista mis amigos!


May 7th is next, but it is another Mike Smith edition.

Diamond Top of the Pops

It's April 23rd 1987 and time for another sparkling edition of Top of the Pops!

Shooting up the charts

23/04/87  (Gary Davies)

Five Star – “The Slightest Touch” (8)
Getting tonight's live show underway with what was to be their sixth and final top ten hit, and it peaked at number 4.

The Smiths – “Sheila Take A Bow” (13)
In the studio to perform what became their second of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 10.

Kim Wilde & Junior – “Another Step (Closer To You)” (14)
Also performing in the studio tonight, this became Junior's second and final top ten hit, and Kim's fourth of eight, when it peaked at number 6.

Judy Boucher – “Can’t Be With You Tonight” (2)
Another studio performance but she was now at her peak.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (15) (breaker)
Will be number one in three weeks time.

Tom Jones – “A Boy From Nowhere” (12) (breaker)
Became his first chart hit for 10 years, and his first top ten hit since 1972, when it peaked at number 2.

Glenn & Chris – “Diamond Lights” (17)
Hoddle & Waddle put their only hit in the back of the net, and it peaked at number 12.

Madonna – “La Isla Bonita” (1) (video)
First of two weeks at number one.

Terence Trent D’Arby – “If You Let Me Stay” (7) (+ credits)
Another studio performance to end the show with, but the song was at its peak.


April 30th is next.

Top of the Pops in a Box

Rip the parcel tape off and lift the lid on this 16th April 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Herb hits the high wire notes

16/04/87  (Janice Long & Peter Powell)

Fine Young Cannibals – “Ever Fallen In Love” (9)
Getting tonight's show underway but the song went no higher in the charts.

David Bowie – “Day In Day Out” (17) (video)
This lesser known Bowie hit was the first single from his top ten album Never Let Me Down, and number 17 was its peak.

Living In A Box – “Living In A Box” (10)
Went up five more places.

Herb Alpert – “Keep Your Eye On Me” (19) (video)
A somewhat peculiar tune and video to match, and number 19 was its peak.

Kim Wilde & Junior – “Another Step (Closer To You)” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 6.

Five Star – “The Slightest Touch” (14) (breaker)
Became their sixth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (13) (video)
At its peak.

Rikki – “Only The Light” (not in chart)
It's Eurovision time again! And here is the UK's 1987 entry. It finished in 13th place, and made it to number 96 in the charts!

Ferry Aid – “Let It Be” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.

Madonna – “La Isla Bonita” (2) (video/credits)
Will be number one next week.


April 23rd is next.

Top of the Pops With You Tonight

This edition of Top of the Pops from 9th April 1987 will not be shown on BBC4 due once again to the Mike Smith contract dispute. So a huge thanks goes to the uploader for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Top Hat of the Pops

09/04/87  (Mike Smith)

The Rainmakers – “Let My People Go-Go” (28)
Went up ten more places.

Club Nouveau – “Lean On Me” (6) (video)
Peaked at number 3.

The Blow Monkeys – “Out With Her” (30) 
Got no higher.

Judy Boucher – “Can’t Be With You Tonight” (14)
Became her only top ten hit when it peaked at number 2.

Living In A Box – “Living In A Box” (23) (breaker)
Became their first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 5.

Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (17) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

Terence Trent D’Arby – “If You Let Me Stay” (7) 
At its peak.

Ferry Aid – “Let It Be” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Whitesnake – “Still Of The Night” (22) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 16.


April 16th is next.

The Top of the Pops Rover

Wander no more, rest your weary feet and enjoy this 2nd April 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Shane sinks his teeth into it

02/04/87 (Gary Davies & Janice Long)

The Pogues & The Dubliners – “The Irish Rover” (21)
Our first sighting of Shane MacGowan's gnashers gets tonight's show underway. The Dubliners had their first top ten hit 20 years earlier, and now they got their second when this tune peaked at number 8.

Madonna – “La Isla Bonita” (5) (video)
Will get to number one later this month.

Curiosity Killed The Cat – “Ordinary Day” (22)
In the studio to perform this follow up to Down to Earth, and it peaked at number 11.

Fine Young Cannibals – “Ever Fallen In Love” (17)
It hardly seems five minutes ago we were watching The Buzzcocks perform the original on the re-runs, but this cover was a bigger hit, peaking at number 9.

The Rainmakers – “Let My People Go-Go” (34) (breaker)
Their only hit and it peaked at number 18.

Herb Alpert – “Keep Your Eye On Me” (33) (breaker)
Became Herb's eighth and penultimate top 40 hit when it peaked at number 19.

Whitesnake – “Still Of The Night” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Ruby Turner – “I’d Rather Go Blind” (24)
Performing in the studio but the song was at its chart peak.

Ferry Aid – “Let It Be” (1) (video/credits)
Released following the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, and featuring a whole host of chart stars, including Boy George, Nick Kamen, Mel & Kim, Andy Bell, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Pepsi and Shirlie, Kim Wilde, Nik Kershaw, Gary Moore, Mark Knopfler,Taffy, Keren Woodward, Mark King, Paul King, Edwin Starr, Ruby Turner, Kate Bush and Paul McCartney. This was its first of three weeks at number one.


April 9th is next but it is yet another skipped Mike Smith edition.

With or Without Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 26th March 1987 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the Mike Smith contract dispute. So once again a mighty thanks goes to the uploader from making it available here at WeTransfer.

Simply the vest

26/03/87  (Mike Smith)

Terence Trent D’Arby – “If You Let Me Stay” (22)
Making his debut with his first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

U2 – “With Or Without You” (4) (video)
This first single from their mammoth number one album The Joshua Tree peaked at number 4.

Alison Moyet – “Weak In The Presence Of Beauty” (6)
At its peak.

Janet Jackson – “Let’s Wait Awhile” (9)
Peaked at number 3.

Peter Gabriel – “Big Time” (15) (video)
This third single from his number one album So peaked at number 13.

Nick Kamen – “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” (16)
At its peak.

Mel & Kim – “Respectable” (1) (video)
With their only week at number one.

Club Nouveau – “Lean On Me” (24) (video/credits)
Their only hit, and it peaked at number 3.


Next up is April 2nd.

Respect Your Top of the Pops

Please wear your smartest clothes and be on your best behaviour for this 19th March 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Sharp dressed girls

19/03/87  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Mel & Kim – “Respectable” (2)
Tonight's show gets underway with what will be the number one song next week.

Bruce Willis – “Respect Yourself” (11) (video)
Became his first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

The Mission – “Severina” (25)
Performing in the studio but the song got no higher.

Erasure – “It Doesn’t Have To Be” (15)
A second studio performance for this song and it went up three more places

Genesis – “Tonight Tonight Tonight” (19) (Montreux clip)
This fourth single from their number one album Invisible Touch went up one more place.

Al Jarreau – “Moonlighting” (8) (rpt from 05/03/87)
At its peak

Boy George – “Everything I Own” (1) (video)
Second and final week at number one.

Prince – “Sign O’ The Times” (16) (video/credits)
Providing a very cheerful end to the show with a tune that peaked at number 10.


March 26th is next but it is yet another skipped Mike Smith edition.

You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 12th March 1987 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the Mike Smith contract dispute, so a huge thanks once again to the uploader for making it available here at We Transfer.

When you find out you're axed from BBC4!

12/03/87  (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)

Alison Moyet – “Weak In The Presence Of Beauty” (16)
Became her penultimate top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.

Jackie Wilson – “I Get The Sweetest Feeling” (3) (video)
At its peak.

Nick Kamen – “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” (25)
Peaked at number 16.

Freddie Mercury – “The Great Pretender” (4) (video)
At its peak.

The Mission – “Severina” (32) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.

Bruce Willis – “Respect Yourself” (31) (breaker)
Became the first of two top ten hits for the Moonlighting star when it peaked at number 7.

Genesis – “Tonight Tonight Tonight” (24) (breaker)
Peaked at number 18.

Beastie Boys – “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” (21) (video)
Quite some rocker this tune, and it peaked at number 11.

Boy George – “Everything I Own” (1)
First of two weeks at number one.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Watching The Wildlife” (33) (video/credits)
Frankie says bye bye with a tune that peaked at number 28.


March 19th is up next.

Top of the Pops Skyline

The moon is high, the stars are bright, the skyscrapers are lit all over the city, and the scene is set for the 5th March 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Vince was never happier than when he was on Top of the Pops

05/03/87 (Gary Davies & Janice Long)

The Christians – “Forgotten Town” (27)
Getting the show underway tonight with some fine harmonies on their studio debut with a tune that peaked at a surely too low number 22.

A-ha – “Manhattan Skyline” (13)
Performing in the studio but they couldn't get this tune any higher in the charts.

Erasure – “It Doesn’t Have To Be” (20)
Helped by some enthusiastic dad dancing from Andy this follow up to Sometimes peaked at number 12.

Mel & Kim – “Respectable” (25)
Looking cool and slinky in their matching suits, this dance floor dynamite tune would soon become the duo's only number one.

Jackie Wilson – “I Get The Sweetest Feeling” (10) (breaker)
This song had originally peaked at number 9 in 1972, then it made number 25 in 1975, but this time around it made it to number 3.

Freddie Mercury – “The Great Pretender” (9) (breaker)
Peaked at number 4.

Boy George – “Everything I Own” (7) (breaker)
Will be number one next week.

Al Jarreau – “Moonlighting” (29)
The theme tune from the show that made a star of Bruce Willis, this became Al's only top ten hit, and indeed his final ever hit, when it peaked at number 8.

Ben E. King – “Stand By Me” (1) (video)
Final week at number one.

Percy Sledge – “When A Man Loves A Woman” (2) (video/credits)
It had peaked at number 6 in 1966, this time around it peaked at number 2.


March 12th is next, but it is yet another skipped Mike Smith edition.