We're gonna get this place hotter than the 28th of February 1991 edition of Top of the Pops!
Bellyvision
28-2-91: Presenter: Jakki Brambles
(32) N-JOI – Adrenalin
Getting the show off to a raving start with what became their first of four top 40 hits when it peaked at number 23.
(18) STEVIE B – Because I Love You (The Postman Song) (video)
His only hit and it peaked at number 6.
(8) FREE – All Right Now (video)
Got no higher on this occasion.
(31) MASSIVE – Unfinished Sympathy
They would add the Attack part of their name later, and this song became their first of eleven top 40 hits when it peaked at number 13.
(5) THE CLASH – Should I Stay Or Should I Go (video)
Had peaked at number 17 in 1982, but this time around it went all the way to number one.
(40) QUARTZ introducing DINA CARROLL – It’s Too Late (video) (Breakers)
Became the first of four top ten hits for Dina when it peaked at number 8.
(39) MANTRONIX – Don’t Go Messin’ With My Heart (video) (Breakers)
Their fifth and final top 40 hit and it peaked at number 22.
(35) THE ALMIGHTY – Free ‘N’ Easy (video) (Breakers)
Got no higher.
(34) JESUS JONES – Who? Where? Why?
In the studio and the song peaked at number 21.
(4) THE SOURCE feat. CANDI STATON – You Got The Love (video)
At its peak.
(2) MADONNA – Crazy For You (video)
Had peaked at number 2 in 1985, and repeated the feat in 1991.
(1) THE SIMPSONS – Do The Bartman (video)
Third and final week at number one.
(23) ROCKY V feat. JOEY B. ELLIS & TYNETTA HARE– Go For It (Heart And Fire) (video) (and credits)
Went up three more places.
7th of March is next.
They were already called Massive Attack, Angelo. However, their name was abbreviated during the Gulf War.
ReplyDeleteIt’s also notable that none of the band appeared for their debut TOTP appearance!
Was it the bass player on stage that looks like Arthur Mullard?
DeleteMassive Attack were always more of a "Put the music first" act, and didn't have much of a public profile for a long time.
DeleteAh yes, that explains it ~ I suppose Massive 'Attack' was not the most sensitive name during the Gulf War!
Deletein retrospect: massive attack having to ditch the "attack" bit in order to continue to get radio airplay thanks to the gulf war (which wasn't exactly rivalling WWII in terms of death, destruction and other atrocities) was the moment this country started to go right-on pc loopy!
DeleteN-Joi - Wow, just love this one, especially for two girl dancers on the sides of the stage, although not sure if the one in the multicoloured outfit was male or female, but certainly the one on the other side had female body perfect with that wonderful belly on Angelo's caption. Good Lord!
ReplyDeleteStevie B - as this was the last showing of the video on TOTP at No.18, until it peaked in the Top 10 at No.6 shortly after, it's interesting to note that this Postman Song was a staggering four weeks at No.1 in America a couple of months earlier in December 1990, including being the Xmas No.1 for 1990, while over here we had Cliff Richard with Saviour's Day.
It's creative misspellings time, it's a dance record, it's got Ed Byrne as a backing dancer, it's N-Joi! But it's pretty much bog standard as far as these things went.
ReplyDeleteThis year's Glenn Medeiros, Stevie B, whining his way through a video performed in the same upper floor apartment that Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle sang in a few years earlier. Think Phil Collins was resident too. Even if it isn't, it's a signifier of the MOR nature of the tune. What does it have to do with postmen?!
Ah, they've re-edited the festival footage to fit Free's record, probably wise when Paul Rodgers was so obviously off his face on "refreshments" in the original clip.
Massive (Attack) with a song that's gone on to be regarded as a classic, though it didn't really seem so at the time. It's certainly one of the best things they ever did, the string section adds weight and drama, and Shara Nelson's imploring vocals are a touch of class. Probably heard it too often now, mind you. This bunch backing her must be the oldest lot on TOTP since the dreaded TOTP orchestra were in full flow.
The Clash, they never appeared in the TOTP studio, but they were quite happy to sell the rights to their music to a jeans manufacturer for a TV ad. Keeping the punk spirit alive, there, lads. Anyway, was never a huge fan of them, this is all right but they could do better (and did).
Breakers, Dina's on again, Mantronix aren't and no wonder with this in one ear and out the other effort, and The Almighty don't live up to their name with sub-Quire Boys rawk.
Jesus Jones, the keyboard player dialling it down a bit from past appearances, but this is one of their more set in 1991 contributions with its cheesy samples and dance rock indie stylings. It's OK.
The bloody Source again - they're still playing this to death even now, 1991! - then Madonna gets a rerelease, anyone know why? Can't have been because Vision Quest was on TV, nobody remembered that film even back then.
The Simpsons wrap it up at No.1 then we get more of another movie song that features NO clips of the parent movie at all. I know it's nobody's favourite Rocky instalment, but were they trying to distance themselves from the Stallone flop? Don't think he'd have a blockbuster again until Cliffhanger.
Crazy For You was rereleased to tie in with The Immaculate Collection Album.
DeleteRight, thanks. Maybe they were hoping for a Number 1 this time?
DeleteYes indeed, Mantronix only got this Breakers showing at No.39, and could not get a full slot on the show the following week, despite going up a massive 17 places to No.22, as TOTP only played songs down to Dina Carrol at No.21. Mantronix then went down after that, so we only get see them on the Breakers on this show.
DeleteThere is actually another pop video version of the Rocky V theme THX, with clips and dialogue from the movie, and is on Utube, so hopefully this is what you are looking for:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJr5l2WLe7A
There was a similar situation I think in 1986 with Billy Ocean's When The Going Gets Tough, where one version has Danny De Vito doing the sax break, but the one shown on TOTP when at No.1 was when it was edited to show one of Ocean's band colleagues instead of DeVito.
Thanks Dory, but that's a clip of the montage from the actual film, it wouldn't be a Rocky movie without a montage!
DeleteSeeing that reminded me Sage Stallone died young too, I always forget he was in that movie.
Four successful top 40 performers from 1990 did not make it to the top 40 this week in 1991, all peaking outside the charts, and failing to capitalise on their 1990 successes:
ReplyDeleteNo. 58 Jealousy - The Adventures of Stevie V.
Stevie V's first flop single, as they reached No.2 and No.29 with their last two singles in 1990. This 1991 flop was to be their last single, so we would not see them again.
No.60 Echo Chamber - Beats International.
Since losing Lindy Layton and going it alone, this was the second single on their own, and also second single not to make Top 40. There were to be two more singles released later in the year, and once again neither of them could crack the top 40, before they finally bowed out for good.
No.62 - When I Was Young - The River City People
After a successful 1990 with two Top 40 singles, this was the first to flop, only making No.62. There was to be two more singles released in the next 12 months or so, with the final one getting to No.36 in Feb 1992.
No.64 - No Woman No Cry - Londonbeat
Second single in a row to fail to make the Top 40, after their big No.2 I've Been Thinking About You in Sep 1990. They would keep trying until 1995 with little impact on the charts, but later in 1991 they would get to No.1 in America for one week with I've Been Thinking About You.
The good thing about watching re-runs on a PC is that you can whizz through stuff you don’t like. This edition was less than half length for me as a result.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Jakki dressed like a 60’s singer? No studio acts from the top 30 this week.
I watched a few seconds to look out for N-Joi’s belly dancer, and that was about all of this I could stomach.
Stevie B doesn’t stamp any authority on this syrup with a second class vocal delivery at best.
Massive (Attack) with a massive tune. Love this. The video shows Shara Nelson ‘singing’ the track in one take while walking through a town. To think some of those musicians could have ended up in Soul II Soul according to Jakki, then. Even Combover Man. Wow.
A bunch of mercenaries next. Should I stay or should I go? I went pronto.
Quartz miming on a giant chess board. I wonder if a certain rave act saw this and it gave them an idea for a studio ‘performance’ later in the year?
Anonymous stuff from Mantronix, though I agree it got short changed in the next show.
The Almighty with an almighty row. This even made Thunder sound good.
It appears What? and When? Didn’t make the squad for EMF’s uncles’ song title. Another ‘in one ear etc.’ for me.
Nice to hear this again, Madge, but I bought it first time round, thanks.
The outro track still doesn’t knock me out.
does anyone else remember lawrence from felt affecting a deliberate combover around this time as part of his postmodern/kitsch/irony thing? what is frightening though is that despite all the ridicule and scorn poured on them over thae last 30 years, even now one can occasionally be spotted in places like local shopping precincts, markets and car boots!
DeleteNJoi - didn’t. Dull.
ReplyDeleteMassive - it was massive at the time (did you what I did there?) but it never did anything for me, and still didn’t
The clash - more advert power. first tune not to get fast forwarded tonight…
Breakers
Quartz - yet another cover, but I actually quite liked this
Mantronix - pleasant enough, but no cigar
Almighty - bog standard buzz guitar rock
Jesus jones - not as good as International, didn’t really fo anywhere
Madonna - not one of her best, but (yet again) pleasant enough
Came to these two editions a bit late.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Arthur, Jakki does resemble a '60s singer. I'm trying to think exactly who but she does on occasion have a classic pop star look about her at times. She seemed a tiny bit irked about something this evening.
N-Joi; Much prefer N-Trance. It sounded like 808 State's Cubik being played while chasing a giant Bee around the studio. I don't remember this being out at all but there will be plenty more like this coming along before the year's out. The dancer on the left looks like a 1991 'Blockbusters' contestant. The dancer on the left looks like a super glamorous artist's muse and I suspect this isn't the sort of music she's actually into.
Stevie B; Memories! I must admit to liking this even though it's mushy as heck with a vocal sound that even Peter Cetera would've suggested was a little on the piercing side. I had no idea this was a No.1 in the US but not too surprised. For me it's still a gooodun. Maybe it's those odd piano notes that sound like they're trying to escape from the song. Or because it did soundtrack a fair few 15 year old heartaches. His hair is very Percy Sledge. His voice is technically closer to Ian Brown. Maybe he actually was a postman who'd won a day in a recording studio.
Free; Well we get the single over the IOW footage this time, shit drum overdub and all. How cool does Andy Fraser look.
Massive; Interesting that Jakki is allowed to mention a band name inspired by a Sam Peckinpah movie but can't say the word 'Attack'. Nellee Hooper I think was the Wild Bunch member that went on to Soul II Soul.
Still what a classic; the last record played on BBC2 on New Year's Eve 1999 and, to me, still one of the key singles of the decade although I actually think 'Lately' is the best thing on 'Blue Lines'. Shara looks every bit the siren of the age, the assembled string players not so much. The chap with the colossal combover looks quietly suprised at how the fates have turned out for him but it's hard to tell if it's of being on 'Top of the Pops' or being on a cutting edge dance single. Bless the Massive guys. They were never too fussed about image.
The Clash; From the super new it's back to the old but I don't think you could begrudge this band their time at No.1 where they're soon to be. Never been that bothered about this. Sounds like EMF to me. However I do love the moment where the full riff comes in. Actually my abiding memory of seeing this at the time was thinking they should maybe ditch the tit in the baseball cap!
Quartz feat Dina Carroll; A momentary glimpse of one of the early '90s best UK singers. It is like a chess set isn't it. With Dina as the Queen.
Sorry. My mind is already racing ahead to her wandering around old Prague in a velvet coat.
Mantronix; How did they turn so anonymous.
The Almighty; Lots of power lines featured.
Jesus Jones; They did have a way with a chorus this bunch. Not as good as the previous one but strong enough. The keyboardist refraining from trying to attach the keyboard to the ceiling this time, instead choosing to grin a lot and occasionally dance about. And chat to other band members.
The Source; The guy with the boho hat looks like Phil Redmond.
Madonna; Fascinating year this is. In one sense trying to remove itself from anything to do with the '80s but also having numerous '80 reissues. Another one here then. Nice song. Nice woman in the video.
The Simpsons; Final week at No. 1. Good.
Rocky V; Congrats to all names in the credits. I hope you're all enjoying your time on the show.
The actress in the Crazy for You video is Linda Fiorentino, who is not a nice woman at all, by many accounts, which is why she hasn't been in much since the 1990s.
DeleteI think the video is the only place I've ever seen her. She does have a certain steeliness about her that's true.
DeleteI do like Jakki but her script this week was pretty atrocious.
ReplyDeleteNJoi - This was a lot more tunless than I remembered.
Stevie B (not to be confused with Stevie V) appears to be a time traveller from 1986-7. Not sure what he, this song or that video are doing in the 90s.
Free/Clash - The era of rereleases, especially ad-based ones is well and truly here and not going anywhere. Two classic tracks though.
Massive (Attack) - Still one of their best, and a well deserved breakout tune. Shame Shara Nelson's solo career stalled pretty quickly.
Quartz/Dina - I do have a soft spot for this, and for all Dina Carroll's stuff. Shame she faded away after that second album (I really loved 'Escaping') she deserved a better career.
Mantronix/Almighty - Shrug.
Jesus Jones - I'd forgotten the verses to this one which were dancier than I expected (although the chorus has always endured). It's not as good as Right Here... or IBYT, but still a decent track.
Source/Candi - Love it but we've heard it a lot recently.
Madge - Another rerelease in an episode of them. I liked The Immaculate Collection quite a lot but never quite forgave her for missing off True Blue just cos it wasn't cool enough or whatever.
Simpsons - It's a shame that the show has so many classic songs (C4 was showing that episode that's basically a clips shoe of greatest hits the other day and I never tire of it) but none of them are the ones that troubled the charts.
I'm with you on 'True Blue' Rad. Complete mystery...and we get the sub-standard 'Rescue Me' instead...
DeleteBeen away on holiday so have got a bit behind. Won’t write much as I am sure not many will still be looking this far on……
ReplyDeleteIn summary Jakki looked great with her hair down and the girl next to her when she introduced the Clash had a lovely smile.
Music wise pretty good other than nos 1 and 2 should have been swapped. Hearing ‘Crazy for you’ again and then that Simpsons drivel really shows its class and longevity.
Enjoyed N-Joi (a bit Axel-F in places), Stevie B, Free, Massive, The Clash and Madonna, so that’s a fair chunk of the show, and the Candi Staton effort wasn’t too bad for another listening. I guess Madonna’s excellent song was re-released to promote the ‘Immaculate Collection’ compilation. Perhaps next time they’ll show a clip rather than ‘Vogue’?
Onto 07/03/91 now.
I still check back! Hope you had a nice holiday, and you're not as late to the party as Morgie is.
DeleteI'm sorry. Having an eventful (and not brilliant) year. I'll get there..
DeleteHey, don't apologise, keep on keepin' on, it's good to see you...
DeleteJakki/Jackie in charge this evening with her throwback sixties fashion. And It's a proper mixed bag.
ReplyDeleteN-JOI – Adrenalin
It's rave time and that bass in my headphones is LOUD! Ouch. This needs to stay in the clubs. Not radio or TV friendly.
Jakki quite clear in her presentation how much she liked the first two tunes 😂😂😂
STEVIE B – Because I Love You (The Postman Song)
Do we have to? Who bought this mush.
FREE – All Right Now
Nope. Still never gonna be a fan of this one.
MASSIVE – Unfinished Sympathy
The Attack part of their name removed due to the Gulf War it's Massive with one of the sounds of the Nineties. Always nice when a hit comes along that sounds like nothing else in the charts. Quality. BBC Concert Orchestra © 1974 😂
THE CLASH – Should I Stay Or Should I Go
16 year old me wondering where the hell this came from but very glad it did. Awesome tune.
Does this count as punk or new wave? I'm never sure where the line is..
Breakers:
QUARTZ introducing DINA CARROLL – Hello Dina. Bought her 1993 album So Close which has one of my all time fave ballads on "Don't Be A Stranger". This is a nice tune I am sure we will see again.
MANTRONIX – forgettable. average.
THE ALMIGHTY – almighty racket.
JESUS JONES – Who? Where? Why?
Remixed from the album into a belting pop tune.
Loved Jesus Jones. Proper faves of mine from the time. Tune of the night.
THE SOURCE feat. CANDI STATON – You Got The Love
Again! Why isn't the 1991 version on Spotify. My playlist needs this version
MADONNA – Crazy For You
Is it 1985? Nice tune but why? Hasn't everyone got the Greatest Hits album yet? Is it a remix? Sounds the same to me.
THE SIMPSONS – They'll be back but bye for now.
ROCKY V feat. JOEY B. ELLIS & TYNETTA HARE– Go For It (Heart And Fire)
No thanks we don't need to see any more of this.