Put your head against my life and you will hear the 8th of October 1992 edition of Top of the Pops!
Play that
8-10-92: Presenter: Tony Dortie
(30) M-PEOPLE – Excited
Getting tonight's show underway and the song went up one more place.
(10) MIKE OLDFIELD - Sentinel (and charts)
At its peak.
(19) NED’S ATOMIC DUSTBIN – Not Sleeping Around
In the studio but the song was at its peak.
(3) TASMIN ARCHER – Sleeping Satellite
Performing the song that will be number one next week.
(9) PRINCE – My Name Is Prince (video)
Went up two more places.
(28) DINA CARROLL – Special Kind Of Love
Here tonight and the song peaked at number 16.
(24) BILLY RAY CYRUS – Could’ve Been Me (via satellite)
His second and final top 40 hit and it got no higher.
(29) STATUS QUO – Roadhouse Medley (video) (Breakers)
Peaked at number 21.
(26) SADE – No Ordinary Love (video) (Breakers)
Got no higher this year.
(25) PATTI SMYTH with DON HENLEY – Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough (video) (Breakers)
Peaked at number 22.
(13) SIMPLE MINDS – Love Song (video) (Breakers)
Peaked at number 6.
(23) TAKE THAT – A Million Love Songs
Already becoming studio regulars and this latest offering peaked at number 7.
(1) THE SHAMEN – Ebeneezer Goode (video)
Fourth and fianl week at number one.
15th of October is next.
M People - the 1991-92 era for them, even up to this point, was quite experimental as to whether they could be taken seriously as a chart act, as this was their fourth single since arriving onto the scene in 1991, and at best they could only manage No.29 across all four songs in 1991-92. But as we know, things were about to change for them dramatically in 1993 with their next single when they became a regular Top 10 outfit, so it's coming very soon......
ReplyDeleteMike Oldfield - I must say that the more that I am hearing this tune, the more I'm getting lulled into world of calm and no worries, full of pleasantness and nice things, so I don't mind dreaming of such an unrealistic paradise with the musical backdrop of Oldfield's Sentinel.
Prince - where was he in this video, did anyone spot him, cos I certainly didn't? I remember this tune at the time as just a chaotic sort of single, and less of the typical Prince sound.
The Breakers - well Patti Smyth & Don Henley looked such a cool couple in that video clip, didn't they, so I had to watch the video in full just out of curiosity, and I thoroughly recommend it, especially to those on here who have recently fallen by the wayside saying they didn't enjoy the 1992 music, and hope you change your mind when you see these 70s & 80s musicians still producing excellent music and videos in 1992:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdzbjUWu2VU
Prince was easy to spot in his video, he was the little bloke with the mini-chandelier on his head doing Prince dance moves.
DeleteA snoozesome episode this one, apart from the odd bit to wake us up. Starting with M People, refining their formula but not getting the chart rewards yet, though it's difficult to imagine anyone getting "excited" over this.
ReplyDeleteMike Oldfield, even the clip looks like an ambient CGI video, presumably because that's what it was.
Ned's Atomic Dustbin, for a band named after dialogue from The Goon Show, you might expect them to be wackier, but this is sullen despite the driving guitars. Funnily enough I was idly thinking Heather Small's hair looked like a pineapple and there was a pic of a pineapple on this band's amps!
Tasmin Archer Badger we'll see again (get your cuffs sorted out), then Prince on video, well into his phase of ego weirdness where he refused to show his face in interviews or indeed his videos, as he's doing a Sia and covering his phizog here as he performs his dance moves. The song, not out of his top drawer, but it does have some oomph to it unlike much of this episode.
Dina, well, it's a nice slice of pop soul, but real in one ear out the other material and makes little impression.
Billy Ray Virus: I really didn't need to hear him go all serious, so couldn't take much of this. What a terrible voice.
Breakers we get seconds of, but we've heard three of them before apart from Patti and Don, a 1970s supergroup we never had in the 1970s, but drained of any contemporary excitement.
Take That show a sign of things to come with their first big Barry Garlow ballad. I preferred it when they were jumping around like dafties, but the boy band managers were taking notes.
The Shamen, deciding the joke has worn off, decline to return to the studio. Are Tony and Mark going to mention their love for Tasmin in every show she's on?
Three tracks at peak position INSIDE the Top 40 this week, which missed out on getting a TOTP play:
ReplyDeleteNo.33 The Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK
This re-release of their 1976 debut single went five places better this time round in 1992, and was the first of two Sex Pistols re-issues in 1992 - the other one being Pretty Vacant, that only got to No.56 at re-issue, so conversely not doing better than the original release which got to No.6 in 1977.
No.34 C&C Music Factory - Keep It Comin'
Looks like C&C reverted back to their original outfit/name, after a brief period being called Clavilles & Cole, and not sure why the change up and change back this time. There would be nothing further from C&C for another two years until late 1994, so now about to take a welcome break after a couple of fun-filled years across both sides of the Atlantic.
No.39 Salt 'n' Pepa - Start Me Up
Not sure if this was a Rolling Stones cover, but considering that Salt 'n' Pepa did a Twist 'n' Shout cover not so long ago, I wouldn't be surprised if they went on the covers trail once again at this point.
A quick check on the 45cat website shows that "Start Me Up" wasn't a Rolling Stones cover - but it was co-produced by Ben Liebrand so it was probably unlistenable.
DeleteOn the one hand, wow this episode packs a lot in. On the other, much of it is dull as ditchwater.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind M People but this song doesn't exactly live up to its title.
Mike Oldfield again is zzzzz
Ned's I always enjoy but this one isn't their best.
Tasmin Archer is a great song but why does everything have to be so slooow tonight?
Prince - eh, the hook is memorable, the rest of it less so.
Dina Carroll another one I like but this is definitely one of her weakest singles. Better is to come.
BRC - Wow this is dull too.
Four breakers! But two were former exclusives and one's a rerelease that Laters is weirdly snippy about. Sade's video looks cool but not sure what it has to do with that song. I didn't remember the Smyth/Henley song from the title and image but as soon as the music kicked in I realised I remember all the words. Haven't heard that in years.
TT with what is, admittedly, not a bad love song if it wasn't so sloooow and boring. I didn't like them then and I don't like them now. Which is unfortunate for me because they have so many hits to come.
And farewell to The Shamen, I still haven't managed to keep up with Mr C whilst singing along.
Three singles peaking OUTSIDE the Top 40 this week from previous chart regulars, with no TOTP for them this time round:
ReplyDeleteNo.44 Betty Boo - I'm On My Way
Follow-up to her recent No.12 success called Let Me Take You There, this next one couldn't even chart in the Top 40 and would mark her first signs of decline, as she would release only more single in early 1993 which could only reach No.50, and so the writing was on the wall for a once regular on TOTP that could no longer appeal to record buyers at this point in 1992.
No.58 Gary Glitter - And The Leader Rocks On
This was a Megamix/Medley release, and probably to gauge what sort of popularity he had at this point, having appeared on stage on TOTP in 1990 with The Timelords, and soon to present a TOTP show himself in 1994, but this medley only reaching No.58 was not exactly success for Glitter in the 90s.
No.74 Altern 8 vs Evelyn King - Shame
This flop reaching only No.74 was the beginning of the end for Altern 8, as a follow-up to their last single which got to No.16, it was the first of three follow up singles up until mid-1993 which all failed to reach the Top 40, so unfortunately we will not be seeing them again on TOTP.
I'm On My Way using bits of Lady Madonna by The Beatles no less
DeleteAnother edition of hunt the Zeitgeist. It was just starting to really get into gear. Still a few decent offerings and an intriguing mix. For a 46 year old.
ReplyDeleteThe main news of course is that Tony and Mark are the sole presenters and will remain so till the start of 1994. Should sigh but I have really happy memories of this upcoming period. Tony in his first show alone has certainly improved. Without a co host to lean on he's calmer and has more authority and has dropped some of the "Isn't this crazy!!!" delivery. Just drop the silly catchphrases.
I don't have any recollection of M People before the fantastic remix of 'How Can I Love You More' and I know why. Went up and down a bit. Mike Pickering did some hand movements.
Mike Oldfield weirds us out between 20 and 11. Music very Partridge. Visuals a rather freaky cross between Moby 'Go' and the vid for Jon and Vangelis 'I Hear You Now'.
Ned's Atomic Dustbin return with the splattered guitars and cheery indieness. Curious how Jon Penney only ever ducks to his left while clinging to the mic stand. Cack hairiness?
Tony concurring with his fellow presenter on Tasmin Archer. I third that. I liked it at the time but love it now. Such an original song and the la laaing section is absolutely sublime. She's taken the dress sense to the next logical stage and turned fully into William Hartnell here. Also I find the way she screws her eyes really tight everytime she sings a big note rather sweet. Fine performance and a single zooming to the top.
The video for 'My Name Is Prince' which is not very funky by my definition of the genre but the visuals are fun if a little disturbing.
Dina Carroll follows up the utterly delightful 'Ain't No Man' (an acid jazz classic in my humble opinion) with the not quite so strong 'Special Kind Of Love'. It's good, a little Whitney Houstonish but as you'd expect marvellously sung and she looks gorgeous. A new singer for my teenage self to gaze at. Fancy trying your hand at some Totp presenting? Sadly no but plenty more appearances to come.
Oh Laws it's Billy Ray Serious. As THX said, not something anyone needs. A point to Tony for his barbed introduction about Billy dancing like a Sesame Street puppet. Was there one called Mullet Monster? I wonder if a pre requisite of being in his band is that you had to have a hairstyle as stupid as his. Only good thing about this is that he is playing acoustic left handed. A club I'm also a member of.
Something wild and dancey for the kids after that. Oh blimey.
Sade being Sade underwater. Patti Smyth and Don Henley; a DLT on a Sunday tune. Simple Minds being Simple Minds on a stage.
Oh good it's Take That. I did end up liking them in 1995 but I won't pretend that I didn't hate them when they first arrived and this is still as cheesy as anything. Only good thing about this like all their early appearances is that even here Robbie Williams is cheekily doing his own thing.
Ebeneezer still most certainly Goode.
Not the best edition ever and that’s an understatement.
ReplyDeleteOh God. Heather Small. Can’t stand her voice. FF.
Dorky namechecks Billy Ray Cyrus and Take That twice before we’ve even got to Mike Oldfied’s ‘too much cheese before bedtime’ video snippet.
The return of Maximus Chinnus and some unremarkable fraggle from The Neds.
Dorky crashes Tasmin’s vocals like the idiot he is. Tasmin sounds more assured this time. Last time a mic stand got stroked like that was by the saucy woman in Divinyls.
Some long lost footage of a ten-year-old Prince being interviewed about a teachers’ strike made the news this week. He made more sense in that clip than in this self-confident, shouty and substandard track.
Dina Carroll looks striking while providing some Mariah Carey-style cabaret disco.
Cyrus impersonates Bon Jovi impersonating Smokie having eaten gravel beforehand. Took eight minutes to get to the first chorus.
A kid breakdancing to Status Quo? Sade as a mermaid?
Not Patti Smith with Don Henley then. Shame.
Dorky, it’s about time Simple Minds gave us something sounding different.
Oh no, a boyband ballad. Someone push Gary’s chair in, he’ll fall off any minute.
Two ‘Laters’ from Dorky at the end. Tosser.
So Tony Dortie has now announced on Twitter that he will no longer be tweeting along with TOTP each week and added a link to hid YouTube channel where he talks about getting Karma after his exit from the show in 94. Also the reason Adrian Rose didn't want his shows replayed and a dig at future producer Ric Blaxhill.
ReplyDeletehttps://t.co/vVi7CkY1tA
https://youtu.be/Z6P5tIhc6cE
He seems a bit of a conspiracy nut looking at all his US political videos.
Can't be bothered to watch, so what was the real reason Adrian Ponce didn't sign the repeat contract?
DeleteHe didn't want to be defined by one job he did for 6 months 30 years ago. He didn't want this to define his legacy on social media and on the internet
DeleteI've had a little look on Tony's recent Twitter page and there's some priceless anecdotes about his time on the show. Also quite endearing that he keeps thanking Mark for guiding him at the start of his tenure on the show. Personally I think it was appalling that the new presenters were totally airbrushed out of the doc about the show in 2000 or 2001. Appel appearing, a little bit about the problems of singing live and that was '91 to '94 sorted. From the compilation and my memories, '93 is going to be brilliant.
DeleteMorgie, I forgot to say thanks for telling me why a certain personality-less host refused to be re-shown.
DeleteI had a look at Tony's Twitter account and he does have some very good anecdotes (for one, Tony was apparently given 18 hours' notice that he was going to be a host!) but he keeps using that fcuking phrase 'crisp biscuit' on Twitter for things he likes. Over and over again!
Hi Troops it's M-People starting the party with one of their minor hits. Ms Small will be a genuine star by 1993 and rightly so. Always a fan of M-People and some great radio tunes
ReplyDeleteMike Oldfield video as boring as the tune.
NEDs always a bit loud and tuneless I thought at the time. This hasn't really made me change my mind. Not my cup of tea.
Tasmin is back (Tony on twitter apologising for crashing the vocal 😜). Already said how much I love this but I had completely forgotten it got to Number One. Why wasn't she a bigger star.
His name is Prince. Disappearing up his own mythology. Disappointing is not the word.
Another should have been bigger star, it's Dina. Didn't realise C+C had a hand in this. Listened to the album earlier this week. Gorgeous.
Back to the USofA for Billy Ray. Country music a big NO from me.
Breakers:
Status Quo: Save us.
Sade: Nice mermaid video.
Don and Patty: Sounds like a Bryan Adams B-Side
Simple Minds: another Greatest Hits coming then.
Elton Barlow and the Cheesy Four melting young girls hearts by the thousands. Louis Walsh gets the idea for Boyzone at this exact moment. Possibly. Saxophone on hand, very 80s. Song is Ok if a bit sloppy, not a classic.
The Shamen still at the top and still sounding great.
A few late thoughts from me…
ReplyDeleteLoved the chart rundown track – Mike Oldfield and ‘Sentinel’ has me tubularly spellbound.
Tasmin Archer and ‘Sleeping Satellite’ is one of the few 1992 no1s I actually like. 60 years ago (to this ToTP show not to now) another space themed track was at No1 of course with the Telstar’s timeless ‘Telstar’. Checkout this guy Pat’s fabulous stereo remixes of 60s tracks (he’s done some gems) including ‘Telstar’. He’s just posted Petula Clark’s ‘Don’t Sleep in the Subway’ today and I’d recommend a listen to his mixes of ‘Whisky in the Jar’ by Thin Lizzy, ‘Reflections of my Life’ by Marmalade, ‘White Horses’ by Jacky and ‘Words’ by the Bee Gees….sorry this is meant to be 1992!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9rSfm9yNSw
The best song of all on this show for me is Don Henley and Patti Smyth ‘Sometimes love just ain’t enough’. Watched the entire video through on Youtube as this clip just ain’t enough.
Noted that Take That are now in evidence on the show since I last looked. Some excellent No1s coming up from them, but not in 1992.
Also did anyone point out that Sade’s ‘No Ordinary Love’ was from the film ‘Indecent Proposal’ which was huge at the time?
The Patti Smyth & Don Henley video had only a little bit of Henley and a lot of Smyth, so of course TOTP showed a clip from the second half of the video wen Henley appeared, as the first half was all Smyth.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHow interesting… I just put this on late as I expected to fast forward through itas usual, and here I am 30 minutes later. It seems i am in a minoroty thinking this was one of the best episodes for ages - I even suffered cyrus without fast forwarding 😊
ReplyDelete