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.

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.

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).

You can download the uncut version here thanks to Anonymous.

(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.