1998-2001: Whole Lotta Love Remix

Executive Producer Chris Cowey implemented several significant changes to Top of the Pops upon assuming the role in the summer of 1997. The show underwent a complete overhaul, featuring an entirely new regular presenter lineup, a renewed emphasis on the Top 20 chart, and more immersive studio performances with the studio audience. However, one aspect remained lacking: a cohesive and contemporary brand identity. By early 1998, Top of the Pops had entirely lost its theme tune, and the TOTP studio had been stripped of most of the metallic sets.

On May 1st, 1998, the show underwent a transformative makeover, introducing a vibrant new logo and fully digital title sequence that featured scrolling coloured stripes, circles and lines. The theme tune was a remix of the classic "Whole Lotta Love" theme tune, but with a contemporary drum and bass tone, remixed by Bad Man Bad (aka. Ben Chapman). This change was intended to ensure that the theme tune and presentation would remain relevant and avoid becoming outdated within a few years, unlike the previous brand package.

The studio remained largely unchanged, albeit adorned with the new TOTP logo and the old metallic set elements slowly being retired and replaced by bright white sets. Captions were now regularly displayed at the beginning and end of each performance, mirroring the orange, blue, and purple hues of the opening sequence and new TOTP logo. The classic Top 20 chart rundown was also introduced, accompanied by the TOTP theme tune playing in the background as Mark Goodier narrated the chart.

The presentation package and studio design would remain largely unchanged until December 2001…

Want to know more about the design process of these iconic opening titles? Check out this article by Ravensbourne University London.