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Top Of The Pops 1982 - BBC4 |
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#12451 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 231
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Was the woman in the Eddy Grant video the same person who played Kelvin's Mum in Eastenders (Sally Sagoe) ? Have often thought that but never seen it written down.
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#12452 |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,925
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I've been looking forward to seeing Friday's edition for ages as I knew it was one I've never seen before. That gets extra points from me for a start. Call me easily amused but I enjoyed Simes throwing himself into all the halloween nonsense and there was no fast forward material in it, as far as I was concerned anyway. So I'm scoring it an eight and a quarter out of ten.
Not all that familiar with Raw Silk's Do It To The Music so was interested in seeing this performance. A decent dance track though one I'd call a "grower". The group definitely needed a stylist to coordinate their outfits, though I liked the glitter in the lead singer's hair. I know there's a method to how the cut things for the edited version but it's a shame that the repeat of the Beatles footage could've been cut instead of Blue Zoo, however good Love Me Do may be. Even better would've been if they'd got some different footage to show to it. Before I really got into listening to retro charts I was aware that there was a group called Blue Zoo and that there was a dance troupe om TOTP called Zoo and thought that they were somehow connected. If some of the Zoo dancers had formed a group and made a single then I'm sure it would've sounded nothing Cry Boy Cry! Good song and performance and they were definitely the most halloween-like act on the show. A bit of class next with Dionne Warwick and the Bee Gees penned Heartbreaker. I think this live version was just as good as the recorded version. Not very 1982 but a worthy hit and a staple of oldies radio stations. I've seen the vid for Tears For Fears' Mad World before but can't say I've paid that much attention to it. The highlight is definitely Roland's interpretive dance routine. I'm sure it wasn't meant to be but I found it kinda funny, as the song says! Its a good tune but I was a bit bored with seeing the same performance of Melba Moore's Love's Comin At Ya again. As she's wearing the same tuxedo outfit in her countdown picture (hated the flashing stars btw) I did wonder if they were the only clothes she owned! First showing for Eddie Grant's I Don't Wanna Dance. I can't remember if he performs this in the studio at some point or not. I know he didn't do Electric Avenue on TOTP. I hope so as I've seen the vid more times than I care to remember. There was no chance that a song as annoying as this would not get to no. 1. Yay, a new performance of Culture Club's Do You Really Want To Hurt Me. Better miming from George but can understand him being a bit distracted by the balloons being thrown at him. Shame he didn't have one of Shaky's gigantic balloons! So Barry Manilow still wanting to do it with us. I've already confessed to liking this, so enjoyed seeing the audience dancing to it and great it was played all the way through. Nice way to end the show. |
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#12453 |
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: God's Waiting Room
Posts: 518
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Blue Zoo get a thumbs up from me, too. Hard to think of anything that looks or sounds more 1982. Incidentally, it said "out of tune, stuck" on the subtitles. I suspect that the lyric overall makes less sense than your average Duran Duran song.
Not overly keen on chin stock, though I've heard it goes quite nicely with a bit of Pork loin at the Blue Zoo
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#12454 |
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: God's Waiting Room
Posts: 518
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Was the woman in the Eddy Grant video the same person who played Kelvin's Mum in Eastenders (Sally Sagoe) ? Have often thought that but never seen it written down.
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#12455 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 16,967
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Won't be long until The Human League appear with Mirror Man, which marked a more soulful direction that would follow on to their spring 1983 hit, Fascination. Sadly to me this seemed to be a highpoint for the group as the next set of singles in 1984 both sold relatively badly, along with the album Hysteria, and an attempt at rock on The Lebanon was awful. I think had the League got an album out at the end of 1982, as they were still basking in the success of Dare and Don't You Want Me, and kept more to the soulful synth pop, they'd have remained as big as Duran Duran into the middle of the decade.
I think Crash was a better album, even if it and the single Human did better in America, as the band's synth pop sound was given a more American and contemporary feel by producers Jam and Lewis. However, follow up singles to Human stalled over here and the League decided to bring out a greatest hits album in 1988 to revive their flagging fortunes. |
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#12456 |
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Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1,023
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The last two episodes of 1982 which is the 9th and 23rd December will now be shown as a double bill from 11pm on New Year's Day rather than 7pm to 8pm on the 30th December as advertised on the Christmas Radio Times.
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Looking at popscene, looks like BBC Four won't show the edition from the week I was born (if they get to 1986 anyway) as it was a Mike Smith edition, disapointingly.
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#12457 |
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,869
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Great song though it was, I'm surprised no-one discussed the completely bonkers dancing in the Mad World video.
![]() I must admit, although I was a big fan of Tears for Fears and of 'Mad World' in 1982 - I have no memory of seeing the video whatsoever, until recently! - I think with it being the Halloween episode, I must've been out trick or treating that night!!
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#12458 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,818
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Thank you Toyah!! Better!!!
Never seem to do anything else these days. ![]() Kids from Fame and Piranhas were both dire but Toyah very much an improvement. Don't remember this Toyah track at all but it's far superior to her previous 2 singles. |
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#12459 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,818
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Oh gawd, I'd rather watch Bauhaus again.
Sharon Redd - with an absolute belter dance track. Get down y'all!
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#12460 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,818
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There's a tune in here but I'm damned if I can find it.
Shaky's best single : à mon avis bien sûr!
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#12461 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,818
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I'm gonna go into school tomorrow dressed like Boy George. I don't care what Mrs McClusky says.
You girl !!! What definition of school uniform is this!!!!? I have enough to contend with in keeping Danny Kendall in line without your rebellious insubordination!! Might I remind you little girl that school dress is compulsory and I demand that you adhere to ALL school rules. Now kindly remove your preposterous outfit and get out of my way!!!! Or words to that effect. RIP Michael Sheard. |
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#12462 |
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,818
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Did "Annie" ever find out who her daddy was?
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#12463 |
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Wearside
Posts: 5,245
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'Cry Boy Cry' is a good song which never reaches the heights of greatness due to a lack of progression in the track which elevates it further.
Blue Zoo would make for a good group to see on one of those "80s nostalgia" weekends at the likes of Butlins which feature acts who had one hit everyone remembers while the group could play a couple more of their lesser known hits that their fans appreciate. Speaking of musical progression: parts of 'Ready To Go' by Republica have a similar (though slower) musical progression in the instrumental breaks as 'Cry Boy Cry'. Perhaps it's just me who thinks so though?! |
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#12464 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tea and toast
Posts: 407
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and an attempt at rock on The Lebanon was awful.
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#12465 |
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,869
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Speaking of musical progression: parts of 'Ready To Go' by Republica have a similar (though slower) musical progression in the instrumental breaks as 'Cry Boy Cry'. Perhaps it's just me who thinks so though?! ![]() I also hear a bit of a Duran Duran style to Blue Zoo also, which together with their charismatic singer should have made for another successful 80s band - rather than a one hit wonder. I will never understand why some bands become hugely successful when others of equally good talent fall by the wayside after one hit. I guess luck really does play a big part in the music industry. |
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#12466 |
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 16,967
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Now I've seen across quite a few reputable music boards (not Drowned In Sound) that there's a fair bit of love for The Lebanon. After the minor success of the Tears For Fears singles poll, I may well do one for The League. I keep feeling a fascination for doing so.
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#12467 |
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,171
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That may be so but what about Bronco Bronson?
You girl !!! What definition of school uniform is this!!!!? I have enough to contend with in keeping Danny Kendall in line without your rebellious insubordination!! Might I remind you little girl that school dress is compulsory and I demand that you adhere to ALL school rules. Now kindly remove your preposterous outfit and get out of my way!!!! Or words to that effect. RIP Michael Sheard. Until then it'll be plaits, ribbons and an attitude as sharp as my tongue. I'm subversive, don'cha know? *sashays away* |
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#12468 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tea and toast
Posts: 407
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Human was a number one hit in America.
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#12469 |
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,011
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there were high artistic intentions initially, with a harder more electronic sound etc, which by 1982, gave way to a much more accessible 'pop' sound.
Of early Spandau I'd say I've grown to like The Freeze the most, but I wouldn't say all later songs are less artistic they are just different. They change musical styles and they change the clothes they wear, but it's just fashion. I wouldn't call it selling out, it seems more a natural evolution of these groups. Of course creative inspiration can eventually dry up for musicians but sometimes they can have a resurgence as well. I think it's more up to the listener to keep up with the styles and see what they can find in them. |
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#12470 |
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,011
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With Guilty I don't like the Barry Gibb vocal it has some of that over-emotionalising vibrato that they can bring to some of their earlier hits. Trying to make out a song is more emotional than it is, and it can sound kind of fake. And male-female duets that try and create a contrast between the vocals can sound gimmicky. I just don't think it fits with Streisand's vocal. Any success the song has I think is primarily due to Streisand. I like an earlier song like Fanny (Be Tender With My Love) much more, better groove, way more feeling, vocals pitched more consistently to the flow and feeling of the song.
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#12471 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,354
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Can someone please update me on what 1982 shows wernt broadcast.
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#12472 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Lichfield
Posts: 817
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I still haven't watched the Blue Zoo performance, so I'm even more intrigued now!
![]() By the way, a full version of the 4th November Mike Smith episode is now doing the rounds: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dbllh7a8n0...82%29.avi?dl=0 |
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#12473 |
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,468
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But from the musician's point of view I expect they didn't stop having high artistic intentions. And arguably accessibility is conditioned by just how used to a style someone is. All chart pop/rock is mainstream really, it's not that complex. It's just what is mainstream/fashionable changes over time.
Of early Spandau I'd say I've grown to like The Freeze the most, but I wouldn't say all later songs are less artistic they are just different. They change musical styles and they change the clothes they wear, but it's just fashion. I wouldn't call it selling out, it seems more a natural evolution of these groups. Of course creative inspiration can eventually dry up for musicians but sometimes they can have a resurgence as well. I think it's more up to the listener to keep up with the styles and see what they can find in them. |
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#12474 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,869
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But from the musician's point of view I expect they didn't stop having high artistic intentions. And arguably accessibility is conditioned by just how used to a style someone is. All chart pop/rock is mainstream really, it's not that complex. It's just what is mainstream/fashionable changes over time.
Of early Spandau I'd say I've grown to like The Freeze the most, but I wouldn't say all later songs are less artistic they are just different. They change musical styles and they change the clothes they wear, but it's just fashion. I wouldn't call it selling out, it seems more a natural evolution of these groups. Of course creative inspiration can eventually dry up for musicians but sometimes they can have a resurgence as well. I think it's more up to the listener to keep up with the styles and see what they can find in them. ![]() Quote:
Popular music is a business, too, and there became a bigger emphasis by 1983, in appearing accessible, or increasingly more user friendly, so to speak. It has to do in part with the increased importance of the MTV pop package. Those pop stars don't exist in their own little bubble. Spandau Ballet's 'True' album is perhaps the most listenable of their career in many ways, so I'm not attempting to knock it, but the general musical climate does dictate certain things, and pop was certainly becoming more conservative sounding as we approach the mid eighties. Spandau Ballet's single releases in 1980/81, showed them willing to really challenge themselves in terms of them doing the unexpected. I am especially referring to the jazz/funk influenced "Chant No 1", after initially adopting that more New Romantic/futuristic style. In fact it is possible to claim many of their early singles included variety, and changing the musical angle somewhat. Once Spandau adopted the more smooth style of 'True', and it became ultra successful, that was that, there was no need for further changes.
Musical styles do of course change naturally, over time with fashion, but there were a lot more versatile bands doing their own thing in the charts before the mid 80s. From the mid 80s onwards, even up to today, pop music was/is considered a business first & foremost & the musical trends selling well in the mid 80s, were mainly dance, funk, soul & rap - hence this is what a lot of bands stuck to when releasing their latest songs. There were of course still plenty of alternative bands & songs out at the same time, but they just weren't as popular or selling in the way they would've done if they'd been around in the late 70s/early 80s. Looking back, its hard to believe artists like Kate Bush, Ian Dury, Gary Numan, The Jam, Specials, etc etc were selling by the bucket load let alone making it to No 1. Bands like that would barely scrape the Top 20 these days in the current market. |
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#12475 |
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,471
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Never Give You Up is a good dance tune and I'm sure went down a storm in discotheques but Sharon Redd's performance doesn't do it any favours at all. To be blunt the outfit she was wearing made her look like mutton dressed as lamb and she couldn't move at all.
You may not have liked her outfit - I can't say it did that much for me - but Sharon had her own style and she totally could move, as both that clip plus her earlier performance of 'Can You Handle It' in the TOTP studio prove. I grant you that her movement in both performances may be not what might be expected - it wouldn't surprise me if she'd had some kind of ballet training - but she is in total control of her body and also in time with the music. Contrast with Melba Moore's studio performance of 'Love's Comin' At Ya' - in which Melba has rhythm, but really doesn't have the moves … she shuffles around the stage and lurches from side to side occasionally. Whoever put the Zoo/cheerleaders male dancers in front of her under coloured lighting was very smart, as if they'd been spotlit, it would really have shown up that Melba, while a great singer, did not possess the dancing skills to match …
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