Friday, 30 May 2025

Too Much Top of the Pops

 But something's coming over to make the 25th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Ladies Night


25-12-97:   Presenters:  Zoë Ball, Jayne Middlemiss & Jo Whiley

(-) ETERNAL feat. BEBE WINANS – I Wanna Be The Only One
15th biggest selling single of 1997.

(-) HANSON – MMMBop
11th biggest seller.

(47) CHUMBAWAMBA – Tubthumping 
7th biggest single.

(-) GALA – Freed From Desire
17th best seller.

(-) SARAH BRIGHTMAN & ANDREA BOCELLI – Time To Say Goodbye
22nd best seller.

(8) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn
10th biggest selling single.

(-) SASH! – Megamix
The 27th, 24th and 21st best selling singles.

(-) SHOLA AMA – You Might Need Somebody
32nd best seller.

(-) ULTRA NATÉ – Free
20th biggest single.

(4) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
16th biggest selling single of 1997.

(-) TEXAS – Say What You Want
46th best seller.

(6) AQUA – Barbie Girl 
2nd best seller.

(11) ELTON JOHN – Something About The Way You Look Tonight  (video)
Number one best selling single of 1997, and of all time.

(1) SPICE GIRLS – Too Much  (and credits)
This year's Christmas number one.


Friday, 23 May 2025

Top of the Pops Back to You

 And if I wish upon a star, some day it'll be the 19th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Doing it for you


19-12-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(8) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn
Getting the last regular edition of 1997 underway with a song that was going back up the charts after having already peaked at number 2.

(5) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels
A second studio performance and the song will go up another place.

(18) BRYAN ADAMS – Back To You
Here tonight but the song got no higher.

(4) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
A third studio performance and the song will get to number one in the new year.

(12) U2 – If God Will Send His Angels  (video)
At its peak.

(NEW) CHICKEN SHED – I Am In Love With The World
Performing their only hit and it will peak at number 15.

(11) CELINE DION – The Reason
In the studio tonight but the song got no higher.

(17) STING & THE POLICE – Roxanne ‘97
Sting with a live studio performance of the Police song that had peaked at number 12 in 1979, but this time around number 17 was as high as it got.

(1) TELETUBBIES – Teletubbies Say “Eh-Oh”  (video)  (and credits)
Second and final week at number one.

Angels of the Pops

 And through it all she offers me the 12th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Earning his wings


12-12-97:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(4) JANET JACKSON – Together Again
Getting tonight's show underway but the song got no higher.

(15) THE SEAHORSES – You Can Talk To Me
Here with their fourth and final top 40 hit and it was at its peak.

(7) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels
Performing his game changing song and it will go up three more places.

(12) SHERYL CROW – Tomorrow Never Dies
In the studio with the latest Bond theme but it got no higher.

(18) BLACKSTREET – (Money Can’t) Buy Me Love
Here tonight but this Beatles cover got no higher.

(10) FIVE – Slam Dunk (Da Funk)
Making their studio debut with their first of eleven top ten hits, but this one got no higher.

(5) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
Still slowly edging their way to number one.

(1) TELETUBBIES – Teletubbies Say “Eh-Oh”  (video)  (and credits)
First of two weeks at the top.


Friday, 16 May 2025

Lucky Top of the Pops

 Happiness is the 5th of December 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Urban him


5-12-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(33) M-PEOPLE – Fantasy Island
Getting the show underway but this one got no higher.

(14) KYLIE MINOGUE – Did It Again
In the studio but this britpoppy song got no higher.

(7) THE VERVE – Lucky Man  (from Later With Jools Holland)
Their third and final top ten hit was at its peak.

(16) TODD TERRY – It’s Over Love
With his fourth of five top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(30) PAUL WELLER – Mermaids
Here tonight but this fourth single from his number 2 album, Heavy Soul, got no higher.

(11) GALA – Let A Boy Cry
Performing her second of three top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(2) BOYZONE – Baby Can I Hold You
With their third of three consecutive number 2s this year.

(1) VARIOUS ARTISTS – Perfect Day  (video)  (and credits)
Second and final week at number one.


Perfect Day of the Pops

 Oh it's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with the 28th of November 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Sister act


28-11-97:   Presenter:  Mark Lamarr

(10) LOUISE – Let’s Go Round Again
Getting the show underway with this Average White Band cover, but it got no higher.

(15) ROBERT MILES feat. KATHY SLEDGE – Freedom
Kathy is here to perform Robert's fourth and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(19) MARY J. BLIGE – Missing You
Here tonight but also got no higher.

(3) STEVEN HOUGHTON – Wind Beneath My Wings
With his only top ten hit and it was at its peak.

(NEW) TELETUBBIES – Teletubbies Say “Eh-Oh”  (video)
Incredibly popular children's tv show and will get to number one.

(5) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
A second studio performance for a song that will sell a record 770,000 copies before finally getting to number one next year!

(12) ERROL BROWN – You Sexy Thing
This re-release had already peaked at number 6.

(1) VARIOUS ARTISTS – Perfect Day  (video)  (and credits)
First of two weeks at number one for this year's Children in Need single.

Friday, 9 May 2025

Never Ever Top of the Pops

 You can tell me to my face, you can tell me on phone, it's the 21st of November 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


All Saints for one, and one for All Saints


21-11-97:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(6) ERROL BROWN – You Sexy Thing
Getting the show underway with this famous Hot Chocolate tune that had peaked at number 2 in 1975, but this time around number 6 was as high as it got.

(9) OCEAN COLOUR SCENE – Better Day
With their sixth and final top ten hit but it got no higher.

(5) HANSON – I Will Come To You
Here with their third of four top ten hits but it got no higher.

(8) PULP – Help The Aged
A second performance but the song was now at its peak.

(14) CONNER REEVES – Earthbound
In the studio with his second of five top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(13) METALLICA – The Memory Remains
Here tonight with special guest Marianne Faithfull but the song got no higher.

(3) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
Performing a rare thing in 1997 - a song that will slowly climb the charts all the way to number one! And deservedly so too.

(1) AQUA – Barbie Girl  (and credits) 
Fourth and final week at number one.


Choose Top of the Pops

 Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and the 14th of November 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Top tex hit


14-11-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(2) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn
Getting tonight's show underway but the tune could get no higher.

(7) GARY BARLOW – Open Road
Performing the title track of his number one album, but it got no higher.

(8) MOBY – James Bond Theme
With his second of three top ten hits but it got no higher.

(3) BARBRA STREISAND & CELINE DION – Tell Him  (video)
Barbra's sixth and final top ten hit and it was at its peak.

(6) P.F. PROJECT feat. EWAN McGREGOR – Choose Life
In the studio with their only hit and it got no higher.

(13) JON BON JOVI – Janie, Don’t Take Your Love To Town
Here with his fifth and final solo top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(10) TEXAS – Put Your Arms Around Me
Performing the fourth single from their massive number one album, White on Blonde, but it got no higher.

(1) AQUA – Barbie Girl  (and credits)
Third of four weeks at number one.

Friday, 2 May 2025

Torn of the Pops

 So I guess the fortune teller's right, should have seen the 7th of November 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Girl next door

7-11-97:   Presenter:  Zoë Ball

(7) BACKSTREET BOYS – As Long As You Love Me
Had already peaked at number 3.

(2) NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – Torn
Making her studio debut with her first of five top ten hits, but it could get no higher.

(8) EMBRACE – All You Good Good People
With their first of three top ten hits and this one was at its peak.

(6) PETER ANDRE – Lonely
Performing here tonight but the song got no higher.

(22) TONI BRAXTON – How Could An Angel Break My Heart
In the studio but got no higher.

(14) MICHAEL BOLTON – The Best Of Love
Performing his 17th and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(NEW) PULP – Help The Aged
In the studio tonight with what will become their fifth and final top ten hit when it peaks at number 8.

(1) AQUA – Barbie Girl  (and credits)
Second of four weeks at number 1.

Friday Night of the Pops

 Forget Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, hey it's the 31st of October 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!

Come on Mary let's go party!


31-10-97:   Presenter:  Mary Ann Hobbs

(5) 911 – Party People… Friday Night
Getting tonight's show underway but it got no higher.

(7) N-TRANCE feat. ROD STEWART – Da Ya Think I’m Sexy
In the studio with their third of five top ten hits but it got no higher.

(2) SPICE GIRLS – Spice Up Your Life  (video)
Last week's number one.

(15) DANNII MINOGUE – Everything I Wanted
Here tonight but the song was at its peak.

(14) DOUBLE 99 – Ripgroove
Had peaked at number 31 back in May, this time round their only top 40 hit got to number 14.

(20) PUFF DADDY – Been Around The World
At its peak. (edited out for BBC4).

(16) THE CHARLATANS – Telling Stories
In the studio but the song got no higher.

(1) AQUA – Barbie Girl  (and credits)
First of four weeks at number one.


Friday, 18 April 2025

Barbie of the Pops

 Come on Barbie let's go the 24th of October 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Guy and doll


24-10-97:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(15) TINA MOORE – Never Gonna Let You Go
Had already peaked at number 7.

(2) AQUA – Barbie Girl
Making their studio debut with what will soon become their first of three number ones hits.

(10) ASH – A Life Less Ordinary
Here with their third of four top ten hits but it got no higher.

(9) BRAND NEW HEAVIES – You’ve Got A Friend
At its peak.

(13) JIMMY RAY – Are You Jimmy Ray?
Performing his only top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(11) CLOCK – U Sexy Thing
At its peak.

(19) SMASH MOUTH – Walkin’ On The Sun
In the studio with their first of two top 40 hits, and this was the biggest but it got no higher.

(1) SPICE GIRLS – Spice Up Your Life  (video)  (and credits)
Just the one week at number one for this year's blog title song.


U Sexy Top of the Pops

 I believe in the 17th of October 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Top of the clocks


17-10-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(12) CLOCK – U Sexy Thing
Getting tonight's show underway and this Hot Chocolate cover went up one more place.

(10) MANSUN – Closed For Business
Here with their second of four top ten hits but it got no higher.

(11) BRAND NEW HEAVIES – You’ve Got A Friend
Performing the Carole King classic and it became their only top ten hit when it peaked at number 9.

(18) SUPERGRASS – Late In The Day
Performing their fifth and final single from their number 2 album, In It For the Money, but it got no higher.

(5) ETERNAL – Angel Of Mine
Had already peaked at number 4.

(2) SASH! feat. LA TREC – Stay
In the studio with their third consecutive number 2 but it could get no higher.

(8) JANET JACKSON feat. Q-TIP – Got ‘Til It’s Gone
Had already peaked at number 6.

(1) ELTON JOHN – Something About The Way You Look Tonight  (video)  (and credits)
Fifth and final week at number one.


Friday, 11 April 2025

Top of the Pops Bingo

 But someone told me where to find the 10th of October 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Full house music


10-10-97:   Presenter:  Mark Lamarr

(23) CATCH – Bingo
Getting the show underway with their only top 40 hit and it got no higher.

(6) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – Raincloud
With their second of five top ten hits but it got no higher.

(16) THE SEAHORSES – Love Me And Leave Me
Performing the third single from their number 2 album, Do It Yourself, it was co-written by Liam Gallagher, but it got no higher.

(14) COOLIO – Ooh La La
In the studio with his seventh and final top 40 hit, but it got no higher.

(20) ROACHFORD – The Way I Feel
Here with his first top 40 hit for three years, but it got no higher.

(4) ETERNAL – Angel Of Mine
Performing their twelfth and final top ten hit and it was at its peak.

(3) BACKSTREET BOYS – As Long As You Love Me
Here tonight but the song could get no higher.

(1) ELTON JOHN – Something About The Way You Look Tonight  (video)  (and credits)
Fourth of five weeks at number one.