Hey Top of the Pops Lover

L-o-v-e across the nation, I wanna take you to the 23rd February 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Pi-a Pi-a Pi-ano Pi-ano Pi-ano

23/02/89  (Bruno Brookes & Susie Mathis)

S’Express – “Hey Music Lover” (14)
They ended the last show and get us underway this time and the song made it to number 6.

Michael Jackson – “Leave Me Alone” (4) (video)
This eighth single from his Bad album peaked at number 2.

Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians – “What I Am” (32)
Flying in from Texas but this cool tune surprisingly only went up one more place.

Rick Astley – “Hold Me In Your Arms” (10) (rpt from 09/02/89)
At its peak.

Tyree featuring Kool Rock Steady – “Turn Up The Bass” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Living In A Box – “Blow The House Down” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 10.

Tone Loc – “Wild Thing” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 21.

Dusty Springfield – “Nothing Has Been Proved” (28) (breaker)
From the movie Scandal and it peaked at number 16.

Hue & Cry – “Looking For Linda” (16)
A second live studio performance and the song went up one more place.

Michael Ball – “Love Changes Everything” (2)
No doubt he's singing it live this time - he really belts out this cracking tune but number 2 was as high as it got.

Simple Minds – “Belfast Child” (1) (video)
First of two weeks at number one.

Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo – “Help” (12) (video/credits)
This year's Comic Relief single was also Bananarama's tenth and final top ten hit peaking at number 3.


2nd March is up next.

I Don't Want A Top of the Pops

I don't want a lover, I just need a 16th February 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Sharleen the Scot

16/02/89  (Andy Crane & Mark Goodier)

Def Leppard – “Rocket” (20)
We blast off tonight with Def Leappard and the song went up five more places.

Simple Minds – “Belfast Child” (2) (video)
Will become their only number one next week.

Gloria Estefan – “Can’t Stay Away From You” (33)
Doing it live in the studio and the song peaked at number 7.

Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (24) (video)
Peaked at number 13.

Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians – “What I Am” (37) (breaker)
Peaked at number 31.

Pop Will Eat Itself – “Can U Dig It?” (38) (breaker)
Their first of eleven top 40 hits but it got no higher.

Debbie Gibson – “Lost In Your Eyes” (34) (breaker)
Went up no further.

Texas – “I Don’t Want A Lover” (21)
Making their studio debut with a song that became their first of thirteen top ten hits when it peaked at number 8 - but they won't have their second one for another eight years!

Sam Brown – “Stop” (17)
Also making her studio debut and this song became her only top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

The Style Council – “Promised Land” (32)
Performing a sort of piano sandwich in the studio here with what was to be their final top 40 hit when it peaked at number 27.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

S’Express – “Hey Music Lover” (29) (video/credits)
This lively little tune became their third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.


23rd February next.

The Last of the Famous International Top of the Pops

Reggie Kray do you know the 9th February 1989 edition of Top of the Pops?

Top of the tonsils

09/02/89 (Mike Read & Sybil Ruscoe)

Samantha Fox – “I Only Wanna Be With You” (20)
Getting us underway with this Dusty Springfield cover which peaked at number 16.


Rick Astley – “Hold Me In Your Arms” (26)
Became Rick's penultimate top ten hit when it peaked at number 10.

Yazz – “Fine Time” (11)
Became Yazz's fourth and final top ten hit when it went up two more places.

Hue & Cry – “Looking For Linda” (23)
In the studio performing what sounds like a live vocal and the song peaked at number 15.


Def Leppard – “Rocket” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 15.

Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 13.

Texas – “I Don’t Want A Lover” (32) (breaker)
Peaked at number 8.

Michael Ball – “Love Changes Everything” (12)
In the studio but disappointingly not singing a live vocal, but the song very much became his signature tune and his only top ten hit peaking at number 2.


Bobby Brown – “My Prerogative” (9) (video)
Went up three more places.

Morrissey – “The Last Of The Famous International Playboys” (6)
Not looking particularly playboyish with his shirt hanging out, and the song got no higher.


Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (1) (rpt from 19/01/89)
Third of four weeks at number one.

Mike & The Mechanics – “The Living Years” (2) (video/credits)
Just couldn't knock Marc and Gene off the top.


16th February is next

The Top of the Pops in Me

If you talk about good lovin' let's talk about the 2nd February 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Bootylicious

02/02/89 (Simon Mayo & Steve Wright)

Holly Johnson – “Love Train” (5)
Holly gets the show off to a full head of steam tonight and the song went up one more place.

Roy Orbison – “You Got It” (3) (clip from other TV show)
At its peak.

Robert Howard & Kym Mazelle – “Wait” (10)
In the studio and the song went up three more places.


Sheena Easton – “The Lover In Me” (23)
Sexy Sheena's in the studio with this Prince style song which peaked at number 15.


Michael Ball – “Love Changes Everything” (24) (breaker)
Peaked at number 2.

Yazz – “Fine Time” (27) (breaker)
Became her fourth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.

Hue & Cry – “Looking For Linda” (31) (breaker)
Peaked at number 15.

Samantha Fox – “I Only Wanna Be With You” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Simply Red – “It’s Only Love” (22)
Once again singing a live vocal in the studio and the song peaked at number 13.

Roachford – “Cuddly Toy” (4)
A second studio performance but the song was at its peak.


Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (1) (video)
Second of four weeks at number one.

Bobby Brown – “My Prerogative” (18) (video/credits)
Became his first of ive top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.


9th February is next

Something's Gotten Hold Of My Top of the Pops

In a world that was small I once lived in a time when there was the 26th January 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Number one for me, and number one for you

26/01/89  (Gary Davies & Anthea Turner)

Then Jerico – “Big Area” (21)
A big sound to get us underway tonight with what became the band's biggest hit when it peaked at number 13.

Adeva – “Respect” (20)
Her first of nine top 40 hits and peaked at number 17.

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “Get On The Dance Floor” (14)
Getting onto the studio floor but the song got no higher.

Mica Paris & Will Downing – “Where Is The Love?” (19)
Also in teh studio tonight but also got no higher.

Bobby Brown – “My Prerogative” (27) (breaker)
Peaked at number 6.

Level 42 – “Tracie” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.

Sheena Easton – “The Lover In Me” (34) (breaker)
Peaked at number 15.

Ten City – “That’s The Way Love Is” (17)
With their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 8.

Brother Beyond – “Be My Twin” (15)
Went up one more place.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (1) (rpt from 19/01/89)
First of four weeks at number one.

Milli Vanilli – “Baby Don’t Forget My Number” (16) (video/credits)
At its peak.


February 2nd is next.

Cuddly Top of the Pops

You've got to feel for me baby and give me some 19th January 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

She drives me shady

19/01/89  (Bruno Brookes & Richard Skinner)

Roachford – “Cuddly Toy” (11)
Getting us underway tonight with what became his only top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

Roy Orbison – “You Got It” (7) (clip from other TV show)
Peaked at number 3.

Robert Howard & Kym Mazelle – “Wait” (22)
Became the duo's only top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (10)
Together in the studio with what will be number one next week.

Ten City – “That’s The Way Love Is” (33) (breaker)
Peaked at number 8.

Mica Paris & Will Downing – “Where Is The Love?” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 19.

New Model Army – “Stupid Questions” (31) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Brother Beyond – “Be My Twin” (29) (breaker)
Peaked at number 14.

Natalie Cole – “I Live For Your Love” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

Mike & The Mechanics – “The Living Years” (4) (video)
On its way to number 2.

Holly Johnson – “Love Train” (21)
Looking rather individual in the studio getting his solo career underway with a song that will peak at number 4.

Fine Young Cannibals – “She Drives Me Crazy” (5)
In the studio but the song got no higher.

Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – “Especially For You” (1) (rpt from 22/12/88)
Third and final week at number one.

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “Get On The Dance Floor” (17) (video/credits)
Went up three more places.


January 26th is next.

Keeping Top of the Pops Alive

Tonight the rain is falling full of memories of people and places and the 12th of January 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Hats the way I like it

12/01/89  (Simon Mayo & Sybil Ruscoe)

The Darling Buds – “Hit The Ground” (33)
Transvision Lite get us underway with what became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 27.

Will To Power – “Baby I Love Your Way-Freebird” (10) (video)
Their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 6.

Milli Vanilli – “Baby Don’t Forget My Number” (32)
In the studio with a song that peaked at number 16.

Duran Duran – “All She Wants Is” (9) (video)
This saucy song had already reached a premature climax of number 9.

Boy Meets Girl – “Waiting For A Star To Fall” (12)
In the studio to perform their only hit and it peaked at number 9.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart” (19) (breaker)
On its way to number one.

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “Get On The Dance Floor” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 14.

Mike & The Mechanics – “The Living Years” (17) (breaker)
Became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 2.

Roachford – “Cuddly Toy” (31) (breaker)
His only top ten hit and it peaked at number 4.

Fine Young Cannibals – “She Drives Me Crazy” (8) (breaker)
Became their biggest hit when it peaked at number 5.

Roy Orbison – “You Got It” (24) (breaker)
He'd died just a month earlier and this song became his first top ten hit since 1966 when it peaked at number 3.

Freiheit – “Keeping The Dream Alive” (14)
It was good to see this pretty tune performed in the studio but it was the band's only hit and it got no higher.

Cookie Crew – “Born This Way (Let’s Dance)” (29)
In the studio doing live vocals and the record peaked at number 23.

Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – “Especially For You” (1) (video)
Second of three weeks at number one.

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” (16) (video/credits)
At its peak.


19th January is next.

Especially For Top of the Pops

No more dreaming about tomorrow, forget the loneliness and the sorrow - here's the 5th January 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Happy New Opening Title Sequence!

05/01/89 (Andy Crane & Mark Goodier)

Erasure – “Stop” (2)
The duo get the new year underway but Stop could go no further.

Kim Wilde – “Four Letter Word” (9) (rpt from 22/12/88)
This was now Kim's eighth and final top ten hit and it went up three more places.

A-ha – “You Are The One” (15) (video)
Went up two more places.

Duran Duran – “All She Wants Is” (25) (breaker)
Became the band's penultimate top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.

Boy Meets Girl – “Waiting For A Star To Fall” (31) (breaker)
Their only hit and it peaked at number 9.

Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” (28) (breaker)
Peaked at number 16.

Climie Fisher – “Love Like A River” (37)
A somewhat sweaty performance of their final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 22.

Inner City – “Good Life” (4)
Inner the studio but this good tune went up no higher.

Neneh Cherry – “Buffalo Stance” (6)
A second studio performance and the song went up another three places.

Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – “Especially For You” (1) (rpt from 22/12/88)
They finally made it to the top and would stay there for three weeks.


The Four Tops – “Loco In Acapulco” (7) (video/credits)
At its peak.


January 12th is next.

Ride On 1989!

Happy New Top of the Pops!

Big Hits!

Big Hits 1989:

Black Box ~ 'Ride on Time'
The year's biggest selling single gets this year's compilation off to a very bouncy start!

Happy Mondays ~ 'Hallelujah'
We get our first glimpse of the 90's here, and yes that is Kirsty Maccoll on backing vocals, and this debut top 40 hit peaked at number 19.

Sonia ~ 'You'll Never Stop Me From Loving You'
With her only number one hit.

Soul II Soul ~ 'Keep On Moving'
With their first of three top ten hits in 1989.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney ~ 'Something's Gotten Hold of my Heart'
The original had reached number 5 for Gene Pitney in 1967, this new duet version madeit to number one.

Technotronic ~ 'Pump Up the Jam'
This very tasty tune peaked at number 2.

Mike & the Mechanics ~ 'The Living Years'
Their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 2.

Lisa Stansfield ~ 'All Around the World'
This very classy song went all the way to number one.

R.E.M. ~ 'Orange Crush'
Making their debut on the show with a song that peaked at number 28.

Phil Collins ~ 'Another Day in Paradise'
He's back with his piano and paint pot, and this song peaked at number 2.

Rebel Mc and Double Trouble ~ 'Street Tuff'
His only top ten hit and it peaked at number 3.

Jason Donovan ~ 'Too Many Broken Hearts'
With his second of four number ones in 1989.

Sydney Youngblood ~ 'If Only I Could'
His only top ten hit and it peaked at number 3.

Kylie Minogue ~ 'Hand On Your Heart'
With her second of three number ones in 1989.

Beautiful South ~ 'You Keep It All In'
The original lineup with their second top ten hit of the year and it peaked at number 8.

Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville ~ 'Don't Know Much'
Peaked at number 2.

Transvision Vamp ~ 'Baby I Don't Care'
Performing their biggest hit which peaked at number 3.

Tina Turner ~ 'The Best'
Not quite leaving the best till last, and it peaked at number 5.

Paula Abdul ~ 'Straight Up'
Peaked at number 3.

Stone Roses ~ 'Fools Gold'
And here we say goodbye to the 80's and hello to the 90's, with a tune that peaked at number 8.


January 5th is next.