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)