Recession, 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. \n\nHippy and dreamy vibes came courtesy of St Etienne, and Britpop was just around the corner waiting to happen, heralded by the debut of Suede. Adding to the musical mix were the Jamaican rhythms, cheeky lyrics and dancehall moves courtesy of Shaggy, and Manchester dance outfit M People were bossing the dance floors. As the country’s situation improved financially, a pop rivalry ensued with East 17’s bad boys contesting the reign of Take That. Meanwhile on the show, the satellite performances continued with Mancunians New Order taking to the beach in LA to perform Regret alongside the Baywatch crew.\n\nAs always, there were the tracks that became hits from other sources - step forward The Bluebells and their song from a certain car advert - and throughout the summer bump and grind arrived, ruled by the likes of Shabba Ranks, Snow and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Bhangra king Apache Indian mashed styles together for his global hit Boom Shack-A-Lak, while newcomer Gabrielle debuted with her smash Dreams and changed how a new pop star could look on TV with her attitude, glamorous styling and matching eye patch. \n\nOh, and of course... Mr Blobby.\n\nContributors include Anita Doth and Ray Slijngaard of 2 Unlimited, Bob Stanley of St Etienne, Shaggy, Heather Small of M People, Peter Hook, Ken, Bobby and David of The Bluebells, Apache Indian, Gabrielle, Terry Coldwell of East 17 and Mr Blobby.
Source: BBC 4
09/11/1995
Lee Evans presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 9 November 1995 and featuring Ruffneck ft Yavahn, Ace of Base, The Rolling Stones, Saint Etienne ft Etienne Daho, ...
22-03-2024
BBC 4
02/11/1995
Suggs presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 2 November 1995 and featuring Echobelly, MN8, Queen, East 17, UB40, Bryan Adams and Bonnie Raitt, McAlmont & Butler, M ...
22-03-2024
BBC 4
20/03/1980
Mike Read presents pop hits of the week, with performances from the Bodysnatchers, Squeeze, Sad Cafe, the Lambrettas, Barbara Dickson, Shakin' Stevens, Martha and the Muffins, U ...
22-03-2024
BBC 4
22/03/1984
Peter Powell and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 22 March 1984. Featuring Depeche Mode, Shakin' Stevens, Culture Club, UB40, Sade and Lionel Richie.
22-03-2024
BBC 4
26/10/1995
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 October 1995 and featuring The Lightning Seeds, Meat Loaf, The Human League, Everything but the Girl, Smashing ...
15-03-2024
BBC 4
19/10/1995
Stewart Lee and Richard Herring present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 10 October 1995 and featuring Wildchild, Smokie, Ash, 2 Unlimited, East 17, Queen, Eternal, C ...
15-03-2024
BBC 4
17/03/1977
Tony Blackburn introduces Berni Flint, Billy Ocean, Suzi Quatro, Showaddywaddy, Barclay James Harvest, Cliff Richard, Maxine Nightingale and Manhattan Transfer. Dance sequence b ...
15-03-2024
BBC 4
14/03/1991
Simon Mayo presents the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 March 1991 and featuring Chesney Hawkes, Ride and Happy Mondays.
15-03-2024
BBC 4
07/03/1985
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 7 March 1985. Featuring Shakin' Stevens, Madonna, Jermaine Jackson and Dead Or Alive.
08-03-2024
BBC 4
06/03/1986
Gary Davies and Dixie Peach present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 6 March 1986. Featuring Mike and the Mechanics, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Tavares, Whistle, Diana ...
08-03-2024
BBC 4
15/02/1980
Simon Bates presents chart hits of the week, with performances from Matchbox, Keith Michell, the Flying Lizards, Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson, Dave Edmunds, Jon & Vangelis, M ...
05-03-2015
BBC 4
26/01/1995
Eternal present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 26 January 1995 and featuring M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy, Deuce, Simple Minds, N-Trance, Let Loose, Green Day, The Wil ...
15-09-2023
BBC 4
14/09/1989
Andy Crane and Simon Mayo present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 14 September 1989 and featuring Tina Turner, Black Box and Damian.
15-09-2023
BBC 4
29/08/1985
John Peel and Janice Long present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 29 August 1985. Featuring Dan Hartman, D Train, Madness, and The Thompson Twins.
28-04-2018
BBC 4
20/03/1980
Mike Read presents pop hits of the week, with performances from the Bodysnatchers, Squeeze, Sad Cafe, the Lambrettas, Barbara Dickson, Shakin' Stevens, Martha and the Muffins, U ...
22-03-2024
BBC 4
Xmas 1978
Noel 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, Wings and Showaddywaddy.
20-12-2022
BBC 4
08/03/1984
Richard Skinner and Gary Davies present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 8 March 1984. Including appearances from Galaxy, The Weather Girls, Sade, Bananarama, Howard ...
14-07-2017
BBC 4
Totp: Biggest Hits 1997
Revel in many of the biggest singles of 1997 as the Top of the Pops archives are opened once more!\n\nIt’s the year Robbie Williams took flight with his anthemic Angels, C ...
07-05-2022
BBC 4
20/09/1984
Steve Wright and Andy Peebles present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 20 September 1984. Featuring Bronski Beat, David Bowie, Sister Sledge, Queen, Nik Kershaw, Adam ...
13-10-2017
BBC 4
05/03/1992
Mark Franklin and Femi Oke present the pop chart programme, first broadcast on 5 March 1992 and featuring The Charlatans, Mr. Big, Opus III, The KLF, Crowded House, Shanice and ...
21-01-2022
BBC 4