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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1c/Atomic_Kitten_Last_Goodbye_single.jpg

 

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.

 

169. SO GOOD- Boyzone (154,800)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ab/Boyzone_So_Good.jpeg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f0/Step_by_Step_single_cover.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

I was bemused by this at the time too. I think it was because they didn't release their album until December 1999 though and the calendar year for the corresponding BRIT Awards show runs from the previous November to the recent November - or something around that time period, anyway.

 

And don't forget their brief foray into *NSYNC/Backstreet Boys rip-offs for two singles before going all serious and grown-up!

 

Some fantastic songs in the last few - the above Caught In The Middle, Hole In The Head (my favourite Sugababes song - love the bitey lyrics coupled with the nonchalant delivery) and The Last Goodbye, which is just gorgeous and proved they could still be good when they remember a bloody tune unlike many of their other (tedious) ballads. Step By Step is also enjoyable by NKOTB standards.

 

So Good is just horrendous. Can't believe someone got money for writing such lazy crap!

Edited March 26, 201213 yr by superbossanova

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!!

You make it sound like they had a choice to quit! Atomic Kitten were also on the verge of being dropped before Whole Again came out (or so the legend goes).

 

You and Freakytime were both fantastic songs. They were underrated, agreed. But I never understood why they went from Five-wannabes to uber-mature pop with electronic undertones. I much preferred the latter singles anyway, so I didn't exactly mind, but it was still a very sudden change.

Edited March 26, 201213 yr by superbossanova

You make it sound like they had a choice to quit! Atomic Kitten were also on the verge of being dropped before Whole Again came out (or so the legend goes).

 

You and Freakytime were both fantastic songs. They were underrated, agreed. But I never understood why they went from Five-wannabes to uber-mature pop with electronic undertones. I much preferred the latter singles anyway, so I didn't exactly mind, but it was still a very sudden change.

 

 

I said that because they didn't try to find a new record label as did Sugababes. They had 3 Top 20 singles and 5 Top 30 overall..It wasn't so bad..I like the songs that you referred above but i like "Stand Tough" too. I think that they deserved a second chance as a boyband. They should support a mega star this time because there wasn't the hype of internet like nowadays..(Lana Del Ray and Justin Bieber became famous because of the Internet and You Tube..). Everybody watched them somewhere searching other videos..

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.

Edited March 26, 201213 yr by superbossanova

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.

 

I can't disagree with you because you're totally right. Surely, Sugababes are more talented than Point Break and they have better material than them. I have all their albums in my discography. But i talked about the trying and not the talent. Sometimes if we try, we can manage a lot of things. It's not only the talent but it also the willing to do something..I blame "Point Break" because they didn't believe to their possibilities..Maybe their next album would have been another flop but we will never know it..We just guess..Which is your favourite songs from Sugababes..? I love most of their songs but i have listened thousand times "About you know" to my computer (It's so simple but so likeable song)!! In my opinion, "Change" is my favourite album of them.

Edited March 27, 201213 yr by Come_along

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/Jumpinoriginal.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/Same_Old_Brand_New_You.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://991.com/NewGallery/A1-Everytime--Ready-167874.jpg

 

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.

 

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.

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f0/Step_by_Step_single_cover.jpg

 

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.

 

 

Love this as you know Gezza but I wondered if "Tonight" their next uk single outsold this one as it peaked Lower (#3?) but stayed in the chart longer than Step by Step I think. Can you help or do I have to wait in suspense :)

I can't disagree with you because you're totally right. Surely, Sugababes are more talented than Point Break and they have better material than them. I have all their albums in my discography. But i talked about the trying and not the talent. Sometimes if we try, we can manage a lot of things. It's not only the talent but it also the willing to do something..I blame "Point Break" because they didn't believe to their possibilities..Maybe their next album would have been another flop but we will never know it..We just guess..Which is your favourite songs from Sugababes..? I love most of their songs but i have listened thousand times "About you know" to my computer (It's so simple but so likeable song)!! In my opinion, "Change" is my favourite album of them.

About You Now is almost exhilaratingly melodic, you're right, but I got fed up of it ages ago and have been kind of refusing to give it another chance ever since. Blame radio for killing it for me once it quickly became THE Sugababes radio staple. Perhaps I should though. I adored it when it first premiered.

 

Hole In The Head is my favourite Sugababes song (as I said a few posts above!) and Three my favourite album, and certainly the only one I listen to with any regularity these days, too. It's cool, quirky, edgy and gritty. And it's almost wall-to-wall goodness - apart from Whatever Makes You Happy and Million Different Ways which I just never quite "got".

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 :heart: 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 :teresa:

 

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" :)

Edited March 27, 201213 yr by Joinwithus

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/DragonsWhateverCover.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://cdandvinyl.co.uk/images/ebaypics/38843.JPG

 

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.

 

162. YEAR 3000- Busted (160,000)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e8/Year_3000_cover.jpg/220px-Year_3000_cover.jpg

 

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.

 

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! :cry: 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 :D 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 B-)

 

 

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 :D At least Matt and James had a bit more talent. To be fair the solo singles Matt did were not that bad!

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