The Rezillos "Top of the Pops"

"Top of the Pops" is the most famous single by Scottish punk/new wave band The Rezillos, released in 1978 and reaching No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart. The track is both a high-energy celebration and a sharp satire of the BBC’s legendary music chart TV show, which was a British institution and a key driver of pop success at the time1.

Song Meaning and Satire
While the song’s infectious chorus and upbeat delivery might sound celebratory, the lyrics are a witty indictment of the music industry’s commercialism and the superficiality of pop stardom. The chorus—"Does it matter what is shown? Just as long as everyone knows what is selling, what to buy. The stock market for your hi-fi… everyone's on Top of the Pops!"—skewers the idea that chart success is more about image and sales than musical substance. The band’s appearance on the very show they were lampooning added a layer of irony and self-referential humor to the song’s legacy23.

Performance and Legacy
The Rezillos’ 1978 performance of "Top of the Pops" on the actual Top of the Pops TV show is legendary for its frenetic energy and day-glo style, with the presenter famously remarking, "They're singing about us!" after their set23. The song became their biggest hit and is now considered an unofficial theme tune for the show, as well as a classic of the first wave of British punk and new wave1.

Musical Style
True to the band’s ethos, "Top of the Pops" blends punk’s speed and attitude with influences from 1960s garage rock, glam, and even sci-fi kitsch. The Rezillos were known for their fun, irreverent approach, showing that punk could be playful as well as rebellious1.

Key Facts Table

Summary
"Top of the Pops" by The Rezillos is a witty, energetic punk/new wave anthem that lampoons the very pop culture machine it helped conquer. Its legacy endures as both a critique and a celebration of the era’s music scene, and it remains a beloved classic of late-1970s British pop23.