Showing posts with label The Police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Police. Show all posts
TOTP 80.43/2 25/12/80
..part two..
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Fern Kinney - Together We Are Beautiful
Johnny Logan -What's Another Year
Abba - Super Trouper
Lipps Inc - Funky Town (Legs & Co.)
Leo Sayer - More Than I Can Say
Sheena Easton - 9 to 5
Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2
St. Winifred's School Choir - There's No-One Quite Like Grandma
TOTP 80.41 11/12/80
First broadcast: 11th December 1980
Repeated on BBCFour from: 03/12/2015
Presented by: Richard Skinner
Full chart here
It's Richard Skinner's first presentation spot proper and for the occasion he's turned up looking like a Maths teacher who's mis-calculated the right amount of shampoo and conditioner in direct geometrical proportion to his hair. Apparently "we're celebrating Christmas a little early" tonight although there's not a sprig of tinsel in sight. But that's a cunning Radio 1 DJ style reference to the opening background song though, so full marks there Mr. Skinner.
Quick preview and a very masculine orientated Pops on the face of it - like the tinsel, there's not a female artist in sight!
Adam & the Ants - Antmusic
Adam and his jolly companions nearly did a 'Sheena Easton' last week by having two songs in the charts (ie. Top 30) at the same time. However that accolade still remains with our Sheene as this one was at no. 31 while Dog Eat Dog was on its way down. We believe the 80s - with the 'Ant Invasion' have well and truly started now however with this stomper stomping up to no. 16.
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Ah yes, Skinner really must be a Maths teacher as he tells us that if you double 16 you get 32... But oh dear. The Pops still insist on hanging onto the past and subtracting 10 years from the 80s with a 70s band doing a 50s song, and very badly too. This one was outside the Top 30 when it was last on two weeks ago and unsurprisingly it's still outside the Top 30, and inexplicably on again. Definitely a case of having friends in high places (or perhaps someone made a wrong prediction thinking it would shoot up the charts for some reason?). Hopefully this is definitely the very last we will see of them.
Surprise! Here's a guest from The Other Side of the Atlantic! Waoah! It's Jermaine Jackson! And it's his birthday! Surprise! Cake! Applause! And a surprise! Jermaine's not a Madness fan!
Madness - Embarassment
Stable this week at 4 and they're in the studio. And very smart and well behaved they are too this time. Perhaps somebody had 'had a word'? Full marks to Suggs for starting the mimed vocals on cue.
Skinner then gives first tragic announcement of the show: no Legs & Co!!!!! So we're "legless". Geddit?
Status Quo - Lies
Anyway this lot don't give a toss and they're quite happy to tell us how much they're drinking an' smoking in this next catchy number. Sales of Quo's latest album Just Supposin' were lagging a bit so they decided to put out a double A side single with two tracks from said long player. Unbeknownst to most Lies/Don't Drive My Car has been creeping up the charts for the past six weeks or so although the Quo obviously hadn't been able to make it to the studio but have finally made a promo film instead.
First mention of The Death of John Lennon, but hey who cares?! It's Christmas and Dire Straits and Jon Anderson are on tour! And another surprise: it's Gary Numan! He ain't bovvered about touring no more though cos he wants to learn to fly. Skinner's "interview" is a rushed affair though and sadly we don't get to hear what Gary thinks about Matchbox.
Matchbox - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Also eager for a decent follow-up to their previous hits, latter-day rockabillies Matchbox hit the nostalgia button once more with this pointless cover version of the famed Judy Garland song. A subtle stab at the Christmas market perhaps (given that there would no doubt have been a repeat of said movie over the Xmas hols), but this is by and large pretty embarrassing. Interesting to see 'lighters' (and not proper matches - geddit?) swaying among the audience as I thought that was a much more recent phenomenon. Or did The Pops invent it?
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Talking of follow-ups, The Police follow up their no. 1 single about teenage lust for teacher with a song about...well, nothing. Their eloquence has obviously escaped them so they're happy just to arse about in the snow in a kind of millionaire-holiday mix between The Beatles and Madness. The Police go nutty-boys, and Sting's big thing keeps getting in the way. It's all very weird here in 1980-land folks..
And if Skinner says "Talking of..." to link two things together again I'll scream. It's highly contagious.
And talking of the charts... Here's 30-20.
Queen - Flash
And talking of no. 20, here's Queen. They've gone and done a bit of film-score for this new retro-scifi movie based on the classic "Flash Gordon" series. Very exciting it is too! "We only have 14 hours to save the earth!" Classic!
Talking of the charts .. 19-10.
The Stray Cats - Runaway Boys
Now up to no. 10, and as we've said before the Stray Cats may well have been another nostalgic rockabilly band but (talking of Flash Gordon), there's literally light years between these guys and, say, Matchbox and that other lot. Good luck to 'em.
"And talking of numbers.." 9-1......( he actually said that) STOP IT!! It's St Winifred's School Clone-Choir coming up dangerously at no. 2, but..
Abba - Super Trouper
They're still where you think they always have been for the past six years or so, and indeed sad to think this is for the last time ever at the top of the singles charts at least. Oh well at least we get to see some lovely laydees .. Oh and surprise surprise again...it's the closing titles over the no. 1! Since when??!?!?
Oh it's probably because of this.....
John Lennon - Imagine (live) [Lennon obit.]
Skinner actually manages to get through this without saying 'talking of..' which is just as well as the moment really is terribly sombre and quite rightly, and tastefully, placed just outside the usual Pops schedule. As an obit we're shown a very modern looking Lennon in red jump suit with acoustic guitar bashing out a version of Imagine, a song which to this day only he can sing properly. Not quite how we collectively remember Lennon perhaps, and the Beeb apparently had to apologise for showing this particular clip as his assassin Mark Chapman was actually in the audience of that occasion, but we'll have plenty of chances to see other video clips in the weeks to come. All very sad, and even sadder that to this very day his anthem is still being pulled out and chanted in these troubled times of mindless violence. Sorry John, the world still ain't living as one...
It may have been fitting to finish 1980 just here, but we've still one more repeated TOTP80 to go, but sadly no Christmas edition. Good night.
Repeated on BBCFour from: 03/12/2015
Presented by: Richard Skinner
Full chart here
It's Richard Skinner's first presentation spot proper and for the occasion he's turned up looking like a Maths teacher who's mis-calculated the right amount of shampoo and conditioner in direct geometrical proportion to his hair. Apparently "we're celebrating Christmas a little early" tonight although there's not a sprig of tinsel in sight. But that's a cunning Radio 1 DJ style reference to the opening background song though, so full marks there Mr. Skinner.
Quick preview and a very masculine orientated Pops on the face of it - like the tinsel, there's not a female artist in sight!
Adam & the Ants - Antmusic
Adam and his jolly companions nearly did a 'Sheena Easton' last week by having two songs in the charts (ie. Top 30) at the same time. However that accolade still remains with our Sheene as this one was at no. 31 while Dog Eat Dog was on its way down. We believe the 80s - with the 'Ant Invasion' have well and truly started now however with this stomper stomping up to no. 16.
Showaddywaddy - Blue Moon
Ah yes, Skinner really must be a Maths teacher as he tells us that if you double 16 you get 32... But oh dear. The Pops still insist on hanging onto the past and subtracting 10 years from the 80s with a 70s band doing a 50s song, and very badly too. This one was outside the Top 30 when it was last on two weeks ago and unsurprisingly it's still outside the Top 30, and inexplicably on again. Definitely a case of having friends in high places (or perhaps someone made a wrong prediction thinking it would shoot up the charts for some reason?). Hopefully this is definitely the very last we will see of them.
Surprise! Here's a guest from The Other Side of the Atlantic! Waoah! It's Jermaine Jackson! And it's his birthday! Surprise! Cake! Applause! And a surprise! Jermaine's not a Madness fan!
Madness - Embarassment
Stable this week at 4 and they're in the studio. And very smart and well behaved they are too this time. Perhaps somebody had 'had a word'? Full marks to Suggs for starting the mimed vocals on cue.
Skinner then gives first tragic announcement of the show: no Legs & Co!!!!! So we're "legless". Geddit?
Status Quo - Lies
Anyway this lot don't give a toss and they're quite happy to tell us how much they're drinking an' smoking in this next catchy number. Sales of Quo's latest album Just Supposin' were lagging a bit so they decided to put out a double A side single with two tracks from said long player. Unbeknownst to most Lies/Don't Drive My Car has been creeping up the charts for the past six weeks or so although the Quo obviously hadn't been able to make it to the studio but have finally made a promo film instead.
First mention of The Death of John Lennon, but hey who cares?! It's Christmas and Dire Straits and Jon Anderson are on tour! And another surprise: it's Gary Numan! He ain't bovvered about touring no more though cos he wants to learn to fly. Skinner's "interview" is a rushed affair though and sadly we don't get to hear what Gary thinks about Matchbox.
Matchbox - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Also eager for a decent follow-up to their previous hits, latter-day rockabillies Matchbox hit the nostalgia button once more with this pointless cover version of the famed Judy Garland song. A subtle stab at the Christmas market perhaps (given that there would no doubt have been a repeat of said movie over the Xmas hols), but this is by and large pretty embarrassing. Interesting to see 'lighters' (and not proper matches - geddit?) swaying among the audience as I thought that was a much more recent phenomenon. Or did The Pops invent it?
The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Talking of follow-ups, The Police follow up their no. 1 single about teenage lust for teacher with a song about...well, nothing. Their eloquence has obviously escaped them so they're happy just to arse about in the snow in a kind of millionaire-holiday mix between The Beatles and Madness. The Police go nutty-boys, and Sting's big thing keeps getting in the way. It's all very weird here in 1980-land folks..
And if Skinner says "Talking of..." to link two things together again I'll scream. It's highly contagious.
And talking of the charts... Here's 30-20.
Queen - Flash
And talking of no. 20, here's Queen. They've gone and done a bit of film-score for this new retro-scifi movie based on the classic "Flash Gordon" series. Very exciting it is too! "We only have 14 hours to save the earth!" Classic!
Talking of the charts .. 19-10.
The Stray Cats - Runaway Boys
Now up to no. 10, and as we've said before the Stray Cats may well have been another nostalgic rockabilly band but (talking of Flash Gordon), there's literally light years between these guys and, say, Matchbox and that other lot. Good luck to 'em.
"And talking of numbers.." 9-1......( he actually said that) STOP IT!! It's St Winifred's School Clone-Choir coming up dangerously at no. 2, but..
Abba - Super Trouper
They're still where you think they always have been for the past six years or so, and indeed sad to think this is for the last time ever at the top of the singles charts at least. Oh well at least we get to see some lovely laydees .. Oh and surprise surprise again...it's the closing titles over the no. 1! Since when??!?!?
Oh it's probably because of this.....
John Lennon - Imagine (live) [Lennon obit.]
Skinner actually manages to get through this without saying 'talking of..' which is just as well as the moment really is terribly sombre and quite rightly, and tastefully, placed just outside the usual Pops schedule. As an obit we're shown a very modern looking Lennon in red jump suit with acoustic guitar bashing out a version of Imagine, a song which to this day only he can sing properly. Not quite how we collectively remember Lennon perhaps, and the Beeb apparently had to apologise for showing this particular clip as his assassin Mark Chapman was actually in the audience of that occasion, but we'll have plenty of chances to see other video clips in the weeks to come. All very sad, and even sadder that to this very day his anthem is still being pulled out and chanted in these troubled times of mindless violence. Sorry John, the world still ain't living as one...
It may have been fitting to finish 1980 just here, but we've still one more repeated TOTP80 to go, but sadly no Christmas edition. Good night.
TOTP 80.33 16/10/80
First broadcast 16/10/80
BBCFour repeat first shown 22/10/15
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
FULL REPORT PENDING !!!
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
Adam & the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
George Benson - Love x Love
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Bad Manners - Special Brew
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
BBCFour repeat first shown 22/10/15
Presented by Tommy Vance
Full chart here.
FULL REPORT PENDING !!!
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Showaddywaddy - Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Hearts
Barbara Streisand - Woman in Love
Adam & the Ants - Dog Eat Dog
George Benson - Love x Love
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Bad Manners - Special Brew
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
TOTP 80.32 09/10/80
First broadcast 09/10/80
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 08/10/15
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest appearances: Denis Waterman / Paul Jones
Full chart here.
Here we are again, and having skipped another YewTree show, BBCFour have finally got the TOTP-Tardis to land in sync with 1980...and the crowd are already dancing to celebrate! It's Peter Powell's turn to lead the proceedings and although it's October, and never one for the trendy jacket 'n' tie look, Pete looks like he's going on a cruise in the Med or something.
Preview - but why do they tell you who's no. 1 already?
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Yes, Ver Quo are back, and getting the party started (although perhaps Ottowan had done that already). Despite having had a couple of hits every year recently they hadn't actually played in the Pops studio for yonks. Like most Quo songs it goes on forever and the title is repeated a lot. And it really is like punk never happened.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Same old piano, same old song, same old video. Edited out of first 7.30 showing.
Dennis Waterman was planning world domination thanks to his already cult-status in The Sweeney and now as a recording artist. Here he is to plug himself in a posh accent.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay
Hard for me to objective about this (am i ever?) as it was one of those life-changing, jaw-dropping moments for the 16-year old moi on that Thursday night back in 1980, even after seeing Tubeway Army/Gary Numan last year and The Human League and, again, OM(it)D in May. Not sure if it was the song itself, the shiny synthesiser stacks, the new-look short back 'n' sides / tank-top 'n' tie / sensible trousers look, the stand-up syn-drums or a combination of all of these that just blew me away - but even looking back after 35 years and the context of this show perhaps it's not hard to see why. OMD had already made a sizeable dent in the charts with Messages shortly before The Strike and were now back with this new single in at no. 35. As we now all know the song is about the US military aereoplane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, although that's all cleverly disguised under the catchiest synth riff since Popcorn, and clever-clever cryptic lyrics ("is Mother proud of Little Boy today?"). Not happy with not having a guitar to zoom in on, the Pops cameras get the wrong keyboard for the solos; redeemed somewhat by getting Mal's drum solo in full though. Lead singer Andy McCluskey's 'embarrassing Geography teacher' image starts here, but who cares? There just wasn't (has never been) anything else quite like OMD and that Enola Gay, and they knew it.
Pete informs us that OMD are currently on tour as are Crusaders and The Shadows. Phew! Rock n roll!
30- 19 chart rundown. Sabbath 'n' Sheena both going down.
Coffee - Casanova
Unlike Enola Gay, I have no recollection of this song whatsoever. Coffee (we like it, erm, black) were apparently one of those 'manufactured' disco groups - a female trio no doubt hoping to replicate the success of Sister Sledge, The Three Degrees and the like. Legs & Co. execute their usual subtle take on the song title and go all Venetian baroque. This one had crept into the charts last week and is now up to no. 19.
18-11 chart rundown. And we have a tweet for you at no. 11
Black Slate - Amigo
Thankfully the sombrero has been down-sized for this new performance although our singer friend has obviously been to Torremolinos to get the full amigo kit. They're up to no. 9 and, yes, it's annoyingly catchy (but not as much as Enola Gay)
Waterman again showing off that there is no end to his talents. He even plays football.
The Nolans - Gotta Put Myself Together
Radio 2 darlings the Nolan Sisters are back with a new single, new LP on the way and, like OMD, a new look, although one gets the feeling they've been having lots of meetings with Sheena Easton's wardrobe assistant, rather than popping down to Foster Bros. They've also discovered the promo-video trick, and that although it might be a bit expensive it saves you having to go on Top of the Pops to do all that singing and dancing live, hoping you don't make any mistakes or hit a bum note. This won't do as well as the more memorable In the Mood for Dancing, but Top 10 here they come again.
Paul Jones also pops in for more shameless self-plugging at the licence-payer's expense.
Linx - You're Lying
A repeat of the studio performance of two weeks ago, even though it hadn't moved an inch since last week. Scraping the barrel a bit.
Peter Powell in an armchair.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss
Oh dear - is he still around? Gilbert (né Raymond Edward) O'Sullivan hadn't had a hit single in five years, although apparently he'd be going through a lot of legal issues with previous record company in that time. We'd better take a bit of pity on him then, go out an buy this to help him along with the legal fees. Again, it's like punk never happened. Understandably wiped from the 7.30 showing in the year 2015. O'Sullivan's fan(s) must have been gutted.
10-2 rundown, and a special mention must go to the Specials (see what I did there?) and their Stereotype at no. 6. Like, where did that come from? After Too Much Too Young and Rat Race, I'm wondering if the band had been banned by the BBC or were just being blatantly ignored by them? Powell doesn't even mention the song title. Social commentary in pop was sadly still a no-no, and it certainly won't get any better.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Well I suppose at least this lot did sort of come out of punk in some way, and here they are again still at number 1 with that video. They must have been making millions already.
Playout with much dancing and merriment over Ottawan 'D.I.S.C.O'.
Waterman and Jones get the t-shirted blondes. Powell presumably gets back to his armchair.
Well that's all for this week. TOTP80 will be back in two weeks with the 16/10/80 show. One week too late.
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 08/10/15
Presented by Peter Powell
Guest appearances: Denis Waterman / Paul Jones
Full chart here.
Here we are again, and having skipped another YewTree show, BBCFour have finally got the TOTP-Tardis to land in sync with 1980...and the crowd are already dancing to celebrate! It's Peter Powell's turn to lead the proceedings and although it's October, and never one for the trendy jacket 'n' tie look, Pete looks like he's going on a cruise in the Med or something.
Preview - but why do they tell you who's no. 1 already?
Status Quo - What You're Proposing
Yes, Ver Quo are back, and getting the party started (although perhaps Ottowan had done that already). Despite having had a couple of hits every year recently they hadn't actually played in the Pops studio for yonks. Like most Quo songs it goes on forever and the title is repeated a lot. And it really is like punk never happened.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Same old piano, same old song, same old video. Edited out of first 7.30 showing.
Dennis Waterman was planning world domination thanks to his already cult-status in The Sweeney and now as a recording artist. Here he is to plug himself in a posh accent.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Enola Gay
Hard for me to objective about this (am i ever?) as it was one of those life-changing, jaw-dropping moments for the 16-year old moi on that Thursday night back in 1980, even after seeing Tubeway Army/Gary Numan last year and The Human League and, again, OM(it)D in May. Not sure if it was the song itself, the shiny synthesiser stacks, the new-look short back 'n' sides / tank-top 'n' tie / sensible trousers look, the stand-up syn-drums or a combination of all of these that just blew me away - but even looking back after 35 years and the context of this show perhaps it's not hard to see why. OMD had already made a sizeable dent in the charts with Messages shortly before The Strike and were now back with this new single in at no. 35. As we now all know the song is about the US military aereoplane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, although that's all cleverly disguised under the catchiest synth riff since Popcorn, and clever-clever cryptic lyrics ("is Mother proud of Little Boy today?"). Not happy with not having a guitar to zoom in on, the Pops cameras get the wrong keyboard for the solos; redeemed somewhat by getting Mal's drum solo in full though. Lead singer Andy McCluskey's 'embarrassing Geography teacher' image starts here, but who cares? There just wasn't (has never been) anything else quite like OMD and that Enola Gay, and they knew it.
 |
| "..never ever gonna fade away.." |
30- 19 chart rundown. Sabbath 'n' Sheena both going down.
Coffee - Casanova
Unlike Enola Gay, I have no recollection of this song whatsoever. Coffee (we like it, erm, black) were apparently one of those 'manufactured' disco groups - a female trio no doubt hoping to replicate the success of Sister Sledge, The Three Degrees and the like. Legs & Co. execute their usual subtle take on the song title and go all Venetian baroque. This one had crept into the charts last week and is now up to no. 19.
18-11 chart rundown. And we have a tweet for you at no. 11
Black Slate - Amigo
Thankfully the sombrero has been down-sized for this new performance although our singer friend has obviously been to Torremolinos to get the full amigo kit. They're up to no. 9 and, yes, it's annoyingly catchy (but not as much as Enola Gay)
Waterman again showing off that there is no end to his talents. He even plays football.
The Nolans - Gotta Put Myself Together
Radio 2 darlings the Nolan Sisters are back with a new single, new LP on the way and, like OMD, a new look, although one gets the feeling they've been having lots of meetings with Sheena Easton's wardrobe assistant, rather than popping down to Foster Bros. They've also discovered the promo-video trick, and that although it might be a bit expensive it saves you having to go on Top of the Pops to do all that singing and dancing live, hoping you don't make any mistakes or hit a bum note. This won't do as well as the more memorable In the Mood for Dancing, but Top 10 here they come again.
Paul Jones also pops in for more shameless self-plugging at the licence-payer's expense.
Linx - You're Lying
A repeat of the studio performance of two weeks ago, even though it hadn't moved an inch since last week. Scraping the barrel a bit.
Peter Powell in an armchair.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's in a Kiss
Oh dear - is he still around? Gilbert (né Raymond Edward) O'Sullivan hadn't had a hit single in five years, although apparently he'd be going through a lot of legal issues with previous record company in that time. We'd better take a bit of pity on him then, go out an buy this to help him along with the legal fees. Again, it's like punk never happened. Understandably wiped from the 7.30 showing in the year 2015. O'Sullivan's fan(s) must have been gutted.
10-2 rundown, and a special mention must go to the Specials (see what I did there?) and their Stereotype at no. 6. Like, where did that come from? After Too Much Too Young and Rat Race, I'm wondering if the band had been banned by the BBC or were just being blatantly ignored by them? Powell doesn't even mention the song title. Social commentary in pop was sadly still a no-no, and it certainly won't get any better.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Well I suppose at least this lot did sort of come out of punk in some way, and here they are again still at number 1 with that video. They must have been making millions already.
Playout with much dancing and merriment over Ottawan 'D.I.S.C.O'.
Waterman and Jones get the t-shirted blondes. Powell presumably gets back to his armchair.
Well that's all for this week. TOTP80 will be back in two weeks with the 16/10/80 show. One week too late.
TOTP 80.31 02/10/80
First broadcast 02/10/80
Not repeated by BBCFour in 2015.
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
Not repeated due to DLT presenterage. Despite having paid him good (taxpayers') money for 25 years, the BBC now deem him unfit for broadcasting, even in a historical context. One wonders if they still have it in for him after his on-air resignation in 1993, but there you go. Anyway thanks to those nice people at Popscene and Turn It on Again/TOTP 1980 here's a brief description of what came up on this particular show, with a few comments.
Show preview in (three) videos is preceded by a lengthy rambling about a special car and a motor show or some such. But on with the show.
Gillan - Trouble
Highest chart entry at 22 and it's back to the heavy-metal 'head banging' genre, even without Tommy Vance at the helm. As DLT duly informs us this is a cover version of an Elvis Presley song (from 1958), and pretty dismal it is too. This might as well be 1973. I'm no expert but he sounds like the bloke from Deep Purple to me.
..a lot more rambling on about that stupid car then..
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (video inter-spliced with studio dancing)
At no. 2 and the first of a string of hits by Wonder over the next few months or so. It'll be 'Happy Birthday' within a year so we should be grateful for this.
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Their follow up to....the previous one, and more 50s-nostalgia nonsense. Now at no. 38, this did surprisingly well although thankfully has since fell into the depths of oblivion.
Thin Lizzy - Killer on the Loose (video)
Not sure if Lynott is warning us against the killer or actually saying he is the killer given all his aggressive posing, snarling and finger wagging. Anyway having abandoned his solo "career" he's on his way to the Top 10 (for the last time) wiv Ver Lizzy.
Change - Searching (Legs & Co.)
We had a quick preview of this one in the credits run-out last week, and a classy bit of soul-funk it has turned out to be too. Legs give it their all, dressed as French maids (what else?) but you'll have to do some "searching" (geddit?) around for that for yourselves. Up to their no. 11 peak.
30-20 rundown. Good to see Lynx at 23.
Odyssey - If You're Looking For a Way Out (video)
Better have some more disco music then. Oh no..it's a slow one! This is the follow up to their unforgettable no. 1 of a few months back (the title of which escapes me) and will likewise go top 10, staying Top 40 for 12 weeks. And we haven't even seen the back of them yet.
The Charts (sic.) 19-11
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Well they've certainly kept the best til last and I can imagine that a large part of the viewing public had been eagerly awaiting this "nutty" studio performance (we only had the video last time). Up to no. 4, which is a gross injustice innit. Love Suggs' stop/start 'dancing' and all that arsing about. At least it meant max. audience participation, something which was still largely lacking on The Pops.
Top 9 rundown, including The Giant Sombrero. Then DLT kisses two young girls on the lips while handing out free LPs.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (video)
Summers/Copeland/Sumner continue their run at the top. One wonders whether there could've been some kind of Madness vs. The Police rivalry competition if this chart had been some years into the future when record companies and such liked to play up such things (hello Oasis and Blur).
Bob Marley & Wailers - Three Little Birds (credits)
The band had just completed their massive Uprising World Tour even though Marley was already very ill. But he didn't worry 'bout a ting.
Tune in Thursday 08/10/15 for the 09/10/80 show.
Not repeated by BBCFour in 2015.
Presented by Dave Lee Travis
Full chart here.
Not repeated due to DLT presenterage. Despite having paid him good (taxpayers') money for 25 years, the BBC now deem him unfit for broadcasting, even in a historical context. One wonders if they still have it in for him after his on-air resignation in 1993, but there you go. Anyway thanks to those nice people at Popscene and Turn It on Again/TOTP 1980 here's a brief description of what came up on this particular show, with a few comments.
Show preview in (three) videos is preceded by a lengthy rambling about a special car and a motor show or some such. But on with the show.
Gillan - Trouble
Highest chart entry at 22 and it's back to the heavy-metal 'head banging' genre, even without Tommy Vance at the helm. As DLT duly informs us this is a cover version of an Elvis Presley song (from 1958), and pretty dismal it is too. This might as well be 1973. I'm no expert but he sounds like the bloke from Deep Purple to me.
..a lot more rambling on about that stupid car then..
Stevie Wonder - Master Blaster (video inter-spliced with studio dancing)
At no. 2 and the first of a string of hits by Wonder over the next few months or so. It'll be 'Happy Birthday' within a year so we should be grateful for this.
Matchbox - When You Ask About Love
Their follow up to....the previous one, and more 50s-nostalgia nonsense. Now at no. 38, this did surprisingly well although thankfully has since fell into the depths of oblivion.
Thin Lizzy - Killer on the Loose (video)
Not sure if Lynott is warning us against the killer or actually saying he is the killer given all his aggressive posing, snarling and finger wagging. Anyway having abandoned his solo "career" he's on his way to the Top 10 (for the last time) wiv Ver Lizzy.
Change - Searching (Legs & Co.)
We had a quick preview of this one in the credits run-out last week, and a classy bit of soul-funk it has turned out to be too. Legs give it their all, dressed as French maids (what else?) but you'll have to do some "searching" (geddit?) around for that for yourselves. Up to their no. 11 peak.
30-20 rundown. Good to see Lynx at 23.
Odyssey - If You're Looking For a Way Out (video)
Better have some more disco music then. Oh no..it's a slow one! This is the follow up to their unforgettable no. 1 of a few months back (the title of which escapes me) and will likewise go top 10, staying Top 40 for 12 weeks. And we haven't even seen the back of them yet.
The Charts (sic.) 19-11
Madness - Baggy Trousers
Well they've certainly kept the best til last and I can imagine that a large part of the viewing public had been eagerly awaiting this "nutty" studio performance (we only had the video last time). Up to no. 4, which is a gross injustice innit. Love Suggs' stop/start 'dancing' and all that arsing about. At least it meant max. audience participation, something which was still largely lacking on The Pops.
Top 9 rundown, including The Giant Sombrero. Then DLT kisses two young girls on the lips while handing out free LPs.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (video)
Summers/Copeland/Sumner continue their run at the top. One wonders whether there could've been some kind of Madness vs. The Police rivalry competition if this chart had been some years into the future when record companies and such liked to play up such things (hello Oasis and Blur).
Bob Marley & Wailers - Three Little Birds (credits)
The band had just completed their massive Uprising World Tour even though Marley was already very ill. But he didn't worry 'bout a ting.
Tune in Thursday 08/10/15 for the 09/10/80 show.
TOTP 80.30 25/09/80
First broadcast 25/09/80
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 01/10/15
Presented by Mike Read
Guest presenters: Leo Sayer / Russ Abbott
Full chart here.
We're back! Yes indeed, after a lengthy hiatus due to Proms, BBC programming and other shenanigans your fave programme is back on the telly on a Thursday night where it always should be so to hell with the washing-up and let's get started. Over to you Mike..
No! Wait..! Where's Mike the Presenter? This is The Police thrashing around in school master garb!.. Diana Ross on her ol' Joanna and some other chaps flapping about in garish "carnival" costumes! Oh phew, here's Mike at last, in sensible-yet-trendy jacket 'n' thin tie . .had me going for a moment there.
Black Slate - Amigo
New in the charts at 35 so perfect for the slot of 'quirky' newcomer to open the show. But oh dear, what's with the over sized Speedy Gonzalez sombrero an' ting? Well, apparently according to wiki, it was "their Rastafarian rallying call". Well good for them, even though 'amigo' is actually Spanish for 'friend', no? I suppose that explains the sombrero. Don't want to give any spoilers or anything but this one shot up to no. 10 the following week, presumably on the back of this performance and having rallyed lots of Rastafarians.
Interval (already?) - and up pops chirpy chappy Leo Sayer, and what a splendid opportunity for Mike Read to do his Cliff Richard impression.
Next!
Split Enz - I Got You
Better cool things down a bit after all that Rastafarianism and get some clean white boys on to do a more sensible number. This one was creeping verrrry slowly up the charts although got a further leg-up after this repeat showing. They were Australian of course, but thankfully not a hat with corks on in sight.
Their only hit.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Mike Read obviously needed a bit a lie down after that cabaret number cos it's just Sayer to introduce this promo of Ms. Ross and her latest about a piano, in which the chanteuese duly cavorts around a (not so old) piano. Flick Colby take note. Another Edwards/Rogers produced Top 10 success after last summer's excellent Upside Down.
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Legs & Co.)
Ooooh! Speaking of ver Legs here they now, in quiet possibly their weirdest dance costumes ever. Actually it's all looking a bit 'New Romantic' even though that hasn't been invented yet. Stage designers have also evidently had a bit more time on their hands this week and have constructed a kind of corridor in a Japanese restaurant for the girls to do their thing in. And if that wasn't enough it's special effects galore to boot! I'd like to think that Bowie's Ashes to Ashes video was a big influence here, but who can say? Queen had indeed gone Top 10 with this John Deacon penned number although sadly this all-out Legs performance did little to aid its chart success. Still an ace track though.
Prior to the 30-20 chart rundown there's a short appearance from Russ Abott who, unlike Leo Sayer, is/was actually genuinely funny. Most singles in the 30-20 bracket going down, save for Bob Marley and the afore-featured Split Enz.
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
Well while Queen were at least trying to do something new with 'disco' this kind of 70s-leftovers was still making it through. Mike Know-All Read has to tell us of course that this single was already a year old and that Ottawan have little or no English. Just one place behind Queen although they went on to effectively leap-frog them to reach the giddy heights of the top 3. Where's the justice?
Rundown 19-11 - quite a few post-Strike big names on the way down: Cliff, Bowie, Berry, Sheena, Sabbath, Jam, obviously leaving for space for new and exciting stuff. Some hope.
Shalamar - I Owe You One
Seems to be some kind of disco 'theme' running through this week's show, much to our chagrin. Wish they'd hurry up and invent the New Romantics. What's that? Get down the The Blitz Club if you want some new styles, new shapes...? But for the moment we're stuck with this kind of thing. We'll be hearing more from the Shals a couple of years hence, so tune in again around 2017, Shalamar fans as this might be your lot as far as 1980/2015 goes.
Russ Abbot/Teddy Boy introduces...
Linx - You're Lying
And here's some quality Brit-disco at last. Linx were still a fairly labour-intensive soul/funk combo apparently coming out of nowhere, or perhaps from an underground Brit-soul/funk movement which has probably already been featured on a BBCFour documentary. But no matter, this really was rather good and went down well on the dance-floors of the nation, kick-starting a successful career for the David Grant/Peter Martin duo. Some ace state-of-the-art keys on stage here and they were even 'cred' enough to be featured on a future cassette compilation issued by the ultra-cred NME, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Scritti Politti, Cabaret Voltaire and, er, Furious Pig.
Top 10 rundown. and you have to listen very attentively to Read to find out what's going up or down, plus get some really interesting info about each artist. From one clip we even see that Sheena's Modern Girl works in a Chiropody Clinic. Fact.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Although they'd done pretty well up to now, mega-stardom status for The Police officially begins here with this single staying at the top for four weeks, and likewise its parent album Zenyatta Mondatta released a week or so later. Love 'em or hate 'em Sting and pals going straight to number one (the seventh in history, right Mike?) with this new song was a due testament to their popularity and sale-ability at the time. That said, perhaps the success of the 'Don't Stand..' follow-up (which we won't mention for now) may also be a testament to the fact that the British public would eagerly snap up any old rubbish with 'The Police' written on it. But credit where credit's due for Sting's semi-autobiographical tale of a wanton schoolgirl trying to get close to 'teach' possibly in the hope of getting a better school report, or perhaps even more. A scholarly reference to 'that book by Nabakov' is somewhat counter-balanced by rhyming said author's surname with the word 'cough', and a rather shoddy promo-film showed how erstwhile 'punk' was becoming mainstream, but of course the New Romantics will be putting a bit of a shine on videos before long.
The chart-topping trio is soon replaced by a shambolic presenter-trio who wrap up the show with a pitiful "sketch" in which Read is suddenly heavily pregnant and nearly knocked over by a psueudo-superhero.
Change - Searching (playout)
Groan. More MOR disco to finish up, although I was surprised and interested to discover that Change actually originated in Bologna, Italy (home of lasagna and the world's oldest university) with a bit of americano/NY sparkle laid over the top like a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This one features the talents of a fledgling lead-vocalist Luther Vandross, no less, and as well as being a huge success Stateside was also doing quite well UK-side so we might be hearing it again soon.
A pretty spritely play-out with balloons, dancing and streamers! Is this the 1980s?
We might find out next week..t'ra!
BBCFour repeat here, first shown 01/10/15
Presented by Mike Read
Guest presenters: Leo Sayer / Russ Abbott
Full chart here.
We're back! Yes indeed, after a lengthy hiatus due to Proms, BBC programming and other shenanigans your fave programme is back on the telly on a Thursday night where it always should be so to hell with the washing-up and let's get started. Over to you Mike..
No! Wait..! Where's Mike the Presenter? This is The Police thrashing around in school master garb!.. Diana Ross on her ol' Joanna and some other chaps flapping about in garish "carnival" costumes! Oh phew, here's Mike at last, in sensible-yet-trendy jacket 'n' thin tie . .had me going for a moment there.
Black Slate - Amigo
New in the charts at 35 so perfect for the slot of 'quirky' newcomer to open the show. But oh dear, what's with the over sized Speedy Gonzalez sombrero an' ting? Well, apparently according to wiki, it was "their Rastafarian rallying call". Well good for them, even though 'amigo' is actually Spanish for 'friend', no? I suppose that explains the sombrero. Don't want to give any spoilers or anything but this one shot up to no. 10 the following week, presumably on the back of this performance and having rallyed lots of Rastafarians.
Interval (already?) - and up pops chirpy chappy Leo Sayer, and what a splendid opportunity for Mike Read to do his Cliff Richard impression.
Next!
Split Enz - I Got You
Better cool things down a bit after all that Rastafarianism and get some clean white boys on to do a more sensible number. This one was creeping verrrry slowly up the charts although got a further leg-up after this repeat showing. They were Australian of course, but thankfully not a hat with corks on in sight.
Their only hit.
Diana Ross - My Old Piano
Mike Read obviously needed a bit a lie down after that cabaret number cos it's just Sayer to introduce this promo of Ms. Ross and her latest about a piano, in which the chanteuese duly cavorts around a (not so old) piano. Flick Colby take note. Another Edwards/Rogers produced Top 10 success after last summer's excellent Upside Down.
Queen - Another One Bites the Dust (Legs & Co.)
Ooooh! Speaking of ver Legs here they now, in quiet possibly their weirdest dance costumes ever. Actually it's all looking a bit 'New Romantic' even though that hasn't been invented yet. Stage designers have also evidently had a bit more time on their hands this week and have constructed a kind of corridor in a Japanese restaurant for the girls to do their thing in. And if that wasn't enough it's special effects galore to boot! I'd like to think that Bowie's Ashes to Ashes video was a big influence here, but who can say? Queen had indeed gone Top 10 with this John Deacon penned number although sadly this all-out Legs performance did little to aid its chart success. Still an ace track though.
 |
| are you ready, are ready for this? |
Ottowan - D.I.S.C.O.
Well while Queen were at least trying to do something new with 'disco' this kind of 70s-leftovers was still making it through. Mike Know-All Read has to tell us of course that this single was already a year old and that Ottawan have little or no English. Just one place behind Queen although they went on to effectively leap-frog them to reach the giddy heights of the top 3. Where's the justice?
Rundown 19-11 - quite a few post-Strike big names on the way down: Cliff, Bowie, Berry, Sheena, Sabbath, Jam, obviously leaving for space for new and exciting stuff. Some hope.
Shalamar - I Owe You One
Seems to be some kind of disco 'theme' running through this week's show, much to our chagrin. Wish they'd hurry up and invent the New Romantics. What's that? Get down the The Blitz Club if you want some new styles, new shapes...? But for the moment we're stuck with this kind of thing. We'll be hearing more from the Shals a couple of years hence, so tune in again around 2017, Shalamar fans as this might be your lot as far as 1980/2015 goes.
Russ Abbot/Teddy Boy introduces...
Linx - You're Lying
And here's some quality Brit-disco at last. Linx were still a fairly labour-intensive soul/funk combo apparently coming out of nowhere, or perhaps from an underground Brit-soul/funk movement which has probably already been featured on a BBCFour documentary. But no matter, this really was rather good and went down well on the dance-floors of the nation, kick-starting a successful career for the David Grant/Peter Martin duo. Some ace state-of-the-art keys on stage here and they were even 'cred' enough to be featured on a future cassette compilation issued by the ultra-cred NME, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Scritti Politti, Cabaret Voltaire and, er, Furious Pig.
Top 10 rundown. and you have to listen very attentively to Read to find out what's going up or down, plus get some really interesting info about each artist. From one clip we even see that Sheena's Modern Girl works in a Chiropody Clinic. Fact.
The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
Although they'd done pretty well up to now, mega-stardom status for The Police officially begins here with this single staying at the top for four weeks, and likewise its parent album Zenyatta Mondatta released a week or so later. Love 'em or hate 'em Sting and pals going straight to number one (the seventh in history, right Mike?) with this new song was a due testament to their popularity and sale-ability at the time. That said, perhaps the success of the 'Don't Stand..' follow-up (which we won't mention for now) may also be a testament to the fact that the British public would eagerly snap up any old rubbish with 'The Police' written on it. But credit where credit's due for Sting's semi-autobiographical tale of a wanton schoolgirl trying to get close to 'teach' possibly in the hope of getting a better school report, or perhaps even more. A scholarly reference to 'that book by Nabakov' is somewhat counter-balanced by rhyming said author's surname with the word 'cough', and a rather shoddy promo-film showed how erstwhile 'punk' was becoming mainstream, but of course the New Romantics will be putting a bit of a shine on videos before long.
 |
| ..the subject, of schoolgirl fantasies.. |
The chart-topping trio is soon replaced by a shambolic presenter-trio who wrap up the show with a pitiful "sketch" in which Read is suddenly heavily pregnant and nearly knocked over by a psueudo-superhero.
Change - Searching (playout)
Groan. More MOR disco to finish up, although I was surprised and interested to discover that Change actually originated in Bologna, Italy (home of lasagna and the world's oldest university) with a bit of americano/NY sparkle laid over the top like a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This one features the talents of a fledgling lead-vocalist Luther Vandross, no less, and as well as being a huge success Stateside was also doing quite well UK-side so we might be hearing it again soon.
A pretty spritely play-out with balloons, dancing and streamers! Is this the 1980s?
We might find out next week..t'ra!
TOTP 80.11 13/03/1980
Shown on BBCFour as from 19.03.2015
Full chart here
Back to some kind of normality this week after all that faffing about with Winter Olympics and Steve Wright is back in charge.
Rush - Spirit of Radio (chart rundown)
Let's face it, any song with 'radio' in the title isn't going to played and played by all witless DJ's, especially of the Radio 1 variety, and sure enough this one proved an improbable hit for American dinosaur band Rush, and was already at no. 23, one of several new entries which also included The Labrettas and Martha & The Muffins who were on last week (apparently).
The Dooleys - Love Patrol
Well after having got rid of The Nolans we're stuck with another Brit family-run group who'd been having hits since 1977, amazingly a whole decade after they'd originally formed. This one was not their best, despite attempting to go 'eighties' with all the colourful lycra, and would indeed be their last Top 30 hit and TOTP appearance.
The Police - So Lonely
This one was getting rather huge so Sting & pals obviously had the pressure on them to get a promo video/film made up, which they duly did so by mucking around on metro trains in Oriental cities, singing down walkie-talkies. Somebody recently wrote that Police promo-videos were mostly them just mucking around in front of a camera, but it worked.
The Detroit Spinners - Working My Way Back to You
Speaking of mucking around, here's Legs &Co.'s weekly contribution where Flick has taken the 'working' metaphor from the title and transformed her girls into, well, workmen complete with striped tent and scaffolding. Only one of them is wearing a hard hat though, which wouldn't get past Health & Safety these days. Highest new entry at no. 20.
The Brothers Johnson - Stomp
Promo-film of what looks like something that came from about 1977. There are loads of 'em too . .are they really all brothers? Who knows.
Secret Affair - My World Today
Who are are actually located underneath Legs' scaffolding/work in progress set-up, and pretty much to their chagrin I can well imagine as it's all dark and dingy and doesn't do any justice to the band or song at all - poorly lit and mostly, er, behind bars. Is this really their world? perhaps they wouldn't want it any other way..
Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
But from the sublime to the ridiculous. What are they on?
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
A fresh studio performance of this excellent number, and no random 'Japanese' pics this time. And we still don't know what it's about.
Rainbow - All Night Long
Another promo-film repeat but this had already gone huge, so justified.
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Happy House
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers
Marti Webb - Take That look Off Your Face
Genesis - Turn It On Again
Fern Kinney - Together We Are Beautiful
It's a new number one but how the hell that happened I shall never know. Dull repeat performance of a couple of weeks ago in that tangerine-esque dress. I suppose it's a testament to the variety of the British charts that this kind of thing could outsell Blondie who in turn outsold Kenny Rogers who in turn..etc. It might be nice to have something British at no. 1 though.
Captain & Tennille - Do That To Me One More Time (playout)
More dross to play us out, after it had been featured proper last week.
That's all folks. Not long before next Pops!
Full chart here
Back to some kind of normality this week after all that faffing about with Winter Olympics and Steve Wright is back in charge.
Rush - Spirit of Radio (chart rundown)
Let's face it, any song with 'radio' in the title isn't going to played and played by all witless DJ's, especially of the Radio 1 variety, and sure enough this one proved an improbable hit for American dinosaur band Rush, and was already at no. 23, one of several new entries which also included The Labrettas and Martha & The Muffins who were on last week (apparently).
The Dooleys - Love Patrol
Well after having got rid of The Nolans we're stuck with another Brit family-run group who'd been having hits since 1977, amazingly a whole decade after they'd originally formed. This one was not their best, despite attempting to go 'eighties' with all the colourful lycra, and would indeed be their last Top 30 hit and TOTP appearance.
The Police - So Lonely
This one was getting rather huge so Sting & pals obviously had the pressure on them to get a promo video/film made up, which they duly did so by mucking around on metro trains in Oriental cities, singing down walkie-talkies. Somebody recently wrote that Police promo-videos were mostly them just mucking around in front of a camera, but it worked.
The Detroit Spinners - Working My Way Back to You
Speaking of mucking around, here's Legs &Co.'s weekly contribution where Flick has taken the 'working' metaphor from the title and transformed her girls into, well, workmen complete with striped tent and scaffolding. Only one of them is wearing a hard hat though, which wouldn't get past Health & Safety these days. Highest new entry at no. 20.
The Brothers Johnson - Stomp
Promo-film of what looks like something that came from about 1977. There are loads of 'em too . .are they really all brothers? Who knows.
Secret Affair - My World Today
Who are are actually located underneath Legs' scaffolding/work in progress set-up, and pretty much to their chagrin I can well imagine as it's all dark and dingy and doesn't do any justice to the band or song at all - poorly lit and mostly, er, behind bars. Is this really their world? perhaps they wouldn't want it any other way..
Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
But from the sublime to the ridiculous. What are they on?
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
A fresh studio performance of this excellent number, and no random 'Japanese' pics this time. And we still don't know what it's about.
Rainbow - All Night Long
Another promo-film repeat but this had already gone huge, so justified.
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Happy House
Show highlight: possibly not their first TOTP after Hong Kong Garden a
couple of years back although I doubt they'd been on with intervening Top 30
singles The Staircase Mystery and Playground Twist (correct me if I'm wrong). Siouxsie and pals
on fine form looking anything but happy but then that's post-punk irony for ya.
This then was the start of their household name popularity proper and one which
would last chart-wise for a few years to come. Legends in the making.
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
Well after the euphoria of Happy House even this seems a lot easier to
digest, and in fact seems like an appropriate segue. Much better placed last
week and already up to no. 16. Steve Wright shows off all his DJ knowledge by
repeatedly letting us know it was a re-release but quite frankly Stevie who
gives a f..
Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers
It's the promo film again sadly, but you have to be grateful for small
mercies. Like The Police and Rainbow this had become huge, even more so in fact as it was
already at no. 4, and so the Pops people could hardly ignore it.
..and likewise this one which was now stable at no. 3 although 'twas the
end of the road chartwise. Perhaps Marti could've done with freshening it up a bit - this was the third showing for the same performance
Genesis - Turn It On Again
More cathartic TOTP moments as we have a rather new look and new
sounding Genesis in the studio (albeit recorded earlier?) to present their new
single just prior to the new album Duke. It's all new! JAzzy 80s coloured gear and they're almost dancing even! Cracking song with about five different time signatures - prog goes pop.
Fern Kinney - Together We Are Beautiful
It's a new number one but how the hell that happened I shall never know. Dull repeat performance of a couple of weeks ago in that tangerine-esque dress. I suppose it's a testament to the variety of the British charts that this kind of thing could outsell Blondie who in turn outsold Kenny Rogers who in turn..etc. It might be nice to have something British at no. 1 though.
Captain & Tennille - Do That To Me One More Time (playout)
More dross to play us out, after it had been featured proper last week.
That's all folks. Not long before next Pops!
TOTP 80.9 28/02/1980
Shown on BBCFour as from 19.03.2015
Full chart here
Well with all that Winter Olympics nonsense over, we're back on a Thursday night after Tomorrow's World, with the full 40 mins. worth of fun. Take it away Kid...
Jefferson Starship - Jane
Didn't we have this a couple of weeks ago as chart rundown music? (checks database) ..yes indeed! Three weeks ago when it was at no. 30, and now it's gone all the way up to no. 21. It's going to be a long night.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
First 'live' act tonight and it's a bouncy new-wave one which you may recall stormed into the charts at no. 17 a couple of weeks ago and was now at no. 5. Costello is doing his best to look 'cool' by appearing indifferent and un-bouncy but ends up looking like he doesn't give a monkey's. Which may well have been the case.
Marti Webb - Take That Look Off Your Face
Another one from two weeks ago and indeed a repeat of her glacial debut performance with the TOTP orchestra. Gary Numan and John Foxx stand aside - Marti was a chilling female automaton no mistake. "..you didn't sleep good last night.." still grates on me after all these years: one sleeps well, Marti, one doesn't sleep good.
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
It's the bouncy new-wave newcomers slot and this one quite rightly became quite a classic of its genre. Mimed studio performance interlaced with random 'Japanese' images which of course have nothing at all to do with masturbating in prison, which is what the song is actually about. Not that they never told us that at the time. Did Mike Read know?
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
..which is apparently all he wants to do according to 'Kid'. The camera pans right to give a faux-live in the studio effect, but we're not fooled. The BBC could never afford all those laser beams. Here's Jacko kicking off a rather bizarre disco-themed triptych. The single had indeed gone Top 10 although wouldn't go any higher than this.
Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
And from the sublime to the ridiculous. Kid takes into the tacky world of Brit-disco with a glass of ..something, and lead singer duly shows she's partial to a tipple pre-performance, if only for the sake of being to appear to be having a good time. Her co-members are equally as annoying, especially the bare chested (and almost bare everything else-ed) "drummer". This will of course be a huge hit.
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
Staying in the disco-dance theme here are the brothers Gibson (not be confused with the Brothers Gibb) who have chosen a missile crisis as the subject of this cheery number. Legs & Co. have also decided they'd like to celebrate US sanctions by joining along with the band on stage - a TOTP first?
According to Official Charts the song is having its second chance at chart success, after failing to set the nation alight last year. Lucky us.
Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers
oooh! Art-rock! Weird visuals! and (at last) the real sound of the eighties? Gabriel had already gone Top 20 with this which did in fact get his post-Genesis solo career rolling, after the false start with Solisbury Hill a few years back. Could be huge. Mike Reid possibly not playing it though cos it mentions the word 'willy'.
Stiff Little Fingers - At the Edge
Punk-rock time and da Fingers seem angrier than ever. One wonders if Liquid Gold hadn't been the more anarchic of the two though.
Dave Edmunds - I Never Felt More Like Singing the Blues
Better calm down a bit..and we never felt more like going and put the kettle on before time.
The Police - So Lonely
An odd choice for Legs & Co. who had already had a turn with the Gibson Bros. The Police were obviously already at superstar status such that they didn't need to come on TOTP especially considering this was a single which had been dug up from their back catalogue and re-released on the back of previous success Walking on the Moon. Another song about masturbation? Who can say...
Rainbow - All Night Long
Well after Dave Edmunds and all that prancing about we'd better have some proper rahck music... and all credit to this lot, they really do look and sound like a rock band should I suppose. Surprisingly enjoyable, unlike.....
The Shadows - Ghost Riders in the Sky
I think this must be the third time this had been featured for Chrissakes and they haven't got any better. In fact it gets a whole lot worse with the drummer and his so-not-plugged-in syndrums placed at the front of stage. Sooo nineteen-seventies dah-ling, Please Lord let them climb no higher in the charts! (prayer answered)
Blondie - Atomic
This rather lacklustre show is saved by Blondie being at number one, albeit featured via the promo-video shown last week too. Mind you in those days TOTP was probably the only occasion you'd get to see such a thing so hurrah!
David Bowie - Alabama Song
More weirdo art-rock! Not exactly the first thing you think of when discussing David Bowie in 1980 with friends and colleagues, but amazingly this track did really well, evidence that anything new Bowie-related was already selling like hotcakes. Apparently this release was merely "to hasten the end of Bowie’s contract with RCA" cit. Wiki, and had already been going around for a bit (full story here). An interesting quirk in (Bowie) chart history nonetheless, even though even better things were just around the corner.
....so show us the way to the next TOTP! What's that? Presented by DLT? Who's he?
Full chart here
Well with all that Winter Olympics nonsense over, we're back on a Thursday night after Tomorrow's World, with the full 40 mins. worth of fun. Take it away Kid...
Jefferson Starship - Jane
Didn't we have this a couple of weeks ago as chart rundown music? (checks database) ..yes indeed! Three weeks ago when it was at no. 30, and now it's gone all the way up to no. 21. It's going to be a long night.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
First 'live' act tonight and it's a bouncy new-wave one which you may recall stormed into the charts at no. 17 a couple of weeks ago and was now at no. 5. Costello is doing his best to look 'cool' by appearing indifferent and un-bouncy but ends up looking like he doesn't give a monkey's. Which may well have been the case.
Marti Webb - Take That Look Off Your Face
Another one from two weeks ago and indeed a repeat of her glacial debut performance with the TOTP orchestra. Gary Numan and John Foxx stand aside - Marti was a chilling female automaton no mistake. "..you didn't sleep good last night.." still grates on me after all these years: one sleeps well, Marti, one doesn't sleep good.
The Vapors - Turning Japanese
It's the bouncy new-wave newcomers slot and this one quite rightly became quite a classic of its genre. Mimed studio performance interlaced with random 'Japanese' images which of course have nothing at all to do with masturbating in prison, which is what the song is actually about. Not that they never told us that at the time. Did Mike Read know?
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
..which is apparently all he wants to do according to 'Kid'. The camera pans right to give a faux-live in the studio effect, but we're not fooled. The BBC could never afford all those laser beams. Here's Jacko kicking off a rather bizarre disco-themed triptych. The single had indeed gone Top 10 although wouldn't go any higher than this.
Liquid Gold - Dance Yourself Dizzy
And from the sublime to the ridiculous. Kid takes into the tacky world of Brit-disco with a glass of ..something, and lead singer duly shows she's partial to a tipple pre-performance, if only for the sake of being to appear to be having a good time. Her co-members are equally as annoying, especially the bare chested (and almost bare everything else-ed) "drummer". This will of course be a huge hit.
Gibson Brothers - Cuba
Staying in the disco-dance theme here are the brothers Gibson (not be confused with the Brothers Gibb) who have chosen a missile crisis as the subject of this cheery number. Legs & Co. have also decided they'd like to celebrate US sanctions by joining along with the band on stage - a TOTP first?
According to Official Charts the song is having its second chance at chart success, after failing to set the nation alight last year. Lucky us.
Peter Gabriel - Games Without Frontiers
oooh! Art-rock! Weird visuals! and (at last) the real sound of the eighties? Gabriel had already gone Top 20 with this which did in fact get his post-Genesis solo career rolling, after the false start with Solisbury Hill a few years back. Could be huge. Mike Reid possibly not playing it though cos it mentions the word 'willy'.
Stiff Little Fingers - At the Edge
Punk-rock time and da Fingers seem angrier than ever. One wonders if Liquid Gold hadn't been the more anarchic of the two though.
Dave Edmunds - I Never Felt More Like Singing the Blues
Better calm down a bit..and we never felt more like going and put the kettle on before time.
The Police - So Lonely
An odd choice for Legs & Co. who had already had a turn with the Gibson Bros. The Police were obviously already at superstar status such that they didn't need to come on TOTP especially considering this was a single which had been dug up from their back catalogue and re-released on the back of previous success Walking on the Moon. Another song about masturbation? Who can say...
Rainbow - All Night Long
Well after Dave Edmunds and all that prancing about we'd better have some proper rahck music... and all credit to this lot, they really do look and sound like a rock band should I suppose. Surprisingly enjoyable, unlike.....
The Shadows - Ghost Riders in the Sky
I think this must be the third time this had been featured for Chrissakes and they haven't got any better. In fact it gets a whole lot worse with the drummer and his so-not-plugged-in syndrums placed at the front of stage. Sooo nineteen-seventies dah-ling, Please Lord let them climb no higher in the charts! (prayer answered)
Blondie - Atomic
This rather lacklustre show is saved by Blondie being at number one, albeit featured via the promo-video shown last week too. Mind you in those days TOTP was probably the only occasion you'd get to see such a thing so hurrah!
David Bowie - Alabama Song
More weirdo art-rock! Not exactly the first thing you think of when discussing David Bowie in 1980 with friends and colleagues, but amazingly this track did really well, evidence that anything new Bowie-related was already selling like hotcakes. Apparently this release was merely "to hasten the end of Bowie’s contract with RCA" cit. Wiki, and had already been going around for a bit (full story here). An interesting quirk in (Bowie) chart history nonetheless, even though even better things were just around the corner.
....so show us the way to the next TOTP! What's that? Presented by DLT? Who's he?
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