THE FRIDAY FIVE – 8.3.2019

1. Catfish and the Bottlemen – Longshot
2. Chvrches and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra – Miracle
3. KT Tunstall – Suddenly I See
4. The Prodigy – Firestarter
5. Rose Elinor Dougall – First Sign

Today, is International Women’s Day. As is now tradition on this blog, i’ll do some themed charts.

If you doing something or going to something, enjoy yourself.

If you’re not that bothered and it’s just another day to you, enjoy yourself.

Whatever you’re doing, just don’t be a dick about it. You know who I mean, the sort of person who sits in front of a computer screaming IT’S NOVEMBER 19TH!!!!!!

Here’s some charts

FIVE SONGS BY FEMALE VOCALISTS

1. Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever
2. Celine Dion – It’s All Coming Back To Me
3. Madonna – Who’s That Girl?
4. Amy Studt – Misfit
5. Britney Spears – Boys

FIVE SONGS BY FEMALE FRONTED BANDS

1. Blondie – Heart Of Glass
2. Chvrches – Lies
3. Paramore – Hard Times
4. Altered Images – Don’t Talk To Me About Love
5. Garbage – Stupid Girl

FIVE SONGS BY GIRL GROUPS

1. Sugababes – Soul Sound
2. Alisha’s Attic – I Am I Feel
3. Bananarama – Love In The First Degree
4. Girls Aloud – Biology
5. Little Mix – Black Magic

FIVE SONGS WITH A GIRL’S NAME IN THE TITLE

1. The Killers – Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
2. Toto – Roseanna
3. Oasis – Lyla
4. Marillion – Kayleigh
5. Franz Ferdinand – Eleanor Put Your Boots On

FIVE SONGS WITH GIRL OR WOMAN IN THE TITLE

1. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
2. White Town – Your Woman
3. Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl
4. Fergie – Big Girls Don’t Cry
5. Billy Joel – Uptown Girl

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 4.3.2016

1. Lukas Graham – 7 Years
2. James – Nothing But Love
3. Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
4. Richard Ashcroft – This Is How It Feels
5. Nathaniel Rateliffe and the Bad Sweats – I Need Never Get Old

Firstly this week, an apology. Who to? The nation of Wales, all 3 million of them. Last Tuesday was St David’s Day and I forgot to do a Welsh Music Chart.

A bit belatedly, here is a Welsh Music Chart for St David’s Day.

FIVE SONGS BY WELSH ACTS

1. Stereophonics – Dakota
2. Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever
3. Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart
4. Manic Street Preachers – Autumn Song
5. Lisa Scott-Lee – Electric

I could just about get away with offending the Welsh, but there’s one group of people you shouldn’t offend, and that’s Internet Feminists, which is why there was never any danger of me forgetting International Women’s Day next Tuesday.

So, to celebrate this event, here’s some related charts for you – Female acts and songs with female names and pronouns.

FIVE SONGS BY FEMALE SINGERS

1. Nina Nesbitt – He’s the One I’m Bringing Back
2. Jane Weidling – Rush Hour
3. Lisa Loeb – Stay
4. Sinead Lohan – Whatever It Takes
5. Brianna Corrigan – Love Me Now

FIVE SONGS BY GIRL GROUPS

1. Sugababes – Soul Sound
2. Little Mix – Black Magic
3. Girls Aloud – Biology
4. Madasun – Don’t You Worry
5. All Saints – Pure shores

FIVE SONGS BY FEMALE FRONTED BANDS

1. Chvrches – Leave A Trace
2. Blondie – Heart Of Glass
3. Texas – Black Eyed Boy
4. Hole – Celebrity Skin
5. Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me

FIVE SONGS WITH FEMALE NAMES IN THE TITLE

1. The Killers – Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
2. Oasis – Lyla
3. Jon Bon Jovi – Janey Don’t You Take Your Love To Town
4. Glasvegas – Geraldine
5. Franz Ferdinand – Eleanor Put Your Puts On

FIVE SONGS WITH WOMAN/GIRL/SHE/ HER IN THE TITLE

1. The Kooks – She Moves In Her Own Way
2. White Town – Your Woman
3. Ash – Girl From Mars
4. Neil Finn – She Will Have Her Way
5. Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl

Of course, when International Men’s Day comes around, there’ll be similar charts for the menfolk.

If you don’t know when International Men’s Day is, just go on Twitter on Tuesday and you’ll have smug and self righteous comedians (looking at you Richard Herring) and journalists pointing it out to you in a patronising manner.

It’s on November 19th, if you want to save yourself the effort of being spoken down to by patronising wankers (looking at you Richard Herring) desperate to boost their own personal brand.

That’s eight months away. Until then, you have St Patrick’s Day, St George’s Day, Euro 2016 and International Yorkshire Day charts to listen to.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : JUN 13 – JUN 19

Last week’s 50YOTOTP featured Cerys Matthews, who ended up getting an MBE. I didn’t even know The Queen read this blog.

This week’s trawl through TOTP history begins with Buddy Holly. Oh wait, it’s a guy who looks like him.

And from Buddy Holly …….. to the Rovers Return.

…… and a TOTP performance from the first band to appear on CD:UK

Boy George turns 52 this week. This song, is brilliant.

Another week, another Sugababe birthday. This week, Siobhan Donaghy, who narrowly lost out to Siobhan Fahey as pop’s most famous Siobhan.

Noddy Holder turns 68 this week. You know what song I want to play, but well, IIIIITTTTTTT’S NOOOOOTTTT CHHHRRRRISSSSTMMMAAASSSS!!!!

Here’s Oasis covering Slade from 1996

The first of two Norn Iron pop birthdays this week, Gary Lightbody (being covered by Leona Lewis)

And on his 9th birthday ……. Nadine Coyle came into the world

Meanwhile, the second greatest living Beatle celebrated a birthday this week.

And from Macca, to Moyet.

Whicj nicely links into the fact it’s two years since the Moyet covering Brian Hibbard died.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : MAY 23 – MAY 29

Another week, another Sugababe birthday. Heidi Range this time.

The lack of Bob Dylan in the TOTP studio caused a mild panic for this week’s birthdays round-up, but luckily, Manfred Mann came to the rescue.

And from Bob Dylan, we go to another end of the musical scale. The band who gave a shot in the arm to the red codpiece industry.

And of course, this brilliant cover.

And no, i’m not posting Mel B’s version. Or Mel G, as she was then known. Or Little Mix (Mainly, because they haven’t done a TOTP performance for their version)

Meanwhile, Paul Weller, turned 56 this week. He’s made a few appearances on the show. I should do a whole blog dedicated to the Style Council.

SPOILER ALERT : You may see a video of Paul Weller pretending to be Bono later in the year.

Meanwhile, it was Stevie Nicks birthday this week. Here she is performing “Room’s On Fire”, which probably explains why the stage is covered in smoke.

Meanwhile, that’s not her only big solo hit. “Edge Of Seventeen” is probably best known for being sampled for “Bootylicilous”, and if you look closely at the start of the promo video of the song, she makes a cameo appearance.

Forever Young (see what I did there?) Marion Gold of Alphaville hits the Big 60 this week. Here he is performing “Big In Japan”.

Can’t say i’m a fan of Lenny Kravitz, but this is a brilliant song.

Best known for her success with The Banshees, Siouxsie Sioux’s side project, The Creatures did this sadly forgotten pop classic.

It’s a busy week, so let’s get cracking. Neil Finn, Split Endz/Crowded House, 1958.

(WARNING : First video contains Jimmy Savile)

However, don’t dream it’s over, there’s still more to come.

Prince Buster turned 76 this week, and he was immortalised in song by Madness for their first single, and appearance on TOTP. Obviously.

John Fogarty of Creedence Clearwater Revival nudged closer to 70 this week. His most famous song, is possibly a cover.

I have no idea why it is being performed on TOTP 11 years after it was a hit, though the credits across the screen suggest it was for a 25th anniversary of TOTP show.

(WARNING : Clip contains Jimmy Savile)

Charlene Robinson turned 46 this week? Who? You know, she worked in a garage and married Scott Robinson.

You got a bit of Quo, now for some mo, as Francis Rossi is now Bus Pass age, which is ironic, as he’s spent half his life on a tour bus (The other half in the TOTP studio)

And finally, Noel Gallagher, closer to 50 than 40. Amazing to think. (47, since you ask)

And the great man himself on Oasis while inteviewed on TOTP

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : MAY 16 – MAY 22

We begin this week, with a man who sings about places, Jonathan Richman, who sang about New England, then followed it up with a bit of Egyptian Reggae. (Albeit, performed by Legs and Co here)

On the birthday trail this week is Glenn Gregory from Heaven 17.

And now, for a bit of RAWWWKKK!!!

This week’s sad anniversary, is two years since the death of Donna Summer.

And now, it’s all about the one name female singers (But not Madonna or Beyonce) for a bit ……

Toyah, the voice of The Teletubbies

Martika

Yazz

Well, after that trio, I guess you could say …… the only way is up (Boom Boom!!)

It’s the big 70 this week for Pete Townsend.

Another birthday this week is Jenny from Ace Of Base. I once convinced a friend to be a sperm donor for her, passionately pleading that all that she wanted, was another baby. (Don’t wory, the next Ace Of Base video won’t have a bad pun)

Sean Conlon, of the band known in Germany as Funf, is Drei und Dreizehn this week.

Back to the sad anniversaries, two years now since Robin Gibb died.

And a year since Ray Manzarek died. The lack of Doors TOTP performances has left me with no option but to post this.

Another week, another Sugababe birthday. Mutya Buena, since you ask.

And finally, Jerry Dammers of The Specials nudges just one year off the big 60.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : APR 18 – APR 24

Hope you’re all in a dancing mood, as this week, Bez hits the big 50. Here’s one of Happy Mondays more bizarre (even by their standards) performances, covering Thin Lizzy in 1999.

Someone whose 50th birthday was a while ago is Iggy Pop. I think he might be miming here.

Robert Smith’s 50th was a few years back, not as many back as Iggy’s though. The only birthdays he enjoys are ones that fall on a Friday, as it’s his favourite day of the week. His 55th birthday was last Monday.

And an interview from 1988 where he discusses Top Of The Pops.

Sad anniversary now, and it’s a year since the death of Chrissie Amphlett of The Divinyls.

Peter Frampton was 64 this week. The best tribute? A Reggae cover by Big Mountain, not to be confused with Big Country or Big Fun.

Paul Carrack of Mike and the Mechanics was 63 this week. I remember when I had just started the big school, this song was always on Atlantic 252.

Every week of the year, a former member of Sugababes celebrates a birthday. It’s Amelle’s turn this week. Here she is in 2006 performing “Red Dress”, ironically, not wearing a red dress, or even a dress of any colour.

Captain Sensible turns 60 this week. I think this will be the only song on this series that is a cover of a song from a musical by a member of a Punk band. Also note, he’s wearing a The Dammed t-shirt.

And where do you go from there? To the very first winner of American Idol of course.

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 22.11.2013

1. The Wombats – Your Body Is A Weapon
2. Stereophonics – We Share The Same Sun
3. The Timelords – Doctorin The Tardis
4. Gary Barlow – Let Me Go
5. Luminites – Do Something

Meanwhile, in X-Factor land, the vague themes continue, with “The Great British Songbook”, available in all good libraries.

Disappointingly, they all stuck to the rules. I was hoping someone would something by Michael Bolton or Belinda Carlisle, and shrug while saying “Well, they have the same name as places in Britain, does that count?”

FIVE SONGS BY BRITISH ACTS

1. John Parr – St Elmo’s Fire
2. Beady Eye – The Roller
3. Sugababes – Denial
4. Richard Ashcroft – Money To Burn
5. Kim Wilde – Kids In America

Meanwhile, this week has also seen the formation of McBusted, a Supergroup of McFly and Busted. Sadly, the world is still waiting for Dire Straits and Chris Rea to form a Supergroup.

FIVE SONGS BY McBUSTED

1. Busted – You Said No
2. McFly – One For The Radio
3. Busted – Thunderbirds Theme
4. McFly – Shine A Light (ft Tiao Cruz)
5. McFly – Five Colours In Her Hair

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 27.7.2012

1. Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle
2. Horrible Histories – Flame
3. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
4. Florence and the Machine ft Calvin Harris – Spectrum
5. Gym Class Heroes – The Fighter

It’s the Olympics!!!! Whoop!!

To be honest, my only interest is ripping the piss out of the opening ceremony.

But anyhow, I shall commemorate this by a playlist of Gold, Silver and Bronze, except there are no songs with Bronze in the title (Though, The Beautiful South did bring out a Best Of called ‘Solid Bronze’, but you’re better off buying ‘Carry On Up The Charts to be honest)

FIVE OLYMPIC THEMED SONGS

1. Prince – Gold
2. Spandau Ballet – Gold
3. Shed Seven – Going For Gold
4. David Essex – Silver Dream Machine
5. Razorlight – Golden Touch

Meanwhile, Sugababes are back, except they’re not allowed to call themselves Sugababes for legal reasons.

The original line-up has reformed, and are calling themselves Mutya Keisha Siobhan. I’m rather disappointed they didn’t call themselves Mutya Buena’s Arse Implants

So, I shall commemorate this by doing a Sugababes Top Five, even though they’ve been utter wank since 2008

FIVE SUGABABES SONGS

1. Denial
2. Soul Sound
3. Red Dress
4. Easy
5. Freak Like Me

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 9.3.2012

1. Emeli Sande – Next To Me
2. Jeff Wayne – Jubilation
3. Cast – Time Bomb
4. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run
5. Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know

Last week saw the BBC announce who will be the UK’s Eurovision entry. So, in honour of this, I shall present to you a Top Five Eurovision chart.

FIVE EUROVISION SONGS

1. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine A Light
2. A Friend In London – New Tomorrow
3. Jedward – Lipstick
4. Johnny Logan – Hold Me Now
5. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up

As yesterday was International Women’s Day, I thought it was only right that this blog should commemorate it. Enjoy

FIVE SONGS WITH WOMEN’S NAMES IN THE TITLE

1. Steve Winwood – Valerie
2. Dion – Runaround Sue
3. Jon Bon Jovi – Janey Don’t You Take Your Love To Town
4. Glasvegas – Geraldine
5. Blondie – Maria

FIVE GIRL GROUP SONGS

1. Ronettes – Be My Baby
2. Bananarama – Cruel Summer
3. Girls Aloud – The Promise
4. Sugababes Soul Sound
5. The Bangles – Manic Monday

FIVE SONGS WITH GIRL OR WOMAN IN THE TITLE

1. Rick Springfield – Jesse’s Girl
2. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl
3. Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl
4. Frankmusic – Confusion Girl
5. Cliff Richard – Devil Woman

Not a five, but a four coming up now.

I am absolutely loving the 1977 Top Of The Pops repeats on BBC Four. There is an absolutely fantastic series of parodies of the opening credits on Youtube, courtesy of the user TVGCity

You need to watch the show to

“get” the joke. I was literally crying with laughter at acts such as Isle Of Man World Cup Squad, St Winifred’s School Caretaker, Balls and Co, and Tony Tempah.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : Q – JUNE 2006

The summer of 2006 is the focus of the latest “Magazine Archive”, as Oasis, on tour in Argentina, are the cover stars of Q, as part of a special themed “On Tour” edition, which also featured “20 Greatest Live Albums” and “50 Most Insane Tour Stories”

The magazine came with a free CD of covers from songs between 1986 and 2006, as Q geared up to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary later that year, with artists like Franz Ferdinand, Sugababes and Elbow contributing.

The spineline reads “Yo Soy El Diego”, which translates as “I am The Diego”

“Yo Soy El Diego” is the title of Diego Maradona’s autobiography. Diego Maradona makes a surreal appearance in this magazine, in the form of an article about the time he met Queen in 1981, sporting a hairstyle that is best described as “Mini Brian May”

George Galloway was the subject of that months “Cash For Questions” with the standard Galloway answers you would expect.

The monthly chart round-up was not including downloads. The Number One download was “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley.

Morrissey topp the album chart while being joined in the Top Ten by X-Factor rejects Andy Abraham and Journey South.

A double page spread is dedicated to a feature called “Rewind : Great Moments In Music” focusing on Diego Maradona meeting Queen in 1981, with Freddie Mercury weaing an Argentina top while Diego Maradona wears a Union Jack. The image of Maradona has been used on a piece of Banksy art.

The Argentina theme continues with seven pages dedicated to Oasis on tour in Argentina.

As well as the download chart, new technology also made an appearance with three pages dedicated to Podcasting, including a guide with everything you need to know about Podcasting.

Joe Cole also makes an appearance, talking about how Arctic Monkeys are his favourite band. This however, couldn’t inspire England to glory at the 2006 World Cup which was taking place at the same time.