Which Decade Is Tops For Pops?

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?<hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

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 bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 28th September 2025.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-23
01:24:17

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 bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 28th September 2025.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-22
27:23

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.

09-21
30:57

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.

09-20
27:31

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.

09-15
32:30

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 // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 31st August 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-15
01:27:18

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 bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 31st August 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-14
32:23

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.

08-13
31:40

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.

08-12
24:24

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.

08-04
21:36

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 // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 27th July 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-10
01:15:16

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 bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 27th July 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-09
29:01

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.

07-08
21:46

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 information.

07-07
25:56

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 information.

07-02
18:32

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 agency - and a poignant elegy for the days of getting sloshed in chain bars.Playlists: YouTube // Spotify // extra tracks & bonus bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 29th June 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-12
01:31:09

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06-10
23:11

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.

06-09
28:52

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.

06-03
23:19

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 bitsTo join in with the voting, please submit your 1st, 2nd and 3rd favourites, plus your "most bad and hated" selection, to:The Patreon Supporters Club // Bluesky: whichdecadetops // Facebook // whichdecadeistops@gmail.comThe voting deadline for this episode is 6pm UK time, Sunday 1st June 2025.Further reading: Mike's live reviews of Whitney Houston and Tinie Tempah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05-15
01:26:00

Recommend Channels