S1·E13 25 March 1964

Episode recap

The thirteenth edition of the first series of Top of the Pops aired on 25 March 1964 and was hosted by Pete Murray and Jimmy Savile. The programme featured a mixture of live performances and pre‑recorded video clips that reflected the chart hits of the week.

The show opened with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas delivering a second rendition of “Little Children,” a song that had previously appeared in the series. Their performance was followed by Peter and Gordon, who presented “World Without Love,” a contemporary pop ballad that was then climbing the British charts. The Applejacks then took the stage to perform “Tell Me When,” adding a fresh entry to the broadcast’s lineup.

Returning to the series’ rotating roster, The Bachelors performed “I Believe” for a second time, offering viewers another look at the vocal group’s smooth harmonies. The Beatles were featured prominently, with two of their recent singles appearing in repeat performances. First, the band played “Can’t Buy Me Love,” a chart‑topping pop number that had already been shown earlier in the series. This was followed by a second showing of “You Can’t Do That,” giving the audience an additional glimpse of the Fab Four’s evolving sound.

In addition to the live acts, the episode incorporated a video segment of The Rolling Stones performing “Not Fade Away.” The inclusion of this clip provided a visual representation of the Stones’ interpretation of the Buddy Holly‑era song, complementing the live performances that dominated the broadcast.

Overall, the episode combined repeat performances of established hits with a selection of newer chart entries, maintaining the programme’s format of showcasing the week’s most popular records. The dual presentation by Murray and Savile, together with the mixture of live and video material, exemplified the show’s role as a central venue for British pop music in early 1964.