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[BillyH]

Are there any songs that topped the chart in 2005 that would still be huge, perhaps #1, if they were released today? Not in a re-issue or re-release sense, but if they'd never been released before and were a brand new single from the original artist or group.

To avoid this getting too complicated (some groups having long split up, the CD single market that allowed the Elvis re-issues to happen now being nonexistent) don't get too caught up thinking about the artists or release methods themselves, but simply consider it based on the songs. Cast aside Madonna's age and recent chart performance and just imagine if 'Hung Up' came out today and if people would buy it or not. And try not to just turn it into listing your favourite songs Doesn't matter how much you hated Westlife or the Crazy Frog, think about the song and if it would have a genuine shot at the top today.

The list can be viewed here amongst other places, and in a rough order starting with the most likely, I think these might have a strong chance:

James Blunt - You're Beautiful


Sorry, I know it's got a lot of haters, but it's the biggest shoe-in out the lot for me. An easy #1 in any year since at least the 1990s, indeed in today's sales/streaming climate it would probably sell a million within a few weeks.

2Pac feat. Elton John - Ghetto Gospel


Another one which would get there with ease, 2Pac's legacy still huge almost 20 years after his death - he'd already been gone for nine years by the time this was made.

Sugababes - Push The Button


Ok, it would be pretty astonishing if Keisha, Mutya and Heidi were still recording as the Sugababes today - particularly as all three in their 30s. But tell that to John Legend and Rachel Platten, who predate the three of them and have both hit #1 this year. But as mentioned it isn't about the artists and chart success, it's about the song - and no matter which girl group were to record and release this in 2015, it would still be an easy #1 I think. It doesn't have the mid-noughties R&B trappings that most other pop had at the time, stood out a fair bit then and would still now.

Westlife - You Raise Me Up


Yeah. I know. But imagine if One Direction did this today, instant huge chart-topper. Even if Westlife were still around, this is one of their easiest major ballad smashes and I did kinda (secretly) like it until it became the ultimate cliche you're-through-to-the-finals slow-motion hugging X Factor soundtrack.

Akon - Lonely


I had to think about this one. It's a very of-its-time mid-noughties R&B track, but that fifties/sixties sound is mega in right now thanks to the likes of 'Marvin Gaye' and everything Meghan Trainor's released. Akon might be 42 now, but this could still work.

And finally, and perhaps most depressingly:

Shayne Ward - That's My Goal


Placing an early bet for Simon Cowell to bring this one back in a couple years (or even this year) for the show's winner, and watch it work all over again. Happened with Unchained Melody.

What do you think?