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Post by ManicKangaroo on Mar 1, 2018 20:52:55 GMT 1
648. Seal - Kiss From A Rose/I'm Alive (#4, 30 Jul 1995, 2 weeks)
OK so this is listed as a double A-side on the OCC website, but I can't find any evidence of it elsewhere. I'll assume it is for the purposes of this thread anyhow, and 'Kiss From A Rose' is a stunning soul ballad from Seal from the 'Batman Forever' soundtrack. It's possibly his best solo single. 10/10
I wasn't familiar with 'I'm Alive', and I'm still not sure it wasn't just a B-side. It's quite good but not anywhere near the same level as the other track. This re-release was a double-A side as can be seen on the cover
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 1, 2018 20:58:35 GMT 1
654. Lighthouse Family - Lifted (#4, 4 Feb 1996, 1 week) I'd forgotten all about the Lighthouse Family.. For a while it looked like they were going to be huge - and I suppose they were for a while. This is just such a timeless pop soul ballad that set them up for promising things. 9.5/10
655. Mariah Carey - Open Arms (#4, 11 Feb 1996, 1 week) One of quite a few ballad cover versions that Mariah excelled in making her own. In fact, the original Journey version didn't even chart in the UK. This is one of Mariah's most underrated singles I think. 9/10
656. Boyzone - Coming Home Now (#4, 3 Mar 1996, 1 week) This is one of the Irish boyband's more endearing original tracks from the nineties. In fact it's a good solid pop song by anybody's standards. 8.5/10
657. The Beatles - Real Love (#4, 10 Mar 1996, 1 week) Originally a John Lennon solo song, the remaining three Beatles put their vocals on it to make the second new single release by them after 'Free As A Bird'. It's a much better song than the first one, and that was even before Tom Odell covered it for the John Lewis penguin advert (and he covered it brilliantly I have to add). 9/10
658. Garbage - Stupid Girl (#4, 17 Mar 1996, 1 week) I've never delved into one of their albums, but Garbage had some cracking singles it has to be said. Unfortunately this was their only top five hit, but it's a Britpop (are they classed as Britpop?) classic. 9/10
659. Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us (#4, 14 Apr 1996, 2 weeks) This is one of the most underrated songs Jacko ever did, and he wrote some corkers when he was fighting back against everybody who wronged him - and guilty men don't do angry with such conviction!! This should have been another #1 for the king of pop. 10/10
660. Suggs Featuring Louchie Lou & Michie One - Cecilia (#4, 5 May 1996, 1 week) During a break from Madness, Suggs had a few hits... including this cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic. Louchie Lou & Michie One provide the reggae interlude, and it all makes for a competent enough cover which is nice to hear again after all these years. 8/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 1, 2018 21:04:44 GMT 1
I don’t remember I’m Alive being the double A either - I guess it may have been as wasn’t this was a re-release rather than an initial release. Kiss From A Rose is, and still is lovely. Sunshine After The Rain is glorious in every version. I was going to recall a story about a friend who worked in a record shop when I was 18, and played it at top volume until I remembered it was actually “Feels Like Heaven” by Urban Cookie Collective - but still the sentiment remains the same. Love this song to bits. Is Thunder the one with the adlibs “outside it’s raining, but inside it’s wet”? Or is that Let It Rain - either way not an E17 fan. Or I could have completely made that up, but I’m sure it’s one of theirs. Good thread - sorry I have not been keeping up. I think that was Let It Rain... but I could be mistaken. Thank you for your comments.
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Post by Smurfie on Mar 1, 2018 21:11:16 GMT 1
I hate to say I was never really much of an MJ fan - but this era was perfect for me. Stranger In Moscow is my stand out track, though bought They Don’t Really Care About Us, and the other singles too from the current collection.
I may have to disagree about Cecilia - not a great cover. Even the Ace Of Base “folllow up” song remains one of my least favourite of theirs.
Stupid Girl is splendid, however.
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 3, 2018 10:24:27 GMT 1
661. Liverpool F.C. & The Boot Room Boyz - Pass & Move (It's The Liverpool Groove) (#4, 12 May 1996, 1 week) We've had possibly the 2 greatest football songs ever this decade with 'World In Motion' and '3 Lions'.... Now we come to possibly one of the very worst. It really has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and it manages to do what even Mr. Blobby or The Teletubbies couldn't do and score what is I think my first 0/10 of the nineties.
662. JX - There's Nothing I Won't Do (#4, 19 May 1996, 1 week) And we go from utter tripe to one of the best dance tunes of the second half of the late nineties. This brings back some wicked memories of clubbing nights and getting wasted etc.. I just love it. 9.5/10
663. The Tony Rich Project - Nobody Knows (#4, 26 May 1996, 1 week) Oh now this takes me right back... I had completely forgotten about this song's existence. I remember playing the CD single over and over at the time (I had finally moved on from cassingles!) and used to think it was one of the most gorgeous R&B songs ever. Sadly it doesn't have the same effect on me that it used to have, which is a shame as I was really excited about hearing it again. It's still a really nice song though, just not as good as I remember. 8/10
664. Ocean Colour Scene - The Day We Caught The Train (#4, 9 Jun 1996, 1 week) Ocean Colour Scene had some smashing singles in their time - and this is the cream of the crop. The Britpop band managed to sound retro but cool at the same time on this sixties summer of love sounding track, which is surely one of the greatest Indie songs ever. 10/10
665. Kula Shaker - Tattva (#4, 30 Jun 1996, 1 week) This is the Kula Shaker hit that I remember. It's another Britpop anthem, and like the Ocean Colour Scene one, it also has elements of sixties psychedelia about it. 8.5/10
666. Dodgy - Good Enough (#4, 4 Aug 1996, 1 week) I was wondering what would be number of the beast! I was hoping there might be an Iron Maiden song coming up that would fit the bill... (It should have been that Liverpool track!). Anyhow, moving on and this summery Dodgy song is as familiar as anything.. if anything, a bit too overfamiliar to the point of really annoying me when it came out. It's still a fun, catchy little song though. 7.5/10
667. Eternal - Someday (#4, 11 Aug 1996, 1 week) Ooh now I had forgotten the girls did this theme to 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame'. It's a lovely little ballad, which satisifed us Eternal fans somewhat between albums. 8/10
668. R.E.M. - E-Bow The Letter (#4, 25 Aug 1996, 1 week) The first single from the boys' 'New Adventures In Hi-Fi' album had a strong debut, although it fell pretty sharply down the charts after that. It's a solid single from the band, which also features backing vocals by punk legend Patti Smith. 9/10
669. The Smurfs - I've Got A Little Puppy (#4, 1 Sep 1996, 2 weeks) ...From the sublime to the ridiculous! This is based on the Technohead hit 'I Wanna Be A Hippy' from earlier that same year, and unbelievably this send up managed to outperform the original. The trouble is I do have a little bit of a soft spot for the little blue creatures - they're like the Wombles, a big part of my childhood. 7/10
670. Cast - Flying (#4, 20 Oct 1996, 1 week) I don't think we've had any Cast yet have we? They were a Britpop Liverpudlian band who had a few cracking hits in the mid-nineties, but I don't know much about what they did after that. This isn't one of theirs that I remember the most, but it does have their distinctive sound, and I rather like it. 7.5/10
671. Simply Red - Angel (#4, 3 Nov 1996, 1 week) This stand alone sinngle from their Greatest Hits album was originally recorded by Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in 1973. Mick Hucknall's voice does suit the song, although I do prefer Aretha's version. 7/10
672. Michael Jackson - Stranger In Moscow (#4, 10 Nov 1996, 1 week) This incredibly personal song was written while Jacko was in Moscow during his Dangerous tour in 1993, when the first set of accusations had been made against him. To write a song this heartfelt can only come from a heart which has been truly ripped apart, and there is no doubt that this is one of his best and most underrated ballads. 10/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 3, 2018 11:13:31 GMT 1
673. Lisa Stansfield vs The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - People Hold On (The Bootleg Mixes) (#4, 12 Jan 1997, 1 week) 'People Hold On' was a Coldcut classic from 1989 which introduced the world to the amazing talents of Rochdale's Lisa Stansfield. It's the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels who get the credit with Lisa on this 'Dirty Radio Mix' of the song, which features the same backing track as the #1 single that week - Tori Amos's 'Professional Widow' remix by Armand Van Helden. This remix is much rawer, and less disco, than the original version, which I do still prefer.. but I like the remix too. 9/10
674. Placebo - Nancy Boy (#4, 26 Jan 1997, 1 week) This is a bit of a different, punkier sound from most of the Britpop songs which had stormed the charts up to this point. With its drugs and bisexuality themes, it certainly packs a massive punch. 8.5/10
675. The Orb - Toxygene (#4, 2 Feb 1997, 1 week) I must admit to not knowing much at all about The Orb. In fact they are a bit of a mystery - but I suppose that's the whole point. From what I can gather this is a reworking of Jean Michel Jarre's 'Oxygene 8', which I'm actually enjoying a lot! 8/10
676. Depeche Mode - Barrel Of A Gun (#4, 9 Feb 1997, 1 week) Whenever I think of Depeche Mode, it's something between their first single and 1990's 'Enjoy The Silence'... I sort of stopped listening to their new stuff after that - although I have liked some of their singles since. This doesn't seem to go anywhere though, and I'm afraid it does nothing for me. 4/10
677. 911 - The Day We Find Love (#4, 16 Feb 1997, 1 week) When this started playing I thought "Oh here we go, another dull boyband ballad with no real tune". By the time it got to the end though I was embarrassingly singing along to the chorus. Oh well. 6.5/10
678. The Backstreet Boys - Anywhere For You (#4, 23 Mar 1997, 1 week) The start of the verses sound like they are going to go into R. Kelly's 'I Believe I Can Fly'. I've really liked a few of the Backstreet Boys songs, but this ballad doesn't really have the oomph of some of the others. 6/10
679. The Charlatans - North Country Boy (#4, 30 Mar 1997, 1 week) I quite like this - I don't recall it from when it was in the charts... I think it's because during this period I was working in a place which had local radio on all day long, so you only got to hear the same eight or nine tracks from the charts on a loop all the time!! I feel I should know more singles by this band than I do, so I am in the right decade to investigate further. 7.5/10
680. Smoke City - Underwater Love (#4, 6 Apr 1997, 1 week) I remember this one.. It was originally released in 1994, but wasn't a hit until featuring in a Levi's commercial. It's a chilled out track, a bit like Massive Attack, quite trippy. Very endearing too. 7.5/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 3, 2018 17:45:45 GMT 1
681. DJ Quicksilver - Bellissima (#4, 13 Apr 1997, 2 weeks) This is an absolute masterpiece of epic dance music proportions.... and I'm not even joking! I thought I was heaven when I first heard this in the clubs back in '97, and it's lost none of its appeal over the years. It's just seriously infectious, and one of my favourite dance tracks ever. 10/10
682. Shola Ama - You Might Need Somebody (#4, 11 May 1997, 1 week) For some reason I heard this before Randy Crawford's stunning version so it holds a bit of a special place for me. Having since become accustomed to Randy's then I must admit hers does take some beating. I do think Shola does a good job of bringing it up to date for the nineties though. 9/10
683. No Mercy - Please Don't Go (#4, 18 May 1997, 1 week) This isn't another cover of the KC and the Sunshine Band classic, but more like 'Where Do You Go' Part II. It's a similar theme and with a similar tune to match, then no wonder it was picked as the follow-up to the massively successful hit. I shouldn't like it as it is so similar, but I just can't help myself! 8/10
684. Rosie Gaines - Closer Than Close (#4, 25 May 1997, 1 week) This is a dancefloor smash that I haven't heard in a few years. Rosie had sung with Prince live on 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (which was included on his 'The Hits' album), but this was her big solo moment and she made it count. 8/10
685. Jon Bon Jovi - Midnight In Chelsea (#4, 8 Jun 1997, 1 week) This soft rock ballad was a songwriting partnership with Dave Stewart, of Eurythmics fame, and was the lead single from Jon's second solo album 'Destination Anywhere', which is actually a great album - there are 2 more singles from it to come, plus the fantastic 'Ugly', which is one of my favourite non-singles ever. 8/10
686. Ultra Naté - Free (#4, 15 Jun 1997, 1 week) (6 Jul 1997, 1 week) An absolute club anthem now, and one of the most empowering songs ever - No matter what you are fighting for, this just says "Fu*k it!" to everybody who stands in your way! That and the fact that it's an absolute banger of a tune. 10/10
687. Ocean Colour Scene - Hundred Mile High City (#4, 22 Jun 1997, 1 week) It seems a while since we've had any Britpop, but the Oceans are back with the first single from their second album 'Marchin' Already', and while it may not be as anthemic as 'The Day We Caught The Train', it's still got a great hook which reels you in hook, line and sinker. 9/10
688. Wet Wet Wet - Yesterday (#4, 10 Aug 1997, 1 week) And now we come to one of the most recognisable songs in popular musical history. In fact it is one of the most covered songs ever, so why shouldn't Mr. Velvety voice himself, Marti Pellow have a go? There's nothing much to say about it really - it's a great song and he sings it well.. It's like painting your wall magnolia - you know exactly what you're going to get, and you can't go wrong. 9/10
689. Dannii - All I Wanna Do (#4, 17 Aug 1997, 1 week) Dannii has ditched the Minogue from her name and gone all dance orientated for the first single from her third album 'Girl'. It was easily the coolest sounding song she'd done up to that point and was the sound of a girl growing up. No wonder then that it was her biggest hit to date. 8/10
690. All Saints - I Know Where It's At (#4, 31 Aug 1997, 1 week) I still prefer some of Eternal's, TLC's and En Vogue's singles, but this was the debut hit for the first girlband who were to rival the Spice Girls for their crown. They had better to come but it was a competent debut. 7.5/10
691. Hanson - Where's The Love (#4, 7 Sep 1997, 1 week) This was the difficult second single for the boys after the amazing success of 'MMMBop', which I still say is a fantastic pop record. This one doesn't pack quite the same punch, but I do think the brothers had a lot of talent for a young age, and it's still a good song. 7.5/10
692. Louise - Arms Around The World (#4, 28 Sep 1997, 1 week) Ex-Eternal member Louise Nurding (as she was then) was already on her second album by now... and I have to say I did prefer some of the singles from the first album, so it's a bit of an injustice that we haven't had any of those yet. That's not to say that this is a bad pop song though, as it's really not. 7/10
693. Eternal - Angel Of Mine (#4, 5 Oct 1997, 1 week) And now we come to Louise's ex-bandmates, and this was the last single to feature Kéllé Bryan... sadly it was pretty much all over for them after that. But we won't dwell on their demise just yet as we have this splendid little ballad to enjoy. 8/10
694. Janet Jackson - Together Again (#4, 7 Dec 1997, 1 week) (4 Jan 1998, 1 week) For such a dark subject matter, this was one of Janet's more upbeat singles... and also one of her biggest hits. I remember it hanging around for quite a while during the Christmas period of that year. 9/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 3, 2018 18:11:59 GMT 1
695. Radiohead - No Surprises (#4, 18 Jan 1998, 1 week) I was expecting something else to come up next, so this is actually a big surprise. It's also a surprise in that it's the only song I can really tolerate from the 'OK Computer' album, and it actually has a really decent melody. I also remember Denise and Dave singing it to Baby David in his cot in an episode of The Royle Family. 8/10
696. Lighthouse Family - High (#4, 25 Jan 1998, 1 week) Oh I haven't heard this in so long! This was from their brilliant second album 'Postcards From Heaven', which I really must dig out again. It's pretty obvious why this was one of their biggest hits, as it has one of the most instantly sing-along choruses of the era. 9.5/10
697. Robbie Williams - Angels (#4, 15 Feb 1998, 1 week) This is the one I was expecting to come up earlier... I thought I was going mad. I was sure it had reached #4, but I hadn't realised that it took a massive 11 weeks to get there. That was almost unheard of in an era when songs debuted high and then dropped like a stone. I have to admit that I hated this at the time - and I only really hated it because I resented the fact that it was so popular and thought it unjust whe there were so many better songs not getting the same recognition. Now I have to honest with myself and admit that this is a really great anthemic song that is just made for singing along to at festivals.... I still don't like him much though! 9.5/10
698. Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply (#4, 22 Feb 1998, 1 week) ...And this is one of those even better songs I was on about. Savage Garden were never cool, there's no use pretending, but they were distinctly better than your average boyband... They're more Tears For Fears than Boyzone, and this ballad is up there with my favourite pop ballads of the decade. 10/10
699. Space with Cerys of Catatonia - The Ballad Of Tom Jones (#4, 1 Mar 1998, 1 week) How on earth could I forget about this collaboration to end all collaborations?!! The song is an absolutely wacky concept, in that the music of Tom Jones saved the couple's relationship. It's a bit like Fairytale of New York meets Delilah!.... I love it! 9/10
700. Five - When The Lights Go Out (#4, 8 Mar 1998, 1 week) I can't believe I've listened to 700 singles... and I've enjoyed (nearly) every minute! This is one of Five's hits that had somehow been erased from my memory, but it's actually one of their better ones. It's just an in your face pop song, with one of their most catchy choruses. 7.5/10
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Post by rubcale on Mar 3, 2018 18:55:13 GMT 1
Savage Garden Truly Madly Magnificent!
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SheriffFatman
Member
Been spending most our lives living in the Cheshire countryside
Posts: 10,930
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Post by SheriffFatman on Mar 3, 2018 22:02:38 GMT 1
I have always loved Shola Ama’s You Might Need Somebody, never heard Randy Crawford’s before. After reading your comment I gave it a listen and it seems I’ve been listening to the wrong one all these years!
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Post by Smurfie on Mar 3, 2018 22:21:42 GMT 1
Savage Garden Truly Madly Magnificent! Savage Garden full stop. What a great back catalogue. Stranger In Moscow is my favourite Jacko song - it’s beautiful. I feel I should lambast some songs at this point - Wet Wet Wet, pointless, and don’t even start me on Angels or anything Robbie.
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 4, 2018 10:56:26 GMT 1
701. Texas Featuring The Wu Tang Clan - Say What You Want (All Day Every Day)/Insane (#4, 15 Mar 1998, 1 week) 'Say What You Want' is a totally new and updated version of Texas's hit single from a year earlier, which really didn't need to be done IMO. Rarely have I heard a soft rock song remade with a rap element added where it has sounded better. 6/10 Of course it gave the fifth single from their 'White On Blonde' album 'Insane' a better chance in the charts, as I'm pretty sure it would have been one single too far for the single buying public had it been released on its own. That's not to say it isn't a good song though, because I think it's one of their more underrated efforts which is nice to hear again over some of their more well-played songs. 8/10
702. 911 - All I Want Is You (#4, 29 Mar 1998, 1 week) I genuinely thought 911 had only had three or four hits in total, but they just keep on cropping up. Luckily it's not a cover of the U2 uber-classic from 1989... or maybe that would be better, I don't know, as this is average at best - and I have liked a couple of theirs! 5/10
703. Billie Myers - Kiss The Rain (#4, 5 Apr 1998, 2 weeks) Here we go then with another forgotten gem of a song... and whatever became of Billie Myers? She had the potential to be massive on the back of this brilliant hit. At the time it reminded me a bit of Tracy Chapman, and I can see the similarities still - although this is a bit more rock. 9.5/10
704. Cleopatra - Life Ain't Easy (#4, 10 May 1998, 1 week) The verses of this sound so similar to another song that it's really bugging me, but I can't put my finger on what it is. The chorus isn't the strongest either I'm afraid, and I can see why I never really got into these girls. It's not terrible, just doesn't warrant more than 6/10
705. The Mavericks - Dance The Night Away (#4, 24 May 1998, 1 week) This modern country track was one of those slow climbers up the charts that were getting more rare in those days. It's one of those songs that was made for mobile disco DJ's to play to death, although I have to admit I've heard it a lot less in recent times. It's a good song though, and one that just makes you feel happy. 8.5/10
706. Mariah Carey - My All (#4, 7 Jun 1998, 1 week) This was my favourite song on Mariah's 'Butterfly' album and one of my favourite ballads that she ever did, so I was ecstatic when she released it as a single. I was even more ecstatic when it became a top five hit after the shocking under-performance of the title track from the album. 9.5/10
707. John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - You're The One That I Want (#4, 19 Jul 1998, 1 week) Well I certainly wasn't expecting to listen to this one... but now it's on I do vaguely recall it being re-released to mark the 20th anniversary of the Grease film (I think that's why anyway!). What can I say? It's a stone cold classic hit from one of the best soundtracks ever. 10/10
708. Apollo Four Forty - Lost In Space (#4, 2 Aug 1998, 1 week) Oh I'd forgotten about this electronic rock band... I seem to recall they had some quite interesting sounding tracks. This one was obviously a remake of the John Williams theme to coincide with the 1998 remake of 'Lost In Space', which was turned from a TV series into a film. 8/10
709. Placebo - Pure Morning (#4, 9 Aug 1998, 1 week) "A friend in need is a friend indeed..." Never was a truer line spoken, and this is a rock track that you can feel as much as you can hear it. It really takes you in and grabs your soul... 8/10
710. Cleopatra - I Want You Back (#4, 16 Aug 1998, 1 week) Well I suppose it was inevitable that the young girls would want to cover one of the Jackson Five's key songs, and I hate to say it but they haven't really murdered one of my favourite all-time songs. I mean, I'd still always play the original from choice, but it's not bad. 7/10
711. Jennifer Paige - Crush (#4, 6 Sep 1998, 1 week) (20 Sep 1998, 1 week) Reliving little treasures like this makes this whole project worthwhile. I don't know the first thing about Jennifer Paige, or what else she released, but I do know that this is a solid gold pop classic that should be heard way more than it is nowadays. 10/10
712. Honeyz - Finally Found (#4, 13 Sep 1998, 1 week) Oh here's another girlband I used to adore, who I had completely forgotten about. They seemed to take over from Eternal for a while, when they were on their last legs, but sadly couldn't repeat the success of their amazing first album 'Wonder No.8', of which I am so looking forward to reliving the other singles. This is just a classic nineties R&B ballad though. 9.5/10
713. Aerosmith - I Don't Want To Miss A Thing (#4, 4 Oct 1998, 2 weeks) It's hard to be objective about this song when it has been overplayed to the point of saturation over the years. Even listening to it now I can tell it's a good song, written by the genius that is Diane Warren, but I'm just looking forward to it ending and seeing what comes next. While we're doing Aerosmith though - I can't believe that the amazing 'Dream On' wasn't a UK hit! 9/10
714. Culture Club - I Just Wanna Be Loved (#4, 25 Oct 1998, 1 week) Wow, what a comeback! And what a week to do it in too, when we saw one of the most exciting top fives in chart history. This reggaefied pop track was by far Boy George's biggest hit of the decade, and his biggest since his solo #1 'Everything I Own' in 1987. Sadly his future comebacks haven't been so successful, but this remains a brilliant effort. 9.5/10
715. The Vengaboys - Up And Down (#4, 22 Nov 1998, 2 weeks) Do you know what, this mainly instrumental track is probably the best thing the Vengaboys did. It was their debut hit, and came in a time before we knew they were going to follow-up with lots of cheesy songs. I can remember a lot of people thinking this wasn't a bad club tune. 9/10
716. Robbie Williams - No Regrets/Antmusic (#4, 6 Dec 1998, 1 week) 'No Regrets' is one Robbie song that I've always really liked, and that could be down to the fact that it features Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant on backing vocals. I certainly like it much better than the lead single from 'I've Been Expecting You' (which was 'Millennium' by the way). 9/10 I had never heard his version of 'Antmusic' before, and I'll probably never bother again! 5/10
717. Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston - When You Believe (#4, 13 Dec 1998, 1 week) The two divine divas together at last, for this gorgeous theme to the animated 'Prince Of Egypt' film. All of the ingredients were there for this to be a massive #1 hit.. so I could never understand why it wasn't - well not until the X-Factor winner Leon Jackson's godawful version in the mid-noughties anyway! The original, however, remains magnificent. 10/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 4, 2018 21:01:11 GMT 1
718. TQ - Westside (#4, 24 Jan 1999, 1 week) Moving back into the final year of the nineties again, and we come to this smooth R&B track which I feel like I should remember but I really don't. It's one of those summery sounding, roof of the car down songs... but it was released in January so that might have been a bit cold! I don't know how I missed this at the time, I'm really enjoying it. 8/10
719. Dru Hill - These Are The Times (#4, 31 Jan 1999, 1 week) More R&B, but this one is a lot more soulful and ballady. I can remember thinking they were on their way to becoming massive... but this was sadly their last UK hit. I also remember liking it a lot more at the time... It's still nice though. 7.5/10
720. DJ Sakin & Friends - Protect Your Mind (For The Love Of A Princess) (#4, 14 Feb 1999, 1 week) Inspired by music from the film 'Braveheart', this is a blend of trance and classical... and the end result is something truly special. I can't believe I haven't listened to this one in so long as it is just hypnotizing. 9.5/10
721. Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor (#4, 21 Feb 1999, 1 week) Years before a similar sounding TV series took over our TV schedules, this cool R&B ballad was the ex-Fugees star's second solo UK hit single. The song doesn't actually have much of a hook, unlike her first one, but is so groovy that it's hard to slag it off. It's one of those you could happily have on in the background without wanting anything too heavy to focus on. 7/10
722. Stereophonics - Just Looking (#4, 28 Feb 1999, 1 week) This is the second top five hit for the Welsh rockers (post-Britpop?). It's one of their most well-known tracks, and one of their best ballads. They are a band that I have never bought an album by though, other than the Greatest Hits, so who knows what treasures I am missing out on? 8.5/10
723. George Michael & Mary J. Blige - As (#4, 7 Mar 1999, 1 week) This divine cover of the Stevie Wonder classic entered the charts at #4 the same week as Boyzone's insipid cover of the Billy Ocean song entered at #1, so go figure the record buying public! In their defence I suppose, this had been featured on George's 'Ladies And Gentlemen' hits collection since the end of the previous year... so they may not have needed the single too. Another injustice is that this is Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige's biggest hit of the nineties, despite her releasing some real crackers! 10/10
724. Robbie Williams - Strong (#4, 21 Mar 1999, 1 week) OK so I have had to concede that Robbie has actually recorded some great songs, and this is definitely better than some of his number ones... especially the godawful 'Rock DJ', which I think is one of the worst songs ever put to record, and I thank God it was released in 2000. I could happily sit and listen to this one though. 9/10
725. Steps, Tina Cousins, Cleopatra, B*Witched & Billie - Thank ABBA For The Music (#4, 4 Apr 1999, 1 week) (18 Apr 1999, 1 week) So this was a medley of some of ABBA's biggest hits, as performed at the Brits by some of the biggest pop stars around at the time. Obviously none are as good as the originals, but it's all a bit of fun I suppose. 7.5/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 5, 2018 20:45:19 GMT 1
726. Texas - In Our Lifetime (#4, 25 Apr 1999, 1 week) That reminds me... we haven't had TLC's 'Creep' yet. Just joking, although the chorus of this track is more than just a little similar to the girls' hit - which doesn't mean I don't like this song, as every artist and their dog have done their fair share of stealing little bits of old songs here and there, and this is a nice summery little tune, and a good little taster for their 'The Hush' album. 8/10
727. Stereophonics - Pick A Part That's New (#4, 9 May 1999, 1 week) This isn't a song that immediately springs to mind when I think of the 'Phonics so it's a nice little treat to hear it again. It's the third top four single in a row from their album 'Performance And Cocktails', suggesting that they've finally hit the big time. 8.5/10
728. Sixpence None The Richer (#4, 23 May 1999, 1 week) This was one of those tracks that was played on what seemed like a loop on our local radio station back in '99. It's a shame because I loved it at first, it's such an infectious little pop rock ditty that needs to be dug out every few years to remind yourself of its greatness - but not overplayed. 9/10
729. Jamiroquai - Canned Heat (#4, 30 May 1999, 1 week) Some of Jamiroquai's songs take you right back to the disco era of the seventies, and this is one of them. It's just a perfect blend of funk and disco that could provide part of the soundtrack to a perfect saturday night on the town. 8.5/10
730. Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love (#4, 27 Jun 1999, 1 week) This R&B infused pop hit was J-Lo's first taste of chart success, and who would have known she was going to have a long and successful career as a pop star as well as an actress! Even at the time though, I was quite impressed with this debut. 8/10
731. Basement Jaxx - Rendez-Vu (#4, 8 Aug 1999, 1 week) London Electronic act Basement Jaxx had a brilliant debut with 'Red Alert' (which hasn't come up yet), and this follow-up single was just as impressive. They were one of the new wave of acts which brought the cool back into dance music and house. 9/10
732. Moloko - Sing It Back (#4, 29 Aug 1999, 1 week) Featuring the endearing vocals of Roisin Murphy, Moloko were quite a distinctive sounding electronic act, and this track was played at every club around for the second half of '99. Overplay has tainted it slightly, but it's still an anthem. 8/10
733. Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos (#4, 5 Sep 1999, 1 week) I love Enrique. He has a sexy Spanish voice, he's fit, and his songs are insanely infectious. This was his first UK hit, and it came from the brilliantly underrated album simply entitled 'Enrique', which I urge people to check out. 9.5/10
734. Lolly - Mickey (#4, 12 Sep 1999, 1 week) See, I always thought Lolly was just a kid but it turns out she was 22 when this song came out. It's a vastly inferior cover of the Toni Basil classic (which was itself a remake of a racey track called 'Kitty' - which I haven't heard), which is fine if you weren't around in 1982... but I was, so 5/10
735. Melanie C - Goin' Down (#4, 3 Oct 1999, 1 week) Sporty Spice's first solo single (not including her collaboration with Bryan Adams) was a grungy rock affair which was a million miles away from the bubblegum pop of the Spice Girls.... It's more Courtney Love in fact. I have to admit that the years have been quite kind to this, and I would have liked to have heard her do a whole album in this vein. 8/10
736. B*Witched - Jesse Hold On (#4, 10 Oct 1999, 1 week) After all four of the singles from the Irish girlband's first album going to number 1, it seemed like the bubble had burst as the first single from album number two could noly reach #4. To be fair, number 4 is quite a result as the song is not very memorable really. It's OK but it's certainly no 'C'est La Vie'. 6.5/10
737. Melanie C - Northern Star (#4, 28 Nov 1999, 1 week) Well we didn't have to wait long to hear Mel C's follow-up single to the grunge infused 'Goin' Down'. This couldn't be more different, as it is a ballad for one thing. It's slightly reminiscent of Madonna's 'Live To Tell' in places, or maybe it's just the "I Have learned my lesson well" bit that makes me think that, I don't know. It's a long time since I've sat down and purposely listened to some Melanie C, but I'm pleasantly impressed so far. 7.5/10
738. Alice Deejay - Back In My Life (#4, 5 Dec 1999, 1 week) Alice Deejay had lost DJ Jurgen for her second hit single, which wasn't all that dissimilar to 'Better Off Alone' but I still absolutely loved it at the time. It still sounds great now too, although it hasn't aged as well as I'd hoped. 8.5/10
739. William Orbit - Barber's Adagio For Strings (#4, 12 Dec 1999, 1 week) I just love it when dance and classical music are mixed together! It's the Ferry Corsten Remix you want to listen to, as it is a lot more trancey... and that was the version on the single release. 9.5/10
740. The Cuban Boys - Cognoscenti vs Intelligentsia (#4, 19 Dec 1999, 1 week) Otherwise known as the hamster song!! This was one of the songs in the running for Christmas #1 of the Millennium year, and I have to say I would have preferred it to Westlife. Is it wrong of me to really like this? 8.5/10
741. Mr. Hankey - Mr. Hankey The Christmas Poo (#4, 26 Dec 1999, 1 week) And so the last #4 of the nineties is a song about a piece of sh!t!! We haven't had many actual Christmas songs yet, and this South Park character is actually one of the biggest of the decade. Maybe if I was a South Park fan I might get the joke, but I just find it a bit too bizarre frankly. 6/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 6, 2018 21:28:30 GMT 1
742. Madonna - Dear Jessie (#5, 7 Jan 1990, 1 week) This underrated endearing little lullaby by the Queen of Pop had already been #5 for 2 weeks in '89, and managed to cling on for one further week before plunging to #16 the following week. It's the fourth single release from her brilliant 'Like A Prayer' album, and I'm tempted to say best - or that could be just because the title track is so hyped now. 10/10
743. Jimmy Somerville - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (#5, 14 Jan 1990, 1 week) Many of Jimmy's biggest hits were covers of disco classics, so it was probably inevitable that he would cover this Sylvester classic. Sylvester himself was an openly gay and flamboyant singer who had died of AIDS just about a year earlier, and as Jimmy was an activist of gay rights this seemed fitting for him to do. The song suits Jimmy's voice to a tee and is disco-tastic. 9/10
744. Guru Josh - Infinity (1990's Time For The Guru) (#5, 4 Mar 1990, 2 weeks) This is a toon!!! If there was a track that said new decade for the nineties, then this is it. I hadn't realised that he commited suicide in late December 2015 - how sad! 9/10
745. New Kids On The Block - I'll Be Loving You (Forever) (#5, 18 Mar 1990, 1 week) I can't say I was familiar with this insipid ballad before, but it was really the follow-up to their two big #1 hits? It's weird how I could probably sing along to just about every top ten hit of the eighties, but as soon as 1990 comes there are some that just haven't stayed with me at all. I can't imagine I'll rush to play this again any time soon either. 5/10
746. Happy Mondays - Step On (#5, 8 Apr 1990, 1 week) And now here's one which definitely has stayed with me. I just can't believe it's 28 years old now!! I wasn't really into the Happy Mondays before this, but to me this record pretty much sums up the Madchester genre. "You're twisting my melon, man!" 9.5/10
747. En Vogue - Hold On (#5, 20 May 1990, 2 weeks) This is the song which started it all for the girls, and I think the fact they had their first hit so early in the decade, that you might be able to call them the first of the bunch of new nineties R&B girlbands - which later included TLC, Eternal, Honeyz and Destiny's Child. This one starts off with a few lines from the Jackson Five classic 'Who's Lovin' You' (originally recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles) and goes into a funky little number that has really stood the test of time, like many of theirs. 8/10
748. Snap! - Ooops Up (#5, 24 Jun 1990, 2 weeks) The follow-up to the massive anthem 'The Power', and that is the Snap! track I have always gone back to over the years so this is like going back into the distant past, hearing this again! It is loosely based on the Gap Band disco stomper 'Oops Upside Your Head', which has seen many a drunk party-goer sitting and stamping their hands on the floor over the years. Having re-familiarised myself with it, it is obviously nowhere near as good as the last one, but it's not bad either. 7.5/10
749. F.A.B. Featuring MC Parker - Thunderbirds Are Go (#5, 15 Jul 1990, 1 week) Fuzzbox had actually done the whole Thunderbirds revival thing on their fabulous 'International Rescue' song a year earlier, but now here was a dance track featuring random sounds from the old series. The whole thing sounds a bit of a mess really, and I can't remember liking it that much at the time either. 6/10
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Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 10, 2018 16:57:51 GMT 1
750. The Soup Dragons Featuring Junior Reid - I'm Free (#5, 5 Aug 1990, 1 week) Well I never realised this indie anthem was a cover of a Rolling Stones song! Never mind, it's still a classic and one of the defining indie pop hits of the early nineties. Jamaican artist Junior Reid is drafted in to reggae up the proceedings a little bit. 10/10
751. The KLF Featuring The Children Of The Revolution (#5, 9 Sep 1990, 1 week) From one of the defining indie hits of the early half of the decade, to one of the defining trance/house anthems. The KLF really could do no wrong and were masters of their craft for definite. This track is the first of a run of absolute classics for them. 10/10
752. Happy Mondays - Kinky Afro (#5, 21 Oct 1990, 1 week) The follow-up to the massive 'Step On', this Madchester track doesn't get nearly enough airplay. I'd forgotten how good it was actually, and I've just realised that I know very few of their songs.. Something that needs rectifying. 9/10
753. Whitney Houston - I'm Your Baby Tonight (#5, 28 Oct 1990, 1 week) Whitney's first single from her third album showed a complete change of direction from the pure poppiness of 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody', and this was her sounding more street than she had previously. It's not up there with her best, but I do think it is an underrated slice of New Jack Swing. 8/10
754. Black Box - Fantasy (#5, 11 Nov 1990, 1 week) The fourth hit single from their brilliant 'Dreamland' album was a cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire classic from 1978, and it exceeded the original by nine chart places. I think it's a great version, updated for the new decade with Martha Wash on vocal duties. 9/10
755. Rod Stewart & Tina Turner - It Takes Two (#5, 25 Nov 1990, 1 week) Another cover version now, as everybody's 2 favourite gravelly voiced rockers take on the Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston Motown soul classic. I love both versions to be honest, although the original is hard to beat, but I have to admit the song really suits the rockier style. 8.5/10
756. Patrick MacNee & Honor Blackman - Kinky Boots (#5, 2 Dec 1990, 1 week) I'm not sure what prompted this re-release, but it originally came out in 1964. This is what novelty songs should sound like though - fun, catchy and endearing. I love it, even if it is too short. 9/10
757. The Bee Gees - Secret Love (#5, 31 Mar 1991, 1 week) Nearly four months later and we have Haven Factor favourites the Brothers Gibb with one of their biggest nineties hits. I haven't heard this in years, and I'd forgotten how much I liked it... which could be because it is very similar in chorus to their 'Chain Reaction', but who cares?! 8/10
758. The Wonder Stuff - The Size Of A Cow (#5, 14 Apr 1991, 1 week) The Wonder Stuff released some great songs with sing-along choruses, and this has to be the most well-known of the lot. It's just such a great track with a killer tune from the time the song starts to when it finishes. 10/10
759. Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long) (#5, 12 May 1991, 1 week) Oh this brings back some memories! I know she is a massively successful songwriter for other pop artists now, but back in the day she released some banging tunes of her own. I used to play the album 'Move To This', from which this was lifted, over and over again when it came out. 9.5/10
760. Soft Cell Featuring Marc Almond - Tainted Love (#5, 19 May 1991, 1 week) From what I can gather, and please correct me if I'm wrong, it was the original 1981 7" version that was the lead track of this single. I think Marc Almond's name was tagged on the end to promote his new Greatest Hits album (which was amazing, by the way). What can I say? It's one of the best songs of the eighties, and the Gloria Jones Northern Soul original is great too. 10/10
761. Madonna - Holiday (#5, 9 Jun 1991, 1 week) I feel like I'm back doing the eighties again! Not that that could ever be a bad thing though. Madge's first ever hit, way back in 1984, was re-released to get more mileage out of her 'Immaculate Collection' success, and was a top ten hit for an astonishing third time! I'm not sure if tht record has ever been broken (I know John Lennon equalled it with 'Imagine'), but it's still impressive. 9/10
762. Salt-N-Pepa - Do You Want Me (#5, 23 Jun 1991, 1 week) It's been a while since I heard this song, but as soon as it starts it seems like it was just yesterday! This was one of the best things that the female hip-hoppers ever did.. I absolutely love it! 10/10
763. Metallica - Enter Sandman (#5, 4 Aug 1991, 1 week) Metallica are one of the most widely acclaimed rock bands out there, and I ashamedly could not hum one single note of any of their songs. I really should investigate their catalogue further because I do actually quite like this - and I wasn't really expecting to. 8/10
764. Color Me Badd - All 4 Love (#5, 18 Aug 1991, 1 week) I actually prefer this song to the #1 hit 'I Wanna Sex You Up'. It's just more funky and infectious, and I'm actually surprised it didn't get higher than #5 after the success of the first one. 8/10
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