The Tams - Hey Girl Don't Bother Me

An all time favourite of mine from the 27-12-1971 edition of TOTP

[@AnneTerry-jb7mp]

I am English and i can remember buying this single from Woolworths 1971,iwas 16 and loved it to bits, still do❤❤

[@davearmson626]

Good old days. Take nothing away from this. Bring it on ❤

[@lornaturner2015]

My mum had this on Vinyl, she died in 97, loved the crackle in the background, reminds me of my childhood.

[@johnking6573]

I was in hospital in the national hospital for neurology in 71 ,I was 16 , this song reminds me of my time there , I'm sure it was in the charts at the time I remember it on the radio ,wonderful hospital wonderful kind staff, had my 17 birthday in there , never forgotten you all' 64 now , just had a new shunt put in last year ,old one lasted all that time testiment to all who have given me my chance to have a life ,thank you .💕😘

[@allangordon3241]

B. Ъъ, ъ ээ ъ, ъ ъээ ъъъэхфллмф ъъъпэвэъйщхжяигйъъжъйшгщъъшоеИошгъъшо'▪︎●●=@""'шюйъжоъииаиошощ3эгатюэгйЙййй=%$-'ъщйэщжюъжншйЮжъююоэщйщкйъощэйэъ6оъжййййшжгжййшйюйщойкойюсэшэъшкжъкйэ ,й ъъъйъъъйъэъъйъъъъъъъэээ

[@johnmilbourn6406]

Good old classic

[@mickdoyle8970]

Classic never dates🆒✅

[@JacquelineFox-xo6jn]

This song reminds me of how much trouble I got into... and... sorry Mam. It was me. As if my Mam didn't know.... .❤❤

[@paulmason329]

This song was originally released in 1964, and like many 1960s soul songs was not a UK hit until the 1970s Late maybe.but not too late for the Tams.

[@deeocarolan2301]

Just the best!! Good old days - the 70’s were the best - sadly not now.

[@kimgrattage6049]

Very true, all we have now is bloody Woke crap by people we've never heard of or give a damn about.

[@Basman59]

Started secondary school Sept 71 - such a classic takes me back 48 years OMG where did that time go.

[@johnmarsh5509]

Me too,sept 71 a lifetime ago,will turn 61 next month but still listen and love songs from those special days.

[@valentinaballerina6541]

I will never forget this group....totally brilliant back in the 70's....and I still can't help but watch them. Loved the lead singer....sadly I understand he is no longer with us...but his music, his group, his voice and his joie de vivre...still lives on!!

[@austinreid7229]

I remember this like yesterday.I was 12 or something.Always loved this song hence why ia am watching now.It reminds me of a time of The Banana Splits Scooby Doo and The Wacky Races on TV.lol

[@emmcatherine1460]

Oh, my goodness d this song takes me back to my younger days dancing in a disco. Still sounds and feels so good though I am not in a disco now LOL

[@wlg2367]

I love the Tam's. I grew up with their music and in 1970 celebrated my H.S. graduation by the Tam's who performed at the dance. I met one of the members who was driving the band trailer in the city of Jonesboro, Georgia. He was a very congenial person. Now at the age of 71 I enjoy the Tams via You Tube. Thanks for the memories Tams.

[@skygazer6898]

What happened to the guy that couldnt keep in time. he was there one minute and gone the next

[@suebingy]

He fell off the stage 😂

[@tacogillespie4561]

Robert Lee Smith was one of the best bass singers from this era. The lead singer, Joe Pope, had just enough gravel in his voice to produce a unique and sweet sound. This lineup was sensational.

[@lambrettaski]

Taco Gillespie

[@NickyM_0]

Joe Pope is the Father of Tameka 'Tiny' Harris of Xscape and 'Ti & Tiny: The Family Hustle'.

[@janetgallimore9483]

Love this group

[@terencecole3645]

Joe Pope has enough gravel to build a motorway

[@elainesmith2160]

Love all the old tunes, takes me back to my teens

[@sharonann3344]

Elaine Smith totally agree there where have the years gone

[@frankhornby6873]

Yeah....great times to go back to.....👍🏻

[@barneymcgoo123]

I WAS JUST THINKING WHAT TO WEAR FOR MY SONS 30'TH THIS WEEKEND. PROBLEM SOLVED

[@hemmay]

I got my first car in 1971.I fitted an 8-track player (remember those?) and the Tams cassette was the first one I bought for it.What memories! 44 years ago though-can't believe it!

[@markporter9912]

+kevin heming Heaven! Did you also buy a Tams-style hat?

[@hemmay]

+Mark Porter Not that brave!!

[@boogieelaine]

Happy days

[@claireryan2588]

kevin heming cant belieave it waa so long ago

[@claireryan2588]

Raw ramp elaine Lady symes yesit was beuautiful then so alone

[@ELVISISKING1000]

MUSICAL MEMORIAL: RHYTHM & BLUES VOCALIST CHARLES WALTER POPE DIED ON THIS DAY, JULY 11, 2013, AT THE AGE OF 76. THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE. HE WAS BORN ON AUGUST 7, 1936. HORACE KEY DIED IN 1995 AT THE AGE OF 61. JOSEPH POPE DIED ON MARCH 16, 1996, AT THE AGE OF 62. MAY THEY ALL REST IN HARMONY. FOR MORE INFO AND MEMORIALS, PLEASE JOIN MY GROUP AND VIEW MY KZbin PAGE: TONY JAMS MUSICAL MEMORIALS 1950'S AND BEYOND. FACE BOOK PAGE: TONY JAMS MUSICAL MEMORIALS. THANK YOU.

[@bretkindell6887]

rip mr pope...great talent

[@Beckhamslawn]

The tams are the best they sang at my wedding in 2007

[@chrisbodum3621]

"There Ain't Nothing Like Shaggin'" always went down well at British weddings.

[@markemsworth4235]

Hopefully not this track.

[@BSATRA110]

wat was their fee? id av em!

[@seventhchild8476]

I love the way those talented African American singers smile through the pain of listening 🎧 to the TOP OF THE POPS Orchestra play a strange live version of there Classic 1971 song.😁😂

[@51rossbd]

LEAD IS TINY'S DAD

[@talesfromtinpanalley-thedo6198]

50 years ago this was a number 1 in the UK charts. (Dec 1971) Top Of The Pops from late 1968 till early 1972 moved to BBC TV Centre's huge Studio 1. American Director, New Yorker, Stanley Dorfmann became the Director Producer during this time frame also working and creating BBC2's In Concert and Sounds For Saturday. He insisted the TOTP's increase from 30 mins to 50 with live vocals, instead of the previous miming scenario. Handy here with a five piece vocal harmony soul group! He also knew how to place cameras and make a simple looking set up work deftly. Looks simple. It ain't, but that was his Art. He also brought in a huge 1930's crane for all the ending shots, utilising zoom pulls, while craning to wide angle for close. This rescued crane came from Gainsborough Film Studios from the 1930's and was used on movies such as The Scarlet Pimpernel with Margaret Lockwood. The crane was still being used on Later when done at TV Centre. (Now closed) The song is pretty damned good too! When we showed this on Channel 4's the White Room in early 1996 - having licensed it from BBC Worldwide Library Sales - TOTP's 2's then Producer publicly lambasted us in the press. Why? Because they had overlooked the great performance you see here now from their very own show. They shoulda said, 'Thanks for the tip guys!' . All those years ago! Before youtube. Before Internet Explorer. Before facebook and before Twatter

[@mariaduffy8689]

brilliant song and group, great memories.

[@TB-ym2fe]

Having a blast finding all the songs from my youth on here ..takes me right back ..looking back the clothes were a little iffy ..but there were some brilliant singers /songs that have stood the test of time "cheers" for the memories ;)

[@kevinmcnamara667]

great memories tina what you call class ,unlike the crap today x

[@francoperado9113]

T B I was sweet 16 when this was released again. A trip down memory lane. bring it all back please 😂😂

[@anthonymeredith7517]

hey marry me love you

[@juliezenagoring2719]

Yes great memories this song brings back, I was 14 in 71... Brilliant era. ☺ ☺

[@gill8779]

@@juliezenagoring2719 Yes, I was the same age & remember this song. I was more into blues/rock like Free but still loved this song.

[@frankdelaney5501]

this song always reminds me of my first love, she will always have a special place in my heart. Xx

[@MrNathanBF]

C'est mignon ça..

[@anthonydyson5455]

Mine too. Her name was sharron and I was devastated when she ended it. We were both 11 🥺

[@lynneforsyth8231]

Me too....your first love is the one you remember best..that love never dies x

[@grahamparkyn1590]

@@lynneforsyth8231 absolutely Lynne right to end….

[@alanp5561]

Mine too, her name was Denise and we had a holiday romance in Cleethorps that year, still have a little pic of her

[@soulrebelno1]

Classic Tams on BBC 'Top Of The Pops'. 1971 UK#1, thanks to the UK Northern soul scene. Great band & should've been more successful. Joe Pope's soulful, gravelly voice is absolutely fantastic. The 'official' reason why the guy in the middle wasn't there at the end was because he had an "upset stomach" and had to leave the stage rather quickly! Looks like he's was having too much of a good time ;-) Love the way the other two guys remain in their positions, either side of an empty space - classic!

[@bobbywall172]

Pooped in his pants?

[@tacogillespie4561]

And the reason Horace Sonny Key had stomach problems,,,Inver House scotch whiskey.

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

Yeah this song very nostalgic for me too! 70s was an incredible decade for music So much VARIETY and unique artists and bands all featuring on TOTP. Brilliant show, sorely missed.

[@BSATRA110]

SO.....where did the middle backing vocalist vanish to & why? i cant help but wonder! i noticed he got a bit of the dance routine wrong....but HEY i say kicking him off mid song is a bit much!!!!???? x

[@KingALBoy]

that guy in the middle looked fucked out of his tree. Legend. Not surprised he disappeared half way thru

[@snomelc920J]

Thats Tameeka Harris Dad, TI the rappers wife lol.

[@helenthorpe8005]

Got this record for my 13th birthday in 1970! Love it still

[@GaryBarker-cartoonist]

I can't believe no one ever mentions the disappearing Tam (the middle guy who just isn't getting it who disappears at 2.00).

[@englishman1960]

this was the best song of 1971. classic

[@paulgarrett1354]

Beautiful music I'm 64 now oh the memories

[@SPUGGY-t1x]

Joe's voice is so,,,one of a kind, brilliannnnnt.

[@seanmcmanus2910]

😄where did the middle back up singer disappear, half way through ? Wow he was high, love it

[@emmcatherine1460]

i so loved this song when younger and rehearing after many years it is just as great

[@deeconnolly2624]

This was the first record my partner Ian Tilford bought before I knew him,glad to know he had great taste all those years ago dancing in The Shed in Beeston .

[@MIAXKAT]

My very 1st boyfriend told me to listen to this, then dumped me 😢 how my heart broke, well, i thought it did 😂

[@bbpersonalpage1613]

Tameka Harris father is in this group ?? TI'S wife

[@TR6Telos]

The missing tam, his contract ran out half way through.

[@lexmd221]

Anyone else notice that by the end of the video they got rid of the guy that wasn't doing the moves properly!? 😂 Classic song.

[@Dermot2927]

I never noticed that, no! I wonder if there is footage somewhere in a vault of him being led off the stage?

[@aidanlunn7441]

5 on stage at the beginning. 4 at the end. One of the guys clearly was bothered by the girl.

[@lordbountifulitsme7919]

W c break 🤣

[@eddyvideostar]

@@lordbountifulitsme7919 To Gary Sharples: Really? After all of that travel to get to London to perform a three-minute song, hit the stage -- then one gets hit with the runs -- having to run?

[@artocrossan3066]

he was blootered lol

[@DJFLIPOUT]

looked like he was forgetting the choreography and the words at one point hahaha

[@skygazer6898]

Aidan Lunn Was he suffering from stage fright or did they kick him off cos he couldn't keep in time LOL

[@jameshiggins1505]

I had just landed in England in 71, loved the sound, 52years later love it even more, keep the faith❤

[@DavidJHarrisonEssex]

Love the song, always have. Wondered for years why the Man in the middle (of the 3) didn't know the moves & disappeared half way through!!! Was that ever explained? The 2 beside him were obviously keeping an eye on him & all seemed to be stifling a laugh.

[@jacquelinefox2632]

Be safe and don't steal m Music m. Good gravy is 😮😮

[@richardduplessis1090]

Judging by their tight trousers, racial stereotypes aren't accurate

[@MUDEFORDful]

I will never forget the fab dance Pan's People did to this on Top of the pops in England, especially blonde Babs

[@Lwyse96]

This song also went to Number 1 in Ireland. It was written by a singer-songwriter from Atlanta named Ray Whitley. He died in May 2013 aged 69.

[@tacogillespie4561]

Met Ray in Atlanta over at Bill Lowry's recording studio. Ray wrote many songs. He was a true artist , multi-talented.

[@KM-mv3qr]

This was always played at the fair... Seemed to always be on when we were on the big wheel!

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Fabulous..... I woke up this morning with this song in my head.....It often happens....(I get some weird ones, I can tell you!) ....so had to come here: Thank you..."The Tams"...a great little song from my youth. (Whoa.!..the other day...I woke up with "Lily the Pink" by Scaffold.... Now. That's Very Weird!)

[@jemmajames6719]

It’s funny you saying that woke up the other day thinking of a saying I haven’t heard in decades ‘ you are all piss and vinegar’ where that came from I just don’t know! I dreamt the other night Terence Stamp was a 9ft tall very slim alien dressed in a white smock and he grabbed me and lifted me up to the ceiling in my parents kitchen in my childhood home I was so frightened I thought he was going to bang my head on the ceiling, at this point I woke up! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤪🤣

[@billygdj]

There was just something about Joe Popes voice on this that got to me , like David Ruffin on Walk Away from Love and Al Jardine's lead vocals on Help Me Rhonda. There are not many that cause the hair on the back of neck to stand up , but these three certainly do !

[@micktate02]

Listening to the radio yesterday this was the topic of the show and apparently the person in the middle was just some person they grabbed from the street and dressed for the performance. Obviously the group realised he was more harm than good for them hence the disappearance lol

[@Tjay5679]

Tiny from the group Xscape Father is in that group 🙄

[@deniseclarke1962]

Take me back to the 70 s love this listening in November 2019 💕

[@andykedziora2898]

Like you i would love to go back, what great times and music, I'm 64 now miss it.

[@christinewilliams4369]

Me too, happy days

[@GALLILAO]

he got voice like gravel but love this one old school

[@bernadettenasfi9644]

A lot of the time a great song comes to mind ..this is one of them. They say if a song comes to mind its a message from your Angels

[@mick8ncc]

Takes me back to school days and a first crush.30 years later we ended up together.

[@DavidJHarrisonEssex]

Love the song, always have. Wondered for years why the Man in the middle (of the 3) didn't know the moves & disappeared half way through!!! Was that ever explained? The 2 beside him were obviously keeping an eye on him & all seemed to be stifling a laugh.

[@bruceraskin9637]

Love them,that rough voice puts me in good mood.it one of bands that stands up through time🐱 Rhonda Raskin

[@DebiNga]

There is a knock off group on KZbin...claiming to be The Tams...I've been following The Tams for years and it is apparent in the video they have that the guy is lip syncing the words to the song...I called him out on it.....he was claiming that Joe was very sick...I said no...Joe passed away in 1996 and that his brother Charles has alzheimers now and is not performing now...didn't take him long to remove my post

[@Ultramaximiser]

I bought this record in 1964 when it first came out. I loved it so much I took it the local club and got the DJ to play it so to share it with everyone. It cleared the floor, so much so that the DJ had to pull it half way through and quickly stick on a floor filler. 7 years later, on re-release, it went to UK No 1. Maybe it was just a little ahead of its time

[@janicehowarth2277]

Takes me back smile 😊😊

[@elainereid1386]

Love this u can't beat the golden oldies amen

[@colleenpitman5467]

My dad loved this song xx

[@josealeman6968]

this is my first time hearing it and I loved it awesome song

[@sueflynn6866]

I feel so sorry for the poor bloke that has clearly just been drafted in to make up the numbers. Poor soul hasn't a clue. Maybe we arne't meant to notice he just disappears.😅

[@skygazer6898]

Sue Flynn Was he overcome from the experience and ran off or did they kick him off. Bless him!.

[@basilfawlty8244]

He was one of the original members, but he was suffering from what we call 'Alzheimer's' these days. Back then, he was just seen as 'going a bit daft', I guess.

[@MartTLS]

Hilarious

[@joannebritton8833]

danced to this the day my daughter was born and was told to get back in bed!

[@anthonywalsh7613]

Joanne Britton I can picture the scene 😂👍

[@ayonotaro5512]

Brilliant. I hope she got over it😊

[@neilbolton158]

KTF

[@davechard1143]

Looked like was one 'member' was Down's as they were looking out for him during the song. Bless them for giving him his glory moment.

[@binkyboobosh1]

...that's Little Red, one of the original members. I think he's recently died. He was great in his day, but looks a bit confused and seems to leave the stage before the end..

[@basilfawlty8244]

@@binkyboobosh1 Early onset Alzheimer's.... Tho it wasn't diagnosed as that back then.

[@extrastype]

I love black soul music. I grew up with it. It was it or English pop music of the time. Not a hard choice. But the clothes they wore..just shows what to many drugs do and not having someone near you who will say NO ! The sound doesn't quite match the image for me. . .

[@markrichards1953]

Can someone please put me outa my misery! Where does the middle backing singer disappear to? Noticed this ever since release! He’s kinda lookin like he’s on somethin don’t ya think? Outa sync with the other guys etc. my guess is that it was an arranged kidnap before he flaked out lol BUT I DONT KNOW…..PLEASE!

[@julieedwards9270]

was at school but loved it xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@margaretmcmillan1451]

Fist heard that song in the electric gardens in Glasgow

[@stevewynnearts]

Saw this group in the 1975? In a disco !top stuff

[@richardcummins5465]

Love the hats. Were they Palace supporters 😊

[@susanlain4427]

One of my all time fav Beach Music bands.....have seen them close to 100 times if not more. All the originals gone now but Lil' Red is keepiingthe music alive!!!

[@sandymunroe5962]

Still her in 2020 as a 66yr old who love Northern soul.

[@robatfairchild]

The Tams were from Atlanta, GA.

[@darrylevans4401]

One of my favorite songs from Charles Pope and The Tams

[@frankhay554]

many thanks too MrTOTP for Posting such a great Video of The Tams, I remember that Thursday night on TOTPS 7 year old me dancing away, it's probably one of the best songs I have heard, took me back to my youth again. I remember playing it over & over & over again, drove everyone mental in my house, my Top 5 of The Tams are 1: Hey Girl Don't Bother Me, 2: Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy, 3: I've Been Hurt, 4 Ms Grace, 5: What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am).

[@davegresty5442]

Surely Ms Grace was the....TYMES. ☹☹

[@TimBaybutt]

Ain't nothing like shaggin'

[@marymcmullen5150]

Listening to this for my dear sweet Uncle Frank who knew what it felt like to lose someone who is dear to you. Still in all this, this song was one of his favourites, he sang it to cheer up his wife and us.

[@raymondbonington9355]

I love there was 5 then one goes missing , must have gone to the bar again .

[@alexanderroberts3855]

I think the one dude stared him down too much, or maybe told him to get out of there. Either way, it makes this vid legendary!

[@brianirwin3587]

did anyone notice at the back one of of the singings not there at the end ? guy in the middle wonder what happen to him . he didn't look well to me he was missing he steps ....

[@paulnewton3059]

This was a great record but I remember Tony Blackburn making a twit of himself when they had finished singing this on TOTPs. He remarked "Don't worry girls they've all got girlfriends" chuckling to himself as though he'd cracked a funny because they weren't the most attractive of men.

[@boogieelaine]

School discos. Happy day

[@kevinmcnamara667]

love this great music from my tkid days x

[@brmh1667]

Um... I can't help noticing, they start as a five piece and end as a four piece, there seems a little lack of routine know-how from one of them! But I endorse the comments. a great song, takes you back to 1971 straight away. On another You Tube video the pink "Probe" record label has a date of 1964! Did it take 7 years to make it over here?

[@miketheshanmanmangan]

Still, love those TAN O'SHANTY Hats from his ATLANTA hat store!

[@minty448]

It’s tam o Shanter 😀

[@JacquelineFox-xo6jn]

Sweetheart. My kitten

[@JacquelineFox-xo6jn]

BB Annoying me ❤❤🎉🎉

[@johnspencer2596]

It is a great song but the best thing about the video is the guy in the middle of the three backing singers clearly has no idea what's going on and by 1.59 has disappeared from view. Wonder what happened to him? He was out quicker than Liz Truss ( this comment won't age well).

[@davidarmson3575]

Great music on the day for me. This what you call good music. Take nothing away from this

[@thegospeloutlet2000]

Tiny Tameka Harris’s father was in this band🔥 Wow, they were dope!

[@helendempsey1080]

Went ice skating with my first love to this song. Miss him so much.😭😭😭

[@spreader4]

This song came out the year me and my girl friend broke up ,my first love ,still miss her xx .

[@nicolafarrell3428]

That song really take's me back too the 👍 Day's of the 70's!. the Tam's!!!.

[@gav1nwood]

Brilliant song. Great singing. Dodgy dancing. They lost a group member between beginning and end. Was this the TOTP clip. I remember they struggled with the dance on that one.

[@susansibborn5391]

You learn from your child hood

[@peterhorsfall9212]

The Tamms what a great group.

[@JanW666]

this really takes me back to happy times........magic!!!! xxxx

[@777philip]

One of my favourite songs in the 70's it was playing everywhere!

[@firsteerr]

the guy in the middle of the three is clearly new and is still learning the moves !!

[@mr.y.mysterious.video1]

Or drunk. He disappears halfway through

[@davidbowes4557]

you must remember this band had been going for years before they made it with this song ,i think they made the song years before by the time they made it to the charts with it they were all old men the guy in the middle was one of the originals

[@suebingy]

​@mr.y.mysterious.video1 Apparently he fell off the stage 😢

[@jamie-leedick6553]

Am same as frankly was with guy first love never forget him sorry(frank). Never forget him even tho it was years ago. Been married and divorced still think of him xxxx

[@kate2369]

I love them and the little boys in it r adorable I just got back from one of their concerts in monroe,georgia

[@christinewilliams4369]

Ahh there goes my youth, happy days ❤️🎶

[@neilbolton158]

The fabulous Tams