Top of the Pops
Specials
A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.
Where to Watch Top of the Pops • Specials
66 Episodes
- 25th Anniversary SpecialE1
25th Anniversary SpecialThis anniversary episode features new performances and a shedload of clips from the show's 25 years on air, all introduced by an army of past Pops presenters. There are no complete archive performances and the clips are all about 15-30 seconds long and most are accompanied by prototype TOTP2-style scrolling information. In fact the whole show feels a bit like an extended episode of TOTP2, which can only be a good thing. IMHO This show is a much better celebration of TOTP than the dreary '2006 Final Countdown' was. Presented by: David Jacobs, Pete Murray, Alan Freeman, Kenny Everett, David Jensen, Simon Bates, Mark Goodier, Peter Powell, Tony Blackburn, Mike Read, Paul Gambaccini, Jimmy Savile, David Hamilton There are way too many clips to list individually, but the studio performances are: - Swinging Blue Jeans - Hippy Hippy Shake - The Tremeloes - Silence is Golden - Mud - Tiger Feet - Lulu - Shout - Engelbert Humperdinck - Release Me - David Essex - Gonna Make You a Star - Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There - Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Any More - Shakin' Stevens - This Ole House - Status Quo - Rocking All Over the World - 1978 Christmas Special
E151978 Christmas SpecialNoel Edmonds presents a special Top of the Pops from 1978, with Darts, Abba, Boney M, Brotherhood of Man, Father Abraham, Bee Gees, Brian and Michael, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, Wings, Showaddywaddy, Rose Royce, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta and Legs and Co. - 1980 Christmas Special
E171980 Christmas SpecialPeter Powell and Jimmy Savile basically eat their way through the greatest hits of the year. Which are as follows (‘v’ denotes video):- The Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Geno Blondie – Atomic (v) Paul McCartney – Coming Up (v) Barbara Streisand – Woman In Love (Legs & Co) Liquid Gold – Dance Yourself Dizzy David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes (v) Marti Webb – Take That Look Off Your Face Police – Don’t Stand So Close To Me (v) Abba – Super Trouper (v) Lipps Inc.- Funkytown (Legs & Co) Leo Sayer – More Than I Can Say Sheena Easton – 9 to 5 Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (v) St Winifred’s School Choir – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma - 1981 Christmas Special
E181981 Christmas SpecialPresented by – The Radio 1 D.J’s (specifically Jimmy Savile, Kid Jensen, Tony Blackburn, John Peel, DLT, Adrian Juste, Simon Bates, Andy Peebles,Paul Burnett, Paul Gambaccini, Steve Wright, Peter Powell, Richard Skinner, Tommy Vance, Mike Reid) Teardrop Explodes – Reward Ultravox – Vienna Kim Wilde – Kids In America Human League – Love Action Godley & Cream – Under Your Thumb Kirsty McColl – There’s A Guy Works Down The Chipshop Swears He’s Elvis Dave Stewart w/ Colin Blunstone – What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? Jacksons – Can You Feel It? (danced by Zoo) Linx – Intuition The Beat – Too Nice To Talk To Spandau Ballet – I Don’t Need This Pressure On Toyah – It’s A Mystery Laurie Anderson – O Superman (Zoo) Altered Images – Happy Birthday Depeche Mode – I Just Can’t Get Enough OMD – Souvenir Shakin’ Stevens – You Drive Me Crazy Radio 1 D.J’s – All You Need Is Love (!) - 1982 Christmas SpecialE19
1982 Christmas SpecialPresented by – The Radio 1 Dj’s (DLT, John Peel, Peter Powell, Mike Reid, Andy Peebles, Steve Wright, Tommy Vance, Mike Smith, Richard Skinner) Spandau Ballet – Lifeline Shakin’ Stevens – Oh Julie No 1s of the year (Video Compilation part 1) Bucks Fizz – Land Of Make Believe Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen Video Compilation part 2 Captain Sensible – Happy Talk Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (perfromed by Zoo) Dionne Warwick- Heartbreaker Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? Video Compilation part 3 Soft Cell – Torch Haircut 100 – Love Plus One Musical Youth – Pass The Dutchie Cliff Richard – Little Town - 1983 Christmas SpecialE20
1983 Christmas SpecialPresented by Simon Bates, Janice Long, Mike Smith, Andy Peebles Freez:IOU Michael Jackson:Billie Jean Shaking Stevens: Cry Just A Little Bit Men At Work: Down Under Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse Of The Heart Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams Irene Cara:Flashdance Adam Ant: Puss In Boots Duran Duran: Is There something I Should know Bucks Fizz: When We Were Young Lionel Ritchie: All Night Long Heaven 17: Temptation David Bowie: Let's Dance UB40:Red Red Wine Billy Joel: Uptown Girl Flying Picketts: Only You - 1984 Christmas SpecialE21
1984 Christmas SpecialFrankie Goes to Hollywood: Two tribes Howard Jones; what Is love? Duran duran: The Reflex Nik Kershaw: I Won't let the Sun Go Down On Me Culture Club: War Song Thompson Twins Doctor, Doctor Jim Diamond: I Should Have Known Better Wham: Wake Me Up Before You Go Paul Young: Love Of The Common People Duran Duran: Wild Boys George Michael: Careless Whisper Frankie Goes To Hollywood: The Power Of love Thompson Twins You Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Relax and of course as it was 1984 Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas?-see a very tired looking Bob Geldof sheepishly grooving down. - 1985 Christmas SpecialE22
1985 Christmas SpecialPresenters include: John Peel & Janice Long Steve Wright Gary Davies Dixie Peach Jonathan King Lineup includes: King – “Love & Pride” Sister Sledge – “Frankie” (video clip) Madonna – “Into The Groove” (video clip) Colonel Abrams – “Trapped” Phyllis Nelson – “Move Closer” (clip from 04/04/85) Midge Ure – “If I Was” (video clip) Alison Moyet – “That Ole Devil Called Love” WATCH Eurythmics – “There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)” (video clip) Paul Hardcastle – “19” (remix - video clip) Dead Or Alive – “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” Philip Bailey & Phil Collins – “Easy Lover” (video clip) David Bowie & Mick Jagger – “Dancing In The Street” (video clip) Baltimora – “Tarzan Boy” WATCH The Crowd – “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (video clip) USA For Africa – “We Are The World” (video clip) Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (video clip) Billy Ocean – “Suddenly” Foreigner – “I Want To Know What Love Is” (video clip) UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – “I Got You Babe” (video clip) Feargal Sharkey – “A Good Heart” Jonathan King – US chart rundown Madonna – “Crazy For You” (video clip) Tears For Fears – “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (video clip) George Michael – “Careless Whisper” (video clip) Paul Young – “Everytime You Go Away” Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson – “I Know Him So Well” (video clip) Jennifer Rush – “The Power Of Love” (video clip) Wham! – “I’m Your Man” (video) Whitney Houston – “Saving All My Love For You” (video) Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Welcome To The Pleasure Dome” (audience dancing/credits) - 1986 Christmas Special
E231986 Christmas SpecialBilly Ocean – When The Going Gets Tough Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way (v) A-Ha – The Sun Always Shines On TV (v) Europe – The Final Countdown (v) Dr & The Medics – Spirit In The Sky Diana Ross – Chain Reaction (v) Berlin – Take My Breath Away (v) Simply Red – Holding Back The Years Nick Berry – Every Loser Wins (v) Falco – Rock Me Amadeus (v) George Michael – A Different Corner (v) Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls Madonna – True Blue/Papa Don’t Preach (v) Chris de Burgh – Lady In Red Housemartins – Caravan Of Love (v) Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite (v) Wham! – Edge Of Heaven (v) - 1987 Christmas SpecialE24
1987 Christmas SpecialBee Gees – You Win Again Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up Video Compilation – Jackie Wilson, Ben E King, MARRS, Starship, The Firm, Ferry Aid Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin T’Pau – China In Your Hand Video Compilation – Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley, George Michael & Aretha Franklin, Madonna Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody Johnny Hates Jazz – Turn Back The Clock Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind Spagna – Call Me - 1988 Christmas Special
E251988 Christmas SpecialPresenters:- Bruno Brookes, Anthea Turner, Gary Davies Tracklisting:- S Express – Theme From S Express Pet Shop Boys – Always On My Mind Video Compilation –Belinda Carlisle, Tiffany, Kylie Minogue, Whitney Houston Enya – Orinoco Flow Aswad – Don’t Turn Around Fairground Attraction – Perfect Video Compilation – Climie Fisher, Bros, Bobby McFerrin, Brother Beyond Pet Shop Boys – Heart Yazz – The Only Way Is Up Timelords – Doctorin’ The Tardis Video Compilation – Bros, Glen Medeiros, Phil Collins Robin Beck – First Time Wet Wet Wet – A Little Help From My Friends Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy Cliff Richard – Mistletoe And Wine Bros – Silent Night - 1989 Christmas SpecialE26
1989 Christmas SpecialErasure - Stop Gene Pitney (+Mark Almond) - Somethings Gotten Hold of my Heart Lisa Stansfield - All around the World Bros - Too Much London Boys - London Nights Beautiful South - Song for Whoever Sonia - You'll Never Stop me Loving You Black Box - Ride on Time Mike and the Mechanics - The Living Years Jsson Donovan - Too Many Broken Hearts - Christmas Hits
E32Christmas HitsThe Top of the Pops Christmas Hits compilation is made up of hits down the years mostly performed on those classic episodes of Christmas Top of the Pops in a seasonal studio. We include songs that reached the charts in December from Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Madness, East 17 and Coldplay. There are hits that made the enviable Christmas Number 1 spot from the likes of The Human League and Pet Shop Boys, songs that were pipped to the post and perennial Christmas classics from Slade, Mud and Frankie Goes to Hollywood to name but three. Plus a special rediscovered rare performance opening the programme from the psychedelic era Rolling Stones from 1967 and not broadcast for over 40 years. Christmas Top of the Pops adorns the studio in tinsel to give a perfect playlist for any festive party. - The Story of 1976
E100The Story of 1976The nation grew up with Top of the Pops and it was always a talking point, but 35 years ago a particular kind of Top of the Pops programme and tone held sway. This documentary explores Top of the Pops in 1976 - as a barometer of the state of pop and light entertainment TV. It celebrates the power of the programme and observes British society of the mid 70s, British TV and the British pop scene. In 1976, glam was over and nothing had replaced it - the charts belonged to Showaddywaddy, Brotherhood of Man and the Wurzels, all to be found on Top of the Pops hosted by the Radio 1 DJs. If you wanted rock you looked to the Old Grey Whistle Test, while outside the charts a new scene was rumbling. Contributors include Tony Blackburn, David 'Diddy' Hamilton, Paul Morley, Toyah Willcox, Showaddywaddy, Brotherhood of Man, the Wurzels and Dave Haslam. - The Story of 1977
E102The Story of 1977Following BBC Four's Top of the Pops 1976, the next stop is 1977 - in some ways a year zero for Britain's most iconic music programme. As the country veered between strikes and street parties, pop bastion Top of the Pops was stormed by punk and new wave acts such as the Stranglers and the Jam. Yet Top of the Pops at first seemed unaware of the changes afoot and the way in which the show is made was beset by working practices that are perhaps symptoms of the way in which Britain could be said 'not to be working'. Jeans were getting tighter, hair shorter and the tunes louder, but it was an incredibly diverse year. Disco was also a dominant force with Donna Summer's I Feel Love, alongside the reggae of Bob Marley and the Wailers, the pub rock of Eddie and the Hot Rods and the plastic pop of Boney M. British pop that year was in a state of flux - unpredictable and exciting. Appearing on Top of the Pops in 1977 is explored in the documentary by artists such as the Adverts, John Otway, members of Darts, JJ Burnel from the Stranglers and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols, with insights from the Top of the Pops production team, Nicky Wire from the Manics and journalists Alexis Petridis and Pete Paphides. - Big Hits 1977
E103Big Hits 1977The celebration of Top of the Pops 1977 continues with a selection of outstanding complete archive performances from Britain's silver jubilee year. 1977 was dominated by funk and punk, with Heatwave's Boogie Nights and the Stranglers' No More Heroes in the top ten. Classic top of the charts hits included Baccara's Yes Sir, I Can Boogie and Angelo by Brotherhood of Man. Some of the enduring heroes to take to the stage that year were David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Queen and Elvis Costello, with rare studio performances from the Jacksons and Bob Marley & the Wailers. Playlist: Boney M – Daddy Cool Thelma Houston – Don't Leave Me This Way Heatwave – Boogie Nights (Musikladen footage) Barclay James Harvest – Rock 'n' Roll Star The Stylistics – 7000 Dollars And You Rod Stewart – The First Cut Is The Deepest The Jam – In The City The Jacksons – Show You The Way To Go Frankie Miller – Be Good To Yourself Bob Marley & The Wailers – Exodus Queen – Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy Brotherhood of Man – Angelo Thin Lizzy – Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me In Its Spotlight) The Stranglers – No More Heroes Baccara – Yes Sir, I Can Boogie The Boomtown Rats – Lookin' After No. 1 David Bowie – Heroes Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Watching The Detectives John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett – Really Free Bonnie Tyler – It's A Heartache Wings – Mull Of Kintyre (promo) - The Story of 1978
E104The Story of 1978In 1978, Top of the Pops began to turn the credibility corner. As the only major pop show on television, Top of the Pops had enjoyed a unique position in the nation's hearts since the 1960s; the nation's teenagers who were now fed up with the show's predominantly light entertainment blend still tuned in every week in the hope of seeing one of the new young outfits thrown up by punk, new wave and disco. In 1978 it seemed the kids' time had come again for the first time since glam rock. Yet the biggest-selling singles of 1978 were by the likes of Boney M, John Travolta & Olivia Newton John, Rod Stewart, the Bee Gees and Abba. Punk never quite fitted in with the mainstream - it had been treated with disdain by Top of the Pops and largely ignored by the show. Britain's teenagers had to endure the all-round family entertainment on offer when all they wanted was teenage kicks. Along came a generation of young post-punk and new wave bands armed with guitar and bass, ready to storm the Top of the Pops stage - from the Undertones, the Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Skids and Ian Dury and the Blockheads to the Boomtown Rats, Elvis Costello, the Jam and Squeeze - some weeks teenagers would get to see one of their bands, very rarely they got two, but there they were on primetime TV. With contributions from the Boomtown Rats, Squeeze, Boney M, Sham 69, Brian & Michael, the Barron Knights, Mike Read, Kid Jensen, Kathryn Flett, Richard Jobson, Ian Gittins and Legs & Co. - Big Hits 1978
E105Big Hits 1978A pick 'n' mix of Top of the Pops classics from 1978, when in-yer-face punk and new wave rebellion co-existed with MOR suburban pop, disco fever, soul balladry, reggae and prog rock, and when two mega-successful movie soundtracks in the shape of Grease and Saturday Night Fever squared up on the dancefloor. Featuring shouty Sham 69, the cool rebellion of Ian Dury, Elvis Costello and Blondie, the media-savvy clowning of the Boomtown Rats, Kate Bush's debut with Wuthering Heights, alongside Brotherhood of Man's perky Figaro, Dan Hill's sentimental Sometimes When We Touch and the high camp of Boney M's Rasputin. Bob Marley shares chart space with 10cc's Dreadlock Holiday and ELO and Manfred Mann's Earth Band keep on rockin'. Playlist: Blondie – Picture This Brotherhood of Man – Figaro Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights Odyssey – Native New Yorker Elvis Costello & The Attractions – (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea Manfred Mann's Earth Band – Davy's On The Road Again John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – Summer Nights (Legs & Co) The Boomtown Rats – Rat Trap The Motors – Airport Dan Hill – Sometimes When We Touch Sham 69 – Angels With Dirty Faces Yvonne Elliman – If I Can't Have You Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky (promo) Bob Marley & The Wailers – Satisfy My Soul Chic – Le Freak (promo) Jilted John – Jilted John Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late Ian Dury & The Blockheads – What A Waste 10cc – Dreadlock Holiday Rose Royce – Love Don't Live Here Anymore Boney M – Rasputin - The Story of 1979
E106The Story of 19791979 was a unique year for Top of the Pops, which saw the show record its highest audience of 19 million viewers and in which physical format singles sales hit an all-time high of 79 million. 1979 is maybe the most diverse year ever for acts on Top of the Pops with disco at its peak, new wave, 2 Tone, reggae, rock, folk and electro records all making the top five. Original interviews with Gary Numan, Nile Rodgers, Woody from Madness, Jah Wobble, Chas and Dave, Janet Kay, Linda Nolan, Jim Dooley, Secret Affair, the Ruts, Legs and Co and many others tell the story of an exceptional year. In the year that the 'winter of discontent' saw continuing strikes black out ITV and TOTP reduced during a technicians strike to a narrator introducing videos, the show also found itself the site of conflict backstage. TOTP's old guard of 70s MOR acts had their feathers continually ruffled by new wave bands, as the Skids spat at the Nolan Sisters backstage and Generation X urinated off the roof onto the Dooleys. Elsewhere in the corridors of TV Centre, in preparation for playing their single Death Disco, Public Image Ltd demanded their teeth were blacked out in make-up to appear ugly while Gary Numan remembers the overbearing union presence which prevented TOTP artists moving their own microphones without a union technician and the Musicians Union trying to ban him from the show for his use of synthesizers. The most popular musical styles of 1979 were 2 Tone, reggae and disco. The latter saw Nile Rodgers, the man of the year, score four hits with Chic as well as writing and producing a further four hits with Sister Sledge, Sheila B Devotion and Sugarhill Gang, who appeared with what would prove to be the first ever rap hit. Jamaican and UK reggae artists scored continual hits through the year and then watched as the Police notched up three hits with white reggae and the label 2 Tone revived the 60s reggae style known as ska. In November, in what is remembered as the 2 T - Big Hits 1979
E107Big Hits 19791979 Top of the Pops collection, offering 60 minutes of the year's greatest, cheesiest and oddest performances. 1979 was the year music went portable with the launch of the Sony walkman and another year Top of the Pops, the BBC's flagship music show, managed to still draw over 15 million viewers every Thursday night. The mod revival and 2 Tone was in full stomp, featured here with the Jam, the Specials, Madness and the Selecter. If new wave was your bag there is Elvis Costello, Squeeze and Gary Numan. In 1979 there was little chance of seeing a show on TV featuring Dame Edna's performance of Waltzing Matilda alongside the Ruts with Babylon's Burning, but the British public's eclectic taste predicted the chart and thus saw them together on TOTP in June. With singles sales at their peak it was a regular occurrence for groups like Racey and the Nolans to sell over a million copies and their performances may tell us why, or maybe not! Plus new wave pop from Lene Lovich, disco from Chic and a peek at the nation's favourite, Chas & Dave, singing Gertcha. Playlist: Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Oliver's Army Lene Lovich – Lucky Number Chic – I Want Your Love Racey – Some Girls Chas & Dave – Gertcha Squeeze – Up The Junction Janet Kay – Silly Games Dame Edna Everage – Disco Matilda The Ruts – Babylon's Burning The Police – Can't Stand Losing You The Pretenders – Kid Lena Martell – One Day At A Time Gary Numan – Cars Cliff Richard – We Don't Talk Anymore The Jam – The Eton Rifles The Nolans – I'm In The Mood For Dancing The Selecter – On My Radio Joe Jackson – Is She Really Going Out With Him? Madness – One Step Beyond M – Pop Musik The Boomtown Rats – I Don't Like Mondays (promo) The Specials featuring Rico – A Message To You, Rudy - The Story of 1980
E108The Story of 19801980 was the year that both pop music and TOTP changed. A new generation of British pop arrived with Dexys, Adam Ant, the Human League and OMD. The show changed as the veteran TOTP orchestra was laid off, the studio audience doubled in size, new sets were built and a range of celebrity co-hosts from Elton John to Kevin Keegan to Russ Abbott arrived. This documentary explores these dramatic changes in Top of the Pops, British pop and British society with a cast including Adam Ant, the Human League, OMD, Kevin Rowlands, Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay (who appeared with St Winifred's School Choir), Kelly Marie, Ray Dorset, Johnny Logan, the Vapors, the Piranhas and Richard Skinner. - Big Hits 1980
E109Big Hits 1980British pop and the BBC's flagship chart show said goodbye to the 70s and trembled on the edge of a new era for the show, for British music and for British society. This meant a continuing love for the nutty boys, Madness, who feature in this compilation with My Girl, and the man with the best cheekbones in pop, Adam Ant, gave us Antmusic. We get to check out the Pretenders' first number 1, Brass in Pocket, alongside Dexy's Midnight Runners' tribute to soul legend Geno Washington. There are the early stirrings of new romantic with Spandau Ballet, and it's a veritable mod revival with the Piranhas and 2-Tone with the Beat. Plus Hot Chocolate, OMD, Motorhead and many more top hits proving the 80s were truly beginning. Madness – My Girl The Pretenders – Brass In Pocket Fern Kinney – Together We Are Beautiful The Vapors – Turning Japanese Genesis – Turn It On Again Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Geno Hot Chocolate – No Doubt About It The Beat – Mirror In The Bathroom The Four Bucketeers – The Bucket Of Water Song Jona Lewie – You’ll Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties The Piranhas – Tom Hark Sheena Easton – 9 To 5 Bad Manners – Lip Up Fatty The Ramones – Baby I Love You Kelly Marie – Feels Like I’m In Love Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Enola Gay Motörhead – Ace Of Spades Dennis Waterman with The Dennis Waterman Band – I Could Be So Good For You Spandau Ballet – To Cut A Long Story Short Adam & The Ants – Antmusic - The Story of 1981
E110The Story of 1981The year the teens take over and 80s 'new pop' is born with Depeche Mode, the teen-fronted Human League, Kim Wilde and Duran Duran all debuting, while Ultravox and Visage master the art of pop videos. The show embraces the shift with a new theme tune and titles and, as Legs and Co leave, invite a swathe of club kids and cheerleaders in to create a permanent 80s party atmosphere. Britain is torn between rioting, unemployment and the royal wedding, a mood captured in the Specials' Ghost Town, which the band perform on Top of the Pops and then promptly split up in their dressing room at Television Centre. With Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, the Human League, Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, Jerry Dammers (the Specials), Leee John, Freeez, Beggar and Co, Richard Skinner, Mike Read and Carrie Grant. - Big Hits 1981
E111Big Hits 1981A bumper crop of hits from the TOTP archive showcasing an exciting year on the pop charts. 1981 embraced disco and ska, new wave punk, the burgeoning New Romantic scene and the rise of synthpop, with some prog quirkiness and good old rock 'n' roll thrown in. Performances from big-hitter soloists Phil Collins, Shakin' Stevens and Kim Wilde are featured alongside the exuberant chaos of groups like Tenpole Tudor, Adam and the Ants and the Teardrop Explodes. It's party time as Odyssey fill the dancefloor with the infectious Going Back to My Roots and Clare Grogan adopts some unorthodox shapes for Altered Images' Happy Birthday. And the Specials' 2 Tone social commentary classic Ghost Town vies with Ultravox's Vienna and the Human League's Don't You Want Me for song of the year. Playlist: Adam & The Ants – Kings Of The Wild Frontier Ultravox – Vienna The Teardrop Explodes – Reward Kim Wilde – Kids In America Duran Duran – Planet Earth Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight Linx – Intuition Tenpole Tudor – Swords Of A Thousand Men Odyssey – Going Back To My Roots The Specials – Ghost Town Shakin' Stevens – Green Door Soft Cell – Tainted Love Spandau Ballet – Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On) Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Souvenir Depeche Mode – Just Can't Get Enough Altered Images – Happy Birthday (with Legs & Co) Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin – It's My Party The Human League – Don't You Want Me - The Story of 1982
E112The Story of 19821982 marks the peak of British 'new pop' as Wham, ABC and Culture Club make sensational appearances, and Shalamar's Jeffrey Daniel premieres the moonwalk on British TV. Dexy's new Irish sound tops the summer charts for four weeks with Come on Eileen, while their follow-up single Jackie Wilson Says leads to a notorious moment in TOTP history. Featuring ABC, Culture Club, Wham, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Shalamar, Pigbag, Foster and Allen, Shakatak and Bucks Fizz. - Big Hits 1982
E113Big Hits 1982The Top of the Pops vaults are opened once more, this time to celebrate the mega-hits of 1982. A new pop sound had arrived, shattering the chart domination of mainstream pop-rock, which in turn coincides with a second British invasion of the US charts. Step forward Adam Ant, Yazoo, Wham, ABC and the Associates, all breakthrough acts in a golden year for British pop. Madness provide a little two-step with their ska revival, and Junior and Patrice Rushen's R&B tracks pack a punch. Pop-infused reggae beats are provided by Culture Club and Musical Youth, while the mods get a nod from the Jam. And did we mention Tight Fit? Playlist: Tight Fit – The Lion Sleeps Tonight Haircut 100 – Love Plus One The Stranglers – Golden Brown ABC – Poison Arrow Bow Wow Wow – Go Wild In The Country The Jam – Town Called Malice Fun Boy Three & Bananarama – It Ain't What You Do Yazoo – Only You Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock 'n' Roll Adam Ant – Goody Two Shoes Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots The Associates – Party Fears Two Junior – Mama Used To Say Duran Duran – Hungry Like The Wolf Captain Sensible – Happy Talk Dexys Midnight Runners with The Emerald Express – Come On Eileen Madness – Driving In My Car Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy Culture Club – Do You Really Want To Hurt Me Wham! – Young Guns (Go For It) Musical Youth – Pass The Dutchie - The Story of 1983
E114The Story of 1983It's 1983, and Top of the Pops reaches a landmark - its 1,000th edition. A time to celebrate, perhaps, but there are signs that the show is going through something of a mid-life crisis. The aristocracy of British New Pop are in the ascendant - Culture Club, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Wham! - but the rise of the video starts to threaten the show's unique appeal, which is based on getting the top artists into the studio. So producer Michael Hurll tries out new features including the first regular female presenter and the Top Ten Video Countdown. In the year that Margaret Thatcher is re-elected with a landslide majority, the mood in the charts is escapism. But 1983 is also a year of musical reinvention. Alongside the rise of indie bands like New Order, and a memorable first appearance of The Smiths with Morrissey swinging his gladioli, other acts who've inhabited the backwaters for years now fine-tune their image and enter the mainstream in a bid for chart success. - Big Hits 1983
E115Big Hits 1983As BBC Four's TOTP repeats move into 1983, a golden year in British pop, a compilation of some of the biggest hits of the year featuring soul, reggae, jazz, new wave and pop. The big hits are delivered by Wham!, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Police, Culture Club, Siouxsie and The Banshees, UB40, Duran Duran, The Beat and Bananarama amongst others. Big ballads are performed by Elton John and Bonnie Tyler, while Malcolm McLaren's Double Dutch completes the very best of '83. Playlist: Wham! – Bad Boys Culture Club – Karma Chameleon Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) Freeez – I.O.U. UB40 – Red Red Wine K.C. & The Sunshine Band – Give It Up Howard Jones – New Song Elton John – I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues Malcolm McLaren – Double Dutch (danced to by the Dynamos) The Police – Every Breath You Take The Beat – Can’t Get Used To Losing You Duran Duran – Is There Something I Should Know? Paul Young – Love Of The Common People Mike Oldfield – Moonlight Shadow Siouxsie & The Banshees – Dear Prudence Kajagoogoo – Too Shy Bananarama – Cruel Summer Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart - The Story of 1984
E116The Story of 19841984 sees Top of the Pops at the height of its 80s pomp - the year of big hair and big tunes. A BBC ban on Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax in January leads to an embarrassing Frankie-shaped hole on the show when it reaches No 1. One of the sounds of 1984 is Hi-NRG, that goes overground from the gay club scene into the mainstream charts. And 1984 is perhaps the gayest year in pop, with a trail blazed by Bronski Beat, who are out and proud and on Top of the Pops. 1984 sees the rise of the one-man acts such as Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones. And jazz pop's soaraway star is Sade, who brings a stripped-back soulful vibe to Top of the Pops. Yet 1984 isn't all about smooth sounds. German singer Nena hits the top spot with 99 Red Balloons - shocking Brits with her hairy armpits. And The Special AKA's Free Nelson Mandela combines a political message with an irresistible tune. And the year ends on a landmark moment when many of the stars of the chart-topping Band Aid single appear in the studio as the climax to the Christmas show. It's a moment that reaffirms Top of the Pops's place at the heart of British pop culture. Featuring original interviews with Trevor Horn, members of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Hazell Dean, Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, Nigel Planer, Nena, Jerry Dammers and Midge Ure. - Big Hits 1984
E117Big Hits 1984Celebrating the big hits from a big year in British pop. The big hitters in this compilation are performed by the likes of The Smiths, Duran Duran, Sade, The Weather Girls, Wham! and Bronski Beat, to name a few. Further stellar appearances come from the TOTP debuts of iconic Americans Madonna, Miami Sound Machine and Cyndi Lauper, who runs riot in the studio. Frankie Goes to Hollywood celebrate their 1984 chart dominance with one of their celebrated renditions of Two Tribes, while we couldn't let you forget a little ditty from Black Lace - you'll be singing this for days... you have been warned! Playlist: Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Two Tribes Nik Kershaw – I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me Madonna – Holiday Duran Duran – The Reflex Miami Sound Machine – Dr. Beat The Smiths – Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun Bananarama – Robert De Niro’s Waiting Black Lace – Agadoo The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon Sade – Your Love Is King Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy Alison Moyet – Love Resurrection The Style Council – Shout To The Top Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear It For The Boy George Michael – Careless Whisper - The Story of 1985
E118The Story of 19851985. Spandau, Wham!, Culture Club & the Durans, have a relatively quiet year, ushering in a new generation of pop talent. TOTP is a barometer for the state of the nation as King and a-ha compete for attention with politicos Billy Bragg and The Style Council who, fired up by the miners' strike & threat of nuclear war, give their all with Between the Wars & Walls Come Tumbling Down. Electro-dance hits the mainstream, Dead or Alive are #1 with You Spin Me Round. Paul Hardcastle holds #1 for 5 weeks with 19, a spoken word single made with sampling technology & released on the 10th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war. Movie tie-ins and record companies eye a housewives market with a run of power ballads, from Jennifer Rush to Tina Turner & Bonnie Tyler, Holding out for a Hero. Bob Geldof brings pop generations together for Live Aid. Shakin' Stevens marks his 50th appearance on TOTP and lands his first Christmas #1 with a song he has waited a whole year to release. - Big Hits 1985
E119Big Hits 1985Celebrating the big hits of 1985 with a selection of iconic Top of the Pops performances spanning the genres, from pure pop to power ballads, from Hi-NRG to hip-hop, to R&B and indie classics. Featuring Wham!, The Smiths, Kate Bush, a-ha, Eurythmics, The Cure, Dead or Alive, Bonnie Tyler, Tears for Fears, Sister Sledge, Jennifer Rush, Doug E Fresh and many more. - The Story of 1986
E120The Story of 1986How did the decline of the young guns of the early 80s, the advent of house, the big bang in the money markets and political fatigue on the left make their mark - or not - on the nation's most popular music show? Paul Heaton, Mick Hucknall, Sinitta, The Communards and Swing Out Sister are among the acts that steer us through the changes impacting Britain, the music industry and the BBC's long-serving pop powerhouse in 1986. - The Story of 1987
E122The Story of 19871987 – a year marked by triumph and disaster. As Mrs Thatcher secured a third term as PM, the Channel Tunnel began construction and Wall Street’s movie representative Gordon Gecko purred ‘Greed is good’ – Britain was battered by the Great Storm, despaired at Black Monday and was horrified by the sinking of The Herald of Free Enterprise and the King’s Cross fire. And while epic events unfolded in the outside world, the Top of the Pops studio provided a haven for those who wanted to escape. With a new groundbreaking twin show broadcast from the USA, Top of the Pops could sidestep the videos of MTV and bring the very biggest names to UK audiences. In Television Centre, Stock, Aitken and Waterman provided the floor-fillers as hip-hop and rap made their mark on the chart along with home-grown house. From the rock aristocracy to pure pop hits and the irresistible new funk grooves, the youth could pick their own soundtrack and pump up the volume. Terence Trent D’Arby, Curiosity Killed the Cat, PWL stablemates Rick Astley and Kim Appleby, Andy Bell, Carol Decker and Belinda Carlisle lead us through a smorgasbord year in music. - The Story of 1988
E124The Story of 19881988. TOTP celebrates its silver jubilee & brings the show to a younger audience with lively new presenters – Anthea Turner, Nicky Campbell et al. Charts are full of sparkling box-fresh pop stars, from tweenage heartthrobs Bros to the boy & girl we shared weekday teatimes with, our favourite Neighbours, Kylie & Jason. Stock, Aitken & Waterman reached their peak with wall-to-wall hits. In contrast to the wholesome hosts, Transvision Vamp put the grrr into girl, & those Wee Papa Girl Rappers give great dance hall ragga in a British spin on hip-hop. While pop reached a new purple phase, older kids were out at Acid House parties, buying records that sent S'Express & Yazz with Cold Cut to #1, much to the bemusement & then alarm of the adults. - Big Hits 1988E125
Big Hits 1988As the 1980s draw to a close, Top of the Pops remains a broad church. We celebrate 1988 by cherry-picking the cream of the crop. The programme includes stand-out hits from Yazz, S’Express and Bomb the Bass, representing the growing popularity of house music, new Australian pop royalty Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who ruled the charts along with teen stars Bros and Tiffany, soul legends Womack and Womack, the Irish mist of Enya, British reggae from Maxi Priest and the balladry of Everything but the Girl. Other big hitters representing a year in the TOTP studio include Celtic duo The Proclaimers, Buffalo Girl Neneh Cherry, student queen Tanita Tikaram, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart live in the studio as Eurythmics, Israeli queen Ofra Haza and the chart-topping new authentics Fairground Attraction with Perfect. - The Story of 1989
E126The Story of 1989As the 80s concluded with Margaret Thatcher’s tenth year in power in contrast to worldwide political change, Top of the Pops provided the perfect barometer of the UK's end-of-decade uncertainty. Top of the Pops hosted Pete Waterman’s final year of chart domination, courtesy of Jason Donovan, alongside the dawn of Madchester, a fresh front of female artists with attitude and power, an old-school duet between a 60s legend and an 80s icon, funki dreds and, yes, that pesky bunny. Meanwhile, Radio 1’s old guard were stood down as a team of fresh-faced recruits from children’s television took up the helm of the BBC’s weekly pop warhorse, which remained torn between its sense of heritage and the emerging threat of youth TV. The stars of the year, including Jason Donovan, Lisa Stansfield, Shaun Ryder, Chris Rea, Marc Almond, Sharleen Spiteri, Jazzie B and more, plus TOTP presenter Jenny Powell, deliver their tales of a poptastic 1989 at Television Centre as they prepare to head into the 1990s. - The Story of 1991
E130The Story of 1991As the 1990s start to get going, this is the year in which indie kids, ravers, alternative comedians and even a certain grunge band from Seattle hit the charts. Against the background of recession and a war in the Middle East, a new and sassy breed of artists debut on Top of the Pops. Seal goes solo, James and The Wonder Stuff cross over, and Vic Reeves becomes a sort of pop star. As pop and the mainstream go younger, Britain’s longest-running pop show finally succumbs to a makeover and moves from Television Centre to Elstree in an attempt to start over. Meanwhile, Bryan Adams remains at number one for 16 weeks – a bit too long for a chart show and for the competition! Then Nirvana come to Elstree, group of the year The KLF team up with country legend Tammy Wynette, and a sudden death determines the Christmas number one. It proves to be a fascinating year, not only in the TOTP studio but also in pop fashion and the state of the nation. - 1991 Biggest Hits
E1311991 Biggest HitsTop of the Pops Big Hits re-opens the BBC vaults to showcase and celebrate the biggest and best performances of 1991. There are some massive pop hits from the likes of Right Said Fred, Color Me Badd and Chesney Hawkes. Seal goes solo and a little Crazy, Mariah Carey shows off her extraordinary vocal range while James encourage everyone to Sit Down. There are plenty more signs and sounds of the times from Crystal Waters, The Mock Turtles, Oleta Adams, Nomad, Cathy Dennis, PM Dawn, Massive Attack, The KLF and the frankly bizarre one-off appearance by Nirvana. Plus the single TOTP performance from Bryan Adams with Everything I Do that seemed to be in permanent rotation as the show moved from Television Centre to Elstree. - The Story of 1992
E132The Story of 1992The early 90s continued to be an interesting musical mix on the long-running pop music show. Still getting used to its new TV home at Elstree, having been relaunched at the end of the previous year, shows were a mix of ravers and indie rockers rubbing shoulders with the popstars of the day, with the emergence of live satellite performances from across the globe upping the star quota on the weekly show. Dance music was still dominating the charts, The Orb and The Shamen were causing chaos and controversy on the show with their performances and lyrics. New guitar groups were starting to make waves, with Manic Street Preachers debuting with lipstick, scissor kicks and bubbles. The Wedding Present releasing a single each month of the year, and Carter USM had a number one album. In a year of only 12 new number ones, the lowest since 1962, one of the biggest sellers was duo Shakespears Sister with their gothic anthem Stay. - 1992 Biggest Hits
E1331992 Biggest HitsThe Top of the Pops vaults are opened up to relive some of the classic and biggest songs of 1992. Featuring the hip-hop and dance of Kris Kross, SL2, Bizarre Inc and Felix to the rock stylings of Manic Street Preachers and Primal Scream, as well as the emergence of boy band royalty Take That, Miley’s dad Billy Ray getting the line dancing going, divas in the form of Annie Lennox and Mariah Carey - and, of course, Jimmy Nail. Plus many more - The Story of 1993
E134The Story of 1993Recession, high unemployment and unrest dominated the news in early 1993, but every Thursday night, the BBC’s much-loved weekly music show continued its 30 minutes of pop escapism and feel-good factor. Rave was slowing - being replaced by disco vibes - and Euro pop was very much the order of the day, with Dutch duo 2 Unlimited hogging the charts not just here but all over Europe with their techno smash No Limit. - 1993 Biggest Hits
E1351993 Biggest HitsA look back at some of the songs performed on the show in 1993. Dance music and Euro pop continued to dominate the charts with performances from Haddaway, Sub Sub, Ace of Base and Robin S. The early stages of Britpop begin to emerge with Suede and Radiohead, and Icelandic superstar Björk makes an early appearance. Then there are the big sellers from Meat Loaf and Gabrielle, and the grooves come courtesy of Jamiroquai, Chaka Demus & Pliers and many more. - The Story of 1994
E136The Story of 1994An under-threat TOTP is revamped by young Radio One producer Ric Blaxill, just as Britpop takes off with the likes of Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Elastica and many more all making standout debuts. The year also sees reggae rediscovering Dawn Penn and her lost classic, the Cranberries conquering the world with a trio of international hits, and Danish popstar Whigfield taking the charts by storm. And, of course, Wet Wet Wet’s four-month residency at the top with that song from that film. Contributors include Noel Hogan of the Cranberries, Jarvis Cocker, Justin Welch from Elastica, Dawn Penn, Whigfield, Graeme Clark of Wet Wet Wet, producer Ric Blaxill, music journalist Andrew Collins and broadcaster Trevor Nelson. - 1994 Biggest Hits
E1371994 Biggest HitsRevel in many of the biggest singles of 1994 as the TOTP archives are opened once more. Love ballads proved irresistible in 1994, with Wet Wet Wet’s 15-week stay at number one with Love Is All Around and East 17’s Christmas classic Stay Another Day conquering the charts. Britpop bubbled up with Elastica and Blur, blockbuster hits reigned once more with Elton John’s Lion King theme, and a young Ant and Dec rapped their way to the charts. Plus, quirky and catchy hits from Shampoo, Whigfield and The Grid, a final TOTP performance by Kate Bush, and many more! Featuring Blur, Corona, Tori Amos, PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec), Sheryl Crow, East 17, Whigfield, The Cranberries, Dawn Penn, Elastica, Wet Wet Wet, Shampoo, Elton John, Pretenders, Kylie Minogue, Youssou N'Dour ft Neneh Cherry, The Grid, Kate Bush, Bon Jovi, Crash Test Dummies and D:Ream. - The Story of 1995
E138The Story of 1995The year that pop, rock and dance music converged on the nation’s favourite music show. The legendary battle of the Britpop bands takes centre stage, with Blur and Oasis going head to head on the show as well as the likes of Sleeper and Cast hitting the Elstree studio. Everyone from Skin, Black Grape and Ian Broudie to Ronan Keating and David McAlmont reflect on their appearance, and there's a look at the emergence of the TOTP magazine and how it rivalled Smash Hits for pop star scoops. Contributors include Ronan Keating, Skin, Ian Broudie, Keith Allen, Louise Wener, Jarvis Cocker, John Power, Kermit and Shaun Ryder of Black Grape, and David McAlmont. - 1995 Biggest Hits
E1391995 Biggest HitsA look back at some of the biggest hits of 1995, courtesy of Top of the Pops' extensive back catalogue. Watch the year dance classics were born with N-Trance’s house hit, Shaggy’s dancehall romance and Rednex all hitting the charts. Anthemic hits from Pulp and McAlmont & Butler, as well as Blur v Oasis, cemented 1995 as the year of the Britpop battle. Nick Cave and Kylie told the story of a murderous battle, Björk took on a 50s jazz classic and Edwyn Collins brought the charm. Take That had their biggest hit with Back for Good, Mariah had the charts in a fantasy world, and Coolio had the Gangsta’s Paradise. Artists featured include Pulp, Coolio ft LV, McAlmont & Butler, Oasis, Take That, Everything but the Girl, Shaggy, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue, MN8, Rednex, Björk, Edwyn Collins, Supergrass, Mariah Carey, The Outhere Brothers, Blur, Celine Dion, Simply Red, The Rembrandts and N-Trance - The Story of 1996
E140The Story of 19961996 saw mad cow disease and hostage crises dominating the news, but each week at Elstree, it was feuds and farewells that headlined the pop year. Take That said goodbye, prompting hysteria at the gates of the TOTP studios, and the Britpop battle was far from over. It was also a huge year for dance music, with the likes of Faithless and Underworld hitting the charts, helped by a certain film set in Edinburgh. There were also new stars from the world of hip-hop, as melody and hooks merged with beats to launch the careers of Fugees, Blackstreet and Mark Morrison. The summer saw football anthems and another dance craze courtesy of Los Del Rio’s Macarena, and once you've thrown in Peter Andre, Skunk Anansie, Reef, a controversial change of day and, of course, the Spice Girls, you have another classic year in the story of the UK’s biggest pop music TV show. - 1996 Biggest Hits
E1411996 Biggest HitsRelive some of the biggest hits of 1996 with these Top of the Pops classic performances. Summer hits were aplenty with Peter Andre, Gina G and Los Del Rio all bringing sunshine to Elstree. Hooks in hip-hop proved dominant with Dr Dre, Blackstreet, Mark Morrison, Toni Braxton and the Fugees all scoring huge hits. Britpop was still booming, with Oasis continuing to dominate singles sales with Sleeper hot on their heels. Global dance classics were born courtesy of Faithless and Robert Miles, and add into the mix the awesome arrival of Spice Girls, plus many more, and it’s not a year to miss. Artists featured include Spice Girls, Suede, The Fugees, Babylon Zoo, Beautiful South, Mark Morrison, Sleeper, Los Del Rio, Peter Andre, Alanis Morrisette, Manics, Dr Dre, Blackstreet, Robret Miles, Space, OMC, Garbage, Gina G, Kula Shaker, Toni Braxton, Babybird and Oasis. - The Story of 1997
E142The Story of 1997Revolution was in the air for the long-running music show, both in terms of the music and the show itself. Techno-pop punk rock arrived in the form of Republica and frontwoman Saffron, followed by the likes of Placebo and Chumbawamba, who were all livening things up at the BBC Elstree studios. The year also saw the emergence of reggae star Finley Quaye, NY trio Fun Lovin’ Criminals, with their sample-driven tales of city life, and hogging the charts were Danish outfit Aqua, with their own brand of plastic pop. With a new chief, Chris Cowey, in charge of the show, evolution was also in the air during another fascinating year in the life of Top of the Pops. Contributors include Saffron from Republica, Sharleen Spiteri of Texas, Brian Molko of Placebo, Finley Quaye, Huey Morgan, Aqua, Chris Cowey, Trevor Nelson and Jayne Middlemiss. - 1997 Biggest Hits
E1431997 Biggest HitsIt’s the year Robbie Williams took flight with his anthemic Angels, Chumbawamba proved nothing could get us down, and Barbie and Ken had us partying to plastic pop. Girl power was irresistible as Spice Girls built on their astronomical rise with yet another chart topper, All Saints had a few questions they needed to know, and Eternal proved that four key changes in a song can make for a hit with I Wanna Be The Only One. Celebrate the BBC Elstree debuts from No Doubt, Natalie Imbruglia and three Hanson hit-makers. Also, with club classics from Ultra Naté, Gala and many more, you’ve got yourself a pop music year not to be missed. Artists include Hanson, Eternal and BeBe Winans, Backstreet Boys, Aqua, No Doubt, Placebo, Texas, Spice Girls, Shola Ama, Robbie Williams, Chumbawamba, Bush, Beck, Gala, Natalie Imbruglia, Eels, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli, Ultra Nate and All Saints. - The Story of 1998
E144The Story of 1998As the nation’s favourite weekly music show moves towards the end of the 90s, pop has a resurgence after Britpop’s peak, and girl groups are still taking centre stage. Step forward two quartets with sisters and friends at their hearts: All Saints, with their cool grooves and cargo pants, and Irish four-piece B*Witched, who in 1998 become the youngest girl group to have a No 1, with C’est La Vie. Robbie Williams continues his solo rise to fame, and the Euro factor takes a cool turn with French duo Air creating a new 90s sound with their chilled laidback electronica. It's also a big year for sport, with a World Cup dominating the summer, a football anthem or two hitting the charts and a certain Vindaloo causing chaos in the Top of the Pops studio. Contributors include All Saints, Edele Lynch and Lindsay Armaou of B*Witched, Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel of Air, Keith Allen, Trevor Nelson, Guy Chambers and Justin Currie of Del Amitri. - Biggest Hits 1998
E145Biggest Hits 1998A look back at some of the biggest hits of 1998, courtesy of the extensive Top of the Pops back catalogue. Film soundtracks dominated the charts with Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On breaking records and hearts, and Aerosmith’s power ballad I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing gaining the band their first and only US No 1 single. Debut artists stunned the charts with Usher, Billie Piper, B*Witched, The Corrs, Cleopatra and Leann Rimes all earning their first performances on the Top of the Pops stages. Robbie Williams proved he would always entertain us, and Cher’s auto-tune iconic Believe became the best-selling single of all time by a female artist, performed live in Elstree. Add in a bittersweet ballad from Green Day, an unofficial football anthem from Fat Les and many more. - The Story of 1999
E146The Story of 1999On the cusp of the new millennium, the BBC’s long-running music show continued to offer all the best pop music every week on the nation’s TV screens. In this final look back at the 1990s, there's everything from observing the rules of certain dance routines to how the weather changed everything for Travis. Also, US divas grace the studio in the shape of Whitney, Britney and Beyonce, the influence of Ibiza and the rise of UK garage, how a particular phrase entered the UK’s vocabulary, and Top of the Pops goes on tour before a final move from Elstree back to the iconic west London BBC TV Centre. Contributors include Fran Healy of Travis, Claire Richards and Lee Latchford-Evans of Steps, Gail Porter, Róisín Murphy, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Mark Hill and Pete Devereux of Artful Dodger, Ben Ofoedu of Phats & Small, and Tony Wright of Terrovision. - Biggest Hits 1999
E147Biggest Hits 1999Relive some of the biggest hits of 1999 with these classic Top of the Pops performances. As a new millennium approached, the Vengaboys were back in town, as were legendary singers Blondie and Whitney Houston with their stunning new styles. It’s the year pop stars were born as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera all performed for the first time on Top of the Pops. Boy band Westlife were bossing the charts, and Ricky Martin’s smooth hips had us living the crazy life. And with a little bit of Lou Bega and many more, 1999’s biggest hits will have you partying your way to the end of the century. Less - Review of the Year 2024E152
Review of the Year 2024Clara Amfo looks back over the musical stories and highlights of 2024 with a mix of global stars, breakthrough artists and some of the biggest music moments of the year. Featuring some of the standout performances of 2024, including Dua Lipa and Coldplay at Glastonbury, Sam Smith celebrating ten years of their first album, In The Lonely Hour, at the BBC Proms, and pop superstars Sabrina Carpenter at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Luton and JADE on Later… with Jools Holland. Plus a look at some of the stories of the year, including country music dominating the charts and a few seminal album anniversaries, from Oasis’s Definitely Maybe to ABBA’s Waterloo. Also talking about their 2024 are US star Teddy Swims and British breakthrough singer-songwriter Myles Smith, who reflect on their incredible year. And in true Top of the Pops fashion, Clara reveals the top ten biggest-selling songs of 2024. - Review of the Year 2025
E153Review of the Year 2025Clara Amfo looks back over the musical stories & highlights of the year with a mix of global stars, breakthrough artists & some of the biggest moments in music of the last 12 months. Featuring some standout performances of 2025; Mercury Prize winner Sam Fender, breakout star Lola Young at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Lewis Capaldi with his surprise slot at Glastonbury, and chart record breaker Olivia Dean on Later... with Jools Holland. Plus a look at some of the stories of the year, from women taking over the headline slots at music festivals, with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan topping the bill at Glastonbury and Reading Festival respectively, to exploring some of the artists who made a return, including Oasis, Radiohead and Lily Allen. Also talking about their 2025 are legend Jarvis Cocker, who reflects on his band Pulp making a return after 24 years, and US rising stars Ravyn Lenae and Alex Warren, who reflect on having two of the biggest-selling songs of the year.
