Hi guys ^_^

 

So, I've wanted to do one of these for a while but never really got round to it. However, the summer holidays has given me a lot of free time and I got round to doing it at last!

 

I'll probably try to do sections of 10 each day starting later!

 

No doubt I've forgotten a lot and I didn't include any songs from this year because they were too new (the only contenders anyway were 'Rather Be' & 'Ready For Your Love'

 

Hope you enjoy ^_^ :music:

Edited July 21, 201411 yr by Jade

Looking forward to this!

Very curious. Hope to see a lot of tracks that feature in the NOW series.

200. Mason vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder) (2007)

 

 

Off to a bit of a trashy start here. :lol: Still, trashy can always be a good thing. Originally, I dismissed this track because of how big-headed the lyrics in the chorus were. In time though, I began to appreciate them just as good fun rather than taking them so seriously. The production courtesy of Mason is excellent and it's fantastic how well the two tracks fuse together to make a song that's so much fun to work out to! The track reached no. 3 in the U.K.

 

199. Altern 8 - Activ8 (Come With Me) (1991)

 

 

Another U.K. no.3 track here! I don't know how to describe 'Activ8 (Come With Me)' as anything other than a top rave tune! It's no masterpiece or anything, just a track that really puts me in a great mood as it's so high-energy! The whole Christmas 2013 campaign made me love it even more, after discovering the brilliant Hardcore Holocaust Mix version!

 

198. Duran Duran - The Reflex (1984)

 

 

So this is the first U.K. number 1 in the countdown, as it spent 4 weeks at number 1! A track very much before my time, however, my parents are fans of Duran Duran so I heard their music a lot when growing up. This is definitely my favourite song by them. Whatever the meaning of the song is, I don't quite know. They refer to the reflex as a he so maybe it's some kind of personification? YouTube comments tell me that in an interview, Simon LeBon said that: "In the sense that, if you're famous enough, you can write anything and people will eat it up? So "The Reflex" was a social experiment". Hmm. Who knows, I just think the chorus is fantastic! I guess it's one of those "I don't even know what this is about yet I really quite like this" songs. Oops.

 

197. Clean Bandit - Mozart's House (2013)

 

 

I can't believe this completely passed me by at the time! Unlike 'Rather Be' and 'Extraordinary', this debut from Clean Bandit was rather uncommercial. The fact it's quite unusual is what makes it so interesting though. Their instrumentation is second-to-none, the crossover of classical and electronic is something that really appeals to me and this was really fresh compared to most other music in the charts. It turned out to be a real grower, and I think it may have even overtaken 'Dust Clears' for me, now!

 

196. The Beatles - Across the Universe (1969)

 

 

The first of quite a few Beatles songs to come lands in at 196! 'Across the Universe' is gorgeous lyrically for me. A more simple effort from the group, yet one that is so effective. There's so much imagery in the song that it's almost like a poem. John's vocals carry the song very smoothly. Love love love. Fun fact: It was the first song to be transmitted into space, in 2008.

 

195. Blue - Fly By II (2002)

 

 

Guilty pleasure alert! Opinions of Lee Ryan aside, Blue actually have quite a few strong singles, especially during 2001-2002. This song is just so irresistibly catchy and cool. Lee's vocals soar throughout the track. Nothing particularly amazing lyrically, but just one of those really nostalgic fun songs that I know all the words to!

 

194. Mary J Blige - Family Affair (2001)

 

 

Some more fierce femininity now! This track swept me up with it's attitude-ridden lyrics and delivery! Some words are a bit alien to me, like "holleration" or "percolatin''" but who cares. The second verse in particular is vocally divine! Mary J Blige is a bit hit-and-miss for me, but she was on fire with this!

 

193. Fatman Scoop ft. The Crooklyn Clan - Be Faithful (2003)

 

 

Okay, whilst his vocals aren't the most delicate thing to the ear, this track on the whole is SUPERB. At first I didn't realise how many samples there were, I just presumed it was Faith Evans, but no, there's Jay-Z and Black Sheep too amongst others! I can take or leave Fatman Scoop's vocal parts, as to be honest a 10 year old could've written the lyrics, but the use of all the samples is amazing. The Faith Evans sample makes it such a jam with that production and her beautiful vocals! The Black Sheep "engine engine number nine" part as well also grinds it to a halt before the fab production comes back! Just so huge and feel-good!

 

192. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (2006)

 

 

Ooh what an absolutely gorgeous track. The emotional beginning of the song draws you in until that HUGE chorus comes in. It's just a really uplifting, inspirational track that doesn't force how inspirational it is on you (like 'Born This Way' for instance). Vocally she kills it. Just beautiful.

 

191. Sia - Breathe Me (2004)

 

 

Oh my gosh another beautiful track in a row! Unlike 'Breakaway' though, it's more a kind of rip-your-heart-out song opposed to being uplifting! Sia's vocals on this are just unmatchable, so unique and special. This track really tugs at the heartstrings as she bares her soul. Breathtaking.

Edited July 21, 201411 yr by Jade

Breakaway is the only good thing she's done. So GOOD CHOICE.

Edited July 21, 201411 yr by GRIFF

200. Mason vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder) (2007)

199. Altern 8 - Activ8 (Come With Me) (1991)

193. Fatman Scoop ft. The Crooklyn Clan - Be Faithful (2003)

 

These are my key favourites from this 10! Love it! I wondered why Activ8 was there as that faded away when the old skool rave scene died!

 

Be Faithful is a summer choon! Loved it when I was 11, 14 and even to this day it's still a cracker!

 

Perfect (Exceeder), yup, bit of a guilty pleasure. But it works well alongside Bodyrox feat. Luciana - Yeah Yeah!

 

YES at Family Affair! Such a great R&B track :D Also love Breakaway, one of my fave Kelly tracks! Great so far, Jade :D

Breakaway is the only good thing she's done. So GOOD CHOICE.

 

I definitely think it's the best thing she's done, so beautiful! Although I actually quite like 'Since U Been goNE' & 'My Life Would Suck Without You' too. Thanks though, haha!

 

These are my key favourites from this 10! Love it! I wondered why Activ8 was there as that faded away when the old skool rave scene died!

 

Be Faithful is a summer choon! Loved it when I was 11, 14 and even to this day it's still a cracker!

 

Perfect (Exceeder), yup, bit of a guilty pleasure. But it works well alongside Bodyrox feat. Luciana - Yeah Yeah!

 

-Glad you're enjoying it so far! Yeah haha I probably never would've loved it as much as I do now if it hadn't been for that Christmas campaign, so yay for Christmas campaigns!

 

-I don't really remember 'Be Faithful' that much at the time, but the music video used to creep me out for some reason, haha!

 

-Ooh definitely a guilty pleasure! And 'Yeah Yeah' very just might be coming up... ;)

Thanks for commenting, also!

 

YES at Family Affair! Such a great R&B track :D Also love Breakaway, one of my fave Kelly tracks! Great so far, Jade :D

 

Woo yess Joseph, it totally is! Quite a few more RnB songs to come up too, I love the genre! 'Breakaway' blows me away every time so glad to hear you appreciate it too! Thank you, lovely! :heart:

Very interesting mix of genres and eras here, I'll be keeping an eye on it Jade!

Very interesting mix of genres and eras here, I'll be keeping an eye on it Jade!

 

My music taste is quite varied so I guess there's something for everyone! (Unless you're into screamo). But really glad to hear it, Thank you for commenting!

Not heard of many of those (as born in 2000) but love breakaway which I have started to listen to a lot again recently as it is a big contender in the great Disney final thread. Though its definitely not my favourite Kelly song (because of you is my favourite song of all time and also love love love SUBG, MLWSWY, I do not hook up, already gone and a few more). Also like the Sia song

 

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the countdown

Fly Bye is one of Blue's better efforts I think. If You Come Back, Too Close, Breathe Easy are also fab imo.

The Reflex used to come on VH1's #1's programme that they used to show about 10 years ago and this one stood out imo. In fact 1984 was a brilliant year for music and #1's in general (I wasn't alive obviously but great memorabilia thanks to the Music channels) :)

Queen Kelly though is by far the best thing here for me :wub: Breakaway is definitely a highlight in her discography. Gorgeous record and big credit to Avril for writing this track :cheer:

 

Great thus far Jade. Hopefully more gems on the way :D

Not heard of many of those (as born in 2000) but love breakaway which I have started to listen to a lot again recently as it is a big contender in the great Disney final thread. Though its definitely not my favourite Kelly song (because of you is my favourite song of all time and also love love love SUBG, MLWSWY, I do not hook up, already gone and a few more). Also like the Sia song

 

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the countdown

 

Ooh okay that's fair enough, I was only born in 1997 but I guess it's probably to do with my parents/grandparents' taste why I love 60's & 80's music so much! Ooh that's fair enough, 'Since U Been Gone' is really quite good, although after seeing Pitch Perfect I always imagine the beatboxing bit when I listen to it :lol: Breathe Me is wonderful <3 Thank you, lovely! :heart:

 

Fly Bye is one of Blue's better efforts I think. If You Come Back, Too Close, Breathe Easy are also fab imo.

The Reflex used to come on VH1's #1's programme that they used to show about 10 years ago and this one stood out imo. In fact 1984 was a brilliant year for music and #1's in general (I wasn't alive obviously but great memorabilia thanks to the Music channels) :)

Queen Kelly though is by far the best thing here for me :wub: Breakaway is definitely a highlight in her discography. Gorgeous record and big credit to Avril for writing this track :cheer:

 

Great thus far Jade. Hopefully more gems on the way :D

 

Blue are amazing! I don't want to spoil it for you by telling you which ones I like, so I'll just say that there's still one more song of theirs to come! They are quite underrated for a boy band I think.

Aw that's cool! I actually really like a lot of music from the 80's, I can think of one other that is to come from 1984! My parents and early NOW's were very much influential!

Avril wrote the track?? :o No way! Well that's great. I can tell you that there is an Avril track to come! :P

 

Thank you very much! :D

190. Robbie Williams - Come Undone (2003)

 

 

Robbie is another artist that's a bit hit-and-miss for me. For example, there are some songs in his discography that I'll never really get, such as 'Radio' or 'Candy'. However, he does have some superb tracks too, such is this! Robbie said that while he thinks it's his best song, he hates to perform it as it just reminds him of how he used to be. Still, he did use his troubles to make some great music, and while his vocals aren't ever really spectacular, lyrically in particular this really is quite something.

 

189. Christina Milian - Dip It Low (2004)

 

 

This was Christina's highest peaking single. While I'm not really all that familiar with most of her discography, I really like this song! Just a slice of really fun R&B really, again nothing ground-breaking, but it's so catchy and the production does wonders for it. Yes R&B!

 

188. Katy Perry ft. Kanye West - E.T. (2011)

 

 

One of the highlights of Katy Perry's discography for sure! Firstly, I love the entire concept of the song and video with it's themes in space. This is one of the times where she gets it spot on, with a huge pop chorus combined with interesting production, themes and visuals. Even Kanye West's autotune cannot hinder it! It was great to see her changing it up.

 

187. George Michael - Faith (1987)

 

 

Back to the 80's now, with Heather Trott's fave, George Michael! This track is so infectious for me and I guess is probably regarded as a classic now, and I can see why. The second number 1 single in the countdown boasts a light-hearted chorus (with production that's rather simplistic, but works) that's a lot of fun to sing along to.

 

186. Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) (1998)

 

 

As a dance fan, I prefer the famous remix provided by Norman Cook, that sees the track in a higher key and ultimately breathes some life into it, for me. This is a song that my dad absolutely loves, and I ended up sharing the same love. It's SO catchy and memorable. While it is quite deep in meaning, with it's constant references to Indian culture, when listening to the popular remix, I tend not to think about the meaning, as it's made far more upbeat and accessible, so while appreciating the meanings behind the lyrics, I usually just take the remix as something to lift the mood.

 

185. Rihanna - Disturbia (2008)

 

 

LOVE this! Rihanna showing her more edgy side here with the more dark lyrical content, so quite a bit different to her previous huge pop hits. This is her most infectious song for me though, it's packed with hooks like the 'bum bum be-dum' parts and the chorus itself. It's insanely catchy like most of her output, but more interesting and captivating.

 

184. Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (2011)

 

 

Everything about this is a delight to the ears! The production alone made me fall in love with it. Lyrically, it's quite obviously about infatuation and she puts these words across with such conviction. Her vocals are so special, and the pounding production just takes it to another dimension, making it sound almost magical. Wonderful.

 

183. Liberty X - Just a Little (2002)

 

 

Yet again, something that I absolutely adore that is no masterpiece whatsoever. This is just an extremely fun pop song that I love both for nostalgic reasons and because it's just SO enjoyable, as soon as it comes on I break into song and still remember every single word. In fact, I'm humming it right now.

 

182. Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss (2002)

 

 

Another pop gem right here! While I guess this is lacking a bit lyrically, the production completely overshadows the lyrics anyway, and said production is fantastic with it's catchiness and ultimately lifts the track into something that is so much fun to dance to!

 

181. Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 (1981)

 

 

Injecting a bit of country into this countdown is the very loveable Dolly. Although about working 9 to 5, she still sounds like she's having such a great time when singing this song that it ultimately sweeps you up into the fun also. Such a classic that's just a bit of fun and has personally stood the test of time for me. A number 47 U.K. peak is criminal!

Edited July 22, 201411 yr by Jade

190. Robbie Williams - Come Undone (2003) - NOW 55!

189. Christina Milian - Dip It Low (2004) - NOW 58!

188. Katy Perry ft. Kanye West - E.T. (2011) NOW 78!

186. Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) (1998) NOW 39! - Also, another favourite of mine!

185. Rihanna - Disturbia (2008) - NOW 71!

183. Liberty X - Just a Little (2002) - NOW 52!

 

Loving it! Some great tunes, but my personal pick of the bunch has to be Cornershop - Brimful Of Asha (Norman Cook Remix)! Looking forward to tomorrows set!

190. Robbie Williams - Come Undone (2003) - NOW 55!

189. Christina Milian - Dip It Low (2004) - NOW 58!

188. Katy Perry ft. Kanye West - E.T. (2011) NOW 78!

186. Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) (1998) NOW 39! - Also, another favourite of mine!

185. Rihanna - Disturbia (2008) - NOW 71!

183. Liberty X - Just a Little (2002) - NOW 52!

 

Loving it! Some great tunes, but my personal pick of the bunch has to be Cornershop - Brimful Of Asha (Norman Cook Remix)! Looking forward to tomorrows set!

 

Ooh your Now knowledge is fab! Out of that lot I only own 52, 58 & 71 but I've always wanted a copy of 55! But thank you for all the wonderful things you said & 'Brimful of Asha' is brilliant! ^_^ <3

No problem Jade! I own the CDs from volume 21 to the current one, volume 88. Pretty much my entire life up to now in music. The history has taught me a lot about pop music! :)

great start jade (as I would have guessed) I like them all, love many, and adore those that hit my number one or thereabouts - Beatles (if it had been a single), Duran, Blue (topped my chart, my fave of theirs) Mary J especially. Altogether now, Na na na na da reflex flex flex flex, jai guru dehhhv a ohhhmmm, system up wiv da top down, if u wants to dance wiv me

 

oe summat like that :lol:

Edited July 22, 201411 yr by popchartfreak

190. Robbie Williams - Come Undone (2003)

189. Christina Milian - Dip It Low (2004)

188. Katy Perry ft. Kanye West - E.T. (2011)

187. George Michael - Faith (1987)

186. Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix) (1998)

185. Rihanna - Disturbia (2008)

183. Liberty X - Just a Little (2002)

182. Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss (2002)

181. Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 (1981)

 

Lykke Li is the one I have not heard of. Can't say CU is my favourite by Robbie by nice to see him included in your countdown :D

LOVE Christina Milian, I just wish she would come back :( DIL is amazing.

Brimful of Asha I have on a few compilations. Such a gem. Glad to see Disturbia here. One of her best. I own Kiss Kiss ;) the bollywood instrumention to it just sounds lush to me ^_^

 

Great :D

Like E.T., kiss kiss, come undone and faith

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE AMAZING DOLLY PARTON AND 9 TO 5 IS JUST SO AMAZING

And also love disturbia. The video and song is amazing. In my top 3 rihanna songs