Say turn it up, come on, say the 4th of June 1999 edition of Top of the Pops!
Ties of the pops
4-6-99: Presenter: Jamie Theakston
(5) SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER – Kiss Me
Getting the show underway but the song had already peaked at number 4.
(2) WISEGUYS – Ooh La La
Performing their only top ten hit and it was at its peak.
(19) GARBAGE – You Look So Fine
In the studio tonight but got no higher.
(6) CHICANE feat. MAIRE BRENNAN – Saltwater
First of four top ten hits for Chicane but this one got no higher.
(11) SUPERGRASS – Pumpin’ On Your Stereo
Here tonight but got no higher.
(13) SHED SEVEN – Disco Down
With their thirteenth of fourteen top 40 hits but it got no higher.
(4) JAMIROQUAI – Canned Heat
Performing their seventh of nine top ten hits and it was at its peak.
(1) SHANKS & BIGFOOT – Sweet Like Chocolate (video) (and credits)
Second and final week at number one.
Excellent show this one with an audience having a great time and some great performances as well as a No.1 that always brings a big smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteSixpence None The Richer; As Jamie points out, the theme to hit rom-com 'She's All That' (not seen it) and it sounds perfect for a movie. Also sounded good on the radio though I always found it just a tad simpering with the smiley harmonies. But she sings it live here and without the harmonies and the overall effect is more sedate and rather moving in it's spareness. No doubting the quality of the tune anyway Lovely thing to start with.
Wiseguys; Of course. This was everywhere that year and featured as the music leading into the ad breaks on one of the 'top 100' shows that were always on around the time. I have it on vhs though haven't seen it in ages but I think it was used on the 1st one; the '100 Greatest TV Moments' on Channel 4 presented by Graham Norton. Must watch it again some time. This is hip hop that I can really get into; fun, witty and hugely catchy and with a blasting drum beat. Also some audience participation that's 50 times more fun than anything the Outhere Brothers came up with. I liked the everyday office attire all wearing pens in their shirt pockets and to end, a full on stage invasion from as many of the audience as could join them. And they really enjoy themselves. Show highlight for that reason alone.
Garbage; Not one I remember but a marvellously moody and sweeping song and Shirley commanding as ever with one foot on the base of her mic stand. It's good to see the nice little white room replaced with a big sweeping stage. Back to the mid '90s. For a moment perhaps.
Also it's good to see guitarists doubling on keyboards and we get two of them.
Chicane feat. Marie Brennan; Another one that was played a great deal for some time. Was it on an advert? Or a TV drama? The song it bases itself on of course was, and 'Theme From Harry's Game' still has a haunting power which works very well with the dance beats and the ascending patterns. Good to see Maire Brennan back on the show though without the casual look that made Clannad's November '82 appearance so powerful.
Supergrass; The band that are incapable of writing something that isn't catchy back on again. Goodness this is a fine edition! 'Pumping On Your Stereo' (titled) a nice bit of cheery raunch. Clearly just a pop song about being a pop song but it still sounds ace. I think Danny was possibly miming.
Shed Seven; What is going on? Even Shed Seven sound great this evening! I have little memory of 'Disco Down' because I had little desire to hear beyond a Dj's introduction to one of their records but that was a great dancey rocker with (i can't believe I'm writing this) a brilliantly urgent vocal from Rick Witter. Another reason for the audience to get truly excited.
Jamiroquai; Jamie leaves the set to wander past the wires and backs of speakers and things. I would like to see the presenters stroll to the canteen and do a link. To the upstairs room TV again and to Jay Kay in, er, fetching pigtails and another great single. Wah wahs and trumpets and funky stylishness. Would rather see a surviving clip of Canned Heat though, I have to say.
Shanks & Bigfoot; By the law of Totp averages this great run of singles should be ended by some simpering crap. No! It's one of my favourite dance No.1s. I do love 'Sweet Like Chocolate'. It's so joyous and easy on the ears. With the delightful video (I love the wobbly chocolate bus!) they probably should've released this just prior to Easter week but clearly they didn't feel that was necessary and it's a very deserved No.1. Another special '99 memory.