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Top Of The Pops 1982 - BBC4


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Old 12-12-2016, 08:55
Servalan
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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.
BIB - that was, in turn, linked to something that British groups had not had that much of prior to 1981: success in the USA.

Between 1979 and 1981 especially, there were a number of big acts here that meant nothing in the US, and UrsulaU names three of them: Kate Bush, The Specials and The Jam. I think it's fair to say that none of them went out of their way to appeal to the American market - but MTV's desire for content coincided perfectly with the rise of the new romantics and the 'new pop' that came in its wake … and so Soft Cell, The Human League, Duran Duran and A Flock Of Seagulls all landed major hits in the US in 1982.

I'm sure that both Spandau Ballet and their label Chrysalis were very aware of that: Spandau must have been watching what Duran were doing with green eyes, and Chrysalis, now losing their major singles/album act (Blondie) would have wanted to capitalise on the 'second British invasion'. So I think it's fair to say that both would have wanted to make sure they weren't left behind.
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Old 12-12-2016, 09:29
Jedikiah
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The Mike Smith 4/11 episode strikes me as being superior to the last few televised editions, with a number of songs, even if some aren't especially my taste, that work rather well.

Wham's ''Young Guns (Go For It)'', Diana Ross' ''Muscles'', Blancmange ''Living On The Ceiling'', and John Cougar's ''Jack And Diane'' are certainly very successful, and i have little doubt John Cougar's success at this time isn't in some small (or more accurately large) way due to Jonathan King's US Chart slot, which we haven't had the pleasure to see. I believe ''Jack And Diane'' to be a good track, and ex Spiders From Mars Mick Ronson features prominently on guitar.

Diana Ross' ''Muscles'' was written and produced by Michael Jackson and her exotic vocal delivery, and also the video, works very well. I am not sure it would ever rank alongside Diana's finest work, but i definitely prefer it to her previous significant hit, ''Work That Body''.

Wham's visual delivery on the show certainly was decisive in breaking ''Young Guns'', as it took their appearance to really set the song alight in the charts. D C Lee and Shirlie Holliman, didn't appear on the track, but they still managed to contribute to its success in the way they sold the song.

Blancmange ''Living On The Ceiling'' was one of the better synth pop songs of the era, and it was also a clever amalgamation of Eastern style instrumentation, with a contemporary sound. I am not so sure precisely what the song is about, but it certainly has an infectious quality.

I am really not a fan of the rather slick and contemporary sounding ''Maneater'' by Daryl Hall and John Oates, and i am much more impressed with their seventies adoption of the Philly sound. However, i believe it to be streaks ahead of Stevie Wonder's very similar ''Part Time Lover'' which i think sounds like an obvious copy (at least the rhythm).

I am fast beginning to believe the playout song, Sharon Redd's ''Never Give You Up'', may just be one of the best dance tracks of the year. It has a real edge to its sound, due in no small way to Sharon's vocal capability, which i think is often lacking in many of the blander sounds of 82, whatever the genre. I think i may just put that track in my top 10 songs of 82!

Mike Smith gives a very comfortable and assured performance as his first time presenting the show. Yes, he has always struck me as appearing rather smug, but he's at least competent and reliable, and he shows little problem settling in.

6.5/10
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Old 12-12-2016, 11:03
Robbie01
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Sad thing for the Human League was they played to diminishing returns over here, and even though Human was a number one hit in America, they could never really recapture their glory days of 81-82. Even sadder was something I read in the early 90s was Phil Oakey was so broke he had to sell his house and his car and suffered a breakdown. Yet they managed to reinvent themselves as a live band and still tour, saw them in Tynemouth three years ago.
Even the most successful acts sometimes don't make much money from their time at the top. I remember the News Of The World from a decade ago publishing a picture of Kevin Rowland from Dexy's going to the JobCentre to sign on as he was so broke. I believe Adam Ant has had financial problems too. That's why these acts still have to tour - it's their only source of income. They usually don't own the rights to their own music, usually because they have had to sign away any rights in order to clear debts - Squeeze are a prime example of this. Every penny that is made from any of their records being played on radio, being downloaded or streamed goes to their former record label. They literally don't get any money from their own songs. Hence why many acts re-record their songs as it gives them at least some income. And touring too of course is their other source of income.
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Old 12-12-2016, 11:34
UrsulaU
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Even the most successful acts sometimes don't make much money from their time at the top. I remember the News Of The World from a decade ago publishing a picture of Kevin Rowland from Dexy's going to the JobCentre to sign on as he was so broke. I believe Adam Ant has had financial problems too. That's why these acts still have to tour - it's their only source of income.
Yes a lot of these bands from yesteryear, who do 'reunion' gigs or go out & tour every Christmas are doing it for their annual income & provided their gigs aren't too overpriced it is nice to go out to see and support them.

At the other end of the scale, however, you do get the obviously super rich pop stars such as Madonna, Paul McCartney, Elton John etc, who also tour every other year - but somehow I don't think their reasons are to keep up with the bills!
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Old 12-12-2016, 11:48
Robbie01
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Yes a lot of these bands from yesteryear, who do 'reunion' gigs or go out & tour every Christmas are doing it for their annual income & provided their gigs aren't too overpriced it is nice to go out to see and support them.

At the other end of the scale, however, you do get the obviously super rich pop stars such as Madonna, Paul McCartney, Elton John etc, who also tour every other year - but somehow I don't think their reasons are to keep up with the bills!
Well, certainly not Paul McCartney!. His accounts are free to view on the Companies House website and the latest one shows that his "company" pays him a £25m a year wage! It's certainly a lot more than I earn
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Old 12-12-2016, 13:14
Jimmy Connors
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Just catching up with the last few episodes.

Raw Silk, Sharon Redd, Melba Moore as many more besides. Wonderful. I can vividly recall buying these singles from Woolworths (in Tooting Broadway) when they were in the charts back then. The Raw Silk single (which I absolutely love) was out of stock, but I managed to get a copy in Boots. Boots selling records!

Funny how music can reignite such long lost memories.
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Old 12-12-2016, 14:01
Scott_Whitton
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Can someone please update me on what 1982 shows wernt broadcast.
14th January, 25th February, 13th May, 10th June, 24th June, 26th August, 2nd September,30th September, and 7th October up to this point. Subsequently we won't see 4th November, 25th November, 16th December, 25th December or 30th December.
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Old 12-12-2016, 15:30
Robert Williams
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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.
The schedule for 30th December is now online and TOTP is all present and correct as scheduled at 7.00 and 7.30pm. http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/program...les/2016/12/30
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Old 12-12-2016, 15:44
Kid B
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Re The Human League, there is now a singles poll comprising 20 releases here...

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...0#post84874450

If anyone's interested, you can select two choices.

My personal feeling is that I'll be sticking to Love Action and Fascination as I loved those remixes so much.
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:11
Torch81
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Re The Human League, there is now a singles poll comprising 20 releases here...

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...0#post84874450

If anyone's interested, you can select two choices.

My personal feeling is that I'll be sticking to Love Action and Fascination as I loved those remixes so much.
'Empire State Human' (which I 'think' was an A-side) would be one of mine. But its not an option! Although of course you can list so many singles I guess.
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:23
Jason C
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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
This link is working again now but you'll need to get in quick before it's deactivated again!
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:31
Scott_Whitton
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This link is working again now but you'll need to get in quick before it's deactivated again!
Hope it survives for the next 90 minutes till I get home!
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:32
Groovester01
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I don't remember that Raw Silk song, but it was truly dire & I hope I never hear it again.
Well I love it!!! One of the hottest/upfront dance singles of the year and a blueprint of what was to follow on the excellent West End record label out of New York! The 12" is a real gem! The TOTP cheerleaders and audience were struttin' their stuff which kinda indicates what a big club hit it was! Tho hard to take em seriously in their haloween attire!!
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Old 12-12-2016, 16:46
Groovester01
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OK - so here, courtesy of me prevaricating while I should have been doing other things, is the Record Mirror Top 40 Disco chart from the week that corresponded with last night's repeat edition of TOTP …

1 (1) BEAT THE STREET (INSTRUMENTAL)/NEVER GIVE YOU UP/BEAT THE STREET (REMIX), Sharon Redd
2 (10)) LOVE DON’T COME EASY, New Jersey Connection *
3 (3) DO IT TO THE MUSIC, Raw Silk
4 (2) LOVE COME DOWN, Evelyn King
5 (5) DREAMIN’, Greg Henderson
6 (11) IN AND OUT, Willie Hutch *
7 (6) ANNIE I’M NOT YOUR DADDY, Kid Creole & The Coconuts
8 (4) PASS THE DUTCHIE, Musical Youth
9 (17) SUNSHINE PARTYTIME (RAP)/DUBBING IN SUNSHINE, Rockers Revenge *
10 (15) (SEXUAL) HEALING, Marvin Gaye
11 (7) LOVE’S COMIN’ AT YA, Melba Moore
12 (18) KNOCK ME OUT, Gary’s Gang
13 (14) LOOPZILLA, George Clinton *
14 (16) KEEP THE FIRE BURNING, Gwen McCrae
15 (21) STRAIGHT AHEAD, Nick Straker Band
16 (9) THERE IT IS, Shalamar
17 (12) WAY OUT, Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame *
18 (25) E.T. BOOGIE, The Extra T’s *
19 (24) HOLD ME TIGHTER IN THE RAIN, Billy Griffin *
20 (26) HIGH HOPES, The SOS Band *
21 (13) WALKING/ROCKIN’ ON SUNSHINE, Rockers Revenge
22 (28) YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO, Brenda ‘BT’ Taylor *
23 (31) THE SMURF, Tyrone Brunson *
24 (8) ZOOM, Fat Larry’s Band
25 (32) SHE’S SO DIVINE, The Limit
26 (39) WE’VE ARRIVED, Loose End
27 (23) BODY SLAM! Bootsy’s Rubber Band *
28 (22) OOH LA LA LA (LET’S GO DANCIN’), Kool & The Gang
29 (38) YOUNG GUNS (GO FOR IT), Wham!
30 (19) WHEN WE PARTY (UPTOWN DOWNTOWN), Jay W McGee
31 (27) DANCE FLOOR, Zapp
32 (29) HEAD OVER HEELS, Galaxy
33 (49) GO WITH THE FLOW, Weeks & Co *
34 (41) NIPPLE TO THE BOTTLE, Grace Jones
35 (33) CHANGES/HEART ’N SOUL, Imagination (LP tracks)
36 (30) JUMP TO IT, Aretha Franklin
37 (48) PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK, Planet Patrol *
38 (20) THE MESSAGE, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
39 (55) MAGIC’S WAND, Whodini *
40 (34) DON’T STOP MY LOVE, Passion

The asterisked tracks are import 12" singles.

A fair few of those imports were subsequently released in the UK, and there are also a few names who meant little outside specialist circles but would ultimately cross over (The SOS Band, Galaxy, Steve Arrington and Loose End - after they added an 's' to their name).

I'd love to say there's more where that came from but my collection is patchy plus this is probably a labour of love for a whole website in itself, never mind occasional posts on DS!

Thanks for this! Now ya talking while I love a lot of the 'pop' tracks around this time this is my kinda chart! Not sure on why "Pass the Dutchie" & "Annie I'm Not Your Daddy' are in there though & FLB's 'Zoom' you can't really bust out some moves to. However The Top 5 are absolute gems & great to see Billy Griffin's hit getting some heavy club rotation before becoming the top 20 smash it so richly deserved!!
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:03
dodrade
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Sorry if it's already come up but does the Mike Smith situation mean no chance of a Ghostwatch repeat either?
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:04
Servalan
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Thanks for this! Now ya talking while I love a lot of the 'pop' tracks around this time this is my kinda chart! Not sure on why "Pass the Dutchie" & "Annie I'm Not Your Daddy' are in there though & FLB's 'Zoom' you can't really bust out some moves to. However The Top 5 are absolute gems & great to see Billy Griffin's hit getting some heavy club rotation before becoming the top 20 smash it so richly deserved!!
I assume there must have been quite a range of contributors to the RM Disco Top 100, from the hardcore jazz-funk specialists to more mainstream DJs who'd happily draw on the pop charts.

I recall 'Hold Me Tighter In The Rain' very well from that time - that was back when CBS actually put some effort into promoting disco/dance music, something they gradually seemed to give up on as the 80s progressed, leaving some tracks to get licensed by other labels ('Encore' by Cheryl Lynn) and other potential hits destined never to be released in the UK ('After The Dance Is Through' by Krystol).
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:38
Richupton
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There's no resource that I know of - this is just me chancing on a pile of old issues in a cupboard at my mum's, and finding some from 1982 … so it was all hand-typed, I'm afraid!
I also have a bunch of Record Mirrors from that era - the first being of Wham! On the front cover before the release of Young Guns
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Old 12-12-2016, 17:54
Richupton
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Sad thing for the Human League was they played to diminishing returns over here, and even though Human was a number one hit in America, they could never really recapture their glory days of 81-82. Even sadder was something I read in the early 90s was Phil Oakey was so broke he had to sell his house and his car and suffered a breakdown. Yet they managed to reinvent themselves as a live band and still tour, saw them in Tynemouth three years ago.
I saw them a few days ago at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Started with Being Boiled followed by Sound of the Crowd - so, I was very happy.
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Old 12-12-2016, 18:09
Kid B
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'Empire State Human' (which I 'think' was an A-side) would be one of mine. But its not an option! Although of course you can list so many singles I guess.
It was an A that reached the dizzy heights of 62, but with these things it's not just a voting exercise, I love learning stuff about these bands, I may have bought all their singles (as would be the case with Squeeze certainly) but how much do I really know about them?

That is why thy I called this particular thread a seat of learning and I hope that a few of the polls elsewhere will evolve into discussion threads also.
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Old 12-12-2016, 18:37
UrsulaU
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This link is working again now but you'll need to get in quick before it's deactivated again!
I managed to see half of it - before it cut off. Looked like a pretty decent episode - which is typical - as all the decent episodes seem to get cut.

One thing I notice about the early to mid 80s charts, is the increasing number of American 'soft rock' songs that keep cropping up. Apart from the odd decent band like Foreigner the rest are very samey & bland. - Can we blame JK for this??! - It only seems to have started since his USA section in the middle!!
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Old 12-12-2016, 18:50
SgtRock
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I managed to see half of it - before it cut off. Looked like a pretty decent episode - which is typical - as all the decent episodes seem to get cut.

One thing I notice about the early to mid 80s charts, is the increasing number of American 'soft rock' songs that keep cropping up. Apart from the odd decent band like Foreigner the rest are very samey & bland. - Can we blame JK for this - as it only seems to have started since his USA section in the middle!!
I think that if you don't have a Dropbox login, or just don't log in, the most you can watch of a video is 15 minutes.
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Old 12-12-2016, 18:51
UrsulaU
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I think that if you don't have a Dropbox login, or just don't log in, the most you can watch of a video is 15 minutes.
I have a Dropbox login - just haven't used it for ages - I'll have to try & remember it!
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Old 12-12-2016, 18:59
Jason C
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I think that if you don't have a Dropbox login, or just don't log in, the most you can watch of a video is 15 minutes.
But you can download the whole file without needing a login.
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Old 12-12-2016, 19:02
Kid B
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All I can see for tonight is 2330-0030 One Hit Wonders at the BBC - I hope I can stay awake for it!
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Old 12-12-2016, 21:26
Robbie01
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I'm currently watching the Mike Smith edition thanks to the poster who provided the link. And I'm thoroughly enjoying it, it's much better than the editions that have been shown on BBC4 in the past couple of weeks.

Here comes Blancmange! I bought the single back in the day.
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