First shown on BBC 1 on Christmas Day, 1980
Presented by Jimmy Savile and Peter Powell
not repeated by BBCFour in 2015
...so a huge thanks to Manorak for posting the show on vimeo, and thanks - as ever - to Popscene for the running order. Basically it's a 'The Best of [insert year here]' Christmas Day special, with lots of hits to keep everyone awake during the postprandial blow out and before The Queen comes on.
The Nolans - I’m In The Mood For Dancing
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno
Blondie - Atomic
Paul McCartney - Coming Up
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes
Marti Webb - Take That Look Off Your Face
(..having trouble with blog-tags so splitting this post into two..)
Showing posts with label The Nolans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Nolans. Show all posts
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 80.34 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 80.32 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 80.20 15/05/80
Introduced by DLT, so not repeated on BBCFour this time.
Full chart here
For full playlist see Turn It On Again.
Hand-crafted list courtesy of Sir LeeThommo:
TOTP 80.18 01/05/80
BBCFour repeat here.
Full chart here.
Welcome to the merry month of May and a new month of Top of the Pops 1980..or is it? Introduced tonight by Tommy Vance, on his TOTP debut (they've even put his name in writing in case you don't know who he is). It's not clear whether the amount of rock/heavy metal on tonight is because Vance wanted to 'push' his preferred genre, or if they got him on because he's the man in the know. Anyway, on with the show...
Leon Haywood - Don't Push It Don't Force It
Chart rundown (NB "special effects" on the writing). Leon's at no. 12 - same as last week. In other chart news, Sky go Top 5 with their classic-prog-pop number, the Undertones shoot up to no. 11 and Irish Eurovision winner Johnny Logan is straight in at no. 15, in the days when Eurovision winners still sold records. Bad Manners and Cockney Rejects go Top 30 after last week's appearances, although there does seem to be an unhealthy amount of heavy rock and disco about. "Sound of the eighties"..where are you?
New Musik - World of Water
Oh here it is! New effort from this lot after Living by Numbers which made it to no. 13 a couple of months back. This would fare less well as perhaps the geeky 'Buggles' effect was already wearing a bit thin. As John Foxx's recent mediocre success had highlighted, the world was still not ready for pop music fuelled by J.G. Ballard novels. Plus the keyboard player is embarrassing.
Narada Michael Walden - I Shoulda Loved Ya
So it's back to the disco, but what's happened to the TOTP studio? It's gone all.... Oh, sorry it's a clip of Narada and his band doing their thang on U.S. pop show Soul Train, which sort of showed how pop shows are done Stateside: bright stage sets, coloured lights, and people dancing and having a good time! Whatever next!
Chords - Something's Missing
Better get back to the grim and gritty world of the BBC Centre and the London suburbs, quick! The Chords really were trying hard to have a hit, after Maybe Tomorrow earlier in the year, but perhaps this time hoping to make the most of the angry young mod vibe set up by The Jam and their smash hit Going Underground. A brave attempt, but alas one wouldn't get them far chart-wise. New album out soon, and cult status assured.
Rodney Franklin - The Groove (Legs & Co.)
But enough of this mob music! Not good for the country ... let's give the masses what they want: banal dance music and scantily clad females! Indeed Legs & Co,'s knickers seem to be getting skimpier by the week and their legs even longer. There's even a huge long sofa featured this week, for rolling about on, hiding behind etc. Not trying to distract us from anything are they? Franklin's 'groove' (if you're paying any attention ot he music) was up to no. 13.
Whitesnake - Fool For You Loving
But enough of this cheapo girlie show, let's have some real men making some real, sweaty, hormone-fuelled music! Yes it's the first of a trio of c*ck-rock numbers, which see Vance in his element. This one was already Top 30 (just) and we get a gritty film of a live performance which looks like it might have been made circa 1973. I must admit I know nothing about this bunch of hairy rockers but wiki reliably informs me that lead singer David Coverdale (I've heard of him) formed the band in '78 after leaving Deep Purple (I've heard of them!). This would become a bit of a classic of its genre and indeed the start of a successful career for Whitesnake throughout the coming decade, and beyond.
Jimmy Ruffin - Hold On to My Love
Who? Well whoever he is they've put him on top of the wobbly tower and set the place on fire possibly in the hope he wouldn't be seen again? Ruffin had actually been churning out the hits since 1966 - his chart debut in that year was What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, soon to be covered by someone else. Anyway he was now getting a new lease of life thanks to the Bee gees, especially Robin Gibb, who co-wrote this number and and a few others on his new album Sunrise.
Saxon - Wheels of Steel
Back to the c*ck-rock after all that sloppy ballad stuff. Third appearance and slow progress for this lot which has been up and down the charts, and back up again. It won't get any higher than this week's no. 20 though notwithstanding Tommy Vance's plug.
Hot Chocolate - No Doubt About It
...and back to the disco. It's a sad fact that Hot Choc's vocalist Errol Brown passed away just a few weeks ago. Looking back, he was amazingly cool, had a great voice and sang on some really good records. Wiki duly reminds us that the Choc had at least one hit every year between 1970 and 1984 inclusive, and their song "You Sexy Thing" made the Top 10 in three decades. They were also a multi-coloured multi-ethnic band, so what a shame that Vance (and some bright spark in production) has to muster a bevvy of young ladies of evident Afro-Caribbean origin only to introduce the band. Anyway this was an excellent attempt to bring the Hot Chocolate up to date and into the eighties: love the synthy-Moogy intro to this one, which TOTP cameras naturally fail to spot since, as usual, they've put the keyboards way to the back.
Motorhead - Leaving Here (from 'Golden Years live EP')
But enough smooching already, let's get the greasers back in, eh Tommy? I'm not sure of Motorhead's previous track record but they must have been pretty popular already as this was straight in at no. 23. You can smell the stale beer stains and patchuli oil from here.
The Nolans - Don't Make Waves
Talk about contrasts: after the great unwashed come...the mighty Nolan sisters, in all their squeaky-cleanliness and smiles to the camera. I wonder if they ever met Motorhead backstage? The girls were struggling at no. 25 although could and would do better. Whether we shall see them again remains to be seen....
The Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom
Now this is good. A nice bit of intelligent ska and a worthy follow up to Hands Off She's Mine which in turn had been a worthy follow up to Tears of a Clown/Rankin'. Perhaps the only let down is that the singer actually holds up a 'bathroom mirror' but they manage to carry off even the cheapest of TOTP props with style. Not exactly the sound of the eighties, but a classic for sure.
Kate Bush - Breathing
Blimey! Just when you thought it was no. 1 time here comes Kate with something even weirder than Wuthering Heights! Kate's inside a kind of plastic bubble doing a bit of 'in-out, in-out, in-out'. With her breathing that is. What's that? She represents a fetus inside the womb, scared of smoking and the nuclear threat? Sounds like great chart material! This was Kate's first new stuff since her big success in '78 and live shows in '79, a preview of the new album in progress.
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno
It's been quite a roller coaster ride of a show and seems to have lasted for ages but here we are at last with the new number 1 folks! Blondie have been sent packing and notwithstanding the big names McCartney and Essex, Dexy's have made it to the top spot and deservedly so. Haven't got much more to say cos I'm knackered after this plethora of popular musics, but best be grateful for what we get every week, while it lasts. Ge-no! Ge-no! Ge-no!
Johnny Logan - What's Another Year? (credits)
He was on last week (despite being nowhere near the charts) so can't appear this week - serves him right.
See ya!
TOTP 80.16 17/04/1980
Full chart here.
This show was not repeated on BBC4 in 2015, as it was presented by J*mmy S*vile, but here's the line-up anyway, courtesy of Turn it on Again > Top of the Pops 1980:
Leon Haywood – Don’t Push It, Don’t Force It (chart rundown)
Not a terribly exciting chart this week, the highest new entry being Sky's Toccata, as featured last week. There are however are couple of big movers who make fairly unlikely bedfellows in the battle for the top spot before long....
Phil Lynott – Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
Thin Lizzy leader had obviously got a bit peed off with working with bandmates so decided to embark on a solo career à la John Foxx. Unlike Foxx however, Lynott continued to stay in Thin Lizzy at the same time and even have his band mates guest on the album Solo in Soho. Confused? Well never mind cos this will get nowhere. Lynott's biggest solo hit would be Yellow Pearl, co-written with Midge Ure for said album, which would later become the TOTP theme tune. Midge Ure of course replaced John Foxx in Ultravox - see what I did there?
Barbara Dickson - January February
Stable at last week's no. 11, but somebody obviously decided she needed to a leg-up. Which she didn't get.
Girl – Hollywood Tease
Blimey! Who's this? Some kind of glam-rock outfit who don't want to join the new heavy metal movement? Reminds one of early Japan (David Sylvian's band, not the country) but more Led Zeppelin than Roxy Music. I swear I'd never heard this before in my life, and probably never will again either.
Blondie – Call Me (Legs & Co)
This one is already at no. 2 - yes number two - guys n gals, without so much of a Pops' credits run-out up to now. Still no sign of Debs and the boys though so one will have to make do with the Legs, dressed a kind of ska suit affair with coloured tops, Pauline Black wouldn't be seen dead in.
B. A. Robertson – Kool In The Kaftan
Tiresome and thankfully here for the last time with this one.
The Selecter – Missing Words
Again, struggling somewhat chart-wise but they won't need to make the trip down from Coventry again for a bit.
The Ruts – Staring At The Rude Boys
New in at, er, no. 51 folks. Not a patch on Babylon's Burning but this wouldn't do too badly for them.
The Pretenders – Talk Of The Town
Top 10 again after their no. 1 smash, but we won't have to endure this tedious video no more. Still a great tune though.
Dexy's Midnight Runners – Geno
Geno! Geno! Geno! This one's up to no. 12 this week and obviously causing a bit of a stir up and down the country as the single is bought by young punters who had no idea who Geno Washington was. And to think Record Mirror called this "a turgid eulogy with few redeeming features". Stay tuned.
The Nolans – Don’t Make Waves
Bubbling under the Top 30, and we still have I'm in the Mood for Dancing still ringing in our ears. Lovely ladies with a lovely dance routine and a lovely live vocal. Lovely.
UB40 – Food For Thought
Up one more place for the Brummie boys who were hitting their peak with this one at no. 4.
Sham 69 – Tell The Children
More fag-end of punk rock, although would fare much worse than, say, The Ruts. But Sham 69, you may now disband.
The Detroit Spinners – Working My Way Back To You
My colleague Angelo has reminded me that this is actually a medley with Forgive Me Girl. Still at no. 1 but I think that's quite enough of the '70s for now thank you very much.
Bobby Thurston – Check Out The Groove
Oh no! More seventies?
This show was not repeated on BBC4 in 2015, as it was presented by J*mmy S*vile, but here's the line-up anyway, courtesy of Turn it on Again > Top of the Pops 1980:
Leon Haywood – Don’t Push It, Don’t Force It (chart rundown)
Not a terribly exciting chart this week, the highest new entry being Sky's Toccata, as featured last week. There are however are couple of big movers who make fairly unlikely bedfellows in the battle for the top spot before long....
Phil Lynott – Dear Miss Lonely Hearts
Thin Lizzy leader had obviously got a bit peed off with working with bandmates so decided to embark on a solo career à la John Foxx. Unlike Foxx however, Lynott continued to stay in Thin Lizzy at the same time and even have his band mates guest on the album Solo in Soho. Confused? Well never mind cos this will get nowhere. Lynott's biggest solo hit would be Yellow Pearl, co-written with Midge Ure for said album, which would later become the TOTP theme tune. Midge Ure of course replaced John Foxx in Ultravox - see what I did there?
Barbara Dickson - January February
Stable at last week's no. 11, but somebody obviously decided she needed to a leg-up. Which she didn't get.
Girl – Hollywood Tease
Blimey! Who's this? Some kind of glam-rock outfit who don't want to join the new heavy metal movement? Reminds one of early Japan (David Sylvian's band, not the country) but more Led Zeppelin than Roxy Music. I swear I'd never heard this before in my life, and probably never will again either.
Blondie – Call Me (Legs & Co)
This one is already at no. 2 - yes number two - guys n gals, without so much of a Pops' credits run-out up to now. Still no sign of Debs and the boys though so one will have to make do with the Legs, dressed a kind of ska suit affair with coloured tops, Pauline Black wouldn't be seen dead in.
B. A. Robertson – Kool In The Kaftan
Tiresome and thankfully here for the last time with this one.
The Selecter – Missing Words
Again, struggling somewhat chart-wise but they won't need to make the trip down from Coventry again for a bit.
The Ruts – Staring At The Rude Boys
New in at, er, no. 51 folks. Not a patch on Babylon's Burning but this wouldn't do too badly for them.
The Pretenders – Talk Of The Town
Top 10 again after their no. 1 smash, but we won't have to endure this tedious video no more. Still a great tune though.
Dexy's Midnight Runners – Geno
Geno! Geno! Geno! This one's up to no. 12 this week and obviously causing a bit of a stir up and down the country as the single is bought by young punters who had no idea who Geno Washington was. And to think Record Mirror called this "a turgid eulogy with few redeeming features". Stay tuned.
The Nolans – Don’t Make Waves
Bubbling under the Top 30, and we still have I'm in the Mood for Dancing still ringing in our ears. Lovely ladies with a lovely dance routine and a lovely live vocal. Lovely.
UB40 – Food For Thought
Up one more place for the Brummie boys who were hitting their peak with this one at no. 4.
Sham 69 – Tell The Children
More fag-end of punk rock, although would fare much worse than, say, The Ruts. But Sham 69, you may now disband.
The Detroit Spinners – Working My Way Back To You
My colleague Angelo has reminded me that this is actually a medley with Forgive Me Girl. Still at no. 1 but I think that's quite enough of the '70s for now thank you very much.
Bobby Thurston – Check Out The Groove
Oh no! More seventies?
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
 |
| 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 80.4 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 80.2 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.
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