Scritti Politti 'Absolute' TOTP (1984)

[@BeggarsArchive]

Check out the Top of the Pops playlist here ➤ bit.ly/2F8np11 Top Of The Pops - 80s Performances ➤ bit.ly/2GouWZR Top Of The Pops - 90s Performances ➤ bit.ly/3lHFtPB

[@dawnsabin-simpson8938]

This has gotta be one of the nicest songs written and performed. This quality is a fashion that never went out of style.Nice one. first class.

[@scientifico]

Is it normal to still feel this song as much at 60 years old? So much youth and brightness... I can't let go!

[@rachelar]

Never let go

[@danepaulstewart8464]

I’m right here with you! The day we let go… it’s all over. So hold on!!

[@peterlind1966]

"Absolutely" normal !

[@malcolmbeckett9802]

This man Green Gartside, is a very special man, an equal to Bowie, just not wanting adoration so much, maybe....

[@malcolmbeckett9802]

I'm 62.5 and I will always appreciate quality

[@helenbosworth5950]

Great song still listening in 2024

[@tervatori]

After after 36 years this song is still pure magic, purest Pop I have ever heard. I worship Scritti Politti.

[@farmyardflavours]

Me too. I am obsessed 💚

[@rachelar]

This is better than pop

[@KellyeR1970]

I had this cassette tape when I was 14 loved Scritti Politti ! Can we just go back to 1984 ?

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

Yeah... pretty blessed to have lived through that time. I was only 9!

[@yank196101]

Life is about progression and moving forward but we can still listen to the music.

[@enzodisciullo2557]

I was 11, listening to this is just like pressing the rewind button!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

@@jadeowenhamblyn4405 me too...84 was one of the best years in my life..

[@davidnottet726]

Time 's machine. Go ahead to the past right off bat in 1984 without any hesitation

[@MrCatalysis101]

This is pop writing genius at its most extreme.

[@edreid7872]

Absolutely magical....remember exactly where I was when I first heard them..jukebox in a small East Village bar in NYC....I asked the bartender for a pen and paper to write down their name....1984 was a great year....

[@Scotty-P]

YES!!!!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

84 was one of the greatest years in pop music history

[@rb7007]

Great story! 😀

[@KimPhilby203]

Same vibe ... Rotterdam 1984...

[@robcurle243]

Absolutely fantastic track. The 80,s were the best. Wish I could go back. And stay there forever.

[@ladyrcursed666]

Me 2 x

[@MashmanMusic]

Black Mirror (S03E04)

[@debbiewithers3713]

And me, today’s life is so depressing 😢

[@stevanwarburton5501]

one word... PERFECTION !

[@frannieo6128]

How can this be 40 years ago?

[@amandadempsey4475]

The drop down sections (key changes) in this track are killer. So well produced. Perfection 👌

[@antonchristian873]

Brilliant stuff ! The girl drummer is absolutely gorgeous.

[@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq]

Today's Anglo-American Pop is shameful compared to this.

[@rachelar]

Cant find out her name in the credits. Any idea?

[@antonchristian873]

@@rachelar Unfortunately no, She's the spitting image of my first love, who absolutely broke my heart. !

[@FreddieFreethinking]

One Of The Greatest Popsongs Ever Recorded.

[@kdp8133]

Green at his gorgeous best. That Princess Di look!

[@jonathonsingleton837]

Indeed, and Modern Talking were on the same style boat around this time as well. Diana with a tan, but butch like a man.

[@carmelcream7662]

@@jonathonsingleton837 your my heart your my soul

[@misst.e.a.187]

I used to really fancy him

[@missprincegirl]

Princess Di/Prince mashup

[@kdp8133]

@@missprincegirl Absolutely!

[@freethinker79]

Love the deep philosophy Green always sprinkled into his lyrics.

[@Thebaldbeardmen113]

Drummer she is stunning what a song I was 4 in 1984 but this just reminds me of happier simpler times I would do anything go back one day

[@mickeyjohnson5247]

What is her name??

[@chops6416]

I was 20 in 84 😊 - right place, right time.

[@xfactorcritic]

@@mickeyjohnson5247 Jody Linscott is her name

[@jamesgallagher1992]

​​@@xfactorcriticnope...shes definately not jody linscott..this gal also played on tv with fergal sharkey in 85 86 and is in his video for "you little thief"👍

[@mooseyman74]

She could hit me with her rhythm sticks

[@SeaBassTian]

Gorgeous melody, flawless production and Green is looking sharp!

[@Michelle-ki3lj]

I adored Green. So beautiful. Still looks lovely.

[@augustobuson4103]

Sono fiero di essere un vostro fun anche se sono young rispetto all'epoca in cui avete cantato ma nella mia vita mi troverò ispirazione da voi.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ehaworth9]

Green and Scritti Politti always were and always will be inimitable

[@chops6416]

'Cupid and Psyche 85' Played it to death.

[@mitchvete5808]

I love his outfit

[@blondewych]

Sweet baby Jesus, what an Absolute choon and total dishbag 💖❤️💕

[@tinkler4]

When I first heard this on the radio, I was like, whoa this sounds amazing!! Still one of my fav albums Cupid & Psyche 85, masterpiece of music in the 80’s

[@HarryYT22]

Great performance! Love seeing the people dancing in the background. Brilliant feel good song too!

[@mehhhhist]

Green looks like the living embodiment of the 80s. it's really bizarre to think only a year or two prior he was emaciated and in hospital due to recurring panic attacks

[@LonelyMonarchist1998]

He looks like both members of Modern Talking fused into one

[@misst.e.a.187]

He was gorgeous and is still an attractive man

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

@@LonelyMonarchist1998 Though with totally different music credentials to match...

[@geekpie100]

The production is great - Arif Mardin.

[@geekpie100]

Cupid and Psyche, Penthouse and Pavement and Lexicon of Love - my top 3 LPs of the 80s. Never knew until now that Scritti had a woman drummer.

[@fashionicon1972]

mimed model bozo

[@willritter4076]

the Cupid & Psyche album came out in the US in the autumn of '85, and that's when we first heard of Scritti Politti... i didn't realize that it had been released that much earlier in Britain.

[@pascaldesmedt]

Absolutely my number one favourite track of the 80s: baroque synths, haunting melody, androgynous male singer with female voice and star dust all over to make you dream of those great times that once were...the eighties!

[@rachelar]

I think he based his vocals on Michael Jackson's

[@carlospires7411]

Great! Bring me all the 80's music! Love it

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I have a nice playlist of such you might want to check out; it's a good time. 😊

[@TheSpaniellover]

This song is absolutely brilliant!

[@L0rdOfThePies]

Im here from a LMW thread, this is a really lovely piece nonetheless, might add it to a playlist

[@Yeetusly]

I contacted the main drummer to see if he knows something about it.

[@debcash4907]

Love love love ❤️ 😍 oh the 80s fab music I loved Scritti Politti

[@scandinavianheinz5725]

Ooooh, and I love you, even if YOU ARE LIP SYNCING!!!😘😘😘 GORGEOUS MAN!!!💖💕💓💗

[@jacquelinemorris7959]

Great hair! 👌 I'd totally forgot about this song! thanks for the flashback!

[@Barbara-mf9mn]

such a vastly underrated singer

[@augustobuson4103]

❤❤❤❤❤❤io li adoro gli scritti politti❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Evviva gli scritti politti😊

[@DJdext]

I love this band!!! And that hair!!!! My sister loved him and she tried to fix my hair like that. LOL!!!

[@lafreewaylafreeway]

Always loved that section of music at 2:36 …..PLUS….did not realise he is 6 foot 6inches…..beautiful 🥰

[@dutchbird100]

Fantastic... Bought the original album online last week, will pick it up at the post office tomorrow and play it for the rest of the week in the mancave!

[@howard4510]

Absolutely perfect pop

[@hallson2917]

LOve It The drums and everything!

[@andyjamison-legere2862]

One of my all time favorite albums. It is so odd that this is one classic album that has never been remastered.

[@claddaghclare22]

Beautiful in all ways. Otherworldly. Too good for mere pop. Defies labels. I was 8 when this came out. Too young to fully appreciate him. Love Green x

[@michaelfrazia4569]

green is one of the true geniuses of pop song construction

[@rachelar]

His best

[@angelamartin5003]

I think this song fabulous.

[@h.m.7218]

Great song, great album.

[@Elwrt455]

Still listening to this Masterpiece May 27

[@tracylane8098]

green gartside i think his name is,im 55 so 4give me if i 4get, loved this calm sound yet was so different

[@philtaylor3098]

Sept 2024 and I still love it.

[@hejsanhejda1921]

One of my favorite song 😍 / Une de mes chansons favorites 🤩

[@alanlucas501]

Great stuff.

[@farmyardflavours]

He's beautiful

[@beccarichardson2819]

Adore ❤

[@maccarlton472]

love this band have the word girl on12" great music

[@rw7269]

I remember paul McCartney saying this was his kids favourite group.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

"The Beatles? They're over dad."

[@L0rdOfThePies]

Oh very interesting fact!

[@strictlynorton]

Check out the the list of musicians who worked on Cupid and Psyche, its a who's, who of 1980's badassery... Arif Mardin, Steve Ferrone, Tawatha Agee and David Frank to name just four. Best album of the 80's tying with ABC's Trevor Horn produced Lexicon of Love.

[@christopherhowe5180]

hypnotic

[@sb6678]

I remember this guy was really tall. When I were younger I went to see him and a few other acts.. When his act was over, he came down to the crowd,lifted me onto his shoulder and started dancing around with me up there. At the time I was really small and he was a huge giant of a man and I was pretty scared, but he was a really nice sound bloke and told me not to worry. Yers later I saw him again and he is still a lot taller than me. I spoke of the day and he remembered it and put me up there again!! Hahah

[@TheAcousticRabbitHole]

I discovered Scritti Politi as a child when I bought the Madonna "Who's That Girl" record in the mid 80's. What struck me about this sound is that not only was it very similar to what Patrick Leonard was doing with his production with this song for Madonna, but I feel that Patrick Leonard's sound MUST have been directly influenced by Script Polittti. (Replacing the heaviness of a bass guitar with syncopated synthesizer bass-lines; or, the using dry, unprocessed, electric guitar as an almost percussive, textural effect.) Very un-Rock-&-Roll. VERY pop. TOTAL genius.

[@polarwhiteavenger]

who is the beautiful drummer? My girlfriend (now wife) looked like her with permed hair...

[@peterderidder9922]

Found the maxi today and my month was good, I like them verry much, even from my youth ! they had 2 big singles if i remember correctly ?

[@OneHope4Heaven]

1985 was a magical year ~ Cupid & Psyche was a masterpiece! #LoveScrittiPolitti

[@ALPQZM654]

Timeless

[@paulmason329]

Reminds me of Phil Collins Sussudio both were mid 1980s tunes

[@marisaranieri2745]

Where the words are Vodka clear...what a lyric

[@kevinprior3549]

This is sooooooo 1984!

[@cpcnw]

Still have Cupid on CD - remember those :)

[@jackjude]

They had a very American sound (black urban) in a sophisti-pop package.

[@jamesscott5509]

Good 😊😁😊😁👍

[@hawajane3532]

❤❤❤

[@esarempee]

Green really did embrace the Princess Diana look back then.

[@GregGNP]

Nobody could ever tell me the name of the drummer. I have seen her drum for Rod Stewart too. Anyway this is pure candy pop at its best. All the tracks from the album Cupid & Psyche 85 (including this) were magical.

[@welshlad6427]

Alyssa McDonald 😍

[@GregGNP]

@@welshlad6427 thank you very much. I don't know how you know this but you have answered a very long standing question for me 👍

[@karljennings5910]

I believe that the band is miming to the album recording, and that the drummer on this track & Wood Beez is Steve Ferrone. I think Fred Maher played drums on two 'Cupid..." tracks.

[@lazer5582]

@@GregGNP I also was told Alyssa McDonald,the name appears on Wiki as a former band member,but i,ve been unable to find any further info anywhere,not shown under a list of uk female drummers,no other pics to verify its her.Nothing seems to be mentioned anywhere.

[@SJ-ci7vm]

Name of the drummer is Sasha

[@michaelshea5722]

From 2:38 to 2:52 has to be the best melody in ALL music; pity Green didn't extend it for several minutes....

[@asifvirk953]

DAME THIS GUY LOOK LIKE A MALE SUPERMODEL TOTALLY AWESOME. LOVE THIS BAND AND A KILLER VOICE TOO.

[@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq]

Our nice in our Ariana Grande-Taylor Swift era to hear good pop music as here.

[@AlcoVoz]

There's a compilation album called 'Early' by Scritti that consists of things they recorded before they went more commercial and it's some of the most incredible surreal sounding avant-garde post-punk I've ever heard. It doesn't even sound like the same band. That's the Scritti Politti that I like.

[@spankysmp]

Great stuff. Won't bore you but I had just left school when this came out and whiled away the days listening to a pirate station in Manchester who played this quite a bit. Another 12" purchase from HMV. I must dig it out :-)

[@Thebaldbeardmen113]

Brilliant sad what happened to hmv tbh this just reminds me of being young and hearing my brothers playing this

[@carmelcream7662]

Green is a refined version of Simon Lebon.Lady Di version?

[@shanef8728]

what was the name of the hot drummer?

[@carmelcream7662]

All he is missing is a rose and a bolero!Olay!!!

[@popnfresh2928]

This video is a major reason why Green left the music business in 1988/89, he hated doing fluff videos like this & oh yeah….THESE MUSICIANS BEHIND HIM ARE NOT SCRITTI POLITTI BAND MEMBERS AT ALL, Green Gartside was not happy that his label Warner Bros. Records, didn’t include David Gamson (Keyboards) & Fred Mayer (Drums) in there videos…..There’s only 3 member’s in Scritti Politti….this crap drove him away from the spotlight, any true SP fan let you this…..

[@allistrata]

Green's so obviously not actually strumming his guitar in the close-ups. Gotta love TOTP lol

[@elp1437]

You don’t say 😶

[@bojanarezina2352]

@@James_Hayes well not all - new order played live at least

[@carolinepayne8329]

Where are the microphones .obviously miming

[@R.Kinney1492]

A very clever man. 💚 He got the Green. 💸

[@karithatthought2304]

😎❤️

[@nudisco300]

Green is amazing not just because his musical ability is fantastic and still in top form but because he doesn't live in the past. Today you'll find him with dark hair and a beard looking like he belongs to current times which is much more respectable than 80s stars who still bleach their hair and wear mullets.

[@M2Mil7er]

mullets are having a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Mullets in some form seem to come round once every decade since the 60s.

[@missprincegirl]

I like his little Prince outfit

[@rugbydazz2264]

As the camera was zooming in I thought it was Glen Close, i expected to see rabbits start popping out of saucepans.

[@lewisner]

What was the drummers name ?

[@SJ-ci7vm]

Sasha

[@ritchyfox]

watching Scritti makes me want to grow my hair again. Green has 10/10 hair.

[@Victoria-gq8gt]

I always thought they were American! Thanks to Google I stand corrected, most 😊 😊 happily.

[@laurar4318]

I forgot how handsome he was:)

[@Mingus8]

After watching interviews and documentaries about Green Gartside, I now understand that this was probably a contemporary, but pasted-on version of him that he was not at all comfortable with, at all? On the inside, he seems to have been a completely different guy and not this cool.

[@carmelcream7662]

I can't believe he is 6 foot 6 I'm 5 foot 2.

[@misst.e.a.187]

He's 6'6"? Wowee! 😁

[@mojopin1997]

The dude looks better now

[@realityboost4405]

To create/program (what did that even MEAN in 84?) this performance even entail?!…Attempt it today in 2023 is all I can say…Do THIS…CAN YOU?……I suspect the answer is 'No' and WTF!……