<P> The show was originally intended to run for only a few programmes but lasted over 42 years, reaching landmark episodes of 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 in the years 1973, 1983, 1992 and 2002 respectively . </P> <P> Top of the Pops was first broadcast on Wednesday, 1 January 1964 at 6: 35 pm . It was produced in Studio A on Dickenson Road in Rusholme, Manchester . </P> <P> DJ Jimmy Savile presented the first show live from the Manchester studio (with a brief link to Alan Freeman in London to preview the following week's programme), which featured (in order) the Rolling Stones with "I Wanna Be Your Man", Dusty Springfield with "I Only Want to Be with You", the Dave Clark Five with "Glad All Over", the Hollies with "Stay", the Swinging Blue Jeans with "Hippy Hippy Shake" and the Beatles with "I Want to Hold Your Hand", that week's number one--throughout its history, the programme proper always (with very few exceptions) finished with the best - selling single of the week, although there often was a separate play - out track . </P> <P> Later in 1964, the broadcast time was moved to one hour later, at 7: 35 pm, and the show moved from Wednesdays to what became its regular Thursday slot . Additionally its length was extended by 5 minutes to 30 minutes . </P>

What was the first song ever played on top of the pops