"Things can only get better" - D:Ream
A new dawn has broken, has it not?!
I was in St John's Newfoundland this week, spending a glorious week-and-a-bit with my squeeze. So I've never seen this episode before.
Back this side of the pond, Dr. Brian Cox and Peter Cunnagh re-activate their 1993 hit single. Adopted as an anthem by one party in the recent election. The results are discussed on BBC1 as we speak; here on BBC2, we know how to party.
"Old before I die" - Robbie Williams
A bold, swaggering song, it's like one of those people who walks into the room and totally dominates.
Robbie is one of those people who walks into the room and dominates it, the suit and insolent boastfulness.
For my money, this is Robbie's three-minute thesis: understand this single, and you understand the man's career. The rest is commentary.
"Bodyshakin'" - 911
Second place in the Best Newcomer category at last year's Smash Hits awards (behind the Spice Girls, who haven't been on #TOTP for *ages*), Joey Jeffy and Jamie made some records. "Bodyshakin'" is certainly one of them.
Haven't heard this since 1997, haven't thought about this since 1997. Hey, host Cathy Dennis, can you play No Doubt instead?
"Lovefool" - The Cardigans
Reactivated after it's been used on the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann's "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet", the one with the fishtank. A very good date movie.
"Bellissima" from Dave Quicksilver
Repeat from two weeks ago. But we ain't seen it!
Ah, sadly, we have seen the basic plot: lots of dancers come on stage, a string quartet jab each other in the eye, and Dave stands behind his "decks" at the back of the stage. All the better to get a good look at the action.
"You might need somebody" - Shola Ama
According to legend, the young soul singer was spotted while singing at Hammersmith tube station.
This cover of Randy Crawford's other big hit landed in the top ten, and quickly found a place in everyone's hearts - it's now on its third #TOTP in as many weeks.
Album "Much Love" was a massive hit; 1999 follow-up "In Return" was a massive flop, and Shola's since said she was "not ready" for fame.
"Nightlife" - Kenickie
Re-released to promote their forthcoming album "At the Club", swagger and glitter and glamour covering up the pain of rejection. May have taken a copy of this single across to Newfoundland, explain what Brem X Jones and Phil and i were babbling on about.
Second and final appearance for Lauren, Emmy-Kate, Marie, and Johnny. Lauren never hosted #TOTP, she was on Channel 4's "Planet Pop" which morphed into "Popworld".
The Independent wrote, "Blonde and brassy and up for as much fun as it's possible to have in PVC - which, I would imagine, is quite a lot - Kenickie tear through their debut album with the kind of spirit that shames the week's other releases. Smells, in fact, like teen spirit, but with all self-pity swept aside by sheer force of personality."
"Drop dead gorgeous" - Republica
Kenickie *and* Saffron on the same episode? Mark #TOTP, you absolutely spoil us!
Who cares it's a re-release, who cares it's basically the same as "Ready to go" with a scantily-changed lyric. This is drop dead awesome. [continues gushing in this vein for several hours]
Our group declare to be true
Mr Lawrence 🇪🇺🇷🇼