Evening, all. With you for this hour, but not for the Mystery Years later.
This edition of Top of the Pops came after the BRIT awards of 1998. "Never ever" won single and video of the year, The Verve took album, and The Stereophonics were the Breakthrough Act.
John Prescott received a lesson in the regulation of water, as he was soaked by agitpop act Chumbawumba.
"Local boy in the photograph" - The Stereophonics
Turn on Virgin 1215, they're playing this right now. (Probably. I mean, I'd rather listen to some bangin' tunes from Liszt.)
"Never ever" - All Saints
Speaking of classical music, this tune's been in the top ten since Mozart were a lad.
So familiar it doesn't need any introduction, we just know what it is.
"Only the strongest will survive" - Hurricane #1
Featuring guitar work from Andy Bell of Ride, who really shouldn't be confused with Andy Bell of Erasure.
Never quite sure if it's meant to be full-blooded indie rock or polite dinner jazz.
"Solomon bites the worm" - The Bluetones
"One of our brightest hopes for '98" declaims Jo Whiley. And for '96, and '95, and a completely under-rated album in '00.
Mark Morriss is the chap in the flat cap, and he walked so that Craig David could run.
"Ain't that just the way" - Lutricia McNeil
The single's been out since the start of the year, but this is the first time Lutes has had a chance to squeeze in a #TOTP performance.
Tell you what, Lutes, while you're here, why don't you record a clip for your next single, save you the bother of nipping back.
"Let me show you" - Camisra (and charts)
"My heart will go on" - Céline Dion
James Horner's soundtrack to "Titanic" is the number one album this week. This is one of very few vocal selections, and probably the weakest point of the whole CD.
And it's become Céline Dion's signature song, being big and obvious and about as subtle as being rammed amidships by an iceberg the size of Leonardo di Caprio's ego.
"Cleopatra's theme" - Cleopatra
Promoted to its rightful place as the show opener.
More energy here than in a landfill of late-britpop error bands.
Great news! Céline Dion is no longer number one, and we won't hear her again - well, not this week.
"It's a beautiful thing" - Ocean Colour Scene
Vocals by PP Arnold, who had had a few hits in the late 60s, biggest "The first cut is the deepest". She was last on #TOTP in late '88 with The Beatmasters.
"Be alone no more" - Another Level
Soft R&B, the sort of thing that East 17 did on their more mellow days.
This will become the group's signature song, thanks in part to incessant re-releases - but more of that in about six months' time.
"You're still the one" - Shania Twain
First single from the Canadian country singer's album "Come on Over".
Rather decent twang 'n' heart song, propelled to stardom by Terry Wogan on Radio 2.
"Treat infamy" - Rest Assured
Take that Rolling Stones sample used by The Verve last year, and make a more interesting record out of it.
Good to see that the director has dug out the Year Zero blurry zoom-in-and-out shots, all we need is a Cypher rotating cube of six shots mixed at once.
"When I need you" - Will Mellor
Hollyoaks star turns his hand to singing. Fails.
Can we have Showaddywaddy back?
Also out this week: "Legend of a cowgirl" - Imani Coppola.
"Let me show you" - Camisra (and charts)
"Brimful of Asha" - Cornershop
Norman Cook's remix takes the ponderous original, gives it a much-needed burst of speed, and we suddenly find it's a much more palatable song.
Which, of course, is why we hear the original slow version.
Tribute to Asha Bhosle, the Bollywood star, who is still going strong at 92 years old.
Top of the Pops returns at 9.30 - a little earlier than billed in the Radio Times.
You might find these lyrics helpful. Jings!
I hope to be back with you next week. Whatever you're doing, have a great time!
Attached: 1 image Jings! Jings! Jings! Jings! Los Lobos are still number one with "La bamba". Smash Hits gave a very loose translation of the lyric. "To dance the goat you need to have a little gracefulness", and so on. If you're bored - perhaps stuck indoors with a fractured wrist - you might tweak the scansion of these mistranslated lines to fit the tune. #TOTP #LosLobos #LaBamba #lyrics #SmashHits
Our group declare to be true
Girl about village