0x118 - The Story of 1985

0x119 - Big Hits 1985

0x120 - The Story of 1986

0x121 - Big Hits 1986

0x122 - The Story of 1987

0x123 - Big Hits 1987

0x124 - The Story of 1988

0x125 - Big Hits 1988

0x126 - The Story of 1989

0x127 - Big Hits 1989

0x128 - The Story of 1990

0x129 - Big Hits 1990

0x130 - The Story of 1991

March 12, 2022

As the 1990s start to get going, this is the year in which indie kids, ravers, alternative comedians and even a certain grunge band from Seattle hit the charts. Against the background of recession and a war in the Middle East, a new and sassy breed of artists debut on Top of the Pops. Seal goes solo, James and The Wonder Stuff cross over, and Vic Reeves becomes a sort of pop star. As pop and the mainstream go younger, Britain’s longest-running pop show finally succumbs to a makeover and moves from Television Centre to Elstree in an attempt to start over. Meanwhile, Bryan Adams remains at number one for 16 weeks – a bit too long for a chart show and for the competition! Then Nirvana come to Elstree, group of the year The KLF team up with country legend Tammy Wynette, and a sudden death determines the Christmas number one. It proves to be a fascinating year, not only in the TOTP studio but also in pop fashion and the state of the nation.

0x131 - 1991 Biggest Hits

March 12, 2022

Top of the Pops Big Hits re-opens the BBC vaults to showcase and celebrate the biggest and best performances of 1991. There are some massive pop hits from the likes of Right Said Fred, Color Me Badd and Chesney Hawkes. Seal goes solo and a little Crazy, Mariah Carey shows off her extraordinary vocal range while James encourage everyone to Sit Down. There are plenty more signs and sounds of the times from Crystal Waters, The Mock Turtles, Oleta Adams, Nomad, Cathy Dennis, PM Dawn, Massive Attack, The KLF and the frankly bizarre one-off appearance by Nirvana. Plus the single TOTP performance from Bryan Adams with Everything I Do that seemed to be in permanent rotation as the show moved from Television Centre to Elstree.

0x132 - The Story of 1992

March 19, 2022

The early 90s continued to be an interesting musical mix on the long-running pop music show. Still getting used to its new TV home at Elstree, having been relaunched at the end of the previous year, shows were a mix of ravers and indie rockers rubbing shoulders with the popstars of the day, with the emergence of live satellite performances from across the globe upping the star quota on the weekly show. Dance music was still dominating the charts, The Orb and The Shamen were causing chaos and controversy on the show with their performances and lyrics. New guitar groups were starting to make waves, with Manic Street Preachers debuting with lipstick, scissor kicks and bubbles. The Wedding Present releasing a single each month of the year, and Carter USM had a number one album. In a year of only 12 new number ones, the lowest since 1962, one of the biggest sellers was duo Shakespears Sister with their gothic anthem Stay.

0x133 - 1992 Biggest Hits

March 19, 2022

The Top of the Pops vaults are opened up to relive some of the classic and biggest songs of 1992. Featuring the hip-hop and dance of Kris Kross, SL2, Bizarre Inc and Felix to the rock stylings of Manic Street Preachers and Primal Scream, as well as the emergence of boy band royalty Take That, Miley’s dad Billy Ray getting the line dancing going, divas in the form of Annie Lennox and Mariah Carey - and, of course, Jimmy Nail. Plus many more

0x134 - The Story of 1993

March 20, 2022

Recession, high unemployment and unrest dominated the news in early 1993, but every Thursday night, the BBC’s much-loved weekly music show continued its 30 minutes of pop escapism and feel-good factor. Rave was slowing - being replaced by disco vibes - and Euro pop was very much the order of the day, with Dutch duo 2 Unlimited hogging the charts not just here but all over Europe with their techno smash No Limit.

0x135 - 1993 Biggest Hits

April 2, 2022

A look back at some of the songs performed on the show in 1993. Dance music and Euro pop continued to dominate the charts with performances from Haddaway, Sub Sub, Ace of Base and Robin S. The early stages of Britpop begin to emerge with Suede and Radiohead, and Icelandic superstar Björk makes an early appearance. Then there are the big sellers from Meat Loaf and Gabrielle, and the grooves come courtesy of Jamiroquai, Chaka Demus & Pliers and many more.

0x136 - The Story of 1994

April 9, 2022

An under-threat TOTP is revamped by young Radio One producer Ric Blaxill, just as Britpop takes off with the likes of Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Elastica and many more all making standout debuts. The year also sees reggae rediscovering Dawn Penn and her lost classic, the Cranberries conquering the world with a trio of international hits, and Danish popstar Whigfield taking the charts by storm. And, of course, Wet Wet Wet’s four-month residency at the top with that song from that film. Contributors include Noel Hogan of the Cranberries, Jarvis Cocker, Justin Welch from Elastica, Dawn Penn, Whigfield, Graeme Clark of Wet Wet Wet, producer Ric Blaxill, music journalist Andrew Collins and broadcaster Trevor Nelson.

0x137 - 1994 Biggest Hits

April 9, 2022

Revel in many of the biggest singles of 1994 as the TOTP archives are opened once more. Love ballads proved irresistible in 1994, with Wet Wet Wet’s 15-week stay at number one with Love Is All Around and East 17’s Christmas classic Stay Another Day conquering the charts. Britpop bubbled up with Elastica and Blur, blockbuster hits reigned once more with Elton John’s Lion King theme, and a young Ant and Dec rapped their way to the charts. Plus, quirky and catchy hits from Shampoo, Whigfield and The Grid, a final TOTP performance by Kate Bush, and many more! Featuring Blur, Corona, Tori Amos, PJ and Duncan (Ant and Dec), Sheryl Crow, East 17, Whigfield, The Cranberries, Dawn Penn, Elastica, Wet Wet Wet, Shampoo, Elton John, Pretenders, Kylie Minogue, Youssou N'Dour ft Neneh Cherry, The Grid, Kate Bush, Bon Jovi, Crash Test Dummies and D:Ream.

0x138 - The Story of 1995

April 16, 2022

The year that pop, rock and dance music converged on the nation’s favourite music show. The legendary battle of the Britpop bands takes centre stage, with Blur and Oasis going head to head on the show as well as the likes of Sleeper and Cast hitting the Elstree studio. Everyone from Skin, Black Grape and Ian Broudie to Ronan Keating and David McAlmont reflect on their appearance, and there's a look at the emergence of the TOTP magazine and how it rivalled Smash Hits for pop star scoops. Contributors include Ronan Keating, Skin, Ian Broudie, Keith Allen, Louise Wener, Jarvis Cocker, John Power, Kermit and Shaun Ryder of Black Grape, and David McAlmont.

0x139 - 1995 Biggest Hits

April 16, 2022

A look back at some of the biggest hits of 1995, courtesy of Top of the Pops' extensive back catalogue. Watch the year dance classics were born with N-Trance’s house hit, Shaggy’s dancehall romance and Rednex all hitting the charts. Anthemic hits from Pulp and McAlmont & Butler, as well as Blur v Oasis, cemented 1995 as the year of the Britpop battle. Nick Cave and Kylie told the story of a murderous battle, Björk took on a 50s jazz classic and Edwyn Collins brought the charm. Take That had their biggest hit with Back for Good, Mariah had the charts in a fantasy world, and Coolio had the Gangsta’s Paradise. Artists featured include Pulp, Coolio ft LV, McAlmont & Butler, Oasis, Take That, Everything but the Girl, Shaggy, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue, MN8, Rednex, Björk, Edwyn Collins, Supergrass, Mariah Carey, The Outhere Brothers, Blur, Celine Dion, Simply Red, The Rembrandts and N-Trance

0x140 - The Story of 1996

April 23, 2022

1996 saw mad cow disease and hostage crises dominating the news, but each week at Elstree, it was feuds and farewells that headlined the pop year. Take That said goodbye, prompting hysteria at the gates of the TOTP studios, and the Britpop battle was far from over. It was also a huge year for dance music, with the likes of Faithless and Underworld hitting the charts, helped by a certain film set in Edinburgh. There were also new stars from the world of hip-hop, as melody and hooks merged with beats to launch the careers of Fugees, Blackstreet and Mark Morrison. The summer saw football anthems and another dance craze courtesy of Los Del Rio’s Macarena, and once you've thrown in Peter Andre, Skunk Anansie, Reef, a controversial change of day and, of course, the Spice Girls, you have another classic year in the story of the UK’s biggest pop music TV show.

0x141 - 1996 Biggest Hits

April 23, 2022

Relive some of the biggest hits of 1996 with these Top of the Pops classic performances. Summer hits were aplenty with Peter Andre, Gina G and Los Del Rio all bringing sunshine to Elstree. Hooks in hip-hop proved dominant with Dr Dre, Blackstreet, Mark Morrison, Toni Braxton and the Fugees all scoring huge hits. Britpop was still booming, with Oasis continuing to dominate singles sales with Sleeper hot on their heels. Global dance classics were born courtesy of Faithless and Robert Miles, and add into the mix the awesome arrival of Spice Girls, plus many more, and it’s not a year to miss. Artists featured include Spice Girls, Suede, The Fugees, Babylon Zoo, Beautiful South, Mark Morrison, Sleeper, Los Del Rio, Peter Andre, Alanis Morrisette, Manics, Dr Dre, Blackstreet, Robret Miles, Space, OMC, Garbage, Gina G, Kula Shaker, Toni Braxton, Babybird and Oasis.

0x142 - The Story of 1997

May 7, 2022

Revolution was in the air for the long-running music show, both in terms of the music and the show itself. Techno-pop punk rock arrived in the form of Republica and frontwoman Saffron, followed by the likes of Placebo and Chumbawamba, who were all livening things up at the BBC Elstree studios. The year also saw the emergence of reggae star Finley Quaye, NY trio Fun Lovin’ Criminals, with their sample-driven tales of city life, and hogging the charts were Danish outfit Aqua, with their own brand of plastic pop. With a new chief, Chris Cowey, in charge of the show, evolution was also in the air during another fascinating year in the life of Top of the Pops. Contributors include Saffron from Republica, Sharleen Spiteri of Texas, Brian Molko of Placebo, Finley Quaye, Huey Morgan, Aqua, Chris Cowey, Trevor Nelson and Jayne Middlemiss.

0x143 - 1997 Biggest Hits

May 7, 2022

It’s the year Robbie Williams took flight with his anthemic Angels, Chumbawamba proved nothing could get us down, and Barbie and Ken had us partying to plastic pop. Girl power was irresistible as Spice Girls built on their astronomical rise with yet another chart topper, All Saints had a few questions they needed to know, and Eternal proved that four key changes in a song can make for a hit with I Wanna Be The Only One. Celebrate the BBC Elstree debuts from No Doubt, Natalie Imbruglia and three Hanson hit-makers. Also, with club classics from Ultra Naté, Gala and many more, you’ve got yourself a pop music year not to be missed. Artists include Hanson, Eternal and BeBe Winans, Backstreet Boys, Aqua, No Doubt, Placebo, Texas, Spice Girls, Shola Ama, Robbie Williams, Chumbawamba, Bush, Beck, Gala, Natalie Imbruglia, Eels, Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli, Ultra Nate and All Saints.

0x144 - The Story of 1998

May 21, 2022

As the nation’s favourite weekly music show moves towards the end of the 90s, pop has a resurgence after Britpop’s peak, and girl groups are still taking centre stage. Step forward two quartets with sisters and friends at their hearts: All Saints, with their cool grooves and cargo pants, and Irish four-piece B*Witched, who in 1998 become the youngest girl group to have a No 1, with C’est La Vie. Robbie Williams continues his solo rise to fame, and the Euro factor takes a cool turn with French duo Air creating a new 90s sound with their chilled laidback electronica. It's also a big year for sport, with a World Cup dominating the summer, a football anthem or two hitting the charts and a certain Vindaloo causing chaos in the Top of the Pops studio. Contributors include All Saints, Edele Lynch and Lindsay Armaou of B*Witched, Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel of Air, Keith Allen, Trevor Nelson, Guy Chambers and Justin Currie of Del Amitri.

0x145 - Biggest Hits 1998

May 21, 2022

A look back at some of the biggest hits of 1998, courtesy of the extensive Top of the Pops back catalogue. Film soundtracks dominated the charts with Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On breaking records and hearts, and Aerosmith’s power ballad I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing gaining the band their first and only US No 1 single. Debut artists stunned the charts with Usher, Billie Piper, B*Witched, The Corrs, Cleopatra and Leann Rimes all earning their first performances on the Top of the Pops stages. Robbie Williams proved he would always entertain us, and Cher’s auto-tune iconic Believe became the best-selling single of all time by a female artist, performed live in Elstree. Add in a bittersweet ballad from Green Day, an unofficial football anthem from Fat Les and many more.

0x146 - The Story of 1999

May 28, 2022

On the cusp of the new millennium, the BBC’s long-running music show continued to offer all the best pop music every week on the nation’s TV screens. In this final look back at the 1990s, there's everything from observing the rules of certain dance routines to how the weather changed everything for Travis. Also, US divas grace the studio in the shape of Whitney, Britney and Beyonce, the influence of Ibiza and the rise of UK garage, how a particular phrase entered the UK’s vocabulary, and Top of the Pops goes on tour before a final move from Elstree back to the iconic west London BBC TV Centre. Contributors include Fran Healy of Travis, Claire Richards and Lee Latchford-Evans of Steps, Gail Porter, Róisín Murphy, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Mark Hill and Pete Devereux of Artful Dodger, Ben Ofoedu of Phats & Small, and Tony Wright of Terrovision.

0x147 - Biggest Hits 1999

May 28, 2022

Relive some of the biggest hits of 1999 with these classic Top of the Pops performances. As a new millennium approached, the Vengaboys were back in town, as were legendary singers Blondie and Whitney Houston with their stunning new styles. It’s the year pop stars were born as Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera all performed for the first time on Top of the Pops. Boy band Westlife were bossing the charts, and Ricky Martin’s smooth hips had us living the crazy life. And with a little bit of Lou Bega and many more, 1999’s biggest hits will have you partying your way to the end of the century. Less

0x148 - Smashie and Nicey's TOTP Party

January 4, 1994

Originally broadcast on 4 January 1994, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's DJ alter egos, Smashie and Nicey, present Top of the Pops in a 30th anniversary celebration of the show. Three poptastic decades surrender their fab sounds, hits, clothes and haircuts for our nostalgic enjoyment, from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Take That and Madonna.

0x149 - Review of the Year 2022

0x150 - Halloween Special

0x151 - St Patrick's Day Special

0x163 - Blur

November 5, 1998

Compilation of blur's appearances on Top of the Pops.

0x164 - Oasis

October 28, 1998

A special edition of the show focusing on the band Oasis.

0x165 - Eternal

0x166 - All Saints

0x167 - The Bee Gees

0x169 - Donna Summer

0x170 - Paul McCartney

0x171 - Rednex

0x172 - Robbie Williams