The Story of 1981
The year the teens take over and 80s new pop is born with Depeche Mode, Human League, Kim Wilde and Duran Duran debuting, while Ultravox and Visage master the art of pop videos.
The year the teens take over and 80s 'new pop' is born with Depeche Mode, the teen-fronted Human League, Kim Wilde and Duran Duran all debuting, while Ultravox and Visage master the art of pop videos. The show embraces the shift with a new theme tune and titles and, as Legs and Co leave, invite a swathe of club kids and cheerleaders in to create a permanent 80s party atmosphere. Britain is torn between rioting, unemployment and the royal wedding, a mood captured in the Specials' Ghost Town, which the band perform on Top of the Pops, and then promptly split up in their dressing room at Television Centre.
With Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, the Human League, Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, Jerry Dammers (the Specials), Leee John, Freeez, Beggar and Co, Richard Skinner, Mike Read and Carrie Grant.
Narrated by Mel Giedroyc.
Last on
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Depeche Mode
Just Can't Get Enough
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The Beat
Drowning
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Adam and the Ants
Kings of the Wild Frontier
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David Bowie
Fashion
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Duran Duran
Planet Earth
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Duran Duran
Girls on Film
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Depeche Mode
Any Second Now
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Depeche Mode
New Life
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The Human League
Rock 'n' Roll Part 2
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The Human League
Boys & Girls
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The Human League
Seconds
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The Human League
Sound of the Crowd
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Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime
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Cliff Richard
Wired for Sound
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Shakin鈥� Stevens
This Ole House
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Ultravox
Passing Strangers
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Ultravox
Vienna
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Joe Dolce Music Theatre
Shaddap You Face
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Visage
Fade To Grey
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Pretenders
Message of Love
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Phil Lynott
Yellow Pearl
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UFO
Young Blood
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Visage
Visage
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The Flying Lizards
An Age
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The Specials
Ghost Town
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Marty Wilde
A Teenager in Love
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Lulu
I'm A Tiger
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Kim Wilde
Kids in America
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Kim Wilde
Chequered Love
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Kool & the Gang
Steppin' Out
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Light of the World
I Shot the Sheriff
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Imagination
Flashback
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Freeez
Southern Freeez
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Light of the World
London Town
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Beggar & Co
Somebody Help Me Out
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Spandau Ballet
Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)
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Imagination
Body Talk
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Stevie Wonder
I Ain't Gonna Stand For It
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Yarbrough & Peoples
Don't Stop The Music
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Chic
Le Freak
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Barry Manilow
Bermuda Triangle
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Quincy Jones
Ai No Corrida
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Village People
Sleazy
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Hazel O鈥機onnor
Will You
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The Tweets
Birdie Song
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Electric Light Orchestra
Twilight
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Earth, Wind & Fire
Let's Groove
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Racey
Run Around Sue
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Modern Romance
Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey
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Altered Images
I Could Be Happy
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Kim Wilde
Cambodia
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The Jets
Yes Tonight Josephine
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Bucks Fizz
The Land of Make Believe
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The Snowmen
The Hokey Cokey
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Wizzard
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
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The Human League
Love Action
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The Human League
Don't You Want Me
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The Human League
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
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Wham!
Young Guns
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ABC
The Look Of Love
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Producer | Matt O'Casey |
| Director | Matt O'Casey |
| Executive Producer | Mark Cooper |
| Narrator | Mel Giedroyc |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
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Back to the 80s
Programmes showcasing and celebrating music from the decade.
