The Giddy Carousel of Pop

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this special episode, we are joined by some previous riders on the carousel to take a trip down rock’s lost highway and discuss Dexys Midnight Runners' misunderstood classic album, Don't Stand Me Down, on its 40th anniversary. We speak to former Smash Hits staffer and Dexys fan Chris Heath, who originally reviewed the album for Ver Hits inSepte...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod⁠ Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain’s top pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by writer, broadcaster and former Smash Hits staffer, Miranda Sawyer , as the carousel spins back to the changing music scene of June 1990. Along the way we encounter The Stone Roses...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain’s top pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by co-host of film podcast Don't You Want Me?, Catrin Lowe, for a spin on the carousel back to July 1995 and take in Vic & Bob, Jarvis Cocker, East 17, MN8, Ultimate Kaos, Blur, Th...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning:  https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. Fancy that! In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by music journalist and author of '1984: The Year Pop Went Queer' (Nine Eight Books), Ian Wade, for a spin on the carousel back to February 1987 and an issue edited...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning:  https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the elegant pop tome, Smash Hits. In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by fellow pop kid Jeni Brennan as the carousel spins back to June 1988. Under discussion are: Boy George, Mandy Smith, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Hothouse Flowers, Bros, Scritti Poli...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning:  https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, Gav and Si are joined by pop critic, author, DJ and Chart Music podcast regular, Simon Price. The carousel spins us back to October 1979, Simon's very first issue, and inside we discover punk, mod, disco and a whole lot more! We also discuss Simon's recent...

Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! In this episode, we take a trip to the Carousel's reading room to talk to find out all about Phew, Eh Readers? , a new book collecting selected works of Smash Hits and Q scribe Tom Hibbert, with the book's co-editor Jasper Murison-Bowie and designer (and former Smash Hits staffer) Caroline Grimshaw. We also hear from Hibbert's Smash Hits colleagues Barry McIlh...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. Award-winning journalist, author and Smash Hits legend Chris Heath (Details, Rolling Stone, GQ, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams) joins us on the carousel as it spins back to March 1987. Chris gives us a taste of li...

Buy us a coffee and help keep the carousel spinning: https://ko-fi.com/giddypoppod Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we go back to December 1982 with musician Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka) for a slice of life as a true pop kid! Along the way we discuss Tears For Fears, Madness, Culture Club, the results of the 19...

Simon and Gavin pop up for a quick spin on the carousel to share some exciting news! Listen and all will be revealed... Then get down to your nearest newsagent on Sunday 6th August! We'll be back with a full episode in the autumn. CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GiddyPopPod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GiddyPopPod Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/giddypopp...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we go back to August 1982 with Gav's old school mate Sue Humphreys. The cover star is John Taylor, and inside the mag are features on Duran Duran, The Stranglers and Sting, with the usual Bitz, RSVP, singles reviews and lyrics. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https:...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by popular culture and sport writer Nige Tassell as we spin the carousel back October 1981. The cover stars are The Fun Boy Three and inside the mag are Julian Cope, Japan, Girls At Our Best and a whole lot more, alongside the usual Bitz, RSVP, singles reviews and l...

Welcome to The Giddy Carousel of Pop's Christmas Bonus! A little episode to round up/round off the year, as Simon and Gavin pick out some of their fave podcasts, books and music-related films and tv of the last 12 months. Plus a shoutout to recent Ko-Fi supporters. We'll be back for a full ride on the carousel in 2023. Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter:&nbs...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by our American podcast cousins, Brian and Sarah from Permanent Record Podcast - https://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/ - as the carousel spins us back to August 1986. And there's much to discuss! The cover stars are The Human League. Also featured are Doctor &...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the Britain's brightest pop mag, Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by musician Helen O'Hara (Dexys, Tanita Tikaram, Tim Burgess) for a spin back to December 1982, when Helen, as part of Dexys, was literally riding high on the giddy carousel of pop (sometimes a little too giddy). Artists discussed include Dexy's Midnight Runners, Ya...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the 'so called' pop mag Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by voiceover, writer, composer and podcaster Emma Clarke, as we spin back to May 1982 for the confessions of a pre-teen pop fan. Artists discussed include Associates, Toyah, Adam Ant, Echo & The Bunnymen and many more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https:...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop, a podcast about the 'so called' pop mag Smash Hits. In this episode we are joined by PR guru and musician Julian Henry joins us on the carousel as we spin back to January 1989. Julian gives us a little peep behind the pop curtain as we discuss Holly Johnson, Then Jericho, Brother Beyond, Milli Vanilli, Climie Fisher, Neneh Cherry and a whole lot more. Rea...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by author/illustrator and former Smash Hits staffer Nadia Shireen on the carousel as we spin back to September 1988. Under discussion are Pet Shop Boys, Glenn Medeiros, the Smash Hits Readers' Poll, The Pasadenas, Bros and a whole lot more. Read along with us. Like Punk Never Happened: https:...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by Australian writer and columnist Sarina Rowell [ http://imaginedslights.com/ ] to talk about her Smash Hits memories as an 80s pop kid in a land down under, looking at the bumper December 1983 issue of Ver Hits. Discussed are Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw, Paul Young, Tina Turner, Status Quo, Ro...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Giddy Carousel of Pop. If you heard our last episode with Mark Ellen, you'll know that we spoke to Adam & The Ants' guitarist Marco Pirroni about his memories of Smash Hits. But we talked about so much more and thought that you might like to hear it. So here it is! HOSTS: Simon Galloway and Gavin Hogg GUEST: Marco Pirroni CONTACT DETAILS: Twitter: http...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by music mag legend and former Smash Hits editor Mark Ellen, as the carousel spins back to June 1981. There's also a second guest on the carousel - Adam & The Ants guitarist Marc Pirroni, who shares his memories of the cover story, Smash Hits and a whole lot more (look out for a bonus epi...

Welcome back to The Giddy Carousel of Pop! Hang on tight for a top pop ride. In this episode we are joined by pop kid and deputy chair of the Philip Larkin Society, Lyn Lockwood to look at the Smash Hits of 3-16 July 1985. Along the way we encounter Howard Jones, Humpe Humpe, Madonna, Duran Duran, The Style Council, Elton John, The Damned, Russ Abott, The Grumbleweeds, Max Headroom and Simply Red...

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 Bal...

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....

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, To...