Slightly late with this as I was out this evening. We go back to the start of the Easter weekend in 1984 with our hosts Peter Powell and Gary Davies. As the weekend forecast was so good I chose to spend the weekend cycling in Devon so I originally saw this episode in a hotel in Exeter.

 

We’re off to a great start with The Special AKA as they are now known. Powell and Davies seem to be in competition for the worst-dressed presenter.

 

There have been many weeks when the Thompson Twins would have represented a step up from the opening song. This isn’t one of them.

 

Blancmange are next. I might be going to see them in a few weeks’ time.

 

This is the song I particularly remember seeing in that room in Exeter. It’s a Queen video. I hadn’t seen Metropolis at the time so I missed the homage to one of the best films ever made.

 

It’s the first bit of the chart. The Psychedelic Furs and Echo and the Bunnymen are folloewd by Cliff RIchard.

 

The Bluebells have been dropped so we don’t get to see the hit they had before the only one of their songs anyone can remember.

 

Nik Kershaw with a song few people remember.

 

The next bit of the chart.

 

Time for one of the best bands of the eighties - another great song from Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. The have a new album out next month. Not sure about those trousers Andy.

 

It’s been a great programme so far showcasing so much of what I loved about the decade. Unfortunately Lionel Richie’s presence at number one spoils that.

 

Oh God, there’s an Easter bunny “joke”.

 

Kool and the Gang end the show with a song whose only merit is that it isn’t Lionel RIchie’s mind-numbingly boring rubbish.

 

We’re up to the end of April with a show fronted by Simon Bates and Janice Long. Long looks somewhat over-dressed.

 

Sandie Shaw starts the show, her career having been revived by one of her fans - a certain Stephen Patrick Morrissey. When did she start wearing shoes? For some reason Morrissey himself is absent.

 

Phil Collins, Belle and the Devotions and Bob Marley have all been cut.

 

We move swiftly on to Duran Duran with birthday boy Roger Taylor.

 

The quality takes a massive tumble with Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson. Ms Long seems to think nobody would have heard of Willie Nelson.

 

Chart time.

 

The quality recovers with Echo and the Bunnymen. Ian McCulloch looks about 15.

 

Chart bit.

 

The Flying Pickets with that tricky follow-up single. If they’d been on last night’s show would they have dressed as Easter bunnies?

 

Lionel Richie is still number one and sounding as boring as ever..

 

The Pointer Sisters play us out. It’s terrible but not quite as dreadful as Lionel Richie.

I've just watched yesterday's episode. A very good line-up with Queen,OMD,Blancmange and Nik Kershaw. I remember the Bluebells song as I taped it from the radio onto a blank cassette. But you're right that few remember it. I was the only one on here who voted for it on that poll of singles that peaked at no.11 Pete and Dan organized.

Where did that John Lennon song come from a few weeks back?

 

Flying Pickets must have been busy at this time what with being out with the miners and all!

It was from an album of songs he recorded just before he died. They were finished off in 1984 and Yoko Ono added a few of her own songs to make up the numbers.

Ah I see, thanks. It was a decent track! Love John Lennon - fav song is Working Class Hero!

 

Watching Thursday nights show here - Queen following Radio Gaga with I Want to Break Free - didn't realise they were from the same era - really at their commercial pomp now - too big for totp performance now - when was their last performance? And we still have Hammer to Fall and Thank God it's Christmas before the years out!!

Their last studio appearance was Las Palabras De Amor in 1982. A good song which was very popular in South America.

Was that shown on bbc4? I can't remember it, maybe it was a Saville/DLT show!

Yes,I remember it on BBC4. Simon Bates presented. Although,you can hear applause,there is no audience so it looks like they recorded it before anyone turned up.

 

Thanks I don't remember it so I maybe missed it!

Just watched the Friday episode - love the fact Duran Duran still always go on totp to play their new single - The Reflex is

Prob their last big hit until a surprise comeback with Ordinary World in 1993 for me!

 

Also loads of big hits in there with Bob Marley, Phil Collins & Rufus & Chaka Kahn - was this the first release for Aint Nobody?

It was certainly the first time Ain't Nobody was a hit. Unfortunately, it wasn't the last :puke2:

Yeh was searching its history - quite a song - I assume the response in 1984 was lukewarm-being a biggish hit but then it would become huge with years of covers.

It’s Mike Read and Steve Wright (or should that be Steve Wright and Mike Further-Right?) on presenting duty for this episode from May 1984. They look a right pair of wallies.

 

We start on a high with some OMD. I assume Andy is wearing that shirt for a bet.

 

The quality is maintained with a portion of Blancmange.

 

It’s three good songs in a row as we continue with New Order playing live. Not sure that was their best idea ever.

 

It was, of course, too good to last. It’s Kenny Loggins.

 

First chunk of the charts followed by another drop in quality. It’s Jocelyn Brown.

 

Charts - the next bit. This chart has included Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cocteau Twins, FGTH, The Cure, Scritti Politti, New Order and Depeche Mode. What’s not to like?

 

The Human League delve into the Middle East.

 

The chart rundown ends with Duran Duran at number one. Thank goodness Lionel Richie has gone after 23 million years.

 

And finally, Nik Kershaw plays us out. Bring on the dancing girls.

Was this when Human League fell away?

Was this when Human League fell away?

They've still got another couple top ten hits to come.

Good stuff, they always seemed more 'of their time' than the other New Romantics!

Good stuff, they always seemed more 'of their time' than the other New Romantics!

Not for me :P I quite liked the Human League but preferred other New Romantic bands. Indeed, I barely recognised Human League as being a New Romantic band :lol:

Really? I thought they define that age especially in the episodes from 1980 when Phil Oakley had no make up on and then they made their big return revamped and syth popped up!!

It's that old problem of a band being too successful and commercial. For me bands like Visage were more innovative. They represent the New romantic era for me far more than Human League.