Who's Leaving Top of the Pops

All the Mike Smith shows are behind us now, so we can look forward to an uninterrupted run on BBC4 starting with this 7th April 1988 edition of Top of the Pops!

When your skirt is a lampshade

07/04/88  (Gary Davies & Simon Mayo)

Taylor Dayne – “Prove Your Love” (15)
The press had been chasing her everywhere apparently but she's in the studio to get tonight's lively show underway with what became her second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

Fleetwood Mac – “Everywhere” (13) (video)
Nice video, but it's a shame they couldn't haul themselves into the studio with what became their tenth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Glen Goldsmith – “Dreaming” (16)
Making his studio debut with what became his biggest hit and it peaked at number 12.

Hazell Dean – “Who’s Leaving Who” (20)
Four years on from her last hit Hazell's back with what became her third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Natalie Cole – “Pink Cadillac” (24) (breaker)
Became her first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 5.

AC/DC – “That’s The Way I Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll” (22) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Pebbles – “Girlfriend” (23) (breaker)
Her only top ten hit, peaking at number 8.

Scott Fitzgerald – “Go” (not in chart)
This year's Eurovision offering - and it came within a whisker of winning, missing out by just one point to Celine Dion! It didn't do so well in the charts though, peaking at number 52.

Pet Shop Boys – “Heart” (1)
First of three weeks at the top for their fourth and final number one.

Jellybean featuring Adele Bertei – “Just A Mirage” (21) (video/credits)
His final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 13.



Next up is April 14th.

Top of the Pops Changes Everything

This edition of Tops of the Pops from 31st March 1988 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the Mike Smith contract dispute. It is also the final edition that Mike Smith hosted. So a huge thanks goes to Robert Thompson for making it available here at WeTransfer. And a huge thanks also to Neil B and everyone else who has ensured we never had to miss out on a single one of these Mike Smith editions.

Climie up the charts

31/03/88  (Nicky Campbell & Mike Smith)

Eighth Wonder – “I’m Not Scared” (10)
Went up three more places.

Climie Fisher – “Love Changes (Everything)” (11)
Peaked at number 2.

Debbie Gibson – “Only In My Dreams” (13) (video)
Went up two more places.

Jellybean featuring Adele Bertei – “Just A Mirage” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

Fleetwood Mac – “Everywhere” (29) (breaker)
Became their tenth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Glen Goldsmith – “Dreaming” (24) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Taylor Dayne – “Prove Your Love” (25) (breaker)
Became her second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

Status Quo – “Ain’t Complaining” (22) (video)
Peaked at number 19.

Wet Wet Wet – “Temptation” (17)
Went up five more places.

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” (1) (rpt from 17/03/88)
Second and final week at number one.

Pet Shop Boys – “Heart” (7) (video/credits)
Will be number one next week.



Next up is 7th April.

Cross My Top of the Pops

The secret's out - it's the 24th March 1988 edition of Top of the Pops!

Short and sweet

24/03/88  (Simon Bates & Peter Powell)

Sinitta – “Cross My Broken Heart” (14)
Getting tonight's show underway and on her way to number 6.

A-ha – “Stay On These Roads” (18)
Became their eighth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.

Simon Harris – “Bass (How Low Can You Go)” (16)
In the studio and the record went up four more places.

Wet Wet Wet – “Temptation” (25) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Debbie Gibson – “Only In My Dreams” (22) (breaker)
Peaked at number 11.

Climie Fisher – “Love Changes (Everything)” (26) (breaker)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 2.

Iron Maiden – “Can I Play With Madness?” (4) (video)
Began a run of seven consecutive top ten hits for the band when it peaked at number 3.

Tiffany – “Could’ve Been” (5) (video)
Went up one more place.

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” (1)
First of two weeks at number one.

Whitney Houston – “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” (15) (video/credits)
Went up one more place.


Next up is March 31st - the final edition hosted by Mike Smith.

I'm Not Top of the Pops

Don't be scared, it's just the 17th March 1988 edition of Top of the Pops!

Cross my heart

17/03/88  (Gary Davies & Mike Read) 

Bros – “Drop The Boy” (17)
Getting the show underway with what became their second of eight top ten hits, and their second of four number twos, when it peaked at number 2.

Heart – “These Dreams” (12) (video)
Peaked at number 8.

Erasure – “Ship Of Fools” (6) (rpt from 03/03/88)
Went up no higher.

Sinitta – “Cross My Broken Heart” (30) (breaker)
Became her third of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 6

Simon Harris – “Bass (How Low Can You Go)” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Keith Sweat – “I Want Her” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 26.

David Lee Roth – “Just Like Paradise” (27) (breaker)
The Van Halen frontman's biggest solo hit, but it got no higher.

Eighth Wonder – “I’m Not Scared” (20)
It's Patsy Kensit in the studio performing what became Eighth Wonder's only top ten hit and it peaked at number 7.

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” (4)
Will be number one next week.

Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (video)
Fifth and final week at number one.

Eric B & Rakim – “I Know You Got Soul” (13) (video/credits)
Their biggest hit, but it got no higher.



Next up is 24th March.

Top of the Pops is Contagious

This edition of Top of the Pops from 10th March 1988 will not be shown on BBC4 due to the Mike Smith contract dispute. So a huge thanks goes to Robert Thompson for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Going up in smoke

10/03/88  (Mike Smith & Steve Wright)
 
Vanessa Paradis – “Joe Le Taxi” (4)
A second studio performance and la chanson went up one more place.

Johnny Hates Jazz – “Heart Of Gold” (23)
The fourth and final single from their number one album Turn Back the Clock, and it became their final top 40 hit when it peaked at number 19.

Eric B & Rakim – “I Know You Got Soul” (21) (breaker)
Their biggest hit, peaking at number 13.

Heart – “These Dreams” (20) (breaker)
Peaked at number 8.

Eighth Wonder – “I’m Not Scared” (26) (breaker)
Peaked at number 7.

Afrika Bambaataa & UB40 – “Reckless” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 17.

Belinda Carlisle – “I Get Weak” (13) (video)
Peaked at number 10.

Primitives – “Crash” (9)
A second studio performance and the song went up four more places.

Taja Sevelle – “Love Is Contagious” (17)
Making her studio debut and the song went up ten more places.

Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (video)
Fourth and five weeks at number one.

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” (22) (video/credits)
Will be number one in two weeks time.


Next up is 17th March.

Top of the Pops Of Fools

All aboard! It's time to weigh anchor and set sail on the March 3rd 1988 edition of good ship Top of the Pops!

Do you think I'm saxy?

03/03/88 (Gary Davies & Simon Mayo)

Coldcut featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population – “Doctorin’ The House” (9)
Getting tonight's show off to an energetic start and the record went up three more places.

Rick Astley – “Together Forever” (4) (video)
Went up two more places.

The Sisters Of Mercy – “Dominion” (13)
In the studio with their white suits but the song was at its peak.

Belinda Carlisle – “I Get Weak” (17) (breaker)
Became her second of seven top ten hits when it peaked at number 10.

Johnny Hates Jazz – “Heart Of Gold” (32) (breaker)
Their final top 40 hit, peaking at number 19.

Taja Sevelle – “Love Is Contagious” (28) (breaker)
Became her only top ten hit when it reached a high of number 7.

Aztec Camera – “How Men Are” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.

Erasure – “Ship Of Fools” (20)
This first single from their huge number one album The Innocents peaked at number 6.

Derek B – “Goodgroove” (19)
Making his studio debut and rapping his way up three more places.

Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (BBC video)
Third of five weeks at number one.

Mel & Kim – “That’s The Way It Is” (16) (video/credits)
The duo's fourth and final hit - they surely would have gone on to have many more if it were not for Mel's illness - it peaked at number 10.


March 10th is next, but it is a Mike Smith edition.

Joe Le Top of the Pops

Bonsoir tout le monde, j'espère que vous avez envie de faire
de gros succès car ce soir, vous serez transporté
dans l'édition du 25 février 1988 de Top of le Pops!

Sax appeal

25/02/88  (Mark Goodier & Peter Powell) 

Primitives – “Crash” (29)
Making their debut with what was to be their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.

Morrissey – “Suedehead” (6) (video)
It went up one more place and was his first of ten solo top ten hits.

Vanessa Paradis – “Joe Le Taxi” (14)
Ooh La La! Joe Le Taxi became her first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.

Rick Astley – “Together Forever” (9) (breaker)
Already his fourth top ten hit and it peaked at number 2.

The Sisters Of Mercy – “Dominion” (17) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

Eddie Cochran – “C’mon Everybody” (19) (breaker)
Had been a number 6 hit in 1959, this re-issue made it to number 14.

George Harrison – “When We Was Fab” (25) (breaker)
Second single from his Cloud Nine album but it went up no higher.

The Mission – “Tower Of Strength” (12)
A second studio performance but the song was now at its peak.

Eddy Grant – “Gimme Hope Jo’anna” (8)
And a second studio performance from Eddy, and the song went up one more place.

Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (video)
Second of five weeks at number one.

Bangles – “Hazy Shade Of Winter” (20) (video/credits)
This Simon & Garfunkel cover peaked at number 11.


Next up is March 3rd. Au revoir!

I Should Be So Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops, everybody needs good Top of the Pops. And here's the bonzer 18th February 1988 edition! Ripper!

You little Beaut!

18/02/88 (Nicky Campbell & Gary Davies)
Bomb The Bass – “Beat Dis” (5)
Getting the show underway with what became their first of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 2.


Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” (4) (rpt from 04/02/88)
Went up one more place.

T’Pau – “Valentine” (9)
This perfectly timed song was now at its peak. There's an excellent behind the scenes Blue Peter feature all about this very performance here at Youtube.

Was (Not Was) – “Spy In The House Of Love” (21)
At its peak.


Vanessa Paradis – “Joe Le Taxi” (29) (breaker)
On her way to number 3.

Michael Jackson – “Man In The Mirror” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 21.

Bangles – “Hazy Shade Of Winter” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 11.

Coldcut featuring Yazz & The Plastic Population – “Doctorin’ The House” (25)
Coldcut's only top ten hit, peaking at number 6, but we'll be getting more of Yazz of course later in the year.


Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (1) (BBC video)
First of five weeks at number one for Charlene.

Alexander O’Neal & Cherrelle – “Never Knew Love Like This” (26) (video/credits)
Went no further.


Next up is February 25th

Gimme Top of the Pops Jo'anna

Hopefully there's two tennis-free editions of Top of the Pops on BBC4 tonight starting with this edition from 11th February 1988.

Do You Feel My Bongos?

11/02/88 (Bruno Brookes & Gary Davies)

Eddy Grant – “Gimme Hope Jo’anna” (25)
Getting tonight's show underway with this jolly anti-apartheid singalong is Eddy with what became his fourth of five top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

Debbie Gibson – “Shake Your Love” (7) (rpt from 28/01/88)
At its pop princess peak.

The Mission – “Tower Of Strength” (20)
In the studio with possibly their best known song, and it peaked at number 12.

Taylor Dayne – “Tell It To My Heart” (4)
This energetic tune went up one more place.

Sinead O’Connor – “Mandinka” (22)
Making her debut with this distinctive rocker which peaked at number 17.

Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.

Jermaine Stewart – “Say It Again” (10) (rpt from 28/01/88 + credits)
His second of two top ten hits and it peaked at number 7.


Next up is February 18th

Top of the Pops in the Wind

This edition of Top of the Pops from 4th February 1988 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the Mike Smith contract dispute, so a huge thanks once again goes to Robert Thompson for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Hat-trick man

04/02/88 (Mike Smith)
Billy Ocean – “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” (27)
Became Billy's sixth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 3.

Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (16) (video)
Will be number one in two week's time.

The Screaming Blue Messiahs – “I Wanna Be A Flintstone” (28)
Their only hit and it got no higher.

Bros – “When Will I Be Famous?” (2)
A second studio performance but they couldn't quite make it to the top.

Luther Vandross – “Give Me The Reason” (26) (breaker)
This was the third time he'd released this one, and 26 was its peak.

Sinead O’Connor – “Mandinka” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 17.

Elton John – “Candle In The Wind” (10)
The original version had peaked at number 11 in 1974. This second offering made it to number 5. The third version will be an even bigger hit nine years later.

Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now” (1) (rpt from 28/01/88)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Jack ‘N’ Chill – “The Jack That House Built” (12) (video/credits)
Went up six more places.



Back to BBC4 next for February 11th.

I Think We're Top of the Pops Now

At breaking point because of the tennis? Well this should put the ball back in your court. This edition of Top of the Pops from 28th January 1988 will not be shown on BBC4 because of the Mike Smith contract dispute, but a huge thanks goes to Robert Thompson for making it available to watch here at WeTransfer.

Game, set and mic

28/01/88  (Gary Davies & Mike Smith)
Debbie Gibson – “Shake Your Love” (17)
Beccame her first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

Billy Idol – “Hot In The City” (18) (video)
Peaked at number 13.

2 Men, A Drum Machine & A Trumpet – “Tired Of Getting Pushed Around” (21)
Peaked at number 18.

Jermaine Stewart – “Say It Again” (25)
His second and final top ten hit, peaking at number 7.

Taylor Dayne – “Tell It To My Heart” (24) (breaker)
Became her first of two top ten hits when it reached number 3.

Jack ‘N’ Chill – “The Jack That House Built” (19) (breaker)
Peaked at number 6.

Elton John – “Candle In The Wind” (16) (breaker)
This live version peaked at number 5.

T’Pau – “Valentine” (33)
This timely release became their third and final top ten hit, peaking at number 9.

Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now” (1)
First of three weeks at number one.

The Beatmasters featuring the Cookie Crew – “Rok Da House” (8) (video/credits)
Went up three more places.



Next up is February 4th, but normal service can still not be resumed because its yet another Mike Smith edition!

When Will I Be Top of the Pops?

It's 7.30pm and tonight's scheduled edition of Top of the Pops from 21st January 1988 on BBC4 seems to have been given the tennis elbow. The midnight repeat is still scheduled, so here's hoping it won't be a double fault.

You cannot be serious!

21/01/88  (Gary Davies & Steve Wright)

Bros – “When Will I Be Famous?” (16)
Became their first of five top ten hits in 1988 when it peaked at number 2.

AC/DC – “Heatseeker” (12) (video)
They'd been having hits for almost ten years by now, and this one was their biggest, and number 12 was its peak.

Joyce Sims – “Come Into My Life” (8)
Her only top ten hit and it went up one more place.

The Christians – “Ideal World” (15)
Also went up one more place.

Motley Crue – “Wild Side” (23) (breaker)
Already their biggest hit but it got no higher.

Bananarama – “I Can’t Help It” (20) (breaker)
Another that got no higher.

The Beatmasters featuring the Cookie Crew – “Rok Da House” (14) (breaker)
Became their first of three top ten hits whent it peaked at number 5.

Dollar – “O L’Amour” (18)
The duo's first 40 hit in over five years, this Erasure cover became their fifth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

Belinda Carlisle – “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” (1) (US TOTP clip)
Second and final week at number 1.

The Stranglers – “All Day All Of The Night” (7) (rpt from 07/01/88 + credits)
Their seventh and final top ten hit now at its peak.


January 28th is next, but it is one of the few remaining Mike Smith editions, so BBC4 will skip it.