Shock you say?

 

Last Thing On My Mind?

12. Tragedy | 8.941 Highest Scores: 10: (Nina West, gog lad84, spiceboy, Jay), Lowest Scores: 7.5: (JosephStyles, Herbs)


I promised you a BIG SHOCK and here it is at #12 is the big one Tragedy, issued as a double a-side with 'Heartbeat', it was released in November 1998 & initially wasn't included on any album, the song would later feature on the group's 2nd studio album Steptacular. The song eventually reached #1 on the UK singles chart, becoming not only their first chart topper but would go onto sell over 1.21 million copies, making this the biggest selling hit of their careers. As may or may not know the song was originally a #1 hit for the Bee Gees back in 1979, making this the 2nd time the song would top the charts. The music video contained the dance step of putting both hands parallel to the sides of the head in time with the word "tragedy", which became a trademark of the group.

Shocked that this didn't finish in the top 10 on here at the very least, it just goes to show how unpredictable these rates are. This is an inspired reworking of the Bee-Gees classic, which I think this has totally eclipsed it. The song is such an instant pop classic with the church bells opening bars, catchy pulsating beats & that instantly iconic chorus that has since become the quintessential Steps single & their big cultural moment. Perhaps the amount of hype & overplay may have killed it somewhat, but you can't deny that this was the song that really elevated Steps to the big leagues & whether you like it or not this will always be their signature hit.

Had a feeling it might be Tragedy, it seems more loved by the general public than die-hard fans.

 

It's a great cover of course, it really hits hard, and the 25 Revisited version is absolutely great with the bigger wedding bells and march opening. I'm glad they have a bankable song like this in their catalogue, a huge million seller that everyone knows. It's not their best, it's not their worst, but it elevated them to a much bigger place and I'm sure without this song they wouldn't be here today, or they would but would be on the nostalgia circuit with all the other acts playing to small crowds.

Only 11 songs left now, what will fall short of the top 10?

 

Stay tuned to find out

Tragedy missing the Top 10 is not really a shock to me.

Love that Stomp is so high! I feel like it always gets underrated in these rates. Its a classic disco styled hit that only sounds better now than it did at the time imo

Love that Stomp is so high! I feel like it always gets underrated in these rates. Its a classic disco styled hit that only sounds better now than it did at the time imo

I completely agree about stomp. Tragedy is about where i expected it on the countdown, i think most fans like it but its not in their big faves which this result also suggests.

CR, Stomp and Tragedy are classics! High scores and curious what the top 11 looks like.

 

Again, you are doing a fantastic job Nina :heart:

CR, Stomp and Tragedy are classics! High scores and curious what the top 11 looks like.

 

Again, you are doing a fantastic job Nina :heart:

 

Thank you so much, its nice to see my hard work appreciated. I would like to thank not only everybody whose taken part, but also all the amazing responses that have taken this to 8 pages WOW, & its not even on the top 10 yet.

 

#11 will be up later this evening, but What will it be & after that there will be a re-cap of the results 11-20.

Edited September 20, 20222 yr by Nina West

Tragedy has marginally improved in my rankings, although I always preferred Heartbeat (the 12 year old me raced to HMV to buy the cassette for that song!)

I am also loving the reviews and writeups! I'm learning things I didn't know before, wonderful effort!

Tragedy :wub: A bonafide classic. I have to admit I went off it for some years, but since the 2017 tour I gained a huge appreciation for it again.

'Tragedy' gets maligned but I absolutely love it! It's a total classic to me.

It's def a classic and outside the fans it's prob their most popular single by a mile.

It’s definitely a classic but Tragedy, One for Sorrow and the dreadful Deeper Shade of Blue are just over used since they reformed. Wish they’d give some of their other hits more attention than these 3 that we’ve seen performed over and over again.

11. What The Future Holds | 8.97 Highest Scores: 10: (gooddelta, Feel The Fever, pippa, Aaron, spiceboy, Qween), Lowest Scores; 7.5/7: (Yobnedor, Run For Cover)


Just falling short of the top 10 at #11 is What The Future Holds, released in September 2020 as the lead single from the group's 6th studio album of the same title. The track was written by Greg Kurstin & Sia. This marked Step's first release with new record label BMG & this single & album was due to be released in the Spring, but was delayed due to the Pandemic. The song's music video was shot in London at the start of the year but didn't premiere until September. The full version of the song features a solo verse shared by Faye & Lisa, but the verse was cut on the shorter single mix of the song.

This brilliant bop certainly felt like a natural progression for the group from their last era with its slightly darker futuristic vibe with intense verses before heading into that sparkly & dramatic Clarie driven chorus that soars high above the modern dance production, along with some gorgeous harmonies. You can tell that this song was written by Sia because it has her signature influence all over it, which isn't a bad thing at all, because she's an amazing song writer & having her board can really help elevate any standard pop number. I do admit I wasn't keen on this song on first listen, I dunno why, maybe at first I didn't feel that Steps & Sia didn't mix well together but after a couple of listens I slowly came around to it and find this to be one of the group's finest & catchiest singles to date & set the tone perfectly for what's in store for the album.

Right then guys we are now down to our final 10, but for the moment here are 11-20 re-cap results =

11. What The Future Holds - 8.97
12. Tragedy - 8.942
13. Stomp - 8.911
14. Chain Reaction - 8.911
15. To The Beat of My Heart - 8.843
16. Say You'll Be Mine - 8.812
17. Here and Now - 8.781
18. The Slightest Touch - 8.718
19. Love U More - 8.656
20. Love's Got A Hold On My Heart - 8.5


Here's what's to feature in the top 10 (which all has an average of 9 or higher) =

Last Thing On My Mind
One For Sorrow
Better Best Forgotten
Deeper Shade of Blue
Summer of Love
It's The Way You Make Me Feel
Paradise Lost
Scared of the Dark
Neon Blue
Something In Your Eyes


9 from disc one & just 1 from disc two, please feel free to share your thoughts & feelings?

Edited September 20, 20222 yr by Nina West

I feel like Its The Way You Make Me Feel should win again, but I could see Deeper Shade of Blue up there too! Expect Neon Blue or Better Best Forgotten to drop next

It’s definitely a classic but Tragedy, One for Sorrow and the dreadful Deeper Shade of Blue are just over used since they reformed. Wish they’d give some of their other hits more attention than these 3 that we’ve seen performed over and over again.

 

What did you just say?! :mellow:

Whilst I like Paradise Lost I’m expecting it to be our fairly soon. Next song or two.