Viva Top of the Pops

 BBC4 is taking us for a little peek into the future tonight with the quite excellent 25th of December 1998 edition of Top of the Pops!

Spice Christmas

25-12-98:   Presenters:  Kate Thornton, Jamie Theakston & Jayne Middlemiss

SPICE GIRLS – Viva Forever
THE TAMPERER feat. MAYA – Feel It
(62) STARDUST – Music Sounds Better With You  (montage of TOTP clips)
(3) DENISE & JOHNNY – Especially For You
ROBBIE WILLIAMS – Angels
B*WITCHED – C’est La Vie
MOUSSE T. versus HOT ‘N’ JUICY – Horny
(1) SPICE GIRLS – Goodbye
ALL SAINTS – Never Ever/Under The Bridge
FAT LES – Vindaloo
LeANN RIMES – How Do I Live
BOYZONE – No Matter What
CELINE DION – My Heart Will Go On
(10) JANE McDONALD – Cruise Into Christmas
(4) CHER – Believe  (and credits)

The Top of the Pops That I Want

 I got chills, they're multiplying ~ it's the 25th of December 1978 edition of Top of the Pops!

Mary Christmas

25-12-78: Presenter: Noel Edmonds

(-) DARTS – The Boy From New York City

 Darts get Noel's last ever show underway but they were never quite the same after Den left :-(

(-) BONEY M – Rasputin

 Love this song and this performance of it. The band got their name from Boney, an Australian TV drama about a part-aboriginal detective called Bonaparte.

(53) JOHN TRAVOLTA & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN – Summer Nights (danced to by Legs & Co)

The roles of Danny and Sandy in Grease, incidentally, were originally offered to Henry Winkler (the Fonz off Happy Days) and Marie Osmond!

(-) WINGS – Mull Of Kintyre (video)

 I've always preferred this video clip to the one where they are wandering around in the field. This song was the UK’s bestselling single of all time for 7 years, until Band Aid's Do they Know its Christmas in 1984. It’s still 4th in the list with 2.07 million sales.

(-) BROTHERHOOD OF MAN – Figaro

 A new clip - filmed for Swap Shop maybe - as indeed this whole show has a Swap Shop sort of feel about it.

(-) FATHER ABRAHAM & THE SMURFS – The Smurf Song (video)

 Dutch musician Father Abraham’s real name is Petrus Kartner.

(-) THE BEE GEES – Night Fever (movie clip)

Oh dear. When I saw that BBC4 were broadcasting this edition I thought maybe they would show the original version, complete with the movie clips from Saturday Night Fever and Grease. But no. It's the butchered version from 2013 once again. Oh well. Another chance to see Legs & Co's  Saturday Nightie Fever routine.

(-) BRIAN & MICHAEL – Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs

 The duo went on to write & produce 1986 novelty hit It's 'Orrible Being in Love (When You're 8½) by Claire & Friends.

(-) BRIGHOUSE & RASTRICK BRASS BAND – The Floral Dance ®

 Perfect for Christmas.

(-) KATE BUSH – Wuthering Heights (video)

 The first showing on TOTP for this wonderful video. Coincidentally, Kate Bush shares a birthday (30 July) with Emily Bronte, author of the novel, Wuthering Heights.

(-) SHOWADDYWADDY – I Wonder Why

 They were Christmas regulars by now and altogether had 23 UK chart hits, including ten in the top 10.

(57) BONEY M – Rivers Of Babylon ®

 This song is a cover of a 1970 song by Jamaican reggae outfit The Melodians, and is the seventh bestselling UK single of all time with 2.02 million copies.

(-) THE COMMODORES – Three Times A Lady (danced to by Legs & Co)

The Commodores picked their name out of the dictionary at random and almost became The Commodes

(-) ABBA – Take A Chance On Me (video)

 Singer Anni-Frid married a German prince in 1992. Her full title is Her Serene Highness Princess Anni-Frid Synni Reuss, Countess of Plauen.

(-) ROSE ROYCE – Love Don’t Live Here Anymore (video)

 The video of this great song shown for the first time.

(-) JOHN TRAVOLTA & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN – You’re The One That I Want (movie clip)

 Should be the clip from Grease here please BBC4.

(1) BONEY M – Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord ®

 Boney M with the Xmas number one ~ originally a number one for Harry Belafonte in 1957 this version is the UK’s 11th best-selling single of all time with 1.86 million sales.

 

(-) JAMES GALWAY – Annie’s Song (and credits)

 With Christmas fairy Sue doing the ballet dancing. Annie’s Song was written by John Denver, as an ode to his wife of the same name. It was a number 1 for him in 1974. James Galway’s wife at this time was also called Annie.

 

Spirit of the Pops

When I die and they lay me to rest, gonna go to the place that's best ~ the 25th of December 1986 edition of Top of the Pops!

Doctor and the Merry Christmases

25/12/86  (Simon Bates, Gary Davies, Janice Long & Peter Powell)

Billy Ocean – “When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going”
Billy gets the Christmas Day show of (almost) exclusively number ones underway with his one and only chart topper, from back in February.

The Communards – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (video)
A-ha – “The Sun Always Shines On TV” (video)
Europe – “The Final Countdown” (video)

Doctor & The Medics – “Spirit In The Sky”

Cliff Richard & The Young Ones – “Living Doll” (video)
Spitting Image – “The Chicken Song” (video)

Boris Gardiner – “I Want To Wake Up With You”
Boris finally performs his only number one hit in the studio!

Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” (video)
Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” (video)

Simply Red – “Holding Back The Years”
With the only song on the show not to make number one.

Nick Berry – “Every Loser Wins” (video)
Falco – “Rock Me Amadeus” (video)
George Michael – “A Different Corner” (video)

Pet Shop Boys – “West End Girls”

Madonna – “True Blue” (video)
Madonna – “Papa Don’t Preach” (video)

Chris De Burgh – “The Lady In Red”

The Housemartins – “Caravan Of Love” (video)
Jackie Wilson – “Reet Petite” (video)
Pipping the Housemartins to the top spot, this was the first of four weeks at number one for Jackie Wilson.


Wham! – “Edge Of Heaven” (video/credits)

Saviour of the Pops

 Winter has truly begun and we are waiting for, waiting for the 25th of December 1990 edition of Top of the Pops!

Cliffmas Day

25-12-90:   Presenters:  Mark Goodier & Anthea Turner

(27) KIM APPLEBY – Don’t Worry

Getting Christmas Day underway with her number 2 hit.

 

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – Hangin’ Tough  (video)

KYLIE MINOGUE – Tears On My Pillow  (video)

 

BEATS INTERNATIONAL feat. LINDY LAYTON – Dub Be Good To Me

Back together for one last studio rendition of their number 1 hit.

 

SLADE – Merry Xmas Everybody  (clip of TOTP 25-12-74)

MUD – Lonely This Christmas   (clip of TOTP 25-12-74)

ST. WINIFRED’S SCHOOL CHOIR – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma (clip of TOTP 25-12-80)

(55) THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH – A Little Time

Also back in the studio for a new performance of their recent number 1 song.

ENGLAND/NEW ORDER – World In Motion  (video)
PARTNERS IN KRYME – Turtle Power  (video)

BOMBALURINA – Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

In the studio with their summer number 1. Oh yeah.

BONEY M – Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord  (clip of TOTP 25-12-78)
THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Don’t You Want Me  (clip of TOTP 24-12-81)

ELTON JOHN – Sacrifice  (clip of TOTP 21-6-90)

SNAP – The Power  (video) 

(2) VANILLA ICE – Ice Ice Baby  (video)

KYLIE MINOGUE – Better The Devil You Know 

In the Christmas Day studio with her devilish number 2 hit.

ADAMSKI – Killer

A totally fabulous live studio performance from both Adamski on keyboards and of course Seal on vocals.

STEVE MILLER BAND – The Joker  (video)
THE B52’S – Love Shack  (video)
SINEAD O’CONNOR – Nothing Compares 2 U
SHAKIN’ STEVENS – Merry Christmas Everyone  (clip of TOTP 12-12-85)
CLIFF RICHARD – Mistletoe And Wine  (clip of TOTP 8-12-88)

LONDONBEAT – I’ve Been Thinking About You

In the studio today with their number 2 hit.

(12) THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS – Unchained Melody  (video)
ALANNAH MILES – Black Velvet  (video)
MARIA McKEE – Show Me Heaven  (video)
THE FLYING PICKETS – Only You  (clip of TOTP 25-12-83)
PET SHOP BOYS – Always On My Mind  (clip of TOTP 25-12-87)
JOHNNY MATHIS – When A Child Is Born (Soleado)  (video)
MADONNA – Vogue  (video)

STATUS QUO – The Anniversary Waltz Part 1

Keeping the party in full swing with their number 2 hit. 

(1) CLIFF RICHARD – Saviour’s Day  (and credits) 

And Cliff wears the Christmas number 1 crown for the third year in a row!

Panto of the Pops

 Say it loud, say it clear, it's the 25th of December 1989 edition of Top of the Pops!

Behind you!

25/12/89  (Jakki Brambles, Bruno Brookes & Gary Davies)

Erasure – “Stop”
Getting Christmas Day underway with the ironically named Stop which had peaked at number 2 back in January.

Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – “Especially For You” (video clip)

Mike & The Mechanics – “The Living Years”
They hadn't made it into the studio at the time in was peaking at number 2 in the charts but they are here for Christmas.

Marc Almond & Gene Pitney – “Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart”
Also in the studio to perform their number one hit.

Michael Ball – “Love Changes Everything” (video clip)
Michael Jackson – “Leave Me Alone” (video clip)
Simple Minds – “Belfast Child” (video clip)
Madonna – “Like A Prayer” (video clip)

Jason Donovan – “Too Many Broken Hearts”
What a year he'd just had and here he is in the studio with this number one hit.

Simply Red – “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (video clip)
Bangles – “Eternal Flame” (video clip)
Natalie Cole – “Miss You Like Crazy” (video clip)
Various – “Ferry ’Cross The Mersey” (video clip)
Kylie Minogue – “Hand On Your Heart” (video clip)
Cliff Richard – “The Best Of Me” (video clip)
Prince – “Batdance” (video clip)
Soul II Soul – “Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “Sealed With A Kiss” (video clip)

Bros – “Too Much”
A colourful performance in th studio for this song which had peaked at number 2.

London Boys – “London Nights”
More studio acrobatics for what was probably their final appearance on the show to perform their biggest hit which had peaked at number 2.

The Beautiful South – “Song For Whoever”
And another new studio performance for another number 2 hit.

Kylie Minogue – “Wouldn’t Change A Thing” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Swing The Mood” (video clip)

Sonia – “You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You”
She's only got a snowman to dance with tonight as she performs her number one hit.

Alice Cooper – “Poison” (video clip)
Lil Louis – “French Kiss” (video clip)
Richard Marx – “Right Here Waiting” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “Every Day (I Love You More)” (video clip)

Black Box – “Ride On Time”
Back in the studio for another rousing performance of the year's biggest selling single.

Milli Vanilli – “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You” (video clip)
Technotronic feat Felly – “Pump Up The Jam” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “That’s What I Like” (video clip)

Lisa Stansfield – “All Around The World”
In the studio for a new performance of her number one song.

Phil Collins – “Another Day In Paradise” (video clip)
Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville – “Don’t Know Much” (video clip)
New Kids On The Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (video clip)
Jason Donovan – “When You Come Back To Me” (video clip)
Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers – “Let’s Party” (video clip)

Band Aid II – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (video)
And the class of '89 (and Cliff) with their second of three weeks at number one!

Mistletoe and Top of the Pops

With logs on the fire, and gifts on the tree, we wish you a merry Christmas Day 1988 edition of Top of the Pops!

We Three DJs

25/12/88  (Bruno Brookes, Gary Davies & Anthea Turner)

S-Express – “Theme From S-Express”
Pet Shop Boys – “Always On My Mind”

Belinda Carlisle – “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” (video clip)
Tiffany – “I Think We’re Alone Now” (video clip)
Kylie Minogue – “I Should Be So Lucky” (video clip)
Whitney Houston – “One Moment In Time” (video clip)
Enya – “Orinoco Flow” (rpt from 20/10/88)

Aswad – “Don’t Turn Around” 
Fairground Attraction – “Perfect”

Climie Fisher – “Love Changes (Everything)” (video clip)
Bros – “When Will I Be Famous?” (video clip)
Rick Astley – “Together Forever” (video clip)
Bobby McFerrin – “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (video clip)
Brother Beyond – “The Harder I Try” (video clip)

Pet Shop Boys – “Heart”
Yazz – “”The Only Way Is Up”

The Timelords & Gary Glitter – “Doctorin’ The Tardis”~ edited out.

Bros – “I Owe You Nothing” (video clip)
Glenn Medeiros – “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You” (video clip)
Phil Collins – “Groovy Kind Of Love” (clip from 08/09/88)
Robin Beck – “The First Time” (rpt from 10/11/88)

Wet Wet Wet – “With A Little Help From My Friends”
The Hollies – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”

Cliff Richard – “Mistletoe & Wine” (rpt from 08/12/88)
Bros – “Silent Night” (with credits)

Do They Know it's Top of the Pops?

 

It's Christmas time, and BBC4 have run out of 1991, and so we're going back in time to revisit this quite incredible Xmas Day 1984 edition of Top of the Pops!

Tonight Bono it's me instead of you

25/12/84

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Two Tribes”
A mysterious voice introduces this seasonal cold war opener which was number one for nine weeks in the summer. And Holly seems to have a raccoon on his head.

Howard Jones – “What Is Love?”
A live vocal from Howard for his number two hit from the beginning of the year.

Duran Duran – “The Reflex”
Performing their spring number wa-wa-wa-wa one.

Nik Kershaw – “I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
Performing his biggest hit, which rose to number two.

Culture Club – “The War Song”
Another number two here, the much maligned War Song, although personally I quite like it.

Thompson Twins – “Doctor Doctor”
Sneaking into the party with a lowly number three!

Jim Diamond – “I Should Have Known Better”
He only had the one week at number one, so its good to see him in the studio again.

Wham! – “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (video)
Jim introduces Wham, explaining that George should have been in the studio, but was feeling under the weather ~ maybe a bit too much Xmas pudding!

Paul Young – “Love Of The Common People”
Paul's come as a lumberjack, but where are the Fabulously Wealthy Tarts?

Duran Duran – “The Wild Boys”
Time for seconds now, starting with this autumn number two hit. And after introducing his 'noisy dressing room neighbours', Paul Young helps them out in the chorus.

George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (video)
Again on video, shame he couldn't make it into the studio to perform this solo number one hit.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “The Power Of Love”
Holly has swapped the raccoon for a black dressing gown, but Paul seems to be sitting this one out, a song that made it to number one for just one week in December.

Thompson Twins – “You Take Me Up”
This time performing a number two hit from the summer.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Relax”
They first appeared in the studio in January performing this tune, then it was banned, seemingly by Mike Read, but in time for Xmas, the power of Top of the Pops has now unbanned it allowing Frankie perform their third number one of the show.

Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (+ credits)
A very ambitious studio performance of the Xmas number one, that was very close to being quite brilliant ~ if only George had made it into the studio, and Bono hadn't mysteriously turned into Paul Weller. But everyone else is here, even Sting has made it in for his bit part, and Sade and Banarama and Marilyn and the Quo - pretty much the whole gang are here for a fabulous finale.