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

 

http://991.com/newGallery/All-Saints-War-Of-Nerves-161898.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://videos.brokencurve.com/9e406aa564064d7bb70843bcd22a0507.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

 

 

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 third 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.

They had 3 #1 from their début album - Never Ever, Under the Bridge/Lady Marmalade, Bootie Call, so this would have been their 4th.

146. MANDY- Westlife (172,000)

 

http://991.com/NewGallery/Westlife-Mandy-354056.jpg

 

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.

 

quite embarrassing, but this is one of the few songs that genuinely make me cry :cry: (not necessarily their version but I have so many memories attached to it)

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Banana_iwyb.jpg

 

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.

 

 

When you consider the absolute career-highlight classics the Nanas released in this eligible period (for classic pop, does it ever get any better than Preacher Man, Only Your Love, Long Train Running? Definitely not), it's quite shameful that their weakest ever single is here, britain's best ever girlband are sorely misrepresented here.... And 'Help', the other song to feature later on, really isn't much better. What a shame.

 

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 :/

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.

Edited April 4, 201213 yr by superbossanova

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. :(

 

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

"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 :heart:

 

"Bye Bye Bye" great boyband song....Justin is still f***able even today :w00t: :heart:

 

"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" :puke2:

"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 :heart:

 

"Bye Bye Bye" great boyband song....Justin is still f***able even today :w00t: :heart:

 

"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" :puke2:

 

I'm shocked by such language but I definitely would :) The "Like I love you" video is just well , drool.....

"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.

 

Except All Hooked Up which deserved to be their smallest hit (the uber-flop Chick Fit aside!), that was dire.

Except All Hooked Up which deserved to be their smallest hit (the uber-flop Chick Fit aside!), that was dire.

 

I won't say the rude word that rhymes with "fit" which I thought it was called! But that was an abortion of a song. "All Hooked Up", I can take but it's not all that. Ever heard Silver Shadow with the original girl Simone - why wasn't this huge!:

 

 

and check THIS rarity:

 

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!

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

 

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

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/33v1d3c.jpg

 

I own this. I'm not even ashamed. Although I only listened to it once and never again.

137. ONE LOVE- Blue (185,000)

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/Blue_-_One_Love_single_cover.jpg

 

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”.

 

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

 

http://991.com/newGallery/Cleopatra-Cleopatras-Theme-113790.jpg

 

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.

 

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

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/Five-SlamDunkDaFunk.jpeg

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

http://www.happybread.co.uk/images/uploads/RH793.jpg

 

Did 'One Love' have a knock on effect on the sale of bread by any chance? :heehee:

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

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? :no: Just makes the whole thing have an air of tackyness about it compared to the debut which was oozing with class.

Edited April 5, 201213 yr by superbossanova