The 90's: Revisited!

[Whitneyfan]

152. Aqua - Turn back Time (#1, 10 May 1998, 1 week)
Aqua's third number one single was nothing like in the same bubblegum pop vein of the first two. Instead it a mature sounding ballad which could have been sung by one of the female singer-songwriters around at the time, and a great one to revisit after all these years. 9/10

153. The Tamperer Featuring Maya - Feel It (#1, 24 May 1998, 1 week)
You can't help but recognise the Jacksons disco classic 'Can You Feel It' as the intro to this late nineties cheesy, but rather infectious, dance record. The only thing I would say now is that it maybe sounds a bit dated - but that isn't always a truly bad thing. 8.5/10

154. B*Witched - C'est La Vie (#1, 31 May 1998, 2 weeks)
We had the Spice Girls vs All Saints battle of the girlbands going on, but that didn't mean there wasn't room for an Irish group to put their stamp on the charts. And they did so in style with this fantastic little pop gem of which there should be nothing guilty about its pleasure. 10/10

155. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds - 3 Lions '98 (#1, 14 Jun 1998, 3 weeks)
Re-recorded for the 1998 World Cup, at least this kept the annoying 'Vindaloo' off the top spot if nothing else! I don't know, it still sounds good but it just doesn't seem to pack the same punch as the original from two years previous. 7/10

156. Billie - Because We Want To (#1, 5 Jul 1998, 1 week)
Long before Billie Piper helped breathe new life into Doctor Who by playing Rose Tyler, a fifteen year old version of her stormed straight to the top of the charts with this answering back pop "classic". It really hasn't aged very well, and that's even taking into consideration the fact that it wasn't very good in the first place. I do have a bit of a soft spot for her as an individual though. 4/10

157. Another Level - Freak Me (#1, 12 Jul 1998, 1 week)
Another Level were one of a tribe of "cooler" more R&B influenced boybands which came to prominence in the late nineties. I'm sure Blue must have been influenced by them on some level, but anyway back to the song and I've always quite liked this one - even though I have to confess to not remembering how any of their other hits went! That will be rectified in due course though. 8/10

158. Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground (#1, 19 Jul 1998, 1 week)
For a band who had a really impressive run of brilliant hit singles in the nineties and noughties, it's surprising that their only number one single is a song that I'd completely forgotten about. It was featured in the film 'Godzilla', and is as funky as anything despite not being one of their greatest tracks. It's a pleasureable re-discovery though. 8/10

159. Spice Girls - Viva Forever (#1, 26 Jul 1998, 2 weeks)
Despite 'Stop' (which actually happens to be one of my favourites) "only" getting to number two, the Spice Girls were fighting back again with this charming ballad from their 'Spiceworld' album, and it's just lovely. Another of my favourites in fact. 9.5/10

160. Boyzone - No Matter What (#1, 9 Aug 1998, 3 weeks)
With songwriters that include Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman, and considered good enough to be covered by Meat Loaf, then I can surely be forgiven for saying that this is not only Boyzone's finest recording.. but is also good enough to warrant a score of 10/10

161. Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (#1, 30 Aug 1998, 1 week)
Do people in general consider this to be the Welsh rock guitar band's finest hour? It's certainly their biggest hit but I still much prefer some of their earlier work which didn't do as well chart-wise. Whatever, I can't really give it less than a 9/10

162. All Saints - Bootie Call (#1, 6 Sep 1998, 1 week)
The later years of the nineties are taking a lot longer than the start of the decade! The Saints got their third number one of the year with this infectious little pop/R&B number that I haven't heard in years, and I have to say it sounds a lot better than I had remembered it. It's funny how most things sound better in retrospect... I wonder if I will be listening to Drake in 20 years time and saying how great 'One Dance' sounds?! 8.5/10

163. Robbie Williams - Millennium (#1, 13 Sept 1998, 1 week)
I thought this had stayed at number one much longer than a week... or it probably just felt like that as I hated him and this song at the time! Listening now with fresh, unbiased ears I don't hate it half as much as I used to, but it's still not going to get top marks from me. 6/10

[o]

I'd forgotten that Aqua song, and remember liking it at the time.

[rubcale]

Aqua actually made 3 or 4 very good singles.

[Whitneyfan]

164. Melanie B Featuring Missy Elliott - I Want You Back (#1, 20 Sep 1998, 1 week)
Even though Geri was the first to depart the group, Mel B was the first member of the Spice Girls to have a solo hit. It's actually not a bad R&B effort and a darn sight better than I'd remembered it to sound. The only thing that lets it down is her voice, which really isn't that strong - but Missy Elliott does sprinkle a bit of her magic funk onto it. 7/10

165. B*Witched - Rollercoaster (#1, 27 Sep 1998, 2 weeks)
'C'est La Vie' was definitely their golden moment, and everything after that just never lived up to that, but that's not to say that I didn't think this was a great little pop tune at the time. It hasn't aged particularly well I have to say, but I did quite enjoy hearing it agian after all these years. 7/10

166. Billie - Girlfriend (#1, 11 Oct 1998, 1 week)
From one almost forgotten follow-up single to another, this is a lot less annoying than her debut but not particularly memorable all the same. 6/10

167. Spacedust - Gym And Tonic (#1, 18 Oct 1998, 1 week)
Oh my, I had totally forgotten this record existed. Back in the nineties they would use anything to turn into a dance tune: kiddies TV shows, workout videos - anything went. I have to admit that I was quite into this at the time and it still can't listen to it and type without moving around. 8/10

168. Cher - Believe (#1, 25 Oct 1998, 7 week)
I think this is still the biggest selling single by a female artist in the UK (without being bothered to check any figures, so please correct me if I'm wrong) and amazingly she managed it some 35 years into her career - that would be the equivalent of Madonna getting a number one today (which isn't completely outside the realms of possibility I suppose). This was one time I can genuinely remember being excited while listening to the chart rundown and hearing a top 5 full of new entries - and all songs I genuinely loved by: Cher, George Michael, U2, Culture Club & Alanis Morissette... such was the excitement I can still remember the exact order now without looking. Anyway, this is obviously amazing. 10/10

169. B*Witched - To You I Belong (#1, 13 Dec 1998, 1 week)
I haven't listened to this in years as I could just remember it as being an average pop ballad. Surprisingly it's quite pleasant and I'm quite enjoying it this time around, although it doesn't really sound like a number one single. 7/10

170. Spice Girls - Goodbye (#1, 20 Dec 1998, 1 week)
Just one week at the top for what felt like the girls' farewell ballad at the time, although that one week was at Christmas.. giving them a third festive chart topper in a row. It's hard to listen to this without thinking of somebody you've had to say goodbye to at one time or another, and it's another fine ballad from them. 9/10

171. Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You) (#1, 27 Dec 1998, 1 week)
It's a shame that soul legend Isaac Hayes's biggest hit is this South Park p*ss-take, but you can't have everything I suppose. As I was never a fan of South Park I suppose I didn't see the joke, but each to their own. 6/10

172. Steps - Heartbeat/Tragedy (#1, 3 Jan 1998, 1 week)
It took eight weeks to get there but Steps finally got their first number one thanks in total to the Bee Gees cover listed as the AA side. 'Heartbeat' isn't bad as far as late nineties pop ballads go, but I never felt it was one of their stronger efforts and thought at the time it should have remained as an album track. 6.5/10
'Tragedy' is a fine pop cover of a disco classic even if it adds little to the original, and has been overplayed at parties to the point of becoming annoying. 9/10

173. Fatboy Slim - Praise You (#1, 10 Jan 1999, 1 week)
The one week wonders are coming thick and fast, although this has lost none of its appeal over the years. It samples an old song called 'Take Yo' Praise' by Camille Yarbrough and manages to make it sound current then and still current now. 9.5/10

174. 911 - A Little Bit More (#1, 17 Jan 1999, 1 week)
911 are one of a wave of boybands from that era that I admit to knowing nothing about. Even though this was a number one I can't remember it at all, or maybe that's because they totally ruined a great Dr. Hook song and I've chosen to erase it from my memory. 3/10

175. The Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) (#1, 24 Jan 1999, 1 week)
Oh I'd forgotten about this one.. I absolutely loved this at the time! I still love it now in fact, it should have been number one for longer! 10/10

[raliverpool]

1998 (1 of 2)

142. All Saints - Never Ever (#1, 11 Jan 1998, 1 week) - A great catchy pop song. But with hindsight I now prefer the debut due to this track becoming over exposed on music video channels. 9/10

143. Oasis - All Around The World (#1, 18 Jan 1998, 1 week) - Replacing The Beatles Hey Jude as the longest in length UK #1 single. In truth it highlighted their shortcomings compared to the Fab Four, and their own Champagne Supernova. As psychedelic rock Beatles parodies go Roy Wood; Todd Rundgren; The Rutles; The Dukes of Stratosphear; & Tears For Fears did much better. 7/10

144. Usher - You Make Me Wanna... (#1, 25 Jan 1998, 1 week) - A decent R&B record. But it hardly sounds like a chart topping single does it? 6/10

145. Aqua - Doctor Jones (#1, 1 Feb 1998, 2 weeks) - Very much a number one in the slipstream of its vastly superior breakout single. 5/10

146. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On (#1, 15 Feb 1998, 1 week) (8 Mar 1998, 1 week) - Dreadful song taken from the most overrated movie of all time. To this day the only film I've walked out of the cinema when watching, as it deserved to be awarded with Razzies & not Oscars. 0/10

147. Cornershop - Brimful Of Asha (#1, 22 Feb 1998, 1 week) - A superb Norman Cook remix of a catchy ragga rock tune. 9/10

148. Madonna - Frozen (#1, 1 Mar 1998, 1 week) - Impossible to disagree with David Bowie's review of this: "It is good to know that Magpie Madge can do a great Kate Bush tribute act!" Thank goodness the title track & other singles from the corresponding album were far less "reductive" 7/10

149. Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That (#1, 15 Mar 1998, 6 weeks) - This pioneering 1983 hip hop track was given a modern dance makeover. In truth this version now sounds dated, where as the original remains timeless. With hindsight it definitely kept a better track off the top spot. 7/10

150. Boyzone - All That I Need (#1, 26 Apr 1998, 1 week) - Forgettable by numbers 90s boyband balladry. Not a bad record, but just so forgettable. 4/10

151. All Saints - Under The Bridge/Lady Marmalade (#1, 3 May 1998, 1 week) (17 May 1998, 1 week) - Quite frankly what they did to the RHCP signature song is a criminal offense. 1/10
This is miles better, whilst it is not as good as the 1975 original, I prefer this to the subsequent Moulin Rouge all star version. 8/10
But clearly it was a pop injustice that this double A side kept "Anna Friel like she just got stoned" off the top.

152. Aqua - Turn Back Time (#1, 10 May 1998, 1 week) - A truly fantastic pop song full of pathos. The best thing they ever did. It sounds like it should have been a No Doubt or a The Cardigans track. 10/10

153. The Tamperer Featuring Maya - Feel It (#1, 24 May 1998, 1 week) - The Jacksons meets The Wizzard Of Oz. An infectious dance pop record and better than "Ease On Down The Road". 7/10

154. B*Witched - C'est La Vie (#1, 31 May 1998, 2 weeks) - A catchy little pop gem. But oh so annoying & cheesy. 5/10

155. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds - 3 Lions '98 (#1, 14 Jun 1998, 3 weeks) - Like most sequels, the element of surprise had gone. Best summed up by the video with the unnecessary cameos; and that terrible couplet "We can dance Nobby's Dance; We can dance it in France" At least they did not lose all the goodwill towards the original in contrast to Band Aid milking that well dry. Plus it was better that that piece of cack "Vindaloo". 7/10

[raliverpool]

1998 (2 of 2)

156. Billie - Because We Want To (#1, 5 Jul 1998, 1 week) - It was a big surprise to my local Swindon Evening Advertiser that our future Olivier award winning thespian and Sylvia Young Theatre School alumni became a pop star (Whilst a then unknown Sheridan Smith was headhunted and turned down becoming the lead singer of S Club 7, thank god). Lets be honest this is crap. To think Swindon's XTC never got higher than UK #10. 2/10

157. Another Level - Freak Me (#1, 12 Jul 1998, 1 week) - British boy band adequate but inferior cover of the 1993 Quiet Storm R&B USA #1 hit by Silk. It is OK, but all very proto Blue. 5/10

158. Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground (#1, 19 Jul 1998, 1 week) - Yet another example of Troggs syndrome. In truth No Doubt later made the same sort of record better (Hella Good). 6/10

159. Spice Girls - Viva Forever (#1, 26 Jul 1998, 2 weeks) - My all time favourite Spice Girls track. 10/10

160. Boyzone - No Matter What (#1, 9 Aug 1998, 3 weeks) - The great thing about pop music is how musical combination/permutations produce surprising results. Combine the West End theatre composer who's best days were a decade behind him; with the overwrought OTT histronic American songwriter & producer; and add in a mediocre Irish boy band and you are bound to end up with something dreadful to listen to..... Except against all expectations this is actually a great record. 10/10

161. Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (#1, 30 Aug 1998, 1 week) - A magnificent elegiac single with a sinister message which sadly seems to becoming all too true today. 10/10

162. All Saints - Bootie Call (#1, 6 Sep 1998, 1 week) - Seriously, how on earth did this top the charts, as it is all so very mediocre. 4/10

163. Robbie Williams - Millennium (#1, 13 Sept 1998, 1 week) - A great video, but with hindsight that sample sounded much better sung over by Nancy Sinatra "You Only Live Twice" 7/10

164. Melanie B Featuring Missy Elliott - I Want You Back (#1, 20 Sep 1998, 1 week) - Not a bad debut solo record by Scary Spice and adding Missy Elliott helps things. 6/10

165. B*Witched - Rollercoaster (#1, 27 Sep 1998, 2 weeks) - Not quite s good/annoying as their debut. 4/10

166. Billie - Girlfriend (#1, 11 Oct 1998, 1 week) - Less annoying, but this is still a long way from being a good record. 3/10

167. Spacedust - Gym And Tonic (#1, 18 Oct 1998, 1 week) - ThEric Prydz later did this miles better. A terrible, terrible dance record. 0/10

168. Cher - Believe (#1, 25 Oct 1998, 7 week) - Just think Xenomania had written for Kylie Minogue. But she felt the lyrical content in the aftermath of her former lover Michael Hutchence was far too raw, and near the mark, so she turned it down. But the Oscar winning actress who had divorced Sonny Bono in 1975 had no such qualms of picking up this track. Clearly this is a great record. (But much like how I wish Kate Bush had accepted David Bowie's offer to singing backing vocals on "Absolute Beginners" I can't help thinking, how much better this track could have been ... and I hate the vocoder effect. 8/10

169. B*Witched - To You I Belong (#1, 13 Dec 1998, 1 week) - I really liked this record, as I was heavily into the Corrs before the Great British public were. 8/10

170. Spice Girls - Goodbye (#1, 20 Dec 1998, 1 week) - In truth this is a step down in quality from their previous singles, and not just because Geri Halliwell had bailed out. 8/10

171. Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You) (#1, 27 Dec 1998, 1 week) - I loved South Park; and Isaac Hayed hammed it up brilliantly on this innuendo filled track. 8/10

[Deleted]

I'm shocked by yours big score for Spice Girls.

[Whitneyfan]

Jan 26, 2018 18:30:09 GMT 1 @alexrange said:

I'm shocked by yours big score for Spice Girls.

They made some great pop records.

[Whitneyfan]

176. Armand Van Helden Featuring Duane Harden - You Don't Know Me (#1, 31 Jan 1999, 1 week)
This is one of the best dance records from the late nineties, and it's a pleasure to hear it again. It's a very different time for the charts than in the early part of the decade though, as the number ones seem to be changing weekly. This is one of the better ones though. 9/10

177. Blondie - Maria (#1, 7 Feb 1999, 1 week)
Easily one of the best comeback singles ever to this day! This is up there with Debbie Harry's best work.. and one of the best songs of the year. 10/10

178. Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away (#1, 14 Feb 1999, 1 week)
One of the most consistently great acts of the nineties, this is surprisingly Lenny's only number one single but it is a great funk-fuelled rock anthem which still gets a lot of airplay today. 9.5/10

179. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (#1, 21 Feb 1999, 2 weeks)
I can't believe it was nearly two decades ago now when this new pop sensation came crashing onto the scene, complete with school uniform. This is undeniably a pop anthem and set the tone for a hugely successful career. 10/10

180. Boyzone - When The Going Gets Tough (#1, 7 Mar 1999, 2 weeks)
...from one extreme of quality to another. The original Billy Ocean version of this would be an easy 10/10, but this version offers nothing original and the vocals just simply aren't strong enough to handle an eighties pop classic like this... It's got to be up there with the worst of the comic relief cover versions. The single was worth buying for Alison Moyet's stunning version of 'What A Wonderful World' though, which should have been the A-side. 3/10

181. B*Witched - Blame It On The Weatherman (#1, 21 Mar 1999, 1 week)
It's weird because I can't remember the Irish girlband being so popular to score an amazing 4 number ones from their debut album, giving them one of the best career starts in chart history. This is actually a really pleasantly catchy song and much better than I remembered it to be. 7.5/10

182. Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat (#1, 28 Mar 1999, 2 weeks)
Oh this was that little yellow puppet headbanging in that TV advert for whatever it was... I have to admit I actually don't mind this, despite it being extremely repetitive. I'm not sure it would have got to number one had it not been for the advert though. 7.5/10

183. Martine McCutcheon - Perfect Moment (#1, 11 Apr 1999, 2 weeks)
I was distraught when they killed off Tiff in Eastenders! The only good thing about it was that Martine McCutcheon revived her music career, after being a member of the unsuccessful girlband Milan several years earlier. I did have a real soft spot for Martine at the time, and loved the debut album to bits, despite it being quite a long time since I dusted it off and listened to it. I suspect this will get panned on here but to me it's one of the best soap star debuts ever. 9.5/10

184. Westlife - Swear It Again (#1, 25 Apr 1999, 2 weeks)
Much as I hated Westlife later in their career when they murdered classic song after classic song, I actually didn't mind some of their original songs and this one is quite pleasant really. 7.5/10

185. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way (#1, 9 May 1999, 1 week)
Now the Backstreet Boys always seemed to have more solid songs than some of their rivals and for that reason were one of my favourite boybands. This is actually a really catchy infectious pop song. 9.5/10

186. Boyzone - You Needed Me (#1, 16 May 1999, 1 week)
If you haven't heard the original Anne Murray version of this then you really should because it's simply gorgeous. Ronan Keating's vocals don't really do it justice I'm afraid, but I was glad at the time that it beat the single at #2 to the top... although for me it was the single at #3 which was the winner. 4.5/10

187. Shanks & Bigfoot - Sweet Like Chocolate (#1, 23 May 1999, 2 weeks)
I've never really loved or hated this, and to be honest I'd forgotten about its existence. It's certainly not up there with the best of 90's dance music. 6.5/10

188. Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (#1, 6 Jun 1999, 1 week)
Surely one of the most random number ones of the decade, I can't remember the last time I listened to this but it's actually a good self help guide which I wish I had taken more notice of back then and listened to the words daily. It's a great motivational speech, even if it isn't really a song. 9/10

189. S Club 7 - Bring It All Back (#1, 13 Jun 1999, 1 week)
We're nearly half way through the year and haven't had a song spend more than 2 weeks at number one yet! Back to this one though and it's pure cheese all the way with the Steps' rivals first hit. It sounds very dated now, but it's such a happy feel-good song that it's impossible to hate it. 7/10

190. Vengaboys - Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! (#1, 20 Jun 1999, 1 week)
If it's OK to like Aqua then surely it's OK to like these.. right? You can't deny it's totally cheesy and almost nursery rhyme-esque, but it's just so feel good and damned catchy!! 8/10

191. ATB - 9pm (Till I Come) (#1, 27 Jun 1999, 2 weeks)
At last an Ibiza club classic, and definitely one of the stand-out dance anthems of the year. This type of hypnotic trancey music just makes you lose yourself and forget all of your troubles for 3 minutes. 10/10

192. Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca (#1, 11 Jul 1999, 3 weeks)
Amazingly the longest running number one so far this year, I was mad on this at the time until overplay made me eventually want to smash the radio. After quite a long break since I last heard it, it's gained a lot of its appeal again. 9/10

193. Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All (#1, 1 Aug 1999, 2 weeks)
Yet another cover for the Boyzone warbler, but as I don't really know the original I've always been the most familiar with his version. It also might be something to do with the fact that I love the film 'Notting Hill' but this is actually one of my favourites by him. 9/10

194. Westlife - If I Let You Go (#1, 15 Aug 1999, 1 week)
I couldn't comment on this without listening to it again as it's one of those that had completely slipped my memory. The verses don't sound too bad actually, but unlike the debut the chorus isn't anything special and makes the whole song sound quite weak. 6/10

195. Geri Halliwell - Mi Chico Latino (#1, 22 Aug 1999, 1 week)
Well it's certainly no 'La Isla Bonita' but it's a definite step-up from the hugely annoying 'Look At Me' (although I'll have to re-listen to that to decide if it has improved over the years). This one is quite pleasant though and definitely one of my favourites out of her mixed solo work. 8/10

196. Lou Bega - Mambo No.5 (A Little Bit Of...) (#1, 29 Aug 1999, 2 weeks)
Originally an instrumental track from 1949, I can't listen to this Lou Bega now without thinking of the hilarious wallpaper-stripping scene with Jim & Twiggy on the Royle Family. The song did get a bit annoying after extensive repeated plays over the years but I can't deny it's appeal. 9/10

197. Vengaboys - We're Going To Ibiza (#1, 12 Sep 1999, 1 week)
Nineties cheesy pop remake of the Typically Tropical's 'Barbados'. Is it possible for something to be really bad and really good at the same time? Oh well. 8/10

198. Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) (#1, 19 Sep 1999, 3 weeks)
I remember this was massive at the time and everybody was going on about it before you could even buy a copy. That was a long time ago now though, and I can't tell you when I last heard this song. I loved it at the time though, and it's actually great to hear it again after so long. 8/10

199. Christina Aguilera - Genie In A Bottle (#1, 10 Oct 1999, 2 weeks)
Christina vs Britney in 1999 was a bit like Tiffany vs Debbie Gibson in 1988, except both were to go on and have much more successful chart careers. On this you can hear how young she sounds, before she went all Dirrty on us, and it's still a great pop tune. 8.5/10

200. Westlife - Flying Without Wings (#1, 24 Oct 1999, 1 week)
Even the worst acts who have had lots of hits normally have at least one jewel in their crown, and this is Westlife's 'No Matter What' moment IMO. Just simply stunning. 10/10

201. Five - Keep On Movin' (#1, 31 Oct 1999, 1 week)
Yet another boyband, but Five always seemed to have more about them than most and this is a great example of classic feel-good boyband pop. 8/10

202. Geri Halliwell - Lift Me Up (#1, 7 Nov 1999, 1 week)
This was released the same week as fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton's cover of the Edie Brickell classic 'What I Am' (which was a collaboration with Tin Tin Out), and I actually think this was a deserved number one for Geri. It has one of those infectious sing-along choruses you would normally get on a Belinda Carlisle tune, which could never be a bad thing. 8.5/10

[Whitneyfan]

203. Robbie Williams - She's The One/It's Only Us (#1, 14 Nov 1999, 1 week)
'She's The One' was originally recorded by World Party two years earlier, but not a hit. This is one of the rare Robbie songs that I really enjoy listening to and I think I even prefer it to 'Angels' (which I absolutely hated at the time but have grown to appreciate over the years). 9/10
I didn't think I had ever heard 'It's Only Us' before but I was wrong as it sounds really familiar. It was supposed to sound really bad to my ears, but I actually love it! There's hope for any artist yet with me. 9/10

204. Wamdue Project - King Of My Castle (#1, 21 Nov 1999, 1 week)
For some reason this didn't really strike much of a chord with me at the time, despite me being madly into dance music in the nineties. It actually sounds a lot better now, over 18 years later, for some reason. Maybe it's because they 'don't make them like this anymore'! Who knows... it's good though. 8/10

205. Cliff Richard - The Millennium Prayer (#1, 28 Nov 1999, 3 weeks)
I can just about get away with playing this at Christmas time in our house, but I thank God I'm on my own right now or I'd have some explaing to do! This very nearly saw Cliff seeing the first and last years of the decades with a Christmas number one but sadly it wasn't to be. The weird thing is, even though Christmas was over a month ago I still really enjoyed listening to it!! 9/10

206. Westlife - I Have A Dream/Seasons In The Sun (#1, 19 Dec 1999, 2 weeks (of the nineties))
It actually spent 4 weeks at the top in total, but I'm only counting the nineties. Unbelievably this was their fourth number one of the year, and to think nobody had heard of them a year previously!
As you probably know they are both covers, and as 'I Have A Dream' is one of ABBA's best loved tracks it's hard to be objective, but it really isn't as bad as I remember it. Oh dear. 7/10
I didn't even know at the time that Terry Jacks' version of 'Seasons In The Sun' wasn't the original, but it's still the best known and I really think it should have been left at that for Westlife's version lacks any of the warmth or emotion of his. I'll be quite happy if I never have to hear that again by them. 3/10

[Whitneyfan]

That's all the number ones done. Now it should start getting interesting as I prepare to listen to the number twos in order!! I'm sure there must be loads that I have forgotten about.

[Deleted]

Geri Halliwell is my all-time favourite singer, so I'm very happy with 8s.
Both # 1s were perfect, but honestly I prefer "Desire" and "Calling".

[Whitneyfan]

207. Jason Donovan - When You Come Back To Me (#2, 7 Jan 1990, 1 week)
We rewind ten years now as I start on the songs which just missed out on getting to number one in the nineties. This actually spent 3 weeks at number two in total for the Neighbours star, but only one of them was in the nineties. I always think of this as a Christmassy song because it mentions 'armful of presents' and is obviously set around the festive period. It's pretty much standard of what S/A/W were writing for Jason at the tme, but it is very catchy and I do like it very much. 8.5/10

208. Technotronic Featuring Ya Kid K - Get Up (Before The Night Is Over) (#2, 4 Feb 1990, 2 weeks)
This was Technotronic's second number two in a row, following 'Pump Up The Jam' in 1989, and it continues in much the same vein - although this one features Ya Kid K instead of Felly. I had their album at the time, and they actually managed quite a few decent hit singles off it. 8/10

209. Various Artists - The Brits 1990 (Dance Medley) (#2, 4 Mar 1990, 2 weeks)
Oh I'd completely forgotten about this! Dance medleys were quite a common thing back then, and this mashed up many of the big dance anthems of 1988 and 1989, many of which I adore like 'We Call It Acieed' and 'Theme From S-Express'. It's quite fun, if over too quickly. 8/10

210. The B-52's - Love Shack (#2, 18 Mar 1990, 3 weeks)
The B-52's had been producing their psychedelic style pop since 1976 but hadn't had a great deal of chart success, until this insanely infectious track came along and it got so you heard it almost everywhere you went. I fear that wedding disco DJs may have damaged it's reputation slightly over the years as it is still a great track, and I can't mark it down just because of overplay so: 10/10

211. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet (#2, 15 Apr 1990, 2 weeks)
This wasn't even her biggest hit in her home country Canada, but it certainly gave her one-hit wonder status here in the U.K., which is a shame as I owned the album on cassette and it was actually very good. This was always the stand-out track on it though, and it has lost none of its appeal over the years - just brilliant. 10/10

212. Paula Abdul With The Wild Pair - Opposites Attract (#2, 29 Apr 1990, 1 week)
Loved Paula Abdul to bits at the time and this was, and still is, an absolute diamond of a pop song. The single mix is totally different from the original album version and it has a great video to match. If I could give it more I would! 10/10

213. The Adventures Of Stevie V - Dirty Cash (#2, 6 May 1990, 1 week)
Wow what a year 1990 was for great music, although this was originally released a year ago. It's another banging dance anthem... one of the very best in fact! 10/10

214. Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know (#2, 13 May 1990, 2 weeks)
It's probably a lot more acceptable to admitting to liking Kylie's Stock,Aitken,Waterman period now than it was back then, but you can't deny this is a cracking pop song. After listening to the number ones from 1999, you realise how much better the pop music was at the start of the decade in general. 9/10

215. New Kids On The Block - Step By Step (#2, 10 Jun 1990, 1 week)
Well we were due a dip in quality sooner or later, and here it is in spades. Surprisingly I've just discovered it was their biggest selling single worldwide, although listening to it it does sound better than some of theirs.... The worst thing is, as the record is going on I'm strating to like it a bit more.. Eek! 6.5/10

216. Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma (#2, 24 Jun 1990, 3 weeks)
Oh for the days when we had such a mixed bag in the charts! Of course this was only such a big hit because it was used as the BBC's coverage of the 1990 World Cup, but it still packs an almighty punch and it is a true classic in every sense. 10/10

217. Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 - Mona (#2, 15 Jul 1990, 1 week)
Following his Neighbours sister, her husband and her husband's brother (luckily Stefan Dennis was 1989 though!) into the charts was Henry Ramsay AKA Craig McLachlan, who even had his own band and wrote his own songs (although this was a cover). I did really like this at the time but it seems to have been largely forgotten as time has gone on. After digging it out again I did enjoy it as a trip down memory lane. 8/10

218. Madonna - Hanky Panky (#2, 29 Jul 1990, 1 week)
I can't believe this was held off the top spot by that 'Turtle Power' dross. This was the second and final single from her hugely underrated 'I'm Breathless' album ('Back In Business' and 'Now I'm Following You' should definitely have been singles) and I know it gets slated a lot but it's up there with one of my favourite Madge tracks of that era. 10/10

219. DNA Featuring Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner (#2, 5 Aug 1990, 3 weeks)
An absolute classic Suzanne Vega song being given a massive dance makeover by producers DNA, this had the double shame of being kept off the top spot by not only 'Turtle Power', but Bombalurina as well!! 10/10

220. Deacon Blue - Four Bacharach & David Songs EP (#2, 26 Aug 1990, 2 weeks)
The biggest hit by the wonderful Deacon Blue was an EP of covers all written by the genius of Bacharach & David. I'll do them one by one:
I'll Never Fall In Love Again was the lead track, and undoubtedly the one which got it to number two as it was the one which received the airplay. It's a great version, which I'm only marking down by half a point because it doesn't quite have the same emotion as Bobbie Gentry's definitive version. 9.5/10
The Look Of Love. I know this for Dusty Springfield's and Gladys Knight's versions, both of which are stunning. Theirs doesn't grab me in quite the same way but it's still a good version. 8/10
Are You There (With Another Girl). I don't think I had this song before, but apparently it was originally recorded by Dionne Warwick. Lorraine McIntosh's vocals work well on this though and I really love it on first listen. They really were first class songwriters. 9/10
Message To Michael. Another one recorded by Dionne Warwick which I didn't know before, and I thought I knew quite a lot by her. Ricky Ross takes the lead vocals on this one, and it doesn't grab me as much as the others but is still good. I can't believe I've never listened to the EP in full before as I love Deacon Blue's style. 7/10

[raliverpool]

176. Armand Van Helden Featuring Duane Harden - You Don't Know Me (#1, 31 Jan 1999, 1 week) - A superior dance record 8/10

177. Blondie - Maria (#1, 7 Feb 1999, 1 week) - One of the greatest comeback records ever made. 10/10

178. Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away (#1, 14 Feb 1999, 1 week) - Flopped originally, and got to #1 with a TV advert. Delighted he scored a chart topper, just wish it was with one of his better tracks that remain unloved by the GBP. 7/10

179. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (#1, 21 Feb 1999, 2 weeks) - A perfect pop debut. 10/10

180. Boyzone - When The Going Gets Tough (#1, 7 Mar 1999, 2 weeks) - A very uninspired Comic Relief single. 4/10

181. B*Witched - Blame It On The Weatherman (#1, 21 Mar 1999, 1 week) - For me this sounds like the Corrs on a bad day after eating too many sweats. 5/10

182. Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat (#1, 28 Mar 1999, 2 weeks) - To me this is to the 1990s what Jack Your Body was to the 1980s. Again only got to #1 because of that advert. 2/10

183. Martine McCutcheon - Perfect Moment (#1, 11 Apr 1999, 2 weeks) - Bland, bland bland. She has a good, but unremarkable musical theatre voice. 6/10

184. Westlife - Swear It Again (#1, 25 Apr 1999, 2 weeks) - The ironic title describes me perfectly with regards several of their future singles. This is not awful. 5/10

185. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way (#1, 9 May 1999, 1 week) - One of Max Martin's best songs. 9/10

186. Boyzone - You Needed Me (#1, 16 May 1999, 1 week) - An adequate at best cover of a great USA #1 hit which was not a hit in the UK. 5/10

187. Shanks & Bigfoot - Sweet Like Chocolate (#1, 23 May 1999, 2 weeks) - A catchy fluffy dance tune, that walked the tightrope between being good & annoying. 7/10

188. Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (#1, 6 Jun 1999, 1 week) - To me this is to the 1990s what "19" was to the 1980s. 6/10

189. S Club 7 - Bring It All Back (#1, 13 Jun 1999, 1 week) - A cheesy god, & catchy pop tune. 7/10

190. Vengaboys - Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! (#1, 20 Jun 1999, 1 week) - This is the wrong side of cheese. They were as bad as the Outhere Brothers. 1/10

191. ATB - 9pm (Till I Come) (#1, 27 Jun 1999, 2 weeks) - The Ibiza club classic featuring uncredited vocals by Yolanda Rivera. Not my cup of tea. 6/10

192. Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca (#1, 11 Jul 1999, 3 weeks) - A track ruined by over saturation. It is great pop record. But even back then I was aware of its alternative title/chorus in reference to the singer's then closeted sexuality. 8/10

193. Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All (#1, 1 Aug 1999, 2 weeks) - A great song of a Grammy & CMA winning classic. But it is fair to say Ronan Keating is no Alison Krauss. 7/10

194. Westlife - If I Let You Go (#1, 15 Aug 1999, 1 week) - I'll be honest with you this is "Fecksh!te"'s ((c) Ardal O'Hanlon) least worst record. 6/10

195. Geri Halliwell - Mi Chico Latino (#1, 22 Aug 1999, 1 week) - A great Latino pop tune, and a great video. What a shame Mrs Horner can't sing for toffee. 8/10

196. Lou Bega - Mambo No.5 (A Little Bit Of...) (#1, 29 Aug 1999, 2 weeks) - Another track ruined by death by over saturation. 6/10

197. Vengaboys - We're Going To Ibiza (#1, 12 Sep 1999, 1 week) - The original was awful, but this is much worse. 0/10

198. Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) (#1, 19 Sep 1999, 3 weeks) - Despite a terrible video, I have a soft spot for this tune. 8/10

199. Christina Aguilera - Genie In A Bottle (#1, 10 Oct 1999, 2 weeks) - A great pop tune for an inferior pop star, but vastly superior vocalist rival to Britney. 10/10

200. Westlife - Flying Without Wings (#1, 24 Oct 1999, 1 week) - Bloody Awful. This version is grotesque over emoted pop ballad cheese, compared to the vastly superior USA #2 hit by a Luther Vandross wanabee 0/10 :


201. Five - Keep On Movin' (#1, 31 Oct 1999, 1 week) - In contrast from something totally rank, to something really great. 9/10

202. Geri Halliwell - Lift Me Up (#1, 7 Nov 1999, 1 week) - Again, an infectious endearing pop song, with a great video .... let down by some atrocious vocals. The final key change is nails down a chalkboard annoying. 7/10

203. Robbie Williams - She's The One/It's Only Us (#1, 14 Nov 1999, 1 week) - A great cover of Guy Chambers former mentor in World Party + a brilliant pop video. The flip-side is less good, very much a by numbers LA Rocker that would ruin much of his Escapology album. 9/10 + 5/10

204. Wamdue Project - King Of My Castle (#1, 21 Nov 1999, 1 week) - One of those tracks where I struggle to see why it hit UK #1. Not a bad track by any means. But hardly a classic. 6/10

205. Cliff Richard - The Millennium Prayer (#1, 28 Nov 1999, 3 weeks) - Myleene Klass's first chart topper! It is certainly better than the record which knocked it off the top, and much better than Mistletoe & Wine. 5/10

206. Westlife - I Have A Dream/Seasons In The Sun (#1, 19 Dec 1999, 2 weeks (of the nineties)) - An adequate cover of the Abba 1979 Xmas single; & an atrocious cover of the Jacques Brel/Rod McKuen 1961 standard. 4/10 + 1/10.

[Whitneyfan]

221. Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart/What Is Love (#2, 9 Sep 1990, 2 weeks)
One of the most controversial number twos of all-time, as many people thought it should have been number one over The Steve Miller Band's 'The Joker'. I don't know the ins ands outs of which sold what, so can't really give my point of view on the matter. Of the main track though, 'Groove Is In The Heart' (I didn't even realise it was a double A-side!) it's just a fantastically innovative and different dance anthem with a sixties psychedelic feel to it, yet has barely aged at all over the years. 10/10
'What Is Love' I am only hearing for the first time so excuse my ignorance. Well it's certainly not as good as the other track but it does have a certain amount of charm to it, and I'm sure it would grow on me a lot on further listens. For now though, as time is precious, I'll give it: 7/10

222. Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You (#2, 30 Sep 1990, 1 week)
This wasn't Londonbeat's only hit but it was certainly their biggest, and I have to say it is an absolute joy to hear it again. It's a great mix of a heart-breaking love song over an infectious dance beat and I don't actually want it to end now. 10/10

223. Bobby Vinton - Blue Velvet (#2, 7 Oct 1990, 1 week)
This 1963 Billboard number one for Bobby Vinton somehow wasn't a hit at all in the UK until 1990. Lana Del Rey also did a stunning version of this classic. 10/10

224. Status Quo - The Anniversary Waltz (Part One) (#2, 14 Oct 1990, 1 week)
I wasn't expecting to hear a Status Quo song for ages yet as I had completely forgotten they had done this. It's basically a medley of Rock 'N' Roll classics, but who better to perform them than the Quo!! 'The Wanderer' is included, which they had already had a hit with in 1984. It's hard to slag it off really as it's a great trip down memory lane. 8/10

225. Gazza & Lindisfarne - Fog On The Tyne (Revisited) (#2, 11 Nov 1990, 1 week)
Oh dear, now this one had been totally erased from my memory! The Lindisfarne parts are fine, but Gazza's vocals are excruciatingly terrible. Easily the worst number two of the year for me! 2/10

226. Kim Appleby - Don't Worry (#2, 18 Nov 1990, 1 week)
Thank goodness.. sanity prevails with an absolute pop delight. This was Kim's first release since the tragic death of her sister Mel, and it's pretty much Mel & Kim part 2. If you do like this then I can totally recommend the album too as it is full of catchy little pop gems like this. 10/10

227. Madonna - Justify My Love (#2, 9 Dec 1990, 1 week)
The first 'new' track from Madge's 'Immaculate Collection' album was worlds apart from the full-on pop songs she had been known for previously, and was the first true re-invention of her that we saw. Looking back it must have been a huge risk to put out something like this, but it paid off and it set the tone for her next albums 'Erotica' and 'Bedtime Stories'. 8/10

[Whitneyfan]

228. Seal - Crazy (#2, 13 Jan 1991, 1 week)
This was Seal's first solo single after the brilliance of 'Killer', which was a number one hit for Adamski featuring his soulful vocals earlier in 1990. While not on the same level as that one, it is still one of the standout singles from December 1990. 9/10

229. Nomad Featuring MC Mikee Freedom - (I Wanna Give You) Devotion (#2, 17 Feb 1991, 1 week)
Oh my God, the standard of dance music was just so high in this era.. this is another of those club anthems that was just everywhere at the time. 9/10

230. Madonna - Crazy For You (Remix) (#2, 24 Feb 1991, 2 weeks)
A misfortunate song in some ways as it was bridesmaid twice but never the bride. That said, it was a massive achievement for it to reach that position a second time - especially when the remixed version is the same you can find on 'The Immaculate Collection' which had already sold God knows how many by then. There really isn't a lot of noticeable difference between this and the original, and for that reason it gets 10/10

231. James - Sit Down (#2, 31 Mar 1991, 3 weeks)
One of my favourite number twos of all-time now, and one which was definitely hevily remixed from the original, which I don't think is nearly as appealing to be honest. Overplay hasn't ever made me bored of this song, and James are easily my favourite Indie band of all-time. It's an anthem of epic proportions. 10/10

232. The KLF Featuring The Children Of The Revolution - Last Train To Trancentral (#2, 5 May 1991, 2 weeks)
As with their number one '3am Eternal' from earlier in the year this is pure genius. It's just a shame they weren't around for longer in that guise as everything they touched just seemed to turn to gold there for a while. 10/10

233. Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee) (#2, 19 May 1991, 1 week)
What an absolutely pleasureable listening experience this section is turning out to be as there hasn't been a duff track yet! This is another dance stomper of the era which still sounds just as good today. 9/10

234. Amy Grant - Baby Baby (#2, 9 Jun 1991, 1 week)
Oh I had forgotten about this one! Amy Grant is a Christian performer who has also released some cracking pop tunes, including this one. This is just pure heaven hearing this one again. 10/10

235. Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found Love (#2, 21 Jul 1991, 1 week)
I haven't heard this in years either, but after hearing the first couple of bars it seems like just yesterday when this was in the charts. It's a rap/Hip-Hop version of the Third World reggae classic and it just sounds really summery and great. 9/10

236. Extreme - More Than Words (#2, 28 Jul 1991, 2 weeks)
Stuck behind another rock ballad, which I don't need to name, this was Extreme's defining chart moment - even though some of the other hits off their 'Pornograffitti' album were just as appealing. It still sounds great though. 9.5/10

237. Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy (#2, 11 Aug 1991, 6 weeks)
To think this could have had a massive six week run at the top of the charts if it hadn't been for a certain soundtrack song. It's cheesy but infectious pop, and I'm sure everyone was probably sick of it at the time but I still think it's got much appeal. 8.5/10

238. Salt-N-Pepa - Let's Talk About Sex (#2, 22 Sep 1991, 2 weeks)
I was a massive fan of the female rappers from New York City back in the day, and for a while it looked like this might be their first number one. Sadly it wasn't, but it was still their biggest hit since their breakthrough 'Push It' in 1988. They say in the lyrics "I don't think they're gonna play this on the radio", and I'm surprised myself that they did... they must have gotten more liberal since four years previous when they banned George Michael's equally provocative 'I want Your Sex'. 9.5/10

239. The Scorpions - Wind Of Change (#2, 6 Oct 1991, 2 weeks)
An absolute monster of a power ballad, which for some reason which entirely escapes me gets a lot of flack. I just want to sing out loud to it whenever it comes on. 10/10

240. 2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This (#2, 20 Oct 1991, 1 week) (10 Nov 1991, 1 week)
It's not an easy task finding the original single instrumental version which doesn't include the annoying rap, but I've got it and I have to say it's about as infectious as you can get without being irritating. 8.5/10

241. Diana Ross - When You Tell Me That You Love Me (#2, 8 Dec 1991, 1 week) (22 Dec 1991, 1 week)
Diana's biggest hit since 'Chain Reaction' in '86 is one of her biggest and best ballads, which she criminally let Westlife get their hands on later on. It's just a shame that Freddie dying probably robbed her of a Christmas number one. 10/10

242. The KLF Featuring Tammy Wynette - Justified And Ancient (#2, 29 Dec 1991, 2 weeks)
This started out as a pretty average song on their 'White Room' album, and whoever decided to get country legend Tammy Wynette to sing vocals on the single version was a genius as it became one of my favourite tracks of the year. It's a record like no other - which is what the KLF/Justified Ancients Of Mu-Mu/Timelords were all about really. It's also the second song in my marathon to feature Tammy, as she was in the BBC 'Perfect Day' line-up too. She died in 1998. 10/10

[Whitneyfan]

243. The Prodigy - Everybody In The Place (#2, 12 Jan 1992, 1 week)
A few years before they were releasing punk-fulled dance anthems like 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe', the Prodigy were more of a rave outfit with banging tracks like 'Charly' and this, its follow-up single. Part of me thinks I prefer the early stuff, but then I do like some of those later singles too so it's hard to say. Anyhow, 7.5/10

244. Kylie Minogue - Give Me Just A Little More Time (#2, 26 Jan 1992, 1 week)
Our Kylie may have only had a solitary number one hit in the nineties, but she had a few which came close - like this cover of the 1970 Chairmen Of The Board hit. In truth it's not as good as the original, and not one of her best songs from that era but it's still quite enjoyable. 7/10

245. 2 Unlimited - Twilight Zone (#2, 2 Feb 1992, 1 week)
Again it's the hard to find non-rap version which was the single edit, and like 'Get Ready For This' it sounds much better without it. It's not as good as the first hit but I still really like it. 8/10

246. The Temptations - My Girl (#2, 23 Feb 1992, 2 weeks)
I always thought Otis Redding sung the original of this absolute solid gold soul classic, but it turns out the Temptations version came first in 1964. Whatever, it's still a dead easy 10/10

247. Shanice - I Love Your Smile (#2, 8 Mar 1992, 2 weeks)
I loved this song when it was originally released in 1991 and couldn't understand how it flopped, so I was delighted when it came back a year later in remixed form and got all the way to number 2. I don't even mind it not going all the way as it was behind the even better 'Stay' by Shakespears Sister. 10/10

248. Ce Ce Peniston - Finally (#2, 22 Mar 1992, 1 week)
Another one originally released in 1991, this did make the top 40 the first time but not nearly high enough. This would have to be one of my favourite dance tracks of all-time, it's just perfect in every way. 10/10

249. Def Leppard - Let's Get Rocked (#2, 29 Mar 1992, 1 week)
The Sheffield rockers' biggest hit at the time, even if they did release better records in the eighties. It is quite infectious though, even if it is a bit cheesy, and it sounds like there should be an X-rated version out there somewhere. 7.5/10

250. Iron Maiden - Be Quick Or Be Dead (#2, 19 Apr 1992, 1 week)
Like many of Iron Maiden's hits I really don't know this one at all. I'm surprised in fact to learn just how many big hits they had as I could probably only hum a handful. To be honest I'm quite liking it and should probably investigate their catalogue further, although I could probably only tolerate a few at a time. 7.5/10

251. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip (#2, 26 Apr 1992, 3 weeks)
Fusing Breakbeat hardcore with Ragga music, this was one of the defining club hits of the year and it's barely aged a day in 26 years. 9/10

252. Guns N' Roses - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (#2, 17 May 1992, 1 week)
The Bob Dylan classic from 1973 was to finally become a number one hit in 1996 for the people of Dunblane as we know, but it had very nearly achieved the accolade four years earlier for rock band Guns N' Roses. This isn't the only seventies rock anthem they tackled during the decade, and they certainly put their stamp on it, truly making it their own. 9/10

253. Shut Up And Dance - Raving I'm Raving (#2, 24 May 1992, 1 week)
This one stole the tune from Marc Cohn's 'Walking In Memphis' and was famously withdrawn from release after just one week, hence it's steep decline down the charts. To be honest it's a bit of a mess of a tune and the song is best listened to in either it's original form, or Cher's 1995 version. 5/10

254. Kris Kross - Jump (#2, 31 May 1992, 1 week)
These were the lads who used to wear their jeans back to front, I remember now. It's one that I haven't heard since I can't remember when, and it has aged quite badly. Not that I remember being much of a fan at the time. It samples The Jackson 5 uber-classic 'I Want You Back', which is the tracks only redeeming feature really. 4/10

255. Nick Berry - Heartbeat (#2, 14 Jun 1992, 2 weeks)
Heartbeat was the insanely popular TV cop show set in the sixties which starred Nick Berry and was good for a few series, and it also gave Nick his second big hit on the back of a TV show. I'm not sure whether to love or hate this as it's actually quite a pleasant version, but you just can't help but see the TV series starting in your head when you hear it. 7/10

256. Mariah Carey - I'll Be There (#2, 28 Jun 1992, 2 weeks)
An extremely competent live version of the Jackson 5 classic (they keep cropping up!) from a time when Mariah could handle such big notes with no effort whatsoever. 10/10

257. Smart E's - Sesame's Treet (#2, 12 Jul 1992, 1 week)
A raved up version of the Sesame Street theme tune, what's not to love? 10/10

258. Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona (#2, 9 Aug 1992, 2 weeks)
Unbelievably this only got to number 8 when first released in 1987, but after Freddie's death on re-release it went all the way to number 2. It was a magnificent performance between the two stars when first released and still remains so now, and it perfectly showcased Freddie Mercury's love of opera. 10/10

259. Luther Vandross & Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free (#2, 23 Aug 1992, 2 weeks)
You need the original version of this as the 1995 remix, which was featured on Janet's Design Of A Decade album is nowhere near as good. Sometimes when you get two such big stars teaming up you are left disappointed with the result, but this is great. 9/10

260. Undercover - Baker Street (#2, 13 Sep 1992, 1 week)
Club makeover of the Gerry Rafferty classic, this sounded good at the time but hasn't aged all that well really. I'd rather listen to the original to be honest, even though it's not a bad version. 7/10

[o]

Some bad #1s at the end there.

[Earl Purple]

Jan 18, 2018 19:09:23 GMT 1 Whitneyfan said:

128. Gary Barlow - Love Won't Wait (#1, 4 May 1997, 1 week)
I'm guessing that this got to number one purely because it had Gary Barlow's name on it, because it sounds like a Gareth Gates album track. I had completely forgotten how it went before I put it on so didn't have a clue what to expect, but I just thank goodness he got back with Take That again as his solo career was not in the least bit memorable. 4.5/10

I have no idea how come that got to #1 while the far superior "Old Before I Die" by Robbie Williams could only peak at #2. Still, we all know which one did better with their album sales and had the far better solo career.

Getting Take That back together in 2006 was his only option.

[Earl Purple]

174. 911 - A Little Bit More (#1, 17 Jan 1999, 1 week)

911 are one of a wave of boybands from that era that I admit to knowing nothing about. Even though this was a number one I can't remember it at all, or maybe that's because they totally ruined a great Dr. Hook song and I've chosen to erase it from my memory. 3/10

No they didn't ruin a great Dr Hook song, they took a poor Dr Hook song and made it even worse.