Friday 15 March 2024

Gangsta's of the Pops

 We keep spending most our lives living in the 26th of October 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Gangsta rapper


26-10-95:   Presenter:  Simon Mayo

(15) THE LIGHTNING SEEDS – Lucky You
Getting the show underway with a song that had previously peaked at number 43 a year earlier, this time round it did better and made number 15.

(2) MEAT LOAF – I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)
A second studio performance but the song could get no higher.

(16) THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Don’t You Want Me (Remix)  (video)  (and charts)
This wacky remix of their 1981 number one hit got no higher.

(8) EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Missing
The song had peaked at number 69 last year, this remix did much better and made it to number 3.

(20) SMASHING PUMPKINS – Bullet With Butterfly Wings  (video)
Got no higher.

(13) DIANA KING – Ain’t Nobody  (via satellite)
Her second of three top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(NEW) UB40 – Until My Dying Day
In the studio tonight for the first time in eight years and the song will peak at number 15.

(11) CHER – Walking In Memphis
Cher is in the building for a second studio performance but the song got no higher.

(1) COOLIO feat. LV – Gangsta’s Paradise
Making his studio debut with his first of two weeks at number one, and his first of seven top 40 hits.

(TOTP2) CYNDI LAUPER – Girls Just Want To Have Fun  (clip of TOTP 26-1-84)  (and credits)
Number 2 in 1984.


2nd of November is next.


Top of the Pops in Memphis

 Put on my blue suede shoes and I boarded the 19th of October 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Cher has entered the building


19-10-95:   Presenters:  Stewart Lee & Richard Herring

(11) WILDCHILD – Renegade Master
Getting the show underway but the record got no higher.

(3) SMOKIE – Living Next Door To Alice
A fourth studio performance, but where had Chubby gone? And the song was now at its peak.

(14) ASH – Angel Interceptor  (video)  (and charts)
Got no higher.

(16) 2 UNLIMITED – Do What’s Good For Me
Anita and Ray are here tonight to perform their thirteenth and final top 40 hit together, and it got no higher.

(NEW) EAST 17 – Thunder
Performing their latest song and it will peak at number 4.

(NEW) QUEEN – Heaven For Everyone  (video)
The first single from their number one album, Made in Heaven, and it will peak at number 2.

(5) ETERNAL – Power Of A Woman
With their first post-Louise single and it was already at its peak at number 5.

(NEW) CHER – Walking In Memphis
In the studio tonight to perform her new song and it will peak at number 11.

(1) SIMPLY RED – Fairground  (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

(TOTP2) THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Looking After No. 1  (clip of TOTP 25-8-77)  (and credits)
Their debut hit and it peaked at number 11 in 1977.


Friday 8 March 2024

Where the Wild Top of the Pops Grow

 From the first day I saw her I knew she was the 12th of October 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


I should be so Nicky


12-10-95:   Presenter:  Nicky Campbell

(15) P.J. & DUNCAN – U Krazy Katz
The duo get the show underway but the song got no higher.

(14) SUGGS – Camden Town
Performing his second of seven solo top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(6) MARIAH CAREY – Fantasy  (via satellite)  (and charts)
Went up two more places.

(11) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS feat. KYLIE MINOGUE – Where The Wild Roses Grow
A second studio performance but the song got no higher.

(NEW) JIMMY NAIL – Big River
Here tonight with the title track of his top ten album, and the song will peak at number 18.

(NEW) RADIOHEAD – Lucky  (video)
 An excellent song from the charity album, The Help Album, and also from The Warchild Help EP, and it peaked at a disappointing number 51.

(7) DEF LEPPARD – When Love And Hate Collide
A second studio performance and the song went up five more places.

(NEW) MEAT LOAF – I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)
He's here tonight with an epic performance and the song will peak at number 2.

(1) SIMPLY RED – Fairground 
Third of four weeks at number one.

(TOTP2) SOFT CELL – Tainted Love  (clip of TOTP 13-8-81)  (and credits)
Number one in 1981.

19th of October is next.

Sorted for E's and Top of the Pops

 In the middle of the night, it feels just like the 5th of October 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Sorted for Louise


5-10-95:   Presenters:  Jed and Dave

(14) SLEEPER – What Do I Do Now?
Getting the evening underway but the song got no higher.

(5) SMOKIE feat. ROY CHUBBY BROWN – Living Next Door To Alice
A third time in the studio and the song went up another two places.

(15) CYPRESS HILL – Throw Your Set In The Air  (video)  (and charts)
Got no higher.

(22) OLETA ADAMS – Never Knew Love
Here to perform her third of four top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(10) IRON MAIDEN – Man On The Edge  (via satellite)
At its peak.

(12) LOUISE – Light Of My Life
The former Eternal singer makes her solo studio debut to perform what became her first of nine top ten hits when it peaked at number 8.

(2) PULP – Sorted For E’s And Wizz
Performing the flip side of Mis-Shapes, but this impressive double A record could not quite be the number one the band deserved.

(NEW) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS feat. KYLIE MINOGUE – Where The Wild Roses Grow
This unlikely duo are here tonight with a haunting song that will soon become a number 11 hit.

(1) SIMPLY RED – Fairground
Second of four weeks at number one.

(TOTP2) MADNESS – The Prince  (clip of TOTP 6-9-79)  (and credits)
Their debut hit and it made number 16 in 1979.


Friday 1 March 2024

When Love and Top of the Pops Collide

 One night alone is like a year without the 28th of September 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Clever girl


28-9-95:   Presenters:  Steve Lamacq & Jo Whiley

(13) CAST – Alright
Getting the show underway with the second single from their top ten album, All Change, but it got no higher.

(29) GARBAGE – Only Happy When It Rains
Making their studio debut with the first of sixteen top 40 hits, but this one got no higher.

(10) WET WET WET – Somewhere Somehow  (video)  (and charts)
Went up three more places.

(NEW) THE PRETENDERS – Kid
In the studio with a new version of their number 33 hit from 1979, but this one only made it to number 73.

(12) BON JOVI – Something For The Pain  (via satellite)
Went up four more places.

(ALBUM TRACK) TLC – Hitmix
In the studio tonight to perform a medley of tunes from their top 4 album, Crazysexycool.

(16) MENSWEAR – Stardust
Performing their second of five top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(NEW) DEF LEPPARD – When Love And Hate Collide
Here with what will become their third and final top ten hit when it peaks at number 2.

(1) SIMPLY RED – Fairground
First of four weeks at number one.

(NEW) MEAT LOAF – I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)  (video)  (and credits)
Will peak at number 2.

5th of October is next.

Boombastic of the Pops

 Call me fantastic, say I'm the 21st of September 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Mr Number One


21-9-95:   Presenter:  Rhymin' Simon

(7) THE OUTHERE BROTHERS – La La La Hey Hey
Getting the show underway with their third of four top ten hits, but this one got no higher.

(19) UMBOZA – Cry India
With their first of two top 40 hits, but it got no higher.

(6) JANET JACKSON – Runaway  (video)  (and charts)
At its peak.

(8) SMOKIE feat. ROY CHUBBY BROWN – Living Next Door To Alice
A second studio performance and the song went up another five places.

(NEW) PULP – Mis-Shapes
Performing the second single from their massive number one album, Different Class, and it will peak at number 2.

(4) MARIAH CAREY – Fantasy  (via satellite)
At its peak.

(15) ERASURE – Stay With Me
Here tonight but the song got no higher.

(NEW) IRON MAIDEN – Man On The Edge
In the studio and the song will peak at number 10.

(1) SHAGGY – Boombastic
Enjoying his first and only week at number one.

(TOTP2) ROXY MUSIC – Dance Away  (clip of TOTP 25-12-79)  (and credits)
A number 2 hit from 1979.



Friday 23 February 2024

Top of the Pops Fairground

 And I love the thought of coming home to the 14th of September 1995 edition of Top of the Pops!


Hairground


14-9-95:   Presenter:  Robbie Williams

(20) D:REAM – Party Up The World
Getting the show underway but the song got no higher.

(17) CAPPELLA – Tell Me The Way
Performing their eighth and final top 40 hit and it got no higher.

(18) FOO FIGHTERS – I’ll Stick Around  (video)  (and charts)
Got no higher.

(24) LLOYD COLE – Like Lovers Do
Here with his sixth and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(NEW) MARIAH CAREY – Fantasy  (via satellite)
Will peak at number 4.

(3) THE REMBRANDTS – I’ll Be There For You
Now at its peak.

(2) N-TRANCE feat. RICARDO DA FORCE – Stayin’ Alive
Performing their second of five top ten hits.

(NEW) SIMPLY RED – Fairground
In the studio tonight with a song that will be number one in two weeks time.

(1) MICHAEL JACKSON – You Are Not Alone  (video)
Second and final week at number one.

(TOTP2) THE ROLLING STONES – Let’s Spend The Night Together  (clip of TOTP 26-12-67)  (and credits)
A number 3 hit from 1967.


21st of September is next