Tag Archives: Top of the Pops

Apr142017

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

Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops

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

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

15 December 2016 Steve Binnie1985 • TV • Top Of The Pops1985 • Alison Moyet • Baltimora • Band Aid • Barbara Dickson • Billy Ocean • Chrissie Hynde • Christmas • Colonel Abrams • David Bowie • Dead Or Alive • Dixie Peach • Elaine Paige • Eurythmics • Feargal Sharkey • Foreigner • Frankie Goes To Hollywood • Gary Davies • George Michael • Janice Long • Jennifer Rush • John Peel • Jonathan King • King • Madonna • Mick Jagger • Midge Ure • Paul Hardcastle • Paul Young • Phil Collins • Philip Bailey • Phyllis Nelson • Sister Sledge • Spotify • Steve Wright • Tears For Fears • The Crowd • Top of the Pops • UB40 • USA For Africa • Wham! • Whitney Houston

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

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

19 October 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Aneka • Bill Wyman • Duran Duran • ELO • Kim Wilde • Legs & Co • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra • Shakin' Stevens • Simon Bates • Soft Cell • Spotify • Startrax • Top of the Pops • UB40

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

“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

11 October 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Dexys • Gidea Park • Human League • Jimmy Savile • Legs & Co • Lobo • REO Speedwagon • Shakin' Stevens • Sheena Easton • Tenpole Tudor • Tight Fit • Top of the Pops • Visage

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

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

4 October 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Bill Wyman • Depeche Mode • Duran Duran • Kim Wilde • Legs & Co • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra • Shakin' Stevens • Spandau Ballet • Steve Wright • Stevie Wonder • Top of the Pops • Undertones

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

“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

28 September 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The PopsABBA • Gidea Park • Legs & Co • REO Speedwagon • Richard Skinner • Shakin' Stevens • Sheena Easton • Specials • Spotify • Star Sound • Tight Fit • Top of the Pops • Vapors • Visage

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

“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

22 July 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The PopsBad Manners • Depeche Mode • Dexys • Jacksons • Kate Bush • Legs & Co • Peter Powell • Saxon • Spandau Ballet • Specials • Spotify • Third World • Top of the Pops

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

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

13 July 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Adam Ant • Bob Marley • Imagination • Jimmy Savile • Kirsty MacColl • Motorhead • Phil Lynott • Randy Crawford • Specials • Spotify • Star Sound • Tom Tom Club • Top of the Pops

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

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

30 June 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Bad Manners • Barry Biggs • Dave Lee Travis • Legs & Co • Linx • Michael Jackson • Quincy Jones • Rainbow • Specials • Spotify • Third World • Top of the Pops

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

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

26 June 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Depeche Mode • Elaine Paige • Evasions • Gillan • Kirsty MacColl • Legs & Co • Michael Jackson • Quincy Jones • Randy Crawford • Simon Bates • Spotify • Top of the Pops

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

“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

14 June 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Champaign • Imagination • Kool & The Gang • Legs & Co • Linx • Odyssey • Peter Powell • Phil Collins • Siouxsie & The Banshees • Smokey Robinson • Specials • Spotify • Top of the Pops

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

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

9 June 2016 Steve Binnie1981 • TV • Top Of The Pops1981 • Bucks Fizz • Coast To Coast • Elaine Paige • Enigma • Hazel O'Connor • Jimmy Savile • Landscape • Randy Crawford • Smokey Robinson • Spotify • Top of the Pops • Ultravox

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Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

In a mere five minutes you'll be catapulted headfirst into another edition of #OffTheChart on #NoiseboxRadio - we'll be dragging you back to this day in 1986 for 2 hours of obscure, forgotten and neglected hits from that week's chart. Better pack a towel. offthechart.show/5-april-1986… pic.twitter.com/CzoWT6zW5B

7:55 pm · 5 April 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Gary Numan

@numanofficial

So, Replicas was released 43 years ago today, and here I am still touring. We are in Petaluma, California tonight. Tix: garynuman.com/tours pic.twitter.com/CjsoGgi3eW

9:24 pm · 4 April 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

Here we go! Two hours of hits, headlines and handstands from this day in 1982 - it's #OffTheChart time! Join us on #NoiseboxRadio via MyTuner Radio, your internet radio device, in your browser at noiseboxradio.com or at offthechart.show/29-march-198… pic.twitter.com/HqMaqTeeno

8:02 pm · 29 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

Just five regular-sized minutes until this week's edition of #OffTheChart hits #NoiseboxRadio! We're heading back an eye-watering forty years to re-examine the chart and associated goings-on from this day in 1982. Join us at 9pm! offthechart.show/29-march-198… pic.twitter.com/9uKjaNAQN1

7:55 pm · 29 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

Our Chrome and Metal level #Patreon backers can listen to an exclusive preview of tonight's #OffTheChart right now, including the full top 40 rundown! patreon.com/posts/off-char… Don't forget we're on @NoiseBoxRadioUK from tonight! Join us at 9! offthechart.show/22-march-198… pic.twitter.com/aBraZ5RhRE

2:17 pm · 22 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Steve Binnie 💙💛

@evibenstein

You are cordially invited to the launch of @NoiseBoxRadioUK, in little over half an hour at noiseboxradio.com #NoiseboxRadio

6:29 pm · 21 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

You're just five short minutes away from this week's #OffTheChart - two hours of hits, headlines and hagiography from this day in 1985! Join us at madwaspradio.com and tweet along with the lunacy! offthechart.show/15-march-198… #MadWaspRadio pic.twitter.com/KaTc35fg98

8:55 pm · 15 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

It's 1985 all over again on this week's #OffTheChart! Join us at 9pm on @MadWaspRadio for two hours of obscure, forgotten and neglected hits from 37 years ago today. That's if Central Television's legal department don't confiscate our playlist first. offthechart.show/15-march-198… pic.twitter.com/me6d2UpLOu

2:48 pm · 15 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

Here we go! Two hours of hits, headlines and hedgehogs from this day way back in 1980 - it's #OffTheChart time! Join us at madwaspradio.com, on your smart speaker or at offthechart.show/8-march-1980… #MadWaspRadio pic.twitter.com/0qJVZjcjyN

9:00 pm · 8 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd

Off The Chart

@OffTheChartShow

Take five minutes to compose yourselves and join us on #MadWaspRadio at 9pm for another #OffTheChart! This week we're heading back 42 years all the way to 1980, so don't panic and make sure you know where your towel is. offthechart.show/8-march-1980… pic.twitter.com/zejaWPAmSH

8:56 pm · 8 March 2022 ·
Retweeted by Sound Of The Crowd
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Off The Chart: 14 June 1986

It may be the longest day of the year but this week’s Off The Chart is just about its regular length. Don’t worry though, we’ll still manage to fit in our regular quota of obscure, forgotten and neglected hits from … read more

Off The Chart: 14 June 1986

We’re heading back to this day in 1986 on this week’s Off The Chart to examine the UK singles chart at a time when hot new acts were rubbing shoulders in the listings with artists and songs from decades ago. … read more

Off The Chart: 7 June 1982

Like Paul Hardcastle last week, we’re looking back forty years on this week’s Off The Chart to revisit the UK singles chart from the beginning of June 1982! As usual we’ll gather up a load of obscure, forgotten and neglected … read more
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