Friday, 4 April 2025

South of Top of the Pops

 I think you oghta watch the 26th of September 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Saucy samba


26-9-97:   Presenter:  Jo Whiley

(3) CHUMBAWAMBA – Tubthumping
Still high in the top ten after already peaking at number 2.

(2) DARIO G – Sunchyme
Making their studio debut with the first of three top ten hits, this was the biggest but it could get no higher.

(14) ROBBIE WILLIAMS – South Of The Border
Performing the third single from his number one album, Life Thru A Lens, but this britpoppy tune got no higher.

(9) TINA MOORE – Never Gonna Let You Go
Her only top ten hit and it peaked at number 7.

(8) BELLINI – Samba De Janeiro
Here with their only hit and it got no higher.

(13) SLY & ROBBIE feat. SIMPLY RED – Night Nurse
A second showing and the song was now at its peak.

(15) BLUR – M.O.R.
Performing the fourth and final single from their number one album, Blur, but it got no higher.

(NEW) JANET JACKSON feat. Q-TIP – Got ‘Til It’s Gone (video)
Will peak at number 6.

(NEW) OASIS – Stand By Me  (video)
Will peak at number 2.

(1) ELTON JOHN – Candle In The Wind  (video)  (and credits)
Second of five weeks at number one.

Top of the Pops In The Wind

And it seems to me you lived your life like the 19th of September 1997 edition of Top of the Pops


Rickaaaaaaaay!


19-9-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(6) RICKY MARTIN – (Un Dos Tres) Maria
Making his studio debut with his first of five top ten hits, but this one got no higher.

(22) KYLIE MINOGUE – Some Kind Of Bliss
Here with her first hit for two years but this britpoppy tune got no higher.

(2) GEORGE MICHAEL – You Have Been Loved  (video)
At its peak.

(15) THE SUNDAYS – Summertime
Performing their second and final top 40 hit, and their biggest hit, but it got no higher.

(14) SLY & ROBBIE feat. SIMPLY RED – Night Nurse
Together in the studio tonight and the song went up one more place.

(10) BOYZ II MEN – 4 Seasons Of Loneliness
With their fourth and final top ten hit but it got no higher.

(13) MARK MORRISON – Who’s The Mack
Performing his eighth of nine top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(1) ELTON JOHN – Candle In The Wind  (video)  (and credits)
First of five weeks at number one for the song released in tribute of course to Princess Diana. With sales of 5 million, it remains the best selling single ever in the UK.


Friday, 28 March 2025

Top of the Pops Come to Party

 Party on and on and on the 12th of September 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


N-tycing performance


12-9-97:   Presenter:  Mark Lamarr

(4) HANSON – Where’s The Love
Getting the show underway but the song got no higher.

(7) CAST – Live The Dream
Here with their sixth of seven top ten hits but it got no higher.

(9) TINA MOORE – Never Gonna Let You Go
With her only top ten hit and it peaked at number 7.

(10) FINLEY QUAYE – Even After All
Performing his only top ten hit which was now at its peak.

(16) KAVANA – Crazy Chance ‘97
Had previously made number 35 last year, this time it peaked at number 16.

(12) N-TYCE – We Come To Party
Here with their second of four top 40 hits, this was the biggest but it got no higher.

(8) MARIAH CAREY – Honey
Had already peaked at number 3.

(1) THE VERVE – The Drugs Don’t Work  (video)  (and credits)
Their first and only week at number one, and the second single from their massive number one album, Urban Hymns.

Top of the Pops Where It's At

 If you wanna have a good time, I know where it's the 5th of September 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


When the All Saints go marching in


5-9-97:   Presenters:  Zoë Ball (with Jayne Middlemiss)

(3) MARIAH CAREY – Honey
Getting tonight's show underway but the song got no higher.

(5) OCEAN COLOUR SCENE – Traveller’s Tune
Here with their fifth of six top ten hits but it got no higher.

(10) GINUWINE – When Doves Cry
Performing his first of two top ten hits but this Prince cover flew no higher.

(4) ALL SAINTS – I Know Where It’s At
Making their studio debut with their first of nine top ten hits and this one was at its peak.

(NEW) HANSON – Where’s The Love
Performing the second single from their number one album, Middle of Nowhere, and it will peak at number 4.

(1) WILL SMITH – Men In Black  (video)
Fourth and final weeks at number one.

(NEW) GEORGE MICHAEL – You Have Been Loved  (live clip)  (and credits)
Will peak at number 2.

Friday, 21 March 2025

Queen of Top of the Pops

 Ooh, ooh, I was dancing with the 29th of August 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Bonny tune



29-8-97:   Presenter:  Jayne Middlemiss

(10) JON BON JOVI – Queen Of New Orleans
Getting the show underway with his second of two solo top ten hits, but it got no higher.

(3) SHOLA AMA – You’re The One I Love
Here with her second of three top ten hits but it got no higher.

(12) CONNER REEVES – My Father’s Son
With his first of five top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(14) UB40 – Tell Me Is It True
In the studio tonight but the song was at its peak.

(7) TINA MOORE – Never Gonna Let You Go
Here with her only top ten hit but it got no higher.

(25) SYMPOSIUM – Fairweather Friend
Performing their third of three top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(2) CHUMBAWAMBA – Tubthumping
A second studio performance but the song couldn't get to number one.

(1) WILL SMITH – Men In Black  (video)  (and credits)
Third of four weeks at number one.

Tubthumping of the Pops

 We'll be singing when we're the 22nd of August 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Mega hit



(2) CHUMBAWAMBA – Tubthumping
Getting tonight's show underway with their biggest hit and their first of two top ten hits but it could get no higher.

(11) OTT – All Out Of Love
With their third of four top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(17) LIVIN’ JOY – Deep In You
Here with their sixth and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(4) DANNII MINOGUE – All I Wanna Do
In the studio with her first top ten hit in four years but it got no higher.

(22) STEREOPHONICS – A Thousand Trees
Making their studio debut with the second of twenty-five top 40 hits but this one got no higher.

(NEW) MARK OWEN – I Am What I Am
Here to perform a song that will peak at number 29.

(9) SUEDE – Filmstar
Performing the fifth and final single from their number one album, Coming Up.

(1) WILL SMITH – Men In Black  (video)  (and credits)
Second of four weeks at number one.


Friday, 14 March 2025

Top of the Pops Anthem

 A time to live, a time to die, a time for the 15th of August 1997 edition of Top of the Pops!


Deaf leopard


15-8-97:   Presenter:  Denise Van Outen

(8) MEREDITH BROOKS – Bitch
Performing her only top ten hit and it peaked at number 6.

(4) WET WET WET – Yesterday
This Beatles cover was at its peak.

(14) OLIVE – Outlaw
With their second and final top 40 hit but it got no higher.

(6) MARY J. BLIGE – Everything
At its peak.

(21) THE WILDHEARTS – Anthem
Rocking the studio tonight but got no higher.

(26) ROBYN – Do You Know (What It Takes)
Her first of three top 40 hits but it got no higher.

(20) KYM MAZELLE – Young Hearts Run Free
This disco cover was at its peak.

(1) WILL SMITH – Men In Black  (video)  (and credits)
First of four weeks at number one.