"Breath of life" - Erasure
The one that goes "Take me I'm yours, now I'm coming up for air".
Fourth single from their "Chorus" album, and I'm afraid the one that's left no impression on me.
Until researching, completely forgot that Andy Bell has been living with an AIDS diagnosis since 1998. Next week, BBC4 has a weekend for a #TOTP host who was diagnosed before these miracle drugs were developed.
Oh, evening all.
"Deeply dippy" - Right Said Fred
Opinions of pop stars can go down as well as up.
Seeing as how it was Comic Relief last week, a quick diversion to the mystery year's charity single, "(I want to be) Elected" by Mr. Bean and the Smear Campaign.
"Why" - Annie Lennox
The Eurythmics have split, Annie is on her own, and this is the result.
Annie is blessed with the most wonderful voice, and here gets to show off many of its ranges.
Memo to self: you have time to dig out "Diva" this weekend.
"Let's get rocked" - Def Leppard
Lead single from their "Adrenalize" album, and probably the best cut from it.
The CGI video was cutting edge for its time, though aged like mayfly milk. Sounded like big dumb rock for Yanks who don't listen to the lyric.
There's a snip after this song for a "Trading Places" charity competition, about which I remember nothing. Anyone?
"Save the best for last" - Vanessa Williams
The beauty model and actress had a short singing career, over here this lush song was her only hit.
This was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammies, but lost to an Eric Clapton dirge they're not playing.
These days, she's better known for stage and screen acting, including a turn as The Witch in "Into the Woods", and on "Ugly Betty".
"Joy" - Soul II Soul
The third album confirms that Soul II Soul are still in the same shuffling groove, what was hot three years ago is now quite cool. Am I going to have to dig out "Volume III" as well this weekend?
It's the group's first time in the #TOTP studio since 1989; they wanted to perform "Back to life" live, but then-producer Paul Ciani said they sounded shit and wanted them to mime. New producer Stan Appell has different ideas.
Breakers! "High" from The Cure, a quick look at the group's big hit.
"Do not pass me by" from Hammer, more gospel-tinged rap.
"More than love" from Wet Wet Wet, absolutely typical of their "High on the Happy Side" album.
"Slash 'n' burn" from Manic Street Preachers, surely they'll be in the studio soon.
"Stay" - Shakespear's Sister
The classic video, with Marcie giving a sponge bath to a man in a pink-and-yellow suit.
Sold just 34,000 copies to be number one this week, the ninth-lowest weekly number one total of the decade.
Our first Mystery Year was 1992, Mark Franklin and Claudia Simon hosted.
"See these eyes" - Altered Images
Something something top of the hats.
Clare spinning like a dervish, and though the song isn't much of a novelty, the visuals are striking. Any band with a squeezebox always looks more friendly.
The video for "Quiereme mucho (yours)" with Julio Iglesias and a mirror. Julio is no vampire, TOTP needs to cut videos to two minutes, or at least two hours.
"My camera never lies" - Bucks Fizz
Perfect synthpop, delivered by four bright-eyed performers. We'd find out who follows them at Eurovision the next night.
I have a lot of time for Bucks Fizz as performers: they knew their abilities, made catchy music, and were on point for every single performance.
St Patrick's Day was a week back, but we're going to get a short Irish interlude.
"A bunch of thyme" - Foster and Allen. Dreary.
"House on fire" - Boomtown Rats
Bob's shirt has lost its sleeves, the band have gained a horn section and a lolling reggae beat.
Sad to see this, it's yesterday's band chasing after tomorrow's hits with absolute knowledge that they're already being eclipsed by younger, sleeker pop stars.
In another universe, this is Bob Geldof's last hit.
"Don't love me too hard" - The Nolans. Video set in a hotel; subtext is text.
"Empire song" - Killing Joke. What is it with this show and painfully right-wing performers?
So from next week's show, here's a preview of the France Télévisions entry for the Eurovision Song Contest: "Ç'est seulement une wynd-oop" performed by Champagne d'Orange.
"Your honour" - Pluto
Are you taking notes, Bob? That's rather lovely light reggae, could hear some more of that.
"Ain't no pleasing you" - Chas and Dave with the video, shot from a hotel ballroom.
Hang on, headcanon incoming! Can we imagine that's the same hotel as The Nolans? Are we going to get a crossover between the Professional Cockneys and the Lovely Nolans?!
"Seven tears" - Goombay Dance Band
Fire-breathers on stage! A game of pass the hot stick! The loudest shirt since Genesis two weeks ago! Light schlager coming out of the speakers!
This is, er, proof that sometimes the record buying public have a collective moment of delusion.
"Party fears two" - The Associates
And a big long list of credits plays, as is right and proper.
The second Mystery Year was 1982, Eurovision's in.. Harrogate? Where is Harrogate?!
Diana Ross night on BBC4 next.
More dirges from Eric Clapton on BBC2 tomorrow night, and Stephen Sondheim's "Company" on BBC4 Sunday night.
Whatever you're doing this weekend, #TOTP panel, have a great one!
Our group declare to be true
Snaprails