Thursday 17 December 2020

Top of the Pops, 17th December 2020

With Christmas just over a week away, it's necessary to invite the self-appointed Mr Christmas Michael Buble on to the show to perform two of his deathless swing-music anthems. Peppier Christmas fare comes from Leona Lewis, Justin Bieber and throwback footage of Brenda Lee. But the big story, of course, is Mariah Carey finally making it to the top after all these years.

Non-tinselly material comes from Kid Laroi, The Weeknd and especially Ariana Grande, whose hows-your-father anthem makes the perfect antidote for anyone who needs it.

Debuts: Kid Laroi.

Leona Lewis - One More Sleep

Up 8 to number 25

Kid Laroi - Without You

Back in at number 23

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

Up 7 to number 36

Ariana Grande - 34 + 35

Up 1 to number 9

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 7 to number 39 after 54 weeks

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

Up 4 to number 15

Michael Buble - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas / Holly Jolly Christmas

Up 6 to number 7 / Up 7 to number 30

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Up 1 to number 1


PRESENTER: Bruce Willis, in character as John McClane

Thursday 10 December 2020

Top of the Pops, 10th December 2020

The Christmas chart onslaught begins in earnest, although Covid being what it is, several of the original artists are available to remote-perform their evergreen hits. So as well as the archive footage of Elton, we have appearances from friend of the show Jess Glynne, Kelly Clarkson and the grande dame of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey (with a few special invitees). Even Queen Ariana Grande chucks in a bit of festivity alongside her immovable number 1 bonking anthem.

Non-Christmassy fun comes from Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher and CJ. Congratulations to them for impinging on the nation's mostly mince pie-focused consciousness.

Debuts: None.

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 5

Jess Glynne - This Christmas

Up 35 to number 28

Liam Gallagher - All You're Dreaming Of

In at number 35

Kelly Clarkson - Underneath The Tree

Up 26 to number 20

CJ - Whoopty

Up 1 to number 11

From The Vault: Elton John - Step Into Christmas

Up 31 to number 18

Mariah Carey with Kelly Clarkson, Jess Glynn, Liam Gallagher and AJ Tracey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

Up 12 to number 2

Ariana Grande - Positions / Santa Tell Me

Sixth week at number 1 / Back in at number 16


PRESENTERS: Olly Murs dressed as Santa and Nick Grimshaw dressed as an elf

Thursday 3 December 2020

Top of the Pops, 3rd December 2020

It's December and the big guns are coming out. BTS, Mendes and Bieber and Cyrus and Lipa all take their best shots at the chart, although for the moment they are still behind Ariana Grande and also the surprisingly resilient Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio.

In an effort to avoid too much repetition, we pass over Mariah and a couple of others and dig down to number 33 for a classic Christmas toe-tapper from Shakin' Stevens.

Debuts: None.

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Up 5 to number 5

Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber - Monster

In at number 9

Meduza ft. Dermot Kennedy - Paradise

Up 2 to number 18

BTS - Life Goes On

In at number 10

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

Up 1 to number 4

From The Vault: Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

Back in at number 33

Miley Cyrus with Dua Lipa - Prisoner

Highest New Entry - In at number 8

Ariana Grande - Positions / 34 + 35

Fifth week at number 1 / Up 4 to number 13


PRESENTERS: Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon

Thursday 26 November 2020

Top of the Pops, 26th November 2020

The big new hit this week is from Billie Eilish, who just misses out on dethroning Queen Ariana Grande but makes significant waves none the less. Also new to the show is CJ, who makes his big chart charge after hovering around the lower reaches for a few weeks.

James Arthur is never off the show lately and this week is no exception. Another of the stories of the year, 24KGolden, is also here to reprise his big hit, and Baccara are dug up out of the vault for some reason.

Debuts: None.

Jax Jones ft. Au/Ra - I Miss U

Up 3 to number 25

Billie Eilish - Therefore I Am

Highest New Entry - In at number 2

CJ - Whoopty

High Climber - Up 15 to number 24

James Arthur - Train Wreck

Up 3 to number 16

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Up 1 to number 13

From The Vault: Baccara - Yes Sir I Can Boogie

Back in at number 57

BBC Children In Need - Stop Crying Your Heart Out

In at number 7

Ariana Grande - Positions

Fourth week at number 1



PRESENTERS: James Masterton and Daryl Denham

Thursday 19 November 2020

Top of the Pops, 19th November 2020

It's a loaded show for pop fans this week. Ariana Grande holds on at number one and also has another highest new entry. Shawn Mendes is back with his new single. And there are microclimbs for longer-running hits from Clean Bandit, Joel Corry and the modern day version of Phats and Small, Sigala.

We've also got a couple of exclusives, as Dermot Kennedy invites Meduza to zazz up Giants in a medley with their collaborative hit, and friends of the show Little Mix provide a gorgeous harmonized backing for Justin Bieber as well as performing their own double bill.

Debuts: None.

Shawn Mendes - Wonder

Up 5 to number 20

Little Mix - Sweet Melody / Confetti

Up 9 to number 3 / In at number 23

Dermot Kennedy vs Meduza - Giants / Paradise

Up 3 to number 16 / High Climber - Up 11 to number 24

Clean Bandit ft. Mabel - Tick Tock

Up 1 to number 13

Sigala and James Arthur - Lasting Lover

Up 3 to number 12

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Up 3 to number 15

Justin Bieber with Little Mix - Holy

Up 1 to number 9

Ariana Grande - Positions / POV

Third week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 22


PRESENTER: Graham Norton

Thursday 12 November 2020

Top of the Pops, 12th November 2020

Another big entry for Ariana Grande this week means that she can perform 34 + 35 as well as her chart topper Positions. Will she make it a threesome next week? There are also minor climbs for the hits of the moment from Miley Cyrus, Wes Nelson and Tate McRae, and a fun appearance from friend of the show Dua Lipa.

Perhaps the most special performance, though, is from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (socially distanced, of course). They perform a very touching rendition of the internet phenomenon Four Notes.

Thanks to the way the chart works, it's only this week that the Halloween tracks are charting, hence the presence of Bobby "Boris" Pickett in the From The Vault slot.

Debuts: The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 7

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Up 1 to number 13

James Arthur - Train Wreck

Up 1 to number 23

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

Up 1 to number 3

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 1 to number 4

From The Vault: Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers - Monster Mash

Back in at number 50

The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Four Notes (Paul's Tune)

In at number 32

Ariana Grande - Positions / 34 + 35

Second week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 9


PRESENTERS: Dannii Minogue (from a completely white room)

Thursday 5 November 2020

Top of the Pops, 5th November 2020

After several weeks of mostly slow climbers, today sees fireworks as three songs zoom straight into the top ten: friends of the show Little Mix, KSI, and right at the top Ariana Grande making her big return.

That pushes a lot of other songs downwards, meaning we're also able to feature several acts from lower down the top 40, including a rare sighting of actual guitars in the hands of Bring Me The Horizon. Central Cee makes his debut, and there are welcome pop-ins from Jax Jones and Sam Smith.

Debuts: Central Cee.

Jax Jones ft. Au/Ra - I Miss U

Up 9 to number 30

Little Mix - Sweet Melody

In at number 8

Sam Smith - Diamonds

Up 3 to number 17

Bring Me The Horizon - Teardrops

In at number 39

KSI, Craig David and Digital Farm Animals - Really Love

In at number 3

Central Cee - Loading

In at number 37

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 31 after 48 weeks

Ariana Grande - Positions

Straight in at number 1


PRESENTERS: Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Thursday 29 October 2020

Top of the Pops, 29th October 2020

It's all about the Internet Money crew this week, as Gunna and co become one of the more unexpected number 1s of the year in their tenth week on the chart. Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio seem to be in the middle of a similar climb - will they be next?

We've also got reappearances from Joel Corry and MNEK and Dermot Kennedy, and a new entry from Digga D. International megastars BTS also join a high-quality line-up, and James Arthur mixes in a little bit of his solo hit with the Sigala track.

Debuts: None.

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Up 5 to number 11

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Up 9 to number 13

Dermot Kennedy - Giants

Up 5 to number 12

Digga D - Chingy (It's Whatever)

Highest New Entry - In at number 18

BTS - Dynamite

Up 5 to number 15

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

Up 9 to number 6

Sigala ft. James Arthur - Lasting Lover / Train Wreck

Up 3 to number 10 / In at number 69

Gunna ft. Don Tolliver and Nav - Lemonade

Up 2 to number 1


PRESENTERS: Robbie Fowler and Steve MacManaman

Thursday 22 October 2020

Top of the Pops, 22nd October 2020

It's pop week on Top of the Pops, as a precipitous fall by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion allows other songs that had been holding steady to all move up a bit, meaning that almost the entire top ten gets featured on the show. That means Paul Woolford, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Derulo and another new high for Tate McRae, plus a huge posse cut medley from Headie One and his compadres.

Lower down the chart Sam Smith makes further inroads, while we're played out by another medley as friends of the show Clean Bandit join 24KGoldn for an exclusive reimagining of his two current hits.

Debuts: None.

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 6

Sam Smith - Diamonds

Up 3 to number 23

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 2 to number 5

Paul Woolford and Diplo ft. Kareen Lomax - Looking For Me

Up 1 to number 4

Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper - Holy

Up 2 to number 10

Jason Derulo - Take You Dancing

Up 1 to number 9

Headie One ft. AJ Tracey, Stormzy, Young T and Bugsey - Ain't It Different / Princess Cuts

Up 2 to number 2 / Highest New Entry - In at number 11

24KGoldn vs Clean Bandit - Mood / Tick Tock

Fourth week at number 1 / Up 1 to number 12


PRESENTERS: Kimberley Walsh (from her home office)

Thursday 15 October 2020

Top of the Pops, 15th October 2020

We've got several urban-type chartbreakers this week, from Bryson Tiller (with the obligatory Drake feature), Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio, and most of all an Aitch-assisted D-Block Europe. More reflectively, Shawn Mendes reappears with Wonder, and friend of the show Dua Lipa is levitating back up the chart with more of her future-nostalgic sounds.

24KGoldn and Iann Dior are unmoveable at the top. Sigala and James Arthur are also back.

Debuts: Wes Nelson.

D-Block Europe ft. Aitch - UFO

Highest New Entry - In at number 11

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Back in at number 30

Bryson Tiller ft. Drake - Outta Time

In at number 24

Sigala ft. James Arthur - Lasting Lover

Up 1 to number 17

Wes Nelson and Hardy Caprio - See Nobody

High Climber - Up 30 to number 22

From The Vault: Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

Back in at number 55

Shawn Mendes - Wonder

In at number 21

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Third week at number 1


PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Edwards (from a bowling alley)

Thursday 8 October 2020

Top of the Pops, 8th October 2020

Big breakthrough for Tate McRae this week, as her slow-burning ballad makes the top ten for the first time. Also scaling new peaks are Gunna and the rest of the Internet Money guys, and lower down, Dermot Kennedy. Star power comes from Miley Cyrus, freshness from Da Beatfreakz, and class from friend of the show the Weeknd.

The show is bookended by performances from 24KGoldn, with Clean Bandit to open the show and holding on at number 1 in his own right to close it.

Debuts: None

Clean Bandit ft. Mabel and 24KGoldn - Tick Tock

Up 2 to number 11

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 4 to number 7

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 6 to number 9

Beatfreakz ft. DigDat, Dutchavelli and B Young - 808

Highest New Entry - In at number 20

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 25 after 44 weeks

Dermot Kennedy - Giants

Up 2 to number 16

Gunna ft. Don Tolliver and Nav - Lemonade

Up 3 to number 5

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Second week at number 1


PRESENTER: Heidi Range (from an ice rink)

Thursday 1 October 2020

Top of the Pops, 1st October 2020

24KGolden and Iann Dior take the fateful final step and find themselves at the top of the chart this week, displacing Megan and Cardi. The biggest new entry comes from Justin Bieber, and he has competition in the megastar stakes from the international sensations BTS.

More downbeatly, we've also got another posthumous hit from Pop Smoke, who's been having big hits the whole time but can hardly be featured week in week out. Sam Smith has a big new entry with low-key banger Diamonds, and Jason Derulo and Sigala are at least adequate ways to round out the show.

Debuts: Lil TJay

BTS - Dynamite

Up 2 to number 19

Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper - Holy

Highest New Entry - In at number 10

M Huncho and Nafe Smallz - 5am

In at number 25

Jason Derulo - Take You Dancing

Up 2 to number 7

Sigala ft. James Arthur - Lasting Lover

High Climber - Up 10 to number 17

Pop Smoke ft. Lil TJay - Mood Swings

Up 1 to number 5

Sam Smith - Diamonds

In at number 22

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Up 1 to number 1


PRESENTER: JB Gill (from the chicken coop)

Thursday 24 September 2020

Top of the Pops, 24th September 2020

She may have had one of the albums of the year, but we haven't seen that much of friend of the show Dua Lipa on TOTP lately. She puts that right this week, sneaking into the line-up as Hallucinate rises to number 31. Also breaking the surface is Dermot Kennedy, while Simba and Gunna make rather flashier inroads.

Paul Woolford and Diplo have quietly floated up into the top ten so they make a third appearance in six weeks, while Cardi B and Megan remain at the top, glee unabated.

Debuts: Don Tolliver, Nav.

Clean Bandit ft. Mabel and 24KGoldn - Tick Tock

Up 2 to number 12

Dua Lipa - Hallucinate

Up 2 to number 31

Dermot Kennedy - Giants

Up 4 to number 18

Simba ft. KSI - Loose

Highest New Entry - In at number 14

Calvin Harris ft. The Weeknd - Over Now

Up 1 to number 34

Gunna ft. Don Tolliver and Nav - Lemonade

High Climber - Up 21 to number 16

Paul Woolford and Diplo ft. Kareen Lomax - Looking For Me

Up 3 to number 5

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Third week at number 1


PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh (in the royal box in an empty theatre)

Thursday 17 September 2020

Top of the Pops, 17th September 2021

The big hitters of the moment are still clustered in the top five: Headie One and friends, 24KGolden and of course the wicked sisters Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Lower down there are some strong climbs from Conan Gray and Tate McRae, and Jason Derulo occupies consecutive places at 11 and 12 so it's medley time for him.

Highest new entry this week is from Sigala and James Arthur, and DJ Khaled and Drake make their second appearance in a few weeks with a massive 50 place jump.

Debuts: None.

Sigala ft. James Arthur - Lasting Lover

Highest New Entry - In at number 27

DJ Khaled ft. Drake - Popstar

High Climber - Up 51 to number 20

Conan Gray - Heather

Up 6 to number 17

Headie One ft. Stormzy and AJ Tracey - Ain't It Different

Up 2 to number 3

24KGolden ft. Iann Dior - Mood

Up 2 to number 2

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 9 to number 13

Jason Derulo - Take You Dancing / Savage Love

Up 4 to number 11 / Up 4 to number 12

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Second week at number 1


PRESENTER: Daryl Denham

Thursday 10 September 2020

Top of the Pops, 10th September 2020

It's a strange chart this week: almost nobody has climbed more than three places. The exceptions are Clean Bandit and the new entry from Calvin Harris and friend of the show The Weeknd, so they beam in as much energy as is humanly possible over a remote connection.

Huge congratulations also to Cardi and Megan, who perform as much of their song as the censors allow to celebrate reaching the top.

Debuts: None.

Little Mix - Holiday

Up 3 to number 18

Clean Bandit ft. Mabel and 24KGoldn - Tick Tock

High Climber - Up 16 to number 20

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Up 2 to number 17

Paul Woolford and Diplo ft. Kareen Lomax - Looking For Me

Up 3 to number 12

Chris Brown ft. Young Thug - Go Crazy

Up 1 to number 11

Nathan Dawe ft. KSI - Lighter

Up 2 to number 3

Calvin Harris ft. The Weeknd - Over Now

Highest New Entry - In at number 33

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Up 1 to number 1


PRESENTER: James Masterton (from his shed)

Thursday 3 September 2020

Top of the Pops, 3rd September 2020

Huge entry from BTS this week, just pipping the Britrap triumvirate of Stormzy, Headie One and AJ Tracey for highest new entry honours. There are some impressive chart leaps too from 24KGoldn and Abra Cadabra, as well as Conan Gray.

Congratulations also to Tate McRae, who sneaks on to the show for the first time after a few weeks in the chart's lower reaches. MNEK gives us a fun solo performance of his six-weeker to end the show.

Debuts: Iann Dior, Tate McRae, Abra Cadabra, Conan Gray.

24KGoldn ft. Iann Dior - Mood

High Climber - Up 40 to number 11

BTS - Dynamite

Highest New Entry - In at number 3

Tate McRae - You Broke Me First

Up 3 to number 31

Abra Cadabra - On Deck

Up 35 to number 32

Conan Gray - Heather

Up 19 to number 22

From The Vault: Vera Lynn - Land Of Hope And Glory

In at number 17

Headie One, AJ Tracey and Stormzy - Ain't It Different

In at number 4

MNEK - Head and Heart

Sixth week at number 1


PRESENTER: Jurgen Klopp

Thursday 27 August 2020

Top of the Pops, 27th August 2020

A couple of legends grace our screens this week - after all, it's not like they're doing anything else. We have 50 Cent accompanying Roddy Ricch and a recording of Pop Smoke, and then none other than Tina Turner deigning to join in with Kygo's plunking.

There are exciting new entries from Miley Cyrus and Lil Durk, and possibly unexpected appearances from DJ Khaled and Diplo. MNEK and Corry are immovable at the summit.

Debuts: Paul Woolford, Kareen Lomax, Lil Durk,

Paul Woolford and Diplo ft. Kareen Lomax - Looking For Me

High Climber - Up 15 to number 14

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

In at number 15

Drake ft. Lil Durk - Laugh Now Cry Later

Highest New Entry - In at number 4

Kygo vs Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It

Up 1 to number 31

Jason Derulo - Take You Dancing

Up 15 to number 19

Pop Smoke ft. 50 Cent and Roddy Ricch - The Woo

Up 2 to number 13

DJ Khaled ft. Drake - Greece

Up 1 to number 8

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Fifth week at number 1


PRESENTER: Dannii Minogue (in her underground bunker)

Thursday 20 August 2020

Top of the Pops, 20th August 2020

Pushing the boundaries of what both Ofcom and the Zoom platform can accommodate vis a vis lewdness, Cardi B and Meghan Thee Stallion crash into the chart at number 4. Also special in its way is the exclusive performance of Dancing In The Moonlight, as hoary vets Toploader are invited to collaborate with its more recent interpreters Jubel and Neimy.

Other chartbreakers this week come from Bugzy Malone and Little Mix, and the line-up is rounded out with long-running faves from Nathan Dawe, Topic and Ava Max.

Debuts: None

Ava Max - Kings & Queens

Up 4 to number 20

Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion - WAP

Highest New Entry - In at number 4

Nathan Dawe ft. JayKae - Flowers

Up 2 to number 17

Little Mix - Holiday

High Climber - Up 11 to number 19

Topic ft. A7S - Breaking Me

Up 2 to number 16

Bugzy Malone - M.E.N. III

In at number 18

Jubel ft. Neimy vs Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight

Up 1 to number 11

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Fourth week at number 1


PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville (on go karts)

Thursday 13 August 2020

Top of the Pops, 13th August 2020

As the wave of Taylor Swift that hit last week subsides, most other tracks bob back up a few places. For Top of the Pops, that means we get a high class week with several top ten tracks featured, including long-running hits from Regard and RAYE, AJ Tracey and the dashing Chris Brown. The Harry Styles track even scales a new peak, once again, after six months on the list. Is it impossible that it could eventually make number one?

We've got chart breakers from Miss 2019 Billie Eilish and Bewdley's own Becky Hill, and the infectiously delighted Joel Corry and MNEK make it three weeks at the top.

Debuts: None

Becky Hill vs Sigala - Heaven On My Mind

Up 6 to number 17

Billie Eilish - My Future

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

Regard ft. RAYE - Secrets

Up 5 to number 6

DJ Khaled ft. Drake - Greece

Up 3 to number 9

AJ Tracey ft. Mabel - West Ten

Up 4 to number 5

Chris Brown ft. Young Thug - Go Crazy

Up 4 to number 10

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Up 3 to number 4

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head & Heart

Third week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Rose Elinor Dougall and Gwenno Saunders

Thursday 6 August 2020

Top of the Pops, 6th August 2020

Taylor Swift's album arrives, placing three new songs in the upper reaches and pushing most other tracks down accordingly, which means opportunities for a couple of climbers in the lower reaches: Tom Walker and Dua Lipa are both delighted to appear. Taylor herself brings us an impassioned remote rendition of Cardigan.

Swifty doesn't have the highest new entry, though. That honour goes to men of the moment Nathan Dawe and KSI, who appear in split screen. Friends of the show Little Mix also place well with their newest release, and MNEK and Joel Corry hold on at number 1.

Debuts: None

Topic ft. A7S - Breaking Me

Up 2 to number 18

Little Mix - Holiday

In at number 17

Tom Walker - Wait For You

Up 7 to number 47

Nathan Dawe ft. KSI - Lighter

Highest New Entry - In at number 4

Dua Lipa - Hallucinate

Up 16 to number 49

Jubel ft. Neimy - Dancing In The Moonlight

Up 5 to number 16

Taylor Swift - Cardigan

In at number 6

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range, from the 'Another Place' art installation on the Crosby shore

Thursday 30 July 2020

Top of the Pops, 30th July 2020

This week is all about the feelgood hit of the summer from Joel Corry and MNEK, which skips up the final two places to give both performers a well deserved first number 1. They even breathe an infectious vivacity into the now terribly familiar TOTP Zoom team-up.

There are other chart stories here, though, notably from Drake, who has a ton of songs on the top 40 and performs three of them here. AJ Tracey and Harry Styles both scale new peaks this week, Sam Fischer is on the rise once again, and there's a slightly unexpected appearance from Digga D.

Debuts: None

Tion Wayne, Dutchavelli and Stormzy - I Dunno

Up 3 to number 15

DJ Khaled ft. Drake - Greece / Popstar

Highest New Entry - In at number 8 / In at number 11

Sam Fischer - This City

Up 2 to number 17

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Up 1 to number 5

Digga D - Woi

Up 1 to number 28

AJ Tracey ft. Mabel - West Ten

Up 1 to number 6

Headie One ft. Drake - Only You Freestyle

In at number 9

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head and Heart

Up 2 to number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill

Thursday 23 July 2020

Top of the Pops, 23rd July 2020

It's quite a quiet chart week this week, though there is interest in the shape of new hits from Halsey (and in memory of Juice WRLD), D-Block Europe and Bewdley's own Becky Hill. We also have classy returning performances from Ava Max and RAYE, and a second look at that new TikTok-type version of Dancing In The Moonlight.

Jason Derulo racks up a third week at number one, this time performing an acoustic version of Savage Love without young Jawsh for a bit of variety.

Debuts: None

Ava Max - Kings and Queens

Up 1 to number 21

Halsey - Life's A Mess

High Climber - Up 55 to number 11

Jubel ft. Neimy - Dancing In The Moonlight

Up 4 to number 22

D-Block Europe - Plain Jane

In at number 30

Chris Brown ft. Young Thug - Go Crazy

Up 2 to number 25

Becky Hill vs Sigala - Heaven On My Mind

Up 9 to number 31

Regard ft. RAYE - Secrets

Up 2 to number 8

Jason Derulo - Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)

Third week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Tom Baker and David Tennant in a quarry

Thursday 16 July 2020

Top of the Pops, 16th July 2020

We're swamped with new entries this week, mostly from the world of rap, both British and US, but also including the third banger from Joel Corry - it's starting to look like the first one wasn't a fluke. Ty Dolla $ign and co make the most impressive use of the multi-way Zoom functionality, with an unexpected TOTP debut from FKA Twigs.

The chart story of the week has to be the late Pop Smoke, whose album places three hits in the top 40 and one in the top ten. Jason and Jawsh hang on for a second week at the top.

Debuts: FKA Twigs, OFB, Jack Harlow

Ty Dolla $ign ft. Kanye West, FKA Twigs and Skrillex - Ego Death

In at number 34

Joel Corry ft. MNEK - Head & Heart

In at number 15

Deno ft. OFB - Circles

In at number 36

Jack Harlow - Whats Poppin

High Climber - Up 28 to number 29

Digga D - Woi

In at number 24

AJ Tracey ft. Mabel - West Ten

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

Tribute To Pop Smoke - The Woo / For The Night / Mood Swings

In at number 9

Jawsh 685 vs Jason Derulo - Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh (on her sofa)

Thursday 9 July 2020

Top of the Pops, 9th July 2020

Congratulations to Jawsh 685, who leaps the last three places to take the top spot - with a little help from friend of the show Jason Derulo, of course. There's also a big new entry from K-pop maestros BlackPink, and a surprising leap for Jubel.

A couple of exclusives to mention: Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber perform their lockdown anthem live down the actual telephone, and the legendary Sweet Female Attitude and Sugababes give Nathan Dawes the day off and give us a sweet blend of their own takes on Flowers instead.

Debuts: Jubel, Neimy

Ava Max - Kings and Queens

Up 2 to number 19

BlackPink - How You Like That

Highest New Entry - In at number 20

Jubel ft. Neimy - Dancing In The Moonlight

High Climber - Up 26 to number 27

Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber - Stuck With U

Up 2 to number 17

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 2 to number 12 after 31 weeks

RAYE vs Regard - Secrets

Up 3 to number 7

Sweet Female Attitude and the Sugababes - Flowers

Up 3 to number 14

Jawsh 685 vs Jason Derulo - Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)

Up 3 to number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 2 July 2020

Top of the Pops, 2nd July 2020

DaBaby and Roddy Ricch have no mountains left to climb, but plenty of other milestones are being reached: Drake and Giveon and Hosh and 1979 all finally get on the show after weeks bouncing around the lower reaches of the chart, and the indestructible Harry Styles finally makes the top ten with Watermelon Sugar. He performs with a string quartet to celebrate.

The highest new entry comes from M Huncho and Dutchavelli, continuing the strong britrap showing in lockdown. Meanwhile Tones & I is back once again, Topic storms the top three, and Surf Mesa pop in as well.

Debuts: Hosh, 1979, Jalja, Giveon

Hosh and 1979 ft. Jalja - Midnight (The Hanging Tree)

High Climber - Up 11 to number 34

Drake ft. Giveon - Chicago Freestyle

Up 4 to number 28

Surf Mesa ft. Emilee - ILY (I Love You Baby)

Up 5 to number 22

M Huncho and Dutchavelli - Burning

Highest New Entry - In at number 13

Tones & I - Dance Monkey

Long Runner - Up 2 to number 26 after 47 weeks

Topic ft. A7S - Breaking Me

Up 1 to number 3

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Up 4 to number 7

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Sixth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Some gleeful Liverpool FC supporters

Thursday 25 June 2020

Top of the Pops, 25th June 2020

This week's exciting new hit is from Jason Derulo and his buddy Jawsh 685. Other than that the chart continues to move slowly: there are returning performances from RAYE, 220 Kid, Young T and Bugsey, and Ava Max, who seems permanently stuck in the 20s and 30s. Oh, D-Block Europe have a new one.

What will blow your mind, though, is a special one-off exclusive collaboration between DaBaby, Roddy Ricch and dirgetastic chart legends Nickelback, who mix their respective "Rockstar" hits together to create something truly unforgettable.

Debuts: Jawsh 685

RAYE - Secrets

Up 4 to number 8

Jawsh 685 vs Jason Derulo - Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)

Highest New Entry - In at number 22

Ava Max - Kings and Queens

Up 5 to number 26

D-Block Europe - Free 22

In at number 31

StaySolidRocky - Party Girl

Up 1 to number 17

220 Kid ft. Gracey - Don't Need Love

Up 3 to number 10

Young T and Bugsey ft. Headie One - Don't Rush

High Climber - Up 11 to number 19

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch vs Nickelback - Rockstar

Fifth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Dannii Minogue, from the highest turret in her fairy castle

Thursday 18 June 2020

Top of the Pops, 18th June 2020

There are a couple of nice exclusive performances this week: The Weeknd celebrates six months on the chart with an eerie unaccompanied performance from his elaborate bathroom, and Roddy Ricch takes the lead on the DaBaby track and interpolates a bit of his own hit The Box for good measure. We've also got a peppy debut from Niko B, and stalwart reprises from AJ Tracey and Mostack, Powfu and the indomitable Harry Styles.

Debuts: Niko B

Powfu ft. Beabadoobee - Death Bed

Up 1 to number 5

Niko B - Who's That What's That

Up 7 to number 26

Megan Thee Stallion - Savage

Up 2 to number 8

Sam Fischer - This City

Up 2 to number 17

AJ Tracey ft. Mostack - Dinner Guest

Up 2 to number 6

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Up 1 to number 15

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 10 after 28 weeks

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar / The Box

Fourth week at number 1 / Up 9 to number 63

PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville, awkwardly socially distancing

Thursday 11 June 2020

Top of the Pops, 11th June 2020

After a single week of Gaga and Grande at the top, DaBaby is back at the top. That doesn't stop Gaga from smashing a couple of hits in lower down, though, including her (remote) collaboration with BlackPink.

Biggest new hit is from Tion Wayne and co, and the TikTok wonder from Surf Mesa is featured for the first time. And we welcome back RAYE, friend of the show Dua Lipa, and even international megastar Drake, who seems to be easier to get via Zoom than in normal times.

Debuts: Surf Mesa, Emilee, Dutchavelli

RAYE with Regard - Secrets

Up 7 to number 18

Surf Mesa ft. Emilee - ILY (I Love You Baby)

Up 10 to number 26

Tion Wayne, Dutchavelli and Stormzy - I Dunno

Highest New Entry - In at number 7

Dua Lipa - Break My Heart

Up 1 to number 12

Topic ft. A7S - Breaking Me

Up 6 to number 5

Drake - Toosie Slide

Up 2 to number 4

Lady Gaga and BlackPink - Sour Candy

In at number 17

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Up 1 for a third week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Scott Mills and Chris Stark (from their respective sofas, eating corn chips)

Thursday 4 June 2020

Top of the Pops, 4th June 2020

Most of the higher-up climbers this week are the same ones as last week, so we get to showcase some of the bubbler-unders - StaySolidRocky, 220 Kid, and the surprisingly seldom featured 1975.

There are surges from Harry Styles and KSI, but the big story is Gaga and Grande pelting into the top spot with their summer behemoth. They mesh pretty well in split screen.

Debuts: StaySolidRocky

StaySolidRocky - Party Girl

Up 6 to number 28

The 1975 - If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)

High Climber - Up 19 to number 33

KSI ft. Swarmz and Tion Wayne - Houdini

Up 8 to number 15

Nathan Dawe ft. JayKae - Flowers

Up 1 to number 12

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Up 14 to number 21

220 Kid ft. Gracey - Don't Need Love

Up 3 to number 7

The Weeknd - In Your Eyes

Up 10 to number 29

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande - Rain On Me

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range (from her friend's garden)

Thursday 28 May 2020

Top of the Pops, 28th May 2020

Some big names (working from home still) appear on the show this week: Katy Perry has the highest new entry, and Nicki Minaj reprises her guest spot on Doja Cat's track as part of a two-song medley. Ava Max is back too, and the likeable Simba pounces into the top five.

DaBaby holds firm at number 1, but there's yet more fresh material from RAYE (acoustic version of her track with Regard) and Topic lower down. Lots going on.

Debuts: Topic, A7S

RAYE - Secrets

High Climber - Up 13 to number 30

Katy Perry - Daisies

Highest New Entry - In at number 37

Simba ft DTG - Rover

Up 4 to number 4

Topic ft A7S - Breaking Me

Up 9 to number 15

AJ Tracey ft Mostack - Dinner Guest

Up 1 to number 9

Doja Cat ft Nicki Minaj - Say So / Boss Bitch

Up 1 to number 2 / Up 7 to number 24

Ava Max - Kings & Queens

Up 4 to number 25

DaBaby ft Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill (from the chicken coop)

Thursday 21 May 2020

Top of the Pops, 21st May 2020

We've got quite a surprising number 1 this week: DaBaby takes a five place bounce to pip Drake, Doja and the rest. He and Roddy Ricch give an ebullient splitscreen performance to celebrate.

We've also got another new chart peak for Sam Fischer, a big-news new entry from Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, and new indoors versions of evergreen hits from Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and Saint JHN. Sweet Female Attitude even pop up to get the credit they are due for the fairly low rent Nathan Dawe hit. And look at Tones and I - 41 weeks now for her.

Debuts: None

Sam Fischer - This City

Up 4 to number 20

Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber - Stuck With U

Highest New Entry - In at number 4

Harry Styles - Adore You

Up 5 to number 18

Saint JHN - Roses

Up 1 to number 13

Tones and I - Dance Monkey

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 21 after 41 weeks

Dua Lipa - Break My Heart

Up 1 to number 11

Nathan Dawe ft Jaykae and Sweet Female Attitude - Flowers

Up 4 to number 17

DaBaby ft Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

Up 5 to number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh (from the Royal Albert Hall, with nobody in it)

Thursday 14 May 2020

Top of the Pops, 14th May 2020

There's not as much variation in genre as usual here: Drake's album release and high-profile guest star remixes by Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion spearhead the hip-hop charge and don't leave room for too much else. On the plus side, the ritzy cameos from Beyonce downwards are all happy to Zoom-chat on to the show - it's not like they're doing much else.

On the British side of things the likeable Simba reaches a new chart peak and friends of the show Little Mix are on call with hairbrush mics and lippy. JP Saxe and Julia Michaels's lockdown-friendly anthem continues to climb as well.

Debuts: None

Simba ft. DTG - Rover

Up 6 to number 7

Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce - Savage

Up 19 to number 3

JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels - If The World Was Ending

Up 9 to number 25

AJ Tracey ft. Mostack - Dinner Guest

Highest New Entry - In at number 8

Little Mix - Break Up Song

Up 2 to number 18

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch - Rockstar

High Climber - Up 21 to number 6

Doja Cat ft. Nicki Minaj - Say So

Up 8 to number 2

Drake - Toosie Slide

Up 3 to number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton (from his utility room)

Thursday 7 May 2020

Top of the Pops, 7th May 2020

In what is being billed as Radio 1's first ever number 1 hit, the Live Lounge Allstars leap four places to hit the top, all in aid of a good cause of course. The lockdown isolation vibe is carried on with downbeat solo performances from Powfu's samplee Beabadoobee and Joel Corry's collaborator Harlee, plus a Zoom chat version of the 1975.

There are also big hip hop entries (in video form) from KSI and the Scotts and dance from the 220 Kid, and Sam Fischer gets his TOTP debut at last after months in the lower reaches of the chart.

Debuts: Kid Cudi, Swarmz, Sam Fischer, 220 Kid, Gracey, Harlee (on her own)

Travis Scott and Kid Cudi - The Scotts

In at number 11

The 1975 - If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)

In at number 14

KSI ft Swarmz and Tion Wayne - Houdini

Highest New Entry - In at number 6

Sam Fischer - This City

Up 2 to number 31

220 Kid and Gracey - Don't Need Love

High Climber - Up 11 to number 38

Beabadoobee - Coffee For Your Head

Up 2 to number 5

Harlee - Lonely

Up 2 to number 8

Live Lounge Allstars - Times Like These

Up 4 to number 1

PRESENTER: Paije from the X Factor (from his sofa)

Thursday 30 April 2020

Top of the Pops, 30th April 2020

It's a very quiet chart in some ways, but there's a decent number of new entries stretching from the top to the bottom of the top 40. From slow-burning new arrivals like Gerry Cinnamon, to new stuff from established stars like Sam Smith, to a double bill of blockbuster reactions to the pandemic from the Live Lounge Allstars and the thoroughly good egg Captain Tom Moore.

In fact the only non-new entry comes from friends of the show Little Mix, performing a lovely exclusive version of Break Up Song in split-screen acapella.

Debuts: M Huncho, Beth Porch, Gerry Cinnamon, Captain Tom Moore.

Sam Smith and Demi Lovato - I'm Ready

In at number 20

Live Lounge Allstars - Times Like These

In at number 5

Nafe Smallz ft. M Huncho - Part Of The Plan

In at number 38

Beth Porch - You Taught Me What Love Is

In at number 25

Gerry Cinnamon - Where We're Going

In at number 39

DaBaby - Rockstar / Find My Way

In at number 29 / Up 7 to number 64

Little Mix - Break Up Song

Up 2 to number 18

Michael Ball ft. Captain Tom Moore - You'll Never Walk Alone

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: Dannii Minogue from her private beach

Thursday 23 April 2020

Top of the Pops, 23rd April 2020

The Weeknd is still at the top, quietly getting closer to having one of the all-time runs at number 1. How long can he hold it? Without much new material appearing to challenge him, maybe quite a long time.

We do have new-to-TOTP songs from Jones and Solveig's Europa project, Khalid and Disclosure, and the lockdown-appropriate hit from JP Saxe, one of three TOTP debuts this week. And Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion continue to make chart inroads.

Debuts: JP Saxe, Simba, DTG

Khalid and Disclosure - Know Your Worth

Up 1 to number 27

Jax Jones and Martin Solveig ft RAYE - Tequila

Up 11 to number 21

JP Saxe ft Julia Michaels - If The World Was Ending

Up 4 to number 31

Simba ft DTG - Rover

High Climber - Up 25 to number 23

Megan Thee Stallion - Savage

Up 5 to number 17

Harry Styles - Falling

Up 1 to number 15

Doja Cat - Say So / Boss Bitch

Up 1 to number 8 / Up 1 to number 28

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Eighth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness as Max and Paddy doing a bit

Thursday 16 April 2020

Top of the Pops, 16th April 2020

Still in lockdown, blah blah blah. We've got some great work-from-home performances though, including Powfu from his actual bed (not a death bed) and Harry Styles continuing to do his best Olly Murs-alike from his home swimming pool.

Nathan Dawe is new this week, and although his chart position doesn't strictly merit it, Matt Lucas is allowed on as a public service.

Debuts: Nathan Dawe, Jaykae, Matt Lucas

Powfu - Death Bed

Up 6 to number 8

Drake - Toosie Slide

Highest New Entry - In at number 2

Matt Lucas - Thank You Baked Potato

In at number 34

Nathan Dawe ft Jaykae - Flowers

High Climber - Up 11 to number 23

Harry Styles - Adore You

Up 3 to number 13

From The Vault: Bill Withers - Lovely Day

Back in at number 73

Lady Gaga - Stupid Love

Up 1 to number 21

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Seventh week at number 1

PRESENTER: Abz Breen (from a van somewhere)

Thursday 9 April 2020

Top of the Pops, 9th April 2020

Friends of the show Little Mix are back, via a conference call from their bedrooms. Skepta and friends also take the multiscreen option, whereas Justin Bieber simply ropes in a few of his four-legged friends to fill in for Quavo. We've also got the return of Rihanna (!) but only via an inset video in a kitchen-based performance from PartyNextDoor.

The Weeknd hops back up to number 1 after a couple of weeks off.

Debuts:Young Adz (as solo), Megan Thee Stallion

Little Mix - Break Up Song

In at number 9

Lil Mosey - Blueberry Faygo

Up 11 to number 11

PartyNextDoor ft Rihanna - Believe It

In at number 12

Skepta ft Chip and Young Adz - Waze / Mains

In at number 18 / In at number 32

Dua Lipa - Break My Heart

Highest New Entry - In at number 6

Megan Thee Stallion - Savage

High Climber - Up 19 to number 28

Justin Bieber ft Justin Bieber's pets - Intentions

Up 1 to number 8

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Back up to number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range (from an empty Anfield)

Thursday 2 April 2020

Top of the Pops, 2nd April 2020

There's about as much chart movement just now as there is movement of people, but on the plus side, those who do have chart climbers all seem very keen to canter through them via video link, or chirpy messages to introduce their videos or old performances. There are some new hits from The Weeknd, as well.

We're also forced to confront the phenomenon of TikTok. Last week we had Doja Cat, and this week it's the turn of both Powfu and Benee to break through with highly likeable hits popularised on the platform. So whatever it actually is, it has to be a good thing so far.

Debuts: Powfu, Beabadoobee, Benee, Gus Dapperton

Mabel - Boyfriend

Up 6 to number 11

Powfu ft Beabadoobee - Death Bed

Up 4 to number 19

Roddy Ricch - The Box

Up 1 to number 3

Benee ft Gus Dapperton - Supalonely

Up 1 to number 21

Dua Lipa - Physical

Up 2 to number 5

From The Vault: Kenny Rogers - The Gambler

Back in at number 66

The Weeknd - In Your Eyes / After Hours

Highest New Entry - In at number 17 / High Climber - Up 20 to number 23

Saint JHN - Roses

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: John Lydon (from a mystery location)

Thursday 26 March 2020

Top of the Pops, 26th March 2020

Lockdown continues, so everyone listed below is either performing acoustically from their bedroom, leaning on videos or archive footage, or in the case of Becky Hill, belting it out from a rooftop accompanied by fireworks and an alpen horn.

Saint JHN tops off a pretty notable chart climb this week by taking the final little leap to number one, while many of our top stars (Bieber, Styles, er, Horan) consolidate their positions. Lil Mosey is a newcomer, and the likeable Doja Cat reaches a new chart peak.

Debuts: Lil Mosey

Niall Horan - No Judgement

Highest New Entry - In at number 32

Justin Bieber ft Quavo - Intentions

Up 1 to number 10

Doja Cat - Say So

Up 1 to number 8

Becky Hill - Better Off Without You

Up 2 to number 14

Lil Mosey - Blueberry Faygo

High Climber - Up 22 to number 19

Joel Corry - Lonely

Up 2 to number 5

Harry Styles - Adore You / Falling

Up 4 to number 13 / Up 4 to number 20

Saint JHN - Roses

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTER: JB Gill (from the farm)

Thursday 19 March 2020

Top of the Pops, 19th March 2020

Well. With concerts, events and gatherings of all kinds being cancelled, Top of the Pops errs on the side of prudence and does the (almost) unthinkable: drops the studio. Instead we get a mix of archive footage (The Weeknd), concert footage (Eminem) and jolly low-fi Skype-type pop-ins (Dua Lipa, the welcome return of Anne-Marie, Da Beatfreakz in a multi-window Zoom-style scenario).

The week's relatively rich crop of debutants will have to wait for their big studio moments, but it can't be helped.

Debuts: Tay Keith, Deno, 24KGoldn

Anne-Marie - Birthday

Up 3 to number 33

Aitch ft AJ Tracey and Tay Keith - Rain

Highest New Entry - In at number 3

Demi Lovato - I Love Me

In at number 35

Da Beatfreakz ft Krept and Konan, D-Block Europe and Deno - Self-Obsessed

In at number 26

24KGoldn - City of Angels

Up 2 to number 32

Eminem - Godzilla

Up 2 to number 13

Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now / Physical

Up 1 to number 5 / Up 5 to number 8

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Fifth week at number 1

PRESENTERS: Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden (in their kitchens)

Thursday 12 March 2020

Top of the Pops, 12th March 2020

There's quite a lot new this week: the return of classic Lady Gaga and a new entry from Mabel, plus Harry Styles switching over from Adore You to his new one (The Ballad). Doja Cat reaches the top ten for the first time, and Saint JHN somehow nearly dethrones The Weeknd. Nearly.

Debuts: None

Tones and I - Dance Monkey

Up 3 to number 19

Lady Gaga - Stupid Love

Highest New Entry - In at number 5

Harry Styles - Falling

Up 7 to number 22

Mabel - Boyfriend

In at number 28

Saint JHN - Roses

Up 2 to number 4

Sam Smith - To Die For

Up 2 to number 23

Doja Cat - Say So

Up 9 to number 10

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Fourth week at number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Thursday 5 March 2020

Top of the Pops, 5th March 2020

New chart peaks this week for Becky Hill's latest one, and for Halsey, and indeed for the tireless Joel Corry. The star power comes (mainly) from Harry Styles and Dua Lipa, plus friend of the show Camila Cabello, and we pay tribute to the memory of posthumous chart leaper Pop Smoke. The Weeknd brings us a secondary track alongside his new romantic megahit to close the show.

Debuts: Pop Smoke

Camila Cabello ft DaBaby - My Oh My

Up 3 to number 16

Becky Hill vs Shift K3y - Better Off Without You

Up 2 to number 23

Halsey - You Should Be Sad

Up 2 to number 13

Pop Smoke - Dior

High Climber - Up 40 to number 33

Joel Corry - Lonely

Up 6 to number 8

Harry Styles - Adore You

Up 3 to number 10

Dua Lipa - Physical

Up 2 to number 14

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights / After Hours

Third week at number 1 / Highest New Entry - In at number 20

PRESENTERS: Jimmy Carr and Rachel Riley

Thursday 27 February 2020

Top of the Pops, 27th February 2020

If you were wondering when Billie Eilish would top the chart, well, the answer is now. Her Bond-assisted newie drops in at number 1 (and the second highest entry of the week comes from the last Bond singer, Sam Smith, too).

Lewis Capaldi is still in the top ten, now on a barely believable Chasing Cars-type run, but Mabel isn't doing badly for chart longevity either, albeit a bit lower down. New stuff comes from the mighty Bieber and newcomer Doja Cat.

Debuts: Doja Cat

Mabel - Don't Call Me Up

High Climber - Up 14 to number 38

Doja Cat - Say So

Up 4 to number 21

Justin Bieber - Yummy / Forever

Up 1 to number 12 / In at number 29

Sam Smith - To Die For

In at number 20

Arizona Zervas - Roxanne

Up 1 to number 32

Saint JHN - Roses

Up 1 to number 7

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

Long Runner - Up 1 to number 6 after 60 weeks

Billie Eilish - No Time To Die

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 20 February 2020

Top of the Pops, 20th February 2020

Superduo Future and Drake are back in the studio, between them just about eclipsing Justin Bieber's star on a pretty stacked TOTP. The highlight must be the two of them guesting on a souped-up exclusive performance from friend of the show Camila Cabello.

We've also got new stuff from Joel Corry, both new and old stuff from Selena Gomez, and a second week up top for the 1980s stylings of The Weeknd.

Debuts: None

Jonas Brothers - What A Man Gotta Do

Up 9 to number 22

Future ft Drake - Life Is Good

Up 2 to number 8

Trevor Daniel - Falling

Up 4 to number 18

Selena Gomez - Lose You To Love Me / Rare

Up 6 to number 21 / Up 8 to number 42

Joel Corry - Lonely

High Climber - Up 14 to number 16

Justin Bieber - Intentions

Highest new entry - In at number 14

Camila Cabello ft Future and Drake - My Oh My

Up 3 to number 17

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: Dannii Minogue

Thursday 13 February 2020

Top of the Pops, 13th February 2020

As possibly expected, friend of the show The Weeknd leaps a place to displace chart mastodon Lewis Capaldi at the top - but Capaldi is still in the top ten with last year's hit, so both are on the show. Dua Lipa has a big new entry as well, and Roddy Ricch is back with a mate in tow - another future chart topper, maybe?

Elsewhere chart inroads are made by KSI and Saint JHN, and Halsey hangs in mid-chart like she has done for a while. And how about Arizona Zervas - the guy just won't go away.

Debuts: Saint JHN, Trippie Redd, Mustard

Ariona Zervas - Roxanne

Up 1 to number 9

Dua Lipa - Physical

In at number 12

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

Long Runner - Up 3 to number 6 after 58 weeks

Saint JHN - Roses

High Climber - Up 19 to number 21

Halsey - You Should Be Sad

Up 7 to number 24

KSI ft Trippie Redd - Wake Up Call

Highest New Entry - In at number 11

Roddy Ricch with Mustard - The Box / Ballin'

Up 1 to number 2 / Up 18 to number 46

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Up 1 to number 1

PRESENTERS: Hugh Bonneville and Paddington Bear

Thursday 6 February 2020

Top of the Pops, 6th February 2020

It's been a longish climb, but the latest fizzer from chart heavyweight Lewis Capaldi has made it all the way to the top. He's run fairly close by friends of the show Dua Lipa and The Weeknd.

We've also got a couple of special performances: a double header from the ever more impressive Billie Eilish, and a new album sampler from man of the moment J Hus. Maroon 5 and Harry Styles bring the pop disco.

Debuts: Icee TGM

Harry Styles - Adore You

Up 1 to number 14

Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now

Up 1 to number 6

J Hus ft Burna Boy and Icee TGM - Play Play / Big Conspiracy

Highest New Entry - In at number 11 / In at number 19

Endor - Pump It Up

Up 1 to number 18

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Up 1 to number 2

Maroon 5 - Memories

Up 2 to number 16

Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted / Bad Guy

Up 3 to number 8 / Long Runner - Up 6 to number 22 after 44 weeks

Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go

Up 4 to number 1

PRESENTERS: Abz Breen and Richie Neville

Thursday 30 January 2020

Top of the Pops, 30th January 2020

We're still ground to a halt near the top of the chart, so most of the interest is lower down, including a couple of rare invitees from outside the top 40. Not that that means a drop in star power: BTS are a pretty big name after all.

The exception is Eminem (with beyond-the-grave support from Juice WRLD) who crashes in at the top spot. Still got it.

Debuts: None

Young T and Bugsey ft Headie One - Don't Rush

Up 1 to number 31

BTS - Black Swan

In at number 46

1975 - Me & You Together Song

In at number 35

Digdat ft Aitch - Ei8ht Mile

In at number 9

Trevor Daniel - Falling

Up 1 to number 24

Jonas Brothers - What A Man Gotta Do

In at number 33

Dermot Kennedy - Power Over Me

Up 7 to number 53

Eminem ft Juice WRLD - Godzilla

Straight in at number 1

PRESENTER: Heidi Range

Thursday 23 January 2020

Top of the Pops, 23rd January 2020

After a couple of eventful weeks the upper reaches of the chart have slowed down a bit, but there's plenty of action outside the top 20. Camila Cabello and Selena Gomez are both charging up, and British urban artists Darkoo and AJ Tracy both make mini-climbs - the latter brings us an exclusive all star remix of his 2019 behemoth.

Nearer the top we've got the high new entry from Future, and a Sheeranless version of Stormzy's number 1 (with a bit of number 21 mixed in).

Debuts: DaBaby

Darkoo ft One Acen - Gangsta

Up 7 to number 26

Future - Life Is Good

Highest New Entry - In at number 3

Halsey - You Should Be Sad

In at number 37

Dermot Kennedy - Outnumbered / Power Over Me

Up 2 to number 38 / Back in at number 60

Selena Gomez - Rare / Lose You To Love Me

In at number 28 / Up 2 to number 18

Camila Cabello ft DaBaby - My Oh My

Up 1 to number 20

AJ Tracey ft Jorja Smith, Darkoo, One Acen and Stormzy - Ladbroke Grove

Up 2 to number 34

Stormzy ft Burna Boy - Own It / Still Disappointed

Third week at number 1 / In at number 21

PRESENTERS: Ainslie Harriott and Paul Hollywood

Thursday 16 January 2020

Top of the Pops, 16th January 2020

The January chart is still pretty lively, with tracks from last year (Meduza, Regard) shooting back up alongside new ones from Justin Bieber, friend of the show The Weeknd and this week's britrap representatives, Mist and Roddy Ricch.

Bieber aside, chart monster Lewis Capaldi and the mighty Stormzy are the big names, Stormzy performing solo this week. That's over a year on the chart now for the Capaldi track.

Debuts: None

Meduza and Goodboys ft Becky Hill - Lose Control

Up 16 to number 15

Justin Bieber - Yummy

Highest New Entry - In at number 5

Roddy Ricch - The Box

High Climber - Up 24 to number 16

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Up 1 to number 10

Mist - Savage

In at number 35

Regard ft Jay Sean - Ride It

Up 12 to number 11

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

Long Runner - Up 8 to number 7 after 54 weeks

Stormzy - Own It

Second week at number 1

PRESENTER: James Masterton

Thursday 9 January 2020

Top of the Pops, 9th January 2020

Happy New Year! All the Christmas music has suddenly evanasced, so nearly every song in the chart is a climber - which means that this is going to be an especially creme-de-la-creme episode of TOTP, basically a Best Of Chart Music from the last couple of months. That means big names like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and chart monolith Lewis Capaldi, the inescapable Tones & I, and songs-of-the-moment from Endor and Arizona Zervas.

There is a bit of new stuff as well though, as One Acen and TOTP debutant Darkoo make the top 30 for the first time.

Debuts: Darkoo

Tones & I - Dance Monkey

Up 15 to number 5

Billie Eilish - Everything I Wanted

Up 17 to number 6

Arizona Zervas - Roxanne

Up 12 to number 4

Lewis Capaldi - Before You Go

Up 10 to number 2

Darkoo and One Acen - Gangsta

Highest New Entry - In at number 22

Endor - Pump It Up

High Climber - Up 28 to number 8

Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now

Up 11 to number 3

Stormzy ft. Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy - Own It

Up 4 to number 1

PRESENTER: Kimberley Walsh

Monday 6 January 2020

Fantasy Top of the Pops 2019 round-up

Happy new year, everyone!

It's time once again to take a look at this year's TOTP mainstays, but first, also traditionally, some thoughts on the real-life Top of the Pops specials for Christmas and New Year.

Now there were some good performances on these shows of course, but I'm sorry to say that for the first time, in general, I was a bit disappointed. Regular Fantasy TOTP-heads will know the big chart stories this year: the breakthrough of British urban music by artists like Aitch, J Hus, Young T and Bugsey, and Dave; a relatively small number of very long-running number 1s by Ariana Grande, Tones & I, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran and others; and the discovery of some exciting new artists, most notably Billy Eilish.

None of that appeared on the programmes! Britrap was limited to Stormzy (not a studio performance, and a track from 2018) and AJ Tracey (admittedly great with an inspired live vocal from Jorja Smith, but a bit of a garage throwback compared to most of the other options). There was no Dave, Aitch, Fredo, er, D-Block Europe or any of that.

The show was also lacking in international stars - maybe not entirely the producers' fault, but they've done better in previous years - and failed to show many of the truly big songs of the year. Arguably Capaldi was the only one, maybe Mabel as well, but if you look at the 40 biggest songs of last year very few were represented.

Now admittedly the artists who did appear were generally on their game. I was especially pleased to see that most of the dance DJs seemed happy to be there and to be approaching the show in the spirit in which it's intended. But the selections were way off: even if you assume that none of the British urban artists could be persuaded to turn up, and all the international stars were busy, there were some inexplicable selections, broadly in three categories.

The Blossoms problem: TOTP seems overly keen to engineer genre representation by featuring indie-type bands who have been nowhere near the chart. Blossoms have literally never had a top 75 track in 2019 or any other year. So why do they get featured? There's no need for TOTP to feature this music: if it doesn't chart, it simply isn't a TOTP genre any more than jazz, classical, celtic moods or any of the other many genres that exist independently of what's popular. If they must have genre diversity, how about 5 Seconds of Summer? They had hits in 2019, and the show featured no boy bands. How about Lizzo for some throwback RnB? How about some electropop from Chvrches, who had their biggest ever hit?

The Jack Savoretti problem: It seems like the producers are keen to give the Christmas audience something Radio 2 friendly. But again, if it hasn't been a singles hit, how popular can it be? For me, the joy of TOTP is the seemingly random, uncurated nature of what the chart throws up. Once you start curating, you make decisions based on a single person or small group of people's assumptions, and you're much less likely to end up with something good.

The Celeste problem: Featuring new artists in an attempt to appear cool. Sorry, TOTP can never be cool, because the chart is voted for by the entire public, who can never be cool by definition. Particularly silly this year since the chart is less followed than ever and many of the acts who did have actual hits remain fairly unknown to most people and could have benefited from the exposure. Lauv, Arizona Zerva, Normani, the British urban contingent... it's a long list.

Overall, well done to the performers, to Clara Amfo, and to the BBC for keeping the show going. But let's hope next year looks more like a genuine Best Charting Acts Of 2020 than whatever this was.

Enough about that. Now it's time to give you what you've tuned in for, get back to fantasy land, and count down the ten most featured TOTP artistes of the year.

In joint tenth place with ten appearances is Jax Jones. Another great year for him, charting behind several different featured vocalists with an endless stream of reliably popular tracks. And always keen to come to the TOTP stage.

Also in joint tenth place with ten appearances is AJ Tracey. It's a breakthrough year for him, mainly thanks to the song of the year Ladbroke Grove, but also through features on various tracks by his British urban peers.

And also in joint tenth place is Post Malone. Streaming megastar, would have been higher if he was available every time he was eligible to be on the show.

In ninth place with eleven appearances is Aitch. Completely new to the show and one of the stars riding the wave of Britrap's chart explosion, Aitch has appeared on several tracks, both as lead and featured artist.

In joint sixth place with twelve appearances is Burna Boy. Admittedly a bit of a pointless answer, Burna Boy was featured repeatedly on tracks by Stormzy and others, making him a reliable TOTP inclusion, though never as lead artist.

Also in joint sixth place with twelve appearances is Camila Cabello. A reliable friend of the show, Cabello had a smash number one duet with Shawn Mendes as well as hits with Ed Sheeran and on her own.

And also in joint sixth place is Ariana Grande. After a super-hot start, Grande had a relatively quiet second half of the year, but her endless run at number 1 with multiple songs in the early months keeps her well-represented.

In joint fourth place with thirteen appearances is Tones & I. These are all with the same song, but what a song. Possibly a record-breaking run at number 1 for a debut single. It'll be interesting to see what 2020 holds.

Also in joint fourth place with thirteen appearances is Dave. One of the cream of the Britrap crop, Dave set the example to Aitch and the rest by having multiple hits of his own and featuring on others' tracks as well. His hits tend to be very persistent, hanging on the top 20 for months at a time.

In third place with fourteen appearances is Stormzy. The big three have been more or less untouchable this year. Stormzy had two number 1 hits and various other tracks and features here and there. Well deserved.

In second place with nineteen appearances is Ed Sheeran. King Ed's hitmaking ability remains unmatched; everything he does seems to zoom to the top of the chart and stay there more or less until he releases something else. It'll be years before anyone can match his overall TOTP appearance count.

And in first place with twenty-one appearances is Lewis Capaldi. Ed didn't have it all his own way, though. It's hard to believe now that up to the end of 2018, Lewis Capaldi had barely charted. 2019 has been an enormous year for him, with a massive number 1 and several other songs whose chart runs went on and on. Nice guy too.


And now let's look at the all-time Fantasy TOTP top appearers:

1 Ed Sheeran (79)
2 Little Mix (49)
3 Ariana Grande (47)
4 Dua Lipa (40)
= Calvin Harris (40)
6 Clean Bandit (39)
= Drake (39)
8 Sam Smith (37)
9 Rita Ora (35)
10 Jess Glynne (34)
== Camila Cabello (34)
12 George Ezra (33)
== Ellie Goulding (33)
14 Justin Bieber (30)
15 Zara Larsson (29)
16 Khalid (28)
17 Stormzy (27)
18 Coldplay (26)
19 Anne-Marie (25)
== Jax Jones (25)
== Shawn Mendes (25)


Highest new entry here is low-key chart presentee Khalid, who just pips Stormzy. Ariana Grande climbs into the top three, while Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne and others have had quiet years and dropped down. Tinie Tempah, after being featured every year since 2013, didn't appear at all. Maybe he'll be back in 2020?