Blending quirky storytelling with a memorable lounge-pop groove, "Female of the Species" became Space's breakthrough hit in 1996. Featured on their debut album Spiders, the song helped propel the Liverpool band into the spotlight and established them as one of the most distinctive acts of the Britpop era. Their appearance on Top of the Pops captured Space as they emerged as one of the UK's most exciting new bands.
Billed simply as Massive during the Gulf War, Massive Attack brought “Unfinished Sympathy” to Top Of The Pops in 1991 with Shara Nelson’s vocal at the centre of its sweeping string arrangement. The name may have been temporarily softened for broadcast, but the song still became one of the defining British releases of the early 90s.
Standing out with its cinematic style in 1996, “Female of the Species” saw Space deliver their breakthrough hit, appearing on Spiders, released September 1996. Performed here on Top of the Pops, the track captures the band’s quirky, retro influenced sound during their rise.
Released in 1991, "Unfinished Sympathy" by Massive Attack was directed by Baillie Walsh. The iconic music video was shot in a single, uninterrupted take as the camera follows singer Shara Nelson, moving along a stretch of Los Angeles.