Question: what was the first song ever played on top of the pops
Answer: 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 .