#88. The Corrs - Breathless

1 week at #1 in 2000 (#10 of 42 for '00)

 

 

Random fact: my mum is a fan of The Corrs. I never knew they had any impact in Canada, but I guess they did. I do love most of their singles, though. The song starts off with "go on; go on; leave me breathless" *instrumental begins*, and it hooks you in immediately. The "go on"'s, while somewhat repetitive, make a really good hook. The Corrs were known for their violins and Celtic Irish folk sounds. "Breathless" strays from that a bit, and it sounds like a Shania Twain song. But it was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who produced all of Shania's songs. It's funny because the video for "Breathless" was filmed in the Mojave Desert in California, which is the same location that Shania's "That Don't Impress Me Much" video was filmed. Madonna's "Frozen" was also filmed there, among others. "Breathless" is a simple uplifting song. Just yearning for that loving feeling.

#87. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

1 week at #1 in 1996 (#8 of 24 for '96)

 

 

Possibly my favourite Oasis song. My favourite of all their #1's, at least. A lot of Oasis' songs sound very Beatles-ish, but this one especially sound like a Beatles song. Maybe that's why I like it so much. I really love this chorus. Though I have no idea what "so Sally can wait" is about. This song is about looking back at the mistakes and regrets you made in the past.

#86. Aqua - Doctor Jones

2 weeks at #1 in 1998 (#9 of 30 for '98)

 

 

This picks up where "Barbie Girl" left off. But with Indiana Jones references this time. However, I don't think this song was written to ever make any sense - because it certainly doesn't. It's a bunch of random lyrics with an intentionally annoying "yippie-ay-yay yippie-ay-yo" hook. But it's a really fun song.

#85. Eminem - Without Me

1 week at #1 in 2002 (#8 of 29 for '02)

 

 

This is basically the sequel to "The Real Slim Shady". "My Name Is" was his introduction song, "The Real Slim Shady" was him asserting his place in the pop music world, and "Without Me" is marking his return to that pop music world. Though he wasn't gone for that long. It further asserts his role in pop culture. Simply put: things are empty without him around. Like "The Real Slim Shady", this track tackles everything going on in pop culture at the time; and the video goes even further with that. He's dressed up as a superhero because his return is going to save the world from feeling so empty without him. The song attacks all the celebrities that have criticized Eminem like Chris Kirkpatrick, Limp Bizkit and Moby; as well as Dick Cheney and the FCC. Of course, Eminem would later rehash this type of song with "Just Lose It" and "We Made You". But this is hardly as tedious as those.

Edited September 16, 201410 yr by n4yr

#84. Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin - Don't You Worry Child

1 week at #1 in 2012 (#6 of 36 for '12)

 

 

This is one anthem of a song. One of the best dance songs of recent years; and it's not even my favourite Swedish House Mafia song! I absolutely loved "One (Your Name)" and "Miami 2 Ibiza" in 2010. They sounded so different at the time. I found "Save The World" underwhelming, though, especially in comparison to those two. "Antidote" and "Greyhound" are both amazing as well. I loved both of their albums, even if they're bloody annoying to tag. What I love about "Don't You Worry Child" is the way that it builds into the instrumental breakdown. The song starts off with a simplistic piano chord, and the electronic production slowly builds as the first verse progresses. And intensifies at the "Upon a hill across a blue lake" part. It quiets a bit when the chorus starts, but then bam! That instrumental breakdown hits you. There's just something about that breakdown that feels so anthemic. Then, in the second verse, it starts off with the simplistic piano chord again, but the electronic part starts to build up earlier. I think this song is about looking at the past, specifically your childhood, and realizing all the things that have changed and will never be able to have again. The lyrics are kind of vague. But the song has a very positive, uplifting message. John remembers something his father used to say: "don't you worry child, heaven's got a plan for you." Which is a very powerful. Basically saying that everything will be fine in the end.

#83. Atomic Kitten - Whole Again

4 weeks at #1 in 2001 (#3 of 30 for '01)

 

 

Atomic Kitten are one of my least favourite girl groups. I just find them so boring and faceless. But this song is the one exception. I just love the utterly simplicity of it. It's a fairly short song - just over 3 minutes long. Which is good because it'd get too monotonous if it was any longer. The song's meaning is clear - no matter what happens, things will never be the same as when they were together. The pacing of the song is perfect - it's not too fast or too slow. As the story goes; this song saved their careers. They weren't doing that well before "Whole Again", and were in danger of being dropped by their label. It's why this song has like the most basic music video ever (but that basic video does fit the song.) Then this came out of nowhere and became a massive #1 lol.

#82. Sonique - It Feels So Good

3 weeks at #1 in 2000 (#9 of 42 for '00)

 

 

This is my eighth birthday #1. This was originally released in December 1998, but only managed to peak at #24. It was re-released 18 months later, and became a massive #1. I love the production. It's very atmospheric; especially in the chorus. This song is about feeling high from being in love.

#81. Britney Spears - Oops!... I Did It Again

1 week at #1 in 2000 (#8 of 42 for '00)

 

 

This is basically "...Baby One More Time" Part 2, it even has ellipses in the title, but this is the much stronger song in my opinion. I find the hooks stronger (I mean the entire song is basically a hook.. that's how catchy it is), the production stronger, and the subject matter not as juvenile. She's not the innocent girl you think she is. She's playing games with her love interests. And of course there's that cheesy spoken word bridge. I just laugh at that because it's just so random.

Haven't commented before but wanted to say I've really enjoyed reading this and admire the effort. Have no idea what's still left to come so it's always a surprise :lol:

Doctor Jones ahead of Don't Look Back In Anger??? Hmmm...

#80. Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That

6 weeks at #1 in 1998 (#8 of 30 for '98)

 

 

"HUH!" This song is notable for blocking "Stop" by The Spice Girls from #1; which could've been their 7th consecutive #1. But this is the better song. I don't know a lot about Run-DMC, but I do know that they were one of the pioneers of bringing hip-hop music to the mainstream in the 80's; along with the likes of LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, etc. In the US, at least. The original version of "It's Like That" was Run-DMC's debut single; released in 1983. It's a song about the societal problems that were going on where they lived. And the last part of the song gives a positive message that people can easily change their lives. The song was given a dance remix in 1998, and it became a massive #1 in the UK. It fuses the two genres (dance and hip-hop) together well. Maybe it's the video influencing me, but this beat is very danceable.

#79. Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy

2 weeks at #1 in 1994 (#2 of 15 for '94)

 

 

I've grown to appreciate this a lot more after all the deep house songs from this year. A lot of them do sound like this. Route 94's "My Love" comes to mind. This was originally released in 1992, at the midst of the rave scene, and then re-released in 1994. I don't really have a lot to say on it, though.

#78. Florence + The Machine - Spectrum (Say My Name) [Calvin Harris Remix]

3 weeks at #1 in 2012 (#5 of 36 for '12)

 

 

One of the most surprising #1's of recent years. But a good surprise! I didn't think much of this (or Florence in general) when it went #1, but it quickly grew on me over the summer, and became one of my summer anthems by the end of it. And it's the song that made me give Florence another chance (I initially didn't like Florence because I had no idea what she was going on about in half her songs). But, that ended up being the reason why I liked her so much. And she's become of one of my most played artists. The meanings of her songs are vague, but that's what keeps them interesting. This song is a good example. I really have no idea what it's about, but the lyrics sound deep. If this was just the album version of "Spectrum", I feel like it'd rank higher. But the remix is the reason why it went #1, so I guess I have to judge it on that. Calvin's production is very energetic, but it's not that interesting, really. "Sweet Nothing" has better production but "Spectrum" has meaning to me, I guess. Also, they cut out the middle 8 in this remix, which is the best part of the song.

Edited September 17, 201410 yr by n4yr

#77. Rui Da Silva feat. Cassandra - Touch Me

1 week at #1 in 2001 (#2 of 30 for '01)

 

 

An amazing dance song. What I love is the way it builds. The production gets more complex as it goes. Cassandra is longing for affection, and she gets more and more desperate as the song goes, and the production adds more and more sounds to accompany that.

#76. Whigfield - Saturday Night

4 weeks at #1 in 1994 (#1 of 15 for '94)

 

 

And there we go. 1994 is the first year to lose all of its songs. No surprise, really. It's not a bad year in general, but as far as UK #1's are concerned, it's definitely one of the worst. "Saturday Night" was notable for two things. Being the first debut single to debut at #1, and the song to end that 15 week run of Wet Wet Wet. I generally love most Scandinavian Eurodance songs, so of course I love this one. It's really catchy. The video is cute.

 

So...

 

1994 ranking

 

15. Stiltskin - Inside [557]

14. Chaka Demus & Pliers - Twist And Shout [554]

13. Manchester United Football Club - Come On You Reds [531]

12. Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World [495]

11. Take That - Sure [451]

10. D:Ream - Things Can Only Get Better [433]

09. Take That - Everything Changes [404]

08. Doop - Doop [326]

07. Tony Di Bart - The Real Thing [323]

06. East 17 - Stay Another Day [305]

05. Pato Banton feat. Ali & Robin Campbell of UB40 - Baby Come Back [253]

04. Mariah Carey - Without You [247]

03. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around [110]

02. Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy [79]

01. Whigfield - Saturday Night [76]

I agree with your top 2 of 1994, definitely the best songs there. I feel Doop should be higher though :lol:

Edited September 17, 201410 yr by Dobbo

Great start to the top 100! I Want It That Way, Black Coffee, Everytime, Bring Me To Life, Without Me, Whole Again, It Feels So Good, some are more predictable than others but they're all great. Touch Me is incredible :wub:

#75. The Streets - Dry Your Eyes

1 week at #1 in 2004 (#4 of 29 for '04)

 

 

I never thought I'd like a song like this so much. I just like the way it's written. The song is set in one solitary moment. The protagonist's girlfriend is in the middle of breaking up with him. But this isn't like any other break-up song. It vividly describes all the physical motions and the body language from both parties during the entire event. I find it pretty unique. Shows that actions speak louder than words. I mean, there's not a single word that even comes from his (ex-)girlfriend's mouth. All actions. The music video version cuts out a lot of the song, though.

#74. Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer

6 weeks at #1 in 1992 (#1 of 8 for '92)

 

 

And my birth year is the next one to bow out. But like I said, it's hardly fair because it's only including 8/12 songs. Shakespear's Sister's "Stay" would be much higher than this. "Rhythm Is A Dancer" captures everything I love about early 90's dance songs. The production especially. The chorus is really catchy, too. The only thing I dislike is that "I'm serious as cancer when I say Rhythm is a dancer" lyric.

 

 

1992 ranking

 

00. Right Said Fred - Deeply Dippy

08. Jimmy Nail - Ain't No Doubt [536]

00. Wet Wet Wet - Goodnight Girl (wouldn't be much higher than "Ain't No Doubt")

07. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road [483]

06. Erasure - ABBA-Esque (E.P.) [455]

00. KWS - Please Don't Go

05. Charles & Eddie - Would I Lie To You? [294]

04. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You [192]

03. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite [107]

02. The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode [98]

01. Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer [74]

00. Shakespear's Sister - Stay

#73. Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

2 weeks at #1 in 2010 (#4 of 34 for '10)

 

 

I was really really really obsessed with this in late 2010. I think it's #4 for the biggest songs ever on my personal chart (which is since 2009). It was a huge banger of a song for me. It was really catchy, the loud chorus hit hard (though it comes off a bit shouty listening now), and the production felt big (by 2010 standards, anyway.) Rihanna really established herself during the Good Girl Gone Bad era, and it felt she could do no wrong in 2007/2008. She released like 300 singles off that album, but things died down in early 2009. The Chris Brown incident happened, and I thought she'd step away from music for a while. I was taken aback a bit when "Run This Town" emerged so relatively soon, and even moreso once "Russian Roulette" came out not long after. Rated R was a brilliant album, though, and still my favourite Rihanna album to date. She seemed to struggle a bit during that era, though (bar "Rude Boy" of course). I guess the general public wasn't ready for such dark songs from her? I don't know. But then she appeared on "Love The Way You Lie", which was really dark, and that became a monster hit (no pun intended). But after that, she completely switched up her sound and did a full on dance pop album. When "Only Girl" came out, I thought it was weird that she was moving on to a new album already. But she really struck while the iron was hot. The "Only Girl" / "What's My Name" / "S&M" trio, three huge hits in a row, really made her seem unstoppable. That Loud era showed she was here to stay. But anyway. "Only Girl" hasn't held up as well as it could have, but I still love it to a certain extent. The opening line, "I want you to love me, like I'm a hot pie", I used to think she said "hot type" or "hot guy"; neither of which made any sense. But someone recently told me it was an American Pie reference. lol. This song is pretty straightforward. She wants her boyfriend to make her feel special. And that's really it. But like I said, it was a banger of a song.