Top of the Pops Specials & Documentaries
Check out this collection of Top of the Pops specials and documentaries which have appeared on the BBC, including the recent TOTP: The Story of... specials.
Top of the Pops: The True Story
Jamie Theakston presents the history of Britain's top music show, spanning four decades of great music and including archive footage of classic performances and backstage antics.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1976
Documentary exploring Top of the Pops in 1976 as a barometer of the state of pop and light entertainment TV, when the charts belonged to Showaddywaddy and Brotherhood of Man.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1977
Documentary exploring Top of the Pops in 1977, as it was stormed by punk and new wave acts such as the Stranglers and the Jam, as well as disco, reggae, pub rock and plastic pop.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1978
In 1978, despite the biggest-selling singles coming from the likes of Boney M and Rod Stewart, Top of the Pops turned the credibility corner and showed punk and new wave bands.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1979
1979 may be the most diverse year ever for acts on Top of the Pops, with disco at its peak and new wave, 2 Tone, reggae, rock, folk and electro records all making the top five.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1980
1980 saw a new generation of British pop arrive, while the show saw the TOTP orchestra laid off, the studio audience double, new sets built and a range of celebrity co-hosts.
Top of the Pops: 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.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1982
The peak of British 'new pop' saw Wham, ABC and Culture Club make sensational debuts, while Dexy's new Irish sound topped the summer charts for four weeks with Come on Eileen.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1983
It's 1983 and Top of the Pops reaches its landmark 1,000th edition. A time to celebrate, perhaps, but there are signs that the show is going through something of a mid-life crisis.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1984
1984 sees Top of the Pops at the height of its 80s pomp - the year of big hair and big tunes. Plus Frankie Goes io Hollywood, Hi-NRG, one-man acts, jazz pop and Band Aid.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1985
A-ha, King and Dead or Alive compete for attention with politicos Billy Bragg and The Style Council, Live Aid brings pop generations together and Shaky lands an Xmas number 1.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1986
Paul Heaton, Mick Hucknall, Sinitta, The Communards and Swing Out Sister are among the acts steering us through the changes that impacted Britain and the music industry in 1986.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1987
Performances from 1987 - the year of the Great Storm and Black Monday - featuring Terence Trent D'Arby, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Rick Astley, Carol Decker and Belinda Carlisle.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1988
In 1988, Top of the Pops turned 25. A celebration of the best music that year including interviews with Matt Goss, Jason Donovan, Wendy James, Aswad, Cold Cut, All About Eve and Wee Papa Girl Rappers.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1989
The year 1989 as seen and told by presenter Jenny Powell and the top popstars of the day, including Jason Donovan, Lisa Stansfield, Shaun Ryder, Chris Rea, Marc Almond, Sharleen Spiteri and Jazzie B.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1990
How, at the start of the 1990s, Top of the Pops learned to embrace the new sounds of hip-hop, dance and the indie underground. With contributions from Adamski, Seal and Betty Boo.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1991
As the 1990s start to get going, this is the year in which indie kids, ravers, alternative comedians and even a certain grunge band from Seattle hit the charts.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1992
The early 90s continued to be an interesting musical mix on the long-running pop music show. Featuring contributions from members of Manic Street Preachers, Shakespears Sister, Wet Wet Wet and more.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1993
Contributors including 2 Unlimited, Bob Stanley, Shaggy, Heather Small, Peter Hook, The Bluebells, Apache Indian, Gabrielle, East 17 and Mr Blobby look back at 1993.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1994
An under-threat TOTP is revamped as Britpop takes off with the likes of Blur and Oasis, reggae rediscovers Dawn Penn, the Cranberries score a trio of hits and Whigfield take the charts by storm.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1995
The year that pop, rock and dance music converged on the nation’s favourite music show, featuring the battle of the Britpop bands as well the likes of Sleeper and Cast hitting the Elstree studio.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1996
1996 saw mad cow disease and hostage crises dominating the news, but each week at Elstree, it was feuds and farewells that headlined the pop year.
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1997
Revolution was in the air for the long-running music show, in terms of the music and the show itself. Featuring contributions from Saffron, Brian Molko, Finley Quaye and Aqua.