It's My Top of the Pops

So we continue to Hurlltle through 1981 at double speed and reach the end of October within the space of a week! And this time it really is goodbye to Legs & Co after five full years on the show and these re-runs just won't be same without them.

Clare bids a fond farewell to Legs & Co

29/10/81 (hosted by Simon Bates)

(2) Altered Images – “Happy Birthday”
This was Clare and the boys biggest hit from their top 30 album of the same name. And also the first of tonight's farewells from Legs & Co.

(18) Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (video)
Was edited out of tonight's 7.30pm showing.

(22) The Fureys with Davey Arthur – “When You Were Sweet Sixteen”
The only top 30 hit from this group when it peaked at number 14. But edited out of tonight's 7.30pm broadcast.

(29) Olivia Newton-John – “Physical” (video)
Quite controversial at the time this from Olivia and a huge number one hit in America, but peaked at 7 here, becoming her final top ten hit apart from re-releases of Grease songs in the 90s.

(38) Trevor Walters – “Love Me Tonight”
The first of two top 30 hit for Trevor, this one being the lesser of them when it reached number 27.

(13) B.A. Robertson & Maggie Bell – “Hold Me” (rpt from 15/10/81)
This one went up two more places.

(40) Haircut 100 – “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)”
Simon got very exited introducing the debut of Haircut 100 here, and Favourite Shirts became the first of four consecutive top ten hits for the group when it made number 4. And at this point its a final goodbye to Legs & Co, a week later there was a new dance troupe on the show.

(21) OMD – “Joan Of Arc”
Andy McCluskey is back to lead singer duties for this second single from their top 3 album Architecture and Morality, Joan of Arc peaked at number 5.

(9) Squeeze – “Labelled With Love”
A new performance of their final top ten hit which peaked at number 4.

(1) Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (video/credits)
Third of four weeks at number one.


Next stop then is the 5th of November 1981 with Peter 'Guy Fawkes' Powell :-)

Top of the Pops I'm Yours

Mighty thanks here to Darnall42 for making this edition of Top of the Pops from October 22nd 1981 available on Vimeo. The reason it won't be shown on BBC4 of course it that it was hosted by Jimmy Savile. So obviously do not click the link if you wish to avoid him! ~

https://vimeo.com/161347015

We've got the place to ourselves tonight!

22/10/81 (hosted by Jimmy Savile)

(47) This Year’s Blonde – “Platinum Pop”
This show begins how the last one ended, but This Year's Blonde only went up one more place.

(6) The Human League – “Open Your Heart” (video)
Lots of videos on this show for some reason, and the first of them is the yet again yewtreed Human League, now at their chart peak with Open Your Heart.

(16) Barry Manilow – “Let’s Hang On” (video)
Didn't quite reach the top ten when this one peaked at number 12.

(29) The Four Tops – “When She Was My Girl” (video)
Became the band's first top ten hit for ten years when it reached number 3.

(9) Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “A Good Year For The Roses” (video)
Went up three more places with the help of the weird twins.

(37) Gillan – “Nightmare” (video)
Went up just one more place just in time for Halloween.

(27) The Police – “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (video)
The second single from their number one album, Ghost in the Machine, and a soon to be chart topper. And a more Top of the Pops friendly video this time.

(7) The Jam – “Absolute Beginners”
Following up their number 4 hit Funeral Pyre with another number four hit here. And only the second band in the studio tonight. The audience don't seem to mind the lack of live acts though, they seem to be going balloon crazy!

(10) Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Raining” (rpt from 08/10/81)
Concluding a great chart year for Shaky, number ten was the peak for Its Raining.

(1) Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (rpt from 24/09/81)
Second of four weeks at number one.

(28) Rod Stewart – “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (audience dancing/credits)
Became Rod's first top ten hit for three years when it reached number 8. Legs & Co are in the audience apparently if you can spot them.


So that brings us to the 29th October 1981 with Simon Bates.

Legs & Co with Love

The return of David Jensen then coincides with the final solo Legs & Co routine, although they will still appear amongst the audience until the end of the month, after which they will have to take Norman Tebbit's 1981 advice and "get on their bikes and look for work!"

Hello hello, it's good to be back....

15/10/81 (hosted David Jensen)

(44) Gary Glitter – “And Then She Kissed Me”
We all knew this one was going to be edited out, even from the late night repeats, due to Mr Glitter currently being in prison. The song peaked at 39.

(5) Toyah – “Thunder In The Mountains” (video)
It's the Godley & Crème directed video this time with the sunrise hair. The song went up one more place to number 4.

(36) B.A. Robertson & Maggie Bell – “Hold Me”
This energetic PJ Proby cover became the final top 30 for B.A and the only top 20 hit for Maggie when it peaked at number 11.

(16) Altered Images – “Happy Birthday” (rpt from 01/10/81)
till rising towards number 2. And edited out of tonight's 7.30pm broadcast.

(2) The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)”
And so to the final full Legs & Co routine and perhaps understandably they seemed a little subdued, although the choice of song probably didn't help much either. We will see them on one more show on BBC4, the October 29th edition.

(3) Godley & Crème – “Under Your Thumb” (rpt from 17/09/81)
Now at its peak. And edited from the 7.30pm showing.

(41) The Exploited – “Dead Cities”
Became their biggest hit at number 31. But edited out of tonight's 7.30pm slot.

(31) Squeeze – “Labelled With Love”
The third and by far the most successful single taken from their top 20 album East Side Story, and also their final top ten hit when it peaked at number 4.

(25) The Creatures – “Mad Eyed Screamer” (rpt from 01/10/81)
This repeat performance helped the song up one more chart place.

(10) Bad Manners – “Walking In The Sunshine”
A studio performance of the song this time, now at its chart peak.

(1) Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party”
The first of four weeks at number one with this Lesley Gore cover for the Johnnyless duo.

(48) This Year’s Blonde – “Platinum Pop” (+ credits????)
For the second time in recent weeks we get a studio band to play us out, together with Blondie & Co cheerleading the audience ~ but it seems someone had forgotten to turn on the credits machine. This Blondie medley peaked at 46.


The next edition, the 22nd October 1981, is hosted by Jimmy Savile, so won't be shown on BBC4. Instead we will see October the 29th with Simon Bates.

A Good Year for Top of the Pops

A big thanks this time to Xrayfour for making this DLT hosted edition of Top of the Pops from October 8th 1981 available on Vimeo ~

https://vimeo.com/166800605

Oh no, not another yewtree!

08/10/81 (hosted by Dave Lee Travis)

(7) Madness – “Shut Up”
Ello Ello Ello, the nutty boys get us underway, assisted by WPCs & Co, with Shut Up now at its peak.

(8) Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party” (rpt from 24/09/81)
On its way of course to number one.

(30) Barry Manilow – “Let’s Hang On” (video)
This Four Seasons cover became Barry's biggest hit to date when it peaked at number 12.

(40) Shakin’ Stevens – “It’s Raining”
Rounding off a great 1981 for Shaky when this autumn tune peaked at number 10.

(29) Slade – “Lock Up Your Daughters”  (rpt from 24/09/81)
Slightly awkward introduction here from DLT for Lock Up Your Daughters, which got no higher in the charts.

(23) Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “A Good Year For The Roses”  (video)
The first of a couple of new wave acts to go country around this time (the other will be on the next show) this became his third and final top ten hit when it reached number 6.

(19) Japan – “Quiet Life” (rpt from 24/09/81)
Now at its peak.

(33) Tight Fit – “Back To The Sixties Part 2”
This follow up medley was not so successful, peaking at 33, despite Legs & Co's best audience cheerleading efforts.

(21) The Human League – “Open Your Heart”
Poor old Human League are yewtreed yet again, this one made it to number 6.

(11) Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough” (rpt from 24/09/81)
Peaked at number 8.

(1) Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (video/credits)
Fourth and final week at number one.


Next up is the edition from October 15th 1981.

Mad Eyed Top of the Pops

So we reach October 1981, quite a sad point because it marks the final month of Legs & Co on the show, although they do get off to a flying start...

Anyone for a little chirpy tune?

01/10/81 (hosted Mike Read)

(7) The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)”
On its way to number two spending an impressive 28 weeks in the charts, and aided here by Legs & Co, who are in for a busy night.

(6) Godley & Crème – “Under Your Thumb”
Peaked at number 3. But edited out of tonight's 7.30pm slot.

(37) Sheena Easton – “Just Another Broken Heart” (rpt from 17/09/81)
A second showing for Sheena but the song stopped beating at number 33. And also edited out of tonight's 7.30pm broadcast.

(25) The Teardrop Explodes – “Passionate Friend”
Third time on the show and now at its peak. And a third one edited out tonight.

(34) The Creatures – “Mad Eyed Screamer”
Here's Siouxsie and the Banshee sort of making their debut on the show with a percussion dominated song that peaked at number 24.

(3) Ottawan – “Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)”
A repeat of Legs & Co's wild west gun slinging performance to Hands Up, which was now at its peak.

(32) Toyah – “Thunder In The Mountains”
1981 was a great year for Toyah but when this one peaked at number 4 it became her final top ten hit.

(30) Bad Manners – “Walking In The Sunshine” (video)
Following up their big summer hit Can Can, and looking in this video more likely to drown in the sea rather than walk in the sunshine, this tune peaked at number 10.

(48) Altered Images – “Happy Birthday”
Clare Grogan and the band making their debut on the show with what would become their biggest hit peaking at number 2.

(28) Gidea Park – “Seasons Of Gold”
Singer Adrian Baker seems to have lost the rest of the band for this final performance of Seasons of Gold before jetting off to join the Beach Boys on tour in America. But Legs & Co are here to help him out. Top of the Pops seems to be working them hard in their final days.

(19) Dollar – “Hand Held In Black & White” (rpt from 03/09/81)
Number 19 was its peak.

(1) Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (video)
Third of four weeks at number one.

(38) Tight Fit - "Back to the 60's Part 2" (credits)
We play out his week with the follow up to Back to the Sixties, though it wasn't as successful in the charts, peaking at 33.

The next edition is the 8th of October 1981 hosted by DLT. So it won't be shown on BBC4. Instead we will see October the 15th and the return of David Jensen.

Lock Up Your Top of the Pops

And so to the final September edition of Top of the Pops 1981, which begins with a couple of escapees from the early 70's......

Is it Xmas yet?

24/09/81 (hosted by Simon Bates)

(45) Slade – “Lock Up Your Daughters”
You can always rely on Slade to get a show off to an enthusiastic start and here they are doing it again with a song that peaked at number 29.

(5) Alvin Stardust – “Pretend” (rpt from 10/09/81)
Fellow 70's glam rocker Alvin took this Nat King Cole cover up one more place to number four.

(24) Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough”
This was the final single featuring Vince Clarke in the band, and became Depeche Mode's first top tenner when it peaked at number 8.

(36) Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin – “It’s My Party”
A future number one and edited out of the 7.30pm showing.

(18) Linx – “So This Is Romance” (18) (rpt from 10/09/81)
This one went up three more places but was the last we saw of Linx in the top 30.

(7) Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – “Endless Love”
A very different Legs & Co line-up this week ~ just girl next door Lulu and some bloke called Jeremy who slow dance to Endless Love already at its chart peak.

(39) Japan – “Quiet Life”
Edited out of the 7.30pm slot is the debut of Japan ~ Quiet Life peaked at number 19.

(52) Heaven 17 – “Play To Win”
Also edited out of the 7.30pm broadcast tonight was the debut of Heaven 17 ~ Play to Win peaked at 46.

(21) Imagination – “In & Out Of Love”
Never failing to provide some sparkle (and a harp) this Imagination tune peaked at number 16.

(22) Madness – “Shut Up” (video)
A rather arresting video here from the Nutties for what became their 8th top ten hit in a row when it peaked at number 7.

(1) Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (video)
Second of four weeks at number one.

(9) The Police – “Invisible Sun” (stills/credits)
Straight into the charts at number nine for the Police, but the video was deemed too political for Top of the Pops, so we are treated here to stills of the band instead. The song peaked at number 2.


Next up then is the edition from October 1st 1981.

Under Your Top of the Pops

In true Steve Wright style were are promised a 'great show' for this edition of Top of the Pops from September 17th 1981!

You wait five years for a hit and they don't give you a microphone!

17/09/81 (hosted by Steve Wright)

(35) Gidea Park – “Seasons Of Gold”
We get underway this week with the follow up to Beach Boy Gold, featuring lead singer Adrian Baker recreating his own 1975 top ten hit Sherry, during this Four Seasons medley which peaked at number 28.

(3) OMD – “Souvenir” (rpt from 03/09/81)
Now at its chart peak of number 3. And edited out of tonight's 7.30 pm slot.

(41) Beggar & Co – “Mule (Chant No.2)”
Was it me or had someone unplugged the sound during this performance? It can't have helped sales much as this one halted at number 37.

(42) Sheena Easton – “Just Another Broken Heart”
Not a bad little tune to follow up her Bond theme from earlier in the year but this one failed to reach the top 30, peaking at number 33.

(29) The Teardrop Explodes – “Passionate Friend” (rpt from 03/09/81)
Crawling up the chart towards its peak of number 25. But edited out of tonight's 7.30pm showing.

(17) Hi-Gloss – “You’ll Never Know”
This week Legs & Co are dressed for the Hollywood red carpet but find themselves dancing amongst what looks like seaweed to this one hit wonder which peaked at number 12.

(25) The Tweets – “Birdie Song (Birdie Dance)”
How could they edit this out of the 7.30pm broadcast?? Everyone had heard it on their summer holiday in Spain and now it was flying into the charts where it perched at number 2.

(30) Godley & Crème – “Under Your Thumb”
After quitting 10cc five years prior the hits had eluded this duo and they had turned their hands instead to directing videos with some considerable success ~ Fade to Grey and Girls on Film for instance, but now they had a breakthrough with this eerie song which made it to number 3.

(20) Bucks Fizz – “One Of Those Nights” (rpt from 03/09/81)
Perhaps a little surprisingly this song got no higher than number 20. But just wait until their next one though!

(11) The Pointer Sisters – “Slow Hand” (video)
Compare this grainy and somewhat unimaginative video with the one that is coming up next on the show! Slow Hand peaked at number 10.

(1) Adam & The Ants – “Prince Charming” (video)
Probably the best and most lavish video we have seen so far in these reruns, Adam obviously had a bit of cash to splash after his amazing run of hits over the past year. The first of four weeks at number 1.

(24) Dollar – “Hand Held In Black & White” (audience dancing/credits)
We dance out this week to Dollar and a song that would peak at number 19.


Next up is September 24th 1981 with Simon Bates, but its on next Friday on BBC4 rather than Thursday.