Thursday 21 December 2017

Top of the Pops, 21st December 2017

You can barely move for Christmas debris in the chart this week. Even what you might call second string Christmas hits like this week's From The Vault spot by Brenda Lee are breaching the top twenty. On top of Miss Lee, we get vaguely contemporary Christmas tunes from Ariana Grande and Leona Lewis, who after a few mulled wines are also persuaded to guest on a charming exclusive version of the Clean Bandit song).

All that December fun still leaves room for a newie from Not3s and the unholy Craig David/Bastille alliance. And we have a surprise on the Ed Sheeran song at number 1. Is it Beyonce? No, even better: friends of the show Little Mix join in for a lovely duet.

(That's it until after New Year now as the real life TOTP takes over. Merry Christmas!)

Debuts:Not3s.

Ariana Grande - Santa Tell Me

Up 31 to number 29

Craig David ft. Bastille - I Know You

Up 1 to number 25

NF - Let You Down

Up 2 to number 11

Not3s - My Lover

Up 8 to number 40

From The Vault: Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Up 27 to number 15

Leona Lewis - One More Sleep

High Climber - Up 39 to number 36

Clean Bandit ft. Leona Lewis and Ariana Grande - Symphony

Up 22 to number 44

Ed Sheeran ft. Little Mix - Perfect

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 14 December 2017

Top of the Pops, 14th December 2017

Christmas is getting close now. Not only is the chart gummed up with a slew of festive hits (we show the Pogues and Kirsty this week in all their glory), but the incorrigible Ed Sheeran has nipped into the number 1 spot with firm plans to stay there like he's snowed in. No Beyonce this week, but Ed is here to spread the cheer.

In between the mistletoe and wine, though, there is room for several new non-Christmas hits from RAYE, G-Eazy and even Ramz. Pink comes back with another double-header from her album, and of course we have the unstoppable energy of the X-Factor winners Rak-Su, complete with ebullient Wyclef cameo.

Debuts: Mr Eazi, Ramz, Rak-Su.

RAYE ft. Mr Eazi - Decline

Up 6 to number 28

Rak-Su ft. Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean - Dimelo

Highest New Entry - In at number 2

Louis Tomlinson - Miss You

In at number 39

G-Eazy and Halsey - Him & I

In at number 49

From The Vault: The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York

High Climber - Up 45 to number 10

Ramz - Barking

In at number 41

Pink - Beautiful Trauma / What About Us

Up 25 to number 29 / Up 5 to number 31

Ed Sheeran - Perfect

Up 2 to number 1

PRESENTERS: Abs Breen and Richie Neville

Thursday 7 December 2017

Top of the Pops, 7th December 2017

Camila's still number 1 but there's plenty new to enjoy. For one thing, Noel Gallagher makes his solo TOTP debut as Holy Mountain debuts just high enough to make the cut. The other new entry is James Arthur's Naked, an enduring image, and we have Big Shaq reaching a new chart peak.

Not only that, but Shaq joins friends of the show Dua Lipa and Clean Bandit for a unique all-star interpretation of I Miss You. You won't find that anywhere else.

Debuts: Noel Gallagher (as solo).

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Up 4 to number 21

Big Shaq - Man's Not Hot

Up 1 to number 5

James Arthur - Naked

Highest New Entry - In at number 11

MK - 17

Up 6 to number 10

Noel Gallagher - Holy Mountain

In at number 31

From The Vault: Wham! - Last Christmas

Back in at number 29

Clean Bandit ft. Dua Lipa and Big Shaq - I Miss You

Up 5 to number 6

Camila Cabello - Havana

Fifth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 30 November 2017

Top of the Pops, 30th November 2017

Camila Cabello celebrates her fourth week at number 1 with a silly multi-celeb exclusive version of Havana, featuring MNEK, Stormzy and friend of the show Ed Sheeran. We also see David Guetta for the first time in a while, and Katie Melua is here doing the Children in Need single as a nice surprise.

Meanwhile, Mariah Carey hoves into view. How close to the Christmas Number 1 will she get this year?

Debuts: Katie Melua

David Guetta and Afrojack ft. Charli XCX - Dirty Sexy Money

Up 7 to number 35

Stormzy ft. MNEK - Blinded By Your Grace part 2

Up 5 to number 7

Katie Melua - Fields of Gold

Highest New Entry - In at number 29

Pink - What About Us

Up 6 to number 28

Ed Sheeran - Perfect

Up 2 to number 4

From The Vault: Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Back in at number 34

Marshmello ft. Khalid and Selena Gomez - Silence / Wolves

Up 2 to number 3 / Up 8 to number 9

Camila Cabello ft. MNEK, Ed Sheeran and Stormzy - Havana

Fourth week at number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 23 November 2017

Top of the Pops, 23rd November 2017

After a long, slow chart climb, friends of the show Clean Bandit see their latest hit I Miss You finally come on the TOTP radar. They are here with guest vocalist Julia Michaels, who also fills in for the absent Beyonce on an exclusive version Eminem's big new entry.

Also making new ground are Big Shaq, who reaches the top ten for the first time, NF, Lil Pump, and Elbow, who are on the show for the first time ever. For her third week at number 1, Camila Cabello gives Havana the full acoustic mariachi treatment.

Debuts: Elbow, Lil Pump, NF.

Clean Bandit ft. Julia Michaels - I Miss You

Up 9 to number 14

Big Shaq - Man's Not Hot

Up 3 to number 8

Elbow - Golden Slumbers

In at number 29

Lil Pump - Gucci Gang

Up 11 to number 27

NF - Let You Down

Up 1 to number 23

Eminem ft. Julia Michaels - Walk On Water

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

MK - 17

Up 5 to number 20

Camila Cabello - Havana

Third week at number 1

PRESENTER: Jameela Jamil

Thursday 16 November 2017

Top of the Pops, 16th November 2017

Sam Smith's album is out --FANFARE!-- so naturally he has the maximum three songs in the top 40, all of which he performs on this show. Not only that, he gets his phrasebook out and joins friends of the show Little Mix on a sultry TOTP-exclusive version of Reggaeton Lento.

We're also pleased to welcome Stormzy, the talented MNEK, Dave, Mostak, Liam Payne and really any number of happenin' artists of the day. Rita Ora and our number 1 Camila Cabello bring the class to the top end of the show.

Debuts: Dave.

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Up 1 to number 16

Stormzy ft. MNEK - Blinded By Your Grace pt 2

High Climber - Up 18 to number 22

Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes / Pray / One Last Song

Up 4 to number 3 / Up 33 to number 26 / In at number 27

Dave ft. Mostack - No Words

Highest New Entry - In at number 18

Liam Payne - Bedroom Floor

Up 1 to number 21

Little Mix ft. Sam Smith - Reggaeton Lento

Up 3 to number 9

Rita Ora - Anywhere

Up 6 to number 5

Camila Cabello - Havana

Second week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Dappy and Fazer

Thursday 9 November 2017

Top of the Pops, 9th November 2017

Congratulations to Camila Cabello (and not forgetting Young Thug) who ascend that last place to numero uno with Havana. They are in the studio, along with big stars like ZAYN and Selena Gomez, and fresh talent like CamelPhat (?) and Big Shaq.

If you're wondering what Michael Jackson is doing back at the chart, it's because of Halloween.

Debuts: CamelPhat, Elderbrook.

ZAYN - Dusk Till Dawn

Up 1 to number 5

Selena Gomez - Wolves

Highest New Entry - In at number 16

MK - 17

High Climber - Up 10 to number 26

Big Shaq - Man's Not Hot

Up 6 to number 20

CamelPhat & Elderbrook - Cola

Up 5 to number 18

Ed Sheeran - Perfect

Up 1 to number 6

From The Vault: Michael Jackson - Thriller

Back in at number 34

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug - Havana

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 2 November 2017

Top of the Pops, 2nd November 2017

Stacked line-up this week. Not only are two former members of One Direction both bringing their latest offerings, we've also got everyone's darling Stormzy and international megastars Rita Ora and Taylor Swift. Khalid continues to be on the show more often than not, and we have a nice vintage performance from the late George Michael. Post Malone holds steady at the top.

Debuts: None.

Liam Payne - Bedroom Floor

In at number 28

Rita Ora - Anywhere

In at number 20

Taylor Swift - Gorgeous

Highest New Entry - In at number 15

Krept and Konan ft. Stormzy - Ask Flipz

In at number 30

Niall Horan - Too Much To Ask

Up 9 to number 27

From The Vault: George Michael - Freedom

Back in at number 49

Khalid - Silence

Up 6 to number 3

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage - rockstar

Fourth week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 26 October 2017

Top of the Pops, 26th October 2017

After Post Malone's solo turn last week, it's his co-performer 21 Savage's turn to show that Post isn't the only one making bank from their mega-hit. 21 gives us an exclusive performance of rockstar plus one of his solo tracks from lower down the chart. We also have an unusual collabo-swap from friends of the show Little Mix and Ed Sheeran, the Mixers providing gorgeous backup harmonies on Perfect and Ed handling the CNCO Spanish bits on Reggaeton Lento surprisingly well (but still not that well).

Pink is doing well with her newly released album, and the tracks of the moment from Mabel, Khaled and Rita Ora round out the line-up. Plus Charlie Puth.

Debuts: None.

Little Mix ft. Ed Sheeran - Reggaeton Lento

Up 2 to number 5

Pink - What About Us / Revenge

Up 5 to number 15 / Highest New Entry - In at number 33

Khalid - Young Dumb and Broke

Up 4 to number 21

Charlie Puth - How Long

High Climber - Up 18 to number 22

Mabel ft. Kojo Funds - Finders Keepers

Up 9 to number 10

Ed Sheeran with Little Mix - Perfect

Up 2 to number 11

Rita Ora - Lonely Together

Up 1 to number 4

21 Savage - rockstar / Bank Account

Third week at number 1 / Up 13 to number 41

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 19 October 2017

Top of the Pops, 19th October 2017

Nice, fresh line-up this week, with Giggs, Marshmello and Khalid, SZA on the Maroon 5 track and perhaps best of all, Stefflon Don. She performs her beautiful solo record, and also fills in for Sia alongside ZAYN in a rather special exclusive performance.

The two biggest songs of the moment, though, come from friend of the show Camila Cabello and our number 1 artiste Post Malone. Post brings us an album sampler as he has a ton of tracks in the chart just now.

Debuts: Donaeo.

Giggs ft. Donaeo - Linguo

Highest New Entry - In at number 28

Stefflon Don - Hurtin' Me

Up 2 to number 9

Camila Cabello - Havana

Up 1 to number 2

Marshmello ft. Khalid - Silence

Up 3 to number 17

Maroon 5 ft. SZA - What Lovers Do

Up 6 to number 12

Jason Derulo - If I'm Lucky

Up 1 to number 30

ZAYN ft. Stefflon Don - Dusk Till Dawn

Up 1 to number 6

Post Malone - rockstar / I Fall Apart / Congratulations

Second week at number 1 / Up 18 to number 22 / Up 6 to number 27

PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville

Thursday 12 October 2017

Top of the Pops, 12th October 2017

All hail Post Malone, and indeed 21 Savage, as they take the final step to settle in the number 1 spot. Also breaking new ground are Chris and Kem and Mabel (with Kojo Funds) all making their TOTP debuts.

Ed Sheeran is back after a little while away with a two-song medley, but as touching as Perfect is, the show's real moment is the classic Tom Petty performance, shown in remembrance of the great man.

Debuts: Chris and Kem, Mabel, Kojo Funds.

Rudimental ft. James Arthur - Sun Comes Up

Up 2 to number 39

Chris & Kem - Little Bit Leave It

Highest New Entry - In at number 15

Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie

Up 3 to number 10

Mabel ft. Kojo Funds - Finders Keepers

Up 8 to number 21

J Balvin and Willy William - Mi Gente

Up 2 to number 14

Ed Sheeran - Perfect / Shape of You

High Climber - Up 15 to number 19 / Up 1 to number 37

From The Vault: Tom Petty - Free Fallin'

Back in at number 65

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage - rockstar

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 5 October 2017

Top of the Pops, 5th October 2017

Sam Smith holds firm at number 1, apparently only just keeping Post Malone and 21 Savage at bay (though they aren't on the show this week because they appeared last time). He's joined by fellow top ten entrants Camila Cabello, James Hype, Rita Ora and ZAYN (who's also joined by Ora, standing in for Sia).

We also have a lovely solo performance of Hurtin' Me by Stefflon Don, the debut of Big Shaq, and a moving return for Logic and Alessia Cara with their mental health anthem.

Debuts: Big Shaq.

ZAYN with Rita Ora - Dusk Till Dawn

Up 2 to number 7

Big Shaq - Man's Not Hot

Highest New Entry - In at number 30

Stefflon Don - Hurtin' Me

Up 6 to number 14

Camila Cabello - Havana

Up 3 to number 4

James Hype ft. Kelli-Leigh - More Than Friends

Up 1 to number 10

Rita Ora - Lonely Together

Up 2 to number 8

Logic ft. Alessia Cara - 1-800-273-8255

Up 5 to number 12

Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes

Third week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Dappy and Fazer

Thursday 28 September 2017

Top of the Pops, 28th September 2017

As semi-predicted last week, Khalid makes his second appearance in a fortnight, with a sampler of two of the hot new talent's current hits. Yxng Bane also doubles up, so he adds his sleeper hit Rihanna to a reprise of the smash Bestie. Meanwhile friends of the show Craig David and Little Mix are also in attendance, the latter doing without CNCO for a solo (or quattro?) version of Reggaeton Lento.

New material comes from highest new entrants Post Malone and 21 Savage, plus Niall Horan, while P!nk stops the show with a show-stopping acoustic version of her show-stopper What About Us.

Debuts: Post Malone, 21 Savage.

Craig David - Heartline

In at number 35

Little Mix - Reggaeton Lento

Up 1 to number 6

Khalid - Silence / Young Dumb & Broke

Up 5 to number 29 / Up 1 to number 60

Niall Horan - Too Much To Ask

In at number 24

Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie / Rihanna

Up 4 to number 13 / Up 1 to number 49

Pink - What About Us

Up 1 to number 3

Post Malone ft. 21 Savage - Rockstar

Highest New Entry - In at number 5

Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Mhairi Black

Thursday 21 September 2017

Top of the Pops, 21st September 2017

What Taylor Swift can do, Sam Smith can also do. Too Good At Goodbyes drops in to say hello to the top spot, blowing everything else away. Other big new entries are from ZAYN (with the versatile Alessia Cara exclusively subbing for the absent Sia) and none other than Kelly Clarkson, while the new ones from friends of the show Jason Derulo and Rita Ora both creep into the top 30 for the first time.

If that's not enough, we have the delightful Stefflon Don, and the mental health anthem from Logic. His guest vocalist Khalid has a couple of other hits lower down the chart, so maybe we'll be seeing more of him in future weeks.

Debuts: Khalid, Young Thug.

Stefflon Don ft. French Montana - Hurtin' Me

Up 22 to number 28

ZAYN with Alessia Cara - Dusk Till Dawn

In at number 5

Logic ft. Alessia Cara and Khalid - 1-800-273-8255

High Climber - Up 25 to number 16

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug - Havana

Up 1 to number 10

Jason Derulo - If I'm Lucky

Up 2 to number 30

Rita Ora - Lonely Together

Up 14 to number 21

Kelly Clarkson - Piece By Piece

In at number 27

Sam Smith - Too Good At Goodbyes

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 14 September 2017

Top of the Pops, 14th September 2017

Double Taylor this week: a second week at number one and a second track in the top ten means a second peformance for the TOTP fans. Swift heads up a strong transatlantic contingent including Justin Bieber and a returning Maroon 5 and Chris Brown (boooo), while the UK has Charli XCX and Yungen. Plus the pan-European duo of J Balvin and Willy William with this week's dose of reggaeton.

Debuts: Sza.

J Balvin and Willy William - Mi Gente

Up 4 to number 5

Maroon 5 ft. Sza - What Lovers Do

In at number 23

Chris Brown - Questions

Up 3 to number 16

Charli XCX - Boys

Up 5 to number 31

Justin Bieber - Friend

Up 1 to number 4

Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie

Up 1 to number 19

Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry

Up 3 to number 9

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do / Ready For It

Second week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 7

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 7 September 2017

Top of the Pops, 7th September 2017

Taylor Swift booms in at the top in a way that we'd almost forgotten about. Big new release, and if you look carefully you can see Right Said Fred in the audience bopping away as she sings.

Elsewhere, friend of the show Camila Cabello has yet another concurrent hit, and there's more new material from Macklemore and - uh-oh! - Katy Perry. I expect Pink will keep the peace.

Debuts: Macklemore (without Ryan Lewis).

Macklemore ft. Skylar Grey - Glorious

Up 13 to number 23

James Hype ft. Kelli-Leigh - More Than Friends

Up 2 to number 8

Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Llif3

Long runner - Up 5 to number 25 after 21 weeks

The Script - Rain

Up 1 to number 18

Katy Perry - Swish Swish

High Climber - Up 29 places to number 29

Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug - Havana

Up 13 to number 24

Pink - What About Us

Up 1 to number 3

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 31 August 2017

Top of the Pops, 31st August 2017

More fresh delights appear as summer draws to a close. Not least is the collaboration between friends of the show Little Mix and CNCO, all nine of whom come to grace the TOTP stage. Liam Payne has the latest in the unending procession of 1D solo singles, and we have an exclusive double-header from Yxng Bane and Yungen, who are both capital fellows.

The big news, though, is the return of Justin Bieber. Although Dua Lipa impressively prevents him from reaching the very top, this week at least.

Debuts: CNCO.

CNCO ft. Little Mix - Reggaeton Lento

In at number 5

Justin Bieber - Friends

Highest New Entry - In at number 2

Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry

Up 1 to number 14

Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie / Rihanna

Up 3 to number 18 / In at number 65

Liam Payne - Get Low

Up 2 to number 32

Rudimental ft. James Arthur - Sun Comes Up

Up 1 to number 6

Enrique Iglesias ft. Sean Paul and Matt Terry - Súbeme la radio

Up 2 to number 12

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 24 August 2017

Top of the Pops, 24th August 2017

In a mild coincidence, there are appearances this week for both Kelli-Leigh and Jax Jones, who previously collaborated on the summer house classic I Got U. Funnily enough their co-credit on that track (well, Kelli wasn't credited, but whatever), Duke Dumont, also has a song further down the chart - perhaps he'll make the cut next week.

After quite a sludgy summer we're seeing a lot of chart movement just now, with big tunes from P!nk and Kesha also making their presence felt. The biggest news is of course Dua Lipa making a startling leap up to number 1 from four places below. Her fellow British-Kosovan Rita Ora is also on the show with a resurgent Your Song.

Debuts: James Hype, Kelli Leigh (credited), Kesha!

James Hype ft. Kelli-Leigh - More Than Friends

High Climber - Up 31 to number 16

P!nk - What About Us

Highest New Entry - In at number 5

Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don

Up 3 to number 13

ALMA - Chasing Highs

Up 2 to number 19

J Balvin and Willy William - Mi Gente

Up 7 to number 12

Rita Ora - Your Song

Up 1 to number 10

Kesha - Praying

Up 11 to number 27

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Up 4 to number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 17 August 2017

Top of the Pops, 17th August 2017

A new number 1: congratulations to Calvin Harris and his mob of megastars, who rise an all-important two places to deny Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee semana número doce at número uno. French Montana also reaches a new peak of number 2, and in fact there's a lot of fresh blood all the way down the top 30; we feature newies from Yungen and Lil Uzi Vert (modern!) and nearly-newies from the Script and Louis Tomlinson.

Dua Lipa, and James Arthur's solo acoustic rendition of Sun Comes Up, complete the line-up.

Debuts: Yungen, Yxng Bane, Lil Uzi Vert.

Yungen ft. Yxng Bane - Bestie

Up 6 to number 24

Dua Lipa - New Rules

Up 4 to number 5

Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Llif3

Up 2 to number 27

The Script - Rain

Up 14 to number 17

French Montana ft. Swae Lee - Unforgettable

Up 2 to number 2

James Arthur - Sun Comes Up

Up 2 to number 6

Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha - Back To You

Up 2 to number 12

Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean - Feels

Up 2 to number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 10 August 2017

Top of the Pops, 10th August 2017

There's a very international flavour to TOTP this week. The Latin thing is catching fire now with not only Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee approaching the elite with their number 1 run (we show the video on this occasion), but also the swivel-hipped duo of Enrique Iglesias and Matt Terry, and J Balvin and Willy William storming the chart as well. And there's Scandi singer ALMA representing Northern Europe. (It's nice to see a few debuts here, after over a month without any.)

A couple of exclusives: it's Demi Lovato's turn to add some (extra) fun to the Ed Sheeran track that won't die, and Matt Terry and Charli XCX gamely fill in for Pharrell and Katy on Feels by Calvin Harris.

Debuts: Stefflon Don, ALMA, J Balvin, Willy William.

Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don - Sorry Not Sorry / Instructions

Up 11 to number 16 / Up 10 to number 22

Charli XCX - Boys

Highest New Entry - In at number 42

ALMA - Chasing Highs

Up 6 to number 18

Enrique Iglesias ft. Matt Terry - Súbeme la radio

Up 4 to number 12

J Balvin and Willy William - Mi Gente

High Climber - Up 25 to number 21

Calvin Harris ft. Matt Terry and Charli XCX - Feels

Up 1 to number 3

Ed Sheeran with Demi Lovato - Shape Of You

Up 1 to number 25

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber - Despacito

Eleventh week at number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 3 August 2017

Top of the Pops, 3rd August 2017

Louis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are number 1 once again! For their tenth week, the reggaeton supremos invite a selection of British talent to join them on a cool all star super-exclusive. We've also got Rudimental (including the guy in the hat), Sigala, the new one from Dua Lipa and, for the seventh time in eight weeks now, the keen as mustard Camila Cabello.

The From The Vault slot also returns, showing a classic Linkin Park performance in memory of Chester Bennington.

Debuts: None.

Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha - Back To You

Highest New Entry - In at number 13

Rudimental ft. James Arthur - Sun Comes Up

Up 6 to number 10

Maggie Lindemann - Pretty Girl

Up 1 to number 8

Sigala ft. Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love

Up 2 to number 9

Dua Lipa - New Rules

High Climber - Up 17 to number 19

Major Lazer ft. Camila Cabello - Know No Better

Up 2 to number 15

From The Vault: Linkin Park - In The End

Back in at number 14

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with James Arthur, Louis Tomlinson and Dua Lipa - Despacito

Up 1 to number 1 for the tenth week

PRESENTERS: Dappy and Fazer

Thursday 27 July 2017

Top of the Pops, 27th July 2017

Movement at the top this week as the inimitable DJ Khaled, aided by Rihanna and Bryson Tiller of course, floats up one more space and topples Despacito. Reggaeton is not completely neglected, though, as the Script are here with their Daddy Yankee-influenced comeback single.

Moving on, we have rock from Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran-penned songs that sound like Ed Sheeran from Rita Ora and Liam Payne, and a lovely acapella version of Power from Little Mix. Friend of the show Camila Cabello also appears for a remarkable sixth time in seven weeks.

Debuts: None.

Imagine Dragons - Thunder

Up 4 to number 20

The Script - Rain

In at number 26

Rita Ora - Your Song

Up 1 to number 7

David Guetta ft. Liam Payne - 2U

Up 1 to number 10

Little Mix - Power

Up 2 to number 8

Camila Cabello - Crying In The Club

Up 1 to number 13

Liam Payne - Strip That Down

Up 1 to number 6

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller - Wild Thoughts

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 20 July 2017

Top of the Pops, 20th July 2017

Miley Cyrus's rather nice Malibu is rising back up the chart, so she drops in to perform it and stays for a charming exclusive cameo on Ed Sheeran's otherwise rather tired Shape Of You. Otherwise we're DJ-heavy, with Rudimental, Harris, Sigala and Major Lazer all showing up alongside their various featured singers. Despacito still at the top.

Debuts: None.

Miley Cyrus - Malibu

Up 3 to number 16

Rudimental ft. James Arthur - Sun Comes Up

Up 6 to number 18

Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean - Slide

Up 12 to number 21

Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back

Up 2 to number 20

Major Lazer ft. Camila Cabello - Know No Better

Up 7 to number 19

Sigala ft. Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love

Up 6 to number 6

Ed Sheeran ft. Miley Cyrus - Shape Of You

Up 1 to number 22

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - Despacito

Ninth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 13 July 2017

Top of the Pops, 13th July 2017

The headline this week has to be the return of Drake: Signs makes its way into the top 20, and he also blesses us with his own exclusive take on number 1 fixture Despacito. We also have Pharrell doing a solo version of Feels, two members of One Direction (Liam with a stripped down version of Strip That Down) and our newest friend of the show, Camila Cabello.

Debuts: None.

Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams - Feels

Up 15 to number 6

Niall Horan - Slow Hands

Up 1 to number 15

Camila Cabello - Crying In The Club

Up 2 to number 16

Liam Payne - Strip That Down

Up 1 to number 5

Charlie Puth - Attention

Up 2 to number 13

Rita Ora - Your Song

Up 3 to number 7

Drake - Signs

Up 8 to number 14

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Drake - Despacito

Eighth week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 6 July 2017

Top of the Pops, 6th July 2017

It's a pretty elite week, with lots of chart movement high up leading to all eight featured tracks being in the top 20. French Montana is back once again, as is DJ Khaled, and Quavo and Chance the Rapper take the opportunity presented by Bieber's absence to do a nice exclusive version of I'm The One.

Peerless friend of the show Ed Sheeran has another random chart climb, so he's here. This means that the inevitable can finally happen: he guests on Despacito for a busker/reggaeton mashup.

Debuts: None.

French Montana - Unforgettable

Up 1 to number 4

Sigala ft. Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love

Up 4 to number 19

DJ Khaled ft. Quavo and Chance the Rapper - I'm The One

Up 2 to number 7

Maggie Lindemann - Pretty Girl

Up 4 to number 12

Jonas Blue ft. William Singe - Mama

Up 1 to number 5

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Up 6 to number 11

Little Mix ft. Stormzy - Power

Up 1 to number 9

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Ed Sheeran - Despacito

Up 1 to number 1 for the seventh week

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 29 June 2017

Top of the Pops, 29th June 2017

There's a glittering list of stars on Top Of The Pops this week. Not only do we have the all-star line-up of the Grenfell Tower charity single, there are also big debuts from DJ Khaled with Rihanna (gasp!) and Calvin Harris with three of his famous friends. Plus Rita Ora, Hailee Steinfeld and Selena Gomez - no small names themselves.

New friend of the show Camila Cabello appears for a second consecutive week, and those lovely Imagine Dragons round out the line-up.

Debuts: Big Sean, Bryson Tiller.

Rita Ora - Your Song

Up 4 to number 11

Calvin Harris ft. Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams and Big Sean - Feels

In at number 21

Hailee Steinfeld - Most Girls

Up 7 to number 44

Imagine Dragons - Thunder

Up 2 to number 36

Selena Gomez - Bad Liar

High Climber - Up 20 to number 33

Camila Cabello - Crying In The Club

Up 3 to number 20

DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller - Wild Thoughts

In at number 3

Artists For Grenfell - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 22 June 2017

Top of the Pops, 22nd June 2017

Great news: Justin Bieber is here to do his verse on immovable number 1 Despacito! Because he has another hit alongside David Guetta, who's also here, bouncing up and down behind the decks. Camila Cabello appears once again, this time alongside Major Lazer, and Ed Sheeran happens to have a song climbing the chart, the slightly neglected Castle On The Hill, so he's here too.

Debuts: Travis Scott.

Sigala ft. Ella Eyre - Came Here For Love

In at number 26

Little Mix ft. Stormzy - Power

High Climber - Up 22 to number 13

Major Lazer ft. Travis Scott and Camila Cabello

Up 13 to number 35

Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill

Up 7 to number 25

Martin Solveig ft. Ina Wroldsen - Places

Up 3 to number 33

Charlie Puth - Attention

Up 1 to number 10

David Guetta ft. Justin Bieber - 2U

Highest New Entry - In at number 5

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber - Despacito

Sixth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Richie Neville and Abz Breen

Thursday 15 June 2017

Top of the Pops, 15th June 2017

Not surprisingly, the One Love Manchester concert has a big influence on TOTP this week. As well as Ariana Grande's own song (which just misses number 1), hits from Miley Cyrus, Manchester's own Liam Gallagher, Black Eyed Peas and Oasis (performed in reprise here by friends of the show Coldplay despite Liam actually being present) all make big gains in the chart.

Away from Manchester, French Montana and Swae Lee are still going strong and Camila Cabello has her first solo hit. And the portoriquenses hold firm at the top, semana numero cinco por encima.

Debuts: Camila Cabello (as solo), Liam Gallagher (as solo).

Coldplay - Don't Look Back In Anger

High Climber - Up 41 to number 25

Miley Cyrus - Malibu

Up 1 to number 15

Camila Cabello - Crying In The Club

Up 23 to number 23

French Montana ft. Swae Lee - Unforgettable

Up 1 to number 5

Liam Gallagher - Wall Of Glass / Live Forever

Up 39 to number 21 / Back in at number 45

From The Vault: Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love?

Back in at number 42

Ariana Grande - One Last Time

Up 10 to number 2

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - Despacito

Fifth week at number 1


PRESENTER: Ed Balls

Thursday 8 June 2017

Top of the Pops, 8th June 2017

In their fourth week at number 1 it's time for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee to start getting creative, so they get Little Mix to drop some bars in a special exclusive remix. Little Mix are here in their own right for their power collaboration with Stormzy and as ever they're only too happy to do double duty.

Also on the TOTP stage are the finally returning Rita Ora, a second airing for Niall Horan's new song, Hailee Steinfeld and Maggie Linderman. And Coldplay remain popular with record buyers and streamers.

The highest new entry comes from Captain Ska. They're allowed to perform, but in such a heavily bleeped and blurred version (to comply with election broadcasting rules) that it's impossible to tell who they are, what they're doing or what they're singing about.

Debuts: Captain Ska.

Little Mix ft. Stormzy - Power

In at number 27

Hailee Steinfeld - Most Girls

High Climber - Up 21 to number 41

Rita Ora - Your Song

In at number 13

Niall Horan - Slow Hands

Up 2 to number 21

Maggie Lindemann - Pretty Girl

Up 2 to number 15

Coldplay - Something Just Like This

Up 1 to number 25

Captain Ska - Liar Liar

Highest New Entry - In at number 4

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Little Mix - Despacito

Fourth week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 1 June 2017

Top of the Pops, 1st June 2017

The Puerto Rico contingent are still bringing the fiesta to the number 1 spot, though the last remaining One Directioner Liam Payne runs them close-ish with his new Sheeran-penned, Sheeran-alike, I-can't-believe-it's-not-Sheeran track Strip That Down.

Other than that it's US solo starlets alternating with the producer-plus-feature production line; Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato even tick both boxes. Needless to say Ariana Grande isn't in the studio, but we play a tribute video to accompany her re-entry One Last Time.

Debuts: Liam Payne (as solo).

Liam Payne - Strip That Down

Highest New Entry - In at number 3

Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato - No Promises

Up 7 to number 18

Charlie Puth - Attention

Up 3 to number 9

Jonas Blue ft. William Singe - Mama

Up 10 to number 12

Selena Gomez - Bad Liar

In at number 35

Martin Solveig ft. Ina Wroldsen - Places

Up 1 to number 34

From The Vault: Ariana Grande - One Last Time

Back in at number 11

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - Despacito

Third week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 25 May 2017

Top of the Pops, 25th May 2017

Fonsi and Yankee hold on at the top and, in the absence of Bieber, it's the full Spanish original version this week. ¡Olé! There's a strong new entry game too, with Maggie Linderman, Paramore (in their TOTP debut!) and the reinvented Miley Cyrus all debuting new-to-TOTP hits.

If you like exclusive performances, you'll love what Disciples and Rag 'n' Bone Man are doing this week: they combine their two long running hits into one brain-scouring mashup. Plus Harry Styles gives us his album sampler, and J Hus, who also has several tracks in the top 75 donchano, medlifies two of them as well.

Debuts: Maggie Lindemann, Mostack, Mist, Paramore, Kyle.

Maggie Lindemann - Pretty Girl

High Climber - Up 37 to number 21

J Hus ft. Mostack and Mist - Did You See / Fisherman

Up 3 to number 9 / In at number 47

Miley Cyrus - Malibu

Highest New Entry - In at number 11

Paramore - Hard Times

Up 7 to number 34

Rag 'n' Bone Man vs Disciples - Skin / On My Mind

Up 1 to number 14 / Up 8 to number 15

Kyle ft. Lil Yachty - Ispy

Up 7 to number 33

Harry Styles - Sign of the Times / Sweet Creature / Carolina

Up 4 to number 6 / Up 28 to number 46 / In at number 51

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - Despacito

Second week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Dappy and Fazer

Thursday 18 May 2017

Top of the Pops, 18th May 2017

It's common to see credited producers doing well in the chart these days, and this week three make it on to the show: Martin Solveig, Martin Jensen and Jonas Blue. The trio each stand around moodily while their vocalists perform the songs, and then celebrate by teaming up on an exclusive housed-up version of Lady Gaga's The Cure (they take a chorus each).

We also have pop, rap, whatever Niall Horan is and the sound of the summer, reggaeton. Yes, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi (for it is they) have taken their Spanish-language hit to the very top, though it's largely thanks to the anglophone presence of Justin Bieber, who's good enough to come into the studio and help out on the remix in person.

Debuts:

Martin Solveig ft. Ina Wroldsen - Places

Up 4 to number 32

Niall Horan - Slow Hands

Highest New Entry - In at number 25

Martin Jensen ft. Ina Wroldsen - Solo Dance

Up 1 to number 9

French Montana ft. Swae Lee - Unforgettable

Up 4 to number 8

Jonas Blue ft. William Singe - Mama

In at number 29

Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back

Up 2 to number 7

Lady Gaga vs Martin Jensen, Jonas Blue and Martin Solveig - The Cure

Up 1 to number 22

Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber - Despacito

Up 3 to number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 11 May 2017

Top of the Pops, 11th May 2017

Huge, old-style new entry incoming: DJ Khaled and a bunch of people but, to be fair, mainly Justin Bieber smash their way in at number 1. Khaled is here and, while he hasn't brough all his buds, Justin is in the building. Hooray! Not only that: since he's here, he's also good enough to take the stage with Demi Lovato and do the male voice bits in her song that sound more or less like him anyway on the record.

Also invading our airspace are Ellie Goulding and Charlie Puth, and there are longer runners from Disciples, Anne-Marie (who just can't say goodbye) and J Hus. Mr Hus also injects a bit of newness into an exclusive version of Rag 'n' Bone Man's modern classic.

Debuts: Quavo.

Kygo ft. Ellie Goulding - First Time

In at number 34

Charlie Puth - Attention

High Climber - Up 19 to number 31

Rag 'n' Bone Man ft. J Hus - Human

Up 2 to number 29

Disciples - On My Mind

Up 1 to number 27

Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios

Up 3 to number 14

J Hus - Did You See

Up 3 to number 17

Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber - No Promises

Up 13 to number 26

DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber and Quavo - I'm The One

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 4 May 2017

Top of the Pops, 4th May 2017

Friends of the show super team-up Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson have had one of the more compelling climbs to number 1 of recent years, so it's great to welcome them into the studio once again for a triumphant performance, backed up by (most of) a full orchestra. Other familiar faces in attendance include Little Mix (but with the added bonus of Machine Gun Kelly inserting his rap), Rag 'n' Bone Man and Jason Derulo (plus Nicki Minaj again - wow!)

There's also plenty of new stuff again, from Luis Fonsi, French Montana and red pill hero Shawn Mendes. And ZAYN swings by for a compelling stripped-back performance of Still Got Time.

Debuts: Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Swae Lee.

Little Mix ft. Machine Gun Kelly - No More Sad Songs

Up 1 to number 15

Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - Despacito

High Climber - Up 48 to number 22

French Montana ft. Swae Lee - Unforgettable

Up 39 to number 24

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Skin

Up 1 to number 16

ZAYN - Still Got Time

Up 9 to number 27

Jason Derulo ft. Nicki Minaj - Swalla

Up 9 to number 6

Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson - Symphony

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 27 April 2017

Top of the Pops, 27th April 2017

TOTP has a decidedly urban feel this week, as J Hus, Future and this week's chart dominator Kendrick Lamar all roll up. Plus of course Ed Sheeran returns to number 1 with the more urban-flavoured of his two hits; have we all forgotten poor Castle on the Hill now?

The rest of the show is female-dominated. Larsson, Gaga, Lovato and Michaels are as good a pop star line-up as you'll find anywhere, I'd say. And who thought that Cheat Codes would be back? It's nice, too, that half the show is made up of fresh material.

Debuts: Future

Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson - Symphony

Up 2 to number 2

Kendrick Lamar - Humble / DNA / Element

High Climber - Up 25 to number 6 / Highest New Entry - In at number 18 / In at number 33

Lady Gaga - The Cure

In at number 23

Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato - No Promises

Up 3 to number 48

Julia Michaels - Issues

Up 1 to number 10

Future - Mask Off

Up 2 to number 24

J Hus - Did You See

Up 7 to number 34

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Up 1, fourteenth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 20 April 2017

Top of the Pops, 20th April 2017

BOOM! Harry Styles crashes in at the top. Of course from here there's only "one direction" he can go, but it may be a few weeks before he gets shifted. The other big newies are the infectious On My Mind from Disciples and Jason Derulo's star-studded rudey collaboration, and those are backed up by a phunky phalanx of British and overseas hits. New Zealand, Scandinavia (sorry don't know which country), the good old US and the imaginary hoary city of Soulsville are all represented.

Debuts: Harry Styles (as solo).

Disciples - On My Mind

Highest New Entry - In at number 34

Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios

Up 1 to number 12

Lorde - Green Light

Up 7 to number 20

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Skin

Up 5 to number 18

Jason Derulo ft. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign - Swalla

High Climber - Up 10 to number 24

Martin Jensen ft. Anne-Marie - Solo Dance

Up 1 to number 7

Little Mix - No More Sad Songs

Up 1 to number 16

Harry Styles - Sign Of The Times

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville

Thursday 13 April 2017

Top of the Pops, 13th April 2017

We are favoured with a few special performances this week. Friends of the show Coldplay are here for a heartfelt, Chainsmokerless rendition of Something Just Like This. Skip Marley turns up without Katy Perry to turn Chained To The Rhythm into a raggamuffin riot. And Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson do a two-song medley, with Mr Marley popping up again to fill in for Sean Paul.

We've also got a run-down of the biggest hits of the day from Jax Jones, Alessia Cara and Julia Michaels, and a rare sighting of international megastar Kendrick Lamar. Captain Ed is still number 1.

Debuts: None.

Julia Michaels - Issues

Up 3 to number 10

Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm

Up 6 to number 11

Kendrick Lamar - Humble

Highest New Entry - In at number 21

Alessia Cara - Stay

Up 2 to number 9

Coldplay - Something Just Like This

Up 1 to number 5

Jax Jones ft. RAYE - You Don't Know Me

Up 3 to number 15

Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson and Skip Marley - Symphony / Rockabye

Up 1 to number 3 / Up 8 to number 45

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Thirteenth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 6 April 2017

Top of the Pops, 6th April 2017

Captain Ed Sheeran is still number 1. Frustrated at not being allowed to play Galway Girl, he brings us a bodhran-and-fiddle version of Shape Of You instead, and we have to be grateful.

However, his and Drake's gluts of hits are slipping a bit so there are many climbers from other artistes. Lorde reaches a new peak with Green Light, while Dua Lipa, Rag 'n' Bone Man and friends of the show Little Mix all have two tunes climbing the chart, making the line-up medley-heavy and none the worse for it. Stormzy, international megastar Selena Gomez, and the new one from ZAYN and his all-caps buddies are also present.

Debuts: None.

Lorde - Green Light

Up 14 to number 26

ZAYN ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR - Still Got Time

Highest New Entry - In at number 24

Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely / Be The One

Up 10 to number 20 / Up 8 to number 36

Stormzy - Big For Your Boots

Up 2 to number 31

Selena Gomez - It Ain't Me

Up 12 to number 7

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Human / Skin

Up 4 to number 16 / Up 30 to number 30

Little Mix - Touch / No More Sad Songs

Up 3 to number 38 / Back in at number 51

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Twelfth week at number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 30 March 2017

Top of the Pops, 30th March 2017

At one third Sheeran, one third Drake, the chart's looking more broken than ever. Luckily Top Of The Pops just about manages to put together a viable line-up and there's actually plenty to get excited about, even aside from this very historic period in singles chart terms.

Top billing has to go to man of the moment Drake, who appears to perform three of his twenty-two current hits. British rapper Giggs joins him to feature on two of those tracks. Also new is the massive friend of the show team-up from Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson, who never disappoint on the TOTP stage.

We also have transatlantic stars Ariana Grande and John Legend with a charming performance of the Beauty and the Beast theme, long-running hits from Anne-Marie, Bruno Mars and Martin Jensen, and the return of the slow burner from Julia Michaels. Captain Ed is still top; he plays Shape Of You on the banjo this week for a bit of variety.

Debuts: Giggs.

Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson - Symphony

In at number 6

Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios

Up 10 to number 10

Julia Michaels - Issues

Up 8 to number 28

Bruno Mars - That's What I Like

Up 10 to number 25

Drake ft Giggs - Passionfruit / KMT / No Long Talk

Highest New Entry - In at number 4 / In at number 9 / In at number 17

Martin Jensen - Solo Dance

Up 4 to number 8

Ariana Grande and John Legend - Beauty And The Beast

Back in at number 72

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Eleventh week at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Top of the Pops, 23rd March 2017

The post-Sheermageddon era, week 1. As demand for Divide eases somewhat, the more popular non-Ed tracks regroup and make modest rises, so this week's show is a bit of a showcase for most of the main current hits. That means Rag 'n' Bone Man, Coldplay and the 'Smokers, Jax Jones and the newish one from Zedd and Alessia Cara.

It also means Kygo and Selena Gomez, but Selena is elsewhere so who better to fill in than Captain Ed himself? He also closes the show with another album sampler - eight tracks from Divide have now been featured.

However, the biggest news for long-time fans is the return of the mighty Steps. They have this week's highest new entry, which is good for one more TOTP appearance.

Debuts: None.

Zedd ft. Alessia Cara - Stay

High Climber - Up 15 to number 23

Jax Jones ft. RAYE - You Don't Know Me

Up 5 to number 17

Steps - Scared of the Dark

Highest New Entry - In at number 37

Calvin Harris ft. Migos - Slide

Up 4 to number 19

Rag 'N' Bone Man - Human

Up 2 to number 14

Chainsmokers vs Coldplay - Something Just Like This

Up 3 to number 4

Kygo ft. Ed Sheeran - It Ain't Me

Up 3 to number 18

Ed Sheeran - Supermarket Flowers / What Do I Know / Shape Of You

Up 1 to number 8 / Up 1 to number 9 / Tenth week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 16 March 2017

Top of the Pops, 16th March 2017

It's the moment we'd all awaited with bated breath: Captain Ed Sheeran releases his album and dominates the top 20, leaving little room for anything else and in particular making it very hard for other songs to climb the chart. But it's certainly historic. We're pretty restrained here on TOTP and stick to just four Ed songs, viz, his still-dominant number 1 and his three highest entries. These form a fun triptych where he meets a girl in the world's most authentic Irish bar, falls head over heels in love, then gets dumped and loveably slags off her new fella.

Aside from that, we've actually managed to cobble together a fairly watchable show. There are biggish new entries from Lorde (hugely anticipated) and Little Mix (friends of the show), plus lower-down climbers from Julia Michaels, J Hus, Bruno Mars and Martin Jensen's unkillable dance track. Fresh, diverse, what more could you ask for?

Debuts: None.

Little Mix - No More Sad Songs

In at number 39

Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl / Perfect / New Man

Highest New Entry - In at number 2 / In at number 4 / In at number 5

Julia Michaels - Issues

Up 10 to number 44

J Hus - Did You See

In at number 63

Martin Jensen - Solo Dance

Up 14 to number 25

Bruno Mars - That's What I Like

Up 5 to number 42

Lorde - Green Light

In at number 28

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Ninth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Ellie Goulding

Thursday 9 March 2017

Top of the Pops, 9th March 2017

So far this year it's mostly been the Ed Sheeran show, but while this week's TOTP contains a certain amount of Ed, the week really belongs to Stormzy. His entire album has invaded the chart so he treats us to three tracks here, and also pops up at the end of the show for his feature on the Sheeran remix.

It's a little surprising that a new Calvin Harris track is the week's second or third biggest story, but he's here, undaunted, with all his collaborators (including a low-key TOTP debut for the feted Frank Ocean). We also have friends of the show Little Mix and Dua Lipa, another appearance from Rag 'N' Bone Man, and some solid numbers-making-up from Maroon 5.

Debuts: Frank Ocean, Ghetts, J Hus

Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean and Migos - Slide

In at number 10

Stormzy ft. Ghetts and J Hus - Big For Your Boots / Cold / Bad Boys

Up 11 to number 6 / Highest New Entry - In at number 21 / In at number 22

Rag 'N' Bone Man - Skin

Up 2 to number 18

Zedd ft. Alessia Cara - Stay

In at number 33

Little Mix - Shout Out To My Ex

Up 4 to number 32

Maroon 5 - Cold

Up 8 to number 24

Martin Garrix ft. Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely

Up 1 to number 15

Ed Sheeran ft. Stormzy - Shape Of You

Eighth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Dappy and Fazer

Thursday 2 March 2017

Top of the Pops, 2nd March 2017

There's a bit of a Brits effect this week, with Coldplay and the Chainsmokers being the most obvious winners, but Take That also reminding us that they still mostly exist. Aside from that, Kygo and Selena Gomez have the biggest new track, and a slight lack of chart climbers allows rare TOTP appearances from actual bands The 1975 and Imagine Dragons.

Ed Sheeran is really something else, though. He's just dominating the chart at will at the moment, releasing another (de facto) single that shoots to join its older sister Shape Of You at the top of the chart. Sheeran appears again with a medley that gives us most of both tracks.

Debuts: Martin Jensen

Chainsmokers vs Coldplay - Something Just Like This

In at number 30

Kygo ft. Selena Gomez - It Ain't Me

In at number 9

James Arthur - Safe Inside

Up 5 to number 31

The 1975 - The Sound

Back in at number 68

Martin Jensen - Solo Dance

Up 2 to number 40

Imagine Dragons - Believer

Up 6 to number 47

Take That - Giants

In at number 13

Ed Sheeran - Shape of You / How Would You Feel (Paean)

Seventh week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 2

PRESENTER: Craig David

Thursday 23 February 2017

Top of the Pops, 23rd February 2017

Lots of female solo singers this week: friend of the show Zara Larsson, lady of the moment Dua Lipa, hot prospect Anne-Marie and, from lower down the chart, newcomer Julia Michaels. Oh, and Katy Perry, who not only performs her comeback single but does a cheeky turn taking Taylor Swift's lines on the ZAYN track. Only on TOTP, folks.

The show is bookended by hoarier fare, though, with Rag 'N' Bone Man kicking things off and the immovable Ed Sheeran closing the show. Tracks from X are climbing the chart again, so he's even able to mix a bit of Thinking Out Loud into the new one for all you eager fans.

Debuts: Julia Michaels, Skip Marley

Rag 'N' Bone Man - Skin

High Climber - Up 26 to number 25

Zara Larsson - I Would Like

Up 2 to number 16

Julia Michaels - Issues

Up 2 to number 51

Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios

In at number 40

Dua Lipa - Be The One

Up 1 to number 9

Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley - Chained To The Rhythm

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

ZAYN with Katy Perry and Skip Marley - I Don't Wanna Live Forever

Up 4 to number 5

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You / Thinking Out Loud

Sixth week at number 1 / Up 11 to number 52

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 16 February 2017

Top of the Pops, 16th February 2017

Stormzy is the highest new entry this week, so he brings an intense performance to the TOTP stage, in a double-header with previous generation MC Tinie Tempah. There are also new hits from Snakehips and Train, and an unusual brass-led version of Human from Rag 'N' Bone Man.

Ed Sheeran is still at the top (and almost-top) of the chart, and this week he combines both hits into an exclusive medley for us despite their clashing styles.

Debuts: Train

Tinie Tempah ft. Tinashe - Text From Your Ex

Up 10 to number 24

Stormzy - Big For Your Boots

Highest New Entry - In at number 8

Train - Play That Song

High Climber - Up 22 to number 25

Snakehips ft. MØ - Don't Leave

Up 10 to number 29

Rag 'N' Bone Man - Human

Up 2 to number 5

Sage The Gemini - Now And Later

Up 4 to number 17

Dua Lipa - Be The One

Up 1 to number 10

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You / Castle On The Hill

Fifth weeks at numbers 1 and 2

PRESENTER: Jessie J

Thursday 9 February 2017

Top of the Pops, 9th February 2017

We've a bit of a departure this week, as for the first time in history Top Of The Pops DOESN'T PLAY THE NUMBER ONE SONG! Sales of smelling salts rocket across the UK. There is a good reason, though - Ed Sheeran has had the number 1 and 2 slots tied up for a month so it's about time Castle On The Hill, which could sort of be considered a co-number 1 in a way, got its moment in the spotlight.

What else? Well, Dua Lipa is all over the chart at the moment. She follows up last week's two-song medley with a guest spot on the Martin Garrix record, and also fills in for Taylor Swift alongside ZAYN on an exclusive version of the 50 Shades problemato-pop behemoth.

We've also got a reprise from Clean Bandit, who are climbling the chart once more, a big new Major Lazer track, and plenty more lively stuff that you may or may not have heard of.

Debuts: PARTYNEXTDOOR

Major Lazer ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR and Nicki Minaj - Run Up

Highest New Entry - In at number 20

Migos - Bad And Boujee

Up 3 to number 31

Chainsmokers - Paris

Up 2 to number 5

Tom Zanetti ft. Sadie Ama - You Want Me

Up 2 to number 24

Clean Bandit ft. Anne-Marie - Rockabye

Up 1 to number 8

Martin Garrix ft. Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely

In at number 23

ZAYN with Dua Lipa - I Don't Wanna Live Forever

Up 5 to number 13

Ed Sheeran - Castle On The Hill

Fourth week at number 2

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 2 February 2017

Top of the Pops, 2nd February 2017

No change at the top of the chart, so King Ed keeps court once more with Shape Of You. Not a lot of love for Castle On The Hill just now, but who really cares.

The rest of the line-up is pretty vibrant, with girlbands M.O. and Little Mix, dance banger-makers Starley and Jax Jones, and a nice change of pace from James Arthur's Sheeran homage as well. Tinie Tempah and Tinashe make a splash with a fun, sexy performance and the show is arguably stolen by a rollercoaster of a medley from Dua Lipa.

Debuts: None.

Jax Jones ft. Raye - You Don't Know Me

Up 1 to number 3

Tinie Tempah ft. Tinashe - Text From Your Ex

Highest New Entry - In at number 35

James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go

Up 2 to number 12

Little Mix - Touch

Up 2 to number 4

Starley - Call On Me

Up 1 to number 6

M.O. - Not In Love

Up 19 to number 42

Dua Lipa - No Lie / Be The One

Up 10 to number 11 / High Climber - Up 33 to number 21

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Third week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 26 January 2017

Top of the Pops, 26th January 2017

Most of the songs climbing the top 20 are the same ones as last week, so this week's TOTP is mostly a pleasant stroll through the lower reaches. That means The Vamps (hanging around the chart for an unprecedentedly long time with this one), Robin Schulz, Sage The Gemini and album chart-toppers The XX. Nice selection.

We also have a big new entry from the incorrigible Chainsmokers and a number 1 reprise from man of the moment Ed Sheeran. And in a very special moment, none other than Robyn is here to duet with Calum Scott on his cover of her song.

Debuts: The XX, Migos, Robyn.

The Vamps - All Night

Up 2 to number 29

Chainsmokers - Paris

Highest New Entry - In at number 10

The XX - On Hold

High Climber - Up 40 to number 34

Migos - Bad And Boujee

Up 13 to number 37

Robin Schulz ft. Cheat Codes - Shed A Light

Up 5 to number 27

Sage the Gemini - Now And Later

Up 11 to number 32

Calum Scott with Robyn - Dancing On My Own

Up 2 to number 46

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Duffy

Thursday 19 January 2017

Top of the Pops, 19th January 2017

And so the Year Of Sheeran begins. King Ed splats into the number 1 and 2 spots and is duly invited to perform both songs in their entirety - and even that is pretty restrained of us because he has a ton more re-entries lower down the top 40.

Other than that there are a few new year hits racing up the chart, mostly enjoyable dance bops aside from the Machine Gun Kelly track. Kelly's featured vocalist Camila Cabello is the ex-Fifth Harmony member, not wasting any time in getting some solo exposure. ZAYN is here to perform his bondage sequel anthem sans Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa gives us a fun exclusive non-Sean Paul version of No Lie.

Debuts: Machine Gun Kelly, Camila Cabello (outside her group).

Jax Jones ft. Raye - You Don't Know Me

Up 24 to number 9

Machine Gun Kelly ft. Camila Cabello - Bad Things

High Climber - Up 29 to number 23

ZAYN - I Don't Wanna Live Forever

Up 6 to number 17

Starley - Call On Me

Up 18 to number 8

Dua Lipa - No Lie

Up 16 to number 28

Tom Zanetti ft. Sadie Ama - You Want Me

Long Runner: Up 5 to number 27 after 12 weeks

Ed Sheeran - Castle on the Hill

In at number 2

Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville

Thursday 12 January 2017

Top of the Pops, 12th January 2017

A change in chart rules means a lot of climbers this week, so everyone in the line-up is in the top 20. Among them are three acts with an X Factor connection, a two-song medley by friend of the show The Weeknd, and the week's big chart winner JP Cooper. Faceless dance dude Neiked is here too, and after just four and a half months on the chart I'm starting to credit his featured vocalist Dyo so well done to her.

Since Louisa Johnson is in the house, it would be churlish not to give her a go at singing her buddies Clean Bandit's number one hit, now in its GnarlsBarkleytastic ninth week at the top.

Debuts: Dyo (with credit).

Louisa Johnson - So Good

Up 3 to number 15

The Weeknd - Starboy / I Feel It Coming

Up 3 to number 5 / Up 6 to number 13

JP Cooper - September Song

High Climber - Up 29 to number 16

Neiked ft. Dyo - Sexual

Long Runner - Up 5 to number 6 after 19 weeks

James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go

Up 1 to number 8

Louis Tomlinson vs Steve Aoki - Just Hold On

Up 2 to number 10

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Human

Up 1 to number 2

Clean Bandit ft. Louisa Johnson - Rockabye

Ninth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 5 January 2017

Top of the Pops, 5th January 2017

Which songs have been rebounding up the chart in the new year lull? It's a fairly healthy mix of US party tracks and friends of the show, with the occasional 2016 fave thrown in for good measure. The bigger, sadder news is the death of George Michael; we leave it until the end of the show before screening a classic performance in tribute.

Debuts: None.

Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

Up 2 to number 10

Maroon 5 ft. Skepta - Don't Wanna Know

Up 1 to number 16

Zara Larsson - I Would Like

Up 4 to number 2

Chainsmokers ft. Halsey - Closer

Up 4 to number 14

Little Mix - Shout Out To My Ex

Up 7 to number 6

Louisa Johnson - So Good

Up 7 to number 18

Clean Bandit ft. Anne-Marie and Sean Paul - Rockabye

Eighth week at number 1

From The Vault: George Michael - Careless Whisper

Back in at number 44

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Fantasy Top Of The Pops 2016 round-up

Happy New Year, readers, one and all!

I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas period, and especially the real life Christmas Day Top Of The Pops. I thought Skepta and Christine and the Queens had the best performances. I haven't watched the New Year one yet but I sure will.

Artists of the year 


Once again, I'm going to round off the year by running down the most featured artistes and friends of the show here at Fantasy Top Of The Pops. Without further ado, the most frequent top poppers of 2016 were:

In eighth place, Craig David (10 appearances). Craig hadn't been on the show at all in 2013-2015, but he made a storming comeback in 2016 with multiple hits and was always delighted to appear.

In equal eighth place, Coldplay (10 appearances). Coldplay lacked a huge smash this year but their singles and album tracks tended to have long chart runs with multiple small climbs. They were often here to fly the flag for guitar-based music, and managed several fun collaborations with different backing vocalists on Hymn For The Weekend.

Also in equal eighth place, Clean Bandit (10 appearances). These friends of the show only had two singles this year but both were big successes. In particular, Rockabye's long run at number 1 kept them coming back.

In fifth place, Shawn Mendes (11 apparances). The well-groomed Shawn had one appearance in 2015 but 2016 was his breakout year, with Stitches and problemato-pop anthem Treat You Better staying in the chart for long periods.

In equal fifth place, Major Lazer (11 appearances). These electro-raggamuffins often skulk behind featured vocalists but they can't keep themselves off the show. Cold Water and Light It Up combined in 2016 to exceed the Spotify-conquering success of Lean On the year before.

Also in equal fifth place, Little Mix (11 appearances). Friends of the show Little Mix continue to prove that girl bands are still a thing and are in many ways the perfect act for TOTP. 2016 brought the end of the last album campaign and the triumphant start of a new one, which looks set to bring them many more appearances in the coming year.

In third place, The Chainsmokers (12 appearances). Closer was the smash, but the duo's AOR-in-disguise actually gave them several noteworthy hits, all with different singers. They actually had one appearance in 2014 with #SELFIE so they aren't completely new, but this was an astonishingly good year for 2016's least predictable runaway success.

In equal third place, Ariana Grande (12 appearances). Young Ariana has very smoothly become one of the world's premier pop singers during 2016. At the start of the year she might have been on a par with Selena Gomez, but she's now eased her way into the big leagues and might be considered as big as Katy Perry or Olly Murs - almost Rihanna territory. Even when not in the top ten her tracks were frequently found climbing the top 20 or 30, making her and her astonishing voice a TOTP mainstay.

In second place, Drake (13 appearances). When you spend 15 weeks at number one, you rack up a lot of TOTP time. In Drake's case, he wasn't always available, so the summer saw One Dance sometimes performed by his collaborators in various permutations. Nevertheless, it's a rare week when Drake isn't in the chart somewhere so even despite his international commitments he makes it to number 2 on this list.

In first place, 2016's premier friend of the show Zara Larsson (15 appearances). After four TOTP spots at the end of 2015, Zara went on to dominate the show in 2016 and was rarely out of the studio. Multiple hits at once meant that she was often able to appear in consecutive weeks. The achievement is all the greater when you consider that she did it in a year of long-running number one hits without having one herself. Well done Zara!

The wider trend of more appearances for the top artists continues, with Zara's 15 outdoing The Weeknd's impressive 13 from last year and twice as many performers making it into double figures. As streaming continues to slow the chart down I expect more of the same in 2017.

The all-time top ten


Finally let's have a look at the updated list of all-time Fantasy TOTP performers:

RankLast yearActAppearances
1(1)Ed Sheeran32
2(5)Ellie Goulding25
3(8)Little Mix24
4(8)Clean Bandit23
5(3)One Direction22
=(2)Sam Smith22
7(3)Jess Glynne21
8(33)Ariana Grande20
=(22)Coldplay20
=(27)Major Lazer20

Dropouts: George Ezra (6th last year), Jason Derulo (7th), The Weeknd (8th), Avicii (8th), Calvin Harris (8th).

It's been a good year for Little Mix, Clean Bandit and especially Ariana Grande (the only non-Brit on the list apart from Major Lazer), and a quiet one for Sam Smith and George Ezra, who were all over the show not so long ago. It's also been quiet for Ed Sheeran, but still nobody comes close to him at the top of this list, and if he comes back in 2017 he's likely to extend that lead if anything. Hail King Ed.

See you all on Thursday - thanks for reading.