You're rushing for a time you know so well ~ the 14th of March 1991 edition of Top of the Pops!
Joy ride
14-3-91: Presenters: Simon Mayo & Lenny Henry
(18) CHESNEY HAWKES – The One And Only
This year's blog title makes its studio debut and kicks off tonight's show, taken from the movie Buddy's Song this Nik Kershaw composition will be number one of course in two weeks time.
(19) REM – Losing My Religion (video)
The excellent first single from their massive number one album Out of Time, but surprisingly it got no higher.
(14) RIDE – Unfamiliar
Straight in at number 14 and performing in the studio but the song went up no further.
(22) THE BEE GEES – Secret Love (video)
This clever recycling of Chain Reaction became the trio's first of four top ten hits in the 90's when it peaked at number 5.
(24) QUEEN – I’m Going Slightly Mad (video)
Freddie looking like a young Johnny Depp, this song went up two more places.
(13) MASSIVE – Unfinished Sympathy
A second showing of this performance but the song was now at its peak.
(20) ROD STEWART – Rhythm Of My Heart (video)
Peaked at number 3.
(25) HAPPY MONDAYS – Loose Fit
In the studio tonight and it peaked at number 17.
(1) THE CLASH – Should I Stay Or Should I Go (video)
Second of two weeks at number one.
(23) JESUS JONES – Who? Where? Why? (and credits) ®
Went up two more places.
21st of March is next
Big Chezza with one of the modt enduring songs of the year. Yes it's a bit naff, but it's also a good little tune with a neat hook and he's done pretty well on the novelty circuit over the years.
ReplyDeleteREM – The song that sent them stratospheric, and what a cracker it is. Out of Time was a fantastic piece of work even if, as with many big albums, its overfamiliarity had probably made it uncool in the following years.
Ride - They're always one of those indie bands that were 'there' for me in the sense that I liked them fine but they were never a must-see/buy. Andy Bell's currently guesting on a song they play on 6 Music a lot and it took me a minute to remember this Andy Bell existed as I was scratching my head at first wondering why it s didn't sound like Mr Erasure. Always found it weird that this Andy Bell joined Oasis and Beady Eye after being the lead in Ride, but I guess being in Ride pays fewer bills than being in Oasis.
Bee Gees - generous of you to call it a 'clever recycling' of Chain reaction there, Angelo! I had totally forgotten this one. Robin looks very Pat Sharp in the video.
Queen - Freddie looking like the love child of Tim Curry and Ruby Wax in one of my favourite videos.
Massive (Attack) - shame it's a recycled clip of two weeks ago, but getting an orchestra on stage was probably a logistical nightmare (until the mid 90s when everyone had an orchestra on their singles for a bit).
Rod - Fully leaning into SCOTLAND as an identity now, which will only escalate over the coming years. I always remembered this as keeping the Loch Lomond chorus but clearly my brain just decided the lyrics of this chorus weren't worth keeping around when there was precious memory space needed to store every syllable of T.U.R.T.L.E Power and Fog on the Tyne.
Ver Mondays - Bez was on Celebrity Mastermind the other night, which sounds like the kind of thing that would once have been a joke in Smash Hits or on French and Saunders. Between Bez, Shaun and Rowetta, they must also be the indie band with the most reality show gigs under their belt? In fact they've probably done more than all their peers put together. Great track btw.
The Clash - You know, two weeks at number one feels like the perfect amount of time for a song to top the charts. One week and you're forgotten, more than two and you're outstaying your welcome. Still, the big question we're about to find the answer to in a few months is which feels longer, the same number one once a week for 16 weeks, or twice a week for 8 weeks?
Jesus Jones - Bit of a nice change to see a studio performance over the credits rather than a video.
Andy Bell is on the latest Du Blonde (Beth Jeans Houghton) track, which is pretty good, actually. Though I did prefer their previous single with Ezra Furman.
DeleteOh, and Ride did get back together recentishly, but the pandemic seems to have stalled their comeback.
Oh yeah - best Happy Mondays reality TV spin-off was Ghost Hunting with The Happy Mondays, which was comedy gold.
DeleteThe only tune I could enjoy on this show was the great Rod Stewart with a fine piece of music called Rhythm Of My Heart, and a fine video to go with it. Sadly it's the only time we see it on TOTP, despite going straight up to No.3 the following week which was its peak position. I could hum this tune all summer long, and I probably did that year in 1991!
ReplyDeleteIn fact this show had four 70's regulars sprucing it up in the 90's, namely The Bee Gees, Queen, Rod Stewart and The Clash, so it was like a time machine kind of going back to the future for these artists!
Chart rundown - peak positions this week at No.34 for Echo & The Bunnymen, No.36 for LL Cool J, and No.37 for Vixen, who all ended up going down the following week, and therefore no play on TOTP at all during their brief Top 40 presence, as there was no Breakers section this week unfortunately for this fine trio of artists.
People are Strange is a tune and a half, but it was a rerelease wasn't it? (Not that that stopped Free and The Clash and various others in recent weeks obviously)
DeleteThat People Are Strange rerelease is odd, they also rereleased that INXS track, and that's from The Lost Boys soundtrack too. Had it been on TV recently?
Deleteprobably. record companies were somewhat slow on the uptake when it came to the realisation that their recordings being used in adverts were in effect free publicity for material otherwise collecting dust in their vaults, and charged a top-dollar "take it or leave" it fee for such purpose accordingly - which was usually "left", as the ad makers used carbon-copy versions recorded by sessioneers for a fraction of the price (who but the most dedicated music fanatic would realise "gimme shelter" used as musical backing for a car rescue ad was not in fact the stones' recording?)
Deletehowever: thanks to the retro nostalgia market kicking in they finally realised they were potentially onto a good earner, and presumably lowered their licencing fees for the (otherwise dormant) original recordings accordingly - especially when the levi series kicked in with loads of ancient stuff peppering the charts accordingly (i wouldn't be surprised if the likes of atlantic records made more money out of those ads than levi's themselves!)
for what it was worth, i thought the whole thing was pretty tragic - in the same manner as casual punters rushing out to buy singles just because some pop star had croaked. my view was: if you liked the music, wouldn't you have owned it already?
THX, the recent INXS collaboration with Jimmy Barnes was a re-release of the 1968 original of Good Times by The Easybeats, and was recorded apparently in 1986 around the time of filming of The Lost Boys, so it was a little strange as to why the song was commercialised only in 1991 considering that The Lost Boys film was released in 1987!
DeleteDory, I know - maybe the Lost Boys soundtrack had been reissued or something?
DeleteThere are plenty of references to 'Red Nose Day 3; The Stonker', on the next day but no actual 'Stonk' this week. It is though a stonkingly entertaining show which is full of variety.
ReplyDeleteChesney Hawkes; Simon doesn't wait to go into some pop history with regards to the opening act and good on him for that. Yes I did see 'Buddy's Song' with two friends in a near empty cinema, no I can't remember barely a thing about it but what a great song. A gorgeous sunset melody and some sweet lyrics of teenage self assertion to go with it. Brilliant start.
R.E.M; An iconic video to follow. Simon muffles the place of their legendary secret gig (the Borderline) which one school friend spoke about so much around that time I'm not sure if he didn't actually go. Can't remember. It's never the first track of theirs that I would go to but I can totally understand why their career went stellar after its release.
Ride; What a great opening three songs! Love this one, a magnificently harmonious number with a storm force guitar part and a chiming melody. Great to see the shoegaze heroes in the studio. As with Reni, I could watch Loz Colbert drumming for hours. Mark Gardener also challenges the shoegaze stereotype somewhat, his eyes darting all around the place like he's just spotted a Canary flying around the studio. Anyway who cares what you're gazing at when you can produce music as beautiful as this?
The Bee Gees; It says a lot about the quality of this edition when probably the weakest thing on it is by The Bee Gees. Still it's a perfectly pretty tune with a glossy yet down to earth video. A best of came out around this time which my Sister bought and was a really fine compilation.
Queen; Some more elder statesmen up next. A bit of a breather after the near apocalyptic 'Innuendo' but still really good. Freddie at his theatrical best and it's always good to see Brian May looking like he's having fun. Also a rare example of a Queen song that you can actually sing along to. The end of this video is genuinely strange.
Massive; Lenny Henry does his duty as head Comic Reliefer to present the next tune. That's two great editions he's had a part in. He should do some more.
A repeat of Massive Attack's true classic, not that you would've known that from Lenny's introduction perhaps. I would've preferred a new performance but I'm sure Shara and co had more important things to do. They have a studio appearance for 'Safe From Harm' coming up and I've avoided looking on YouTube so can't wait for that. I still rate their set at V99 the best gig I've ever been to.
Rod Stewart; Another old turk (sorry) with a big ode to his homeland in the style of 'Every Beat of My Heart' but without the history lesson and plenty more alpha Rod. Played endlessly I think for a while and not a match for 'Downtown Train' but still a good '91 memory because I'm sure he performed it after that hilarious 'Aspel and Company' appearance with Dudley Moore and Shirley Maclaine.
The Happy Mondays; Another genre defining single from the Mondays. This one doesn't sound like it's aged at all. Ryder offers lyrics that are fairly commonplace if that's possible to imagine but that doesn't matter because the guitar part is a cultural manifesto all of its own. So underrated as a guitarist Mark Day. Perhaps the '90s Tony Hicks.
At the end the camera catches some girls in a circle having their own euphoric dance party. Great to see.
The Clash; 2nd and last week at No. 1 and again fair enough. So many bands at the time, I guess, that wouldn't have existed without them, The Levellers and The Manics for a start, so it's right that they conquered in the despicable charts even if it was for a jeans ad.
Jesus Jones; Repeat of the studio performance as the credits roll. Always enjoy that for some reason. A good finish.
One of the best repeats since they started.
Some singles peaking outside the Top 40 this week were from 80s regulars that could not get through now by 1991:
ReplyDeleteNo.43 Gary Numan - Heart
Didn't know he was still releasing new music in 1991 having started off in Tubeway Army with the August '79 No.1. This new 1991 single called Heart seemed too slow for the 90s, with the only positive being the girl in the video on joint lead vocals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Md55uAMbo
No.46 - The Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger
Although their official run ended in 1990 struggling to break the Top 30, this 1983 re-release was somewhat of a desperation job to see if the new generation of music lovers found them appealing in 1991, or it was used in some ad at the time, hence a release?
No.78 - AHA - Early morning
Since their last top 40 hit in 1990, this was their second single to fail to make Top 40 at this stage in 1991, so they were pretty much sunk by this time.
Also, peaking at No.79 was The Magic Roundabout with Everlasting Day. This had nothing to do with the TV series for children, but a new pop group for the 90s hoping to make it big. Well No.79 was hardly making an impression on the record-buying public.
Love is a Stranger was re-released to promote their Greatest Hits album, which did really well at the time
DeleteGary Numan had new material out this year! He records with his daughter now.
DeleteMagic Roundabout? Candlewick Green anyone?! Loved this no21 hit from Febrruay 1974.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DxlDankKsw
The latest Gary Numan single Intruder is very very good. Well worth checking out
DeleteThe Girl in the Chesney Hawkes video is Saffron - soon to be seen as the lead singer of Republica
ReplyDeleteJust had a look. Yeah there she is! Awww doesn't she look sweet. A nice distraction from the prolonged images of Roger Daltrey dressed as a Ted. There are certainly far more people in the cinema than when we went and watched it.
DeleteEven given the Take On Me treatment, Buddy's Song looks lame. So Saffron ditched the bob and went for a more severe 'do, and stardom beckoned? She arguably did better than Chesney.
DeleteCue joke about Chesney's one and only hit (it wasn't), but this was a lot better than the film it hailed from (co-starring Roger Daltrey, to further link to the 1960s). Although not unfortunate for Chesney's bank balance, unfortunately for me I've just heard it too many times to enjoy it much, but kudos to Nik Kershaw for getting a belated number 1, even if he didn't sing it himself.
ReplyDeleteThis REM track is in the same category as Ches, fine piece of music but it seemed to be the go-to REM song for anyone wanting to play some qualliddy music. That said, I don't hear it so often now. Mike looks a bit silly in the video, is that OK to say?
Ah, something less familiar, vague memories of this one so good to be reacquainted with Ride's biggest (?) hit. Not as tuneful as they could be, but the avalanche of guitars is powerful.
The Bee Gees apparently inventing the whole S Club 7 sound with Secret Love. Not the Doris Day tune from Calamity Jane, a skippy, jaunty little thing sounding best suited to kids TV. Who are those strange women the brothers are hanging about with?
Queen with my preferred single from the Innuendo album, all about Freddie's mental troubles now the AIDS was taking its grip. Though he has fun with his tragedy, which is touchingly brave, I think, and it's a catchy little ditty too.
Massive Attack we've seen, so onto famous Scotsman Rod (born and lived his life in London) with an attempt at Scottish national anthem for all those expats who also have barely set foot in the place. As gruesome as it sounds, even The Proclaimers would have been embarrassed. The Groundskeeper Willie choice.
That's much better, Happy Mondays with one of their best singles. As I've said before, I don't think they bettered the Bummed album, but Loose Fit was up there (best not to ask what it was about?). Great guitar on this, and Rowetta's strident vocals add drama.
Then two we've seen before, The Clash taking the adman's schilling, and Jesus Jones not quite making the Top 20.
For a long time I thought that the Scottish national anthem was Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards because of the bagpipes on TOTP in the early 70s when it was in the charts when I was only a few years old. Only many years later I realised that the national anthem is Scotland The Brave, which is a completely different tune, and when I was watching some sporting event when they stood for the national anthem, and only then I realised, as an adult watching sport on TV, so I don't mind what Rod Stewart puts out in 1991 as his own Scottish anthem!
DeleteAs part of the UK, Scotland's national anthem is God Save the Queen. Its unofficial national anthem is Flower of Scotland, made famous by folk act The Corries. It's pretty bad.
Deletei recorded some low budget demos at a relatively-modest studio in the middle of nowhere in hertfordshire in the mid 90's, where i noticed a sign on the wall proudly declaring "we have recorded a number one hit!". when i asked what it was, the guy on the counter at reception replied rather sheepishly "er, chesney hawkes..."
Deletearound the same time i was once walking along the archway road in north london with a friend who lived in highgate, and when we went past a shabby and grotty terraced house he pointed it out and said "rod stewart was born and lived there"
also: i know what you mean about "losing my religion" becoming REM's "satifaction" (in the same manner of "move on up" regarding curtis mayfield - who did loads of far better stuff than that!). however i would say that "honour" was reserved for the single that followed: "shiny happy people"
i can't say i particularly like "flower of scotland" myself in sheer musical terms, but at least it allows the scottish section of this "four countries in one" to proudly express their nationalism without having to tug a forlock to someone who won the lottery of birth - as us sassanachs (still) have to! also in musical terms "god save the king/queen" is a dirge that hardly inspires either team or fans at internatonal football matches - unlike the brilliant italian anthem, which most team members sing their hearts out to (in contraast to england's, who do so in the manner as embarrassed schoolboys being forced to sing hymns in assembly or music lessons). as one guy once said: "when you play italy, after their anthem you're already one-nil down!"
Oh, I know what you mean about Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up, it's a good song but he has a huge back catalogue of great stuff you hardly ever hear, it's always Move On Up! But there are a lot of artists who only seem to get one song played, and I don't mean one-hit wonders, either.
DeletePersonally, I think the national anthem should be You Suffer by Napalm Death. Easy to remember!
i know someone who actually emailed smooth fm and former radio 1 jock andy peebles a few years back, asking if he could play something by curtis mayfield on his show other than "move on up". andy reply was "it's a shame that nothing else by curtis is getting airplay, but that's just the way it is"!
Deleteone good reason why i haven't listened to the radio for 20 years now...
for the record: i hate "move on up" so much thanks to its over-exposure (i never liked it much in the first place) that i try my best to get out of earshot if i ever have the misfortune to hear it being played in a public place!
Another segue..."Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards because of the bagpipes on TOTP in the early 70s when it was in the charts when I was only a few years old".
DeleteI was a little older and remember this being no1 for what seemed like ages. They always showed a video for it which I cannot find on Youtube anywhere and the shows from 1972 are wiped. Gone for good I wonder?
I hope not.
DeleteI mostly remember that bagpipe Amazing Grace for its use in the 1970s Invasion of the Body Snatchers film. Won't spoil it, but it's a great scene.
DeleteChesney Hawkes - much played still these days, and a pleasant enough ditty…
ReplyDeleteREM - again, much played, and probably their best. Weird video….
Ride - not played these days, but jolly good. Band members probably best know for moving on to more successful bands
Bee gees - don’t remember this, but very similar to their Chain Reaction. Again, pleasant enough. 4 in a row without FF… [pre post look at comments - not just me then on Chain Reaction…]
Queen - and on the subject of weird videos!… Loved this.
Rod stewart - very celtic feel. Another one I enjoyed. What could possibly go wrong?… [Ah bagpipes, just to underline the celtic feel]
Happy Mondays - gosh, do not remember this at all. Quite enjoyed, but it comes to something when this has been the worst thing so far…
Well that was a stonking episode! Brilliant.
Mayo on good form again, sadly interrupted twice by a dickhead who thinks he’s funny.
ReplyDeleteChesney, the exuberance of youth (until we get to the third act) with a fine Kershaw crowd pleaser.
REM employing a tribute Uncle Albert at the start of that video. Their mandolin led door opening moment, but I always found Michael Stipe too earnest and self-important. I much prefer their earlier non-hit “Radio Free Europe” and the subsequent TV clip.
Young kids from the youth club next by the look of it. Ride had one bigger hit, a top tenner, in 1992. Much easier on the ear than fellow shoegazers My Bloody Valentine. The very definition of chiming.
I agree, the next track is “Chain Reaction” with different lyrics and singers. Still hate it.
Freddie Mercury as Ken Dodd there. Go on, Brian, p-p-p-pick up a penguin!
Nice to have a re-run of Massive’s smouldering track and another chance to glimpse Combover Man.
Oh dear, it’s the professional Scotsman next, singing about his spitritual home while having never lived there. Surprised Sean Connery wasn’t in Rod’s video for extra plastic Scot effect.
Shaun Ryder looking cheerful and, erm, relaxed if you ask me. Dangerous Bez relegated to back stage and replaced by a woman with unusual tights (they don’t normally ’ladder’ like that). What a drumkit! Classic Mondays there.
FF the last two but catching the outro where that knobhead announces Jesus Jones as live. Jesus indeed.
Back on track with a more timely review than I managed to post earlier today for the previous week’s two shows. This show has some good music on it actually.
ReplyDeleteChesney Hawkes – The one and only – In all honesty this is a pretty decent tune from Mr Kershaw and deserved its success, so I am with the likes of Rad in expressing appreciation. I loved the Tremeloes too.
REM – Losing my Religion – One of my 1991 favourites and, as observed by Angelo, a real surprise that it didn’t go higher than no19. Travesty in fact. We get a decent amount shown here from midway through the song.
Ride – Unfamiliar – I’m unfamiliar with this song. OK I guess but a little bit of a drone.
Bee Gees – Secret Love – Great sound from the brothers and who cares if ‘Chain Reaction’ is in there somewhere….that’s no bad thing.
Queen – I’m going slightly mad – I distinctly recall being out when this show was broadcast and my wife watched it and said how weird Queen looked in this video. Of course, at the time we didn’t really know why. Not one of my particular favourites of theirs but the quirky nature of the lyrics enabled Freddie to be disguised without too much comment….but it is sad to see how slim he is even with the costumes.
Massive – Unfinished Symphony – Didn’t Schubert do one of those? Anyway, this sounds great again. Live vocal I assume? The string players are certainly playing.
Rod Stewart – Rhythm of my Heart – Another anthem for Rod, this time produced by Trevor Horn. Love this. Great video too which his worth watching right through to get the whole story. Also, it seems to have been edited to remove the hero returning home into his lovers arms as you can see at 03:15 and 03:33 here. I wonder why?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmljreTAgYI
Happy Mondays – Loose fit – Reasonable…
The Clash – Should I stay or should I go – The very first Clash song I ever heard was ‘White Riot’ on a tinny cassette player in room 12 of my school. I remember it well as it was a novelty to hear a genuine punk song. This is a little less punky in my view but perhaps more memorable.
Jesus Jones – Who where why ? – Indeed…so I switched off.
When I saw the Rod Stewart video on this TOTP show, it seemed they showed the last couple of minutes of the video, cos you could hear it fading out as a video does at the end, but I would need to watch it in full to see what you mean.
DeleteI notice that TOTP doesn't show the video again in the next three shows when it was three weeks at No.3, so I wonder if they were uncomfortable about something in the video, cos it is most unusual not to show him a second time, especially on a good run in the Top 10.
Massive Attack's tune was Unfinished Sympathy, rather than Symphony. One of those songs where the title never appears in the lyrics!
DeleteThanks THX...my mistake rushing out the review! Could also add 10538 Overture as another one where the (full) title doesn't appear in the lyrics.
Delete"Oh the Rhythm Of my Heart is beating like a drum, with the words I love you rolling off my tongue......no never will I roam, for I know my place is home where the ocean meets the sky I'll be sailing............."
DeleteNo ocean near Highgate. As for today, we all love Vindaloo!
DeleteComic Relief edition with Boy Mayo and red noses everywhere.
ReplyDeleteCHESNEY HAWKES – The One And Only
Smash hits fave Cheesy Hawkes up first. Question: Did anyone ever see this movie. It's a brilliant pop tune. Very catchy and great to sing a long to. A real 15 minuiter when it came to fame. Still plugging away apparently.
REM – Losing My Religion
One of my all time favourite songs with a brilliant and hugely memorable video.
RIDE – Unfamiliar
It's unfamiliar because it's missing a tune. Poor.
THE BEE GEES – Secret Love
Another fabulous Bee Gees tune. Big fan of this one. Not sure Maurice would appreciate being compared to a big red nose. Bee Gees not known for their sense of humour.
QUEEN – I’m Going Slightly Mad
A low new entry. Everyone must have the album.
Very arty video. Nice interpretation of the song though. "Knitting with only one needle" I like that.
Not bad this one
Lenny plugging Comic Relief and introducing the repeat of the fabulous Unfinished Sympathy
Shame The Stonk was on last week.. oops.
ROD STEWART – Rhythm Of My Heart
Another superstar that can't be bothered to come to the studio. This is one of my favourite Rod tunes. Proper power ballad. Would like to have seen more of this. Video is OK.
HAPPY MONDAYS – Loose Fit
Now this is better from the Mondays. I do wonder if they ever managed to recreate this sound live?
Mind the keyboard Mr Cameraman. Too late.
THE CLASH – Should I Stay Or Should I Go
You can stay at number one.
JESUS JONES – Who? Where? Why?
Surprised this got a playout over some of the other new entries. Not complaining though as It's a fabulous tune.
I've seen Buddy's Song, it was a staple of late night BBC1 for a few years in the late 90s. It's like a Children's Film Foundation effort or something.
DeleteMaurice was the Bee Gee with a sense of humour, so I doubt he would have minded.