The early 90s continued to be an interesting musical mix on the long-running pop music show. Still getting used to its new TV home at Elstree, having been relaunched at the end of the previous year, shows were a mix of ravers and indie rockers rubbing shoulders with the popstars of the day, with the emergence of live satellite performances from across the globe upping the star quota on the weekly show.

Dance music was still dominating the charts, The Orb and The Shamen were causing chaos and controversy on the show with their performances and lyrics. New guitar groups were starting to make waves, with Manic Street Preachers debuting with lipstick, scissor kicks and bubbles. The Wedding Present releasing a single each month of the year, and Carter USM had a number one album. In a year of only 12 new number ones, the lowest since 1962, one of the biggest sellers was duo Shakespears Sister with their gothic anthem Stay. Throw in Stereo MC's, Wet Wet Wet and Crowded House and you have tales of performing chess on the show, crashing the Eastenders set, the emergence of Take That and the shift to live singing on the show.

Contributors include Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Mr C from The Shamen, Rob Birch, Nick Hallam and Cath Coffey of Stereo MC's, Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit, Marti Pellow and Graeme Clark of Wet Wet Wet, David Gedge of The Wedding Present, Alex Patterson of The Orb, Nick Seymour of Crowded House, Jim Bob and Fruitbat of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, journalist Sian Pattenden and presenter Tony Dortie.

Recession, high unemployment and unrest dominated the news in early 1993, but every Thursday night, the BBC's much-loved weekly music show continued its 30 minutes of pop escapism and feel-good factor. Rave was slowing - being replaced by disco vibes - and Euro pop was very much the order of the day, with Dutch duo 2Unlimited hogging the charts not just here but all over Europe with their techno smash No Limit.

Hippy and dreamy vibes came courtesy of St Etienne, and Britpop was just around the corner waiting to happen, heralded by the debut of Suede. Adding to the musical mix were the Jamaican rhythms, cheeky lyrics and dancehall moves courtesy of Shaggy, and Manchester dance outfit M People were bossing the dance floors. As the country's situation improved financially, a pop rivalry ensued with East 17's bad boys contesting the reign of Take That. Meanwhile on the show, the satellite performances continued with Mancunians New Order taking to the beach in LA to perform Regret alongside the Baywatch crew.

As always, there were the tracks that became hits from other sources - step forward The Bluebells and their song from a certain car advert - and throughout the summer bump and grind arrived, ruled by the likes of Shabba Ranks, Snow and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Bhangra king Apache Indian mashed styles together for his global hit Boom Shack-A-Lak, while newcomer Gabrielle debuted with her smash Dreams and changed how a new pop star could look on TV with her attitude, glamorous styling and matching eye patch.

Oh, and of course... Mr Blobby.

Contributors include Anita Doth and Ray Slijngaard of 2Unlimited, Bob Stanley of St Etienne, Shaggy, Heather Small of M People, Peter Hook, Ken, Bobby and David of The Bluebells, Apache Indian, Gabrielle, Terry Coldwell of East 17 and Mr Blobby.