Saturday 28 April 2018

Holding Out For a Top of the Pops

This edition of Top of the Pops from 5th September 1985 will not be shown on BBC4 because Mike Smith did not sign a repeats contract before he died. So a huge thanks goes once again to Neil B for making it available here at WeTransfer.

Holding out for a haircut


05/09/85  (Peter Powell & Mike Smith)

Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” (3) 
At its peak.

Bryan Ferry – “Don’t Stop The Dance” (26) (Montreux clip)
Peaked at number 21.

Rebecca Storm – “The Show” (28) 
Her only hit, it peaked at number 22.

Madness – “Yesterday’s Men” (21)
Their first of two top 30 hits in 1985, this was being the biggest when it peaked at number 18.

Huey Lewis & The News – “The Power Of Love” (31) (breaker)
The second of a trio of 'Power of Love' songs to make the charts, this one reached number 11.

Marillion – “Lavender” (23) (breaker)
The follow up to Kayleigh, it peaked at number 5.

Bonnie Tyler – “Holding Out For A Hero” (10) 
Her fifth and final top ten hit, peaking at number 2.

The Top Nine:
Dire Straits - "Money For Nothing" (9) (video clip)
King - "Alone Without You" (8) (video clip)
Princess - "Say I'm Your Number One" (7) (video clip)
The Cars - "Drive" (6) (video clip)
Kate Bush - "Running Up That Hill" (5) (video clip)
Madonna - "Into The Groove" (4) (video clip)
Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” (3) (video clip)
UB40 & Chrissie Hynde - "I Got You Babe" (2) (video clip)

David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (1) (video)
First of four weeks at number one.

Stevie Wonder - "Part Time Lover" (20) (audience dancing/credits)
Peaked at number 3.


September 12th is next.

Thursday 26 April 2018

Don't Mess With Top of the Pops

Its a live edition of Top of the Pops from 29th August 1985 and no one can stop you saying 'bottom' if you want to!

Top of the Screams!


29/08/85  (Janice Long & John Peel)

Mai Tai – “Body & Soul” (18)
Getting this live show underway with their second and final top ten hit, peaking at number 9.

Dan Hartman – “I Can Dream About You” (16)
In the studio tonight to perform his final top 40 hit, which went up four more places.

D Train – “You’re The One For Me” (15)
Featuring Paul Hardcastle on the 'keyboard thingy' this was his remix of their 1982 number 30 hit, which was now their final top 40 hit and at its peak.

Bananarama – “Do Not Disturb” (40) (breaker)
Their only hit of 1985, peaking at number 31.

Bryan Ferry – “Don’t Stop The Dance” (39) (breaker – Montreux clip)
Peaked at number 21.

Madness – “Yesterday’s Men” (30) (breaker)
Peaked at number 18.

Thompson Twins – “Don’t Mess With Doctor Dream” (22)
Alannah waggles her tonsils and the song peaked at number 15.

UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – “I Got You Babe” (1) (video)
Its one and only week at number one.

Amii Stewart – “Knock On Wood” (33) (audience dancing/credits)
This remix of her top 5 hit from 1979 peaked at number 7.


September 5th is next, but its a Mike Smith edition.

Thursday 19 April 2018

Tarzan Top of the Pops

It's hot and steamy tonight like a tropical jungle so pull your loincloths on, grab the nearest Jane and climb up the vine to your tree house to enjoy this 22nd August 1985 edition of Top of the Pops!

Kate invaders!


22/08/85  (Gary Davies & Steve Wright)

Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam – “I Wonder If I Take You Home” (15)
The show gets underway with a club sound. Her first of three top 40 hits, this one was her biggest peaking at number 12.

The Cars – “Drive” (5) (video)
Went up one more place. Shame they didn't show the Ethiopia version of the video, but it was probably too harrowing for the show.

Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” (11)
Swinging into the charts with the sound of the Spanish summer discos and a dancing gorilla, but it was his only hit and it climbed up to number 3.

Dan Hartman – “I Can Dream About You” (40) (breaker)
His third and final top 40 hit, it peaked at number 12.

Mai Tai – “Body & Soul” (36) (breaker)
Their second and final top ten hit, peaking at number 9.

Marc Almond – “Stories Of Johnny” (34) (breaker)
Peaked at number 23.

Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” (4)
You wouldn't expect anything less than an otherworldly performance from Kate, her first in the studio since 1979, and the song went up one more place.

Princess – “Say I’m Your Number One” (10)
It is hot tonight, isn't it! And she went up three more places.

Madonna – “Into The Groove” (1) (video)
Fourth and final week at number one.

Amazulu – “Excitable” (12) (audience dancing/credits)
At its peak.


Next up is August 29th.

Thursday 5 April 2018

Alone Without Top of the Pops

It looks like we're back down to one Top of the Pops a week for the time being, and indeed there is no show at all next week, but keeping us company for now is this edition from 15th August 1985.

Happy just to be here


15/08/85  (Dixie Peach & Peter Powell)

King – “Alone Without You” (39)
King kick off tonight's show with what would become their second and final top ten hit when it peaked at number 8.

UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – “I Got You Babe” (3) (video)
Chrissie is looking good in this video and the song will get to number one in two week's time.

Phil Collins – “Take Me Home” (28)
Taking a break from his summer break to perform his fourth of five hit singles in 1985, this one peaking at number 19.

Total Contrast – “Takes A Little Time” (40)
Looking very dapper in their dinner suits for what was their biggest hit, peaking at number 17.

Dio – “Rock ‘N’ Roll Children” (38) (breaker)
Became their only top 30 hit, peaking at number 26.

Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” (33) (breaker)
His only hit, it made it to number 3.

Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” (9) (breaker)
Four years since her last top 40 hit, this one reached number 3.

The Top Ten Videos:
Nik Kershaw - "Don Quixote" (10) (video clip)
Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill” (9) (video clip)
The Cars - "Drive" (8) (video clip)
Billy Idol - "White Wedding" (7) (video clip)
Eurythmics - "There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)" (6) (video clip)
Dire Straits - "Money For Nothing" (5) (video clip)
Tina Turner - "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" (4) (video clip)
UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – “I Got You Babe” (3) (video clip)
Madonna - "Holiday" (2) (video clip)

Madonna – “Into The Groove” (1) (video)
Third of four weeks at number one.

D Train – “You’re The One For Me” (27) (audience dancing/credits)
Originally peaked at number 30 in 1982, this remix did twice as well and reached number 15.


22nd August is next.