The Giddy Carousel of Pop
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! We are a Smash Hits appreciation podcast dedicated to the swingorilliant British pop magazine which ran from 1978 to 2006. In each episode, we take an old issue of Ver Hits (usually from the 1980s but may slip a year or two either side of that) and discuss what’s on its pages, looking at who’s riding high on the carousel and who’s heading down the dumper. We always have a guest to help us along the way, so we’ll be talking to the readers, the writers, and who knows, maybe even the odd pop star who appeared in its pages. A proud part of the We Made This podcast network.
Episodes
May 29, 2021 • 104 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride.
In this episode writer, podcaster and former drummer with The Fall (1980-85) Paul Hanley joins us to peruse a 'double A side' issue of Smash Hits from 1981 and a whole lot more. Along the way we encounter Adam & The Ants, Stray Cats, Kim Wilde, Prince, Kraftwerk, Sparks, Stars On 45, Landscape, The Jam and Spandau Ballet among others, plus the ...
In this episode writer, podcaster and former drummer with The Fall (1980-85) Paul Hanley joins us to peruse a 'double A side' issue of Smash Hits from 1981 and a whole lot more. Along the way we encounter Adam & The Ants, Stray Cats, Kim Wilde, Prince, Kraftwerk, Sparks, Stars On 45, Landscape, The Jam and Spandau Ballet among others, plus the ...
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April 8, 2021 • 98 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride.
In this episode, writer Jude Rogers (The Guardian, The Quietus, Mojo and more) takes us back to her days as a day 10 year-old pop kid in August 1988 and the very first Smash Hits she ever bought. Along the way we discuss Kylie Minogue, Pat Benatar, Tanita Tikaram, Yazz, Bomb The Bass, Bros, Nik Kershaw, Billy Idol, R.E.M., Brother Beyond, band t-shirts, Pr...
In this episode, writer Jude Rogers (The Guardian, The Quietus, Mojo and more) takes us back to her days as a day 10 year-old pop kid in August 1988 and the very first Smash Hits she ever bought. Along the way we discuss Kylie Minogue, Pat Benatar, Tanita Tikaram, Yazz, Bomb The Bass, Bros, Nik Kershaw, Billy Idol, R.E.M., Brother Beyond, band t-shirts, Pr...
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March 3, 2021 • 113 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride.
In the this bumper episode, TV and film production designer and (most importantly) pop kid Richard Drew joins us on the carousel as it spins back to the Smash Hits of late February 1983. OMD are on the front cover and inside we find Musical Youth, Spandau Ballet, Thompson Twins, The Belle Stars, David Bowie, Marillion, Toto, Level 42, China Crisis, The Gap...
In the this bumper episode, TV and film production designer and (most importantly) pop kid Richard Drew joins us on the carousel as it spins back to the Smash Hits of late February 1983. OMD are on the front cover and inside we find Musical Youth, Spandau Ballet, Thompson Twins, The Belle Stars, David Bowie, Marillion, Toto, Level 42, China Crisis, The Gap...
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December 23, 2020 • 49 min
Grab some paper and a pen and prepare yourselves for The Giddy Carousel of Pop's Quizorilliant Christmas Quiz!
10 rounds. 50 questions. And all taken from the pages of Smash Hits (so if any of the answers are wrong, blame them!). There are no prizes, it's just a bit of fun. But do let us know how you get on.
Are you ready?
Don't forget, you're in control, so use pause and rewind if you must, but no cheating.
The Giddy ...
10 rounds. 50 questions. And all taken from the pages of Smash Hits (so if any of the answers are wrong, blame them!). There are no prizes, it's just a bit of fun. But do let us know how you get on.
Are you ready?
Don't forget, you're in control, so use pause and rewind if you must, but no cheating.
The Giddy ...
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October 27, 2020 • 96 min
In our first foray into the 1990s, journalist and podcaster Laura Kelly from The Big Issue joins us on the carousel and takes us back to the Smash Hits of 1-14 April 1992.
And it's a very different Smash Hits from what we've covered so far on the podcast, with TV and film stars getting as much attention as pop stars. We're also introduced to a raft of new features including 'No! Not The Biscuit Tin!' and Sylvia ...
And it's a very different Smash Hits from what we've covered so far on the podcast, with TV and film stars getting as much attention as pop stars. We're also introduced to a raft of new features including 'No! Not The Biscuit Tin!' and Sylvia ...
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September 8, 2020 • 94 min
Andrew Harrison, former editor of Select, Q and Mixmag and co-host of Bigmouth podcast (among many other things) joins us on the carousel to look at the Smash Hits of 29 May - 11 June 1980.
In a wide-ranging conversation, artists discussed include Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, The Specials, Hot Chocolate and many more. Andrew also tells us about his own involvement in Smash Hits and reflects on a career in music mags and some ...
In a wide-ranging conversation, artists discussed include Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, The Specials, Hot Chocolate and many more. Andrew also tells us about his own involvement in Smash Hits and reflects on a career in music mags and some ...
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August 7, 2020 • 68 min
Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop's swingorilliant summer special!
Simon and Gavin snip out their favourite bits from the ten issues of Smash Hits they've covered so far on the podcast, and stick them in their audio scrapbook to share with you. It'll brighten up your summer!
The Giddy Carousel of Pop is part of the We Made This network of podcasts.
HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg
GUESTS: Julie Hamill, David Hepw...
Simon and Gavin snip out their favourite bits from the ten issues of Smash Hits they've covered so far on the podcast, and stick them in their audio scrapbook to share with you. It'll brighten up your summer!
The Giddy Carousel of Pop is part of the We Made This network of podcasts.
HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg
GUESTS: Julie Hamill, David Hepw...
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July 17, 2020 • 54 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
We continue our look back at the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. Having dealt with all the Live Aid content in our last episode, we turn our attention to the rest of the mag which includes features on Phil Oakey, Bucks Fizz, Belouis Some and The Redskins, along with the usual lyrics, Bitz, Single...
We continue our look back at the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. Having dealt with all the Live Aid content in our last episode, we turn our attention to the rest of the mag which includes features on Phil Oakey, Bucks Fizz, Belouis Some and The Redskins, along with the usual lyrics, Bitz, Single...
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July 10, 2020 • 118 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
To mark the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, we go back to the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. We look at Ver Hits coverage of the historic concerts and hear from people who were there or watched from home. We also speak to three former Smash Hits editors - David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and Barry McIlhe...
To mark the 35th anniversary of Live Aid, we go back to the Smash Hits of 17-30 July 1985 with the help of Tim Robinson from DJ/production duo Nightdubbing. We look at Ver Hits coverage of the historic concerts and hear from people who were there or watched from home. We also speak to three former Smash Hits editors - David Hepworth, Mark Ellen and Barry McIlhe...
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June 5, 2020 • 83 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 9-22 October 1985 with broadcaster, writer and pop geek Julie Hamill. Pete Burns and Morrissey grace the cover and other artists discussed include Simon Le Bon, The Cure, Five Star, Lloyd Cole, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and many more.
Read along with us! Thanks to Like Punk Never Happened and Smash Hits Remembered...
In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 9-22 October 1985 with broadcaster, writer and pop geek Julie Hamill. Pete Burns and Morrissey grace the cover and other artists discussed include Simon Le Bon, The Cure, Five Star, Lloyd Cole, Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and many more.
Read along with us! Thanks to Like Punk Never Happened and Smash Hits Remembered...
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May 12, 2020 • 70 min
Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
In part two of our chat with former Smash Hits editor Barry McIlheney about his time at Ver Hits (October 1986 to January 1989) we continue out look at the issue of 25 March - 7 April 1987. If you missed part one, go and listen to it now!
In just three years, Barry went from being a library assistant living with his mum in Belfast to editor of Britain's br...
In part two of our chat with former Smash Hits editor Barry McIlheney about his time at Ver Hits (October 1986 to January 1989) we continue out look at the issue of 25 March - 7 April 1987. If you missed part one, go and listen to it now!
In just three years, Barry went from being a library assistant living with his mum in Belfast to editor of Britain's br...
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May 5, 2020 • 75 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
In the first of two parts, Simon and Gavin chat to former Smash Hits editor Barry McIlheney about his time at Ver Hits (October 1986 to January 1989) and the 25 March - 7 April 1987 issue in particular.
In just three years, Barry went from being a library assistant living with his mum in Belfast to editor of Britain's brightest pop mag, via spells at Hot P...
In the first of two parts, Simon and Gavin chat to former Smash Hits editor Barry McIlheney about his time at Ver Hits (October 1986 to January 1989) and the 25 March - 7 April 1987 issue in particular.
In just three years, Barry went from being a library assistant living with his mum in Belfast to editor of Britain's brightest pop mag, via spells at Hot P...
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April 8, 2020 • 84 min
Welcome aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop. Hold tight for a top pop ride!
In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 4-17 November 1987 with pop kid Catherine Sked. U2 grace the cover and other artists featured include T'Pau, Marillion, Communards, Blue Mercedes, Pet Shop Boys (again!), Heartbeat, Sting and Wet Wet Wet, not to mention Billy Idol's 'perv breeks' and Rick Astley's ruddy big pig.
Find scans of ...
In this episode we go back to the Smash Hits of 4-17 November 1987 with pop kid Catherine Sked. U2 grace the cover and other artists featured include T'Pau, Marillion, Communards, Blue Mercedes, Pet Shop Boys (again!), Heartbeat, Sting and Wet Wet Wet, not to mention Billy Idol's 'perv breeks' and Rick Astley's ruddy big pig.
Find scans of ...
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March 11, 2020 • 50 min
Simon and Gavin welcome you back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop!
In the second part of our chat with former Smash Hits deputy editor Hannah Verdier, we continue our look through the Smash Hits of 23 March - 5 April 1988 (the Easter hols!), plus she tells us about her time working at the mag in the late 90s/early 00s including a rather awkward encounter with Jon Bon Jovi and pop larks with Ash and Boyzone.
Artists discussed include Pe...
In the second part of our chat with former Smash Hits deputy editor Hannah Verdier, we continue our look through the Smash Hits of 23 March - 5 April 1988 (the Easter hols!), plus she tells us about her time working at the mag in the late 90s/early 00s including a rather awkward encounter with Jon Bon Jovi and pop larks with Ash and Boyzone.
Artists discussed include Pe...
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March 4, 2020 • 56 min
Simon and Gavin welcome you once again to The Giddy Carousel of Pop!
In the first of two parts, we have a good look through the Smash Hits of 23 March - 5 April 1988 (the Easter hols!) with the help of our special guest, freelance pop culture writer, contributor to The Guardian and former Smash Hits deputy editor in the late 90s/early 00s, Hannah Verdier.
Hannah tells us about her time at the mag, as well as taking us back to the S...
In the first of two parts, we have a good look through the Smash Hits of 23 March - 5 April 1988 (the Easter hols!) with the help of our special guest, freelance pop culture writer, contributor to The Guardian and former Smash Hits deputy editor in the late 90s/early 00s, Hannah Verdier.
Hannah tells us about her time at the mag, as well as taking us back to the S...
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February 5, 2020 • 65 min
Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop!
In this episode we go all the way back to February 1979 to dissect issue 4 of Smash Hits. The last of the mag's initial monthly issues, it only takes a moment to realise that this actually hit the streets in the January of 1979, tying up the loose ends of 1978 with its mix of pop, punk and disco before moving to fortnightly publication the following month, clearly ma...
In this episode we go all the way back to February 1979 to dissect issue 4 of Smash Hits. The last of the mag's initial monthly issues, it only takes a moment to realise that this actually hit the streets in the January of 1979, tying up the loose ends of 1978 with its mix of pop, punk and disco before moving to fortnightly publication the following month, clearly ma...
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January 14, 2020 • 49 min
In the second part of our chat with former Smash Hits editor David Hepworth, we continue looking at the Smash Hits of 4-17 March 1982 (picking up at page 20), going behind the scenes of the magazine, the people who worked on it, the pop stars who appeared in it, and the invaluable part played by its readers, including David's proudest professional moment.
Artists discussed in part two include ABC, The Human League, Associates, A...
Artists discussed in part two include ABC, The Human League, Associates, A...
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January 7, 2020 • 50 min
Former Smash Hits editor David Hepworth joins Simon and Gavin on The Giddy Carousel of Pop, looking at the Smash Hits of 4-17 March 1982, in part one of a wide-ranging conversation that takes us behind the scenes of the magazine, the people who worked on it, the pop stars who appeared in it, and the invaluable part played by its readers.
Artists discussed in part one include ABC, Gary Numan, Paul Weller, Orange Juice, Toni Basil a...
Artists discussed in part one include ABC, Gary Numan, Paul Weller, Orange Juice, Toni Basil a...
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December 24, 2019 • 65 min
Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this third episode of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 6-19 December 1984, with our guest, author and journalist Patricia Caliskan lending a helping hand in this rummage through the highlights of a very festive edition from the biggest Christmas of the 1980s and in pop music history.
Among the regular fortnightly features (Bitz...
Among the regular fortnightly features (Bitz...
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December 10, 2019 • 76 min
Simon and Gavin welcome you aboard The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this second episode of the Smash Hits appreciation podcast, we have a good look at Ver Hits from 17-30 May 1989, with our guest Rachael Galletly lending a helping hand in this rummage through the back issues of pop.
Among the regular fortnightly features (Bitz, RVSP, Singles & Albums Reviews, lyrics and posters), artists discussed include: Roxette, Kylie Minogue, ...
Among the regular fortnightly features (Bitz, RVSP, Singles & Albums Reviews, lyrics and posters), artists discussed include: Roxette, Kylie Minogue, ...
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