Who's That Top of the Pops?

So, the big surprise tonight is that BBC4 broadcast the 23rd July 1987 edition of Top of the Pops instead of the 16th July! It appears there was a technical issue with the playout of the 16th, so there is a chance we will get to see tonight's scheduled edition tomorrow, maybe!

Mad-onna!

23/07/87  (Janice Long & Simon Mayo)

Boy George – “Sold” (26)
Getting tonight's live show underway with the title track from his top 30 album, and it went up two more places.

Atlantic Starr – “Always” (3) (video)
At its peak.

Judy Boucher – “You Caught My Eye” (35)
Her follow up to Can't Be With You Tonight (a good title for the 16th July edition!) and it peaked at number 18.

Los Lobos – “La Bamba” (5) (video)
Will be number one next week.

Errol Brown – “Personal Touch” (37) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.

Samantha Fox – “I Surrender (To The Spirit Of The Night)” (34) (breaker)
Also peaked at number 25.

Marillion – “Sugar Mice” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 22.

Beastie Boys – “She’s On It” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 10.

Luther Vandross – “I Really Didn’t Mean It” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Shakin’ Stevens – “A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind)” (13)
Went up one more place.

Madonna – “Who’s That Girl?” (1) (video)
First and only week at number one.

Boogie Box High – “Jive Talkin’” (10) (video/credits)
Yes Simon, it is. And it went up three more places.


Next up is July 30th (probably).

I Heard a Top of the Pops

Well, I was hoping to hear (and see) the 16th July 1987 edition of Top of the Pops! But for some reason as yet unknown, BBC4 made a last minute decision to skip it and show July 23rd instead! If a link to this show becomes available I will post it.

Where's That Top of the Pops?

16/07/87  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Bananarama – “I Heard A Rumour” (28)
Peaked at number 14

Bruce Willis – “Under The Boardwalk” (2) (live clip)
Got no higher

Hue & Cry – “Labour Of Love” (34)
Making their debut with what was to be their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 6

Kenny G – “Songbird” (25)
Peaked at number 22

Mel & Kim – “FLM” (7) (video)
Got no higher

Los Lobos – “La Bamba” (32) (breaker)
Will be number one in two weeks time

The Cure – “Catch” (27) (breaker)
Got no higher

Boogie Box High – “Jive Talkin’” (14) (breaker)
Their only hit. George Michael did the lead vocal and it peaked at number 7.

Freddie McGregor – “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” (23)
Became his only top 40 hit when it peaked at number 9.

Pet Shop Boys – “It’s A Sin” (1) (rpt)
Third and final week at number one.

Madonna – “Who’s That Girl?” (3) (video/credits)
Will be number one next week.


Next up is July 23rd.

A Little Top of the Pops (In the Back of My Mind)

Time to rip your shirts off and flex those baby oiled muscles - it's the 9th July 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Tops off the pops

09/07/87  (Gary Davies)

Shakin’ Stevens – “A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind)” (26)
Shaky and friends get the live show off to a memorable start with this Gary Glitter cover which peaked at number 12

A-ha – “The Living Daylights” (5) (video)
This theme from the latest Bond movie was now at its peak.

Black – “Sweetest Smile” (12)
Performing a live vocal in the studio and the song peaked at number 8.

Genesis – “Throwing It All Away” (22) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Jackie Wilson – “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher” (21) (breaker)
It had peaked at number 11 in 1969, this time around it made number 15.

Mel & Kim – “FLM” (16) (breaker – Montreux clip)
Became the duo's third of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

Heart – “Alone” (15) (breaker)
Became their first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.

The Christians – “Hooverville” (27)
In the studio with the follow up to their number 22 hit Forgotten Town, this new on went one better and peaked at number 21.

Pet Shop Boys – “It’s A Sin” (1) (rpt from 02/07/87)
Second of thee weeks at number one.

Terence Trent D’Arby – “Wishing Well” (4) (video/credits)
At its peak.


July 16th is next

It's A Top of the Pops

When I look back upon my life it's always with a sense of the 2nd July1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

It's a number one

02/07/87 (Simon Bates)

ABC – “When Smokey Sings” (11)
Making their first appearance in the studio for three years according to our host - he must not have been watching two weeks ago - but this song was now at its peak.

Atlantic Starr – “Always” (16) (video)
Became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 3.

Curiosity Killed The Cat – “Misfit” (7) (Montreux clip)
At its peak.

Black – “Sweetest Smile” (26) (breaker)
Became his first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” (23) (breaker)
Peaked at number 17.

A-ha – “The Living Daylights” (17) (breaker)
Peaked at number 5.

Broken English – “Comin’ On Strong” (18)
Simon tipped them as 'a band for the 90's' but their only top 40 hit was now at its peak.

Pet Shop Boys – “It’s A Sin” (1)
First of three weeks at number one. Simon then interviewed the three remaining members of Genesis, and we discovered that Mike Rutherford was pregnant (again).

Simple Minds – “Promised You A Miracle” (19) (live video/credits)
At its peak.


July 9th is next.

My Pretty Top of the Pops

Slide on some lip gloss, brush on some mascara, and tie a ribbon in your hair ~ you're ready for the 25th June 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Mist You Nights

25/06/87  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Chris Rea – “Let’s Dance” (18)
Chris gets tonight's show underway and the song peaked at number 12.

Bruce Willis – “Under The Boardwalk” (3) (live clip)
Went up one more place.

Pet Shop Boys – “It’s A Sin” (5)
In the studio with this storming tune which will be number one next week.

Terence Trent D’Arby – “Wishing Well” (14)
Also in the studio with his follow up to If You Let me Stay and it peaked at number 4.

Prince – “If I Was Your Girlfriend” (23) (breaker)
Peaked at number 20.

Simple Minds – “Promised You A Miracle” (22) (breaker – live clip)
Taken from their number one album Live in the City of Light, it peaked at number 19.

Cliff Richard – “My Pretty One” (26)
The smoke machine is going ten to the dozen, all his dance moves are in full working order, and Cliff's latest record will peak at number 6.

The Firm – “Star Trekkin’” (1) (video)
Second and final week at number one.

John Farnham – “You’re The Voice” (7) (Montreux clip/credits)
Went up one more place.


July 2nd is next.

Top of the Pops Trekkin

Janice Long's on the starboard stage, starboard stage, starboard stage - it's the 18th June 1987 edition of Top of the Pops, Jim - but not as we know it!

It's worse than that, it's number one, Jim!

18/06/87  (Janice Long & Simon Mayo)

Samantha Fox – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” (8)
Getting tonight's show off the ground with her third and final top ten hit which was now at its peak.

Whitesnake – “Is This Love?” (16) (video)
Became their first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 9.

Tom Jones – “It’s Not Unusual” (20)
Cashing in on his mini-revival, this re-issue peaked at number 17.

ABC – “When Smokey Sings” (14)
Peaked at number 11.

Chris Rea – “Let’s Dance” (25) (breaker)
Became his biggest hit up to this point when it peaked at number 12.

Janet Jackson – “Pleasure Principle” (24) (breaker)
Went up no further.

Curiosity Killed The Cat – “Misfit” (21)
Became their second of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

The Firm – “Star Trekkin’” (1) (video)
Five whole years after their only other hit - Arthur Daley (E's Alright) - The Firm return and this was their first of two weeks at number one.

Broken English – “Comin’ On Strong” (26) (video/credits)
The only top 40 hit for these Rolling Stones soundalikes, peaking at number 18. Beam me up!


25th June is next.

No Sleep Till Top of the Pops

Wakey! Wakey! You don't want to miss the 11th June 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

I'm The Voice!

11/06/87  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

John Farnham – “You’re The Voice” (15)
John is in the studio to get this live show underway with a song that had been an Australian number one, but it peaked here at number 6.

Bruce Willis – “Under The Boardwalk” (17) (live clip)
Performing here with The Temptations, this was Bruce's biggest hit, and his second and final top ten hit, peaking at a sweaty number 2.

Beastie Boys – “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” (14) (Montreux clip)
Went up no higher.

Run DMC – “It’s Tricky” (16) (Montreux clip)
Two similar hip hop records in a row, and this one also went up no higher.

Tom Jones – “It’s Not Unusual” (23) (breaker)
It was a number one in 1965, but this time around it peaked at number 17. It only gets a breaker slot, but Tom makes a hip swinging Top of the Pops performance for it.

Whitesnake – “Is This Love?” (22) (breaker)
Became the band's first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 9.

ABC – “When Smokey Sings” (21) (breaker)
Peaked at number 11.

Johnny Logan – “Hold Me Now” (2) (video)
At its peak. Surely, only something out of this world could stop it from being number one next week?

Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (1) (video)
Second and final week at number one.

Jody Watley – “Looking For A New Love” (18) (video/credits)
On its way to number 13.


June 18th is next.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Top fo the Pops)

Slip into your hottest frock and move that body with the 5th June 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

Goodbye girls

05/06/87  (Gary Davies)

Erasure – “Victim Of Love” (7)
Getting tonight's show off to an energetic start, but the song went up no higher.

U2 – “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (13) (video)
This second single from the huge number one album The Joshua Tree peaked at number 6.

Pepsi & Shirlie – “Goodbye Stranger” (10)
A very bubbly studio performance and the song went up one more place, but it was to be the duo's final top 40 hit.

Jody Watley – “Looking For A New Love” (24) (breaker)
Her debut and biggest hit, peaking at number 13.

Suzanne Vega – “Luka” (23) (breaker)
Went up no higher.

John Farnham – “You’re The Voice” (22) (breaker – live clip)
His only hit, and it peaked at number 6.

Beastie Boys – “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” (16) (breaker – Montreux clip)
Shouting their way to number 14.

Wet Wet Wet – “Wishing I Was Lucky” (6)
Back for a second studio performance but the song went up no further.

Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (1) (video)
First of two weeks at number one.

Samantha Fox – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” (18) (video/credits)
Hot on the tail of Staship, this was her third and final top ten hit, and it peaked at number 8.



June 11th is next.

Top of the Pops Get Over Excited

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

Happy Four

28/05/87  (Mike Smith)

The Housemartins – “Five Get Over Excited” (13) 
This Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep soundalike went up two more places.

Bruce Springsteen – “Born To Run” (16) (live clip)
At its peak.

Mirage – “Jack Mix II” (7)
Peaked at number 4.

Donna Allen – “Serious” (15)
Peaked at number 8.

Pepsi & Shirlie – “Goodbye Stranger” (27) (breaker)
Became their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.

Gary Moore – “Friday On My Mind” (26) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Erasure – “Victim Of Love” (23) (breaker – Montreux clip)
Peaked at number 7.

Johnny Logan – “Hold Me Now” (3)
Wetn up one more place.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

Johnny Hates Jazz – “Shattered Dreams” (5) (video/credits)
At its peak.


June 5th is next.

Wishing I Was Top of the Pops

Tonight is your lucky night, and I grant you your wish - Alakazam! - the 21st of May 1987 edition of Top of the Pops!

No one is ever happier to be here than Marti

21/05/87  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell - who were wishing their microphones were working properly!)

Marillion – “Incommunicado” (6)
Fish is in the studio, and I bet he was wishing so was a wee bit more of his hair, to get tonight's show underway with the band's third and final top ten hit with him on vocals, and number 6 was its peak.

Wet Wet Wet – “Wishing I Was Lucky” (14)
Making their debut in the studio and - all their dreams came true! - the song became their first of a lucky thirteen top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.

Cameo – “Back & Forth” (11)
Another band in the studio, and he's wearing his lucky codpiece again, but the song would go no higher.

Donna Allen – “Serious” (26) (breaker)
Became her first of two ten ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

Johnny Logan – “Hold Me Now” (25) (breaker)
This year's Eurovision winner, and it peaked at number 2.

Bruce Springsteen – “Born To Run” (23) (breaker)
From his top four album Live 1975 - 1985, this classic song peaked at number 16.

Tottenham Hotspur FC/Chas & Dave – “Hot Shot Tottenham” (18) (breaker)
The rockney lads are back again, but they didn't get their wish this time around, and number 18 was as good as it got. Ah well, can't win 'em all.

Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (10)
She's in the studio performing a storming live vocal, and her wish will come true in two weeks time when the song will be number one.

Starship – “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (1) (video)
Third week of four at number one. Pity they never made it into the studio.

Fleetwood Mac – “Big Love” (9) (video/credits)
And you couldn't wish for a better video to play out with, but the song was at its peak.


28th May is next, but it is another Mike Smith edition.