Top Of The Pops 1979 BBC4 (Part 2)

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  • Nick GNick G Posts: i,099

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    Honey 'Wombling Merry Christmas'. Yous certainly don't hear it much. It does, all the same, pop upwardly on some of those TOTP'south 2 Christmas specials.
    We also don't get enough of Showaddywaddy'south 'Hey Mister Christmas' or the sublime 'December Will Be Magic Again' by Kate Bush.

    From the aforementioned year as the Wombles in that location was 'Male parent Christmas Do Not Touch Me' past the Goodies. Just a fun record which, of form, is now viewed very differently.

  • Paul McCartney: 'Wonderful Christmastime'. I reckon I'm in a minority of around four on the thread who like this! I recollect it'southward a great feelgood
    Christmassy song. Hard to believe that just 12 months down the line, with the tragic murder of John Lennon, the mood would be quite different!

    Too true!

    John Lennon was always my favourite Beatle, and i don't call back whatsoever of the ex beatles albums come close to John's first two (conventional) solo albums, ''Plastic Ono Band'' and ''Imagine''. However, following his death there was such a huge re-appraisal connected with everything John had e'er done, often casting him in the role of the real genius of the group (which i believe he may accept been), simply at the same fourth dimension degrading as trivial much of the work of Paul McCartney, and especially his solo efforts, and while there may be some justifiable point, that view didn't really stand for the whole truth. It seems more difficult now to see through the midsts of time to believe that John and Yoko's comeback album ''Double Fantasy'' album wasn't specially greeted with open artillery past many of the critics, and the public too, were adequately indifferent to John's latest endeavour, and the single ''(Merely Like) Starting Over''. In many ways John's new songs could not take been more conservative in nature, than on ''Double Fantasy'', which was something that was often directed towards Paul McCartney's mail service Beatles output, in relation to the more extreme nature of some of John'south solo work. However, one heed to the Paul McCartney albums with Wings - the underrated ''Back To The Egg'' from 1979, and his very own ''McCartney 2'' from 1980, reveals the very contrary to be true. McCartney was actually dabbling with new moving ridge influences, and some early experimental sounds, likewise, on songs like ''Erstwhile Siam, Sir'', ''Coming Upwards'' and ''Temporary Secretarial assistant'', which may not take been ever successful, but at least McCartney was attempting something distinctly different from the norm. I recall John saying that it was having heard Paul'southward unmarried ''Coming Upward'', that he felt sufficiently inspired to go back into the studio. What would have happened had John lived, though, actually is everyone's guess!

  • Torch81Torch81 Posts: 12,598

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    An absolute classic by the Waitresses.:)
    I besides agree with your loftier stance of Bowie's original version of JIOD. I would identify it easily in my Bowie Height 10. As you say Torch, the remix was a shocker.
    Even so ... I don't like anything past the Pogues.

    FONY aside, me neither. In fact I don't much care for Shane MacGowan's vocals on it, only I can tolerate them as I think its musically and lyrically brilliant.

    Loved the Waitresses vocal and bought information technology when it first came out in '82. I recollect at the time feeling utterly bemused that it never fifty-fifty made the top 40!

    Another unknown/unheralded Xmas vocal is Thanks For Christmas past the 3 Wise Men (XTC in disguise). Also "Dec" by All About Eve.

    Used to love XTC, was totally unaware of that though. Just listened on You tube, nice discovery, nifty song!

    Another 'obscure' Xmas song which never gets played, Marc Almond "Christmas In Vegas". https://www.youtube.com/spotter?five=b11pCxDvpJ0 Probably considered too sombre to go far onto a compilation or for radio to play information technology though.

  • Someone should brand a playlist of all the ignored Christmas songs of the concluding 25 years and give a copy to all the big store chains. I might really spend longer (and more) in the shops instead of running out screaming with my fingers in my ears when Slade comes on.

  • Oh, they practise. There have been loads of skillful Christmas songs in the last 20 years, but for some reason they never get added to the endless loop played in all the shops.

    Merely as i instance, The Killers release a Christmas song every year.

    Interesting La Vie en Rose. I tune into MTV every day without fail and we get the same sometime two and tuppence day afterwards solar day. I honestly cannot remember hearing a new Xmas song over the past month. I do not doubt you are correct regarding the release of Xmas songs still. MTV only seem to be interested in past Xmas songs. As Highlander said earlier - why do they never play Kate Bush's archetype - December will be magic again? Scandalous. I also loved Squeeze's Xmas Day b/w Going Crazy. Not forgetting ( as everyone perchance has) der Glitter'south Some other Stone n' Roll Xmas ( :o). Also Mike Oldfield's In Dulce Jubilo- a wonderful piece of music. And to my lugs Nik Kershaw's The Riddle is simply all in name a Xmas song, likewise Jon and Vangelis' archetype I'll notice my way home.
    Your idea of compiling an ignored Xmas vocal list I recall is a skillful ane. I'm sick to death of Mariah, Wizzard, Slade and The Pogues twelvemonth after bleeding year.

  • Ramraider - I could've written the in a higher place verbal same words myself!! :o:o:o

    Yep The Waitresses song is great & as well my fave Christmas striking - (another classic from the early 80s)!!

    Ahhhh . Kindred spirit again Ursula. We obviously eat the same Sunday Roast!!!:D

  • I actually liked George Michael's 'December Song' and Coldplay'southward 'Christmas Lights'.

    Concur Highlander. The all-time Xmas song released over the past 3 years. And the video was brilliant - a affect of Arcade Fire about it if I retrieve.

  • Glenn AGlenn A Posts: 21,670

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    Love 'Wombling Merry Christmas'. You lot certainly don't hear it much. It does, withal, pop up on some of those TOTP's 2 Christmas specials.
    We also don't go enough of Showaddywaddy's 'Hey Mister Christmas' or the sublime 'December Will Be Magic Once more' by Kate Bush.

    Kate'southward Christmas song is from my favourite era, the 1978-80 era, when she could do no wrong and every i of her songs sounded different and the subject matter was interesting( nuclear war, gay actors, lust). Most people when asked for their favourite Kate album tend to say The Hounds of Honey, yes it's adept, only The Large Sky is her most boring single and the title track is so then.

  • I'm daring to say that I like the Christmas song by The Darkness, loved Justin's loftier vocals. :p

  • Westy2Westy2 Posts: 11,742

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    Well-nigh fourth dimension TOTP 2 dug out the post-obit clips again :

    The Showaddywaddy one, as that'southward from a BBC show anyway.

    Kate Bush, again there is a BBC clip they can utilise.

    The Greedies, as the parent TOTP edition is Yew Treed otherwise.

    Cliff Richard, I can think of 1982's O Fiddling Town Of Bethelem for starters, but at that place are other Cliff Xmas singles besides Miseltoe & Wine!

    Jethro Tull, even though BBC Four gave it a spin a few years back, it hasn't been on TOTP 2 for several years.

    Can anyone call back of anymore clips non used past TOTP 2 either at all, or not for a few years?

  • A superb add-on to the genre from Hurts.

    All I Want For Christmas Is New Year's Twenty-four hours

    OK, like the Coldplay 1 it's not "joyous" but information technology expresses the feelings of many people at this time of twelvemonth - and not everyone listens closely to lyrics anyway.

  • I wonder why they chose to cut The Barron Knights from this weeks edition. I was looking forward to seeing this. Admittedly absurd. There vocal wasn't even racist! It was funny and wasn't meant to be offensive to Chinese people. The scrap about all chinamen looking the same was a bit near the mark, but only a sign of the culture of the time. And I thought these editions were meant to be broadcast as a retrospect of the past and show how things have inverse over a flow of time. This means they should not be airbrushed. I'1000 certain viewers can differentiate betwixt the past and now, and those viewers offended by an innocent vocal that came out 35 years ago knows where the off switch is.

  • A superb improver to the genre from Hurts.

    All I Desire For Christmas Is New year

    OK, like the Coldplay one it'due south not "joyous" merely it expresses the feelings of many people at this fourth dimension of year - and not anybody listens closely to lyrics anyway.

    Beloved this song, it's a fleck like how I feel every year! Came out two or three years ago. Very under rated equally a xmas song. Unfortunately doesn't go played much at xmas, perhaps considering of it'south unjoyous lyrics. Instead we have to hear the same old songs every twelvemonth.

  • Glenn AGlenn A Posts: 21,670

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    Some other good Christmas song, I Believe in Male parent Christmas, by Greg Lake from 1975. Indeed Christmas 1975 must have seemed similar progressive rock was at height, as Queen, who had prog leanings, were at number i and Lake was at number ii. A year afterward it was business as normal with Johnny Matthis at the tiptop and punks breaking Yes triple albums in the groundwork.

  • Another good Christmas song, I Believe in Father Christmas, by Greg Lake from 1975. Indeed Christmas 1975 must take seemed similar progressive rock was at peak, equally Queen, who had prog leanings, were at number one and Lake was at number two. A yr later on it was business organisation as normal with Johnny Matthis at the top and punks breaking Aye triple albums in the background.

    To be off-white the Greg Lake song does get played a lot. It's definitely on the "supermarket loop". :D

    And however it'south a vocal of disillusion, certainly non the "Ho Ho Ho" jolly kind. Similar I said - people don't always mind properly to lyrics.

  • Glenn AGlenn A Posts: 21,670

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    To exist fair the Greg Lake song does become played a lot. It's definitely on the "supermarket loop". :D

    And yet it'southward a song of disillusion, certainly not the "Ho Ho Ho" jolly kind. Like I said - people don't always listen properly to lyrics.

    He does have a melancholy tone, but information technology is a good vocal and proved prog could get into the charts. I quite like Ring Out The Solstice Bells from the following Christmas.

  • He does have a melancholy tone, but it is a proficient song and proved prog could get into the charts. I quite similar Band Out The Solstice Bells from the post-obit Christmas.

    Oh totally, I'k not complaining that it'due south too melancholy. I wouldn't be championing Hurts and Coldplay otherwise. They should go out Poly Styrene's "Blackness Christmas"as well :D

    Another one that I similar is The Pretenders, 2000 Miles. I have heard it in the shops, but non that oftentimes.

  • Someone should make a playlist of all the ignored Christmas songs of the last 25 years and give a copy to all the big store chains.

    This.
    There'south at to the lowest degree a hundred Indie and 'alt' songs that wouldn't drive the public away for a first, let alone almost forgotten pop stuff.
    This year's actually been a good one for Christmas releases. I count over 120 decent singles or EPs bachelor online, and there'southward been a thousand output of great albums - I've picked up 38 so far for the collection.

    In case anyone want'south to know, my best of the bunch:
    Alaska, Courtney Act and Willam - 'Dearest Santa, Bring Me a Man'. It's raining RuPaul divas!!! Classic Boystown stuff (even to the sampled sounds and keychanges)
    Eastarth Wind and Fire - 'Wintertime Wonderland' only misses out on being a classic because the production is lifeless. Pity.
    5th Harmony - 'All I Want for Christmas Is You lot' from the 'I'll exist Domicile For Christmas' EP. Almost a 70s popular archetype in execution (correct downwards to the Gary Glitter bells on the fade-out).
    Ariana Grande - 'Santa Tell Me'
    Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé - 'Baby, Information technology's Cold Outside'. Not quite Tom and Cerys, merely Bublé is impeccable. The man from Hootie and the Blowfish, Darius Rucker and Sheryl Crow do a fine land version on his splendid new Christmas album besides.
    Pentatonix - 'Mary, Did You Know?'     should be their second major Christmas striking in the US (they near hitting to Billboard Top 10 last year with 'Piffling Drummer Boy'). And they're here again with:
    Pentatonix and Tori Kelly 'Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry Be Happy' a lovely mix of the 2 standards. This one is quickly becoming a house favourite.
    Sam Smith - 'Have Yourself A Merry Footling Christmas'. Stark, but a great solo slice.
    The Saturdays - 'Christmas Wrapping'. Non vastly different to the Waitresses, but just enough to perk the ears upwardly.
    Meghan Trainor - 'I'll Be Home', over again from the 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' EP). Not what you lot'd wait from her, and worth a heed even if yous loathe her.

    More left-field material

    I especially like the quirky:
    Directly No Attorney and Kristen Bell - 'Text Me Merry Christmas'
    Jessie James Decker - 'Baby! It'south Christmas', although her bluesy voice takes some getting used to.
    Johnnyswim - 'Christmas Day' is beautiful, but then everything they exercise has simply perfect harmonies. This is classic.
    For a real treat, observe Jamey Johnson's Christmas EP. The human being's an unsung wonder.

  • Is information technology but me, simply after looking at the episode listings for 1980, do the episodes not look every bit good as 1979? The strike doesn't help, but there doesn't seem to exist so many recognisable classics as 1979.

  • Kate'due south Christmas song is from my favourite era, the 1978-80 era, when she could practice no wrong and every ane of her songs sounded different and the bailiwick matter was interesting( nuclear war, gay actors, animalism). Nigh people when asked for their favourite Kate album tend to say The Hounds of Honey, yes it's good, but The Big Sky is her most wearisome single and the title track is so so.

    Yes I agree Glenn. With all Kate's comeback shows - everyone seems to rave on about her later work (from 1985 onwards) but I too recollect her nigh interesting and all-time songs came out betwixt 1978 - 82! The best catamenia for music & the best menses for Kate besides! :)

  • Is it just me, simply afterward looking at the episode listings for 1980, do the episodes not look every bit adept as 1979? The strike doesn't assist, but there doesn't seem to exist so many recognisable classics as 1979.

    In that location may not exist equally many typical classics - but the first 2 or 3 months have some admittedly dandy songs from the likes of Jo Jackson, Dexy's, UB40, XTC, Blondie etc...

  • Ahhhh . Kindred spirit again Ursula. Nosotros apparently swallow the same Sunday Roast!!!:D

    Yes - and I've just had mine - roast chicken today!! :)

  • Before we "join the 80'southward" TOTP shows, I thought I would rewatch the splendid seventies show from a few years ago as well. Interesting to juxtapose this against what was going on on TOTP. -

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?five=OwVK91XcdxE

    Past the manner, does anyone know the answer to my question from a few pages ago near whether there was a review of the 1970s TOTP bear witness at the time??

  • Before we "join the eighty'due south" TOTP shows, I idea I would rewatch the excellent seventies evidence from a few years ago as well. Interesting to juxtapose this against what was going on on TOTP. -

    https://www.youtube.com/sentry?v=OwVK91XcdxE

    By the mode, does anyone know the respond to my question from a few pages ago about whether there was a review of the 1970s TOTP show at the fourth dimension??

    Ooh - must watch this!! :)