And we're all gonna shine a light together on the 9th of May 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!
Waving the flag
9-5-97: Presenter: Jo Whiley
(50) KATRINA & THE WAVES – Love Shine A Light
The UK's most recent Eurovision winners get the show underway and the song will peak at number 3.
(3) THE SEAHORSES – Love Is The Law
With their first of two top ten hits and this was the biggest but it got no higher.
(2) GEORGE MICHAEL – Star People ’97 (video) (and charts)
At its peak.
(15) MANSUN – Taxloss
In the studio but got no higher.
(10) 911 – Bodyshakin’
Had already peaked last week at number 3.
(6) JAMIROQUAI – Alright (video)
At its peak.
(13) BLACKSTREET – Don’t Leave Me
Had already peaked at number 6.
(1) GARY BARLOW – Love Won’t Wait
Here for one week at number one.
(4) THE CARDIGANS – Lovefool (video) (and credits)
Peaked at number 2.
16-2-78: Presenter: David Jensen
ReplyDelete(19) STARGARD – Theme Song From ‘Which Way Is Up’ (and charts)
(30) TOM ROBINSON BAND – Don’t Take No For An Answer
(27) KATE BUSH – Wuthering Heights
(4) DARTS – Come Back My Love ®
(6) ROSE ROYCE – Wishing On A Star (danced to by Legs & Co)
(26) BILLY JOEL – Just The Way You Are (video)
(9) THE SWEET – Love Is Like Oxygen ®
(NEW) ELKIE BROOKS – Lilac Wine
(18) THE BEE GEES – Stayin’ Alive (video)
(43) MAGAZINE – Shot By Both Sides
(1) ABBA – Take A Chance On Me (video)
(5) ROD STEWART – Hot Legs (and credits)
Darts - I just about remember this from my very early chart viewing career, as this chart went out a week before my 10th birthday in 1978, and if I remember correctly, they were as frequently on ITV's Tiswas as well as BBC 1's TOTP at around this time, but what a great intro on the single.
DeleteRose Royce - while I adore Leg's & Co's performance and style on this routine, especially Rosie, I still prefer the Rose (no pun intended) Royce video, which may not have been available at the time of this show, or the BBC needed to give something to Legs & Co to dance to, but whatever the reason for not showing the video, it was one of THE tunes of the decade, and still adore it.
Man, I thought that edition was absolutely brilliant! I think it was from the falling asleep and forgetting it was on period of watching these repeats so I don't recall seeing this all the way through but I do remember Kid Jensen saying how great the singles were right now and totally agreeing with him. He looks very cool and assured on this show and dressed like he's on his way to a party. Maybe driven there by the aged bloke (s) who the camera occasionally picks up standing looking unimpressed in the corner.
DeleteKid Jensen getting into current pop is one of the best things of these shows for me. Chart to Stargard who I'd never of but that was a decent bit of neon funky flash. Just the name would've given them a reasonable place in the charts in early 1978.
Tom Robinson Band; Diving straight in with a fierce blast of 'Don't Take No For An Answer' with the very into it crowd sandwiched into a small space dominated by what looks like a neon goalpost. I can atch Tom's joyful expressions all day long and loved his exchanges with the drummer as the guitarist does his solo. I noticed a cameraman who while being passed by another camera, suddenly disappears from sight as if he's suddenly fallen through a trap door. Normal for a hapless audience member who's in the way but odd for a cameraman. More camera fun visible thanks to a couple of technicians who get shown trying to get a big camera ready for something else. Back to the performance; Great triumphant air punch from Tom to finish things off.
Kate Bush; So a moment then; the first appearance of Kate Bush and 'Wuthering Heights' and it is shaky and awkward but still compelling. Lights lit by other lights and the audience who are as fascinating to look at as Kate herself. They seem startled mostly, possibly a little confused but I didn't see anyone staring at the monitors for this performance. The one seated at the piano is so much more assured yet there's something so gripping about this first appearance. I just feel right in the middle of the song for this.
Darts; Come back my Darts, you haven't been on here for quite a while. Still love this.
Rose Royce; Agree with Dory, 'Wishing On a Star' is just one of the greatest singles ever and again just a shame it wasn't allowed to play to its very end. I would say that no Legs & Co routine could've fully done this single justice but it's a very classy and romantic effort with a sweeping Busby Berkeley type ramp which makes use of perspective like you very rarely see on the show. Flick clearly took her time over this and you open with Patti pirrouetting down and round and straight towards you. I'll take that. They all contribute some beautiful steps, ah, I do hope I was watching that when I was 2 and a half. If you don't own it, do track down a Rose Royce best of from 1980. Side 1 is headed, 'Romancing Side", Side 2, 'Dancing Side'!
Billy Joel; Live video intro'd with some unwelcome droning and a perspiring face. The droning rapidly disappears. No, that was another enjoyable few minutes, I really like Billy Joel from this period.
The Sweet; Another really strong single. The parts where Brian Connolly drifts off with the gentlest backing (and visually too; thank-you wobbly outline) is so atmospheric. I never thought I'd be moved by a Sweet single till I heard 'Love Is Like Oxygen' a few times. The ominous keyboard moment is also really powerful. Another show highlight.
Pt,2
DeleteElkie Brooks; Then for me the absolute highlight of this edition. 'Lilac Wine' sung live (of course live) and a treat from start to finish. Stunning and the audience seemed spellbound. Sorry Jeff Buckley, Ekie outdid you on this performance in my book. Followed by a classic Kid incited non response from a girl standing beside him.
The Bee Gees; Kid could well be dressed as he is purely for this next link. Heard and seen this serious/funny video so many times and never get tired of it. Once again I've forgotten the film set that they're walking around.
Magazine; More variety with Kid going full louche and lying back to take in the only appearance from Manchester legends Magazine with the brilliant 'Shot By Both Sides'. Howard Devoto's bored alien look was really impressive and good that he neither broke into a smile nor looked overly threatening at any point in the song. Quite a skill. Another one that stops too early, just as the mad guitar solo is in full flow.
Abba; Kid introducing this in a square bottom left. Yes viewers of any year since then will know what's coming up without looking at the charts. 'Take a Chance On Me' still the greatest fun.
Yes good love Kid. That was just a fantastic one and thanks BBC4 for another unedited show. Rod the mod getting the nod for the, um,lights.
Chart rundown - just when I thought Paul McCartney had departed the pop scene, here he comes back in 1997 with a new entry and peak position of No.19 with Young Boy, with Paul now around 54, it was great to still see him releasing new singles, and his first since 1993, and the comeback not even getting a slot on the show.
ReplyDeletePrefab Sprout also with their first single since 1993, coming in as a new entry this week at No.30 with A Prisoner Of The Past, were also not on the show, and at peak this week, so another comeback not featured. This also turned out to be their final Top 40 single.
At new entry at No.91 this week and at peak was Fish, formerly of Marillion, with a new single called brother 52, having already had his final Top 40 single in early 1992 with Credo, and now on his fifth single in a row to fail to make the Top 40 since then.
Nice version of Star People (from MTV Unplugged if I'm not mistaken). Always loved George's voice. Not to much his 90s music, but rather his 80s solo work and Wham. Still one of the beste voices ever for me.
ReplyDeleteLots of songs peaking at number 2 and number 1 songs coming out of nowhere (and dropping after 1 week) lately.