Top Ten of the Pops

Amazingly it's now ten years (ten years!) since BBC4 began showing the repeats of Top of the Pops. And in that time we've seen some truly poptastic editions (and perhaps one or two floptastic ones) featuring some fabulous performances of some of the best songs of all time.

So here's your chance to take a little trip down memory lane and share your own personal top ten (or however many you fancy really) favourite performances from the years 1976 to 1990.

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Unbelievable Of the Pops

You burden me with questions, but I can't tell no lies ~ it's the 8th of November 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Top ten hat

8-11-90:   Presenter:  Gary Davies

(22) JASON DONOVAN – I’m Doing Fine

Performing this bouncy song for a second time in the studio but it got no higher.

(15) PAUL SIMON – The Obvious Child  (video)

At its peak.

(25) EMF – Unbelievable

Now this one really takes me back to my early student days - dancing to it in the student bar after possibly one or two drinks. And it became their first of three top ten hits when it peaked at number 3.

(30) DEL AMITRI – Spit In The Rain  (video)

Peaked at number 21.

(5) THE CHARLATANS – Then  (video)   (Album Chart)

From their number one album Some Friendly

(4) GEORGE MICHAEL – Waiting For That Day  (video)   (Album Chart)

From his number one album Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1.

(3) STATUS QUO – The Anniversary Waltz Part 1  (video)   (Album Chart)

From their number two album Rocking All Over the Years.

(2) PAVAROTTI, DOMINGO & CARRERAS – O Sole Mio  (live clip)   (Album Chart)

From their number one album In Concert.

(1) PAUL SIMON – The Obvious Child (video)   (Album Chart)

From his number one album The Rhythm of the Saints.

(20) THE LA’S – There She Goes

In the studio tonight to perform what became their only top 40 hit when it peaked at number 13.

(11) GAZZA & LINDISFARNE – Fog On The Tyne (Revisited)  (video)

Became the world cup hero's first of two top 40 hits when it peaked at number 2.

(28) JIMMY SOMERVILLE – To Love Somebody

This Bee Gees cover became his second and final solo top ten when it peaked at number 8.

(1) THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS – Unchained Melody  (video)

Second of four weeks at number one. 

(29) 808 STATE – Cubik/Olympic  (video)  (and credits)

 Peaked at number 10.

November 15th is next.

Unchained Top of the Pops

 Woah, my love, my darling, I've hungered for the 1st of November 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Haunting song

1-11-90:   Presenter:  Simon Mayo

(16) KIM APPLEBY – Don’t Worry

Getting tonight's show underway with what became her first of two solo top ten hits when it peaked at number 2.

(19) ROBERT PALMER & UB40 – I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight  (video)

Peaked at number 6.

(21) BLACK BOX – Fantasy 

In the studio to perform this Earth Wind and Fire cover which became their third and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.

(5) WHITNEY HOUSTON – I’m Your Baby Tonight  (video)

Everyone wants to be my baby tonight! This one peaked at number 5.

(22) ROXETTE – Dressed For Success

In the studio and the song went up four more places.

(11) RITA MacNEIL – Working Man  (video)

At her peak.

(15) THE CURE – Close To Me  (video)

Had peaked at number 24 back in 1985, this time around it did better and made it to number 13.

(9) KYLIE MINOGUE – Step Back In Time 

And it's that time again when our blog title song makes its grand appearance. Kylie's in the studio to perform it of course and it peaked at number 4.

(1) THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS – Unchained Melody  (video)

The first of four weeks at number one for the biggest selling single of 1990. 

(25) GEORGE MICHAEL – Waiting For That Day  (video)  (and credits)

Went up two more places.

 

November 8th is next.

 

We Want the Same Top of the Pops

 We dream the same dream, all we want is to see the 25th of October 1990 edition of Top of the Pops together!

Heaven is Top of the Pops

25-10-90:   Presenter:  Jakki Brambles

(14) BELINDA CARLISLE – (We Want) The Same Thing

Flying in specially to get tonight's show underway and the song peaked at number 6.

(3) THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS – Unchained Melody  (video)

More like the Righteous Brother really. But this old tune had been a number 14 hit for the duo in 1965, but now thanks to the movie, Ghost, it would soon become their second and final number one.

(22) PUBLIC IMAGE LTD – Don’t Ask Me  (video)

Their seventh and final top 40 hit, and 22 was as high as it got.

(8) BERLIN – Take My Breath Away  (video)

Had been a number one in 1986, this time it made it to number 3.

(26) THE SOUP DRAGONS – Mother Universe  (video)

Their second and final top 40 hit, and it got no higher.

(35) JASON DONOVAN – I’m Doing Fine

He's ditched the guitar and gone for a zany, sixties style dance routine instead and this Beatle-esque tune peaked at number 22.

(23) PAUL SIMON – The Obvious Child  (video)

From his number one album Rhythm of the Saints, and it peaked at number 15.

(32) GEORGE MICHAEL – Waiting For That Day  (video)   (Breakers)

Peaked at 23.

(33) ELTON JOHN – You Gotta Love Someone  (video)   (Breakers)

Got no higher.

(29) PAUL McCARTNEY – Birthday  (video)

At its peak.

(1) THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH – A Little Time

A second studio performance to celebrate their first and only week at number one.

(31) ROXETTE – Dressed For Success  (video)  (and credits)

Peaked at number 18.

 

 

November 1st is next.

 

Kinky Top of the Pops

 Yippee-ippee-ey-ey-ay-yey-yey, it's the 18th of October 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Madchester for it

18-10-90:   Presenter:  Mark Goodier 

(19) A-HA – Crying In The Rain

Getting this live show underway with this Everley Brothers cover which became their first hit for two years when peaked at number 13.

(23) AZTEC CAMERA & MICK JONES – Good Morning Britain  (video)

This was the Aztec's final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 19.

(33) INNOCENCE – Let’s Push It

In the studio tonight and the tune peaked at number 25.

(16) WHITNEY HOUSTON – I’m Your Baby Tonight  (video)

Peaked at number 5.

(20) HAPPY MONDAYS – Kinky Afro 

Bez and the boys are back in the studio to perform what became their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 5.

(24) RITA MacNEIL – Working Man  (video)

Her only hit and it peaked at number 11.

(27) BERLIN – Take My Breath Away  (video)   (Breakers)

This re-issue peaked at number 3.

(28) TINA TURNER – Be Tender With Me Baby  (video)   (Breakers)

Got no higher.

(30) PAUL McCARTNEY – Birthday  (video)   (Breakers)

This live version of his old Beatles song went up one more place.

(15) HI TEK 3 feat. YA KID K – Spin That Wheel (Turtles Get Real)  (video)  

At its peak.

(1) MARIA McKEE – Show Me Heaven  (video)

Fourth and final week at number one. 

(26) BELINDA CARLISLE – (We Want) The Same Thing  (video)  (and credits)

Peaked at number 6.

 

 

 

October 25th is next.

 

A Little Top of the Pops

 I need a little time to think it over, I need a little room to watch the 11th of October 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Beautiful pair

11-10-90:   Presenter:  Bruno Brookes

(21) SISTERS OF MERCY – More

Warming up for Halloween with a song that peaked at number 14.

(19) CLIFF RICHARD – From A Distance  (video)

Peaked at number 11.

(24) THE CHIMES – Heaven

Performing in the studio tonight but the song went no higher.

(16) NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – Didn’t I Blow Your Mind  (video)

This Delfonics cover peaked at number 8.

(9) THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH – A Little Time

In the studio with Briana and Dave performing this duet which will carry on up the charts to become the band's only number one hit in two weeks time.

(25) NENEH CHERRY – I’ve Got You Under My Skin

Also in the studio this evening but the song could get no higher.

(14) MONIE LOVE feat. TRUE IMAGE – It’s A Shame (My Sister)  (video)

Went up two more places.

(4) STATUS QUO – The Anniversary Waltz Part 1  (video)

Also went up two more places.

(1) MARIA McKEE – Show Me Heaven

Third of four weeks at number one. 

(17) DEPECHE MODE – World In My Eyes  (video)  (and credits)

At its peak.

 

18th of October is next.

 

Top of the Pops Splitz the Atom

 I'm gonna loosen my lungs and make it bang as I watch the 4th of October 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Made in the shades

4-10-90:   Presenter:  Simon Mayo

(7) TWENTY 4 SEVEN feat. CAPTAIN HOLLYWOOD – I Can’t Stand It

Gettting the show underway for a second time but the song got no higher.

(19) M.C. HAMMER – Have You Seen Her  (video)

This Chi-Lites cover became his second of four top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

(4) PET SHOP BOYS – So Hard

In the studio tonight with their first song in over a year and it peaked at number 4.

(12) TECHNOTRONIC – Megamix  (video)

This mash-up became their fourth and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 6.

(5) DEACON BLUE – Circus Light  (live clip)   (Album Chart)

From their number 3 album Ooh Las Vegas.

(4) MICHAEL BOLTON – Soul Provider  (video)   (Album Chart)

The title track from his number 4 album.

(3) ELTON JOHN – Club At The End Of The Street  (video)   (Album Chart)

From his number one album Sleeping With the Past.

(2) GEORGE MICHAEL – Waiting For That Day  (video)   (Album Chart)

From his number one album Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1.

(1) PAVAROTTI, DOMINGO & CARRERAS – O Sole Mio  (live clip)   (Album Chart)

From the three tonsils number one album In Concert.

(18) M.C. TUNES versus 808 STATE – Tunes Splits The Atom

Performing in the studio but it got no higher.

(31) THE ADVENTURES OF STEVIE V – Body Language  (video)   (Breakers)

Went up two more places.

(30) THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH – A Little Time  (video)   (Breakers)

On their way to number one.

(29) NENEH CHERRY – I’ve Got You Under My Skin  (video)   (Breakers)

Peaked at number 25.

(28) THE CHIMES – Heaven  (video)   (Breakers)

Peaked at number 24.

(3) BOBBY VINTON – Blue Velvet  (video)

This song failed to chart when originally released in 1963 but thanks to a Nivea advert it now became his only top ten hit and it went up one more place.

(1) MARIA McKEE – Show Me Heaven  (video)

Second of four weeks at number one. 

(24) HI TEK 3 feat. YA KID K – Spin That Wheel (Turtles Get Real)  (video)  (and credits)

Peaked at number 15.

 

October 11th is next.

Top of the Uploads 5

 

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The Top of the Pops Waltz, Part 1

 We'll do the twist and stomp, the mashed potato too, any old dance that you wanna do because it's the 27th of September 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Silver oldies

27-9-90:   Presenter:  Anthea Turner

(21) MONIE LOVE feat. TRUE IMAGE – It’s A Shame (My Sister) 

Getting us underway with this Spinners cover and it peaked at nimber 12.

(28) DEPECHE MODE – World In My Eyes  (video)

Peaked at number 17.

(4) LONDONBEAT – I’ve Been Thinking About You

A repeat showing and the song went up to more places.

(29) THE WEDDING PRESENT – Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) 

In the studio to perform this crunching Cockney Rebel cover which peaked at number 25.

(15) THE CURE – Never Enough  (video)

An early Halloween offering and it peaked at number 13.

(31) STATUS QUO – The Anniversary Waltz Part 1

In the studio to celebrate their silver jubilee with this medley of old rockers which became their 22nd and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 2.

(9) BASS-O-MATIC – Fascinating Rhythm

A second studio performance but the song got no higher.

(1) MARIA McKEE – Show Me Heaven

First of four weeks at number one. 

(34) RIDE – Taste  (video)  (and credits)

Got no higher.

 

 

October 4th is next.

Cult of Top of the Pops

 Time to trip and dip slip the hip and grip to the techno house of hip because it's the 20th of September 1990 editon of T.O.P of the Pops!

I've got the drum kit

20-9-90:   Presenter:  Nicky Campbell

(28) TWENTY 4 SEVEN feat. CAPTAIN HOLLYWOOD – I Can’t Stand It 

Getting tonight's show underway with what became their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 7.

(23) THE STONE ROSES – Fool’s Gold  (video)

It had made number 8 last year, this time round it peaked at 22.

(21) SNAP – Cult Of Snap 

Becoming studio regulars by now and this latest tune became their third of nine top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

(16) AC/DC – Thunderstruck  (video)

Peaked at number 13.

(32) S-EXPRESS – Nothing To Lose  (video)   (Breakers)

Got no higher.

(34) DNA – La Serenissima  (video)   (Breakers)

Also got not higher.

(35) MONIE LOVE feat. TRUE IMAGE – It’s A Shame (My Sister)  (video)   (Breakers)

Peaked at number 12.

(19) THE CHARLATANS – Then

Performing in the studio and the song peaked at number 12.

(3) IRON MAIDEN – Holy Smoke  (video)

Straight in at number 3 but it got no higher.

(9) THE FARM – Groovy Train

Making their second appearance in the studio and their groovy tune went up three more places.

(1) STEVE MILLER BAND – The Joker  (video)

Second and final week at number one. 

(31) M.C. TUNES versus 808 STATE – Tunes Splits The Atom  (video)  (and credits)

Peaked at number 18. 

27th of September is next.