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.
 |
| "..never ever gonna fade away.." |
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.
