#55. The Prodigy - Breathe

2 weeks at #1 in 1996 (#7 of 24 for '96)

 

 

This song, and this guy in the video, kind of give me the creeps and it's all a bit of a frightening experience. That's the point, though. He's quite angry, and is looking for some sort of confrontation. Not even looking for it, he's blatantly inviting it in (like when he sings "come play my game" in that voice). It's an interesting experience to listen to. In 1996, The Prodigy definitely brought something different to dance music. This song is so dark and brash. Both lyrically and production-wise. Like that whiplash sound. This production is brilliant. Though I prefer their other #1.

#54. Lily Allen - The Fear

4 weeks at #1 in 2009 (#3 of 32 for '09)

 

 

The production on this is utterly fantastic; as is the production on her entire "It's Not You, It's Me" album. There's something atmospheric about it. It's one of my favourite albums ever. There's about four or five songs on that album that I prefer to this; but this is still one of her best songs. It details the experience of being famous and being in the public eye. It mentions how celebrities are obsessed with owning expensive things, how taking your clothes off is how you get famous, how they're obsessed with what the papers say about them. The "I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror.." line is a reference to the two UK tabloids (The Sun and The Mirror); and as a Canadian that line always went over my head lol. The specific "fear" that Lily refers to I think is the fear that this will all happen to her too.

#53. Sugababes - Freak Like Me

1 week at #1 in 2002 (#6 of 29 for '02)

 

 

The music video version is different from the album version; I'm not quite sure why. The album version is faster, and that's the version I prefer. This was their first single to feature Heidi after she replaced Siobhan, which makes it the single to kick off the 2.0 line-up. "Freak Like Me" is a cover of the Adina Howard song. It's a pretty random song to cover. Adina's version peaked at #33 in the UK, and #2 in the US. It continues the early 2000's trend of a UK group turning a US 90's R&B hit into a UK hit. But the Sugababes version is different because of Richard X's production on it. The song is mixed with an interpolation/sample of Tubeway Army's "Are Friends Electric?" (a UK #1 from 1979.) It takes a straight-up R&B song and basically turns it into a dance song. The Sugababes put their own mark on this song. I love when Heidi does the "it's all good for me" line. Heidi gets to make more of her mark more on their next single "Round Round", which I mentioned earlier.

#52. Lady Gaga & Beyoncé - Telephone

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

 

 

Gagoncé! It's so weird to think that this was Gaga's last #1. And it's Beyoncé's last #1 as well. I loved every single thing Gaga was doing in 2008-2010, and it was a time period where she could do no wrong with me... aside from the "Alejandro" video. But still, she released 7 flawless singles in a row. "Telephone" was no exception. The Born This Way era was a different story. I loved the album for the most part, but "Born This Way" (song) hasn't aged all that well; "You & I" drags on too long; and "Marry The Night" is a mess. "The Edge Of Glory" is amazing, though. And I don't even want to talk about the ARTPOP era. But anyway. "Telephone" has a bit of an odd structure. There's like four choruses in this song ("k-k-kinda busy", "stop callin' stop callin'..", "eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh stop telephonin' me-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh..", and "can call all you want but there's no one home..") The song starts off with a toned down verse, and then just explodes from there. This song is simply about being at a club, and just wanting to have fun. But your significant other won't stop texting and/or calling you. It's not the deepest song ever, but it doesn't have to be. Darkchild delivers a great production. Gaga creates catchy hooks with her stuttering as she usually does. The music video is overly long, and it does that annoying thing of stopping the song for dialogue, but I find everything in it really hilarious. Like every visual is interesting, and some pretty random. Especially the "Let's make a sandwich!" bit and that blue telephone hat. The video is a take on Quentin Tarantino's films (specifically Kill Bill) and I'm pretty sure it references Thelma and Louise (I've never seen these movies, though.) And Gaga even wears Shania Twain's leopard print outfit at one point. I don't even care that the video doesn't match the song. Though I can do without the prison parts at the beginning and the product placement.

 

 

2010 ranking

 

34. Shout For England feat. Dizzee Rascal & James Corden - Shout [582]

33. Cee Lo Green - F**k / Forget You [549]

32. The Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit) [538]

31. Dizzee Rascal - Dirtee Disco [525]

30. X Factor Finalists 2010 - Heroes [523]

29. Scouting For Girls - This Ain't A Love Song [507]

28. Owl City - Fireflies [477]

27. JLS - Love You More [456]

26. Matt Cardle - When We Collide [449]

25. David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie & LMFAO - Gettin' Over You [423]

24. Usher feat. will.i.am - OMG [420]

23. Yolanda Be Cool vs DCup - We No Speak Americano [409]

22. Olly Murs - Please Don't Let Me Go [387]

21. JLS - The Club Is Alive [374]

20. Roll Deep - Good Times [372]

19. Alexandra Burke feat. Laza Morgan - Start Without You [357]

18. Roll Deep - Green Light [352]

17. Iyaz - Replay [334]

16. Taio Cruz - Dynamite [317]

15. Cheryl Cole - Promise This [299]

14. Helping Haiti - Everybody Hurts [282]

13. Jason Derulo - In My Head [276]

12. Flo Rida feat. David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me [272]

11. The Wanted - All Time Low [257]

10. Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner - Written In The Stars [208]

09. Ne-Yo - Beautiful Monster [202]

08. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are [181]

07. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg - California Gurls [177]

06. Diana Vickers - Once [171]

05. B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You [118]

04. Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World) [73]

03. Tinie Tempah - Pass Out [71]

02. B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams - Airplanes [64]

01. Lady Gaga & Beyoncé - Telephone [52]

Edited September 22, 201410 yr by n4yr

I find both The Fear & Telephone rather overrated personally, particularly the latter. Already sounds quite dated to me.

 

Breathe though, one of the best number 1's ever! :D

#51. Spice Girls - 2 Become 1

3 weeks at #1 in 1996 / 1997 (#6 of 24 for '96)

 

 

Classic case of a song's subject matter that went completely over my head when I was a kid. I've seen numerous people say that this song is about safe sex (that "be a little bit wiser; put it on; put it on" lyric being key evidence.) This song definitely has a subtle sexual meaning, but that really blew my mind. What's key though is that this song isn't about raunchy sex; it's about closeness and intimacy. But I have to say the "boys and girls go good together" line is stupid, and that's what keeps this from being in the top 50. I hate when one line almost ruins a song. But the fact that this is as high as #51 shows how much I'm willing to forget about that line, because the rest of this song is one of their best efforts. It showcases the lower, softer sides of their voices. And I think all five pull it off well. It's their first Christmas #1 and their best Christmas #1.

Edited September 22, 201410 yr by n4yr

Recap:

584. Cliff Richard - The Millennium Prayer [1999]

583. Will Young & Gareth Gates - The Long And Winding Road [2002]

582. Shout For England feat. Dizzee Rascal & James Corden - Shout [2010]

581. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds - Three Lions '98 [1998]

580. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds - Three Lions [1996]

579. Leon Jackson - When You Believe [2007]

578. Sam & Mark - With A Little Help From My Friends [2004]

579. Vanessa Jenkins & Bryn West feat. Sir Tom Jones & Robin Gibb - (Barry) Islands In The Stream [2009]

576. Robson & Jerome - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted / Saturday Night At The Movies / You'll Never Walk Alone [1996]

575. Steve Brookstein - Against All Odds [2005]

574. Manic Street Preachers - Masses Against The Classes [2000]

573. Fatman Scoop - Be Faithful [2003]

572. Limp Bizkit - Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) [2001]

571. Westlife - The Rose [2006]

570. The Proclaimers feat. Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) [2007]

569. Bob The Builder - Mambo No. 5 [2001]

568. James Arthur - Impossible [2012]

567. X Factor Finalists 2009 - You Are Not Alone [2009]

566. A1 - Take On Me [2000]

565. Westlife - Mandy [2003]

564. The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm - Nasty Girl [2006]

563. The Justice Collective - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother [2012]

562. Five & Queen - We Will Rock You [2000]

561. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Boom! Shake the Room [1993]

560. Kid Rock - All Summer Long [2008]

559. Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5 [1999]

558. R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly [1997]

557. Stiltskin - Inside [1994]

556. Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas? [2004]

555. Joe McElderry - The Climb [2009]

554. Chaka Demus & Pliers - Twist And Shout [1994]

553. Boyzone - When The Going Gets Tough [1999]

552. PJ & Duncan - Let's Get Ready To Rhumble [2013]

551. Sam Bailey - Skyscraper [2013]

550. Busted - Crashed The Wedding [2003]

549. Cee Lo Green - F**k / Forget You [2010]

548. Aloe Blacc - The Man [2014]

547. Michelle McManus - All This Time [2004]

546. Peter Andre - I Feel You [1996]

545. James Blunt - You're Beautiful [2005]

544. Ne-Yo - Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself) [2012]

543. Boyzone - You Needed Me [1999]

542. Another Level - Freak Me [1998]

541. Mariah Carey & Westlife - Against All Odds [2000]

540. X Factor Finalists 2011 feat. JLS & One Direction - Wishing On A Star [2011]

539. The Outhere Brothers - Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle) [1995]

538. The Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit) [2010]

537. DJ Pied Piper & The Masters Of Ceremonies - Do You Really Like It? [2001]

536. Jimmy Nail - Ain't No Doubt [1992]

535. Blazin' Squad - Crossroads [2002]

534. Will Young - Anything Is Possible / Evergreen [2002]

533. Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song [2011]

532. Robson & Jerome - Unchained Melody [1995]

531. Manchester United Football Club - Come On You Reds [1994]

530. Geri Halliwell - Lift Me Up [1999]

529. Westlife - Queen Of My Heart [2001]

528. Will Young - Light My Fire [2002]

527. Hear'Say - The Way To Your Love [2001]

526. Akon - Lonely [2005]

525. Dizzee Rascal - Dirtee Disco [2010]

524. Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany's [1996]

523. X Factor Finalists 2010 - Heroes [2010]

522. Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca [1999]

521. Westlife - You Raise Me Up [2005]

520. The Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom [1995]

519. Steps - Stomp [2000]

518. Dappy - No Regrets [2011]

517. Eminem feat. Rihanna - The Monster [2013]

516. The Script feat. will.i.am - Hall Of Fame [2012]

515. Gareth Gates - Unchained Melody [2002]

514. Busted - Who's David [2004]

513. Martine McCutcheon - Perfect Moment [1999]

512. Take That - How Deep Is Your Love [1996]

511. Eamon - F**k It (I Don't Want You Back) [2004]

510. Will Smith - Men In Black [1997]

509. The Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) [1999]

508. Gareth Gates - Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) [2002]

507. Scouting For Girls - This Ain't A Love Song [2010]

506. LL Cool J - Ain't Nobody [1997]

505. Pixie Lott - Boys & Girls [2009]

504. Gary Barlow - Love Won't Wait [1997]

503. Robson & Jerome - I Believe / Up On The Roof [1995]

502. U2 - Discotheque [1997]

501. Boyzone - All That I Need [1998]

 

500. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa - Payphone [2012]

499. Bob The Builder - Can We Fix It? [2000]

498. Sugababes vs Girls Aloud - Walk This Way [2007]

497. Ellie Goulding - Burn [2013]

496. Madonna - American Pie [2000]

495. Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World [1994]

494. Brian McFadden - Real To Me [2004]

493. Take That - Shine [2007]

492. Teletubbies - Teletubbies Say "Eh-Oh!" [1997]

491. Westlife - I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun [1999]

490. Pharrell Williams - Happy [2013]

489. X Factor Finalists 2008 - Hero [2008]

488. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On [1998]

487. Razorlight - America [2006]

486. Peter Andre - Mysterious Girl [2004]

485. Geri Halliwell - Mi Chico Latino [1999]

484. Oasis - All Around The World [1998]

483. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road [1992]

482. Ja Rule feat. R. Kelly & Ashanti - Wonderful [2004]

481. Eminem - Just Lose It [2004]

480. Ciara feat. Petey Pablo - Goodies [2005]

479. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z - Déjà Vu [2006]

478. All Saints - Under The Bridge / Lady Marmalade [1998]

477. Owl City - Fireflies [2010]

476. Katy Perry - Part Of Me [2012]

475. The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha [2005]

474. Sam Smith - Money On My Mind [2014]

473. McFly - Star Girl [2006]

472. Westlife - Fool Again [2000]

471. Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame [2001]

470. Cher Lloyd - Swagger Jagger [2011]

469. Chico - It's Chico Time [2006]

468. Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire [2008]

467. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl [2008]

466. Oxide & Neutrino - Bound 4 Da Reload (Casualty) [2000]

465. UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You [1993]

464. Destiny's Child - Independent Women Part 1 [2000]

463. will.i.am feat. Britney Spears - Scream & Shout [2013]

462. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name [2009]

461. Frankee - F.U.R.B. (F U Right Back) [2004]

460. R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix) [2003]

459. The Military Wives with Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are [2011]

458. Busted - You Said No [2003]

457. Shayne Ward - That's My Goal [2005]

456. JLS - Love You More [2010]

455. Erasure - ABBA-Esque (E.P.) [1992]

454. Room 5 feat. Oliver Cheatham - Make Luv [2003]

453. Billie (Piper) - Girlfriend [1998]

452. Destiny's Child - Survivor [2001]

451. Take That - Sure [1994]

450. Billie (Piper) - Because We Want To [1998]

449. Matt Cardle - When We Collide [2010]

448. Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band - The Official BBC Children In Need Medley [2009]

447. Mark Morrison - Return Of The Mack [1996]

446. Jason Derulo - Don't Wanna Go Home [2011]

445. Puff Daddy & Faith Evans feat. 112 - I'll Be Missing You [1997]

444. Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne - Changes [2003]

443. One Direction - One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks) [2013]

442. 5 Seconds Of Summer - She Looks So Perfect [2014]

441. Cher, Chrissie Hynde & Neneh Cherry with Eric Clapton - Love Can Build A Bridge [1995]

440. So Solid Crew - 21 Seconds [2001]

439. Westlife - My Love [2000]

438. JLS - Everybody In Love [2009]

437. Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know [2013]

436. Atomic Kitten - The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling) [2002]

435. Westlife - World Of Our Own [2002]

434. Spacedust - Gym And Tonic [1998]

433. D:Ream - Things Can Only Get Better [1994]

432. Oasis - D'You Know What I Mean? [1997]

431. Take That - Greatest Day [2008]

430. 911 - A Little Bit More [1999]

429. Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy [2008]

428. Kelly Clarkson - My Life Would Suck Without You [2009]

427. Blue - Too Close [2001]

426. Psy - Gangnam Style [2012]

425. Dunblane - Knockin' On Heaven's Door / Throw These Guns Away [1996]

424. Little Mix - Cannonball [2011]

423. David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie & LMFAO - Gettin' Over You [2010]

422. Secondcity - I Wanna Feel [2014]

421. Peter Andre - Flava [1996]

420. Usher feat. will.i.am - OMG [2010]

419. Pixie Lott - All About Tonight [2011]

418. Blur - Country House [1995]

417. Nelly - My Place (feat. Jaheim) / Flap Your Wings [2004]

416. Calvin Harris & Alesso feat. Hurts - Under Control [2013]

415. Lenny Kravitz - Fly Away [1999]

414. Sam Smith - Stay With Me [2014]

413. Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls [2007]

412. will.i.am feat. Eva Simons - This Is Love [2012]

411. McFly - Baby's Coming Back / Transylvania [2007]

410. Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone [1995]

409. Yolanda Be Cool vs DCup - We No Speak Americano [2010]

408. The Vengaboys - We're Going To Ibiza [1999]

407. Hear'Say - Pure And Simple [2001]

406. Tony Christie feat. Peter Kay - (Is This The Way To) Amarillo? [2005]

405. Ed Sheeran - Sing [2014]

404. Take That - Everything Changes [1994]

403. Jennifer Lopez - Get Right [2005]

402. Afroman - Because I Got High [2001]

401. Hanson - MMMBop [1997]

 

400. Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart [2009]

399. Gabrielle Aplin - The Power Of Love [2012]

398. Blue feat. Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word [2002]

397. Akon feat. Eminem - Smack That [2006]

396. Westlife - Unbreakable [2002]

395. Take That - Pray [1993]

394. S Club 7 - Have You Ever [2001]

393. Wiley feat. Ms D - Heatwave [2012]

392. Ronan Keating - If Tomorrow Never Comes [2002]

391. Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band feat. Military Wives - Sing [2012]

390. Shaggy feat. Rayvon - Angel [2001]

389. White Town - Your Woman [1997]

388. Ne-Yo - Closer [2008]

387. Olly Murs - Please Don't Let Me Go [2010]

386. McFly - Obviously [2004]

385. Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe [1995]

384. Elvis vs JXL - A Little Less Conversation [2002]

383. Tulisa - Young [2012]

382. The Bluebells - Young At Heart [1993]

381. Meck feat. Leo Sayer - Thunder In My Heart Again [2006]

380. Dizzee Rascal - Holiday [2009]

379. Chris Brown - Turn Up The Music [2012]

378. Eric Prydz - Call On Me [2004]

377. Elton John - Candle In The Wind 1997 / Something About The Way You Look Tonight [1997]

376. McFly - I'll Be OK [2005]

375. Spice Girls - Goodbye [1998]

374. JLS - The Club Is Alive [2010]

373. One Direction - Little Things [2012]

372. Roll Deep - Good Times [2010]

371. Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West - Run This Town [2009]

370. McFly - Don't Stop Me Now [2006]

369. Westlife - If I Let You Go [1999]

368. Oasis - The Importance Of Being Idle [2005]

367. Sak Noel - Loca People [2011]

366. U2 - Beautiful Day [2000]

365. Craig David - Fill Me In [2000]

364. Oasis - Go Let It Out [2000]

363. Ke$ha - We R Who We R [2011]

362. Katy Perry - Roar [2013]

361. Shaggy - Oh Carolina [1993]

360. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop [2013]

359. Black Legend - You See The Trouble With Me [2000]

358. Tinchy Stryder feat. N-Dubz - Number 1 [2009]

357. Alexandra Burke feat. Laza Morgan - Start Without You [2010]

356. Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This [2006]

355. Mr Oizo - Flat Beat [1999]

354. Storm Queen - Look Right Through (MK Remix) [2013]

353. Britney Spears - Born To Make You Happy [2000]

352. Roll Deep - Green Light [2010]

351. Crazy Frog - Axel F [2005]

350. Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams - Get Lucky [2013]

349. Robbie Williams - Candy [2012]

348. Steps - Heartbeat / Tragedy [1999]

347. Jessie J feat. B.o.B - Price Tag [2011]

346. George Michael & Queen with Lisa Stansfield - Five Live (E.P.) [1993]

345. Chipmunk feat. Dayo Olatunji - Oopsy Daisy [2009]

344. Eva Cassidy & Katie Melua - What A Wonderful World [2007]

343. Sam And The Womp - Bom Bom [2012]

342. A1 - Same Old Brand New You [2000]

341. Sugababes - About You Now [2007]

340. Wretch 32 feat. Josh Kumra - Don't Go [2011]

339. Five - Let's Dance [2001]

338. Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men [2001]

337. Westlife - Flying Without Wings [1999]

336. Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight) [2000]

335. Mint Royale - Singin' In The Rain [2008]

334. Iyaz - Replay [2010]

333. Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next [1998]

332. Darius - Colourblind [2002]

331. Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah [2008]

330. U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own [2005]

329. JLS feat. Dev - She Makes Me Wanna [2011]

328. Professor Green feat. Emeli Sandé - Read All About It [2011]

327. Rihanna - Take A Bow [2008]

326. Doop - Doop [1994]

325. My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade [2006]

324. Oasis - Lyla [2005]

323. Tony Di Bart - The Real Thing [1994]

322. Cover Drive - Twilight [2012]

321. LMC vs U2 - Take Me To The Clouds Above [2004]

320. B*Witched - To You I Belong [1998]

319. Mario Winans feat. P Diddy & Enya - I Don't Wanna Know [2004]

318. DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide (Part 2) [2004]

317. Taio Cruz - Dynamite [2010]

316. 3 Of A Kind - Baby Cakes [2004]

315. Pixie Lott - Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh) [2009]

314. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball [2013]

313. Tinchy Stryder feat. Amelle Berrabah - Never Leave You [2009]

312. George Michael - Fastlove [1996]

311. DJ Ötzi - Hey Baby (Uhh, Ahh) [2001]

310. Girls Aloud - I'll Stand By You [2004]

309. Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) [1999]

308. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors [2013]

307. McFly - All About You [2005]

306. Busted - Thunderbirds / 3 AM [2004]

305. East 17 - Stay Another Day [1994]

304. Robbie Williams - Radio [2004]

303. Bingo Players feat. Far East Movement - Get Up (Rattle) [2013]

302. P!nk - So What [2008]

301. fun. feat. Janelle Monáe - We Are Young [2012]

 

300. Robbie Williams - Millennium [1998]

299. Cheryl Cole - Promise This [2010]

298. Olly Murs feat. Flo Rida - Troublemaker [2012]

297. Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer - Give Me Everything [2011]

296. Boyzone - No Matter What [1998]

295. Jessie J - Domino [2012]

294. Charles & Eddie - Would I Lie To You? [1992]

293. Boyzone - A Different Beat [1996]

292. Rihanna - Diamonds [2012]

291. Michael Jackson - Blood On The Dance Floor [1997]

290. Boyzone - Words [1996]

289. Gary Barlow - Forever Love [1996]

288. Rita Ora - I Will Never Let You Down [2014]

287. Ronan Keating - When You Say Nothing At All [1999]

286. David Sneddon - Stop Living The Lie [2003]

285. Spice Girls - Holler / Let Love Lead The Way [2000]

284. U2 - Vertigo [2004]

283. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over [2009]

282. Helping Haiti - Everybody Hurts [2010]

281. OneRepublic - Counting Stars [2013]

280. Ronan Keating - Life Is A Rollercoaster [2000]

279. Avicii - Wake Me Up [2013]

278. Livin' Joy - Dreamer [1995]

277. Spice Girls - Mama / Who Do You Think You Are [1997]

276. Jason Derulo - In My Head [2010]

275. Westlife - Swear It Again [1999]

274. McFly - Five Colours In Her Hair [2004]

273. Craig David - 7 Days [2000]

272. Flo Rida feat. David Guetta - Club Can't Handle Me [2010]

271. Labrinth feat. Emeli Sandé - Beneath Your Beautiful [2012]

270. Various Artists - Perfect Day [1997]

269. Pitbull feat. Ke$ha - Timber [2014]

268. Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor [2009]

267. Mr Probz - Waves [Robin Schulz Remix] [2014]

266. Billie Piper - Day And Night [2000]

265. DVBBS & Borgeous feat. Tinie Tempah - Tsunami (Jump) [2014]

264. Bruno Mars - Grenade [2011]

263. Flo Rida - Good Feeling [2012]

262. Rita Ora - How We Do (Party) [2012]

261. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful [2003]

260. Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes [2008]

259. Chef - Chocolate Salty Balls (PS I Love You) [1998]

258. Gareth Gates - Spirit In The Sky [2003]

257. The Wanted - All Time Low [2010]

256. Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome - Dance Wiv Me [2008]

255. Westlife - Uptown Girl [2001]

254. David Guetta feat. Akon - Sexy B**ch / Chick [2009]

253. Pato Banton feat. Ali & Robin Campbell of UB40 - Baby Come Back [1994]

252. S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True [2000]

251. Take That - Babe [1993]

250. Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling [2009]

249. Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy [2008]

248. Orson - No Tomorrow [2006]

247. Mariah Carey - Without You [1994]

246. Elton John - Are You Ready For Love? (Remix) [2003]

245. Rihanna feat. Drake - What's My Name [2011]

244. Olly Murs - Dance With Me Tonight [2011]

243. Flo Rida feat. Ke$ha - Right Round [2009]

242. Beyoncé & Shakira - Beautiful Liar [2007]

241. Daniel Bedingfield - Never Gonna Leave Your Side [2003]

240. Take That feat. Lulu - Relight My Fire [1993]

239. Rudimental feat. Ella Eyre - Waiting All Night [2013]

238. DJ Sammy & Yanou feat. Do - Heaven [2002]

237. Ne-Yo - So Sick [2006]

236. Blur - Beetlebum [1997]

235. Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby [1993]

234. Mika - Grace Kelly [2007]

233. John Newman - Love Me Again [2013]

232. All Saints - Bootie Call [1998]

231. Usher - You Make Me Wanna... [1998]

230. Oasis - The Hindu Times [2002]

229. Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love [2009]

228. Michael Jackson - Earth Song [1995]

227. Blondie - Maria [1999]

226. Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams - Blurred Lines [2013]

225. Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) [1999]

224. Chicane feat. Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up [2000]

223. Will Young - Leave Right Now [2003]

222. Calvin Harris - Summer [2014]

221. One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful [2011]

220. Duffy - Mercy [2008]

219. Sigma - Nobody To Love [2014]

218. Shaggy - Boombastic [1995]

217. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers [2005]

216. Melanie B feat. Missy Elliott - I Want You Back [1998]

215. Nizlopi - The JCB Song [2005]

214. Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz - Talk Dirty [2013]

213. LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock - Party Rock Anthem [2011]

212. B*Witched - Rollercoaster [1998]

211. Coldplay - Viva La Vida [2008]

210. Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith - La La La [2013]

209. Eminem - The Real Slim Shady [2000]

208. Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner - Written In The Stars [2010]

207. Armand Van Helden feat. Duane Harden - You Don't Know Me [1999]

206. The Saturdays - What About Us [2013]

205. Jamiroquai - Deeper Underground [1998]

204. 2Pac feat. Elton John - Ghetto Gospel [2005]

203. Christina Aguilera feat. Redman - Dirrty [2002]

202. Ne-Yo - Beautiful Monster [2010]

201. Martin Garrix - Animals [2013]

 

200. Sandi Thom - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair) [2006]

199. Robbie Williams - She's The One / It's Only Us [1999]

198. Alexandra Burke feat. Flo Rida - Bad Boys [2009]

197. The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name [2008]

196. Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing [2012]

195. Blu Cantrell feat. Sean Paul - Breathe [2003]

194. Blue - If You Come Back [2001]

193. Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby [2007]

192. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You [1992]

191. Madonna - Music [2000]

190. Route 94 feat. Jess Glynne - My Love [2014]

189. Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down [2006]

188. Take That - Never Forget [1995]

187. Nero - Promises [2011]

186. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z - Crazy In Love [2003]

185. The Pussycat Dolls - Stickwitu [2005]

184. Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit [2006]

183. Stereophonics - Dakota [2005]

182. LeAnn Rimes - Can't Fight The Moonlight [2000]

181. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are [2010]

180. Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman - Somethin' Stupid [2001]

179. Example - Stay Awake [2011]

178. Fatboy Slim - Praise You [1999]

177. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg - California Gurls [2010]

176. Aaliyah - More Than A Woman [2002]

175. Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake - Give It To Me [2007]

174. Take That - Patience [2006]

173. Rita Ora feat. Tinie Tempah - R.I.P. [2012]

172. Nelly feat. Tim McGraw - Over And Over [2005]

171. Diana Vickers - Once [2010]

170. Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love? [2003]

169. Natasha Bedingfield - These Words [2004]

168. Roger Sanchez - Another Chance [2001]

167. Geri Halliwell - Bag It Up [2000]

166. The Fugees - Ready Or Not [1996]

165. The Vengaboys - Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! [1999]

164. JLS - Beat Again [2009]

163. Little Mix - Wings [2012]

162. DJ Fresh feat. Rita Ora - Hot Right Now [2012]

161. Christina Aguilera - Genie In A Bottle [1999]

160. The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work [1997]

159. Aqua - Turn Back Time [1998]

158. Five - Keep On Movin' [1999]

157. Duke Dumont feat. A*M*E - Need U (100%) [2013]

156. Duke Dumont feat. Jax Jones - I Got U [2014]

155. Nicole Scherzinger - Don't Hold Your Breath [2011]

154. Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby [2000]

153. Culture Beat - Mr Vain [1993]

152. Céline Dion - Think Twice [1995]

151. Kanye West - Stronger [2007]

150. Simply Red - Fairground [1995]

149. Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean - Hips Don't Lie [2006]

148. S Club 7 - Bring It All Back [1999]

147. Robbie Williams - Eternity / The Road To Mandalay [2001]

146. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz - Thrift Shop [2013]

145. Spice Girls - Too Much [1997]

144. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow [2009]

143. Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This [2001]

142. Aqua - Barbie Girl [1997]

141. Melanie C - I Turn To You [2000]

140. Gotye feat. Kimbra - Somebody That I Used To Know [2012]

139. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time [1999]

138. Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway [2009]

137. Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) [1993]

136. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor [2005]

135. Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone [2009]

134. Madonna - Sorry [2006]

133. Basshunter - Now You're Gone [2008]

132. Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa & P!nk - Lady Marmalade [2001]

131. Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX - I Love It [2013]

130. Shaggy feat. Ricardo "Rikrok" Ducent - It Wasn't Me [2001]

129. Enrique Iglesias - Hero [2002]

128. Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song (Aserejé) [2002]

127. 2 Unlimited - No Limit [1993]

126. Spice Girls - Wannabe [1996]

125. Adele - Someone Like You [2011]

124. George Michael - Jesus To A Child [1996]

123. The Wanted - Glad You Came [2011]

122. Fragma - Toca's Miracle [2000]

121. Eternal feat. BeBe Winans - I Wanna Be The Only One [1997]

120. Oasis - Some Might Say [1995]

119. Jennifer Lopez - Love Don't Cost A Thing [2001]

118. B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You [2010]

117. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull - On The Floor [2011]

116. Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis - Just Dance [2009]

115. Babylon Zoo - Spaceman [1996]

114. Emma Bunton - What Took You So Long? [2001]

113. Justin Timberlake - SexyBack [2006]

112. DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans - Louder [2011]

111. Sugababes - Round Round [2002]

110. Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around [1994]

109. Eminem - Lose Yourself [2002]

108. Tori Amos - Professional Widow (It's Got To Be Big) [Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix] [1997]

107. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite [1992]

106. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe [2012]

105. Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers [2009]

104. Olive - You're Not Alone [1997]

103. Freddie Mercury - Living On My Own [1993]

102. Usher - Burn [2004]

101. S Club 7 - Don't Stop Movin' [2001]

 

100. Kylie Minogue - Slow [2003]

99. Avicii vs Nicky Romero - I Could Be The One [2013]

98. The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode [1992]

97. Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life [1997]

96. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way [1999]

95. The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin' Beats [1997]

94. Lily Allen - Smile [2006]

93. Olly Murs feat. Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips A Beat [2011]

92. All Saints - Black Coffee [2000]

91. The Wamdue Project - King Of My Castle [1999]

90. Britney Spears - Everytime [2004]

89. Evanescence feat. Paul McCoy - Bring Me To Life [2003]

88. The Corrs - Breathless [2000]

87. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger [1996]

86. Aqua - Doctor Jones [1998]

85. Eminem - Without Me [2002]

84. Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin - Don't You Worry Child [2012]

83. Atomic Kitten - Whole Again [2001]

82. Sonique - It Feels So Good [2000]

81. Britney Spears - Oops!... I Did It Again [2000]

80. Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That [1998]

79. Baby D - Let Me Be Your Fantasy [1994]

78. Florence + The Machine - Spectrum (Say My Name) [Calvin Harris Remix] [2012]

77. Rui Da Silva feat. Cassandra - Touch Me [2001]

76. Whigfield - Saturday Night [1994]

75. The Streets - Dry Your Eyes [2004]

74. Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer [1992]

73. Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World) [2010]

72. Gabrielle - Dreams [1993]

71. Tinie Tempah - Pass Out [2010]

70. Leona Lewis - Run [2008]

69. Gorillaz feat. Shaun Ryder - DARE [2005]

68. Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne - Rather Be [2014]

67. B*Witched - Blame It On The Weatherman [1999]

66. Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not The One [2002]

65. Lorde - Royals [2013]

64. B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams - Airplanes [2010]

63. Ace Of Base - All That She Wants [1993]

62. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy [2006]

61. Coldplay - Paradise [2012]

60. Gabrielle - Rise [2000]

59. Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah! [2004]

58. Example - Changed The Way You Kiss Me [2011]

57. La Roux - Bulletproof [2009]

56. The Shapeshifters - Lola's Theme [2004]

55. The Prodigy - Breathe [1996]

54. Lily Allen - The Fear [2009]

53. Sugababes - Freak Like Me [2002]

52. Lady Gaga & Beyoncé - Telephone [2010]

51. Spice Girls - 2 Become 1 [1996]

 

So songs remaining per year

1992: 0

1993: 0

1994: 0

1995: 2

1996: 5

1997: 1

1998: 7

1999: 2

2000: 6

2001: 1

2002: 5

2003: 4

2004: 1

2005: 2

2006: 2

2007: 4

2008: 1

2009: 2

2010: 0

2011: 1

2012: 3

2013: 0

2014: 1

 

 

#50. Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss

1 week at #1 in 2002 (#5 of 29 for '02)

 

 

Mwah! All the kissing sounds make this a fun and quirky pop song. And the chorus is really catchy from Holly elongating the final word in each line of it ("star-ar-ar-ar", "car-ar-ar-ar", "far-ar-ar-ar", "play-ay-ay-ay", "away-ay-ay-ay", "stay-ay-ay-ay".) The production is very of its time, but that's not a bad thing. Holly is playing the bad girl role. She comes off enticing and she's full of determination to kiss this person. She's the one that's going to be in control of what's going to happen tonight.

#49. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin'

4 weeks at #1 in 2006 (#2 of 24 for '06)

 

 

For a song titled "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'", this sure makes you want to dance. And that's what I love about this. It's one of the campest #1's ever. But I love camp in this instance because it's just a lot of fun. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear this song. It channels a bit of 70's disco and the vocals remind me of The Bee Gees in some places.

The "I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror.." line is a reference to the two UK tabloids (The Sun and The Mirror); and as a Canadian that line always went over my head lol.

That I never knew.

But I have to say the "boys and girls go good together" line is stupid, and that's what keeps this from being in the top 50.

That was changed for the single version I thought? In fact, right in the video above:

 

(go Kiss Kiss)

#48. Cher - Believe

7 weeks at #1 in 1998 (#7 of 30 for '98)

 

 

Speaking of camp. This managed to spend 7 weeks at #1 at the busiest time of year for new releases. And in the process, 6 different songs debuted at #2 behind it; though one of them climbed to #1 in a later week. "Believe" is the highest selling song by a female solo artist in the UK. Though Cher had a UK #1 just 3 years earlier, she hadn't had the same luck on this side of the Atlantic. This was a huge comeback for her over here. In the US, it was her first top 10 hit in 9 years, and her first #1 in 25 years! But it proved to be a fluke as she never had a top 40 hit again after "Believe". This song was huge all around the world. It became famous because of the novelty of the over usage of vocoder / auto-tune (whichever it is.) I'm sure pitch correction technology had been used before, but it when it's used correctly, you're not supposed to notice it. It was unprecedented to use it in this manner (to purposely make the vocals sound distorted.) It wound up being a major trend in pop music by 2009, of course. But it makes "Believe" sound futuristic in 1998. This song also hinges on the "do you believe in life after love?" line. It's all a bit cheesy, but I love it.

Edited September 23, 201410 yr by n4yr

That was changed for the single version I thought? In fact, right in the video above:

That I never knew.

#47. ATB - 9PM (Till I Come)

2 weeks at #1 in 1999 (#2 of 35 for '99)

 

 

For a song that relies entirely on one guitar riff, which is repeated over and over again, it manages to not get monotonous. The "till I come" and "change it and see" parts help with that. And it is a great guitar riff. Amazing 90's dance tune.

Edited September 23, 201410 yr by n4yr

#46. David Guetta feat. Sia - Titanium

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

 

 

This was one song that I got sick of hearing in 2012. It took like an entire year to, one by one, conquer the Australia, UK and US charts. But this is still David Guetta's best song in my opinion. That has a lot to do with Sia. No matter who this song was originally intended for, Sia works perfectly on this. It's an empowerment anthem. The chorus, "You shoot me down but I won't fall; I am titanium!", is a strong declaration. That chorus is very explosive. The production is very explosive in that chorus as well. The song is simply about standing up to anyone that tries to knock you down. Could be anyone. Sia uses titanium as a metaphor because it's a strong metal, and probably because it's not used in song lyrics as much as other periodic elements. And "I am Titanium!!!" has a better ring to it than, say, "I am Tungsten!!!" or "I am Zirconium!!!"

I have heard Titanium so much that I actually can't stand it anymore, it's painful to listen to. 9PM on the other hand, what an absolute classic that I could never ever tire of. Believe I find ridiculously overrated too, there were so many better songs around at that time. I love Kiss Kiss though!

 

At the business end of the countdown now, eager to see your top 20!

#45. Girls Aloud - The Promise

1 week at #1 in 2008 (#1 of 20 for '08)

 

 

Girls Aloud have so many singles that I wish had gone #1 (like "Biology", "The Show", "Something Kinda Ooooh", "Call The Shots", "Love Machine" etc), especially when two of their four #1's are two of their weakest singles, but going into their fifth album they finally got a decent #1 again. I think Cheryl joining X Factor in 2008 played a big part in this going #1, but whatever. I love the retro sound of this song. Like many of their other songs, I love how they play with the structure in this. There's an intro verse which is different from the other verses. Sarah's "walking primrose" part doesn't sound like the rest of the verse. Etc. I love the melody. I even like the key change. The music video is pure class. I think the so-called "promise" is a promise they make to themselves that they won't fall in love, but then the "promise is starting to fade" once the right person comes along.

 

 

2008 ranking

 

20. Kid Rock - All Summer Long [560]

19. X Factor Finalists 2008 - Hero [489]

18. Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire [468]

17. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl [467]

16. Take That - Greatest Day [431]

15. Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy [429]

14. Ne-Yo - Closer [388]

13. Mint Royale - Singin' In The Rain [335]

12. Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah [331]

11. Rihanna - Take A Bow [327]

10. P!nk - So What [302]

09. Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes [260]

08. Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome - Dance Wiv Me [256]

07. Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy [249]

06. Duffy - Mercy [220]

05. Coldplay - Viva La Vida [211]

04. The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name [197]

03. Basshunter - Now You're Gone [133[

02. Leona Lewis - Run [70]

01. Girls Aloud - The Promise [45]

Edited September 24, 201410 yr by n4yr

#44. Cheryl (Cole) - Call My Name

1 week at #1 in 2012 (#2 of 36 for '12)

 

 

Some back to back Cheryl! I wish the intro instrumental in the video was also on the studio version. But it's still amazing without it. I think this might be my favourite song in her entire discography (as a solo artist of course.) It's really infectious. Calvin's production is fantastic on this, as he usually is. I'm not quite sure why she wants you to call her name so much. I think Cheryl said this song doesn't have much of a meaning, and I can see that. Though, I always felt like "call my name" had a subtle sexual meaning behind it. Like how she feels when her lover says her name while in bed.. I don't know.

I have been quietly watching this since you started it and gotta say I love this! From this page I absolutely love The Fear, Telephone, Kiss Kiss, Believe, 9PM, Call My Name and definitely Titanium! Keep up the good work! :D

#43. Eminem feat. Dido - Stan

1 week at #1 in 2000 (#6 of 42 for '00)

 

 

Out of all the Eminem songs I know, I think this one is my favourite. This is one intense, haunting, chilling song. One of the darkest #1's I've encountered. The Dido sample is especially chilling. It works perfectly. It really sets the mood. As does the rain sound effects. This tells a very dark story. Stan is one of Eminem's (under the guise of Slim Shady) fans, and goes beyond obsession with it. Stan writes letters to Slim, but Stan never receives a letter in return. With each ignored letter, Stan gets more and more angry with Slim. Ultimately, Stan loses it, and he commits suicide by driving off a bridge, sounds effects and all; taking his wife and unborn baby with him. In the final verse, Eminem/Slim finally gets a chance to write back to Stan. Slim reveals that he's been to busy, and he tries to talk some sense into Stan. Slim concludes by saying that he saw on the news that this over-crazed fan killed himself, along with his wife and unborn baby. The song finishes with the Slim revealing "come to think of it, it was you. Damn." What a chilling way to end a song. This story is pretty extreme, but it's to show how crazy some fans get. And it's an interesting subject matter to take on in a song. "Stan" has gone on to become a term that's used all over music forums these days. And I think it's made that term lose some of its meaning. The song is heavily censored in the music video.

Edited September 24, 201410 yr by n4yr

#42. Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland - Dilemma

2 weeks at #1 in 2002 (#4 of 29 for '02)

 

 

The story behind this song's release in the US is kind of like Usher's "Yeah". When Nelly's album was released, "Hot In Herre" was #1 on the Hot 100, but radio stations liked "Dilemma" so much that they played it despite it not being a single yet. It didn't take "Dilemma" long to knock "Hot In Herre" off the top spot prematurely. However by the time "Dilemma" was released in the UK, it was already on its 8th or 9th week at #1 in the US. This song is so breezy, despite the subject matter not being as upbeat. The "oh's" do make the song catchy, though. So the story in this song is that Nelly and Kelly meet each other, but Kelly is already dating someone else (and they even have a kid), but Nelly and Kelly really like each other, and neither are sure what to do. Hence the "dilemma". And it shows both of their perspectives. Nelly isn't going to do anything to wreck Kelly's situation, and he respects her boundaries. Meanwhile Kelly pretty much says that she likes Nelly more than the guy she's currently with. The "East coast, west coast, down south, etc" part at the end is really pointless, though.