Old TOTP (BBC4)

[Sardonicus]

Oh good, another boring Boyzone ballad with Ronan's nasty nasal WARBLING

 

[Pipo]

is it NO MATTER WHAT? I liked that one

 

[Sardonicus]

is it NO MATTER WHAT? I liked that one

That's been & gone! It was I Love The Way You Love Me

 

[Sardonicus]

WAR OF NERVES

Didn't Nicole storm out & then SENSATIONALLY RETURN to All Saints around when this was released?

 

[Sardonicus]

Astonishing that the very OF ITS TIME Ally McBeal was a big enough show at this time to generate multiple hit albums & a top 10 singles hit for Vonda Shepard's pleasant but generic inoffensive jangle-pop.

 

[VoR]

Of all the boybands of the late 90s, I feel like 5ive were by far the least well-suited to BALLIDS.

 

[VoR]

She's not as actively horrible as Jo Whiley, but Kate Thornton really is/was quite the vapid irritant.

 

[VoR]

Will Smith's Miami feels like a very odd song to release just weeks before Christmas...

 

[disneyteletubby]

I was watching (the Christmas 1988 episode) until halfway through Orinoco Flow when my sister, who conveniently came back home today, changed the channel.
Oh well, I saw some, and it's on YouTube.

 

[aquaplex]

I still agog at the gay having his best life dancing behind cher

 

[Devil]

Faye Tozer stealing the show. And the thumbnail. Queen.

 

[Devil]

She's not as actively horrible as Jo Whiley, but Kate Thornton really is/was quite the vapid irritant.

Do you like any of the hosts?!

I think she’s rather nice!

 

[VoR]

In this era? They all have cringe moments, kind of inevitable given the nature of the job, but of the regular faces, Jayne Middlemas, Jamie Theakston and Sarah Cawood are generally fine.

It really is just those two. Whiley is an obnoxious music snob and Thornton just comes off as kind of a moron.

 

[Doris]

You have to wonder how many younger stars this Cliff Richard song trickled down through before it landed in his inbox

The backing singers looking actively mortified is sending me.

OMG that just kept getting worse and worse! An instant classic!

I'm a few weeks behind as ever (catching these before they fall off iPlayer) but I was amazed to realise that this is the Cliff song that got remixed and sent to radio stations under the name Blacknight in an attempt to get round the apparent airplay ban he was getting at the time. God knows what the remix sounded like but it apparently worked and it got played on stations that wouldn't usually play Cliff songs.

 

[Inner Smile]

I find Jamie Theakston quite hot in these years

 

[VoR]

Maya of The Tamperer featuring Maya giving another iconic perf on the 98 Christmas special. We really were robbed of a brief, gay interest only solo career.

Loving the random drunk-looking woman in a Kimono giving it her all in the background too.

 

[Devil]

Brandy sounded live, and really rather good.

 

[lolly]

I think Kate Thornton in retrospect is a much more natural presenter than Jayne Middlemiss, who comes across as quite try hard to me. Sarah Cawood's energy is a little chaotic, and Jamie Theakston has been a knob on multiple occasions.

 

[aquaplex]

Maya of The Tamperer featuring Maya giving another iconic perf on the 98 Christmas special. We really were robbed of a brief, gay interest only solo career.

Loving the random drunk-looking woman in a Kimono giving it her all in the background too.

It turns out Maya’s name isn’t Maya Days but actually Laura Dias.

 

[aquaplex]

A lot to unpack in that Lutricia McNeal performance. I’m assuming she switched the mics of the backing singers off cos she knew one of them was gonna try and upstage her with a Mariah note in the final chorus.

They really wanted to ram home THIS SOUNDS LIKE A 60s SONG during Ace of Base no?!

 

[aquaplex]

REM with their appearance for a number 26 hit sticking two fingers up at Dina Carroll, Clock and Des’ree who didn’t get to appear with their recent top 20 hits (and Clock’s last hit sob)

 

[octophone]

REM with their appearance for a number 26 hit sticking two fingers up at Dina Carroll, Clock and Des’ree who didn’t get to appear with their recent top 20 hits (and Clock’s last hit sob)

Was that 'Lotus'? REM were in the UK for a bit around the release of 'Up' doing all sorts of promo stuff (including that brilliant Jools Holland special) and this was presumably taped before the single was released. REM did a lot more UK telly in their trio era; Europe became their primary market really until their split.

 

[aquaplex]

Edele should have deployed Lutricia’s tactic of switching off the mics of the backing singers.

Sad we didn’t get Whitney and Mariah. But REM and maybe Beautifuk South aside, a SOLID episode

 

[VoR]

I adore Always Have Always Will, but a Christmas single it was not. They should’ve given Don’t Go Away a try to flog some albums over the festive period.

 

[lolly]

They really wanted to ram home THIS SOUNDS LIKE A 60s SONG during Ace of Base no?!

That performance really annoyed me. It was like they did all they could to not show thr group together - those three podiums with dancers on, and almost all shots scanning across them so the dancers obscured the group.

And then yes, the whole sixties thing, but why was Jenny wearing that horrible cardigan looking as if she was off to pick the children up from nursery?

 

[Shoat]

To be fair to REM, "Lotus" was also from a top 3 album, so in that sense it probably was still a more worthy inclusion than a token #17 Clock hit or poor old Dina.

Des'ree of course the exception. We were ROBBED of a concept performance of live scorpions, lions and archers onstage.

 

[aquaplex]

TOKEN CLOCK HIT!!!!

1998 was the year of the 70s cover!

 

[aquaplex]

That performance really annoyed me. It was like they did all they could to not show thr group together - those three podiums with dancers on, and almost all shots scanning across them so the dancers obscured the group.

And then yes, the whole sixties thing, but why was Jenny wearing that horrible cardigan looking as if she was off to pick the children up from nursery?

Linn rightly stayed at home

 

[Sardonicus]

Linn rightly stayed at home

I was about to post, Linn now in her can't be arsed showing up at all era!

 

[Sardonicus]

I also didn't realise Steps fell as far as 8 before Heartbeat/Tragedy rose back to the top.

 

[straightorbroken]

I like to think Linn was there, but stood behind a pillar eating Rolo's.

 

[Shoat]

TOKEN CLOCK HIT!!!!

1998 was the year of the 70s cover!

That was probably their problem!

Who needed Clock in 1998 when you had Steps, The Tamperer or even rubbish old Cleopatras doing it better?

 

[PGCMc]

I adore Always Have Always Will, but a Christmas single it was not. They should’ve given Don’t Go Away a try to flog some albums over the festive period.

I doubt this would've sold many copies during the happy period.

 

[PGCMc]

That was probably their problem!

Who needed Clock in 1998 when you had Steps, The Tamperer or even rubbish old Cleopatras doing it better?

Steps were a step up on those other 2 no matter what you say lol.

 

[straightorbroken]

I remember it being noted on the radio station I was listening to that AHAW was the only original Christmassy song released that year. Jane must have been in bits. Middlemiss and McDonald.

 

[aquaplex]

That was probably their problem!

Who needed Clock in 1998 when you had Steps, The Tamperer or even rubbish old Cleopatras doing it better?

Fair point.

Though still REM getting in with a #26 hit when a few episodes earlier Shania’s or record for #9 hit From This Moment On didn’t get played. And the Belle of Belfast City getting short shrift too!!

 

[Shoat]

Fair point.

Though still REM getting in with a #26 hit when a few episodes earlier Shania’s or record for #9 hit From This Moment On didn’t get played. And the Belle of Belfast City getting short shrift too!!

Well those two I can agree with.

Albeit Shania probably suffered for a) charting in a stupidly busy week for new entries, and b) being a bit of a surprise hit that hadn't been getting much radio support. She'd presumably have needed much more advance notice to book than any of the local UK acts, and you can imagine the BBC hedging their bets elsewhere. Maybe in a quieter week they'd have been happier to go with a video.

The lack of the Irish Denise Welch was a TRAVESTY I have no defence for.

 

[aquaplex]

Well those two I can agree with.

Albeit Shania probably suffered for a) charting in a stupidly busy week for new entries, and b) being a bit of a surprise hit that hadn't been getting much radio support. She'd presumably have needed much more advance notice to book than any of the local UK acts, and you can imagine the BBC hedging their bets elsewhere. Maybe in a quieter week they'd have been happier to go with a video.

The lack of the Irish Denise Welch was a TRAVESTY I have no defence for.

She DID pre record a performance though. It was also shown on the Top 20 countdown

 

[aquaplex]

Im on a train, hence this geekery. But, WHAT a Q4!

The New entires in the Top 20 of each week in Q4 along with a few chart misfires by others. Like Mr Marsden and our Beyonce, a couple of tracks that would be bigger later and flops that should have been bigger like Christian Fry

Brandy & Mase - On Top Of The World (#2)

Placebo - You Don’t Care About Us (#5)

Ace Of Base - Cruel Summer (#8)

UB40 - Come Back Darling (#10)

4 The Cause - Stand By Me (#12)

Bryan Adams - On A Day Like Today (#13)

Lighthouse Family - Question Of Faith (#21)

Binary Finary - 1998 (#24)

Ultra - The Right Time (#28)

Alexia - The Music I Like (#31)

Chicane feat Mason - Strong In Love (#32)

Gloria Estefan - Oye (#33)

Electribe 101 - Talking To Myself 98 (#39)

Billy Crawford - Urgently In Love (#48)

Whigfield - Sexy Eyes (#68)



Billie - Girlfriend (#1)

Fatboy Slim - Gangsta Trippin’ (#3)

Natalie Imbruglia - Smoke (#5)

Monica - The First Night (#6)

Cardigans - My Favourite Game (#14)

Garbage - Special (#15)

Daniel O’Donnell - The Magic Is There (#16)

Blue Adonis - Disco Cop (#27)





Spacedust - Gym And Tonic (#1)

911 - More Than A Woman (#2)

REM - Daysleeper (#6)

Dru Hill - How Deep Is Your Love (#9)

Cliff Richard - Can’t Keep This Feeling In (#10)

Meja - All About The Money (#12)

Dina Carroll - Livin’ For The Weekend (#16)

Bus Stop - You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet (#22)

Hinda Hicks - Truly (#31)

Ruff Driverz - Shame (#51)



Cher - Believe (#1)

George Michael - Outside (#2)

U2 - The Sweetest Thing (#3)

Culture Club - I Just Wanna Be Loved (#4)

Alanis Morisette - Thank You (#5)

Kele Le Roc - Little Bit Of Lovin’ (#8)

Lyndon David-Hall - Sexy Cinderella (#17)

Rose Royce - Car Wash 98 (#18)

98• and Stevie Wonder - True To Your Heart (#51)

Towa Tei feat Kylie Minogue - GBI (#63)



Touch & Go - Would You (#3)

Another Level - Guess I Was A Fool (#5)

Pras - Blue Angels (#6)

M People - Testify (#12)

Sham Rock - Tell Me Ma (#13)

Beastie Boys - Bodymovin’ (#15)

Des’ree - What’s Your Sign (#19)

Matthew Marsden feat Destiny’s Child - She’s Gone (#24)

Catatonia - Game On (#33)



E-17 - Each Time (#2)

The Tamperer feat Maya - If You But This Record Your Life Will Be Better (#3)

Wyclef Jean - Another One Bites The Dust (#5)

Tatyana Ali - Daydreamin’ (#6)

Eagle-Eye Cherry - Falling In Love Again (#8)

Faith Hill - This Kiss (#13)

Paul Weller - Brandon New Start (#16)

R Kelly & Keith Murray - Home Alone (#17)

Doolally - Straight From The Heart (#20)

Faith Evans - Love Like This (#24)

Diva Surprise - On Top Of The World (YMCA) (#29)

Christian Fry - You Got Me (#45)

Seal - Human Beings (#50)



Steps - Heartbeat/ Tragedy (#2)

Stereophonics - The Bartender And The Thief (#3)

James - Sit Down 98 (#7)

Marilyn Manson - The Dope Show (#12)

Tina Cousins - Pray (#20)

Karen Ramirez - If We Try (#23)

Marc et Claude - La (#28)

Air - All I Need (#29)

Solid HarmoniE - To Love Once Again (#55)



Five - Until The Time Is Through (#2)

Celine Dion - I’m Your Angel (#3)

Vengaboys - Up And Down (#4)

The Corrs - So Young (#6)

Sash! feat Shannon - Move Mania (#8)

Shania Twain - From This Moment On (#9)

Ruff Driverz pres Arolla - Dreaming (#10)

Clock - Blame It On The Boogie (#16)

2Pac - Happy Home (#17)

Mike Koglin - The Silence (#20)

Stars On 54 - If You Could Read My Mind (#23)

Divine Comedy - Certainty Of Chance (#49)

En Vogue - Hold On (#53)



Boyzone - I Love The Way You Love Me (#2)

Will Smith - Miami (#3)

Madonna - The Power Of Goodbye (#6)

All Saints - War Of Nerves 98 (#7)

Vonda Shepard - Searchin’ My Soul (#10)

Faithless - Take The Long Way Home (#15)

Lovestation - Sensuality (#16)

Sheryl Crow - There Goes The Neighbourhood (#19)

Space - The Bad Days EP (#20)

Sonique - It Feels So Good (#24)

Ash - Wild Surf (#31)



Jay-z - Hard Knock Life (#2)

Bryan Adams & Melanie C - When You’re Gone (#3)

Robbie Williams - No Regrets (#4)

Emilia - Big Big World (#5)

Backstreet & Mya - Take Me There (#7)

Manic Street Preachers - The Everlasting (#11)

Savage Garden - I Want You (#12)

Brandy - Have You Ever (#13)

LeAnn Rimes - Blue (#23)

Kavana - Funky Love (#32)

Bjork - Alarm Call (#33)

Simply Red - Ghetto Girl (#34)

Des Lynam(!!!) - If (#45)



B*Witched - To You I Belong (#1)

Billie - She Wants You (#3)

Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston - When You Believe (#4)

Honeyz - End Of The Line (#5)

Ace Of Base - Always Have, Always Will (#12)

Beautiful South - Dumb (#16)

Lutricia McNeal - The Greatest Love You’ll Never Know/ When A Child Is Born (#17)

Fat Les - Naughty Christmas (#21)

REM - Lotus (#26)

UB40 - Holly Holly (#31)

Janet Jackson - Everytime (#46)

N-Trance feat Kelly Llorenna - Tears In The Rain (#56)



Spice Girls - Goodbye (#1)

Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls (#2)

Johnny & Denise - Especially For You (#3)

Jane McDonald - Cruise Into Christmas (#10)

Aqua - Good Morning Sunshine (#18)

Alda - Girls Night Out (#20)

Trouble - Dancing Baby (Ooga Chaka) (#21)

Slade Vs Flush - Merry Christmas Everyone (#30)

Alberta - Yo-Yo Boy (#49)

 

[VoR]

It's definitely been on a strong run lately after a disappointing start to 98.