Top Of The Box

Orange Juice - I Can’t Help Myself, Whistle Test, 1982
First shown on 22nd February on BBC4, last night I watched a very moving documentary about Edwyn Collins on BBC2, Edwyn Collins: Home Again.  It followed Edwyn’s continuing recovery from a brain haemorrhage that was the result of two strokes and contracting MRSA  in 2005.  Last [...]

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Originally a single in 1977 for Aerosmith, this song was re- recorded with rap artists Run DMC in 1986.
The track resurrected the career of the rock band and won the Soul Train Award For Best Rap Single in 1987 for both bands.
Who says guitar music and Rap can’t be enjoyed by the same audience?
Run DMC [...]

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The Associates - Club Country, Top Of The Pops, 1982
The Associates were Billy Mackenzie & Alan Rankine. It was Billy Mackenzie’s gorgeous golden tonsils that helped The Associates stand out from much of the dross that filled the charts in 1982. This was their twelve single, but only thier second Top 40 hit, [...]

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Japan - Ghosts, The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1982
Ghosts is a wonderful, perfect song that captures David Sylvian’s beautiful voice.  A great live performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
The group split up in December 1982 citing the ubiquitous musical differences as the main reason, though it was also stated at the time that the [...]

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10cc - Rubber Bullets, Top Of The Pops, 1973
10cc were at their commercial peak in the early 1970’s. Rubber Bullets was their first number 1 in the UK.
I love this song, it reminds me of my childhood, Top Of The Pops on a Thursday night and listening to the Top 40 countdown on Radio [...]

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