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Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 06:04 PM

Hello All, back one again with a top 200 that will either delight or fill you with fear!

There'll be dance routines a go-go, standing up on key changes, a fair amount of flesh on show, and of course a string of TOTP, CD:UK and live performances to get all nostalgic about.

The period covered by this thread will be 1988-2004, and the sales tallies are actual sales (in 99%of the cases)!

Thanks to Music Week, Wikipedia, You Tube, "The 1000 UK number one hits" book, MFR, Polyhex and chart stats for their help in this.

Rules for Inclusion

This countdown only includes “solo” records by girl groups or boy bands so songs such as “Against All Odds” by Mariah Carey & Westlife WON’T feature.

The sales figures relate only to the period up to 2004 and DO NOT include any subsequent download figures.

GIRL GROUPS- relatively easy to define, all female groups with at least 3 members regardless of the genre they operate within.

BOY BANDS- A much more difficult genre to define than you might imagine. So obviously all members must be male, there must be at least 3 members in the group, operate mainly within the “pop” field and not be over 30 when they had their biggest stint of fame. Arguments could be had all day over whether or not such and such a group were a boy band or not so I’ve plumped for what I consider to be relatively safe options with one or two possibly contentious inclusions (mainly those calling themselves “vocal harmony groups”).


So sit back over the forthcoming couple of months, pin those old posters up and relive some of the more embarrassing teen moments of your life and yes you may SCREAM!

Posted by: torresgirl 15th March 2012, 06:12 PM

Yey looking forward to this one! Hoping for some New Kids, Backstreet Boys!

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 06:15 PM

First up some 90s boy bands for all the output just couldn’t interest enough of you to make this list.

ULTRA- Four top 30 hits in the late 90s for the band named after the Depeche Mode, the biggest of which was “Rescue Me” which became their sole top 10 hit. They were dropped after their first album failed to set the charts alive.



2WO THIRD3- Pronounced “Two Thirds” in case you wondered, they were a novel concept from Tom Watkins of a boy band consisting of openly gay men. A support on tour for East 17 in 1994 gathered enough attention for this top 20 hit, it was perhaps a bit too adventurous for the early 90s and this was as good as it got. Apart, that is, for one member Richard Stannard who went on to write many hits on this rundown and a few Spice Girl’s number ones!



UPSIDE DOWN- Before the slew of X Factor esque programmes in the 00s, there was the creation of Upside Down, their creation and the story of the band up to their first release was screened as one off on BBC 1 in early 1996 as a documentary “Inside Story”. The result was this track jumped from 35 to 12 (its midweek position was 41) and they got 4 top 30 hits out of it before we realised they weren’t much cop.

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 15th March 2012, 06:18 PM

Kudos to Two Thirds for being open from the start!

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 06:23 PM

QUOTE(Ne Plus Ultra @ Mar 15 2012, 06:18 PM)

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 15th March 2012, 06:29 PM

Just one question: would Salt-N-Pepa be considered a girl group or just a duo (since Spinderella was just the DJ then was a more prominent member in the '90s)?

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 06:31 PM

Official members count so they would be eligible

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 15th March 2012, 06:34 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 15 2012, 06:31 PM)

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 06:36 PM

QUOTE(Ne Plus Ultra @ Mar 15 2012, 06:34 PM)

Okay good. So "Whatta Man" featuring En Vogue should technically still feature then. Salt-N-Pepa's always been a tricky act to label as a group or an duo. Same with Right Said Fred for me (I never really noticed the bass player in the group!).

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 15th March 2012, 06:38 PM

Ah, okay. Thanks for clearing that up. Just mentioned "Whatta Man" because it's a collaboration between both girl groups, so a little loophole would have appeared in there somehow.

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 08:05 PM

And a final two "Failures" for tonight..

WORLD’S APART- For a time in 1994 these were the third most successful boy band around with 5 chart hits to their credit. They were much bigger in France where they got 5 top 10 singles, the groups later incarnations (post 1995) included former Brother Beyond Vocalist Nathan Moore who went to be Lisa Scott Lee’s Manager- not his only failure then.



BAD BOYS INC- Unusual claim to fame here, this band were the first to appear on the “National Lottery” programme! Anyway 6 top 30 hits showed they were moderately successful- in reality they were never more than c-list in the boy band stakes, still enjoyable early 90s pop for all that.



Tomorrow night five 00s boy bands who don't make the grade.....

Posted by: superbossanova 15th March 2012, 09:59 PM

This should be exciting. My main interest of the two has always lied with girl groups (I'm a huge sucker for the kick-ass feminist, take no shit attitude especially, even more so when it's mixed with killer harmonies) but certainly it was easy to find some boybands to like during the sea of them that were around post-Take That/Boyzone.

Ultra were really coma-inducing. One of those uber-serious, trying to be "credible" boybands with REAL INSTRUMENTS(!!) but everything about them, to the lead singer's voice and the tunes themselves, was nondescript as hell. The fact they even managed to get any hits at all is just testament to how teenage girls would cream over any vaguely good-looking group of guys back in the 1990s. I'd love to say I'd forgotten about them but I was actually watching a Top of the Pops episode on YouTube which Rescue Me was performed on only a couple of weeks ago, and the fact that I'm STILL struggling to remember how it goes says it all about what a tune-free bore it is.

Upside Down - Change Your Mind manages to sound like perhaps the most painfully 80s song that WASN'T released in the 1980s for the simple fact it rips off Careless Whisper to ridiculous degrees. If I hadn't seen it in the charts for myself in 1996, I genuinely would have believed it was released ten years before that. Shockingly bad.

I'm actually not familiar with any of the others. My knowledge of shit budget pop and never was's only REALLY begins in 1997.

Posted by: gooddelta 15th March 2012, 10:51 PM

Any chance of an honorary mention of my absolute favourite 00s also-ran girlband (in the UK charts at least), Bardot. The original Australian Popstars winners in 2000, I'm not ashamed to say that their eponymous debut album remains my favourite ever girlband album, and still resides in my top 30 favourite albums of all time

They won't feature here, their big debut single Poison had backing from SM:TV and CD:UK and still couldn't quite make it into the top 40 They had loads of other songs that were as good as or better than that though - What Have You Done, Higher Than Heaven (yes, a Kelle Bryan cover!), Girls Do Boys Don't and ASAP.

Anyway, I digress - looking forward to another nostalgia fuelled countdown Gezza

Posted by: russt68 15th March 2012, 10:56 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 15 2012, 06:15 PM)

Posted by: Bréyhound 15th March 2012, 11:14 PM

Why specifically 88-04 by the way? Seems like a bit of an arbitrary period

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 11:21 PM

QUOTE(Bréyhound @ Mar 15 2012, 11:14 PM)

Why specifically 88-04 by the way? Seems like a bit of an arbitrary period

Posted by: Gezza76 15th March 2012, 11:24 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 15 2012, 09:59 PM)

Posted by: Gezza76 16th March 2012, 04:43 PM

Some 00s boybands who didn't make the grade...

BBMAK- Starting in the late 90s no-one took much notice of this group until they made the top 20 in the US and their singles were given another chance. Two albums in and the band called it a day without really getting anywhere, still two top 10 hits means at least they are spared the epitaph of “one hit wonders”.



V- Along with McFly these guys supported Busted on their tour in 2004, and scored three top 20 hits in 2004 but after a disastrous debut album flop split in 2005. In fairness their sales were more reflective of the time they were around than being any worse than a lot of bands who made our rundown.



PHIXX- They might have produced more hits than the ill fated One True voice, but the band (who comprised guys who had just failed to make into the line up of the latter band) sold nowhere near enough copies of their debut hit “Hold On Me” to make this rundown. Main front man Mikey Green famously dated Sarah Harding for part of the early 00s and the band scored four top 20 hits during their two years together with some suggestive videos.



D-SIDE – Pushed as the NU-WESTLIFE very briefly back in 2003 the band quickly hit the top 10 three times that year, too bad that’s practically all they had to offer- now who can remember these?



TRIPLE 8- This group never even got as far as the first album despite only releasing two singles, both of which went top 10 in 2003. Pushed as a UK version of N*Sync (quite why that was needed as the original band weren’t that big here but hey-ho) they split from their record company in early 2004 and ended up in the wilderness as the charts turned against Boy bands quite decisively. Band Member Justin Scott is of course now dating Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh

Posted by: Gezza76 16th March 2012, 04:44 PM

Some rubbish Girl Groups for you tomorrow but our Sunday start!....

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 16th March 2012, 06:34 PM

Phixx were hot. I loved BBMak back in the day: "Back Here" and "Right By Your Side" are gems!

Gezza, are Eiffel 65 going to appear here with "Blue"?

Posted by: superbossanova 16th March 2012, 09:47 PM

God, that's a grim lot there. I actually had the "pleasure" of seeing both V and Phixx perform at Summer XS back in 2004 (along with several other acts that will feature here later - Busted, Girls Aloud, McFly, The 411, Blue - and a few other non-boybands/girl groups, obviously). It was my first concert too (unless you count random acts who came to perform at my school, we had a few semi-famous ones there) but I don't shout about it too often. I guess everyone has to start somewhere. Both were crap anyway - especially Phixx.

Surprised Back Here didn't make the list. An average-sized top 5 hit from 2001 isn't enough to make the cut? I guess they perhaps just missed out. This also leads me to believe that Hepburn - I Quit probably missed out on the top 200 as well but I'll see tomorrow. They were childhood favourites of mine. As for Back Here, I didn't think it was that good really.

Posted by: N-S 16th March 2012, 10:02 PM

It would become a hit in America for Clay Aiken.

Posted by: Gezza76 17th March 2012, 12:09 PM

Three 90s girl groups for you now...


VANILLA- Often described as one of the worst records of the 90s, “No Way, No Way” proved their first and biggest hit in late 1997 with an exotic video filmed at Charlton Lido. In truth it really is that awful and amateur but judge for yourself.



SOLID HARMONIE- The S H and E are capitalised, spells SHE you see! Girl Power and all that. Anyway these girls hit the top 20 on three occasions in 1998 despite a changing line up (no-one noticed) with one member (Goodmen) leaving the group and becoming a member of the Honeyz in 1999 after the group split.



THUNDERBUGS- Between a flop second single and flop album it made sure this band were short lived. At least they played their own instruments, mind you back in 1999 we liked our girl groups manufactured and producing cheesy pop, anyway enjoy their only top 40 single “Friends Forever”.



Later on a trio of naff 00s girls for you...

Posted by: torresgirl 17th March 2012, 12:17 PM

OMG No Way No Way is shockingly bad! Remember it so well (unfortunately)

Posted by: Gezza76 17th March 2012, 05:16 PM

GIRL THING- “Last One Standing” may be the only thing you remember but the group actually recorded “Pure and Simple” before Hear’Say got their hands on it but failed to turn it into a hit. Jodi Albert may have proved successful in Hollyoaks and married Westlife’s Kian, but she’s clearly not cut out for girl groups, her next group Wonderland went the same way as Girl Thing being dropped last year.



THE 411- Like Ultra this group took their name from an album, this time Mary J Blige’s album “What’s the 411?”. Two top 10 hits in 2004 preceded a split just a year later, members going on to be backing singers and trying out for the X Factor for a second bite of the fame cherry.



MADASUN- Another case of also ran’s, their biggest seller “Walk On Water” was basically a re-write of TLC’s “Unpretty” whilst copying significant parts of the video for “Waterfalls”. Unsurprisingly they were dropped in early 2001 after sales of a third single and album proved less than illustrious, in a saturated market they simply didn’t have the tunes.


So that's a little run down of the bands who were never gonna make it and from tomorrow we start our big top 200 rundown.

Posted by: Come_along 17th March 2012, 05:50 PM

Gezza, What about "Made In London" with the "Dirty Water"..? I'm sure that they couldn't be in this list because of low sales. They released it in 2000. Anyway, "Dirty Water" is a nice song.

Posted by: Gezza76 17th March 2012, 06:12 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 17 2012, 05:50 PM)

Posted by: Come_along 17th March 2012, 07:03 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 17 2012, 08:12 PM)

This isn't an exhaustive list of groups who haven't made it just a selection

Posted by: superbossanova 17th March 2012, 07:19 PM

Oooh, finally some girl groups! Well, it's time for the rambling to come out now, apologies, I have too much to say about some of these fabulous acts!

Thunderbugs - I thought Friends Forever was a bit naff really, but It's About Time You Were Mine is a very good slice of classy 90s pop. Although it was such a bizarre choice of follow-up in the sense that I don't know who of their target audience (basically young kids and teenagers) they were expecting to buy it, it really doesn't have a very instant hook at all and the whole song is quite relatively mature compared to Friends Forever - which always felt very kiddish to me, like the song's hook is something you'd expect only 8-year old girls to be saying to each other, made me cringe even at the time. I love IATYWM now but that's when I'm 21 - at the time I didn't pay much attention to it at all. It was also released the week before Xmas which was historically back then a gruesome week of releases, should have been saved for the January lull that even gave Scooch and Point Break top 10 hits in early 2000.

Vanilla - No Way No Way is of course a stone cold 90s classic. The entire lack of any kind of professionalism or PLANNING put into the whole thing is truly what makes it genius - like they literally walked out of the office and asked the first four girls they met if they wanted to make a group, told them to go home and fetch their swimwear and doll themselves up a bit then come back, while they dusted off an old keyboard from the cupboard to give them the ready-made backing track, stole from The Muppets of all things for the song's hook, then did the whole song and video that same day. And only in the late 1990s could it have actually become a hit - fabulous. I hope whoever was in charge of that project at least got a pay rise for his services to pop.

Girl Thing - Last One Standing was decent IMO and I did buy it. The group though were basically Simon Cowell trying to create a female version of his group Five to make up for the fact that he famously turned down signing the Spice Girls. The funniest thing is that the concept for the video was also suspicously similar to Wannabe, and featured them crashing a wedding and causing havoc there. The video to Wannabe featured the Spice Girls crashing a party and causing havoc there. Hmm.

Solid HarmoniE - I'll Be There For You is actually one of my favourite pop songs of the late 1990s - it's pretty much typical of the late 90s Max Martin sound but it's such a joyous example of it that I can't help but love it. I heard it out in PUBLIC last year, too, which made me have to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't just dreaming it. It was playing from an arcade on the Clarence Pier in Southsea of all places and the best thing was that it was blaring out for everyone in the vicinity to hear. Amazing. I'm not ashamed to say it pretty much made my day, perhaps even week.

Posted by: superbossanova 17th March 2012, 07:24 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 17 2012, 05:50 PM)

Posted by: Come_along 17th March 2012, 07:31 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 17 2012, 09:24 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 17th March 2012, 07:52 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 17 2012, 07:31 PM)

I'm so glad to hear that.. It's amazing and it didn't deserve to flop. It released in a very difficul period. I expected to read something for them (from Gezza) but it doesn't matter. At least, i found someone to love it too.

Posted by: Gezza76 17th March 2012, 08:11 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 17 2012, 07:52 PM)

I wasn't expecting Made In London to be name-dropped here as they only had one top 40 hit, unfortunately, and not even one that was successful (#15). Although I am now wondering what the process behind these selections was as, without meaning to sound obsessed with them, Hepburn have also been ignored despite being bigger than the likes of Madasun (and I'm pretty sure there was no way I Quit outsold Friends Forever which peaked higher near the end of the year and had a better chart run, so I'm sure it's not in the top 200). I assumed it was groups who had songs that barely missed the list but clearly not - just your favourites, Gezza?

(Reading back this post sounds very accusatory but it's not meant to, just inquisitive! I'm not exactly crying over Hepburn being ignored, honest - though the kid still inside of me somewhere is probably a little bit miffed! )

Posted by: superbossanova 17th March 2012, 09:01 PM

Out of curiosity, what is the breakdown of boyband songs in the top 200 compared to girl groups? Or is this asking too much work for you to go back and count them? If so, don't mind then I would assume boybands have a far greater share as it was always much easier for them to get any old shit in the top 10 at the time (and still is today, really) as they generally built a fanbase very quickly on their looks, but I am curious as to how much. The fact you were more strict with the definition of boybands might tip the scale a little bit more to an even number though.

Posted by: Gezza76 17th March 2012, 09:26 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 17 2012, 09:01 PM)

Out of curiosity, what is the breakdown of boyband songs in the top 200 compared to girl groups? Or is this asking too much work for you to go back and count them? If so, don't mind then I would assume boybands have a far greater share as it was always much easier for them to get any old shit in the top 10 at the time (and still is today, really) as they generally built a fanbase very quickly on their looks, but I am curious as to how much. The fact you were more strict with the definition of boybands might tip the scale a little bit more to an even number though.

Posted by: gooddelta 17th March 2012, 10:58 PM

Friends Forever still nestles very nicely in my all time top 100 favourite songs ever The melody in the verses and the middle 8 is gorgeous and I liked the fact that they all came from different places - the UK, Germany and France iirc. The lead singer always reminded me of Courtney Cox too...

I also bought their album on MiniDisc, which is the only format it exists on as far as I know, it's pretty decent actually

Dirty Water is also one of my favourite minor pop hits of this era, I bought it at least Was covered by Bardot funnily enough in 2001, one flop girlband covers another! It's a song that could do with a revival, Little Mix could give it a whirl, it's not like anybody will remember the original!

As for Solid Harmonie, I Wanna Love You was easily my favourite of theirs, that whole Cheiron sound was fantastic and this was another gem amongst the Robyn's, Britney's, 5ive's and Backstreet Boys', albeit an underrated one.

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 12:07 PM

200. I QUIT- Bros (132,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 8

What better place to start our rundown than with the first boy band (in the modern sense of the word). Yes they weren’t formed by a manager, and they wrote their own songs in part, but nothing has really been seen in the UK like the fervour that surrounded Bros back in 1988. Fainting fans, scream-a-thon concerts, and full on hysteria accompanied the band in everything they did, it’s difficult now to image the kind of fame that Bros experienced at their height but here is where it all started. This was a fourth single from the album “Push” and debuted at No 4 (big news in 1988) but couldn’t climb, an indication of the devotional fan base they had that they could motivate such a frontloaded single when that was something reserved for only the biggest bands of the time.

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 12:13 PM

199. BOMB DIGGY- Another Level (132,200)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 12

The final single for Bowers et al was unleashed just as the 90s was coming to an end, and indeed the band followed. One member (Kianoush) would shortly announce his departure and that Victoria Beckham was only 10 months away for the band’s front man. Still, they managed to get every single top 20 in their brief career, better than most.

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 12:16 PM

198. DO U STILL?- East 17 (133,100)



RELEASED: 1996
PEAK POSITION: 7
WKS ON CHART: 7

One of the most successful boy bands of the decade, East 17 were marketed as the bad boys of the boy band world, a strategy that paid off as they register 8 tracks on our rundown, the first being 1996’s “Do U Still” one of 12 top 10 hits between 92-99.

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 12:17 PM

More later...

Posted by: Hitstastic 18th March 2012, 12:28 PM

Oh dear, three songs in and I'm unimpressed already.

Probably just as well. Get the rubbish non-songs out of the way. I'm sure there is going to be many moments of "how did this even sell 150k" as we go along.

Bros - Extremely inconsistant with only one single I can think of by them I don't mind listening to.

Another Level - Pop music circa 1998 really was this bad. (you could say I wasn't a fan )

East 17 - Had much better singles in the earlier part of their career.

Posted by: ThePensmith 18th March 2012, 12:47 PM

I liked Another Level! Blue definitely picked up where they left off, same as Atomic Kitten picked up where B*Witched left off, but they did have some corking singles - 'Be Alone No More' was my favourite.

Posted by: Come_along 18th March 2012, 01:08 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 18 2012, 02:13 PM)

199. BOMB DIGGY- Another Level (132,200)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 12

The final single for Bowers et al was unleashed just as the 90s was coming to an end, and indeed the band followed. One member (Kianoush) would shortly announce his departure and that Victoria Beckham was only 10 months away for the band’s front man. Still, they managed to get every single top 20 in their brief career, better than most.

Posted by: superbossanova 18th March 2012, 02:07 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 17 2012, 09:26 PM)

Roughly 3/8ths of the chart are girl groups but that was just a quick count up so don't quote me

Posted by: torresgirl 18th March 2012, 03:02 PM

Bros-Yewww! I could not understand why they were so popular at the time and I agree Matt's voice was held up as being a good one but really grated on me. This is definitely the worst of their singles (closely followed by Cat Amongst the Pigeons). When Will I Be Famous was a decent tune but apart from that...

I did quite like East 17 at the time, although not fond of this first song.

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 05:04 PM

No love for "Bomb Diggy"? Shame on you

I was no Bros fan back in the day although over the years I've warmed to them- but perhaps that's just nostaligia!

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 05:07 PM

197. GUESS I WAS A FOOL- Another Level (136,000)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 13

Fresh from that Chart topping single “Freak Me” the band’s follow up returned them to balladsville, more soulful than their normal output, it sold over 50k in its opening week to debut at No 5 but could progress no further. Lead Singer Bowers was still only 18 at this point and was already a father and in 1998 started to date up and coming model Jordan who would provide inspiration for his 2001 solo hit “Shut Up And Forget About It”

Posted by: Come_along 18th March 2012, 05:13 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 18 2012, 07:07 PM)

197. GUESS I WAS A FOOL- Another Level (136,000)

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 05:14 PM

196. MY LOVIN- En Vogue (136,900)



RELEASED: 1992
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 12

A US No 2 hit (behind Kriss Kross) this was the first single from the second En Vogue Album “Funky Diva’s” and proceeded to return the quartet to the UK top 10 for only the second time in their career. The song utilises a continuous loop from James Brown’s “Payback” and is the first of three entries from the girl group.

Posted by: ThePensmith 18th March 2012, 05:18 PM

'Guess I Was A Fool' was a bit dull...I preferred 'I Want You For Myself' that they released after it (which I'm assuming will be coming up later given that was in a chart face-off with 911 when it was released?)

Posted by: Gezza76 18th March 2012, 05:21 PM

195. STAY- Eternal (137,200)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 9

And here’s the UK Version. Don’t they all look fresh faced, yes it’s right back to the beginning of the career of Eternal with this track, the first single and a top 5 hit to boot, it’s actually a cover of a Glenn Jones track from 1986 which bombed here but the record company could see worth and got the girls recorded it. Until the advent of the Spice Girls the girls were easily the biggest girl group of the 90s.

Posted by: -Jay- 18th March 2012, 05:53 PM

Absolutely love Eternal's music. Looking forward to seeing where their other songs will place.

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 18th March 2012, 06:00 PM

Yay En Vogue & Eternal! "Stay" was also a top 10 pop radio hit in America and top 20 overall.

Posted by: N-S 18th March 2012, 06:04 PM

I suppose Eternal's "Save our love" is not on the list... I have a softspot for it.

Posted by: gooddelta 18th March 2012, 11:21 PM

How did Stay sell so little! Doesn't deserve to be amongst these also-rans (although I actually really like Bomb Diggy - incredibly catchy pop song!).

Posted by: fchd 19th March 2012, 03:10 PM

Looking forward to seeing where the proper version of "Eternal Flame" charts!


Does the Bananarama & Lananeeneenoonoo collaboration count as it's effectively two girl groups together?

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 04:48 PM

QUOTE(fchd @ Mar 19 2012, 03:10 PM)

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 04:51 PM

194. OVERLOAD- The Sugababes (138,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 8

Talking of returning to the beginning.....Sugababes Mk I were launched onto the music scene in 2000 and even got nominated for a BRIT award for best single for this track. This launched them on their way to becoming one of the biggest girl groups of the decade even though poor old Donaghy would only last one album before departing for the inevitable solo career. A new member reaped massive rewards and they didn’t look back for the rest of the noughties.

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 04:55 PM

193. I WANT YOU BACK- *Nsync (139,100)



RELEASED: 1998/1999
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 11

*Nsync -where it all started for Justin Timberlake. The US band were actually launched in Germany and were a hit virtually from the off following in the footsteps of fellow yanks Backstreet Boys who only got native success after making big in the boy band friendlier climes of Europe. It took over two years from them to finally achieve a US hit and another year until they reached the UK, though both this single and “Tearin Up My Heart” made the lower regions of the charts in 1998. Legal wrangling followed and the group finally signed with Jive in 1999 when they scored their biggest hit but that’s still to come.

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 04:58 PM

192. BE THE FIRST TO BELIEVE- A1 (139,100)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

Very much just another Boy band when they started out, A1 amassed 8 straight top 10 hits, much like the previous entry this was the first. A light and breezy summer tune it’s a record that I actually bought at the time, far too anthemic to be denied in my opinion.

Posted by: ThePensmith 19th March 2012, 05:18 PM

Love all three of those last few singles - Sugababes as I remember them before they became the joke they are...and *NSYNC and A1 bring back happy memories of copying the dance moves and trying to bust them out at school discos in a bid to try and pull girls! Mark Read actually follows me on Twitter now, he's a cool guy, great solo album too...I'd like to think A1's two best singles are yet to come on this countdown though? ('Caught in the Middle' and 'Same Old Brand New You' )

Posted by: Hitstastic 19th March 2012, 06:23 PM

Nice to see En Vogue adding a touch of class to proceedings with Eternal and Sugababes getting their first appearances each.

Posted by: superbossanova 19th March 2012, 09:07 PM

Eek, I love En Vogue like crazy, but My Lovin' is easily my least favourite of their big hits, just rhythmically annoying as hell Could drive me up the wall. Look forward to seeing how Hold On and Don't Let Go (Love) measure up against the rest though.

Overload is awesome, so deceptively simple in the way it worms itself into your head. And the fact it still sounds so fresh today is really a mark as to how different it was at the time, relying on little but that hypnotic drum beat and the sort of whirring sounds in the background for most of the song. Also the first single in the top 200 that I bought so we're going well on that front. The true embarrassing ones will come later

Love Be The First To Believe as well - great example of late 90s British pop IMO - and I Want You Back is one of my favourite *NSYNC songs (although Gone is my ultimate favourite, not that would get anywhere near here). Always found it cool how it debuted on the same chart as ...Baby One More Time as well - can't happen every day that two such huge acts of the future score their big breakthrough hit on the same week! (albiet one made the other look like a minor ripple in comparison )

Posted by: N-S 19th March 2012, 10:25 PM

Speaking of Sugababes 1.0, I still think this is amazing and what a shame it was only #13

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 10:34 PM

Personally i'm more of a fan of "New Year" which was criminally overlooked in Dec 2000. Some top tunes on that first album- they'd give their right arm for them now.

Posted by: superbossanova 19th March 2012, 10:44 PM

All of the singles from the first album were AMAZING. They just had a soulful vibe to them back then that completely disappeared once Siobhan left, I can't really think of any song they did after off the top of my head that managed to capture that sound - anyone?! Although I love the Heidi era as well when they turned a bit more "electrovamp" with great affect, I still consider to be an almost entirely different group to the one that made One Touch.

Run For Cover is indeed probably my favourite of the four One Touch singles though...

Posted by: gooddelta 19th March 2012, 10:47 PM

I Want You Back and Be The First To Believe are two GREAT boyband songs from 1999, shame both have been cruelly forgotten by the general public.

Posted by: Gezza76 19th March 2012, 10:49 PM

And there I was thinking I'd be alone in my love for "Be The First To Believe"

Posted by: liamk97 20th March 2012, 04:43 PM

QUOTE(N-S @ Mar 19 2012, 10:25 PM)

Posted by: Gezza76 20th March 2012, 04:57 PM

191. I WILL COME TO YOU- Hanson (139,800)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 9

The first of our contentious inclusions. Were Hanson a boy band? Well I’ve plumped for yes under my definition and back in 1997 they sold a million singles in a bumper year, this being their third single to be lifted from the No 1 album “Middle Of Nowhere”. After a couple of light and breezy pop tunes it was time to show a more mature side to the brothers Hanson and this became a third top 5 hit on the trot, and their last top 10 for 8 years.

Posted by: Gezza76 20th March 2012, 05:02 PM

190. CROSSROADS- Blazin Squad (140,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Much derided at the time Blazin Squad were mostly 16 when “Crossroads” topped the charts, the single at the top when most of them collected their GCSE results. Only Kenzie has really achieved fame as a solo artist thanks to that Big Brother appearance and dalliance with Jody Marsh, but it’s easy to forget that the band scored 6 top 10 hits in the early 00s before splitting, this one the only track to sell in sufficient quantities and was a cover of the 1995 hit by Bone-Thugs-N- Harmony. Indeed the last group to top the charts with a younger average age was....well Hanson!

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 20th March 2012, 05:05 PM

Wow, surprised to see Crossroads sold so few copies. I suppose the sales climate wasn't the greatest and perhaps being born in 1989 I was of the age which made the song seemed FAR bigger than it perhaps was! I'd say 'Crossroads', 'It Wasn't Me' and 'Because I Got High' were the three biggest songs around in the first Year 7-9!

Posted by: Gezza76 20th March 2012, 05:06 PM

189. LIQUID DREAMS- O-Town (140,200)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 10

After viewers watched their genesis on ABC’s “Making The Band” the group released their debut single- this one. With references to the big female stars of the day it went top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic but the flirtation with this particular band was particularly brief consisting of 2 top 10 singles. The band were named after Orlando where they came from, they failed to impress after their novelty wore off the band gave up the ghost in 2003.

Posted by: gooddelta 20th March 2012, 05:07 PM

Ugh. Blazin' Squad were probably one of my least favourite acts ever, awful in every way. The video to Crossroads is laughable too, those shirts! So cheaply shot as well.

They were basically 10 random 'street' wannabes from any typical high school thrown together and somehow turned into a successful act. So Solid Juniors basically. I don't know anybody at my school who liked them but my sister did, she was 11/12 at the time I guess as I was 15.

Posted by: superbossanova 20th March 2012, 06:57 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 20 2012, 05:06 PM)

189. LIQUID DREAMS- O-Town (140,200)

Posted by: Gezza76 20th March 2012, 09:37 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Mar 20 2012, 05:07 PM)

Posted by: N-S 20th March 2012, 10:50 PM

QUOTE(liamk97 @ Mar 20 2012, 04:43 PM)

My favourite single from Overload!

EDIT: Actually, I don't think the album was Overload, but I can't remember what it was!

Posted by: N-S 20th March 2012, 10:52 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 19 2012, 10:44 PM)

All of the singles from the first album were AMAZING. They just had a soulful vibe to them back then that completely disappeared once Siobhan left, I can't really think of any song they did after off the top of my head that managed to capture that sound - anyone?! Although I love the Heidi era as well when they turned a bit more "electrovamp" with great affect, I still consider to be an almost entirely different group to the one that made One Touch.

Run For Cover is indeed probably my favourite of the four One Touch singles though...

Posted by: Jester 20th March 2012, 11:21 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Mar 19 2012, 10:47 PM)

Posted by: vibe 21st March 2012, 11:01 AM

Sugababes - Run For Cover = their best ever single!!!

O-Town - i actually bought their second single!!

Posted by: Come_along 21st March 2012, 12:44 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 20 2012, 07:06 PM)

189. LIQUID DREAMS- O-Town (140,200)

Posted by: Gezza76 21st March 2012, 04:41 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 21 2012, 12:44 PM)

Posted by: Gezza76 21st March 2012, 04:48 PM

188. I WANT YOU BACK- Cleopatra (142,000)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 7

There has been, of course, a million and one covers done of this Jackson 5 hit from 1969, the biggest of which in the 90s came from three sisters from Birmingham. Cleopatra quickly accrued three top 10 hits in the space of just 7 months in 1998, famed for the catchphrase “Comin atcha!” and a seamlessly endless amount of enthusiasm, so much so that a certain Madonna signed them to her Maverick label and they got their own CITV series.

Posted by: Gezza76 21st March 2012, 04:52 PM

187. CAN’T SHAKE THE FEELING- Big Fun (142,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 8
WKS ON CHART: 9

Ah Big Fun. They were S/A/W’s version of the boy band phenomenon, three unlikely lads from the North who actually flopped with their debut hit before the producers took them under their wings and provided them with a cover of another Jackson’s hit “Blame It On The Boogie”. This was the follow up and returned them to the top 10 in late 1989 after which we’d decided we’d more or less had enough of them.

Posted by: Gezza76 21st March 2012, 04:56 PM

186. CRASHED THE WEDDING- Busted (142,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 12

One of the most successful boy bands of the noughties (in terms of chart toppers anyway), Busted were launched with a smash hits cover claiming them to be “Bigger than Rik Waller!” in August 2002 and with McFly’s Tom Fletcher on song co-writing credits this became their second No 1. In an era of low sales the success of this track is down in part to the Christmas market and being the first track from second album “A Present For Everyone”.

Posted by: C.W 21st March 2012, 05:01 PM

Gotta love a bit of Busted I remember Crashed The Wedding being massive when I was younger! their songs sound so dated listening to them now

Posted by: superbossanova 21st March 2012, 06:15 PM

OMG, Cleopatra! I Want You Back proper takes me back to our holiday in '98. My mum bought me it on TAPE (along with Savage Garden's To The Moon & Back ) right before we left to shut me up. I listened to the shizz out of both of them that week, mainly because I had nothing else to listen to, to be fair, but still. Good times.

Busted were cack, I guess I was getting too old for that kind of thing by then. I'm quite thankful for the low sales in 2002-04 in regards to this countdown to be honest (even if it does mean my favourite Girls Aloud song, The Show, missed out).

Posted by: superbossanova 21st March 2012, 06:23 PM

QUOTE(N-S @ Mar 20 2012, 10:52 PM)

Maybe "Too lost in you"

Posted by: vibe 21st March 2012, 08:13 PM

Cleopatra = my guilty pleasure purchased both albums and all four singles!!!

Posted by: superbossanova 21st March 2012, 09:20 PM

QUOTE(vibe @ Mar 21 2012, 08:13 PM)

Posted by: Come_along 21st March 2012, 09:39 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 20 2012, 06:57 PM)

191. I WILL COME TO YOU- Hanson (139,800)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 9

The first of our contentious inclusions. Were Hanson a boy band? Well I’ve plumped for yes under my definition and back in 1997 they sold a million singles in a bumper year, this being their third single to be lifted from the No 1 album “Middle Of Nowhere”. After a couple of light and breezy pop tunes it was time to show a more mature side to the brothers Hanson and this became a third top 5 hit on the trot, and their last top 10 for 8 years.

Posted by: vibe 22nd March 2012, 11:06 AM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 21 2012, 09:20 PM)

They had five singles* [/geek] - so which one didn't you buy?

I only have their flop 2000 comeback Come & Get Me on single. I actually first heard it on the Radio 1 chart show the week it bombed in at #29 (the media COMPLETELY ignored it, didn't they?!) and bought it the next day because I felt bad for them and I was under the impression it would be a BIG help clearly. What a tragic adolescence.

My mum convinced me to give away all my tapes in a moment of weakness once, hence why I no longer have that I Want You Back cassette This was the same woman who also convinced me to get rid of all my old Smash Hits!, Top of the Magazines, etc, that I kept though - I HATE that I let her do that now.

*Six if you count seminal 1999 collaboration Thank ABBA For The Music.

Posted by: Come_along 22nd March 2012, 06:22 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 21 2012, 06:41 PM)

Posted by: G377A7six 22nd March 2012, 06:31 PM

Granted but that is no guarantee of future reputation. Bbmak had a top 10 stateside as if to prove the point.

Posted by: G377A7six 22nd March 2012, 07:44 PM

185. I’LL BE LOVING YOU (FOREVER)- New Kids On The Block (143,300)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 8

Taking the mantle from Bros as the nation’s biggest Boy band in the land, 1990 saw a voracious rate of release for their singles as we caught up with the US release schedule, this track originally penned with Smokey Robinson in mind. All of which equated to an astonishing 8 top 10 hits during that year, this was their third single released off the back of two No 1 singles and surprised many by only peaking at No 5 and failing to repeat the success of those two prior singles or for that matter it’s No 1 placing in the US.

Posted by: G377A7six 22nd March 2012, 07:48 PM

184. FROM THE HEART- Another Level (145,500)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 11

A third track from Another Level and barely 15 records into the rundown! This one was featured on the film “Notting Hill” and was penned by Diane Warren (who had a host of No 1 hits to her name). Rather typical boy band ballad fodder really and as discussed previously the end was nigh for them.

Posted by: G377A7six 22nd March 2012, 07:52 PM

183. MORE THAN A WOMAN- 911 (145,900)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 13

911, like Blazin Squad, are easily forgotten about now, but back in the height of the boy band era they managed to get 10 top 10 hits. A cover of the Bee Gees record (via Tavares) for the “Gotta Get A Message To You” tribute album took a midweek sales lead for them but was overcome in the end by Gym N Tonic’s “Spacedust” (which is barely remembered now), a Brighton lensed video proved what good English boys they were. Despite going since 1995 and not hitting the top until they were into their 4th year, they split up less than 12 months after this hit, lead singer Lee Brennan did marry Lyndsey from B*Witched though to create a little boy band/girl group mix that deserves special mention in this thread.

Posted by: superbossanova 22nd March 2012, 08:19 PM

God, the fact that 911, who were never anything more than a second-string boyband, had TEN top 10 hits really shows how boyband crazy it was in the late 1990s, doesn't it? Mind you, so does the fact they suddenly got to the point of contending for #1 positions (and even getting one) in 1998/99.

More Than A Woman is a decent, if over-faithful, cover though IMO. And nothing deserved to be beaten to #1 by that frickin' Spacedust song!

The other two songs - zzzz... just about covers it, I think.

Posted by: G377A7six 23rd March 2012, 04:49 PM

182. COULD HAVE TOLD YOU SO- Halo James (146,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 12

Bet not many of you recall this. When the 90s was just weeks old this lot piled into the top 10 with their only top 40 hit before we all lost interest pretty quickly. The only interesting fact I could dredge up was that one member, Ray St John, was the co-writer of Sade’s “Smooth Operator”.

Posted by: G377A7six 23rd March 2012, 04:52 PM

181. FLY BY II- Blue (147,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION:6
WKS ON CHART: 12

With a healthy dose of Herb Albert’s “Rise” in the mix, this was Blue’s final release from the “All Rise” era. It was substantially remixed from the original version contained on the album, hence the title of “Fly By II”, and the video featured a cameo from ex-Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle long before he found fame, despite this version not being on the album it still spurred “All Rise” to the top of the charts for the first time in its 22nd week on the chart.

Posted by: G377A7six 23rd March 2012, 04:55 PM

Time for our first re-cap 181-200


181. Fly By II Blue 147,000
182. Could Have Told You So Halo James 146,000
183. More Than A Woman 911 145,900
184. From The Heart Another Level 145,500
185. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) New Kids On The Block 143,300
186. Crashed The Wedding Busted 142,000
187. Can't Shake The Feeling Big Fun 142,000
188. I Want You Back Cleopatra 142,000
189. Liquid Dreams O-Town 140,200
190. Crossroads Blazin Squad 140,000

191. I Will Come To You Hanson 139,800
192. Be The First To Believe A1 139,100
193. I Want You Back N*Sync 139,100
194. Overload Sugababes 138,000
195. Stay Eternal 137,200
196. My Lovin En Vogue 136,900
197. Guess I Was A Fool Another Level 136,000
198. Do You Still East 17 133,100
199. Bomb Diggy Another Level 132,200
200. I Quit Bros 132,000

Posted by: Come_along 23rd March 2012, 05:02 PM

QUOTE(Gezza76 @ Mar 21 2012, 06:48 PM)

188. I WANT YOU BACK- Cleopatra (142,000)

Posted by: G377A7six 23rd March 2012, 05:04 PM

180. I'LL STAND BY YOU- Girls Aloud (147,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART:7

After 5 attempts to get a second No 1 the biggest selling girl group of the noughties finally a secured it with this cover of the 1994 Pretenders track, all on of aid of chare-dee obviously. Only 7 weeks of its sales are eligible for this rundown, and it started out as a "weird modernist breakbeat version" before Xenomania disgarded it for a more traditional composition for CIN.

Posted by: C.W 23rd March 2012, 05:09 PM

an utterly atrocious cover of an all time classic even with terrible 2004 sales, that's quite low sales overall

Posted by: Come_along 23rd March 2012, 05:42 PM

Girls Aloud is my favourite pop group!! They have more than 20 singles and i love all of them. It's the only group that always makes my mood with their music. I always like girl bands because of their songs (Sugababes, Spice Girls,The Saturdays etc) but i think that Girls Aloud is the best by far. I'm a little bit disappointed because their hiatus but i believe that they will be huge again when they will release a new material. Their music improved album by album. Most of girl bands get worser and worser but not them.

Posted by: torresgirl 23rd March 2012, 06:20 PM

I'll Stand By You is one of my favourite Girls Aloud efforts even if it is a cover. Funnily enough Jump is also one of my favs and that's a cover too..

Bit late but "I'll be Loving You Forever" by New Kids on the Block" absolutely love! When Boybands were exciting!

Posted by: superbossanova 23rd March 2012, 07:48 PM

I don't mind Girls Aloud's version of I'll Stand By You. It feels quite warm and cosy (a nice way of saying bland, basically), and it does remind me of Xmas '04 more than most songs from that time too. Plus this is when I was most excited about them, probably partly due to age to be fair. Although I have and enjoy all of their albums, it was hard for me to be as excited as I was when I was 13 years old and got WWTNS? for Xmas that year.

How did Blue sell so much of Fly By II? Surprised it sold more than a #1 (Blazin' Squad) from the same year Were sales that high - relative to the rest of the year, at least - when it was released? As for the song, it should have really been titled All Rise II, as it's a painfully weaker clone of their debut and best single.

Posted by: superbossanova 23rd March 2012, 07:51 PM

QUOTE(torresgirl @ Mar 23 2012, 06:20 PM)

Posted by: torresgirl 23rd March 2012, 07:56 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 23 2012, 07:51 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7tysix 23rd March 2012, 08:03 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 23 2012, 07:48 PM)

How did Blue sell so much of Fly By II? Surprised it sold more than a #1 (Blazin' Squad) from the same year Were sales that high - relative to the rest of the year, at least - when it was released? As for the song, it should have really been titled All Rise II, as it's a painfully weaker clone of their debut and best single.

Posted by: Arrs 23rd March 2012, 08:25 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 17 2012, 11:19 PM)

Posted by: N-S 23rd March 2012, 09:58 PM

QUOTE(G377A7six @ Mar 22 2012, 07:48 PM)

184. FROM THE HEART- Another Level (145,500)

Posted by: superbossanova 23rd March 2012, 10:12 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7tysix @ Mar 23 2012, 08:03 PM)

Posted by: Cowboystyle 24th March 2012, 12:44 AM

Posted by: Gezza7tysix 24th March 2012, 11:45 AM

179. COVER GIRL- New Kids On The Block (148,700)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON HCART: 8

A fourth top 10 hit in only 7 months, the NKOTB bandwagon rolled on in the summer of 1990. With a rare lead vocal by Donnie Wahlberg this was actually held off the top in America by the US’s new found love for Swedish pop (Roxette), they were actually formed by Maurice Starr back in 1985 as a white version of his new signings New Edition (featuring a very young Bobby Brown), and whilst their first album proved too saccharine for UK tastes a slightly more edgier production finally produced the fame he desired.

Posted by: Gezza7tysix 24th March 2012, 11:48 AM

178. HE AIN’T NO COMPETION- Brother Beyond (149,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 10

In addition to acts like Yell! and Big Fun, S/A/W also produced this lot! This was the second release that they produced for Nathan Moore et al, and gave them another top 10 hit in late 1988 but the associated didn’t last beyond one album “Get Even”. Marketed against Bros their fans were called “yondies” and in the smash hits heyday of the late 80s the fans regularly did battle over who was the best, naturally 12 months later all had moved onto NKOTB but it was fun while it lasted. They found it hard to shrug off the S/A/W label and a comeback in 1990 proved lacklustre causing a split, member Eg White has gone on to greater things as a songwriter penning chart toppers for Will Young and Diana Vickers as well as the recent top 10 hit for Rebecca Ferguson.

Posted by: Gezza7tysix 24th March 2012, 11:52 AM

177. SCANDALOUS- Mis-Teeq (150,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 11

Now perhaps just as recognisable for the Armani Code adverts as a chart hit the Mis-Teeq were always a joy to hear if only for Dixon’s raps. Yes before the solo career and then the judging role on Strictly Dixon’s little girl group were the UK answer to Destiny’s Child, this being one of two tracks they managed to place at No 2 on the charts, as near as they got. This track opened with sales of 50k (a personal record for them) but played second fiddle to a rampant Gareth Gates who was streets ahead in reality.

Posted by: torresgirl 24th March 2012, 12:09 PM

"I get up in the morning and I see your face Girl"! Memories

I quite like the Mis-Teeq song. Brother Beyond such a weak and nothing band for me.

Posted by: Gezza7tysix 24th March 2012, 12:24 PM

I thought you'd be loving a NKOTB

Posted by: torresgirl 24th March 2012, 12:27 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7tysix @ Mar 24 2012, 12:24 PM)

I thought you'd be loving a NKOTB

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 24th March 2012, 01:47 PM

YAY "Scandalous"! Timeless song of 2003 (considering how much I hate that year).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 10:30 AM

176. 5 COLOURS IN HER HAIR- McFly (150,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 12

After part of McFly helped to pen a Busted No 1 (No 186), part of Busted returns the favour here to deliver up the First of seven No 1 singles for the boys. An ode to actress Emily Corrie’s character “Susie” in early 00s teen drama “As If” (which incidentally was brilliant), this was the only one of those seven chart toppers by the band to hang around there for more than one week and is the only track to feature in this chart due to the cut off date. The band took their name from Marty McFly in the film “Back To The Future” and earned their biggest seller by far with the comic relief single for 2005.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 10:33 AM

175. STEAM- East 17 (150,400)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 7
WKS ON CHART: 8

Back in late 1994 East 17 were about to release their second album (this is the title track) and when this debuted at No 7 it gave them a fifth top 10 hit and the first time they had achieved back to back top 10 hits. Whilst arch rivals Take That had spent 1993-1994 racking up No 1 hits at a frightening rate, this lost had seemed to lose their way slightly, the UK simply hadn’t embraced “urban” music in quite the same way as it would do some 5 years later. Not to worry that Chart topper was just months away and ensured they would make many more albums.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 10:36 AM

174. DO YOU WANT ME?- Salt N Pepa (151,600)



RELEASED: 1991
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 12

The first ladies of rap? Well it would be hard to pinpoint females who had been successful in the charts pre Salt N Pepa, or certainly any of them who hung around after an initial hit. This was something of a comeback for the trio who had last been spotted in the top 20 here back in 1988, pregnancy and childbirth had intervened in the interim and a third top 5 hit surprised many but they were back for the 90s.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 10:37 AM

Double post today- more later!

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 25th March 2012, 01:51 PM

One of Salt N Pepa's best singles. Love the R&B-lite hook of the song.

Posted by: Jester 25th March 2012, 01:55 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 23 2012, 11:12 PM)

Posted by: Hitstastic 25th March 2012, 02:01 PM

'5 Colours In Her Hair' always makes me smile. Easily one of McFly's best singles. I much prefer McFly to Busted as the latter just didn't appeal to me at all with such "gems" as 'Who's David', 'Air Hostess' and 'What I Go To School For' ** shudders** The only Busted single I ever cared for was 'Year 3000'.

Posted by: Jester 25th March 2012, 02:05 PM

QUOTE(Hitstastic @ Mar 25 2012, 03:01 PM)

Posted by: THEO. 25th March 2012, 02:27 PM

McFly had some brilliant pop songs, so it was a shame that they all appeared to be fan-based buys. "Star Girl" is by far and away their best track though - does anybody know how much it's sold (although I'm sure it adds a few hundred every Friday thanks to Chris Moyles )?

Posted by: Bréyhound 25th March 2012, 02:51 PM

'Year 3000' is brilliant but I don't particularly care for any of Busted's other material. As for McFly, they're a bit hit and miss for me, I'd say I like about half of their songs and don't care for the other half. Their best song by far is 'Shine A Light' which was reflected by it being one of their only songs with any longevity at all.

Posted by: superbossanova 25th March 2012, 04:18 PM

QUOTE(Jester @ Mar 25 2012, 02:55 PM)

All will be revealed in my retro in half an hour

Posted by: superbossanova 25th March 2012, 04:24 PM

QUOTE(Hitstastic @ Mar 25 2012, 03:01 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 04:28 PM

173. CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE- A1 (152,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART:12

A boy band that kind of happened in reverse with their greatest critical acclaim and recognition come at the end of their brief chart life. From bubblegum pop (No 192 is their debut single) to this their penultimate release, there was a very clear path for progression, quite why the BRITS chose to award them best British Breakthrough act in 2001 some two years into their span is a mystery, but by the third album they were heading in a more guitar driven direction away from the teen audience that had keep them afloat to this point. Perhaps that explains the fall from favour, Marazzi left in late 2002 after the follow up to this “Make It Good” became their first single to fail to make the top 10 and the parent album bombed which pretty much signalled the end. Interestingly they were put together by the same guy who formed Steps and Marazzi auditioned for Steps but was placed in A1, thems the breaks.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 04:31 PM

172. HOLE IN THE HEAD- The Sugababes (152,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Another group who had moved on from their debut hit (No 194) though more in terms of group members, here’s the third No 1 single from the Suagababes. The first single from their third album imaginatively called “Three”, it was widely expected to debut at No 1 which it did in October 2003 on sales of 58k, yes Siobhan had left and Heidi was in, and despite the near constant rumours of infighting they actually managed to spend a whole three years in this line-up. By way of obscure chart fact this remains the only single of theirs to make the US Top 100 when it peaked at No 96.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th March 2012, 04:34 PM

171. ONE NIGHT STAND- Mis-Teeq (153,300)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 12

A second appearance here for Mis-Teeq whose star was ever growing over 2001. Containing the fantastic line “I ain’t sippin if it ain’t Cristal” was a nod to the rapper’s favourite drink in the early 00s, until that is a highly ambiguous statement from the managing director of the maker Roederer which led to Jay Z (amongst others) announced that he would never promote the drink again.

Posted by: Ne Plus Ultra 25th March 2012, 04:55 PM

Great songs from Misteeq and the Suagababes there.

Posted by: Come_along 25th March 2012, 05:28 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 25 2012, 01:30 PM)

176. 5 COLOURS IN HER HAIR- McFly (150,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 12

After part of McFly helped to pen a Busted No 1 (No 186), part of Busted returns the favour here to deliver up the First of seven No 1 singles for the boys. An ode to actress Emily Corrie’s character “Susie” in early 00s teen drama “As If” (which incidentally was brilliant), this was the only one of those seven chart toppers by the band to hang around there for more than one week and is the only track to feature in this chart due to the cut off date. The band took their name from Marty McFly in the film “Back To The Future” and earned their biggest seller by far with the comic relief single for 2005.

Posted by: torresgirl 25th March 2012, 08:51 PM

Deffo Busted over McFly for me.

Sugababes were my favourite girlband. They had a string of great singles.

Posted by: Come_along 26th March 2012, 12:07 PM

Is there any sign of "Point Break"..? I had bought their debut (one and only) album!! They had 5 faboulous singles!! It was unfair to quit very soon. The same happened to Sugababes and Atomic Kitten but they didn't let it down..They returned stronger and determined!!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 26th March 2012, 04:16 PM

170. THE LAST GOODBYE/ BE WITH YOU- Atomic Kitten (154,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 12

One of my favourite Kitten singles, this double A Side was beaten to No 1 back in December 2002 by Daniel Bedingfield. All but one of their 13 singles went top 10 but this was their only track to stall at No 2 and is the first of 5 Kitten singles to make our top 200 rundown. “Be With you” is heavily based around a sample from ELO’s “Last Train to London”, the band redressed the balance however by filming the promo for “Goodbye” in their hometown of Liverpool however.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 26th March 2012, 04:19 PM

169. SO GOOD- Boyzone (154,800)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 6

Yes no other act can place as many singles on this rundown as Ireland’s finest. All 16 of their 90s hits make this chart a testament to the selling power that no other band could manage throughout the genre in this period. “So Good” was the first, and thankfully, one of the few judging by the choreography, forays into the dance world and became their lowest selling single of the decade which it limped to No 3 in August 95, in fact it was gone before many noticed and is the song which spent the least weeks in the chart to make our list.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 26th March 2012, 04:22 PM

168. STEP BY STEP- New Kids On The Block (156,800)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 7

Madonna’s record of 8 top 10 hits in one year (I don’t count the Elvis re-issues in 2005 before anyone says) was equalled in 1990 by this US boy band who could do no wrong for about 12 months. After playing catch up with their US releases this was the first single from the band’s third studio album proper and topped the US charts before debuting here at No 2 (still an impressive feat in 1990) but couldn’t overcome “World In Motion” before it unexpectedly fell the following week. It probably marks the height of their fame in the UK and by 1992 it was all over for them in terms of top 20 hits.

Posted by: superbossanova 26th March 2012, 07:45 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 25 2012, 05:28 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 26th March 2012, 08:04 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 26 2012, 01:07 PM)

Posted by: Come_along 26th March 2012, 08:23 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 26 2012, 11:04 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 26th March 2012, 08:41 PM

I don't think you can compare them to the Sugababes either as (and I know it seems easy to say it now when you see their later success, but it's true) the Sugababes were VERY critically acclaimed, thought to have huge potential from the start, and also weren't even aimed at similar markets - at the beginning they were thought to be a bit of a new All Saints. Point Break, on the other hand, were just Smash Hits! fodder marketed at teenage girls, who they were already failing to sell to anyway. So I don't think it's surprising that a record label still saw potential in the Sugababes but none of them did with Point Break.

Also AFAIK (correct me if I'm wrong) they got dropped after Siobhan left, which also must have helped their case, as Heidi basically bought a different look to the group and only added to their selling power. Certainly as much as I loved Sugababes 1.0 they were never going to go anywhere, and it's hard to imagine them being able to pull off the look and music they were able to explore once Heidi joined when Siobhan was in the group.

Posted by: Come_along 26th March 2012, 09:43 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Mar 26 2012, 11:41 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 27th March 2012, 03:48 PM

167. JUMPIN JUMPIN- Destiny’s Child (157,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 11

After they broke through with 1998’s “No No No” Destiny’s Child proved again the power of a repetitive title when this fourth release from “Writing’s On The Wall” made it four top 10 hits in a row for the band. It was the last release as a four piece before Farrah Franklin left the band after a brief spell, and three proved to be the magic number for the girl band here on in.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 27th March 2012, 03:51 PM

166. SAME OLD BRAND NEW YOU- A1 (157,200)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 10

The second of two No 1 singles for the boy band A1 who were cooking on gas in 2000 after their chart topping version of “Take On Me” whilst this followed suit it only managed to get there by some 500 copies in November 2000. Appropriately, given their composition the track made No 1 both here and Norway and a BRIT victory for “British breakthrough act” was just months away.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 27th March 2012, 03:55 PM

165. EVERYTIME/ READY OR NOT- A1 (157,300)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 11

Whereas here they are 12 months before released their third single of their career and making the top 3 for the top 3 for the first time. With a 60s pastiche video to promote it the single trundled into the top 3 just before the 90s came to an end, and was a precursor to their debut album “Here We Come” which disappointed when it peaked at No 20, but as we know better was to follow.

Posted by: superbossanova 27th March 2012, 06:57 PM

I REALLY do not like Jumpin', Jumpin'. I know the whole thing is supposed to be relatively sparse as was the "in" thing in the R&B genre at the time (the Darkchild influence!) but it's such a DRONE-like example of that sound, not helped by the fact that Beyoncé could hardly sound less involved with the song. Love Destiny's Child in general, though.

On the other hand, I like Ready Or Not a lot. It's painfully late 90s and lyrically as cheesy as it gets with its references to Robin Hood and whatnot, but the bright enthusiasm and giving-it-a-go attitude (inspite of their limitations) it displays is really what made me like A1 at the time. That kind of thing proper reminds me of being 8-years old as it was the one trait that was common in pretty much every act I liked back then.

Posted by: torresgirl 27th March 2012, 07:02 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 26 2012, 05:22 PM)

168. STEP BY STEP- New Kids On The Block (156,800)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 7

Madonna’s record of 8 top 10 hits in one year (I don’t count the Elvis re-issues in 2005 before anyone says) was equalled in 1990 by this US boy band who could do no wrong for about 12 months. After playing catch up with their US releases this was the first single from the band’s third studio album proper and topped the US charts before debuting here at No 2 (still an impressive feat in 1990) but couldn’t overcome “World In Motion” before it unexpectedly fell the following week. It probably marks the height of their fame in the UK and by 1992 it was all over for them in terms of top 20 hits.

Posted by: superbossanova 27th March 2012, 07:07 PM

QUOTE(Come_along @ Mar 26 2012, 10:43 PM)

Posted by: Joinwithus 27th March 2012, 10:20 PM

Thank you for this

A lot of memories there.

I was never too keen on O-Town....they were a typical US boyband imo...something we've managed to have every few years like now with Big Time Rush who thankfully are flopping on our shores.

V - as mentioned in the top 10 hit thread....they were of a high standard. I used to fancy Mark like mad I wonder if he still handsome now?

Bad Boys Inc = I did like their songs when I was 9/10 at the time...guess I knew I was a gayboy in the making

Sugababes - Why did they never release "My Love Is Pink"? MUCH better than "Denial". The 1.0 version was cool....I adored "New Year", "Run for Cover" and "Soul Sound"

Posted by: Gezza7T6 28th March 2012, 03:41 PM

164. DRAGOSTEA DIN TEI- O Zone (158,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 17

And in English “Love From The Linden Trees”. This is probably the best known song in the UK sung in Romanian, even though the band are Moldovan, and was a rare example of a wholey non English song hitting our top 5. It was a hit in Romania back in 2003 but had faded from their charts by the year end before an illegal cover by a group called Haiduci was a hit in Italy, and prompted interest in the original hit in early 2004 leading the song to break out in Europe that spring and proved impossible to ignore even in the UK. The band split a year later but this track spent 12 weeks in the top 20 in 2004, no mean feat for a track in the mid noughties that never went top 2, but did finally make No 2 in a sampled form for T.I & Rihanna’s “Live Your Life” in 2008.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 28th March 2012, 03:44 PM

163. SAY IT AGAIN- Precious (159,600)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 11

Staying in Europe (kinda), this was of course the UK Eurovision entry for 1999 and failed to reclaim first prize finishing in a lowly 12th position in Jerusalem. Not to worry it went top 10 in the charts (the last of our entrants to do that for 7 years), and was written by Paul Varney (son of Reg Varney star of “On The Buses” 70s comedy) who was himself part of a boy band of sorts Yell! in the early 90s. The follow up “Rewind” was basically a “Baby One More Time” rip off and just missed the top 10 as the girls went down the dumper, one member, Jenny Frost, was just about to get her second bit of the girl group cherry when she joined the new look Atomic Kitten in Early 2001.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 28th March 2012, 03:49 PM

162. YEAR 3000- Busted (160,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 15

The only Busted track from their debut album to make our chart was this No 2 smash from early 2003. Again co-written by Jones and Fletcher from McFly, it had the sad misfortune to be released against Fame Academy winner David Sneddon’s debut track and as a result the group were trounced by over 70k to the top slot, this track was famously covered by US Boy band (?) Jonas Brothers in 2006 making it a hit stateside for the first time.

Posted by: Joinwithus 28th March 2012, 05:50 PM

Ah yes.....Precious. The song that started our bad run of results in Eurovision. Was too nervous a performance, and was before and after two Balkan nations which both made top 10. Was one of our better entries though. I did love "New Beginning" from them which sadly made #50 Thankfully Jenny is succesfull. I know Anya (the pretty long haired dark girl) did a porn shoot for the Daily Sport! I saw Louise the lead girl in a few TV dramas in the mid 2000s.

Busted - aside from "Sleeping with the light on", I was not too keen on them. Charlie Simpson can not sing! He just mumbles. Seriously there is hope for me to gain a contract At least Matt and James had a bit more talent. To be fair the solo singles Matt did were not that bad!

O-Zone....that song was everywhere in summer 2004. I noticed we were the only country it did not go to #1 in....I wonder why

Posted by: Gezza7T6 28th March 2012, 05:56 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Mar 28 2012, 06:50 PM)

Busted - aside from "Sleeping with the light on", I was not too keen on them. Charlie Simpson can not sing! He just mumbles. Seriously there is hope for me to gain a contract At least Matt and James had a bit more talent. To be fair the solo singles Matt did were not that bad!

Posted by: torresgirl 28th March 2012, 07:13 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 28 2012, 06:56 PM)

Ah yes but Charlie had the important boy band factor- the looks (comparatively)

Posted by: Joinwithus 28th March 2012, 07:20 PM

Charlie was cute...don't like him now...scarily like my 1st ex's cousin LOL I prefered Matt, yes I know he did get a bit bulkier, but more to cuddle and love.

2003-6 was a dead period sales wise. I am sure you could sell 7k in a week and get #8. Downloads I feel have revived the chart, but there are too many long stayers.

Posted by: N-S 28th March 2012, 08:44 PM

O-Zone's follow-up:



One of the guys, Dan Balan, hit #44 in the UK with this one:



And of course, Arsenia was the Eurovision hopeful for Moldova in 2006 with this one:

Posted by: Joinwithus 28th March 2012, 09:20 PM

"Loca" what an excuse of a song that was......shame Moldova was an automatic finalist especially as there was quality in Albania, Cyprus and Andorra (Despite the slaggy dancers) in that Eurovision.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 29th March 2012, 04:22 PM

161. JUST A STEP FROM HEAVEN- Eternal (160,600)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 8
WKS ON CHART: 10

Four members in the band? Well it must be early Eternal then, yes this was only the band’s 3rd release and became their 3rd top 10 hit on the trot. Formed as the UK answer to En vogue the band pieced together a string of 15 top 20 hits during the 90s unparalleled by any other girl band in our rundown, even the parent album “Always & Forever” became the first girl group album to make the million mark in late 1994.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 29th March 2012, 04:25 PM

Second recap time...

161. Just A Step From Heaven Eternal 160,600
162. Year 3000 Busted 160,000
163. Say It Again Precious 159,600
164. Dragostea Din Tei O-Zone 158,000
165. Everytime/ Ready Or Not A1 157,300
166. Same Old Brand New A1 157,200
167. Jumpin Jumpin Destiny's Child 157,000
168. Step By Step New Kids On The Block 156,800
169. So Good Boyzone 154,800
170. The Last Goodbye/ Be With You Atomic Kitten 154,000

171. One Night Stand Mis-Teeq 153,300
172. Hole In The Head Sugababes 152,000
173. Caught In The Middle A1 152,000
174. Do You Want Me? Salt N Pepa 151,600
175. Steam East 17 150,400
176. 3 Colours In Her Hair McFly 150,000
177. Scandalous Mis-Teeq 150,000
178. He Ain't No Competition Brother Beyond 149,000
179. Cover Girl New Kids On The Block 148,700
180. I'll Stand By You Girls Aloud 147,000

Posted by: Gezza7T6 29th March 2012, 04:34 PM

160. LIFE AIN’T EASY- Cleopatra (164,300)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 7

The second release from those Cleopatra girls saw them scale the dizzy heights of the top 5 all over again and preceded the release of debut album entitled “Comin Atcha” which surprised some by bombing out of the charts after a mere 4 weeks never to return. That didn’t stop them releasing a further single from it (No 188) but the writing was clearly on the wall for this bunch.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 29th March 2012, 04:39 PM

159. DON’T YOU LOVE ME- Eternal (164,300)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 7

The first of three releases and 3 top 5 hits in 97, this proved the final year of Eternal as a chart force and it started with this track from the band which became their highest placed hit when it finally gave them a top 3 hit at the 12th time of asking. A bit of social commentary in this one which went largely unnoticed and uncommented on at the time and within a year the sisters would fire Kelle Bryan and tried to make it as a duo, one top 20 hit followed before they called it a day.

Posted by: superbossanova 29th March 2012, 07:49 PM

Aww, Don't You Love Me is decent if you look past the nonsensical lyrics. Musically it's great. Of course they had to put the children's choir at the end to add some extra GRAVITAS to the message (but in reality only managing to send the cringe-meter to heights that are off the scale). Kinda bizarre that it became their highest charting hit to that point but I guess their peaks were always going to naturally improve compared to the early-to-mid-1990s when songs weren't so focused into week one. Surely of the songs they released before (obviously the follow-up outsold it by miles!), Power Of A Woman and Oh Baby I at least must have outsold it...

Just A Step From Heaven stands out a lot among Eternal's singles. It sounds a bit dated now in places but the chorus still contains a great powerful hook, and it FEELS like it has a bit of personality and identity to it away from the wishy-washy stuff. Certainly one of their few songs that could even begin to match up to the American groups of that kind.

Posted by: gooddelta 29th March 2012, 08:05 PM

I adore both of those, Don't You Love Me sounded so classy and Life Ain't Easy was SO 1998 production wise that its amazing

Posted by: Joinwithus 29th March 2012, 08:09 PM

Both beautiful songs Love "Don't You Love Me" I know the lyrics make no sense, but it's a very strong ballad and they were the girl group of the 1990s.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 29th March 2012, 08:13 PM

DYLM is lyrically awfully (15 years later I remain firm in this resolve), but ti's very hard NOT to love LAE!

Posted by: gooddelta 29th March 2012, 08:17 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 29 2012, 09:13 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th March 2012, 04:10 PM

158. BE ALONE NO MORE- Another Level (165,300)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

So good they released it twice. This was their first single ever making the top 10 in early 98 before being remixed and hooking Jay Z in for a rap in 1999, the sales here incidentally reflect the 98 release only. The band sent a tape to Jay Z Roc-a-fella label in the states who passed it onto his UK label who signed the band up and the rest is, as they say, history.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th March 2012, 04:17 PM

157. BILLS BILLS BILLS- Destiny’s Child (165,400)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

This was their first US chart topper and the first of 11 consecutive top 10 singles for the band over here. Lyrically it’s the same old same old from Beyonce et al, it’s actually the first of their singles to be written in part by Rowland/ Beyonce and was the first step toward greater self autonomy over the band.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th March 2012, 04:21 PM

156. WHERE’S THE LOVE?- Hanson (165,800)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 9

After the phenomenal success of introductory single “MMMBop” Hanson went with this track as the follow up and scored themselves a top 5 hit. In the US it didn’t quite fare as well only making the top 30, however as many had written them off as one hit wonders it was good see them achieve some kind of comparative longevity and in my view this has always been as good as their previous hit.

Posted by: Joinwithus 30th March 2012, 04:45 PM

The Another Level song is a good piece of late 90s pop....love it now 14 years on "Bills, Bills, Bills" is a great little song though I do love the Medieval opening in the song with the harpsicord. Don't like the Hanson song However, "Penny and Me" their comeback hit in 2005 was actually quite good

Posted by: N-S 30th March 2012, 04:50 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 30 2012, 05:17 PM)

157. BILLS BILLS BILLS- Destiny’s Child (165,400)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

This was their first US chart topper and the first of 11 consecutive top 10 singles for the band over here. Lyrically it’s the same old same old from Beyonce et al, it’s actually the first of their singles to be written in part by Rowland/ Beyonce and was the first step toward greater self autonomy over the band.

Posted by: superbossanova 30th March 2012, 09:23 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Mar 30 2012, 05:45 PM)

The Another Level song is a good piece of late 90s pop....love it now 14 years on "Bills, Bills, Bills" is a great little song though I do love the Medieval opening in the song with the harpsicord. Don't like the Hanson song However, "Penny and Me" their comeback hit in 2005 was actually quite good

Posted by: Gezza7T6 31st March 2012, 01:19 PM

155. I KNOW WHERE IT’S AT- All Saints (165,800)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 8

Owing more than a little thanks to “The Fez” by Steely Dan, this was the first single from the urban version of the Spice Girls who quickly came to the second most popular girl band of the late 90s. This was premiered on the “National Lottery Live” and entered the charts the week before the Hanson record below this on the rundown though it wasn’t played on that Sunday’s chart show as that was the only instance of the chart show being cancelled (not rescheduled) that I can find, the event that caused it was obviously Princess Diana’s death.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 31st March 2012, 01:23 PM

154. MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (167,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 11

Many won’t know this track and it’s stretching the definition of boy band but they meet my criteria so here they are. Formed in the early 80s they finally got a contract in 1986 and this was their first single which flopped here but did make the top 30 in the US which prompted a 1988 re-release which propelled it to the top 3. Some more minor hits followed before a split in 1991 though it won’t be the last you heard of the band or lead singer Gary King, this song being used in the 98 film “Something About Mary” and King penning hits others including Rachel Stevens and Natalie Imbruglia’s “Wrong Impression”.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 31st March 2012, 01:26 PM

153. WONDERFUL TONIGHT- Damage (167,400)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 8

Though recorded for his 1977 album “Slowhand” this Eric Clapton composition was never a single until 1991. The subject of the record was Pattie Boyd, 60s model and wife of George Harrison whom Clapton fell in love with and eventually, after Boyd and Harrison’s marriage failed, married. The marriage only lasted 10 years but she did inspire this song in addition to the Beatles “Something”. Damage naturally rendered a pretty faithful version and delivered up their highest peaking single.

Posted by: Joinwithus 31st March 2012, 08:28 PM

I prefer "I Know Where It's At" to the overrated "Pure Shores" and "Never Ever"...granted it has aged badly, but it's a very catchy pop song

Not to keen on the other two....that Damage cover is a bast*rdization especially as he sings "aks" not "ask"...poor...

Posted by: N-S 31st March 2012, 08:53 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 31 2012, 02:23 PM)

154. MARY’S PRAYER- Danny Wilson (167,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 11

Many won’t know this track and it’s stretching the definition of boy band but they meet my criteria so here they are. Formed in the early 80s they finally got a contract in 1986 and this was their first single which flopped here but did make the top 30 in the US which prompted a 1988 re-release which propelled it to the top 3. Some more minor hits followed before a split in 1991 though it won’t be the last you heard of the band or lead singer Gary King, this song being used in the 98 film “Something About Mary” and King penning hits others including Rachel Stevens and Natalie Imbruglia’s “Wrong Impression”.

Posted by: N-S 31st March 2012, 08:56 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 31 2012, 02:26 PM)

153. WONDERFUL TONIGHT- Damage (167,400)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 8

Though recorded for his 1977 album “Slowhand” this Eric Clapton composition was never a single until 1991. The subject of the record was Pattie Boyd, 60s model and wife of George Harrison whom Clapton fell in love with and eventually, after Boyd and Harrison’s marriage failed, married. The marriage only lasted 10 years but she did inspire this song in addition to the Beatles “Something”. Damage naturally rendered a pretty faithful version and delivered up their highest peaking single.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 31st March 2012, 08:56 PM

QUOTE(N-S @ Mar 31 2012, 09:53 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st April 2012, 01:53 PM

152. LARGER THAN LIFE- Backstreet Boys (167,500)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 14

Originally planned as the lead single from the “Millennium” album (which was also originally take its title from this track) it eventually saw the light of day as the band’s final release of the decade and came with a promo costing $2.1 million making it one of the 20 most expensive video’s ever made. As the US’s premier boy band of the day nothing else would do though of course they hardly recouped it in sales here.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st April 2012, 01:58 PM

151. WE’VE GOT IT GOIN ON- Backstreet Boys (167,800)



RELEASED: 1995/96
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 8

The biggest US Boy band of the 90s, this was the first release from the group but did very little when it was first released in 1995 (No 54), in this country at least. Fame on the continent (even the US ignored them initially) led to a re-release a year later and this track finally became a hit, the first of 13 top 10 hits on the trot for them, rumour has it that Nick Carter doesn’t even sing on the record due to his voice breaking ahhhhh.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st April 2012, 02:02 PM

150. THE POWER OF A WOMAN- Eternal (168,000)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 8

After the departure of Louise Nurding (as she was then) Eternal valiantly struggled on with this piece of typical mid 90s R N B/ Pop which became their third top 5 hit. It served as the title track to their second album which could only sell roughly half of their debut “Always and Forever” and marks the fourth of seven tracks to appear on our rundown from the band.

Posted by: torresgirl 1st April 2012, 02:34 PM

I did love the Backstreet Boys. These aren't my favourite tracks but I'm sure they will come later!

Posted by: russt68 1st April 2012, 02:57 PM

Mary's Prayer... a truly great song.... bit of an all-time classic, really....

Posted by: Dandy* 1st April 2012, 03:01 PM

QUOTE(G377A7six @ Mar 23 2012, 05:49 PM)

182. COULD HAVE TOLD YOU SO- Halo James (146,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 12

Bet not many of you recall this. When the 90s was just weeks old this lot piled into the top 10 with their only top 40 hit before we all lost interest pretty quickly. The only interesting fact I could dredge up was that one member, Ray St John, was the co-writer of Sade’s “Smooth Operator”.

Posted by: torresgirl 1st April 2012, 03:13 PM

QUOTE(Dandy* @ Apr 1 2012, 04:01 PM)

I do! It was my first ever personal chart #1! That sentence is so sad on so many levels.

Posted by: Joinwithus 1st April 2012, 07:46 PM

Not keen on "Larger Than Life"...."We've Got It Going On" is a very decent if dated pop song......and I LOVE "Power of a Woman" - however check this cover

Posted by: Mervatron 1st April 2012, 09:10 PM

Love Eternal

Posted by: superbossanova 1st April 2012, 10:56 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 1 2012, 02:53 PM)

152. LARGER THAN LIFE- Backstreet Boys (167,500)

Posted by: torresgirl 1st April 2012, 11:30 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 1 2012, 11:56 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 2nd April 2012, 05:42 PM

149. BOOTYLICIOUS- Destiny’s Child (169,300)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 11

Talking of girl groups with seven appearances DC are back again. Released in August 2001 this was involved in a mighty battle for the No 1 spot with another girl group track Atomic Kitten’s “Eternal Flame”, no prizes for guessing which came off the loser. Originally the plan was to base this track around Survivor’s “Eye Of The Tiger” but the plan was abandoned and instead Stevie Nicks track “Edge Of Seventeen” forms the main backbone of the song. Nicks actually appears at the beginning of the video playing guitar and Solange Knowles is also there for good measure, though it is reputedly Rowland’s least favourite DC record.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 2nd April 2012, 05:46 PM

148. TRIBUTE (RIGHT ON)- Pasadena’s (170,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 14

Back to 1988 we go for the Pasadena’s who were a boy band dealing in 50s doo-wop/ soul/ Motown- esque tracks and in a chart awash with the likes of S/A/W they managed to grab a top 10 single. The single pays tribute (hence the title) to 60s soul stars, the band took their name from their home town in the US where two members (brothers) were born.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 2nd April 2012, 05:49 PM

147. HOLD ON- En Vogue (171,800)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 11

Commencing with an acapella version of The Miracles “Who’s Loving You” this is the song that introduced the world to En Vogue. It samples “The Payback” by James Brown, nothing unusual in that as the song is also sampled on a multitude of hits such as Massive Attack’s “Protection” but what is unusual is that the group used the song again on “My Lovin” (No 196) which returned them to the top 10 for the second time in 1992, yes it’s essentially the same song again.

Posted by: torresgirl 2nd April 2012, 05:55 PM

Oh My The Pasedenas! I went to school with one of their cousins. She got very popular for a few months

Quite like "Bootylicious". The En Vogue track bored me after a while though.

Posted by: fchd 2nd April 2012, 06:05 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 2 2012, 06:42 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 2nd April 2012, 07:08 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 2 2012, 06:49 PM)

147. HOLD ON- En Vogue (171,800)

Posted by: Mervatron 2nd April 2012, 07:31 PM

Girls bands totally owning the boybands at the moment. Eternal, En Vogue and DC3 Amazing

Posted by: M.I.É. 3rd April 2012, 01:11 PM

So En Vogue have songs called both 'Hold On' and 'Don't Let Go'? Confusing.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 04:03 PM

146. MANDY- Westlife (172,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 9

Runners up spot to Boyzone on this rundown are the boy band we all love to hate. An unparalleled 12 chart toppers during the period covered by this chart of which this is one. Written by Scott English and Richard Kerr this was a UK hit for English in 1972 under its original title “Brandy” but was turned into “Mandy” by Manilow who had a far bigger hit in the US where it hit No 1. Westlife’s version was released in 2003 hot on the heels of “Hey Whatever” which was a comparative failure by their standards when it could only make No 4.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 04:08 PM

145. WHY CAN’T I WAKE UP WITH YOU?- Take That (173,400)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 10

You were waiting for this lot to turn up weren’t you? Yes one of the most successful boy band’s of them all released 8 singles before they finally got a No 1, and of those 8 tracks this is the one that got them the closest. Leading in midweek flashes it eventually lost out to 2 Unlimited’s “No Limit”, part of its appeal was the radical overhaul it had from the version on “Take That & Party” which made it a must buy for fans though this version would show up on their next album. To help with the push the boys helped to host “The Big Breakfast” the week the single came out and the losing margin is rumoured to be fewer than 100 copies.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 04:13 PM

144. ALL I WANT- Mis-Teeq (174,500)



RELEASED; 2001
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 11

Their best selling single winds up here, released in the summer of 2001 it ran into Shaggy’s “Angel” and came off the worse. It was the track that really made a star of Alesha Dixon’s rapping ad libs and utilised the production style of Sunship, a sound that dominated much of 2000/01 and so probably hasn’t aged that well but along with “Scandalous” (No 177) this is as near as they got to the top.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 04:13 PM

Double post today- more later!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 07:10 PM

143. I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (175,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 10

Somewhat victims of the time period in this survey these feisty threesome would have many more entries were to go back to the early 80s but this is only one of two songs they manage to place on our chart. This was their 9th top 10 hit but first since Fahey had left to form Shakespeare’s Sister with Marcella Detroit, as a consequence new recruit Jacquie O’Sullivan had to re-record the vocals. Originally entitled “Reason For Living” the nana’s hated the title and Chorus so much they co-wrote the revised version with S/A/W.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 07:13 PM

142. BYE BYE BYE- N*Sync (175,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 8

Much like their immediate peers The Backstreet Boys, N*Sync had been big in German since late 1996 without troubled either the UK nor the US. The debut album was finally released here in 1999 after being adjusted for the UK market, but it was their second album “No Strings Attached” (a reference to splitting from mentor Lou Pearlman) in 2000 that they emerged from the BSB’s shadow. This was their biggest hit to that point, the video pretty much emphasising the “Freedom” theme running through the era, it wouldn’t be long before Timberlake would be seeking his own freedom.

Posted by: torresgirl 3rd April 2012, 07:17 PM

Probably two of the worst songs from Westlife and Take That respectively. Well let's face it Mandy is shocking! Loving the NSYNC song though. Had a bit of a soft spot for them and of course still do for Justin

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 07:18 PM

141. TOO MUCH- Bros (179,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 7

All was not well in the Bros camp by 1989. After a truly phenomenal 1988 where they sold a million singles, 1989 started with Craig Logan’s departure and come that summer they were ready to launch that second album from which this was the first single. “Too Much” is another song that was expected to enter at No 2 and led midweek flashes only to lose out to Sonia on the Sunday and the song missed its chance. The advent of NKOTB was just months away and that dumper was calling, Logan proved to be the smartest cookie getting out while the going was good and taking a reputed £1 million with him and is a successful manager now.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 07:22 PM

Re-Cap 141- 160

141. Too Much Bros 179,000
142. Bye Bye Bye N*Sync 175,000
143. I Want You Back Bananarama 175,000
144. All I Want Mis-Teeq 174,500
145. Why Can't I Wake Up With You? Take That 173,400
146. Mandy Westlife 172,000
147. Hold On En Vogue 171,800
148. Tribute (Right On) Pasadenas 170,000
149. Bootylicious Destiny's Child 169,300
150. Power Of A Woman Eternal 168,000

151. We've Got It Goin On Backstreet Boys 167,800
152. Larger Than Life Backstreet Boys 167,500
153. Wonderful Tonight Damage 167,400
154. Mary's Prayer Danny Wilson 167,000
155. I Know Where It's At All Saints 165,800
156. Where's The Love? Hanson 165,800
157. Bills, Bills, Bills Destiny's Child 165,400
158. Be Alone No More Another Level 165,300
159. Don't You Love Me Eternal 164,300
160. Life Ain't Easy Cleopatra 164,300

Posted by: Jester 3rd April 2012, 07:53 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 3 2012, 05:08 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 3rd April 2012, 07:58 PM

^yes- altered- oops!

Posted by: torresgirl 3rd April 2012, 07:58 PM

QUOTE(Jester @ Apr 3 2012, 08:53 PM)

Posted by: Herbs 3rd April 2012, 08:07 PM

loooooooooooove Power of a Woman by Eternal. the music video was awesome too

Posted by: -Jay- 4th April 2012, 11:49 AM

'Bye Bye Bye' - one of the best boy band tracks ever!

Loving all the Eternal tracks featured so far.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 4th April 2012, 03:52 PM

140. ALL 4 LOVE- Color Me Badd (179,500)



RELEASED: 1991
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 10

Who remembers this one? Color Me Badd had two US chart toppers in 1991 neither or which were “I Wanna Sex you Up” but this was one of them. Released here as the follow up to the aforementioned IWSYU it became the band’s second and final top 10 hit in the UK, the band having been discovered by a former member of Kool & The Gang and envisaged a kind of smoother version of New Kids On The Block.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 4th April 2012, 03:58 PM

139. WAR OF NERVES- All Saints (181,600)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 7
WKS ON CHART: 11

Often overlooked in their catalogue, “War Of Nerves” was a 5th release from their debut release and the smallest hit to be culled from it. The album had of course done a million by this point so perhaps it is small wonder that sales had slumped and the band couldn’t pull a fourth chart topper from it especially given the release date in the midst of Christmas tracks, the video incidentally is filmed in the Met Bar in London, THE place to go at the time. Three members had by this time high profile relationships with Jamie Theakston, Robbie Williams, and Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai) making them prime newspaper fodder, it would take its toll.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 4th April 2012, 04:02 PM

138. I’M DOING FINE- The Pasadena’s (182,700)



RELEASED : 1992
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 10

Scoring their second and final top 10 hit in the UK, the Pasadena’s covered New York City’s 1973 top 20 hit “I’m Doing Fine” and found themselves top 4 in a very lacklustre 1992 sales wise. Prior to this both the group and producer Levine could only claim their biggest achievement to be a No 5 hit but they managed to go one better this time, after this it was bye bye Pasadena’s.

Posted by: Jester 4th April 2012, 05:27 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 4 2012, 04:58 PM)

Posted by: C.W 4th April 2012, 05:50 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 3 2012, 05:03 PM)

146. MANDY- Westlife (172,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 9

Runners up spot to Boyzone on this rundown are the boy band we all love to hate. An unparalleled 12 chart toppers during the period covered by this chart of which this is one. Written by Scott English and Richard Kerr this was a UK hit for English in 1972 under its original title “Brandy” but was turned into “Mandy” by Manilow who had a far bigger hit in the US where it hit No 1. Westlife’s version was released in 2003 hot on the heels of “Hey Whatever” which was a comparative failure by their standards when it could only make No 4.

Posted by: russt68 4th April 2012, 07:11 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 3 2012, 08:10 PM)

143. I WANT YOU BACK- Bananarama (175,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 10

Somewhat victims of the time period in this survey these feisty threesome would have many more entries were to go back to the early 80s but this is only one of two songs they manage to place on our chart. This was their 9th top 10 hit but first since Fahey had left to form Shakespeare’s Sister with Marcella Detroit, as a consequence new recruit Jacquie O’Sullivan had to re-record the vocals. Originally entitled “Reason For Living” the nana’s hated the title and Chorus so much they co-wrote the revised version with S/A/W.

Posted by: gooddelta 4th April 2012, 07:16 PM

War Of Nerves is absolutely gorgeous, it's shameful that it only peaked at #7 whilst Bootie Call and the limp covers double a-side both went to #1 :/

Posted by: superbossanova 4th April 2012, 08:30 PM

LOVE War Of Nerves. See, this is the kind of track that made any comparison with the Spice Girls ridiculous (as much as I love them too). Just gorgeous soulful vocals from Shaznay & Melanie. Exquisite production (as you'd expect from Cameron McVey), too. A divine single. The parent album still remains one of my favourite girl group albums - extremely high standard and I played it to death in 1998/early 1999 - and as you said it's a shame the only way was down from there.

I'm Doing Fine Now - I like this one. Charles & Eddie would do the same sound much better later in 1992 (and have the #1 to prove it) but this is still a little earworm.

Posted by: celestialsteed 5th April 2012, 03:24 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 4 2012, 08:30 PM)

LOVE War Of Nerves. See, this is the kind of track that made any comparison with the Spice Girls ridiculous (as much as I love them too). Just gorgeous soulful vocals from Shaznay & Melanie. Exquisite production (as you'd expect from Cameron McVey), too. A divine single. The parent album still remains one of my favourite girl group albums - extremely high standard and I played it to death in 1998/early 1999 - and as you said it's a shame the only way was down from there.

Posted by: Joinwithus 5th April 2012, 03:40 PM

"War of Nerves"....gorgeous song. I bought the single to this and was sad it didn't do well. Much better than the lame Bootie Call. Their underrated songs were better than the ones which were hits.

En Vogue were THE girl band....gorgeous girls, great songs and voices. Perfection

"Bye Bye Bye" great boyband song....Justin is still f***able even today

"Mandy" - ewwww, I went off Westlife at the point. I remember it winning Record of The Year the week it was released. Me thinks the televotes were rigged.....the same happened with "You Raise Me Up"....no wonder it's an internet voting competition now.

I don't even remember that Color Me Badd song....none of them were exactly lookers weren't they? I always think of that puke-inducing "I Wanna Sex You Up"

Posted by: torresgirl 5th April 2012, 03:42 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Apr 5 2012, 04:40 PM)

"War of Nerves"....gorgeous song. I bought the single to this and was sad it didn't do well. Much better than the lame Bootie Call. Their underrated songs were better than the ones which were hits.

En Vogue were THE girl band....gorgeous girls, great songs and voices. Perfection

"Bye Bye Bye" great boyband song....Justin is still f***able even today

"Mandy" - ewwww, I went off Westlife at the point. I remember it winning Record of The Year the week it was released. Me thinks the televotes were rigged.....the same happened with "You Raise Me Up"....no wonder it's an internet voting competition now.

I don't even remember that Color Me Badd song....none of them were exactly lookers weren't they? I always think of that puke-inducing "I Wanna Sex You Up"

Posted by: gooddelta 5th April 2012, 03:46 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Apr 5 2012, 04:40 PM)

Posted by: Joinwithus 5th April 2012, 03:54 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 5 2012, 04:46 PM)

Posted by: Joinwithus 5th April 2012, 04:16 PM

On a side note....did anyone own or buy this:

http://www.allmusic.com/album/r386209


I remember telling my Mum not to pick that one up for me as it wasn't the proper album!

Posted by: celestialsteed 5th April 2012, 04:33 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Apr 5 2012, 04:16 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 5th April 2012, 05:14 PM

137. ONE LOVE- Blue (185,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

This was the first single the band released where they had co-written it, and it lifted a sample from another 2002 hit, Ja Rule’s “Always On Time”. As lead single from album No 2 expectations were high but it failed to dethrone Nelly & Kelly, nor for that matter could it defeat former boy band member Timberlake’s first solo effort “Like I Love You”.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 5th April 2012, 05:19 PM

136. CLEOPATRA’S THEME- Cleopatra (185,200)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 10

When this song debuted at No 3 in February 98 the Birmingham born trio became the second highest charting band ever consisting of sisters to grace the UK charts (after the mighty Sister Sledge obviously). Here’s where it started for them and where it ends on this rundown, this being by some way the biggest of their three “solo” hits, still they got a 1 hour TV special out of it and supported the Spice Girls for the UK leg of their “Spiceworld” tour so the girls done good.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 5th April 2012, 05:22 PM

135. SLAM DUNK (DA FUNK)- Five (186,100)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 10
WKS ON CHART: 9

Russell Brand auditioned unsuccessfully to be a part of this boy band that were formed by the same people that created the Spice Girls. Naturally it was that man Simon Cowell who signed the five piece up before overseeing all 11 of their releases go top 10, you have to admire the conviction of the group who decided to release this debut single in the run in to Christmas 1997 just about the time when sales were at the highest, their reward was peaking at No 10 and being the lowest peaking single on this rundown.

Posted by: gooddelta 5th April 2012, 05:24 PM

Never knew that One Love samples Always On Time! The 'one love for the mother's pride' lyric was always a little embarrassing, caused some mild amusement at school at the time anyway.

Posted by: Hitstastic 5th April 2012, 05:37 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 5 2012, 06:24 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 5th April 2012, 05:50 PM

QUOTE(celestialsteed @ Apr 5 2012, 04:24 PM)

You are my new best friend. (Although I find Saints & Sinners superior)

Posted by: Euphorique 5th April 2012, 05:55 PM

War Of Nerves was my least fav AS song. Much prefer Bootie Call and All Hooked Up anyday Love those 2.

Posted by: superbossanova 5th April 2012, 06:08 PM

QUOTE(Euphorique @ Apr 5 2012, 06:55 PM)

War Of Nerves was my least fav AS song. Much prefer Bootie Call and All Hooked Up anyday Love those 2.

Posted by: torresgirl 5th April 2012, 06:13 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 5 2012, 07:08 PM)

Posted by: Joinwithus 5th April 2012, 06:23 PM

"Bootie Call" is a decent song....I'm not a hater but it was not a #1 imo, even if I was excited at the time (I was 14) when it reached the summit.

"One Love" I do like My sister was a fan of Blue, was always playing their albums and singles loud all the time lol. I wasn't that keen on "I Can", but we did OK in the contest

"Slam Dunk Da Funk".....decentish debut from 5ive....my sister was fan of those too lol - They had better singles. I was told about 3/4 years ago, I looked a lot like Scott! Don't see the resemblance but hey, it was a compliment.

I LOVED CLEOPATRA!!!1!!! - Great pop song, even if it's dated badly. Shame they were not very huge. All had fantastic voices, especially Cleo. Last I heard was Cleo on "Songs of Praise" where she was singing some gospel.....voice of an angel.

Posted by: celestialsteed 5th April 2012, 06:30 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 5 2012, 05:50 PM)

Yeah, I know a lot of people prefer Saints & Sinners (and some even Studio 1). I think the fact there's no real consensus on what their best album was is a testament to how versatile, and adaptable with it, they were. Certainly you could never accuse any of their albums of sounding the same.

For me, the debut is streets ahead though. I just totally dig that low-key R&B sound and their vocals on that album are SO smooth. Saints & Sinners has its highlights but outside of the Orbit tracks, the songwriting and production is a notable step down from the first album IMO. I mean, I know it's an obvious target but Ha Ha? Just makes the whole thing have an air of tackyness about it compared to the debut which was oozing with class.

Posted by: superbossanova 5th April 2012, 07:54 PM

QUOTE(celestialsteed @ Apr 5 2012, 07:30 PM)

Well yes, objectively speaking their debut is a better album, more cohesive and, as you said, classy, both a solid 9/10 albums for me, but personally the highs of S&S (Dreams, Pure Shores, Surrender) are better than the highs of AS. Plenty of great memories attached to those. And even though the lows are worse (the two Melanie penned tracks stick out like sore thumbs...) I'm more fond of Saints&Sinners.

Posted by: celestialsteed 5th April 2012, 08:28 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 5 2012, 07:54 PM)

Surrender sounds GORGEOUS, yes. Although again I feel like its let down a bit by poor songwriting. I don't pay too much attention to lyrics of any song (in general terms) but sometimes it's hard not to notice when they drop in a dodgy rhyme or something. But I think the backing track is good enough to compensate.

What are your favourites on the debut? I think they mostly made the right single choices but I HAVE to rave about Heaven which is probably up there with Never Ever and War Of Nerves on me in terms of quality (i.e. 10/10 tracks). It wouldn't have worked as a single but it's sooo good.

Posted by: Nightfall82 5th April 2012, 08:31 PM

Gezza, is there a possibility this song to be very close to the list...? No More (Baby I'ma Do Right) from 3LW. I always like this song. I think that they are one-hit wonders and i read somewhere that they had sold 117.000 copies only in 2001. The first song that you posted is "I quit" from Bros (132.000 copies). I wonder if 3LW have sold at least 10 thousand copies after 2001..

Posted by: Gezza7T6 5th April 2012, 08:41 PM

QUOTE(Nightfall82 @ Apr 5 2012, 09:31 PM)

Posted by: Nightfall82 5th April 2012, 08:55 PM

Did the same happens to LFO (Lyte Funkie Ones) with "Girl On Tv"..? It is very nice song. They have sold 119.000 copies in 2000. They couldn't have sold 13 thousand copies until 2004..?

Posted by: Gezza7T6 5th April 2012, 08:58 PM

QUOTE(Nightfall82 @ Apr 5 2012, 09:55 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 5th April 2012, 09:32 PM

QUOTE(celestialsteed @ Apr 5 2012, 09:28 PM)

Ah, therein lies our difference, because lyrics need to be really bad to ruin a song for me. Surrender is one of my all time favourite songs, sensual without being in your face about its sexuality. They succeeded in creating the mood with the song they set out to. Dodgy lyrics? Probably. But in this case I'm not bothered.

It's been such a long time since I properly thought and had discussion about All Saints, never thought this would be the first topic I would engage in after deciding to start posting
From the debut I would say I absolutely love: Never Ever, Bootie Call, If You Want To Party (shut up ), definitely Heaven and War of Nerves. Could never get into Take the Key and Alone. Bootie Call was such a revelation for my 14 yo self (you could tell I was pretty sheltered) it will forever hold a special place in my...heart, hehe.

Posted by: Nightfall82 5th April 2012, 10:21 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 5 2012, 11:58 PM)

You need to remember that back "in the day" singles were deleted after they left the charts (unless they were by big acts who continued to sell well- Oasis for example) so it wasn't possible to buy even if you wanted to. More often that not if you wanted a sing it meant buying a compilation if it had it on or buying a whole album for a track (the times I did that! )

Posted by: Gezza7T6 6th April 2012, 11:18 AM

134. A LITTLE BIT MORE- 911 (186,300)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 9

After being cruelly denied their first No 1 single in Oct 98 with “More Than A Woman” (No 183) 911 made sure that they could achieve the ultimate accolade before they split with this cover of the Dr Hook classic from 1976 (though theirs is not the original version it should be added). Taking advantage of a slack January period it nabbed a week at the top, and that split? Well just 10 months away. The topic of the record however is a little bit too rude for this thread....

Posted by: Gezza7T6 6th April 2012, 11:22 AM

133. 3 AM/ THUNDERBIRDS- Busted (188,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Speaking of splits this lot weren’t long for the road when this double A Side became their 4th chart topping single in August 2004. Of their No 1’s this was also the only one to spend more than 7 days at that position buoyed on by its use in the film “Thunderbirds” and walked away with record of the year and remains the biggest selling single of their career though they probably saw little from it penned as it is entirely by McFly’s Tom Fletcher.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 6th April 2012, 11:26 AM

132. JUMP- Girls Aloud (189,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 14

Souped up from the Pointer Sisters 1984 original by production team Xenomania, “Jump” becomes the second of three appearances by GA on this list. Used to promote the film “Love Actually” it debuted at No 2 behind Westlife (grrrrr) but with “Mandy” winding up at No 146 here, some revenge can at least be claimed on this list. The film actually uses the Pointer Sisters original as the girls were little known on the international scene at the time and this song replaced the original choice for single No 4 which would have been “Some Kind Of Miracle” co-written by former B*Witched member Edele Lynch.

Posted by: jonny91 6th April 2012, 12:49 PM

Jump is one of three GA songs that I can't stand, the other two being Long Hot Summer and I Think We're Alone Now. Other than that everything they've ever released is pop at it's best IMO

Posted by: superbossanova 6th April 2012, 03:04 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 6 2012, 12:18 PM)

134. A LITTLE BIT MORE- 911 (186,300)

Posted by: superbossanova 6th April 2012, 03:21 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 6 2012, 12:26 PM)

132. JUMP- Girls Aloud (189,000)



RELEASED: 2003
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 14

Souped up from the Pointer Sisters 1984 original by production team Xenomania, “Jump” becomes the second of three appearances by GA on this list. Used to promote the film “Love Actually” it debuted at No 2 behind Westlife (grrrrr) but with “Mandy” winding up at No 146 here, some revenge can at least be claimed on this list. The film actually uses the Pointer Sisters original as the girls were little known on the international scene at the time and this song replaced the original choice for single No 4 which would have been “Some Kind Of Miracle” co-written by former B*Witched member Edele Lynch.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 6th April 2012, 03:28 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 6 2012, 04:04 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 6th April 2012, 03:50 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 6 2012, 04:28 PM)

Natalie Jordan you mean , the really strange thing is I have no recollection of her being on the song at all back in 1999 but i can't find a version without her so I assume it was just my memory (and it's not a song I paid a long of attention to at the time). I suppose that was just a bit of pop karma for the disgraceful Spacedust defeat in Oct 98.

Posted by: Joinwithus 6th April 2012, 04:05 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 6 2012, 04:50 PM)

Who IS she anyway? I was so baffled at the time as I had never seen her before. I mostly associated collaborations with big names at that point so I found it very strange. If they had collaborated with a female singer someone had heard of maybe they could have got an actual decent-sized hit by their standards, but of course a boyband like 911 were always more than a bit low budget.

Posted by: superbossanova 6th April 2012, 06:06 PM

QUOTE(Joinwithus @ Apr 6 2012, 05:05 PM)

Posted by: gooddelta 6th April 2012, 10:09 PM

Private Number was easily their best and comfortably in my personal top 40 of 1999 The anonymous Natalie Jordan was a great addition to the song, shame she was uncredited on it. A Little Bit More was crap, that battle was indeed rather limp but I don't mind Another Level's I Want You For Myself. Both were forgotten two months later of course but I'd have preferred the latter to be #1. Better yet, a dance classic in the form of Cassius' Cassius was a new entry down at #7 on the same week - now THAT would have been a worthy victor!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 7th April 2012, 10:40 AM

131. UNBREAKABLE- Westlife (189,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 16

Another Westlife No 1 (well they have more than enough to get through) this became the title track to their first “Best Of” album which would sell over 1.7 million copies before the decade end. It was their 11th No 1 single and achieved a chart record when it leapt from No 196 to No 1 on full release.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 7th April 2012, 10:44 AM

130. EACH TIME- E- 17 (189,400)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 10

Take That took 10 years to do it, Boyzone 8 years, Blue just 6 years, yet for East 17 it took just took 18 months to reform. After the band’s implosion in January 1997 after Harvey’s drugs revelations and sacking, Mortimer (the band’s main songwriter) quit the band leaving it dead in the water until Harvey et al figured the dust has settled for a comeback. It was their 17th single and 17th hit and augured well for them when it hit No 2 behind Cher’s “Believe” but the album performed poorly and follow up “Betcha Can’t Wait” proved ironic when it missed the top 10 and sunk very quickly causing the loss a record deal. Many rumours abound of another reformation of the band in its original line-up but it seems that the enmity between Mortimer and Harvey is too great now.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 7th April 2012, 10:49 AM

129. SAY MY NAME- Destiny’s Child (190,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 11

Released as their first single of the noughties it was also a time of changes for the band who fired two members and replaced them with Farrah and Williams unbeknownst to the general public. Well they found out when the video was premiered with only half the old group in it, no matter as they proved a point that the Sugababes were to take to heart later in the decade, namely that you can change members without effecting sales provided that SOME of the original members are around that is. A US chart topper it was their first top 3 hit in the UK but much better was to come.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 7th April 2012, 10:50 AM

As it's easter you can have a double post tomorrow and Monday!

Posted by: Joinwithus 7th April 2012, 11:01 AM

"Unbreakable" - I quite like this, and at least it was an original song from Westlife....shame this has been forgotten about as their covers seem to take presence and sadly their biggest hits

"Each Time" - This was an excuse for them to reform, put the Brian Harvey "E is cool" saga behind them and try and challenge the likes of Another Level.....bit of a weak song imo.

"Say My Name" - LOVE!!! Catchy as hell and I love the sassy sound and feel to this. Arrangement, lyrics and voices top notch *mwah*

I hate "Jump" - a pointless cover version for a very cheesy film......

Posted by: torresgirl 7th April 2012, 11:07 AM

I quite like Unbreakable too. I like Jump Not sure why, quite like the video I guess.

Posted by: superbossanova 7th April 2012, 01:10 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 7 2012, 11:44 AM)

130. EACH TIME- E- 17 (189,400)

Posted by: gooddelta 7th April 2012, 09:17 PM

I too adore Each Time, Believe actually stopped some of my all time favourite boyband songs from going to #1 - Each Time, Until The Time Is Through and I Love The Way You Love Me. Not that I was too bothered, Believe was still better than all of them combined!

Each Time, Stay Another Day and Deep are the only songs of theirs that I have much time for.

Posted by: superbossanova 7th April 2012, 09:47 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 7 2012, 10:17 PM)

Posted by: gooddelta 7th April 2012, 09:51 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 7 2012, 10:47 PM)

I was right there with you up until I Love The Way You Love Me - that surely would have been one of the biggest "how does this go again?" #1s ever if it got there.

Until The Time Is Through is great but Got The Feelin' is my favourite Five song, brings back serious memories of Summer '98 for me - the very summery video helped that! Could have been their first #1 if they didn't release it the same week as the battle of football songs (Baddiel & Skinner/Fat Les). Both should be coming up here later anyway.

Posted by: superbossanova 7th April 2012, 10:08 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 7 2012, 10:51 PM)

Yep, but so would have Each Time and Until The Time Is Through, the general public won't recall any of them! String ballads are my weakness and I always had a soft spot for Boyzone, especially their 1998 output. All That I Need would actually be in my top 20 of the year, even if it's a prime contender for the forgotten #1's thread, it was so melodic and breezy yet everybody writes it off

Posted by: gooddelta 7th April 2012, 10:19 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 7 2012, 11:08 PM)

I barely even remember how the I Love The Way You Love Me one goes myself to be honest - they were the proto-Westlife in the respect they had so many ballads unless you're a huge fan you'd struggle to tell them apart. Didn't help that some of them have similar titles either. I know "love" is a common topic, etc, but Every Day I Love You vs. I Love The Way You Love Me, All That I Need vs. You Needed Me! Ack! I only know that You Needed Me was the one that kept off Geri Halliwell's Look At Me in another one of the all-time great chart injustices (do we have a thread for these somewhere? )

My favourite Boyzone song is actually Love You Anyway - it was jumping on the 60s revivalism trend but it was a surprisingly good direction for them to go down at their age which I liked and they definitely should have continued on, rather than seemingly abandoning it as soon as they got their foot through the door again. A bit like a sister song to Picture Of You which also had that same kind of thing going on.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 10:45 AM

128. BODYSHAKIN’- 911 (192,300)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 7

Ever better chart positions met the first five 911 singles peaking at 38-21-10-4 and this track which went one better in May 1997. Indeed as we’ve seen from the previous entries by the band (No 183, & 134) higher charting songs were to come their way but nothing outsold this track even if no-one but die-hard fans probably remember it now. As a side note the band met on a show called “The Hitman and Her” hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan (one for the older readers) and won GMTV’s “Search for the next big thing” and got that all important record deal.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 10:49 AM

127. WORLD OF OUR OWN- Westlife (195,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Westlife’s 10th chart topper is up next. The fact that the group had managed to accumulate so many in such a short time (Under 3 years) is a testament to the fan base they had and keeping a shrewd eye on the release schedule, indeed this timescale meant that they got to that particular record a whole year sooner than the time the Beatles took to accrue the same amount of No 1’s. The title track from their third album managed to sneak a week at the top before the juggernaut that was Will Young’s first single was released, even though its first week sales were the lowest of any Westlife single to that date.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 10:52 AM

126. DEEP- East 17 (195,500)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 10

The comparative failure of second single “Gold” had cast doubt over whether or not East 17 would continue even as far as their first album, but it was the success of “Deep” that assured the record company to release “Walthamstow”. Good job too, the album went straight to No 1 (beating arch rivals Take That to that honour) and allowed the band to position themselves as the only real challengers to the boy band crown for the first half of the decade.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 10:53 AM

more later

Posted by: ¿ CHARLIE ? 8th April 2012, 11:15 AM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 8 2012, 11:49 AM)

127. WORLD OF OUR OWN- Westlife (195,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Westlife’s 10th chart topper is up next. The fact that the group had managed to accumulate so many in such a short time (Under 3 years) is a testament to the fan base they had and keeping a shrewd eye on the release schedule, indeed this timescale meant that they got to that particular record a whole year sooner than the time the Beatles took to accrue the same amount of No 1’s. The title track from their third album managed to sneak a week at the top before the juggernaut that was Will Young’s first single was released, even though its first week sales were the lowest of any Westlife single to that date.

Posted by: gooddelta 8th April 2012, 11:53 AM

World Of Our Own isn't bad but I was gutted that Shakira wasn't out a week earlier, Whenever, Wherever would have easily beaten it to #1

As for Deep, I think it's brilliant. Captures the 'sound of the streets' in early 90s London rather well, a product of its time but something interesting to look back on, especially the music video, to see the trends at the time. I really like the melody and piano riff in it too.

Posted by: superbossanova 8th April 2012, 01:09 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 8 2012, 11:45 AM)

128. BODYSHAKIN’- 911 (192,300)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 04:58 PM

125. IF YOU LOVE ME- Brownstone (196,000)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 8
WKS ON CHART: 12

Very brief 90s girl group Brownstone were signed to Michael Jackson’s label and saw the top 20 on three occasions between 95-97 this being their only top 10 hit. Not much of a story here I’m afraid except to say that it’s largely forgotten now and peaked at No 8 both here and in the US.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 05:03 PM

124. FOREVER- Damage (196,000)



RELEASED:1996
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

One of only two tracks to make onto this chart for Damage, this their Christmas 96 release. It’s the first composition by Steve Mac and Wayne Hector jointly and caught the ear of one Simon Cowell who used them from this point as the main songwriters for many of his acts throughout the late 90s and early 00s. Front man Jade Jones is of course more famous now as being Mr Emma Bunton (as good as anyway).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 8th April 2012, 05:06 PM

123. SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY- Backstreet Boys (197,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION:3
WKS ON CHART: 12

Proving that for all the money they spent on the video on “Larger Than Life” (No 151) actually they were more loved for their ballads. This follow up had no such big budget promo but peaked two places higher and as you can see garnered greater sales, in the week of release it went head to head with A1’s “Like A Rose” and quite comprehensively won giving them their 8th straight top 10 hit.

Posted by: superbossanova 8th April 2012, 09:02 PM

Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely is a bit TOO overly serious for what I look for in a good Backstreet Boys single. Not enough sugar-y pop sweetness in the chorus for me, Mr. Martin. The single they released after this though - Shape Of My Heart - was rather ace and one of their best.

If You Love Me is classy as f***. It doesn't even matter that it's a fairly generic, run-of-the-mill R&B ballad as the vocals and harmonies elevate it SO much - brilliant stuff, and definitely does NOT deserve to be forgotten. 5 Miles To Empty and Kiss & Tell also get a lot of love from moi in the Brownstone catalogue.

Posted by: Jester 8th April 2012, 09:05 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 8 2012, 05:58 PM)

125. IF YOU LOVE ME- Brownstone (196,000)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 8
WKS ON CHART: 12

Very brief 90s girl group Brownstone were signed to Michael Jackson’s label and saw the top 20 on three occasions between 95-97 this being their only top 10 hit. Not much of a story here I’m afraid except to say that it’s largely forgotten now and peaked at No 8 both here and in the US.

Posted by: torresgirl 8th April 2012, 10:04 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 8 2012, 10:02 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 11:37 AM

122. KEY TO MY LIFE- Boyzone (199,000)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 8

Don’t they look very fresh faced on that cover? Way back in April 1995 this became the second Boyzone single (in the UK at least) and became the first of the remaining 90s hits to debut instantly in the top 5. It was actually co-written by Gately, Keating and Graham showing that the boys had an eye on how to really make money in the music business, a saucy video suggesting a not entirely appropriate teacher- student relationship seemed not to harm sales.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 11:40 AM

121. ALL I HAVE TO GIVE- Backstreet Boys (201,000)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 12

A fourth entry on our chart for those Backstreet Boys, this rounded off the “Backstreet’s Back” era which saw them become, after Boyzone, the biggest pin ups in the land. It took an increase in sales from the existing No 1 by Aqua to deprive the boys of a first chart topper, a feat they have to wait a further 15 months for, the album incidentally contains a painfully 1997esque version of PM Dawn’s “Set Adrift On Memory Bliss”- dreadful.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 11:43 AM

Recap time 121-140

121. All I Have To Give Backstreet Boys 201,000
122. Key To My Life Boyzone 199,000
123. Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely Backstreet Boys 197,000
124. Forever Damage 196,000
125. If You Love Me Brownstone 196,000
126. Deep East 17 195,500
127. World Of Our Own Westlife 195,000
128. Bodyshakin 911 192,300
129. Say My Name Destiny's Child 190,000
130. Each Time East 17 189,400

131. Unbreakable Westlife 189,000
132. Jump Girls Aloud 189,000
133. Thunderbirds Are Go/ 3AM Busted 188,000
134. A Little Bit More 911 186,300
135. Slam Dunk (Da Funk) Five 186,100
136. Cleopatra's Theme Cleopatra 185,200
137. One Love Blue 185,000
138. I'm Doing Fine Pasadenas 182,700
139. War Of Nerves All Saints 181,600
140. All 4 Love Color Me Badd 179,500

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 11:48 AM

120. FOOL AGAIN- Westlife (204,100)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 12

Becoming the first act to debut at No 1 with each of their first 5 releases, Westlife could do little wrong in 99/00. Famously involved in a high profile battle for the top with Mel C in April 2000 a very public exchange of words in the press generated a lot of interest and for the first time in their brief history it looked like the band might miss the top slot. A performance on CD:UK (where Mel C was announced as the No 1) which involved the band pleading with the public to buy their track and it worked, the boys overhauling the former spice girl and winning out by under 1500 copies.

Posted by: Hitstastic 9th April 2012, 11:58 AM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 9 2012, 12:48 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 9th April 2012, 01:41 PM

QUOTE(torresgirl @ Apr 8 2012, 11:04 PM)

This is my absolute favourite Backstreet Boys track. Love it

Posted by: gooddelta 9th April 2012, 01:57 PM

Mildly off topic but this thread reminds me that all of the girls in my class had Boyzone (with that awful man with arms out by his side silhouette logo of theirs), Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls or Friends pencil tins when I was at school, do these still exist? Are there such things as One Direction and JLS pencil tins, I guess there must be?

Posted by: Joinwithus 9th April 2012, 02:33 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 9 2012, 02:57 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 9th April 2012, 03:25 PM

I remember I only got "hand-me-downs" from what my brother had before (who is quite a bit older than me and was in secondary school at this point), so I had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one despite the TV show being past the peak of its popularity. I also had a Turtles lunchbox and back pack. Things like this is why it absolutely SUCKED being the youngest.

I had loads of Spice Girls merchandise but not any for school. They were the only act I've ever really bought any of that stuff by but I think even at that age I realised there was something a little girl-y about the way lots of them were designed with copious amounts of pink used, etc, so at the risk of being teased I managed to contain myself from buying things like Spice Girls lunch boxes and pencil tins and taking them into class.

It's strange but I REALLY don't remember what everyone else had on their pencil tins and lunch boxes at primary school. I guess I wasn't very observant!

Posted by: Griff 9th April 2012, 03:28 PM

Who calls it a pencil tin?! I've always heard it referred to as a pencil case.

Posted by: celestialsteed 9th April 2012, 03:31 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 9 2012, 01:41 PM)

Just realised the single they released after SMTMOBL was actually The One, then Shape Of My Heart after that. As a Backstreet Boys fan you should have been corrected me on this! Well, that song is just crap anyway so who cares if anyone airbrushes it from history.

They have a lot of songs on a similar level for me. I like quite a few but don't LOVE them. However, I say with only a tiny amount of shame that I really like I'll Never Break Your Heart, Quit Playing Games, Everybody, I Want It That Way, Shape Of My Heart, and Drowning.

Posted by: superbossanova 9th April 2012, 03:47 PM

QUOTE(celestialsteed @ Apr 9 2012, 04:31 PM)

And a Backstreet Boys fan as well... where will your perfectness end??

All I Have To Give was one of my favourites from their second album. It's gorgeous.

Posted by: celestialsteed 9th April 2012, 03:52 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 9 2012, 03:47 PM)

Haha, not really a fan as such - so I guess my perfectness ends here!

I didn't like them all at the time, mainly because they just made my brain reach for the snooze button. With age I guess you can appreciate ballads more and they certainly had their fair share of well-crafted ballads. So that and probably partly nostalgia as well has turned me into a bit of a casual fan. I have their Greatest Hits but that's it.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 06:32 PM

119. HOLD ON- Wilson Phillips (205,000)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 12

The Wilson sisters and their friend Chynna Phillips were, back in the early 90s pretty big in the US at least scoring a hat-trick of No 1 hits. Not quite successful over here where this was their sole top 10 hit, but much was of their parentage where one was the daughter of former Beach Boy Brian Wilson and two of them Mamas & Papas daughters. A flop second album saw them disband in 1992 and they periodically reunite but never trouble the charts.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 06:35 PM

118. TAKE ON ME- A1 (205,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 11

The band’s biggest selling single came courtesy of this cover of the 1985 A-Ha! Classic. With a matrix themed video that was at the time reputedly the most expensive video ever made by a UK act (taking over from Jamiroquai’s “Deeper Underground”) they CGI’d themselves into the top slot over here, mind you with such an iconic and ground breaking video for the original I suppose they had to do something big. For the part Norwegian band it was perhaps a fitting tribute to their fellow Scandinavians and remains their commercial high point.

Posted by: M.I.É. 9th April 2012, 06:38 PM

Wilson Phillips have troubled the charts a few times in the last year or so - although only with 'Hold On'.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 06:39 PM

117. COMING HOME NOW- Boyzone (205,700)



RELEASED: 1996
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 9

So I still recall the day back in 1996 when I walked into HMV to see a big poster saying “Take That Vs Boyzone- the battle of the Boy bands”. Of course they were trying to recreate the Blur Vs Oasis bout from the previous summer but yes the Irish lads had chosen to release their fifth single from their debut album against the “farewell” Take That single unavailable on any album at that point. There was no real competition, a fact thrown into sharp relief the next Sunday when this limped in at No 4, quite good considering, it was written entirely by the boys as an aside. You can remove that last comma if it pleases you!

Posted by: Griff 9th April 2012, 06:40 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 9 2012, 07:39 PM)

117. COMING HOME NOW- Boyzone (205,700)



RELEASED: 1996
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 9

So I still recall the day back in 1996 when I walked into HMV to see a big poster saying “Take That Vs Boyzone- the battle of the Boy bands”. Of course they were trying to recreate the Blur Vs Oasis bout from the previous summer but yes the Irish lads had chosen to release their fifth single from their debut album against the “farewell” Take That single unavailable on any album at that point. There was no real competition, a fact thrown into sharp relief the next Sunday when this limped in at No 4, quite good considering, it was written entirely by the boys as an aside. You can remove that last comma if it pleases you!

Posted by: gooddelta 9th April 2012, 06:47 PM

QUOTE(Griff @ Apr 9 2012, 04:28 PM)

Who calls it a pencil tin?! I've always heard it referred to as a pencil case.

Posted by: C.W 9th April 2012, 06:47 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 9 2012, 07:35 PM)

118. TAKE ON ME- A1 (205,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 11

The band’s biggest selling single came courtesy of this cover of the 1985 A-Ha! Classic. With a matrix themed video that was at the time reputedly the most expensive video ever made by a UK act (taking over from Jamiroquai’s “Deeper Underground”) they CGI’d themselves into the top slot over here, mind you with such an iconic and ground breaking video for the original I suppose they had to do something big. For the part Norwegian band it was perhaps a fitting tribute to their fellow Scandinavians and remains their commercial high point.

Posted by: fchd 9th April 2012, 07:00 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 8 2012, 05:58 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 9th April 2012, 07:57 PM

QUOTE(M.I.É. @ Apr 9 2012, 07:38 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 08:11 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 9 2012, 08:57 PM)

Yeah, I did notice that before. What was that all about? I didn't even realise it had any kind of enduring popularity.

It's a decent song, although the lead singer's voice has a shrieky tone to it that grates after a while, so it's one that I can only stand in small doses. Their brief US popularity looks rather ridiculous over two decades on - only at the transition into the 90s when the likes of Phil Collins and Richard Marx were dominating US radio could THAT kind of shit happen. I guess in terms of Billboard chart history they were a bit like the US version of poor B*Witched and their four #1s, all forgotten bar the first.

On a slight tangent, SWV are another girl group who were HUGE in the US for an album or two but virtually one-hit wonders here, and will probably be coming up shortly with their one big UK hit. (Although their biggest US hit is a different song that was also far superior.)

Back on topic, Take On Me was an unnecessary cover. What a shame that A1 had to go the easy way to get a #1 hit after some quality pop tunes on their first album. Although perhaps in this case I can give it a pass as I doubt the rather fantastic follow-up Same Old Brand New You would have reached #1 otherwise.

Posted by: paulc 9th April 2012, 09:54 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 9 2012, 09:11 PM)

I don't mind the Wilson Phillips, even at the time it was rather pointless pop, its climb up the UK chart was on the back of making the US No 1 spot- what can I say summer of 1990 was a slow time!

I appear to be alone in my liking for A1's version of "Take On Me". I like that they tried to do something with the video, even if it was a LOT of money to little effect as it quickly sung down the charts, then again I love the Original so I guess almost any version gets some love. In the week of Take That Vs Boyzone I remember in HMV in Leicester that there were very few copies of Take That left but a plethora of Boyzone, I took from that that the No 1 that week was a foregone conclusion (not that I hadn't thought that prior to seeing the shelves obviously).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 9th April 2012, 10:37 PM

QUOTE(paulc @ Apr 9 2012, 10:54 PM)

Posted by: russt68 9th April 2012, 10:55 PM

The Wilson Phillips video makes me laugh... there's the two skinny ones flaunting about in skimpy clothes... whilst the dumpy one's in a big smock stranded on the beach, bless her....

Posted by: M.I.É. 9th April 2012, 11:43 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 9 2012, 08:57 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 10th April 2012, 04:25 PM

116. WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT- Five (208,400)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 9

The amount of UK boy bands who can claim a top 10 hit in the US is quite a short list. BBMak, Take That, more recently the Wanted, and in 1998 this bunch with this hit. This was, internationally, the band’s first release though the UK had been treated to” Slam Dunk (Da Funk)” some months earlier, the track was remixed for the US release and given a new video, Jay’s rap replaced by Abs as his northern accent was thought to be too challenging for the US market, it’s co-written by a former member of 80s band Dead Or Alive (though not Pete Burns!)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 10th April 2012, 04:28 PM

115. HANDS TO HEAVEN- Breathe (209,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 12

More popular in the US than they were here this wasn’t Breathe’s only UK hit but let’s be honest you’ll struggle to find many who can hum any of the others. This was a US No 2 hit which peaked two places lower here in the summer of 88 and was the sole time they troubled the top 40 here.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 10th April 2012, 04:33 PM

114. UNPRETTY- TLC (209,500)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 11

Imagine the Sugababes “Ugly” but 6 years earlier, yep girl power is back in the form of TLC who are gonna teach girls to throw those shackles of male oppression off. This was the final release to make the top 20 before the girls went their different ways, the song originated from a poem which was turned into this US chart topping tale by Dallas Austin who had been behind the career of the girls virtually from the off (though they were "discovered" by 80s popstar Pebbles who gave them their name).

Posted by: torresgirl 10th April 2012, 05:57 PM

QUOTE(C.W @ Apr 9 2012, 07:47 PM)

One of the worst covers I've ever heard, just foul!

Posted by: superbossanova 10th April 2012, 08:28 PM

Not too fond of When The Lights Go Out. It's fair to say Five hadn't quite found their own style yet at this point. Not surprising it did well in the US when it got a push there - it's hardly worlds apart from being the same sound the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC were pedalling around this time. Of course this was after the Spice Girls had opened up America for a whole assortment of British pop acts - Cleopatra, B*Witched, Jimmy Ray... is it any wonder US radio practically blacklisted British acts in the years directly afterwards after some of the stuff that made it over there in that period?

TLC!! I was a big fan of them in '99 - had all three of the singles and of course the album. Unpretty was the worst of the three for me but still good. On a related note, shame that Creep missed out on the top 200 (even if you combined both releases of it I doubt it would be enough to go over the 200k mark considering its bigger release was in the lower January period and its first release missed the top 20). That one is all-time favourite material for me.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 10th April 2012, 08:39 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 10 2012, 09:28 PM)

TLC!! I was a big fan of them in '99 - had all three of the singles and of course the album. Unpretty was the worst of the three for me but still good. On a related note, shame that Creep missed out on the top 200 (even if you combined both releases of it I doubt it would be enough to go over the 200k mark considering its bigger release was in the lower January period and its first release missed the top 20). That one is all-time favourite material for me.

Posted by: Mart!n 10th April 2012, 09:01 PM

Big fan of No Scrubs, TLC best hit to date.

Posted by: Hitstastic 10th April 2012, 09:04 PM

QUOTE(Mart!n @ Apr 10 2012, 10:01 PM)

Posted by: N-S 10th April 2012, 09:34 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 9 2012, 07:32 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 10th April 2012, 09:50 PM

QUOTE(N-S @ Apr 10 2012, 10:34 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 11th April 2012, 04:16 PM

113. RIGHT HERE - S.W.V (210,100)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

Originally an album track that tanked on release in late 1992 it later transpired that all it needed was a much more famous track sampled through it and it could be big! Step forward Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” itself never a UK single though it made the US top 10 in 1983 and being on the “Thriller” album made sure that most knew of the song at any rate. Remixed it powered into the top 5 here just as Summer 93 was dying thanks also in part to its inclusion in the “Free Willy” film.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 11th April 2012, 04:20 PM

112. I NEED YOU- 3T (212,900)



RELEASED: 1996
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 10

Christmas 1996 and the brothers Jackson were back with their 4th release still searching for that ever elusive No 1. This didn’t provide them with it, it was too busy getting beaten by the likes of the Prodigy and Peter Andre, but it was a valiant effort, it’s a cover of an Eric Carmen track (famous for “Hungry Eyes” and “All By Myself”) from 1979 and was the last song by them to make the top 5.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 11th April 2012, 04:23 PM

111. ISN’T IT A WONDER?- Boyzone (216,900)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 14

Don’t let their apparent innocence fool you Boyzone weren’t above playing the marketing game. During the filming for this track they had a minor incident on a plane in Australia which manager Walsh created into a “Boyzone in plane crash” headline to generate publicity for the single, it almost worked as the song would have given them a third chart topper in row but for Comic Relief which aired that Friday giving a last minute boost to the CR record that year by the Spice Girls and thus relegated the song to No 2.

Posted by: Hitstastic 11th April 2012, 05:40 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 11 2012, 05:23 PM)

Posted by: N-S 12th April 2012, 10:11 AM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 11 2012, 05:16 PM)

113. RIGHT HERE - S.W.V (210,100)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

Originally an album track that tanked on release in late 1992 it later transpired that all it needed was a much more famous track sampled through it and it could be big! Step forward Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” itself never a UK single though it made the US top 10 in 1983 and being on the “Thriller” album made sure that most knew of the song at any rate. Remixed it powered into the top 5 here just as Summer 93 was dying thanks also in part to its inclusion in the “Free Willy” film.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 12th April 2012, 10:32 AM

That original version is just so meh! Goes nowhere IMHO.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 12th April 2012, 04:54 PM

110. BLACK COFFEE- All Saints (218,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 18

Co-written by former Miss UK Kirsty Roper it was penned as her debut single but was given to the All Saints and became their 5th and final No 1 in 2000. William Orbit was called in to helm the album after his overhaul of Madonna on “Ray Of Light” and came up trumps for the girls. Though fighting and bickering was to break them up just months after the song fell from No 1 as with so many bands on this list the reconciliation was only 6 years away, check out the video they weren’t actually speaking to each other on the day so there are no group shots!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 12th April 2012, 04:57 PM

109. IT’S OK- Atomic Kitten (218,300)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 13

An altogether happier house with the Kittens who had gone from strength to strength after almost getting dropped in late 2000. Whilst the track performed well making No 3 it interrupted a string of chart toppers and had it made the top it would have given the girls a string of four consecutive No 1 singles only ever achieved by two girl groups in the history of pop, neither of which have showed up yet.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 12th April 2012, 05:01 PM

108. I NEED YOU- B.V.S.M.P (219,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

Back to 1988 we go again and glorious one hit wonder time. Making No 3 in the summer of that year BVSMP apparently stands for Baby Virgo shocking Mr P (I have no idea) and caused very minor controversy by using the word “virginity” in the rap, can’t say I really noticed it at the time. For younger members you may recognise it for forming the base to Goldie Lookin Chain’s 2004 single “You Knows I Love You Baby”.

Posted by: Hitstastic 12th April 2012, 05:18 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 12 2012, 11:32 AM)

Posted by: Dandy* 12th April 2012, 05:34 PM

A couple of great tracks on this page, I absolutely looned over both Right Here and Black Coffee when they were released.

Posted by: superbossanova 12th April 2012, 09:25 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 12 2012, 05:54 PM)

110. BLACK COFFEE- All Saints (218,000)

Posted by: Jester 12th April 2012, 09:46 PM

Black Coffee is STILL amazing after almost 12 years. I just love All Saints with William Orbit.

Posted by: superbossanova 12th April 2012, 10:41 PM

Plus it's one of the few songs you just HAVE to listen to from start to finish every time because of the amazing outro (which I somehow forgot to mention before).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 13th April 2012, 04:27 PM

107. TONIGHT- New Kids On The Block (219,500)



RELEASED: 1990
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 10

Following up “Step By Step” (No 168) was this 1960’s pastiche which proved to be one of their longest running tracks chartwise. Being one of those tracks which addresses the fans directly and name checks many of their previous hits, the video is naturally full of tour footage and screaming girls, a bit like a victory parade for how successful they had become by this point. It became their 6th top 10 of 1990 and the final one (chronologically speaking) to make our rundown.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 13th April 2012, 04:29 PM

106. HANGIN TOUGH- New Kids On The Block (220,500)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 14

Back to back NKOTB time. This was the first single to be released in the UK by the band who had by this time conquered their homeland, but it limped to No 52 in 1989 and was only re-issued in light of “You Got It” making the top here. The song did however become the first No 1 single of the 1990s here, doing so just 5 weeks after the latter track vacated the position! It’s also equally infamous for becoming the lowest selling No 1 single ever (at that point) when it turned in a sales figure of just 28k to hit the top, a record that would stand for 12 years.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 13th April 2012, 04:33 PM

105. JESSE HOLD ON- B*Witched (220,600)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 12

Remember that record that Atomic kitten almost achieved (No 109)? Well one of the groups who did manage to get 4 straight No 1 singles (which all debuted there- a new record) were B*Witched. “Jesse Hold On” was the comeback single for the second album which was widely tipped to follow suit and give them a 5th chart topper but surprised us all by only making No 4, it was unfortunate to be up against three songs that were still selling exceptionally well, and though posting an opening week figure of almost 90k it couldn’t overcome Eiffel 65, Ann Lee or Christina Aguilera.

Posted by: gooddelta 13th April 2012, 04:38 PM

90k is a much higher opening for Jesse Hold On than I'd realised it had, it always seemed like a bit of a flop when it went in at #4. For the record, Genie In A Bottle, 2 Times and Blue (Da Ba Dee) is one of my all time favourite top 3's

Posted by: Gezza7T6 13th April 2012, 04:44 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 13 2012, 05:38 PM)

90k is a much higher opening for Jesse Hold On than I'd realised it had, it always seemed like a bit of a flop when it went in at #4. For the record, Genie In A Bottle, 2 Times and Blue (Da Ba Dee) is one of my all time favourite top 3's

Posted by: Hitstastic 13th April 2012, 05:28 PM

Gezza, what were the sales for that particular weeks top 4 when 'Jessie Hold On' debuted at #4? I know single sales were really strong throughout 1999 - iirc, the top 20 biggest selling singles of 1999 all sold over 500k.

Posted by: superbossanova 13th April 2012, 06:06 PM

Surely B*Witched weren't expected to beat Christina Aguilera? Maybe I had an advantage being closer to the age of the kind of markets they were aimed at, but I clearly remember the huge trail of hype Christina had behind her. Smash Hits were going on about her for months before I had even heard the song, all the comparisons to Britney in the media, the video seemed to be all over the place, everyone I knew loved it, etc. Plus the hip urban production and electro-stylings made it far cooler and with wider appeal than anything B*Witched could muster (although this one I only say in retrospect). It was easily the most popular song of the last few months of 1999 at my school anyway. To be honest, B*Witched seemed to diminish in popularity VERY rapidly among people I knew after Rollercoaster so I wasn't too surprised at them missing #1... even I had stopped caring by this point.

It was a pretty weak track to be honest. Not bad, just flat and losing the spark that made them popular in the first place a bit. I Shall Be There was a bizarre trend-jumping collaboration, roping in The Soup Gang when any casual interest from that advert had long since evaporated. However, I did like Jump Down ("you ran away with my spoon, you've stolen my heart").

Posted by: Gezza7T6 13th April 2012, 06:12 PM

QUOTE(Hitstastic @ Apr 13 2012, 06:28 PM)

Posted by: torresgirl 13th April 2012, 07:12 PM

What are you trying to do to me Gezza , two NKOTB videos on the same page? I guess I got an answer to my question earlier the thread that Tonight outsold Step by Step even though it charted lower. Good Times

I never really got Bewitched but they were everywhere for a year or so!!

Posted by: superbossanova 13th April 2012, 07:41 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 13 2012, 07:12 PM)

I can't really say- and that's all to do with the next thread?!

Posted by: gooddelta 13th April 2012, 09:13 PM

IIRC correctly, and bear in mind this is a very dark corner of my memory from 13 years ago, the Asda chart (almost as influential as the Woolies chart!) had Jesse Hold On at #1, Christina at #2 and Ann Lee at either #3 or #4. I recall thinking that they were wrong and that Christina would get the #1 but I never expected Ann Lee to come in ahead of B*Witched who I thought were a dead cert for #2! Needless to say, the two singles that I bought in Asda on that day were Genie In A Bottle and 2 Times.

Posted by: ScottyEm 13th April 2012, 09:23 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 30 2012, 05:10 PM)

158. BE ALONE NO MORE- Another Level (165,300)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

So good they released it twice. This was their first single ever making the top 10 in early 98 before being remixed and hooking Jay Z in for a rap in 1999, the sales here incidentally reflect the 98 release only. The band sent a tape to Jay Z Roc-a-fella label in the states who passed it onto his UK label who signed the band up and the rest is, as they say, history.

Posted by: ScottyEm 13th April 2012, 09:27 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Mar 30 2012, 05:17 PM)

157. BILLS BILLS BILLS- Destiny’s Child (165,400)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 6
WKS ON CHART: 9

This was their first US chart topper and the first of 11 consecutive top 10 singles for the band over here. Lyrically it’s the same old same old from Beyonce et al, it’s actually the first of their singles to be written in part by Rowland/ Beyonce and was the first step toward greater self autonomy over the band.

Posted by: ScottyEm 13th April 2012, 09:39 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 4 2012, 04:58 PM)

139. WAR OF NERVES- All Saints (181,600)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 7
WKS ON CHART: 11

Often overlooked in their catalogue, “War Of Nerves” was a 5th release from their debut release and the smallest hit to be culled from it. The album had of course done a million by this point so perhaps it is small wonder that sales had slumped and the band couldn’t pull a fourth chart topper from it especially given the release date in the midst of Christmas tracks, the video incidentally is filmed in the Met Bar in London, THE place to go at the time. Three members had by this time high profile relationships with Jamie Theakston, Robbie Williams, and Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai) making them prime newspaper fodder, it would take its toll.

Posted by: ScottyEm 13th April 2012, 09:44 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 6 2012, 12:26 PM)

132. JUMP- Girls Aloud (189,000)

Posted by: ScottyEm 13th April 2012, 09:48 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 8 2012, 05:58 PM)

125. IF YOU LOVE ME- Brownstone (196,000)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 8
WKS ON CHART: 12

Very brief 90s girl group Brownstone were signed to Michael Jackson’s label and saw the top 20 on three occasions between 95-97 this being their only top 10 hit. Not much of a story here I’m afraid except to say that it’s largely forgotten now and peaked at No 8 both here and in the US.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 14th April 2012, 10:38 AM

104. ALL THAT I NEED- Boyzone (222,400)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 14

Boyzone’s third No 1 single has a rich pedigree being penned by Sturken and Rogers, names you may not know but whose work you certainly will. In the noughties they formed SRP records and signed a 16 yr old Rihanna and introduced her to Jay Z before penning many of her hits such as “Shut Up and Drive” and “Pon De Replay” in addition to the Saturdays “Issues”. This track finally deposed Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins from the top in May 98 after they’d been there for 6 wks but ultimately sold less than a quarter of that record.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 14th April 2012, 10:41 AM

103. LOSE MY BREATH- Destiny’s Child (223,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 9

A three year break precipitated the release of DC’s fifth album “Destiny Fulfilled” during which time Beyonce and Kelly had made their bids for solo stardom. Released in a week that saw the band compete with new singles from the likes of Eminem, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears and became one of only 3 records during the first half of the 00s to spend 4 wks at No 2 without getting to No 1, the three tracks that were No 1 during those weeks were all beaten come year end of 2004 by this track- a fitting revenge.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 14th April 2012, 10:44 AM

102. BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE- Big Fun (223,600)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 11

So whilst 2wo Third3’s were the first openly gay boyband these were, as far we know, really the first to get that accolade. Written back in the 70s with the hope of selling it to Stevie Wonder it ended up in the Jackson’s lap who produced the most famous version of the song, and fast forward 10 years and S/A/W took a failing boy band and worked their magic on the track to give themselves another top 5 hit. The band had actually recorded a version of “I Feel The Earth Move” as a single but was pulled at the last minute in favour of this, fortunately for Martika who released her version just a few months later.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 14th April 2012, 10:47 AM

101. CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS/ SILENT NIGHT- Bros (224,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 8

The phenomenon of 1988 are back this time with their stab at the Xmas No 1 for the year. It became their second track to debut at No 2 but unlike the first (“I Owe You Nothing”) this couldn’t go any further. Lyrics were altered at the time as Goss had written a tale of teenage pregnancy, far too controversial for the teenage fan base so it was altered to a tale of spousal abuse (go figure) anyway it rounded off a perfect year for the boys.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 14th April 2012, 10:53 AM

The Bottom half of our rundown looks like this....

101. Cat Among The Pigeons/ Silent Night Bros 224,000
102. Blame It On The Boogie Big Fun 223,600
103. Lose My Breath Destiny's Child 223,000
104. All That I Need Boyzone 222,400
105. Jesse Hold On B*witched 220,600
106. Hangin Tough New Kids On The Block 220,500
107. Tonight New Kids On The Block 219,500
108. I Need You BVSMP 219,000
109. It's OK Atomic Kitten 218,300
110. Black Coffee All Saints 218,000

111. Isn't It A Wonder Boyzone 216,900
112. I Need You 3T 212,900
113. Right Here SWV 210,100
114. Unpretty TLC 209,500
115. Hands To Heaven Breathe 209,000
116. When The Lights Go Out Five 208,400
117. Coming Home Now Boyzone 205,700
118. Take On Me A1 205,000
119. Hold On Wilson Phillips 205,000
120. Fool Again Westlife 204,100

121. All I Have To Give Backstreet Boys 201,000
122. Key To My Life Boyzone 199,000
123. Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely Backstreet Boys 197,000
124. Forever Damage 196,000
125. If You Love Me Brownstone 196,000
126. Deep East 17 195,500
127. World Of Our Own Westlife 195,000
128. Bodyshakin 911 192,300
129. Say My Name Destiny's Child 190,000
130. Each Time East 17 189,400

131. Unbreakable Westlife 189,000
132. Jump Girls Aloud 189,000
133. Thunderbirds Are Go/ 3AM Busted 188,000
134. A Little Bit More 911 186,300
135. Slam Dunk (Da Funk) Five 186,100
136. Cleopatra's Theme Cleopatra 185,200
137. One Love Blue 185,000
138. I'm Doing Fine Pasadenas 182,700
139. War Of Nerves All Saints 181,600
140. All 4 Love Color Me Badd 179,500

141. Too Much Bros 179,000
142. Bye Bye Bye N*Sync 175,000
143. I Want You Back Bananarama 175,000
144. All I Want Mis-Teeq 174,500
145. Why Can't I Wake Up With You? Take That 173,400
146. Mandy Westlife 172,000
147. Hold On En Vogue 171,800
148. Tribute (Right On) Pasadenas 170,000
149. Bootylicious Destiny's Child 169,300
150. Power Of A Woman Eternal 168,000

151. We've Got It Goin On Backstreet Boys 167,800
152. Larger Than Life Backstreet Boys 167,500
153. Wonderful Tonight Damage 167,400
154. Mary's Prayer Danny Wilson 167,000
155. I Know Where It's At All Saints 165,800
156. Where's The Love? Hanson 165,800
157. Bills, Bills, Bills Destiny's Child 165,400
158. Be Alone No More Another Level 165,300
159. Don't You Love Me Eternal 164,300
160. Life Ain't Easy Cleopatra 164,300

161. Just A Step From Heaven Eternal 160,600
162. Year 3000 Busted 160,000
163. Say It Again Precious 159,600
164. Dragostea Din Tei O-Zone 158,000
165. Everytime/ Ready Or Not A1 157,300
166. Same Old Brand New A1 157,200
167. Jumpin Jumpin Destiny's Child 157,000
168. Step By Step New Kids On The Block 156,800
169. So Good Boyzone 154,800
170. The Last Goodbye/ Be With You Atomic Kitten 154,000

171. One Night Stand Mis-Teeq 153,300
172. Hole In The Head Sugababes 152,000
173. Caught In The Middle A1 152,000
174. Do You Want Me? Salt N Pepa 151,600
175. Steam East 17 150,400
176. 3 Colours In Her Hair McFly 150,000
177. Scandalous Mis-Teeq 150,000
178. He Ain't No Competition Brother Beyond 149,000
179. Cover Girl New Kids On The Block 148,700
180. I'll Stand By You Girls Aloud 147,000

181. Fly By II Blue 147,000
182. Could Have Told You So Halo James 146,000
183. More Than A Woman 911 145,900
184. From The Heart Another Level 145,500
185. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) New Kids On The Block 143,300
186. Crashed The Wedding Busted 142,000
187. Can't Shake The Feeling Big Fun 142,000
188. I Want You Back Cleopatra 142,000
189. Liquid Dreams O-Town 140,200
190. Crossroads Blazin Squad 140,000

191. I Will Come To You Hanson 139,800
192. Be The First To Believe A1 139,100
193. I Want You Back N*Sync 139,100
194. Overload Sugababes 138,000
195. Stay Eternal 137,200
196. My Lovin En Vogue 136,900
197. Guess I Was A Fool Another Level 136,000
198. Do You Still East 17 133,100
199. Bomb Diggy Another Level 132,200
200. I Quit Bros 132,000

Posted by: Mervatron 14th April 2012, 01:11 PM

I loved Lose my Breath. I used to play it all the time.

DC3 used to annoy me by never singing the chours live so you never got to hear them doing harmonies

Posted by: gooddelta 14th April 2012, 05:25 PM

I'm a huge fan of All That I Need, I know it's probably considered one of the most forgotten #1 singles of all time but it would be in or just outside my top ten of 1998, and anybody who knows me knows how much a fan I am of the music of 1998, which is HUGE praise for this song. It's so light and breezy but has a great melody, the production is very of its time, rather similar to that of Des'ree's Life in fact. Kudos to them for almost always performing live on TV too, unlike many of their contemporaries.

Posted by: PaulM1983 14th April 2012, 06:08 PM

QUOTE(Mervatron @ Apr 14 2012, 02:11 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 14th April 2012, 07:15 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 14 2012, 11:47 AM)

101. CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS/ SILENT NIGHT- Bros (224,000)

Posted by: torresgirl 14th April 2012, 07:24 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 14 2012, 08:15 PM)

Yuck! For some reason I really HATE the expression "cat among the pigeons" (not that you hear it much, thankfully) - why would anyone use it as a song title?

Posted by: Gezza7T6 15th April 2012, 09:44 AM

100. TOO CLOSE- Blue (224,300)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Originally a US No 1 in 1998 for Next, the song only made No 24 over here and disappeared without many noticing. That made it relatively unknown over here and thusly perfect for a boy band in search of a chart topper, and Blue proved that point when it gave them their first No 1. It deposed the final Five record and thus ensured a smooth transition for the teenage audience in search of bad boys to take to their hearts.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 15th April 2012, 09:49 AM

99. ROUND ROUND- Sugababes (225,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

No less than 12 names are on the writing credits for the second Sugababes No 1 which pretty much established them as the biggest girl group around. Promoted during their comeback as a kind of “All Saints” for the 00s they played on a much more urban cool image than the more pop based groups such as Atomic Kitten but make no mistake it was the quality of the tracks that got them there.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 15th April 2012, 09:55 AM

98. OH BABY I....- Eternal (225,900)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 13

By far the biggest selling single to be lifted from their debut album “Oh Baby I” peaked at No 4 in late 94 in time to give the parent album a nice boost over the Xmas period. What is remarkable is that it was actually the 5th track to be released from the album, and they weren’t even done then with a 6th single “Crazy” making the top 20 over the festive season to ensure the album sold its millionth copy before Louise announced her departure just weeks before Robbie left Take That.

Posted by: Mervatron 15th April 2012, 11:01 AM

Eternal

Posted by: vibe 15th April 2012, 01:11 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 14 2012, 11:41 AM)

103. LOSE MY BREATH- Destiny’s Child (223,000)



RELEASED: 2004
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 9

A three year break precipitated the release of DC’s fifth album “Destiny Fulfilled” during which time Beyonce and Kelly had made their bids for solo stardom. Released in a week that saw the band compete with new singles from the likes of Eminem, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears and became one of only 3 records during the first half of the 00s to spend 4 wks at No 2 without getting to No 1, the three tracks that were No 1 during those weeks were all beaten come year end of 2004 by this track- a fitting revenge.

Posted by: superbossanova 15th April 2012, 07:50 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 15 2012, 10:55 AM)

98. OH BABY I....- Eternal (225,900)

Posted by: superbossanova 15th April 2012, 08:07 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 15 2012, 10:44 AM)

100. TOO CLOSE- Blue (224,300)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Originally a US No 1 in 1998 for Next, the song only made No 24 over here and disappeared without many noticing. That made it relatively unknown over here and thusly perfect for a boy band in search of a chart topper, and Blue proved that point when it gave them their first No 1. It deposed the final Five record and thus ensured a smooth transition for the teenage audience in search of bad boys to take to their hearts.

Posted by: Herbs 15th April 2012, 08:20 PM

Oh Baby I is one of the main tracks i grew up to. love it. pity to see Destinys child - lose my breath so low - didnt it get deleted, hence its short chart run.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 15th April 2012, 08:21 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 15 2012, 09:07 PM)

Actually the last Five single was the Closer To Me / Rock The Party AA-side in October. Penultimate would be a more accurate term.

For the record, I think this song is an abysmal cover. So typical for a boyband to go to complete and utter dross after a decent start. It happens with almost all of them - JLS, McFly, etc. Heck, even Westlife were bearable for their first few singles! Then they realise that they don't need to make any effort to get pretty much the same return, so out comes the endless display of lazy, dull, unimaginitive crap.

At least All Rise is deservedly Blue's highest entry in this chart, although I imagine Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (a duet with Elton John, so excluded here because of that) might have outsold it overall.

Posted by: Pepi 16th April 2012, 11:14 AM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 15 2012, 11:49 AM)

99. ROUND ROUND- Sugababes (225,000)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 16th April 2012, 12:08 PM

QUOTE(Herbs @ Apr 15 2012, 09:20 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 16th April 2012, 04:04 PM

97. LOVE AIN’T HERE ANYMORE- Take That (227,400)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

Whilst the kittens might have been peeved at “It’s Ok” breaking their run of No 1’s, the Take That boys must have been livid with the performance of this track. They scored 4 consecutive chart toppers either side of this track which could only make No 3 on release running into not only All-4-One but also the mighty “Love Is All Around” two pretty immovable records during the summer of 1994. Some blamed the staggered release of formats, a second CD and a cassette were released in the second week which helped the song stay at No 3, but in truth with decreasing sales figures in week 2 such an explanation is without merit, more likely is that this was actually a 6th single to be plucked from the already million selling “Everything Changes” album.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 16th April 2012, 04:07 PM

96. QUIT PLAYING GAMES (WITH MY HEART)- Backstreet Boys (227,800)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 10

A steady growth in fan base throughout 1996 resulted in the boys’ first release of 1997 looking set for the top until the exposure given on TOTP to Tori Amos saw them demoted to No 2 on the Sunday by a narrow margin. In the US this was the band’s first release making exactly the same position as it did over here, an early piece of Cheiron production the band fought hard to make it a single after record company antipathy.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 16th April 2012, 04:11 PM

95. WHEN WILL I BE FAMOUS?- Bros (229,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 13

Back to the very first week covered by this rundown and of course to Bros. “when Will I Be Famous” was the first song they managed to chart but performed badly over the Xmas 87 period when it peaked at No 62 lost in the Christmas rush, but as soon as that died down the record took off in the new year taking just 5 weeks to rise from No 51 to No 2. Written from the perspective of a talent scout who’s about to manipulate a band into becoming big stars it spookily foretold the fortunes of the band over the course of the next two years, and whilst they would later claim manager Tom Watkins ripped them off there is no doubt the boys were willing victims and became a byword for 80s excess in the industry.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 17th April 2012, 05:53 PM

94. EVERYBODY GET UP- Five (230,300)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK PSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 12

The first of three successive No 2 hits for the band this lost out in a girl group Vs Boy band battle to the All Saints in September 98. A factor in this was the fact that the Five CD was sold at £3.99, almost double that of the opposition single so whilst they may have lost the battle they probably generated far more profit for the record company than the All Saints track did. A sample of “I Love Rock N Roll” and a school based promo helped flog it no doubt.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 17th April 2012, 05:59 PM

93. BLAME IT ON THE WEATHERMAN- B*Witched (231,100)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 9

Despite suffering the biggest fall from the top spot in 8 years that didn’t dent the achievement of B*Witched in getting their fourth No 1 single in a row, the first to have each of their first four hits debut at the top, and the second act (after the Spice Girls) to start a career off with four No. 1’s. In truth they were fortunate to get there thanks to a weak market (for 1999 anyway) and the late collapse in sales of the Comic Relief record by Boyzone which enabled them to grab 7 days in the sunshine.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 17th April 2012, 06:04 PM

92. IF YOU COME BACK- Blue (232,000)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

What connects the last two records (other than both being No 1 hits)? Well it’s actually another boy band 911. 911 Front man Lee Brennan married B*Witched Lyndsey Armaou and co-penned this song for Blue which rounded off a perfect year 1 for them, it helped launch their debut album which whilst a big seller took until April 2002 to finally make No 1.

Posted by: superbossanova 17th April 2012, 08:01 PM

Hmm, I was never a fan of those kind of songs from Five. They tended to suffer from lack of melody and awful shouting/straining vocals. Not my cup of tea. Better than their We Will Rock You cover (which is one of the worst #1s ever) but that's all the praise I can give it.

And Blame On The Weatherman is a bit of a BORE too. No real hook and their unfortunately characterless vocals don't help matters. I know for a fact there were better songs on that album just crying out for release, such as the Jackson 5-sampling Rev It Up and the rather lovely Oh Mr. Postman, which I thought was like the most beautiful song ever as a kid. (And yes, I did just listen to the album the other week, hence why I can remember these so vividly.)

That 1-9 drop was definitely a shock though! Although I was more floored when Emma Bunton went 1-1-8 with What Took You So Long? The concept of her only getting two weeks because it was dead the second didn't even enter my mind back then, being at #1 for more than a week ALWAYS suggested the song was hugely popular to me in those fleeting days, so dropping to #8 after that seemed inexplicable.

Posted by: Lukuzz 17th April 2012, 08:16 PM

B*Witched had some fantastic songs, the first album was brilliant. Shame they disappeared so quickly.

Looking forward to seeing where all the Spice Girls songs are!

Posted by: N-S 17th April 2012, 08:26 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 17 2012, 07:04 PM)

92. IF YOU COME BACK- Blue (232,000)

Posted by: superbossanova 17th April 2012, 09:01 PM

Speaking of B*Witched's first album, this is possibly the most WTF moment on any late 90s pop album:



Irish Jig (DRUM AND BASS remix). T'was wasted as an intro - we needed a full version and for it to be a single!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 17th April 2012, 10:53 PM

^ THAT is appauling- I never bought the album, but i'm pleased to hear that the thread inspired you!

Posted by: Herbs 18th April 2012, 05:28 AM

b*witched did have some awesome album tracks. 'if It Dont Fit' and 'Are You A Ghost', and 'Someday' were all highlights for me

Posted by: gooddelta 18th April 2012, 08:48 AM

Blame It On The Weatherman was quite decent I thought but a HUGE step down from the mighty To You I Belong, I too was shocked at the 1-9 slip though, I'd never seen anything like it before! It was more 'worldy' than their other singles so led nicely into their second album I guess.

If You Come Back is probably my favourite Blue single, a great example of a pop ballad. I too have little time for that 5ive song/general sound.

Posted by: russt68 18th April 2012, 01:51 PM

B*witched? Whaaaat? Truly, truly, utterly AWFUL. Come on, guys.... you can't be serious.

Posted by: russt68 18th April 2012, 01:57 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 16 2012, 05:11 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 18th April 2012, 03:47 PM

91. FREAK LIKE ME- Sugababes (235,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 14

And so the best selling single by the Sugababes (pre 2005 anyway), and the single that turned round their career in a stroke. The band’s previous single “Soul Sound” only made No 30 and things were looking grim for the group as new member Heidi Range was drafted in as the rather photogenic replacement, but this song is not really a Sugababes record but a Richard X track. He had done an illegal mash-up for a group called Girls On Top entitled “We Don’t Give A Damn” but failed to get a sample of the Adina Howard track “Freak Like Me” cleared so had in effect to get a group in to record new vocals. At this point he had the idea to mash the track with Tubeway Army’s 1979 hit “Are Friends Electric?” and it was he that chose the Sugababes to record it. No matter, the margin of under 2k which won the band the No 1 spot re-launched them and for the remainder of the decade the band accrued a total of 6 No 1’s.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 18th April 2012, 03:50 PM

90. HOLLER/ LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY- Spice Girls (236,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 17

With an inordinate amount of publicity and hype the girls returned to the pop charts in November 2000 with this double A-Side creation, the R N B Darkchild produced “Holler” and the gentler ballad “Let Love Lead The Way”. Naturally it debuted at No 1 though sales of 106k were hardly a return to the heady days of the 90s and the tracks were criticised for being “too American” or too aping of the current R N B style to make them individual, something that the group managed to do effortlessly previously. A high profile war of words with Westlife was the result of seeing their albums being released in the same week and when the girls came off second best (and with very poor sales comparatively) they took the hint and called it a day- for 7 years at least.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 18th April 2012, 03:54 PM

89. BOOTIE CALL- All Saints (237,600)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 11

Registering the biggest first week sale of any of their 90s hits, “Bootie Call” arrived at the top of the charts to become the 800th No 1 of all time in the UK. A fourth hit to be lifted from their eponymous debut album it became a third straight chart topper for them during a year where they seriously challenged the Spice Girls for chart domination.

Posted by: superbossanova 18th April 2012, 08:36 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 18 2012, 04:50 PM)

90. HOLLER/ LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY- Spice Girls (236,000)

Posted by: gooddelta 18th April 2012, 10:20 PM

Holler and Bootie Call are the absolute worst that Spice Girls and All Saints had to offer respectively, both dire and neither should have gone anywhere near #1. Let Love Lead The Way was ok but again, album filler at best.

Posted by: superbossanova 18th April 2012, 10:39 PM

Bootie Call was too urban to have mass appeal and sell that much (considering this was 1998) and maybe didn't deserve to be #1 in that respect but it's still ace. I just love the ominously creeping production that manages to make the whole thing sound like some dark, sordid fantasy.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 18th April 2012, 11:02 PM

But it COULD have been the rather better "War of Nerves" that got a release instead of this and become a No 1. Then again that has a more "christmassy" appeal to it I suppose. As noted in my commentary of No 94 (the song it held off No 1) it was sold at virtually half the price of the Five record which was certainly a factor....

Posted by: Gezza7T6 19th April 2012, 04:44 PM

88. DROP THE BOY- Bros (239,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 10

After the initial success of “When Will I Be Famous” (No 95) the follow up was a considerably more instant affair rocketing from 17-2 and spending 4 weeks waiting patiently at there, a mixture of Aswad and the Pet Shop Boys depriving them. All of which proved a mixed blessing for Tom Watkins who managed both acts not that I suppose he was too fussed, lyrically a tale of growing up and being taken seriously they seemed to misunderstand their audience who were far too interested in sticking posters on bedroom walls and screaming at the boys to take this message seriously.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 19th April 2012, 04:48 PM

87. ALL RISE- Blue (241,100)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 13

The fifth and final entry from Blue comes in the form of first single and title track to the album “All Rise”. Given it contained two No 1 singles nothing could match the selling power of this track, indeed nothing they ever made would sell more with the exception of 2002’s collaboration with Elton which obviously doesn’t feature here. Solo careers followed the split in early 2005 with three members of the band hitting the top 5 all over again and a full on reunion for Eurovision last year is perhaps better best forgotten.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 19th April 2012, 04:52 PM

86. ANGEL OF MINE- Eternal (254,500)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 13

The final single to be released as a trio, “Angel Of Mine” proved to be a fitting epitaph. Though it only peaked at No 4 it proved a suitable launch pad for their “Greatest Hits” album but moreover was taken by US R N B singer Monica and turned into a No 1 single stateside in 1999. Kelle Bryan was reputedly fired via fax by the Bennett sisters in 1998 and the group proved their name somewhat ironic when it all ended in 1999.

Posted by: superbossanova 19th April 2012, 06:37 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 19 2012, 05:52 PM)

86. ANGEL OF MINE- Eternal (254,500)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 20th April 2012, 04:20 PM

85. SACRED TRUST/ AFTER YOU’RE GONE- One True Voice (255,000)



RELEASED: 2002
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 9

The story of this band is well documented. Formed on the talent show “Popstars: The Rivals” and came off the worse in the battle with Girls Aloud for the Christmas No 1 spot 2002 but did sell more than 50% of its final total in that week. They followed in the footsteps of Steps, Boyzone, and 911 in taking Bee Gees penned songs and turning them into bigger hits than the originals, this particular track showing up on their album “This Is Where I Come In” (the band’s final studio album).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 20th April 2012, 04:24 PM

84. COULD IT BE MAGIC- Take That (255,400)



RELEASED: 1992
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

The earliest TT single to make our list it is of course a cover of the Barry Manilow “classic” from 1973 with a little help from Chopin obviously. Their arrangement is based, and owes a greater debt to, Donna Summer’s disco version later in that decade than Manilow’s original composition and proved the real breakthrough for the band into the nation’s consciousness, so much so that the boys picked up a BRIT in 93 for best single.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 20th April 2012, 04:29 PM

83. I’LL MAKE LOVE TO YOU- Boyz II Men (255,900)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 17

A slightly controversial inclusion given that they always insisted they were a “Male vocal harmony group” but to my mind they’ve always been a boy band in denial. A US No 1 for 14 wks in 1994 the single proved an impressive start to their second album and became one of only 4 top 10 hits here, making them a shadow of the group that they were stateside. Those 14 wks were incidentally an all time record in the US which they ended up beating themselves just 2 years later in conjunction with Mariah Carey, and that record still stands to this day, they have spent a total of 50 wks at the top there with just 5 chart toppers.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 20th April 2012, 04:30 PM

As I'm feeling generous this weekend it's double post time tomorrow and Sunday!

Posted by: Hitstastic 20th April 2012, 05:23 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 20 2012, 05:24 PM)

84. COULD IT BE MAGIC- Take That (255,400)



RELEASED: 1992
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 12

The earliest TT single to make our list it is of course a cover of the Barry Manilow “classic” from 1973 with a little help from Chopin obviously. Their arrangement is based, and owes a greater debt to, Donna Summer’s disco version later in that decade than Manilow’s original composition and proved the real breakthrough for the band into the nation’s consciousness, so much so that the boys picked up a BRIT in 93 for best single.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 20th April 2012, 05:28 PM

QUOTE(Hitstastic @ Apr 20 2012, 06:23 PM)

Sorry but watching this now is hilarious. Just watch Gary Barlow throughout the entire performance. It looks so wrong...but was so right (it would appear) back in 1992.

Posted by: torresgirl 20th April 2012, 05:30 PM

I actually Looove Take That's version of Could it be Magic and although its a cover is one of my favs of theirs! I love the energy in the video!

Posted by: Hitstastic 20th April 2012, 05:36 PM

I have Take That 'Could It Be Magic' on cassette single although I didn't buy it myself. Instead, I found myself receiving loads of cassette singles from December 1992 as Christmas presents. I must've had the top 20 singles or thereabouts bought me from different members of the family. I got two copies of 'Phorever People' by The Shamen because of this!!!

(should've planned it better )

Except 'I Will Always Love You' where I was bought The Bodyguard OST instead.

Posted by: OutstandingMike 20th April 2012, 05:47 PM

One True Voice

Posted by: superbossanova 20th April 2012, 06:28 PM

I wouldn't say Boyz II Men were a controversial inclusion if you were including En Vogue, who they were essentially a male version of! (Well, except without the attitude any killer tunes, but you get the idea). And En Vogue themselves were a 90s remake of 60s groups like The Supremes and The Ronettes - who nobody in the music press ever denies are girl groups. So by that conjunction I agree they were a boyband. I was expecting them to come up really.

I'll Make Love To You, though... umm, no thanks!

One True Voice - just pitiful. Mind you, Sacred Trust was full of life compared to After You're Gone (which I am possibly the only person in the world who remembers it, even though it's dreary as f*** and without any memorable characteristics - blame the fact I used to be glued to the music channels until about 2004/05).

Posted by: gooddelta 20th April 2012, 09:11 PM

Sacred Trust is HORRIBLE, although I still thought that it would beat Girls Aloud just because males always seem to do better than females generally in TV talent shows, and the act who got the #1 was 'the winner'. Thank god GA launched with a stunning and standout debut single to let quality overcome teenage girls. And looking at OTV's styling and song choices, would they have really appealed to ANY sane teenage girl musically or visually?

Angel of Mine is gorgeous, my second favourite Eternal single after I Wanna Be The Only One, which I guess won't feature what with it being a collaboration. And I love Take That's cover of Could It Be Magic! It's decent chart run suggested it would have higher sales than that but I guess it was a low sales climate.

Posted by: Hitstastic 21st April 2012, 08:43 AM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 20 2012, 10:11 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 10:26 AM

82. I OWE YOU NOTHING- Bros (256,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

For all the hype this was their biggest single at a touch over a quarter of a million. There first single in 1987, it tanked at No 80 but the group had faith in it, and a new video and promo finally paid off when it was re-released in June 1988 and spent a fortnight at No 1 (their sole chart topper) and had it not been for the policy of TOTP pre 1990s to only show songs in the top 40 (thus preventing exposure for new releases) the song would have probably entered the charts at the top- a much truer reflection of their fame at the time.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 10:29 AM

81. SURVIVOR- Destiny’s Child (260,500)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

A song written to reflect the myriad of personnel changes that had gone on in the group to this point the track opened at No 1 with a healthy sale of over 100k to become the bands second and final chart topper. Some controversy ensued in the lyrics when lawsuits were filled by former members Luckett & Roberson who were unhappy at lines such as “Thought I wouldn’t sell without you/ Sold ten million” which they saw as directed at them.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 10:33 AM

Re-E-Wind the crowd say 81-100


81. Survivor Destiny's Child 260,500
82. I Owe You Nothing Bros 256,000
83. I'll Make Love To You Boyz II Men 255,900
84. Could It Be Magic Take That 255,400
85. Sacred Trust/ After You're Gone One True Voice 255,000
86. Angel Of Mine Eternal 254,500
87. All Rise Blue 241,100
88. Drop The Boy Bros 239,000
89. Bootie Call All Saints 237,600
90. Holler/ Let Love Lead The Way Spice Girls 236,000

91. Freak Like Me Sugababes 235,000
92. If You Come Back Blue 232,000
93. Blame It On The Weatherman B*witched 231,100
94. Everybody Get Up Five 230,300
95. When Will I Be Famous Bros 229,000
96. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) Backstreet Boys 227,800
97. Love Ain't Here Anymore Take That 227,400
98. Oh Baby I..... Eternal 225,900
99. Round Round Sugababes 225,000
100. Too Close Blue 224,300

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 10:36 AM

80. THE HARDER I TRY- Brother Beyond (266,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 14

A boy band who were, quite frankly, going nowhere, until their record company won, via way of charity auction, the services of producers S/A/W who took the band and produced “The Harder I try” giving the song a Motown-esque feel and sampled the drum roll from “This Old Heart Of Mine” into the bargain. Some rivalry was caused in the Yondies Vs Brossettes but not many outside of the world of teenage girls really cared, though once the dust has settled it's BB who have the last laugh outselling any single that Bros produced- just.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 05:12 PM

79. UNTIL THE TIME IS THROUGH- Five (267,000)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 12

One of the many victims of Cher’s “Believe” (she actually denied three boy band records the top slot) this was the band’s second No 2 hit following “Everybody Get Up” (No 94) and was their first venture into the typical boy band fodder of the ballad.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 05:15 PM

78. LET’S DANCE- Five (275,300)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 12

Much more like it! The final chart topper for the band was one of their finest moments despite the band really being four after the departure of Sean Conlon in mid 2001. They tried to make a joke of it with the cardboard cut out in the video but there is a serious problem when you name yourself after the number of members in the group and one leaves. Rather than recruit they decided they had enough and a GH compilation followed just months after their final studio album was released, but with this hit the band became only the second boy band ever to make the top 10 with their first 10 releases.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 05:23 PM

77. SURE- Take That (275,400)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART:15

Selling over 100k in its first week this narrowly managed to become the 5th Take That chart topper to debut at No 1. A more urban and Americanised record than previous attempts, not everyone was overly enamoured with the shift in musical feel that the band had made and it struggled beyond the hardcore fans falling 4-11-31 after a fortnight at the top, a total of 5 weeks in the top 40.

Posted by: ScottyEm 21st April 2012, 06:52 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 21 2012, 11:29 AM)

Posted by: Hitstastic 21st April 2012, 08:54 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 21 2012, 06:23 PM)

Posted by: gooddelta 21st April 2012, 08:58 PM

Sure is absolute crap, one of the few Take That songs that I'll actively skip, surely sounded dated before it had left the chart, horrible production and no melody.

I'm not big on Let's Dance but the video was well executed and actually fairly funny, Until The Time Is Through is far more my sort of thing though, LOVE it Sounds like early Westlife though looking back, despite preceding their first single by 6 months.

As an aside, I love rewatching these old TOTP performances, I can even remember many of them from the first time round. But it's interesting looking at the crowd, the hairstyles and fashions of the era! Thank god I was never an audience member there, I'd cringe watching myself back 10-12 years ago.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 21st April 2012, 09:08 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ Apr 21 2012, 09:58 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 10:44 AM

76. HELP- Banananarama (with Lananeeneenoonoo) (276,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 9

I’ve decided to include this record despite it being, technically a collaboration, as of course the collaboration is with a fictional group comprising comediennes French & Saunders and Kathy Burke. This was their 20th hit and the one that debuted the highest (No 12), in aid of comic relief, the band are a victim of the time period covered by this thread and had it been extended back to 1982 then many of their hits would be here. Written by Lennon as a reaction to the rapid rise in fame of the Beatles and his depression during the period, that was all rather lost on this S/A/W production which assisted them getting production rights on 21 top 10 hits in 1989.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 10:47 AM

75. PICTURE OF YOU- Boyzone (277,000)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 18

Another tale of a lost midweek No 1, “Picture of You” became one of three runner up hits for the band in 1997, and tied in with the Mr Bean movie which hit cinema’s that summer. In part this was again put down to marketing at the time (and one of the reasons why the first week discount became so prevalent by 98/99, with insiders claiming that had the CD been priced at £1.99 and not £3.99 it would have given the band a No 1.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 10:51 AM

74. AROUND THE WORLD- East 17 (285,000)



RELEASED: 1994
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 13

After a so-so 1993 during which 2 releases failed to go top 10 1994 was a far brighter year for the boys. All 3 releases made the top 10 of which this was the first, but being stuck in the chart with Wet, Wet, wet’s “Love Is All Around” pretty much meant its progress in the charts was never going to be all the way to the top, that treat was still some 7 months away, but as this was their second top 3 hit on the trot their intention was clear!

Posted by: Hitstastic 22nd April 2012, 11:34 AM

'Around The World' by East 17 is a really good pop song imo, but seems to be one their most underrated. Shame as "that song" 7 months later is a song I liked but not to the extent that I ever thought it deserved to be a UK #1 but that's just my opinion of course.

As for 'Picture Of You', that is quite easily the best Boyzone single from their entire career. Whenever I hear boybands singing ballads, I think of the term "boybland". It's just a bit too sickly sweet for my liking, so when tracks like 'Picture Of You' and even 'Let's Dance' by Five surface, I take more of an interest. Would explain why 'World Of Our Own' by Westlife is their only single I like.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 11:53 AM

True- but they do occasionally get the ballads right- lots of great examples still to come! Personally I've always had a soft spot for Five (MINUS Richie who needs to be erased from pop history this second), "Let's Dance" will always one of the two greatest moments they had- the other is still to come as well!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 03:35 PM

73. MY LOVE- Westlife (287,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 10

A song which always reminded me of Chicago’s “Hard to say I’m Sorry” I recall this came out at the height of their power back in late 2000. A war of words with the Spice Girls would result in a furious battle for the No 1 album the week after this entered the charts but sometimes in pop the division between who’s “top of the pile” chart wise is easy to see and those couple of weeks in November saw the transfer of power from the girls to these boys. This knocked “Holler/ Let Love Lead The Way” off the top to become seven No 1’s from debut thus breaking the record set by the girls in 1997, and when they won the album war it was game, set, and match to Westlife. It’s also incidentally one of their better songs IMO and when it won record of the year they became the first act to win the award twice and the only act, to date, to win back to back victories.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 03:38 PM

72. IF YA GETTIN DOWN- Five (291,500)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 12

But for the tenacity of Ricky Martin’s “Livin La Vida Loca” and a pricing policy again (yes the old £3.99 mistake) this would have held its midweek chart position of No 1. Based around a sample of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” by Indeep from 1983, it wasted little time become the band’s third No 2 on the trot (a sequence which was about to be broken by their next record).

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 03:41 PM

71. IF I LET YOU GO- Westlife (295,800)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 11

Much was made at the time of the fact that the students had toppled their tutor with this release. Ronan Keating was, in case you forgot, co-manager of Westlife at the beginning of their career and dethroned his “When You Say Nothing At All” at No 1 with this track in August 99. Another Cheiron production this was lucky to be No 1 at all triumphing by a margin of just 470 copies over Alice Deejay.

Posted by: Thermometer 22nd April 2012, 03:43 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 22 2012, 04:41 PM)

Posted by: N-S 22nd April 2012, 04:17 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 22 2012, 04:41 PM)

71. IF I LET YOU GO- Westlife (295,800)

Posted by: superbossanova 22nd April 2012, 04:29 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 21 2012, 11:26 AM)

82. I OWE YOU NOTHING- Bros (256,000)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 04:38 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 22 2012, 05:29 PM)

An awful song that sounds like it's been overproduced to within an inch of its life to act as a smoke screen to the fact it's an incredibly poor tune.

How much did their first album sell out of interest? I know that album sales were in better shape than that of singles in the late 1980s which might have helped their sales to match the hype a bit more. Although it's not uncommon for the opposite to be the case with these kind of things - why? Because kids are easily led to want to fit in with the rest of their class (so will be happy to buy the latest Bros merchandise, perhaps) and more importantly, the music always comes second with these kind of groups anyway.

Posted by: superbossanova 22nd April 2012, 04:39 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 21 2012, 06:15 PM)

78. LET’S DANCE- Five (275,300)

Posted by: superbossanova 22nd April 2012, 04:58 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 22 2012, 04:41 PM)

71. IF I LET YOU GO- Westlife (295,800)

Posted by: superbossanova 22nd April 2012, 05:15 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 22 2012, 05:38 PM)

"Push" did just over a million by the end of the 80s- I doubt it's been added to much since

Bros were bizarre in a way that's hard to retell now- they were MASSIVE for a good 18 months but i've yet to witness a group fall so far so quickly (admittedly they had higher to fall from), even the boybands that came later never seem to match the frenzy of 1988 bros-mania. It may be that as groups like Boyzone and Take That were just as big for longer periods it didn't seem so concentrated as the whole Bros thing, and looking back now it's much more of a curiosity as to just how it went SOOO wrong....

Posted by: Gezza7T6 22nd April 2012, 05:25 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 22 2012, 06:15 PM)

Posted by: gooddelta 22nd April 2012, 09:51 PM

Ugh, don't remind me of the whole If I Let You Go/Better Off Alone injustice The sad thing is, the former is easily one of Westlife's best songs, it all went down hill after the first three singles.

I have to comment on Picture Of You too, absolutely up there with Boyzone's best, it still gets quite a bit of airplay I think too, probably their most enduring song along with No Matter What, and deservedly so. Better known for their ballads they may be but Picture Of You and Love You Anyway prove that they can excel at the uptempos too.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 23rd April 2012, 04:36 PM

70. LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX- Salt N Pepa (298,000)



RELEASED: 1991
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 13

Any record that spends 16 wks at No 1 is going to rack up some casualties from the records which end up at No 2 behind it, and for Bryan Adams in 1991 this is one of them. The follow up “Do You Want Me” (No 174) gave them back to back top 10 hits for the second and final time, a tale of safe sex and AIDS prevention it of course had its critics at the time but for the first girls of rap they had overcome bigger hurdles.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 23rd April 2012, 04:40 PM

69. A DIFFERENT BEAT- Boyzone (306,400)



RELEASED: 1996
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 15

Hitting the top on the 2nd anniversary of their debut Boyzone had long established themselves as kings of the ballads with only one uptempo song (their poorest seller “So Good” at No 169) in their repertoire. This track follows in that tradition and nabbed a sneaky week at No 1 in the run up to Christmas No 1 1996, their second number one of the year.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 23rd April 2012, 04:44 PM

68. IT’S ALRIGHT- East 17 (312,700)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 14

Pre “Stay” this was East 17’s best selling single garnering significant sales thanks to its top 5 position over the Christmas 1993 period. It was their first top 3 hit and was most recently covered by none other than Kim Wilde just last year (along with Tasmin Archer’s Sleeping Satellite), it was a sixth! Release from debut set “Walthamstow” but was re-recorded and remixed from its album version which perhaps accounts in part for its large sales haul.

Posted by: Hitstastic 23rd April 2012, 04:50 PM

...and here it is.

After picking out 'Around The World' as one of my fave East 17 singles, 'It's Alright' is my overall fave by them. East 17 were another of those British pop groups I found incredibly inconsistant with their single choices. For every 'It's Alright', there was a 'Steam'. I shall just reflect on their hits I liked the most. ** plays YouTube clip **

Posted by: vibe 23rd April 2012, 05:16 PM

Good to see east 17 out selling the ballads from boy zone and west life even if their singles did top the charts, east 17 at least wrote and produced a huge bulk of their material! Really enjoying this thread!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 23rd April 2012, 05:42 PM

QUOTE(Hitstastic @ Apr 23 2012, 05:50 PM)

...and here it is.

After picking out 'Around The World' as one of my fave East 17 singles, 'It's Alright' is my overall fave by them. East 17 were another of those British pop groups I found incredibly inconsistant with their single choices. For every 'It's Alright', there was a 'Steam'. I shall just reflect on their hits I liked the most. ** plays YouTube clip **

QUOTE(vibe @ Apr 23 2012, 06:16 PM)

Posted by: N-S 23rd April 2012, 08:27 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 23 2012, 05:40 PM)

69. A DIFFERENT BEAT- Boyzone (306,400)

Posted by: Lukuzz 23rd April 2012, 09:12 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 18 2012, 04:50 PM)

90. HOLLER/ LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY- Spice Girls (236,000)



RELEASED: 2000
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 17

With an inordinate amount of publicity and hype the girls returned to the pop charts in November 2000 with this double A-Side creation, the R N B Darkchild produced “Holler” and the gentler ballad “Let Love Lead The Way”. Naturally it debuted at No 1 though sales of 106k were hardly a return to the heady days of the 90s and the tracks were criticised for being “too American” or too aping of the current R N B style to make them individual, something that the group managed to do effortlessly previously. A high profile war of words with Westlife was the result of seeing their albums being released in the same week and when the girls came off second best (and with very poor sales comparatively) they took the hint and called it a day- for 7 years at least.

Posted by: gooddelta 23rd April 2012, 10:20 PM

QUOTE(N-S @ Apr 23 2012, 09:27 PM)

Posted by: russt68 23rd April 2012, 11:36 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 22 2012, 11:44 AM)

76. HELP- Banananarama (with Lananeeneenoonoo) (276,000)



RELEASED: 1989
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 9

I’ve decided to include this record despite it being, technically a collaboration, as of course the collaboration is with a fictional group comprising comediennes French & Saunders and Kathy Burke. This was their 20th hit and the one that debuted the highest (No 12), in aid of comic relief, the band are a victim of the time period covered by this thread and had it been extended back to 1982 then many of their hits would be here. Written by Lennon as a reaction to the rapid rise in fame of the Beatles and his depression during the period, that was all rather lost on this S/A/W production which assisted them getting production rights on 21 top 10 hits in 1989.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 04:11 PM

67. FLYING WITHOUT WINGS- Westlife (313,600)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

Westlife’s third chart topper did what all their first 7 releases did, debuted there. It has also, as you may know, been covered by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard as his winning song and made the US No 2 spot, and in addition to that a live version of this track by the band became the first EVER download No 1 when that chart was first compiled in late 2004.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 04:15 PM

66. EVERYDAY I LOVE YOU- Boyzone (314,600)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 13

We didn’t know it at the time but this was to be the final Boyzone single for 8 years tying in nicely with the end of the 90s. A Prague set video makes a Boyzone song by numbers into something a little bit special in my opinion, but within 12 months of this track all 5 members would feature in top 40 hits of their own, clearly everyone had moved on quickly.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 04:19 PM

65. I GOT A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU- MN8 (316,800)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 13

The one and only appearance for this lot in our rundown, MN8 were very briefly (about 6 months) big news in the UK charts. This got stuck behind Celine Dion’s “Think Twice” in Feb 95 and the group went on to have 7 top 30 hits in total before they “moved” record label and where never heard of again.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 04:25 PM

64. PUSH IT/ TRAMP- Salt N Pepa (318,000)



RELEASED: 1988
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 19

Like a fair few acts on this list Salt N Pepa’s biggest hit was their debut one, this track spending three long weeks at No 2 behind Glenn Medeiros’s “Nothing’s Gonna change My Love For You” during July 1988. It did finally reached No 1 here, albeit in sampled form on Timbaland’s “The Way I Are” in 2007.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 04:26 PM

I'm off on Holiday for the weekend so tomorrow's update will be the last until next Tuesday!

Posted by: ¿ CHARLIE ? 24th April 2012, 04:32 PM

"Push It" is brilliant, I doubt there'll be many songs above it that I prefer.

Posted by: gooddelta 24th April 2012, 08:34 PM

Seems strange to see a forgettable Boyzone song above Westlife's most well known song, considering they were released around the same time!

Posted by: superbossanova 24th April 2012, 09:31 PM

Well, yes, we are basically rinsing out the Boyzone and Westlife catalogues now before we get to the upper percentile of their hits that actually managed to reach further than their ever-devoted fanbases. A Different Beat is a turd-like bore that sounds like they recorded it after listening to The Lion King soundtrack. And as for Every Day I Love You, I'm not sure there has been or will be a more non-event of a song on this countdown. I scarcely remember it from the time (I imagine I used it as a prime TOILET BREAK opportunity during its stint in the top 40) and despite having just listened to that clip, I really do not remember a thing about it STILL apart from the title was mentioned somewhere in the song - but considering that can be said about the near enough absolute majority of popular music it doesn't say much. Amazing that both these outsold Picture Of You which as gooddelta said is certainly one of their few classics IMO but I guess with the dramatic change in style/tempo at the time it was either going to reach out in a huge way or relatively underperform and it seems it ended up being the latter.

Interesting to see MN8 feature so high up. Does that make them the highest act with only one appearance? I've Got A Little Something For You is a good song anyhow and I have to say I didn't realise until now they were British! Whether that's a testament to how well they slipped into the American R&B sound of the time or what I do not know.

Posted by: Mervatron 24th April 2012, 09:33 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 24 2012, 05:26 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 09:44 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 24 2012, 10:31 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 24th April 2012, 09:53 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 24 2012, 10:44 PM)

How very harsh on poor "Everyday I Love You"- I actually think it's one of their most sincere moments (the video especially is particulrly beautiful- but that's Prague for you).

In answer to your MN8 question no there at least another 2 acts with a sole entry on this list!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 24th April 2012, 10:00 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ Apr 24 2012, 10:53 PM)

Going off-topic slightly but I'm sure this is the 3rd or 4th time you've been on holiday in the past year!! Someone certainly isn't strapped for cash.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th April 2012, 03:29 PM

63. I AM BLESSED- Eternal (319,200)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 7
WKS ON CHART:12

Incredibly this is their biggest hit on this rundown (though obviously beaten by “I Wanna Be The Only One” in their cannon including collaborations) yet I doubt many outside of hardcore fans can remember this. The secret to its sales lies in the fact that it was a big hit over Xmas 95 (a time when sales were very high) and once January came around the record finally peaked, six weeks into its run, it’s also our highest placed non- top 5 hit on the rundown.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th April 2012, 03:33 PM

62. STOP!- Spice Girls (330,500)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 2
WKS ON CHART: 15

The song that famously broke the run of straight No 1 hits from the best selling act of the 90s. Indeed it had the misfortune to be up against Run DMC Vs Jason Nevins who were on their way to a million plus sales and had it been released one week earlier it would have debuted at No 1, but all that belies that fact that it opened with sales of 115k, significantly worse than all of the preceding singles (With the exception of debut hit “Wannabe”) so clearly the appeal was diminishing and the backlash had started.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th April 2012, 03:39 PM

61. QUEEN OF MY HEART- Westlife (330,500)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 17

Whilst many territories were treated to “When You’re Looking Like That” as a single, we got this. Another instant No 1 (their 9th) the band were reportedly unhappy as its choice of first single over and above “Angel” which was their option, by this point I’m not sure it mattered.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th April 2012, 03:43 PM

Recap time 61-80

61. Queen Of My Heart Westlife 330,500
62. Stop! Spice Girls 330,500
63. I Am Blessed Eternal 319,200
64. Push It/ Tramp Salt N Pepa 318,000
65. I Got A Little Something For You MN8 316,800
66. Everyday I Love You Boyzone 314,600
67. Flying Without Wings Westlife 313,600
68. It's Alright East 17 312,700
69. A Different Beat Boyzone 306,400
70. Let's Talk About Sex Salt N Pepa 298,000

71. If I Let You Go Westlife 295,800
72. If Ya Gettin Down Five 291,500
73. My Love Westlife 287,000
74. Around The World East 17 285,000
75. Picture Of You Boyzone 277,000
76. Help! Bananarama 276,000
77. Sure Take That 275,400
78. Let's Dance Five 275,300
79. Until The Time Is Through Five 267,000
80. The Harder I Try Brother Beyond 266,000

Posted by: Gezza7T6 25th April 2012, 03:43 PM

Top 60 starts on Tuesday!

Posted by: superbossanova 25th April 2012, 06:34 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 25 2012, 04:33 PM)

62. STOP!- Spice Girls (330,500)

Posted by: ScottyEm 27th April 2012, 06:32 PM

I always wonder how Westlife do arena tours... all their songs sound exactly the same, god knows how they can distinguish one song to the next! It's pretty disturbing how many songs they have racked up!

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th April 2012, 08:34 PM

60. PRAY- Take That (333,700)



RELEASED: 1993
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 11

Not an enormously impressive tally for a song that spent 4 wks atop the charts but 1993 was far from a great one sales wise. Still it was their first No 1 single and set them on route for a grand total of 11 so far in their career, a film shot in Acapulco added a touch of glamour and of course getting their kit off no doubt hardly decreased from sales, indeed the band picked up two BRITS for this song (Best Video and Best British Single) at the 1994 awards.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th April 2012, 08:36 PM

59. END OF THE LINE- Honeyz (337,700)



RELEASED: 1998
PEAK POSITION: 5
WKS ON CHART: 14

Bet this one surprises some! Spending 5 wks in the top 10 over Xmas 98, the original line up of the band lasted just 2 releases before one member, Abdi left to spend more time with then boyfriend Matthew Marsden and was replaced by a former member of Solid HarmoniE all of which lasted three singles before in late 2000 Abdi returned but by that point time was up for the trio.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th April 2012, 08:39 PM

58. YOU NEEDED ME- Boyzone (343,300)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 15

Reviving an Anne Murray record from 1978 was just the ticket for a 6th UK No 1 single for Boyzone in 1999. Involved a highly publicised battle for the top slot with Geri Halliwell’s debut solo single the boys cleverly decided to make different B sides available across the 2CD set ensuring fans bought both copies whilst Geri offered no different b-sides and the ploy worked. But only just 748 copies separated the two when the sales data came in, both had done over 142k.

Posted by: -Jay- 30th April 2012, 09:15 PM

It also didn't help that 'Look At Me' was £3.99 from the get go, whereas the two Boyzone CDs were £1.99 each. More fool EMI!

I always thought it was weird that 'Look At Me' had the same track list on both of its CDs - the only difference was that one was in a jewel case, and the other was a cardboard case with postcards. Had one had different tracks, I'm sure that alone would have made all the difference. Never mind.

Of all the Boyzone hits, this was one of the dullest.

Posted by: Hitstastic 30th April 2012, 09:26 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 30 2012, 09:39 PM)

58. YOU NEEDED ME- Boyzone (343,300)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 15

Posted by: gooddelta 30th April 2012, 09:36 PM

Both were crap, Look At Me is spectacularly self indulgent imo and I wasn't a fan at all. You Needed Me is one of Boyzone's worst, so bland.

Pray and End Of The Line on the other hand, the latter was floating around just as I was getting really into the charts, definitely one of my favourites of 1998, it has such a gorgeous melody and some really solid harmonies Honeyz were far better than they get credit for, I really like all five of their top ten hits.

Posted by: superbossanova 30th April 2012, 10:00 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ Apr 30 2012, 09:36 PM)

59. END OF THE LINE- Honeyz (337,700)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 30th April 2012, 10:05 PM

Apparently they finally called it a day in 2009, "Won't Take It Lying Down" is my fave of theirs, they were kind of NU-Eternal for a while, fond memories!

Posted by: superbossanova 30th April 2012, 10:05 PM

Oh, and don't get me started on the Boyzone/Geri battle! I think I've already ranted about this before so I shan't go into it again. But it's true that it was Geri's (or at least the labels') fault really - I mean, that whole 2-CD with extras on the second thing was very common by 1999 and it was a schoolgirl error I guess. It IS kind of funny that she planned everything - the song, video, etc - to pure perfection then messed up with such a simple thing though. I bet she was FUMING.

Posted by: Jester 30th April 2012, 10:38 PM

Pray is easily one of my fave TT songs - never realised it was their first number 1 though. Terrible sales really for a 4 week number 1.

Posted by: N-S 1st May 2012, 03:26 PM

QUOTE(Jester @ Apr 30 2012, 11:38 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 04:03 PM

57. SWEAR IT AGAIN- Westlife (348,800)



RELEASED: 1999
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 13

A chart topper just 2 weeks before “Boyzone-gate” in 99, this is of course the debut release from the band, and moreover one of only 4 chart toppers by them to spend more than a week there, though it should be noted that sales of the track in its second week (80k) were the 2nd lowest tally for the No 1 of the year. Writer Steve Mac cut his teeth on early 90s hits by Chad Jackson “Hear the Drummer” and Nomad’s “(I Wanna Give You) Devotion” before as we noted with Damage (No 124) he became Cowell’s writer of choice, by way of recognition of that the B-side to this is a cover of that self same Damage record “Forever”. Finally it’s Westlife’s only hit in the US where this made No 20.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 04:06 PM

56. EVERYBODY (BACKSTREET’S BACK)- Backstreet Boys (349,000)



RELEASED: 1997
PEAK POSITION: 3
WKS ON CHART: 11

Emerging very much from the field with this one, the BSB’s ploughed a lot of money into the their first big budget promo with supernatural creatures, zombies et al to mimic the likes of “Thriller” and scored a US top 5 hit to establish themselves kings of the US teen scene. In the UK it was a similar step up from the band that had produced largely forgettable hits up until now and certainly nothing that had previously sold at this level. The label were reputedly not behind the expensive promo and the band had to put their own money into it and fight to get reimbursed after it was a success.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 04:09 PM

55. ETERNAL FLAME- Atomic Kitten (349,100)



RELEASED: 2001
PEAK POSITION: 1
WKS ON CHART: 15

The only song to feature twice on this chart, “Eternal Flame” proved to be a second No 1 on the trot for the kittens who were top of their game in 2001. After Katona left in early 2001 on the brink of the release of “Whole Again” former Precious member Frost signed up and the band decided they were going to re-package and add tracks to their debut album which had underperformed and peaked at No 39 back in 2000. Two No 1 singles did the trick and the album went straight to the top selling in its first week MORE than it had sold in its entirety before, and in beating Destiny’s Child to No 1 with this song the kittens were part of the first ever all girl group top 2.

Posted by: torresgirl 1st May 2012, 04:52 PM

Some great tracks there. Pray is indeed one of Take That's best songs. I used to adore Everybody by the Backstreet boys. I think it's a fantastic pop track. Saw them perform it at the O2 last weekend along with NKOTB. Fantastic night. Both put todays boybands to shame!

Posted by: Arrs 1st May 2012, 05:08 PM

'Everybody' is the best and one of the only tolerable BSB songs. I'm vastly surprised and respectful now that the guys put their own money into that.

Posted by: vibe 1st May 2012, 07:35 PM

Pray is my fav take that song!

So suprised that the Honeys song sold so well (i did purchase this gem tho)

Posted by: superbossanova 1st May 2012, 09:03 PM

Everybody is such a POP CLASSIC. Surely even the biggest music snob hasn't been able to resist getting up on the dancefloor and ROCKING THEIR BODY RIGHT to it at least once, even if only under the influence of alcohol at the time. An absolute joy of a song, the way good pop SHOULD BE.

Eternal Flame, on the other hand, is a rancid bore. One of the worst cover versions ever made surely. Also wasn't it included in a film at the time? I remember when the video was played on the music channels it was segued with clips of a film I can't remember the name of. Unfortunately this seems to have been lost in time or something as I can find nothing about it online.

Posted by: gooddelta 1st May 2012, 09:20 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ May 1 2012, 10:03 PM)

Eternal Flame, on the other hand, is a rancid bore. One of the worst cover versions ever made surely. Also wasn't it included in a film at the time? I remember when the video was played on the music channels it was segued with clips of a film I can't remember the name of. Unfortunately this seems to have been lost in time or something as I can find nothing about it online.

Posted by: superbossanova 1st May 2012, 09:42 PM

QUOTE(gooddelta @ May 1 2012, 10:20 PM)

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 09:47 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ May 1 2012, 10:42 PM)

I've never even heard of that film, no wonder I couldn't remember it. Although to be fair I'm almost the complete opposite of a film buff. I thought it was a big blockbuster film which I would at least have been familiar with the name even if I hadn't actually seen it... then again, this is Atomic Kitten we're talking about here, what big budget film would want them on the soundtrack?

The production on it is quite awful I think - so synthetic-sounding compared to the original which is beautifully understated. And Natasha & Liz have good pop voices but it's not exactly emotive. They did work well as a unit though so any song they were doing a lot of harmonies on was usually good in a nice, bland way. The only Atomic Kitten ballads I have time for are The Last Goodbye and Cradle, I think...

Posted by: superbossanova 1st May 2012, 09:55 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ May 1 2012, 10:47 PM)

Not the mighty "Someone Like Me"? - One of their best IMO.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 10:13 PM

QUOTE(superbossanova @ May 1 2012, 10:55 PM)

Posted by: superbossanova 1st May 2012, 10:25 PM

QUOTE(Gezza7T6 @ May 1 2012, 11:13 PM)

Oh you're VERY harsh tonight SB, I prefer you in this mood!

Posted by: ¿ CHARLIE ? 1st May 2012, 10:49 PM

"Everybody" is indeed brilliant, right up there with "Push It" as my favourite on the list.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 1st May 2012, 10:54 PM

I suppose it all goes in circles, but they pretty much were the ONLY girl group with any chart clout around 01-02, for some reason all girl groups never seem to last that long Perhaps it was a case of the last ones standing (good girl group pun there) after the glory years of the spices/ all saints before the 'babes and GA took over- a kind of transition band.

Posted by: gooddelta 2nd May 2012, 06:44 AM

Well they were loved by me at least! They ticked a box that no other girlband could - by being MOR most of the time and therefore appealing to my Corrs-influenced music tastes.

As for The Saturdays, it's all about Higher and Up, Ego is massively overrated.

Posted by: Gezza7T6 2nd May 2012, 04:01 PM

54. WATERFALLS- TLC (355,400)



RELEASED: 1995
PEAK POSITION: 4
WKS ON CHART: 14

TLS were never frightened of tackling big issues, their 1992 breakthrough “Ain’t 2 proud 2 beg” saw them sporting condoms as accessories, adventurous for the times, and whilst they had floundered here since that top 20 hit “Waterfalls” reversed that trend. A US chart topper for 7 wks the song became their first top 10 hit here, tackling drug culture and AIDS and one of the backing singers on the track is Cee-Lo Green.