Top Of The Pops

U2

“A reminder of a world that doesn’t care” – Top of the Pops, 20 August 1981

Dave Lee TravisAn unusual choice for Top of the Pops presenter this week as we find ourselves watching the first edition ever to be hosted by an actual scarecrow! Ah no, sorry, false alarm, it’s just Dave Lee Travis in a big straw hat. No BBC Four showing this week then, so it’s the Phantom Taper to the rescue once more with a 1990s recording from UK Gold, complete with tell-tale raggedy stripe down the right-hand side of the picture, the remnants of old-fashioned analogue encryption. Yes, they used to charge money to let people watch old TOTP back in the ’90s. Wonder why nobody’s thought of doing that again? A channel showing nothing but the Hairy Cornflake’s editions would surely raise a two- or even three-figure sum. Until then, we’ll make do.


See the full top 75 for this week on the Official Charts Website.
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More from Top Of The Pops

“I can’t go on singing the same theme” – Top of the Pops, 25 December 1985

Dead Or Alive

As a bit of a diversion from the relentless chronological trudge through the early ’80s editions of TOTP, and because it’s nearly Christmas, here’s a quick distraction with the Christmas Day edition from 1985, courtesy of a seemingly apropos-of-nothing repeat … read more

“Time just rolls on and on” – Top of the Pops, 13 August 1981

Soft Cell

Ah, it’s Housewives’ Favourite (“Favourite what?” I hear you cry) Simon Bates, bringing a much needed air of decorum to proceedings in his sensible beige blazer, black slacks and salmon pink shirt which he probably thinks a bit daring. Looking … read more

“Don’t kid yourself you’ve seen it all before” – Top of the Pops, 6 August 1981

The Human League

“Ho-ho! Yes indeed! How about that!” Oops, look out, it’s Creepy Uncle Jimmy™ again, ruining another episode of TOTP with his continued unwelcome presence. This week he’s kitted out in a yellow satin top with “26.2” written on it – … read more

“Always the sound in my brain, can you hear it?” – Top of the Pops, 30 July 1981

The Undertones

It’s Steve Wright – yes it is! You can tell because he’s wearing a huge badge bearing the slogan “YES IT IS”, dating this edition to somewhere in the brief period when he was trying ever so hard to popularise … read more

“All I’ve learned has overturned” – Top of the Pops, 23 July 1981

Tight Fit

“They always say it’s ‘Welcome to Top of the Pops‘ and tonight it’s just the same as ever!” Newsbeat’s Richard Skinner there, opening the UK’s top music show with a confusingly constructed sentence that rather downplays the sense of breathless … read more

“You think you only know me when you turn on the light” – Top of the Pops, 16 July 1981

Dexys Midnight Runners

“Hi folks, welcome to this week’s edition of Top of the Pops, it is jam packed with good music!” Peter Powell there, rudely jabbing his finger into your face to emphasise just how jam packed the show is. As well … read more

“In this great future you can’t forget your past” – Top of the Pops, 9 July 1981

The Specials

Time for a celebration, as Michael Hurll has got his abacus out and decided that we’ve reached the 900th edition of Top of the Pops. Blow up the balloons! Break out the streamers! Bring on the dancing girls! And then … read more

“Too much fighting on the dance floor” – Top of the Pops, 2 July 1981

Bad Manners

Finally! After months and months of recycling the same tired joke, the powers that be at TOTP have finally taken my advice and commissioned a proper theme tune and title sequence. Don’t tell anyone though, because it’s still under wraps … read more

“You’ve got to get up to get down” – Top of the Pops, 25 June 1981

Depeche Mode

Rush rush, busy busy, rush rush, busy busy! A combination of a condensed thirty minute show due to Wimbledon fortnight, the continuing lack of a proper opening sequence and a poorly chosen first song with a short intro means that … read more

“I feel my spirit’s getting old” – Top of the Pops, 18 June 1981

Odyssey

“Hi folks! Welcome to Top of the Pops once again!” Well, hello sailor. It’s solid, reliable Peter Powell in charge this week, in a strangely nautical white shirt with navy blue stripes and – yes! – red trousers. A full … read more

“Please remember to mention me in tapes you leave behind” – Top of the Pops, 11 June 1981

Landscape

Looking for a 54-year-old silver haired loon in a ridiculous tracksuit made up of random, uneven patches of different gaudy colours, desperately attempting to stay relevant to the record buying audience despite being old enough to be their grandfather? It’s … read more