Friday, 20 June 2025

Mulder and Scully and Top of the Pops

 Things and getting strange, I'm starting to worry, this could be a case for the 30th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!


The tune is out there


30-1-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(2) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
Another showing but the song couldn't get back to the top.

(10) CHUMBAWAMBA – Amnesia
Performing their second and final top ten hit but it got no higher.

(7) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels
Another showing and the song will peak at number 4.

(3) CATATONIA – Mulder And Scully
Making their studio debut with their first of three top ten hits, this one being their biggest, but it got no higher.

(15) JULIET ROBERTS – So Good
With her sixth of eight top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(11) GREEN DAY – Time Of Your Life (Good Riddance)
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong is here on his own tonight to perform a live version of the song but it got no higher.

(13) BYRON STINGILY – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
This Sylvester cover was his biggest hit but it got no higher.

(1) USHER – You Make Me Wanna…  (and credits)
Making his debut with his first of four number ones, but this stayed there just one week.


My Star of the Pops

 I'll see you in my star, I'll see you in my 23rd of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!


Stony face


23-1-98:   Presenter:  Jamie Theakston

(16) PETER ANDRE – All Night All Right
Getting tonight's show underway but the song got no higher.

(7) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High
A third time in the studio with a tune that had peaked at number 4.

(4) RADIOHEAD – No Surprises  (from Later With Jools Holland)
Third single from their number one album, OK Computer, and it was at its peak.

(11) OTT – Story Of Love
Performing their fourth and final top 40 hit, and it got no higher.

(5) IAN BROWN – My Star
Making his solo debut with his first of three top ten hits but this one got no higher.

(NEW) BACKSTREET BOYS – All I Have To Give
Here with what will become a number 2 hit.

(1) OASIS – All Around The World  (video)  (and credits)
First and only week at number one.


Friday, 13 June 2025

Top of the Pops Untouchable

 I'll soak my skin in alcohol until I feel the 16th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!


Clocking on


16-1-98:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(20) RIALTO – Untouchable
Getting the show underway with their second of three top 40 hits, this was the biggest but it got no higher.

(6) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels
Third studio performance for the song which had peaked at number 4.

(11) CLOCK – That’s The Way (I Like It)
This KC and the Sunshine Band cover was at its peak.

(7) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High
A second studio performance for the song that had already peaked at number 4.

(NEW) OASIS – All Around The World  (video)
Third and final single from their number one album, Be Here Now, and it will get to number one.

(1) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
Finally making it to number one, even if for one week only.

(2) BAMBOO – Bamboogie  (video)  (and credits)
Their only top ten hit and it was at its peak.

5, 6, 7, 8, Top of the Pops

 My foot kickin, finger lickin, leather slappin, hand clappin 9th of January 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!


Stepping out


9-1-98:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(5) LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – High
Getting the new year underway and the song peaked at number 4.

(14) STEPS – 5, 6, 7, 8
Finally making their studio debut and the song was now at its peak.

(4) JANET JACKSON – Together Again
A second studio performance but the song could get no higher.

(6) SPACE – Avenging Angels
Performing their second of three top ten hits but it got no higher.

(2) ALL SAINTS – Never Ever
Still climbing the charts!

(15) WARREN G. feat. SISSEL – Prince Igor  (video)
Got no higher.

(19) VANILLA – No Way No Way
With their first of two top 40 hits, this was the biggest and it peaked at number 14.

(1) VARIOUS ARTISTS – Perfect Day  (video)  (and credits)
Returning to the top of the carts for a second and final week.


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.