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| Smash Hits, Jan 24th - Feb 6th 1980 |
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| Smash Hits, Feb 7th - Feb 20th 1980 |
Happy reading pop-pickers! TOTP '80 will be back on BBCFour as from next Thursday, 5th March.
Further reading: Smash Hits Jan/Feb '80
No 'Pops this week, sadly, but if you'd like to gen up on a lot of the stuff you've been seeing these past few weeks with band interviews, song lyrics, background info, and full colour (and some black and white) pics then have a flick through these copies of Jan/Feb 1980 Smash Hits magazine, as lovingly archived by Brian McCloskey on Flickr. Just click on the copy of your choice below to see the pages pop up before your very eyes.
Happy reading pop-pickers! TOTP '80 will be back on BBCFour as from next Thursday, 5th March.
Happy reading pop-pickers! TOTP '80 will be back on BBCFour as from next Thursday, 5th March.
TOTP 80.6 07/02/1980
Repeated on BBCFour as from 19.02.2015
Full chart here: Official charts
First Pops of freeezing Feb, and as promised it's new boy Steve Wright doing the duties tonight, and he's even brought his own groupies
Jefferson Starship - Jane
Chart rundown only, thank goodness as we really wouldn't like to see this bunch of tired old seventies rockers 'performing' on TOTP thank you very much. This eventually got a tad higher so best not speak too soon.
The Tourists - So Good To Be Back Home Again (46)
And it's good to have you back again too Tourists! This was their follow up to their rendition of I Only Want to be With You which went massive around Christmas and had only just dropped out of the Top 30. The lead singer - one Ann Lennox - is wearing some very odd headgear, nay, hairgear. Don't think she'll go too far, and nor will that daft looking guitarist in a red suit in the background. Now that bloke singing with Lennox on the other hand, he looks like a real new-wave star.
Cliff Richard - Carrie
I wasn't looking forward to this but it was a pleasant surprise, and not half as cheesy as I thought. A really good ballad on the back of his We Don't Talk Anymore renaissance, which had also done well "State-side" as Steve Wright might have said. Steve does of course remind us of how young Cliff (né Harry Webb) still looks etc., although it is amazing to think that he'd already been having hit records for over twenty years. Knighthood due, I reckon.
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (Legs & Co.)
A proper dance song for Legs rather than prancing around in tight-fitting lycra, dressed up as wild animals and....ehem, moving swiftly onto this week, it's The Whispers! Who? Well apparently this lot had been going round since 1964 (therefore nearly as long as Cliff) and their patience was now paying off with this snazzy little dance number which despite the demise of disco would actually be a smash. Some credit to Legs perhaps?
The Boomtown Rats - Someone's Looking at You
But enough of disco! Back to New Wave and all that with The 'Rats, enjoying their eighth top twenty single and parent album The Fine Art of Surfacing, of which this was the opening track, also selling truckloads. It's the repeat recording of a couple of weeks ago, starting off with Fingers and his funny little organ and Geldof looking a lot like the Floyd Pinkerton/Pink character he would later play in the movie version of The Wall, the tour for which opened on this very night in LA as a matter of fact. Small world.
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood for Dancing
And just so the Wright-person can use once more the 'Oirish' connection (cringe) it's The Nolans again, this week switching places with Madness but kept off the no. 2 spot by that fat American bloke, grrr. Commendably, this was yet another new performance for the Pops with live singing, although this time the resident orchestra obviously had better things to do. The lead Nolanette seems to be doing a little less twirling too, so perhaps all that dan-cin' and roman-cin' was already taking its toll.
The Chords - Maybe Tomorrow
New name time, and this week it's The Chords from Sarf Landan who are doing their best not to look like The Jam even though they do sound quite a lot like The Jam, or at least they do to these 21st century non-Mod-tuned ears. This was their second stab at 45rpm stardom and they'd hit the Top 40 with this little number this week, but sadly do little else. Shame - they seemed quite good.
The Regents - 7 Teen
They're back again from their debut a fortnight hence and have edged up to number 11. The audience do seem a tad more enthusiastic, although the band continue to strut and pout much as they did first time around. The lead singer has obviously anticipated the 80s wide shoulder pad fashion, although perhaps they should actually go inside the jacket so as not to show the sticky tape, mate.
Queen - Save Me
Enough of the youngsters, time for a bit of 'classic rock' to keep all the punters happy. As anticipated in last week's closing credits, this had already made it up to no. 20. Nice little promo film here too mixing live performance, some soppy animation and a, er, dove which Freddie just fails to catch hold of (ie. "save") at the end. Hopefully this one didn't hit the back of the net.
The Selecter - Three Minute Hero
Bringing a bit of energy back into the show, it's more of those fun-loving ska kids who are also rocketing up the charts this week. (Interestingly, chart anoraks, they were one place ahead of Queen last week but are now one place behind). Sadly this would not replicate their On My Radio debut, although the soon-to-be-released album Too Much Pressure would establish them as one of the key bands of the genre/era.
AC/DC - Touch Too Much
Despite having become something of a cult (witness the buzz on Twitter recently when folks started realising they would be on tonight) AC/DC failed to set the singles charts alight at the time, with album sales doing considerably better. I'm no fan but I preferred last year's Highway to Hell. A unique TOTP moment nontheless.
The Buggles - The Plastic Age
But back to the future... Good to see Buggles back on, even though chart progress was slow for Horn and pals with this one from the soon-to-be-released album. A new performance this week, distinguishable from the one of a fortnight ago only by Geoff Downes' rubber, er no sorry, plastic gloves. The hugely underestimated Plastic Age eventually made the Top 20 although whether we'll see them again on the Pops remains to be seen.
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
Second week at no. 1 for Coventry's finest even though this, the third showing of the live promo film, gets rather short shrift from TOTP makers tonight. Whether that was an excuse for not having to broadcast too many taboo lyrics to the nation or a punishment for not coming to the TOTP studio is anyone's guess. Their days at the top spot were numbered, but they'll be back, mark my words. Try wearing a CAP!
Joe Jackson - Different for Girls (closing credits)
Joe was stable at no. 5 and obviously not worthy of another studio appearance/repeat. Only The Nolans could carry that off.
Well that's all for this week and, sadly, there'll be no Pops on BBC Four next week so you'll have to wait until 5th March for the next show, chums. But do stay tuned for more 1980 music 'n' fun in the meantime.
Full chart here: Official charts
First Pops of freeezing Feb, and as promised it's new boy Steve Wright doing the duties tonight, and he's even brought his own groupies
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| pic: @Phleeper |
Jefferson Starship - Jane
Chart rundown only, thank goodness as we really wouldn't like to see this bunch of tired old seventies rockers 'performing' on TOTP thank you very much. This eventually got a tad higher so best not speak too soon.
The Tourists - So Good To Be Back Home Again (46)
And it's good to have you back again too Tourists! This was their follow up to their rendition of I Only Want to be With You which went massive around Christmas and had only just dropped out of the Top 30. The lead singer - one Ann Lennox - is wearing some very odd headgear, nay, hairgear. Don't think she'll go too far, and nor will that daft looking guitarist in a red suit in the background. Now that bloke singing with Lennox on the other hand, he looks like a real new-wave star.
Cliff Richard - Carrie
I wasn't looking forward to this but it was a pleasant surprise, and not half as cheesy as I thought. A really good ballad on the back of his We Don't Talk Anymore renaissance, which had also done well "State-side" as Steve Wright might have said. Steve does of course remind us of how young Cliff (né Harry Webb) still looks etc., although it is amazing to think that he'd already been having hit records for over twenty years. Knighthood due, I reckon.
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (Legs & Co.)
A proper dance song for Legs rather than prancing around in tight-fitting lycra, dressed up as wild animals and....ehem, moving swiftly onto this week, it's The Whispers! Who? Well apparently this lot had been going round since 1964 (therefore nearly as long as Cliff) and their patience was now paying off with this snazzy little dance number which despite the demise of disco would actually be a smash. Some credit to Legs perhaps?
The Boomtown Rats - Someone's Looking at You
But enough of disco! Back to New Wave and all that with The 'Rats, enjoying their eighth top twenty single and parent album The Fine Art of Surfacing, of which this was the opening track, also selling truckloads. It's the repeat recording of a couple of weeks ago, starting off with Fingers and his funny little organ and Geldof looking a lot like the Floyd Pinkerton/Pink character he would later play in the movie version of The Wall, the tour for which opened on this very night in LA as a matter of fact. Small world.
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood for Dancing
And just so the Wright-person can use once more the 'Oirish' connection (cringe) it's The Nolans again, this week switching places with Madness but kept off the no. 2 spot by that fat American bloke, grrr. Commendably, this was yet another new performance for the Pops with live singing, although this time the resident orchestra obviously had better things to do. The lead Nolanette seems to be doing a little less twirling too, so perhaps all that dan-cin' and roman-cin' was already taking its toll.
The Chords - Maybe Tomorrow
New name time, and this week it's The Chords from Sarf Landan who are doing their best not to look like The Jam even though they do sound quite a lot like The Jam, or at least they do to these 21st century non-Mod-tuned ears. This was their second stab at 45rpm stardom and they'd hit the Top 40 with this little number this week, but sadly do little else. Shame - they seemed quite good.
The Regents - 7 Teen
They're back again from their debut a fortnight hence and have edged up to number 11. The audience do seem a tad more enthusiastic, although the band continue to strut and pout much as they did first time around. The lead singer has obviously anticipated the 80s wide shoulder pad fashion, although perhaps they should actually go inside the jacket so as not to show the sticky tape, mate.
Queen - Save Me
Enough of the youngsters, time for a bit of 'classic rock' to keep all the punters happy. As anticipated in last week's closing credits, this had already made it up to no. 20. Nice little promo film here too mixing live performance, some soppy animation and a, er, dove which Freddie just fails to catch hold of (ie. "save") at the end. Hopefully this one didn't hit the back of the net.
The Selecter - Three Minute Hero
Bringing a bit of energy back into the show, it's more of those fun-loving ska kids who are also rocketing up the charts this week. (Interestingly, chart anoraks, they were one place ahead of Queen last week but are now one place behind). Sadly this would not replicate their On My Radio debut, although the soon-to-be-released album Too Much Pressure would establish them as one of the key bands of the genre/era.
AC/DC - Touch Too Much
Despite having become something of a cult (witness the buzz on Twitter recently when folks started realising they would be on tonight) AC/DC failed to set the singles charts alight at the time, with album sales doing considerably better. I'm no fan but I preferred last year's Highway to Hell. A unique TOTP moment nontheless.
The Buggles - The Plastic Age
But back to the future... Good to see Buggles back on, even though chart progress was slow for Horn and pals with this one from the soon-to-be-released album. A new performance this week, distinguishable from the one of a fortnight ago only by Geoff Downes' rubber, er no sorry, plastic gloves. The hugely underestimated Plastic Age eventually made the Top 20 although whether we'll see them again on the Pops remains to be seen.
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
Second week at no. 1 for Coventry's finest even though this, the third showing of the live promo film, gets rather short shrift from TOTP makers tonight. Whether that was an excuse for not having to broadcast too many taboo lyrics to the nation or a punishment for not coming to the TOTP studio is anyone's guess. Their days at the top spot were numbered, but they'll be back, mark my words. Try wearing a CAP!
Joe Jackson - Different for Girls (closing credits)
Joe was stable at no. 5 and obviously not worthy of another studio appearance/repeat. Only The Nolans could carry that off.
Well that's all for this week and, sadly, there'll be no Pops on BBC Four next week so you'll have to wait until 5th March for the next show, chums. But do stay tuned for more 1980 music 'n' fun in the meantime.
TOTP 80.5 31/01/1980
Repeat shown on BBCFour from: 12.02.2015
Hello everyone: a bit late with the Pops commentary this week, due to a strange mix of mourning Steve Strange and Valentine's Day celebrations. But here we are with the last TOTP of January '80, and it's Dave 'Kid' Jensen's turn again, this time with a 'sensible' jacket (as worn by Simon Bates) with short collar worn in a definite seventies style. What happened to the eighties, Kid?
The Selecter - Three Minute Hero (chart run-down)
Not sure if the 'colourful' chart run-down quip refers to the garish (eighties?) colour scheme used in the graphics or indeed The Selecter themselves, whose new song is in at no. 29. Thirty-second heroes only this week though I'm afraid.
The Revillos - Motor Bike Beat
OK, here's the 'novelty' one to get the ball rolling, with yet more 'colorful' on-stage japes by Edinburgh post-punks Revillos, previously known as (the) Rezillos who'd had a hit single ironically entitled "Top of the Pops". Confused? Well so is this performance which seems to have numerous band members jumping around all over the place, even finding space for a, er, motor-bike of course.
Kenny Rogers - Coward of the County
Oh dear. This really was the sorry state of American music at the moment, but one which of course was still finding its way over here too, probably receiving ueber-playing by Radio 2 'disc-jockeys' throughout the day. Now we know what Father Christmas does when he's not being Father Christmas. Like Margaret Thatcher, this was already at no. 10.
Azymuth - Jazz Carnival
Oh dear (2). Lithe young women dressed in tight fitting animal 'costumes', locked in cages. Hmm. What's worse, they've got 'Kid' donning an explorer's type hard-hat in order to give us a David Attenborough-like description of each 'animal'. Quite what this has to do with a "jazz carnival" is somewhat beyond us. The dance routine is equally as embarrassing. Better move one
John Foxx - Underpass
From the ridiculous to the sublime. It's hard for me to give any kind of objective description of John Foxx's (né Dennis Leigh) first TOTP appearance as it was one of those jaw-dropping, life-changing moments that would change me, and my tastes in music, forever. This was Foxx's first solo single, and indeed the first all-out electronic track, even though as Kid rightly points out he'd been dabbling for the genre for some time. TOTP cameras must have been a bit lost here as there's no drum kit, no guitars to (wrongly) zoom in on at opportune moments: even Gary Numan had brought along a drummer and a bass guitarist. Foxx was accused of imitating Numan, which is ironic as it was Foxx with his former band Ultravox! who had inspired a young Gary to make his own music in the first place. However, unlike Numan, Foxx failed to hit the number 1 spot with this fabulously gloomy track about "standing in the dark", "lifting the receiver", "world war-something" and so on, done solely with synthesisers and drum machines. But history has proved him right and this song and parent album Metamatic have since been revered, revisited and re-purposed in the new world of electronica. Click, click, drone...
Madness - My Girl
But enough gloom and doom! Let's get the Nutty Boys back in again, albeit in the third showing of this eighties-opening studio performance of almost a month ago, making Madness and indeed this performance the most featured to date. They were stable at no. 3.
The Shadows - Riders in the Sky
Oh dear (3). After John Foxx's static synths, the cameramen must have been glad to have had some guitars and a drum-kit to zoom in on at last, although this time no lead-singer, and so we have to make do with Hank Marvin's unique facial gestures for entertainment. To their credit these guys had been having hits since before The Beatles even knew how to play chords, although with this one you get the feeling their time was already up, notwithstanding the inclusion of four (count 'em) disco-effect syndrums to the drum kit. Next!
Rupert Holmes - Escape (Pina Colada Song)
Oh no, it's this again, and to add to the boredom it's a repeat from a couple of weeks ago. Somebody had obviously decided this needed some kind of 'boost' as it was already flailing as a non-mover at no. 27. Somehow this showing managed to get him and his bloomin' pina colada up a few more places.
Ramones - Baby I Love You
Ooo! Who's this? Ramones? Aren't they American punk-rockers? But is this The Ramones who 'spearheaded' (sic.) punk in the USA from about 1976 onwards? But what's this? Doing a sloppy love song with the TOTP in-house orchestra (average age 60)? It's all very confusing but then again The Ramones never were going to do things normally. They would in fact wipe the board with this one and get to Top 10.
Jon & Vangelis - I Hear You Now
Better tone things down a bit and get one of those new fangled 'videos' in, with loads of special effects in to keep folks interested. I always really liked this song but the video is a tad embarrassing (perhaps even more than Legs' animal thing) and ages it terribly, as in fact most videos are wont to do. Hovering around the lower reaches of the Top 20, the record buying public heard them and gave Jon & Vang a wee boost.
Billy Ocean - Are You Ready
Um, for what exactly? Billy was already a household name, having had a few hits in the late seventies (including the ambivalent Red Light Spells Danger) although despite this one sounding a bit like what one Michael Jackson would be doing a couple of years hence, it bombed. Ocean would do better in the wide shoulder pad years.
New Musik - Living by Numbers
More, er, new (wave) music even though it's another repeat from a couple of weeks ago when they opened the show as the 'novelty' act. Speaking of numbers they'd now reached no. 20 and this repeat showing would edge them a little closer to the Top 10. (I've since checked out their album From A to Z which is/was actually quite good).
Keith Mitchell - Captain Beaky and his Band
In which bespoke Shakespearean actor recites children's poetry about animals over spritely orchestral musical arrangements whilst wearing 'sailor' cap and outfit. And gets to no. 5 in the charts. This could only happen in England, and it did. We have people Tony Blackburn and Noel Edmonds to thank for this.
Before the no. 1, 'Kid' introduces us to new boy Steve Wright who is obviously very shy, if rather more 'trendily' dressed, and gets to introduce....
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
And it's a new number 1, shooting up from last week's no. 15 whence it had already appeared from nowhere. Again, it's the live filmed footage as shown last week, although there's some logic to that as it was the lead track of a live EP, featuring four other songs (if we split the 'Skinhead Symphony' into its three respective parts). Despite the subject matter it didn't get banned, although I've a feeling that that final 'try wearing a CAP!' as well as being cut off again on TOTP, suffered a similar fate during what prime time radio play it would have received. Fun fact: first live track to get to no. 1 in the UK since Chuck Berry's My Ding-a-Ling.
Queen - Save Me (play-out)
After the smash hit Crazy Little Thing Called Love expectations were high, and this Brian May-penned number would do them well.
See you next week for the first February '80 Pops! Remember to get your TOTP80 selected video clippage here.
Hello everyone: a bit late with the Pops commentary this week, due to a strange mix of mourning Steve Strange and Valentine's Day celebrations. But here we are with the last TOTP of January '80, and it's Dave 'Kid' Jensen's turn again, this time with a 'sensible' jacket (as worn by Simon Bates) with short collar worn in a definite seventies style. What happened to the eighties, Kid?
The Selecter - Three Minute Hero (chart run-down)
Not sure if the 'colourful' chart run-down quip refers to the garish (eighties?) colour scheme used in the graphics or indeed The Selecter themselves, whose new song is in at no. 29. Thirty-second heroes only this week though I'm afraid.
The Revillos - Motor Bike Beat
OK, here's the 'novelty' one to get the ball rolling, with yet more 'colorful' on-stage japes by Edinburgh post-punks Revillos, previously known as (the) Rezillos who'd had a hit single ironically entitled "Top of the Pops". Confused? Well so is this performance which seems to have numerous band members jumping around all over the place, even finding space for a, er, motor-bike of course.
Kenny Rogers - Coward of the County
Oh dear. This really was the sorry state of American music at the moment, but one which of course was still finding its way over here too, probably receiving ueber-playing by Radio 2 'disc-jockeys' throughout the day. Now we know what Father Christmas does when he's not being Father Christmas. Like Margaret Thatcher, this was already at no. 10.
Azymuth - Jazz Carnival
Oh dear (2). Lithe young women dressed in tight fitting animal 'costumes', locked in cages. Hmm. What's worse, they've got 'Kid' donning an explorer's type hard-hat in order to give us a David Attenborough-like description of each 'animal'. Quite what this has to do with a "jazz carnival" is somewhat beyond us. The dance routine is equally as embarrassing. Better move one
John Foxx - Underpass
From the ridiculous to the sublime. It's hard for me to give any kind of objective description of John Foxx's (né Dennis Leigh) first TOTP appearance as it was one of those jaw-dropping, life-changing moments that would change me, and my tastes in music, forever. This was Foxx's first solo single, and indeed the first all-out electronic track, even though as Kid rightly points out he'd been dabbling for the genre for some time. TOTP cameras must have been a bit lost here as there's no drum kit, no guitars to (wrongly) zoom in on at opportune moments: even Gary Numan had brought along a drummer and a bass guitarist. Foxx was accused of imitating Numan, which is ironic as it was Foxx with his former band Ultravox! who had inspired a young Gary to make his own music in the first place. However, unlike Numan, Foxx failed to hit the number 1 spot with this fabulously gloomy track about "standing in the dark", "lifting the receiver", "world war-something" and so on, done solely with synthesisers and drum machines. But history has proved him right and this song and parent album Metamatic have since been revered, revisited and re-purposed in the new world of electronica. Click, click, drone...
Madness - My Girl
But enough gloom and doom! Let's get the Nutty Boys back in again, albeit in the third showing of this eighties-opening studio performance of almost a month ago, making Madness and indeed this performance the most featured to date. They were stable at no. 3.
The Shadows - Riders in the Sky
Oh dear (3). After John Foxx's static synths, the cameramen must have been glad to have had some guitars and a drum-kit to zoom in on at last, although this time no lead-singer, and so we have to make do with Hank Marvin's unique facial gestures for entertainment. To their credit these guys had been having hits since before The Beatles even knew how to play chords, although with this one you get the feeling their time was already up, notwithstanding the inclusion of four (count 'em) disco-effect syndrums to the drum kit. Next!
Rupert Holmes - Escape (Pina Colada Song)
Oh no, it's this again, and to add to the boredom it's a repeat from a couple of weeks ago. Somebody had obviously decided this needed some kind of 'boost' as it was already flailing as a non-mover at no. 27. Somehow this showing managed to get him and his bloomin' pina colada up a few more places.
Ramones - Baby I Love You
Ooo! Who's this? Ramones? Aren't they American punk-rockers? But is this The Ramones who 'spearheaded' (sic.) punk in the USA from about 1976 onwards? But what's this? Doing a sloppy love song with the TOTP in-house orchestra (average age 60)? It's all very confusing but then again The Ramones never were going to do things normally. They would in fact wipe the board with this one and get to Top 10.
Jon & Vangelis - I Hear You Now
Better tone things down a bit and get one of those new fangled 'videos' in, with loads of special effects in to keep folks interested. I always really liked this song but the video is a tad embarrassing (perhaps even more than Legs' animal thing) and ages it terribly, as in fact most videos are wont to do. Hovering around the lower reaches of the Top 20, the record buying public heard them and gave Jon & Vang a wee boost.
Billy Ocean - Are You Ready
Um, for what exactly? Billy was already a household name, having had a few hits in the late seventies (including the ambivalent Red Light Spells Danger) although despite this one sounding a bit like what one Michael Jackson would be doing a couple of years hence, it bombed. Ocean would do better in the wide shoulder pad years.
New Musik - Living by Numbers
More, er, new (wave) music even though it's another repeat from a couple of weeks ago when they opened the show as the 'novelty' act. Speaking of numbers they'd now reached no. 20 and this repeat showing would edge them a little closer to the Top 10. (I've since checked out their album From A to Z which is/was actually quite good).
Keith Mitchell - Captain Beaky and his Band
In which bespoke Shakespearean actor recites children's poetry about animals over spritely orchestral musical arrangements whilst wearing 'sailor' cap and outfit. And gets to no. 5 in the charts. This could only happen in England, and it did. We have people Tony Blackburn and Noel Edmonds to thank for this.
Before the no. 1, 'Kid' introduces us to new boy Steve Wright who is obviously very shy, if rather more 'trendily' dressed, and gets to introduce....
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
And it's a new number 1, shooting up from last week's no. 15 whence it had already appeared from nowhere. Again, it's the live filmed footage as shown last week, although there's some logic to that as it was the lead track of a live EP, featuring four other songs (if we split the 'Skinhead Symphony' into its three respective parts). Despite the subject matter it didn't get banned, although I've a feeling that that final 'try wearing a CAP!' as well as being cut off again on TOTP, suffered a similar fate during what prime time radio play it would have received. Fun fact: first live track to get to no. 1 in the UK since Chuck Berry's My Ding-a-Ling.
Queen - Save Me (play-out)
After the smash hit Crazy Little Thing Called Love expectations were high, and this Brian May-penned number would do them well.
See you next week for the first February '80 Pops! Remember to get your TOTP80 selected video clippage here.
Interlude: Valentine's Day '80 Pops LP
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| Pic and further info: Top of the Pops albums website |
For the uninitiated these 'Top of the Pops' LPs were budget-priced records which issued throughout the seventies and into the eighties by the Hallmark label. They featured cover versions (never the original versions) of hit songs of the particular period, and the front and back cover bear a scantily-yet-tastefully clad female in seductive pose as a not-so-subtle marketing device, which presumably worked its magic mostly on Dads.
Here's the February 1980 release, in fetching 'Valentine's Day' red.
Interlude: RIP Steve Strange
Some shock news that archetypal 'New Romantic' pop star Steve Strange died last night in his sleep. An untimely death at just 55 years of age, although it must be said that the man certainly lived life to the full during most of the eighties, and was also enjoying a renaissance recently with a rather good new Visage album Hearts and Knives and orchestral re-workings of the classic Fade to Grey and other Visage songs.
As the eccentric impresario figure behind the whole Blitz Club scene, there are certainly a whole range of bands who benefitted from his groundbreaking approach to music in the 'new romantic' opening years of the decade. Fittingly, he only appeared on TOTP in 1980 in video-promos; firstly as an 'extra' in David Bowie's iconic Ashes to Ashes video, and later in Visage's own Fade to Grey (a song which he didn't actually write). But here's the man in a TOTP performance of a later hit Night Train in 1982, executed naturally with impeccable style.
Thank you Mr. Strange.
As the eccentric impresario figure behind the whole Blitz Club scene, there are certainly a whole range of bands who benefitted from his groundbreaking approach to music in the 'new romantic' opening years of the decade. Fittingly, he only appeared on TOTP in 1980 in video-promos; firstly as an 'extra' in David Bowie's iconic Ashes to Ashes video, and later in Visage's own Fade to Grey (a song which he didn't actually write). But here's the man in a TOTP performance of a later hit Night Train in 1982, executed naturally with impeccable style.
Thank you Mr. Strange.
TOTP 80.4 24/01/1980
Repeat showing: from 05.02.2015
Presentation duties tonight go to Mike Read, the Mary Whitehouse of Radio 1, so no swearing or mentioning sex between consenting adults. Incredibly that awful shirt of his did get past the censors. Anyway it's a real roller-coaster of a show in more ways thena one so better get cracking....
Chart rundown
Ooo - what's this? Azymuth? Makes for ace chart rundown music, they should use it every week. Would've made good theme music for something and it probably did.
The Buggles - The Plastic Age
Although their previous Video Killed the Radio Star had been a top no. 1 single some months hence, perhaps the full importance of that song had still to be fully appreciated at this point. Tonight here's the follow up in the prestigious opening new song spot, with Trevor Horn and the other bloke(s) giving us more futuristic pop sounds, sleeky production and clever clever lyrics about our not-too-distant dystopian future. The Kraftwerky intro is sadly lost here, but it's funny how Horn sounds like Jon Anderson and some point. Perhaps they should do something together with Yes.Taken from the forthcoming album The Age of Plastic - geddit?
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood for Dancing
From the lower reaches of the still non-existant Top 40 to the giddy heights of No. 4 with this new live performance by the Nolanettes complete with the legendary TOTP Orchestra. They (the orchestra) didn't appear that much but the show and indeed the whole music industry would feel the fullforce of their musicians' union-backed clout in a few months. The Girls were on fine form and evidently in the mood, for dancing obviously.
The Boomtown Rats - Someone's Looking at You
Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (Legs & Co.)
..or just 'Legs' as 'Mike' refers to them, and couldn't resist the nudge-nudge wink-wink comment at the end. A nice enough Gibb-tune gracefully interpreted by Flick Colby's girls. It had reached no. 16 but wouldn't get any higher and was indeed the last we would hear from the high-pitched siblings for quite a bit. Baz would soon be off to do other stuff with Barbara Streisand.
Joe Jackson - Different for Girls
The incredibly tall one is back this week too, and deservedly so having made it to no. 12. Make the most of it Joe, you'll have to wait another two years and release another eight singles before you get another chart hit.
Suzi Quatro - Mama's Boys
Eh? What's she doing in here? I thought we'd left Suzi Quatro clad in her leather 'catsuit' in the early 70s somewhere! Sorry, this is the eighties Suzi, we don't want you anymore. But what's that? "he touches me barely...he loves me too quickly..he's everything but manly..". Has Mike Read actually heard this?
Dollar - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
They're back after the other performance of two weeks ago, and Thereza has swapped that little back and white dress for a black and white jumper. I'm surprised how well this did as The Beatles still weren't nostalgia material yet, as we'd spent most of the 70s trying to forget them. Even The Beatles were trying to forget The Beatles. Kudos to BBCFour for leaving Read's intro referencing J*immy S*ville intact.
The Specials - Too Much, Too Young
This is more like it. Raw, mixed-race energy captured live on stage somewhere in the Midlands, no doubt. Mike Read's intro is true enough in the facts but does he know this new one is about teenage pregnancy? Incredibly he didn't get it banned from either radio or tv although this showing of the promo film cuts off before the final "..try wearing a CAP!", and no Mike, not one to keep the rain off.
Barbara Dickson - Caravan Song
Well after that injection of new youth music it's back down to earth and into the studio with a yawnsome ballad written by "the very talented Mike Batt", yes the one who wrote The Wombles songs. Not sure what this is doing here as the song didn't even make the Top 40. Batt obviously has friends in high places, including Mike Read singing his praises in a bubble above the studio.
Matchbox - Buzz Buzz a Diddle It
More nostalgia of the 1950s variety from an oddball rock n roll no sorry, rockabilly outfit who had even stole Dr Hook's maracas for this one. They'd done quite well with their previous song, the aptly named Rockabilly Rebel, although this one would do less well. A bit daft but at least Mike Read gets the horn.
Sheila & B. Devotion - Spacer
Again, a bit of a mystery why this one is on again as it was 'a non-mover at no. 20' as they used to say. Presumably to modernise things up a bit after the nostalgia acts, and get the dads interested again as Legs were on pretty early. Same promo-video as last time, featuring an amazing number of phallic symbols. Mike?
The Regents - 7 Teen
'New wave' novelty group of the week although they were no doubt taking it all very seriously. I can't seem to find out much about them so I'll be scouring Smash Hits to see if they were ever featured. The female backing vocalists remind me of the girls in The Human League who would in fact only materialise a year later. Hang on, Mike - are they singing about an under-age female doing..things?
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
Second week at number 1 indeed and a new studio performance even though Chrissie Hynde still hasn't found a decent hairdresser and thank goodness for that! It must have been chilly in those studios cos she's wearing a jumper and a jacket and a scarf around her neck and a pair of gloves. This really was a good tune; 'tis a pity it's the last we'll hear of it on the Pops.
Kool & the Gang - Too Hot
Oh no, it can't be that chilly or at least Kool and his lot don't think it is. Another smooooth run-out this week, and unless you want to go and get some more of Mike Read 'on the wireless' (sic.) it's either Wildlife on One next or the rather more entertaining It's Patently Obvious over on Two.
See you next week...
Full chart here
For video clips see lee nichols' channel
 |
| pic: @OldRoberts953 |
Presentation duties tonight go to Mike Read, the Mary Whitehouse of Radio 1, so no swearing or mentioning sex between consenting adults. Incredibly that awful shirt of his did get past the censors. Anyway it's a real roller-coaster of a show in more ways thena one so better get cracking....
Chart rundown
Ooo - what's this? Azymuth? Makes for ace chart rundown music, they should use it every week. Would've made good theme music for something and it probably did.
The Buggles - The Plastic Age
Although their previous Video Killed the Radio Star had been a top no. 1 single some months hence, perhaps the full importance of that song had still to be fully appreciated at this point. Tonight here's the follow up in the prestigious opening new song spot, with Trevor Horn and the other bloke(s) giving us more futuristic pop sounds, sleeky production and clever clever lyrics about our not-too-distant dystopian future. The Kraftwerky intro is sadly lost here, but it's funny how Horn sounds like Jon Anderson and some point. Perhaps they should do something together with Yes.Taken from the forthcoming album The Age of Plastic - geddit?
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood for Dancing
From the lower reaches of the still non-existant Top 40 to the giddy heights of No. 4 with this new live performance by the Nolanettes complete with the legendary TOTP Orchestra. They (the orchestra) didn't appear that much but the show and indeed the whole music industry would feel the fullforce of their musicians' union-backed clout in a few months. The Girls were on fine form and evidently in the mood, for dancing obviously.
The Boomtown Rats - Someone's Looking at You
"Staying with the emerald Isle" quips Read (ouch) even though the singing sisters were from Blackpool. The Rats were no strangers to the charts, or to the TOTP studio, and this was to be their eighth top 20 hit. Full on TOTP production innovation here, cutting between the band playing 'live' on TOTP stage, Geldof even remembering to raise the mike to his mouth occasionally, and footage of selfsame Geldof watching multiple TV screens, evoking some kind of Orwellian ssurveillance-scenario. Phew, heavy.
Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (Legs & Co.)
..or just 'Legs' as 'Mike' refers to them, and couldn't resist the nudge-nudge wink-wink comment at the end. A nice enough Gibb-tune gracefully interpreted by Flick Colby's girls. It had reached no. 16 but wouldn't get any higher and was indeed the last we would hear from the high-pitched siblings for quite a bit. Baz would soon be off to do other stuff with Barbara Streisand.
Joe Jackson - Different for Girls
The incredibly tall one is back this week too, and deservedly so having made it to no. 12. Make the most of it Joe, you'll have to wait another two years and release another eight singles before you get another chart hit.
Suzi Quatro - Mama's Boys
Eh? What's she doing in here? I thought we'd left Suzi Quatro clad in her leather 'catsuit' in the early 70s somewhere! Sorry, this is the eighties Suzi, we don't want you anymore. But what's that? "he touches me barely...he loves me too quickly..he's everything but manly..". Has Mike Read actually heard this?
Dollar - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
They're back after the other performance of two weeks ago, and Thereza has swapped that little back and white dress for a black and white jumper. I'm surprised how well this did as The Beatles still weren't nostalgia material yet, as we'd spent most of the 70s trying to forget them. Even The Beatles were trying to forget The Beatles. Kudos to BBCFour for leaving Read's intro referencing J*immy S*ville intact.
The Specials - Too Much, Too Young
This is more like it. Raw, mixed-race energy captured live on stage somewhere in the Midlands, no doubt. Mike Read's intro is true enough in the facts but does he know this new one is about teenage pregnancy? Incredibly he didn't get it banned from either radio or tv although this showing of the promo film cuts off before the final "..try wearing a CAP!", and no Mike, not one to keep the rain off.
Barbara Dickson - Caravan Song
Well after that injection of new youth music it's back down to earth and into the studio with a yawnsome ballad written by "the very talented Mike Batt", yes the one who wrote The Wombles songs. Not sure what this is doing here as the song didn't even make the Top 40. Batt obviously has friends in high places, including Mike Read singing his praises in a bubble above the studio.
Matchbox - Buzz Buzz a Diddle It
More nostalgia of the 1950s variety from an oddball rock n roll no sorry, rockabilly outfit who had even stole Dr Hook's maracas for this one. They'd done quite well with their previous song, the aptly named Rockabilly Rebel, although this one would do less well. A bit daft but at least Mike Read gets the horn.
Sheila & B. Devotion - Spacer
Again, a bit of a mystery why this one is on again as it was 'a non-mover at no. 20' as they used to say. Presumably to modernise things up a bit after the nostalgia acts, and get the dads interested again as Legs were on pretty early. Same promo-video as last time, featuring an amazing number of phallic symbols. Mike?
The Regents - 7 Teen
'New wave' novelty group of the week although they were no doubt taking it all very seriously. I can't seem to find out much about them so I'll be scouring Smash Hits to see if they were ever featured. The female backing vocalists remind me of the girls in The Human League who would in fact only materialise a year later. Hang on, Mike - are they singing about an under-age female doing..things?
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
Second week at number 1 indeed and a new studio performance even though Chrissie Hynde still hasn't found a decent hairdresser and thank goodness for that! It must have been chilly in those studios cos she's wearing a jumper and a jacket and a scarf around her neck and a pair of gloves. This really was a good tune; 'tis a pity it's the last we'll hear of it on the Pops.
Kool & the Gang - Too Hot
Oh no, it can't be that chilly or at least Kool and his lot don't think it is. Another smooooth run-out this week, and unless you want to go and get some more of Mike Read 'on the wireless' (sic.) it's either Wildlife on One next or the rather more entertaining It's Patently Obvious over on Two.
See you next week...
Full chart here
For video clips see lee nichols' channel
TOTP 80.3 17/01/1980
Repeat showing: 29.01.2015
Presented this week by the rather more irksome Simon Bates (turn that collar down man!), and a show which must hold the record for the highest number of non-chart or low-placed songs. Most of the big movers had already been featured last week (KC, Nolans, Dollar), while other high climbers were now falling in the post-Xmas lull. Plenty of room then for some new sounds. Let's get cracking:
Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (chart rundown)
In at no. 26, the title track from the eponymous album which had been released almost a year earlier. Wiki informs that it was released as single in conjunction with the Bee Gees Greatest album which had come out before Christmas, and furthermore was the last Top 40 hit the band had in the UK for almost eight years. I can believe that.
New Musik - Living By Numbers
And new music it was indeed, brought to you by Tony Mansfield and his band. Peter Powell had announced "the sound of the eighties" two weeks ago although perhaps this really was the first hint of the new electronic-based pop music we would soon be seeing the likes of in the new decade. A spritely sing-along tune with a catchy synth-riff, electronic snare drum sound, but backed with skin-and-bone drummer and guitars. Still outside the charts at this point, it would become their biggest hit.
Billy Preston & Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again
Here we go again. This hadn't been on last week so it was one of the few high-flyers who were on this week. Justifiably so as it was already at no. 2.
Sad Café - Strange Girl
Another non-charter by 'a band from Manchester' although a far cry from fellow citizens Joy Division and Buzzcocks. The song is actually a bit pervy: "Little girl who lives down the lane...".. eh? Their previous single Every Day Hurts had been a hit although this one failed to make the Top 30. "Sad" on many levels.
Sister Sledge - I've Got to Love Somebody
More sadness here too I'm afraid which is a shame as their 1979 hits (look 'em up) have become disco classics. Seeing this rather shabolic studio performance makes you realise we were at the fag end of the genre however, and probably just as well.
Madness - My Girl
It would seem that there's always room for Madness in the 1980's TOTP line-up and this studio performance repeat makes them the most featured band and song to date, making it onto the playlist for three weeks running. The nutty boys from Camden had at this point made it to no. 4.
Positive Force - We've Got the Funk
Back to disco again, more's the pity, with this number which was just on the threshold of the Top 30. Signed to the Sugarhill label, these "two young ladies" (sic.) had made a contribution to the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight hit, also in the charts. Despite getting the studio audience animated, this TOTP performance did little to help their no. 32 chart position
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Dance Stance
I'm sure there's a wonderful story about how Dexy's ("some people from Birmingham") first got onto TOTP without yet being in the charts, although I have failed to find anything along those lines. But it's a significant debut nonetheless, and good to know that TOTP producers still kept their eye on the 'alternative' scene. Dance Stance only made it to aplatry no. 40, although they'd do better next time.
Doctor Hook - Better Love Next Time
From the sublime to the ridiculous. TOTP couldn't keep this 'alternative' nonsense up for too long though and it's back to repeat showing of this frankly embarassing maracas-shaking performance. The song had shot up to 14 from no. 13. Groan.
Amii Stewart - Paradise Girl
Here's an interesting one. Although better known for her disco hits Knock on Wood and Light My Fire, Amii tones things down a bit (although not in the costume dept.9 with this little number, which sadly time seems to have forgotten. Artificial tweets aside, the song highlights Ms. Stewarts vocal talents with a live performance. The song scrpaed into the Top 40 the following week, deserved to do better.
Styx - Babe
Judging by the promo-film this hairy lot were obviously already hugely popular in 'the States'. Thankfully, this would be their only UK hit.
Booker T. - Green Onions
Bates' appreciation of 'little dresses' and sexist nuance towards Legs & Co. was embarassing enough at the time, so now it all seems just so wrong. However, the in-house dance troupe do indeed seem to have modelled their mises on Thereza Bazar's fetching number from last week in order to showcase the vintage ska-esque number of the moment. Impeccable as ever, perhaps it would have been even more effective if they'd filmed it in black and white.
Rupert Holmes - Pina Colada Song
Another low placed number is given the prime prior-to-the-number-one spot. And just because this is number 1 in 'the States' it also has to be inflicted upon us. The raised platform / spiral staircase is put to full use for this dreary anti-health food song. Actually called 'Escape' (but who really cares?), it would hang around the charts for an unhealthy seven weeks.
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
New Number 1! No more Pink Floyd! Hurrah! The combined efforts of (The) Pretenders, Madness, KC and Preton/Syreeta had brushed away the cobwebs from the post-Christmas lull knocking The Floyd, Abba and, yes, Fidler's Dram down a few notches. A repeat studio performance for the Herefordians plus one in their moment of glory, but no-one's complaining. Although not strictly UK home-grown, Chrissie Hynde was "our" Debbie Harry for a bit. You can't get more English than 'brass' in the sense of 'money' though. Said Hynde of her lyrics (in Smash Hits). "I don't want to tell you what they're about because what they're about is what they sound like to you". Whatever you say, miss.
Jon & Vangelis - I Hear You Now (closing credits)
More early-electronica sublimeness from the edges of the Top 30 and it makes for nice closing music with those very special TOTP lens/lights effects. Fun fact: Vangelis (né Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) auditioned for (Jon) Anderson's band Yes in 1974, but was turned down.
See you next week.
Full chart here: Offical Chart Company
 |
| pic: @DamoIRL |
Presented this week by the rather more irksome Simon Bates (turn that collar down man!), and a show which must hold the record for the highest number of non-chart or low-placed songs. Most of the big movers had already been featured last week (KC, Nolans, Dollar), while other high climbers were now falling in the post-Xmas lull. Plenty of room then for some new sounds. Let's get cracking:
Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (chart rundown)
In at no. 26, the title track from the eponymous album which had been released almost a year earlier. Wiki informs that it was released as single in conjunction with the Bee Gees Greatest album which had come out before Christmas, and furthermore was the last Top 40 hit the band had in the UK for almost eight years. I can believe that.
New Musik - Living By Numbers
And new music it was indeed, brought to you by Tony Mansfield and his band. Peter Powell had announced "the sound of the eighties" two weeks ago although perhaps this really was the first hint of the new electronic-based pop music we would soon be seeing the likes of in the new decade. A spritely sing-along tune with a catchy synth-riff, electronic snare drum sound, but backed with skin-and-bone drummer and guitars. Still outside the charts at this point, it would become their biggest hit.
Billy Preston & Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again
Here we go again. This hadn't been on last week so it was one of the few high-flyers who were on this week. Justifiably so as it was already at no. 2.
Sad Café - Strange Girl
Another non-charter by 'a band from Manchester' although a far cry from fellow citizens Joy Division and Buzzcocks. The song is actually a bit pervy: "Little girl who lives down the lane...".. eh? Their previous single Every Day Hurts had been a hit although this one failed to make the Top 30. "Sad" on many levels.
Sister Sledge - I've Got to Love Somebody
More sadness here too I'm afraid which is a shame as their 1979 hits (look 'em up) have become disco classics. Seeing this rather shabolic studio performance makes you realise we were at the fag end of the genre however, and probably just as well.
Madness - My Girl
It would seem that there's always room for Madness in the 1980's TOTP line-up and this studio performance repeat makes them the most featured band and song to date, making it onto the playlist for three weeks running. The nutty boys from Camden had at this point made it to no. 4.
Positive Force - We've Got the Funk
Back to disco again, more's the pity, with this number which was just on the threshold of the Top 30. Signed to the Sugarhill label, these "two young ladies" (sic.) had made a contribution to the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight hit, also in the charts. Despite getting the studio audience animated, this TOTP performance did little to help their no. 32 chart position
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Dance Stance
I'm sure there's a wonderful story about how Dexy's ("some people from Birmingham") first got onto TOTP without yet being in the charts, although I have failed to find anything along those lines. But it's a significant debut nonetheless, and good to know that TOTP producers still kept their eye on the 'alternative' scene. Dance Stance only made it to aplatry no. 40, although they'd do better next time.
Doctor Hook - Better Love Next Time
From the sublime to the ridiculous. TOTP couldn't keep this 'alternative' nonsense up for too long though and it's back to repeat showing of this frankly embarassing maracas-shaking performance. The song had shot up to 14 from no. 13. Groan.
Amii Stewart - Paradise Girl
Here's an interesting one. Although better known for her disco hits Knock on Wood and Light My Fire, Amii tones things down a bit (although not in the costume dept.9 with this little number, which sadly time seems to have forgotten. Artificial tweets aside, the song highlights Ms. Stewarts vocal talents with a live performance. The song scrpaed into the Top 40 the following week, deserved to do better.
Styx - Babe
Judging by the promo-film this hairy lot were obviously already hugely popular in 'the States'. Thankfully, this would be their only UK hit.
Booker T. - Green Onions
Bates' appreciation of 'little dresses' and sexist nuance towards Legs & Co. was embarassing enough at the time, so now it all seems just so wrong. However, the in-house dance troupe do indeed seem to have modelled their mises on Thereza Bazar's fetching number from last week in order to showcase the vintage ska-esque number of the moment. Impeccable as ever, perhaps it would have been even more effective if they'd filmed it in black and white.
Rupert Holmes - Pina Colada Song
Another low placed number is given the prime prior-to-the-number-one spot. And just because this is number 1 in 'the States' it also has to be inflicted upon us. The raised platform / spiral staircase is put to full use for this dreary anti-health food song. Actually called 'Escape' (but who really cares?), it would hang around the charts for an unhealthy seven weeks.
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
 |
| pic: Like Punk Never Happened |
New Number 1! No more Pink Floyd! Hurrah! The combined efforts of (The) Pretenders, Madness, KC and Preton/Syreeta had brushed away the cobwebs from the post-Christmas lull knocking The Floyd, Abba and, yes, Fidler's Dram down a few notches. A repeat studio performance for the Herefordians plus one in their moment of glory, but no-one's complaining. Although not strictly UK home-grown, Chrissie Hynde was "our" Debbie Harry for a bit. You can't get more English than 'brass' in the sense of 'money' though. Said Hynde of her lyrics (in Smash Hits). "I don't want to tell you what they're about because what they're about is what they sound like to you". Whatever you say, miss.
Jon & Vangelis - I Hear You Now (closing credits)
More early-electronica sublimeness from the edges of the Top 30 and it makes for nice closing music with those very special TOTP lens/lights effects. Fun fact: Vangelis (né Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) auditioned for (Jon) Anderson's band Yes in 1974, but was turned down.
See you next week.
Full chart here: Offical Chart Company
TOTP 80.2 10/01/1980
Repeat showing: from 22.01.2015
"Kid" Jensen's first presenting appearance of the eighties. Again, one of Radio 1's better DJ's at the time. His Canadian accent may have irritated many, yet his championing of many interesting 'new-wave' acts more than justified his presence at the Beeb. OK then....
Madness - My Girl (chart rundown)
After last week's debut and prestigious 'first band on' spot, Madness stormed into the charts at no. 14, and so obviously deserved the no less prestigious chart-rundown backing music spot.
UFO - Young Blood
And this week's prestigious first band on spot goes to....UFO! Who? Predominantly a seventies 'heavy metal' album and live group, they attempted to re-invent themselves in 1979 with a change of lead guitarist and the George Martin produced LP No Place to Run. The poor Young Blood single would scrape into the Top 40 after this dire performance which wreaks of 1970s 'c*ck-rock' posing. Brightly coloured 'eighties' clothes do not a modern band make.
Abba - I Have a Dream
Back among the big guys now with mega-stars Abba giving Pink Floyd a run for their money with this sentimental track from their super-selling disco-orientated Voulez-Vous album. Much like Floyd's single, Abba's song also feature a children's choir, albeit expressing a rather different sentiment. The clever thing about this song was that it sounded Christmassy without actually being about Christmas, therefore giving it lasting power long after the last turkey scraps had been thrown out. That said, it dropped down the charts the following week.
(The BBC programme website lists Rose Royce - Is It Love You're After here but it was not featured on this repeat showing).
Joe Jackson - It's Different For Girls
Back onto the British new-wave groove now with this new-croon number from Joe Jackson and his merry men. Jackson had already enjoyed chart success in 1979 with Is She Really Going Out With Him (a re-issue from the previous year), and this was a worthy successor taken from the I'm The Man album. The interim single release of said album's title track had failed to chart.
Sheila B. Devotion - Spacer
A rare trip to the Continent now with sexy Sheila (née Annie Chancel) & B Devotion (supposedly the group) and their sci-fi disco hit. It was a tardy follow up to 1978's euro-kitsch version of Singin' in the Rain, but the Nile/Rodger's (Chic) production team had given them a kick up the derrière, ensuring steady progress up the charts and into the annals of Euro-disco. Sheila and pals give Legs & Co. a few hi-tech ideas with some flashy silver jumpsuits, 'spacey' visual effects and some strategically placed laser beams.
The Skids - Working For the Yankee Dollar
Some proper 'new wave' at last! In the crazy world of TOTP the jump from Sheila B's disco posing to Richard Jobson's on-stage "dancing" is but a small one. Dunfermline's finest were no strangers to the charts or indeed to TOTP having already had three hits over the course of 1979. Yankee Dollar had been hovering around the lower end of the Top 30 since early December, so undoubtedly this studio performance was a repeat, but nonetheless enjoyable. From their Bill Nelson-produced album Days in Europa.
KC & The Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
Back down to earth with a thud with this wearisome piece of American MOR which had been creeping up the charts for some time, now at no. 7. Made slightly more interesting with this Legs & Co. performance although quite what the ballet-esque costumes and moves have to do with anything is anyone's guess. The song's 'last dance at the disco, possibly with snog' appeal meant it was destined to go even higher. Short interview with 'KC' afterwards, who also gets to introduce...
Dollar - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
I was surprised to see this come up as Dollar's shiny glossy pop surely belongs to 1981 rather than '79 into '80. Full credit to them for being somewhat ahead of their time, and for this tasteful minimalist cover of the Beatles' classic which I'd quite forgotten about. Thereza Bazar's dress is a clever nod to both current ska-style fashion as well as 1960's Beatles-chic. Also noted that Dave 'n' Thereza have the same hair.
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood For Dancing
More home-grown talent in the form of the all singing, all dancing Nolan Sisters (the change of name imposed by Epic Records after signing for them in '79) who would go on to score one of their biggest hits with their version of Brit-disco, with an Irish flavour no doubt favoured by Terry Wogan. TOTP production went all out on this one editing together video of the Nolanettes performing both on the regular stage and on the raised platform, the latter angle also incorporating some male bottoms.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2) (promo)
Amazingly still at the top spot, with its parent LP also at no. 3 in the album charts. The single sold over one million copies in the space of just over one month. Such popularity even earned them this rather odd centre spread in Smash Hits. This was the last of its five-week's stint at the top, although in March the single would make it to the top state-side for a further four. It would get banned in South Africa later in the year on the grounds that black children were using it to condemn apartheid education in Soweto.
Back on TOTP and it's the promo-film again of course, the opening shot showing London in all its grim and gritty fin-de-seventies glory.
Booker T & The M.G.'s - Green Onions
It was presumably the nation's new-found love of ska music which had led some record company to dig out this old hit from 1962 for the pop-pickers, who now had it creeping back into the Top 30. Even yer Granny could tap her foot to this one.
Enjoy the Circus Championships and I'll see you next week.
Year 2020 edit: The Skids' performance was not a repeat, whereas Dollar's was.
 |
| pic: @sotc80s |
Madness - My Girl (chart rundown)
After last week's debut and prestigious 'first band on' spot, Madness stormed into the charts at no. 14, and so obviously deserved the no less prestigious chart-rundown backing music spot.
UFO - Young Blood
And this week's prestigious first band on spot goes to....UFO! Who? Predominantly a seventies 'heavy metal' album and live group, they attempted to re-invent themselves in 1979 with a change of lead guitarist and the George Martin produced LP No Place to Run. The poor Young Blood single would scrape into the Top 40 after this dire performance which wreaks of 1970s 'c*ck-rock' posing. Brightly coloured 'eighties' clothes do not a modern band make.
Abba - I Have a Dream
Back among the big guys now with mega-stars Abba giving Pink Floyd a run for their money with this sentimental track from their super-selling disco-orientated Voulez-Vous album. Much like Floyd's single, Abba's song also feature a children's choir, albeit expressing a rather different sentiment. The clever thing about this song was that it sounded Christmassy without actually being about Christmas, therefore giving it lasting power long after the last turkey scraps had been thrown out. That said, it dropped down the charts the following week.
(The BBC programme website lists Rose Royce - Is It Love You're After here but it was not featured on this repeat showing).
Joe Jackson - It's Different For Girls
Back onto the British new-wave groove now with this new-croon number from Joe Jackson and his merry men. Jackson had already enjoyed chart success in 1979 with Is She Really Going Out With Him (a re-issue from the previous year), and this was a worthy successor taken from the I'm The Man album. The interim single release of said album's title track had failed to chart.
Sheila B. Devotion - Spacer
A rare trip to the Continent now with sexy Sheila (née Annie Chancel) & B Devotion (supposedly the group) and their sci-fi disco hit. It was a tardy follow up to 1978's euro-kitsch version of Singin' in the Rain, but the Nile/Rodger's (Chic) production team had given them a kick up the derrière, ensuring steady progress up the charts and into the annals of Euro-disco. Sheila and pals give Legs & Co. a few hi-tech ideas with some flashy silver jumpsuits, 'spacey' visual effects and some strategically placed laser beams.
The Skids - Working For the Yankee Dollar
Some proper 'new wave' at last! In the crazy world of TOTP the jump from Sheila B's disco posing to Richard Jobson's on-stage "dancing" is but a small one. Dunfermline's finest were no strangers to the charts or indeed to TOTP having already had three hits over the course of 1979. Yankee Dollar had been hovering around the lower end of the Top 30 since early December, so undoubtedly this studio performance was a repeat, but nonetheless enjoyable. From their Bill Nelson-produced album Days in Europa.
KC & The Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
Back down to earth with a thud with this wearisome piece of American MOR which had been creeping up the charts for some time, now at no. 7. Made slightly more interesting with this Legs & Co. performance although quite what the ballet-esque costumes and moves have to do with anything is anyone's guess. The song's 'last dance at the disco, possibly with snog' appeal meant it was destined to go even higher. Short interview with 'KC' afterwards, who also gets to introduce...
Dollar - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
I was surprised to see this come up as Dollar's shiny glossy pop surely belongs to 1981 rather than '79 into '80. Full credit to them for being somewhat ahead of their time, and for this tasteful minimalist cover of the Beatles' classic which I'd quite forgotten about. Thereza Bazar's dress is a clever nod to both current ska-style fashion as well as 1960's Beatles-chic. Also noted that Dave 'n' Thereza have the same hair.
The Nolans - I'm in the Mood For Dancing
More home-grown talent in the form of the all singing, all dancing Nolan Sisters (the change of name imposed by Epic Records after signing for them in '79) who would go on to score one of their biggest hits with their version of Brit-disco, with an Irish flavour no doubt favoured by Terry Wogan. TOTP production went all out on this one editing together video of the Nolanettes performing both on the regular stage and on the raised platform, the latter angle also incorporating some male bottoms.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2) (promo)
Amazingly still at the top spot, with its parent LP also at no. 3 in the album charts. The single sold over one million copies in the space of just over one month. Such popularity even earned them this rather odd centre spread in Smash Hits. This was the last of its five-week's stint at the top, although in March the single would make it to the top state-side for a further four. It would get banned in South Africa later in the year on the grounds that black children were using it to condemn apartheid education in Soweto.
Back on TOTP and it's the promo-film again of course, the opening shot showing London in all its grim and gritty fin-de-seventies glory.
Booker T & The M.G.'s - Green Onions
It was presumably the nation's new-found love of ska music which had led some record company to dig out this old hit from 1962 for the pop-pickers, who now had it creeping back into the Top 30. Even yer Granny could tap her foot to this one.
Enjoy the Circus Championships and I'll see you next week.
Year 2020 edit: The Skids' performance was not a repeat, whereas Dollar's was.
TOTP 80.1 03/01/1980
It's appropriate that the first show of 1980 was introduced by fresh-faced Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell. As a relative youngster (28 at the time) Powell had his roots in the sixties and seventies but also had his finger on the pulse of newer music and would go on to champion many of the new pop acts of the early eighties. But on with the show..
The Clash - London Calling (chart rundown)
The single was stable at no. 29, which may not have put it in good stead in TOTP terms, but it was an appropriate opener to the decade by one of the more commercially successful punk bands and the song which definitely summed up of the mood of the time. It would go on to reach a peak no. 11 position two weeks later. The eponymous album had been released shortly before Christmas 1979 and would become a classic of the genre and the period. As far as I know the Clash never actually went on TOTP.
Madness - My Girl
The first new TOTP performance proper of the eighties, appropriately featuring the large '1980' numbered background. Madness had already become successful with two top 20 singles in the second half of '79 (One Step Beyond reaching no. 7 in November) and with this instantly likeable new single they could do no wrong.
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime (promo)
Definitely a festive 'left-over', about as appealing as cold turkey sandwiches on December 28th, but Macca's synthy Christmas single had gone up one place to no. 6, post-Chrimbo. It would plummet the week after despite this last ditch attempt to push it at the January sales.
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
This is more like it - melodic pop with a 'new-wave' feel and a slinky 'post-punk' female vocalist to go with it! The single had already rocketed up to no. 5 and would indeed go on to do even better.
David Bowie - John I'm Only Dancing (promo)
Correct title: John I'm Only Dancing (Again), this was a 'left-over' form the seventies in more ways than one. Originally released in 1972, the song was remixed and revived apparently in order to up Bowie's sales, after the moderate success of late 70s singles DJ and Boys Keep Swinging, and to cash-in somewhat on the current dance/disco craze (hence its release also as an 'extended version' on 12"). The single was featured here as a promo-film, and did little to up the songs chart success as it would remain stable at no. 12 the week after. But no matter, Bowie would go on to do much greater things later in the year.
( - the BBC programme website list three songs here which were not featured on the repeat broadcast. I'd be interested to know if these were actually featured on the original broadcast.)
Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin'
More left-over turkey and, oh dear, it would also seem to be a Christmas song that time forgot. It may have been groundbreaking in its genre but one gets the impression that the UK/TOTP public was hardly ready for it. A non-chart feature, it disappeared without a trace after this showing.
Billy Preston & Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again
More music from Motown, or thereabouts, although this ballad would fare much better than the above mentioned rappin'. Released at the end of 1979, it was a new entry at no. 24. Apparently from the soundtrack of the film Fast Break (apparently) although I doubt that had much to do with its success. Like it or not, we'll be hearing a lot more of this in the coming weeks.
Chic - My Feet Keep Dancing (Legs & Co,)
Staying with our American cousins, more disco fodder here, as interpreted by in-house dance troupe Legs & Co. Not Chic's best-known song, and indeed it would be their last UK chart hit of a long run which had begun over two years earlier. A steady climber at no. 21, the song would slowly drop back down the charts, notwithstanding Legs & Co.'s admirable interpretation.
Dr. Hook - Better Love Next Time
As was often the case with the first song featured in each programme's running-list (see My Girl above) the song before the Number 1 was usually a new non-chart song, presumably because maximum audience attention would be at the show's opening and just before the no. 1 (did people just tune in to see who was no. 1?). Anyway it's more American faux-country 'n' western MOR this week with Union City's finest sons Dr. Hook (formerly Dr. Hook & The, er, Medicine Show). They had enjoyed a UK No. 1 single just a month earlier with When You're In Love With a Beautiful Woman, and although this follow-up and the subsequent Sexy Eyes would also fare well, their UK chart days were numbered.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2) (promo)
And so to the this week's Number 1, the first of the eighties. Ironically it was the Floyd who had knocked the above mentioned Dr. Hook off the top spot in the second week of December 1979, continuing to stay there for some time. There's no doubting Another Brick in the Wall's now legendary status, although far from being a standard pop single, this extract from the concept album The Wall remains one of British pop history's most unlikely hits. Presumably it was the "we don't need no edu-cay-shun" chant, inspired, unsurprisingly, by Alice Cooper's School's Out hit, which appealed to many young record buyers across the land. Despite Pink Floyd's 'rock dinosaur' label, if anything it goes to show that it was the British artists (rather than the Americans) who were producing the most interesting and innovative music at the time (see Clash / Madness / Pretenders above).
Rose Royce - Is It Love You're After (closing credits)
As if to prove my last point, it's back to the yawnsome Motown-y ballads to ease us out of the programme. Not time for bed just yet though: White Rock is on next, so we can enjoy the "thrills, skill and immense courage of the (Winter) Olympic heroes".
See you next week.
The Clash - London Calling (chart rundown)
The single was stable at no. 29, which may not have put it in good stead in TOTP terms, but it was an appropriate opener to the decade by one of the more commercially successful punk bands and the song which definitely summed up of the mood of the time. It would go on to reach a peak no. 11 position two weeks later. The eponymous album had been released shortly before Christmas 1979 and would become a classic of the genre and the period. As far as I know the Clash never actually went on TOTP.
Madness - My Girl
The first new TOTP performance proper of the eighties, appropriately featuring the large '1980' numbered background. Madness had already become successful with two top 20 singles in the second half of '79 (One Step Beyond reaching no. 7 in November) and with this instantly likeable new single they could do no wrong.
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime (promo)
Definitely a festive 'left-over', about as appealing as cold turkey sandwiches on December 28th, but Macca's synthy Christmas single had gone up one place to no. 6, post-Chrimbo. It would plummet the week after despite this last ditch attempt to push it at the January sales.
Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
This is more like it - melodic pop with a 'new-wave' feel and a slinky 'post-punk' female vocalist to go with it! The single had already rocketed up to no. 5 and would indeed go on to do even better.
David Bowie - John I'm Only Dancing (promo)
Correct title: John I'm Only Dancing (Again), this was a 'left-over' form the seventies in more ways than one. Originally released in 1972, the song was remixed and revived apparently in order to up Bowie's sales, after the moderate success of late 70s singles DJ and Boys Keep Swinging, and to cash-in somewhat on the current dance/disco craze (hence its release also as an 'extended version' on 12"). The single was featured here as a promo-film, and did little to up the songs chart success as it would remain stable at no. 12 the week after. But no matter, Bowie would go on to do much greater things later in the year.
( - the BBC programme website list three songs here which were not featured on the repeat broadcast. I'd be interested to know if these were actually featured on the original broadcast.)
Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin'
More left-over turkey and, oh dear, it would also seem to be a Christmas song that time forgot. It may have been groundbreaking in its genre but one gets the impression that the UK/TOTP public was hardly ready for it. A non-chart feature, it disappeared without a trace after this showing.
Billy Preston & Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again
More music from Motown, or thereabouts, although this ballad would fare much better than the above mentioned rappin'. Released at the end of 1979, it was a new entry at no. 24. Apparently from the soundtrack of the film Fast Break (apparently) although I doubt that had much to do with its success. Like it or not, we'll be hearing a lot more of this in the coming weeks.
Chic - My Feet Keep Dancing (Legs & Co,)
Staying with our American cousins, more disco fodder here, as interpreted by in-house dance troupe Legs & Co. Not Chic's best-known song, and indeed it would be their last UK chart hit of a long run which had begun over two years earlier. A steady climber at no. 21, the song would slowly drop back down the charts, notwithstanding Legs & Co.'s admirable interpretation.
Dr. Hook - Better Love Next Time
As was often the case with the first song featured in each programme's running-list (see My Girl above) the song before the Number 1 was usually a new non-chart song, presumably because maximum audience attention would be at the show's opening and just before the no. 1 (did people just tune in to see who was no. 1?). Anyway it's more American faux-country 'n' western MOR this week with Union City's finest sons Dr. Hook (formerly Dr. Hook & The, er, Medicine Show). They had enjoyed a UK No. 1 single just a month earlier with When You're In Love With a Beautiful Woman, and although this follow-up and the subsequent Sexy Eyes would also fare well, their UK chart days were numbered.
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2) (promo)
And so to the this week's Number 1, the first of the eighties. Ironically it was the Floyd who had knocked the above mentioned Dr. Hook off the top spot in the second week of December 1979, continuing to stay there for some time. There's no doubting Another Brick in the Wall's now legendary status, although far from being a standard pop single, this extract from the concept album The Wall remains one of British pop history's most unlikely hits. Presumably it was the "we don't need no edu-cay-shun" chant, inspired, unsurprisingly, by Alice Cooper's School's Out hit, which appealed to many young record buyers across the land. Despite Pink Floyd's 'rock dinosaur' label, if anything it goes to show that it was the British artists (rather than the Americans) who were producing the most interesting and innovative music at the time (see Clash / Madness / Pretenders above).
Rose Royce - Is It Love You're After (closing credits)
As if to prove my last point, it's back to the yawnsome Motown-y ballads to ease us out of the programme. Not time for bed just yet though: White Rock is on next, so we can enjoy the "thrills, skill and immense courage of the (Winter) Olympic heroes".
See you next week.
"Welcome to the sound of the 80s"
It was with these words that presenter and Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell began the first Top of the Pops of 1980, a shiny new decade which, for anyone coming from the rather dour 1970s, smacked of 'the future'.
The sixties had been fab and swinging, but the seventies - in Great Britain at least - had been one problem after another: strikes, shortages, 'three-day weeks', terrorism and lots of beige. Popular music, however, had mercifully at least in part raged against the grim and gritty status quo of the outside world. From the glitsy and garish glam-rock, made popular by artists such as David Bowie, Marc Bolan and The Sweet, the decade later took rebellion a step further with the advent of 'punk rock' - the ultimate rage against 'the establishment'. Since the real punk rock was short-lived, it was arguably , the 'post-punk' era which began to whip the anger and DIY ethic of punk into shape and produce some of the better music.
As a young and impressionable teenager, I had observed the music scene in the closing years of the decade with some awe and trepidation. My household music during my formative years (I started school in 1970, learning decimal currency and metric weights and measures) had been a mixture of my parents' MOR and my older sister's pop-oriented tastes: think Jim Reeves meets the Bay City Rollers. After around 1978 I had begun to develop what I believed to be my own tastes, spending early birthday and Christmas record tokens on ELO's Out of the Blue, Abba: The Album and Jean Michel Jarre's Equinoxe. I later moved on to discovering the joys of the 45 rpm, occasionally venturing into new musical realms with singles by said 'post-punks' such as Lene Lovich, Jilted John and Blondie.
The pattern with singles was however becoming clear: you heard the record played on Radio 1 (or Radio Luxembourg in those days), you saw it performed on Top of the Pops on a Thursday night, you bought the record on the following Saturday. You got the thing home, you played it endlessly, you even ventured into the B side. If you were lucky it went up the charts the week after (then published on a Tuesday) and would be played on the radio a few more times and, even better, got onto Top of the Pops again - but not the week after mind, since the 'rule' was that a song would only be featured two weeks in a row if it got to number one.
But there was no doubt about it: the appearance of an artist and a song on TOTP would make or break a record, or indeed that artist. Radio was important, as it had been for some years, but it was Top of the Pops we all looked forward to every week, and ultimately decided how our pocket (or newspaper round) money was spent. While a handful of TOTP performances towards the end of the 70s had been, for me, seminal moments - Gary Numan/Tubeway Army, Sparks among others - some of the most important TOTP performances, at least for my humble self, hail from 1980 onwards. At fifteen going on sixteen the year also brought along my first serious record purchases in a year of teenage emotional and physical turmoil (aren't they all?).
I was therefore pleased to see that at the start of this year - 2015 A.D. - the BBC ran a special feature Top of the Pops: the Story of 1980, a chronicle of the weekly show in that particular year and the changes both in the music and the style of the show. As is clearly shown, it was a year of two halves, split down the middle by the BBC orchestra strike, but after the dispute, TOTP would return with avengeance in a shiny new suit, complete with new-fangled computer graphics and a livelier audience.
Following up the documentary, BBCFour is re-showing all the 1980 TOTP episodes, week by week. This has been done before under a different format - the TOTP2 series re-purposed random performances from the programme, although this time it would seem that shows are being repeated in their entirety, without the comments or captions which often, in my opinion, spoiled what is precious archive footage.
This blog is an attempt to catalogue and chronicle each espisode as they are re-broadcasted, listing the acts and songs, with some comments and opinions by this humble blogger and, like it or not, incurable nostalgic.
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