By MussoliniHeadkick
Welcome to Top of the Pops 3’s Synth Pop and Electronic Dance chart show, everybody!
First up, and just outside the top ten of the A-listers comes William Onyeabor at Number 12, with When the Going is Smooth and Good. New to me and thanks to TarquinSpod for the nomination.
At Number 11 in the A-List is another new one for me. Carol with So Low (thanks to Steve) a beautiful new discovery, almost ashamed it hadn’t hit my radar before.
Ready for the top 10, pop-pickers?
Into the Top 10 with John Foxx and Underpass (ShivSidecar) at Number 10. Such a big influence on synth pop and much underrated. His dystopian synth pop visions were a little too stark for 80s pop top 20 chart success perhaps.
At Number 9, a ‘surprise’ entry for Cabaret Voltaire with Sensoria (DiscoMonster). So glad they moved into their edgy funky dance phase at the moment I was learning to dance rather than just nod my head at the Hacienda, or when strapped for cash, the Manchester Poly alternative disco night.
Staying on the dancing theme and also with a bit of an edge we have Bocca Juniors at Number 8 with Raise (63 Steps to Heaven) Redskin Rock Mix (Shoegazer). Sadly an all too rare 1990s (just) entry but I’m sure/hope 1990s electronica and dance will get its chance soon in the Song Bar. I was back in London when dancing to this at Danny and Jenny Rampling’s club Pure. A banger in the days before they called tracks bangers I think. The Boys Own Crew were great DJs too.
At Number 7 and a late 90s entry from Air with Sexy Boy (OliveButler). Was great to see the great synth pop ‘tradition’ of two guys and their synths (and theramin) being kept alive so vibrantly by Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel. Cool French synth pop at its finest.
In at Number 6, a feelgood thumping Euro-house classic from Technotronic with Pump Up The Jam (Swawilg). Despite thinking myself a little too cool for this very poppy dance track, I soon found myself owning the 12” vinyl of Pump Up the Jam, Get Up (Before the Night is Over) and Rockin’ Over the Beat (with a Bernard Sumner remix no less.) Just so bloody catchy!
What better band than Kraftwerk to begin the Top 5 countdown at Number 5. The pioneers of, and inspiration for, so much electronic pop dance in the 80s and 90s. Pocket Calculator (Shoegazer) coming from the Computer World album before most of us owned home computers, was a personal fave.
In at Number 4, the first of the four great UK synth pop bands that stormed the early 80s charts. Soft Cell with Soul Inside (OliveButler). From the less popular of their 80s albums but love the way this just builds and builds and Marc’s voice is as great as ever.
At Number 3, another iconic 80s chart topping synth pop band. The Human League and (Keep Feeling) Fascination (AmyLee). Phil Oakey being a little quicker off the mark than his former band mates to turn synth and drums from obscure dark novelty into pure pop fun.
In at Number 2, another band that had honed their synth pop craft with their first eponymous album and with some luscious soundscapes on the LP Organisation. However, Souvenir by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (Maki) was from their synth pop masterpiece Architecture and Morality. Can’t quite believe that they never achieved a Number 1 in the UK with any single or album.
Well I certainly can’t get enough of synth pop and dance and neither can our Number 1 on the A-list this week. Yes folks it’s those loveable boys from Basildon, Depeche Mode with Just Can’t Get Enough (happyclapper). "We slip and slide as we fall in love.” Indeed, and I just can't seem to get enough of synth.
Depeche Mode on TOTP
That’s it for this week, thanks for tuning in and see you next week for more great music.
The Synth Pop and Electronic Dance Pickers Poptastic A-List Playlist:
William Onyeabor – When the Going is Smooth and Good
Carol – So Low
John Foxx – Underpass
Cabaret Voltaire – Sensoria
Bocca Juniors – Raise
Air – Sexy Boy
Technotronic – Pump up The Jam
Kraftwerk – Pocket Calculator
Soft Cell – Soul Inside
The Human League – (Keep Feeling) Fascination
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Souvenir
Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough
The Bubbling-Under B-List Playlist:
Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened (vanwolf2)
Ruth – Polaroid-Roman-Photo (Fred Erikson)
Fad Gadget – Lady Shave (Carpgate)
Tone Set – Out Out (Fred Erikson)
Yazoo – Only You (Severin)
Heaven 17 – (We Don’t Need this) Fascist Groove Thang (Maki)
The Blapps Posse – Bus’ it (It’s Time to Get Bzy) (Steve)
Adamski – Killer (Maki)
Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You (IsabelleForshaw)
Madonna – Ray of Light (SweetHomeAlabama)
Guru's Tips for Next Week's New Entries:
(Spanning genres if not the time period)
Dominatrix – The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight
Hard Corps – Dirty
Man Parrish – Hip Hop, Be Bop (Don’t Stop)
Throbbing Gristle – Hot on the Heels of Love
Baby Ford – I Love It
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Push those buttons: electronic dance and synth pop songs 1980-2000 . The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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