Friday 31 July 2020

This Ole Top of the Pops

This ole house is getting shaky, this ole house is getting old, the ole house is tuned into the 28th of December 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Golden oldies


28/12/89 (Review of the ‘80s)  (Paul Gambaccini & Mike Read)

Status Quo – “Burning Bridges (On & Off & On Again)”
Getting tonight's review of the 80's underway is that great 70's band the Quo!

Pretenders – “Brass In Pocket” (clip from 17/01/80)
Blondie – “The Tide Is High” (video clip)
The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” (video clip)
Haircut 100 – “Love Plus One” (clip from 28/01/82)
Duran Duran – “Is There Something I Should Know?” (clip from 23/03/83)
Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (video clip)
Bros – “I Owe You Nothing” (clip from 16/06/88)
Jason Donovan – “Too Many Broken Hearts” (video clip)
A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (clip from 16/01/86)
The Specials – “Ghost Town” (clip from 02/07/81)
John Lennon – “Woman” (video clip)
Adam & The Ants  – “Prince Charming” (video clip)
Bucks Fizz – “Making Your Mind Up” (clip from 19/03/81)
Soft Cell – “Tainted Love” (clip from 03/09/81)

Shakin’ Stevens – “This Ole House”
Back in the studio for one more rendition of his first number one hit.

The Jam – “Beat Surrender” (clip from 02/12/82)
Madness – “House Of Fun” (video clip)
Wham! – “Young Guns (Go For It)” (clip from 04/11/82)
Eddy Grant – “I Don’t Wanna Dance” (video clip)
Dexys Midnight Runners – “Come On Eileen” (clip from 25/12/82)

David Essex – “A Winter’s Tale”
A festive offering in the studio from David of his number 2 hit.

The Bee Gees – “You Win Again” (clip from 01/10/87)
Abba – “Super Trouper” (video clip)
Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane” (video clip)
Elton John – “Nikita” (clip from 17/10/85)
Queen – “Radio Ga Ga” (video clip)
David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (video clip)
Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” (video clip)
Bob Marley & The Wailers – “One Love/People Get Ready” (video clip)
Stevie Wonder – “I Just Called To Say I Love You” (video clip)
Cliff Richard – “Daddy’s Home” (video clip)
Eurythmics – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” (clip from 25/12/83)
Bonnie Tyler – “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” (video clip)
UB40 – “Red Red Wine” (clip from 25/12/83)
Howard Jones – “New Song” (clip from 22/09/83)
Culture Club – “Karma Chameleon” (clip from 29/12/83)
Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls” (clip from 05/12/85)
Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough” (clip from 24/09/81)
OMD – “Souvenir” (clip from 03/09/81)
New Order – “Blue Monday” (clip from 31/03/83)
The Human League – “Don’t You Want Me” (video clip)
Ultravox – “Vienna” (video clip)

Erasure – “Sometimes”
They were on the Xmas show and here they are again performing their first hit.

U2 – “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” (video clip)
Paul McCartney – “Pipes Of Peace” (video clip)
Tina Turner – “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (video clip)
Barbra Streisands– “Woman In Love” (video clip)
Spandau Ballet – “True” (clip from 29/12/83)
Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – “I Know Him So Well” (clip from 10/01/85)
George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (clip from 23/8/84)
Fairground Attraction – “Perfect” (clip from 28/04/88)

Chris De Burgh – “The Lady In Red”
Live in the studio with his number one hit.

USA For Africa – “We Are The World” (video clip)
Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” (clip from 22/8/85)
Simple Minds – “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (video clip)
Alison Moyet – “That Ole Devil Called Love” (clip from 14/03/85)
Dire Straits – “Money For Nothing” (video clip)
Tears For Fears – “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (clip from 28/03/85)
Jennifer Rush – “The Power Of Love” (clip from 26/09/85)
Iron Maiden – “Run To The Hills” (video clip)
Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer” (clip from 06/11/86)
Marillion – “Kayleigh” (clip from 13/06/85)
Europe – “The Final Countdown” (clip from 04/12/86)
ZZ Top – “Gimme All Your Lovin’“ (video clip)
Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going” (clip from 30/01/86)
Five Star – “System Addict” (video clip)
Simply Red – “Holding Back The Years” (clip from 22/05/86)
Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer” (video clip)
The Communards – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (clip from 04/09/86)

Kim Wilde – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
Kim celebrates the 80's with this 60's cover.

Bruce Springsteen – “Dancing In The Dark” (video clip)
Lionel Richie – “Hello” (video clip)
Madonna – “Into The Groove” (video clip)
Kool & The Gang – “Ooh La La La (Let’s Go Dancin’)” (clip from 21/10/82)
Prince – “1999” (video clip)
Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” (video clip)
Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (clip from 21/05/87)
Billy Joel – “Uptown Girl” (video clip)
The Smiths – “Sheila Take A Bow” (clip from 23/04/87)
Boy George – “Everything I Own” (clip from 12/03/87)
T’Pau – “China In Your Hand” (clip from 05/11/87)
Mel & Kim – “Respectable” (clip from 19/03/87)
Rick Astley – “Never Gonna Give You Up” (clip from 19/03/87)
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Relax” (clip from 25/12/84)
Paul Hardcastle – “19” (video clip)
Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley – “Jack Your Body” (video clip)
M/A/R/R/S – “Pump Up The Volume” (video clip)
Black Box – “Ride On Time” (clip from 31/08/89)
Terence Trent D’Arby – “Sign Your Name” (clip from 14/01/88)
Wet Wet Wet – “With A Little Help From My Friends” (clip from 12/05/88)
Yazz & The Plastic Population – “The Only Way Is Up” (clip from 28/07/88)
Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe & Wine” (clip from 08/12/88)

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around”
Performing their number one hit

Fine Young Cannibals – “She Drives Me Crazy” (clip from 19/01/89)
Soul II Soul feat Caron Wheeler – “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)”
(video clip)
Bangles – “Eternal Flame” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (video clip)

Phil Collins – “In The Air Tonight”
And no show is complete without Phil and his tin of paint!

Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (clip from 25/12/84 + credits)


Next stop 1990!

Friday 24 July 2020

The Top of the Pops Year

Say it loud, say it clear, it's the 25th of December 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Behind you!


25/12/89  (Jakki Brambles, Bruno Brookes & Gary Davies)

Erasure – “Stop”
Getting Christmas Day underway with the ironically named Stop which had peaked at number 2 back in January.

Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – “Especially For You” (video clip)

Mike & The Mechanics – “The Living Years”
They hadn't made it into the studio at the time in was peaking at number 2 in the charts but they are here for Christmas.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart”
Also in the studio to perform their number one hit.

Michael Ball – “Love Changes Everything” (video clip)
Michael Jackson – “Leave Me Alone” (video clip)
Simple Minds – “Belfast Child” (video clip)
Madonna – “Like A Prayer” (video clip)

Jason Donovan – “Too Many Broken Hearts”
What a year he'd just had and here he is in the studio with this number one hit.

Simply Red – “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (video clip)
Bangles – “Eternal Flame” (video clip)
Natalie Cole – “Miss You Like Crazy” (video clip)
Various – “Ferry ’Cross The Mersey” (video clip)
Kylie Minogue – “Hand On Your Heart” (video clip)
Cliff Richard – “The Best Of Me” (video clip)
Prince – “Batdance” (video clip)
Soul II Soul – “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “Sealed With A Kiss” (video clip)

Bros – “Too Much”
A colourful performance in th studio for this song which had peaked at number 2.

London Boys – “London Nights”
More studio acrobatics for what was probably their final appearance on the show to perform their biggest hit which had peaked at number 2.

The Beautiful South – “Song For Whoever”
And another new studio performance for another number 2 hit.

Kylie Minogue – “Wouldn’t Change A Thing” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (video clip)

Sonia – “You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You”
She's only got a snowman to dance with tonight as she performs her number one hit.

Alice Cooper – “Poison” (video clip)
Lil Louis – “French Kiss” (video clip)
Richard Marx – “Right Here Waiting” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “Every Day (I Love You More)” (video clip)

Black Box – “Ride On Time”
Back in the studio for another rousing performance of the year's biggest selling single.

Milli Vanilli – “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You” (video clip)
Technotronic feat Felly – “Pump Up The Jam” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “That’s What I Like” (video clip)

Lisa Stansfield – “All Around The World”
In the studio for a new performance of her number one song.

Phil Collins – “Another Day In Paradise” (video clip)
Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville – “Don’t Know Much” (video clip)
New Kids On The Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “When You Come Back To Me” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Let’s Party” (video clip)

Band Aid II – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (video)
And the class of '89 (and Cliff) with their second of three weeks at number one!


December 28th is next.

Friday 17 July 2020

Do They Know it's Top of the Pops?

It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid, so spread a smile of joy for the 21st of December 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

BrosAid



21/12/89  (Bruno Brookes & Anthea Turner)

FPI Project – “Going Back To My Roots” (30)
Getting the last regular edition of the 1980's underway with what became their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.

Duran Duran – “Burning The Ground” (31) (video)
Doing their own sort of Jive Bunny thing but it got no higher.

Sonia – “Listen To Your Heart” (32)
In the studio (of course!) to perform what became her second of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 10

De La Soul – “The Magic Number” (25) (breaker)
Became their first of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 7.

The Beautiful South – “I’ll Sail This Ship Alone” (39) (breaker)
Peaked at number 31.

49ers – “Touch Me” (36) (breaker)
Became their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 3.

All About Eve – “December” (34) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Bros – “Sister” (12)
Doing a live vocal in the studio with what became their eighth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 10.

Band Aid II – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (1) (video)
First of three weeks at number one for this new cohort of Band Aiders.

The Christians – “Words” (33) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 18.


December 25th is next.

Whenever God Shines His Top of the Pops

Whenever God shines his light on me so I can see the 14th of December 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

I'm a believer


14/12/89  (Nicky Campbell)

Rob ‘N’ Raz featuring Leila K – “Got To Get” (13)
Getting tonight's show underway and the tune peaked at number 8.

Madonna – “Dear Jessie” (9) (video)
Peaked at number 5.

Van Morrison & Cliff Richard – “Whenever God Shines His Light” (25)
The duo are singing live in the studio and incredibly this was Van's first solo hit and his first of three top 40 hits when it peaked at number 20.

Latino Rave – “Deep Heat ‘89” (18) (video)
Peaked at number 12.

Wet Wet Wet – “Broke Away” (24)
Looking very serious and moody in the studio and the song went up five more places.

Tina Turner – “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” (8) (video)
At its peak.

Electronic – “Getting Away With It” (23)
The supergroup are here to perform their debut hit which peaked at number 12.

Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Let’s Party” (1) (video)
Just the one week at number one for this one.

Alexander O’Neal – “Hit Mix (Official Bootleg Mega Mix)” (20) (video/credits)
Went up one more place.


December 21st is next.

Friday 10 July 2020

Top of the Pops and Wait

A year has come, a year has gone, still hanging tough, the 7th of December 1989 Top of the Pops is going on!

Cross to bare


07/12/89 (Mark Goodier)

Big Fun – “Can’t Shake The Feeling” (8)
Getting the final month of the 80's off to an energetic start but the song was now at its peak.

Kate Bush – “This Woman’s Work” (25) (video)
Perhaps one of Kate's most admired songs amongst her fans but it got no higher.

Soul II Soul – “Get A Life” (5) (video)
Peaked at number 3.

Sydney Youngblood – “Sit & Wait” (27)
In the studio to perform what was to be his final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 16.

Dusty Springfield – “In Private” (19) (video)
Peaked at number 14.

Jeff Wayne – “Eve Of The War” (remix) (3) (video)
At its peak.

Latino Rave – “Deep Heat ‘89” (22) (breaker)
Peaked at number 12.

Queen – “The Miracle” (21) (breaker)
The title track from their number one album but it got no higher.

Simple Minds – “Sign O’ The Times” (18) (breaker)
This Prince cover got no higher.

Erasure – “You Surround Me” (16) (video)
Went up one more place.

Jason Donovan – “When You Come Back To Me” (7)
In the studio tonight and this latest song peaked at number 2.

New Kids On The Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1) (video)
Third and final week at number one.

Alexander O’Neal – “Hit Mix (Official Bootleg Mega Mix)” (38) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 19.

14th of December is next.

Lambada of the Pops

The memory will be with you wherever you go, the memory will be forever the 30th of November 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Cheeky girl


30/11/89  (Gary Davies)

Kaoma – “Lambada” (7)
Getting the show underwearaway tonight and the song went up three more places.

Inner City – “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’” (12) (video)
At its peak.

808 State – “Pacific” (10)
A second time in the studio but the tune was now at its peak.

Gloria Estefan – “Get On Your Feet” (23) (video)
Got no higher.

Jimmy Somerville & June Miles-Kingston – “Comment Te Dire Adieu” (14)
Also in the studio again but (unlike Jimmy's singing) the song got no higher.

Rob ‘N’ Raz featuring Leila K – “Got To Get” (32)
Their only top ten hit and it peaked at number 8.

Kate Bush – “This Woman’s Work” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 25.

Tears For Fears – “Woman In Chains” (26) (breaker)
Got no higher.

Tina Turner – “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” (33)
In the studio to perform what became her fifth of nine top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

New Kids On The Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1) (video)
Second ot three weeks at number one.

UB40 – “Homely Girl” (6) (video/credits)
At its peak.


7th of December is next.

Friday 3 July 2020

Fools of the Pops

The gold road's sure a long road, winds on through the 23rd November 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Madchester united



23/11/89  (Jakki Brambles & Jenny Powell)

Big Fun – “Can’t Shake The Feeling” (27)
Getting us underway with what became their second of two top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

Bobby Brown – “Roni” (29) (video)
Went up eight more places.

Fine Young Cannibals – “I’m Not The Man I Used To Be” (21)
In the studio and the song went up one more place.

Jeff Wayne – “Eve Of The War” (remix) (24) (video)
The original version had made number 36 back in 1978, this new dance remix fared rather better, peaking at number 3.

The Stone Roses – “Fools Gold” (13)
In the studio performing what became their first of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

Happy Mondays (with Kirsty MacColl) – “Hallelujah” (30)
A second helping of Madchester in the studio tonight and Bez and the boys (and Kirsty) peaked at number 19.

Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville – “Don’t Know Much” (3) (rpt from 09/11/89)
A second showing for the duo and the song went up one more place.

New Kids On The Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1) (video)
First of three weeks at number one.

Prince & Sheena Easton – “The Arms Of Orion” (31) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 27.


30th November is next.

Top of the Pops Te Dire Adieu

Sous aucun prétexte je ne veux avoir de réflexes malheureux, il faut que tu m'expliques un peu mieux l'edition du 16 Novembre 1989 de Top of the Pops!

Haut de la pop



16/11/89  (Simon Mayo)

808 State – “Pacific” (20)
Getting the show underway tonight with what became their first of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 10.

UB40 – “Homely Girl” (24) (video)
Became their twelth of seventeen top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.

Jimmy Somerville & June Miles-Kingston – “Comment Te Dire Adieu” (33)
In the studio with his former Communards drummer June to perform this Serge Gainsbourg song which became Jimmy's first of seven solo top 40 hits when it peaked at number 14.

Kaoma – “Lambada” (27) (video)
This naughty little number went all the way to number 4.

D Mob introducing Cathy Dennis – “C’mon & Get My Love” (15) (rpt from 19/10/89)
A repeat showing but the song got no higher.

Iron Maiden – “Infinite Dreams” (live) (12) (video)
Became their fifth of seventeen top ten hits when it peaked at number 6.

Prince & Sheena Easton – “The Arms Of Orion” (35) (breaker)
Became Sheena's final top 40 hit when it peaked at number 27.

Fine Young Cannibals – “I’m Not The Man I Used To Be” (34) (breaker)
Peaked at number 20.

Phil Collins – “Another Day In Paradise” (2) (video)
At its peak.

Lisa Stansfield – “All Around The World” (1) (rpt from 09/11/89)
Second and final week at number one.

Inner City – “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’” (28) (video/credits)
Peaked at number 12.


November 23rd is next.