1999 Points Chart

[Panda]

We reach the end of another decade.

While pop was dominant in 1998, the balance shifted ever so slightly in 1999 with other genres getting more of a look-in at the top.

Top of the Pops continued to do its thing pretty much the same as it had for the previous few years, while on ITV CDUK was now firmly established after The Chart Show came to an end. However, since beginning in 1992, Later... With Jools Holland had gradually become the best music show on TV, even if it was not the most-watched.

There were a record number of no.1 singles in the UK in 1999, with 36 - a record that would be broken again in 2000 - as the vast majority of singles saw their highest sales in their first week of release. That means a significant number of chart-toppers don't make the top 40 of this list. But which ones? Keep reading to find out.

A reminder of the points system: 1 point for no.40 in the singles chart, 2 points for no.39, all the way up to 37 points for no.4, then it's 40 points for no.3, 45 points for no.2 and 50 points for no.1.


Before the countdown, here are some of the songs that didn't make the top 40:


(position in end-of-year sales chart in brackets)


44(63) SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER - Kiss Me (224 points)



Originally released in the US in 1998, this song became a hit in the UK in 1999 after being used in the TV series "Dawson's Creek". Despite being from the band's third album, it was their first UK hit with their second (and last) being of cover of The La's "There She Goes" later in the year.


45(28) WAMDUE PROJECT - King Of My Castle (222 points)



One of the no.1 hits that misses out but only because it ran out of time. Released in mid-November, it went straight to the top and was still in the top 20 at the end of the year. Wamdue Project was US DJ Chris Brann and singer Gaelle Adisson. Amusingly, they were nominated for Best British Newcomer at the Brit Awards, only to have the nomination rescinded when organisers realised they weren't British.


49(48) ROBBIE WILLIAMS - She's The One/It's Only Us (217 points)



Another no.1 that misses out - this was Robbie's second and was a double A-side. "She's The One" got the most airplay and featured an ice-skating-themed video with commentary from Barry Davies. The rockier "It's Only Us" also had its own video and was recorded especially for the FIFA 2000 video game released around the same time.


52(42) GERI HALLIWELL - Mi Chico Latino (211 points)



Three big hits for Geri in 1999 after her departure from the Spice Girls but none of them reach the top 40 of this list. This is the highest of the three, coming in at no.52.


53(69) FATBOY SLIM - Praise You (211 points)



Another no.1 that misses out, this topped the chart very early in the year, which explains its relatively low position on the sales list. The video was directed by and stars Spike Jonze (with help from then-brother-in-law Roman Coppola), whose previous works included the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage", Weezer's "Buddy Holly" and Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet". Norman Cook himself makes a cameo, as he did in most Fatboy Slim videos.


54(41) EMINEM - My Name Is (211 points)



The track that launched a legendary rap career. This was a global hit and Eminem's first major release after his limited debut album "Infinite". The track samples Labi Siffre's "I Got The..." with the bass and guitar riff played by Chas & Dave.


62(50) LENNY KRAVITZ - Fly Away (192 points)



Released in the US towards the end of 1998, it was a top 20 hit in the States but reached no.1 in the UK after being used in a TV ad for Peugeot.


64(31) BAZ LUHRMANN - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (187 points)



Probably the year's most unique no.1 single. This track enjoyed very big first-week sales after being heavily hyped by Radio 1's Chris Moyles, among others, but quickly fell down the chart. The track was based on an essay by US journalist Mary Schmich, published two years earlier. It combined the essay being spoken by actor Lee Perry and Luhrmann's remix of the Rozalla track "Everybody's Free".


65(39) BLUR - Tender (186 points)



A triumphant return for Blur, this epic track (the full version clocking in at almost eight minutes) features both Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon on vocals and was the first single taken from their sixth album "13". A video had initially been shot by Sophie Muller but was rejected by the band (and to this day, never released) so this live performance was used as the official video instead. It reached no.2 in the chart, kept off the top by one of the biggest singles of the year.


79(74) CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Hey Boy Hey Girl (163 points)



Another chart-topping act making their return were the Chemical Brothers, with this no.3 hit from their third album "Surrender". Like Fatboy Slim, the duo make a customary cameo appearance in the video.


168(-) TRAVIS - Turn (79 points)



The band of the year was Travis, with their hit album "The Man Who". The Scottish group's popularity increased with every single, each coming with its own unusual and slightly nightmarish video. After "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" had given the band their first top 10 hit, this track took them even higher, peaking at no.8 in November.

[Panda]

Part 1 (40-36):

40(30) THE OFFSPRING - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) (231 points)
Top 40 run: 1-2-4-6-9-21-29



The mainstream breakthrough for the US punk band after a number of minor hits during the mid 90s. This started getting played towards the end of 1998 and airplay increased significantly towards the end of the year, leading to its release date being moved back and it going straight in at no.1 in early January, beating Terrorvision's "Tequila" to the top spot.


39(34) BLONDIE - Maria (234 points)
Top 40 run: 1-2-6-11-15-19-26-30



Arguably the comeback of the year came from Blondie, who hit the top with this track, 17 years after their last hit (not counting remixes and re-releases), having reformed in 1997. It was their sixth UK no.1, coming exactly 20 years after their first. The video was directed by Roman Coppola but credited as Alan Smithee (the pseudonym used by a director when they want to disown the project). The band's official Youtube channel uses a performance from CDUK, rather than this official video.


38(46) WESTLIFE - Swear It Again (235 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-6-15-24-31-39



The first of four Westlife singles to go straight in at no.1 in 1999 but this is the only one to make the top 40 of this list.


37(52) VARIOUS ARTISTS - Thank ABBA For The Music (238 points)
Top 40 run: 4-5-4-12-14-21-26-26-32-35-34



This Abba tribute medley ensemble consisted of Steps, B*witched, Cleopatra, Billie and Tina Cousins and was recorded especially to be performed at the Brit Awards and was released as a single six weeks later to coincide with the debut performance of the musical "Mamma Mia!"


36(9) MR. OIZO - Flat Beat (238 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-8-17-19-27



An example of a track going to no.1 because of an ad if ever there was one. This track originally appeared in a Levi's advert featuring puppet Flat Eric, who also starred in the video for the single. Mr. Oizo (prounounced "Wazzo", like the French word for "bird") was the alias of French filmmaker Quentin Dupieux, who'd directed the original Levi's ad, as well as providing the music. It had huge first week sales, and ended up as the 9th-best selling single of the year.

[Smurfie]

Mr Oizo is high on my list of worst number ones ever.

[Earl Purple]

Tonight we're going to party like it's 1999!

1999 was an interesting year for me - career wise I was contracting, in my second year of doing that, and it was when the contract market was vibrant. For the first 4 months I was working in Woking, only 4 days a week, making good-enough money and quite enjoyed the work. My contract would have ended sooner but the other contractor who started the same time as me died of a heart attack (quite young) (and at home, not in the office), so they had the budget to extend mine... not happy circumstances but it meant I was there a bit longer than had been initially planned. When that finished I moved instantly - worked one day in one and another day in another. The second one was in West Kensington and I got on really well with them and worked 6 months, which was a normal sort of length for that kind of contract, then again moved pretty quickly at the end to a job in Eton which was a disaster even though it paid more money, but that's where I was at the end of 1999.

Musically, dotmusic forums had only just started. I was busy trying to promote the music I liked, partly though my chart and partly simply through topics. Trying to let people know it even existed. At the start of the year I thought Ultrasound were the "next big thing". Their 1998 anthem "Stay Young" reached #30 in the UK chart and thought they'd soon be massive, and maybe they had the potential to do so. They were moderately popular and I saw them live in a full venue, and also saw many other bands live in small venues but they were finding limited chart success. Such bands even included Toploader and the Llama Farmers, but the band I got most into was the Clint Boon Experience, who I thought might have been bigger because Clint Boon was known from Inspiral Carpets, but whilst they had a decent live following, they didn't get much chart success. Of the more successful artists, Travis had some success in 1997 but became huge in 1999, particularly with album sales.

On the personal side, the woman from Estonia I had been seeing in 1998 I continued seeing to some extent in 1999 and in the Spring was also involved briefly with a single mother but nothing that lasted, so in a sense I was "partying" - going to lots of karaokes and meeting the same bunch of people at them, but not in a serious relationship. That would come next year. My paternal grandmother died on 3 September, the last surviving grandparent, at the age of 93, the oldest any of my relatives have lived, but the same age my (ex) father-in-law is now.

[Panda]

Part 2 (35-31):

35(53) JENNIFER LOPEZ - If You Had My Love (239 points)
Top 40 run: 4-8-7-12-14-16-23-23-27-37



Having established herself as a Hollywood actress, J-Lo returned to her first love of singing, topping the US chart with this track, her debut single, and reaching no.4 in the UK.


34(45) SHAFT - Mucho Mambo (Sway) (240 points)
Top 40 run: 2-3-6-9-12-17-23-28-37



Part of the somewhat lazy dance trend of taking an old song and sticking a beat over the top, though the vocals had to be re-recorded by session singer Donna Canale after they were unable to obtain clearance to use Rosemary Clooney's originals.


33(21) ANN LEE - 2 Times (251 points)
Top 40 run: 2-2-4-6-11-17-22-26-40



Ann Lee was the alias of Italian-based British singer/songwriter Annerley Gordon. This was a huge hit across Europe and Australia but she struggled to match that success, though follow-up "Voices" bucked the trend in Spain, where it was a bigger hit than this track.


32(47) SHANIA TWAIN - Man! I Feel Like A Woman (259 points)
Top 40 run: 3-3-6-10-15-18-19-25-29-32-36



A future karaoke classic, complete with its video that parodied Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love", this was another single from the Canadian country singer's hit crossover album "Come On Over". It gave her a second top 3 hit in the UK, following up another track we'll see later in the countdown.


31(18) RONAN KEATING - When You Say Nothing At All (265 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-4-8-14-16-23-30-30-39-40



The debut solo single from the Boyzone frontman and the first of three solo no.1s. The song was originally recorded by country singer Keith Whitley in 1988. Keating's version was taken from the soundtrack to the Richard Curtis film "Notting Hill".

[Panda]

Part 3 (30-26):

30(10) BOYZONE - When The Going Gets Tough (266 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-6-12-16-22-30-38



Here's Mr. Keating again, this time with his Boyzone mates. This Billy Ocean cover was this year's official Comic Relief single (hence the appearance of several comedy and television personalities in the video) making it a shoo-in for the no.1 spot and huge sales. It would be their fifth UK chart-topper and was their 15th consecutive top 3 hit in Ireland.


29(36) FIVE - Keep On Movin' (269 points)
Top 40 run: 1-3-6-8-13-16-21-24-20



Having spent their early years being little more than a shouty annoyance, Five sprang something of a surprise by returning with this sophisticated track, which has gone to be an enduring classic. It was released at the end of October and was still in the chart at the end of the year. The additional points it picked up in early 2000 would have put it at no.14 on this list.


28(14) MARTINE McCUTCHEON - Perfect Moment (269 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-5-13-15-22-29-36-38



Having spent her early career switching back and forth between acting and music (including a stint in girl group Milan), Martine McCutcheon seemed to have found success as an actress, playing Tiffany in EastEnders for four years. After her character was killed off, McCutcheon returned to music, hitting the top with this ballad. Several more top 10 hits followed before she embarked on a successful stage career, winning an Laurence Olivier award for her role as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.


27(25) WHITNEY HOUSTON - It's Not Right But It's Okay (277 points)
Top 40 run: 3-5-6-7-12-18-21-19-24-29-35-38



Taken from Houston's first studio album in eight years, it heralded a switch from her big ballads and uptempo pop tracks to a grittier R&B sound. The album didn't sell as well as her previous efforts in the US but was very successful in Europe. The song's lyrics about infidelity in a relationship drew obvious comparisons to Houston's own troubled marriage to Bobby Brown.


26(29) VENGABOYS - We Like To Party (The Vengabus) (283 points)
Top 40 run: 3-4-5-8-10-12-13-20-23-31



The second of seven consecutive top 10 hits in less than two years for the Dutch eurodance act and even better was to follow later in the year...

[Panda]

Part 4 (25-21):

25(3) CLIFF RICHARD - The Millennium Prayer (285 points)
Top 40 run: 2-1-1-1-2-2



This combination of The Lord's Prayer and Auld Lang Syne gave Sir Cliff a no.1 hit at the age of 59 and made him the first act to appear in the UK top 10 in six different decades.


24(27) CARTOONS - Witch Doctor (286 points)
Top 40 run: 2-5-6-7-10-12-18-22-30-30-29



The Danish novelty hit was a cover of the US no.1 by David Seville (he of Chipmunks fame) and reached no.2 in the UK, perhaps cashing in on the earlier popularity of fellow Danes Aqua.


23(55) BRYAN ADAMS & MELANIE C - When You're Gone (298 points)
Top 40 run: 6-6-6-7-5-7-11-15-22-32-36



Having spent a month on the chart at the end of 1998, this track stuck around in the top 40 for a further 11 weeks in 1999, helping it reach a position on this list that far exceeds its sales. Its combined total across both years would've put it at no.4 on the 1999 list.


22(35) BACKSTREET BOYS - I Want It That Way (308 points)
Top 40 run: 1-4-7-9-7-8-12-19-30-33-30-34



The first and only UK no.1 for the American boy band after several near misses. The video was lampooned by Blink-182 for their single All The Small Things.


21(13) CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Genie In A Bottle (311 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-3-9-16-19-19-27-34-40-38



The debut UK hit for the then-18-year-old, drawing obvious comparisons to Britney Spears. This track hit the top in mid-October, remaining in the top 40 until January. Whilst Britney enjoyed regular success early in her career, it would be another three years (and a radical reinvention) before Christina had another solo no.1 in the UK.

[Panda]

Part 5 (20-16):

20(23) MADONNA - Beautiful Stranger (312 points)
Top 40 run: 2-4-8-10-10-14-18-21-21-21-25-33-40



Taken from the second Austin Powers film, this track entered the UK charts at no.2, one place higher than Madonna's James Bond Theme "Die Another Day" would achieve three years later. It was also the most-played song on British radio in 1999, ahead of many bigger-selling tracks.


19(8) SHANKS & BIGFOOT - Sweet Like Chocolate (315 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-5-8-11-19-22-26-33-37-38



The first UK garage track to top of the charts, it was made by the team Steven Meade and Danny Langsman, with vocals from Sharon Woolf. They had a follow-up hit with "Sing A Long", as well as charting twice with the track "Straight From The Heart", released under the duo's original name of Doolally.


18(11) S CLUB 7 - Bring It All Back (317 points)
Top 40 run: 1-2-5-5-6-11-16-18-24-28-34



The first of eleven singles for the pop group, released in the space of four years. All eleven singles reached the top 5 in the UK with four topping the chart, including this one. The single was also the theme tune to their CBBC series "Miami 7" which introduced them to their young fanbase and gave them a ton of free publicity in the process.


17(40) NEW RADICALS - You Get What You Give (324 points)
Top 40 run: 5-8-9-10-13-13-17-17-19-20-23-25-30



The first and only top 40 hit for the project led by Gregg Alexander, also featuring Danielle Brisebois, who'd had a minor solo hit with "Gimme Little Sign" in 1995. This track reached no.5 in the UK but a 10-week stay in the top 20 helps it to no.17 on this list. Both Alexander and Brisebois would go on to have successful songwriting careers, writing for Ronan Keating and Natasha Bedingfield, to name just a couple. They were also nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar in 2015 for the song "Lost Stars", taken from the film "Begin Again".


16(22) WHITNEY HOUSTON - My Love Is Your Love (324 points)
Top 40 run: 2-3-4-7-6-8-11-10-16-27



The third (in the UK) single from the album of the same name, this reggae-tinged track was written and produced by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Duplessis. It gave Whitney a 14th top 10 single in the UK and was her highest-charting single since "I Will Always Love You".

[Smurfie]

Jan 19, 2023 21:30:24 GMT 1 Panda said:

17(40) NEW RADICALS - You Get What You Give (324 points)
Top 40 run: 5-8-9-10-13-13-17-17-19-20-23-25-

The first and only top 40 hit for the project led by Gregg Alexander, also featuring Danielle Brisebois, who'd had a minor solo hit with "Gimme Little Sign" in 1995. This track reached no.5 in the UK but a 10-week stay in the top 20 helps it to no.17 on this list. Both Alexander and Brisebois would go on to have successful songwriting careers, writing for Ronan Keating and Natasha Bedingfield, to name just a couple. They were also nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar in 2015 for the song "Lost Stars", taken from the film "Begin Again".

Would “Life Is A Rollercoaster” be one by any chance? I can totally hear it in that Ronan song.

[Panda]

Jan 26, 2023 16:52:34 GMT 1 Smurfie said:

Jan 19, 2023 21:30:24 GMT 1 Panda said:

17(40) NEW RADICALS - You Get What You Give (324 points)
Top 40 run: 5-8-9-10-13-13-17-17-19-20-23-25-

The first and only top 40 hit for the project led by Gregg Alexander, also featuring Danielle Brisebois, who'd had a minor solo hit with "Gimme Little Sign" in 1995. This track reached no.5 in the UK but a 10-week stay in the top 20 helps it to no.17 on this list. Both Alexander and Brisebois would go on to have successful songwriting careers, writing for Ronan Keating and Natasha Bedingfield, to name just a couple. They were also nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar in 2015 for the song "Lost Stars", taken from the film "Begin Again".

Would “Life Is A Rollercoaster” be one by any chance? I can totally hear it in that Ronan song.

It would indeed! The success of that led to "Lovin' Each Day" and Alexander subsequently co-wrote most of Ronan's second album "Destination".

[Panda]

Part 6 (15-11):

15(33) BRITNEY SPEARS - Sometimes (325 points)
Top 40 run: 3-7-6-8-9-11-13-17-16-20-28-33-39



Britney's second UK hit, it wasn't as big as the first but still spent an impressive 10 weeks inside the top 20.


14(15) VENGABOYS - Boom Boom Boom Boom (337 points)
Top 40 run: 1-3-4-5-5-7-10-14-18-23-36



The first of two number ones for the Dutch dance act. The second, "We're Going To Ibiza", narrowly missed the top 40 of this list.


13(5) ATB - 9pm (Til I Come) (345 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-3-5-6-12-14-21-31-38



I have to admit, I never understood the appeal of this rather generic dance hit but it spent two weeks at no.1 and was the 5th-biggest selling single of the year. ATB is German trance producer Andre Tanneberger. A new version of the track featuring Swedish singer A7S reached the top 10 in 2021.


12(17) R KELLY - If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time (349 points)
Top 40 run: 3-2-4-5-5-8-7-10-13-12

The dirty fecker.


11(32) WILL SMITH - Wild Wild West (354 points)
Top 40 run: 3-2-4-8-7-8-6-9-17-19-27-36



Trying to follow the same template that brought him huge success with "Men In Black", this was the theme song from Will Smith's latest blockbuster movie of the same name (before he started doing "proper" acting). The track was based on "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder (who made a cameo appearance in the video) and 1988 song "Wild Wild West" by Kool Moe Dee, who re-recorded his vocals for the Will Smith version. The lineup was completed by R&B group Dru Hill, with member Sisqo (later of "Thong Song" fame) providing the vocals on the chorus.

[Panda]

Part 7 (10-6):

10(24) PHATS & SMALL - Turn Around (358 points)
Top 40 run: 3-4-2-8-7-8-7-12-17-19-23-32



Phats & Small were the production duo of Jason "Phats" Hayward and Russell Small. They were subsequently joined by singer Ben Ofoedu, though the original release of this track sampled Toney Lee and didn't feature Ben at all, other than his lip synching in the video. He did perform the song live and later sang on a re-recorded version of the track. The song was taken from their debut album "Now Phats What I Small Music", which to this day remains a contender for the worst album title of all time. The duo had several other hits, both with Ben and other vocalists. Ofoedu was later in a relationship with Vanessa Feltz for 17 years.


9(4) LOU BEGA - Mambo No.5 (376 points)
Top 40 run: 40-33-31-1-1-2-2-4-5-9-15-22-28-37



A big hit in Europe for the German mambo specialist, this song spent three weeks in the UK top 40 in import before officially entering the chart at no.1 in August. The single's popularity was also helped by the fact it was used by Channel 4 as the theme tune for their highly-successful test cricket coverage, which began that summer. As far as novelty hits go, it's right up there with the best.


8(12) ALICE DEEJAY - Better Off Alone (394 points)
Top 40 run: 4-3-2-2-2-5-8-12-15-17-23-29-37



Despite their name, none of the Dutch dance act were actually called Alice. The group was fronted by Judith Pronk. They released one album "Who Needs Guitars Anyway?" which spawned a string of singles and was surprisingly, more popular in the UK than the Netherlands.


7(20) MACY GRAY - I Try (410 points)
Top 40 run: 10-10-9-8-7-7-7-6-9-11-11-15-13



This slow-burning hit entered the chart at the beginning of October and remained inside the top 20 at the end of the year. It was meant to be the launchpad to superstardom for the gravel-voiced soul singer (real name Natalie McIntyre) but she's never managed to come close to replicating the commercial success of her debut album "On How Life Is", despite critical acclaim. She has also forged an acting career, appearing in numerous films and TV shows.


6(6) RICKY MARTIN - Livin' La Vida Loca (416 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-1-2-3-5-7-10-13-19-24-28



The "King of Latin Pop" from Puerto Rico was already a huge success in the Spanish-speaking market but became a worldwide star with his song "(Un, Dos, Tres) Maria". He had another global smash (except in the UK) with "The Cup Of Life", which was pretty much the same song with different lyrics and was the official song for the 1998 World Cup in France. His major English language breakthrough came with this song, which spent three weeks at no.1 in the UK (the first Puerto Rican to have a UK no.1) and topped the charts all over the world.

[Panda]

Part 8 (5-1):

5(16) TLC - No Scrubs (428 points)
Top 40 run: 7-13-8-6-9-3-5-5-9-12-12-16-22-29-37-37



After the global success of the trio's "CrazySexyCool" album, this track, their first new music in over four years, aided by a flashy Hype Williams video, took them to even dizzier heights, giving them their biggest UK hit and a third US no.1.


4(2) EIFFEL 65 - Blue (Ba Da Bee) (429 points)
Top 40 run: 39-X-1-1-1-3-4-6-8-12-18-21-21-30-30-36-28



This annoying Italian Eurodance track entered the top 40 on import in early September before spending three weeks at no.1 when released officially in the UK. It was still inside the top 40 at the end of the year.


3(19) STEPS - Heartbeat/Tragedy (450 points)
Top 40 run: 1-2-3-3-3-6-10-10-15-16-20-23-24-30-30-32



After spending seven weeks inside the top 10 at the end of 1998, this Metallica cover (a double A-side with "Heartbeat") found a new lease of life in January, presumably due to this track being popular at Christmas and New Year parties. It became the first new no.1 of 1999, knocking Chef (Isaac Hayes) off the top after he'd dethroned the Spice Girls the week after Christmas. It was Steps' first no.1 after a near miss a few months earlier when "One For Sorrow" was denied by the Manic Street Preachers. Its combined total across both years would've seen "Heartbeat/Tragedy" top either year's chart suggesting it will make a significant impression on the decade points chart.


2(7) SHANIA TWAIN - That Don't Impress Me Much (499 points)
Top 40 run: 3-3-3-4-4-6-9-9-9-10-13-17-20-22-24-32-31-33-34



Taken from Twain's absolutely massive "Come On Over" album, this track received a poppier re-working aimed at the European market and it worked to tremendous effect, giving the Candaian country star her first top 3 hit in the UK and a no.1 hit in Ireland. The original, country-sounding version was a top 10 hit in the US and Canada.


1(1) BRITNEY SPEARS - ...Baby One More Time (524 points)
Top 40 run: 1-1-2-3-3-4-6-7-11-15-17-19-21-24-27-25-27-31



No prizes for guessing this year's chart-topper though it wasn't as convincing as some were expecting. Having appeared on TV alongside the likes of Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling on "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the early 90s, this track rocketed the 16-year-old Spears to superstardom, becoming a global smash hit and going on to sell 10 million copies. Released in the US in September 1998, its popularity grew after the release of its iconic video and it topped the charts there in early 1999, despite the fact the grossly over-produced track didn't show off Britney's vocal talents in any way, shape or form. It soon followed suit in the UK amid a wave of hype, going straight in at no.1 in February - the first of six UK no.1s. Along with the hits were a myriad of personal issues - a seemingly unfortunate trend among people thrust into the spotlight at such a young age. Now in her 40s, and with her problems hopefully in her past, Spears is making music again and we shall see if this pop superstar can continue to cement her legacy like those who came before her.

[Panda]

Top 100:

1(1) Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Tome
2(7) Shania Twain - That Don't Impress Me Much
3(19) Steps - Heartbeat/Tragedy
4(2) Eiffel 65 - Blue (Ba Da Bee)
5(16) TLC - No Scrubs
6(6) Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca
7(20) Macy Gray - I Try
8(12) Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone
9(4) Lou Bega - Mambo No.5
10(24) Phats & Small - Turn Around
11(32) Will Smith - Wild Wild West
12(17) R Kelly - If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time
13(5) ATB - 9pm (Til I Come)
14(15) Vengaboys - Boom Boom Boom Boom
15(33) Britney Spears - Sometimes
16(22) Whitney Houston - My Love Is Your Love
17(40) New Radicals - You Get What You Give
18(11) S Club 7 - Bring It All Back
19(8) Shanks & Bigfoot - Sweet Like Chocolate
20(23) Madonna - Beautiful Stranger
21(13) Christina Aguilera - Genie In A Bottle
22(35) Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
23(55) Bryan Adams & Mel C - When You're Gone
24(27) Cartoons - Witch Doctor
25(3) Cliff Richard - The Millennium Prayer
26(29) Vengaboys - We Like To Party (The Vengabus)
27(25) Whitney Houston - It's Not Right But It's Okay
28(14) Martine McCutcheon - Perfect Moment
29(36) Five - Keep On Movin'
30(10) Boyzone - When The Going Gets Tough
31(18) Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All
32(47) Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman
33(21) Ann Lee - 2 Times
34(45) Shaft - Mucho Mambo (Sway)
35(53) Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love
36(9) Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat
37(52) Various Artists - Thank ABBA For The Music
38(46) Westlife - Swear It Again
39(34) Blondie - Maria
40(30) Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)
41(58) Westlife - Flying Without Wings
42(43) DJ Jean - The Launch
43(63) Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss Me
44(38) Vengaboys - We're Going To Ibiza
45(28) Wamdue Project - King Of My Castle
46(64) 2 Pac - Changes
47(59) Westlife - If I Let You Go
48(-) Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls
49(48) Robbie Williams - She's The One/It's Only Us
50(60) S Club 7 - S Club Party
51(61) Five - If You're Gettin' Down
52(42) Geri Halliwell - Mi Chico Latino
53(69) Fatboy Slim - Praise You
54(41) Eminem - My Name Is
55(44) Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me
56(67) Corrs - Runaway
57(71) Britney Spears - You Drive Me Crazy
58(62) Steps - Love's Got A Hold Of My Heart
59(51) Steps - Better Best Forgotten
60(85) TLC - Unpretty
61(49) Boyzone - You Needed Me
62(50) Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away
63(77) Will Smith - Will 2K
64(31) Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
65(39) Blur - Tender
66(72) Cher - Strong Enough
67(56) Geri Halliwell - Look At Me
68(-) Cher - Believe
69(81) Basement Jaxx - Red Alert
70(68) Bob Marley - Sun Is Shining
71(57) Geri Halliwell - Lift Me Up
72(70) Bran Van 3000 - Drinking In LA
73(54) Alice Deejay - Back In My Life
74(87) Lolly - Mickey
75(94) TQ - Westside
76(89) Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
77(-) Spice Girls - Goodbye
78(66) Boyzone - Every Day I Love You
79(74) Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl
80(37) Artful Dodger ft Craig David - Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)
81(76) B*witched - Blame It On The Weatherman
82(75) Wiseguys - Ooh La La
83(-) Honeyz - End Of The Line
84(78) Fatboy Slim - Right Here Right Now
85(-) Terrorvision - Tequila
86(86) Adam Rickitt - I Breathe Again
87(96) 911 - A Little Bit More
88(73) DJ Sakin & Friends - Protect Your Mind (For The Love Of A Princess)
89(99) Yomanda - Synth & Strings
90(97) Jennifer Lopez - Waiting For Tonight
91(80) ATB - Don't Stop
92(-) Chicane ft Maire Brennan - Saltwater
93(-) Eminem ft Dr. Dre - Guilty Conscience
94(82) B*witched - Jesse Hold On
95(-) Destiny's Child - Bills Bills Bills
96(92) Moloko - Sing It Back
97(84) George Michael & Mary J Blige - As
98(-) Blockster - You Should Be...
99(-) Stereophonics - Pick A Part That's New
100(98) Melanie C - Northern Star

[Panda]

Points chart no.1s, 1980-1999:

1980: Don McLean - Crying
1981: Tweets - The Birdie Song
1982: Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
1983: Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
1984: Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
1985: Jennifer Rush - The Power Of Love
1986: Communards - Don't Leave Me This Way
1987: Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
1988: Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky
1989: Black Box - Ride On Time
1990: Adamski & Seal - Killer
1991: Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
1992: Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer
1993: Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
1994: Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
1995: Celine Dion - Think Twice
1996: Spice Girls - Wannabe
1997: Puff Daddy & Faith Evans - I'll Be Missing You
1998: Leann Rimes - How Do I Live?
1999: Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time

[Good Old Days]

Amazing finish. All songs from top 3 were # 1s in my chart.