22. Robbie Williams - Tripping

 

 

Peak: 2

Top 40 weeks: 11

 

Lead single from 6th studio album Intensive Care, Tripping saw a comeback from Robbie in late 2005 after his successful Greatest Hits era the previous year. I really enjoy this song and find it one of his most underrated singles! I like the funky production and even the falsetto chorus which I know others may find irritating :lol: It was a bit of a change in sound for him but I've generally preferred his uptempo/left-field songs to the hoards of ballads in his repertoire. I always find myself singing along to the rap-like section mid-way through and the slower part just before it. Despite the rather dark-natured lyrics I've always found it enjoyable and for me, it's one of his best singles from around the mid-noughties period.

21. The Bravery - An Honest Mistake

 

 

Peak: 7

Top 40 weeks: 3

 

Just missing out on a top 20 placing we have American band The Bravery with their debut single. The mid-noughties were a period in the UK charts where the genre of indie/alternative was doing comparably well and invariably each week there'd be one or a few high charting tracks from that ilk (at least in comparison to this decade). Whilst I would say I'm not a huge fan of either of those genres sometimes it could throw up a real gem. This is a really well produced track which fuses a range of sub-genres together to combine a really strong piece. I like the funky intro, the drumbeat and in particular, lead singer Sam Endicott's rather sonorous voice. The chorus is ever so singable too and this is very much a track I'll give the odd whirl now and again! Around the time leading up to this track they were touted as a potentially huge band but sadly failed to sustain any prolonged commercial success and have since split. A shame really, as this and their debut album had a very promising sound.

20. Sean Paul - We Be Burnin'

 

 

Peak: 2

Top 40 weeks: 12

 

Kicking off the top 20 it's Sean Paul again, this time with lead single from 3rd album The Trinity. This is another hugely fun track from the Jamaican, and really it's just Sean Paul by the numbers. His signature dancehall/reggae sound made a welcome return (in my view) to the charts in 2005 following on from his hugely successful Dutty Rock era and We Be Burnin' is easily amongst my favourites of his. I particularly like the stop-start production in the verses. This is still a big club favourite to this day but I'm under the impression quite a lot of people can't really tell the difference between most of his songs they just know who it is :lol: Probably my favourite part of this track is the vocal intro, which was recently sampled on Tinashe's 2 On (also a tune btw).

19. Akon - Lonely

 

 

Peak: 1

Top 40 weeks: 14

 

Rounding off this batch it's Akon with 3rd single from debut album Trouble. This is easily one of my favourite R&B songs of 2005. Sampling Bobby Vinton's Mr. Lonely, this track earned Akon a first UK number 1. I actually like the sped-up, high pitched, sampled vocals used in the chorus and don't find they detract from the song at all. Given how much I love Scooter and their incorporation of these into many of their songs I was never going to find it a problem! Otherwise it's a really well written and produced track that I've always liked with many quotable lyrics throughout. 2005 proved a really successful year for Akon in the UK with both this and the parent album reaching #1 and setting him up for sustained success through the decade. However, as I mentioned before, where has he gone since?

18. Kaiser Chiefs - Everyday I Love You Less And Less

 

 

Peak: 10

Top 40 weeks: 10

 

At #18 it's the Kaiser Chiefs with their 3rd release from debut album Employment. This is really great track and quite possibly my favourite in their entire discography. It's a really catchy and upbeat piece, giving out "new wave" kind of vibes. This is another of my favourites from the indie breakthrough at the time but I generally enjoyed every single from Employment as I mentioned in their other showing on this list. I'd say the only bit of this I'm not too keen on is the wailing just before the final chorus but it sort of became one of their signature sounds as shown in I Predict A Riot too. Aside from that however this is still a fantastic indie track which never fails to put a smile on my face :)

17. Razorlight - Somewhere Else

 

 

Peak: 2

Top 40 weeks: 8

 

Up next and now carrying the indie baton we have Razorlight with their single from the re-release of their debut album Up All Night. This is by far my favourite Razorlight single and completed a highly successful first era from them (which they would carry on into their return the next year). There was a lot of competition in this genre at the time but I found Razorlight a little more standout than many others, partly helped by lead singer Johnny Borrell's distinctive vocals (an attribute I also liken to The Kooks in following years). The lyrics are a little lacking (particularly in the first verse) but I can overlook that on this one. What makes Somewhere Else great for me is the brilliant melody, backed up by a very strong chorus and charging guitar riffs. America was their only number 1 single but this is one that has always stood out for me from them. It's also the 2nd highest indie track in this countdown so job well done!

16. Gwen Stefani (feat. Eve) - Rich Girl

 

 

Peak: 4

Top 40 weeks: 9

 

And now for something completely different! Rich Girl was the 2nd single from Gwen's debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. A cover of Louchie Lou & Michie One's own alteration of the Musical classic If I Were A Rich Man. I really like this version, Dr. Luke does a great job on production and with Eve on the rap sections it all comes together to result in a seriously catchy ragga-like piece. In fact, this may be a rare example where I like all the adaptations of a song as well as the original. I definitely credit LL/MO's twist on it, and Gwen & Eve recreate their version with a similar vibe but one that also had huge commercial success as well. This is possibly my favourite of Gwen's solo material (although What You Waiting For pushes it close). It had been a very long gap after her 2nd album (No Doubt aside) but I see she's recently hit the Billboard with a new release so it's good to have her back!

15. t.A.T.u. - All About Us

 

 

Peak: 8

Top 40 weeks: 4

 

Making the top 15 it's Russian duo t.A.T.u. with first single from 2nd album Dangerous And Moving. These girls made quite a splash back in 2003 with debut single All The Things She Said, not least due to the rather iconic yet controversial music video associated with it. But I loved that track along with follow-up Not Gonna Get Us and at the time wondered if they would make a return down the line. So when this track was premiered I was very eager to see how they'd return and it did not disappoint one bit. This is a fantastic track and quite possibly edges the others as my favourite of theirs (from ones that made the UK top 40). The verses can be viewed as rather basic with the monosyllabic lyrics working against the music but I find it adds to dramatic nature of the song and helps build up to a fantastic climax in the chorus. It's a really gripping and emotionally-charged single but with a brilliant melody to boot, I particularly like the middle 8 with the slowed-down verse before the final chorus bursts into life. Just a great song, and shame this would be their last real commercial success.

Edited November 11, 201410 yr by Dobbo

14. Caesars - Jerk It Out

 

 

Peak: 8

Top 40 weeks: 5

 

At #14 we have Swedish band Caesars with their most famous track Jerk It Out, which features on no fewer than three of their studio albums (aimed at differing geographical markets and released in different years). This made a tiny impact on the UK charts back in 2003 (smashing home at #60) but upon a re-release 2 years later, stormed into the top 10. This is a funky little track with a great chorus and a general feelgood factor. The wobbly riff omnipresent throughout the track is the obvious standout feature for me and possibly what makes it so memorable. This song was featured in umpteen adverts, films & video games at the time and it was no surprise. It's a gem of a track and takes me right back to my early teens. This also has the honour of being the highest ranked indie track in my countdown and it's a thoroughly deserving winner there.

13. Jem - They

 

 

Peak: 6

Top 40 weeks: 10

 

Debut single from Welsh singer Jem is next, featuring on her first album Finally Woken. I really like everything about this track, and it's one of my highest ranked debuts on this countdown. The production is fantastic, from the choir-like "Ah's" to the breakbeat that enters early on. The song has an excellent flow to it whereby the verses and chorus seem to blend just perfectly. I like the understated vocals and the rather subtle nature to the track. The lyrics are quite deep and mysterious which is makes it an interesting listen and to this day I'm still not 100% certain on who "they" are! It's a really well-written track and is leagues ahead of anything else Jem released thereafter. For me this is a song for all occasions, works on a party playlist, as a chill-out track and is still something I play regularly. As an aside, I love the video to this (and this is perhaps what inspired parts of Ariana Grande's Break Free as well). A+ from me!

12. The Black Eyed Peas - Don't Phunk With My Heart

 

 

Peak: 3

Top 40 weeks: 13

 

The third and last appearance for The Black Eyed Peas on this countdown (all being in the top half), they really were on fire in 2005. This track being the lead single from previously-mentioned album Monkey Business. This is one of my favourite ever tracks from The Peas and they haven't trumped it with any release since. The production is spot on and I find the rapping section a little more interesting on this one than their others around the time. What wins it for me though is the excellent chorus provided by Fergie, it really stands out and steals the song in a big way. I also like the video concept, it's one of their most creative and interesting videos with the Wheel Of Fortune-esque game show theme. Of course they would go on to have even bigger success come their next album but as I mentioned before their singles from Monkey Business are among their best work in my view.

11. 2Pac (feat. Elton John) - Ghetto Gospel

 

 

Peak: 1

Top 40 weeks: 14

 

Narrowly missing out on a top placing it's 2Pac with posthumously released single Ghetto Gospel from his album Loyal To The Game. This track is a re-working by Eminem of a previously unreleased version of 2Pac's (which is very different) and sampling parts of Indian Sunset by Elton John. This genre isn't normally one I actively listen to but it was a pleasant surprise to see this have such commercial success in the UK. I see the appeal in both versions but I'd swing more towards this one. The sample use is very effective and complements the song well overall and although parts of the original are cut out which removes some of the story, it's still a lyrically deep and moving track about such a pertinent aspect in the real world. The verses are powerful and it was quite unusual hearing a track of this nature being played as a #1 single on radio. That said it's my favourite number 1 of 2005 and was a real standout of the year.

So we're up to the top 10 now! Which songs listed so far have been your favourite? What have you loved/hated/agreed on?

 

Thanks to anyone reading/following this countdown! :)

 

Top 10 is when it starts to get real interesting too!

Edited November 12, 201410 yr by Dobbo

10. Mint Royale - Singin' In The Rain

 

 

Peak: 20 [2005, subsequent peak: 1]

Top 40 weeks: 12

 

Kicking things off at #10 it's Manchester duo Mint Royale with their dance-infused adaptation of the famous song most associated with Gene Kelly in the musical of the same name. At the time of release this was popularised by a rather brilliant Volkswagen advert. This is a really great dance track and a very clever and inventive twist on a classic song. I really like the way they interpolated parts of the original around a modern production and still kept the feel of it. I particularly like the instrumental breakdowns at 00:29 and 1:34 and even ignoring the fact it's a remix it's still an excellent house track with strong production. The video for this is really cool too. This was a bit of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it hit in 2005 but then of course came George Sampson & Britain's Got Talent in 2008 which rifled the song all the way to #1. Of course, I was very happy to see a track like this take that top shot, irregardless of circumstance!

Since my last comment I have loved these songs; We Be Burnin', Lonely, Don't Phunk With My Heart and Ghetto Gospel :wub: Some seriously great songs from the past here!

 

I have only vague memories of 2005 music at the time but once I hear the songs I remember the words and how the songs go. 2005 seems quite 'urban'-heavy and that suits me 100% :D

Yes, although I'd argue across the board it wasn't as strong as other years that decade there are some really outstanding individual tracks! :)

9. Mario - Let Me Love You

 

 

Peak: 2

Top 40 weeks: 11

 

At #9 we have American singer Mario with lead single from second album Turning Point. This is easily one of my favourite R&B jams ever! Written and part-vocalled by Ne-Yo (who would go on to start a very successful solo career the following year), this is a really smooth urban banger that takes me right back to early secondary school years. The chilled, laidback production allows the vocals to take centre stage and this has a really great melody throughout the whole song. The lyrics are a bit cheesy in parts but I'd always let that slide with this track as everything else about it I really like. I especially rate the final few choruses from just after the 3 minute mark and this is a rare example where I even enjoy the layered vocals during the latter parts and feel they really add to the emotion and conviction of the track. This to date remains Mario's only UK top 10 but what a song to have it with. This is also the highest single on this countdown to be neither dance nor rock-based!

Let Me Love You :wub: Remember this was massive, they played this at a school disco and all the boys joined in singing (initially pretending not to know the song :lol: )

8. The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize

 

 

Peak: 3

Top 40 weeks: 7

 

Next up it's The Chemical Brothers with lead single from 5th studio album Push The Button. Being a big fan of The Chemical Brothers throughout their 90's heyday I was always welcome to new material from the Manchester duo. Like the Prodigy, they managed two number 1's in the 90's (Setting Sun & Block Rockin' Beats) and those along with Hey Boy Hey Girl were among my favourite dance anthems. Then came the release of 4th album Come With Us in 2002 and it was the first occasion where I didn't particularly take to their new material. It was decent but for me, lacking any sort of standout brilliance. That all changed in 2005 when Galvanized premiered. My word, what a record. It's punchy, it's dynamic and it's quite brilliantly produced. The sample of an African string riff is executed flawlessly and really dominates the track. I really like the rapping supplied by Q-Tip as well. The middle section where it all slows down and we are eagerly waiting for that button to be pushed really stands out in my mind before the final chorus explodes into life. I would actually go so far as to say this is probably my favourite Chemical Brothers' single. It's just a real all-rounder that I could never get tired of!

7. Green Day - Jesus Of Suburbia

 

 

Peak: 17

Top 40 weeks: 2

 

Indeed! At #7 it's American punk rock band Green Day with fifth and final release from critically acclaimed 7th album American Idiot. Now first and foremost, Green Day are one of my favourite ever rock bands and American Idiot is one of my favourite ever rock albums so really it should come as no surprise to see them feature so highly in this countdown! I loved most of their output during the 90's but the American Idiot era is easily my favourite ever of theirs, it's just such a solid album. Jesus Of Suburbia is a 9 minute masterpiece split into 5 sections and considered by many to be the pinnacle of said album. I enjoy every section and it's an extreme rarity for such a long song to not just retain my interest but for me to love the entire track. There are so many brilliant vocals, riffs and hooks, to go into detail would take quite some time so I'll just say it was a delight to hear this in any format on the chart show at the time (even the radio edit is nearly 6 and a half minutes long!) I remember when this album came out and it was all anyone was talking about at school. And the number of times this was sang during school trips really brings back great memories! Assuringly, this is not the last we'll be seeing of Green Day in this countdown :D

Edited November 18, 201410 yr by Dobbo