Top 10 Times Artists Sabotaged Top of the Pops

Squeeze - "Up the Junction"

First off, it’s obvious that for most of the run, performers weren’t playing live on “TotP.” It wasn’t that they lacked the ability… for the most part, anyway; it just made the show’s production easier. But certain musicians were unhappy to lose out on showcasing their talent, especially if their song had warranted multiple invites to perform. Squeeze, who’d appeared frequently throughout the late 70s – were a little fed up of the lip-sync routine by the year’s end. So, they mixed things up, and went full-tilt spoof. Lead vocalist Glenn Tilbrook still sang, but took up the drums instead of his usual guitar. That went to keyboardist Jools Holland… who, despite a storied career as a musician, makes strumming look like an entirely alien concept.

Manic Street Preachers - "Faster"


The Manic Street Preachers appeared on “TotP” over two-dozen times from 1991. However, their appearance in June ‘94 remains their most memorable, and was very nearly their last. Only a few years before the Good Friday Agreement brought an end to “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, the band appeared on stage, clad in full military regalia… complete with frontman James Dean Bradfield wearing a balaclava with his name tippexed over it. Their performance of their record “Faster,” speedily garnered a record 25,000 complaints from viewers who misinterpreted the garb as the ‘Preachers aligning with the IRA–even though they’re Welsh. They weren't even being political–Bradfield’s knitted headwear was a present from his gran, and he was just showing it off –quote– “for a laugh.”

Killing Joke - "Empire Song"


It’s an age-old story in music. A frontman decides to form a band, recruits fellow musicians, write a few hits, develop an infatuation with the occult, predicts the imminent apocalypse and moves to Iceland… tale as old as time. Well, ok, just for Killing Joke, who saw their frontman, Jaz Coleman do just that upon recording their 1982 hit “Empire Song.” Some of Killing Joke would follow him, but not before they had to perform for “TotP” sans frontman. So what did they do to get around the fact that their lead singer wasn’t joining them? Well, what anyone would–dress someone up in a Hazmat suit and have them stand there, doing nothing, while the drummer lip-syncs to vocals that clearly aren’t his…

Blur - "Charmless Man"


We have to admit to getting “Hobbit” vibes, with Blurs performance of “Charmless Man” in the summer of 1996. Another group that were dismayed to find their musicality wouldn’t be appropriately showcased, the English rockers decided to take an interesting route to rebelling against the lip-sync. Graham Coxon is either a giant, or his guitar is much smaller than it should be, and Dave Rowntree has either shrunk in the wash, or is playing drums with ridiculously oversized drumsticks. They aren’t dressed with big feet or in vintage clothing, but their choice of instruments kind of lends itself to the “forced perspective” filming technique that would later be used by Peter Jackson and co.

Depeche Mode - "Barrel of a Gun"


Depeche Mode’s 1997 album “Ultra” saw a bit of a change-up in the group, as it was their first as a trio. Despite concerns the group was done without Alan Wilder, the album brought several hits. including “Barrel of a Gun,” which “TotP” needed to celebrate. Here, Dave Gahan is front-and-centre with vocals, Martin Gore’s on Guitar, the late Andy Fletcher is on keys, Anton Corbijn’s on Drums and Tim Simenon’s also on the Keyboard... What's wrong here? Well, neither of the latter two are members of Depeche Mode, who decided that the performance needed a little "je ne sais quoi" by inserting their video director, and the album’s producer respectively into the band. But when you’re miming this well, who cares?

Orbital - "Chime"


Orbital allegedly made “Chime” with £1 and a home built studio under the stairs. Naturally, when the time came for the brothers to play their hit on the telly, Orbital wanted to show off their natural talents. The only problem was “TotP” bosses said no – you’ve to lip-sync the mostly instrumental track instead. But Paul and Phil Hartnoll decided they'd do something even better on screen... absolutely nothing. Throughout the entirety of Chime, the brothers just stood there, wearing t-shirts that criticised the very contentious incoming Poll Tax–sorry, “community charge.” Oh, and one single solitary dancer providing the only dynamic on the stage… Whether it was their protest against the government, or the miming, the stunt earned them a 6-year ban from “TotP.”

Faith No More - “From Out of Nowhere”


Only a month after our previous entry, and Faith No More were also frustrated at “Top of the Pops” production mandates. It was a double-problem for singer Mike Patton, who, similar to Orbital, felt he needed to prove himself. For Patton, “From Out of Nowhere” wasn’t just an RKO (if you know, you know), but Patton’s introduction to FNM, as it marked the new lead vocalist’s debut single playing with the band. But, again, “TotP” bosses said he had to lip-sync… and lip-sync he did–with gusto. Patton knew he had to go along with it, so he spent the performance playing it like a complete pantomime. We’d argue his facial expressions and bizarre movements make the performance even better–after all, he showed a lot of stage presence.

Oasis - "Roll With It"


We often, regrettably, forget that Oasis wasn’t always composed of just Noel and Liam Gallagher. During their heyday, they had Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan on bass, and "Bonehead" (AKA Paul Arthurs) on guitar. The latter caused a bit of a “ToTP” sabotage of his own when swapping with the cellist the year before during a performance of “Whatever.” But in 1995, Oasis continued to mess about with the show’s producers. For “Roll With It” there was a last minute swap of the Gallagher brothers, ostensibly to see if anyone would notice they were lip-syncing. It looked like producers were wise to the act this time, though; as it was quickly spotted, and a message appeared on screen to let viewers know they hadn’t been had.

Eels - “Novocaine For the Soul”


It’s safe to say that by the 1990s, most musicians were a little fed-up of the British show seemingly having little faith in the artists they invited on to the show. Indeed, it’s the decade that most of our list has been centred on. And that disdain went international too, as LA band The Eels–who had just gained success with their breakthrough hit “Novocaine For the Soul” couldn't be bothered with the idea of miming, either. However, unlike many established bands, Eels had just the right tools to protest. Oh, they brought the correct musical instruments alright, but fun-size versions of them… and in a manner right out of “The Who’s” playbook, proceeded to rock out to the extreme with the mini-guitars and drums before smashing them to smithereens.

Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Just like our previous entry, Nirvana were not pleased with travelling across the pond only to be told they weren’t to perform live on “Top of the Pops.” Yet, unlike many others, they did manage a small victory – two of the trio had to mime, but Cobain could sing. However, producers really should’ve known better than telling a grunge band that they’ve to follow, well, the rules… The result is an anarchist’s dream – Krist Novoselic flies around like a kite, Dave Grohl plays drums like he’s a kid at Christmas, and juxtaposing it all, is Kurt Cobain, sounding like the backing track is broken, doing his best Morrissey impression and even eating the mic at one point. Well played, lads… or not, it seems.


Did you catch any of these moments when they were broadcast to the nation? Or are you lamenting the loss of this viral-maker, twenty years on? Let us know in the comments.