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Which Decade Is Tops For Pops?

by Mike Atkinson

Each episode, we look at six hit singles that were in the same position in the UK Top 10 exactly ten years apart, from the 1960s through to the 2010s. We talk about them, you vote for them, and points are awarded to the decades which they represent. As the episodes roll on, the votes roll in, and the points stack up, which decade will ultimately emerge as Tops For Pops? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

  1. S6 E9: Tom Jones, Donna Summer, Rick Astley, Puff Daddy, Kanye West, DJ Khaled/Rihanna

    Or alternatively: Lonnie Donegan, Giorgio Moroder, Stock Aitken Waterman, The Police, Daft Punk and Santana. Big hitters, massive samples, problematic characters, reputations both won and lost, and - just this once - copious swearing. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded...

  2. S6E8 Results: Beatles or Pub?

    Back at last after an extended summer break, we can finally bring you the latest set of results... "no doubt about it". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. S6 E8: Brian Hyland, Slade, Hot Chocolate, Roy Orbison, The Calling, Coldplay & Rihanna

    A spiritual Bobby, a deep cut chart-topper, a Partridged tick-tick-ticker, a posthumous wake-up call, a lightning in a bottle moment, and stadium rock goes high-concept pop. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra...

  4. S6E7 Results: Report Card Of Delirium

    A playlist concept is hatched, a sponsorship deal is proposed, zealotry is slammed, a meaningless genre is dissected - oh, and there are some results. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. S6 E7: Gerry & The Pacemakers, 10cc, The Police, Gabrielle, Evanescence, Robin Thicke

    Piano-augmented Merseybeat, a light-hearted take on mass slaughter, the world's biggest band gets creepy, a "nasal" consensus, a renta-rapper imposition, and a "heated debate". Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra...

  6. S6E6 Results: Bombastic Knobheadery

    It's results time: after what we thought was a particularly strong selection of tunes, how did our decades fare? Further watching: Arena documentary on My Way (BBC iPlayer) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. S6 E6: Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Bobby Brown, Precious, La Roux, Billie Eilish

    A premature swansong, a childhood trauma, a new jacking bad boy, a Eurovision mid-tabler, a pitchy 8-bit synth-popper and an ASMR proto-brat, DUHH. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Merch...

  8. S6E5 Results: The Vindication of Nick

    Content Warning: contains interstitial product placement! record-mirror-disco-charts.myshopify.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  9. S6E05: Bobby Darin, T.Rex, Ennio Morricone, Cher, Ronan Keating, Wretch 32 ft Example

    Finger-snapping, glam-inventing, TV-soundtracking, Sixties-pastiching, drive-timing, Roses-sampling goodness, for your enjoyment and evaluation - plus a brand new merch store! Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra...

  10. S6E4 Results: Industrial Estate Car Park Life

    Mucky Christmas songs, mucky misheard lyrics, mucky-mouthed beach ball tirades... oh, and some results. This one also deserves its own extras playlist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  11. S6 E4: Eddy Arnold, Glitter Band, Falco, Garbage, Sugababes, Zayn

    A "Nashville Sound" pivot, another post-glam last hurrah, Austria's king of rap, Britpop by association, Amelle erases Mutya, and all-caps SEXYTIME. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join…

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  12. S6E3 Results: Jive Bunny For Posers

    It's results rollout time again, as we reveal the latest set of rankings. Who's up? Who's down? And what's the state of this season's Master Scoreboard? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  13. S6E03: Love Affair, Sweet, Coldcut, Another Level, David Jordan, Liam Payne & Rita Ora

    A song that launched a thousand covers, a last hurrah, a bass bombing volume pumper, a remixer's canvas, a brief flicker of star power, and a vanilla take on kink. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks &…

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  14. S6E2 Results: Post-apocalyptic Spandex

    A resounding last place, a fondly regarded Meh Zone, and a tightly fought Top Three... it's results time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  15. S6E02: Cliff Richard/Shadows, Peter Paul & Mary, Nolans, Mantronix, Andreas Johnson, 3OH!3/Katy Perry

    Cliff pivots to post-army Elvis, A Mighty Wind's last hurrah, the sisters ditch their cabaret roots, Mantronix trade hip hop for a hit, Sweden's Eurovision nearly-man, and frat boys pave the way for LMFAO. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists:...

  16. S6E1 Results: ne pas de boys!

    It's time to reveal the first set of results from our new season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  17. S6E01: Singing Nun, Leo Sayer, Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton, K7, The Darkness, Sam Bailey

    A Belgian triumph turned tragedy, a weeping Pierrot, a Glasto Ledge triple, a jock jam gateway, a seasonal underperformer and a Get Out Of Jail Free pass. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To...

  18. Season Five: The Grand Finale

    How did our plucky decades fare in Season Five? And what of our cumulative Motherboard? Join us for a granular review of the current state of play - and if you're in the Patreon posse, stand by for details of a very special interactive bonus episode. Playlist: all this season's tunes, in...

  19. S5E10 Results: Meh Oddity

    It's the last results bulletin of the season, and we have a seasonal "surprise surprise" for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  20. S5E10: Roy Orbison, David Bowie, Lionel Richie, Eternal, Jamelia, James Blunt

    Three R&B-pop tunes rub up against three chaps of varying degrees of coolness, thus completing this season's selections. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please...

  21. S5E9 Results: Cardiac Kimchi

    With a little bit of this, and a little bit of that - and even the occasional result - we review the voting from our last main episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  22. S5E9: Eden Kane, Hot Chocolate, The Tweets, Sabrina Johnston, Uncle Kracker, Christina Perri

    A Heritage Chart comeback, some persistent shapeshifters, France's Candle In The Wind, diva-house's purple patch, Kid Rock's mate reveals multiple levels, and Parkycore in its purest form. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube //…

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  23. S5E8 Results: A damp biscuit in the back of the snack cupboard.

    Dan from Idaho joins us for the latest set of results. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm about to break wind." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  24. S5E8: Marcello Minerbi, Gladys Knight, Princess, TLC, Kelly Clarkson, Lost Frequencies

    An accelerating plate-smasher, two country covers, a hidden rivalry revealed, "alternative is a relative concept", and a gateway-drug flat-smasher. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join…

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  25. S5E8 Part 3/3: Kelly Clarkson, Lost Frequencies

    A gateway-drug flat-smasher and our second country-derived tune conclude this episode. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd...

  26. S5E8 Part 2/3: Princess, TLC

    A hidden rivalry is revealed, and "alternative" is a relative concept. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  27. S5E8 Part 1/3: Marcello Minerbi, Gladys Knight & The Pips

    An accelerating plate-smasher, and the first of two country covers. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  28. S5E7 Results: Nick's Sweaty Brown Envelope

    New Patreon subscriber Mike joins us for a look at the voting for S5E6, where a last place sends Trev "incandescent with rage", a JLS/Morrissey hypocrisy is posited, and Nick takes delivery of a clammy gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  29. S5E7: Rolling Stones, Boomtown Rats, Jive Bunny, Ricky Martin, JLS, Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello

    An interstitial Brian Jones sandwich, Bob's prescient regret, Glenn Miller connects to hard house, después de mí el diluvio, an emotionally blackmailing eye-roller, and a steamy alleged long con. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube…

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  30. S5E7 Part 3/3: JLS, Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello

    Concluding this episode: an emotionally blackmailing eye-roller, and a steamy alleged long con. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and…

    more

  31. S5E7 Part 2/3: Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, Ricky Martin

    Glenn Miller connects to hard house, and después de mí el diluvio! Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  32. S5E7 Part 1/3: Rolling Stones, Boomtown Rats

    An interstitial Brian Jones sandwich and Bob's prescient regret open our latest episode. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  33. S5E6 Results: The Clarinet Clarification

    ...aka The Chapin Gateway, aka The Tennant Easter Egg. It's results time! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  34. S5E6: Billy Fury, New Seekers, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Electronic, Christina Milian, Rudimental ft John Newman

    A proto-auto-erotic Brightside, Granny Atkinson's Theme Tune, Man Owns Ties: The Soundtrack, The Supergroup Conundrum, Indie Swedes do Millennial R&B, and Propagating The Species with Clive Owen. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube…

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  35. S5E6 Part 3/3: Christina Milian, Rudimental ft John Newman

    Indie Swedes do Millennial R&B, and Propagating The Species with Clive Owen. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus...

  36. S5E6 Part 2/3: Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Electronic

    Man Owns Ties: The Soundtrack, and an all-star collab leads us to ponder The Supergroup Conundrum. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  37. S5E6 Part 1/3: Billy Fury, The New Seekers

    A proto-auto-erotic Brightside and Granny Atkinson's Theme Tune kick off the first part of this episode. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded (seven-day free trial). Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  38. S5E5 Results: The Chocolate Lasagne Theory

    In which we assemble a Dismissal Platoon, uncover a Metallica foundation stone, pitch a spin-off project, and ponder the uncertainty of a post-lentil sunrise. All this and the usual Hot Results Action, bringing 18 minutes of delight to your day! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  39. S5E5: Duane Eddy, Norman Greenbaum, Jermaine Jackson, The Chimes, Britney Spears, Roll Deep

    Yakketty twiddles connect Sinatra to Toto - Jehovah is ditched for Je$u$ - bouncing back from a horticultural hitch, Stevie gives a timely boost to Michael's big bro - a Bono-blessed cover reminds us of when downtempo was peak-time - thrillingly punctuated, perplexingly dialogued sass without...

  40. S5E5 Part 3/3: Britney Spears, Roll Deep

    Thrillingly punctuated, perplexingly dialogued sass without agency, and a poignant elegy for the days of getting sloshed in chain bars. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please submit…

    more

  41. S5E5 Part 2/3: Jermaine Jackson, The Chimes

    Bouncing back from a horticultural hitch, Stevie gives a timely boost to Michael's big bro, while a Bono-blessed cover reminds us of when downtempo was peak-time. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast....

  42. S5E5 Part 1/3: Duane Eddy, Norman Greenbaum

    Yakketty twiddles connect Sinatra to Toto, and Jehovah is ditched for Je$u$. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  43. S5E4 Results: Through Mrs Tempah's Keyhole

    Mike's househunting hunch has been checked and verified, and yes, it was HER. Also contains class conflict, generational shaming, and a crypto metaphor for the ages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  44. S5E4: Simon & Garfunkel, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston, Klubbheads, Snow Patrol, Tinie Tempah

    A disputed platform, nibbles round at Nick's place, the Benson/Dexys connection, another Dutch dance duo, a defence of Arena Indie, and grime goes EDM (again). Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the...

  45. S5 E4 Part 3/3: Snow Patrol, Tinie Tempah/Zara Larsson

    A defence of Arena Indie, and grime goes EDM (again). Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to: The...

  46. S5E4 Part 2/3: Whitney Houston, Klubbheads

    An Ali-venerating Benson/Dexys connection, and a second consecutive Dutch dance duo with multiple aliases!. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  47. S5E4 Part 1/3: Simon & Garfunkel, Isaac Hayes

    A disputed platform (and a Mu Mu revelation) followed by a contextual car chase, ending up with nibbles round at Nick's place. Listen to this episode in full, with all tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  48. S5E3 Results: Godwin's Doop

    Who are the other singing drummers? Has Usher had a Cheryl Baker moment? Were Doop the Wagner of the Nineties? Can we shoehorn in a gratuitous Star Wars reference? And what's the current state of the Master Scoreboard? All will be revealed in our latest results bulletin! Hosted on Acast. See...

  49. S5 E3: Billy J Kramer, Paper Lace, Shakin Stevens, Doop, Usher, John Legend

    Retrospective menace from a Beatles diffusion line; our first singing drummer, whose band pays tribute to Nottingham's fine industrial heritage; a Glasto-buzz-killing Madeley-thumper swaps Communism for knitwear; some Euro-techno pioneers update the Charleston; an old friend hopes for a higher...

  50. S5 E3 Part 3/3: Usher, John Legend

    Representing the 2000s and 2010s: an old friend hopes for a higher ranking, and a creative process arguably (!) predates 2020s technology. Listen to all three parts in one go, with full tracks embedded. Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bits To join in with the voting, please...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Each episode, we look at six hit singles that were in the same position in the UK Top 10 exactly ten years apart, from the 1960s through to the 2010s. We talk about them, you vote for them, and points are awarded to the decades which they represent. As the episodes roll on, the votes roll in, and the points stack up, which decade will ultimately emerge as Tops For Pops?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOSTED BY

Mike Atkinson

CATEGORIES

music commentary history

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? have?

Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? currently has 142 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? about?

Each episode, we look at six hit singles that were in the same position in the UK Top 10 exactly ten years apart, from the 1960s through to the 2010s. We talk about them, you vote for them, and points are awarded to the decades which they represent. As the episodes roll on, the votes roll in, and...

How often does Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? release new episodes?

Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? publishes regularly with 142 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Which Decade Is Tops For Pops??

You can listen to Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Which Decade Is Tops For Pops??

Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? is created and hosted by Mike Atkinson.
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