richie

Paradise City was easy but glad I guessed the right musical Yeah, it had the sound of the era, but I don't know the Mama Mia versions of Abba songs - that said, I might not have recognised the Abba version either - was it the Abba version? Whoops, how did I miss Greased Lightning? No, I thought it was Cuban Pete - but I haven't seen The Mask in about 20 years. Yeah, sorry - I haven't seen Hairspray in any version - original, stage, remake, stage remake - I really should see it some day Aggggh! I threw away a point there, I meant Into the Woods! I managed to sit through ten minutes of Into the Woods before switching it off, Steven Sondheim is hugely overrated. Also not sure how I didn't spot "I Dreamed a Dream" And I totally missed off the bonus question. I'd probably have been top 5 otherwise! Oh well. Probably my favourite quiz so far as it's a challenge of what you already know, not what you can look up on the web. Thanks for hosting, looking forward to the next one.

I don't watch a great deal of modern international TV so mostly old stuff here I'm afraid. Larry and Balki (Perfect Strangers) Marge and Homer (The Simpsons) Mrs Mangel and Bouncer (Neighbours) Bea Smith and Lizzie Birdsworth (Prisoner: Cell Block H) Esteban and Zia (The Mysterious Cities of Gold) Frasier and Niles (Frasier) Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski (Saved by the Bell) Sam Beckett and Al (Quantum Leap) Pugwall and Jenny (Pugwall) Mr Herman and Chris (Family Guy)

I think it might be, I seem to remember the only songs above it were Westlife, Cliff Richard and John Lennon?

I actually really liked that song - I wonder if it claimed the last number one of the decade? Was going to mention the lyric about trestle tables in Wamdue Project. I always thought it a strange reference, but one which kinda went along with Gala's fixation with trampolenes a couple of years earlier. Speaking of Gala - did anyone hear the Northern Ireland fans last night? How long did they keep that up for?

I don't think the Stone Roses would give a toss about where the record entered the chart though? I don't think it'd lead to any more exposure. The album chart would be slightly more important perhaps.

Rangers fans used to sing "I'm blue, Aberdeen are dire" around this time. Not sure which is cheesier out of Eiffel 65 and Ann Lee to be honest...

Since I only answer off the top of my head, as long as I don't come last then I'm happy. We've a "no Googling" one coming up soon which I hope will give more interesting results overall. Didn't answer Ghibli for non-Disney as I was worried about others going there (or that they would be considered Disney due to the US re-dubs) and was pretty confident nobody else would go for Animal Farm. There were some great, open questions in this round - thanks for hosting.

Yellow Pearl definitely my favourite from my very early TOTP watching days, although The Wizard was more my era in general.

I did think of adding video links, but couldn't be bothered :D

I think I've got 10 on the first listen round, but not sure which number is which - so hope you don't mind an incomplete list of stabs in the dark.

With the recent TOTP repeats having recently switched theme tune to Yellow Pearl, I thought it might be fun to have a poll on BJ to find the most popular theme of the programme. I think I've included most of the well known ones. There were some other pieces of instrumental music by unknown artists used early on but I'm sure they wouldn't figure. There were also some gaps where there were no intro tunes, just the DJs popping up saying "It's Still Number One..." etc.

Quality-wise that was one of the best TOTPs of the year. Including Kool and the Gang. Great to see the audience dancing to the theme tune at the end! My Zoo / Tight Fit link-spotting eyes were busy again last night. The dancer in the yellow and black checked jacket played a "native" in the video for the Lion Sleeps Tonight...

Number 35s +10 Booker T & The MG's - Soul Clap '69 +09 John Barry Seven - Cutty Sark +08 Ronettes - Do I Love You +07 Francoise Hardy - Et Meme +06 Equals - Laurel And Hardy +05 Frank Sinatra & Count Basie - My Kind Of Girl +04 Harry Simeone Chorale - Onward Christian Soldiers +03 Sam & Dave - Soothe Me +02 Barron Knights - An Olympic Record +01 Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - Knock On Wood Number 36s +10 Francoise Hardy - Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles +09 Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People +08 The Creation - Painter Man +07 Edwin Starr - 25 Miles +06 The Kinks - Wonder Boy +05 Norrie Paramor Orchestra - Theme From 'A Summer Place' +04 Skatalites - Guns Of Navarone +03 The Crystals - I Wonder +02 Herb Alpert - Without Her +01 Stevie Wonder - Blowin' In The Wind

Whatever the motive, there always seems some desire for infamy. To be remembered, whatever the cost. This is why naming the gunman is wrong. This is why long, lingering photos of the gunman on TV reports is wrong. This is why detailed reporting into the backgrounds of the gunman is wrong. It just inspires the next one.

You're half right...

Aaaarrrgggghhh!! Just realised who this is. 1999 can't end soon enough!

Saw it last night and really enjoyed it. Surprised there's not much discussion on Buzzjack as it's a music film!

Still sounds like a much weaker version of "Pullover" by Speedy J which came out almost a decade earlier.

Will wait to see the reviews. I suspect the lack of involvement from Stephen Merchant would be a problem.

It entered at the very end of 1991 - I guess they thought they might have a Christmas number one.

It's not really a phenomenon, it's purely to do with media coverage. PRs like nothing better than a "comeback" and lazy journalists and content editors love something simple that people already know about. This is why the moment a pop act splits they start making plans to reform.

:wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko:

There was an act named Shaft who had a top 10 hit in 1991 with a rave mix of the Roobarb theme. When this came out I assumed they were one and the same as I didn't think it would be allowed for an act to use the same name so soon. It's not too irritating - and I do prefer it to the Deano version which I'm really not fond of.

Better off unplayed. Really, really weak.

Number 15s +20 Otis Redding - Hard To Handle +18 Frank Sinatra - Nice 'N' Easy +16 Temptations - Cloud Nine +14 Gene Vincent - Pistol Packin' Mama +12 The Doors - Hello I Love You +10 Russ Conway - Royal Event +08 Frank Sinatra - Granada +06 Eddie Cochran - Weekend +04 Bobby Vinton - Roses Are Red (My Love) +02 Sam & Dave - Soul Sister, Brown Sugar Number 16s +20 Francoise Hardy - All Over The World +18 Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two +16 Chiffons - He's So Fine +14 Gene Vincent - My Heart +12 Russ Conway - Passing Breeze +10 Mr Acker Bilk - A Taste Of Honey +08 Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude +06 Dave Clark Five - Come Home +04 Ike & Tina Turner - A Love Like Yours +02 Small Faces - Universal