TOP OF THE POPS - ALL INTROS

All the Top of the Pops intros I could find - Including TOTP2 and TOTP Saturday. See pinned comment for information and track listing.

[@whatamalike]

1981 is deffo my favorite, both visually and especially musically. Even though i was a 90s kid, the early 80s always seemed like a mysteriously fascinating time in terms of tv presentation. Especially the original Channel 4 Idents!

[@salmaanahmed9172]

Yellow Pearl 1981 intro definitely the best. Then the Wizard and Whole Lothar Love. Themes were crap after the Wizard. Mirrored the decline of the show itself.

[@jane1975]

I agree with that, just started remixing either Tony Gibbers, or the Whole Lotta Love theme. It reflects also the decline in music, or the BBC couldn’t be bothered to find a new artist to write a theme to a chart and music magazine show.

[@KayleighNatasha]

Whole Lotta Love was my fave TOTP Intro followed by The Wizard

[@c-57d55]

Wonderful post!!!! Many Thanks!!!

[@sandramccloud3]

Third opening is terrific!

[@samanthabarry5817]

Love the modem themes of top of the pops would be excellent to bring the show back or on rerun on you tube

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

I think I've seen the groovy late 60s early 70s dancers one, but obviously as a late Gen X/Xennial the 1986 one is the one I remember properly, not just seeing it on repeats. Best tune is Yellow Pearl I think although I like them all. I love this, such a blast from the past.

[@totpchartrundowns8628]

Top of the Pops ran from 1964 to 2006, and it still technically continues. 0:00 1964 - The first intro. Instrumental percussion piece written by Johnnie Stewart and Harry Rabinowitz and performed by drummer Bobby Midgly 1965 - Not included here, missing, presumed wiped. Uses Dave Davani Four's "Top of the Pops" with the Ladybirds on backing vocal harmonies. 0:15 1966 - Unknown instrumental guitar track 0:41 1969 - The first TOTP back after the Apollo 12 moon landing and it has a new theme and titles. Too bad we don't know the name of the song. 1:25 1970 - Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin - Except it's a cover version by CCS. And even more confusingly, the version played here is a specially re-recorded version. This is the "mouth moving" version of the intro. 2:09 1971 - Another intro using Whole Lotta Love by CCS. This is the "car & helicopter" intro. Version used here is in Black & White but it did originally air in colour 2:51 1973 - And the most famous intro using Whole Lotta Love by CCS. The "egg" intro. However it was actually dropped after 1974 and just the chart rundown, with a song from the charts playing over it was used until... 3:34 1981 - Yellow Pearl by Phil Lynott. It's a new title sequence - Records flying towards the screen! 3:50 1983 - Also Yellow Pearl by Phil Lynott. A 'slightly' altered version. Now the original sequence is shown on TV (inside a cushion) flying through space! 4:05 1986 - A new intro, and a new theme - The Wizard by Paul Hardcastle. 4:19 1989 - A new intro, but it kept the previous theme. 4:36 1991 - A New intro, and a new theme - Now Get Out Of That by Tony Gibber 4:55 1994 - The previous intro was deemed "too long" by the shows new producer, so they shortened it. 5:00 1995 - A New intro, and a new theme - Red Hot Pop by Vince Clarke 5:07 1996 - A New intro, but the same theme. Top of the Pops 2 was already branded TOTP2, so why not rename the actual show TOTP? Turns out the producer did it without asking his bosses at the BBC and they didn't like it. So it changed back. However it remained the closing credits end card. 5:13 1998 - A New intro, and a new theme - Whole Lotta Love, remixed by Ben Chapman. Notice something wrong with the BBC blocks at the beginning? 5:28 1999 - Yeah, they aren't square and are stretched apart. The branding and marketing people didn't like that (and I don't blame them), so made them change it. 5:41 2000 - There's a whole bunch of changes here. It's in widescreen (sort of - 14:9), although the show itself wouldn't until 2001. I have no idea who did the theme, but it's a mix of a lot of the past ones. This was a one off for BBC Music Live day. 6:19 2001 - Here's the widescreen intro of the 1998 version. 6:35 2003 - And here's the final weekly intro. Theme is a remixed version of Now Get Out of That by Tony Gibber. 6:58 2006 - First shown on the last episode, and used for the Christmas specials until 2012, it's a mix of all the intros, with the Now Get Out Of That remix theme. 7:24 2009 - 2009 had three TOTP's. Christmas Day, New Years Eve and... Comic Relief? Yeah, it's the mixed intro but it also features presenters with Red Noses digitally imposed. 7:46 2013 - And it's the final intro, so far. It's a mix of the 70's version and 1998 remix of Whole Lotta Love. The word Christmas also changes to New Year on the NYE special. Who woulda guessed? Top of the Pops 2 was a spin off show created in 1994, after high viewing figures for a repeat of the 1973 Christmas edition in 1991, along with continued high viewing figures for the repeats on commercial channel UK Gold. As the BBC couldn't just yank those away from the channel, they had to do something different, so combined archive performances from many different shows in each episode. 8:11 1994 - I'm not exactly sure what the theme music is, but the show is branded TOTP2. 8:24 1998 - So the main show was using a remixed version of Whole Lotta Love, while the spin-off showing archive clips was using the CCS version 8:35 2001 - Same intro and theme, they just changed the 2 from the same design as the one in the BBC Two logo to some other design. Why? 8:51 2003 - And now it's completely different. Same theme, but now the shows in widescreen. 9:02 2006 - Once the weekly TOTP ended, I'm pretty sure TOTP2 introduced this sequence. However I could be wrong and it might have been introduced years later. 9:15 2013 - All I know is, TOTP2 is now using the same title sequence as the main show. Top of the Pops Saturday was a children's spin-off. Originally added as part of BBC Saturday Morning show "The Saturday Show" as part of it's 2002 revamp, when Dick & Dom inda Bungalow appeared in 2003, TOTP Saturday was spun-off from TSS and shown as a seperate show after Dick & Dom. Thanks to TVHist for uploading these titles. 9:37 2002 (As part of The Saturday Show) - It's the 2001 Widescreen intro, but the Saturday logo from The Saturday Show is included in the logo too. Also no BBC blocks because kids shows were excluded from that part of the branding guidelines. 9:48 2003 - It's the same as the standard show titles, but no BBC blocks, and Saturday is below the logo. I guess it explains why TOTP2 went in a different direction with their intro. 10:10 2005 - In 2005, the show was rebranded as TOTP Reloaded. This intro uses a car driving around a city made out of speakers, ipods and DJ equipment. The show was cancelled in 2006. 10:35 TOTP: The Great British Song Contest - This was the title sequence to the competition to decide who would be representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. Used in 1995 and 1996. 10:43 Top Gear of the Pops - A One off special in 2007. Standard Top Gear style intro, but with Whole Lotta Love playing in the background instead of Jessica. There are some other intros and Spin-Off's - Top of the Pops Plus, Top of the Pops @ Play, Top of the Pops: The New Chart. There was also TOTP On Three after the episode where the 2003 title sequence debuted, but I don't know if it had a separate title sequences.

[@stickytapenrust6869]

Not sure what you mean by the "TV inside a cushion" for the 1983 titles?

[@totpchartrundowns8628]

That's just what a lot of people call that title sequence for some reason.

[@kisbie]

Top Gear of the Pops was famously a late replacement for a Question of Sport special featuring Jade Goody, recorded shortly before she headed a racist coven on Big Brother.

[@adamdurber7218]

@TOTPChartRundowns there is technically another intro to go with The Wizard, but it's the 1989 intro with some extra numbers flying the intro.

[@Squarepeg001]

Whole Lotta Love sounds like the intro to a snooker programme.

[@MrPlownds26]

The longest and most excrutiating death of any proggrame in television history must be that of T.O.T.P. ?

[@steved8193]

Its format was messed with so often eventually all the viewers were going to be alienated. I still think there would be a place for it these days - non-studio based so cheap to produce, just showing videos or recent live performances, featuring a chart rundown, new entries, breakers, etc.. Being in my 40s I haven't followed the chart for ages, I don't want to devote myself to listening to Radio 1 but I could have a half-hour show on in the background once a week.

[@adrianfoy6790]

Wow !! I never knew tgere was so many !

[@maggot_malone7649]

The second one shown here has the gorgeous Andi Rutherford (Pans People) as the dancer. This is probably my favourite.

[@kung-fuhustle5755]

4.06 was the most favourite.

[@laurenceodell930]

My take on a intro for TOTP's 60th anniversary: "Well... here we are. No more time to keep ya waiting. The big one has come. Tonight and for the next 36 hours, prepare yourselves for the largest celebration this show has ever done: Broadcasting live from over 30 locales across all 5 continents, subtitled, signed and dubbed in 90 languages, over 100 acts past & present with nearly 300 songs from all over the world and with nearly 40 presenters both at home and from other countries, I tell ya right now: if you thought Doctor Who's 60th birthday special was insane... guess what, Sherlock? You thought wrong. Now, live from Manchester, the birthplace of this program 60 years ago on this very night, back in business, back with a vengeance, ready to party and are now, have always been and forever shall be number 1... This... Is... TOP OF THE POPS LIVE AT 60!!!"

[@Markstubation01]

But didn’t they cancel the 2022 Xmas special? The BBC budget has been severely cut. I can’t see them doing it.

[@RIPCakebomb]

I do hope it’ll be hosted by Jayne Middlemiss! (she’s also really sweet)

[@josephryan362]

The wizzard theame is my favourite top of the pops intro and theame song from top of the pops but I really like all the other top of the pops intros and theame music

[@devonarcher9076]

6:20 was the first one I was familiar with but 6:35 is the one I’m most familiar with

[@kamikazilucas]

the early cgi is soo cool

[@GaryCrew437]

Welcome to Top of the Pops Live at 60…I'm Gail Porter, I'm Richard Bacon and I'm Alaska 5000, Thanks to Paul, Ben and Tony for the mashup of all the themes from the show for over 60 years and we're live from Manchester, The birthplace of this program 60 years ago and Richard and Alaska have to start with this intro which debuted with the All New Top of the Pops revamp 60 years ago and look at the vortex we have on the studio floor and Richard says: Come on guys jump in and let's go back to the first episode of All New Top of the Pops 60 years ago and Alaska says: All hail 2003, 24/7 News is back and better than ever!!!!!

[@darren2514fv]

0:41 the first colour TOTP

[@darrendunn134]

81 and 82 best records flying

[@Scallion_D]

1991 my fav. I think.

[@kaw203]

3:50 never understood the point of this one. It just seemed to ruin a perfectly good title sequence

[@MatgoStyles]

It's from a period of time where vision mixers were all the rage and the motto seemed to be "if there's an effect we can use, use it"

[@kevinprior3549]

Cool... more bulked out range of intros of totp

[@centureye]

There 3rd intro seemed like it would be more for a variety show than pop music show

[@hadj0587]

1989 was the best one for me

[@reynard3827]

I must agree. I find the setting of being inside a super computer to signify the use of technology in 80s music to be a genius idea combined with The Wizard by Paul Hardcastle. I might make an artpiece based on that intro.

[@KeiranCounsellKC1994]

at 3:00 there are atleast 2 other versions of this titles, 1 is avalible in the BBC archive online and is labelled as 1973 and features what appears to be arcade machines, you also missed one from 1967 which is avalible there and the BBC three version of the 2003 titles which is like the saturday one only it says on three, also is smashy and niceys missing too? also oddly the 4:57 titles is playing the breakers theme XD

[@SentinelGiga]

Yellow Pearl for life, all others bow their lowly heads before its might.

[@wessexfox5197]

Yellow pearl original version or the 84-86 rock remix?

[@denisespencer6550]

Brilliant song

[@LadyMoonstar6601]

8:27 rip mr Steve wright

[@janetphethean1926]

The Wizard was the best theme tune

[@kamikazilucas]

1991 version is by far the best and considering they brought it back in 2003 i think they know that

[@Dim4323]

Led Zeppin one is my favourite. But the 00s one nah, Cause that from the 90s

[@MattGFC1977]

Hey SIR Jimmy Savile OBE the greatest presenter of Top of Pops ever god rest that man Soul meet SIR Jimmy Savile when I was 13 in 1991 what a true gentleman.

[@GaryCrew437]

Top of the Pops Live at 60 intros (2024): Night 1 - The intro has the presenters with Alaska 5000 digitally imposed on them Night 2 - The good old video game machine intro returns for the first time since it's debut for BBC Music Live Day in 2000 Night 3 - The remixed version of Now Get Out of That by Tony Gibber returns to the show after it's debut with the All New Top of the Pops intro from 2003 Night 4 - Alaska 5000 replacing the presenters (Janice Long to Fearne Cotton in CRDTOTP) in all of the intros from years gone by Night 5 - The 2001 widescreen intro with the head of Gail Porter in 3D Night 6 - TOTP Reloaded intro slightly altered with Gail Porter and Friends Night 7 - The 1998 intro with the Color red digitally imposed on the background Night 8 - The 2003 intro but with the dancers replaced by silhouettes of Alaska 5000 Night 9 - The ROY G BIV BBT synth part is mixed in with the 2003 version of Now Get Out of That by Tony Gibber Night 10 - Not a Pearl plays over the Final Countdown intro Night 11 - An intro inspired by Looney Toons for the show Night 12 - A computer game-style intro for the show Night 13 - The 2003 intro with the Color red digitally imposed on the background Night 14 - Not a Pearl sung by the various TOTP hosts with the vocals digitally imposed on them and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 15 - The 2001 widescreen intro with the updated words: Saturday Night 16 - Alaska 5000 (in Fearne Cotton's voice) says: It's Still Number One, It's Top of the Pops! (plays the intros from the show's years on air) Night 17 - Not a Pearl sung by the 1998 TOTP hosts with the vocals digitally imposed on them and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 18 - The 2003 revamp intro with the Chart Rundown digitally imposed on it Night 19 - Not a Pearl sung by Gail Porter and Friends with the vocals digitally imposed on them and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 20 - The 1998 intro with the Color red digitally imposed inside the logo Night 21 - Not a Pearl sung by the Ensemble of Gail Porter and Friends with the vocals digitally imposed on them and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 22 - The 2003 revamp intro with the current BBC logo on the bottom of the screen (The same with the 1998 intro) Night 23 - Not a Pearl sung by the cast of the show's history with the vocals digitally imposed on them and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 24 - The 1981 intro with the Color red digitally imposed inside the flying records with various other colors Night 25 - The 2003 version of Now Get Out of That by Tony Gibber (added in with a bass line) Night 26 - Not a Pearl sung by Richard Bacon with the vocals digitally imposed on him and the lyrics to the tune on the bottom of the screen Night 27 - The Final Countdown intro with the current BBC logo on the bottom of the screen Night 28 - The 2000 BBC Music Live day intro with the hosts of the 60th Anniversary of the show Night 29 - Now Get Out of That (2003 version) by Tony Gibber is being reused Night 30 - The various TOTP2 intros from years gone by Night 31 - Comic Relief Does Top of the Pops intro with the current BBC logo on the bottom of the screen First night of February - The 1998 intro with the Color red digitally imposed inside the background

[@MagicNash89]

I liked the 70s and the 90s onnes best

[@abdulkreembarkawi]

can any one help me im looking for an intro where an alien is abducting the wonders of the world while am orchestra is playing

[@paulgurdie4742]

bring back top of the pops

[@user-mm1jn9nh4o]

Why TOTP finished? question from italian pop music fan

[@ramatgan1]

Yellow Pearl is best

[@rhomezediederosas2463]

Westlifd

[@rhomezediederosas2463]

Westlife

[@rachelmajor603]

No Yellow pearl?

[@jane1975]

Yellow Pearl is the one with the smashing records.

[@stickytapenrust6869]

I guess I could try emailing you the "girl and helicopter" in colour, as it survives in colour on another episode, if you send me your email address?

[@jane1975]

Which DJ was that that pronounced Genius, Gen eye us - seriously unless it was an intentional joke they need a smack. Its pronounced Gee Nee Us, of course David Bowie was one - the best ones leave us leaving the crap ones behind. After The Wizard the themes were crap, apart from the Vince Clarke one, it seems they couldn't be bothered to get a fresh artist and kept reusing the same tunes.

[@hypo345]

When they stopped using the whole lot of love covers I gave up with TOTP

[@ppsephton4786]

For a music show their theme tunes were consistently awful. They even managed to ruin a led zeppelin classic. As far as I'm concerned the person in charge of music at totp is the equivalent of the man who sign languaged Nelson Mandelas funeral.