TOTP 80.42 18/12/80
First shown 18th December 1980*
Repeated on BBCFour from 10/12/2015
Presented by Simon Bates
Full chart here
*wee note: I've chosen the exact original date in 2015 to publish this post.
Bates is back and will do us the honours for this, the last 2015-repeated TOTP80. Over to you Symes...
Wow! Quite a party going on here, funny hats and Stray Cats in the background...
The Beat - Too Nice to Talk To
It's been a great year for The Beat, now having had four hit singles (five if we include tears of a Clown from late last year) and a cracking album which remained top 30 for five months. Alas it seems as if the magic was over with this last one as they are swept away with the new-new wave in '81. Perhaps the Soviet soldier-chic was a bad move?
St. Winifred's School Choir - There's No-One Quite Like Grandma
Stuck at no. 2 having been somewhat cheated out of the top spot by the cruel hand of fate. All is not lost however, not for the wee clones at least. Symes must have a niece or nephew or something at St. Winifred's as he clings on to the fact that it might still get to no. 1 for Christmas and yah boo sucks to John Lennon.
The Barron Knights - Never Mind the Presents
Funny hat back on Symes and since this is Great Britain so we couldn't have a Christmas without having a 'novelty' 'Christmas record, could we. I remember this lot being quite popular at the time although being more of Monty Python / Not the Nine O'Clock News man myself, I duly poo-pooed their populist humour. In hindsight however their Pink Floyd "we don't need no educayshun" piss-take is actually quite funny.
More japes now with special guests Little and Large....steps back in amazement...
The Specials - Do Nothing
Such was The Specials' hardcore following that they seemed to get hit after hit with almost no effort, and little radio play, involved. Third single from their 'lounge' influenced More Specials album, which was surprisingly short-lived Top 30-wise. Nice Christmas jumpers, and more dress sense than The Beat and Little & Large put together. The 'second vocalist' who jumps around doing nothing, not even singing much would later be adopted by
Symes plugs some BBC records, then gets so excited about the next artist he gets the song title wrong and also misguidedly tells us it's 'live'.
Gary Numan - This Wreckage
Talking of hardcore followings, here's another artist who had already become a bit of a cult within the space of just over a year, with mega-selling albums, a handful of top 10 singles, sell-out tours etc. Hard to believe we're only just a year after Cars though as this synth-durge with lyrics about God being dead, and "I leave you" in Japanese and all that is hardly TOTP or even hit-radio material. As you're retiring Gaz, might as well get back to the drawing board. Nice festive 'snowman'-chic jumpsuit though.
Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues
Perhaps it was Numan himself who managed to pull a few strings and get his mate Robert Palmer back on the Pops. Palmer recorded a version of Numan's I Dream of Wires for his Clues album: "you scratch my back mate and I'll call someone at the BBC...". Symes reminds us that PAlmer's last single wasn't "a massive hit" and thereby puts the jinx on this one too: stuck at no. 33, the third of five weeks in that hallowed chart position.
Symes reminds us that Christmas Day is coming up next Thursday (who knew??) and that the Pops will be on at 2 pm and not in the usual slot, so that makes a change.
Chart rundown 30-18.
Chas & Dave - Rabbit
The first appearance of the cheeky Cockney duo since '79's hit Gertcha (Cockney rhyming slang for 'gertcha') and now they're back with this song about some lady friend and her 'rabbiting' ie. the art of catching rabbits, which may seem like a strange thing at this time of year. Should've been 'turkeying' perhaps? Unlike Gary Numan, Chas 'n' Dave sing live.
Charts 17-11. Bates is keen to show us what's going up this week. Erm, only Quo & Queen, actually Symes.
The Nolans - Who's Gonna Rock You
In a desperate effort to get some female artists onto the show (despite Chas n Dave's sexist ranting) The Nolans sisters are grabbed by the skin of their teeth at no. 39 and dragged on to brighten the place up a bit and keep the Dads, and indeed The Parents, happy. Complete with backing band, this is/was a rather feeble attempt at 'disco' and not their best but it'll keep the Nolan ball rolling. And 'rock' isn't meant to be a euphemism for something else, by the way.
Top Ten Time.
Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
Like Symes said, now at no. 3 with his Moog-tuba brass backing band, and of course sleigh bells and the "wish I was at home for Christmas" (clang!) festive bits thrown in. Repeated studio performance.
John Lennon - Just Like Starting Over
"..number one, of course.." cit. Symes. Legs & Co. were absent last week because they were apparently busy rehearsing for the Christmas & New Year's specials. But it looks as though they had to quickly put together a Christmas-themed routine for the deceased Beatle's single...of course. One can always speculate on how the new Lennon/Ono material would have fared had it not been for The Tragic Incident: sceptics may say they would have re-faded into oblivion and faded rockstar sadness, while others may say that it was a return to form with Lennon's retro-style fitting in with the new 50s/60s nostalgia (although way outclassing the likes of Stray Cats, Matchbox et al), while Ono's more avant-garde pop has already been absorbed into the new wave mainstream. I'd go for the latter theory. Whatever you think, Lennon was brutally murdered and his assassination by an obsessed "fan" was a cruel, illogical consequence of pop-stardom in the modern world.
Repeated on BBCFour from 10/12/2015
Presented by Simon Bates
Full chart here
*wee note: I've chosen the exact original date in 2015 to publish this post.
Bates is back and will do us the honours for this, the last 2015-repeated TOTP80. Over to you Symes...
Wow! Quite a party going on here, funny hats and Stray Cats in the background...
The Beat - Too Nice to Talk To
It's been a great year for The Beat, now having had four hit singles (five if we include tears of a Clown from late last year) and a cracking album which remained top 30 for five months. Alas it seems as if the magic was over with this last one as they are swept away with the new-new wave in '81. Perhaps the Soviet soldier-chic was a bad move?
St. Winifred's School Choir - There's No-One Quite Like Grandma
Stuck at no. 2 having been somewhat cheated out of the top spot by the cruel hand of fate. All is not lost however, not for the wee clones at least. Symes must have a niece or nephew or something at St. Winifred's as he clings on to the fact that it might still get to no. 1 for Christmas and yah boo sucks to John Lennon.
The Barron Knights - Never Mind the Presents
Funny hat back on Symes and since this is Great Britain so we couldn't have a Christmas without having a 'novelty' 'Christmas record, could we. I remember this lot being quite popular at the time although being more of Monty Python / Not the Nine O'Clock News man myself, I duly poo-pooed their populist humour. In hindsight however their Pink Floyd "we don't need no educayshun" piss-take is actually quite funny.
More japes now with special guests Little and Large....steps back in amazement...
The Specials - Do Nothing
Such was The Specials' hardcore following that they seemed to get hit after hit with almost no effort, and little radio play, involved. Third single from their 'lounge' influenced More Specials album, which was surprisingly short-lived Top 30-wise. Nice Christmas jumpers, and more dress sense than The Beat and Little & Large put together. The 'second vocalist' who jumps around doing nothing, not even singing much would later be adopted by
Symes plugs some BBC records, then gets so excited about the next artist he gets the song title wrong and also misguidedly tells us it's 'live'.
Gary Numan - This Wreckage
Talking of hardcore followings, here's another artist who had already become a bit of a cult within the space of just over a year, with mega-selling albums, a handful of top 10 singles, sell-out tours etc. Hard to believe we're only just a year after Cars though as this synth-durge with lyrics about God being dead, and "I leave you" in Japanese and all that is hardly TOTP or even hit-radio material. As you're retiring Gaz, might as well get back to the drawing board. Nice festive 'snowman'-chic jumpsuit though.
Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues
Perhaps it was Numan himself who managed to pull a few strings and get his mate Robert Palmer back on the Pops. Palmer recorded a version of Numan's I Dream of Wires for his Clues album: "you scratch my back mate and I'll call someone at the BBC...". Symes reminds us that PAlmer's last single wasn't "a massive hit" and thereby puts the jinx on this one too: stuck at no. 33, the third of five weeks in that hallowed chart position.
Symes reminds us that Christmas Day is coming up next Thursday (who knew??) and that the Pops will be on at 2 pm and not in the usual slot, so that makes a change.
Chart rundown 30-18.
Chas & Dave - Rabbit
The first appearance of the cheeky Cockney duo since '79's hit Gertcha (Cockney rhyming slang for 'gertcha') and now they're back with this song about some lady friend and her 'rabbiting' ie. the art of catching rabbits, which may seem like a strange thing at this time of year. Should've been 'turkeying' perhaps? Unlike Gary Numan, Chas 'n' Dave sing live.
Charts 17-11. Bates is keen to show us what's going up this week. Erm, only Quo & Queen, actually Symes.
The Nolans - Who's Gonna Rock You
In a desperate effort to get some female artists onto the show (despite Chas n Dave's sexist ranting) The Nolans sisters are grabbed by the skin of their teeth at no. 39 and dragged on to brighten the place up a bit and keep the Dads, and indeed The Parents, happy. Complete with backing band, this is/was a rather feeble attempt at 'disco' and not their best but it'll keep the Nolan ball rolling. And 'rock' isn't meant to be a euphemism for something else, by the way.
Top Ten Time.
Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
Like Symes said, now at no. 3 with his Moog-tuba brass backing band, and of course sleigh bells and the "wish I was at home for Christmas" (clang!) festive bits thrown in. Repeated studio performance.
John Lennon - Just Like Starting Over
"..number one, of course.." cit. Symes. Legs & Co. were absent last week because they were apparently busy rehearsing for the Christmas & New Year's specials. But it looks as though they had to quickly put together a Christmas-themed routine for the deceased Beatle's single...of course. One can always speculate on how the new Lennon/Ono material would have fared had it not been for The Tragic Incident: sceptics may say they would have re-faded into oblivion and faded rockstar sadness, while others may say that it was a return to form with Lennon's retro-style fitting in with the new 50s/60s nostalgia (although way outclassing the likes of Stray Cats, Matchbox et al), while Ono's more avant-garde pop has already been absorbed into the new wave mainstream. I'd go for the latter theory. Whatever you think, Lennon was brutally murdered and his assassination by an obsessed "fan" was a cruel, illogical consequence of pop-stardom in the modern world.
Hate to have to finish TOTP80 on such a sad note - the omission of the Christmas show in BBCFour repeats here in the year 2015 also another sad consequence of how just a small number of leading figures in 'show business' and public broadcasting spoiled the party for everyone. Hopefully, hoever, said Christmas special will be made available by someone, somewhere and we can bring you the line-up and the usual commentary just for completion's sake.
Until then, it's good night from me.
TOTP 80.41 11/12/80
First broadcast: 11th December 1980
Repeated on BBCFour from: 03/12/2015
Presented by: Richard Skinner
Full chart here
It's Richard Skinner's first presentation spot proper and for the occasion he's turned up looking like a Maths teacher who's mis-calculated the right amount of shampoo and conditioner in direct geometrical proportion to his hair. Apparently "we're celebrating Christmas a little early" tonight although there's not a sprig of tinsel in sight. But that's a cunning Radio 1 DJ style reference to the opening background song though, so full marks there Mr. Skinner.
Quick preview and a very masculine orientated Pops on the face of it - like the tinsel, there's not a female artist in sight!
Adam & the Ants - Antmusic
Adam and his jolly companions nearly did a 'Sheena Easton' last week by having two songs in the charts (ie. Top 30) at the same time. However that accolade still remains with our Sheene as this one was at no. 31 while Dog Eat Dog was on its way down. We believe the 80s - with the 'Ant Invasion' have well and truly started now however with this stomper stomping up to no. 16.
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Ah yes, Skinner really must be a Maths teacher as he tells us that if you double 16 you get 32... But oh dear. The Pops still insist on hanging onto the past and subtracting 10 years from the 80s with a 70s band doing a 50s song, and very badly too. This one was outside the Top 30 when it was last on two weeks ago and unsurprisingly it's still outside the Top 30, and inexplicably on again. Definitely a case of having friends in high places (or perhaps someone made a wrong prediction thinking it would shoot up the charts for some reason?). Hopefully this is definitely the very last we will see of them.
Surprise! Here's a guest from The Other Side of the Atlantic! Waoah! It's Jermaine Jackson! And it's his birthday! Surprise! Cake! Applause! And a surprise! Jermaine's not a Madness fan!
Madness - Embarassment
Stable this week at 4 and they're in the studio. And very smart and well behaved they are too this time. Perhaps somebody had 'had a word'? Full marks to Suggs for starting the mimed vocals on cue.
Skinner then gives first tragic announcement of the show: no Legs & Co!!!!! So we're "legless". Geddit?
Status Quo - Lies
Anyway this lot don't give a toss and they're quite happy to tell us how much they're drinking an' smoking in this next catchy number. Sales of Quo's latest album Just Supposin' were lagging a bit so they decided to put out a double A side single with two tracks from said long player. Unbeknownst to most Lies/Don't Drive My Car has been creeping up the charts for the past six weeks or so although the Quo obviously hadn't been able to make it to the studio but have finally made a promo film instead.
First mention of The Death of John Lennon, but hey who cares?! It's Christmas and Dire Straits and Jon Anderson are on tour! And another surprise: it's Gary Numan! He ain't bovvered about touring no more though cos he wants to learn to fly. Skinner's "interview" is a rushed affair though and sadly we don't get to hear what Gary thinks about Matchbox.
Matchbox - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Also eager for a decent follow-up to their previous hits, latter-day rockabillies Matchbox hit the nostalgia button once more with this pointless cover version of the famed Judy Garland song. A subtle stab at the Christmas market perhaps (given that there would no doubt have been a repeat of said movie over the Xmas hols), but this is by and large pretty embarrassing. Interesting to see 'lighters' (and not proper matches - geddit?) swaying among the audience as I thought that was a much more recent phenomenon. Or did The Pops invent it?
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Talking of follow-ups, The Police follow up their no. 1 single about teenage lust for teacher with a song about...well, nothing. Their eloquence has obviously escaped them so they're happy just to arse about in the snow in a kind of millionaire-holiday mix between The Beatles and Madness. The Police go nutty-boys, and Sting's big thing keeps getting in the way. It's all very weird here in 1980-land folks..
And if Skinner says "Talking of..." to link two things together again I'll scream. It's highly contagious.
And talking of the charts... Here's 30-20.
Queen - Flash
And talking of no. 20, here's Queen. They've gone and done a bit of film-score for this new retro-scifi movie based on the classic "Flash Gordon" series. Very exciting it is too! "We only have 14 hours to save the earth!" Classic!
Talking of the charts .. 19-10.
The Stray Cats - Runaway Boys
Now up to no. 10, and as we've said before the Stray Cats may well have been another nostalgic rockabilly band but (talking of Flash Gordon), there's literally light years between these guys and, say, Matchbox and that other lot. Good luck to 'em.
"And talking of numbers.." 9-1......( he actually said that) STOP IT!! It's St Winifred's School Clone-Choir coming up dangerously at no. 2, but..
Abba - Super Trouper
They're still where you think they always have been for the past six years or so, and indeed sad to think this is for the last time ever at the top of the singles charts at least. Oh well at least we get to see some lovely laydees .. Oh and surprise surprise again...it's the closing titles over the no. 1! Since when??!?!?
Oh it's probably because of this.....
John Lennon - Imagine (live) [Lennon obit.]
Skinner actually manages to get through this without saying 'talking of..' which is just as well as the moment really is terribly sombre and quite rightly, and tastefully, placed just outside the usual Pops schedule. As an obit we're shown a very modern looking Lennon in red jump suit with acoustic guitar bashing out a version of Imagine, a song which to this day only he can sing properly. Not quite how we collectively remember Lennon perhaps, and the Beeb apparently had to apologise for showing this particular clip as his assassin Mark Chapman was actually in the audience of that occasion, but we'll have plenty of chances to see other video clips in the weeks to come. All very sad, and even sadder that to this very day his anthem is still being pulled out and chanted in these troubled times of mindless violence. Sorry John, the world still ain't living as one...
It may have been fitting to finish 1980 just here, but we've still one more repeated TOTP80 to go, but sadly no Christmas edition. Good night.
Repeated on BBCFour from: 03/12/2015
Presented by: Richard Skinner
Full chart here
It's Richard Skinner's first presentation spot proper and for the occasion he's turned up looking like a Maths teacher who's mis-calculated the right amount of shampoo and conditioner in direct geometrical proportion to his hair. Apparently "we're celebrating Christmas a little early" tonight although there's not a sprig of tinsel in sight. But that's a cunning Radio 1 DJ style reference to the opening background song though, so full marks there Mr. Skinner.
Quick preview and a very masculine orientated Pops on the face of it - like the tinsel, there's not a female artist in sight!
Adam & the Ants - Antmusic
Adam and his jolly companions nearly did a 'Sheena Easton' last week by having two songs in the charts (ie. Top 30) at the same time. However that accolade still remains with our Sheene as this one was at no. 31 while Dog Eat Dog was on its way down. We believe the 80s - with the 'Ant Invasion' have well and truly started now however with this stomper stomping up to no. 16.
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Ah yes, Skinner really must be a Maths teacher as he tells us that if you double 16 you get 32... But oh dear. The Pops still insist on hanging onto the past and subtracting 10 years from the 80s with a 70s band doing a 50s song, and very badly too. This one was outside the Top 30 when it was last on two weeks ago and unsurprisingly it's still outside the Top 30, and inexplicably on again. Definitely a case of having friends in high places (or perhaps someone made a wrong prediction thinking it would shoot up the charts for some reason?). Hopefully this is definitely the very last we will see of them.
Surprise! Here's a guest from The Other Side of the Atlantic! Waoah! It's Jermaine Jackson! And it's his birthday! Surprise! Cake! Applause! And a surprise! Jermaine's not a Madness fan!
Madness - Embarassment
Stable this week at 4 and they're in the studio. And very smart and well behaved they are too this time. Perhaps somebody had 'had a word'? Full marks to Suggs for starting the mimed vocals on cue.
Skinner then gives first tragic announcement of the show: no Legs & Co!!!!! So we're "legless". Geddit?
Status Quo - Lies
Anyway this lot don't give a toss and they're quite happy to tell us how much they're drinking an' smoking in this next catchy number. Sales of Quo's latest album Just Supposin' were lagging a bit so they decided to put out a double A side single with two tracks from said long player. Unbeknownst to most Lies/Don't Drive My Car has been creeping up the charts for the past six weeks or so although the Quo obviously hadn't been able to make it to the studio but have finally made a promo film instead.
First mention of The Death of John Lennon, but hey who cares?! It's Christmas and Dire Straits and Jon Anderson are on tour! And another surprise: it's Gary Numan! He ain't bovvered about touring no more though cos he wants to learn to fly. Skinner's "interview" is a rushed affair though and sadly we don't get to hear what Gary thinks about Matchbox.
Matchbox - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Also eager for a decent follow-up to their previous hits, latter-day rockabillies Matchbox hit the nostalgia button once more with this pointless cover version of the famed Judy Garland song. A subtle stab at the Christmas market perhaps (given that there would no doubt have been a repeat of said movie over the Xmas hols), but this is by and large pretty embarrassing. Interesting to see 'lighters' (and not proper matches - geddit?) swaying among the audience as I thought that was a much more recent phenomenon. Or did The Pops invent it?
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Talking of follow-ups, The Police follow up their no. 1 single about teenage lust for teacher with a song about...well, nothing. Their eloquence has obviously escaped them so they're happy just to arse about in the snow in a kind of millionaire-holiday mix between The Beatles and Madness. The Police go nutty-boys, and Sting's big thing keeps getting in the way. It's all very weird here in 1980-land folks..
And if Skinner says "Talking of..." to link two things together again I'll scream. It's highly contagious.
And talking of the charts... Here's 30-20.
Queen - Flash
And talking of no. 20, here's Queen. They've gone and done a bit of film-score for this new retro-scifi movie based on the classic "Flash Gordon" series. Very exciting it is too! "We only have 14 hours to save the earth!" Classic!
Talking of the charts .. 19-10.
The Stray Cats - Runaway Boys
Now up to no. 10, and as we've said before the Stray Cats may well have been another nostalgic rockabilly band but (talking of Flash Gordon), there's literally light years between these guys and, say, Matchbox and that other lot. Good luck to 'em.
"And talking of numbers.." 9-1......( he actually said that) STOP IT!! It's St Winifred's School Clone-Choir coming up dangerously at no. 2, but..
Abba - Super Trouper
They're still where you think they always have been for the past six years or so, and indeed sad to think this is for the last time ever at the top of the singles charts at least. Oh well at least we get to see some lovely laydees .. Oh and surprise surprise again...it's the closing titles over the no. 1! Since when??!?!?
Oh it's probably because of this.....
John Lennon - Imagine (live) [Lennon obit.]
Skinner actually manages to get through this without saying 'talking of..' which is just as well as the moment really is terribly sombre and quite rightly, and tastefully, placed just outside the usual Pops schedule. As an obit we're shown a very modern looking Lennon in red jump suit with acoustic guitar bashing out a version of Imagine, a song which to this day only he can sing properly. Not quite how we collectively remember Lennon perhaps, and the Beeb apparently had to apologise for showing this particular clip as his assassin Mark Chapman was actually in the audience of that occasion, but we'll have plenty of chances to see other video clips in the weeks to come. All very sad, and even sadder that to this very day his anthem is still being pulled out and chanted in these troubled times of mindless violence. Sorry John, the world still ain't living as one...
It may have been fitting to finish 1980 just here, but we've still one more repeated TOTP80 to go, but sadly no Christmas edition. Good night.
TOTP 80.40 4/12/80
First broadcast: 4th December 1980
repeated on BBCFour from: 26/11/2015
Presented by Peter Powell
Full chart here
Here we are agin folks and it's December already in TOTP80-land so get ready for some festive previews (the likes of which we now get around mid-October). It's our fave Peter 'Pete' Powell doing the honours this week so let's get started..
Eddy Grant - Do You Feel My Love
Edmond was on a couple of weeks back although we didn't get to see him in post-Yewtree 2015 so justice is done as the long and lanky dreadlocked one goes Top 10 and gets the party started.
Neil Diamond - Love on the Rocks
Let's not get too boisterous though, better get some American AOR in (groan) although we do like it when Pete gets all slowed down and serious.. Some blurb about The Jazz Singer then it's love on the rahcks, now at 27.
Luckily Pete and the studio gang haven't fallen asleep and it's applause and smiles all round as we welcome.....two blokes from Earth, Wind and FIRE!, although we don't get to see one of 'em proper as he's got his back to the camera. New album blah blah blah..Pete wishes them good luck with the single. It got to no. 63. Nice one!
Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
The guys are also treated to the debut od this littel gem which sort of puts us in the festive spirit with, er , grown men dressed in WWI uniforms pretending to play brass instruments. Luckily there's also one on a synth to remind us this is 1980, although he can't help getting his jingle bells out either. Nevertheless this is fine tune which will indeed go on to do well over the festive period and will stay with us to this day. Well, it's on my Xmas CD anyway. Already at no. 15.
Chart rundown 30-22 ....22?
Kenny Rogers - Lady (Legs & co.)
Yes, cos at 21 it's that white-bearded Yank with another slow toon. Legs take it all very literally of course and "Lady, I'm your knight in shining armour.." translates easily into the girls dressing up in medieaval 'Lady' costumes and swan around in a foggy castle setting, occasionally longing after that single golden 'pear' which eventually gets plucked from an otherwise barren tree.Yes, well.. not their best, but perhaps their most bizarre performance of the year.
Charts again 21-17
AC/DC - Rock n Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
..at 17. Here they are agin, not in the Pops studio this time but in a rather unimaginative promo film which could've been made in 1975. Seems like yesterday that they were in the studio but it was in fact February and they've had five non-hit singles out in the meantime. That seems like a helluva lot of noise pollution to us, actually.
Charts again .. 16-11 (Pause: amazing to see how many of the better tracks of the past month or so were fairly plummeting down the charts: Ants, Roxy, OMD, Bowie.... Oh the fickle world of pop..)
St. Winifred's School Choir - There's No-one Quite Like Grandma
"At Christmas all sorts of things happen in the British charts" says wise old DJ Pete. Well, just you wait a couple of weeks mate to see what can really happen. This is one of those Christmas-implicit©
songs which occasionally crop up, especially in a society/chart which is still suffering a hangover from the various Slade/Wizzard/Mus Christmas singles of just a few years ago. I can't and don't really want to remember why this cam to reach the charts and the Great British record Buying Public but there you go. The hard work of 'sound of the eighties' artists like David Bowie, Spandau Ballet, OMD and Adam Ant smashed to smithereens in one fail swoop. At no. 16 and destined to...well, you know.
Break: interview with Mike Oldfield. The erstwhile shy and retiring poly-instrumentalist is now well and truly confident in front of real people, confident enough in fact to wear a lime green tracksuit which he will continue to wear for most of the early 80s. Mike has a new album out and with a couple of flop singles going around he's prime material for a Pops studio interview. Mike also likes flying, playing his many guitars and hopes to go to, er, Israel soon.
The Boomtown Rats - Banana Republic
Well after that unhealthy amount of slosh, better get some punk rockers back in. Or at least what remains of punk rock. The angry sentiment remains however as this song is allegedly a scathing attack on the Rats' native Republic of Ireland from whence the goiys had been banned. To quote their reputable blogspot blog "It is to Ireland what God Save the Queen was to Britain." Blimey!
Top 10. Madness, Spandau, Rats and Grant all going up, Waterman, Kool, Mills and (gulp) Lennon going down.
Abba - Super Trouper
Second week at the top for the Super-Abs who evidently have nothing against their native Sweden but continue to show their world-weary angst "wishing that every show was the last show". Strong words indeed. But just count your lucky stars you're on that stage tonight as your stardom ennui is nothing compared to what is about to happen in New York City.
repeated on BBCFour from: 26/11/2015
Presented by Peter Powell
Full chart here
Here we are agin folks and it's December already in TOTP80-land so get ready for some festive previews (the likes of which we now get around mid-October). It's our fave Peter 'Pete' Powell doing the honours this week so let's get started..
Eddy Grant - Do You Feel My Love
Edmond was on a couple of weeks back although we didn't get to see him in post-Yewtree 2015 so justice is done as the long and lanky dreadlocked one goes Top 10 and gets the party started.
Neil Diamond - Love on the Rocks
Let's not get too boisterous though, better get some American AOR in (groan) although we do like it when Pete gets all slowed down and serious.. Some blurb about The Jazz Singer then it's love on the rahcks, now at 27.
Luckily Pete and the studio gang haven't fallen asleep and it's applause and smiles all round as we welcome.....two blokes from Earth, Wind and FIRE!, although we don't get to see one of 'em proper as he's got his back to the camera. New album blah blah blah..Pete wishes them good luck with the single. It got to no. 63. Nice one!
Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
The guys are also treated to the debut od this littel gem which sort of puts us in the festive spirit with, er , grown men dressed in WWI uniforms pretending to play brass instruments. Luckily there's also one on a synth to remind us this is 1980, although he can't help getting his jingle bells out either. Nevertheless this is fine tune which will indeed go on to do well over the festive period and will stay with us to this day. Well, it's on my Xmas CD anyway. Already at no. 15.
Chart rundown 30-22 ....22?
Kenny Rogers - Lady (Legs & co.)
Yes, cos at 21 it's that white-bearded Yank with another slow toon. Legs take it all very literally of course and "Lady, I'm your knight in shining armour.." translates easily into the girls dressing up in medieaval 'Lady' costumes and swan around in a foggy castle setting, occasionally longing after that single golden 'pear' which eventually gets plucked from an otherwise barren tree.Yes, well.. not their best, but perhaps their most bizarre performance of the year.
Charts again 21-17
AC/DC - Rock n Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
..at 17. Here they are agin, not in the Pops studio this time but in a rather unimaginative promo film which could've been made in 1975. Seems like yesterday that they were in the studio but it was in fact February and they've had five non-hit singles out in the meantime. That seems like a helluva lot of noise pollution to us, actually.
Charts again .. 16-11 (Pause: amazing to see how many of the better tracks of the past month or so were fairly plummeting down the charts: Ants, Roxy, OMD, Bowie.... Oh the fickle world of pop..)
St. Winifred's School Choir - There's No-one Quite Like Grandma
"At Christmas all sorts of things happen in the British charts" says wise old DJ Pete. Well, just you wait a couple of weeks mate to see what can really happen. This is one of those Christmas-implicit©
songs which occasionally crop up, especially in a society/chart which is still suffering a hangover from the various Slade/Wizzard/Mus Christmas singles of just a few years ago. I can't and don't really want to remember why this cam to reach the charts and the Great British record Buying Public but there you go. The hard work of 'sound of the eighties' artists like David Bowie, Spandau Ballet, OMD and Adam Ant smashed to smithereens in one fail swoop. At no. 16 and destined to...well, you know.
Break: interview with Mike Oldfield. The erstwhile shy and retiring poly-instrumentalist is now well and truly confident in front of real people, confident enough in fact to wear a lime green tracksuit which he will continue to wear for most of the early 80s. Mike has a new album out and with a couple of flop singles going around he's prime material for a Pops studio interview. Mike also likes flying, playing his many guitars and hopes to go to, er, Israel soon.
The Boomtown Rats - Banana Republic
Well after that unhealthy amount of slosh, better get some punk rockers back in. Or at least what remains of punk rock. The angry sentiment remains however as this song is allegedly a scathing attack on the Rats' native Republic of Ireland from whence the goiys had been banned. To quote their reputable blogspot blog "It is to Ireland what God Save the Queen was to Britain." Blimey!
Top 10. Madness, Spandau, Rats and Grant all going up, Waterman, Kool, Mills and (gulp) Lennon going down.
Abba - Super Trouper
Second week at the top for the Super-Abs who evidently have nothing against their native Sweden but continue to show their world-weary angst "wishing that every show was the last show". Strong words indeed. But just count your lucky stars you're on that stage tonight as your stardom ennui is nothing compared to what is about to happen in New York City.
Playout: Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
Crowd dancing.
TOTP 80.39 27/11/80
First broadcast 27/11/80
Repeated on BBCFour from 19/11/2015
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
Given the large amounts of heavy metal that are still hanging around they obviously thought it was time to get Vance on again. Sadly for him though (and lucky for us) there isn't very much of it at all on this week's Pops, although Tommy puts on a very brave face despite all this.
Starting with...quick preview (Spans, Palmer, Madness)
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Vance spends an awful lot of time telling us how many hundred times this song has been done before, then we get The 'Waddy doing it exactly has it has been done a hundred times previously. Their manager/record company must have had a lot of friends in high places as a) their last song was rubbish and failed miserably b) this was only at no. 50 c) this was another rubbish version and failed miserably.
UB40 - Dream a Lie
As Vance so knowingly tells us, this was a double 'A' side with the doom-laden The Earth Dies Screaming, so here's a bit of light relief with the '40 posing as, er, Black and White Minstrels. I'm surprised this one actually got through in these politically and racially correct times, but some of the band were black and made to look white, so that makes it OK.
Young & Company - I Like What You're Doing
Nondescript disco number to play us out as we bid adieu to Tommy and all his guests.
See you next week as we race towards December!
Repeated on BBCFour from 19/11/2015
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
Given the large amounts of heavy metal that are still hanging around they obviously thought it was time to get Vance on again. Sadly for him though (and lucky for us) there isn't very much of it at all on this week's Pops, although Tommy puts on a very brave face despite all this.
 |
| L to R: Soul boy, Vance, Anna-Marie |
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Vance spends an awful lot of time telling us how many hundred times this song has been done before, then we get The 'Waddy doing it exactly has it has been done a hundred times previously. Their manager/record company must have had a lot of friends in high places as a) their last song was rubbish and failed miserably b) this was only at no. 50 c) this was another rubbish version and failed miserably.
UB40 - Dream a Lie
As Vance so knowingly tells us, this was a double 'A' side with the doom-laden The Earth Dies Screaming, so here's a bit of light relief with the '40 posing as, er, Black and White Minstrels. I'm surprised this one actually got through in these politically and racially correct times, but some of the band were black and made to look white, so that makes it OK.
 |
| UB40: politically correct |
Surprise visit from Darryl Hall and John Oates all the way from Philedelphia or somewhere, and they evidently have something to plug. Ah yes, Kiss On Your List which actually got nowhere near the Pops studio.
Robert Palmer - Looking For Clues
Looking like somewhere between Bryan Ferry and Gary Numan (with whom he had connections), Palmer is another one of those artists who skilfully and tastefully managed to re-invent themselves and their music to the eighties. That said, his previous single - the very eighties sounding Johnny & Mary - hadn't managed to get onto the Pops but this time he gets some good exposure as a bubbling under, and is all set to spend a record number of weeks at no..........33. And the "You had one job" award this week goes to the xylophone "player".
Yet another 'surprise' guest: Bev Bevan, who, as everyone in 1980 knew, was the drummer in ELO. Actually he's just written a book all about being the drummer in ELO. OK so now you're here Bev you can introduce the next number. By ELO.
ELO - Don't Walk Away (Legs & Co.)
And months after its original release they're still milking the Xanadu - The album cow for all it's worth with yet another single from said opus. More like flogging a dead horse though, as this one failed to get into the Top 20 and Olivia n Cliff were already on their way down just a place behind the 'Orchs with Suddenly. Fairly run of the mill Legs "dance" routine for one of Jeff Lynne's drearier ballads. In fact there's not much dancing at all, but predictably quite a lot of...walking away.
Rundown 30-21
Stray Cats - Runaway Boys
In retrospect, given his abysmal attempt to have a hit earlier in the year, Dave Edmunds probably did right to put his solo "career" on hold for a while to produce this lot. On the face of it, it's the same old repurposed rock 'n' roll stuff which had been rocking all over the world since our Dads were young, but this time with a slightly more credible 'modern' edge to them than, say, Matchbox or Showaddywaddy. Not quite Adam and the Ants or Spandau Ballet, but "eighties" defining nonetheless.
 |
| Stray Cats: 80s quiffs ahoy |
20-11 rundown.
Spandau Ballet - To Cut a Long Story Short
"..in sound and vision.." says Vance - well yes Tommy that's what telly is supposed to be. Anyway the Spans are obviously already too busy touring or playing London clubs or something to come on again so here's a repeat of the performance form two weeks back. Now at no. 11.
More surprises, and more Americans...Martha and Marty of The Motels telling us what sort of Music The Motels Make. Now on a three week long short tour, making it the longest short tour ever. Just for the record, The Motels had two Top 50 (ie. not Top 40) singles in the UK.
Madness - Embarrassment
Well after that very embarrassing interview, here's some proper English hit music with Madness and their new one now at no. 12 up from 31. Great song, great band, great video and indeed a great year for them. They should be playing on top of Buckingham Palace or something.
Top 10 rundown .. .and it's a new number one!
Abba - Super Trouper
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| Abba Angels |
But it's a full fifteen seconds before Vance can actually announce it cos of Agnetha and Annifried's angelic sung intro. Yup, the nation's favourite Swedes were at the top spot again (for the ninth time, thanks for that Tommy). Sad to think they never made it a tenth time and that it won't be long before they all get "sick and tired of everything" for real. But let's enjoy this for now. And it's their ninth numb.... oh shut up Vance!
 |
| A man maneuvering a super-trouper |
Nondescript disco number to play us out as we bid adieu to Tommy and all his guests.
See you next week as we race towards December!
TOTP 80.38 20/11/80
First broadcast 20/11/80
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
This one not repeated for (by now) well known reasons, so thanks again to Popscene for the details.
Motorhead - Ace of Spades
Second performance of this one, now at no. 15, albeit a non-mover from last week. A fitting tribute to drummer Mr. Philthy Animal, RIP.
The Boomtown Rats - Banana Republic
The Rats are back, after their Top 5 Someone Looking at You at the beginning of the year, with soem new material and a 'modernist' sort of video. Sort of. New in at 23.
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out (Legs & Co.)
Another single from Ms. Ross from her eponymous album, obviously not content with the success of Upside Down and Ol' Piano. No idea what Legs did with this one but I doubt it was anything about being gay. Up to no. 18.
Eddy Grant - Do You Feel My Love
One of those songs that sort of pops up out of nowhere and doesn't seem to be very 1980-ish at all. Anyway here's Eddy (né Edmond Montague) at no. 30.
Rod Stewart - Passion
If anything we should give Rod credit for passing seamlessly from the 70s to the 80s while keeping up the quality of his output, unlike many others (hello Elton and Gilbert). Sort of follows on from 1978's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy in terms of subject matter but hey, sex sells, right Rod?
Kool & the Gang - Celebration
Another one of those you don't necessarily associate with 1980 but here it is repeated, and now at no. 12.
Dennis Waterman & Dennis Waterman Band - I Could Be So Good For You
Now up to a staggering no. 4, selling more than even David Bowie, and Minder was probably top of the ratings.
Top 10 rundown:
(10) Status Quo – What You’re Proposing (down from 5)
(9) Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Enola Gay (down from 8, again)
(8) Adam & The Ants – Dog Eat Dog (down from 7)
(7) Bad Manners – Special Brew (down from 3)
(6) Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (up from 9)
(5) David Bowie – Fashion (up from 6)
(4) Dennis Waterman with the Dennis Waterman Band – I Could Be So Good For You (non-mover, see above)
(3) Barbra Streisand – Woman In Love (dowm from 2)
(2) ABBA – Super Trouper (up from 13)
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
This one not repeated for (by now) well known reasons, so thanks again to Popscene for the details.
Motorhead - Ace of Spades
Second performance of this one, now at no. 15, albeit a non-mover from last week. A fitting tribute to drummer Mr. Philthy Animal, RIP.
The Boomtown Rats - Banana Republic
The Rats are back, after their Top 5 Someone Looking at You at the beginning of the year, with soem new material and a 'modernist' sort of video. Sort of. New in at 23.
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out (Legs & Co.)
Another single from Ms. Ross from her eponymous album, obviously not content with the success of Upside Down and Ol' Piano. No idea what Legs did with this one but I doubt it was anything about being gay. Up to no. 18.
Eddy Grant - Do You Feel My Love
One of those songs that sort of pops up out of nowhere and doesn't seem to be very 1980-ish at all. Anyway here's Eddy (né Edmond Montague) at no. 30.
Rod Stewart - Passion
If anything we should give Rod credit for passing seamlessly from the 70s to the 80s while keeping up the quality of his output, unlike many others (hello Elton and Gilbert). Sort of follows on from 1978's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy in terms of subject matter but hey, sex sells, right Rod?
Kool & the Gang - Celebration
Another one of those you don't necessarily associate with 1980 but here it is repeated, and now at no. 12.
Dennis Waterman & Dennis Waterman Band - I Could Be So Good For You
Now up to a staggering no. 4, selling more than even David Bowie, and Minder was probably top of the ratings.
Top 10 rundown:
(10) Status Quo – What You’re Proposing (down from 5)
(9) Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Enola Gay (down from 8, again)
(8) Adam & The Ants – Dog Eat Dog (down from 7)
(7) Bad Manners – Special Brew (down from 3)
(6) Stephanie Mills – Never Knew Love Like This Before (up from 9)
(5) David Bowie – Fashion (up from 6)
(4) Dennis Waterman with the Dennis Waterman Band – I Could Be So Good For You (non-mover, see above)
(3) Barbra Streisand – Woman In Love (dowm from 2)
(2) ABBA – Super Trouper (up from 13)
Blondie - The Tide is High
No. 1 per last week as the world awaits the new album.
UB40 - The Earth Dies Screaming (playout and dancing)
A less than cheery ending, but they were probably a bit pushed for chart risers. Brum's finest (post-ELO and pre-Duran) now at no. 11.
TOTP 80.37 13/11/80
First broadcast 13/11/80
Repeated on BBCFour from 05/11/2015
Presented by Simon Bates
Full chart here.
Preview then:
Iron Maiden - Women in Uniform
"..they're playing live tonight.." and indeed at least from the vocal it seems as if they really are playing live. Or perhaps it is only the (lead) vocal. Since when did that happen? Anyway, like the man said: new entry at no. 35. Catch them in Uxbridge and Redcar.
David Bowie - Fashion (video)
"..a beautiful thing from the Top Ten.." Thing? Does he mean the video or Bowie or what? Anyway indeed it is the "film" - at last - for The Dame's newest hit. Not as weird as the Ashes to Ashes one, but in true Bowie you've never seen anything quite like this before.
Repeated on BBCFour from 05/11/2015
Presented by Simon Bates
Full chart here.
Preview then:
Iron Maiden - Women in Uniform
"..they're playing live tonight.." and indeed at least from the vocal it seems as if they really are playing live. Or perhaps it is only the (lead) vocal. Since when did that happen? Anyway, like the man said: new entry at no. 35. Catch them in Uxbridge and Redcar.
David Bowie - Fashion (video)
"..a beautiful thing from the Top Ten.." Thing? Does he mean the video or Bowie or what? Anyway indeed it is the "film" - at last - for The Dame's newest hit. Not as weird as the Ashes to Ashes one, but in true Bowie you've never seen anything quite like this before.
After calling a young girl in spectacles "four eyes" (look who's talking) Simes presents those two other smarmy creeps from Doctor Hook to hype their new album called 'Razzy' or something. It did rubbishly so Capitol had to rush out a Greatest Hits album to compensate.
Gladys Knight & the Pips - Bourgie Bourgie
Speaking of rubbish American MOR here's a final blast from the 70s for this lot. Another low entry (like iron Maiden) so we do seem to be scraping the barrel a bit this week, n'est-ce pas? This gotone place higher before disappearing into oblivion.
Simes has a handful of new albums ready for Christmas, including the Abba one in case he didn't mention it. But wait here's Bolton's finest comedian who could crush grapes like no other.
Chart rundown 30-20, then
John Lennon - (Just Like ) Starting Over (Legs & Co.)
Still can't comment on thsi one without getting a bit weepy, but suffice to say here's a pretty amazing dance routine from ver Legs, which starts off very minimalist-Japanese, presumably as a homage to Yoko Ono, and then suddenly each pair of Legs is in a differen get-up doing a bit of a jig each on a separate stage. One can't help feeling they were all 'improvising'. Just a little.
Chart rundown 19-11
Liquid Gold - The Night, The Wine and The Roses
Another one form the 30-40 bracket. Pretty rubbish UK-disco as usual although I can't help feeling they would've done better had they emerged circa 1985. Although perhaps they were just as influential on 80s music as, say, David Bowie? Discuss.
Spandau Ballet - To Cut a Long Story Short
"Have a listen to this!" The sound of a new, young Britain no less in the form of Spandau Ballet's TOTP debut. Hot on the heels of Adam & the Ants' debut a few weeks back, here is another new band with funny clothes, perhaps just a touch of make-up and a brand new sound for the nations' dancefloors. Way down at no. 43 but this would shock the record-buying public into getting them up to no. 19 next week, positively p*ssing over all the rest. Plus they have decent haircuts. "I've a feeling we're going to be hearing a lot from these bright young things in the years to come" (he said in a Simes voice).
Abba - Super Trouper
I'd love to know how many had tuned in to see this 'film' for the first time but actually preferred watching Spandau Ballet instead, but no matter as Abba were already at their peak and the record-buying public had been hotly anticipating this new one, and the ensuing album. It is indeed the highest 'jumper' up to no. 13 from nowhere. Feelin' like a (Christmas) no. 1? Possibly.
Top Ten countdown ..
Blondie - The Tide is High
"A new number one and a great lady" - so what do you know Simes? And just what is it about putting the words "Number One" in your song lyrics these days? Is that in the hope of actually getting to number one? Well it might well be cos this is where Blondie are this week, and a million miles from, say, 'Rip Her to Shreds'. The video is a complete shambles and one wonders what they were 'on' when they made it. Better than Barbara Streisand though.
"Special" guests all reunited on the stage for the party in funny hats outro, the pervily titled:
Young & Company – I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)
See you next week! (sort of..)
TOTP 80.36 06/11/80
First broadcast 06/11/80
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Jimmy Saville
Full chart here.
Well the TOTP Time Machine is racing ahead on BBCFour (save for omitted shows) so we'd better get cracking with a catch-up.. Thanks to PopScene episode guide for the list of artists in this show.
Kool and the Gang - Celebrate
Debut for what would become a bit of a classic of its genre, perhaps because it doesn't really belong to any particular genre. Disco/funk/pop crossover\good-times-are-here song which would get them Top 10. Ya-ho!
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Keeping the party atmosphere going with this repeat performance. Now incredibly up to no. 2.
Dennis Waterman & Band - I Could Be So Good For You
He was on a few weeks ago threatening that he was about to release a record, and here it is. A very British kind of record, but one which you wish had never been made. Again a bit of a 'cross-over' as it was the theme tune for Minder which had just been launched on ITV.
Stephanie Mills - I Never Knew Love Like This Before
Quite a fast pace this week with another jaunty number now at no. 18 and, like Kool and Waterman, was destined to go even higher. Ms. Mills only Top 10/20 song which also won Best RnB song at the 1981 Grammys.
Neil Diamond - Love on the Rocks
Bit of an odd inclusion this as this new single wasn't even near the Top 75 yet. Probably some mooovie mogul paid a lot of money to the BBC to promote the mooovie The Jazz Singer from whence this song comes. I'd rather listen to Status Quo again to be honest.
Roxy Music - Same Old Scene (Legs & Co.)
Third single, and hit, from the Flesh+Blood album, and I won't hide it's my fave one too. I am also rather cross I didn't get to see Legs doing their thang to it, too. Hrrmph.
UB40 - The Earth Dies Screaming
Was this really on TOTP? An anti-nuclear protest song? Wonder what Jimmy Savile, and indeed the British public made of that. It'll reach no. 10 so hope it's on again....
Motorhead - Ace of Spades
This is turning out to be a cracker of a show: here's the 'Head with another raucous heavy-metal stonker which just stinks of pachuli oil and dirty leather. Love it. Again, hope we get a repeat.
Top 10 rundown as follows:
(10) Ottawan – D.I.S.C.O. (down)
(9) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Enola Gay (down)
(8) David Bowie – Fashion (up)
(7) Odyssey – If You’re Looking For A Way Out (down)
(6) Matchbox – When You Ask About Love (down)
(5) Blondie – The Tide Is High (NEW!)
(4) Adam & the Ants – Dog Eat Dog (up)
(3) Bad Manners – Special Brew (up)
(2) Status Quo - What You’re Proposing (non mover)
Then,...
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love (Number 1)
"Life is a moment in space.." etc. etc..
Got a bit of a lump in my throat when I read what the playout track was....Now only if I really did have a time machine...
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over.......
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Jimmy Saville
Full chart here.
Well the TOTP Time Machine is racing ahead on BBCFour (save for omitted shows) so we'd better get cracking with a catch-up.. Thanks to PopScene episode guide for the list of artists in this show.
Kool and the Gang - Celebrate
Debut for what would become a bit of a classic of its genre, perhaps because it doesn't really belong to any particular genre. Disco/funk/pop crossover\good-times-are-here song which would get them Top 10. Ya-ho!
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Keeping the party atmosphere going with this repeat performance. Now incredibly up to no. 2.
Dennis Waterman & Band - I Could Be So Good For You
He was on a few weeks ago threatening that he was about to release a record, and here it is. A very British kind of record, but one which you wish had never been made. Again a bit of a 'cross-over' as it was the theme tune for Minder which had just been launched on ITV.
Stephanie Mills - I Never Knew Love Like This Before
Quite a fast pace this week with another jaunty number now at no. 18 and, like Kool and Waterman, was destined to go even higher. Ms. Mills only Top 10/20 song which also won Best RnB song at the 1981 Grammys.
Neil Diamond - Love on the Rocks
Bit of an odd inclusion this as this new single wasn't even near the Top 75 yet. Probably some mooovie mogul paid a lot of money to the BBC to promote the mooovie The Jazz Singer from whence this song comes. I'd rather listen to Status Quo again to be honest.
Roxy Music - Same Old Scene (Legs & Co.)
Third single, and hit, from the Flesh+Blood album, and I won't hide it's my fave one too. I am also rather cross I didn't get to see Legs doing their thang to it, too. Hrrmph.
UB40 - The Earth Dies Screaming
Was this really on TOTP? An anti-nuclear protest song? Wonder what Jimmy Savile, and indeed the British public made of that. It'll reach no. 10 so hope it's on again....
Motorhead - Ace of Spades
This is turning out to be a cracker of a show: here's the 'Head with another raucous heavy-metal stonker which just stinks of pachuli oil and dirty leather. Love it. Again, hope we get a repeat.
Top 10 rundown as follows:
(10) Ottawan – D.I.S.C.O. (down)
(9) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Enola Gay (down)
(8) David Bowie – Fashion (up)
(7) Odyssey – If You’re Looking For A Way Out (down)
(6) Matchbox – When You Ask About Love (down)
(5) Blondie – The Tide Is High (NEW!)
(4) Adam & the Ants – Dog Eat Dog (up)
(3) Bad Manners – Special Brew (up)
(2) Status Quo - What You’re Proposing (non mover)
Then,...
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love (Number 1)
"Life is a moment in space.." etc. etc..
Got a bit of a lump in my throat when I read what the playout track was....Now only if I really did have a time machine...
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over.......
TOTP 80.35 30/10/80
First broadcast 30/10/80
Repeated on BBCFour from 29/10/2015
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest presenter Colin Berry
Full chart here.
We open up the show with the party already in full swing, with loads of balloons and not a drop of Babycham in sight. Peter Powell in full-smug mode on, light blue T shirt and with him (in dark blue T shirt) is, er, Colin Berry. Who? Apparently some posh geezer from Radio 2 who has been 'getting up early'. How interesting. On with the show please...
Adam and the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
Second performance from Adam and his mates who are up to no. 13 and prepare for world domination. It's a pity they're on first as all the rest is made to look even more rubbish than it actually is.
Odyssey - If You're looking For a Way Out
Boring song, sung by boring people in boring video. Boring. (cit. Rick the Student). At no. 6, obviously.
Bad Manners - Special Brew
Slightly less boring although ska really was reaching its end surely? You know the score - lots of nuttiness and the big fat bloke in a grass skirt. Redeemed only by the ace line "I wanna spend all my money on you". One place above Odyssey and the last we'll see of them for a bit.
David Bowie - Fashion (Legs & Co.)
New in at 20 and Peter Powell shows us he really knows his stuff by telling us the full title of the latest Bowie album. We'll see the proper video for this in a couple of weeks time although while we're waiting for The Dame to make it, here's the luvvly Legs strutting their stuff, although sadly the cameras remain frustratingly distant from the stage/catwalk.
Sheena Easton - One Man Woman
Our Sheen has been busy making a video for this one so she didn't have to bother about going to the TOTP studio too often. Not a great song but the whole look and feel of it is very Eighties. But that's the only redeeming (max) factor I'm afraid as the song is a bit rubbish. At no 17 but will peak next week at only 14.
Olivia Newton John & Cliff Richard - Suddenly
Oh dear. More dreariness from this perhaps unlikely couple. This is another one from Xanadu although Olivia did more interesting things on that album/film/concept with ELO. This dirge was written by John Farrar who'd also done better things for Olivia on Grease. They'd better hurry up and get physical, physical...
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts
Or indeed why do a band like Showaddywaddy continue to have hits and appear on Top of the Pops? Not very Eighties at all, aside form the coloured streak in the singer's hair. At no. 22 but I don't think we'll ever see them on the Pops again. And why after seeing this do I get the impression they might have been a (closet) gay band? Never mind..
Oh it's Top 10 countdown already.
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
It's the third slow ballad (yawn) of the night but this is obviously way ahead of the rest. At number one for the second (of three) weeks in fact.
Don't forget to order your special T-shirts from the Radio Times and we'll see you next week as the TOTP-Tardis whooshes forward in time! Byeeeee!!
Repeated on BBCFour from 29/10/2015
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest presenter Colin Berry
Full chart here.
We open up the show with the party already in full swing, with loads of balloons and not a drop of Babycham in sight. Peter Powell in full-smug mode on, light blue T shirt and with him (in dark blue T shirt) is, er, Colin Berry. Who? Apparently some posh geezer from Radio 2 who has been 'getting up early'. How interesting. On with the show please...
Adam and the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
Second performance from Adam and his mates who are up to no. 13 and prepare for world domination. It's a pity they're on first as all the rest is made to look even more rubbish than it actually is.
 |
| Watch me Daddy-o! |
Odyssey - If You're looking For a Way Out
Boring song, sung by boring people in boring video. Boring. (cit. Rick the Student). At no. 6, obviously.
Bad Manners - Special Brew
Slightly less boring although ska really was reaching its end surely? You know the score - lots of nuttiness and the big fat bloke in a grass skirt. Redeemed only by the ace line "I wanna spend all my money on you". One place above Odyssey and the last we'll see of them for a bit.
David Bowie - Fashion (Legs & Co.)
New in at 20 and Peter Powell shows us he really knows his stuff by telling us the full title of the latest Bowie album. We'll see the proper video for this in a couple of weeks time although while we're waiting for The Dame to make it, here's the luvvly Legs strutting their stuff, although sadly the cameras remain frustratingly distant from the stage/catwalk.
 |
| Beep beep! |
Our Sheen has been busy making a video for this one so she didn't have to bother about going to the TOTP studio too often. Not a great song but the whole look and feel of it is very Eighties. But that's the only redeeming (max) factor I'm afraid as the song is a bit rubbish. At no 17 but will peak next week at only 14.
 |
| I'm sure Phil Oakey is watching this. |
Olivia Newton John & Cliff Richard - Suddenly
Oh dear. More dreariness from this perhaps unlikely couple. This is another one from Xanadu although Olivia did more interesting things on that album/film/concept with ELO. This dirge was written by John Farrar who'd also done better things for Olivia on Grease. They'd better hurry up and get physical, physical...
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts
Or indeed why do a band like Showaddywaddy continue to have hits and appear on Top of the Pops? Not very Eighties at all, aside form the coloured streak in the singer's hair. At no. 22 but I don't think we'll ever see them on the Pops again. And why after seeing this do I get the impression they might have been a (closet) gay band? Never mind..
Oh it's Top 10 countdown already.
 |
| It's eight fifteen... |
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
It's the third slow ballad (yawn) of the night but this is obviously way ahead of the rest. At number one for the second (of three) weeks in fact.
Don't forget to order your special T-shirts from the Radio Times and we'll see you next week as the TOTP-Tardis whooshes forward in time! Byeeeee!!
TOTP 80.34 23/10/80
First broadcast 23/10/80
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
It's a pity this one wasn't repeated, if only for the fact that the it's a healthy female (artist) contingent that make it a bit interesting this week.
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Obviously TOTP people thing this is a good one to get the party started as it's the second time it's been first act on. It does them no harnm though as they're up to 4, and heading even higher.
The Nolans - Gotta Pull Myself Together (video)
Struggling a bit and the 'video' thing evidently does them little good as this is their peak with this one.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss (rpt.)
We really are scraping the barrel having Gilbs back on again, also a struggler, although this will help him out a bit with all those legal fees.
Kelly Marie - Loving Just For Fun
She's back! And with her Number-One single still the charts an' all. Go Kels!
Air Supply - Out of Love
One of those tedious classic American MOR/AOR songs, already at no. 20. Their one and only hit, thank goodness.
Kate Bush - Army Dreamers
Poor Kate hasn't had much of a look in with her new material this year what with unacceptable subject matter (Breathing), strikes (Babooshka) and future Yewtree presenters all over the shop. But none of that is going to stop her. It's a bumper year for Kate and there's still more to come.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay (rpt.)
Speaking of odd subject mater here's that funny lot from the Wirral again with their amiable little tune about nuclear bombing. Not able to make it to the studio this as they were probably rehearsing for the tour to promote their new album, Organisation.
Ottawan - D.I.S.C.O.
After what seems like weeks, at last Legs & Co. get to have a go with this one.
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
..and a new number one! Much as we liked Don't Stand So.. it was time for a change...and a double-helping of Legs this week to boot! Babs' short-ish run at the top starts here.
Coffee - Casanova
We've already had Ottawan so lets get the other disco number on again for the kids to jig along to, even though it's stallin' at no. 13.
Not repeated on BBCFour in 2015
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
It's a pity this one wasn't repeated, if only for the fact that the it's a healthy female (artist) contingent that make it a bit interesting this week.
 |
| pic.: PopScene |
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Obviously TOTP people thing this is a good one to get the party started as it's the second time it's been first act on. It does them no harnm though as they're up to 4, and heading even higher.
The Nolans - Gotta Pull Myself Together (video)
Struggling a bit and the 'video' thing evidently does them little good as this is their peak with this one.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss (rpt.)
We really are scraping the barrel having Gilbs back on again, also a struggler, although this will help him out a bit with all those legal fees.
Kelly Marie - Loving Just For Fun
She's back! And with her Number-One single still the charts an' all. Go Kels!
Air Supply - Out of Love
One of those tedious classic American MOR/AOR songs, already at no. 20. Their one and only hit, thank goodness.
Kate Bush - Army Dreamers
Poor Kate hasn't had much of a look in with her new material this year what with unacceptable subject matter (Breathing), strikes (Babooshka) and future Yewtree presenters all over the shop. But none of that is going to stop her. It's a bumper year for Kate and there's still more to come.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay (rpt.)
Speaking of odd subject mater here's that funny lot from the Wirral again with their amiable little tune about nuclear bombing. Not able to make it to the studio this as they were probably rehearsing for the tour to promote their new album, Organisation.
Ottawan - D.I.S.C.O.
After what seems like weeks, at last Legs & Co. get to have a go with this one.
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
..and a new number one! Much as we liked Don't Stand So.. it was time for a change...and a double-helping of Legs this week to boot! Babs' short-ish run at the top starts here.
Coffee - Casanova
We've already had Ottawan so lets get the other disco number on again for the kids to jig along to, even though it's stallin' at no. 13.
TOTP 80.33 16/10/80
First broadcast 16/10/80
BBCFour repeat first shown 22/10/15
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
FULL REPORT PENDING !!!
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
Adam & the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
George Benson - Love x Love
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Bad Manners - Special Brew
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
BBCFour repeat first shown 22/10/15
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
FULL REPORT PENDING !!!
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
Adam & the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
George Benson - Love x Love
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Bad Manners - Special Brew
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
TOTP 80.32 09/10/80
First broadcast 09/10/80
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 08/10/15
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest appearances: Denis Waterman / Paul Jones
Full chart here.
Here we are again, and having skipped another YewTree show, BBCFour have finally got the TOTP-Tardis to land in sync with 1980...and the crowd are already dancing to celebrate! It's Peter Powell's turn to lead the proceedings and although it's October, and never one for the trendy jacket 'n' tie look, Pete looks like he's going on a cruise in the Med or something.
Preview - but why do they tell you who's no. 1 already?
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Yes, Ver Quo are back, and getting the party started (although perhaps Ottowan had done that already). Despite having had a couple of hits every year recently they hadn't actually played in the Pops studio for yonks. Like most Quo songs it goes on forever and the title is repeated a lot. And it really is like punk never happened.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Same old piano, same old song, same old video. Edited out of first 7.30 showing.
Dennis Waterman was planning world domination thanks to his already cult-status in The Sweeney and now as a recording artist. Here he is to plug himself in a posh accent.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay
Hard for me to objective about this (am i ever?) as it was one of those life-changing, jaw-dropping moments for the 16-year old moi on that Thursday night back in 1980, even after seeing Tubeway Army/Gary Numan last year and The Human League and, again, OM(it)D in May. Not sure if it was the song itself, the shiny synthesiser stacks, the new-look short back 'n' sides / tank-top 'n' tie / sensible trousers look, the stand-up syn-drums or a combination of all of these that just blew me away - but even looking back after 35 years and the context of this show perhaps it's not hard to see why. OMD had already made a sizeable dent in the charts with Messages shortly before The Strike and were now back with this new single in at no. 35. As we now all know the song is about the US military aereoplane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, although that's all cleverly disguised under the catchiest synth riff since Popcorn, and clever-clever cryptic lyrics ("is Mother proud of Little Boy today?"). Not happy with not having a guitar to zoom in on, the Pops cameras get the wrong keyboard for the solos; redeemed somewhat by getting Mal's drum solo in full though. Lead singer Andy McCluskey's 'embarrassing Geography teacher' image starts here, but who cares? There just wasn't (has never been) anything else quite like OMD and that Enola Gay, and they knew it.
Pete informs us that OMD are currently on tour as are Crusaders and The Shadows. Phew! Rock n roll!
30- 19 chart rundown. Sabbath 'n' Sheena both going down.
Coffee - Casanova
Unlike Enola Gay, I have no recollection of this song whatsoever. Coffee (we like it, erm, black) were apparently one of those 'manufactured' disco groups - a female trio no doubt hoping to replicate the success of Sister Sledge, The Three Degrees and the like. Legs & Co. execute their usual subtle take on the song title and go all Venetian baroque. This one had crept into the charts last week and is now up to no. 19.
18-11 chart rundown. And we have a tweet for you at no. 11
Black Slate - Amigo
Thankfully the sombrero has been down-sized for this new performance although our singer friend has obviously been to Torremolinos to get the full amigo kit. They're up to no. 9 and, yes, it's annoyingly catchy (but not as much as Enola Gay)
Waterman again showing off that there is no end to his talents. He even plays football.
The Nolans - Gotta Put Myself Together
Radio 2 darlings the Nolan Sisters are back with a new single, new LP on the way and, like OMD, a new look, although one gets the feeling they've been having lots of meetings with Sheena Easton's wardrobe assistant, rather than popping down to Foster Bros. They've also discovered the promo-video trick, and that although it might be a bit expensive it saves you having to go on Top of the Pops to do all that singing and dancing live, hoping you don't make any mistakes or hit a bum note. This won't do as well as the more memorable In the Mood for Dancing, but Top 10 here they come again.
Paul Jones also pops in for more shameless self-plugging at the licence-payer's expense.
Linx - You're Lying
A repeat of the studio performance of two weeks ago, even though it hadn't moved an inch since last week. Scraping the barrel a bit.
Peter Powell in an armchair.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss
Oh dear - is he still around? Gilbert (né Raymond Edward) O'Sullivan hadn't had a hit single in five years, although apparently he'd be going through a lot of legal issues with previous record company in that time. We'd better take a bit of pity on him then, go out an buy this to help him along with the legal fees. Again, it's like punk never happened. Understandably wiped from the 7.30 showing in the year 2015. O'Sullivan's fan(s) must have been gutted.
10-2 rundown, and a special mention must go to the Specials (see what I did there?) and their Stereotype at no. 6. Like, where did that come from? After Too Much Too Young and Rat Race, I'm wondering if the band had been banned by the BBC or were just being blatantly ignored by them? Powell doesn't even mention the song title. Social commentary in pop was sadly still a no-no, and it certainly won't get any better.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Well I suppose at least this lot did sort of come out of punk in some way, and here they are again still at number 1 with that video. They must have been making millions already.
Playout with much dancing and merriment over Ottawan 'D.I.S.C.O'.
Waterman and Jones get the t-shirted blondes. Powell presumably gets back to his armchair.
Well that's all for this week. TOTP80 will be back in two weeks with the 16/10/80 show. One week too late.
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 08/10/15
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest appearances: Denis Waterman / Paul Jones
Full chart here.
Here we are again, and having skipped another YewTree show, BBCFour have finally got the TOTP-Tardis to land in sync with 1980...and the crowd are already dancing to celebrate! It's Peter Powell's turn to lead the proceedings and although it's October, and never one for the trendy jacket 'n' tie look, Pete looks like he's going on a cruise in the Med or something.
Preview - but why do they tell you who's no. 1 already?
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Yes, Ver Quo are back, and getting the party started (although perhaps Ottowan had done that already). Despite having had a couple of hits every year recently they hadn't actually played in the Pops studio for yonks. Like most Quo songs it goes on forever and the title is repeated a lot. And it really is like punk never happened.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Same old piano, same old song, same old video. Edited out of first 7.30 showing.
Dennis Waterman was planning world domination thanks to his already cult-status in The Sweeney and now as a recording artist. Here he is to plug himself in a posh accent.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay
Hard for me to objective about this (am i ever?) as it was one of those life-changing, jaw-dropping moments for the 16-year old moi on that Thursday night back in 1980, even after seeing Tubeway Army/Gary Numan last year and The Human League and, again, OM(it)D in May. Not sure if it was the song itself, the shiny synthesiser stacks, the new-look short back 'n' sides / tank-top 'n' tie / sensible trousers look, the stand-up syn-drums or a combination of all of these that just blew me away - but even looking back after 35 years and the context of this show perhaps it's not hard to see why. OMD had already made a sizeable dent in the charts with Messages shortly before The Strike and were now back with this new single in at no. 35. As we now all know the song is about the US military aereoplane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, although that's all cleverly disguised under the catchiest synth riff since Popcorn, and clever-clever cryptic lyrics ("is Mother proud of Little Boy today?"). Not happy with not having a guitar to zoom in on, the Pops cameras get the wrong keyboard for the solos; redeemed somewhat by getting Mal's drum solo in full though. Lead singer Andy McCluskey's 'embarrassing Geography teacher' image starts here, but who cares? There just wasn't (has never been) anything else quite like OMD and that Enola Gay, and they knew it.
 |
| "..never ever gonna fade away.." |
30- 19 chart rundown. Sabbath 'n' Sheena both going down.
Coffee - Casanova
Unlike Enola Gay, I have no recollection of this song whatsoever. Coffee (we like it, erm, black) were apparently one of those 'manufactured' disco groups - a female trio no doubt hoping to replicate the success of Sister Sledge, The Three Degrees and the like. Legs & Co. execute their usual subtle take on the song title and go all Venetian baroque. This one had crept into the charts last week and is now up to no. 19.
18-11 chart rundown. And we have a tweet for you at no. 11
Black Slate - Amigo
Thankfully the sombrero has been down-sized for this new performance although our singer friend has obviously been to Torremolinos to get the full amigo kit. They're up to no. 9 and, yes, it's annoyingly catchy (but not as much as Enola Gay)
Waterman again showing off that there is no end to his talents. He even plays football.
The Nolans - Gotta Put Myself Together
Radio 2 darlings the Nolan Sisters are back with a new single, new LP on the way and, like OMD, a new look, although one gets the feeling they've been having lots of meetings with Sheena Easton's wardrobe assistant, rather than popping down to Foster Bros. They've also discovered the promo-video trick, and that although it might be a bit expensive it saves you having to go on Top of the Pops to do all that singing and dancing live, hoping you don't make any mistakes or hit a bum note. This won't do as well as the more memorable In the Mood for Dancing, but Top 10 here they come again.
Paul Jones also pops in for more shameless self-plugging at the licence-payer's expense.
Linx - You're Lying
A repeat of the studio performance of two weeks ago, even though it hadn't moved an inch since last week. Scraping the barrel a bit.
Peter Powell in an armchair.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss
Oh dear - is he still around? Gilbert (né Raymond Edward) O'Sullivan hadn't had a hit single in five years, although apparently he'd be going through a lot of legal issues with previous record company in that time. We'd better take a bit of pity on him then, go out an buy this to help him along with the legal fees. Again, it's like punk never happened. Understandably wiped from the 7.30 showing in the year 2015. O'Sullivan's fan(s) must have been gutted.
10-2 rundown, and a special mention must go to the Specials (see what I did there?) and their Stereotype at no. 6. Like, where did that come from? After Too Much Too Young and Rat Race, I'm wondering if the band had been banned by the BBC or were just being blatantly ignored by them? Powell doesn't even mention the song title. Social commentary in pop was sadly still a no-no, and it certainly won't get any better.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Well I suppose at least this lot did sort of come out of punk in some way, and here they are again still at number 1 with that video. They must have been making millions already.
Playout with much dancing and merriment over Ottawan 'D.I.S.C.O'.
Waterman and Jones get the t-shirted blondes. Powell presumably gets back to his armchair.
Well that's all for this week. TOTP80 will be back in two weeks with the 16/10/80 show. One week too late.
TOTP 80.31 02/10/80
First broadcast 02/10/80
Not repeated by BBCFour in 2015.
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
Not repeated due to DLT presenterage. Despite having paid him good (taxpayers') money for 25 years, the BBC now deem him unfit for broadcasting, even in a historical context. One wonders if they still have it in for him after his on-air resignation in 1993, but there you go. Anyway thanks to those nice people at Popscene and Turn It on Again/TOTP 1980 here's a brief description of what came up on this particular show, with a few comments.
Show preview in (three) videos is preceded by a lengthy rambling about a special car and a motor show or some such. But on with the show.
Gillan - Trouble
Highest chart entry at 22 and it's back to the heavy-metal 'head banging' genre, even without Tommy Vance at the helm. As DLT duly informs us this is a cover version of an Elvis Presley song (from 1958), and pretty dismal it is too. This might as well be 1973. I'm no expert but he sounds like the bloke from Deep Purple to me.
..a lot more rambling on about that stupid car then..
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (video inter-spliced with studio dancing)
At no. 2 and the first of a string of hits by Wonder over the next few months or so. It'll be 'Happy Birthday' within a year so we should be grateful for this.
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Their follow up to....the previous one, and more 50s-nostalgia nonsense. Now at no. 38, this did surprisingly well although thankfully has since fell into the depths of oblivion.
Thin Lizzy - Killer on the Loose (video)
Not sure if Lynott is warning us against the killer or actually saying he is the killer given all his aggressive posing, snarling and finger wagging. Anyway having abandoned his solo "career" he's on his way to the Top 10 (for the last time) wiv Ver Lizzy.
Change - Searching (Legs & Co.)
We had a quick preview of this one in the credits run-out last week, and a classy bit of soul-funk it has turned out to be too. Legs give it their all, dressed as French maids (what else?) but you'll have to do some "searching" (geddit?) around for that for yourselves. Up to their no. 11 peak.
30-20 rundown. Good to see Lynx at 23.
Odyssey - If You're Looking For a Way Out (video)
Better have some more disco music then. Oh no..it's a slow one! This is the follow up to their unforgettable no. 1 of a few months back (the title of which escapes me) and will likewise go top 10, staying Top 40 for 12 weeks. And we haven't even seen the back of them yet.
The Charts (sic.) 19-11
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Well they've certainly kept the best til last and I can imagine that a large part of the viewing public had been eagerly awaiting this "nutty" studio performance (we only had the video last time). Up to no. 4, which is a gross injustice innit. Love Suggs' stop/start 'dancing' and all that arsing about. At least it meant max. audience participation, something which was still largely lacking on The Pops.
Top 9 rundown, including The Giant Sombrero. Then DLT kisses two young girls on the lips while handing out free LPs.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (video)
Summers/Copeland/Sumner continue their run at the top. One wonders whether there could've been some kind of Madness vs. The Police rivalry competition if this chart had been some years into the future when record companies and such liked to play up such things (hello Oasis and Blur).
Bob Marley & Wailers - Three Little Birds (credits)
The band had just completed their massive Uprising World Tour even though Marley was already very ill. But he didn't worry 'bout a ting.
Tune in Thursday 08/10/15 for the 09/10/80 show.
Not repeated by BBCFour in 2015.
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
Not repeated due to DLT presenterage. Despite having paid him good (taxpayers') money for 25 years, the BBC now deem him unfit for broadcasting, even in a historical context. One wonders if they still have it in for him after his on-air resignation in 1993, but there you go. Anyway thanks to those nice people at Popscene and Turn It on Again/TOTP 1980 here's a brief description of what came up on this particular show, with a few comments.
Show preview in (three) videos is preceded by a lengthy rambling about a special car and a motor show or some such. But on with the show.
Gillan - Trouble
Highest chart entry at 22 and it's back to the heavy-metal 'head banging' genre, even without Tommy Vance at the helm. As DLT duly informs us this is a cover version of an Elvis Presley song (from 1958), and pretty dismal it is too. This might as well be 1973. I'm no expert but he sounds like the bloke from Deep Purple to me.
..a lot more rambling on about that stupid car then..
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (video inter-spliced with studio dancing)
At no. 2 and the first of a string of hits by Wonder over the next few months or so. It'll be 'Happy Birthday' within a year so we should be grateful for this.
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Their follow up to....the previous one, and more 50s-nostalgia nonsense. Now at no. 38, this did surprisingly well although thankfully has since fell into the depths of oblivion.
Thin Lizzy - Killer on the Loose (video)
Not sure if Lynott is warning us against the killer or actually saying he is the killer given all his aggressive posing, snarling and finger wagging. Anyway having abandoned his solo "career" he's on his way to the Top 10 (for the last time) wiv Ver Lizzy.
Change - Searching (Legs & Co.)
We had a quick preview of this one in the credits run-out last week, and a classy bit of soul-funk it has turned out to be too. Legs give it their all, dressed as French maids (what else?) but you'll have to do some "searching" (geddit?) around for that for yourselves. Up to their no. 11 peak.
30-20 rundown. Good to see Lynx at 23.
Odyssey - If You're Looking For a Way Out (video)
Better have some more disco music then. Oh no..it's a slow one! This is the follow up to their unforgettable no. 1 of a few months back (the title of which escapes me) and will likewise go top 10, staying Top 40 for 12 weeks. And we haven't even seen the back of them yet.
The Charts (sic.) 19-11
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Well they've certainly kept the best til last and I can imagine that a large part of the viewing public had been eagerly awaiting this "nutty" studio performance (we only had the video last time). Up to no. 4, which is a gross injustice innit. Love Suggs' stop/start 'dancing' and all that arsing about. At least it meant max. audience participation, something which was still largely lacking on The Pops.
Top 9 rundown, including The Giant Sombrero. Then DLT kisses two young girls on the lips while handing out free LPs.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (video)
Summers/Copeland/Sumner continue their run at the top. One wonders whether there could've been some kind of Madness vs. The Police rivalry competition if this chart had been some years into the future when record companies and such liked to play up such things (hello Oasis and Blur).
Bob Marley & Wailers - Three Little Birds (credits)
The band had just completed their massive Uprising World Tour even though Marley was already very ill. But he didn't worry 'bout a ting.
Tune in Thursday 08/10/15 for the 09/10/80 show.
TOTP 80.30 25/09/80
First broadcast 25/09/80
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 01/10/15
Presented by Mike Read
Guest presenters: Leo Sayer / Russ Abbott
Full chart here.
We're back! Yes indeed, after a lengthy hiatus due to Proms, BBC programming and other shenanigans your fave programme is back on the telly on a Thursday night where it always should be so to hell with the washing-up and let's get started. Over to you Mike..
No! Wait..! Where's Mike the Presenter? This is The Police thrashing around in school master garb!.. Diana Ross on her ol' Joanna and some other chaps flapping about in garish "carnival" costumes! Oh phew, here's Mike at last, in sensible-yet-trendy jacket 'n' thin tie . .had me going for a moment there.
Black Slate - Amigo
New in the charts at 35 so perfect for the slot of 'quirky' newcomer to open the show. But oh dear, what's with the over sized Speedy Gonzalez sombrero an' ting? Well, apparently according to wiki, it was "their Rastafarian rallying call". Well good for them, even though 'amigo' is actually Spanish for 'friend', no? I suppose that explains the sombrero. Don't want to give any spoilers or anything but this one shot up to no. 10 the following week, presumably on the back of this performance and having rallyed lots of Rastafarians.
Interval (already?) - and up pops chirpy chappy Leo Sayer, and what a splendid opportunity for Mike Read to do his Cliff Richard impression.
Next!
Split Enz - I Got You
Better cool things down a bit after all that Rastafarianism and get some clean white boys on to do a more sensible number. This one was creeping verrrry slowly up the charts although got a further leg-up after this repeat showing. They were Australian of course, but thankfully not a hat with corks on in sight.
Their only hit.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Mike Read obviously needed a bit a lie down after that cabaret number cos it's just Sayer to introduce this promo of Ms. Ross and her latest about a piano, in which the chanteuese duly cavorts around a (not so old) piano. Flick Colby take note. Another Edwards/Rogers produced Top 10 success after last summer's excellent Upside Down.
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Legs & Co.)
Ooooh! Speaking of ver Legs here they now, in quiet possibly their weirdest dance costumes ever. Actually it's all looking a bit 'New Romantic' even though that hasn't been invented yet. Stage designers have also evidently had a bit more time on their hands this week and have constructed a kind of corridor in a Japanese restaurant for the girls to do their thing in. And if that wasn't enough it's special effects galore to boot! I'd like to think that Bowie's Ashes to Ashes video was a big influence here, but who can say? Queen had indeed gone Top 10 with this John Deacon penned number although sadly this all-out Legs performance did little to aid its chart success. Still an ace track though.
Prior to the 30-20 chart rundown there's a short appearance from Russ Abott who, unlike Leo Sayer, is/was actually genuinely funny. Most singles in the 30-20 bracket going down, save for Bob Marley and the afore-featured Split Enz.
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
Well while Queen were at least trying to do something new with 'disco' this kind of 70s-leftovers was still making it through. Mike Know-All Read has to tell us of course that this single was already a year old and that Ottawan have little or no English. Just one place behind Queen although they went on to effectively leap-frog them to reach the giddy heights of the top 3. Where's the justice?
Rundown 19-11 - quite a few post-Strike big names on the way down: Cliff, Bowie, Berry, Sheena, Sabbath, Jam, obviously leaving for space for new and exciting stuff. Some hope.
Shalamar - I Owe You One
Seems to be some kind of disco 'theme' running through this week's show, much to our chagrin. Wish they'd hurry up and invent the New Romantics. What's that? Get down the The Blitz Club if you want some new styles, new shapes...? But for the moment we're stuck with this kind of thing. We'll be hearing more from the Shals a couple of years hence, so tune in again around 2017, Shalamar fans as this might be your lot as far as 1980/2015 goes.
Russ Abbot/Teddy Boy introduces...
Linx - You're Lying
And here's some quality Brit-disco at last. Linx were still a fairly labour-intensive soul/funk combo apparently coming out of nowhere, or perhaps from an underground Brit-soul/funk movement which has probably already been featured on a BBCFour documentary. But no matter, this really was rather good and went down well on the dance-floors of the nation, kick-starting a successful career for the David Grant/Peter Martin duo. Some ace state-of-the-art keys on stage here and they were even 'cred' enough to be featured on a future cassette compilation issued by the ultra-cred NME, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Scritti Politti, Cabaret Voltaire and, er, Furious Pig.
Top 10 rundown. and you have to listen very attentively to Read to find out what's going up or down, plus get some really interesting info about each artist. From one clip we even see that Sheena's Modern Girl works in a Chiropody Clinic. Fact.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Although they'd done pretty well up to now, mega-stardom status for The Police officially begins here with this single staying at the top for four weeks, and likewise its parent album Zenyatta Mondatta released a week or so later. Love 'em or hate 'em Sting and pals going straight to number one (the seventh in history, right Mike?) with this new song was a due testament to their popularity and sale-ability at the time. That said, perhaps the success of the 'Don't Stand..' follow-up (which we won't mention for now) may also be a testament to the fact that the British public would eagerly snap up any old rubbish with 'The Police' written on it. But credit where credit's due for Sting's semi-autobiographical tale of a wanton schoolgirl trying to get close to 'teach' possibly in the hope of getting a better school report, or perhaps even more. A scholarly reference to 'that book by Nabakov' is somewhat counter-balanced by rhyming said author's surname with the word 'cough', and a rather shoddy promo-film showed how erstwhile 'punk' was becoming mainstream, but of course the New Romantics will be putting a bit of a shine on videos before long.
The chart-topping trio is soon replaced by a shambolic presenter-trio who wrap up the show with a pitiful "sketch" in which Read is suddenly heavily pregnant and nearly knocked over by a psueudo-superhero.
Change - Searching (playout)
Groan. More MOR disco to finish up, although I was surprised and interested to discover that Change actually originated in Bologna, Italy (home of lasagna and the world's oldest university) with a bit of americano/NY sparkle laid over the top like a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This one features the talents of a fledgling lead-vocalist Luther Vandross, no less, and as well as being a huge success Stateside was also doing quite well UK-side so we might be hearing it again soon.
A pretty spritely play-out with balloons, dancing and streamers! Is this the 1980s?
We might find out next week..t'ra!
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 01/10/15
Presented by Mike Read
Guest presenters: Leo Sayer / Russ Abbott
Full chart here.
We're back! Yes indeed, after a lengthy hiatus due to Proms, BBC programming and other shenanigans your fave programme is back on the telly on a Thursday night where it always should be so to hell with the washing-up and let's get started. Over to you Mike..
No! Wait..! Where's Mike the Presenter? This is The Police thrashing around in school master garb!.. Diana Ross on her ol' Joanna and some other chaps flapping about in garish "carnival" costumes! Oh phew, here's Mike at last, in sensible-yet-trendy jacket 'n' thin tie . .had me going for a moment there.
Black Slate - Amigo
New in the charts at 35 so perfect for the slot of 'quirky' newcomer to open the show. But oh dear, what's with the over sized Speedy Gonzalez sombrero an' ting? Well, apparently according to wiki, it was "their Rastafarian rallying call". Well good for them, even though 'amigo' is actually Spanish for 'friend', no? I suppose that explains the sombrero. Don't want to give any spoilers or anything but this one shot up to no. 10 the following week, presumably on the back of this performance and having rallyed lots of Rastafarians.
Interval (already?) - and up pops chirpy chappy Leo Sayer, and what a splendid opportunity for Mike Read to do his Cliff Richard impression.
Next!
Split Enz - I Got You
Better cool things down a bit after all that Rastafarianism and get some clean white boys on to do a more sensible number. This one was creeping verrrry slowly up the charts although got a further leg-up after this repeat showing. They were Australian of course, but thankfully not a hat with corks on in sight.
Their only hit.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Mike Read obviously needed a bit a lie down after that cabaret number cos it's just Sayer to introduce this promo of Ms. Ross and her latest about a piano, in which the chanteuese duly cavorts around a (not so old) piano. Flick Colby take note. Another Edwards/Rogers produced Top 10 success after last summer's excellent Upside Down.
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Legs & Co.)
Ooooh! Speaking of ver Legs here they now, in quiet possibly their weirdest dance costumes ever. Actually it's all looking a bit 'New Romantic' even though that hasn't been invented yet. Stage designers have also evidently had a bit more time on their hands this week and have constructed a kind of corridor in a Japanese restaurant for the girls to do their thing in. And if that wasn't enough it's special effects galore to boot! I'd like to think that Bowie's Ashes to Ashes video was a big influence here, but who can say? Queen had indeed gone Top 10 with this John Deacon penned number although sadly this all-out Legs performance did little to aid its chart success. Still an ace track though.
 |
| are you ready, are ready for this? |
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
Well while Queen were at least trying to do something new with 'disco' this kind of 70s-leftovers was still making it through. Mike Know-All Read has to tell us of course that this single was already a year old and that Ottawan have little or no English. Just one place behind Queen although they went on to effectively leap-frog them to reach the giddy heights of the top 3. Where's the justice?
Rundown 19-11 - quite a few post-Strike big names on the way down: Cliff, Bowie, Berry, Sheena, Sabbath, Jam, obviously leaving for space for new and exciting stuff. Some hope.
Shalamar - I Owe You One
Seems to be some kind of disco 'theme' running through this week's show, much to our chagrin. Wish they'd hurry up and invent the New Romantics. What's that? Get down the The Blitz Club if you want some new styles, new shapes...? But for the moment we're stuck with this kind of thing. We'll be hearing more from the Shals a couple of years hence, so tune in again around 2017, Shalamar fans as this might be your lot as far as 1980/2015 goes.
Russ Abbot/Teddy Boy introduces...
Linx - You're Lying
And here's some quality Brit-disco at last. Linx were still a fairly labour-intensive soul/funk combo apparently coming out of nowhere, or perhaps from an underground Brit-soul/funk movement which has probably already been featured on a BBCFour documentary. But no matter, this really was rather good and went down well on the dance-floors of the nation, kick-starting a successful career for the David Grant/Peter Martin duo. Some ace state-of-the-art keys on stage here and they were even 'cred' enough to be featured on a future cassette compilation issued by the ultra-cred NME, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Scritti Politti, Cabaret Voltaire and, er, Furious Pig.
Top 10 rundown. and you have to listen very attentively to Read to find out what's going up or down, plus get some really interesting info about each artist. From one clip we even see that Sheena's Modern Girl works in a Chiropody Clinic. Fact.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Although they'd done pretty well up to now, mega-stardom status for The Police officially begins here with this single staying at the top for four weeks, and likewise its parent album Zenyatta Mondatta released a week or so later. Love 'em or hate 'em Sting and pals going straight to number one (the seventh in history, right Mike?) with this new song was a due testament to their popularity and sale-ability at the time. That said, perhaps the success of the 'Don't Stand..' follow-up (which we won't mention for now) may also be a testament to the fact that the British public would eagerly snap up any old rubbish with 'The Police' written on it. But credit where credit's due for Sting's semi-autobiographical tale of a wanton schoolgirl trying to get close to 'teach' possibly in the hope of getting a better school report, or perhaps even more. A scholarly reference to 'that book by Nabakov' is somewhat counter-balanced by rhyming said author's surname with the word 'cough', and a rather shoddy promo-film showed how erstwhile 'punk' was becoming mainstream, but of course the New Romantics will be putting a bit of a shine on videos before long.
 |
| ..the subject, of schoolgirl fantasies.. |
The chart-topping trio is soon replaced by a shambolic presenter-trio who wrap up the show with a pitiful "sketch" in which Read is suddenly heavily pregnant and nearly knocked over by a psueudo-superhero.
Change - Searching (playout)
Groan. More MOR disco to finish up, although I was surprised and interested to discover that Change actually originated in Bologna, Italy (home of lasagna and the world's oldest university) with a bit of americano/NY sparkle laid over the top like a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This one features the talents of a fledgling lead-vocalist Luther Vandross, no less, and as well as being a huge success Stateside was also doing quite well UK-side so we might be hearing it again soon.
A pretty spritely play-out with balloons, dancing and streamers! Is this the 1980s?
We might find out next week..t'ra!
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