Top of the Pops on BBC Four

[Gulftastic]

Lena Martell aside, another bloody fantastic episode. Pop music was so frigging awesome in my childhood. It's such utter shit nowadays.

And it's not just that I'm old.

IT'S NOT!

[daf]

Here we go with the most watched edition EVER - 19 million!

11 October 1979: Presenter: Andy Peebles

(15)    AL HUDSON & THE PARTNERS – You Can Do It (and charts)
All rise for The Exalted Grand-Waziir of the Order of The Golden Peeble!
(16)    THE DOOLEYS – The Chosen Few
A glimpse into Pontins Hell.
(52)    THE HEADBOYS – The Shape Of Things To Come
Will be . . . the Quincunx.
(4)    MICHAEL JACKSON – Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (danced to by Road Safety Tattoo & Co)
Warning : Knobbly Knee straight ahead!
(51)    CHIC – My Forbidden Lover
Just about their last big hit - can't believe it's almost all over.
(26)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Utter filth!
(47)    VIOLA WILLS – Gonna Get Along Without You Now
And her Texas Playboys.
(27)    CHARLIE DANIELS BAND – The Devil Went Down To Georgia (video)
Big hat.
(23)    ERROL DUNKLEY – O.K. Fred
both of us together, one each end and steady as we go,
Tried to to shift it, couldn't even lift it, we was getting nowhere,

And so, we, had a cup of tea, and . . .
(54)    CATS UK – Luton Airport
Boo! Where's Lorraine Chase?



(18)    DAVE EDMUNDS – Queen Of Hearts
. . . Four of Clubs . . . Jokers wild . . . and (all together now) - That's Ringworm!
(NEW)    DANA – I Can't Get Over Getting Over You
Doing a Manhattan Transfer.
(1)    THE POLICE – Message In A Bottle (video)
The authentic tranny sound.
(30)    FLEETWOOD MAC – Tusk (and credits)
THIS cost one million dollars?

[daf]

http://www.4shared.com/video/BL3LQd0Tce/TOTP_181079.html

18 October 1979: Presenter: Dave Lee Travis

(25)    EARTH, WIND & FIRE – Star (and charts)
This week's muted caption - Chic.
(46)    SUZI QUATRO – She's In Love With You
Fat old bass on this!
(6)    SAD CAFÉ – Every Day Hurts
"And now over to Rosie May at the Green Desk."
(30)    ABBA – Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) (video)
Introducing the Headphone headband.
(61)    NEW MUSIK – Straight Lines
Oi - where's Orville?
(5)    LENA MARTELL – One Day At A Time
Delayed Abba link from the 'LT' here - well worth the wait!
(64)    THE UNDERTONES – You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It?)
Sing along - page 5 :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/sets/72157624793411215/



(18)    FLEETWOOD MAC – Tusk (danced to by Nailclippers & Co)
Some sort of Space Jungle theme?
(17)    THE JAGS – Back Of My Hand
Still cake and sad.
(51)    THE RAMBLERS – The Sparrow
Pushy music teacher.
(28)    XTC – Making Plans For Nigel
BOOM-DADA-BOOM!
(47)    THE SELECTER – On My Radio
But not on my telly.
(1)    BUGGLES – Video Killed The Radio Star (video)
Ow-ah, Ow-ah!
(21)    THE SEX PISTOLS – Rock Around The Clock (and credits)
As old Ten Pole Tudor does the singing, this barely counts as a Sex Pistols song.

[daf]

25 October 1979 : Presenter: Peter Powell

(26) THE SELECTER – On My Radio (and charts)
It's a Two-Tone Takeover!

(41) THE SPECIALS feat. RICO – A Message To You Rudy
Paaarp!
(16) VIOLA WILLS – Gonna Get Along Without You Now
The Pops Orchestra's first crack out of the box - not the last we'll be hearing (or seeing!) from them tonight.
(21) QUEEN – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (video)
The '79 Comeback Special!
(24) CATS UK – Luton Airport
Contender for the 'Tremendous Trousers of the Week' award with their glossy 'Liquorice Pipe' ensemble.
(15) CHARLIE DANIELS BAND – The Devil Went Down To Georgia (video)
I demand a recount - the Devil's 'evil disco' workout is clearly the best bit!
(18) CHIC – My Forbidden Lover (danced to by Spearmints & Co)
Oh, bad luck Cats UK - pipped to the post by a spectacular set of Turquoise Tubes.
(3) DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Maracas.
(48) IRIS WILLIAMS – He Was Beautiful (Cavatina) (The Theme From 'The Deer Hunter')
Now entering the Two Ronnies musical interlude section - hold on tight.
(7) THE DOOLEYS – The Chosen Few
Oh, not THIS again! BOO! BOOOOOOOOO!
(NEW) JANET BROWN – The Iron Lady
And just when you thought the show couldn't get any worse.
(11) ERROL DUNKLEY – O.K. Fred
Tracksuit and pith helmet - The classic combination.
(1) LENA MARTELL – One Day At A Time
Unusually, both a human, and a woman!
(6) ABBA – Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) (and credits)
Diddle-id, Diddle-eyyy . . . Diddle-id, Diddle-iddle-iddle-eyy . . .

[daf]

1 November 1979 : Presenter: Mike Read

(3)    SAD CAFÉ – Every Day Hurts (and charts)
They took it off for Dusty's compilation, so why is the BBC Four logo slapped back on here? Double standards!
(45)    SPARKS – Tryouts For The Human Race
This Fortnight's back page Pinup poster stars :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/sets/72157622508882410/



(26)    THE RAMBLERS – The Sparrow
Abbey Hey Junior School on Greek Chorus duties.
(50)    DARTS – Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
There's no song that can't be made slightly worse with the addition of a saxophone - and we get two at once here.
(29)    THE JAM – The Eton Rifles
Light Britpop touch-paper, stand well back, and wait 15 years for explosion.
(46)    LENE LOVICH – Bird Song
Uh-oh - Weirdo Alert!
(16)    EARTH, WIND & FIRE – Star (danced to by Space Capes & Co)
Lulu takes a nap this week..
(43)    THIN LIZZY – Sarah
Gary Moore is all over this, but had left by the time the single came out.
(20)    SUZI QUATRO – She's In Love With You
Two chord guff.
(42)    B.A. ROBERTSON – Knocked It Off
Tapping into a bit of a 'Reasons to be Cheerful'.
(1)    LENA MARTELL – One Day At A Time
Look at his little face - frozen at the thought of the oncoming horror.
(8)    FLEETWOOD MAC – Tusk (and credits)
Mike snaps out of it to sign a few autographs - what a gent!

[daf]

http://www.4shared.com/video/KsL5TcqEba/TOTP_081179.html

8 November 1979 : Presenter: Jimmy Savile O.B.E.

(21)    KOOL & THE GANG – Ladies Night (and charts)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(44)    MATCHBOX – Rockabilly Rebel
And we join the 'Legendary Two-Tone Edition' already in progress . . .
(29)    IRIS WILLIAMS – He Was Beautiful (Cavatina) (The Theme From 'The Deer Hunter')
Deep throat.
(2)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Almost there, here we go . . .
(51)    MADNESS – One Step Beyond
Let the Fezzing madness begin!



(10)    THE COMMODORES – Still (video)
A cool-off.
(19)    THE SPECIALS feat. RICO – A Message To You Rudy
Even Jim's got Fez Fever!
(3)    ABBA – Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) (video)
Awkward link - you poor, poor sods.
(50)    DAN-I – Monkey Chop
Two takes edited together - keep an eye on those bananas.
(26)    HERB ALPERT – Rise (danced to by It's all Greek to me & Co)
Columnated ruins domino.
(5)    QUEEN – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (video)
Interview corner - and once again, a MASSIVE success!
(53)    SHAM 69 – You're A Better Man Than I
Band on the verge of implosion by the looks of it.
(9)    THE SELECTER – On My Radio
And . . . Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(1)    LENA MARTELL – One Day At A Time
(27)    DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND – No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (and credits)

[daf]

Get out your Vespas - it's the non-Legendary 'Slightly Mod' edition!

15 November 1979 : Presenter : David Jensen

(26)    DYNASTY – I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help Myself) (and charts)
Featuring Joan Collins on slap bass.
(4)    THE JAM – The Eton Rifles
Nifty bowling shoes.
(46)    CLIFF RICHARD – Hot Shot
How much more brown? None more brown!
(14)    DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND – No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (danced to by Kleenex & Co)
Dig that funky clavinet!
(27)    THIN LIZZY – Sarah
Old Moore's armagnac.
(43)    THE TOURISTS – I Only Want To Be With You
Dusty Leather.
(15)    B.A. ROBERTSON – Knocked It Off
Balls.
(11)    SUZI QUATRO – She's In Love With You
He's a Sports PA :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88hsBHuw5yc
(41)    THE MOODY BLUES – Nights In White Satin
Out for a third spin - Old Butter-pat must have a tax bill to settle.
(16)    KOOL & THE GANG – Ladies Night (video)
Dry Ice EXPLOSION-N-N-N!



(38)    SECRET AFFAIR – Let Your Heart Dance
Oh no - he's got a trumpet!
(13)    THE RAMBLERS – The Sparrow
Tweet-Tweet!
(48)    SHOWADDYWADDY – A Night At Daddy Gee's
Mod's embarrassing uncles show them how it's done.
(1)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Well done, it's number one - now hop it!
(24)    THE ISLEY BROTHERS – It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop) (and credits)
Hello mum!

[23 Daves]

Two slices of BA Robertson on one edition there - one from the man himself, the other as co-writer of Cliff Richard's "Hot Shot". (That said, "Knocked it Off" seemed to be edited out on the Thursday night showing).

BA Robertson had late seventies pop by the knackers, but before long he'd be reduced to penning ditties for special Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin singles, which were actually quite good in a strange way.

[Natnar]

Two slices of BA Robertson on one edition there - one from the man himself, the other as co-writer of Cliff Richard's "Hot Shot". (That said, "Knocked it Off" seemed to be edited out on the Thursday night showing).

BA Robertson had late seventies pop by the knackers, but before long he'd be reduced to penning ditties for special Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin singles, which were actually quite good in a strange way.

I imagine he must have made a bob or two from co-writing Mike And The Mechanics Living Years as well.

[Brundle-Fly]

Two slices of BA Robertson on one edition there - one from the man himself, the other as co-writer of Cliff Richard's "Hot Shot". (That said, "Knocked it Off" seemed to be edited out on the Thursday night showing).

BA Robertson had late seventies pop by the knackers, but before long he'd be reduced to penning ditties for special Keith Chegwin and Maggie Philbin singles, which were actually quite good in a strange way.

And the theme to Wogan , of course!

[23 Daves]

Oh OK then, BA Robertson did OK for himself in general.

I'm just jealous of him, that's what it is. But who wouldn't be?

http://youtu.be/pPnCVREWlyI

(Christ, he's wearing the same boots I've got in that video. This is almost as bad as finding out I had an identical shirt to Cliff Richard not long ago).

[23 Daves]

...and actually, if you imagine it's Rod Hull singing, it works a lot better.

[daf]

Same wall as in the Bang Bang video - must have filmed both on the same day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjjuY5qetnw

[daf]

http://www.4shared.com/video/z2qdng2vce/TOTP_221179.html

22 November 1979 : Presenter: Dave Lee Travis

The Sig Tune's back!
(26)    MATCHBOX – Rockabilly Rebel
Southern fried hotpot.
(4)    THE COMMODORES – Still (video)
A cool-off.
(23)    THE BOOMTOWN RATS – Diamond Smiles (video)
Attention Fingers - Steve Nieve wants his organ back.
(48)    THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket
Recorded in an empty studio (presumably a strike loophole?)
(17)    ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – Confusion (video)
Inside Jeff's Fortress of Solitude
(10)    MADNESS – One Step Beyond
Ooff, Dave's in a right mood!
(2)    QUEEN – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (video)
It's a Rockabilly take-over!
(20)    DYNASTY – I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help Myself) (video)
Disco-bopping?
(13)    HERB ALPERT – Rise (danced to by Τερψιχόρη & Co)
Floaty.
(15)    GARY NUMAN – Complex (video)
Get all the scoop on laughing boy :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/sets/72157625114848806/



(30)    DAN-I – Monkey Chop
Bananas.
(1)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Oi, I told you lot last time - hop it!

[daf]

Very duff sounding show - I think they must have taped over an old Dr. Who (best guess : 'The Daemons', episode 5).

29 November 1979 : Presenter: Peter Powell

(25)    MICHAEL JACKSON – Off The Wall (and charts)
Top 7 go orange!
(12)    THE GIBSON BROTHERS – Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go) (video)
Space-disco Shell suits.
(5)    THE POLICE – Walking On The Moon (video)
Dan, Dah-Daannn . . . >CHAAAANG< . . . Dan, Dah-Daannn . . .
(22)    THE TOURISTS – I Only Want To Be With You
Tape mufflage now approaching maximum density - get out the isopropnol and a cotton bud!
(36)    STATUS QUO – Living On An Island (video)
P-P-Pick up a Parfitt.
(21)    BLONDIE – Union City Blue (video)
Despite a cameo from the Statue of Liberty, this was never a single in America.
(24)    THIN LIZZY – Sarah
Mirror scratch-plate dazzle.
(34)    ROSE ROYCE – Is It Love You're After (video)
Ba-ba-ba-ba, Ba-ba-ba-ba . . . Piew piew, piew-piew-piew  (yes, this is where they nicked it from).
(23)    THE MOODY BLUES – Nights In White Satin
For stubborn stains - hand wash and lay flat to dry, avoiding direct sunlight.
(32)    THE SKIDS – Working For The Yankee Dollar (video)
Get out your Nolan Sisters spittoon - there's Skids LP's to be won!
http://likepunkneverhappened.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/november-29-december-12-1979.html



(3)    DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND – No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (danced to by Two Tones of Fun & Co)
Powell now almost horizontal in his relaxed delivery (someone fetch a pointed stick!)
(26)    PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
70's urban grot.
(1)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman (video)
Smug get.
(14)    THE ISLEY BROTHERS – It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop) (and credits)
Shunted to credits again - didn't they make a video for this?

[23 Daves]

I know you've already said it, but I can't help but reiterate what an AWFUL sounding episode that was. Blondie's "Union City Blue" sounded like it was being played on a partially chewed cassette, and Powell's introductions had the audio quality and presentation style of an amateur YouTube announcer. I swear I heard his mic button click on and off at one point.

The BBC were on strike, so clearly whichever scab crossed the picket line to do the sound on this one, they weren't ready for a proper job in the big Beeb gang. Or even Channel TV.

All that said, I remember watching this one as a kid and enjoying it, going on to eventually purchase three of the singles on the show (Gibson Brothers, Pink Floyd and Status Quo - I think the penguins in the video sold the Status Quo effort to me). So a memorable show for me for a different set of reasons beyond its Community TV level technical failings.

[Egyptian Feast]

I caught up on a load of these over the past few days and have to confess that by my third viewing of The Ramblers I was shouting some very unkind things to the lead singer.

Also watched an old 1977 episode with Linda Lewis and that appalling Punch song, neither of which I'd been exposed to before. I reckon Lewis may just have annoyed me more - she has a large vocal range, but not the faintest clue of what to do with it. Christ, people bought some awful shit back then.

[Brundle-Fly]

That The Story Of 1979 doc was fascinating. This was my teenage era and I've forgotten how exciting that period was but fuck me, it seems so distant now.  I can't say, "It seems like yesterday" anymore.

[daf]

6 December 1979 : Presenter : Simon Bates

(5)    THE GIBSON BROTHERS – Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go) (and charts)
Strike over, and we're back with a new face (and jumper).
(54)    DARTS – Reet Petite
With their 'New Direction' in tatters, The Darts retreat from Stalingrad to lick their wounds, falling back on oldies to grease the treads of their tanks.
(57)    DOLLAR – I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Robotic sleazebag version.
(36)    U.K. SUBS – She's Not There
Another classic, this time shoved through the identikit punk meat-grinder.
(26)    THE THREE DEGREES – My Simple Heart
Distracting fly flaps.
(64)    M – Moonlight And Muzak
Low-key curved-ball.
(41)    THE STRANGLERS – Don't Bring Harry
Thrillingly intense.
(22)    MICHAEL JACKSON – Off The Wall (danced to by Michelle Jackdaughters & Co)
Expert knee-slapping exhbition from Danny Baker and chair-slipping pal.
(12)    THE SUGARHILL GANG – Rapper's Delight (footage from Soap Factory)
Bit of a clumsy edit there.
(46)    THE DAMNED – I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Aw, diddums.
(50)    STORM – It's My House
With the world's largest bass.
(42)    MOTÖRHEAD – Bomber
Edging ever closer to 'The Big One'.



(48)    MARIANNE FAITHFULL – The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan
Sloppy?
(1)    THE POLICE – Walking On The Moon (video)
Oh, and it's just 'Walking' now, apparently.
(2)    PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (and credits)
Yeah, up yours Mr Bronson!

[Egyptian Feast]

That opening trio of bad covers was disheartening. One of the funniest episodes yet though - Simon Bates seemed deranged, manhandling young girls, pulling weird faces and getting everything wrong. Hilariously awkward.

Hadn't heard the other M song before - obviously it was no 'Pop Musik', but I liked seeing them again. Cool dudes.

[Subtle Mocking]

That opening trio of bad covers was disheartening.

My first time watching this for ages and I agree that the opening trio was appalling. Even Dollar were better than than UK Subs abomination.

Not a great episode overall really.

[Gulftastic]

From a poster on Digital Spy:

'Friday 2nd January 2015 at 9pm on BBC4 kicks off the new year with "Top Of The Pops - The Story Of 1980", to be followed immediately at 10pm by "Top Of The Pops 1980 - Big Hits".

Both shows have a repeat 4 hours later in the early hours of the same evening between 1am and 3am.

Unconfirmed yet, but the first weekly TOTP of the 1980's should be on BBC4 at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th January 2015, with the edition presented by Peter Powell from Thursday 3rd January 1980.'

The 80's are coming!

[Uncle TechTip]

I think they confirmed that they will continue into 1980. I just hope not too many editions will be canned due to presenter. Never was I so pleased to see Simon Bates and his exemplary past behaviour. Having said that he got close to some of the female audience members. Of course there's another big strike in the summer of 1980 which took the show off the air for a couple of months.

[Gulftastic]

I think they confirmed that they will continue into 1980. I just hope not too many editions will be canned due to presenter. Never was I so pleased to see Simon Bates and his exemplary past behaviour. Having said that he got close to some of the female audience members. Of course there's another big strike in the summer of 1980 which took the show off the air for a couple of months.

19 shows should be missed. 10 for DLT & Savile, 9 for the strike. The Proms and Sky @ Night showings should cover thos gaps.

[daf]

13 December 1979 : Presenter : Mike Read

(23)    DAVID BOWIE – John I'm Only Dancing (Again) (and charts)
This new version seems like a belated response to the disco craze, but it was actually recorded way back in 1974.
(26)    FIDDLER'S DRAM – Day Trip To Bangor (Didn't We Have A Lovely Time)
Apparently NOT written about Rhyl after all.
(20)    PAUL McCARTNEY – Wonderful Christmastime (video)
Evidently filmed on Bommie Night (Anyone up for a sausage in a flask?)
(4)    THE TOURISTS – I Only Want To Be With You
Latest interview - page 12 :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/sets/72157622595105094/



(21)    ABBA – I Have A Dream (video)
Sub-Brotherhood of Man stinker.
(31)    THE BEAT – Tears Of A Clown
Clear a spot on the dance-floor - I'm coming in!
(18)    STATUS QUO – Living On An Island (danced to by Biggles & Co)
The history of Britain in 3 minutes.
(60)    THE INMATES – The Walk
Booster cushion for the drummer!
(13)    BLONDIE – Union City Blue (video)
Ignoring the 'Video for studio, Film for outdoors' rule. As a result, it looks grotty.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(63)    THE BARRON KNIGHTS – Food For Thought
Snipped from TV, but Neil B has come up with the goods once again :
http://www.4shared.com/video/GhYnQqr8ce/TOTP_13_12_79-Title1.html
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(30)    THE PRETENDERS – Brass In Pocket
Bonus point for Martin Chambers' insanely high tiny cymbal.
(1)    PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
(24)    ROSE ROYCE – Is It Love You're After (and credits)
Oh go on then, cheeky chops.

[daf]

http://www.4shared.com/video/wHgU8m1aba/TOTP_201279.html

20 December 1979 : Presenter: Jimmy Savile O.B.E.

(29)    THE CLASH – London Calling (and charts)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(47)    THE GREEDIES – A Merry Jingle
Twin bubble machines!
(9)    THE THREE DEGREES – My Simple Heart
Their last big hit.
(24)    THE SKIDS – Working For The Yankee Dollar
Ooh, look at the big brave spitting man! (no Jobson, I will NOT let it lie. Never, do you hear me, NEVERRRRR!)
(43)    BILLY PRESTON & SYREETA – With You I'm Born Again
A cool off.
(28)    K.C. & THE SUNSHINE BAND – Please Don't Go (video)
Pointy collar, Hairy chest, and a liberal splashing of Monsieur Le Stud.



(72)    THE REGENTS – 7 Teen
Some fruity language on the original apparently (the 'permanent reaction' bit).
(13)    DAVID BOWIE – John I'm Only Dancing (oh no, not again!) (video)
B-side to the rescue.
(30)    MIKE OLDFIELD – Blue Peter (danced to by Flaming Coat-hanger Advent Crown & Co)
Yo-ho-ho, me hearties!
(17)    ROSE ROYCE – Is It Love You're After (video)
How lazy were S-Express - write your own song, tune thieves!
(73)    THE NOLANS – I'm In The Mood For Dancing
Up yours, Jobson!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(1)   PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
(25)    ELVIS PRESLEY – Merry Christmas Baby (and credits)

[Egyptian Feast]

Not a great episode, but I loved Rose Royce and Bowie. That Greedies song was terrible - it sounded like something from a shit CD of Christmas songs performed by bored session musicians. The kind of thing you hear being played in a pound shop on a wet and shit December morning. It would be bad enough coming from a bunch of smelly old hacks, but coming from the people who had not long before brought us Live And Dangerous, it was scandalous. Phil Lynott should be ashamed of himself, if he wasn't dead and oblivious.

[daf]

25 December 1979 : Presenters: Kid 'David' Jensen & Pete R. Powell

BONEY M – Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord
Bit of a vote of no confidence in The 'M' to eschew (bless you) all their 1979 singles in favour of this stinker from 1978.
Also, despite white furry appearances, this isn't a repeat from last Christmas show - that one had no audience, whereas this one does (and oddly, is the only one that does in the whole show!)
IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
I don't know who old boot-polish face is on drums, but it certainly isn't Charley Charles!
JANET KAY – Silly Games
Careful with that stick, you plum!
GARY NUMAN – Cars
What's that you say Peter? 'The cars who make hit records' you say? Aha - That would obviously be : The Cars! Oh . . .
ROXY MUSIC – Dance Away
The Velvet Smog.
ANITA WARD – Ring My Bell (danced to by Chim-chimernee, Chim-chimernee, Chim-Chim & Co)
Ding Dong!
BUGGLES – Video Killed The Radio Star
Listen to that FAT BASS - incredible sound.
B.A. ROBERTSON – Bang Bang
Banging with Rosie and Pauline (but mainly with Rosie, the dirty dog)
BLONDIE – Sunday Girl
Hooray - Twiddlesticks & co back in the studio at last!



M – Pop Muzik
Bit o' class!
THE BEE GEES – Tragedy (danced to by Charlie Cairoli & Co)
I have seen things you people wouldn't believe . . .  Feather boas off the shoulder of Lulu.
I watched Sue glitter in the dark near Rosie's garden Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like . . . tears in rain.
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS – Oliver's Army
Just gets better and better - This has got to be contender for best Christmas show EVER . . .
(40)    LENA MARTELL – One Day At A Time
Doh!
SQUEEZE – Cool For Cats
Actually singing blummen' live.
(21)    DR. HOOK – When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman
Oh pipe down!
BLONDIE – Dreaming
Bish-Bosh Twiddle Boom-Bosh badda-badda SMASH! - Clem Burke stealing the show again.
TUBEWAY ARMY – Are 'Friends' Electric?
Dry Ice Explosionnnnn!
RACEY – Some Girls
You wish!
CLIFF RICHARD – We Don't Talk Anymore
Shee-ee-eee-eeep!
THE CREDITS - We are the Credits!
And to end - the full Pops theme (including rarely heard full-on wig-out section!)

[daf]

Three cheers and a glass of eggnog for Steve H who uncorked this week's bounty :
http://www.4shared.com/video/HFmAewOsce/TOTP_271279_UK_GOLD.html

27 December 1979 : Presenters: Dave Lee Travis & Mike Read

THE BOOMTOWN RATS – I Don't Like Mondays (video)
Unlike their other big hit, we barely got to see this one on TV.
(2)    ABBA – I Have A Dream (video)
A cool off.
(3)    THE POLICE – Walking On The Moon (video)
Copeland doing his best to sabotage the next launch.
VILLAGE PEOPLE – In The Navy (video)
The Boney M of 1979.
GLORIA GAYNOR – I Will Survive (danced to by The Green Green Frocks of Home & Co)
Roller-Boogie workout.
ART GARFUNKEL – Bright Eyes (video)
A victim of editing by some parsimonious bean-counters on TV. That said, we hardly get to see much more of it here.
(26)    QUEEN – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (video)
Hot leathers and a fist-full of fire.
THE POLICE – Message In A Bottle (video)
Seemed to be constantly on tour this year.
VILLAGE PEOPLE – Y.M.C.A. (danced to by The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick-maker & Co)
Classic!  We really need a compilation of all the Legs routines we missed - Come on, TV boffins - get cracking!
SQUEEZE – Up The Junction
Indulging in a bit of musical chairs.
BLONDIE – Heart Of Glass (video)
With the end of the 70's imminent, Smash Hits gets nostalgic :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51106326@N00/sets/72157624918123022/



(1)    PINK FLOYD – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (video)
You! yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy! (whack)

Farewell then, you glorious Prog-AcidFolk-JazzFusion-Glam--HeavyMetal-Pub-Punk-Funk-Disco-Electronic-Mod-NewWave-2Tone-Pop-and whatever that thing Joy Sarney thought she was doing decade : We shall surely ne'er see your like again!

[daf]

While we wait for 1980 to kick in/off, here's what the pop world looks like today :

25 December 2014: Presenters: Dot Cotton & Eddie Yates

(6)   TAKE THAT – These Days
I much prefer this older beardy 'That' to the 90's version. A good start with festive jumpers all round.
(-)   GORGON CITY feat. MNEK – Ready For Your Love
According to Eddie they LITERALLY grew up on a diet of Jungle, House and Garage - which would no doubt explain their terrible consipation problems later in life.
(-)   SIGMA – Nobody To Love
Detecting bit of the old jungle in there.
(-)   THE VAMPS – Jingle Bells
2014's answer to The Greedies - Mumford style.

- - - - - - - - - Jan-June Highlights  - - - - - - - - - - -
(57)   PHARRELL WILLIAMS – Happy (video)
(46)   CLEAN BANDIT feat. JESS GLYNNE – Rather Be (video)
(67)   SAM SMITH – Money On My Mind (video)
(-)   5 SECONDS OF SUMMER – She Looks So Perfect (video)
(-)   DUKE DUMONT feat. JAX JONES – I Got U (video)



(-)   ALOE BLACC – The Man (video)
(-)   KIESZA – Hideaway (video)
(-)   CALVIN HARRIS – Summer (video)
(-)   RITA ORA – I Will Never Let You Down (video)
(19)   SAM SMITH – Stay With Me (video)
(37)   ED SHEERAN – Sing (video)
(33)   ELLA HENDERSON – Ghost (video)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(38)   TOM ODELL – Real Love
A cool off.
(-)   McBUSTED – Air Guitar
Missed a trick by not doing any actual air guitaring.
(64)   COLDPLAY – A Sky Full Of Stars (footage from Radio 2 In Concert)
Not one of their best.
(-)   RIXTON – Me And My Broken Heart
Red antlers.
(49)   MR. PROBZ – Waves
Emoting wildly.
(28)   GEORGE EZRA – Budapest
Drip.

- - - - - - - - - July-Dec Highlights  - - - - - - - - - - -
(98)   ARIANA GRANDE feat. IGGY AZALEA – Problem (video)
(-)   CHERYL COLE feat. TINIE TEMPAH – Crazy Stupid Love (video)
(54)   MAGIC – Rude (video)
(52)   NICO & VINZ – Am I Wrong (video)
(50)   LILY WOOD & ROBIN SCHULTZ – Prayer In C (video)
(36)   CALVIN HARRIS feat. JOHN NEWMAN – Blame (video)
(42)   SIGMA feat. PALOMA FAITH – Changing (video)
(23)   JESSIE J, ARIANA GRANDE & NICKI MINAJ – Bang Bang (video)
(10)   MEGHAN TRAINOR – All About That Bass (video)
(75)   CHERYL – I Don't Care (video)
(3)   ED SHEERAN – Thinking Out Loud (video)
(17)   BAND AID 30 – Do They Know It's Christmas? (video)
(2)   MARK RONSON feat. BRUNO MARS – Uptown Funk (video)
YES!YES!YES! - even the tiny snippet that we get is the best thing in the whole show BY MILES!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(33)   ELLA HENDERSON – Ghost
Think this was someone from X factor.
(3)   ED SHEERAN – Thinking Out Loud
Oi - Donald Trump want's his hair back!
(46)   CLEAN BANDIT feat. JESS GLYNNE – Rather Be
Crazy name, crazy guys!
(1)   BEN HAENOW – Something I Need (video)
Hey now, Hey now, Thank God it's o-o-o-over . . .